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Dr. Alfred Moretz Renowned orthopedic surgeon, musculoskeletal specialist joins Sitrin. Page 4
FEBRUARY 2019 • ISSUE 156
Valentine’s Day: Ready for Love?
Special Day, however, can generate stress Back cover Story, Page 3
Sundowning
How to beat winter? Embrace it!
Hygge!
Evenings worse for dementia patients Page 6
Dentistry 101: Gum Disease See ‘Smile With Dr. Suy’ inside
The Danes love to practice hygge, which means being cozy and connected to others. It includes sipping warm drinks, watching the snow fall while embracing winter, feeling snug, and warming the cold with fire and light. See Page 3
Raisins Many athletes consume raisins for the rapid energy they provide. Should you? Check out SmartBites, Page 14
Kids Corner
Against the grain Are cereal ads on television helping to fuel the child obesity epidemic? Page 23
Sex After 65 Despite challenges, 40 percent of the senior set still enjoy intimacy. Page 5
February 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 1
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
Hear ‘bout Hygge?
Be like the Danes: Secret to surviving a Mohawk Valley winter unveiled By Barbara Pierce
O
ur winters can be brutal — long, and very, very cold. We see little of the sun; we see lots of snow and ice. Denmark has it even worse. They get only about six hours of daylight during winter and it’s colder. However, Denmark consistently is ranked the happiest country by the United Nations. (The U.S. is 13th). It’s because the Danes are obsessed with being “hygge” — a way of embracing long, dark days. Pronounced “hoo-gah,” it’s a simple practice that takes the sting out of the cold, dark winter. It’s become all the rage in the United States. Hygge translates to being cozy and connected to others. It’s finding joy in simple pleasures and communing with Donovan loved ones in lowkey ways: sipping warm drinks, watching the snow fall, embracing (and making the best of) a cold climate, feeling snug, and warming the damp, chill-you-to thebones cold with fire and light. Buy a new pair of flannel pajamas and wool socks, put them on, relax on the couch and watch a movie with your kids. You’ll be hygge-ing. Or curl up with a good book in front of the fire. Snuggle under a cozy blanket with a fresh cup of coffee or hot chocolate. “Hygge is kind of the best thing ever,” says Anne Roderique-Jones on Self online. “It requires only a small effort, doesn’t ask me to speak to my gym clothes, and costs little. There is nothing fancy, expensive, or luxurious about a pair of ugly woolen hygge socks — and they’re a vital feature of hygge.” “It’s about appreciating the simple pleasures in life … I created a place in my home to snuggle up with my warming blanket, read a book, and sip tea,” she said. “I rarely leave the house all weekend. It is utterly glorious.” “My son and I like to bake
Oneida, Herkimer in good
Necessary ingredients
Here are some suggestions for things you might try to warm your heart and soul during these grey, blustery days: — Candlelight is a must: Create a cozy feeling with candles instead of overhead lighting. If it’s dark, light candles, even at breakfast. No recipe for hygge is complete without a collection of flickering light. When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, 85 percent say candles. Their homes are filled with glowing flames in every room. There’s just something about being near the light of fuzzy, flickering candles that makes you feel cozy. “With the shorter days and colder nights of winter, the warm glow of burning candles will enhance the ambiance in your home,” said Donna Jones of The Mohawk Valley Trading Company in Utica. The Mohawk Valley Trading Company offers the highest quality beeswax candles. “There are many benefits to choosing beeswax over paraffin candles,” Jones said. Regular scented candles are a
and
Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper
healthy treats,” said Cynthia Donovan, a registered dietitian who finds comfort in the winter. Donovan owns and operates The Balanced Chef, a healthy prepared meal company in Utica. She sells healthy treats, like oven-baked apple chips, baked sweet potato coins, oatmeal peanut butter bites, and skinny banana bread muffins.
Madison
huge source of indoor air pollution and put off chemicals considered as dangerous as second-hand smoke, she said. — Connect: “More cozy relationships make for a better quality of life,” says Pia Edberg, the author of The Cozy Life. “It’s about simplicity, really — simple clothes, simple food, candles, and just getting together.” — Share meals: Have frequent, low-key and unpretentious get-togethers. A simple hardy soup or stew, delivery pizza, or scrambled eggs will delight your guests. Better yet, don’t even cook. The Balanced Chef offers a simple way to
eat well while featuring inexpensive, nutritious, great-tasting prepared meals. They can be picked up at several locations in the Mohawk Valley, delivered or shipped to your home. “We usually feature turkey chili every other week,” Donovan said. — Get out of the house: Don’t be a shut-in. Break out of your routine and seek warmth and companionship for cheap, good fun — a walk, a latte, or singing at your place of worship. Get fresh air every day. Drop into the Weller Library in Mohawk to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, tea or cocoa. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library offers hot beverages. Chat with a friend, read the newspaper in the reading room, or bring the kids for crafts and stories at noon. For a new experience, discover your inner artist at the Paint and Sip Studio in New Hartford. It’s a great place to have fun with friends or meet new friends as you paint with an artist. No experience is needed. “Many people have absolutely no experience; everyone is nervous when they begin,” said manager Erin Horender. “We help step by step. They end up loving it and their work always comes out great.” The studio provides all supplies. To learn more, see https://www. paintingwithatwist.com.
counties
A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($21 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2019 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, David Podos, Deb Dittner, Pauline DiGiorgio, Brooke Stacia Demott Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.
February 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 3
Meet
Your Doctor
By Barbara Pierce
Dr. Alfred Moretz
Better strategy for quitting smoking
Q
uitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, but studies have found that one strategy in particular can help many people: Start anti-smoking medication well before your intended quit date. Under traditional prescribing guidelines, people who plan to quit smoking with the help of a medication begin taking their anti-smoking drug about one week before their set quit date. But about 75 percent of people who try to quit go back to smoking within a year. So what’s the solution? Research done at the University at Buffalo, showed that simply starting the drugs four weeks in advance can increase the success rate. One study was done on bupropion, known by the brand name Zyban, and similar research has involved both nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline (Chantix). The idea of taking quit-smoking medication earlier in advance of your quit date stemmed in part from reports of people who were taking these medications for other reasons — bupropion, for instance, is well-known as an antidepressant — and found that they gave up smoking without even trying to quit. Four weeks also provides a good timeframe to mentally prepare to quit smoking. In fact, many study participants started smoking less before their quit date and without experiencing strong cravings or withdrawal symptoms. And their cravings tended to decrease. As for results, over 50 percent of the people who started the drugs four weeks ahead of time remained smoke-free 30 days after quitting, compared to 31 percent who were given the standard one-week start date. All study participants received smoking cessation counseling as well, which shows that a multifaceted approach brings the best results.
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Dr. Alfred Moretz, orthopedic surgeon and well-known musculoskeletal specialist, has joined the team at Sitrin Health Care Center in New Hartford to lead its orthopedic outpatient clinic. Recently, senior correspondent Barbara Pierce interviewed Moretz regarding his profession. proach to care. Patients of Sitrin’s clinic aren’t only meeting one person; they receive the expertise of the entire team, which allows for accurate diagnosis and treatment. We want to start the healing right away, and get these people back out into the community, whether they are young athletes, someone facing winter injuries, or a senior trying to stay healthy. This clinic allows for all ages and abilities to get back to what they do best. In the clinic, a person with an injury will be seen right away to receive an accurate diagnosis, set expectations for recovery, and begin the healing process with a supportive and specialized care team.
Q.: You were recruited by Sitrin to lead the orthopedic injury outpatient clinic. What were your objectives in offering this type of clinic to the community? A.: In this clinic, we provide a type of non-urgent, urgent care. We want to provide individuals in the community an opportunity to avoid the traditional medical maze by receiving an examination and accurate assessment right away, and then quickly beginning treatment. We focus on fast, functional recovery. People can sidestep a trip to the emergency room and won’t have to wait for a referral from their primary physician to see an injury specialist. The goal of the clinic is to empower individuals to recover better, faster, and stronger from their injury, eliminate undue costs, and make more informed decisions regarding surgical needs. Q.: Do you feel the clinic is meeting these objectives? What is the response of the community? A.: We are still in development, but many different types of injured individuals have embraced it. People are so used to waiting for treatment that we wanted to provide a new avenue. Our goal is to start treatment within 24 hours or less from when the patient first calls. Q.: You are well-known in the community as a practicing orthopedic surgeon in the area for many years. What led you to make the decision to lead this clinic? A.: Traditional orthopedic care can be difficult, as it usually takes a long time from the point of injury for treatment to begin. In Sitrin’s clinic, we are able to change the delivery method. For me, it was about personalizing the experience to help people heal better and faster. An individual meets with the team at the initial assessment, so that he or she is receiving the most accurate diagnosis, and they begin a treatment course tailored specifically for them. Q.: You bring much valuable experience to this position. Could you comment on that? A.: I feel in medicine, experience is the name of the game. As they say, “You can’t teach experience.” I work with a dynamic team of experienced doctors of physical therapy. We established that this model should decrease patients’ costs and time. In order to do so, the analysis and treatment process needed to be finetuned, and that is where the experi-
ence of the team members has been invaluable. The clinic provides care from both one of its doctors of physical therapy and myself. In a single visit, I will consult with a patient and provide an accurate and immediate diagnosis. I will also outline the specifics of the injury, and work with the patient on a personalized treatment plan and recovery goals. Patients will also be paired with one of the clinic’s physical therapists. Q.: What are the main things you would like the community to know about the Sitrin Orthopedic Injury Clinic? A.: We offer a team-based ap-
Q.: You see people with injuries. What are the things people do wrong that brings them to need your care? A.: One main thing that people do is simply put off treatment. They try to heal at home or they do an internet search for answers. This only makes the pain and treatment take longer, which can result in more physical issues. Q.: What else would you like people to know about you and the orthopedic injury outpatient clinic? A.: We are readily available for treatment. There is no referral necessary. I am now seeing outpatients at the clinic, 2050 Tilden Ave., New Hartford. I am also available for oncall appointments.
Lifelines Birth year: 1946 Birthplace: Hickory, N.C. Current residence: New Hartford Affiliations: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; Arthroscopy Association of North America Personal: Married with five children Hobbies: Cross-country skiing; playing music; flying
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
Golden
Sex after 65? It can happen!
Years
Nearly one in five older men uses medications or supplements, says poll
A
new poll busts stereotypes about the sex lives of older Americans — and reveals gender and health-related divides on key aspects of sexual health, while highlighting the need for more people to talk with their health providers about sexual issues. Forty percent of people between the ages of 65 and 80 are sexually active, according to the new findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Nearly three-quarters of people in this age range have a romantic partner and 54 percent of those with a partner are sexually active. Whether or not they have an active sex life, nearly two-thirds of older adults say they’re interested in sex, and more than half say sex is important to their quality of life. And when asked if they are satisfied with their current sex life, 73 percent of the nationally representative sample of 1,002 people polled said they were. The poll was conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, and sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center. The poll explored how older adults might seek help or advice for sexual problems, and if they’ve talked with their doctors or other health care providers about their sexual health.
In all, 18 percent of older men and 3 percent of older women say they’ve taken medications or supplements to improve sexual function in the past two years. But only 17 percent of older adults said they have talked with their doctor or other health care provider about sexual health in the past two years. Most who had engaged in such discussions said they brought the topic up, suggesting the need for more proactive conversations by clinicians with their older patients. “Sexual health among older
MVHS graduate nurse recruitment dinner slated
M
ohawk Valley Health System will hold a graduate nurse recruitment dinner from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 31 in the community room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. All graduate nurses are welcome to attend for a dinner and presentations to learn how they can become a part of the MVHS team. The mission of the MVHS is to provide excellence in health care for
its communities. This is an opportunity to learn more about MVHS and the nursing careers it has to offer. A RSVP is required. Contact Penny Seymour in human resources at 315-624-6471 or pseymour@ mvhealthsystem.org. If you are unable to attend but would like to apply for a position within MVHS, visit careers. mvhealthsystem.org or contact Seymour.
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Gender, age and health status divides Solway notes that the poll finds some sharp differences along health, age and gender lines. For instance, compared with the 45 percent of respondents with excellent, very good, or good health
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adults doesn’t get much attention but is linked closely to quality of life, health and well-being,” says U-M’s Erica Solway, Ph.D., co-associate director of the poll. “It’s important for older adults and the clinicians who care for them to talk about these issues and about how age-related changes in physical health, relationships, lifestyles and responsibilities such as caregiving, affect them.”
who reported they were sexually active, only 22 percent of those who said they are in fair or poor health were sexually active. Only 28 percent of those with fair or poor health said they were extremely or very satisfied with their sex lives. There are also differences within age groups. Those between the ages of 65 and 70 were nearly twice as likely as those in their late 70s to be sexually active. One-third of those in their late 60s said they were extremely or very interested in sex, compared with 19 percent of those in their late 70s. The gender gaps that emerged reveal some differences that may create challenges for relationships. For instance, women were less likely than men to be sexually active — 31 percent overall, compared with 51 percent of men — but were more likely to be extremely or very satisfied with their sex lives. And while 84 percent of older men said sex was an important part of a romantic relationship, 69 percent of older women agreed with that statement. But the biggest gender difference was the percentage of those who said they were extremely or very interested in sex. Half of men aged 65 to 80 said they had this level of interest, compared with just 12 percent of women in the same age range. A key takeaway from the poll, Solway notes, is that there appears to be opportunity for more proactive conversations between providers and their older patients about sexual health.
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February 2019 •
315-790-5392
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Golden
Years
Sundowning
When sun sets, dementia patients experience worsened symptoms By Barbara Pierce
“
Sometimes in the evening, my husband is agitated, confused, and a handful to deal with,” writes a woman online. Another writes: “I care for my husband’s grandmother, but when the sun sets, it’s easy to consider putting her in a facility. She completely loses it and starts looking for kids and dogs that aren’t there, talking to herself, and is obsessed with needing all the lights off.” “Many times a person with dementia can suffer from something called ‘sundowners syndrome,’ a neurological occurrence wherein a person with dementia exhibits increased confusion and restlessness or delirium,” said Chris Vitale, owner and operator of several assisted living communities licensed to provide services to people with a diagnosis of dementia. One of the facilities Vitale operates is The Terrace at Woodland in Rome. The Terrace is an assisted-living community with a “Memory Care Neighborhood” specially designed to meet the needs of people who require more supervision and services as a result of having memory loss. In sundowning, the person may become agitated, confused, disoriented, angry, paranoid, or have hallucinations or delusions. Though sundowning behavior usually occurs in people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, it can occur
in older people who do not have dementia. As they become fatigued at the end of the day, they may have trouble concentrating, and grow agitated and even confused. Sundowning occurs quite often in hospitalized patients. While the cause is unknown, most believe it is related to the stress and sensory overload the person has experienced during the day, and just pure exhaustion. No matter what the cause, it creates severe stress for the caregiver and patient. Though sundowning behavior can’t be prevented, Vitale shared steps to help reduce this behavior. He said although every person is different, some of the following strategies have been shown to lessen stress for both caregiver and patient: — Keep a routine: Stick to a regular schedule. Take walks or exercise at the same time each day, preferably early in the day. Eat an early dinner and go to sleep at the same time each night. As eating a large meal shortly before bedtime can increase agitation, serve a larger meal at lunch. Include a bedtime routine in your schedule. Simple cues like taking a shower, drinking a cup of tea or playing soft music can signal that it’s time to start calming down for bedtime.
Creatures of habit
If you need to make changes in your routine, change gradually. Vitale said, “At our community, having a regular schedule often involves having the same care-staff
on most days so the resident sees the same people on a regular basis and gains comfort from that.” — Keep the individual engaged in meaningful activities: Help the individual stay active during the day. Getting stimulation and exercise will help them feel more relaxed at bedtime. Being active during the day promotes better sleep. “In our community, we engage residents in activities such as baking, scrapbooking, gardening, and accompanying staff to deliver mail. We want residents to feel like they are helping and part of something important,” he said. — Never say “no”: “All you do when you say ‘no’ to a person with dementia is to agitate them further,” Vitale said. “At The Terrace, we make every effort to minimize stress to the person by not restricting their free movement. The doors from the memory care unit are locked. If a resident tries to go out, a staff person joins him, lets him out, and walks with him.” “Speak slowly and clearly when talking to the person, using simple language that has a positive inflection and body language. Even if the person has difficulty understanding conversation, your inflection and body language will impact the way
they feel or perceive you,” he said. Other experts add: — Curb caffeine and alcohol: Limit caffeine to early in the day; better yet, eliminate it altogether as it can stay in one’s system for up to 16 hours. Also, eliminate alcohol. — Schedule appointments and activities in the morning to prevent exhaustion. — Prevent overstimulation by reducing noise from televisions or stereos. When the patient begins to feel symptoms, he or she should either rest or do something familiar that provides relaxation. “Make sure to communicate clearly to your primary care physician about the behavior changes the person is experiencing,” Vitale added. “Keep notes so you can explain to the physician what symptoms he or she is experiencing. Each person has different triggers for sundowning. Keep a daily log and jot down events that seem to trigger symptoms. For instance, too much noise or the act of preparing dinner could be a trigger. Once you recognize these triggers, you can work on ways to avoid them. For more information, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-2723900.
America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk Kickoff fetes grant recipients
T
o celebrate the 45th America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk, the American Heart Association announced five local organizations receiving Community Impact Grants during the Heart Run & Walk Kickoff recently. The grant program allows the AHA to help fund local groups that are working, or would like to work, on projects that can help improve the cardiovascular health of children, families and the community at large. From 2011 through this year’s grants, the local AHA has been able to award $290,000 with 72 grants to 43 organizations that are working to improve the health of the Mohawk Valley. This year’s grant recipients are: — Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc The Give It A Whirl program serves women in early recovery from substance abuse who are in need of rebuilding healthy, productive lives. — Parkway Center The STEPS program pairs senior participants with physical therapy students to help seniors get active Page 6
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with safe and effective cardiac monitoring. — Boy Scouts of America The grant will allow Boy Scouts of America to replace automated external defibrillators at three camp locations. — The House of the Good Shepherd The grant will allow The House of the Good Shepherd to replace automated external defibrillators at four locations. — The Root Farm The Root Farm will install 10 activity stations along The Root Farm Adventures Fitness Trail. In addition to announcing grant recipients, the evening also kicked off the fundraising efforts for America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk. The fundraising goal for the upcoming event is $1,1 million. Jeremy Robinson, senior vice president of customer-relations management at NYCM Insurance, is chairing fundraising efforts. “The American Heart Association has achieved incredible things over 45 years, but heart disease and
stroke are still our No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively,” Robinson said. “We still face unhealthy lifestyles and social determinants, like poverty and healthy food access, that make it difficult for some to get and stay healthy. Events like America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk can help make our community healthier.” Other highlights for America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk include the following: — The Healthy for Good Expo, sponsored by Carbone Athletics at the Fitness Mill, will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 1 at Utica College. Health and wellness assessment screenings sponsored by Mohawk Valley Health System will take place throughout the expo. Areas covered will include health-related material, free screenings and wellness information. — WIBX Heart Radiothon, sponsored by Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, P.L.L.C., in New Hartford, will be broadcast on WIBX of Townsquare Media. The Heart Radiothon will be broadcast from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 1 and from 6 a.m. to 1
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
p.m. March 2 and streamed online at www.wibx950.com. — WKTV Heart Telethon will be broadcast live by WKTV NewsChannel 2 and streamed online at www. wktv.com. The telethon will be broadcast live from 7-8 p.m. March 1 on CBS Utica. Volunteers will be taking calls beginning at noon. The telethon will air from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 2 on WKTV NewsChannel 2. — The popular Kids Heart Challenge, sponsored by AmeriCU Credit Union, will be held after Heart Weekend. For its third year, the challenge will be held at 7 p.m. April 26 at Valley Gymnastics. The event is an obstacle course for kids aged 5-12. Registration will be available online and starting at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Gymnastics. Those interested in forming a fundraising team or volunteering for the event on March 2 can contact the AHA at 315-580-3964. For more information on America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk 2019, contact the AHA at 315-580-3964 or visit www.uticaheartrunwalk.org.
Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
All about bonds Good genes great, but relationships better
I
came into Jackie’s life to help her die. Doctors determined that the 83-year-old widow had less than six months to live. I was a hospice volunteer who would provide companionship through her last months of life. Jackie lived alone, with paid caregivers. As she could no longer leave home, she was socially isolated; friends no longer visited, and she was excruciating lonely and ready to die. If not for the hospice nurses and I, she Pierce would die alone. Then her children placed her in assisted living. Each time I visited, I found her chatting with other residents or involved in an activity. She was happy as she told me about the friends she was making and all the things she was doing. Soon, she was no longer terminal. Hospice took her off its list. Now I visit a friend, not a dying woman. I had just moved to a new area where I knew no one. I was socially isolated and very lonely. I had a deep need to be around people. I ached for people in my life. Trips to the supermarket or the library helped fill my need to be around people. Being a hospice volunteer was one of many things I became involved in. The connection between Jackie and I prolonged both of our lives. That’s a fact, confirmed by a groundbreaking study. The Harvard Study of Adult Development is one of the best lifelong studies of adult development in the world. Beginning in 1938 with Harvard students and teenage boys from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, they traced nearly 1,000 men into their 90s. Spouses of original participants were later added. Researchers who pored through data, medical records and hundreds
of interviews and questionnaires found a strong correlation between men’s flourishing lives and their relationships with family, friends, and community. People’s level of satisfaction with their relationships at age 50 was a better predictor of physical health than their cholesterol levels. “The key to healthy aging is relationships, relationships, relationships,” said George Vaillant, who watched entire lives unfold as a principal investigator. Vaillant described his findings in his book “Aging Well.”
Rely on relationships
The study showed that the role of genetics and long-lived ancestors proved less important to longevity than the level of satisfaction with relationships in midlife. The clear message from 75 years: good relationships keep us happier, healthier, and living longer. Good, close relationships buffer us from the stings and arrows of getting old. Close relationships protect us from life’s discontents, help delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. This finding proved true across the board among both the Harvard men and the inner-city participants. “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health,” said Robert Waldinger online. Waldinger is director of the study. “Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.” “Those who kept warm relationships got to live longer and happier,” he added. “Loneliness kills,” he said. “It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism.” Loneliness is toxic; brain functioning decreases sooner, and lonely people die sooner. It’s not just the number of friends you have, it’s the quality of the
relationships you have, researchers found. Marriages with conflict and not much positive going on are worse than divorce. Researchers also found that marital satisfaction has a protective effect on people’s mental health. People who had happy marriages in their 80s reported that their moods didn’t suffer even on the days when they had more physical pain. Those who had unhappy marriages felt both more emotional and physical pain. “That good relationships keep us happier and healthier is wisdom as old as the hills. Why don’t we follow it?” asks Waldinger in his TED talk, “The Good Life.” “We like a quick fix,” he added. “Relationships are messy, complicated; they’re not sexy or glamorous.” “What’s one of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes to relationships? Not working hard enough to create new ones when the old ones
fade away,” he says. “People in our study who were the happiest after retirement were people who had actively worked to replace relationships that ended with new ones.” His suggestions: — “Liven up a stale relationship by doing something new together, like a long walk, or a date night.” — “Reach out to family members who you haven’t spoken to because family feuds take a terrible toll on people.” — “Replace screen time with people time.” There’s no doubt about it: Successful aging requires continuing to make new relationships. • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
Now Seeing Patients at Sitrin! Dr. Alfred Moretz
Orthopedic Surgeon Call
315-737-2246 to Schedule an Appointment
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February 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 7
Golden
Years
Protect your prostate Screening key to detecting prostate cancer By Barbara Pierce
A
ll men are at risk for prostate problems. For such a little gland, the prostate causes a lot of concern. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland of the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, the tube that carries urine through the penis. The prostate’s job is to make fluid for semen. It often causes problems. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Keep that number in perspective, though, because prostate cancer is usually slow-growing and treatable: Only about one in 35 with the disease will die of it. The risk for prostate cancer increases with age. About two out of every three men with prostate cancer are over age 65. Don’t wait for symptoms of cancer to appear, cautioned Brent Carlyle, urologist with Rome Medical Practice Urology. “Waiting for signs and symptoms to appear is not the best way to detect this highly treatable cancer,” he said. “Symptoms from prostate cancer unfortunately often mean the disease has progressed significantly.” Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer have few or no symptoms, said Carlyle. It’s discovered with screening. During National Prostate Health Month in September, Carlyle reminded men to be proactive and get screened for prostate cancer. “The goal of routine screening is to detect and treat the cancer before the condition worsens. That’s why it is important for men over 50, or those
who have a family history of prostate cancer, to see a urologist or their primary care provider regularly to be screened for the disease,” Carlyle explained. Prostate cancer can often be detected early with a simple blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. The test is a simple draw of blood from your arm. A health care provider can also check the size of your prostate gland through a physical exam. “Men between the ages of 55 and 69 benefit the most from prostate cancer screening,” Carlyle said. Men who are younger than 55 and have risk factors should begin screening earlier.
Genetic ties
The cause can have a hereditary component. “Men with a father or brother with prostate cancer are two to three times more likely to be at risk of prostate cancer as compared to other men,” Carlyle said. African American men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than Caucasians. Asian American men have a lower risk than Caucasians, he added. According to the American Cancer Society, most prostate cancer can’t be prevented. Finding prostate cancer early, when it is small, determines what treatment is needed to combat it. However, being diagnosed with prostate cancer does not necessarily mean treatment, Carlyle said. “Some will be advised to proceed with active surveillance. Active surveillance means careful watching, keeping a close eye on the cancer, but not necessarily intervening to treat it,” he said. “The age of the patient and other
factors determine which treatment approach is best. Some men will be advised to pursue radiation or surgery,” he added. For many men, their initial fear is prostate cancer, but an enlarged prostate is a very common cause of urination symptoms, he said. It’s known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. For unknown reasons, the prostate experiences a second growth spurt. By the time you reach the age of 60, you have a 50/50 chance of having an enlarged prostate. When you’re 85, the likelihood increases to 90 percent. It’s a normal part of aging. The enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, making urination difficult. Urinating frequently, especially at night, difficulty getting a urine stream going, or feeling you are unable to get all the urine out can result. These symptoms respond well to medication or other treatment. “For men with symptoms of BPH, there are medications and minimally invasive office procedures that can make a big difference,” Carlyle said. Another common condition affecting the prostate is prostatitis, a temporary swelling of the prostate
Heidi S. Puc - MD,FACP,ABIHM Amy Lazzarini - MD, MSHS Heidi Baldwin - MS, RMT
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
due to infection or inflammation, Carlyle added. It often causes painful or difficult urination and pain in the pelvic area. It affects men of all ages but is more common in men under 50. Depending on the cause, prostatitis can come on gradually or suddenly. It might improve quickly, either on its own or with treatment. It is important for men who may be experiencing urination problems to see a urologist to determine the cause, Carlyle added. In rare cases, prostate cancer does cause symptoms. Carlyle recommends contacting an urologist or primary care physician for an evaluation if you experience any of the following: — Need to urinate frequently, especially at night — Difficulty starting or holding back urination — Weak, dribbling, or interrupted flow of urine — Painful or burning urination — Difficulty having an erection — Painful ejaculation — Blood in the urine — Pain in the rectum — Pain in lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
Assessment Treatment Advocacy Early Diagnosis + Early Intervention = Better Outcomes!
By Jim Miller
What you should know about aging parents’ finances
Dear Savvy Senior,
My siblings and I don’t know much about our elderly parents’ financial situation or their wishes if something happens to them. When mom broke her hip last year, it got me thinking we need to be better prepared. What’s the best way to handle this, and what all should we know?
Tentative Daughter Dear Tentative, Many adult children don’t know much about their elderly parents’ financial situation or end-of-life plans, but they need to. Getting up to speed on their finances, insurance policies, long-term care plans and other information is important because some day you might have to help them handle their financial affairs or care, or execute their estate plan after they die. Without this information, your job becomes much more difficult. Here are some tips that can help. Have the Conversation If you’re uncomfortable talking to your parents about this topic, use this column as a prompt or start by talking about your own finances or estate plan as a way to ease into it. Also see TheConversationProject. org, which offers free kits that can help you kick-start these discussions. It’s also a good idea to get your siblings involved too. This can help you head off possible hard feelings, plus, with others involved, your parents will know everyone is concerned. When you talk with your parents, you’ll need to collect some information, find out where they keep key documents and how they want certain things handled when they die or if they become incapacitated. Here’s a checklist of areas to focus on. Personal & Health Information • Contacts: Make a list of names and phone numbers of their doctors, lawyer, accountant, broker, tax preparer, insurance agent, etc. • Medical information: Make a copy of their medical history (any drug allergies, past surgeries, etc.) and a list of medications they take. • Personal documents: Find out where they keep their Social Security card, marriage license, military discharge papers, etc. • Secured places: Make a list of
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places they keep under lock and key or protected by password, such as online accounts, safe deposit boxes, safe combination, security alarms, etc. • Pets: If they have a pet, what are their instructions for the animal’s care? • End of life: What are their wishes for organ or body donation, and their funeral instructions? If they’ve made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, get a copy of the agreement. Legal Documents Will: Do they have an updated will or trust, and where is it located? Power of attorney: Do they have a power of attorney document that names someone to handle their financial matters if they become incapacitated? Advance directives: Do they have a living will and a medical power of attorney that spells out their wishes regarding their end-of-life medical treatment? If they don’t have these documents prepared, now’s the time to make them. Financial Records • Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or debt they have — mortgages owed, car loans, medical bills, credit card debts. Also, make a list of all their credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information. • Financial accounts: Make a list of the banks and brokerage accounts they use (checking, savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, etc.) and their contact information. • Company benefits: Make a list of any retirement plans, pensions or benefits from their former employers including the contact information of the benefits administrator. • Insurance: Make a list of the insurance policies they have (life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, etc.) including the policy numbers, agents and phone numbers. • Property: Make a list of the real estate, vehicles or other properties they own, rent or lease and where they keep the deeds, titles and loan or lease agreements. • Taxes: Find out where they keep copies of past year’s tax returns.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. February 2019 •
If you’re facing a diagnosis of lung cancer, turn to the experts at the Upstate Cancer Center. We provide the advanced knowledge, skills and leading technology found at the region’s only teaching hospital. The power of teamwork brings together board-certified physicians to offer you a multidisciplinary case review for the most personalized treatment plan. The latest in treatment advances are available including robotic thoracic surgery, immunotherapy, molecular targeted therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. Patients also have access to a multitude of clinical trials exploring novel treatment approaches. The Upstate Cancer Center is one of fewer than 100 centers nationwide to be recognized by the Association of American Cancer Institutes.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Ask The Social
Security Office
Listening to your heart can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.
From the Social Security District Office
I
Social Security and self-employment
f you are not self-employed, Social Security taxes are typically taken out of your paycheck automatically. You and your employer each pay a 6.2 percent Social Security tax on up to $132,900 of your earnings and a 1.45 percent Medicare tax on all earnings in 2019. You don’t have to do anything extra for the coverage you will one day receive because your employers handle the deduction as well as matching that contribution. Then they send the taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and report your wages to Social Security. If you’re self-employed, the process is a little different. You report your earnings for Social Security and pay your taxes directly to the IRS when you file your federal income tax return. You pay the combined employee and employer amount, which is a 12.4 percent Social Security tax on up to $132,900 of your net
earnings and a 2.9 percent Medicare tax on your entire net earnings in 2019. You are considered self-employed if you operate a trade, business or profession, either by yourself or as a partner. If your net earnings are $400 or more in a year, you must report your earnings on Schedule SE, in addition to other tax forms you must file. Net earnings for Social Security are your gross earnings from your trade or business, minus your allowable business deductions and depreciation. Some income doesn’t count for Social Security and shouldn’t be included in figuring your net earnings. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain length of time to get Social Security benefits. You can read more about self-employment and Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN05-10022.pdf.
Q: I worked for the last 10 years and I now have my 40 credits. Does this mean that I get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit? A: Probably not. The 40 credits are the minimum number you need to qualify for retirement benefits. However, we do not base your benefit amount on those credits; it’s based on your earnings over a lifetime of work. To learn more about how you earn Social Security credits and how they work, read or listen to our publication “How You Earn Credits,” available at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs.
Q: Someone stole my Social Security number, and it’s being used repeatedly. Does Social Security issue new Social Security numbers to victims of repeated identity theft? A: Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, so you aren’t alone. If you’ve done all you can to identify and fix the problem, including contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but someone is still using your number, Social Security may assign you a new number. If you decide to apply for a new number, you’ll need to prove your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status. You’ll also need to provide evidence you’re having ongoing problems because of the misuse of your current Social Security number.
Q&A
Maybe you’ve not been paying attention to what your heart has been saying. One of the best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease is to understand your risk by participating in our screening program. Don’t put it off any longer. We are here to listen. Please bring your heart.
HAMILTON HEART CENTER 164 BROAD STREET, HAMILTON, NY 13346
(315) 824-4600 All services are directly connected to and supported by Community Memorial Specialties and Hospital Services, and accessible to the Crouse Health network of services.
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Q: I recently applied for a replacement Social Security card, but I might be moving before it arrives in the mail. What should I do if I move before I get it? A: Once we have verified all your documents and processed your application, it takes approximately 10 to 14 days to receive your replacement Social Security card. If you move after applying for your new card, notify the post office of your change of address and the post office will forward your card to your new address. If you do not receive your card, please contact your local Social Security office. To get a replacement, you will have to resubmit your evidence of identity and U.S. citizenship, or your lawful immigration status and authority to work.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
Q: I was speaking with my sister and she told me that she receives half of her spouse’s benefit. Why am I not eligible for benefits from my spouse? A: If your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits, you could be eligible for one-half of their benefit at your full retirement age. However, if you worked and are eligible for Social Security benefits on your own record, your own benefit may be higher than what you could be eligible for on your spouse’s record. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for benefits, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
Consumers happy with providers, not so much with their office staff
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survey by NRC Health, which focuses on researching and providing consumer data to the industry, found that 87 percent of consumers felt their provider treated them with courtesy and respect, but only 67 percent felt the same about the office staff. Seventy-seven percent of respondents were generally dissatisfied with waiting times. Yet, while expressing satisfaction with providers on one hand, a staggering 80 percent of the respondents said they would switch providers for convenience
alone. In defense of medical office staff, they are typically the ones who have to explain why the doctor is running behind and then may have to explain why the patient’s insurance doesn’t cover something. Once in the exam room, most patients tend to be more demure with their provider and don’t voice their concerns. Rather than leaving the practice altogether, filing a polite suggestion, (versus an angry grievance), will prove more valuable to the practice and you.
ACA deemed unconstitutional
reductions are also wiped out. There is far more in the ACA than meets the average consumer’s eye. Hospital systems and physicians have invested heavily to comply with the ACA. An appeal may well reach the Supreme Court. The ACA is still law of the land and the exchanges remain open for business because the judge issued a declaratory decision versus an injunction. The major health care trade associations, including the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the American Medical Association have
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional by virtue of the individual mandate that requires you to have health insurance or suffer a penalty if you don’t. Because the individual mandate is so essential or “inseverable” to the act, the judge concluded the entire law to be invalid. By striking down the law, components like expanded Medicaid, premium subsidies/ tax credits, pre-existing condition protections, value based payments to hospitals and physicians, and cost
all expressed their disapproval of the ruling. Neither Congress nor the Trump administration has plans for a viable alternative.
Older Americans worried
According to a poll conducted by the University of Michigan, people between the ages of 50-65 are, understandably, worried about their health coverage as they head toward retirement and Medicare. Twenty-seven percent of respondents fear they won’t be able to afford their employer-provided insurance next year and almost half — 45 percent — fear they won’t be able to afford their insurance after they retire. Thirteen percent said they postponed or delayed a medical procedure because of the related outof-pocket costs. Twenty percent said they would keep working past 65 to retain employer-sponsored insurance. Researchers found that fears are stoked by the lack of consistent policies from Washington, the constant attacks on the ACA without viable alternatives and threats by Congress to balance the budget by cutting funding for Medicare and Medicaid which most likely means decreased benefits coupled with increased premiums. Specialty drug costs Insurers say they are disproportionately driving up the cost of care and premiums. According to the California Department of Insurance,
specialty drugs accounted for just 3 percent of all prescriptions, but accounted for 50 percent of total drug costs. Major insurers including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and United spent $606 million on specialty drugs in 2017. That works out to about $81 per member per month or almost $1,000 per member per year. Depending on your plan, that $1,000 is about 16 percent of the total annual premium. On average, specialty prescriptions were $2,361 per script. Brand name scripts averaged $236 and generics averaged just $29 per script. The most frequently prescribed specialty drugs are the HIV drug Truvada, the immunosuppressant drug Humira, the diabetes drug Victoza and the hormonal drug Androgen. Despite the limited audience for these drugs, most of us recognize these drugs from the ubiquitous ads on TV. George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
The Intersection of Cancer Specialists and Local Care
medical oncology affiliate
Roswell Park Affiliated Medical Oncology Care is now at Oneida Health.
Now accepting patients. 604 Seneca Street, Oneida • (315) 361-2381 • oneidacancer.org February 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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LPN retires from Valley Health Services Family and friends recently honored licensed practical nurse Donna Maciolek during a retirement celebration at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. Maciolek has worked at VHS for over 22 years as an LPN, and it has become a family affair as her two children, Nick and Jeanette Golicki, work at VHS as certified nursing assistants. Maciolek is retiring so she can continue to feed her passion for traveling. She notes some of her favorite destinations include Florida, Niagara Falls, Cape Cod and Plymouth, Mass. and Vermont. Community members enjoy aquatic therapy within Sitrin’s wellness program to help increase exercise and decrease stress.
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Sitrin’s wellness program real stress buster
S
tress can be a major trigger for mental strain and tension in a person’s life, with the degree and type of stress differing for every 1777 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, NY, 13413 – 315-797-2131 person. While some endure stress that *MEDIUMS* *CRYSTALS* *PSYCHICS* *ASTROLOGY* stems from an emotional event, emergency or illness, others expe*PALMIST* *TAROT* *MASSAGE* *REIKI* *JEWELRY* *LULAROE* *MEDIUMS* *CRYSTALS* *PSYCHICS* *ASTROLOGY* rience it in their everyday lives, *GIFTS* *WOOD CARVINGS* *NATURAL OILS* during work, and while maintain*PALMIST* *TAROT* *MASSAGE* *REIKI* *JEWELRY* *GIFTS* ing family responsibilities. Stress can take on many differ*IZUMIO* *WOOD CARVINGS* *NATURAL OILS* ent forms, including short temper, A Portion of All Proceeds Go To: Spring Farm Cares & Stevens Swan Humane Society upset stomach, headache, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, and overall dissatisfaction with a job or various aspects of life. Stress that is not properly managed can also manifest into more serious health conditions. Namely, it causes changes in a person’s body and can exacerbate already existing problems, or create new ones. One such problem is inflammation, which is the body’s response to a threat. Inflammation can cause swollen joints, stiffness, and pain, along with possible loss of joint function. In response to stress, the immune system sends out various chemicals to attack the “invader,” which results in inflammation and further strain on the body. “The No. 1 one way for people to manage stress and combat inflammation is through exercise,” says Alfred Moretz, orthopedic surgeon at the Sitrin Health Care Center, New Hartford. “The exercise doesn’t need to be aggressive. “When I was diagnosed If you spend most of your time with Stage II breast cancer behind a desk, incorporating regular spurts of movement, such as in 2004, I was a single mom. walking around the office, can help So when I received my diagnosis, I thought, ‘This, too?’
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increase your progress and decrease your stress.” At Sitrin, Moretz works closely with the heath care center’s doctors of physical therapy — Shawna Marmet, Philip Fess and James Wallace. Together, the team develops various wellness program activities, continually searching for innovative ways to incorporate exercise into people’s everyday lives. Sitrin’s wellness program offers a variety of both physical and aquatic exercise for people of all ages and abilities. One of the best for combating inflammation is the arthritis aquatic class. Since inflammation can aggravate arthritis, this class uses slow motions in the therapy pools to help improve movement, alleviate pain and increase strength. The soothing warm water also releases endorphins in the skin and helps to improve breathing with its calming effect. In water aerobics, participants receive a healthy cardiovascular workout while enjoying the gravity-free environment of the pool. This allows for easier movement of joints, reducing inflammation and easing stress. “It doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming,” says Moretz. “Setting aside just a half hour of your day for aerobic exercise will start your heart pumping, endorphins flowing, and get you on track for a healthier lifestyle.” For a full list and schedule of Sitrin’s wellness program activities, visit www.sitrin.com/wellnessprogram.
Senior health and wellness fair on agenda
V
alley Residential Services in Herkimer will host its second annual Senior Health & Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at Herkimer College. The event will offer resources for senior citizens who wish to remain independent in their own home or may be contemplating downsizing. It will also explore issues such as
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
estate and gift planning, assisted and enriched housing, safety and security, Medicaid or Medicare, and many other areas of interest. If your business is interested in exhibiting products or services, contact the office of community relations and fund development at 315-866-3330 extension 2329 for more information.
Spiritual Health Milk & Honey
By Brooke Stacia Demott
Learn to Lose
Effective ways to manage the grieving process
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othing is more painful than losing someone you love dearly. Sorrow is a powerful undercurrent to those who tread the waters of grief; and while death is normal, it’s far from natural. Every day becomes a struggle, and every night, fitful sleep pleads desperately with tomorrow for relief. must grieve in the context of commu- afraid to say the wrong thing. Ask The fog of mornhaving a good time. questions, bring meals, or stop by nity. ing blurs the sharp Not that it’s wrong to enjoy good with a word of encouragement. Let Keep moving. Get out of bed. edges of yestertimes; blessings are intended to be them talk. Get dressed. Brush your teeth. Go day’s pain. But as received with gratitude. But a fool is Don’t be afraid to reminisce through the basic motions of routine the mist clears, it someone who willfully ignores the about their loved one; rememberto give life a sense of normalcy, well leaves you staring truth; the fool here is one who shrugs ing them together can be incredibly before your heart is in it. People are helplessly at a loss off his own mortality, focusing validating and healing. If you have creatures of habit, and the more you that will forever instead on lighthearted distractions. experienced the same kind of loss, can force yourself to maintain normal Demott redefine you. He plans more for summer vacation it’s your privileged responsibility to habits, the more quickly you will than eternity. But a person forced Gasping for reach out. They need you more than begin to feel normal. to reckon with the reality of death, breath in these troubled waters, you anyone right now. MP Order Finally, resist the urge to take Propo gains wisdom by his sorrow. will encounter three sorts of people. Most importantly, remember, shortcuts through the grieving proThis ad will appear at the classification of: We aren’t comfortable expressing The first, the vast majority, coast grief is a season. The pain will cess. Grief is profoundly spiritual, deep emotions. True intimacy makes along on cruise ships. They are change you, but it will subside; and and relying on physical crutches will Rome NY people uneasy, and there is no greatnumerous, lively, enjoying the fruit we needn’t grieve without hope. halt your ability to heal. Anti-depreser intimacy than sharing one’s grief. of life’s celebrations. They see you as One day, Jesus will return and set sants, drugs, alcohol — even food or with in Home Date 05/2014 We prefer to step over it with clichés, they pass by, perhaps offering a poall things right. “He will wipe away sex — only distract us from the pain. of comfort, lite smile and a nod of sympathy, but words Date: Marchand 17,encourage2014 Acct# A1ZGFE Sales Rep: GRIMALDI, JENNIFER L Size: every tear from their eyes, HCN6 and deathAd Id: A As a result, we never fully recovthey pass by all the same. You cannot ment to move on (as quickly and shall be no more.” (Revelation 21:4) er. Facing the sorrow head-on and quietly as possible). go where they are; they certainly sober-minded will allow you to walk won’t come to you. the path of true healing. The second are beached lifeFace to face with reality If you know someone suffering a • Brooke Stacia Demott is a columguards. These folks blow whistles But dodging reality won’t change loss, don’t ignore them. No one ever nist with In Good Health newspaper. Got and shout instructions, but never the fact that life is temporary. When says the right thing, but most people a question for Demott? Feel free to email learned to swim beyond the shalwe experience devastating loss, don’t say anything because they’re her at brooketo@aol.com. lows. Troubled waters have yet to how do we cope with the grief that overtake these well-meaning but follows? inexperienced shorelings. No matter We must take our broken hearts how loud they are, you can’t hear Diabetes? to the Lord. Only he can navigate them. Frankly, they’re just too far the enveloping darkness and spark removed. Flat Feet? a light of hope. Jesus bound himself But then, there are a few waterto human flesh in order to experiPlantar Fasciitis? logged rafters who have severed the ence grief, anger, and deep sadness anchor of despair from their heels You may be eligible for shoes at little or no cost! as we do. He wept over the death of and remained at sea, searching for his friends. He knows, deeply and those like themselves, extending intimately, how we feel. sympathetic hands to the drowning. “For he is a high priest that can They have tasted the bitter identify with our sufferings,” (Hewaters and know full well what it’s brews 4:15). He watches over us with like to be immersed. These people tender concern. “You have taken acare sent by the same man who once count of my suffering, and collected walked across the stormy Sea of my tears in your bottle.” (Psalm 56). Galilee, reaching down to a drownGod is our comforter, our defender, ing Peter as he struggled beneath the and our salvation. When we pour out undercurrent of faithlessness, to pull our sorrows before his attending ear, him from the roaring billows, with he promises to lift our heads to the just one question: “Why did you hope we have in Jesus Christ. Aldoubt?” though we will suffer loss in this life, Loss is inevitable. No one for those who put their faith in Jesus, escapes the pain of goodbye. Yet, the next will be a place of comfort, we often remain silent and alone in rest, and reunion. private anguish. Why? Fight the urge to isolate yourself. Secular humanism has powerGrief is private; and so for a time, it’s fully overtaken our culture, and as right to be alone. But we can’t go on a result, we ignore the reality that indefinitely this way. Isolation leads this life will end. Nevertheless, “The to despair — the belief that there is heart of the wise is in the house of no hope for a better future. Despair mourning, but the heart of fools is in tempts us to self-destruct. Separated the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:4) from community, it’s easier to give A wise person considers the reality of ourselves over to the secret vices that death, while a fool thinks only about will destroy our souls. We absolutely AMZHMDNLM 14-Mar-2014 07:57
“No one told me grief felt so like fear.” — C.S. Lewis
February 2019 •
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SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
T
Boost energy, teeth health with raisins
he strangest thing happened to a friend of mine, a vegetarian, the epitome of good health. A few months ago, she began dropping things and knocking into furniture. She complained about feeling exhausted and confused. A busy woman, she chalked it up to stress. But finally, she saw a doctor. The diagnosis? She was anemic. Promptly, she began incorporating more iron-rich foods into her diet. To supplement her iron intake, I suggested she also tuck some small boxes of raisins into her purse. Raisins contain more iron than many other types of fruits. While they don’t hold an iron candlestick to meat, shellfish or spinach, they do provide some: a small box delivers about 5 percent of our daily needs. A vital nutrient we can’t live without, iron is essential for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. It also supports our immune system and brain function, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. You might be surprised to learn that low iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in the U.S. Raisins contain “non-heme” iron,
the type found in plants that requires multiple steps to absorb it. Since vitamin C nearly doubles the absorption of non-heme iron, it’s a good idea to eat raisins with other vitamin C-rich foods. Many athletes consume raisins for the rapid energy they provide. One small box of raisins (1.5 ounces) provides 130 calories, 34 grams of carbs and 26 grams of sugar. According to several studies, raisins provide the same performance-enhancing benefits as Sports Chews or Sports Jelly Beans — and for a whole lot less money. Because raisins are dried grapes, it’s natural to wonder how the health benefits of raisins compare to grapes. While both are antioxidant superstars, raisin’s star shines about three times brighter, since the drying process concentrates many of these compounds. On the downside, however, raisins contain less vitamin C and resveratrol (a polyphenol that may benefit hearts) than grapes. Low in fat, sodium and cholesterol, raisins are also a good source of potassium (helps maintain a healthy heart) and fiber (promotes regularity;
ferries cholesterol and other toxins out; fills us up). Lastly, sweet and sticky raisins may help fight — not cause — cavities. According to researchers at the USA Department of Food and Nutrition, raisins contain chemicals that suppress the growth of oral bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease. • Note: Toasting the couscous gives it a rich, nutty flavor. Stir frequently to make sure it browns evenly.
Toasted Couscous with Almonds and Raisins
Adapted from calraisins.org; serves 6-8
1/2 cup couscous 1/2 cup slivered almonds 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock 2 stalks celery, diced 1 clove garlic, minced (or, ½ teaspoon garlic powder) ½ teaspoon cumin Pinch of cayenne pepper Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup raisins 2 teaspoons lemon zest, optional
Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat. Add couscous and toast grains, stirring pan frequently until brown and fragrant. Transfer to a plate. Add almonds to the hot skillet and toast them, stirring frequently until light brown. Transfer them to another plate. Bring stock to a boil with celery, garlic, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Simmer about 3 minutes or until celery is slightly softened. Add couscous and raisins to saucepan and stir gently just to mix. Cover pan; remove from heat and allow to stand about 5 minutes or until couscous is tender. Add almonds and lemon zest (if using) to couscous and gently fluff grains with a fork.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
s d i K Corner
Are TV cereal ads making your kids fat?
C
ereal TV ads aimed at young children put them at increased risk for obesity and cancer, researchers warn. A poor diet, including too much sugar, can lead to obesity, a known risk factor for 13 cancers. “One factor believed to contribute to children’s poor quality diets is the marketing of nutritionally poor foods directly to children,” said Jennifer Emond, a member of the cancer control research program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, N.H. “Brands specifically target children in their advertising knowing that children will ask their parents for those products,” Emond said in a medical center news release. While laboratory studies have shown that TV ads influence children’s food choices, no real-world study has been conducted to examine the effectiveness of TV food ads on Page 14
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children’s eating habits, according to Emond. “We conducted the first longitudinal study among preschool-aged children to see how exposure to TV ads for high-sugar cereals influences kids’ subsequent intake of those advertised cereals,” she said. Emond and colleagues counted, by brand, cereal ads on TV shows watched by the children. Every eight weeks, for one year, parents were asked about the shows their children watched and what cereals their kids ate in the past week. “We found that kids who were exposed to TV ads for high-sugar cereals aired in the programs they watched were more likely to subsequently eat the cereals they had seen advertised,” Emond said. “Our models accounted for several child, parent and household characteristics, and whether the child ate each cereal before the study start-
ed. We were able to isolate the effect of cereal advertisement exposure on kids’ intake of cereals, independent of all of those other factors,” she explained. The study was published online recently in the American Journal of
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
Preventive Medicine. Reducing the marketing of high-sugar foods to children could improve their eating habits and reduce their risk of obesity and related chronic diseases later in life, Emond said.
Brain builders:
Neuroplasticity shows brain can be reformed, adjusts to environment
By David L. Podos
I
t’s a strange word — neuroplasticity. You probably would never hear it in most people’s conversations. It’s hard to spell and even harder to pronounce correctly, but in the world of medicine and particularly neuroscience, neuroplasticity is something truly amazing, almost miraculous. From Positive Psychology.com, Celeste Campbell, an emergency physician with a long-standing interest in mind-body medicine, gives the following definition: “Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt. It is the psychological changes in the brain that happens as a result of our interactions with our environment. This dynamic process allows us to learn from and adapt to different experiences.” Simply put, neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change. Brain functions — including related aspects of personality — are not set in stone. The brain can change, and if the brain can, that means you change too. According to Joseph Mercola, an alternative medicine proponent and osteopathic physician, as time goes by, science provides more evidence that the brain is malleable and continually changing in response to your lifestyle, physiology, and environment. This concept is called neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity — meaning, you are literally reforming your brain with each passing day. “Until recently, it was believed that the human brain, which consists of approximately 100 billion neural
cells, could not generate new ones. The old model assumed that you were born with a finite number of brain cells, and when a cell died, no new cell grew in its place. This old model is no longer relevant, as it’s been proven that certain areas of your brain can generate new cells (neurogenesis), as well as creating new neural pathways. Environment plays an essential role in the process, but genetics can also have an influence,” Mercola said. Dris Mi, a mindset performance coach, talks about how neuroplasticity can form new neural connections in the brain that contribute to recovery from a number of serious injuries.
Brain bounces back
“When your brain gets injured or damaged by disease, neuroplasticity allows you to recover. Your brain reorganizes its physical structure and the way it functions, according
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.
Mondays
Food Addicts in Recovery to meet Food Addicts in Recovery holds an anonymous meeting from 6:308 p.m. Mondays at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. For more information, call Helen at 315-794-2314.
Tuesdays
Insight House offers family support group Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from
6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30-4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
Thursdays
Loved one on drugs? There is support CNY Services Milestones is featuring a support group for anyone dealing with another person’s drug and/or alcohol addiction. The support group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at 502 Court St., Suite
to your environment. What’s great about this discovery is it means that neuroplasticity will not only help you recover from a traumatic brain injury or stroke, but it can also help you make your life better. You can rewire your brain to establish better habits that will contribute to your health, success, and well-being,” Mi said. Interestingly, while the evidence and new research about the powers of neuroplasticity to improve health are fairly recent in modern science and medical literature, many ancient cultures thousands of years ago knew about the power of the brain to heal, and how the environment plays an essential role in overall health. For example, science is finally proving what Buddhist monks have known for millennia, that people who practice meditation daily can permanently alter the way their brain functions. The simple act of shifting 210, Utica. The support group is free and open to those struggling with a child, partner, wife, husband, mother, father or friend who is battling addiction. For more information, call Tony at 315-717-9153.
Feb. 1
AHA features Lifestyle Change Award The American Heart Association is working to celebrate individuals who have made a positive impact on their health with the Lifestyle Change Award. The award, sponsored by Olivari Olive Oil, honors someone who has made significant, positive changes in an effort to live a longer and healthier life. Friends, co-workers or relatives can submit nominations, which are due by Feb. 1. Individuals can also choose to nominate themselves. Photos and stories from finalists will be posted on the AHA/American Stroke Association Facebook page at @HeartCNY. The winner will be chosen by a combination of a panel of judges and public votes on Facebook. The winner will be recognized at the
February 2019 •
your attention to your breath, as you sit quietly, cultivates a regenerative peace of mind. But new scientific studies have proven that this ancient practice can bring about profound change in the way the different regions of the brain interact with each other, and therefore, affect the way we feel and how we think. Judson Brewer, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, published a study finding that meditation appears to alter the way the brain works in ways that could give those who meditate an advantage not only with handling stress, but also with addressing illness and finding happiness. “Understanding how meditation works will aid investigation into a host of diseases. We know that meditation has been shown to help in variety of health problems, such as helping people quit smoking, cope with cancer, and even prevent psoriasis,” says Brewer. Drawing on this new understanding of how our brains work, scientists and practitioners have learned how to use neuroplastic therapies to address many common conditions and to offer hope where prospects for healing were long denied. Neurostimulation is just one modality of neuroplastic healing which uses light, sound, vibration, movement and meditation. Neurostimulation helps revive dormant neural circuits in the hurt brain and leads to a second phase in the healing process — an improved ability to regulate, modulate and reach homeostasis. Like any medical intervention, it would be wise to seek the assistance of a professional who is trained in neuroplasticity.
America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk closing ceremony on March 2 in the Utica College gymnasium. Nomination forms can be submitted online or a hard copy can be requested by emailing heartofutica@ heart.org or calling 315-580-3960. Completed copies can be emailed to heartofutica@heart.org or printed versions may be mailed to: American Heart Association Attn: Lifestyle Change Award 125 Business Park Drive Utica, NY 13502
Feb. 4
Support group focuses on creativity, fellowship Life’s challenges such as quitting smoking for good, overcoming illness or treatment, or facing life changes can sometimes be overwhelming. When that happens, discovering a network of support, friendship and hope helps people learn how to cope. The free drop-in support group, Give it a Whirl for Wellness, is a creative way to socialize, help and be helped by others with similar conditions or circumstances. The free meetings are centered on a creative activity led by the Center
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Are you in a funky mood? Snap out of it! Check out some strategies that work By Barbara Pierce
“
Yesterday I was in a grumpy mood,” admitted Jennifer Bernstone of Rome when I called her. “Normally I’m not grumpy.” Personal Trainer Bernstone operates a Music and Wellness Studio in Rome, where she offers fitness classes, personal training, music and acting lessons. We’ve all been there — even people who are normally cheerful like Bernstone. We all get into a bad, grumpy mood once in a while. Usually they don’t last. It’s not a good place to be and it doesn’t feel good for the people around us either. The best way to get out of a bad mood varies from person to person, but here are some strategies you might try: — Figure out what’s causing your funk. Bernstone knew right away what caused her grumpy mood: “I hadn’t worked out that morning like I usually do. My body was used to the dose of endorphins every morning and when I missed it, I was in a bad mood all day.” Don’t just wait for the dark cloud to lift. Identify the source and address the problem. Sometimes the answer may be an easy fix, like you need to work out or you’re hungry or lonely. Or you may find that there is a bigger reason behind your mood that has no “quick
every day and we eat every day. So find time to move every day.” A walk outside can improve your mood quickly. In addition to getting exercise, it breaks you out of your current environment, which can “shock” your senses into a new mood. Being outdoors in nature has been shown to improve moods for many people. — Talk it out. Simply talking with a friend about what has put you in a foul mood will often make you feel many times better. If you can’t get together with someone in perfix.” If the cause of your bad mood son, try Skyping with someone you is a bigger problem or situation than trust won’t bring you further down. you can figure out by yourself, find A video chat can make you feel as a therapist who can help you work though you are really spending time through it. with someone, and you can have a more engaged conversation than text Get off that couch! chats offer. — Move your body: Bernstone Consider that you may be in a knows for a fact that you can beat a bad mood because you feel isolated. bad mood with exercise. Not necSpending time by yourself and only essarily a full-blown work out, but just get moving. Even a walk around communicating with others through your neighborhood will perk you up. screens can make you feel as though you’re alone. Talking on the phone Anything that elevates your heart and having a two-way conversation rate and causes your body to release endorphins will improve your mood. can improve your mood quickly. — “Music most definitely helps,” Most people experience an improved recommends Bernstone. “Even for mood within five minutes of moving. “Even my husband notices,” add- my 5-year-old daughter. She can be ed Bernstone. “When I’m grumpy he ‘flipping out,’ then a few minutes says ‘Go work out!’ Movement makes later she’s happy after she starts singing. Singing gets her back to her me happy, especially if it becomes part of your life. We all take a shower happy-go-lucky self. Adults are no different.”
We all have our favorite music; listening to your favorites will help draw you out of your mood and get you back on track. — Make yourself laugh. Laughing can actually change the chemistry in your brain and that will override other feelings like depression and anger. Things that can make you laugh may include talking to a friend who is funny, watching a funny YouTube clip or a funny TV show, or reading something funny. Even a smile helps. You know that people smile when they are happy. But did you know that smiling can actually help make you feel happier? Acting happy with good posture and a big smile can actually boost your mood; your thoughts and feelings respond to the action of smiling. Depressed people have a hard time smiling. Researchers discovered that when they hold a pencil between their teeth, which forces them to have a fake smile, their brains released feel-good endorphins. Our brain doesn’t know the difference between a fake smile and a real smile. So fake smile if you aren’t up to a real one. If you’ve been in a bad mood for a while — several months — and it just won’t lift, it could be a type of depression, as irritability is a symptom of depression. Talk with your health care provider about whether you could be depressed.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
2019 goals: Love your Body Self-care vital for a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle
F
itness goals have changed over the years while new research and personal health information regarding exercise needs and objectives keep us moving in the right direction. We all know we need to move — every day. But trends on fitness and physical movement are changing. It used to be the phrase “no pain, no gain,” while others felt the need to spend hours a day working Dittner up a sweat at the gym. The “couch potato” was overwhelmed by these efforts and sadly continued to sit on the couch. You can’t just expect to go to the gym day one and, voila! It simply doesn’t work that way. Time and patience are extremely important, as is persistence. It basically takes three months to develop a habit. So let’s get up and get moving. The most important thing is to begin a movement regimen and stick with it. If you find you don’t like the particular exercise you choose, try another. Just keep trying until you find one that suits you and, most importantly, that you will do. So, is it the gym or home? That’s entirely up to you. There are many apps for both iPhones and Androids that you can pick from if you’re looking to stay home, and a number of them are free. Many also require little to no equip-
ment. This is a great place to start if you feel uncomfortable going to a gym for whatever the reason may be. Either choice, I would highly recommend engaging with a partner, a buddy that will enjoy the camaraderie and help push you along. Plus, it’s more fun with someone else around to laugh with and get fit together. At the gym (and there are many types to choose from), you have the camaraderie of many. Find a place that is nonjudgmental and a coach who is knowledgeable and that you enjoy. Again, you can bring a buddy along and you both can make new friends while looking to get more fit and healthy. Self-care can be an important part of your physical movement. This can consist of a slowing down and
Upstate Cerebral Palsy receives grant from Women’s Fund
U
pstate Cerebral Palsy recently received a $3,975 grant from the Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties for a social group for young women with disabilities. The “Girls’ Night Out” program, funded in part by The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, is designed to foster relationships, build self-esteem and confidence, and promote self-advocacy to a group of 12 women with disabilities in rural Oneida County. The UCP program provides young women aged 18-30 with autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or Down syndrome in Boonville and the surrounding area with an opportunity to meet once a month. “Girls’ Night Out” provides these women the opportunity for personal growth in a safe and supportive space. This program serves as an educational, social, and health and
wellness program, as the participants do not typically have the connections and opportunities that their peers may have. Funding will be used to cover many group activities that take place over the next year. According to Geno DeCondo, UCP executive director, funding from the Women’s Fund of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. will allow the “Girls’ Night Out” program to meet twice monthly, offering activities that have been financially out of reach for many of the women in the group, in addition to opening up opportunities for new women to join the group. “Making these social activities available to the people we support has been life changing to many of the participants, who are now able to learn and grow in a supportive and engaging environment,” he said. UCP is a multi-faceted health and human services organization.
softening movement, adding calm and heartfelt intention from yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and more as compared to a speedy, more aggressive approach.
Select wisely
Choosing the community and building the human connection you wish to “work out” with may also aid in your mental fitness as well. Both physical and mental fitness need to be addressed in order to be sustainable. After your workout, you can even share a cup of coffee. In today’s world, you need that human connection more than ever. Too many suffer from loneliness. Too many have family members
in other states and countries. Too many have lost loved ones. By being involved in the community, you tap into certain needs that your digital lives cannot fulfill. Activity while traveling is easier than you may think. Streaming videos on-demand and apps allow you to take a workout wherever you go. Many hotels offer in-room fitness videos with equipment already in the closet and most have small gyms if you’re looking for larger equipment such as a treadmill. If you need to find a place to eat, instead of taking an Uber, walk to your destination. Airlines are starting to get in on streaming videos to ease stress and anxiety while in the air along with movement while in-flight. Include “play” into daily activity by heading outdoors, joining a team — there are many over 30 leagues and more — and simply becoming a kid again. Grab a friend and go on a walk, hike or run. Fly a kite. You used to play basketball? Take one to an outdoor court and shoot. Remember hopscotch? Draw in the dirt or with chalk on the sidewalk a hopscotch board and enjoy the company of a child. What will you do for fitness in the New Year? • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner. com or contact her at 518-596-8565.
Mohawk Valley Practitioners In practice for 22 years Now Accepting New Patients For Primary Care Call Now for an Appointment We are excited to announce the addition of Sarah Alexander RN, MS, FNP-C to the practice Cathryn J. Barns RN, MS, FNP, ANP-C
Will continue to treat current and new dermatology patients: Diseases of the skin, including acne, warts, moles, mole removal, skin cancer, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, skin infections, sun damages, shingles, hair and nail disease.
1 Notre Dame Lane, Utica, NY 13502
315-733-7913
We continue to be located next to Notre Dame High School
February 2019 •
Accepting Most Insurances We look foward to providing your care
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Diet & Fitness Pauline’s Pieces
By Pauline DiGiorgio
The Three Reasons
Don’t have the body you desire? Check out why By Pauline DiGiorgio So you don’t exactly have the body that you lust for? Here are the three reasons why you don’t:
Lack of knowledge
In this day and age, gearing yourself up with some basic facts on important health topics will fasttrack you to success. It’s as easy as a quick click and swipe to articles such as: “What is the proper nutrition for a healthy lifestyle?” “Ways to wellness” and a basic “How often DiGiorgio should you be getting a sweat on?” From there, you’ll be armed with “suggested” info that will help once you get past the ground level work. My favorite way to get informed and updated on gems that keep me on top of my fitness game are through podcasts. The trend for 2019 in terms of the best way to learn is through audio space. I really enjoy listening to “The Model Health Show” and “The Tim Ferris Show” while cooking, laundry or during commutes in the car. Learning from other’s health journeys can inspire you as well as teach you something that can be used in your own daily routine. I can’t even begin to tell you how
many times I have learned from the comments that come in about how readers have no idea about nutritional value when it comes to what they were putting in their bodies. May I remind you that nutrition is 80 percent of your overall health and weight-loss success? This could make or break you, so invest in a good book, fire up some reliable online sources or make it a weekly habit to listen in on some podcasts!
Fear of failing
This reason could show up in many other avenues in your life, but when it comes to your health, it certainly is the most important to get over. If you are trying and actually
making an effort, it is better than nothing. In other words, start by getting off the couch and attending a group fitness class. You may not be able to keep up 100 percent, but just conquering the fear to show up will beat the person who stayed home to watch Netflix and chill. You are then flexing a muscle that you can’t see. Every time you get past that little voice in your head telling you, “You’ll always stay fat” or “You’ll fail this diet like the last time,” you are making it easier, familiarizing yourself with the activity and strengthening your willpower to push through. As far as tips on how to surpass that self-doubt, journaling is always an action I find works amazingly for self-reflection.
It really makes you look deep within yourself, possibly revealing the real issue of why you may be resisting being your potential best self. Sometimes talking it out with a trusted loved clears up that inner Debbie Downer.
Belief that it’s attainable
“I haven’t been under 150 pounds since high school” or “I’ll never get through a spin class, it’s too hard!” are quotes from many regulars I see at the local gym. I hear these types of lines all the time, and I am a firm believer that what you put out in the universe is what you get. You’ve created in your mind a roadblock to your success. You’ve fooled yourself just by saying you indeed cannot achieve the goal. Try this instead: Create a positive mantra, then an action behind it to follow. Mantras are often overlooked, but very effective at developing new thought patterns. For example, you often have negative self-talk when you look in the mirror at the gym. Change that nasty habit, be kind and make it a practice. You wouldn’t talk to your friends or family that way; now treat No. 1 the same. Speak as if you are that strong, fit version of yourself already. “You look strong and unstoppable today,” then chose an action to follow, like a “power pose”: Standing with your feet apart and hands on your hips, spread outward, chin and chest upward. I like to think of it as taking up space versus being hunched over, shoulders down and feeling small. Adopting this body language can change the way you see yourself and others as well and also reinforces confidence. If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will? • Pauline DiGiorgio is a fitness ambassador and Group X instructor at Retro Fitness gyms. Questions? Email her at ptlifts@gmail.com.
What’s the best diet for 2019? Experts weigh in
F
or many, the start of the new year signals the start of a new diet. But what’s the best way to eat if you want to lose weight? For overall healthy eating, the best diet plan is the Mediterranean diet, according to “U.S. News & World Report’s” annual diet review. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet was ranked second on the magazine’s overall Best Diets 2019 list, followed by the Flexitarian plan. All three plans focus on eating a mostly plant-based diet (veggies, fruits and whole grains), healthy fats and lean protein sources. “I hope these rankings steer people in the direction of doing something healthful,” said nutritionist Samantha Heller of NYU Langone Health in New York City. “I wish though, that we weren’t so obsessed with weight loss and Page 18
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diets, per se. I wish the focus was on adopting a healthy lifestyle, like eating a more plant-based diet, getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep and managing stress, all of which help us live a better quality of life,” Heller said. To that end, she said the top three diets are all similar in their food content, and all can be healthy eating regimens. The Mediterranean diet has been linked to increased longevity and a decreased risk of chronic illnesses, the report said. The Mediterranean diet was also ranked high in multiple categories including: easiest diets to follow, best diets for healthy eating, best diets for diabetes, and best diets for hearth health. If weight loss is part of your plans, here are plans that topped the rankings for the best weight-loss
plans: • WW (Weight Watchers) • Volumetrics • Flexitarian diet (tie) • Jenny Craig (tie) • Vegan diet (tie) Feel the need to knock off some pounds quickly? Here are the best fast weight-loss plans: • HMR program • Atkins (tie) • Keto diet (tie) • Optavia (tie) • WW (Weight Watchers) (tie) Heller said that many people feel that they need to “kickstart” their weight loss for motivation. The problem with plans that focus on fast weight loss, however, is that they don›t teach you how to eat well every day. “On these types of diets, you often don’t learn how to manage
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
holidays, stressful days or special occasions. You don’t develop strategies for life,” she said. The magazine asked a panel of nutrition experts to review 41 diet plans. Like Heller, the expert panelists emphasized the importance of well-balanced, sustainable diets that aren’t overly restrictive. These types of diets can help teach lifelong positive eating habits. Lifestyle diets, such as the Mayo Clinic diet and MIND diet, are healthier and more sustainable than weight-loss plans such as the Ketogenic or Atkins diet are, the panelists concluded. Although the popular Keto diet ranked high for fast weight loss, it landed way down on the Best Diets list — tying for number 38. Other diets at the bottom of the list included the Dukan diet, the Body Reset Diet and the Whole30 diet.
Health News Valley Health Services names top employee Mark Ritzel has been named Valley Health Services’ employee of the fourth quarter 2018. Ritzel joined VHS in Herkimer on May 28, 1998 as a physical therapy assistant. He attributes his success on the job to having the ability to interact with and help people every day to improve Ritzel their quality of life. Ritzel’s colleagues could not say enough about him. They said he goes above and beyond expectations to lend a hand to anyone in need every day. “Mark is kind, compassionate and conscientious to the world,” one colleague said. Ritzel has an Associate in Applied Science degree and is a graduate of the physical therapy assistant program at Herkimer College. He resides outside Middleville.
VHS features Hearty Hearts program Valley Health Services’ Hearty Hearts Club participated in a lunch and learn program recently featuring speaker Kristin Luke, a family nurse practitioner with the Bassett Healthcare Network. Luke’s discussion, “Matters of the Heart: Hormones and a Healthy Heart,” provided an in-depth look at the prevalence of diabetes and heart disease, effects of Luke diabetes on the body, increased cardiovascular risks with diabetes, treatment, goals and options, as well as prevention in an effort to keep one’s heart healthy. The club is a group that meets for lunch, socialization and occasional programs. The luncheons are held quarterly at VHS in Herkimer and are free of charge. Coordinator of the Hearty Hearts Club is Marcia Thomas-Bruce, cardiac rehabilitation program director. For more information about the Hearty Hearts Club, or the cardiac rehabilitation program at VHS, contact Thomas-Bruce at 315-866-3330 ext. 2236.
CFLR receives grant from Community Foundation The M&T Bank-Partners Trust Bank Fund, a donor advised fund of the Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, has awarded the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. $10,000 for its One Decision Project.
This is what the new Little Falls Hospital Dolgeville Primary Care Clinic will look like upon completion later this year.
Little Falls Hospital anticipates spring groundbreaking for new Dolgeville Primary Care Clinic Little Falls Hospital anticipates groundbreaking in the spring for a new primary care clinic in Dolgeville, according to Michael Ogden, president of LFH, a part of Bassett Healthcare Network. Following the purchase of 1.28 acres on Slawson Street from the Dolgeville Central School last fall, the hospital initiated design work for the new primary care center, working with architects and engineers qualified and skilled in health care design and construction. Design work is ongoing at this time and plans include a one-story, 5,000-square-foot mediThe project will be managed by the prevention services department of CFLR, the exclusive New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services-certified prevention services provider in Oneida County. The One Decision Project partners with the family court system to serve at-risk youth and their families. CFLR and Oneida County Family Court are joining forces to offer individuals a year-long program that promotes “one decision” to change their current situation and learn how to make healthy and positive decisions. “One Decision is perfectly aligned with our mission statement,” says Jodi Warren, director of prevention services at the CFLR. “It’s all about supporting our children, youth, families, and community by building responsive relationships that promote healing and recovery, and reinforcing social and emotional prevention supports. The protective factors developed today will enhance a greater well-being throughout adulthood.”
cal office building able to accommodate four practitioners. The new space will feature eight exams rooms, offices and a laboratory, and many other related ancillary spaces. Also included in the design is a 2,000-square-foot addition for the purpose of hosting space for community health- and wellness-related purposes. This space will be used for health and wellness education, lifestyle-related classes and to support other community-based organizations whose goals are to address social determinants of health. The new center will replace the facility on Gibson
Street. The hospital is developing a certificate of need application to be submitted and approved by the New York State Department of Health before construction may begin. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $3 million and will rely on grants, foundation support and donations from the greater Dolgeville community. The project is expected to be completed six months following the groundbreaking, and the opening of the center is anticipated later this year, following NYSDOH approval.
FNP joins MVHS Children’s Health Center
Health Department. Tanner-Collins received her Associate of Science degree in nursing from the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing. She also completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Keuka College in Keuka Park. She continued on to receive her Master of Science degree in family nurse practitioner from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Marcy.
Onama Tanner-Collins has joined the Mohawk Valley Health System Children’s Health Center and has admitting privileges at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Tanner-Collins has been employed as a charge, staff and certified cardiac care nurse with MVHS at the St. Collins Elizabeth Campus since 2004. Prior to joining MVHS, she worked as a disease management nurse at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in Utica. Tanner-Collins also worked as a long-term care nurse manager and educator at local nursing homes in Utica. She also worked with the early intervention program and clinical services with the Oneida County
February 2019 •
MVHS achieves national accreditation Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care in the greater Mohawk Valley area. William Graber, director of metabolic and bariatric surgery and weight loss surgeon at Mohawk Valley Health System, announced that the MVHS bariatric surgical
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Health News Continued from Page 19 center achieved national accreditation as a comprehensive center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The MBSAQIP standards ensure bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient’s outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers pre-operative and post-operative care designed specifically for its severely obese patients. “This accreditation formally acknowledges MVHS’s continued commitment to providing quality care and supporting patient safety efforts for metabolic and bariatric surgery patients,” Graber said. To earn the designation, the MVHS bariatric surgery program met essential criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity.
Provider relations specialist joins MVHS Peter Manno has been named provider relations specialist for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this role, Manno will identify, qualify and create new business relationships and maintain existing relationships within the St. Elizabeth Laboratory outreach program. Prior to joining MVHS, Manno worked as an Manno account executive at all Health Direct sites throughout the Mohawk Valley. He also worked as an outreach sales representative at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. Manno also held a role as a professional sales representative at TAP Pharmaceuticals throughout all Mohawk Valley TAP pharmaceutical sites. In addition, Manno worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative at all Mohawk Valley ENDO pharmaceuticals sites. Manno earned his Associate of Science in nursing degree from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. He received his Associate of Science in business degree from SUNY Cobleskill. He also completed his Bachelor of Science degree in business and marketing from Syracuse University.
SDMG names employee of fourth quarter The Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford recently named Diane Fuller employee of the fourth quarter in 2018. Fuller joined SDMG in June of Page 20
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Rome Twigs feature renovated gift shop The Rome Twigs recently held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the grand opening of their newly renovated gift shop in the lobby of Rome Memorial Hospital. The gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Shown celebrating the occasion are from left, Nettie Hartigan and Katie Sharma, members of the Evergreen Twig; Rosemary Falchi of the Rosewood Twig; David Lundquist, president-chief executive officer of Rome Memorial Hospital; Martha Burke, manager of the gift shop and Heather Twig member; and Jackie Keys, president of the general Twig. The Twigs are a nonprofit organization with a long tradition of dedicated service in support of the hospital and its mission. 2012 as a certified coder in the data collections department. She earned her associate’s degree in accounting from City College of Chicago. She later went on to become a certified professional coder by the American Academy of Professional Coders. Fuller has more than 20 years of experience as a coder. Fuller “She always challenges herself to expand her knowledge of coding guidelines, including those for more difficult specialties in order to meet the needs of the department,” said Denise Barr, director of health information services. “She is willing to help out whenever needed and acts as a lead for training new employees.”
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Insight House in Utica receives grant The Sears Family Foundation of Rome has awarded $1,348 to Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. in Utica to purchase commercial clothes dryers for the agency’s residential laundry room. Insight House operates a 44-bed residential treatment program. Since 1971, Insight House has provided professional and confidential drug and alcohol treatment services to individuals and their families. The agency offers a comprehensive range of outpatient, day treatment, and residential programs.
New practitioner joins UFHC Upstate Family Health Center recently welcomed nurse practitioner Judith Schipper to its growing team of health care providers. Schipper comes to UFHC most recently from PopHealthCare and prior to that, New York University Langone Medical Center, where she
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
worked as a clinical coordinator within the heart failure program. Schipper received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Simmons College, Boston, Mass., and her master’s degree in nursing from Columbia University. She has received awards for Heart Failure Schipper Society Clinical Excellence in Nursing in 2012, and the Heart Failure Pathway to Treatment Excellence in 2016. She has also contributed to numerous cardiovascular prevention disease treatment-related publications. The UFHC, located at offices in Utica at 1001 Noyes St. and in Rome at 205 W. Dominick St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and offers primary care services to people of all ages. For more information on the UFHC or to make an appointment, contact 315-624-9470.
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City of Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, right, presented a check for $19,200 to the Mohawk Valley Health System Cancer Center recently. Donations were raised for the MVHS Breast Care Center at Palmieri’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, which took place in October at Daniele’s at Valley View in Utica. Nearly 300 people attended the luncheon. Joining the mayor in the celebration are, from left, his wife Susan Palmieri, Nancy Butcher, executive director of cancer services at MVHS; and Patti DeCarr. “Breast cancer affects so many women right here in Central New York and with the funds we receive from generous donations, we are able to enhance patient services at the Breast Care Center,” Butcher said.
Winter doldrums Seasonal affective disorder real threat during winter months By David L. Podos
F
eeling down, got the blues, your back aches, your head aches; actually, just about everything aches on you. You seem to be in a fog, can’t concentrate, your edgy, anxious, and perhaps depressed. Sounds like recovering from a night of partying too hard and not getting any sleep, maybe you have the flu, but in this case — no. Your condition is not from lack of sleep, imbibing in too much of your favorite drink or from catching a nasty cold. You feel miserable because it’s lousy outside, it’s early morning but you wouldn’t know it because it’s still dark in your room. Cloud cover is so thick and hangs so low, that no amount of light — however meek it may be — will be getting through. It’s also cold, just enough to turn the rain into snow or sleet. As you turn your radio on and the local weather forecast blares out, it doesn’t sound pretty. This is definitely not going to be a sunny and warm day at all. You just want to roll over and hide away under the covers, but you have to get to work. When it comes to our emotional as well as physical well-being and health, the weather certainly has an
impact upon us. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a condition that affects those who live in climates where there is a preponderance of more cloudy than sunny days. Many people in the Northeastern part of the United States suffer from this condition that is clearly related to weather conditions, and most pronounced by lack of sunshine. According to the Mayo Clinic, SAD is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. SAD begins and ends about the same time each year — symptoms start in the fall and finish at winter’s end. According to clinical psychologist Vinita Mehta of Psychology Today, the sun affects a large part of how we function, a lot of times in ways we don’t even realize. According to Mehta, sunlight provides an extremely powerful boost to human livelihood. Sunlight makes us more generous. According to studies that tested how sunlight affects a driver’s willingness to pick up hitchhikers, people were much more likely to lend a helping hand under sunny conditions when compared to cloudy ones. From the statistical data provided by the study, investigators proposed sunlight directly affects our mood. “Sunshine makes our moods more positive, and it also encourages us to be more helpful,” Mehta said.
Finding solutions
On the contrary, winter has the tendency to make us feel more negative. According to Carolyn Gregoire
of Huffington Post, SAD is a real thing. “Although you might not think much of your wintertime blues, SAD can leave people feeling lethargic and apathetic for many months,” Gregoire said. What can we do to stay motivated, in sync, and energetic when days grow shorter, reducing our exposure to natural sunlight? As the temperature also begins to drop, we instinctively begin to feel the need to cocoon. There are some simple choices we can make that can have profound positive effects on us. Whether you are one of those people who deal with SAD, or like most of us, find ourselves a bit grumpier, inpatient, and just overall down in the dumps during the change of weather from fall to winter, here’s some research suggestions. — Tanning: Tanning beds today — while still posing health risks — are far better than the tanning beds of yesteryear. Studies show tanning in moderation can and does reduce depression because of the increased production of vitamin D that happens once the body is exposed to natural sunlight or tanning. Most people’s vitamin D levels drop drastically during the late fall and winter season and more so if you happen to live in the Northeastern part of the U.S. — Supplementation of vitamin D3: It’s best to contact your health care provider or a registered dietitian for dosage strength. — Eating well: Reduce sugar and empty carbohydrate foods from your diet, and eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible. — Exercise: Even moderate exercise done on a frequent basis has enormous health benefits.
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Dental Health Smile with Dr. Suy
By Dr. Salina Suy
Defining Dentistry: What is periodontal disease? Editor’s note: This is another segment in a continuing series titled, “Defining Dentistry,” designed to enlighten readers on various components of dentistry.
H
appy February Mohawk Valley! I can’t believe that it’s already February and we are already one month into 2019! The idea of February often comes with the thought of Valentine’s Day, which usually means plenty of chocolate! Make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily to keep the bugs away. Thank you for reading my column, I hope that you’re still excited to learn about Suy different things in dentistry. This month’s column is about periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, or gum disease. So what is periodontal disease? “Perio” means around, and “dontal” refers to teeth. Periodontal
diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, tooth ligament and jawbone. The earliest stage of periodontal disease — gingivitis — is an infection that affects the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, or periodontitis, all of the surrounding structures are involved. Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. Some patients think it is normal for your gums to bleed when you floss or brush. However, it most certainly is not. If nothing is done, the gum infection can spread and destroy the tissue and bone that support your teeth. In severe cases, teeth will become loose and I have actually had to extract full mouthfuls of teeth before. How do I get periodontal disease? Factors that can increase the risk of developing gum disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking or chewing tobacco, family genetics, crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean, pregnancy (change in hormones), diabetes, certain medications including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some
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calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives. So how we do prevent this disease? Regular dental hygiene is important — brushing, flossing, checking up with the dentist and watching our diet all play a role in controlling gum disease. Think about the last cleaning visit you had with your dentist. Although dental visits vary, there are certain things that should always happen: — You should have a complete cleaning. — X-rays may need to be taken depending on your last set of X-rays — A dentist must conduct the exam. If a dentist does not do it, an exam may not be billed out. The minimum recommendation is to have a checkup and cleaning every six months, but some patients might need more. When my patients have gum disease, I recommend they come every 3-4 months. A greater frequency of cleanings will help keep teeth healthier over time. How do dentists monitor periodontal disease? Have you ever been to the dentist and the dental hygienist starts saying numbers — 1-2-3, 3-3-3, 2-2-1 and so on? When you go for a cleaning, your dental hygienist or dentist should routinely be monitoring your gum health in some way. These readings are a standard of care method to do so. What the numbers represent are the probing depths of your gums. Your dentist or hygienist is essentially taking a small tool with 1-millimeter increment measurements and determining the depths of your gums. Healthy numbers are typically between 1-3. If the numbers exceed 3, then there maybe signs of inflammation in gums. This procedure is called periodontal charting and it should be done to monitor your gum health.
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So you have gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease; it usually is associated
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
with swollen, puffy gyms and some bleeding. Fortunately, gingivitis is completely reversible and usually just means you need to do more work at home. Proper oral hygiene can eliminate gingivitis completely. The first step is increasing your hygiene regimen: brushing, flossing, mouthwash, using a Waterpik®, etc. Sometimes my patients say they are doing these things, but if this is not the problem, we have to start looking at diet, family genetics and oral hygiene techniques. How are you brushing? How are you flossing? There is a proper way to do everything. If you don’t know, ask.
So you have periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease. It usually is associated with swollen and puffy gyms, bleeding, periodontal pocketing greater than 3 millimeters, and bone loss. Unfortunately, periodontitis is not reversible, but we can stop it from progressing. The first step is diagnosis. Once periodontal disease is diagnosed, we begin treatment with a deep cleaning. This deep cleaning will clean up underneath your gums and rid your mouth of heavy tartar and give you a nice fresh start to getting back to good gum health. Once this treatment is evaluated, we then maintain you with regular cleanings. If cleanings alone cannot maintain you, then we must consider other options such as gum surgery and laser therapies. Lesson of the day: Your teeth are important but the gums are as important. Oral hygiene and health play an important role in lung, heart and digestive health. Smile, brush, floss and be healthy! • Dr. Salina Suy is a health and wellness advocate and general dentist in Utica. Want to learn more? Visit Facebook @smilewithdrsuy or www.smilewithdrsuy.com.
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CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Continued from Page 15 for Family Life and Recovery. They are held from 1-2 p.m. Mondays at Rome Memorial Hospital Radiation Medicine, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome. — Feb. 4: Creative writing and storytelling: Bring your imagination and creativity as the fun side of story writing is explored. — Feb. 11: Cake decorating: Learn decorating techniques used by professionals just in time for Valentine’s Day. — Feb. 18: Making music: Feel the beat and play along to a variety of musical styles. — Feb. 25: “Get Up and Move”: Gentle indoor exercise just to get the blood flowing and muscles working The public is encouraged to attend any or all of the meetings. No registration is necessary. There is easy access and plenty of parking on the east side of the building. For more information, call Alisa Ferraro, recovery peer advocate at the Center for Family Life and Recovery, at 315-768-2644. The CFLR provides health and hope for individuals and families through advocacy, prevention, counseling and training.
Feb. 7
MVHS to hold dialysis job fair The Mohawk Valley Health System will hold a job fair from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Bennett Street lobby at the Faxton campus, 1675 Bennett St., Utica. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and patient care technicians are invited to attend. All of the listed positions are open at multiple MVHS dialysis locations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the MVHS dialysis program and the rewarding career it has to offer. Becoming a dialysis team member allows staff to work in a specialized area that impacts the lives of so many people on a daily basis. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with staff members from both the dialysis department as well as human resources. Applicants should bring their resume for on-thespot interviews. Applicants can also apply online at careers.mvhealthsystem.org or call Cindy Christian at 315-624-5635 to talk with a nurse manager directly.
Feb. 11
Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 11. The cancer support forum meets
at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
Feb. 11
Support group to meet at Rome Memorial Hospital The brain aneurysm, AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and stroke support group will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Rome Memorial Hospital’s second-floor classroom. The group meets on the second Monday of every month. RMH is located at 1500 N. James St., Rome. For more information, call Deb Dunn at 315-533-6467 or email RomeNY@JoeNiekroFoundation.org.
Feb. 14
Laryngectomy support group to meet The Laryngectomy Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at noon Feb. 14 in the Sister Regina Conference Room on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center hospital building, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. The support group is sponsored by SEMC. Laryngectomy support group meetings are held at noon on the second Thursday of each month. A laryngectomy is the procedure to remove a person’s larynx and separates the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus. The laryngectomee breathes through an opening in the neck, called a stoma. The public is welcome to attend. Those with questions can call the speech therapy department at 315801-4475.
Feb. 15
Call out for Amethyst Award nominations The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is seeking nominations for its 2019 Amethyst Award. The award is given to a member of the community who has helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention. Nomination forms are available on CFLR, Inc.’s website, www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com, or by calling Kathy Peters at the CFLR at
315-733-1709. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15. The Amethyst Award will be presented at CFLR’s 2019 April Awareness Breakfast, “Celebrating CommUNITY Connections”, to be held April 2 at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. Ticket information is available on CFLR, Inc.’s website and by calling the office. The CFLR is one of the area’s leading experts for prevention services, mental and behavioral health, and community and family recovery services.
Feb. 18
Family support group focuses on addiction Families who are dealing with the problems of addiction can find help and information at a support group meeting from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 18 in the second floor classroom at Rome Memorial Hospital. The group meets the third Monday of each month and is free and open to everyone. Offered by the hospital’s Community Recovery Center, the support group provides an opportunity to discuss issues with others who are in the same situation. Certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Community Recovery Center, 264 W. Dominick St., Rome, offers alcohol and substance abuse treatment for adolescents and adults. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, the center participates with most major insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. A sliding scale fee is available for self-pay clients. For more information about the support group or the Community Recovery Center, call 334-4701.
Feb. 20
Valley Health Services accepts syringes Valley Health Services is accepting the community’s medical waste of needles, syringes and lancets from noon until 2 p.m. on Feb. 20. The service is available on the third Wednesday of every month. The waste must be in approved puncture-resistant containers available at local pharmacies and properly marked “biohazard.” The containers may be brought to the outpatient receptionist on the ground floor at VHS, who will contact the personnel responsible for medical waste disposal. VHS is located at 690 W. German St., Herkimer. Questions may be directed to Tammi King, infection control nurse, at 866-3330, ext. 2308.
March 3
Workshop on estate planning scheduled The Estate Planning Law Center with Dave Zumpano will hold a free workshop on estate planning from 2-4 p.m. March 12 at the Mohawk Homestead, 62 E. Main St., Mohawk. The event is open to the public with limited seating.
February 2019 •
RSVP to lisa@mohawkhomestead.com by March 3. Light refreshments will be served.
March 13
Parents: Learn baby care basics Parents-to-be can learn about childbirth, newborns and other related topics by attending Baby Care Basics, a two-hour program taught by Rome Memorial Hospital maternity nurse Michelle Bates. Classes are available from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays on March 13, May 15, July 17, Sept. 25 and Nov. 6, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on March 23, May 4, July 13, Sept. 7 and Nov. 16 in the hospital’s classroom. The program is free and no advance registration is required. Call 315-338-7143 for more information.
March 16
Class focuses on feeding newborn Human milk is the best possible nutrition for your baby. With knowledge and practice, both mother and baby can learn how to successfully breastfeed. Rome Memorial Hospital will be featuring classes where parents-to-be can learn about their baby’s nutritional needs, feeding by breast or bottle and other hand-feeding methods. All are welcome to attend regardless of feeding choice. International board-certified lactation specialist Amanda Huey N, IBCLC will lead the free class. Classes will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on March 16, May 18, July 13, Sept. 14 and Nov. 9. Classes will be held in the hospital’s second floor classroom. No registration is required. For more information, call the education department at 315-338-7143.
April 2
Rome Memorial offers childbirth classes Rome Memorial Hospital nurses offer a variety of classes covering childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care. Maternity nurse Laurie Hoke will lead a six-week childbirth course to prepare parents for labor and delivery. Instruction is based on the Lamaze fundamentals of childbirth. Classes will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays in Rome Memorial Hospital’s second floor classroom. The next course session kicks off on April 2. The fee for the course is $75 and can be paid at the first class. Cash or a check made out to Rome Memorial Hospital will be accepted. Hoke encourages expectant women to sign up at the end of their second or third month of pregnancy. Additional six-week courses will be offered beginning July 2 and Oct. 1. To register for this class or for more information, contact Rome Memorial Hospital’s Education Department at 315-338-7143.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Are you ready for Cupid’s arrow? Mixed emotions on Feb. 14, especially if you’re single or relationship is on the rocks By David L. Podos
W
ith the Thanksgiving/ Christmas/New Year holidays over, many people look forward to chilling out, taking a deep breath and recovering from the stress that oftentimes comes from the fast-paced holiday season. But, could it be possible that the most stressful of all holidays is right upon us — indeed, it just might be for many, and that day is Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day can be and is quite often traumatic, from the stress of picking out the right card, to deciding if flowers and chocolates for our loved ones is the best gift. Or, perhaps a nice intimate dinner at one of the more upscale restaurants could be the answer. People are bombarded by the media weeks before offering a myriad of gifts to give to that “special person,” but what if you are alone, or in a volatile relationship? Maybe you recently ended a relationship. In that case, the stakes get much higher in regards to emotional, mental, and physical stress, and the 14th of February, the day of “love,” is anything but that. Many professionals in the field of mental health say Valentine’s Day does in fact increase anxiety levels, and causes all sorts of emotional challenges.
Psychologist Chloe Carmichael notes that Valentine’s Day can cause anxieties for those in a new relationship, flying solo, going through a break up, or dealing with a rocky relationship. “While Valentine’s Day may seem like a celebration of love and relationships and tiny candy hearts, this sweet holiday elicits a sour taste for many,” Carmichael said while issuing some advice to help people cope with the holiday. — Talk about it beforehand. It may be helpful to have an open discussion about Valentine’s Day expectations in advance of the holiday. — Set realistic expectations with your partner. Communicating what your partner can do to make you happy and learning what you can do for your partner is a good way to ensure no one is disappointed by how the day goes.
— Don’t set your mind on one ideal. Above all, be open to new experiences. If you always thought you needed a dozen roses and candlelit dinner, perhaps you will find that a relaxing movie night at home can be even more fun with your fantastic new partner. “Try to enjoy Valentine’s Day as a time to learn more about your partner. Instead of using this day to test your relationship, think of it as an opportunity to spend more time getting to know each other,” Carmichael points out.
4.0% UNINSURED RATE 30% LOWER
THAN THE NEW YORK STATE AVERAGE
54% LOWER
THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE In 2017, the uninsured rate across upstate New York averaged just 4.0 percent. This maintains our region’s historically low uninsured rate. It compares with a New York state average of 5.7 percent and a national average of 8.7 percent. Our 2018 and 2019 rate increases in the small group and individual markets were the among the lowest in upstate New York, which helped keep our local health insurance affordable and uninsured rate low.
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Expert analysis
Mary Jo Kreitzer, founder and director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing, said relationships nurture us and help us grow. “They help us become better people. Valentine’s Day puts love on the brain. Throughout the world, people dedicate the day to celebrating relationships,” she said. “But we ought to be paying more attention to our relationships. Relationships are important to our health and well being every day of the year, not just Feb. 14.” “Relationships can reduce stress and have been linked to overall improved health. But relationships are challenging — sometimes exhausting at best. People with poor
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2019
relationships are more likely to suffer from depression, and loneliness is powerful enough to weaken our immune system,” says Kreitzer. A number of Utica residents chimed in on their thoughts and experiences about the holiday and relationships in general. They asked that their real names not be used. “Debbie” feels that Valentine’s Day is hyped up. “It has caused much anxiety for me in the past but it doesn’t now as I am presently not in a relationship,” she said. “Why show special treatment to your significant other just because it’s Valentine’s Day? We should be special to that person every day, not just one day a year. Overall, I think men have the real burden on them. They have more anxiety to make sure they do the right thing. I think society puts an awful lot of expectations on them.” “Adam” feels that Valentine’s Day is over-marketed. However, it does not cause him any anxiety as he is in a solid relationship. Adam can see how people who are alone and or not in a good relationship would experience anxiety and depression, particularly around Valentine’s Day. “If you’re fortunate enough to be in a healthy relationship, it’s wonderful because it is routine and predictable, it gives witness to our own lives, it gives validation,” says Adam.