August Peoria Healthy Cells 2012 by Healthy Cells Magazine

GREATER PEORIA

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Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional

AUGUST 2012

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HealthyCells

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• Nutritional

An Umbrella of Services to Help You Weather Life’s Storms page 20

Seeing Clearly in the Classroom pg. 25 The Healing Power of Touch pg. 40

Experience the Difference at Country Comfort Retirement Homes pg. 36

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AUGUST 8

Break The Silence: Not All Elder Abuse is Intentional or Criminal

Nutritional: How to Brown Bag It for Savings

Physical: Start Off Slow and Plan

Emotional: Building a Healthier Relationship with Food

Physical Therapy: Restore Strength, Balance, and Endurance

Spine Health: A Unique Approach to Treating Back Pain

Healthy Sleep: Help for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Kid's Eye Health: Seeing Clearly in the Classroom

Brain Fitness: Learning to Improve Your Memory Information

Healthy Finance: Having Fun with a Kid's Budget

Get Out of the Food Rut: Make Back to School Taste Better

Shelter Pets: Are Mutts Smarter than Purebred Dogs?

Assisted Living: What Is Assisted Living, Really?

Experience The Difference: Country Comfort Retirement Homes

Central Illinois Health Information Exchange: "Go Live" a Success

Oncology Massage Therapy: The Healing Power of Touch

AD H Agin D Alz g h Ang eime r's Anx er Aut iety Bip ism Bull olar D Chr ying isorde r Dea onic P Dep th & D ain Eat ressio ying in Em g Dis n o Illn tiona order e Lea ss & D l Healt s Par rning iseas h e Rela enting Disab ilitie Sch tions s Str ool Is hips sue e Tra ss s u Wo ma rkp lac e Is sue s

2012

This Month’s Cover Story:

Volume 14, Issue 8

Psychology Specialists:

An Umbrella of Services to Help You Weather Life’s Storms page 20

Cover and feature story photos by Daryl Wilson Photography Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE at over 650 locations, including major grocery stores throughout central Illinois as well as hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmacies, and health clubs. 12,000 copies are published monthly. Healthy Cells Magazine welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living in central Illinois. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only. Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in central Illinois.

For advertising information, contact Kim Brooks-Miller 309-681-4418 email: peoria.healthycells@hotmail.com Visit Us On Face Book Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of:

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letter from the owner To Your Health! Are You Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables?

ugust is fruits and vegetables month! We are constantly reminded to eat more fruits and vegetables—and for good reason. A growing body of research finds that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. In a study, compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those that consume generous amounts—as part of a healthy diet—are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, Type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and even heart disease. I’ll be the first to admit that fruits and veggies don’t always sound tempting—or convenient. With a busy schedule, it can take some creative thinking to include the right amounts in our diets, and sometimes we’d much rather opt for that chocolate chip cookie than an apple or carrot slice. But making small, necessary changes can be easy. Changing up our diets with added fruits can be as simple as adding fresh strawberries or blueberries to our cereal or a banana to our low-fat yogurt. Creating a smoothie offers a terrific way to get our daily serving of fruits. Adding a large of amount of spinach to our smoothie gives us some veggie-boosting power without changing the taste! Let’s make it our goal to include more fruits and vegetables in our daily diet. Be creative! At Healthy Cells magazine, we put YOUR health first! Bon appetit!

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Kim Brooks-Miller, Owner, Healthy Cells Magazine, Greater Peoria Area Edition. Comments or questions call: 309-681-4418 or e-mail: peoria.healthycells@hotmail.com P.S. – Be sure to visit us on Facebook and “Like” us today! www.facebook.com/HealthyCellsPeoria

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break the silence

Not All Elder Abuse is Intentional or Criminal By Joyce DeRenzy, Director of Senior and Violence Intervention Services, The Center for Prevention of Abuse

red and Mary have been married for 55 years. Like all marriages, there were some rough spots, but the good always outweighed the bad and both would tell you, they would do it all over again. Mary has some health issues and spends most of her time in a wheelchair. Fred made a promise that he would never put her in nursing home and is doing his best to honor that promise; however, the toll of being a 24-hour caregiver is starting to show. He wants to give her the daily medications on time, but some days he forgets until three or more hours have passed. Fred doesn’t understand that Mary’s tremors worsen when she doesn’t get her meds and he remembers the doctor said that Mary shouldn’t spend too many hours in the wheelchair. He feels guilty when he helps her bathe and sees the red sores from the pressure of sitting in the chair too long. Passive Neglect Defined Passive neglect is defined as the caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. While it’s true that Fred’s actions could indicate neglect, the reality is he’s not intentionally withholding medicine or care, there’s nothing criminal in his actions. He lacks the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to provide optimally for Mary. Resources Available There are thousands of Freds and Marys in Illinois. While an array of medical, housing and personal services are usually available in the community; often victims of elder abuse face unique barriers, which prevent access to available resources. Elder abuse caseworkers not only investigate allegations of abuse, they also serve as advocates for the senior, arranging services that promote the least restrictive environment. Services such as in-home healthcare, caregiver services, respite, adult day care, counseling and support groups are instrumental in ensuring that all the Fred and Marys live out their golden years free from abuse. The Senior Services Department of The Center for Prevention of Abuse responds to allegations of abuse in Peoria, Tazewell, Fulton, Marshall, Stark, and Woodford counties. Last year trained caseworkers responded to over 700 new reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. As our population continues to age the incidence of elder abuse will climb, reaching epidemic proportions. You can be the voice for a vulnerable senior. BREAK THE SILENCE, REPORT ELDER ABUSE. Warning Signs of Elder Abuse • Physical Abuse: Slap marks, unexplained bruises, most pressure marks, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns Page 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

•N eglect: Pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition, or dehydration •E motional Abuse: Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes •S exual Abuse: Bruises around the breasts or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases •F inancial Abuse/Exploitation: Sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as “loans” or “gifts,” and loss of property What Can I Do to Prevent Elder Abuse? Report suspected mistreatment to your local adult protective service. Although a situation may have already been investigated, if you believe circumstances are getting worse, continue to speak out. Keep in contact. Talk with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives. Maintaining communication will help decrease isolation, a risk factor for mistreatment. It will also give them a chance to talk about any problems they may be experiencing. Be aware of the possibility of abuse. Look around and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances. Do they seem lately to be withdrawn, nervous, fearful, sad, or anxious, especially around certain people, when they have not seemed so in the past? For Local Help: Senior Services, The Center for Prevention of Abuse 309-637-3905 Elder Abuse Statewide Hotline: 1-866-800-1409

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nutritional

How to Brown Bag It for Savings By Kendal Perez

ummer is upon us and officebound workers everywhere are looking for an excuse to get outdoors. Since lunch is often the only opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, restaurants and fast-food chains will likely enjoy an uptick in midday patronage. This is good news for those in the restaurant industry, but bad news for the waistlines and personal budgets of those who sit for a living. According to a study reported by Delish. com earlier this year, 66 percent of Americans buy their lunch nearly every day, spending close to $160 every month. Put that money to better use and try these seven ways to brown bag it for savings. 1. Get Creative The latest trend in healthy, on-the-go eating is "salad in a jar." This creative concept keeps salads fresh for up to three days, though proper stacking etiquette is required. Select your favorite dressing—or better yet, make it yourself—and add it to a mason jar followed by salad fixings like onion, carrots, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Add the greens last to keep them from getting soggy. 2. Make It To-Go Brown bagging it is fairly easy for those of us glued to our chairs all day, but it's more challenging when you're on the go. Yet, you can still save money and calories by packing a to-go lunch old-school style. Hit up FreeShipping.org for coupons to Kohl's, which offers great styles of insulated lunch totes. Add an icepack to keep it cool and save even more time when you're on the road. 3. BYOI As in "Bring Your Own Ingredients." Lame acronym, I know, but the method is still very effective and money savvy. If your office is equipped with a refrigerator and prep area, purchase lunch fixings for the week Page 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

and make your salad or sandwich when hunger strikes. The time it takes to do so is likely much less than what you burn driving to the nearest fast food joint. 4. Mix It Up When I find something I like, I tend to eat it religiously until the very sight of it repulses me. Though I'm currently enjoying three solid weeks of an extraordinary sandwich, don't be like me; mix it up to keep yourself from binging on cheap, pseudo-Mexican fare. Check the Internet for inspiration when your culinary ideas run dry.

"According to a study reported by Delish.com earlier this year, 66% of Americans buy their lunch nearly every day, spending close to $160 every month."

5. Waste Not, Want Not When I'm in a rush to get to work, I skip lunch prep in favor of leftovers from dinner. If my husband and I greedily consumed it all the night before, I've also been know to grab random items like ham steak and sugar snap peas. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if your lunch is "put together", just as long as it's satisfying and healthy. Plus, you reduce the risk of leftovers going bad which is the ultimate waste of money. 6. Keep it Seasonal No healthy lunch is complete without a hefty serving of fruits and vegetables, but produce is often expensive. Keep costs low by purchasing items in season, and beware of buying perishable items in bulk unless you can commit to consuming them all before expiration. 7. Stay Satisfied Even if you bring your lunch from home, midday hunger may sabotage your efforts to avoid the fast food joint down the road. That's why bringing snacks as well as lunch is so important. However, that doesn't mean you should binge on Cheetos and chocolate bars; instead, consider healthy snacks under 200 calories. 8. Try Prepackaged Some days, just getting out the door is a struggle and preparing your lunch is unrealistic. Stock up on healthy, prepackaged foods to pop in the microwave on these days. The June issue of ShopSmart magazine recommends several healthy choices, including Kashi All Natural Chicken Florentine and Michael Angelo's Eggplant Parmesan.

Kendal Perez is a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. Kendal has been quoted in such media outlets as CNN Money, FOX, ABC, NPR, and Kiplinger Personal Finance. For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.

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August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

physical

Start Off Slow and Plan By Scott Gray, Health & Fitness for Beginners

f we were talking about anything other than fitness and exercise, starting slow would sound absurd. In order to get the most out of your fitness routine, it is important that you go at the proper pace. An exercise regime is somewhat like a roller coaster. Some parts of the ride are uphill, while others are downhill. Some parts are straight while others are twisty, so forth, and so on. When it comes to building your fitness program, you need to set it up with a number of different sections. Some sections of your workout program should be intense, uphill battles. Other sections should be coasting downhill easily, with the occasional twist.

Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

It is important never to begin your workout program with the uphill climb. The human body has the amazing ability to adapt to challenges, such as illness, starvation, and exercise. Many people make the mistake of getting so excited about losing weight that they start with a bang—doing the hardest, most intense exercises. It is true that the fat will fly off if you start with an intense workout regimen right out of the gate; however, because you are just starting out, you can and will easily injure yourself. Not only that, you will feel stiff and sore and will get to the point where you don't feel like working out anymore. The secret to a successful workout routine is to start slow. We are not talking about just one day a week, but slow enough that you will

be able to add intensity as you progress through your workout. Try working out for three days a week in the beginning, giving your body a chance to adapt to working out at all. When you are planning your workout, you need to set up different phases and add changes as you go along, such as increasing intensity, or the length of your workout sessions. Throw in a week of low intensity workouts every so often to give your body a chance to re-energize before moving on to more intense workouts. Beginning a workout routine is one of the best things that you can do in order to stay healthy. Best of all, the steps to a great workout program are simple. Most likely, you have some sort of an idea about your fitness level. However, actually assessing and recording your base fitness level before you get started on your new workout program will help you measure your progress effectively. In order to assess your flexibility, muscular fitness, aerobic fitness, and body composition properly, you will need to record the following: • Your pulse rate prior to and following a one-mile walk • The amount of time it takes you to walk a single mile • The number of push-ups you can do at one time • How far you can reach ahead of you while seated with your legs stretched out in front of you • The circumference of your bare abdomen right above the bone of your hip • Your body mass index, or BMI

•T hink about your workout goals: Are you working out because you want to lose weight, or is something else motivating you, such as training for a marathon or a recent health scare? Having a clear goal in mind will help you measure your progress. •B alance your routine: The average adult should strive for 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week at a moderate intensity level, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic exercise. In addition, you also need to add a minimum of two days of strength training each week. •S et your pace: Especially if you are new to working out, you need to begin cautiously and progress with your program slowly. If you have a special medical condition or an injury, you need to talk to a health care professional to help plan your workout program. It is important to work toward improving strength, endurance, and range of motion gradually. In addition, you may consider hiring a personal trainer to help you create a successful fitness plan. •H ire a Personal Trainer: If need be, hire a personal trainer to set up a program for you. It will be one of the best decisions you will make. Most often, a personal trainer will set up a program for you and work beside you to make sure you are doing your program properly.

Just saying that you are going to get up and exercise every day is not enough. You need an effective plan, so here are some important parts to help you:

Scott Gray is an educational writer/publisher of Fitness101.com.

These are just the first few steps to a fit and healthy life. Once you have your fitness plan of attack, you must put it into practice and stick to it. Think how great you will feel and look—it’s getting going and making it a part of your lifestyle.

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emotional

Building a Healthier Relationship with Food By Lori Bushell, LCPC, CSAT, CMAT and Trinity Maston, LCPC, The Antioch Group

oor eating habits and patterns can be hard to break. For many people, simply re-examining their food choice and their lifestyle habits can help break the toxic relationship with food. In today’s times, we are a fast-paced, multi-tasked society with a full-plate of responsibilities. It’s no wonder that we have such challenges with food and that food choices have become so damaging in America. The goal to building a healthier relationship with food is to slow down, pay attention to body cues by practicing “mindful eating”, and embrace a balanced lifestyle. Listed below are healthy suggestions to help inspire you to move forward in a positive way. Pay Attention to Your Eating Habits Sit down at the dinner table when eating and focus on eating three balanced meals with healthy snacks in between. It is important to offer a variety of foods that consist of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Plan meals ahead, making sure they include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Take time to savor your food by chewing slowly, thoroughly (1015 times per bite is recommended) and enjoy food’s rich flavors and textures. This allows the body to begin the digestive process and send cues to the brain when our bodies are full. Additionally, avoid distractions such as watching television, reading, or surfing the net while eating. This leads to mindless overeating and unnecessary weight gain. If this practice is harder to do than it sounds, try committing to one “mindful” meal per week. Develop a Well-Balanced Lifestyle Often food is the center of social engagements, holiday gatherings, and festivities. Try not to have food be your main source of entertainment. Instead, learn to separate food from some of your Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

social activities and enjoy them independently. For example, try striking up a conversation with someone you know. It is equally important to make time for exercise. Set realistic goals in strength training and resistance exercise to help boost metabolism, have more energy, and help prevent many diseases. Find activities that you truly enjoy so that exercise can become part of your lifestyle. Avoid Emotional Triggers Some signs of emotional eating may include using foods to numb or soothe emotions, eating out of boredom, or eating/restricting food when under stress. Emotional eating is used to avoid conflicts and problems of daily life. Rather than using food as a way to cope, find healthier ways to manage emotions. For example, recognize your distressing emotion as it happens, name it, and substitute appropriate alternatives to food such as listening to soothing music, journaling, spend time in prayer, talking to a friend, or going for a walk. In addition, try not to use food as a reward. Identify pleasure and reward through enjoyable activities, hobbies, or interests and to move away from using food as comfort or a reward system.

"The goal to building a healthier relationship with food is to slow down, pay

Remember, healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate—it’s about having a healthy attitude and the choices you make. Please visit our website at www.antiochgroup.com, to complete a questionnaire about your eating habits to find out if you could benefit from our newest group offering, Finding Balance With Food. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/antiochgroup, or call 309-692-6622. We are located at 6615 Big Hollow Road, Peoria, IL.

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physical therapy

Restore Strength, Balance and Endurance By Krissie Foster, PT endurance, and in turn, help the elderly maintain their independence. Physical therapists can identify balance disorders, muscular weakness and declines in overall fitness. Then, a targeted treatment plan is developed to address any deficits and improve overall strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance, and coordination. Recently, an 84-year-old woman, who lived at home with her daughter, was treated. This patient came to Premier Physical Therapy with decreased strength throughout her arms, legs, and spine. She had poor posture and difficulty moving her arms, legs, and turning her body. She was using a walker and relied on a caregiver to do simple movements, such as going from sitting to standing. She also became short of breath after taking only a few steps, and had very guarded movements out of fear of losing her balance and falling. Her treatment consisted of soft tissue massage and manual therapy to ease the pain in her lower back. She also did therapeutic exercises with resistance training for her arms, legs, and spine. The therapist also provided standing balance and gait training. At the end of her treatment session, she was able to transition from one position to another without the need of a caretaker and nearly eliminated her need for a walker. Her low back pain was resolved, and she had a greater range of motion in her arms, legs, and spine. She was able to move around her home and do normal daily activities with more strength and confidence and without the need of a caretaker. The level of strength and balance the patient has when treatment starts will help determine the amount of time treatment will take.

s we age, balance and endurance are some of the first functions we begin to lose. Loss of balance, endurance, or simply the possibility of either, is scary. Without those functions, a person begins to question their ability to live independently. There is help. A well-designed physical therapy program can help restore balance and

Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

Although outcomes can differ for each patient, loss of strength and balance is one of many problems successfully treated at Premier Physical Therapy. For more information, call our office at 683-6900 for a free, no obligation screening to find out if physical therapy can help you. You can learn more about Premier Physical Therapy at www.premierhealthcare.biz or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ptpremier.

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August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 17

spine health

A Unique Approach to Treating Back Pain

Surgery is Not Always the Solution

id you know that back pain is the second most common reason for visits to primary care doctors? According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75-85 percent of Americans can expect to suffer from back pain in their lifetimes. Many will get better with little or no medical treatment. But unfortunately, some patients don't get better on their own. Their pain becomes worse and most likely requires help from a spine expert. There is no miracle cure for back pain. Many people avoid seeking treatment for chronic back pain from fear they will be told they need surgery. But that isn’t always the case. While treatment options can be surgical, more often non-surgical options can provide temporary or even permanent relief. When seeking treatment for back pain there are so many treatment options available it can often be difficult for the average person to know who to turn to for the right advice. “Only about 10 percent of the patients we see are right for surgical treatment,” said Daniel Fassett, MD, a neurosurgeon and head of the Illinois Neurological Institute Spine Institute. “That’s why we knew that we needed to take a well-rounded,

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www.mw-ent.com Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

medical approach to back pain – not just surgical. We needed to provide relief to those patients who were not right for surgery.” A unique integration of non-surgical and surgical specialists provides patients the opportunity to receive a treatment plan that is right for them. Treatment options are available for those who have never had back treatment as well as for those who need surgery. Treatment options are also available for individuals that have had a previous surgery and are still experiencing pain and loss of function.

Midwest Nose & T Associa What can you do to help relieve back pain? • Most people with back pain get better with time. Rest, physical therapy, weight loss, smoking cessation, and some medications are all proven to help. • Get immediate medical attention if your symptoms include numb or weak legs, trouble urinating, fever or unplanned weight loss. • Don’t expect an X-ray, MRI or CT scan right away unless the doctor suspects a more serious problem. • Give your body a chance to heal. Take over-the-counter pain medication to ease swelling. Apply cold packs and ice to reduce pain and swelling during the first 48 hours. After that, try a heating pad or hot showers to relax muscles and increase blood flow. •G et back to normal activity as quickly as possible. • I f pain doesn’t lessen within 4–6 weeks, talk to your doctor about treatment options such as rehabilitation or exercise therapy. Specific exercises can help different types of pain. •B efore surgery, learn about the risks and what would happen without an operation. Seek a second opinion. Discuss options with your physician. •R esearch your condition and treatment options online and be prepared to ask your doctor any questions you may have. To consult with a spine specialist at the Illinois Neurological Institute call 877-464-6670 or visit www.ini.org.

J. Allen Potter, O.D

Steven Jensen, O. D.

• Routine Eye Examinations • Contact Lens Evaluation & Supplies • Pink Eye Evaluation & Management • Foreign Body Removal • Dry Eye Evaluation & Management • Glaucoma Evaluation & Management • Cataract Evaluation & Post-Operative Care • Macular Degeneration Evaluation & Management • Photographic Retinal Exams

309-698-2020 93 EASTGATE DRIVE WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS 61571-9271

Contemporary Christian Counseling and Psychological Services For Children, Teens, Adults, Couples and Families

August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

feature story

Psychology Specialists: An Umbrella of Services to Help You Weather Life’s Storms By Sara Browning

The diverse team of caring professionals understands individual needs, and strives to achieve the best results for each patient.

sychology Specialists promotes healing and quality of life for patients, combining timely personal attention with professional and confidential services. Composed of psychologists and counselors who are leaders in their fields and possess extensive educational training in a variety of specialties, Psychology Specialists remains on the cutting edge of treatment. The facility spans a wide range of services consisting of treatments for emotional conditions as well as chronic pain disorders. Over thirty providers throughout Central Illinois continually review research to provide the highest level of care to patients of all ages, from children and teens to adults and the elderly. Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

Understanding Physical Responses Biofeedback therapy and relaxation skills training are among the myriad of effective treatments Psychology Specialists offers patients. Biofeedback therapy provides individuals with an understanding of how their bodies function in response to life situations. “Biofeedback is a mode of treatment to help in managing pain, stress, anxiety, and anger by providing patients with feedback about how their body is responding to these emotions,” says Dr. Regina Brian, PsyD. Charts and graphs reflected on a computer’s biofeedback screen give doctors and counselors an accurate assessment of their patient’s

blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, respiration, sweat production, and muscle tension. "Patients are connected to sensors and are taught exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing and muscle relaxation, in order to help them control their physical responses to emotions,” says Dr. Brian. “As patients watch the biofeedback screen, they see how their body responds to certain stimuli and thereby learn how to calm themselves, decrease their negative physical symptoms and manage their emotional responses." “Through the use of biofeedback and relaxation training, patients can learn how to recognize when they are experiencing stress and tension and utilize coping skills to experience relaxation,” adds Dr. Noble, PsyD. Biofeedback therapy is also used to relieve symptoms of chronic pain and help with pain management. Says Dr. Noble: “I use biofeedback training to help patients who experience consistent migraine headaches and chronic back pain.” Biofeedback teaches patients how to manage their automatic physiological pain response, which can involve increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, decreased skin temperature, increased muscle tension or increased sweat production. “Patients can learn to control their body’s response to pain by using biofeedback and relaxation techniques,” says Dr. Noble. Go Ahead, Relax! Relaxation skills’ training helps patients manage anxiety, stress, and anger. The training uses progressive and passive muscle relaxation and breathing techniques, which focus on calming the body, and visualization and guided imagery, which focus on calming the mind. Says Dr. Noble: “I focus on the connection between the mind and the body to help patients dealing with insomnia, chronic pain conditions, or anxiety. Anxiety or stress can aggravate chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, back, shoulder, or joint pain or migraines.

Although the terminology and equipment may seem intimidating, biofeedback truly helps patients understand their mind/body connection, and reduce their experience of pain.

By empowering patients to use relaxation coping skills on their own, they are more likely to be able to experience a reduction in physical pain, a decrease in anxiety, and an increase in their ability to handle stressful life events.” Relaxation skills training can be performed both in and out of therapy and helps restore balance to the body’s systems. Says Dr. Brian: “As anxiety, stress, and anger decrease, patients feel happier and more confident to manage their symptoms.” Restructuring Thought Patterns Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) assists patients in restructuring their thoughts to impact changes in behavior and raises awareness of the negative thought patterns in which patients engage. CBT takes

August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 21

feature story

continued

The providers at Psychology Specialists focus on developing genuine relationships with each patient, and collaborate with patients and their physicians for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. patients’ thoughts, dismantles them, and restructures them in a healthy way so they are more adaptable for the patients, according to Dr. Brian. “Rather than telling me: ‘This is what happened, and this is how I feel’; I’ll ask my patients to explain: ‘What were you thinking at the time this happened?’” says Dr. Brian. “If they failed a test at school, they might say "If they failed a test at school theymight say, "I'm a failure. I never do anything right." ... (Instead of 'I can do this...) "I can do things right and I have passed tests before. I am not a failure - it's okay to make mistakes sometimes. We help patients make connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.” CBT also alleviates chronic pain by helping patients create a “new normal.” “A person struggling with pain might say: ‘I can no longer do this job as well as I could, so it’s not worth trying’,” says Dr. Noble. “I work with patients to teach them how they can still be an active participant in life in spite of their condition.” Doctors at Psychology Specialists use CBT to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, disordered or emotional eating, depression, anger, and bipolar disorder in adults as well as depression and ADHD behavior disorders in children. Education is a major CBT component. Guiding Treatment Psychology Specialists offers psychological evaluations to guide the treatment process. “Sometimes there is a lull in a patient’s therapy when he or she stops making steady progress,” says Dr. Brian. “Psychological evaluations and testing can determine if there is something underlying that may be impeding the process.” Dr. Noble performs pre-surgical psychological evaluations for pain patients to eliminate possible barriers to progress following surgery. Patients experiencing chronic pain often undergo surgery for the purpose of implanting a spinal cord stimulator in their back to block pain impulses to the body. Page 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

“I evaluate pain patients for depression and anxiety. High levels of these conditions could decrease the patient’s experience of pain being reduced,” says Dr. Noble. “For example, if a patient is dealing with severe depression and has a negative outlook on the benefits of the procedure, he or she may not experience the full benefit of what the spinal cord stimulator can provide.” Psychological evaluations can also assist in further clarifying patient diagnoses. “Evaluations assist in highlighting certain factors, such as personality characteristics or psychosocial history such as trauma, that may not be evident in session,” according to Dr. Brian. Evaluations guide doctors regarding how to refocus and revise a patient’s treatment plan to move the patient in the right direction. A Safe Place Making a difference in patients’ lives is a privilege Dr. Brian and Dr. Noble never take for granted. “I have an elderly patient with chronic pain, and I have been teaching her to use relaxation skills,” says Dr. Brian. “She looks forward to coming to my office, and when she leaves, she leaves with a smile. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment from my patients.” Dr. Noble says her heart finds fulfillment in seeing patients engaging in and enjoying everyday life in spite of the negative things they may be experiencing. “I have a patient that has learned to use coping skills and as a result can better manage migraine headaches more effectively. She is no longer missing work. Watching patients rejoin life and everything it offers is very rewarding.”

For more information on Psychology Specialists, visit www.psychologyspecialists.com or call 309-648-0782 for Peoria, Pekin, and Canton offices or 309-706-3190 for offices in Bloomington-Normal.

Helping YOU Stay Independent! Call us to learn more about how the Better Balance program can help restore your balance and endurance and maintain your independence. For more information or to schedule a no obligation screening with a physical therapist, please contact one of our clinics listed below.

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August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 23

healthy sleep

Help for Snoring and Sleep Apnea Submitted by Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine

arcia had struggled with chronic daytime fatigue for years. “I would even fall asleep while driving on a long trip,” says Marcia. “When my daughter would visit, she could hear my snoring from the other room and was worried about me.” “Sometimes I would even wake myself up at night snorting,” says Marcia. “I realized I had some sort of problem, and decided I should discuss it with my physician.” After discussing the symptoms with her doctor, he recommended she have a sleep test done. The results showed Marcia had moderate obstructive sleep apnea. More than 18 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea and 90% go undiagnosed. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious health condition that can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, depression, cancer, and stroke. A study in the August 1 issue of the Journal Sleep confirms the urgency of treating sleep apnea. Results show that people with severe, untreated sleep apnea have five times the risk of dying from a heart problem. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S with over 600,000 deaths in 2010. Marcia’s physician prescribed a CPAP machine to treat her sleep apnea, but Marcia had a hard time wearing it. “I tried to wear the CPAP for a few years, because I knew I needed to be treated. I could hardly move when wearing it, and had to lie on my back or the CPAP would come off or make a loud noise as the air leaked out. Traveling was also really difficult. I knew I needed to look for something that would work better for me,” says Marcia. Marcia saw a commercial and article in the newspaper for an oral appliance that treated snoring and sleep apnea. “I was very attracted to the oral appliance because it was so small and convenient looking. I decided to make an appointment to check it out,” says Marcia.

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“The first night I had the appliance, I expected all types of problems getting it into my mouth,” says Marcia. “The doctor said to just look in the mirror while I put it in, and it went in just as slick as can be!” “I’ve had great success wearing the appliance. I slept all night long for the first time in a long time. The appliance is lightweight, easy to manage, and easy to clean. I’m couldn’t be happier!” says Marcia. Since wearing the appliance Marcia has noticed an increase in her energy during the day. “My blood pressure has come down too, and my doctor was able to take me off a blood pressure medication. Since I monitor my blood pressure daily, I realized the correlation between wearing the appliance and my blood pressure decreasing,” she says. Oral Appliance therapy is covered by most medical insurances and Medicare. For more information on oral appliance therapy, contact Dr. Rod Willey at the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine. As a general dentist, with a Diplomate from the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines, Dr. Willey has limited his practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, and TMJ Disorders with oral appliance therapy. To contact them, call 309-565-8149 or email them at info@illinoissleepdoc.com.

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www.facebook.com/HealthyCellsPeoria Page 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

kids eye health

Seeing Clearly in the Classroom

Steven Jensen, OD

By Steven Jensen, OD

t’s August and many parents have begun thinking: Back to School. But amidst the necessities for pens, pencils, erasers, and calculators, moms and dads can easily forget about the importance of getting their child a comprehensive eye examination. Eye examinations may be the best thing to help children succeed in class. Approximately 80 percent of the learning in which a child engages occurs through his or her eyes. Unfortunately, with the exception of kindergarten, eye examinations are not required for entrance into many grade levels, and school vision screenings and sports physicals only test vision at a single distance.

"Changes may go unnoticed because children believe everyone sees in the same manner they see." Over 10 million children in the United States suffer from an undetected vision problem. Although a child may have 20/20 vision, he or she may still possess underlying problems. Even a child who has “normal vision” can experience deficiencies in his or her ability to focus at varied distances. The child may also lack eye-tracking skills required for reading. As a child progresses in school, increasing amounts of class work and homework place a significant visual demand on a child’s eyes. As a result, many children fall behind and grades begin to suffer. In addition, a child may have to work harder to focus leading to eyestrain and fatigue. Oftentimes both teachers and parents remain unaware of these problems. Fortunately, a comprehensive eye examination will not only restore the health of a child’s eyes but it will also elevate basic visual skills required for efficient learning. Tests performed to measure a child’s reading and learning skills may include: • Visual acuity: How clearly a child is able to see at different distances, such as from his or her desk to the chalkboard or up close to read and write. • Eye Focusing: The ability to quickly and accurately change distances a child is viewing.

• Eye Tracking: The eyes’ ability to retain focus on an object from one location to another. • Eye Teaming: How well the eyes coordinate their movements together when engaging in certain tasks, such as reading and writing. • Eye-Hand Coordination: The ability to use visual information to monitor and direct the eyes with the hands. This is more important than sports; it is also used when drawing a picture or writing at one’s desk. The following are signs to indicate a child may have a vision problem: • Frequent eye rubbing or blinking • Short attention span • Avoidance of reading or writing activities • Covering one eye • Tilting the head to one side • Holding reading materials close • An eye that turns in or out • Seeing double • Losing one’s place when reading • Difficulty with reading comprehension • Headaches and eyestrain Vision changes may occur gradually during school years especially if a child has experienced a growth spurt over the summer. Oftentimes these changes may occur very slowly. The changes may also go unnoticed because children believe everyone sees in the same manner they see. Children should receive an eye examination at least every two years or yearly depending on the child’s eye doctor’s recommendations. The earlier visual problems are detected and treated the more likely a child will never experience more serious visual complications, such as lazy eyes. Many times eyeglasses or contacts will provide the solution; however, sometimes specific visual therapy exercises are required to enhance visual skills. In addition to visual performance, a child’s comprehensive visual examination will ensure his or her eyes remain healthy and disease free. Infants’ eyes should be examined as well. An eye doctor can detect very early signs of lazy eye and certain vision conditions that may be life threatening. Ask your eye care provider if he or she is a part of the Infant See program. This program provides a free children’s examination during the ages of 6 months to 1 year. Make certain a comprehensive eye examination is on your child’s back-to-school list. Have a safe and healthy school year! For more information on the InfantSee program or to make an appointment, contact EyeCare Focus today: 309-698-2020. Visit us online today: www.eyecare-focus.com. August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 25

brain fitness

Learning To Improve Your Memory Information By Timothy Romano

ave you experienced the embarrassment of forgetting a family member's birthday or an important assignment? Are you in school and are finding it toilsome to study successfully for exams and tests? It's not just you! Thousands and thousands of individuals out there have the same challenge, and it doesn't just affect senior citizens. In school, they never teach you how to improve your memory information, or the time-tested strategies for successful memorization. Your brain is a very able piece of machinery. The organ collects data and thoughts, and then categorizes and stores them. For the information in the brain to be used beneficially, it must be available for quick retrieval. One such case of quick recall would be answering a question like, "how old are you", or "what is your address?" How many of you have searched high and low for a pair of eyeglasses, and found them right on your head? Maybe you have forgotten something more important like a project at work or a homework assignment. The good news is that you don't have to keep worrying about your memory. Regardless of age or ability, there are lots of things you can do to exercise and improve the performance of your memory. Sometimes the best "improve your memory information" can be found by asking someone who has a lot of experience under her belt. My grandmother told me about an old trick to help remind myself of something. The technique is to tie a piece of yarn on your finger, or put some tape on your hand to serve as a reminder. Since the string or tape is out of the ordinary, it will help you remember what you were supposed to do. You could tie a string on your thumb, wear your watch upside down, or even set an alarm on your mobile phone. The secret is to mix up your normal environment just enough to tune you in to the fact that something is wrong and you have something to remember. You can also try creating a picture to help improve the effectiveness of your memory. The easiest way to accomplish this is to create a scene in your mind of what you are trying to remember. In my language learning hobby, I have found this technique very effective in learning new vocabulary. This is how it works. "Potato", in the German language, is pronounced car-tawfol, which is in no way similar to the word potato in English. Try to form the following image in your mind. You're shopping for groceries at a store in Berlin and see a gigantic cart of rotten potatoes. Your buddy exclaims, "That is a cart of awful potatoes!" Implant the image in your mind and think about how bad that smells. I'll bet that you'll remember the German word! If your image is wild and imaginative, you are much more likely to remember your vocabulary word. It works, believe it! This is a system I have employed over many hundreds of words in several languages. Try it! You can use this helpful trick to remember far more things than German vocabulary! Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

These are just a few ways you can supercharge your brain. The improve your memory information that I've shown you here is easy enough that you can start practicing right away! In no time, your memory will be much improved, thanks to the new techniques you've learned and practiced. Timothy Romano is a memory expert. For more information to improve your memory, visit www.secretstoimproveyourmemory.com.

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www.simplythefinest.net August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 27

healthy finance

Having Fun with a Kid’s Budget By Derrick Janson

t is our obligation to teach children how a budget works and also about how money works in this society. If you start your children at an earlier age, they will better understand how it works and will be wiser in the handling of their money. We should start educating our kids from the time they start pointing at things (about 9 months olds) on how and if they are allowed to have what they want. The reason for this being that at the end of the day, we are responsible for their well-being. By the time kids reach two years of age, renown for the "terrible twos", either they use tantrums to get what they want (if we give in to them), or they have learnt the very important word "NO" from us. Since kids from such a young age have already figured out how to get what they want and also to understand what their parents won't give them; I think it is only wise of us as parents not to ignore our kid’s potential of understanding money and how it works in our everyday life. The usual saying "one dollar for every age" is the general guideline for pocket money. For a child’s budget, it doesn't need to be very complex. They don't have bills to pay so up until the age of around 11, a kid’s budget should be focused on how much they receive and what they do with it. From the time they are in school, it would be wise to have a child’s budget drawn up for them. During this time, parents should consider encouraging their children to save. Teaching children about saving is critical for later life. As adults, we are so busy focusing on paying the bills that we, ourselves, don't always prioritize savings. The rich men in the world will always tell you "pay yourself first." A simple principle of paying yourself first, if applied early in life, will lead to great success for your child. Budgeting for kids should be implemented in a way that is visually attractive with lots of color and pictures; and, of course, having fun doing it. Make sure your kids get to design the layout of the budget with grids for the days of the week and money descriptions with pictures. For example, a piggy bank picture can be used for savings, picture of mum and dad for the allowance, or maybe a picture for books, toys, food, gifts, and donations can be used. Savings in a kid’s budget should be around 10 percent of allowance. Take them shopping to pick out their piggy bank. Encourage

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them to put 10 percent into the piggy bank first when you give them their allowance for the week. Before you give them the next week's allowance, encourage them to put in the remaining unused cash they have before the next week's allowance is given. This will teach them about living within their means. At the end of a month, you can count the savings together and then take it to the bank to deposit into their bank account so it can accumulate interest. This will educate them about compound interest and will encourage them to put more into the bank. During dinnertime, speak to your child about how they have used their allowance and also the topic of budgeting. Always offer positive encouragement when your child has made a poor decision. For instance, if they choose to spend their money on candy and potato chips and have ended up with a tummy ache, encourage them to remember this experience before they choose to repeat the process. Alternatively, if they saw a toy they want to buy but have come up short in cash because they used their money for something else, teach them about patience and have them wait for their next allowance. It's not wise to pull out extra cash to buy them something they want straight away as this does not teach them about responsibility. During special times of the year, you may want to encourage your child to save more; for example, Christmas and birthdays. A month prior to the special event, you may want to encourage your child to save by matching their savings or doubling it. This can be an attractive draw card for them when they know they have more to gain than just the afternoon snack that week. I deeply believe that wise parenting must involve teaching our kids about money. Budgeting for kids is so important for the health of their financial future. Derrick Janson is an author and teaches kids about money and budgeting topics—allowances, saving money, and making money for kids. To learn more visit www.teaching-kids-about-money.com.

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n the rush to get everyone off to school, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to fall into a food rut, serving the same things for breakfast, lunch and snacks. But with some inspiration and a little planning, going back to school can taste a whole lot better than it used to. To make things even more fun, have the kids help. Once they get the hang of it, they can experiment with new ingredients and do it themselves, taking one more thing off your to-do list. Start the day off with pizza â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Breakfast Pizza, that is. This recipe layers eggs, cheese, turkey bacon, hash browns, sour cream and guacamole on your favorite pita or flatbread. Kids can make it as hot or as mild as they like. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great way to sneak in avocadosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 20 vitamins and minerals, and it will give them energy to get going on their busy day.

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shelter pets

Are Mutts Smarter Than Purebred Dogs?

How to Choose Your New Best Friend from an Animal Shelter Submitted by Waggin’ Tails Doggy Daycare Resort

mong the biggest victims of the economic recession are the once beloved family pets surrendered to shelters as their owners deal with extended joblessness. The U.S. Humane Society estimates 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year—and 3 to 4 million are euthanized. “We don’t have firm numbers but we know anecdotally that the communities that have been hardest hit by the economic downturn are seeing that reflected in their shelter intake numbers,” says Inga Fricke, Director of sheltering issues for the U.S. Humane Society. “And, unfortunately, while the majority of the public is in favor of adopting pets from shelters, very few—usually about 20 percent—actually do. That has recently gone up slightly to the mid-20s.” Fricke and retired police officer Irvin Cannon, a confirmed dog lover whose new book, For the Love of Dog Tales (www.FortheLoveofDogTales.com), gives voice to man’s best friend, hope people getting back on their feet will consider adopting a shelter dog. “You won’t find a better companion, whether you bring home a mystery mixed-breed or a purebred Labrador,” he says. “Everyone thinks mutts are smarter and generally healthier, but really, it all depends on their mix of breeds and which breed strain is dominant.” Border collies and Rottweilers are two of the smartest breeds, Cannon says. But they tend to have other traits, too, which are just as important to consider when choosing what dog best suits your lifestyle. Remember – dogs are as individual as people. A dog’s breed, or breed mix, is no guarantee that it will have certain traits.

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Here are some other tidbits regarding breeds: • Dog breeds known for intelligence: Shetland sheepdogs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, poodles, Australian cattle dogs, Papillons and Doberman pinschers. • Bulldogs, beagles and Basset hounds all start with ‘B’ but get much lower grades for smarts. • It’s a myth that mutts have fewer health issues than purebred dogs. Remember, some breeds have tendencies toward problems such as deafness, blindness, or hip dysplasia and these are genetic issues are inherited. So if your mixed-breed includes some German shepherd, it may also have hip dysplasia (a problem with the joint’s bone structure). • If you’re in the market for a purebred dog, you have a 25 percent chance of finding one—although maybe not the breed you want—at a shelter. If your heart is set on a specific breed, check your area for a rescue group specializing in that breed. Looking for a pet? Check out www.petfinder.com and visit our local PAWS shelter. About the author: Irvin Cannon was a poor kid growing up in Detroit when his family took in a stray dog. It surprised young Irvin that his father would be willing to share the family’s meager groceries with a dog, but he soon discovered the return on their investment was enormous. A former police officer in Detroit and Denver, he also worked as a corrections officer in Arizona. This article is sponsored by Waggin’ Tails Doggy Daycare Resort. Call 309-642-9299. Contact us today for your doggy daycare, grooming and kenneling needs!

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assisted living

What Is Assisted Living, Really? It’s A Great Solution, But Is It Right For Your Parent? Submitted by Lutheran Hillside Village

hat is assisted living? Do you know what a person who needs assisted living really looks like? Each day, Kristin O’Dea at Lutheran Hillside Village, a Peoria-area senior living community, talks to families about whether assisted living is right for their aging loved ones. “There are a lot of questions out there, and a lot of misconceptions,” Kristin says. “And a lot of them stem from confusion about just what assisted living is and what it does.” But the biggest misconception, and one that often causes families problems, is the idea that moving into assisted living is always a permanent situation. “This idea that assisted living has to be a permanent, final move isn’t really the case,” says Heather Hilliard, Lutheran Hillside Village’s Director of Nursing. “We’ve had people who come to stay with us who end up recovering from a health problem and going back to live at home. We’ve also had people who fall in love with our community and go on to live in one of our independent living apartments or patio homes.” Many times, Heather says, assisted living can serve as a rest stop— a place to reassess your abilities and needs so you can decide on a best course of action for the future. And the earlier a person decides to try assisted living, the more open their options remain. Prior to move-in, potential assisted living residents are given an assessment to determine their ability level. Through this process, a senior living community’s trained staff members are able to determine what the best living environment would be for a given individual. Sometimes, assisted living is a perfect fit. Sometimes a person needs a higher level of care. “Too often we see older adults put off getting the help they need until their problems become big problems,” Heather says. “In the long run, doing that limits their choices.” “It’s important to keep in mind what assisted living is,” says Kristin. “It’s just like the name says: living with assistance. Assisted living residents are able to live independently for the most part, but they may need a hand here and there with some basic activities of daily living.”

Many times, families wait until their aging loved ones have needs that are greater than can be served in an assisted living environment. “They come in thinking, ‘You guys have nurses. Nurses can do anything,’” Kristin laughs. “And while, yes, our nurses are fantastic, they do a lot more for residents in other care environments than they do in assisted living.” But misunderstandings about the limits of how assisted living can help is only half the reason why families wait too long to find help for their parents. There can be some feelings of guilt for family members who insist that Mom or Dad needs help, and that can cause them to put off important—but sometimes uncomfortable—conversations until they’re too late. No matter how warm and welcoming the assisted living environment, no matter how much an aging loved one needs the services offered, the idea of asking a parent to leave their home is a hard one for many adult children. But it can be vital for their continued safety and well-being. “And, it can be a tremendous relief for the rest of the family,” Kristin says. “I can’t tell you how often I’ve spoken to families who tell me, ‘Mom is looking great, and I can rest at night without worrying about her.’” So how can you tell when it’s time to start thinking about assisted living for your aging loved ones, if only as a temporary measure? “Keep an eye out for warning signs,” Heather says. “Is Mom forgetting to take her medications? Are groceries going uneaten? Is she losing weight? Did she skip a doctor’s appointment or two? These are all things to look for that might indicate she needs extra help getting the basics accomplished.” Need more information on assisted living? Looking for advice on how to have that discussion with your mom or dad? Kristin, Heather, and the rest of the staff at Lutheran Hillside Village are here to help. You can reach them at 309.692.4600 or visit online at LutheranHillsideVillage.org.

Page 34 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

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experience the difference

Country Comfort Retirement Homes By Sara Browning

ountry Comfort Retirement Homes, Inc. offers warm, loving care in a home-like, country setting. Some memory care facilities can resemble a living environment closer to an institution than a home. Fortunately, the staff at Country Comfort Retirement Homes, Inc. (CCRH) understands that providing the highest quality of resident care requires patience, understanding, and a little touch of love.

A Personal Touch CCRH combines Assisted Living services with Alzheimer’s and memory loss care in the safety and comfort of a ranch-style country home. Upon walking through the doors, new residents and their families can immediately see the difference. Seniors are graciously Page 36 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

welcomed to their new home with a hug and a smile by professional staff and escorted through a country kitchen and into the living room where residents, family, and friends can relax and visit. “Families recognize us as a one-of-a-kind senior care facility,” says Sherry Pettett, owner of CCRH and an LPN and Geriatric Rehab Nurse who oversees the certified nursing assistants. “They realize we’re a home.” Country Comfort Retirement Homes, Inc. first opened its doors in 1993. Although the business once consisted of five homes in north Central Illinois, CCRH presently encompasses two Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Special Care Units in Henry and Princeton as well as one Senior Apartment Building in Princeton. Providing 24-hour certified

nursing assistance, the country home offers a special and unique environment for seniors to receive ongoing, passionate care unlike any other in Central Illinois. Taking Special Care Over the past nineteen years, Sherry, along with her son, Brandon, who serves as Vice President, and the staff at CCRH have maintained a very high success rate with all types of memory loss disorder patients. “The Safe Haven Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit stands out from other facilities in large part because we focus on maintaining the dignity and independence of our residents,” says Sherry.

thirteen residents, and we staff between two and four certified nursing assistants on most days,’ says Sherry. “This ratio gives us the ability to provide one-on-one care and attention to each resident.” Services for residents encompass monitoring food and fluid consumption, pain management, personal hygiene, behavior monitoring, bathing, and dressing assistance, medication reminders, and an on-site beauty shop. Residents will also benefit from Medicarecovered physical therapy, in-house doctor visits, and a nurse wellness program. Family members are encouraged to play a vital role in their loved one’s stay at CCRH and are included in all major decisions. “We are very much a home,” says Sherry. “Our residents see us as family, and we see them as family. You just don’t find that type of relationship in any other senior care facility.” CCRH staff provides residents with daily chores and an activity program that lasts from morning to evening. “We do hair and makeup in the morning, and we make our meals in front of them,” says Sherry. “Resident families will say to me: ‘People don’t understand all you do for seniors here!’ Families call us a diamond in the rough.”

Residents with various stages of memory loss are taken care of in an environment that reflects their own home. Softly lit hallways, warm colors, sunrooms and a fenced lawn and garden area help residents feel relaxed and content as they visit with family, interact with staff or engage in daily activities. Hospice care is also provided. Relationships between residents and staff provide staff members with an understanding of residents’ changing needs. “Usually within three weeks of residents’ arrival we have them on a routine and we know how to get them stimulated,” says Sherry. “The residents’ families see a huge turnaround!” The staff at CCRH is trained in specialized care approaches, which meet the needs of residents on an individual basis. “We only house

Empowering Employees CCRH has implemented an Employee Empowerment program, which gives various staff members added responsibilities to assist in daily operations. “Senior CNAs have been given the added titles of General Manager, Assistant Manager, Activity and Dietary Director, Care Plan Coordinator/Marketing Director and an Evening Supervisor,” says Sherry. “These staff members have exceeded their everyday routine and shown much dedication to their positions.” Sherry says serving her residents is its own reward. “The open communication my staff and I share with residents, the trust we have built and the caring spirit we provide allow for us to act as a family and provide the quality care our seniors deserve.” For more information on Country Comfort Retirement Homes, Inc., visit www.CountryComfortRetirement.com or call 815-866-0607.

August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 37

central illinois health information exchange

"Go Live" a Success By Julie Gray, Quality Quest for Health of Illinois

he Central Illinois Health Information Exchange (CIHIE) is the first regional health information exchange (HIE) in Illinois to “golive” with secure, automated data exchange of patient records. CIHIE serves approximately 1.3 million people in 20 counties in the Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, and Decatur areas of Illinois. “Our go-live began in June with four CIHIE hospital members that successfully pooled data within the exchange: Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Peoria; Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur; St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur; and St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator. It is exciting to have accomplished this first step with no errors or issues reported,” said Dr. Gail Amundson, chair of the CIHIE Board of Directors. “Methodist Medical Center of Illinois has been a long-time supporter of the HIE planning effort. We believe that this technology will have community-wide benefit for both clinicians and patients, so when we had the opportunity to be the first to connect to the exchange, we were eager to do so,” said Tina Miller, Director of Information Services for Methodist Medical Center. “After months of technical planning and testing, we were all very pleased at how smoothly the go-live went.”

“The people from each hospital who worked diligently for months to make this possible believe in the value and benefit of health information exchange for their community and our region. The technology is expected to improve patient care by making information available to clinicians who care for patients. We commend each implementation team for their hard work and thank our technology partner, ICA, for their technical guidance with system compatibility issues. The two years of planning in our 20-county region that involved many volunteers, work groups, and a visionary executive council, plus ICA’s broad experience, helped us carry out a focused implementation process,” added Joy Duling, Executive Director of CIHIE. Over the next 60-90 days, clinicians at participating organizations will be trained regarding use of the exchange to locate patient records. OSF Healthcare System Hospitals Join CIHIE Six OSF Healthcare System hospitals in Illinois, in addition to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, have joined the Central Illinois Health Information Exchange (CIHIE). The hospitals include OSF St.

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Riverview Senior Living Community 500 Centennial Drive East Peoria, IL 61611 309.694.0022 Page 38 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington; OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg; OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford; OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa; OSF Saint James - John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac; and OSF Holy Family Medical Center, Monmouth. “We are thrilled to have the OSF hospital system in Illinois as part of our exchange,” said Joy Duling, CIHIE Executive Director. “Health information exchange is important because it creates a community patient record. “There are clear benefits to having a community-wide patient record,” said Jim Mormann, CIO of OSF Healthcare System. “For providers, it means delivering higher quality patient care by having unprecedented access to clinical data, reducing duplicative tests, and improving care coordination. This will enable physicians to spend more time with their patients, thereby increasing patient satisfaction.” Proctor Hospital Upgrades IT System Proctor Hospital is one of the charter members of CIHIE, along with the other two Peoria hospitals. Proctor has recently gone through an extensive replacement of their core IT systems which included implementing an EMR (Electronic Medical Record). These upgrades will position Proctor for moving forward in integrating with the health information exchange. “We too are excited for what CIHIE will mean for our patients and community. Coordinating access to medical information is a

huge need. Having this information available, regardless of where it originated, will assist care providers in better decisions and truly benefit all of our patients,” said Jenny Clyatt, Administrative Director of Health Informatics and Technology at Proctor. How does health information exchange work? HIE software works in a similar way as airline travel sites. A vacationer enters a destination and date and the travel site immediately pulls all the available flight information from different airlines. Likewise, a physician enters a patient's name and the HIE record locator immediately pulls the individual's health information from different health providers and makes it easy to view on a computer screen in a matter of seconds. What does this mean for the region? “Sharing health information enhances coordination between different caregivers and helps make patient care better. HIE helps prevent duplication of services and it helps lower medical errors. It also helps make a complex system less confusing for patients and families,” Duling said. Where can I learn more? Please visit www.cihie.org and www.allchartsnow.com or call a CIHIE team member at 1-800-691-6597 to learn more.

August 2012 — Peoria — Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 39

oncology massage therapy

The Healing Power of Touch By Mary Peifer, RN, LMT

ention the word “massage” and many people, familiar with its techniques and effects, will ooh and aah or develop a dreamy look as they remember a recent visit to their favorite therapist. But what many may not know is that persons affected by cancer can receive a specialized type of massage tailored just for them. Oncology massage therapy, and its wealth of benefits, is establishing an important place in the overall care plan by those living with cancer, as well as from health care physicians and practitioners working with them. For more than a decade research studies have been conducted with cancer patients, in a variety of settings, utilizing a range of techniques showing how massage can improve cancer treatment side effects, namely perception of pain and anxiety. Massage benefits have also shown to: • Reduce fatigue • Decrease nausea • Improve sleep • Enhance body image • Provide a greater sense of well-being. Oncology massage modifies traditional techniques in order to safely work with complications of cancer and with those in active treatment. People in recovery or survivorship, as well as those at the end of life, also benefit from these exceptional methods. Most student massage therapists do not receive the necessary training or education to adapt their skills to work safely with persons affected by cancer. Many people, health care professionals included, still believe that massage is contraindicated. A long held tenet stated that massage contributed to the spread of cancer. With advances in science we now know that cancer, and its metastasis, occurs through a biochemical, not mechanical (massage), process. A specially trained oncology massage therapist possesses an informed understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer; the side effects of its treatments (medications, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation), and the ability to modify techniques in order to adapt for potential side effects, as well as for the disease. Standards of practice are changing. The Society for Oncology Massage Therapy (s4om.org), an international professional organization, requires its members to have completed at least 24 hours of approved training along with completion and documentation of four massages with clients experiencing cancer. Clinical assessments and adaptations to the massage session for someone experiencing cancer or with a history of cancer treatment are critical to providing a safe massage. Modifications such as positioning, pressure, or pacing are common. Site considerations related to medical devices, drug side effects, surgery or radiation, as well as compromised lymph nodes or blood cell counts may apply as well. Every massage is as unique as the person on the table and certain adaptations may remain crucial even decades after treatment is complete. When providing massage for someone who has a history of cancer treatment, primary massage considerations include but are not limited to bone integrity, vital organ involvement, and compromised lymph nodes. With appropriate adjustments, there are few absolute contraindications. However, deep tissue applications (during treatment Page 40 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Peoria — August 2012

and over directly affected areas) and massage over the site of a tumor are universally accepted as contraindicated. Facing the diagnosis of cancer and deciding on a treatment plan can be overwhelming. More and more oncology physicians and surgeons are recognizing the importance and benefit of complementary therapies, such as massage, for their patients. Oncology massage therapists “inch forward” with every massage gauging the client’s energy level, lymphedema risk, blood counts, pain level, medication side effects, and treatment cycle. By using this slower, gentler, thoughtful approach treatment, recovery and ultimate long term well-being is maintained and supported. The Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR) in Peoria offers the skills of a nationally certified oncology massage therapist, Mary Peifer, RN, LMT. Mary completed a 400 hour comprehensive program in Santa Fe, New Mexico in November 2010 and works in private practice as well as at IPMR on Sheridan road in Peoria. She also teaches “Massage for People Living with Cancer” for Oncology Massage Education Associates (medicinehands.com). Call 309-692-8110 for more information or an appointment.

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