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Above and beyond Jayson Julian of Utica escapes the grip of addiction, gives his life new meaning. Page 14
Know the drill?
AUGUST 2018 • ISSUE 150
No Stopping Father Time
Life clock inevitably winds down Page 5
Dr. Salina Suy talks about dental cavities. Page 22
Meet Your Doctor
Watchful eye U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) wants to reel in escalating drug prices. Page 24
Suicide Watch
Many suffering from depression are at risk of taking their own lives. Page 3
Bones of contention Dr. Karishma Circelli talks about the dangers associated with osteoporosis.
Page 8
Golden Years Special Edition August 2018 •
Kathleen Garbooshian has joined the family practice department of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Page 4
Cherry Tomatoes Cherry tomatoes often make superfood lists. Find out why you should eat more of them. See SmartBites, Page 12 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Nationally Recognized Stroke Care. Say “Take Me to Crouse.” As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State to have earned Comprehensive Stroke Center certification, Crouse Health is proud to provide the full range of stroke care services.
Minutes Matter Comprehensive stroke centers are the best-equipped medical centers in a geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or stroke complication. At Crouse, receiving fast stroke diagnosis and treatment starts even before patients arrive at the Emergency Room. Once on the scene, our Emergency Medical Services partners start communicating with our ER and stroke teams, providing information vital for immediate treatment. Working together, we’re consistently meeting — and exceeding — aggressive door-totreatment times that surpass the U.S. average. Crouse provides options for post-stroke rehabilitation, as well as continuing education to patients, our EMS partners and the community about the risks factors and signs of stroke.
Advanced Stroke Rescue Crouse is the only hospital in the region equipped with two hybrid operating room suites, allowing our multidisciplinary stroke team to provide the most advanced endovascular stroke rescue capabilities 24/7.
Exceeding Stroke Treatment Standards Median Time (minutes)
37
2016
38.5
2017 2018
35
YTD
Source: AHA/ASA Get With the Guidelines
If tPA is given within three hours of symptoms, the effects of stroke decrease significantly. Crouse has earned the American Heart/Stroke Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus recognition for meeting — and exceeding — AHA guidelines for giving tPA within 45 minutes.
Community Partner KNOW YOUR STROKE SIGNS
F. A. S. T.
FACE DROOPING
ARM WEAKNESS
SPEECH DIFFICULTY
TIME TO CALL 911
As a New York State-designated Primary Stroke Center since 2007, we’ve worked to raise awareness in our community about the warning signs of stroke. With our designation as a DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center and home to the region’s newest ER, Crouse Health continues to deliver superior stroke care to Central New York patients.
ST ROKE ? CAL L 911.
crouse.org/stroke
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
Life stoppers
Suicide numbers in Oneida County skewed by under-reporting
There are strategies to counter agony of depression, risk of suicide By David L. Podos
I
n its ongoing public interest series, the Utica Housing Authority recently sponsored a free workshop for the public on battling depression and suicide. Speakers in attendance were Kathy Peters, director of marketing and development for the Center for Family Life and Recovery; John Enders, licensed master social worker and private therapist, and Willijah Dawson, founder of the Bee Rose Foundation. According to Enders, there are several ways people can help themselves deal with depression. “I am a big proponent of exercise and diet. Research shows that exercise and diet help in the recovery process. Avoid eating sugar when possible, get enough protein in your diet, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Enders said. “Sleep is very important too. Try your best to stick to a regimen that is familiar, and go to bed the same time and get up the same time. Of course, seek professional help if needed and always remember, depression can be treated.” Peters encourages people to speak out. “We can’t be afraid to ask someone we know and love, ‘Are you suicidal?’ If they are, then help them connect to services. “Once that is done, follow up and see how your friend or loved one is doing. Knowing that someone cares is a tremendous asset to a person who is dealing with suicidal thoughts.” Dawson recently co-founded the Bee Rose Foundation (www.facebook.com/beerosefoundation.)
She lost her niece from suicide. In conjunction with her sister, they formed the nonprofit organization, working with people to prevent suicide. “We work primarily with young adults aged 15 to 21 years of age. One of the problems we see is that there is not enough education about suicide out there,” Dawson said. “We definitely need more education about suicide and prevention in the school system. It should be part of the curriculum.” According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there’s no single cause for suicide. In New York, on average, one person dies by suicide every five hours. It is the 12th leading cause of death in New York and second leading cause among those aged 15-34. It is the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 35-54. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance abuse problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage successfully in life.
Warning signs
Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors.
Continued on Page 23
Mohawk Valley Practitioners
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n talking to officials at both Oneida and Herkimer County departments of public health, all agree that gathering accurate data regarding suicide and or suicide attempts can be challenging due to under-reporting and the stigma society places on suicide. Christina Cain, director of the Herkimer County Department of Public Health, said due to this stigma regarding suicide, it is often difficult to gather correct data.
Her department is looking into ways to increase accuracy. The following are confirmed suicides in Oneida County from 2013 through the first three months of 2018. — 2013: 36 — 2014: 32 — 2015: 24 — 2016: 21 — 2017: 28 — January-March 2018: 9
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August 2018 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 3
Meet
Your Doctor
By Patricia J. Malin
Dr. Kathleen Garbooshian
Kathleen Garbooshian, who has practiced in Rome for the last 17 years, recently joined the family practice department of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford as a primary care provider. Her scope of practice includes women’s preventive care. She recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about her career. Q.: What prompted your interest in medicine and health care? A.: I was drawn to all of the sciences from a young age and I love to solve puzzles and problems. Medicine was always an obvious career path for me. I don’t think I ever seriously considered any other career. Q.: You are a native of Central New York. What do you like about practicing here? A.: I was born and raised in Cicero. I have been a Mohawk Valley resident since 2001. I love the seasons, the sense of community and the endless outdoor activity options. I enjoy practicing in smaller communities; the patients are friendlier and more trusting. Q.: You have an interest in women’s preventive care. Do you believe doctors have under-recognized or dismissed many of women’s ailments in the past? What is the greatest issue or health concern facing women these days? A.: Heart disease is very common in women and affects more women than breast cancer, yet a fair amount of women miss opportunities to decrease their risk of heart attacks and strokes. Present day women are commonly called upon to take on multiple responsibilities, including full-time careers, children, and home life, sometimes at the expense of their own health. I try to help women find ways to prioritize their health and incorporate healthy lifestyle choices into their busy lives. Q.: As a practitioner of family medicine, you treat patients of all ages. How does your approach to motivate them to stay healthy differ between adults and children? A.: My approach doesn’t necessarily change based on the age of the patient. For me, it’s vital to discover what is important for patients and then use that information to motivate them toward improved health. Q.: I noticed you were an athlete in high school and college. What
sport did you play? Did you consider becoming a coach or trainer before you settled on medicine? Did playing sports help you in treating young patients who are active in sports or
adults who are weekend athletes? A.: I ran cross-country and track in high school and college. I never really considered athletics as a career path; I was always focused on medicine. Being an athlete definitely gives a different perspective when treating athletes. Most athletes are fairly driven individuals; complete rest during injury is not their favored option. It is sometimes a challenge to strike a balance between safety and risk of further injury and the drive to still compete in these individuals. Some athletes are so focused on their goal that they are willing to endure great pain through an injury and won’t necessarily see the long-term risk. Injury treatment in non-athletes is generally much more straightforward — rest, then a slow return to activity.
Lifelines Age: 46 Hometown: Marcy Education: Bachelor’s degree, SUNY Binghamton; Rural Medicine Education Program, Cortland; Family practice residency, Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, Conn. During her residency, she served as residency social director and chief resident Certifications: Board-certified family physician, recertified April 2017; advanced cardiac life support, basic life support Family: Married for 18 years Hobbies: Golf, running, hiking, travel, pets
Advertise with Mohawk Valley In Good Health and improve your bottom line! Call 315.749.7070 today Page 4
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
Staffworks, Community Foundation announce record $10 million fund
S
taffworks Inc. and The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties announced recently that the Staffworks Charitable Fund has exceeded the $10 million mark. This is a milestone achieved through the generosity of Staffworks, a locally owned staffing agency with nine branch offices in Central and Southern New York. Anita A. Vitullo, founder and president of Staffworks, advises the Staffworks Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation established in 2006 by Staffworks. This marks the first Community Foundation $10 million fund with a living fund-holder. “Staffworks has made a unique investment in an important facet of our community’s quality of life, the love of animals,” said Alicia Dicks, president-CEO of The Community Foundation. “Anita’s amazing philanthropic leadership and remarkable professional achievements provide a shining example to us all — what one person can achieve and inspire within an entire community.” The Staffworks Charitable Fund focuses on supporting programs and services related to domestic animal welfare. Since 2009, nearly $1.4 million in grants has been awarded to community organizations, including more than a dozen animal welfare organizations across the region. “Profits from Staffworks are put to good work supporting a humane environment in our communities by funding organizations that care for abandoned, neglected and abused animals,” said Vitullo. “Animal shelters in every community do not receive state or federal funding and local government support is minimal, causing shelters to operate at a tremendous financial loss. If it were not for the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers and the generosity of our citizens, at-risk animals in our communities would have little hope of survival.” The Staffworks Charitable Fund has sponsored the Staffworks “Save A Life” campaign annually since 2014, matching donations made to numerous animal organizations during the holiday season. Thousands of community members have participated in the campaign over the last four years, helping to generate more than $580,000 in support for local animal organizations. “I commend the Stevens-Swan Humane Society, Herkimer County Humane Society and Humane Society of Rome, as well as the many other animal organizations supported by the Staffworks Charitable Fund,” Vitullo stated. “Animal over-population results in endless animal suffering in our own communities and causes the deaths of millions of homeless animals throughout the United States. The only hope of reducing this horror is high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter services,” he added.
Golden Years
The other side of 55 It’s inevitable: Your body breaks down slowly as aging process takes place By Barbara Pierce “On the other side of 50, There are some things you should know: The eyesight fades, the hearing fails, And when you sneeze, the bladder goes. The bathroom’s now your friend, ‘cause without a single warning, You’ve got to go again. You can’t be in a hurry; your pace is like a snail. The list of meds is getting longer Just part of getting old.” The above song, source unknown, is making the rounds on social media. And it’s right on. Swollen feet and leaky pipes, sudden shivers and sleepless nights are some of the things that stalk us if we’re lucky enough to make it to the other side of 50.
There are a number of things that just aren’t what they used to be. Here are some of the common things that might slap us in the face as we age: • Hearing loss: “The longer we live, the more likely we are to experience age-related hearing loss,” said Robert Bishton, hearing specialist at Action Ear Hearing in New Hartford. “Life is like a deck of cards — we’re all dealt a different hand. Don’t ignore diminished hearing or dismiss it as a normal part of aging. Get treated and live life to the fullest,” Bishton said. • Frequent urination: “As we age, we have more problems urinating,” said Naeem Samad, a urologist with Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. “If you’re over 50 and getting up more than once during the night to urinate, have it evaluated. It could be something that can be treated.”
An enlarged prostate is an age-related issue that many men over 50 have, usually without problems. For some, it can cause bladder problems. The enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, making urination difficult. Urinating frequently, especially at night, difficulty getting a urine stream going, or feeling as if you are unable to get all the urine out can be the result. These symptoms respond well to treatment. For women, a prolapsed uterus is common, when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments become weak and are no longer able to support the uterus. This may cause leaking and the need to urinate frequently. Treatment options include Kegel exercises, use of a pessary, medication,
or surgery if it is severe. A pessary is a prosthetic device inserted into the vagina to reduce the protrusion of pelvic structures into the vagina.
Stay regular
• Constipation-diarrhea: As we age, we tend to be more susceptible to constipation and diarrhea, in part because we may be exercising less, eating a diet with less fiber, or taking medications that could clog us up or speed things along too quickly. It is normal to have highly variable habits, but each of us tend to have a regular habit of bowel evacuation. If yours changes, first look to your medications, as this is a com-
Continued on Page 22
*MEDIUMS* *CRYSTALS* *PSYCHICS* *ASTROLOGY* *LULAROE* *PALMIST* *TAROT* *MASSAGE* *REIKI* *JEWELRY* *GIFTS* *IZUMIO* *WOOD CARVINGS* *NATURAL OILS*
Oneida, Herkimer in good
and
Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper
Madison
counties
A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($21 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2018 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com
“As health care providers we believe in a compassionate, team approach to breast care. We can help coordinate your care and clarify diagnosis and treatment options for you. As women, we appreciate the emotional impact that breast cancer has on our patients and their families. Together, we provide quality care that is truly patient focused.” – Holly Burline, RN, nurse navigator, and Chelsea Hammont, PA-C, members of the Breast Care Team.
Call 315-624-5764 or visit mvhealthsystem.org/breast-care-center to learn more about our program!
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Deb Dittner, Pauline DiGiorgio, Brooke Stacia Demott Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.
August 2018 •
Breast Care Center
Breast Care Center Faxton Campus 1676 Sunset Avenue, Utica
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Golden Years
Diabetes and the elderly Diabetics in their golden years must stay vigilant By Barbara Pierce
T
he bad news about diabetes and older folks: At least one in four of us, maybe even one in three, have diabetes. The number is expected in increase fourfold in coming years. In addition, older adults with diabetes have a substantial risk of coronary
and cardiovascular complications, kidney disease, blindness, and are more likely to end up in a nursing home. What’s the good news? An article in The New York Times online caught my attention with news about diabetes and older folks. It said if you’re over 75, you can relax your vigilance; you don’t have to control
MVIGH_Naqvi_4.7917x10.444.qxp_Layout 1 6/20/18 11:21 AM Page 1
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your diabetes as carefully because the risk of low blood sugar episodes can be more dangerous than high blood sugar. Elderly diabetics are often over-treated was the gist of the article. “For seniors with fewer years ahead, we are not looking at tight control to prevent complications that might not happen for 40 years,” it said. “What good news!” I thought as an older person with diabetes. I can quit worrying so much about what I eat. That mint chocolate chip ice cream that I so long for; that Spellicy wonderful pecan coffee cake that keeps calling to me; here I come! It’s certainly good news for those caring for an elderly person with diabetes. Diabetes is rarely the only ailment affecting older people; most must cope with several chronic conditions, along with the medications for each of these conditions, side effects and drug interactions. Keeping blood sugar at reasonable levels is complicated. “No other disease requires as much self-care,” the article adds. “That is another reason to treat diabetes differently in older people. They or their caregivers may find it increasingly difficult to manage daily monitoring, medications and dietary requirements.” Add to that the fact that dementia is twice as likely to occur in adults with diabetes, making a complex regimen nearly impossible for many. Also, cognitive impairment increases the risk of hypoglycemia. I asked my doctor for confirmation that I could relax some. “No, that’s only for people older than you,” she said. “Keep doing what you’re doing.” Not the answer I wanted. So I kept asking.
Cancer Center at oneida upstate.edu/oneida
Expertise Compassion Hope l
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Establishing guidelines
Mary Rose Spellicy, BSN, RN, patient and staff educator at Rome Memorial Hospital, said, “Overall, older adults who are functional, cognitively intact and have a good life expectancy should use the same guidelines as younger adults.” So let me make sure I understand
l
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
this. You’re saying that, though I’m older, if I don’t have dementia and I expect to live for several more years, I have to continue being careful about what I eat and watching my blood sugar? I can only stop being careful when I have dementia or am going to die soon? Yes, that’s right. The New York Times article is misleading in its optimism. (Though, in fairness, I must admit that I read what I wanted to hear.) Spellicy’s answer is based on the American Diabetic Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2017. It states glycemic goals for older adults who are not functional, not cognitively intact and do not have a life expectancy of over five years may be relaxed on an individual basis. Not a lot of research has been done on older adults with diabetes. There are “large gaps in our knowledge of how best to address diabetes in the age-group with the highest prevalence rates,” says the ADA report. Spellicy said recommended blood sugar numbers, according to the ADA, are between 70 to 130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after a meal. “An A1C test is the gold standard test for measuring glycemic control in people with diabetes,” she said. “The A1C provides an average blood glucose over the previous two to three months. The target A1C for most people is 7 percent or less. In the elderly, those who are more frail, it is less than 8 percent in some cases.” For complex patients in poor health, the goal is 8.5 percent. One thing that makes it more complicated is that it makes a difference whether you have long-standing diabetes or have older-age onset. Older-age onset diabetes is more common in non-Hispanic whites and is characterized by a lower A1C and lower likelihood of insulin use than is middle aged-onset diabetes. Research suggests patients with a shorter duration of diabetes and without atherosclerosis might reap cardiovascular benefit from intensive glycemic control, while potential risks of intensive glycemic control may outweigh its benefits in other patients, such as those with a long duration of diabetes, known history of severe hypoglycemia, advanced atherosclerosis, and advanced age-related, according to the ADA. The article sums it up: Treatment for diabetes in the elderly should be determined on a case-by-case basis. So I’ll keep on keeping on for now. I just hope that when I’m in hospice care, someone remembers how much I love mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Golden Years Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
The long and winding road There is no way to predict outcome of your journey “When you come to the edge, you must believe one of two things: Either there will be ground to stand on or you will be given wings to fly.” — O.R. Melling I nearly died when I was 55. And again when I was 60. It was definitely not what I expected. I was a lot like my grandfather who lived until he was 103; I always thought I would have a long, healthy life like his. After all, I was in good health, did aerobics regularly, ate my vegetables, never drank much or smoked or did Pierce drugs, and had no family history of heart problems. But that all ended when I woke up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and fell out of bed. Stumbled to the toilet and fell into the bathtub instead. I knew I’d had a stroke. I was 55 and had remarried just the year before. My husband and I had purchased a sailboat and were preparing to go cruising. The cardiologist said, “You cannot go off on a boat. Absolutely not.” So I did what any reasonable person would do: I found a cardiologist who supported our plans. I’d had a bad stroke, but after a few years, most of the residue was gone. I was very fortunate, and we were able to leave on our sailboat. Then suddenly, I became very short of breath. I got out of breath just rolling over in bed. A cardiologist did a series of tests, but couldn’t find anything wrong. So I learned more about congestive heart failure, which was my diagnosis, and returned to the cardiologist with an assertive stance. He did more testing. I was wheeled from his diagnostic testing table to the operating room for immediate open-heart surgery. It was another close call. The cardiologist told my husband, “Good thing I found out what was wrong with her. Her heart was ready to stop pump-
ing.” (But I sure didn’t give him any credit.) Again, I was very fortunate. I beat the odds twice. Now, many years later, I am still doing well, though dealing with ongoing health issues. But surely this wasn’t the life I planned for myself.
of the branch that leads to the blossom, the smooth dip in a rock, the forking of shoots. “As nature overflows with curves, corners, knots, and unexpected directions, so our lives are filled with unpredictable twists and turns
…
“The journey of life doesn’t necessarily bring you closer to your goals. There is no way to predict the outcome of your journey, just as there is no way to predict the way a new bud will form. Simply living is in itself the path to wisdom.” As we age, we must accept that things will change — sometimes in the blink of an eye, sometimes gradually eroding. How to continue when you meet the cruel twists and turns? I think you take one small step at a time, like the South American tribe that travels only at night. As they live in a rugged area dotted with steep cliffs, their nighttime journeys are dangerous. They carry makeshift lanterns that cast only enough light to see just one step ahead. By walking slowly, one step at a time, they keep from falling off a precipice. Aging is like that. You take one small step at a time, learning with each step, carefully moving to take the next step. You go on living, one day at a time. • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
Obstacles to overcome
When I think of friends and acquaintances my age, very few of their lives have followed the lives they had planned. Some have lost a child, which must be one the greatest tragedies, whether the loss is to death, or from drugs or mental illness. Many, perhaps nearly all, have faced health challenges of their own or those of a partner. Len’s cancer ate away part of his face. Carol, recently remarried, woke up bleeding from the rectum. Her husband couldn’t do cancer, so she’s struggling alone. Julia is totally exhausted from caring for a husband with dementia. George’s wife had a stroke and required his care for years while she lingered in a debilitated state, until she died. That’s just a few; the list is long and few are spared. This quote from DailyOM by Madisyn Taylor is relevant: “As you trek into the wilderness and look around, you’ll see that the trees, flowers, even the rocks, have a tendency to flow. There is the curve
TriValley practice joins Oneida Healthcare
T
riValley Family Practice, a privately owned primary care practice with offices in Vernon and Canastota, has joined Oneida Healthcare as an employed practice. Previously, TriValley operated independently as a member of Oneida Healthcare’s Circle of Care network. With the new arrangement, Oneida Healthcare’s practice management team, Oneida Medical Practice, will manage TriValley. As part of the agreement, Oneida Healthcare will be employing all cur-
rent and future staff at both locations. “They are a highly successful practice with an excellent reputation, and we are excited for the TriValley physicians and staff to be joining our dedicated team,” said Gene Morreale, president and CEO of Oneida Healthcare. “Our expanded partnership will provide them with the management support required in today’s health care landscape to ensure continued viability while allowing them to continue to offer convenient access to high-quality primary care.” August 2018 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Golden Years Osteoporosis: Are you are risk? Porous bones can lead to slew of debilitating problems By Rachel Evans
O
ver 53 million people have osteoporosis or are at risk of it because of low bone density. According to the National Institute of Health, osteoporosis is a disease often characterized by low-bone mass, break down of bone tissue, and increased risk for bone fractures including the hip, spine, and wrist. In a person’s lifetime, old bone is removed (resorption) and new bone is added, known as formation. During youth and teen years, formation or new bone is added faster than old bone is removed, which results in bones being larger and denser. This happens until about age 30,
HAIR ON THE GO
at which time, bone resorption begins to exceed formation. Bones generally become thinner and weaker as you get older. Osteoporosis happens when old bone (resorption) happens too fast, or when replacement with new bone (formation) happens too slowly. Osteoporosis affects both men Circelli and women. Women see most bone loss within the first several years after menopause. Karishma Circelli, a family practice specialist at the Mohawk Valley Health System, said, “Post-menopausal women, patients who have been on long-term corticosteroid medications, smokers, older adults, people who are very thin, and heavy alcohol users are at a higher risk of osteoporosis.”
daily through diet and supplement is mineral density test can be done to recommended, along with about 800 measure bone health by detecting units of vitamin D daily. bone density or bone loss, osteoporoMilk, yogurt, cheese, nuts such sis or any risks for broken bones. as almonds, and dark green leafy A central dual-energy X-ray or -Hair grow kits for salevegetables such as broccoli, collard dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Great for Elderly & Homebound greens, bok choy, and spinach are all test (similar to an X-ray) is the most Order Propo good sources of calcium. Calcium commonly done testMP for this. This ad will appear at the classification of: Haircuts-Perms-Colors-Facial Take preventive stance needs and the way our bodies absorb If osteoporosis is detected, treatPerfect Treat Anytime of the Year! calcium changes as you age, so it is ment often involves a combination When asked what preventive Rome NY important to talk with your doctor of nutrition, exercise, and possibly measures can be taken to modify medication to limit bone loss. People these factors, Circelli with inrisk Home Date explained, 05/2014 regarding individual calcium needs. Vitamin D is very important for with osteoporosis are at increased “Quitting smoking, decreasing alcocalcium absorption and bone health. risk for falls andLinjuries falls, Ad Id: AM holDate: use, and avoiding March 17,certain 2014mediAcct# A1ZGFE Sales Rep: GRIMALDI, JENNIFER Size:from HCN6 cations when possible can all help. In Egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver all so it is important to be aware of this contain healthy amounts of vitamin and other fall prevention strategies. addition, regular exercise and a diet D. Remove potential tripping hazrich in calcium along with vitamin D How does a person know if they ards and have a conversation with help to improve bone density. have osteoporosis? your doctor to discuss safe ways to Optimal intake of calcium and If you suspect that you may be exercise. Check out local fitness cenvitamin D is not well defined. Howsuffering from osteoporosis, a bone ters for exercise programs. ever, in people with osteoporosis, approximately 1,200 mg. of calcium
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
AMZHMDNLM 14-Mar-2014 07:57
First line of defense
First, you need a container, and there are many options for one. At our house, we just use a designated drawer. I like to open it so I can see all the choices of bandages, tape, scissors, etc. We don’t have small children who could get into it, which is a consideration. For those who prefer a container, consider a Tupperware container (they come in all sizes) or other hard-sided cases, even a tackle box or
plastic tool kit. Hard-sided is important if you will use it to hold glass insulin bottles or other things that could be broken. Use zip-lock bags, Altoid® tins, or mini-geocache tins to separate and organize supplies in the container. Johnson & Johnson first-aid bags are sold online and at pharmacies. A backpack or a huge purse can work almost as well. If you have a large family, con-
sider multi-drawer plastic carts on wheels. You can create a mobile first aid center that can be moved as needed, and it will hold a larger quantity of supplies. Make sure the first-aid kit can be easily opened by everyone, so in an emergency, it can be quickly opened. If you have kids, teach them how and when to use the medical supplies.
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The importance of having a first-aid kit By Barbara Pierce
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all it what you like — medical kit, first-aid kit, or survival kit. The name doesn’t matter. What matters is you have one in time of need and it’s ready at all times. It should also be easily accessible. First-aid kits are a must have for every home, ready when an accident or injury strikes. It’s important for a number of situations that don’t require a trip to the hospital or emergency room. These include ordinary accidents, minor falls, bee stings, burns, allergic reactions, and other common ailments. A well-stocked first-aid kit provides you with the supplies you need to be ready for most minor emergencies. If you’re unprepared to handle a medical emergency, things can go from bad to worse fast. A first-aid kit can help reduce the risk of infection from wounds or injuries. It can also reduce the severity of the injury, and you may even save someone’s life. If you have kids, you know how often they have minor accidents. You can count on kids getting hurt. Cuts, scrapes and burns are common injuries to expect, so prepare a first aid kit with the appropriate supplies. If you live alone, it’s even more essential. There’s no one but yourself to rely on, and you may not feel up to running out to the pharmacy when you’re injured or ill. So be prepared with all you might need. Definitely, first-aid kits are necessary for every household, no matter the age of who lives in the home. Injuries can happen anytime and anywhere. When you have a first-aid kit within easy access of wherever you are, you will ensure the safety of everyone. You can’t always keep your family from getting hurt, but you can protect them by having a first-aid kit. Ready-made kits are available for purchase at most pharmacies or online. Should you purchase a readymade kit? “I suggest you just get the supplies and put together your own,” recommends Ashley Seakan, a pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy in Waterville. The ready-made kits may not come with what you and your family need. “No store-bought kit will be as good as your own,” is what many people state online.
Customize your kit
It’s easy to assemble your own and personalize it to your family’s needs. It can be as simple as placing some basic items in a container or drawer. It can be large, containing every possible thing you might need, or small, with just basics. Consider what you need for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
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Meet Our New Physicians!
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.
Mondays
Food Addicts in Recovery to meet Food Addicts in Recovery holds anonymous meetings from 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. For more information, call Helen at 315-794-2314.
Tuesdays
Insight House offers family support group Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering family support group meetings from 6:157:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30-4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
Thursdays
Root Farm offers fresh local produce Are you interested in savoring healthy, farm fresh produce each week this summer? The Root Farm is in its second year of offering its community supported agriculture opportunity, enabling participants to enjoy 15 weeks of locally grown vegetables and flowers. Full shares cost $450 each and can be picked up at the Root Farm, 2680 King Road, Sauquoit, from 3-6:30 p.m. every Thursday. Half-shares are also available for $300. “This is a wonderful way to support The Root Farm and the services it provides to so many children and adults from our community, while also enjoying a wide variety of fresh, local produce,” said a Root Farm spokesperson. For more information or to sign up, email info@rootfarm.org or call 315-520-7046. The Root Farm, a nonprofit organization, has expanded to a new location on over 100 acres in Sauquoit. The Root Farm is focused on learning and healing for people of all ages and abilities through the power of equine, agricultural and recreational experiences.
Thursdays
Loved one on drugs? There is support CNY Services Milestones is featuring a support group for anyone dealing with another person’s drug Page 10
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
and/or alcohol addiction. The support group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at 502 Court St., Suite 210, Utica. The support group is free and open to those struggling with a child, partner, wife, husband, mother, father or friend who is battling addiction. For more information, call Tony at 315-717-9153.
Aug. 2
Parents bond to battle addiction A support group — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Canajoharie Fire House, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie. The next meetings are Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. The support group is for parents with a son or daughter who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. PAL is a nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of parents. For more information, visit www. palgroup.org or call PAL at 480-3004712.
Aug. 8
Baby Care Basics helps parents prepare Parents-to-be can learn about childbirth, newborns and other related topics by attending the upcoming Baby Care Basics program from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 8 at Rome Memorial Hospital’s classroom. Sandy Graichen, a maternity nurse at the hospital, will teach the free educational program. She has experience teaching childbirth classes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and has children of her own. No advance registration is required and refreshments will be served. There will be signs providing directions to the classroom. For more information, call 315338-7143.
Aug. 9
Laryngectomy support group to meet The Laryngectomy Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at noon Aug. 9 in the Sister Regina Conference Room on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center hospital building, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. The support group is sponsored by SEMC. Laryngectomy support group meetings are held at noon on the second Thursday of each month. A laryngectomy is the procedure to remove a person’s larynx and
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Diet & Nutrition North Country Eat Smart NY program Sara Meays, program manager for the North Country Eat Smart New York program, talks about the benefits of the nutrition education initiative that they don’t think they will like the item we have for testing. For example, a student recently told an educator who was sampling a spinach pesto that they wouldn’t like it because they don’t like spinach. After a bit of coaxing, the child excitedly told her, “I do like this! I should try new foods more often!” Other participants often tell us that they find it helpful to learn easy and inexpensive ways to eat healthier and be more active.
By Rachel Evans Q.: Tell us a little about you, your position and title, and why you became interested in this field. A.: I am the program manager for the North Country Eat Smart New York program. The North Country region serves 10 counties in northern New York including Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Hamilton and Essex counties. I became interested in this program because of the educational aspect of it. As a former teacher, I have always believed that providing people with knowledge can be life changing. Giving individuals the information and knowledge they need to make their lifestyle healthier is no different. Q.: What is the Eat Smart New York program and how does it benefit people? A.: Eat Smart New York is a federally funded, free nutrition education program for children and adults. ESNY provides nutrition education information and materials, and sponsors education events and classes in our local communities for children, adults, and seniors on a variety of nutrition topics. These include healthy eating on a budget, smart shopping for vegetables and fruit, healthy meal planning, basic cooking and food safety skills, weight control and physical activity. Q.: What would you say is the biggest focus of the Eat Smart New York program? A.: ESNY has three main goals: eat more fruits and vegetables; drink less sugar-sweetened beverages; and exercise more and balance calories eaten as part of a healthy lifestyle. Q.: I’ve heard that program staff conducts grocery store tours? Can you tell me a little more about that? A.: Grocery store tours, during which educators toured grocery stores and provided participants with a $10 store gift card, were funded from a small grant, which has expired. The only county in our region conducting store tours in this way is Clinton County. However, we do continue to provide nutrition education in grocery stores. When possible, our educators enjoy reaching our participants in grocery stores. Grocery store events are a fantastic way to reach individuals who qualify for — but don’t know about — our program. Programming in grocery stores allows individuals to meet informally with program educators, have the
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Sara Meays opportunity to try new foods, and immediately find those ingredients in the store. In Oneida County, we regularly schedule events at Your Bargain Grocer on Columbia Street in Utica. For more information about any of our programs, visit northcountryeatsmartny.org or call 1-844-3MYESNY.
Q.: What has been the most significant accomplishment of the Eat Smart New York Program over the past few years? A.: Our ESNY program region is made up of 10 widespread, rural counties in northern New York, so reaching all of the individuals who qualify for our program can be difficult. To combat that problem, we recently launched a “mobile lesson” program. This program gives individuals the opportunity to watch short nutrition lessons via DVD or online at our website, northcountryeatsmartny.org. The videos offer practical tips on eating better on a
budget, limiting sugary drinks, and becoming more physically active. These video lessons have helped us share important health information with those individuals who for whatever reason can’t access our in-person lessons.
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Q.: Can you talk a little bit about who qualifies for the program, and what they might do if they were interested in the program? A.: Individuals who qualify for or receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are able to participate in ESNY. For information on ESNY programming, or to explore the resources we offer, visit northcountryeatsmartny.org, or check out our Facebook page at North Country Eat Smart NY. However, we do not qualify people for SNAP benefits. Anyone can find out if they qualify for SNAP by visiting https://mybenefits. ny.gov/mybenefits/begin or calling their county’s Department of Social Services office. Q.: What would you say is the most beneficial part of the Eat Smart New York program? A.: To me, one of the most beneficial parts of ESNY is that we provide very useful, practical information to our participants. We like to remind our participants that making small changes to their lifestyle can add up to a big difference to their overall health. Q.: Are you able to share some things that participants of the program have said about the value of Eat Smart New York? A.: We often offer a food demo or food tasting at many of our events. Often, participants state beforehand August 2018 •
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Diet & Nutrition SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
Why cherry tomatoes are so good for you
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herry tomatoes, like all tomatoes, often make superfood lists, a designation that cheers my heart, my eyes, my skin and my constant worry about cancer. Since my husband and I eat a lot of cherry tomatoes, it’s great to know that this portable superfood can do more than just help us meet our nutritional needs — it can also help us achieve better health, prevent chronic disease, keep aging at bay and improve the way we feel. Cherry tomatoes are antioxidant superstars, boasting impressive amounts of the particular vitamins (A and C) and phytochemicals (lycopene) that protect us from cancer and other debilitating diseases by preventing the growth of harmful free radicals. Although free radicals are produced naturally in the body, lifestyle factors — such as exposure to pesticides, smoking, alcohol and fried foods — can accelerate their production. Many experts agree that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegeta-
bles can make a healthy difference. These little globes of goodness are also a decent source of potassium, providing nearly as much potassium as a medium banana. Eating more potassium-rich foods lowers blood pressure, decreases the risk of stroke, reduces the formation of kidney stones, and supports bone and muscle strength. What’s more, cherry tomatoes are really good for eyes, thanks to their unique mix of nutrients — from vitamin A that retinas depend on to function to the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin that protect eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. One study showed that people who ate foods rich in zeaxanthin may be half as likely to get cataracts, while another study showed that increased consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin may slow the progression of macular degeneration. Remarkably low in calories for such a nutrient-dense food, waistline-friendly cherry tomatoes are also low in sodium, fat and cholesterol.
Helpful tips Choose cherry tomatoes with firm, bright skins and a fresh tomato-y scent. Store them at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for best flavor and to avoid the mealy texture that can result from refrigeration. If, however, your tomatoes are ripe and you won’t be eating them in the next few days, you might want to store in the refrigerator to keep them from spoiling quickly. Before eating refrigerated tomatoes, put them out at room temperature for at least an hour.
Cherry Tomato and Avocado Salad 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 2 avocados, diced 1 medium carrot, shredded ½ red onion, diced (optional) 1 jalapeno pepper, minced (optional) 1 lime, juiced 1 clove garlic, minced 1½ tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 2-3 tablespoons minced fresh basil or cilantro ½ cup chopped, toasted walnuts Place tomatoes, avocados, carrot, onion, and jalapeno into a medium salad bowl.
Unlock mystery of Reiki Hands-on healing technique frees up energy channels By Barbara Pierce
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You don’t look so good,” Karen said to me on that night that was to have a profound effect on the course of my life. Karen, her acquaintances and I offered an evening of healing monthly at a community center, giving massage therapy, tarot card readings, reiki (pronounced “ray key”), and crystal readings. As a retired psychotherapist, Scalise I offered to talk out problems with anyone. Karen’s intuition that night was right on. I was going through a tough time in my life; I was exhausted, worn out and stressed out. I knew things had to change, but I didn’t know how. My emotional energy was depleted. “You need me to do a session with you,” was her solution. She did reiki; I didn’t have a clue what that Page 12
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was, except that she always had a long line of people waiting for her. “Oh, but I don’t like massages,” I said, thinking it was a form of massage therapy. “It’s not at all like a massage,” she said. “I’ll hardly be touching you at all. Come on, hop on my table. It’s just what you need.” I did as she suggested. But I was totally skeptical; I was sure it would be a waste of time. “I’m going to start by doing a survey of your body, then I’ll concentrate on the places where your energy is blocked,” she explained. Didn’t make a bit of sense to me. I laid face down on the table, tense, apprehensive, expecting nothing and thinking, “I don’t want to be here. Why did I let her talk me into this?” The next hour passed quickly. She waved her hands over me, up and down the whole length of my body, with a very light touch, then focused on my feet, waving her hands. With the soft music, dim lighting, and the gentle movement of her hands, I gradually relaxed. I zoned out; I was aware of what was going on in the room, but yet I not a part of it. It was like I was floating.
As I got off her table, I felt different — recharged, energized. What I needed to do about the issue that I’d been struggling with became clear to me within the next few days. And I took action. Reiki was a life-changing experience for me. But why and what it was all about still remained a mystery to me. So I spoke with Christina Scalise, certified reiki master and teacher and owner of Light Source Within in Utica. “Yes, most people don’t understand what reiki is,” Scalise said. “There are a lot of misconceptions. It has nothing to do with religion; it’s an energy healing. It clears the blocks to energy.”
Universal life force energy
Reiki is a combination of two Japanese words, rei and ki, meaning universal life force energy, she explained. It’s an ancient hands-on healing technique. The practitioner channels the flow of universal life energy into her client’s body through the palms of his or her hands. “Reiki works because it removes the energy blocks you’ve built up over the years. Once those blocks
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
In a small bowl, whisk lime juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper until blended; stir in herbs. Pour over tomato mixture and gently toss. Top with toasted walnuts and serve immediately.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
have been removed, your mind, body and spirit will feel the difference, usually right away. For others it may take longer before they notice the full effects,” she said. “Most people don’t notice how weighed down they actually are by all those energy blocks until they have them removed with reiki,” she said. “My clients often say they feel like they’ve just had weights lifted off of their shoulders or legs; or that their stomach or chest suddenly feels lighter and they can breathe better.” “Even emotional burdens can come pouring out during a session,” she said. “I have tissues on hand as many clients suddenly start crying as their emotions are released. No matter what is released during a session (physical, emotional or spiritual blocks), it’s always beneficial for the person being worked on and they usually come away from the session feeling much better than when they came in.” I asked whether could it be a placebo effect — something positive happens because you really want it to happen. (Though it did work for me and I was certain nothing would happen.) “I’ve worked on quite a few skeptics over the years, and believe it or not, I was very skeptical before I started this journey myself,” she said. “But, as you well know, one session or experience can change your entire belief system and the way you think about reiki or any other form of energy healing.”
Alternative Medicine The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
Integrative medicine Find a balance between traditional, holistic medicine for well-rounded approach “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
I
— Jim Rohn
ntegrative health care exercises the use of leading therapeutic choices from traditional Western medicine as well as holistic processes, also called complementary and alternative therapies. The integrative approach is patient-centered and focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. It takes into account the whole person, looking at all lifestyle views, while creating a healthy relationship between practitioner and Dittner patient. Integrative medicine/health care places the patient at the center of care. It looks at and speaks to a wide range of needs from physical, mental, emotional, environmental, spiritual, social, and behavioral systems then applies all the appropriate therapies for the healing process to take place. To use whole nutrient-dense foods,
physical movement, herbs and supplementation, acupuncture, meditation, and lifestyle changes is an approach I feel very passionate about and support. I do agree though that there is a time and place where Western medicine is necessary despite all good intentions. It is important that you take an active part in your health, not just when you may become ill, but from the get-go. Take a look at your lifestyle. Are you eating whole nutrient-dense foods consisting of vegetables and fruits while decreasing highly inflammatory foods from dairy, meat and processed foods? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising? Are you taking time for just you? Are you looking toward the medicinal plant world to assist with certain symptoms such as turmeric with black pepper for inflammation? Are you drinking enough pure filtered water?
Delve even deeper
Sometimes though, when you have taken all the steps toward better health through lifestyle changes, your body may still not feel at its tip-top. This is the time to seek additional support from your integrative
health care team who may be able to delve deeper into your symptoms, lifestyle, and find a way to bring balance to your body once again. This team approach from primary provider, nurses, health coaches, physical therapists, psychologists, and more marry integrative health care with conventional medicine and provides patients with the best of both worlds. You need to value your life and health while investing in your overall well-being by controlling levels of stress, maintaining a healthy weight, prioritizing sleep, and eating a more plant-based diet. Some say it costs too much to eat well or join a gym but there are ways to eat on a budget and increase your physical movement without a gym membership. A good night’s sleep is a natural detox and anti-aging strategy. Pure filtered water flushes toxins from the body. By taking care of yourself, you will actually be saving money in the long run. Currently, most health insurance
plans do not cover integrative health care, sadly making it cost prohibitive for some. But by doing your research, you will find there are many modalities that will use a sliding scale and provide certain services at a reduced rate. Prevention of disease is the first line of defense, but this is not always possible. Listen to your body. Know when it is out of balance. Do not ignore the symptoms your body may send to you. You more than anyone know better when your body is out of balance. By incorporating integrative medicine into your health care regime, you will help your mind, body and spirit in the best ways possible. • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner. com or contact her at 518-596-8565.
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By Jim Miller
Simple gadgets that help older drivers Vehicle adaptations elderly friendly Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any specific auto gadgets you can recommend that can help senior drivers? Both of my parents are in their 80s and still pretty good drivers, but due to arthritis and age they’re very stiff, which causes them some driving problems.
- Researching Daughter
Dear Researching, To help keep senior drivers safe and prolong their driving years, there’s a plethora of inexpensive, aftermarket vehicle adaptations you can purchase that can easily be added to your parent’s vehicles to help with many different needs. Here are some good options. Entry and exit aids To help arthritic/mobility challenged seniors with getting into and out of their vehicle, there are a variety of portable support handles you can buy, like the “Emson Car Cane Portable Handle” ($12), which inserts into the U-shaped striker plate on the doorframe. And the “Standers CarCaddie” ($13) nylon support handle that hooks around the top of the door window frame. Another useful product is the “DMI Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion” ($22), which is a round portable cushion that turns 360 degrees to help drivers and passengers rotate their body into and out of their vehicle. Enhanced rear vision To help seniors with limited upper body range of motion, which makes looking over their shoulder to back-up or merge into traffic difficult, there are special mirrors you can add as well as back-up cameras. For starters, to widen rear visibility, eliminate blind spots and even help with parallel parking, get an oversized rear view mirror like the “Allview Rearview Mirror” ($50) that clips on to the existing mirror. You should also purchase some “Ampper Blind Spot Mirrors” ($7.50), which are 2-inch adjustable convex mirrors that stick to the corner of the side view mirrors. Another helpful device is the “Auto-vox M1W Wireless Backup Camera Kit” ($110). This comes with Page 14
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a night vision camera that attaches to the rear license plate, and a small monitor that mounts to the dash or windshield. When the vehicle is in reverse, it sends live images wirelessly to the monitor so you can see what’s behind you. Seat belt extenders To make buckling up a little easier, there are a variety of seat belt extension products offered by Seat Belt Extender Pros like the “Seat Belt Grabber Handle” ($8), which is a rubber extension handle that attaches to the seat belt strap to make it easier to reach. And the “7-inch Rigid Seat Belt Extender” ($20) that fits into the seat belt buckle receiver to add a few inches of length, making them easier to fasten. Gripping devices If your parents have hand arthritis that makes gripping the steering wheel, turning the ignition key or twisting open the gas cap difficult or painful, consider these products. The “SEG Direct Steering Wheel Cover” ($15) that fits over the steering wheel to make it larger and easier to grip. The “Ableware Hole-In-One Key Holder” ($9), which is a small plastic handle that attaches to the car key to provide additional leverage to turn the key in the ignition or door. And for help at the pump, the “Gas Cap & Oil Cap Opener by Gascapoff” ($12) is a long handled device that works like a wrench to loosen and tighten the gas cap. All of these products can be found online at Amazon.com. Just type the product name in the search bar to find them. Safety and security To help ensure your parents safety, and provide you and them peace of mind, they should also consider an in-car medical alert system like “splitsecnd.” Offered through Bay Alarm Medical (BayAlarmMedical. com, $30/month), his small device plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter to provide 24/7 roadside and emergency assistance at the push of a button, automatic crash detection and response, and GPS vehicle location and monitoring capabilities. 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.
Decked out in his graduation garb, Mohawk Valley Community College student Jayson Julian spends a special moment with his mother, Karen.
Grip of Addiction Utica man proves it’s possible to escape grasp of dependence on drugs By Kristen Raab
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ddiction, while devastating, doesn’t have to be the end of a person’s story. Jayson Julian of Utica is the embodiment of following through on his goals to live a better, more purposeful life. Julian has found a passion for helping others while improving himself. Julian first used marijuana at age 15. He moved out of the home he shared with his mother and two brothers to live with his father. “I think I started using because I tried to fit in,” he said. He acknowledges that he was angry and didn’t respect authority. Drugs were a way to self-medicate against these feelings. Not everyone who tries marijuana or any drug will become addicted. Julian began using cocaine as well as ecstasy and Vicodin. As Julian says, some individuals may seek out harder, more addictive drugs over time, but he doesn’t believe this is the case for every person that tries marijuana. “I feel the problem may be a poor mental health system that we have in this country,” he said. When individuals are struggling with mental health issues, numbing themselves with drugs may seem like the only choice. The desire to be a role model for his daughter was what prompted Julian to seek treatment and get sober at age 32. “I got in trouble for the last time, and I was sick of being a poor father figure,” he said. Julian said he no longer wanted to be labeled a drug addict and “felt I could do better on this earth as a human being.” Julian had attempted sobriety prior to being successful, but did not remain sober.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
He shares that because he also sold drugs in the past, and they were easily accessible. “Being on a self-destructive path, you don’t care,” he said. Julian spent eight months in jail for selling drugs, and said the subsequent eight years he spent on parole also helped him build accountability. Addiction treatment is not easy, and it is only part of the process. Julian went to treatment, but he also had to cut ties and relationships with lifelong friends. He also concedes wavering a bit and found that making sure to note why it happened helped prevent future mistakes. Throughout this time, Julian’s family was incredibly supportive. “I couldn’t fathom the idea of disappointing my family,” he said. For the first time, he also felt the satisfaction of accomplishing positive goals that boosted his confidence. Upon release from prison, Julian needed a job. With only a general equivalency diploma, he decided to get his construction certificate, but he hated going to work. Sadly, Julian has lost friends to opiate use, so he felt compelled to be a drug counselor. He enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College. Julian was nervous, but trained his eyes on success. “I really never accomplished positive goals so I decided I needed to face my fears,” he said. Because of his personal experiences, Julian said he can make a difference in the chemical dependency field. “I accomplished graduating with two associate degrees — human services and chemical dependency
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Spiritual Health Milk & Honey
By Brooke Stacia Demott
Try a little tenderness Fruit of the spirit is kindness “We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll “Kindness” isn’t a word I’d use to describe the spirit of the 21st century. To be fair, in my hometown of Oswego, people do still occasionally hold a door open for a woman. But as the generation of chivalry fades into memory, a harsh and aggressive posterity has crafted a far less polite world. Congeniality, it seems, is outdated. Irritated diners Demott demand their right to a flawless meal from weary, underpaid servers. (“After all, I deserve it!”) I’ve heard countless stories from consumers demanding discounts for everything from razors to international flights, just because they can. We hunt down and verbally mutilate anyone with opposing views on social media, and trample each other to death Black Friday shopping at Walmart. Last week, the cover page of a prominent New York publication showcased a picture of an unpopular national figure, ostentatiously declaring him, “The Worst Person Who Ever Lived.” While kindness may be difficult to define, its absence is easily recognized. Webster’s defines kindness as “sympathetic and helpful.” I like the Greek translation better — “honorable, gentle, displaying tender concern.” One of my favorite working defi-
nitions of kindness is to simply give someone what they need. This is no small task; it requires you to read a person, immerse yourself in their state, and empathize with great “tender concern” that drives an “honorable, gentle” response. Kindness is not an act; it’s an art. Like all other virtuous qualities, kindness tells us something of the character of God. But we’ll get to that in a minute. Mostly, we equate kindness with “niceness,” and likewise the opposite would be “meanness.” But it goes far deeper than that. Kindness is an attitude of loving interest that precedes an act of generosity. So, what does it really mean to be unkind? It is unkind to: — Withhold a need: Jesus said, even when your enemy is thirsty, you ought to give him a drink. If you can fill a need — for anyone — you
should. Pay attention; needs aren’t always material. — Give what isn’t needed: If your kid asks you for dinner, would you give him a rock? (Insert joke about how your kid deserves rocks for dinner). Jesus asked that question as well, and the answer is no. Kindness provides what is needed, not some lame substitute or half-hearted excuse.
Don’t simply enable
— Give help, when “help” isn’t helpful: That’s called enabling and requires wisdom to navigate. A person in crisis might need help immediately, but a person in constant crisis may just want their responsibilities attended for them, with minimal effort on their part. Be wise; sometimes it’s easier to “help” than to call a person to task. Kindness provides what is truly needed. — Give false hope: If someone
LFH surgery nurse receives certification
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arol Woodrick, a surgical nurse at Little Falls Hospital, a part of the Bassett Healthcare Network, has recently earned the credential of CNOR after successfully completing the national exam developed and administered by the Competency and Credentialing Institute. “Carol has proven her value Woodrick to the perioperative area throughout her years of service. She now has completed the certification that
demonstrates her expertise in her special field,” said Nicole Eckler, manager of perioperative services. “Patient care is very important here at Little Falls Hospital, and I feel that through becoming a certified nurse in the operating room, it has allowed me to be a better patient advocate,” Woodrick said. “This certification has provided me with a better understanding of the standards of care for operating room patients.” Woodrick received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hartwick College. She has worked at LFH for 30 years and has worked 26 years within the perioperative service department.
is dying, it isn’t kind to ignore it or entertain blind optimism. Sometimes, people die. And dying people are scared, sad, and in need of a different kind of hope; hope for an eternity reconciled with God. They need a friend who cares more about their soul than avoiding a painful topic. — Give with ulterior motives: Accolades, praise, favors — any kind of giving that requires recognition isn’t kind; it’s selfish and easily spotted. Whether your giving is prompted by guilt, religious duty, or an interest in looking like a hero, you aren’t doing it right. One time, we were in a grocery store and an elderly lady in the next lane was struggling to unload her cart. My 8-year-old son noticed, mentioned it, and four of my kids went to her lane and took care of her. Why? I didn’t make them, and they definitely aren’t perfect. What motivated them? Where does kindness come from? “Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father.” (James 1:17) My kids were moved by the spirit of God to demonstrate kindness. Kindness is a gift; and God’s gifts always have a purpose. What is kindness for? “Don’t you know? The kindness of God is intended to lead you to repentance and into His kingdom!” (Romans 2:4) Kindness is a gateway to Christ. God’s spirit leads us to be kind, and kindness leads others to God. Our lesser needs for healing, friendship and provision are echoes of our greatest and deepest need — to be freed from sin and reconciled to God. Our deepest needs — for meaning, for rest — often seem destined to remain unfulfilled. Sin distorts our vision so bad, we are blind to the reality of our condition. Thankfully, Christ gives sight to the blind. All the good that we can do here is a shadow of a greater good that God has done for us. God is kind; out of tender concern, He has given us everything we need in Jesus. • Brooke Stacia Demott is a columnist with In Good Health newspaper. Got a question for Demott? Feel free to email her at brooketo@aol.com.
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1-800-530-2741
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Holistic approach
Number of medical students pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree has increased by 85 percent in past decade By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ou may have noticed “DO” after a physician’s name. It means doctor of osteopathy. While medical doctors — MDs — comprise the majority of physicians, the number of osteopathic medical students has increased by 85 percent in the past decade, according to the American Osteopathic Association. As of 2017, the number of DOs and osteopathic medical students in the United States was 137,099. Medical doctors practice allopathic medicine. Their training focuses on disease diagnosis and treatment based upon tests and symptoms. Osteopathic doctors take a different approach. Richard Chmielewski, who holds a Doctor of Osteopathy degree, is the founder and medical director at The Falcon Clinic for Health Wellness and Recovery in New Hartford. He said the emphasis on whole body health represents the biggest difference in osteopathic medicine. DOs treat the entire person, not a set of symptoms. “People understand that traditional model, which is basically the MD/allopathic approach, is disease-oriented,” Chmielewski said. “Specifically, diagnosis is aimed toward specific treatment for a specific disease. It’s very much evidence-based and pharmacological
and surgery-oriented. “The DO approach embraces all that and we’re licensed just as MDs. The approach has always been to optimize the patient’s ability to improve their life both mentally and physically and to optimize the whole healing process.” Though most DOs receive training in primary care, they can specialize in numerous other areas. Chmielewski said demand for
osteopathic doctors is growing. With the expense and side effects of prescription medication and surgery, more patients don’t want to take these routes if they don’t have to. That’s why Chmielewski started the Falcon Clinic. “Seeing the necessary but episodic care, I figured there must be a way to give them better, more comprehensive care,” Chmielewski said. “I opened the Falcon Clinic in 2004. The purpose of that clinic was to provide general medical care but to incorporate osteopathic medicine to offer a more comprehensive style for acute problems.” The rise in interest in osteopathic medicine has led to more schools teaching osteopathic medicine. Thirty-one states have osteopathic medical schools. “There’s been a buzz for a long time,” said Barbara Greenwald, executive director of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society in New York City. Greenwald said the growth in osteopathy has to do with responding to the physician shortage, which is exacerbated by the number of experienced physicians retiring, growing number of baby boomers needing more medical care and the larger number of people receiving care because of the Affordable Care Act. The need is especially dire in
Joint Effort
Movement to legalize marijuana use in state gains traction By Rachel Evans
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ecreational marijuana use could eventually be legalized in New York state. The New York State Health Department has recently been studying marijuana for recreational use. This could indicate the direction that New York state is heading. In July 2014, the Compassionate Care Act was enacted that allowed for legalization of medical marijuana program in New York state. As preparation for this potential change, Cort Ben Cort, a nationally known public speaker from Colorado, recently provided a workshop to local health and human service professionals in the Utica area. Cort spoke about his book, “Weed, Inc.,” and the potential effects of marijuana on physical and mental health, and social trends that his home state of Colorado experienced when the drug became legalized for recreational use. Cort referenced how the nature of today’s marijuana plant is much Page 16
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different than it was in the 60s and 70s. As quoted from his book: “You’d have to smoke about 15 joints in 1970 to get the same high as just one joint in 2017.” It is much more potent than years ago. This is important to keep in mind when talking about prevention and wellness. Cort noted, “This is the birth of a new industry that had not existed prior. There is much more interest on profit than there is on public health and wellness.” When Colorado went from medical marijuana to recreational use, Cort said they saw increases in cannabis-induced psychosis, cyclic vomiting, and fatalities involving people under the influence of medical marijuana. Cort asserted that medical marijuana, on the other hand, has some profound benefits including serving as an antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, and to help with side effects of cancer treatment, among other things. Currently, medical marijuana use is legal in New York state, but only in approved forms such as liquids and oils for vaporization via an inhaler, or pills taken orally. Smoking and edibles are not allowed. A registered provider can certify patients to obtain medical marijuana only if they have certain illnesses,
such as HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Research has found medical marijuana to be helpful for treating inflammation, pain, seizures, and a variety of other ailments. Cassandra Sheets, CEO of Center for Family Life and Recovery, weighed in on the topic. “We have the benefits of lessons learned from the nine states that have gone before us, the places where recreational use is legal — Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. We should take our time, study the impact, understand the implications and be deliberately strategic in our approach,” she said. “While the direct economic impact in the short term is appealing, we absolutely need to keep a watchful eye on how the long-term impact plays out — economic and otherwise — for those who have chosen to pioneer legislation.” Locally, The CFLR is the area’s leading resource provider in prevention, mental health, and behavioral health services, as well as community and family recovery programs. Much of the work that CFLR does focuses on preventing substance use and supporting long-term recovery for individuals with substance-use disorders.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
small communities. “People want to stay in big cities,” Greenwald said. “Osteopathic medicine doctors, because they were discriminated against and kept from having medical privileges in large hospitals, began practicing in rural areas. They kept building on this and a lot of the facilities they start are in underserved areas.” Most allopathic medical schools operate out of big city hospitals, but “osteopathic medicine began carrying a torch for opening medical schools in under-served areas,” Greenwald said. Osteopathic schools aren’t usually connected to a hospital, so it’s more economical and easier to found an osteopathic school. Osteopathic doctors are meeting the need for more primary care physicians. Since specialties can mean higher reimbursement and regular hours, fewer MDs are pursuing primary care. “Osteopathic medicine produces more primary care and family care doctors,” Greenwald said. Greenwald said DOs receive the same training and practice as MDs with four years of medical school and three to four years of residency; however, it’s the philosophy of care and training in additional ways of providing care that make the difference.
UCP recognizes new leadership program grads
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pstate Cerebral Palsy recently congratulated its 2018 Professional Development Institute Foundations for Leadership Program graduates. The program focused on the qualities, characteristics, and core skills needed to create a strong foundation to become an effective leader. Graduates included Alexa Aiello, Stephanie Clark, Ashlee Copeland, Ashley Craver, James Cummings, Kayla DeCarr, Michael Ellis, Sara Fairbairn, Laurel Ferson, Haley Geglia, Michelle Green, Maria Isgro, Alycia Johnson, Danielle Kall, Bernadette Moore, Germaine Robinson, Amy Stanford, Jennifer Stiffler, Jessica Trifiletti, Jennifer Tyrie and Christine Zogby. The program was created more than 10 years ago to empower staff at all levels and in all positions of the agency. The premise of the program was, and still is, rooted in the belief that every person has the capability to be a leader in his or her role. Instruction is based on developing each employee’s potential and in creating a sense of ownership and responsibility that guides employees each day. According to Geno DeCondo, UCP executive director, “Understanding the essence of effective leadership assists people with creating a strong base for a successful team.”
Pauline’s Pieces
Kickin’ it without caffeine Covering some of the top alternatives to coffee
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could live in a coffee shop. I’m actually sitting at a coffee shop this very moment writing this piece. It’s a decaf steamed almond milk latte, and never did I see the day that order would be coming out of my mouth. I love the smell of coffee, the mug it’s served in, and the opportunity for quality conversation or a place for solitude the environment it creates. But I realized I was becoming slowly but surely dependent on this popular beverage. I was making excuses to consume a cup at any point of the day. I then noticed that I was using coffee as a crutch. I was not making the right food choices and eating foods without nutrients, which resulted in my ability to store energy to drop. I was turning to coffee to turn off my hunger cues and provide fake pep in my step. I certainly did not enjoy the irritability it was causing or the anxiety. Dehydration was also an issue along with headaches if I didn’t get the java fix. What the heck, this is a drink that is now running my life. But thankfully, I had been mindfully aware of these shifts, so I decided to make a change. Here’s what helped me and will hopefully help you: • Mushroom coffee: Now hear me out before you think I’ve lost my mind and gone to hippy-dippy heaven. I was introduced to mushroom coffee from a friend who lives in California (figures!) The energizing effects of the mushroom coffee are stabilized with powerful ingredients such as lion’s mane that helps to support daily immune functions. The first time I tried it, I felt instantly “tapped in,” very hyper-focused with a sense of pure zen.
Seakan and others recommend you include the following as basics in your first-aid kit: (See www.RedCross.org for a detailed list.) — Adhesive bandages of assorted sizes — Absorbent compress dressings — Antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes — Ibuprofen — Acetaminophen — A cold compress — Hydrocortisone ointment — Scissors and tweezers — Sterile gauze pads — Oral thermometer
Security Office
From the Social Security District Office
Working while disabled: Social Security can help
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Pauline DiGiorgio The biggest plus was that it resembles coffee; the dark, hot beverage could very well confuse even the most avid coffee drinker. Give it a try. I love the brand Four Sigmatic®, which can be found on Amazon. • Matcha Tea: This is a lovely beverage that carries antioxidants and boosts metabolism, burning calories while giving you the effects of coffee. Matcha is also rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins. My preferred way to have it is whipped into steamed almond or cashew milk. • Kombucha: This trendy, bubbly treat is one of my favorites. It is a fermented tea sweetened with cane sugar and natural fruits. It also is considered to be a probiotic food. It contains gut-friendly ingredients to tame the tummy while energizing you for the day. • Pauline DiGiorgio is a fitness ambassador and Group X instructor at Retro Fitness gyms. Questions? Email her at ptlifts@gmail.com.
Always be prepared with a fully equipped first-aid kit Continued from Page 9
Ask The Social
By Pauline DiGiorgio
— First-aid instruction booklet It’s also advisable to keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies, and family contacts. If you or a family member takes medication, keep a few doses in your kit for back up. Also keep a list of medications taken regularly. Another good place to have a first-aid kit is when you go out with your family. Keep it in your car so if something happens when you are out, you can start treating the problem immediately. Consider taking a Red Cross first-aid class; they’re offered online.
hile it may be best known for retirement, Social Security is also here to help you get back to work if you are disabled. For millions of people, work isn’t just a source of income, it’s a vital part of who they are — it gives them purpose and pride — it’s a connection to community. If you’re getting Social Security disability benefits, we have good news for you. Social Security’s work incentives and Ticket to Work programs can help you if you’re interested in working. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. The Ticket to Work program may help you if you’d like to work. You can receive: • Free vocational rehabilitation; • Training; • Job referrals; and • Other employment support.
Q&A Q: My daughter just joined a nonprofit charity and is helping victims of natural disasters. She gets a salary. We were wondering if she has to pay Social Security tax. A: Yes, people who work for nonprofits and who receive a salary must pay Social Security tax just like everyone else. It is commendable that she is helping people in need. But the fact is that she is also a wage-earner. Those wages and the Social Security tax she pays on them will offer her financial relief in the future, when it comes time to apply for Social Security. So she is really helping herself, too. For more information, visit our electronic publication, How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Q: A few years ago, I lost my Social Security card. Now my credit report shows that someone might be using my Social Security number. I’m afraid they might ruin my credit. What should I do? A: Identity theft and fraud are serious problems, not just for you, but for the financial integrity of our agency. It also puts our national security at risk if someone dangerous is using your number to obtain other forms of identification. It’s against the law to use someone else’s Social Security number, give false information when applying for a number or alter, buy or sell Social Security cards. Keep in mind, you should never carry your Social
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You can read more about working while collecting disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/work. Work incentives include: • Continued cash benefits for a time while you work; • Continued Medicare or Medicaid while you work; and • Help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. If you’re receiving Social Security disability benefits or SSI, let us know right away when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. If you returned to work, but you can’t continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again — you may not have to file a new application. You can read more about the Ticket to Work program in the publication titled “Working While Disabled: How We Can Help” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN05-10095.pdf.
Security card with you. If you think someone is using your Social Security number fraudulently, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) right away. You can report it at www.idtheft.gov or you can call FTC’s hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4261) TTY: (1-866653-4261). Q: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits? A: You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. Q: I’ve decided I want to retire. Now what do I do? A: The fastest and easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is to go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Use our online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits. To do so, you must: • Be at least 61 years and 9 months old; • Want to start your benefits in the next four months; and • Live in the United States or one of its commonwealths or territories.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Summertime Meltdown Here are ways to stay healthy, safe during scorching summer heat By Rachel Evans
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ith hot temperatures come the risk for many heat-related illnesses and extra stress on the body, including the heart. As the temperature rises, so can your risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, according to the Greater Utica division of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The body has a more difficult time controlling its temperature and staying cool during really hot weather. Body temperature increases fast, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down. The average person can overheat and get dehydrated easily in hot and humid weather. Some people are at increased risk for heat-related illnesses including older adults, children, and people with chronic health conditions. Tony Ceresoli, Rome native and executive director of the Greater Utica division of the AHA/ASA, explained, “The summer months can be a great time to get active and heart-healthy, but we all need to protect our hearts and stay safe in the heat. It’s easier to become overheated when the temperatures are already hot. “Heart patients should be extra aware. Certain heart medications can
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exaggerate the body’s response to heat, so check with your health care professional if you have any questions. Don’t stop being physically active in the summer, just do it safely.”
Take necessary precautions
AHA/ASA warns about the importance of taking precautions during extreme heat: — Avoid being outdoors during peak heat/sun times between noon and 3 p.m. — If you do go outside during these hours, take regular breaks to stay cool and hydrated. Seek shade. — Stay in cool, air-conditioned areas when possible. Shopping malls, libraries, senior centers, and cooling centers are options if you do not have air conditioning in your home. — Choose well-ventilated shoes — Wear lightweight, light-col-
ored and breathable clothing — Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 and reapply according to package instructions, every two hours, or more frequently if needed. — Stay hydrated and drink a few cups of water before, during, and after exercise. If possible, avoid high endurance exercise during very hot temperatures. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as well. — If you are a heart patient, over the age of 50, overweight or just starting an exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor for your best exercise routine. — Sometimes no matter how many precautions you take, it is possible that you still may experience some extent of heat stress or heat-related illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the following are some signs and symptoms of heat-related illness: — Hot, red skin — Fast pulse — Headache/dizziness — Nausea — Confusion — Fatigue — Losing consciousness/passing out If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get in a cool place and seek medical attention.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
For a list of local cooling centers or places where you can go to stay cool, visit: https://www.health. ny.gov/environmental/weather/ cooling/. Here is a list of cooling centers in Oneida County: (Always call before you go to make sure the cooling center is open.) — Ava Dorfman Senior Center, 305 E. Locust St., Rome (315-3378230) — New Hartford Senior Center, 1 Sherman St., New Hartford (315-7248966) — New York Mills Senior Center, 320 Main St., New York Mills (315736-7360) — North Utica Senior Citizens, 50 Riverside Drive, Utica (315-7242430) — Parkway Senior Center, 220 Memorial Parkway, Utica (315-2233073) — Sangertown Mall, 8555 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford (315-7978520) — South Rome Senior Center, 112 Ridge St., Rome (315-339-6457) — Whitestown Senior Center, 1 Championship Way, Whitesboro (315-768-6047) And in Madison County: Red Cross-Madison-Oneida branch, 134 Vanderbilt Ave., Oneida (315-363-2900); call for cooling center locations
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.
separates the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus. The laryngectomee breathes through an opening in the neck, called a stoma. The public is welcome to attend. Those with questions can call the speech therapy department at 315801-4475.
support group will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Rome Memorial Hospital’s second-floor classroom. The group meets on the second Monday of every month. RMH is located at 1500 N. James St., Rome. For more information, call Deb Dunn at 315-533-6467 or email RomeNY@JoeNiekroFoundation.org.
Aug. 10
Aug. 15
Wellness fair for youngsters slated
Valley Health Services accepts syringes
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Learn ‘N’ Play: A Wellness Fair for Kids — sponsored by Herkimer County HealthNet and Arc Herkimer — will be featured from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 in the Arc Park, 420 E. German St., Herkimer. The free community event will offer a day of children’s activities, playful learning, a bouncy house, face painting, Easels on the Gogh, games, W.C. Pope caricature drawings, the Utica Zoo Mobile, and music. The event is designed to learn about healthy eating and exercise in a fun, casual day of exhibits, demos, and entertainment. HealthNet’s mission is to promote the health and well being of those who live, work, play, and learn in Herkimer County. For more information, call program coordinator Elyse Enea at 315-867-1552 or email eenea@herkimercounty.org.
Valley Health Services is accepting the community’s medical waste of needles, syringes and lancets from noon until 2 p.m. on Aug. 15. The service is available on the third Wednesday of every month. The waste must be in approved puncture-resistant containers available at local pharmacies and properly marked “biohazard.” The containers may be brought to the outpatient receptionist on the ground floor at VHS, who will contact the personnel responsible for medical waste disposal. VHS is located at 690 W. German St., Herkimer. Questions may be directed to Tammi King, infection control nurse, at 866-3330, ext. 2308.
Aug. 13
Families who are dealing with the problems of addiction can find help and information at a support group meeting from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 20 in the second floor classroom at Rome Memorial Hospital. The group meets the third Monday of each month and is free and open to everyone. Offered by the hospital’s Community Recovery Center, the support group provides an opportunity to discuss issues with others who are in the same situation. Certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Community Recovery Center, 264 W. Dominick St., Rome, offers alcohol and substance abuse treatment for adolescents and adults. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, the center participates with most major insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. A sliding scale fee is available for self-pay clients. For more information about the support group or the Community Recovery Center, call 334-4701.
Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 13. The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
Aug. 13
Support group to meet at Rome Memorial Hospital The brain aneurysm, AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and stroke
Aug. 20
Utica man beating back his demons Continued from Page 14 practitioner — with honors with the help of MVCC and its amazing staff,” he said. Julian is proud of achieving this goal at age 41. “I finally got to walk across a stage and look at the smiles and tears of joy in my family’s eyes,” he said.
Reaching positive goals
While he was working on his degrees, Julian began working parttime at the addiction stabilization center of the Rescue Mission where he had completed an internship. He is now a full-time chemical dependency counselor at the Rescue Mission. His next step is to obtain credentials through the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling Trainee certification program before getting his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He hopes to open his own facility in the future where he will be able to work outside the box and find other options for treatment because as the drug epidemic evolves, so do the strategies of treatment. Through self-reflection, Julian recognizes that he was once on a destructive path that hurt others. “I want to give back to those I have taken so much from by showing others there is a path where you can look yourself in the mirror and be happy with what you see,” he said. He said the journey is discouraging and difficult at times, but he pushes through his fear of failure to be successful. If you or someone you know
needs treatment, there are several local organizations that can help. Local treatment centers offer different levels of care, including long-term inpatient and aftercare. Individuals and their support systems should look into which place will best suit their needs. What helped Julian was realizing that sobriety is a learning process that never ends. He said it is often a trial-and-error process and individuals have to find what works for them. In addition, “If you slip and use remember what caused the slip, and try a different route,” he said. Though he sees addiction as a lifelong battle, he also encourages others to keep going “because there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Julian said. Though loved ones feel helpless watching someone in the midst of addiction, Julian said no one can save them by forced treatment. The individual must make that choice. “I also suggest going to family counseling sessions to better understand this epidemic,” he said. It is also important to educate yourself about the drugs being abused. Be there for your loved one if possible, but do not enable their addiction. Unfortunately, cutting ties with an individual is sometimes necessary so the person can “hit rock bottom before they decide to climb out of the hole,” Julian said. “I really just want to help those who feel helpless to notice there is a way out and to give them hope in a hopeless situation,” Julian said.
Family support group focuses on addiction
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Physical therapist receives LFH President’s Excellence Award Nicole Hebert was recently received Little Falls Hospital’s inaugural President’s Excellence Award. The award is given to a non-nursing individual within the organization who has demonstrated superior performance in upholding the values of LFH. Hebert was chosen from among five finalists for this award because of her overall performance in each of the value areas including relationships, excellence, accountability, service, learning and integration. Celebrating the occasion are, from left, LFH President Michael Ogden; Hebert, and Suzanne McSweeney-Herman, director of physical therapy. Hebert began her career at LFH in 2002 as a physical therapy assistant and obtained her doctorate in physical therapy in 2009 from Utica College.
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Health News MVHS Medical Group sites earn recognition The Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group has been awarded recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home Program at 15 of its community sites. This recognition results from using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term relationships with patients and family members. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians. Clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system oversee each patient’s care. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care. “NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane.
MVHS names new talent acquisition specialist Penny Seymour has been named talent acquisition specialist for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Seymour is responsible for the full-life cycle of talent acquisition activities, including relationship building with the local resource pool and community, hiring managers and Seymour candidates. Prior to joining MVHS, Seymour held various positions at Upstate Cerebral Palsy in Utica, including human resources assistant II, benefits specialist, HR generalist and recruiter. She most recently served as the senior recruiter for UCP. Seymour received her associate degree in early childhood education from Herkimer County Community College.
Subscription? Call 749-7070 today! Page 20
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Above is a rendering of the planned medical oncology facility in Madison County.
Roswell Park, Oneida Healthcare break ground on radiation center
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oswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oneida Healthcare recently marked two milestones— the full implementation of a new medical oncology facility and groundbreaking at the site of a state-of-the-art radiation oncology center on the same campus. Both developments are part of a collaborative initiative to provide increased local access to the services of a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center to residents of Central New York. Construction of the radiation oncology center, to be named in honor of the late Dorothy G. Griffin, will begin in late summer on the Oneida Healthcare campus. When completed, the center will occupy a 6,079-square-foot building, slated to open in 2019, and will contain four exam rooms, a consultation room, a computer tomography scanner for treatment planning, a linear accelerator for radiation therapy and required support facilities on a single level in an outpatient setting. The center will accommodate oncology patient treatment planning, radiation therapy sessions and patient treatment monitoring. The collaboration marks the first time such a broad array of cancer services will be united on a single site in this part of the state.
Oneida Healthcare and Roswell Park are already providing care at a medical oncology center at 604 Seneca St. in Oneida on Oneida Healthcare’s campus. That facility, fully operational with the recent appointment of Mohamed El-Naghy as medical director, includes 12 infusion suites, four exam rooms, a telemedicine conference center, a consultation room, and a resource center. In 2016, Oneida Healthcare was awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Health for $6.75 million to expand oncology services to Central New York in partnership with Roswell Park. That state investment has been further supported by regional donors who have contributed over $2.3 million to the project over the past year. Oneida Healthcare also plans to expand its outpatient-imaging center, the Alice M. Gorman Imaging Center, which represents the third step of its three-phase project to offer the highest quality of cancer care to CNY residents. The project will include the installation of a new state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging machine, positron emission tomography/computer tomography and a second 3D mammography unit. This project is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.
MVHS East Utica Medical Office gains PA
in health science from SUNY Oswego. As an undergraduate, she also served as an emergency medical technician on the Student Association Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Oswego, performing physical exams and providing basic life support interventions.
Physician assistant Morgan Gualtieri has joined the Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group’s East Utica Medical Office and has privileges at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Prior to joining MVHS, Gualtieri was employed as an emergency department technician at Oswego Gualtieri Health. Gualtieri earned a Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, and a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry with a minor
time, she also has served on the Supplemental Security Income advisory board and executive committee. Prior to joining MVHS, she worked as the billing manager for the Court Street Diagnostic Wengert and Treatment Center. Wengert received her diploma in business management from the Utica School of Commerce.
FSLH stroke program earns quality award Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, an affiliate of the Mohawk Valley Health System, has received the American Heart Association-American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke” Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite. The award recognizes FSLH’s commitment and success ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment. Hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all “Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke” achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke” quality measures to receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. “With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and this award demonstrates our commitment to ensuring patients receive care based on nationally respected clinical guidelines,” said Angelina M. Roche, stroke program clinical coordinator at FSLH. For more information on “Get With The Guidelines,” visit heart. org/quality.
Miracle Drawing tickets via credit cards MVHS names new director available The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare of patient accounting Foundation recently announced that Kathy Wengert has been named director of patient accounting for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Wengert is responsible for managing the activities of the accounts receivable and collection staff including posting, billing and collection. Wengert has been employed by MVHS for 16 years. She has most recently served as the applications administrator for patient accounting. During this
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
credit cards can be used online as payment for tickets to the $100,000 Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Drawing. This year marks the 22nd annual $100,000 Miracle Drawing where one lucky person will win $100,000 in cash. Tickets are on sale with a maximum of 4,300 tickets available. The Miracle Drawing will be
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Health News Pickett will attend Herkimer College to study for his Associate of Science degree and then transfer to Utica College to work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. His ultimate goal is to become a diabetic educator in the pediatrics field so he can help those afflicted with juvenile diabetes to be able to lead productive lives.
Continued from Page 20 held at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the St. Luke’s campus of FSLH in New Hartford. Tickets may be purchased for $100 online with a credit card at mvhealthsystem.org/miracle-drawing or with cash or check at one of our participating ticket locations. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call the FSLH Foundation at 315-624-5600.
VHS welcomes new social services director
RMH appoints new clinical laboratory director Medical technologist Jessica Burmaster has been appointed director of the laboratory services department at Rome Memorial Hospital. “Jessica’s 17 years of medical laboratory experience include work as a skilled technologist as well as supervisory responsibilities,” said Andrew Bushnell, vice Burmaster president-chief medical officer. The hospital’s clinical laboratory is where testing of patient specimens are completed. As director, Burmaster coordinates the efforts of the various departments within the laboratory to meet the needs of patients, physicians and the rest of the hospital. Burmaster graduated from Utica College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She received her certificate in clinical laboratory science in 2006 from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She completed her Master of Public Health degree through Argosy University, Sarasota, Fla. in 2015 and was named to the Sigma Beta Delta honor society.
RMH awards clinicians for excellence, commitment In recognition of National Nurses’ Week and members of Rome Memorial Hospital’s Clinical Services division, RMH’s Clinical Services Professional Excellence Committee recently presented the 2018 Excellence Awards to 14 individuals who exemplify excellence and commitment to the health and wellness of the community. The committee asked nurses and clinicians from departments throughout the hospital to nominate their peers for the awards. A “Nurse of the Year” was selected for each nursing department. From among this group, a “Nurse of Excellence” was named.
Rome Memorial’s pulmonary rehab program staff complete training Respiratory therapists of Rome Memorial Hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation program recently completed an advanced training program to provide their patients with the most consistent, effective and up-to-date care. The series of lectures were offered through a joint collaboration of the American Association of Respiratory Care and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Above, respiratory therapists who completed advanced training in critical areas involved in pulmonary rehab are, from left, Patrick Bonin, Elizabeth Demma, Patricia Parshall and Lynda Ferris, program director. The pulmonary rehabilitation program at Rome Hospital celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year. In addition, other departments named their clinicians of the year. “Most of us have been together as the clinical services team for a few years now,” said Durinda Durr, vice president of clinical services. “As such, we agreed to celebrate as a team during nurses’ week because we are joined together to help one another live up to our vision to be ‘exceptional people delivering exceptional care.’” The 2018 award winners are: — Jodi Wallace, emergency department, emergency services nurse of the year and nurse of excellence — Teresa Troia, continuum of care, non-clinical nurse of the year — Andrea Hamilton-Larry, 2 East, medical surgical nurse of the year — Ryan Vencek, 2 East, Nightingale nurse award — Mary Reader, senior behavioral health unit, behavioral health services nurse of the year — Audrey Wood, intensive care unit, intensive care unit nurse of the year — John VanderPyl, residential health care facility, long-term care nurse of the year — Laura Bambury, residential health care facility, long-term care licensed practical nurse of the year — Heather Gulick, respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary services clinician of the year
— Laura Lonergan, pharmacy, pharmacist of the year — Cori Bewick, 2 North, critical care services nurse of the year — Shannon Scott, post anesthesia care unit, peri-operative services nurse of the year — Sarah Fleck, maternity, maternal child-care nurse of the year — Jan Bass, continuum of care, social worker-case manager of the year
Valley Health Services’ worker makes all-star list David Pickett, a graduate of Little Falls High School and the Health & Science Careers program at Herkimer BOCES, was recently selected as one of the Observer Dispatch’s Teen All-Stars. Pickett is a part-time certified nurses’ assistant at Valley Health Services, Herkimer. Pickett and other area high school seniors were recently honored at the Teen All-Stars breakfast at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. Pickett started out as a resident assistant and then tested and passed the exam for CNA certification in February 2017.
August 2018 •
Gabrielle Waisblatt recently joined Valley Health Services in Herkimer as its new director of social services. Waisblatt said she is excited about the new opportunity and chance to diversify her career experience. Waisblatt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Utica College and is working on a Waisblatt Master of Social Work through Simmons College in Boston, Mass. She has 10 years’ experience in the field of social work with most of her prior experience in trauma and specifically, working with at-risk youth and families. Waisblatt lives in Clinton with her husband, Adam, and their two children — Violet, 3, and Samuel, 1. VHS is a privately owned, nonprofit organization that features a 160-bed long-term care and rehabilitation facility.
Grant supports Valley Health Services’ agenda Valley Health Services in Herkimer recently received a grant of $3,239.57 from the Slocum-Dickson Foundation to provide educational material for patients of cardiac rehabilitation, support for its home health aide training program and continuing education of its nursing staff in the areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intravenous therapy, infection control and staff management. Lisa M. Betrus, Valley Health Services president, affirmed how vital ongoing training, education and professional development is to ensure competency in quality patient care. “VHS staff that avail themselves of these training opportunities confirm their commitment to attaining professional knowledge and maturity within the health care profession in an effort to provide person-centered care to patients placing an equal emphasis on mind, body and spirit,” she said.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Dental Health Smile with Dr. Suy
Stages of tooth decay Figure 2 1. Decay in enamel 2. Advanced decay
3. Decay in dentin 4. Decay in pulp
By Dr. Salina Suy
Defining Dentistry: What is a cavity? Dental cavities can turn that smile upside down
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happy August to you, Mohawk Valley!! I am so delighted with all the activities in the area and am slowly learning so much about this wonderful community. Being from the Buffalo area, I cannot wait until the Utica Harbor Point is complete and Handshake City. What are you looking forward too? I hope everyone is having a great summer and of course, always brushing and flossing. Suy Welcome to the first segment in my next series “Defining Dentistry,” where I will be explaining dental terminologies and procedures. Let us begin with the famous dental cavity. So what really is a cavity? It’s the dreaded word from our dental check-ups and something we are hoping our dentist does not find. Dental cavities are the result of a series of events. They are areas of enamel — the outermost layer of tooth — that have softened and decayed. First, let’s talk about how dental cavities form. There are several layers in teeth; let us go over basic anatomy. Pictured in figure 1 is a tooth cut
Figure 1
These stages are not painful
hygiene techniques, such as tooth brushing and flossing.
Breaking down enamel
in half and we can observe the layers. • Enamel: the outermost and strongest layer of the tooth crown • Dentin: the underlying layer that houses communication tunnels to the pulp • Pulp: The area that holds the tooth nerve, blood and nutrients. It has a pulp chamber at the top and pulp canals at the bottom. • Cementum: The layer that forms around the roots of the tooth. Now imagine this: Everyone’s mouth has natural bacteria that provide a natural defense and are the first players in our digestive tract. When we eat, a layer of food can remain on our enamel, especially if we do not remove debris with proper
If this layer of food remains on the enamel surface, our natural bacteria will digest the food we leave behind. When bacteria digest the food, they secrete acid — a byproduct of their digestion. This acid from the bacteria breaks down our enamel, making it soft and vulnerable. Once the enamel layer is broken, dentin will easily decay at a rapid rate. Cavities can be small and possibly regenerate. Cavities can also be big and indicate the need for a filling, crown, root canal or even an extraction in some cases. Figure 2 is a great picture showing the stages of tooth decay and how a small problem can lead us to bigger problems. • Stage 1: A healthy tooth that has some plaque on it but no cavities. Plaque is a film that is made from the things left on our teeth such as food and drink. If we brush our teeth, floss and remove that plaque, it is no longer an issue. • Stage 2: The cavity is starting to form in the outer layer. Sometimes, these cavities are small enough and can re-mineralize with some help. The use of products such as MI Paste® and fluoride can help bring the strength back to enamel. MI Paste® is the only product for professional use containing Re-
Growing old presents challenges Continued from Page 5 mon side effect. To decrease constipation, stay hydrated, eat fiber-rich foods, whole grains and cereals, eat dairy products in moderation, avoid fried fast foods, and exercise more than usual. Only your physician should recommend a laxative. It is also normal as we age to have diarrhea from time to time because we can eat foods that disagree with us. Notice what your trigger foods could be. Overthe-counter medications may be helpful. • Medication side effects: The older we get, the more likely we are to have side effects from medications. And the list of medications is ever lengthening. Taking any new medication is a minefield, even over-the-counter meds. Page 22
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There is no easy solution, according to pharmacist Gary Actna of Garro Drugs in Utica. “The way medications interact with us is a very individual thing. What side effects one person has doesn’t mean the next person will have them. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns,” Actna said. • Foot-related problems: “Our feet are the most important part of our body,” said Kevin Crable, a podiatrist at Oneida Health Podiatry Care. If we have a problem, it can change our life, as foot pain impacts our ability to walk and our life becomes more limited. One thing that happens as we age is the blood flow to our feet slows, causing diseases that cause foot pain, and small problems develop into larger ones. Another common thing is we
lose the fat on the bottoms of our feet. By the end of the day, we can have pain because we’re walking on bones. The solution is to wear cushioned, comfortable shoes. Most of us will get arthritis in our feet. Shoe inserts, exercises to increase range of motion, and losing weight if you’re heavy may help. Hammertoes are common. Cover corns and calluses with padding and trade in your pointy-toed heels for wider toes. “As soon as you have a concern about your feet, seek help,” urged Crable. Yes, the consequences of aging are not pretty. But, as the ditty ends: “Look on the bright side, this day is not your last. At least you’re on the green side of the grass.”
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
This stage is painful
This stage is very painful
caldent™, a special milk-derived protein that releases calcium and phosphate to the surface of the teeth. • Stage 3: The cavity has now reached the dentin layer and the cavity can no longer re-mineralize in this layer. At this point, if the cavity is small enough, your dentist will suggest you get a filling. What does that mean? Your dentist will take out all the soft areas and put in a material to fill the tooth back to normal. When fillings are large, your dentist may suggest a crown to protect the tooth. • Stage 4: The cavity has now reached the pulp layer and the cavity has the potential to affect the nerve within the pulp. At this point, the cavity may or may not be treated with only a filling. The nerve of the tooth can now become infected because it is exposed to decay. At this point, your dentist might recommend a root canal to save the tooth if you have an infection or the nerve dies. If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist may recommend an extraction of the tooth to get rid of the source of infection. I hope this helps you understand what a cavity really is. • Salina Suy is a health and wellness advocate and general dentist in Utica. Want to learn more? Visit Facebook @smilewithdrsuy or www.smilewithdrsuy.com.
LPN named employee of quarter at SDMG
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nnamarie Weakley has been named employee of the second quarter at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Weakley joined SDMG in August of 1991 as a licensed practical nurse. She quickly found a home in the dermatology department where she remains today as a vital member of Edward Lee’s staff. Weakley reWeakley ceived her LPN degree from Herkimer County BOCES. She has been providing quality patient care for the past 27 years. “She always strives to put the patient first, often going above and beyond to meet their needs,” her supervisor said.
Health in good
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Keymark Corporation, a major supplier of Aluminum Extrusion to several industries is recruiting for heavy industrial manufacturing workers.
Direct Hire - $16.00 - $21.00 Per hr DOE Multi skilled technician, who installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs industrial machinery, process equipment, facility physical structures, motors, electrical components, pipe and piping components within a manufacturing plant.
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Responsibilities: • Troubleshooting, diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Waste Water Treatment Operator • Crane Operators • Material Handlers • Caster • Hoist Operators • Press Operators
• Knowledge of safety rules, especially lock-out/tag-out. • Flexibility to work all shifts, hours, weekends, and holidays as required. • Programmable Logic Control (PLC) troubleshooting experience. • Performing preventive maintenance tasks including cleaning, lubricating and adjusting equipment for optimal performance. • Improving processes. • Perform equipment changeovers, including sanitation of equipment and piping.
Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate the capability to learn new skills and responsibly follow safety policies and production procedures.
• Other duties as assigned. • Eligible for pay for skills increase
Requirements: • Completion of a formal maintenance mechanic training program or prior experience.
If you are interested in a career opportunity, you may fill in an application on our website at www.keymarkcorp.com or stop in to fill out an application.
• Knowledge of PLC’s, mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems. • Ability to read and understand documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, mechanical drawings and procedure manuals. • Problem solving skills.
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To apply, please go to our web site at www.keymarkcorp.com. UT-000635615
Watch for tell-tale signs of suicide Continued from Page 3 This is of utmost concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do: Be suspect if a person talks about: — Killing themselves — Feeling hopeless — Having no reason to live — Being a burden to others — Feeling trapped — Unbearable pain Watch out for behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change: — Increased use of alcohol or drugs — Looking for a way to end
their lives, such as searching online for methods — Withdrawing from activities — Isolating from family and friends — Sleeping too much or too little — Visiting or calling people to say goodbye People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods: — Depression — Anxiety — Loss of interest — Irritability — Humiliation/shame — Agitation/anger According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is a major public health concern. Over 40,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. It is the 10th leading cause of death overall.
Suicide is complicated and tragic but it is often preventable. Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. Often family and friends are the first to recognize the warning signs of suicide and can be the first step toward helping an at-risk individual find treatment with someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. The following organizations can be contacted to assist any person who may have suicidal thoughts or for anyone who might know of some who is suicidal. — Mobile Crisis Assessment Team, 1-800-273-8255 — Suicide Prevention Hot Line, 315-732-6228
August 2018 •
Dialysis center offering kidney disease program
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he Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The program will take place from noon to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans have CKD and millions of others are at risk for developing the disease. Early detection and intervention helps to prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, known as end stage renal disease. Registration is required as seating is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, CKD program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or email cchristi@mvhealthsystem.org.
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Pharmaceutical Fiasco
U.S. senator blasts drug makers for price gouging, supports legislation to offset it “We need to get those costs under control because they’re affecting our alling the pharmaceutical man- patients.” In addition, he said, the continufacturers greedy and selfish, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand ual rise in the cost of many medications has caused hospitals to (D-NY) visited the Mohawk Valley scrutinize budgets and make difficult Health System pharmacy at the St. decisions, such as postLuke’s campus recentponing the purchase ly to announce the of new technologies Stop Price Gouging or facility improveAct. ments. The act refers to In discussing her legislation pending legislation, Gillibrand in the U.S. Senate said consumers that has several throughout the state objectives. It would have complained to limit extreme price her about rapidly esincreases of precalating drug prices, scription drugs and sometimes seeing make them more prices go up twice a affordable for seyear. niors; penalize drug According to companies that raise Gillibrand’s office, prices of medication median prices for substantially, and inprescription medivestigate alternative cations increased by and cheaper sources an average of nearly for medications. 9 percent in 2017, With MVHS Kirsten Gillibrand about four times President and CEO higher than the overScott H. Perra, all inflation rate. MVHS Clinical Pharmacy CoordiShe cited one popular drug, nator Christopher Houle and Utica Humira® (used to treat arthritis Mayor Rob Palmieri looking on, Gillibrand told the media the most effec- and Crohn’s disease), saying it now costs 240 times more than it did 10 tive way to prevent price gouging is holding drug companies accountable years ago. The website, Humira. com, said that while the prescription with tough penalties. varies from patient to patient, one Under the penalties, a pharmacan expect to pay between $1,800 and ceutical manufacturer would lose a $2,400 per month for two doses. But certain percentage or as much as the the manufacturer also offers financial entire profit made from the drug, assistance and discounts. Gillibrand said. Referring to another drug that Drug prices have skyrocketed shot up 5,000 percent, Gillibrand said 48 percent between 2013 and 2017, Perra pointed out, particularly under it’s an example of drug companies trying to monopolize the market. the federal 340B program, leading to Gillibrand related a conversation a painful situation for hospitals and she had with an elderly couple who patients. told her one prescription medicine Under the 340B program, mancost them $5,000 a month and they ufacturers subsidize certain drugs, feared their savings of $50,000 would for example those in hematology-onbe rapidly wiped out. The husband, cology, for health care providers to supply Medicaid patients. MVHS has she said, decided that they would rather pay their rent and other bills saved millions of dollars under the first, but unfortunately he died, program, he said. possibly as a result of not taking his “There’s a lot of pressure in prescription medicine. Washington to change that (program). A lot of our patients, once discharged, are not taking their Impact on health care system prescriptions or not filling prescripPerra said patients who neglect tions due to cost,” Perra explained. By Patricia J. Malin
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Another of her proposals would allow health care providers to purchase prescription medications in bulk. “The Veterans Administration does it, Medicaid does it, but Medicare does not, severely affecting seniors,” Gillibrand said. She pointed out that drug prices in Canada are considerably cheaper than their U.S. counterparts. She cited the EpiPen®, which is used only in emergencies to treat allergic reactions, which costs $250 in Canada and $650 in the U.S. and was the target of a Congressional investigation in 2016 for apparent price gouging. She wants to allow wholesalers, licensed U.S. pharmacies, and individuals to import qualifying prescription drugs manufactured at Federal Drug Administration-inspected facilities from licensed Canadian sellers and licensed sellers in other countries. Her legislation would also impose a cap on co-pays. Houle said the price increases often create a shortage of essential drugs, such as morphine and heart medicines because hospitals are also reluctant to keep paying higher prices. He said pharmacists have no means to combat the manufacturers who spend considerable amounts of money on lobbying their state and federal representatives.
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to take their medicines because of cost leads to unnecessary emergency department visits or readmission into the hospital, both of which could be avoided if the medications were more affordable. Of course, in the public marketplace, there are no laws prohibiting pharmaceutical companies from raising the prices of their medications at any time. “There is no mechanism to prevent a manufacturer from spiking the price of its drugs year after year, and pharmaceutical corporations are not required to report the increases in the price of their drugs to the public,” Gillibrand said. Her bill would instruct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study examining how drug manufacturers establish initial launch prices and suggest best practices for monitoring new drug pricing. She suggests imposing penalties on manufacturers once they raise prices 15 percent. If the price goes up more than 20 percent, Gillibrand said the Price Gouging Act would penalize the drug company by taking away 100 percent of the profit it made on the medicine. Revenue from penalties could be reinvested in future drug research and development at the National Institutes of Health.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2018
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