January 2016, Healthy Cells Magazine Phoenix

VALLEY OF THE SUN

east valley area

Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional

JANUARY 2016

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M A G A Z I N E

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Innovative Senior Living Redefining the Journey

Will Your Heart Outlast You? What to Do When Your Child Comes Out to You Why Poor Sleep Might be Preventing Weight Loss

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letter from the owner

Happy New Year 2016!

T

he beginning of a New Year is always a great time to reflect and look back at what you’ve accomplished the past year, and look forward to the new adventures to come, plan changes you’d like to make, and set a course to see them through.

Healthy Cells Magazine’s 3 rd year in Arizona has been a year of growth — adding more professions to share their expertise with the community to meet our goals of providing honest, trustworthy information that affects our Physical, Emotional and Nutritional health and local professionals to call upon when needed. Distribution has expanded to include parts of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix Biltmore area.

Healthy Cells Magazine is a resource for the community, so if you have questions or would like to learn more about a particular disease or illness, send me a note and I’ll look for the professionals that can address your concerns.

I look forward to 2016 and the opportunity to continue providing the newest health information available.

May 2016 bring you good health and happiness,

Monica Tegg/Owner, Healthy Cells Magazine®, East Valley, PO Box 6233, Chandler AZ, 85246 Monica@healthycellsmagazine.com, www.healthycellsmagazine.com/phx, 480-204-3090, #healthycellsAZ, Facebook.com/healthycellsmagazine.phx

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January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

JANUARY 5

Insurance Options: The Transition to Medicare

6

Physical: 5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Inside and Out

8

Nutritional: Healthy Eating, It’s a Matter of Choice… Yours!

2016

This Month’s Cover Story:

Volume 4, Issue 1

The Summit at Sunland Springs Innovative Senior Living, Redefining the Journey page 20 Cover photo by Nissle Photography

10

Emotional: Coming Out — What to Do When Your Child Comes Out to You

12

Compassionate Care: Who’s Appropriate for Hospice?

13

Healthy Ears: Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked in Study

14

Protect Your Family: I Wonder if I Did the Right Thing!

15

New Beginnings: We Made It to a New Year! Now What

16

Prenatal Care: Promoting a Healthy Pregnancy

18

Healthy Aging: Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction

19

Plan Ahead: Will Your Heart Outlast You?

For advertising information, contact Monica Tegg, owner, Valley of the Sun Edition Cell: 480-204-3090 • Fax: 309-691-2187 PO Box 6233, Chandler, AZ 85246 monica@healthycellsmagazine.com Healthy Cells Magazine® is a division of:

23

Self Expression: Music Matters — The Common Emotional Base We All Share

24

Failed Resolutions: Why Poor Sleep Might be Preventing Weight Loss

25

Prevention: Simplify Your Health Care by Definition

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 health care 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.

26

One Couple’s Story: In-Home Care Helps With a Loved One’s Dilemma

Healthy Cells Magazine® is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the East Valley, including medical facilities and other waiting rooms. Healthy Cells Magazine® welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living in the East Valley area. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

1327 E. Kelly Ave., Peoria Heights, IL 61616 • Ph: 309-681-4418 • Fax: 309-691-2187 info@limelightlink.com 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 the East Valley.

insurance options

The Transition to Medicare

By Patty Vieira, Independent Agent, Insurance Resources

T

he transition from an individual plan to Medicare can be filled with lots of questions. Often, people have been on group plans from their employer, where they haven’t been required to pay a premium. Some have been self-employed and on individual plans that are extremely expensive. As a person approaches retirement or age 65, they must decide what to do about health insurance.

First, you start receiving bundles of mail from all the various insurance companies. Medicare sends you a very large book with all the plans that exist, all the major insurance carriers send you pamphlets telling you why you should pick them, and next comes all the insurance agents and your mailbox explodes daily.

An independent agent can be a life saver by helping you navigate through all the various insurance options and research what plans your doctors accept, coordinate the plans and benefits that will benefit you most, and incorporate the insurance plans you’re comfortable with. This can save you time and money and help avoid lots of frustration.

Patty Vieira

An agent can also help decide if a special needs plan is right for you. Many people are not aware special needs plans exist to help people with certain medical conditions. They are designed to reduce the out of pocket expense for certain medical conditions like diabetes and some heart diseases. Companies providing these plans frequently offer reduced co-payments and special enrollment periods.

Overall, an agent has your best interest at heart. With multiple companies to offer a client and the compensation being the same, you can feel good that their recommendation is truly for your benefit.

If you have questions or need help knowing what plan is best for you, Patty’s complementary services are available by calling 480-220-7233, email: pattyjvieira@gmail.com, or visit www.insurancebypatty.com. With 29 years of experience, I can simplify insurance quotes and policy terms so you can understand them.

Photo credit: eyetoeyePIX/iStock January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 5

physical

5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Inside and Out Submitted by Derma Health 1. Drink Lots of Water We know you’ve heard it a million times — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day.

Recent studies have shown that this is more of a guideline and not actually based on scientific evidence. Water is still the most important fluid you can put in your body. Simply knowing the benefits of water may convince you to drink more of it throughout the day.

Water aids in digestion, carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells, removes toxins from the body, lubricates your tissues and joints, prevents constipation, aids in weight loss, and hydrates your skin.

Many of us experience mild dehydration symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and lack of concentration. Water makes up about 50-65% of the average human body and since we are constantly losing water throughout the day, we need to properly rehydrate to ensure proper function.

Having eight 8-ounce glasses of water is a good rule to follow.

Water can also be consumed with beverages and foods that contain water. If you’re having a glass of green tea or orange juice, or eating chicken noodle soup, this counts as part of your daily water intake. Always choose pure water first and limit the consumption of beverages that contain sugars, caffeine, and chemicals.

2. Make a Grocery List and Plan Your Meals Learning to eat healthy can be accomplished best by planning ahead. The old saying, “failure to plan is planning to fail,” applies here as well.

Take 30-60 minutes each week and go through your pantry and fridge and make a meal plan. If we don’t take the time to make a grocery list and plan our meals for the week, it will be too easy to grab what is convenient (which many times is unhealthy) and purchase items that we don’t need.

Having a plan can eliminate the temptation to swing by fast food restaurants on the way home from work, sports, or school. We recommend sourcing quick, healthy recipes online. Try searching crock-pot recipes and you will find many meals that are easy and healthy to prepare and can even be frozen for a quick meal. Once you have a month’s worth of recipes, you can rotate throughout the year. This doesn’t mean you can’t indulge on your favorite fast food place every once and awhile, it just allows you to make better choices more frequently.

Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

3. Shop the Outer Perimeter of the Store With your grocery list in hand, do your best to follow this advice and always shop the outer perimeter of the store. The bakery, dairy, meat, fruit and vegetable departments line the outside isles of the store. This is where you can find the foods that are fresh, healthier, and in their natural state. The inside isles are filled with the foods that are canned, packaged and often times full of preservatives, sugar, salt and unnecessary fat. It costs a little more to eat healthy because you’re buying fresh foods, but if you eliminate all the extra convenience foods, you will be saving money. Plus, you can’t put a price tag on your health.

4. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Raw Honey Raw honey has some great benefits that are often overlooked.

Honey is a natural humectant, which means that it draws moisture from the air. By applying honey directly to your skin, you are allowing the honey to act as a deep moisturizer.

Honey also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties along with antioxidants, enzymes, and other nutrients, which makes it a great pore cleanser and acne treatment. Paired with baking soda, raw honey becomes a natural exfoliator. Pair it with a little olive or coconut oil and you have a great scar treatment.

Just by adding a touch of honey to your shampoo, you can give your hair the hydrating boost it needs. You can also consider substituting honey for your conditioner. It may sound sticky, but when you add 1 part honey and 2 parts coconut oil, you have a great new conditioner that will give your hair shine without leaving it heavy.

5. Get Eight Hours of Restful Sleep A good night’s sleep doesn’t just get rid of those dark circles under your eyes — it is important for your overall health. Your body not only needs sleep to be alert and repair itself, but adequate sleep reduces stress, inflammation, aides in weight loss and may prevent cancer and depression. A lack of sleep has also been associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Another sleep stealer are too many liquids before bedtime and the television or electronic devices. As much as we want to fall asleep with the television on or our smartphone by the bedside, it can end up waking us in the middle of the night. If you are still having trouble sleeping, listen to some soothing music or read a book as they calm the mind helping you to become sleepy.

Derma Health believes in promoting overall health and wellness by taking care of your body inside and out. We strive to not only take years off your outward appearance, but also add quality years to a healthy you on the inside. At Derma Health, we treat the whole person, not just the symptom, and that means understanding each individual inside and out. If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, please call 602-903-3011 or visit us online at dhiskin.com/health.

Sources upon request Photo credit: Frantysek/iStock

FIND OUT HOW A TRUSTED ADVISOR CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED

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We are just as concerned about your hearing as you are.

www.Tri-CityAudiology.com January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 7

nutritional

Healthy Eating, It’s a Matter of Choice... Yours!

Marga Cullumber

By Marga Cullumber, Health Instructor, His Best 4 Health

A

pplying the proper fuel to your body is one of the first principles to understand a healthy diet and lifestyle. Simple? Yes. Easy?

Not always. We are bombarded continuously with eat this, eat that, don’t eat this and don’t eat that… it seems everywhere we go we find food as a topic of discussion or we are thinking about food or we are eating food... again and again wherever we go! If your family is like my family, holidays, birthdays and other family gatherings are centered around food and everyone gravitates to the kitchen.

Have you ever thought about what you know about food? How about this, do you know there are actually foods that kill and bring death? For example, many foods today have very little nutritional value. However, we all know that our body needs food. I believe we all know that not only does our body need food, but it needs good quality nutrient rich foods. But do we realize it’s the wrong food choices we make that fail to fuel the body properly and prepare it for dis-ease? Proper nutrition of living foods (foods that still contain their life-force which is indicated by the presence of active enzymes), fuel our bodies by giving our cells the nutrients it needs to give us a healthy physical body. This suggests we should choose wisely and choose foods for life!

Here are some healthy habits to get you started: • Eating only living foods increases energy and decreases sickness and disease • E liminating killer foods like sugar, processed foods and caffeine will add years to your life • P eople who don’t smoke and eat only life-giving foods decrease their risk of suffering from diabetes and cancer almost 100% • S ometimes your hunger is mental, not physical. Eating living foods is what your body needs, keeping emotions in balance and stress levels down.

• G etting adequate rest will help eliminate stress and emotional unbalance • E xercise is a key source of feeling good and having a healthier, stronger body • Water is the best drink for your thirsty body • S hop wisely by avoiding the inside aisles since these are where you find the highly processed foods Page 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

•A healthier stocked pantry helps make wise choices for everyone in the family • P lanning meals doesn’t have to be difficult when you change your mindset towards living a healthy life It’s time to stop digging your own grave with your knife and fork! Instead, dig yourself out of the sickening dead food rut by choosing a healthier diet, a lifestyle of good health through eating life-giving foods. Learn how to eat to live! What would that look like? How would you know what to choose?

Health, it’s a matter of choice... yours!

May I suggest the Hallelujah Diet and Lifestyle. You can live a healthy life! Choose now to commit to it! Attend a class and learn about mindful solutions to live a healthier lifestyle Check us out at www.HB4Health.com and then email: hisbest4health@earthlink.net or call or text 928-970-3764. Classes are beginning now, reserve your place today! Here’s to your health!

Marga Cullumber is a health and lifestyle coach, teacher, encourager, and a woman of outstanding excellence and truth (even when it hurts). Marga has been trained as a health minister and coach through Hallelujah Acres, founded by George Malkmus.

Photo credit: PeopleImages/iStock, Juanmonino/iStock

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie (Without peanut butter or chocolate!)

Universal Pie Crust: 1-1/2-2 c. hazelnuts 1-1/2-2 c. dates, pitted Presoak Dates in 3 cups of water for 10 minutes, discard water. In a food processor using the S-blade add: Process the nuts and dates until they have a thick dough-like consistency.

Press in a pie pan. Make sure not to eat all the crust when taste testing!

Filling: 1-1/2 c. raw organic almond butter (You can make your own or buy it) 2 large avocadoes (or 3 small ones) 1/3 c. carob powder 1 c. pure maple syrup Spread the almond butter evenly in pie shell. In a food processor with @-blade, blend avocadoes, carob powder and maple

Health,

syrup until creamy. For a darker chocolate add more carob. If you want it sweeter add more maple syrup.

Pour mixture on top of almond butter. If desired, crumble 2 tablespoons of leftover piecrust on top of pie for garnish. Place in freezer overnight.

Serve & enjoy! You’ll love it!

Note: Do not use a glass pan, it will get too cold and makes it difficult to remove the pie from the pan.

Recipe Source: How We All Went Raw, Raw Food Recipe Book by The Top Raw Men.

Effort = Reward!!

it’s a matter of choice... YOURS! • In-home relaxed atmosphere for learning and support • Mindful solutions for how to live a healthier lifestyle • Simple basic tools to carry you through daily • Add years to your life and live strong, healthy and disease free • Live with much more energy!

Yes, you can!

Classes begin January 2016!

Choose now to commit to coming to a class this year and see how.

Come to an overview class for free and check us out!

Reserve your place in class today as space is limited.

Marga L. Cullumber, Instructor His Best 4 Health

928.970.3764

HB4Health.com • hisbest4health@earthlink.net

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January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 9

emotional

Coming Out

What to Do When Your Child Comes Out to You

Julie McAllister, LPC

By Julie McAllister, LPC Certified EMDR Clinician, Infinite Healing and Wellness

C

oming out or disclosing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity to parents can be a difficult experience, sometimes traumatic. “According to Bullyingstatistics.org, gay and lesbian teens are two to three times as more likely to commit teen suicide than other youths. About 30 percent of all completed suicides have been related to sexual identity crisis.” All young people have the need for support and acceptance from their families, but particularly those who are sexual and gender minorities. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 26% of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning (LGBTQ) youth report that not feeling accepted by their family is among their biggest problems. As an informed parent, you have the power to positively affect your child’s transition while showing tolerance, compassion, and most importantly, unconditional love.

Your child’s disclosure of their homosexuality or gender confusion can cause a variety of reactions. Some parents may have a positive or neutral feeling about the revelation, while other parents may experience shock, confusion, or disappointment as they come to understand their child’s disclosure as a loss of their own perception of their child, as well Page 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

as the future that they had envisioned for their family. It is common for those who are experiencing a sense of loss to go through the 5 stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is important to recognize these stages and to seek support from family, friends, or a qualified mental health professional if you feel stuck.

Research indicates that 10-20% of youth identify as LGBTQ; if you are a parent, you may want to take some time to reflect on how you might respond if your child were to come to you with this realization.

Having a conversation with your child can be difficult, but here are some ideas to help prepare you.

1. Don’t react in an adverse manner. Recognize that your child likely spent a great deal of time, often years, coming to understand their sexual orientation or their gender identity. They are in need of your acceptance and support. If you are struggling with initial shock or other strong emotions, do your best to adopt a neutral and accepting demeanor and ask your child to be patient with you while you take the time that you need to understand what they have shared with you.

2. Listen and be supportive. Coming from a closed-minded perspective will invite unwanted secrets and create distance in your relationship. By listening, you will cultivate the opportunity for open conversation. This will improve the perception of safety and trust and give you an opportunity to understand your child’s anxiety, fears, or any confusion that they may have about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

3. Refrain from judgment. Do not attempt to change your child’s orientation or identity by seeking therapy designed to do so. Being gay is not a choice and therapy cannot change your child’s sexual orientation or their gender identity. Reparative and conversion therapies have been disproven to be effective by all of the leading mental health professional organizations and in fact can be very dangerous for your child. In some states such interventions are actually illegal.

4. Educate yourself. One of the first steps a parent should take is to educate themselves on the issues faced by LGBTQ youth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The stresses experienced

by LGBTQ youth also put them at greater risk for depression, substance use, and sexual behaviors that place them at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).” Knowing that your child is at risk just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and being aware of the stigma and issues that your child is facing will help you to become their strongest ally.

If you are struggling to come to terms with your child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, or if you feel that your child may be experiencing stress related to this, then seeking support from a

“All young people have the need for support and acceptance from their families, but particularly those who are sexual and gender minorities.” group such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), www.community.pflag.org/getsupport will be helpful. It will be most important to seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional during this very difficult transition.

Infinite Healing and Wellness LLC, in Gilbert at 2563 S. Val Vista Drive #108, is a collaborative counseling practice designed to serve children, families, teens, adults, couples, first responders, and military veterans. For more information, call 480-448-1076, email: info@infinitehealingandwellness.com, or visit www.infinitehealingandwellness.com.

Julie McAllister is a Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized training in LGBTQ and HIV related issues. Julie is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist specializing in helping patients recover from trauma. Contact Julie at 480-448-1076 or JulieM@infinitehw.com.

Photo credit: digitalskillet/iStock

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January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

compassionate care

Who’s Appropriate for Hospice?

By Cathy Peterson, Gemini Hospice

O

riginally, the Medicare Part A hospice benefit was created for cancer patients. In 1984, Medicare broadened the requirements to allow for those with other terminal illnesses to utilize this benefit. You might be surprised at who is actually appropriate for this wonderful benefit. The descriptions below might describe your uncle, your grandmother, your neighbor, your pastor, your friend, or even yourself. Review the different scenarios below and determine which ones you feel are appropriate for hospice.

• A 79-year-old female who has CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), volunteers at the local senior center, takes diuretics daily, rests often due to shortness of breath, elevates her legs to reduce swelling, and requires oxygen with activity.

• An 86-year-old male who has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), plays bingo every Wednesday at the VFW, is on continuous oxygen, carries a rescue inhaler, uses a wheeled walker, rests frequently, and does breathing treatments every 4 hours.

• A n 83-year-old female who has pancreatic cancer, celebrates her 50th wedding anniversary on a cruise ship with her husband, recently stopped radiation and chemo, takes pain medicine for bone pain, and has lost her appetite.

• A 68-year-old male, who has end stage liver disease, hangs out at the casino regularly, has yellow skin, has high blood pressure, often gets confused and disoriented, and is not a candidate for a transplant.

Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

Cathy Peterson

•A 90-year-old male who has Parkinson’s, spends time at the park with his grandchildren, sits in a wheelchair, has a feeding tube for nutrition, requires assistance with activities of daily living, and has difficulty speaking and swallowing.

• A 73-year-old male who has cardiac disease, plays poker every weekend, experiences shortness of breath, often feels dizzy, has swollen ankles, recently had a heart attack, and is not a surgical candidate.

• An 82-year-old female who has dementia, likes to watch reruns of I love Lucy, doesn’t remember her husband’s name, cannot walk without assistance, is able to speak six or fewer intelligible words, is incontinent, and is unable to dress, bathe, or feed herself.

Believe it or not, all of the above are appropriate for hospice! And did you also know that hospice is not just for the last few days of life. You or your loved one could be on hospice for six months or even longer.

For more information about hospice, please contact Kerri Ann at Gemini Hospice. We are a family owned and operated hospice with the goal of providing care, comfort, and compassion to those nearing the end of their life. Call 480-883-1353, email: kerriannv@geminihospice.com, or visit: www.geminihospice.com. We are located at 3960 E. Riggs Road #4, Chandler, AZ 85249.

Photo credit: vm/iStock

healthy ears

Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked in Study A Study by John Hopkins and National Institute on Aging

Kay Kochman, AuD

Submitted by Kay Kochman, AuD, Tri-City Audiology

S

eniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing, a study by Johns Hopkins and National Institute on Aging researchers suggests. The findings, the researchers say, could lead to new ways to combat dementia, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and carries heavy societal burdens.

Although the reason for the link between the two conditions is unknown, the investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both, or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia, and other cognitive disorders.

Whatever the cause, the scientists report, their finding may offer a starting point for interventions — even as simple as hearing aids that could delay or prevent dementia by improving patients’ hearing.

“Researchers have looked at what affects hearing loss, but few have looked at how hearing loss affects cognitive brain function,” says study leader, Frank Lin, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in the division of Otology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “There hasn’t been much crosstalk between otologists and geriatricians, so it’s been unclear whether hearing loss and dementia are related.”

To make the connection, Lin and his colleagues used data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA). The BLSA, initiated by the National Institute on Aging in 1958, has tracked various health factors in thousands of men and women over decades.

The new study, published in the February Archives of Neurology, focused on several hundred people whose hearing and cognitive abilities were tested as part of the BLSA between 1990 and 1994. While about a quarter of the volunteers had some hearing loss at the start of the study, none had dementia.

These volunteers were then closely followed with repeat examinations every one to two years, and by 2008, nearly one hundred of them had developed dementia. The researchers found that study participants with hearing loss at the beginning of the study were significantly more likely to develop dementia by the end.

Compared with volunteers with normal hearing, those with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss had twofold, threefold, and fivefold, respectively, the risk of developing dementia over time.

The more hearing loss they had, the higher their likelihood of developing the memory-robbing disease.

Even after the researchers took into account other factors that are associated with risk of dementia, including diabetes, high blood pressure, age, sex, and race, Lin explains hearing loss and dementia were still strongly connected. “A lot of people ignore

hearing loss because it’s such a slow and insidious process as we age,” Lin says. “Even if people feel as if they are not affected, we’re showing that it may well be a more serious problem.”

In closing, if you have a spouse or loved one with suspected hearing loss and/or onset memory loss/dementia, please call the TriCity Audiology office nearest you for a confidential consultation and hearing evaluation. We are happy to address your concerns about you or your loved one’s hearing health. Chandler: 480-498-2223; Mesa: 480-498-2134; Tempe: 480-498-2246.

Photo credit: VasukiRao/iStock

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Becky Cholewka Estate Planning Attorney

• Estate Planning

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• Wills/Trusts

• Probate

CALL TODAY 480.497.3770 www.GilbertLawOffice.com “Boutique Law Firm of Month-November 2013”-Attorney at Law Magazine January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 13

protect your family

I Wonder if I Did the Right Thing!

By Hilary Samples, Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery

I

don’t want anyone to ever be in the position that I or the families that I have had the privilege of serving have been in. Like all of us, my father was once young, strong, energetic, and full of life. Six months ago I received that dreaded call. You need to come, your father is not going to make it. We don’t ever want to think of our loved ones leaving us, but truth of the matter, it is going to happen to each of us at one time or another.

Why not be prepared?

I traveled 25 hours hoping to Hilary Samples with make it there in time. Luckily, I her father, Howard Wolf. was able to make it there to see my father. Unfortunately, he was not aware that I was there. While sitting there with family, I had to bring up the subject nobody wants to talk

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“All my immediate family met with Hilary. A true professional. Personal, caring, and outstanding representative of your organization. Hilary was our primary reason for choosing Mountain View.”

— Dane Scott about. I asked my mother if their funeral arrangements were made. Of course, the answer was NO. The next day instead of spending the time with my father, I was at the funeral home making his arrangements. Let me tell you how difficult it is to make funeral arrangements with several different people who all have different ideas. I wished my dad had been alert enough to tell us what he wanted. Had arrangements been made ahead of time, we wouldn’t have to second guess ourselves about the arrangements and decisions we made.

Planning ahead does not mean something is going to happen to you.

You are being smart and thinking about your family and loved ones. You are not only giving peace of mind to your loved ones, but also to yourself, and protecting your family! We protect our family from the very beginning of life, so why wouldn’t you protect them at the end of life?

I am very passionate about my work as an Advanced Planning Specialist. Even more so since I have personally sat on the other side of the arrangement table, and realize how difficult it is for families when there are no plans in place. I know how hard it is when families are struggling to make the right choices and get money to pay for services. I can help you avoid that situation! I have been helping families for over seven years and want the honor of meeting with you and educating you about your options to protect your family.

I often hear people say they can’t afford to make their plans, but I can help make it affordable. Ask yourself one question — If you don’t take care of this now, who will? Do you want to burden that person emotionally and financially? Funeral costs increase an average of 7-10% yearly. Why not take care of this now and guarantee your funeral or cremation at today’s cost.

I want to protect you and your family. We can meet in the privacy and comfort of your own home or at the funeral home.

Save 10% on your prearrangement by mentioning this article. For questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact Hilary Samples by phone at 760-391-3456 (cell), 480-832-2850 (office), or email: hsamples@mvfuneralhome.com. Serving the community for 61 years, locations include Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home in Queen Creek, and Superstition Cremation and Funeral Services in Apache Junction. I am able to meet you at the funeral home or in the comfort of your own home.

Photo courtesy of Hilary Samples

Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

Hilary Samples

new beginnings

We Made It to a New Year! Now What?

Sheriolyn Curry, Mdiv, CSA

By Sheriolyn Curry, MDiv, CSA, Comfort Keepers

W

e made it through the holidays!

Whatever it brought — whether joy or sadness, laughter or tears — we made it. And, here we are at the beginning of 2016 with so much opportunity in front of us. A New Year full of hope. A new beginning full of promise. Perhaps even a new start ripe with anticipation. That’s great! What some of us wouldn’t give for a do-over… to begin again.

At the start of this New Year, how will you begin again? What will it hold? Wait, before you dive head first into your new beginning, let’s ponder a few questions.

In my line of work I am often called upon to speak with or counsel the elderly or those with chronic illnesses as they are looking to move to a higher level of living. I have compiled some of the questions that I most often ask, and share them with you because they are worth answering if you, too, want to shape this year with intentional, authentic, and joyful expectations.

As you look back over 2015, did it contain all you had hoped it would? Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish? Or, did you leave some desires in 2015 because you feel the time had passed? What is it that you would do if you did not have self-imposed limits on what’s possible?

How about your relationships. Did you make new friends? Cultivate old friendships? Let go of relationships that were not in your best interest? Did you forgive someone who wronged you? Did you ask for forgiveness for when you were in the wrong? Did you love like you really cared? Are you living generously? Relationships matter!

Are you connected to a community? Do you have social outlets? What spiritual needs do you have at this place in your life?

Are they being met? Have you built a support network that you can call on for assistance when needed? Are you able to volunteer to give back to the community? Do you see an unmet need in the community? Do you support causes outside of yourself? Do you know your neighbors? Living in community matters!

What will the economy bring? Will my savings grow, shrink, or be enough to meet my needs. Will I need to make a choice about my living arrangements because it is unsafe for me to live alone?

What are my options? Will my health hold up? What if I need a caregiver — who will take care of me? How do I get my affairs in order without people thinking “I’m going to die?” Who do I trust with my information? Planning matters!

Finally, here is a question from those in caregiving relationships.

When family is far away and I need help, who can I call? How do I best plan for my long-term life? This is your season! A new beginning is like being at the traffic light of life and there are three possible directives (lights) by which you will shape your 2016: Green, yellow and red.

Green — what are those things that you need to START doing which will cause your relationships to flourish, your health to improve, your overall outlook on life to be elevated exponentially?

Yellow — What are the things that you are doing that you will continue doing because they still add positively to your life?

Red — What are those things (thoughts, actions, behaviors) that you are going to stop doing because they don’t serve you well?

Go ahead, dive into a new beginning! With careful planning, connecting to a community, and having a solid network of relationships, you will not only shape your 2016 (with the things you can control), but you will do it in a way that allows you to maximize your long term life!

Need help with your planning? Give me a call. I’m here for you!

Sheriolyn Curry is a Certified Senior Advisor, a Pastor, and a Coach. Comfort Keepers of Chandler has been providing all levels of care and a wide variety of support services in the Southeast Valley for 14 years. Caregivers are certified and have ongoing training to give them the all the skills to be the best caregiver they can be. For additional information, call 480-659-9201, visit www.comfortkeepers.com or email chandler@comfortkeepers.com.

Se habla español.

Photo credit: Cathy Yeulet/iStock January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15

prenatal care

Promoting a Healthy Pregnancy

David N. Kells, MD

Submitted by David N. Kells, MD, iWomen’s Health Care

G

etting early and regular prenatal care is the best thing you can do to keep yourself and your developing infant healthy while you are pregnant. During your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will probably talk to you about the following steps you can take to help ensure a healthy pregnancy: Take Folic Acid Begin or continue to get at least 400 micrograms of folic acid by taking vitamin supplements every day to reduce your child’s risk of neural tube defects. In the United States, enriched grain products such as bread, cereal, pasta, and other grain-based foods are fortified with folic acid. It can be difficult to get all the folic acid you need from food alone.3 Most prenatal vitamins contain 400 micrograms of folic acid. If you have had a child with an NTD before, taking a larger daily dose of folic acid (4 mg) before and during early pregnancy can reduce the risk for recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco Drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy can increase your child’s risk for problems such as fetal alcohol spectrum Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

disorders (FASDs) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

FASDs are completely preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant, Medications Although many medications are safe, talk to your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication or herbal supplement. Certain medications to treat acne and epilepsy and some dietary or herbal supplements are not safe during pregnancy.

Avoid Exposure to Toxic Substances During pregnancy, exposure to radiation, pesticides, some metals like lead, and certain chemicals and solvents can cause birth defects, premature birth, and miscarriage. If you work on a farm, a dry cleaner, a factory, a nail or hair salon, you might be around or come into contact with potentially harmful substances.

Follow a Healthy Diet Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lowfat dairy products to help ensure the developing fetus gets all the

nutrients it needs. Make sure you also drink plenty of water. Avoid certain foods such as raw fish, undercooked meat, deli meat, and unpasteurized cheeses (for example, certain types of feta, bleu cheese, and Mexican-style soft cheeses). Always check the label to make sure the cheese is pasteurized.

Limit Caffeine Intake Some studies suggest that too much caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage. Your health care provider might limit you to 200 milligrams (the amount in about one 12-ounce cup of coffee) per day. Keep in mind, though, that some of the foods you eat, including chocolate, also contain caffeine and contribute to the total amount you consume each day.

Maintain a Healthy Weight Gaining too much or too little weight during pregnancy increases the risk of problems for both the mother and the infant.

Following a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity can help you stay within the recommended weight gain guidelines set by the Institute of Medicine.

The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI), which is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in meters (kg/m2). According to the 2009 guidelines released by the Institute of Medicine:18 • W omen with a BMI less than18.5 should gain between 28 and 40 pounds.

• W omen with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 should gain between 25 and 35 pounds.

•W omen with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 should gain between 15 and 25 pounds.

• W omen with a BMI more than 30 should gain between 11 and 20 pounds.

Physical Activity Most women can continue regular levels of physical activity throughout pregnancy. Regular physical activity can help you feel better, sleep better, and prepare your body for birth. After your child is born, it can help get you back to your pre-pregnancy shape more quickly.

Vitamin B12 and Iron Supplements Iron supplements can help reduce your risk for anemia resulting from iron deficiency, which is common during pregnancy.

Your health care provider may also recommend a vitamin B12 supplement if you are a vegetarian or vegan. iWomen’s Health Care is a boutique style practice that believes in partnering with patients for care. “Your Care, Your Comfort, Our Expertise!” For information or to schedule a consultation call 480-855-5900, email: info@iwomenshealthcare.com or visit www.iwomenshealthcare.com. Se habla español.

Sources upon request Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock

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Call for your free consultation January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 17

healthy aging

Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction

Sergio Rimola

Submitted by Sergio Rimola, Director of Vibrant Living, Generations at Agritopia

A

s you get older and retire or move to a new community, you may not have quite as many opportunities to socialize as you did when you were younger.

If you’re not heading to an office or getting out and about each day, you may be missing out on important social interaction that you need to stay sharp, healthy, and maybe even ward off dementia. Research has shown that social interaction offers older adults many benefits. Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help you maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function.

People who continue to maintain close friendships and find other ways to interact socially live longer than those who become isolated. Relationships and social interactions even help protect against illness by boosting your immune system.

The Benefits of Being Social Specific health benefits of social interaction in older adults include: • P otentially reduced risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis • Potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease • Lower blood pressure • R educed risk for mental health issues such as depression Conversely, social isolation carries real risks. Some of these risks are: • Feeling lonely and depressed • Being less physically active • Having a greater risk of death • Having high blood pressure Social interaction helps keep your brain from getting rusty, but it’s most effective when coupled with an overall healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and physical activity.

Keeping Your Connections Strong Start by staying in touch with friends and family, and try to visit with them regularly. Here are other ways you can maintain a high level of social interaction: • V olunteer in your community.

• V isit a senior center and participate in offered activities with other seniors — this is a great way to make new friends.

• J oin a group focused on activities you enjoy, such as playing cards or a book club.

• T ry taking a class — learn a new language or a new style of cooking or experiment with a new hobby.

• J oin a gym or fitness center to stay physically fit and engage with others.

Find ways to stay young at heart, stimulated, busy, and out of the house. Schedule regular visits with grandkids or volunteer at a school or children’s organization to enjoy time with little ones and absorb some of their youthful energy.

Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

Although staying in touch in person is important, phone calls, snail mail, and e-mail can keep you connected, too. If you’re not yet comfortable with computers, ask a young relative to help you.

Adults residing in an assisted living community have the benefit of numerous daily activities to choose from to keep busy such as fitness and art classes, Wii, bingo, movies and social events.

Residents are able to enjoy all their meals with peers and bond over growing up in the same era.

Staying socially active and maintaining your relationships are an important part of healthy aging. Reach out to your loved ones — neighbors, friends, family members — and stay as vibrant, active, and social as you’ve always been.

Generations at Agritopia offers vibrant living with an extensive array of services and amenities for independent living, assisted living, and memory care residents, giving them the freedom to enjoy what matters most. Join us Friday’s at 10am for a movie, lunch, and tour. Please RSVP to 480-485-2000. We are located within the master plan of Agritopia, near Higley and Ray Roads in Gilbert at 2811 E. Agritopia, Loop S. Find us on the web at www.generationsseniorliving.com or email us at info@generationsseniorliving.com.

Source: University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia Photo by Simply Sage Photography

Please Join Us Long Term Care Insurance Seminar Tuesday, January 12th at 6pm Monday, January 21, at 6pm “Aging and Memory” presented

by Dr. Jonathan Hodgson of Gilbert Neurology.

RSVP to 480-485-2000

plan ahead

Will Your Heart Outlast You?

By Becky Cholewka, Estate Planning Attorney, Cholewka Law

I

was born in February so my birthday parties always incorporated hearts. A red heart cake, pink confetti hearts, heartshaped balloons. My family has heart problems. Weak ones as it turns out.

• M y dad died from his second heart attack — four days after his 47th birthday.

• My mom happily survived her second heart attack in July of 2014.

• My paternal grandfather died of a heart attack.

• Six paternal great-uncles had heart attacks.

• Both my paternal uncles had heart attacks.

That is a lot of weak hearts. I pretty much know what health crisis I may be looking forward to in the future.

Even though both of my parents had physical problems with their hearts, they both had an everlasting capacity for loving and protecting their children. Both of my parents had created their will, healthcare documents, and powers of attorney.

If your family has never experienced a gut-wrenching sudden loss, or a terrifying health care crisis complete with a life flight, multiple trauma teams, and 21 days in the intensive care unit,

Becky Cholewka

you might not understand how deeply my sister and I appreciated these gifts.

These documents kept us out of court in a time of extreme chaos and high emotional stress. My dad left me personal mementos — items I still treasure; such as his baseball jacket, citation patches from his years in law enforcement, and a framed picture of him in his ball cap blowing a big huge bubblegum bubble. Not much, but everything at the same time.

The number one excuse I hear from people who think they do not need to create an estate plan is: “I don’t have much.” My reply is always the same, “You have a family and they are priceless.”

Estate planning documents are not for you. They are for your loved ones. Neither one of my parents owned much, but they both had very large hearts. In the end, it didn’t matter their hearts were weak. It was how they showed my sister and I they loved us while they were alive and well that mattered. Will your heart be everlasting for your family?

Visit our website at www.gilbertlawoffice.com for more information or call 480-497-3770 to schedule a time to learn how to protect your family.

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January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

feature story

Innovative Senior Living — Redefining the Journey

By Leslie A. Davis, Certified Dementia Practitioner

T

he Summit at Sunland Springs represents decades of experience and hard work as a new chapter of senior housing for Farnsworth Communities. Since 1958, Farnsworth Development has built thousands of homes in the East Valley and earned a reputation for quality construction and outstanding customer service. As time went on, the home owners began asking about the next step, and hoped that the Farnsworth’s would build an Assisted Living community so when the need for more assistance came, they’d have the opportunity to stay in their own familiar neighborhood. The Summit at Sunland Springs was conceived with this notion and in January of 2013, we opened the doors of our Memory Care community.

Phase II, the Assisted Living community, will open late 2016. Through Father and Son, the Ahlstrom’s continue the Farnsworth legacy in its’ fourth generation of providing senior housing, thus continuing the tradition of excellence that has been handed down through the years.

Helen playing piano for her Great Granddaughter.

Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

The Present — Memory Care The Summit at Sunland Springs’ Memory Care community allows those living with a diagnosis of dementia to live with dignity and respect in a secure setting. With specialized programming and monthly dementia-specific training for all caregivers, the Summit at Sunland Springs offers comprehensive memory care services for those needing additional assistance as they deal with the effects of dementia.

With the focus solely on memory care, the environment is specifically designed and the entire staff united in the mission of delivering compassionate care, while allowing for as much independence as possible.

Everyone wants to feel they have purpose and our approach to each person, as an individual with unique needs, helps them to know that they are understood, loved, and respected.

The Summit prides itself on bringing the regular routines of life back to the residents. In our daily adult lives, we worked, shopped, had dinner with friends, celebrated with family, danced, drank coffee together,

worked in the garden, talked sports, etc. The memory of these routines doesn’t just all go away with short term memory loss.

These routines are ingrained in us from a lifetime of doing them.

The signature - In the Moment Memory Care TM , utilized at The Summit, is designed to help our residents get the most out of life while meeting them wherever in their life their mind has them living at present. At one point in the day, Larry might be trying to get to work. We know that Larry hasn’t worked in 20 years, but what we say to Larry is, “Okay, let’s get you to the office!” Maxine might want to help set the lunch tables, because this is what she has done for the last 52 years in her own home. “Wonderful, here are the napkins, thank you for helping out Maxine!” We meet our residents where they are at in their reality and, therefore, reduce their level of agitation and anxiety. Owner, Craig Ahlstrom, Jr. is famous for reminding the staff that once they enter The Summit’s secured doors, they are entering the residents’ home and everything should always be, “rainbows and butterflies” for our residents. Our goal is to make every day as pleasant as possible for them.

The Environment At The Summit, each resident has their own studio — a quiet place to retreat to when feeling a bit overwhelmed. The Summit includes features like a continuous path throughout the community so residents can amble about in a safe and temperature controlled environment year round, without getting caught in corners. Our many sitting areas and common areas invite residents to gather in easy chairs around the fireplace or sit at a community table and visit with others. The large, enclosed courtyard allows residents to lounge outdoors, garden, or tinker on the putting green, all while getting sunshine and lots of fresh air.

Those with memory loss often seek the company of others and need quite a bit of input, reassurance, and assistance to navigate their day. When left to loose ends, memory care residents often cannot clearly express what they need and they can act out in frustration. The Summit staff provides that needed companionship, in tune with each resident’s personality, likes, and dislikes.

In 1980, Craig Ahlstrom Sr. began working for a family-owned business, Farnsworth Development, building Active Adult Communities. He has never looked back. Craig was promoted to President and CEO in 1998 and has worked tirelessly since, creating value for active adult and now assisted living residents.

Craig M. Ahlstrom, Sr.

Craig Ahlstrom Jr is the fourth generation of the Farnsworth family to work in the field of active adult housing and senior living. Craig, Jr is the Managing Director of the Summit and is passionate about improving the lives of the residents and the staff. Much of Craig’s time is focused on the new Assisted Living building, but Memory Care will always be close to his heart.

Craig M. Ahlstrom, Jr.

Portraits courtesy of The Summit at Sunland Springs

We have regular memory care-specific training that teaches our caregivers techniques to encourage the residents to eat and to participate in activities, which in turn helps our seniors feel purposeful and less anxious.

A Valued Resource Among the many testimonials from families, a nice summary of the assistance provided at The Summit: Photo by Nissle Photography

Josie enjoys soaking in the sunshine in our beautiful courtyard.

Shirley loves beating her son at a game of cards

January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 21

feature story

continued

Interior photos by Nissle Photography

“Placing our Mom at The Summit was the best choice we could have made for her care. Since she has been there, she has started taking part in group activities, eating great, and comments on how happy she is. The personal care she gets at The Summit far exceeds the care she was getting before. There is no way I can explain the improvement in all of our lives since placing her at The Summit. The staff is very caring and always looks for ways to help the families. They are very warm and caring and they understand how difficult it is for families to make this huge decision. My life as the main caregiver has completely changed for the better. I know that my Mom is really cared for as an individual.” –Marian D. At The Summit, we are passionate about being a trusted resource for seniors and adult children helping out their parents.

We can assist with transitioning a loved one to memory care and we provide coping skills for families, via our monthly education seminars and support groups, all free to the public.

The Future — Assisted Living The Summit is very excited to offer an Assisted Living community opening in the Fall of 2016, which will be physically attached to the present Memory Care. This new addition is designed for those who want to maintain their independence, but also want to be in a setting where care is available if or when needed. Renderings and floorplans are on our website: www.thesummitaz.com or by contacting The Summit.

To discuss the personal needs of a family member, the right timing for transitioning to a care community, or to tap into our many resources, please contact Leslie Davis.

In The Moment Memory Care™ In The Moment Memory Care™ is the signature program offered by The Summit at Sunland Springs. The program encompasses the whole person’s needs from creating structure and routine of home, providing for the idiosyncrasies and variations of daily care and life enrichment of the mind, body and spirit. We explore their full history as a person and bring the moments of familiarity, purpose and joy into their lives.

Our Six Elements of Engagement Are: Physical Engagement Community Connections Spiritual Support

Continuing Education Artistic Expression Lifestyle and Leisure

Rendition of Assisted Living — Opening in the Fall of 2016

Illustration courtesy of The Summit at Sunland Springs

The Summit at Sunland Springs is located at 2415 S. Signal Butte Road, Mesa.

Please call 480-378-0015 or visit us at www.thesummitaz.com.

Page 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

self expression

Music Matters

The Common Emotional Base We All Share

By Kalen Dorson, Win Win Fire Teams, LLC

M

usic is an enormous part of human cultu r e . N o m at t e r where you go on the planet, people love music. Music varies as much as personalities — from soft mellow melodies to livid screeching rifts.

Some songs are the vehicle for delivering a message, while others simply enchant people with their tune.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Music plays a role in our lives one way or another, everyone listens to different styles of music, and it can unite and inspire.”

There is no doubt that listening to your favorite music can instantly put you in a good mood, but scientists are now discovering that music can do more for you than just lift your spirits. Research shows it has a variety of health benefits.

Music can help distract from pains and exhaustion while working out as well as offer encouragement with high-energy tunes. It has been shown to help relieve back pain as it helps tense muscles relax. Music has even been shown to help with memory-loss — assisting people to connect with former memories and history.

Music can also help with emotional issues. It’s a common occurrence that people will turn to music when angry or upset.

Whether listening to lyrics that match your mood and resonate with you or just hearing a melody that soothes your troubled mind, music has the power to alter attitudes greatly. Billy Joel once said, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It is something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we are from, everyone loves music.”

Music has been a large influence of culture for a very long time.

Culture impacts how people think, behave, feel, and it changes based on where someone is from. Just in America alone, the difference in music variety and style show the various emotions and events of the period. During the American Revolution and in wars since, music has been used as a tool for rallying armies and raising motivation. Music, such as rock and jazz, are staples that mark a certain period in time and can tell so much about the mindset of the people. The study of music from the Victorian times up to modern day is a fascinating study that tells so much about the society of the time.

One of the quotes that I enjoy is “earth without art would just be…eh”. Music is a form of art, an expression of human emotion and thought, delivered through sound. Music is therapeutic for the mind and body in a unique way that can help each individual. It’s special because of its power in touching people’s hearts, inspiring or calming the mind, and the potential health benefits that it brings. Music always seems to be able to strike a familiar cord with everyone at one time or another and undeniably helps share a sense of community and togetherness. With a myriad of genres and artists, there is always something that will fit your musical needs.

It is wonderful that music in its myriad of styles can bring such joy and benefits to our physical and emotional health.

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Mention this article when you call our office and receive a free 1 hour consultation with a WinWin business coach. 480-890-0100.

Photo credit: PeopleImages/iStock

January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 23

failed resolutions

Why Poor Sleep Might be Preventing Weight Loss

Beth Hamann, DDS

Shari Aftahi, DMD

Submitted by Beth Hamann, DDS & Shari Aftahi, DMD, Koala Center for Sleep Disorders

A

s we welcome 2016, millions of Americans will begin their New Year’s Resolutions. One goal at the top of many lists will no doubt be to lose weight. In fact, a 2014 Journal of Clinical Psychology study found weight loss to be the number one resolution this year. However, despite the fact that 45% of Americans made resolutions, the study found that only 8% were successful in those attempts.

Planning to lose weight year after year only to find yourself unsuccessful can be discouraging, especially if you feel your efforts are just not producing results. One key ingredient of weight loss that you might have overlooked, though, is sleep. Researchers are discovering that your nightly slumber plays an important role in weight loss by regulating your hormones and energizing you for the day.

In examining prevalent myths and facts about sleep, the National Sleep Foundation found a relationship between the quality and quantity of your sleep and many health problems, including obesity. They discovered that failure to get adequate sleep affects growth hormones that are linked to obesity.

Conversely, getting adequate sleep can balance your appetite by regulating your levels of the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which play a role in our feelings of hunger and satiety. However, when your body is sleep-deprived, it makes more ghrelin, which tells your brain to eat. Leptin, conversely, tells your brain when you are full. When you are sleep-deprived, Leptin levels are very low.

Thus, lack of sleep could be leading you to eat more and, therefore, gain weight or fail in your weight loss attempts. Furthermore, when you sleep poorly, it can be difficult to find the energy and motivation to eat well and exercise.

While “sleeping more” might seem like an easy solution, the problem isn’t always so simple, especially for those struggling with a sleep condition such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The American Sleep Apnea Association describes the condition as an “involuntary cessation of breathing that occurs while the patient is asleep” due to an obstruction of the airway, which takes place when the tongue and muscles relax during sleep, the lower jaw falls back toward the throat, or the airway becomes blocked.

People with untreated sleep apnea may stop breathing hundreds of times a night without realizing it and often deal with chronic snoring. Sleep is generally interrupted and fitful; understandably, those suffering from OSA frequently experience insomnia, fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and weight gain. In fact, according to Harvard Health, there is a well established link between OSA and excess weight.

Treating OSA is not a guarantee of weight loss, says Dr. Frankie Roman, MD, in an interview for the National Sleep Foundation.

Page 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

However, the hope is that if the condition is controlled, it will lead to better rest and, as a result, less fluctuation in the hormones associated with hunger. Additionally, getting proper rest can energize you mentally and physically to participate in weight loss programs and exercise regimens and to make better dietary choices.

If you are struggling with your weight and experiencing other symptoms of OSA, such as snoring and daytime sleepiness, you may want to consider speaking with your doctor about getting a sleep study, which will confirm whether or not you have sleep apnea. If you are diagnosed, there are a number of treatment options available, including lifestyle changes, surgery, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and Oral Appliance Therapy.

Oral Appliance Therapy works to hold the jaw in a position that allows the airway to remain as open and firm as possible during sleep, thus preventing snoring and interruptions in sleep. The appliance is similar to an athletic mouth guard but is less bulky. Additionally, it is covered by most insurance plans and Medicare. The good news is that patients whose OSA is treated may be more successful at their weight loss resolutions, and, in turn, losing weight may lead to an improvement in the symptoms of sleep apnea.

For more information about sleep apnea, Oral Appliance Therapy and how the appliance can conquer sleep apnea, fatigue, headaches, and other health conditions, please visit Koala Center for Sleep Disorders at www.KoalaSleepCenters.com/Phoenix–Biltmore or call 602-357-9845.

Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock

prevention

Simplify Your Health Care by Definition

By Jason J Paul, Founder, LifeCore Group LLC

H

ave you ever said or heard someone say “I sure hope next year is a better year”. We say this but, how many of us make a conscious choice to influence our outcomes?

Hope, by definition is the desire for a certain thing to happen.

Influence by definition is to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

So, do you want to “hope” things get better or do you want to “influence” things for the better? We all have a choice and ability.

The true irony of health is not black or white nor is it a guarantee! We can all do the same good things to influence our health, but all of us will not have the same outcome. As countless studies and personal stories have taught us that we have better odds of good health when we make the choice to influence verses hope, but there is always the unknown. This is the definition of insurance which assists in the protection of the unknown. Your health insurance is not health care nor anything that will help you get or stay healthy. Health insurance is financial protection against the catastrophic events of life that regardless of our efforts still occur.

Health care by its definition is prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in human beings.

Prevention is the key word in this definition as we ourselves are the only being that can influence and take measures to prevent diseases or injuries rather than curing them.

The health care system has many challenges and it will continue to for years to come as there are many “people” that participate in the system. Getting providers, old insurance companies, government, regulators and others to align with a simple ideology is not an easy task. The beauty is that you can “influence” how much you need to engage in this broken system. This system has little to do with the daily choices that we make to care for our health. Now that you know the true definition of health care you can simplify it by engaging and influencing your outcome.

To learn more about this ideology or be the first to be part of a new Health insurance program coming in 2016 built around this revolutionary approach email us at contact@lifecoregroup.com or visit our website at lifecoregroup.com.

Photo credit: Izabela Habur/iStock

January 2016 — East Valley — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 25

one couple’s story

In-Home Care Helps With a Loved One’s Dilemma

Mark Leuer

Submitted by Mark Leuer, Owner, Right At Home

A

s the “Voice of the Suns” for the professional basketball team in Phoenix, Arizona, Hall of Fame broadcaster Al McCoy has been calling play-by-play action for more than 35 years. One of his toughest calls came in 2011, when the Hall of Fame broadcaster was faced with finding a caregiver to stay with his wife, Georgia, while McCoy was traveling with the Suns. “I had looked into many companies and potential solutions and was very confused. Fortunately for me, a close friend knew who to refer me to,” Al recalls.

When I received the call from Al McCoy, he shared his concerns about Georgia’s health and safety and his fears of leaving her home alone. Like most people, it’s not just the idea of getting help so much as it’s the idea of having somebody you don’t know in your home.

I met with Al and his wife to assess their needs. Because McCoy is frequently out of town several days a week, they would

need 24 hour care when he travels and during in-town games.

Then, after the Suns season ends, he’d like Georgia to have companionship, help with meals, and other in-home care services as needed.

I knew immediately I had just the right caregiver to fit the McCoy’s needs. Maria, who has been with us from the beginning, was a perfect match and they absolutely adore her. Maria is a wonderful lady who does everything she can to make her clients comfortable and happy.

“When I came to realize that my lifetime partner would require a caregiver in order to live at home, it was a shock. What do I do? Where do I turn?”

— Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Al McCoy

Dan DiPomazio, CPA, PLLC 1820 E Ray Road, Suite A113 Chandler, AZ 85225 Office – 480-264-5140 Cell – 602-524-2004 Fax – 480-264-5142 dan@dipomaziocpa.com Helping individuals and companies with personalized accounting services, tax planning and tax preparation.

Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — East Valley — ­ January 2016

I have other clients who require similar services for a loved one when they are required to travel out of town on business.

In many cases a caregiver starts out providing assistance a few hours a day a couple of days a week and then the family and their parents are so pleased with the service that they end up increasing the number of hours our caregivers are with them.

We understand your concerns when it comes to decisions regarding your family. For many people, our in-home senior care is the best solution for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and loving relationships. Whether a family member needs a little help around the house or hands on care, Right at Home can be the perfect solution. We customize our care services, so your loved one always gets the special care they need based on their individual needs.

Discover how our many services can help improve your family’s quality of life. Call 480-632-1100 for a FREE In-Home Care Assessment. We’re located at 832 W. Baseline Road, Suite 16, Mesa. Visit our website at www.eastvalleyphx.net.

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the many challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s/ dementia. It may come to the point where doing all of the care by yourself is just too much to handle and you need help, but you may not know where to find that help. When that time comes, we’re here for you.

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