Central Florida Health News

tude of excited Jollibee patrons waiting to get their hands on their Jollibee favorites, but also first-timers waiting to have their own Jollibee experience," said Jose Miñana, Jollibee Foods Corporation's Group President for North America.

"There's no greater joy for us than serving the needs and tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service –our own brand of joy." The brand has become a symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special

Healthy Seniors EDITION

get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menufavorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which is made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and a flaky golden brown crust.

largest Asian restaurant company, is now open in Jacksonville. This is the 36th store in the US, as well as the first in the state and Southeast US. It opened to the public on March 18, 2017. Jacksonville is the most populous city in the Sunshine State, as well as home to the largest FilipinoAmerican community in Florida. The longawaited arrival of Jollibee in the city has

How the Health Information Exchange Affects You NO REGRETS Gessler Doctor Reflects on Nearly 50 Years of Practice POP QUIZ! Do You Know How to Prevent Falls at Home?

Keeping You Healthy and Safe

Schedule your appointment today:

Primary Care

Auburndale

2028 U.S. Highway 92 W.

Auburndale, FL 33823

(863) 965-9327

Bartow

2250 Osprey Blvd. Suite 102

Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 533-1448

Haines City

36245 U.S. Highway 27

Haines City, FL 33844

(863) 421-9801

Lakeland

619 Midflorida Drive Suite 1

Lakeland, FL 33813

(863) 701-7188

Winter Haven

7599 Cypress Gardens Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33884

(863) 324-4725

Florida State University College of Medicine

Family Medicine Residency at Winter Haven Hospital

1201 First St. S., Suite 100A

Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 280-6080

Specialists

Cardiac Electrophysiology

200 Ave. F N.E.

Suite 9118

Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 292-4004

Cardiovascular Surgery

200 Ave. F N.E.

Suite 9118

Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 292-4004

General Surgery

2000 Osprey Blvd. Suite 205

Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 733-4390

Hematology-Oncology

200 Ave. F N.E.

Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 292-4670

Structural Heart and Valve Program

200 Ave. F N.E.

Suite 9118

Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 292-4004

Urology

7599 Cypress Gardens Blvd.

Winter Haven, FL 33884

(863) 845-2688

We’ve enhanced our safety measures to protect your health. We’re screening everyone for fever and COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering our offices. All doctors, team members and patients are required to wear masks and we’re sanitizing our offices throughout the day.

CONTENTS | April 2021

8 10 14 16

Pop Quiz!

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury on the job, but did you know they are also one of the leading sources of injuries at home? One of the easiest ways to stay safe in your home is to be smart and make key changes. Take our pop quiz and learn the best ways to prevent falls in your home.

Helping Hands

Since 2012, Change of Pace adult daycare in Sebring has offered a safe place for clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s to enjoy activities with others while caregivers can get a break. We talked to administrator Cora Schwingel to get a better understanding of how the daycare is so mutually beneficial.

No Regrets

Gessler Clinic’s Dr. Alan Gansler reflects on his nearly 50 years of practice. At 74, he’s seen the healthcare sector evolve over the years, but for him, it will always be about the bond he has with his patients.

Sharing Is Caring

Modern technology is aiding healthcare providers in their eternal quest to improve the quality of care they offer their patients in the form of 21stcentury digital information exchange. Central Florida Health Care Chief Clinical Informatics Officer Andrew Hein explains how the sharing of information improves your patient experience.

On the Cover

This issue talks about the various ways seniors can stay healthy and happy in their golden years. From caregivers to resources and tips on keeping the mind sharp, it’s all inside!

the needs and tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service our own brand of joy." The brand has become a symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special been the talk of the town since 2016. With the opening, Floridians will get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world

POLK COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

4315 Highland Park Blvd, Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

863-644-4051

2021 OFFICERS

JAMES J. BOOKER, MD President

GEORGE LYLE, MD Secretary

STUART PATTERSON, MD Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

RALPH NOBO, JR., MD, Chair

GEORGE LYLE, MD

STUART PATTERSON, MD

GARY SCHEMMER, MD

SERGIO SEOANE, MD

ARVIND SONI, MD

Health and Happiness Have No Age Limit

Everybody wants to live a fulfilling life, age gracefully and enjoy the golden years. Maintaining your physical and mental health plays a crucial role in that endeavor. That means it’s important not only to eat right and keep your body moving but also to keep your mind stimulated as well. In this Senior Edition of Central Florida Health News, we touch on some of these very important issues.

One popular question we often hear is how can seniors remain independent in their own homes. Making sure seniors are safe in their homes goes a long way, and one of the most important ways to do that is to fallproof the house. Take our quiz on the best steps to take to prevent falls in the home on page 8.

This month’s Body, Mind & Spirit on

page 9 shares seven easy ways to engage your brain and keep it sharp as you age. After your mental workout, treat yourself to a heaping helping of brain food! We’ve got the scoop on what foods to eat and the most delicious ways to prepare them in our Healthy Cook article on page 18.

Here at the Polk County Medical Association, we aim to do our part to raise awareness for a variety of healthrelated topics, including some you’ll read about in this issue. If you’re a medical provider in the community, we’d like to invite you to become a member. Through the PCMA, doctors can give back to the community by volunteering with We Care of Polk County. The PCMA’s concerns are also heard in the Florida Legislature because of its strong ties with the Florida Medical Association. HN

Some of the benefits of a PCMA membership include the following:

✱ Physician referrals

✱ Medical malpractice discounts with The Doctors Company

✱ Ongoing relevant communication

✱ Access to CME Programs

✱ Workers compensation insurance benefits

✱ Complimentary Socials/ dinners

✱ Strong PCMA physician representation in Central Florida Health News and Central Florida Doctor publications

✱ Listing advantages in the annual Central Florida Physicians Directory & Medical Providers Guide

✱ Physician and medicine advocacy at all legislative levels.

JACKIE

COURTNEY Executive Director

4315 Highland Park Blvd Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

Sincerely,

James J. Booker, MD

James J. Booker, MD Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Winter Haven President, Polk County Medical Association

If you’d like more information about becoming a PCMA member or need to check your membership status for renewal, contact our Executive Director Jackie Courtney at (863) 644-4051 or email director@ polkcountydoctors.com.

A Season of Light

NELSON KIRKLAND, PUBLISHER nelson@centralfloridamediagroup.com

At this time last year, we were one more nation brought to its knees in the face of an invisible enemy that left death in its wake. We were seeking light at the end of the tunnel. Now, as we enter the Easter season a year later, we are seeing that light. We can finally see what could be the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that’s a good thing. (No, let me rephrase that … it’s a GREAT thing!) And while we hunkered down at home and behind masks, our health heroes braved the unknown to protect the rest of us. They gave their blood, sweat, and tears. Some gave their lives.

I want to thank all of the folks in the health sector for their herculean efforts and sacrifices. I know firsthand what they poured into the effort to save lives.

The pandemic changed more than just our social plans. It brought an overwhelming loss of life around the world. It changed us in ways that may not be realized for years to come, including how we function as a society. Employers forced to weigh business and financial needs with the safety of their employees eagerly sought workarounds to make sure everyone’s needs were met. Laws regarding everything from wages and hours to public safety and health requirements shifted

to adapt to the unfamiliar “new normal.” Employees desperate to head off disruption in business became their own IT departments and flooded Zoom.

In the meantime, we have learned that the absence of workplace camaraderie and social interactions can lead to feelings of isolation for those who work from home. The line between work and home becomes blurred and creates perfect conditions for burnout.

While parents tried to make the home office ideal, children and teachers experienced their own culture shock as they learned that online remote learning can in no way replace time in the classroom. Digital divides, adult supervision and the lack of interactive opportunities proved to be worthy threats to our children’s educational success.

The past 12 months have changed almost every aspect of our world. As with any difficult situation, it is how we learn from the experience and move forward in a positive and constructive way that truly makes a difference. Right now, we are watching a different kind of history being made. We are writing the terms of our own recovery. I, for one, am confident we are starting a promising sequel to one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history. HN

PUBLISHER

Nelson Kirkland

MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica McDonald

PROJECT MANAGER

David Kiessling

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Juanita Halter

MARKETING DIRECTOR & DIGITAL SPECIALIST

Morgan Driggers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Erika Aldrich, Mary Joye, LMHC , Paul Catala, Teresa Schiffer, Carol Corley, Dr. Joy Jackson, Julie Butterfield

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS

Aly Sheraly, MD; Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, MD ; AdventHealth

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Dawn Lewandowski

POP QUIZ!

Do You Know the Best Ways to Prevent Falls in Your Home?

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury on the job, but did you know they are also one of the leading sources of injuries at home? Unfortunately, we tend to be more relaxed about safety at home, and that leads to the statistic that more than 75 percent of falls occur in the home! Seniors are even more at risk. One of the easiest ways to stay safe in your home is to be smart and make key changes. Take our pop quiz and find out how to fall-proof your home.

1. Which of the following are the top three considerations when fall-proofing your home?

A. Adequate lighting everywhere, inside and out

B. Reducing clutter

C. Handrails

D. Having easy access to the things you use most

2. True or false?

You always want three points of contact with something sturdy—such as two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand on a grab bar, handrail, or the floor—no matter what you are doing, such as getting out of the shower or walking up stairs.

3. When it comes to outside doorways, what steps can you take to reduce falls?

A. Fix wobbly or cracked steps, landings, and walkways.

B. Make sure entryways are well lit.

C. Install a grab bar on one side of the door to assist you.

D. Keep the area clear of trip hazards.

E. All of the above

4. True or false?

Chairs and stools are dangerous to step on to reach something high up.

5. Which of the following is NOT a fall prevention tip for your kitchen?

A. Place commonly used items on countertops or in low cabinets.

B. Install carpet in the kitchen.

C. Use rubber-backed throw rugs.

D. Don’t leave floors wet from spills or cleaning.

6. What steps can you take to fall-proof stairs?

A. Keep all clutter off of stairs.

B. Have adequate lighting at both the top and bottom of the stairway.

C. Add a strip of no-slip, contrasting colored tape to the edge of each stair to be able to see each stair better.

D. Add a second handrail if your stairs only have a handrail on one side.

E. All of the above

7. True or false?

You should have someone else change your lightbulbs for you, and choose LED lights so they need to be changed less often.

8. Which of the following is NOT a tip for fallproofing the bathroom?

A. Use towel racks as grab bars.

B. Put a non-slip rubber mat in the shower and/ or bathtub.

C. Have grab bars installed near the toilet and tub, making sure they are level and anchored to the wall.

D. Consider using a shower chair and a handheld showerhead.

9. Which of the following are tips for fall-proofing your bedroom?

A. Have a light by the bed within easy reach.

B. Consider installing a bed rail to help you get in and out of bed.

C. Have a well-lit, clear path from the bedroom to the bathroom.

D. Have a phone in easy reach

E. All of the above

10. True or false?

A medical alert device is a good idea if you are concerned about falling in your home.

3. D. All of the

2. True. Having three points of contact on a sturdy surface can save you from a fall if you slip or lose your balance.

1. C. Handrails. Adequate lighting, reducing clutter, and easy access to the items you use most are the three most useful options for fall-proofing every room in your home.

ANSWERS:

above.

4. True. A reach stick grabbing tool is the best option for grabbing things high up or asking someone

to get it for you.

Install carpet in the kitchen. All the rest are good options for fall-proofing your kitchen.

All of the above. Make sure stairs are clutter-free, well-lit, easy to see, non-slip, and use handrails!

Ask a family member, neighbor, or friend to change your lightbulbs, and using LEDs means they will need to be replaced less often.

Use towel racks as grab bars. Towel racks are not sturdy enough to catch you in a fall, but anchored grab bars can be used as towel racks.

compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH / information provided by the NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING and the NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING

7 Ways to Sharpen Your Mind at Any Age

by MARY JOYE, LMHC

If getting older is getting old to you, you can do many things to improve your brain and your life. Many of us worry about developing dementia, and it’s never too early or too late to boost your brain’s functioning. We all know how it feels to walk into a room and ask, “Why did I come in here?” This can happen at any age and can make you feel like you’re losing your mind. In some ways, you are losing access to short-term memory. The good news is your memory can be restored and enhanced. The earlier you begin to implement holistic tools, the better your aging experience will be. These eight tips are good places to start.

1. Learn something new. Instead of reading a novel, learn something novel. Make it something that interests you. When you use your mind, you don’t lose your mind, and you strengthen neural pathways for better memory overall.

2. A balance of exercise and rest. The release of endorphins, dopamine and other feel-good chemicals during exercise keep your mind sharp. Brain fog is lifted and exercise assists well-being long after it’s over. Mix up activities you like such as walking one day, resistance training the next or getting out in nature kayaking or hiking. Vitamin D from sunshine supports your immune system, but remember to wear sunscreen to keep your skin younger, too. Balance activity with rest, which is the root word of restoration. A healthy sleep routine keeps irritability down while it builds up your ability to cope with stressors.

3. Stress less. This may be easier said than done but is imperative to keep your brain’s executive functioning online. Meditation, yoga or therapy if your stress is unmanageable will help.

4. Eat consciously. There is not one perfect diet plan for all. Find foods that keep you at optimal health

and add them to your diet. Subtract what makes you feel badly after you eat or drink them. Foods, alcohol and other substances can affect your mood, and noticing this or visiting a nutritionist may be helpful.

5. Find something purposeful or spiritual. If you have a calling, answer it! It lifts our spirits when we reach beyond ourselves and help others or work for meaningful causes. It keeps the brain focused on being of value to society and, in turn, to ourselves. Finding purpose begins by recognizing what intrigues you and taking action.

6. Socialize to energize. This is extremely important for brain and physiological health. A longitudinal study from Harvard University proved loneliness is more dangerous to the life span than smoking or drinking alcohol. COVID-19 proved it to all of us how long-term isolation can rewire the brain with PTSD-like symptoms. Solitary confinement is a cruel punishment. Socialize with people who make you feel good about yourself and reciprocate. Positive connections and lively conversations fill our body and brain with chemical exchanges that we need for improved vitality. Have fun!

6. Think about what you are thinking about. Be conscious of your subconscious. If you constantly think about negative things or complain, stress hormones increase and well-being decreases. Practice gratitude and process negative events through positive perspectives and resilience will improve. Your brain can’t simultaneously focus on positive and negative thoughts.

Aging is inevitable, but we can all improve our brain power to act and feel younger. The above methods of self-care will enhance brain health and may help you to live longer, be stronger and enjoy your life at any age. HN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Joye, LMHC, PA, is a licensed mental health counselor with offices in Lakeland and Winter Haven. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit winterhavencounseling.com.

Adult Daycare Stimulates Minds While Offering Caregivers a Change of Pace

by JULIE BUTTERFIELD

HELPING HANDS

It wasn’t too long before Change of Pace’s Administrator Cora Schwingel realized that it wasn’t just the caregivers getting a break at the adult daycare in Sebring; the clients loved it as well.

Since 2012, Change of Pace has offered a safe place for clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s to enjoy activities with others while caregivers can do, well, anything they’d like. Caregivers might use the time to indulge in activities they once enjoyed. Others use part of the time to simply rest.

Naps aren’t part of Darrel Heckman’s agenda, though. He’s in the process of filling out the paperwork to register his wife, Ruth, who holds a doctorate in education. She was diagnosed with dementia three years ago.

He plans to revisit activities in which he used to have more time to indulge.

“I’m going to continue to declutter the house,” he said. “(I’ll play) golf. And I love the woods. I like to shoot, so to get to do some of those things would be very pleasing to me.”

Heckman goes to Memorial United Methodist Church for one of the three support session locations offered by Change of Pace, led by Schwingel, where he found out about the daycare.

“When I went I realized where I had come from that time to now, I don’t know where I’d be without this group,” said the Lake Placid resident. “I’ve learned so much from these caregivers, and I’m not knocking the medical field, but it’s just not in their books.”

Caregivers share tips and advice in the support group. And they exchange real-life stories with ample opportunity to “just get things off your chest.” And they talk about the benefits of taking time for oneself.

Learning that Ruth would be socializing with others and also exercising were what tipped the scales for Heckman to sign Ruth up for Change of Pace. Snacks and nutritious meals are part of the day at the program, where clients meet new friends, tell stories, and socialize.

“Socialization is very important because (partners with dementia) have a tendency to withdraw,” he said.

And he equates the exercise she’ll get as “oxygen to the brain.”

“Most of our clients have some type of dementia, and it is good for them to get regular stimulation,” Schwingel said.

Some Change of Pace regulars frequent it five days a week. On average, it’s about three to four days a

week that clients come to take part in the activities, such as chair exercises, painting and puzzles. Change of Pace launched Cardio Drumming earlier this month, where participants pound huge rubber balls with drumsticks in rhythm to music like “The Twist.” It was a huge hit with more sessions to follow. Change of Pace aims for person-centered activities, where each client is assessed based on preferences and abilities, with activities tailored to their individual needs.

Shwingel breaks down the cost-benefit ratio by comparing the price of an in-home caregiver versus the cost of Change of Pace. The difference is three hours with an in-home caregiver to a full day at Change of Pace.

Additionally, Change of Pace clients are given the opportunity to get out of the house while allowing the caregiver to stay home if they choose. There, caregivers can turn their productivity on other needs at home without interruption, like laundry, cleaning or even sleep.

“That’s the benefit of adult daycare that a lot of people don’t recognize,” Schwingel said.

Heckman knows Ruth will be in good hands because he has already seen the conscientious and caring environment at the support groups.

“There is such a drastic need for this in other communities because there are a lot of caregivers,” he said. “To be honest, your life has taken a different turn.”

The five people who started Change of Pace in 2012 did it with the goal in mind to offer caregivers a needed change of pace, thus the name. The main purpose for opening the nonprofit was to give the caregivers a break so that they could better care for themselves and therefore take better care of their loved ones, Schwingel said.

Heckman can attest to this. He knows he needs to take time for himself to take care of himself, which he has already had a taste of attending the support group.

“They needed to be taken care of,” Schwingel said. “They needed help to guide them through the journey.”

Change of Pace holds support group meetings three times a week.

“Support groups help caregivers to realize they are not alone in the journey that they are on and give them pointers to make the journey a bit easier,” Swingel said.

It offers adult daycare five days a week.

Change of Pace is the only adult daycare in Highlands County, according to Schwingel. It operates inside Sebring Christian Church.

For more information, visit changeofpacefl.com. HN

MEDICAL ADVICE

National Infant Immunization Week

by DR. JOY JACKSON

Many have received immunizations throughout their lifetime, but it’s often taken for granted how much of an impact these vaccines have on the lives of those in our communities, counties, state and even country. The Florida Department of Health in Polk County recognizes April 24May1 as National Infant Immunization Week. This is an annual observance promoting the benefits of immunizations for children from birth to age 2.

Immunizations protect adults and children from serious diseases and reduce the risk of complications from certain diseases, especially among those with compromised immune systems. Immunizations also reduce the chance of passing on a serious disease to others.

The Florida Department of Health is committed to increasing the rate of immunizations among Florida children under 2 years of age. Routine immunizations give every child the chance at a healthy life from the start. Thanks to infant immunizations, significant milestones have been achieved in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants worldwide.

National Infant Immunization Week serves as a reminder to parents, caregivers and healthcare providers about the importance of immunizations for children. Infant immunizations protect children against 14

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

serious illnesses. Some of these illnesses include tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, polio, and rotavirus just to name a few. It is important for parents and health care providers to work together to follow the recommended Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP) schedule to protect infants and children.

The recommended immunization schedule is designed to protect infants and children early in life when they are most vulnerable and before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website offers a recommended schedule for the age or age range that children should receive each vaccine.

Those who are fully vaccinated also help protect those who may not be able to protect themselves against diseases. Unfortunately, there are still millions of children worldwide who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. As a result, vaccine-preventable diseases can still spread to the United States through various means of travel.

For more information about immunizations or immunization status, contact your primary care provider or the Department of Health in Polk County. To learn more about immunizations schedules for children, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov. HN

Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/ FLHealthPolk.

NO REGRETS

Gessler Clinic’s

Dr. Alan Gasner Approaches 50 Years of Medical Practice

by PAUL CATALA

From his first internship in May 1972 to his most recent patient visit in his clinic office in 2021, Dr. Alan Gasner has literally had a pulse on his patients and his career.

Now in his 46th year of professional practice, Gasner continues to help his patients lead healthier lives through his nearly five decades of experience as an internal medicine specialist.

It’s a profession that has taken him from a residency in his hometown of Buffalo, New York, to working as chief of medicine, chief of cardiology, medical staff president and 30 years of trusted treatment at Gessler Clinic in Winter Haven.

Along the way, Gasner, 74, says medicine has been a satisfying career and says he’ll continue seeing patients until “I drop in the saddle.”

Speaking from his Gessler Clinic office, Gasner says his career has been satisfying, though it

can be challenging to keep up with ongoing technological changes. When he first started, patient records were kept by dictation, typing and handwriting; now, records are mandated to be put via computer.

The upside to working in a clinic with the amenities of modern medical-care technology also has its benefits, Gasner says. He says it offers more sources for information on better treatments for patients.

“Working at a multi-specialty clinic is beneficial in that you have other specialists you can call upon in-house for problems when you need it,” says Gasner, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1968 and medical degree from State University of New York in 1972. “You also have all of the business portions of the clinic handled by administrators, and that leaves you to practice medicine.”

— Dr. Alan Gasner

Gasner lives in Winter Haven with his wife, Susan, and has three grown daughters and a son. He moved to Polk County from New York in 1975 and first joined a group of three internal medicine doctors before they merged with Gessler Clinic in 1990.

During his medical tenure, Gasner has seen many changes – mostly for the better.

When Gasner first came to the Winter Haven Hospital, he says there were no sub-specialists and internists did much more – dealing with cardiology, respiratory diseases, heart attacks, respiratory failures, diabetes, insulin care and other health issues.

“We started off doing everything and then as these sub-specialists came to town, we had other people to rely on for some of those things. Back then, we wore many

hats and there were lots of night calls, weekend calls,” he says.

Reflectively, Gasner adds there were parts of those days he doesn’t miss.

“I don’t miss the night calls and weekend calls; I miss the continuity of care that we were able to provide via patients to the office, then to the hospital, then back to the office,” he says.

From 1978 to 1992, Gasner was affiliated with Winter Haven Hospital, where he served as chief of medicine, chief of cardiology, president of medical staff, served on the board of directors and the ethics committee, where he was president. He worked at Internal Medicine Associates of Winter Haven from 1987 to 1990 before joining Gessner Clinic in January 1991 where he currently sees about 20 patients per day.

Outside his office, Gasner says although he’s not affiliated with any area clubs or social organizations, he likes to spend time with daily exercise – biking, playing tennis, running, golfing or working out. He adds that although he has no current retirement plans, he will stay in Winter Haven and hopes to do more traveling.

As for his medical career, Gasner says he has no regrets in choosing his profession.

Stay Strong With Healthy Hips

Expert care can get you there.

We all hope to be able to walk, run and dance through life with healthy, natural joints. But when your hips become arthritic and painful, it’s not easy to keep moving like you used to. The good news is that hip replacement has come a long way, with advanced technology and cutting-edge surgical techniques that can get you back in stride.

Who Can Benefit from Hip Replacement Surgery

Patients over age 65 who have exhausted all other forms of treatment, maintained active lifestyles, and have chronic pain even while sitting or asleep are prime candidates for hip replacement surgery.

Most people who pursue hip replacement do so due to chronic pain that does not respond to other treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, physical therapy, viscosupplementation (gel injections), or weight loss. If you’ve tried these conservative treatments with no relief, it may be time to consider this next step.

What’s New

While the surgery used to require a lengthy, threeweek stay in the hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), hip replacement today takes just two days in the hospital –neither of them in the ICU. And, you can be home and ready to start your physical therapy very quickly. Physical therapy is essential to restore your joint to full strength and range of motion, and get you back on your feet with considerably less pain in just six to eight weeks. The complete healing process takes from 16 to 20 weeks. Count on the AdventHealth

Orthopedic Experts

The AdventHealth Orthopedic Institute is your source for whole-health care. If you’re being held back by intractable hip pain, talk to us about your options. Our experts can explain when hip replacement is needed, who can benefit from it, and what your recovery may look like.

DR. ALAN GASNER

Your

“The reason I’m glad I did it and the reason I’m glad I still do it is I really love the social interaction with the patient, getting to know them, becoming part of their families,” he says. “I know their families … and I’ve been here long enough now I know the patients — the parents and their kids. It’s getting to know people in longterm relationships with them and trying to keep them healthy that makes me happy.”

To learn more, call 407-609-3740 or visit IncredibleOrtho.com.

HN

I’ve been here long enough now I know the patients — the parents and their kids. It’s getting to know people in long-term relationships with them and trying to keep them healthy that makes me happy.

Your joints were made to lift you up.

joints allow you to do incredible things, but they’re vulnerable to damage, inflammation and wear-and-tear. Trust your knees and hips to the specialized orthopedic experts of AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales — providing individualized care for even the most complex conditions to get you back in motion, fast.

Medical Group is Central Florida’s most comprehensive multi-specialty medical group practice. With nearly 600 boardcertified physicians, the group provides patients with a broad range of medical and surgical services across more than 40 medical specialties. For more information or to make an appointment, call 866-997-3627 or visit AdventHealthMedicalGroup.com/Polk-County.

Central Florida Health Care Explains the Importance of the Health Information Exchange

by TERESA SCHIFFER

We are living in an age of miracles when it comes to medical science. Modern healthcare professionals have a wealth of tools at their disposal to help patients recover from diseases that were once almost always fatal and improve the quality of life for many more individuals. As technology advances, we are all becoming more closely connected, including physicians and other healthcare providers.

Over the past few years, some big changes have been taking place in the way that healthcare providers communicate with each other. The Health Information Exchange (HIE) lets doctors and support staff quickly and accurately obtain a patient’s medical history, empowering them to make the best possible decisions for a patient based on all available information.

Dr. Andrew Hein is the Chief Clinical Informatics Officer and Associate Medical Officer for Central Florida Health Care in Winter Haven. He has been closely following the development of the HIE.

Currently, the term “Health Information Exchange” is used in a broad sense, encompass-

SHARING IS CARING

ing many different platforms and methods of sharing information within the medical community.

“It speaks to the fact that we continue to have problems of healthcare providers being able to have timely access to information about our patients, and technology is a good way to bridge that gap and enable us to see things that we need to see about our patients,” Hein describes.

Almost every state in the U.S. is utilizing some type of HIE at this point, but the greater impetus is now to create a fully functional interface at the national level. The 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law in December 2016, helps to make this innovation in information sharing easier and sets up the framework for organizations to participate in the exchange.

The term “Health Information Exchanges” refers to a variety of interfaces that allow patient information to flow through multiple channels and come back to a provider in real time. Central Florida Health Care participates with several of these platforms, including Florida SHOTS and Florida’s Encounter Notification Service.

HEART NEWS Understanding Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Andrew

Florida SHOTS is a free, statewide system that helps healthcare providers and schools keep track of immunization records in order to ensure that patients of all ages are receiving the necessary vaccinations to protect them from preventable diseases.

CommonWell Health Alliance and Carequality are two other systems Central Florida Health Care uses to improve patient care. They are just a couple of the many frameworks available to healthcare providers to make sharing patient information easier and more efficient.

“We have access to those exchanges, and they essentially link us up nationwide to any other participating provider. So if I have a patient who is a snowbird and is coming down for the winter, and their doctor up north is also participating in a Health Information Exchange, I can just click inside my electronic health record on a button and instantly have access to their records from their doctor up north.”

Ultimately, the goal is to have one nationwide exchange that will allow the disparate systems in use throughout the country to communicate with each other. The 21st Century Cures Act established the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) to lay out a set of standards to support the development of such a nationwide exchange. One of the standards is that EHR (electronic health records) vendors

are barred from any type of information blocking, meaning that they cannot impede the sharing of necessary medical information for proprietary reasons. Although the global health crisis of COVID-19 has taken up much of the public’s attention for the past year, it is worth noting that the healthcare industry has been making steady progress in implementing the HIE systems. Safer-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines have thrust telehealth into the foreground lately, while the proposed rule on information blocking was quietly rolled out in October.

The Sequoia Project is the organization selected by the Federal Government in 2019 to coordinate all of the standards and protocols for the successful employment of an information exchange system at the national level. Throughout the COVID crisis, The Sequoia Project has been diligently working to unify the various standards and systems currently in place to create an effective, universally applicable HIE that will ultimately save providers and their patients time, money, and – most importantly – lives.

“It’s really about patient safety,” Hein explains, “and doing what’s best for the patient. We know that patients get over-tested, they have risks when there’s not good information available to their providers, and so this type of system allows for a better quality of care for patients.” HN

Last year, I wrote about heart failure. At that time, I had said that about half the patients admitted with congestive heart failure have normal systolic function. This is true.

The most common way to express heart function is by measuring ejection fraction (EF). This is the proportion of the amount of blood in the left ventricle in diastole (after it fills) that is ejected.

So, why would someone have normal function and have heart failure?

Some common reasons would be valve problems, age, obesity, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, etc.

One big explanation is that the ventricle is thickened and stiff. This may not be the only cause, but it is relatively easy to understand. Filling in diastole is impaired. Hypertension is one cause, as are old age and obesity.

The big key many times is in making the diagnosis because these patients have so many other reasons for breathlessness. Also, most of the blood tests and other cardiac tests are not always useful.

So, it is a diagnosis that often is made by cardiologists based on suspicion and the constellation of supportive test data.

How is treatment different compared to patients with decreased function?

For starters, for reduced EF, many treatments are proven to work. For heart failure with preserved function, there are not that many proven therapies. However, there are some treatment goals.

Assessing blockages, good blood pressure and diabetes control, weight loss, exercise and diet control are known to help. Diuretics in patients with fluid overload, treatment of sleep apnea, and restoring normal rhythm are also key.

Some devices like pulmonary artery sensors are useful in monitoring fluid status/preventing fluid buildup and hospitalization. Some medicines have been shown to work especially in preventing admission. Some of these include diuretics like Aldactone and medicines like Entresto. However, unlike in patients with reduced EF, these are useful in only select groups of patients and not all patients with preserved EF. Therefore, it is important to see a specialist who deals with this issue.

This column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, better known as Dr. Sekhar (pronounced Shaker) has been practicing cardiology in Winter Haven for 25 years. Dr. Sekhar is the Chief of Staff at Bay Care Winter Haven Hospital as well as the Director of the Heart Function Clinic and the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Bay Care Winter Haven Hospital and the Chairman of Cardiology at Advent Hospital in Lake Wales. He is a member of the Heart Failure Society of America, the American Heart Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. To schedule an appointment, please call (863) 508-1101.

KOLLAGUNTA SEKHAR, M.D. KSC CARDIOLOGY

ANDREW HEIN

It’s really about patient safety and doing what’s best for the patient. We know that patients get over-tested, they have risks when there’s not good information available to their providers, and so this type of system allows for a better quality of care for patients.

—

Hein, Central Florida Health Care

Don’t Just Feed Your Appetite, Feed Your Brain

by CAROL CORLEY

You invite friends over for dinner and spend a couple of days planning, shopping and cooking. By doing so, you have not only created an enjoyable evening for all, but you have exercised your brain.

Cooking and planning meals work the brain’s executive functions, even if the result is a total kitchen flop and you end up ordering pizza.

Supporting your brain in the kitchen is definitely a fun activity. First, you can sit down with a cup of coffee and a bit of fruit and dark chocolate and browse through your favorite cookbook. The coffee and treats are already feeding your brain through anti-oxidants, flavonoids and even caffeine.

You settle on tuna, a member of the mackerel family, as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important to support brain and nerve cells. Although epicurious.com suggests canned mackerel might be a better choice because of its richer taste and milder aroma, most people are used to tuna. Omega-3s are essential for learning

and may slow age-related mental decline, according to healthline.com.

In addition to fatty fish, foods considered supportive of brain health include coffee, berries, turmeric, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, nuts and especially walnuts, oranges, eggs and green tea. But it’s also important to eat the right quantity of food, get enough sleep, keep hydrated, exercise regularly and keep stress to a minimum.

There are many ways to slip these powerful brain foods into your diet — experimenting is the way to start. You can create a fruit smoothie for breakfast, turmeric can be added to almost anything, including your smoothie. Pumpkin seeds and nuts can be sprinkled on breakfast cereal, with a side of orange juice. Scrambled eggs with vegetables (broccoli) make a good quick lunch or dinner. Green tea and dark chocolate are good all day long. And since fish is always a good meal, we can start with an oldie — something my mother made for us often.

Easy Berry Smoothie

(Adapted from delish.com)

Ingredients:

Berries of choice, 3 cups frozen, can be blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries

Banana, 1 medium — can use frozen if some of the berries are fresh

Almond milk, or milk of choice 1-1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup Turmeric to taste, if desired (and yes, I sneak this spice in all the time and don’t taste it. I use about 1/2 teaspoon)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

(Adapted from Joy of Cooking 1971)

Ingredients:

Noodles of choice, cooked until tender, 2 cups

Tuna fish, 1 cup canned and separated into large flakes

Cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of condensed, 10-1/2 oz

Worcestershire sauce, curry powder, dry sherry, as desired

Turmeric, as desired, for extra brain support Cracker crumbs

Directions:

In a greased ovenproof dish, arrange layers of cooked noodles, alternating with fish, and ending with noodles on top.

Take the can of mushroom soup undiluted and season with flavorings of choice. Pour over tuna/noodle mixture. Cover top with cracker crumbs.

In an oven preheated to 450F, bake until the top is brown.

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

(Adapted from tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:

Broccoli florets, 2 packages frozen, total 32 ounces

Sharp cheddar cheese, 1-1/2 cups

Onions, one-can french-fried (6 ounces)

Cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of condensed

Sour cream, 1 cup

Turmeric to taste, as desired

Directions:

Mix undiluted soup, sour cream, 1 cup of the cheese, 1-1/4 cups of the onions in a large saucepan, heat over medium heat stirring until blended, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in broccoli. Add mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish and bake uncovered in an oven preheated to 325F until bubbly, or about 25 minutes. When finished, sprinkle the top with remaining cheese and onions. Bake again until the cheese is melted, another 10-15 minutes.

Basic Frittata

(Adapted from tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:

Eggs, 8 large

Olive oil, 3 tablespoons

Onions, 1/2 cup diced

Milk, 1/2 cup

Salt and pepper to taste

Turmeric to taste

To this basic recipe, you can add items that you enjoy, just not all in the same dish — bell peppers any color, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, avocado; cooked meats like salmon, chicken, cooked crumbled bacon, Italian sausage; cheeses like blue cheese, grated parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese.

Directions:

Put the oil in an oven-safe 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat on top of the stove, add onions and cook stirring until softened. Add the 8 large eggs which have been whisked with the milk, salt, pepper and turmeric if desired. Then add other foods from the list according to your choice, and stir. Cook until edges start to pull away from the pan, about 6 minutes. Then place skillet in the oven preheated to 350F and bake 16-18 minutes, or until set.

K.S. Chandrasekhar, MD, FCC

…established his clinic over 20 years ago. He is well known in the community and trusted for his accurate diagnosis and compassionate care.

• Board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine

• Executive Director the Heart Function Clinic, Low Risk Chest Pain Center and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

• President of Medical Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

• Chairman of Cardiology for Lake Wales Medical Center

• Clinical Associate Professor, FSU College of Medicine

Ritu Aparajita, MD, RPVI

A Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon who earned her MBBS at University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center and a residency in general surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. She’s co-authored more than two dozen journal articles. She was recently nominated for the American Medical Association Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession.

Cynthia Wolford, ARNP, FNP-C, CHFN

…is known for her passion to educate patients about Cardiovascular Disease. With additional heart failure certifications, she promptly identifies areas of concern, prescribing medications or lifestyle modifications to treat parients in all stages of heart failure.

• Board certified Family Nurse Practitioner

• Member of Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

Roan Cadavona, ARNP, FNP-C

…brings a high level of education and experience in Cardiac Catheterization, Electrophysiology and working in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care unit. He serves a vital role in providing patients with optimal cardiovascular care through counselling and screening, as well as disease prevention and management strategies.

• Board certified Family Nurse Practitioner

• Member of Staff for BayCare Winter Haven Hospital

Roan Cadavona, ARNP, FNP-C Nurse Practitioner

Ritu Aparajita, MD, RPVI Vascular Surgeon

Kollagunta Chandrasekhar, MD, FACC Cardiologist

Cynthia Wolford, ARNP, FNP-C, CHFN Family Nurse Practitioner

April 2021 | CALENDAR

RECURRING ONLINE EVENTS

Bariatric Support Group Virtual

St. Anthony’s Hospital sponsors this virtual support group for presurgical and postsurgical patients and their families. This session will take place on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 5 – 6 p.m. To learn more, please call 855-269-4777. You can register for this free event at baycare.org/events, search for “Bariatric Support Group.”

BrainFlex Wellness Club

This “body, mind, and spirit” approach to aging well is geared towards seniors looking to stay sharp and fit as they age. The class incorporates four key concepts: exercise/meditation, social connections, interactive nutrition education, and brain training/lifelong learning. The goal is to slow or prevent cognitive decline and improve quality of life. This class takes place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3876883694. Before the class, please download and print class materials from BrainFlexWellness. com. If you have any other questions, please email ORL.MDC@ AdventHealth.com.

Monthly Caregiver Support Group

(Previously Met at Faith Assembly)

This monthly group meets to share advice and experiences, and encourage one another. The group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month using the Zoom online platform. The link to join the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89447209844. If you have any questions, please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth. com.

Breastfeeding Support Group Virtual

St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital sponsors this support group that is exclusively for breastfeeding mothers. It takes place from 10 – 11:30 a.m. If you need more information, please call 855-269-4777. You can register online by visiting baycare.org/events and searching for “Breastfeeding Support Group.”

EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

April 3 –

compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER

FOREVER AMOR Ambitiously Fit Event

This is a FREE monthly event taking place on the first Saturday of every month at 1255 E Main St in Bartow. Get your fit on with Forever Amor and Abundant Believers Church (ABC) and Prime Era Performance (PEP). The Forever Amor movement and clothing line spread awareness to mental health issues through community outreach events such as this. Water, nutritional material, resources for mental health wellness, and more will be provided. Fun for the whole family, all ages welcome! Show up with athletic or running shoes, a sweat towel, and a yoga mat (optional) and be ready to sweat! To learn more, please visit foreveramor.com.

April 9

–

11 – Make-A-Wish Annual Walk for Wishes

This virtual event is a nationwide fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, celebrating the 315,000 and counting wishes that have already been granted by the organization while raising funds to make even more dreams come true. Walk anywhere, anytime between April 9 – 11, then tune in to the YouTube channel on April 10 for a special presentation. Learn more at wish.org.

April 11

–

12 – The Acne Conference – The AHSCP Online National Conference – Spring Session

Presented by the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, this professional conference is being offered online this year to explore and understand the many causes of acne and what holistic treatments can be effectively utilized. Tickets range from $25 - $560 and are available for one or both days. Learn more about the specific schedule of speakers at holisticskincarepractitioners.org and visit eventbrite.com to register.

April 23 – Chat and Chew Zoom with Dr. Reshma Shah, Pediatrician and Author

Learn how to feed your family the best possible diet no matter what their preferences are! The free Zoom event will take place from 10:50 a.m. – 1 p.m. or watch on YouTube at 11:50 a.m. You can register for the Zoom meeting at eventbrite.com, search “Zoom with Dr. Reshma Shah,” or simply enjoy the livestream at youtube.com/c/ChatChewMorePlants.

May 4 and 25 – Mental Health First Aid Training

Peace River Center will offer two free training sessions to the public for learning how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. at the Stuart Center, located at 1710 US Hwy 17 S in Bartow. Each course is limited to 25 participants and those in attendance are encouraged to wear face masks. You can sign up for this informative presentation by visiting PeaceRiverCenter.org/mhfa.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN AT 7AM WITH AN 8 AM SHOT GUN START. THE TOURN AMENT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE ON COURSE GAME WITH PRIZES, SILENT AUCTION, 50/50 AND RAFFLES.

REGISTRATION IS $450 PER FOURSOME AND HOLE SPONSOR

Date: April 24 Saturday, 2021

Location: Cleveland Heights Golf Course

2900 Buckingham Ave.

Lakeland, FL 33803

7 Ways to Save Money on Your Glaucoma Drops

ALY SHERALY, M.D.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve of the eye. It is the cable that carries the information from the eye to the brain. Any damage to this optic nerve due to high pressures can damage it, resulting in lower vision or vision loss. Therefore, it is essential to treat glaucoma early and treat it consistently. This article will review some of the financial burdens associated with glaucoma therapy and some tips to help alleviate that financial burden.

1) Buy Generic. This is a relatively common approach to lowering the cost of your prescription medications. Switching your brand name medications to an available generic brand or switching to a medication on your insurance plan’s formulary can lower costs. The downside to doing this is that it may have lower effectiveness or undesired side effect profile in some cases. The opposite may also be true in that it may control the eye pressure better or have a more tolerable side effect profile. The only way to know is to try and follow up with your eye doctor.

2) Buy Brand Name. This may seem counter-intuitive for some patients; however, many patients are losing their health insurance or may not have drug coverage on their insurance plan given the current economic state. As such, they may be able to switch to a brand-name medication and apply for manufacturing drop assistance plans.

This is where the manufacturer covers all or part of the medicine cost based on your financial situation. In these cases, it is crucial to work with your eye doctor as several criteria must be met to qualify for the programs.

3) Bring Out the Laser. While the traditional route of treating glaucoma involves using eye drops, there is a growing consensus amongst ophthalmologists that using a laser, like SLT, to help lower the eye pressure may be a superior alternative when treating patients with early or newly diagnosed glaucoma. In this case, it is essential to review with your eye doctor the risks and benefits of using laser versus using glaucoma drops.

4) Going Under the Knife. Newer surgical techniques are in development for treating glaucoma using less invasive surgery. This new era of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery allows patients to undergo surgery earlier in the disease course to reduce their need for drops. Often it can be combined with cataract surgery. While these procedures’ success rate is variable, those that benefit can reduce the number of medications they’re on, leading to future cost savings in theory.

5) Practice, Practice, Practice. Putting eye drops in your eye is a skill that is difficult to learn. As a result, it is possible that drops miss the eye or do not go in the eye. The bottles only carry a certain amount of medicine. Every drop that does not make it in the eye is wasted, and this can lead to shortages at the end of the month when the bottle runs out before your designated refill time. Some patients have to purchase drops out of pocket, which raises the cost to them. Thus, it is important to practice getting the drops in your eye the first time, every time.

6) Go Shopping. While many insurance plans require you to send your medications to a specific pharmacy network, others do not have such requirements. Each pharmacy set their prices, and each insurance plan sets their allowable payments. As such, it may be beneficial to shop at various pharmacies and shop at various independent local pharmacies to see who can offer you the best price. Furthermore, some manufacturers contract with specific pharmacies to provide a better price; thus, it may be beneficial to look at these relationships to see if you can take advantage of those price discounts.

7) The More You Buy; the More You Save. Some insurance plans have discounts for ordering 90-day supplies instead of 30-day supplies. They often combine this requirement with using a mail-order pharmacy, resulting in possible savings for the patient.

Medication therapy in glaucoma is a critical way to help treat the disease and prevent vision loss. There are many considerations when doing medical therapy, including effectiveness, side effect profile, and cost. Often, in today’s health systems, patients are burdened with additional costs, but there are many ways to help minimize these costs. It is not acceptable to stop using the medication to save cost, allowing glaucoma to go untreated. It is critical to discuss with your eye doctor if you are having difficulties with your medications to find an effective solution. Should you require any more information, please do not hesitate to visit our website EYESFL.com or contact us at 800-282-3937 to make an appointment.

Help for Seniors and Caregivers Is Never Far Away

JESSICA McDONALD, EDITOR jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com

In this month’s edition of Central Florida Health News, we cover multiple issues that are important for keeping seniors and their caregivers healthy and happy. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the many services that are available to help seniors in our area. Here are some of the available resources.

• Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) 863-284-0828 / Viste.org

VISTE is a community-based, nonprofit organization serving Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Fort Meade. Its goal is to help frail seniors continue to live independently and safely in their own homes. VISTE can help seniors with transportation, monthly commodity boxes, hot meals, and wheelchair ramps, just to name a few!

• Senior Connection Center

1-800-96-ELDER / seniorconnectioncenter.org

Serving Polk, Hillsborough, Highlands, Hardee and Manatee County, the Senior Connection Center is a private, nonprofit organization that helps older adults and people with disabilities live independently. It connects seniors and their caregivers to the community resources, programs and services they need.

• Better Living for Seniors • 863-588-6690 / blfs.com

BLFS is a coalition of public, private, and volunteer agencies providing services to Polk County seniors. It offers valuable networking opportunities for agencies to interact and learn what services are available. You can also check out their blog, which covers a number of helpful topics.

• ElderPoint Services • 863-682-7249 / ElderPoint.org

This nonprofit offers non-emergency medical transportation services and a caregiver resource center.

• Faith in Action North Lakeland

863-686-0009 / fianl.homestead.com

This is a national organization that offers everything from transportation to help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, assistance with minor home repairs, shopping, reading, and respite care for caregivers HN

We Beg Your Pardon

The COVID-19 vaccine story in the March edition of Central Florida Health News incorrectly described how the vaccine works on the virus. A corrected version of the story can be found at centralfloridahealthnews.com/ fact-from-fiction. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Dr. Sheraly is an Ophthalmologist with Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. He is a Glaucoma Specialist.

Your joints were made to lift you up.

We’re here to do the same.

Your joints allow you to do incredible things, but they’re vulnerable to damage, inflammation and wear-and-tear. Trust your knees and hips to the specialized orthopedic experts of AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales — providing individualized care for even the most complex conditions to get you back in motion, fast.