In Good Health: Mohawk Valley #222 - August 2024

A NATION OF ' SPECIAL NEEDS ' KIDS

Study Finds Multivitamins Won't Help You Live Longer

Afull third of American adults take multivitamins, despite prior studies suggesting they do little to boost health.

Now, a study involving almost 400,000 people finds zero benefit from multivitamin use in helping folks live longer.

Among people "without a history of major chronic diseases, we did not find evidence to support improved longevity among healthy adults who regularly take multivitamins," concluded a team led by Erikka Loftfield. She's with the division of cancer epidemiol-

ogy and genetics at the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Her team published its findings June 26 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

In the study, Loftfield's group analyzed data from three prospective studies (meaning people were followed over time) with an average 27 years of follow-up.

Over 390,000 healthy adults were enrolled in the studies, and they averaged about 61 years of age upon study entry. Researchers gathered data on the participants' multivitamin use.

Over the nearly three decades of

follow-up, almost 165,000 of the participants died. About 50,000 deaths were attributed to cancer, about 35,000 deaths were caused by heart disease and 9,275 deaths were linked to strokes.

However, Loftfield's group detected no association between multivitamin use and a person's odds of dying within the study period.

In fact, "we found that daily multivitamin use vs nonuse was associated with 4% higher mortality [death] risk," the researchers noted.

People's race, ethnicity, education or dietary quality didn't alter the results.

The NCI team noted that the new findings come on the heels of "several studies that reported no benefit of multivitamin use for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer or mortality."

In 2020, the U.S. Preventive

Services Task Force, an influential, independent panel of health experts, found "insufficient" evidence to determine whether or not multivitamins could prevent heart disease or cancer.

The message to the public on multivitamins might slowly be getting through: "In the U.S., multivitamin use declined by 6% from 1999 to 2011," Loftfield's group noted.

However, use "remains popular, with nearly 1 in 3 adults reporting recent use," they added.

While the study showed no effect of multivitamins on people's odds for an early death, the team stressed that "we cannot preclude the possibility that daily multivitamin use may be associated with other health outcomes related to aging."

Weight Loss Surgery

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Begin the process at crouse.org/weightloss or call 315-470-8974.

Survey Shows Loneliness Haunts Over 1 in 5 People

It shows loneliness is worse for young Americans than older

ones

Loneliness strikes more than a fifth of people worldwide, a new survey warns.

In the Gallup survey published in July, 23 percent of people said they felt lonely "a lot of the previous day." Those experiencing feelings of loneliness often felt physical pain, worry, sadness, stress and anger, as well.

Beyond its emotional toll, loneliness is "a medical problem" that should be taken "very seriously," psychiatrist Sue Varma told CBS News.

"It's the equivalent of having somebody smoke 15 cigarettes per day, and we know that it affects our mind and our body," she said. "It predisposes us to anxiety and depression. It increases our risk by 30 percent for heart disease, for stroke, 50 percent for dementia, and 60 percent for premature mortality."

But there is a way to combat loneliness, she added.

"Look at the quality of your relationships and say, 'Do I feel seen and validated and appreciated?'" Varma said.

"We want to have a mix of micro connections — talking to the barista, talking to your dog walker — but also deep and meaningful connections in your life, where you can feel

vulnerable and open up to share," she explained.

The survey also showed loneliness was worse for young Americans than older ones.

"It's really unfortunate that as much as we want our children to succeed, the emphasis I feel is being put on academic achievement. And for kids, they're looking at financial achievement and a lot of these goals, these milestones that were possible for us years ago, aren't possible for them, mixing in climate change, war," Varma said.

"They're feeling alienated, they're feeling disconnected and the places that they would turn to — friends, parents, coaches — are no longer sources of safe havens. They're sources of stress because of this competition to succeed," she added. "When I speak to high school students, they say, 'I can't remember the last time I did something fun, just for the sake of it, not for my resume.' "

What can ease this angst?

Schedule socialization "as if it was a medical appointment," Varma advised. "Your life depends on it, because the quality of our life depends on the quality of our relationships."

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2024 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: 315-749-7070 • Email: IGHmohawkvalley@gmail.com A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($21 per year), call 315-749-7070.

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Contributing Writers: Barbara Pierce, Deb Dittner, Gwenn Voelckers, David Podos, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, Anne Palumbo

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Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Supreme Court Ruling: Expect More Uncertainty, Confusion

The recent ruling limiting the authority of federal agencies like the EPA, Consumer Protection Agency, Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations broadly intended to protect consumers will have untold consequences on our healthcare system. The court overturned a 40-year precedent that gave deference to federal agencies over legal challenges to their regulatory au-

USA Is No. 1111

As of 2022, we rank 11th in the World Index of Healthcare. We were ranked sixth previously. Our decent, but not great, ranking out of 32 advanced countries was bolstered by our high performance in research and innovation and in our biotech industry. That's the "good" news. Not surprisingly, we are dead last in fiscal sustainability. Our cost of care per capita is nearly twice the average cost of the other 31 countries. Surely, after spending so much, we must rank high on quality. Nope. We rank 19th in quality. Good to know we are getting a good bang for our buck.

Speaking of Financial Sustainability

A recent poll of 3,300 people older than 50, conducted by the University of Michigan, found that the top three concerns about

thority or decisions based on science. The court has basically deemed itself the expert on everything; the court can now second guess what Congress intended when drafting a law presumably to protect consumers. Basically, this ruling allows every special interest group like hospitals, insurers, equipment and drug manufacturers, to challenge regulations not specified in law. The drug cartel, er industry, is already working hard to reverse the

health were the cost of care overall, the cost of long-term care and the cost of drugs. Also in the top 10 concerns were the cost of insurance, the cost of oral care, financial scams and fraud. Is there an overriding theme here? Considering the recent Supreme Court decision, addressed above, costs could actually get worse if special interest groups like the pharmaceutical manufacturers can challenge cost control regs that are not rooted in law.

OB-GYN Exodus

law requiring them to finally negotiate drug prices with Medicare. It was to go into effect in 2026. So CMS (Medicare) and the FDA will have to be far more cautious when drafting regulations. Consumers, providers and healthcare systems can expect more uncertainty and confusion and less stability in our already uncertain, confusing and unstable healthcare system.

pacted hospitals and local businesses. Medical students are declining residencies in states with strict abortion laws. Idaho lawmakers remain unphased. Ironically, the Supreme Court interceded, ruling Idaho must allow abortions in medical emergencies per the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

TV Drug Ads

Lucky us. Proponents of DTC ads (besides the drug companies) argue it's all about consumer education. Why should drug info only come from your doctor? Gee, I don't know. Opponents of DTC ads argue it has increased costs, addiction and off label use —Ozempic for weight loss, for example. Drug manufacturers spend more than $8 billion annually on TV ads. Three of the top five TV advertisers are drug companies. P&G and Disney the other two.

Walgreens Closing Stores

The retail giant plans to close 25% of its stores over the next three years. Walgreens does $27 billion a year, but has lost $5.6 billion through the nine months ending May 2024. Staff and buildings are expensive. It's far more profitable to sell drugs online. Walgreens actually attributes recent losses on seniors (who can barely afford their scripts) cutting back on dosages (I'm not kidding) and to overly aggressive pharmacy benefit managers who negotiate lower prices for employers. (PBMs are a whole different story when it comes to shady pricing and "savings'' for consumers.) Walgreens will also reduce its stake in the unprofitable clinic chain Village MD. Beating Walgreens to the punch is CVS, which just filed a patent to sell drugs in the metaverse via online stores.

Masks

The mask on–mask off saga continues. De pending on where you live, the CDC has relaxed indoor masking standards, schools included, for the 70% of communities with low to medium COVID levels. Over half of counties has low to medium COVID levels. Masks are still recommended for communities with medium to high levels. COVID data is collected and reported daily by 6,000 hospitals. If you test positive or are symptomatic, masking guidance is unchanged. Hospitals may have masking policies in place. Both the AMA and AHA urge indoor masking. Currently, 65% of us are fully vaccinated, but patience with masking is wearing thin. Some states have lifted mandates and schools are feeling the pressure to get rid of masks. The guidance for masks in schools has been in place for three years. The Supreme Court has upheld vaccine requirements for healthcare workers in facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

States with strict abortion laws that criminalize abor tion, case in point Idaho, are experi encing an exodus of this specialty. In the last year, Idaho has lost almost a quar ter of its OB-GYNs. The departure of these physicians was felt first and hardest in rural underserved areas. The departure of physicians has im-

Seen enough of them? It wasn't always this bad. Forty years ago, the FDA allowed drug ads on TV if they were the same boring ads as for physicians. But in 1997, the FDA allowed direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug ads. (That's when all hell broke loose with happy people dancing poorly to terrible awful music to sell drugs.) The American Medical Association (AMA) actually lobbied to prevent DTC ads back in the ‘80s. TV drug ads are banned in every country except the US and New Zealand.

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.

Q & A

with Shelly Callahan

Executive director of The Center explains how the nonprofit helps refugees to resettle in the region.

‘This year we are on track to do about 400 refugee arrivals,’ she says

By David Podos

Q: I know the agency is referred to as The Center, but is there a different name that you go by as well and, how long have you been the executive director?

A: The Center was incorporated in 1981. We are officially called the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees and that is our legal name. However, we conduct business as The Center. I have been the executive director since 2013.

Q: I remember at one time the agency was located in the former Saint Francis Desales Catholic High School in Utica. How long have you been at your present location here at 201 Bleeker St.?

A: In 2017 we had the opportunity to purchase this building where we are now and we really needed to do that because we were expanding as an agency.

Afghanistan a few years ago.

Q: Do you have any programs or assistance to help these refugees toward eventual citizenship?

A: Yes, we work with the citizenship and immigration offices to help people adjust their refugee status and assist on their journey to become American citizens.

Q: I am sure that there are many other services that the people you are serving need, like finding adequate housing, integration into the community and the education system to name just a few. Does the agency help with these needs and other similar needs and concerns?

A: Yes, of course, and one of our main services are refugee resettlements. That is kind of like the heartbeat of our agency. This year we are on track to do about 400 refugee arrivals. We find people housing before they arrive, we furnish the dwelling with all the necessities for living, everything they are going to need, from toothbrushes, utensils, furniture etc. We also assist them in getting proper identification cards such as Social Security cards and any other documentation that they will need to begin their new lives. If they have children, we assist in enrolling them in school. Really, anything that they will need to help them we have case workers that are going to assist to get that done. What makes us unique beyond the resettlement services we provide, are all the wrap-around services we can offer as well — for example, offering ESL (English as a second language) classes. We have an employment department that did 500 job placements last year where we work closely with 80 to 100 local employers. We have an immigration and citizenship department to help in the citizenship process. So, we really do offer a lot of services.

Q: Have the people you are helping been vetted before they enter the United States?

A: Refugees are the most heavily vetted class of immigrant to come into the country. They undergo years of scrutiny in the refugee camps and other places that they are living before they come here, which also includes the collection of bio data and multiple interview processes, so there is a lot of screening that goes on long before they enter the United States. There is also medical screening.

Good Health

Q: Who are the people that you serve?

A: The Center primarily serves refugees. The legal description of a refugee is someone who has fled their country of origin, has sought refuge in another country, such as the United States.

Q: What are some of the reasons why these people are fleeing their country of origin?

A: The reasons can be anything from war, genocide, famine, persecution based on race, sex, gender or natural disasters. We also serve SIVs, (special immigrant visas). These are people that generally have worked with our military in places around the world and then need protections once that is over. We also work with humanitarian paroles. This is a different legal designation for an immigrant to come here; they have been primarily Ukrainians that have been fleeing the war in their country and Afghan evacuees who fled out of

Q: Are there any other “resettlement sites” in our area offering similar services?

A: There isn’t. We are the only site located in this area. The next closest one is in the city of Syracuse.

Q: How many staff do you employ?

A: We currently have 53 staff and hundreds of independent contract workers that do language services for us. We are also fortunate to have a vibrant volunteer pool of people.

Q: Where does the center receive its funding?

A: We receive funding from both the state of New York as well as federal funding. Other monies come from foundations, grants and people who want to donate to us.

Q: How does someone contact your agency?

A: Our website is thecenterutica. org. We can be reached by phone at 315-738-1083.

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

How Do You Want to Feel Six Months from Now?

Asteady rain was falling. It was one of those dreary Rochester days that made me want to pull up the covers and stay in bed.

As I struggled to start my day, I couldn’t help but recall the daunting journey I embarked on after my divorce.

I felt lost and alone in my search for purpose and meaning in my new solo life.

If you are living alone after a divorce or the loss of a spouse or partner, the newfound solitude in a quiet home can feel empty and overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to.

When I found myself in this situation, I got professional help and was reminded of the transformational power of a positive outlook and acting decisively to create a better life.

Drawing on those insights, I followed a three-step approach for personal growth and happiness. It has worked for me, and I continue to work this plan when life’s challenges seem insurmountable.

Perhaps you, too, will find this approach helpful in trying times.

STEP ONE: Put it all out there

Take a deep breath and list your worst fears, self-doubts, and nega-

tive inner thoughts that keep you up at night. Be honest with yourself — it’s OK to acknowledge the dark thoughts that haunt you.

Here are some examples to get you started:

• I feel guilty for not being able to save my marriage.

• I worry my kids won’t want to be around me anymore.

• I feel worthless and unlovable.

• I worry about my health deteriorating and having no one to care for me.

• I fear never finding love again. Or joy.

• I believe I’m too old to start over.

• I am ashamed of my current situation.

• I feel overwhelmed by loneliness.

• I’m convinced that my life has no purpose.

• I fear dying alone, miserable and penniless.

• I’m terrified of the unknown future.

It’s easy to get stuck in this quagmire of negativity, but know that you’re not alone. Recognizing and articulating your negative thoughts is the first step towards liberation.

STEP TWO: Envision a better future

Over 321,000 U.S. Children Lost a Parent to Drug Overdose in 10 Years

Federal study shows lives lost from overdose crisis are felt across generations, emphasizing need to include children and families in support

An estimated 321,566 children in the United States lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011 to 2021, according to a study published in May in JAMA Psychiatry.

The rate of children who experienced this loss more than doubled during this period, from approximately 27 to 63 children per 100,000.

The highest number of affected children were those with non-Hispanic white parents, but communities of color and tribal communities were disproportionately affected.

The study was a collaborative effort led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Disease Control

Next, ask yourself, “How do I want to feel six months from now?” Envision the future you desire, and identify the emotions you want to experience. What kind of person do you want to become?

Here are some sample goals to inspire you:

• More connected with friends and loved ones.

• More confident and courageous.

• Proud of the example I’m setting for my children.

• Filled with hope and optimism.

• Empowered to make decisions and take control of my life.

• Healthier and more energetic.

• Less weighed down by guilt or regret.

• At peace with my past and present.

• More forgiving of myself and others

• Capable of handling challenges and bouncing back from setbacks.

• More comfortable and content in my own company.

A simple shift in attitude can be incredibly empowering. By focusing on what you want to achieve, you begin to move away from self-deprecation and toward self-worth.

STEP THREE: Take action toward your goals

Lastly, ask yourself, “What concrete actions can I take today to move closer to my six-month goals?” It might be as simple as:

• Connecting with support groups for people in similar situations.

• Seeking professional counseling or therapy.

• Spending more time with friends or family.

• Engaging in self-care practices like prayer, meditation or journaling.

• Exploring new hobbies or deepening an existing passion.

• Volunteering or participating in community activities.

• Seeking financial or career guidance to alleviate monetary worries.

• Prioritizing physical health and fitness.

• Practicing gratitude and mindfulness.

• Enjoying “me time” on an overnight solo retreat.

Now, remind yourself that progress is not a destination – it’s a journey. Living alone after a significant life change can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to pursue a more fulfilling existence.

By acknowledging your negative thoughts, visualizing a brighter future, and taking action toward your goals, you can feel more content, more confident, and more at peace.

The secret to transformation is already inside you. Embrace it, and watch your life change for the better.

Gwenn Voelckers is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” She welcomes your thoughts on this column as well as topic suggestion for future essays at gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com.

and Prevention (CDC).

Children with non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native parents consistently experienced the highest rate of loss of a parent from overdose from 2011 to 2021 — with 187 per 100,000 children affected in this group in 2021, more than double the rate among non-Hispanic white children (76.5 per 100,000) and among non-Hispanic Black children (73 per 100,000). While the number of affected children increased from 2011 to 2021 across all racial and ethnic populations, children with young non-Hispanic Black parents (18 to 25 years old) experienced the highest – roughly 24% – increase in rate of loss every year. Overall, children lost more fathers than mothers (192,459 compared to 129,107 children) during this period.

“It is devastating to see that almost half of the people who died of a drug overdose had a child. No family should lose their loved one to an overdose, and each of these deaths represents a tragic loss that could have been prevented,” said physician Nora Volkow, NIDA director. “These findings emphasize the need to better support parents in accessing prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition, any child who loses a parent to overdose must receive the care and support they need to navigate this painful and traumatic experience.”

From 2011 to 2021, 649,599 people aged 18 to 64 died from a drug overdose. Despite these tragic numbers, no national study had previously estimated the number of children who lost a parent among these deaths. To address this gap, researchers used data about people aged 18 to 64 participating in the 2010 to 2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to determine the number of children younger than 18 years living with a parent 18 to 64 years old with past-year drug use. NSDUH defines a parent as biological parent, adoptive parent, stepparent, or adult guardian.

The researchers then used these data to estimate the number of children of the nearly 650,000 people who died of an overdose in 2011 to 2021 based on the national mortality data from the CDC National Vital

Statistics System. The data were examined by age group (18 to 25, 26 to 40, and 41 to 64 years old), sex, and self-reported race and ethnicity.

The researchers found that among the estimated 321,566 American children who lost a parent to overdose from 2011 to 2021, the highest numbers of deaths were among parents aged 26 to 40 (175,355 children) and among non-Hispanic white parents (234,164). The next highest numbers were children with Hispanic parents (40,062) and children with non-Hispanic Black parents (35,743), who also experienced the highest rate of loss and highest year-to-year rate increase, respectively. The racial and ethnic disparities seen here are consistent with overall increases in overdose deaths among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and Black Americans in recent years, and highlight disproportionate impacts of the overdose crisis on minority communities.

“Children who lose a parent to overdose not only feel personal grief but also may experience ripple effects, such as further family instability,” said physician Allison Arwady, director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “We need to ensure that families have the resources and support to prevent an overdose from happening in the first place and manage such a traumatic event.”

Disabilities

A Nation of ‘Special Needs’ Kids

We have the highest percentage of kids in special education. Why is this?

By Barbara Pierce

The number of students in special education in the U.S. has doubled over the past four decades.

Students in special education now make up an increasing share of the student population, with schools responsible for providing special services to this growing segment of students.

The percentage of students receiving special education services varies widely across the U.S. In New York, we serve the largest share of disabled students in the country, with 20.5% of students identified as children with special needs. This is from Pew Research Center data collected in 2022. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that conducts research, analyzes data and informs the public about issues.

That percentage is huge. That’s one in every five of our students. “Special education” means specially designed individualized or group instruction, services or programs to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Special education services are provided at no cost to parents.

New York state defines a child eligible for special education, as someone who “because of mental, physical or emotional reasons, has been identified as having a disability and who requires special services and programs approved by the de-

partment” (section 4401 of Education Law). The child’s academic performance must be adversely affected by one of the 13 disability classifications.

A student’s disability classification is determined through evaluation. If he is found eligible, schools and parents collaborate to develop an individualized education program (IEP), a written document that outlines a child’s educational needs and the specialized services he needs to succeed in school.

The categories of disability generally include autism, hearing or vision impairment, orthopedic impairment, below average intellectual functioning, emotional disturbance, other health impairments, speech or language impairment and learning disabilities.

It’s those last categories, speech or language impairment and learning disabilities, that are increasing rapidly and driving up the numbers here in New York as well as all over the US. The most prevalent disability classifications are learning disabilities (close to 40% of all students with learning disabilities) and speech or language impairments (32%)

Learning disabilities include dyslexia, which affects reading skills; dysgraphia, which impairs writing skills; and dyscalculia, which impacts math skills.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not considered

SPECIAL NEEDS SPECIAL NEEDS

a learning disability, but it can affect learning. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has also risen considerably. Though ADHD does not have its own category, students diagnosed with ADHD can get IEPs under the “other health impairment” category.

“Diagnosing these conditions is not black and white; there is no blood test or brain scan that shows definitively what, if anything, is going on, and good research regarding actual prevalence usually lags way behind,” said Shawn Cusworth, director of Behavioral Health, The Neighborhood Center, Utica. The Neighborhood Center provides services to promote the well-being of children and families, as well as providing professional mental health clinical services for children, youth, adults and their families.

“I think it is especially hard in regard to children because there are a lot of people with opinions about what is ‘normal’ but just viewed as abnormal by parents and or schools and what is actually a disorder. “Unfortunately, there are a lot more people with opinions about this than there are people with actual expertise and sound knowledge,” she added.

There are many reasons why the number of children with special needs has increased, including better ability to diagnose conditions like autism and ADHD. Also, less stigma

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is attached to a diagnosis of learning disability, so parents may be less hesitant to seek special services for their children. Also, as they reach school age, premature babies may have disabilities that fall into one of the 13 categories. More babies are born addicted to drugs; the consequences for the child can have long-term effects on the child. Use of alcohol during pregnancy can harm the baby’s brain.

“There’s also a lot more screening going on in schools now than there used to be,” added Cusworth. “I would guess that these screenings are done with what are called standardized screening tools, which are proven through research to reliably identify whatever problem they are designed to screen for. This may be catching a lot more kids who are struggling and connecting them with a full evaluation.”

The increase in the percentage of students in special ed isn’t necessarily a bad thing, according to experts. It could mean that educators have become better at identifying when students need special services and parents have become less resistant to seeking them out for their children.

If your child is struggling in school, it’s important to find out why. Your child may be eligible for special education that can help. Speak with your child’s teacher or the school’s special education department about an evaluation for your child.

Disabilities

Special Needs: Are We Over-diagnosing Children?

By Barbara Pierce

Over the past decade there has been a huge increase in the number of children diagnosed with special needs, according to data from the CDC. There is an alarming rise in the number of children assigned a mental health diagnosis.

Pew Research Center data collected in 2022, found that New York state, with 20.5% children in special ed, was the highest in the nation. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that conducts research, analyzes data and informs the public about issues.

“These differences by state are likely the result of inconsistencies in how states determine which students are eligible for special education services and challenges in identifying disabled children,” according to Pew.

Yes, there are challenges identifying disabled children and some emerging evidence suggests that perhaps children are being over-diagnosed with special needs.

“Whenever there is a surge in any behavioral or mental health conditions the question of over-diagnosing comes up,” said Shawn Cusworth, director of Behavioral Health, The Neighborhood Center, Utica. The Neighborhood Center provides professional mental health clinical services for children and their families.

“I usually have the same opinion about it, which is ‘maybe, maybe not’,” she added. “It’s difficult to determine, because diagnosing these conditions is not black and white. There’s no blood test or brain scan

that shows definitively what, if anything, is going on with a person’s mental health.

“It’s especially hard in regard to children because there are a lot of people with opinions about what is ‘normal,’ but is viewed as abnormal by parents or schools and what is actually a disorder.”

Many of the symptoms associated with these disorders are similar to everyday childhood behaviors. Ordinary childhood behavior is often mistaken for ADHD, bipolar disorder or autism spectrum disorder.

Detecting a child’s mental disorder can be difficult because many behaviors that are considered symptoms of mental disorders can also be a normal part of a child’s development.

For example, how do we differentiate between a child with Asperger’s syndrome and a child who is simply introverted, brainy and single-minded? Or the child who is among the youngest in his class and is more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis because his relative immaturity and resulting behavioral problems may seem like symptoms of ADHD when they are, in fact, due to his young age.

It is not that there are more children with problems, but there are reasons we are identifying more of them than did in the past, Cusworth said.

“One reason is the impact of the recent surge of open discussions regarding mental health issues,” she

Is the Term ‘Special Needs’ Derogatory?

The

term has been criticized as patronizing and vague and is falling out of favors

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The euphemism “special needs” has come under fire in recent years as derogatory when referring to people with disabilities, in part because of the term’s misuse as a slur.

“Special needs” also seems to indicate that someone with a disability and their family expect extraordinary treatment.

“I haven’t personally used ‘special needs’ in a very long time,” said Christine Ashby, Ph.D., professor in the School of Education and director for the Center on Disability and Inclusion with Syracuse University. “It’s not a term we typically use in our programs at the university, partly because wanting a life where students have access to education and inclusion in the community

said. “More than ever, we’re seeing athletes, celebrities and other public figures openly discuss their personal struggles related to mental health. I believe this has reduced some of the stigma around it and led more parents and/or children to seek diagnosis and treatment that otherwise would not have done so.”

Also, there is much more screening going on in schools now than there used to be, she continued. These screenings may be catching a lot more kids who are struggling and connecting them with a full evaluation that leads to a diagnosis.

Research coming out now overwhelmingly confirms the negative impact that social media has on the mental health of children, she added. It stands to reason that prevalence

But such gangly phrases like “individuals with developmental disabilities” easily become clumsy with repeated use, whether in print or spoken. Asking individuals for their preferred term when in a oneon-one conversation is both frank and thoughtful. When writing or speaking to a large group, it’s impossible to use the favored term of each reader or listener. That’s why in those cases, Ashby tends to use person-first language.

Shawn Cusworth is director of Behavioral Health, The Neighborhood Center, Utica.

aren’t ‘special needs.’ They’re needs. Calling them ‘special’ tends to imply there are needs that are special.”

On the other hand, attempts at normalizing disability may lead to euphemisms like “exceptional” which may downplay disability instead of seeing disability as a source of pride and personal identification.

“We use identity first, ‘autistic person,’ ‘disabled person,’” Ashby said. “It’s not something to shy away from. Like all language, it’s personal. Some prefer person first. That’s more common in intellectual disability. But others are proud to be part of the disability community and they can’t separate it from themselves. It’s part of their identity. It’s not that people shouldn’t use person first language but respect the person.”

“But I never use ‘special needs’ because it’s vague and unhelpful,” Ashby said. “We should be recognizing that they’re not ‘special’ needs. We all have needs. If some people have ‘special needs’ what do others have?”

“Special needs” could mean anything from a person who struggles to read to someone completely dependent on others for activities of daily living. She added that support is dynamic because anyone who lives long enough will likely need more support, yet older adults who need help aren’t referred to as “special needs” people.

Claiming that everyone has some kind of special needs is disingenuous to families who have fought school boards and intensely struggled to help their children access school

rates would be up for this generation who has been raised with a high degree of social media in their lives.

“I think we’ll be learning new things for a long time about the impact this has on mental health and brain development,” she said.

“I’ve talked to school guidance counselors who have been doing the job for a long time and some say they have never seen anything like what they see now. I recall one saying that in the past he would get a kid in his office having a panic attack maybe once or twice a year and now it seems like it’s once or twice a week,” she added. “Those in the field are definitely seeing more problems, particularly anxiety.

“To sum it up, it’s my opinion that there is probably always some degree of over-diagnosing going on in mental health due to evaluations that are not thorough, comprehensive and or not using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria.”

However, there are many reasons to believe that more children are getting diagnosed legitimately. If you are concerned that your child may be misdiagnosed, the best thing to do would be to get educated regarding what constitutes a good evaluation and try to obtain it, she said.

resources, for example.

The fact that terms like “special education” change over time doesn’t strike Cathy Leogrande, Ph.D., as kowtowing to political correctness.

“It’s because we know more now,” Leogrande said. “It’s not politically correct to use a better term when we’ve gotten smarter.”

Leogrande is a professor in the education department at Purcell School of Professional Studies at Le Moyne College. She sees the shift away from “special needs” as reflecting the movement away from the medical model towards the social model.

“There’s a ‘typical’ and a ‘not typical’ category that means different, not less than or bad,” she said. “When you reflect that in your language, we know everyone could probably benefit from some kind of adaptation or need. We have to slap this label on kids if they want services. That’s the way the law is.”

Most employers use “disabled” because of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) law. In her writing, Leogrande tends to use disclaimers whenever possible to avoid offending readers.

Disabilities What Wheelchair Users Wish You Knew…

By Barbara Pierce

“Where are you going?” Marcus Johnson is asked this question regularly as he gets on the bus each day to go to work.

“I have a physical disability, so I’m a wheelchair user. People assume I don’t work. What gives them the comfort level to ask me where I’m going?” he said. “It’s a mindset of ‘You don’t belong here.’ They don’t ask that of other passengers!”

He frequently encounters questions from the driver and other passengers. He wants people to know it’s not OK to ask these questions. It’s not OK to make assumptions about what his life is like.

Johnson, a 53-year-old man who lives in Harlem, is a passionate, articulate advocate for people with disabilities. As manager of Advocacy Programs at Independence Care System, he helps New Yorkers with disabilities access the services they need to live independently in their community, helps them become active members of their community.

According to the latest US Census data, almost 20% of the US population has some sort of disability. About 10% have a visible physical disability or some sort of mobility impairment. Well over three million Americans use a wheelchair ful time and that number is expected to grow significantly due to demographic trends.

Add those who rely on a walker, cane or crutches for assistance in walking and people with disabilities are the largest minority group in the U.S.; there are more disabled people than blacks, Hispanics, Asians and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Just because you can see someone’s disability doesn’t give you the right to ask about it, Johnson said.

Motor vehicle accident

“I was injured 33 years ago, when I was 20,” he explained. “I was in Julliard, in my second year as a dance major. I was in a motor vehicle accident; I woke up and I was paralyzed. I have a high-level spinal cord injury; as I’m quadriplegic, I use a motorized wheelchair.”

After recovery from his injury, he went to NYU, obtained his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work. For several years, he’s been employed at ICS. He is also a co-leader of the Civics League for Disability Rights, a passionate volunteer-driven advocacy group ensuring that the marginalized and disenfranchised have a voice at the table. In addition, he is a certified rehabilitation counselor and a licensed mental health counselor.

What is the most important thing about how people perceive those in wheelchairs? “People make assump-

tions about people with disabilities. You assume that I don’t drink, I don’t work, I don’t have a life,” he said. “People assume they know what I can and can’t do!

“I have a life. I’m doing the same things everyone else is doing; I’m just doing them differently. I go out, just like you. I go to the theater. I work. I’m doing the same things you’re doing.

“You don’t ask other people these questions. Why would you think I don’t work? I’ve had to call out my colleagues. A new person will ask me: ‘What are your qualifications?’ It’s amazing! They don’t ask other employees that question! You should look at me as an equal. People make way too many assumptions.”

Other wheelchair users agree with him.

“As a wheelchair user, people assume I’m completely incapable. They talk to the people around me and not me. People don’t want to look at me because some people are disgusted with wheelchair users and others are embarrassed to look at us,” said 40-year-old Dominick Evans of Detroit in an article online at usatoday.com.

“I wish people would see that I’m a human being and that I have wants and needs and desires and dreams that I can fulfill just like everyone else. I wish that they would

see that my wheelchair is not scary. That it gives me freedom and that it’s nothing that they should fear themselves,” he added.

“I live a beautiful life. I don’t want my wheelchair to factor into a person’s opinion of me,” said Chase Nadine, 37, of Victoria, British Columbia, in the same article. “The question I hate the most is ‘What’s wrong with you?’ since it automatically presupposes something is wrong with me. Nothing is ‘wrong’ with me. I am disabled. This isn’t a right or wrong thing; it’s a neutral thing; it’s a fact of life.”

Johnson summed it up: “Disability is a part of the rich tapestry of human existence. Individuals with disabilities have the same basic human needs as everyone else: love, companionship, respect and inclusion. Disabled individuals should not be made to feel as though they are asking for something extraordinary when they seek accommodation or understanding. By challenging the notion that their needs are ‘special,’ we can work towards a society where relationships are built on mutual respect and consideration, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.”

“Look at me as an equal,” he asks.

Marcus Johnson is the manager of Advocacy Programs at Independence Care System. He helps New Yorkers with disabilities access the services they need to live independently in their community.

Between You & Me

By Barbara Pierce

Color Outside the Lines!

By Barbara Pierce

“Live life to the fullest. You have to color outside the lines once in a while… Laugh some every day. Keep growing, keep dreaming, keep following your heart.”

This quote from Albert Einstein caught my attention as I paged through a magazine. I love it!

Lately, I’ve felt that something is missing in my life. And here’s the answer. It appeared as I soon as picked up the magazine in the doctor’s waiting room.

I color within the lines way too much. What would happen if I stopped being so careful about keeping inside the lines? Adding a little fun, a little spice to my life, might take care of that ‘something is missing’ feeling.

I know I’m way too serious; I don’t laugh much these days. I remember how great it feels to have a hearty laugh. I miss that feeling.

I’ve been so caught up with the things I have to do — I frequently check the calendar I carry in my purse to remember the doctor’s visits for myself and my partner that take up more and more of our time, the boring committee meetings I faithfully attend for my volunteer job, the great hoard of phone calls I have to make — the daily tasks that are the

drudgery of everyday life.

Though I’m retired, life is busy. So why doesn’t if feel right?

I’m existing in a most responsible, conscientious manner. How boring is that, right?

Yes, I’m definitely missing something. I’m missing fun and laughing. And joy. I know there’s a long list of mental and physical benefits from joy. Joyful people live longer. The positive benefits of fun are well-established.

How about you? How often do you laugh and feel fully alive?

“Fun, feeling exhilarated and lighthearted. Completely present, undistracted by thoughts about the future or the past. Maybe laughing with a friend. Maybe exploring a new place. Maybe being slightly rebellious.” That’s how Catherine Price describes fun in her book “The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again.”

If you, like me, are having trouble thinking of a recent moment that fits that description, think about what the experts recommend as ways to get more fun moments back in our lives.

Let me be clear on this: I’m not talking about the many things that we might think of as fun that could also be described as numbing ourselves from our current reality. For

example, spending hours mindlessly scrolling our phones, binging on movies or TV, getting high.

First thing we should do, Price and others say, is think about the things that — in the past — made us laugh full on or have that feeling of exuberance, of being fully alive. For me, it was playing “Taboo” with my extended family and laughing so hard I peed in my pants. It was fishing off a boat in Mexico; what I loved was the sun, the water and being with a good friend. Hiking a mountain trail, loving the quiet, the baby ferns and colorful wildflowers growing in the moss. Exploring San Francisco with work colleagues.

They say that fun involves a sense of connection, the feeling of having a special shared experience with someone or something else. Usually, it’s with another person. Research suggests that most of us have the most fun when we’re with others. Sharing experiences with others, especially friends, is more enjoyable than doing them alone.

Seek out new things. Many of our most-fun memories involve activities that feel new. We all like novelty in one way or another. In fact, our brains are made to be attracted to novelty. And it turns out that learning new things makes for a healthier brain, protects against cognitive decline.

Traveling is one of the best ways to live life to the fullest as well as offering a vast array of opportunities

Build Social Connection. Prevent Loneliness.

We may not think of loneliness as posing serious health risks, but if feelings of loneliness are not addressed, they can significantly impact our health. There are ways to help prevent loneliness and the resulting health impacts. If you’re feeling lonely, consider the following:

• Seek support: Reach out to friends, family or a therapist. Support groups can also foster a sense of community and understanding.

• Volunteer: Helping others can boost self-esteem and foster meaningful relationships.

• Take up a hobby: Engage in activities that bring you joy. Join a club or group with shared interests to meet new people and build relationships.

• Practice self-care: Maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and practice mindfulness and self-compassion.

• Try something new: Step outside your comfort zone. It can be intimidating but can also lead to new connections and relationships.

Listen to our episode, “The Loneliness Epidemic” on the Community Check-in to learn more about this issue and who is most at risk.

to do something new that might turn out to be fun.

Consider creating a ‘fun jar’ or a ‘fun file.’ Write your ideas on a piece of paper and place them in the jar or on your list. When you’re looking for something new to do, draw a slip from the jar or pick an item from your list.

Stop listening to what others want you to do or think or believe. Forget that voice in your head that says: “What makes you think you can do that? You know you can’t!” You can find a way to do most of whatever it is you want to do.

Stop waiting for something to happen to you and go out and make things happen! Taking action toward living the life you want is the way to live life to the fullest.

If you’re not living outside the lines, start. If you’re living outside the lines, keep on!

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.

Barbara

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Little-Known Farro Deserves a Major Shout-Out

My love affair with farro began at first bite. Nutty and satisfyingly chewy, farro soon became my favorite whole grain, finding its way into soups, salads, and sides.

My fondness only deepened as I got to know its many health benefits and ready availability, downright remarkable for a 20,000-year-old ancient grain!

Why the grain-crush? Let me count the ways.

Farro, like many whole grains, is a good source of fiber, an essential nutrient that many American diets lack. While fiber is important for every age, it’s especially important for older adults whose systems may be sluggish because of inactivity, less muscle mass and slower metabolisms.

of daily calories. Niacin, a B vitamin, keeps our bodies humming by converting food to energy, raising “good” cholesterol, and boosting brain function.

Whole grain farro brims with antioxidants — beneficial molecules that neutralize harmful free radicals that have been linked to multiple illnesses.

Of course, fiber does a whole lot more than relieve constipation: it also helps with weight maintenance by promoting a full feeling; it stabilizes blood sugars; and it can even help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Multiple studies confirm that a high-fiber diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes and a higher probability of a happier gut.

This versatile grain is also a great source of protein and niacin, each providing about 20% of our daily needs. Eating more protein can positively affect your health (and waistline!) by keeping muscles and bones strong and by curbing the urge to snack.

One study in overweight men showed that cravings and late-night snacking were reduced by over 50% when protein was increased to 25%

Why do free radicals, which are constantly being formed in your body and serve important functions, ever need to be neutralized?

In a word: Too many roaming around can damage your DNA, increasing your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. And today’s lifestyle—from sunbathing to cigarette smoke to alcohol intake to air pollution—unfortunately has been linked to excessive free radical formation.

Helpful Tips

Although farro comes whole (with its hull intact), most farro sold in the U.S. is hulled to some degree, rendering it “pearled” or “semi-pearled.” Hulled versions do not need to soak overnight and take only 30 minutes to cook. Cooked farro keeps in the fridge for five days, but can be frozen to last longer. To freeze, spread the grains in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer for at least two hours.

Rich and hearty, farro is naturally low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, clocks in at around 80 calories per average serving, and is a delicious, nutritious alternative to refined grains.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, 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.

4 Ways to Stay Healthy this Summer

By Shaina Zazzaro

We wait all year for summer — for the sunshine, the outdoors, the cookouts and, sometimes, the cocktails. Here are some tips to keep healthy during the summer without sacrificing your health.

1. Move. Even if you are on vacation, don’t forget to at least get your steps in. When people ask me how many steps they should get, it’s sort of subjective. For example, if you are completely sedentary and are only walking 2,000 steps a day, moving even an extra 1,000 is beneficial. Remember, any movement is

For the salad:

2 cups cooked farro

2 cups greens of choice, spinach, kale, mixed greens, etc.

2 large peaches, pitted and sliced

1½ cups blueberries

1½ cups grape tomatoes, halved

2 small ears sweet corn, kernels removed (about 1½ cups)

½ to 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

3 tablespoons chopped basil

1. In a large bowl combine the farro, greens, peach slices, blueberries, tomatoes, corn, feta, and basil.

2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, shallot, salt, and pepper.

better than no movement. If you are a relatively active person you should strive for a minimum of 8,000 steps a day! Remember, the more you move, the better you will feel!

2. Meal Prep. Yes, I may be the queen of meal prep, but it is honestly the best way for you to be able to consistently eat healthy and reach your goals. Don’t be afraid to bring your own cooler to an event with your prepared meals, I do it all of the time. Plan and track your calories.

3. If you are planning on going out to eat, make sure you eat less calories throughout the day. For example, instead of a burger for lunch, go ahead and have a healthy piece of chicken. You’ll eat about half the calories and fat, with the same amount of protein. When you go out to eat, skip the appetizer and the alcoholic beverage — that alone can save you hundreds of calories, and you will be able to enjoy

For the dressing:

1/3 cup olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon champagne vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small shallot, minced (optional)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Whisk until well combined.

3. Drizzle some or all of the dressing over the salad and gently toss until salad is well coated. Serve immediately.

your entree without guilt.

4. Create some fun mocktails. Alcoholic beverages are not only calorie-laden, but they slow down your metabolism, cause you to not be as conscious of what you are eating, cause restless sleep and really can negatively affect your weight loss goals. A little cranberry lime seltzer mixed with some diet or regular cranberry juice tastes just like a cocktail, without the alcohol.

Remember friends- the healthier you eat, the more you move, the better you will fee I can guarantee it.

Happy summer 2024!

Shaina Zazzaro is a wife and mother of two, blending her roles with a passion for health and wellness. She is the owner of local meal delivery service, Effortlessly Healthy. For more information, visit www.ehmeals.com.

The Balanced Body

By Deborah Dittner

Or…Should I Say…Where Did Summer Go?

By Deborah Dittner

It always amazes me as to how quickly the summer goes by. And now it’s time, once again, to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Some find this a stressful time in gathering all of the necessary items needed, planning for nutritious breakfast meals and packing lunches, sports and other activities, bedtime routines, bathroom schedules and finally — getting out the door on time.

Summer may mean staying up later at night, sleeping in later in the morning, summer camps and then… school shopping for clothes and the necessary items for the classroom. With a new school year, additional concerns may need to be addressed for some children (and adults alike). Ask children about any questions they may have regarding new teachers, new friends, new school and, as needed, arrange for a walk-through tour or meet and greet with teachers. This preplanning may make all the difference in the first day and months to come.

To create less stress, begin by developing new routines for the family starting two to three weeks before the actual changes will take place so everyone is on the same page when the time comes.

The mornings can often be the most difficult. Determine who, either Mom or Dad, will be the first to rise and make sure you will get up with plenty of time before the rest of the

Health Career

family. In doing so, you set yourself up creating time to become centered, process your to-do list, a morning walk, run, workout, a meditation and then preparations for breakfast. The day will run more smoothly with a morning of calm and preparation.

• After-school routines also need to be taken into consideration. Teach mindful breathwork to children of any age to help destress from the school day. Simple box breathing or 4-7-8 techniques can change a hectic school day into calm and can be accomplished on the bus without others knowing. Breathwork can not only decrease stress but also will aid in improved sleep. Once home, an after-school healthy snack can be enjoyed. Allow the child to discuss their day at their pace. Ask open ended questions, when the time is right, by giving them the opportunity to express their concerns, excitements and happenings of the day.

• Outdoor time in nature definitely makes for happier and more grounded children and adults alike. Being outdoors has been proven to improve one’s mental health and mood, improves immunity (think vitamin D and sunshine) and all of that activity will allow for improved quality of sleep. Take this time to move children away from screens whether that be computers or television and out into fresh air. Consider a family walk after your evening meal.

Child Life Specialist: It’s More Than Just Coloring with Hospitalized Children

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Child life specialists do more than break out the crayons and coloring books with sick kids. The work can be incredibly demanding.

“Sometimes it’s really hard when we go into a room and we have to have difficult conversations and a child isn’t doing well and then we go to the next room and play Candy Land,” said Regina Lozito, manager of Upstate’s child life program. “We can’t always make it better. We can do our best to help them through it.”

At Upstate, the team of 17 child life workers include 15 certified child life specialists. Lozito has a bachelor’s in child psychology and master’s in child life, along with 600 hours of internship. After those achievements, she was able to sit for the certification exam.

“People think you get to play with kids all day, but there’s a lot of psychology that goes into it,”

This not only provides fresh air but will improve digestion and aid in sleep. The evening meal or walk also encourages conversation away from screens and can be used as “quiz” time if there’s an upcoming test that needs additional help. Make it a rule to not have any devices while eating meals. Being mindful of the food in front of you and those surrounding you makes for healthy dynamics.

• Bedtime needs to remain consistent. When children have a regular bedtime routine, improved sleep is a positive outcome as well. Similar nighttime routines should exist for adults too. Start the evening routine at the same time every night that way everyone will not have to guess when. An example of no screen time (phone, computer or TV) should begin an hour before retiring to bed. These devices are “stimulating” keeping the mind going and not settling in for the evening. During this hour, baths or showers can occur. If a bath, consider some Epsom salts with the addition of lavender oil for added relaxation. Other nighttime habits of brushing one’s teeth, a calming cup of tea (chamomile), reading a book, writing in a journal and again,

breathwork or meditation, all pose to more restful sleep. Research has shown that elementary school age children need nine to 12 hours of sleep, teens need eight to 10 hours and adults need seven to nine hours of nightly sleep.

Daily routine

Creating a routine will allow each member to know and understand what will happen and create more calm for everyone involved. Sometimes a little tweaking will be needed especially in the beginning, but as long as everyone is aware and on the same page, these simple steps will lead to a more successful and productive 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. www. debdittner.com

Lozito said. “We make sure kids and families understand why they’re in the hospital, what’s expected of them, what will happen. What does anesthesia mean? Will they spend the night? We do a lot of normalizing the environment. What happens on the outside we have inside the hospital.”

That could include trick-or-treating, providing access to education so kids don’t fall behind, and maintaining a family resource center and playrooms. Child life services include helping children adjust to lifelong changes that result from an illness or accident and bereavement support to the family as well.

Child life specialists may work in a variety of medical settings, both out patient and in patient. They often perform a psychological evaluation on the fly to assess how much information children can process and understand.

“A lot feel like they’re being

punished,” Lozito said. “We’ve taken away their control and things they love to do. Our job is to make sure they understand why they’re there and we’re not trying to be mean. It’s not fun here always.”

The goals of child life work include improving emotional outcomes as well as ones more easily measured, such as lower blood pressure, less pain medication, better compliance during procedures and recovery and faster healing. The results can be long-lasting.

“Kids who experience a positive situation in the hospital are much more likely to be medically complaint adults,” Lozito said. “They understand the medical system better. You know what’s happening and

Regina Lozito is the manager of Upstate’s child life program. “We make sure kids and families understand why they’re in the hospital, what’s expected of them, what will happen,” she says.

what’s expected of you and everyone’s job. Your job is to sit still; the nurse’s job is to insert the IV.”

Showing children a procedure on themselves or on a doll can help them prepare.

Lozito encourages anyone interested in working as a child life specialist to look at www.childlife. org to become accustomed with what the profession entails. She sees the potential for a lot of growth in the field in that at her organization alone, the staff grew from three in her department in 2000 to 17 currently.

“We’re growing fast and we need more people to fill the positions,” Lozito said. “I have clinics contacting me.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average mean wage is $60,380 for a child life specialist.

5

Things You Should Know About Head Lice

By Barbara Pierce

As kids return to school, we can expect a spike in the number of kids that will come home with head lice.

According to JohnHopkins. org, head lice are most common in children aged 3 to 11. They’re more prevalent in Caucasians and found more frequently found in girls than boys.

We asked Derek Croft, head lice specialist and owner of Lice Doctors of Syracuse, to explain how to combat head lice.

1.Who gets head lice?

“Anybody can get head lice,” said Croft. “There’s a myth that only people with dirty hair get them, but the truth is that lice prefer clean hair.” Head lice favor all socioeconomic groups.

2.How are head lice spread?

According to the CDC, the most common way to get head lice is by head-to-head contact with a person who already has head lice. This contact is common among children in school, day care, sport activities or home. Getting head lice is not related to cleanliness of the child or his environment. Head lice spread quickly in group settings.

Adult lice can live on a head for

about 30 days. They will die within two days if they fall off a head and cannot feed; they need a human host to survive.

They don’t live on pets. And “they’re a risk all year,” said Croft. “They don’t die in the winter.”

3.How do I know if my child is affected?

An itchy scalp is the most common symptom of head lice, intense itching. You might see small, red bumps on the scalp, neck and shoulders. You may see tiny white specks (eggs, or nits) on the bottom of each hair. People often feel like something is crawling on their scalp. It sometimes takes a few weeks after the lice arrive for the itching to start.

Lice live on heads, not in houses like fleas or bedbugs. Your house is not infested and there are no bugs or nits all over the house waiting to hatch and infest your family. Lice do not want to leave their food source, which is always a head. They only lay eggs on human hair.

4.What should I do if my child has head lice?

Often, by the time you get a call from a school nurse, your child has had head lice for a while. And the whole family will probably be infect-

ed. “If the children have it, the parents will likely have it,” said Croft. “It’s important to treat the whole family or you’ll just keep passing it back and forth.”

Your first line of defense against head lice is an over-the-counter shampoo. The main difference between various shampoos is the active ingredient and which stages of head lice it kills. Most of these head lice treatments don’t kill nits, so a second application will be necessary to kill the nymphs once they hatch.

There are three generations of head lice; all three need to be dead to get rid of head lice. Nits are firmly attached to the base of the hair. Nymphs are becoming an adult. Adult head lice are tan-colored and can be seen moving quickly along the hair or across the scalp.

All three generations need to be dead, to get rid of them for good. Because of this, it can take several treatments to completely remove lice and nits.

“The special shampoo doesn’t kill the nits,” said Croft. “You have to wash and wash many times.”

One of the reasons the special shampoo doesn’t work is that parents don’t follow the directions exactly. You shouldn’t see any crawling head lice after the first treatment if you

applied it correctly. If you are still seeing live crawlers, then you may have missed a step or the treatment is not effective against the type of lice your child has.

“OTC shampoo is effective, but it’s not effective with the ‘super-lice’ we’ve begun to see more of,” said Croft. “They’ve developed into superbugs, like another type of bug. The more you use the shampoo, the more they become immune to it.”

“Our team of technicians performs at-home lice treatments,” Croft added. “We come to your home, discreetly, in unmarked cars. Our technicians stay a couple of hours, treat the whole family. This relieves the stress; let professionals take care of the problem. We treat people all over the state.”

5.How can I prevent my child from getting head lice?

Unfortunately, there is no proven head lice deterrent that will prevent your child from getting head lice again. The best you can do is stay alert for suspicious head scratching.

Experts say that doing a combing head check twice a month helps cut down infestations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says head lice are not a reason for kids to miss school.

NYS Rates of Birth Complications After Patients Leave Hospital Higher than Average

Analysis of millions of births shows one-third of birth complications occur during the six weeks following discharge and disproportionately affect Black patients.

New data shows that dangerous, unexpected birth complications often emerge weeks after the patient and baby have left the hospital, with Black patients experiencing these events at a rate 87% higher than white patients. Moreover, New York state has the highest number of these events in the nation, according to a new Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) analysis.

The analysis of these birth complications, known as severe maternal morbidity (SMM), draws on nationwide data from more than 700,000 BCBS commercially insured births and data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on more than 1.5 million Medicaid births. Across New York state, the data revealed the rates of SMM events are higher than the national average, both overall, and for each ethnic group (Black, Hispanic, white), par-

ticularly for Medicaid members. The data also confirms racial and ethnic disparities in SMM events in New York state.

“The statistics are alarming, but they’ve also presented an opportunity and a responsibility to confront this national crisis,” says Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Simone Edwards, a physician and vice president, health equity and community investments. “Excellus BCBS is committed to collaborating with local community organizations to support safe pregnancies and childbirth, eliminate pregnancy-related health disparities, and improve health outcomes for new mothers and babies.”

Bridging the gaps

Excellus BCBS’s Bright Beginnings program is stepping in to fill necessary gaps in care like transpor-

tation, resources and provider referrals to help new parents effectively care for themselves and their mental health.

The program, led by Kara Traverse, manager, Maternity Care Management, includes a team of licensed social workers and registered nurses who meet with members referred by area doctors and hospitals, family, and even members themselves.

“They contact the member, listen to their concerns, and screen for depression and anxiety. From there, the case manager assesses and makes appropriate recommendations, providing resources for transportation, education, mental health support and more,” Traverse explains.

The Bright Beginnings team also collaborates with community-based partners committed to increasing maternal health care awareness and availability. From breast pump

and pregnancy education to mental health screenings and arranging hospital and pediatrician visits, the Bright Beginnings program aims to help parents stay on track caring for themselves and their children.

Excellus BCBS also supports programs for maternal mental health run by community-based organizations across its operating area. Some of these efforts include Cortland-based Seven Valleys Health Coalition’s Post Partum Doula Support and Doula Partnership, Syracuse-based Contact Community Services’ Maternal Mental Health Follow Up Support, and Utica-based Integrated Community Alternatives Network’s (ICAN) Maternal Health Equity for Pregnant Homeless Teens.

Read the full report, “Improving Postpartum Maternal Health Outcomes,” part of the BCBS Health of America Report® series, here: http://bcbsa.co/6046YtIzI.

Elemental Management Group, which operates senior facilities in Rochester, Oswego and in the Mohawk Valley, has recently developed a 75-hour, three-week hybrid course nurse aide training program. It is designed to help expedite CNA training.

It enables students to complete the program in less than three weeks — instead of 164 hours across four to six weeks. The hybrid CNA program can accommodate up to 20 students, providing sufficient instructors are available for clinical time.

Recently, In Good Health spoke with Judy Harding-Staelens, registered nurse, licensed nursing home administrator and regional director of operations for Elemental and Peg Reith, registered nurse, regional nurse educator and CNA educator for Elemental.

Q: Is this a new program in the state?

A: (Peg) This is new for New York state, yes.

(Judy) We want to get CNAs into the workforce quicker. We offer a hybrid program and the goal is to get as many CNAs as possible certified in the quickest amount of time. We found that students were having a hard time being able to sit in a 100plus hour course for weeks to get certified to get a job. This offers them the opportunity to do all the work on the phone, computer at home. They

Hybrid Program Prepares CNAs in Less Than 3 Weeks

By Stefan Yablonski

can work nights; they can take care of their kids, their parents, they can take care of a neighbor.

Q: So, this course is user-friendly?

A: (Peg) This course is very user-friendly for anybody who is dealing with life right now. They download the app, they use a laptop, they can use a tablet, whatever. Everything that they need to learn is right online. The CNA videos are online for them as well. They only have to come into the building to do their on-hand skills and the clinical portion of it. So it is very user-friendly for anybody who is short on time that wants to advance their career.

Q: How many graduates have you had so far?

A: (Judy) We are at least 320 graduates. We have this up and running in five facilities right now … and two more starting in August. Each facility is a little bit different, but programs are offered every month, currently. It’s about every three weeks on average. Students unable to finish in the prescribed three weeks can jump into the next session without having to redo material previously covered.

Q: What are the duties and responsibilities of a CNA?

A: (Peg) A CNA does the bathing, shaving, feeding, caring — working

with the residents. Sometimes they are just there as companions.

(Judy) The role of a CNA is a vast one. For long-term care, they are the primary direct caregivers. They have a lot to do with long-term care facilities on how well we care for our residents, how many we can take care of. They have a very big role there with all the residents.

Q: Who are the instructors?

A: (Peg) I am one of the instructors. I work in multiple buildings. Each building has an educator. They do have to be approved by the NYS Department of Health and have a train-the-trainer certificate as well.

Q: Where do students go to work after successfully completing the course?

A: (Peg) When they finish the course, they are offered employment. They get interviewed — some buildings interview them prior to taking the course. Students who finish the course can apply to work in that building. Usually, they stay and work at the facility that they went through the course with. If they choose to go elsewhere, they absolutely can if they choose to; depending on if they signed a contract or not.

Q: Is there a cost to the student?

A: (Judy) This is free for the students. They can come to the facility and the facility pays for the training.

And a lot of these facilities offer a sign-on bonus at the end of the class. It’s definitely a win-win.

Q: Do you train others?

A: (Judy) We do the training for other facilities. If a facility doesn’t have a CNA training program — or even if they do — they can connect with us and we’ll come in and train their trainer in our program and then it is theirs to use. Elemental has two packages. One provides training for educators who want to teach the hybrid CNA classes at their own facility. The other package completely handles the hybrid CNA classes as a third-party entity.

Q: How long have you been doing this?

A: (Judy) We are a year and five months into this. We haven’t changed it; we are getting better at it — adding more instructors and more buildings. The more students taking this, the better for New York state nursing homes.

Q: This is a growing profession?

A: (Judy) Yes, people are starting to come back to this profession after the end of the pandemic.

(Peg) We are very proud of what we have been able to do for the communities; putting CNAs back out there when they are really needed. They are coming back in droves now.

Peg Reith (left) and Judy Harding-Staelens.

ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program

Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program

Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program ELEMENTAL MANAGEMEN UP

Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

MANAGEMENT GROUP

Unlock the power of excellence

Unlock the power of excellence

Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.

Unlock the power of excellence

Unlock the power of excellence

Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.

Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.

Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.

Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer

Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer

Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer

Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer

Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution

Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution

Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution

Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more

Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution

Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more

Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more

Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more

Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today

Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today

Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today

Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP

CONTACT:

Peg Reith BSN, RN

CONTACT:

Peg Reith BSN, RN

CONTACT:

Phone: 315-529-3267

Phone: 315-529-3267

Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com

CONTACT:

Peg Reith BSN, RN

Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com

Peg Reith BSN, RN

Phone: 315-529-3267

Phone: 315-529-3267

Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com

Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com

Plan to Age in Place? Here What You Need to Consider

By Barbara Pierce

There’s no place like home — especially as you age. Most of us would agree.

“Ninety percent of people who are aging want to continue to live in their own home,” said Jack Rockwell, owner and operator of R&R Custom Solutions, Oriskany Falls. “Yet, 85% have done nothing to promote this. Most people don’t think about it until it’s staring them in the face.”

R&R Custom Solutions provides comprehensive senior home services including helping people modify their homes to meet their changing needs as they age.

The facts are that, for many of us, when we get to our 70s, 80s, 90s, those years will be challenging. It’s a time of diminishments and limitations, of physical and mental decline. Many will be unable to do the things that brought us joy. Even the small tasks we do every day can become difficult, like fixing a meal, showering, walking, using the phone.

“Sometime at around ages 7075, give or take, your cognitive and physical capacities decline to roughly their halfway point — you are no longer able to do the things you used

to do with ease,” said physician Peter Attia in his book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity.” “Bad stuff starts to happen more frequently and with greater consequence. It’s one thing to break your femur in a skiing accident when you’re 40. It’s quite another to do it in your 70s when you’re at 25% of your capacity.”

Research done by the National Institutes of Health found a significant reduction in fitness between men and women in their 60s versus those in their 70s. The re-duction was “due to the re-duction of muscle strength in both upper and lower limbs and changes in body fat percentage, flexibility, agility and endurance.”

It’s likely that there will be a mismatch between the features of the homes we bought when we were younger and the housing we need to remain in it. Features such as stairs, large yards, ongoing repairs and lack of easy access to shopping and medical resources become important considerations.

For example, the stairs we go down up and down several times a

The Social Security Office Ask

From the Social Security District Office

Eligibility For Social Security Spouse’s Benefits

Social Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information and tools that support you through life’s journey. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their record. If your spouse does not receive retirement or disability, you’ll have to wait to apply on your spouse’s record. In addition, to be eligible for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:

• 62 years of age or older.

• Any age if you have a child who is younger than 16 in your care or has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record. If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to one-half the amount your spouse receives. You’ll also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement

day — up to our beds, down to do our laundry: falls are a leading cause of hospital admissions. If we need to use a wheelchair, even temporarily, most doorways don’t accommodate a wheelchair; we can’t even get into our house without going up the front steps; counters can’t be used from a seated position. Showers and toilets don’t have grab bars for when our balance lessens. Maintenance needs are ongoing in an older home and tasks like mounting storm windows, snow shoveling and mowing the lawn can be difficult, even impossible, for many of us.

Research shows a clear association between decline in cognitive functioning and mobility; many with cognitive impairments need to use a walker for stability.

As he also provides medical transportation, and operator of R&R Custom Solutions Rockwell often comes face to face with aging people dealing with the challenges of their home.

“A woman who couldn’t get up the front steps in her wheelchair: Her grandson was happy to make a ramp for her, but he didn’t build it to specifications and it’s too steep; wheelchairs can’t go up hills. Or another ramp has turns that are impossible to make. Ramps are a big thing that people often need.”

“Or the woman who feared getting in and out of her tub when she showered. Her son installed grab

bars, but he used picture hangers so the grab bars couldn’t begin to hold even a bit of her weight. Grab bars are only as good as their installation.”

“Door levers instead of handles are a big change many people make; levers don’t need any hand strength to open.”

“It’s cost effective not to wait,” he added. “Most of us tend to be reactive, not proactive. We wait for a crisis to hit us in the face. We’re being discharged from the hospital and need certain modifications to our home so that we can go home.”

For low-income folks, help is available. For example, to be discharged from the hospital you must show medical necessity for the changes so your insurance company may pay. VA offers some help for veterans. Some Offices for the Aging help.

Think about the home you hope to remain in as you age: How would it work if you needed to rely on a walker or wheelchair? If you don’t have the energy or the strength to do the maintenance tasks, to mow the grass, shovel the snow? Or to do grocery shopping and heat up meals? As much as we hate to think about it, those things are likely to happen.

What changes could you make now to be prepared for the inevitable?

9 months old? If you answer yes to both, visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/ retirement to get started today. Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years?

You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. For more information, please visit our website at www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/divspouse.html.

age, but care for a child and one of the following applies:

• The child is younger than age 16.

• The child has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.

If you receive retirement on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefit, you will get a combination of benefits that equals the higher spouse’s benefit.

Consider this example: Sandy is eligible for a monthly retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. If she waits for Social Security until her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250 a month. Sandy only gets an additional spouse’s benefit because her own benefit is less than half her spouse’s full retirement age benefit. Want to apply for either your retirement or your spouse’s benefits or both? Are you at least 61 years and

Q: My same-sex partner and I recently married. Will we be eligible for Social Security benefits?

A: You or your spouse could be eligible for benefits, or a higher benefit amount, based on your marital relationship. Many factors affect your eligibility for benefits, including how long you worked and your age. You can apply online at www.ssa.gov/ apply, by phone by calling 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or contacting your local Social Security office. We encourage you to apply for benefits right away, even if you are not sure if you are eligible. Applying now will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits. Learn more about Social Security for same-sex couples by visiting www.ssa.gov/ people/lgbtq/couples.htm.

Q: I’m 17 and eager to start my first summer job, but my mother misplaced my Social Security card. How can I get another?

A: If you know your Social Security number, you may not need to get a replacement card to obtain employment. However, if a prospective employer requests it, you can get a replacement Social Security card by following the steps below. There is no charge for a Social Security card, but you are limited to three per calendar year and 10 replacement cards during

your lifetime. Your parent can:

• Use our online “Social Security Number Card” application at www. ssa.gov//number-card/replace-card and answer a few questions to find out the best way to apply. Your parent can start the application online and complete the process in a local Social Security office or card center, usually in less time.

• Fill out and print an “Application for a Social Security Card” if they are not able to complete it online.

• Take or mail your application and original or certified documents proving your identity to your local Social Security office or card center. For more information, read our pamphlet, Your Social Security Number and Card at www.ssa.gov/pubs/ EN-05-10002.pdf.

Q: I’m reaching my full retirement age and thinking about retiring early next year. When is the best time of year to apply for Social Security benefits?

A: You can apply as early as four months before you want your monthly benefits to begin. To apply, just go to www.ssa.gov/apply. Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes. It’s so easy!

By Jim Miller

How to Hire a Caregiver for In-Home Help

Dear Savvy Senior,

I need to hire a good in-home caregiver to help my elderly father who lives alone. What’s the best way to do this?

Searching Sarah

Dear Sarah,

Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent is not always easy. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well as someone your parent likes and is comfortable with? Here are some tips that can help.

Know His Needs

Before you start the task of looking for an in-home caregiver, your first step is to determine the level of care your dad needs.

For example, if he only needs help with daily living tasks like shopping, cooking, doing laundry, bathing or dressing, a “homemaker” or “personal care aide” will do. But if he needs health care services, there are “home health aides” that may do all the things a homemaker does, plus they also have training in administering medications, changing wound dressings and other medically related duties. Home health aides often work under a nurse’s supervision.

Once you settle on a level of care, you then need to decide how many hours of assistance he’ll need. For example, does your dad need someone to come in just a few mornings a week to cook, clean, run errands or perhaps help him with a bath? Or does he need more continuous care that requires daily visits?

After you determine his needs, there are two ways in which you can go about hiring someone. Either through an agency, or you can hire someone directly on your own.

Hiring Through an Agency

Hiring a personal care or home health aide through an agency is the safest and easiest option, but it’s more expensive. Costs typically run anywhere between $20 and $30 an hour depending on where you live and the qualification of the aide.

How it works is you pay the agency, and they handle everything including an assessment of your mom’s needs, assigning appropriately trained and pre-screened staff to care for her and finding a fill-in on days her aide cannot come.

Some of the drawbacks, however, are that you may not have much input into the selection of the caregiver, and the caregivers may change or

alternate, which can cause a disruption.

To find a home care agency in your dad’s area use search engines like Google or Bing and type in “home health care” or “non-medical home care” followed by the city and state your dad lives in. You can also use Medicare’s search tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare — click on “home health services.” Most home health agencies offer some form of non-medical home care services too.

You also need to know that original Medicare does not cover in-home caregiving services unless your dad is receiving doctor-ordered skilled nursing or therapy services at home too. But if your dad is in a certain Medicare Advantage plan, or is low-income and qualifies for Med icaid, he may be eligible for some coverage.

Hiring Directly

Hiring an independent caregiver on your own is the other option, and it’s less expensive. Costs typically range between $15 and $25 per hour. Hiring directly also gives you more control over who you hire so you can choose someone who you feel is right for your dad.

But be aware that if you do hire someone on your own, you become the employer so there’s no agency support to fall back on if a problem occurs or if the aide doesn’t show up. You’re also responsible for paying payroll taxes and any worker-related injuries that may happen. If you choose this option, make sure you check the aide’s references thoroughly and do a criminal background check at companies like eNannySource.com.

To find someone use an elder-care matching service like Care. com or CareLinx.com, which both provide basic background checks.

Get the Upstate Advantage for your career. As the region’s largest employer Upstate o ers more jobs and more variety, with great bene ts. We are growing — join us.

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.

News Inc., the publisher of In Good Health and 55 PLUS, is hiring a sales person to sell

Health News

MVHS welcomes new chief operating officer

Physician William W. LeCates,

William W. LeCates has joined Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) as the chief operating officer.

LeCates began his career in healthcare more than 21 years ago and brings extensive expertise and experience to MVHS from a wide range of organizations and positions.

LeCates comes to MVHS from JPMorgan Chase where he provided clinical oversight of the healthcare operations of 22 U.S. health centers serving more than 150,000 employees.

As a physician and healthcare leader, the majority of his career has been spent in various roles with Bassett Healthcare Network and its affiliates, most recently as president and chief operating officer for Bassett Medical Center. His years spent with Bassett provide an in-depth knowledge of the region and patient population.

LeCates completed his medical education — from medical degree through internship, residency and fellowship in nephrology — at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. LeCates is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

LeCates also brings extensive military leadership experience. A colonel in the Army Medical Corps, he currently serves as the New York Army National Guard state surgeon. He is a graduate of the United States Army War College and has served overseas tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Liberia.

As COO, he will be responsible

for clinical support services, operational support services, supervising MVHS product lines and working closely with quality and medical education. LeCates will also continue a limited clinical practice in internal medicine and nephrology.

Excellus has new community investment and partnerships lead in the Utica region

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

has named Andrea MacDiarmid community investments and partnerships lead in the Utica region.

In her role MacDiarmid will work to support Utica Regional President Tony Vitagliano as Excellus BCBS continues to strengthen community relationships, reinforce its commitment to community partners and seek out new and impactful community investments.

MacDiarmid will be responsible for overseeing sponsorships, Community Health Awards and grants in the Utica region to ensure that investments align with Excellus BCBS’s mission of improving health equity by increasing access to care and services that positively impact health outcomes.

In her career, MacDiarmid has worked with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Mohawk Valley Health System and the American Heart Association where she focused on market development in the community. Most recently, she worked for AmeriCU Credit Union, where she served as the community

and public relations manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Utica College of Syracuse University. She lives in New Hartford with her husband and their two children.

Doctor joins SlocumDickson Medical Group

Slocum-Dickson Medical Group

announced that physician William Gaetano has joined its urgent care unit. He joins the group with over 10 years in emergency medicine. Gaetano delivers prompt medical care for individuals over 2 years of age with minor (non-life-threatening) acute health problems. He provides treatment for basic illnesses and conditions including cough, cold, hyperglycemia, asthma, headaches, and more.

Gaetano completed a family medicine residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. He obtained his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine along with a Master of Science in Public Health. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Siena College.

Urgent care is located on the lower level of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, located at 1729 Burrstone Road in New Hartford.

Excellus named to Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

For the fourth consecutive year, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was named to the Best Places to Work for

Disability Inclusion. Excellus BCBS received a top score of 100% on the 2024 Disability Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

The Disability Equality Index is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies with 500 or more employees build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

“We push ourselves to be better and do better, while recognizing there is always more to do. We continue to enhance inclusive and accessible experiences for our employees, members, and the communities we live in and serve. Being named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion is a testament that our efforts are having a positive impact,” said Sady Alvarado-Fischer, vice president, diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Our continued application to the Disability Equality Index enables us to learn, identify opportunities for positive change and combat stigma and biases. We are proud of this designation and the dedication, passion, and work of so many throughout our organization that it represents. Together we make a difference.”

The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of the AAPD, the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The Disability Equality Index Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates, developed the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at: DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, CDPHP Announce Planned Affiliation

Two of New York’s leading nonprofit health care companies are teaming up to improve the quality, experience, and affordability of care for residents across the state.

CDPHP and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, the parent company of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Univera Healthcare, in May announced plans to form an affiliation that will allow the health insurers to maintain their local brands and identities while gaining economies of scale through shared technologies, systems, processes, and resources as part of one corporate family.

If the affiliation is approved by state and federal regulators, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies would become the parent

company of CDPHP, Excellus BCBS and Univera Healthcare.

“As we celebrate 40 years of CDPHP delivering high-quality, affordable health care — and as I mark 16 years of leading this great organization — it gives me tremendous pride to announce our plans to partner with The Lifetime Healthcare Companies,” said CDPHP president and CEO John D. Bennett. “It was important for us to partner with a notfor-profit health plan that shares in our mission of driving better health outcomes, increasing member satisfaction, and controlling the rising cost of care in the combined communities we serve.”

CDPHP, Excellus BCBS and Univera Healthcare are nonprofit, mission-driven organizations

whose names are synonymous with quality, according to a news release. “Working together, they will combine resources, leverage best practices, and develop new and innovative ways to improve the quality, affordability, and experience of care for millions of New Yorkers. If the affiliation receives regulatory approval, each plan will remain local and highly responsive to the unique needs of their respective communities,” according to the news release.

“I’m excited to partner with CDPHP to work together on quality, affordability, and access to health care in our respective regions,” said Jim Reed, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies president and CEO. “I have a tremendous amount of respect

for the reputation CDPHP has built in the Capital Region and the work of the health plan. It just makes sense to partner with such a trusted, mission-driven notfor-profit whose culture aligns so closely to ours.”

CDPHP and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies have announced their intent to affiliate with the appropriate government agencies.

The boards of directors of CDPHP and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies unanimously approved the affiliation.

While the plans await regulatory approval, services will continue as usual for members, providers, employers, and strategic partners.

Andrea MacDiarmid

William Gaetano

Born

Activities Staycation: Where to have fun in your own backyard

Road Trip Route 5 & 20: The ultimate road trip

Sports Karyl Sargent, mom of two and grandmother of three, sets new records in kettlebell

Cover Tim Fox: Born to tell stories … created ‘Bridge Street’ on NewsChannel 9 WSYR, which is celebrating 20 years this year

Fitness Get moving, have fun — and get healthier

Pickleball The trendy sport helps keep retiree active

Advocacy Melina Carnicelli: Auburn’s first female mayor devoted to inspiring high school girls to consider careers in government Bubble Man Joy of teaching continues to bubble up for retired local educator.

Nest Egg Comfortable retirement? You’ll need $1.46 million

Social Security Glad we started collecting at 62

Second Act Retired NYS trooper happy with new career: musician

Generosity A chef and a doctor join forces to help the homeless

Those Afflicted with Charcot-MarieTooth Are Not Alone

Disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, typically in the peripheral nerves in the arms and legs

By Norah Machia

After working in the advertising field and later as a card dealer for the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, Michael Casey decided to return to college and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at the SUNY Oswego.

Although he was certified as a social studies teacher and taught in the Liverpool Central School District, Casey eventually found his calling working as a teaching assistant in the school district’s special education department for nearly 18 years.

But toward the end of his career, Casey’s life took a drastic turn. It started with an occasional fall while walking between classrooms at Liverpool High School. Eventually, Casey could not manage to travel through the hallways without struggling.

“I was actually holding onto the walls to get from classroom to classroom,” he said.

He retired earlier than planned and started seeking answers to his condition through numerous therapists and neurologists.

“It really got to the point where it was very difficult for me to get around,” Casey said. The lack of a diagnosis was also causing him to become depressed. “Nobody could offer any reason for all my problems,” he added.

A fall on the ice in 2017 would give him that answer. The accident

resulted in compressed vertebras in his neck and after having successful surgery, a neurologist diagnosed him with a neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

“It was actually good news,” said Casey. “After so many years, I finally found out what was going on with me.”

Also referred to as CMT, the name stems from the three doctors who first discovered the disorder in 1886 — Jean-Marie Charcot and Pierre Marie from France and Howard Henry Tooth from the United Kingdom. Casey has sought humor to help with his diagnosis, preferring to refer to the CMT acronym as “Can Make Trouble.”

“There are various types of CMT, which causes destruction of the nerves,” he said. “In my case, I have drop feet and balance issues. I use an ankle and foot orthotic and a walking stick. Some people must use walkers to keep moving.”

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, typically in the peripheral nerves in the arms and legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy and although it’s typically an inherited condition, it may also develop as the result of a new or spontaneous mutation.

The disease results in smaller, weaker muscles, a loss of sensation and muscle contractions and difficul-

ty walking, according to the Mayo Clinic. Foot deformities such as hammertoes and high arches also are common and while symptoms usually begin in the feet and legs, they may eventually move to the hands and arms. The severity of symptoms varies greatly for each individual.

Although the disease usually affects people in a slow progression and there is no cure, it is not a fatal disease.

Keeping a positive attitude can help to maintain a good quality of life, said Casey.

“There are different types and for some people, CMT may also affect their breathing, hearing or speech, but by itself, it’s not life-threatening,” he said. “I have to be careful, because there is always the possibility for me slipping and falling. I do have a slight shake, but it’s not Parkinsons’s disease.”

One of the best ways to deal with CMT it to “keep moving,” said Casey. After his diagnosis, he reached out to the Charcot-Tooth-Marie National Association for more information and support in starting a local chapter. At that time, Casey felt as if he was the only person with the neuromuscular condition.

“The national group has been helping me in so many ways to get the ball rolling,” he said. “We now have a CMTA branch in Central New York. We’re small in number, but we are open to all people who suffer

The local group not only offers information about CMT and the research that is being done to find a cure for the neurological disease, but it also offers emotional support to help people with CMT cope, Casey said.

“There is no negativity allowed in the group, we only talk about the good things, like the efforts being made for new medications, surgeries and eventually a cure,” he said. “We also want people to know they are not alone and that other people have this disease.”

Local CMTA Chapter Sponsors Sept. 14 “Syracuse Walk 4CMT”

The Central New York chapter of the CMTA will hold its sixth annual “Syracuse Walk 4CMT” fundraising event Sept. 14 at Willow Bay in the Onondaga Lake Park, 3832 Long Branch Road, Liverpool. The half-mile walk starts at 9 a.m., but it’s optional.

“Many people may not be able to walk, so it’s not mandatory,” Casey said. “It is mandatory to have fun. We will have breakfast goodies for those attending the event while supplies last.”

There will also be music, entertainment, raffles and a playground for “all the kids and those who never grew up,” said Casey. Each person who collects $100 will receive a “Walk4CMT” T-shirt. The funds raised will go toward finding new treatments and a cure for CMT. The local chapter is also seeking in-kind donations and raffle prizes. For more information, visit www.cmtausa.org/syracusewalk Or email Casey directly at cmtsyracuse@gmail.com with CMT.”

1. Michael Casey poses with Scooch, the Syracuse Mets mascot, at a recent recognition event.

2. Michael Casey, founder of the local CMT Association, was recently interviewed on the Bridge Street program airing on News Channel 9 in Syracuse.

3. Supporters of the local CMT Association chapter gather after a successful “Walk 4CMT” fundraiser last year.