In Good Health by In Good Health: MV's Healthcare Newspaper

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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

May 2012 • Issue 75

Meet Dr. Matthew Mittiga Pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Medical Group

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pstate New York’s uninsured 18to 64-year-olds are profiled by their sociodemographic characteristics in a report issued recently by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “We know from earlier studies that Upstate New York’s uninsured rate is considerably lower than national and state rates, but having a better understanding of who are the uninsured in our communities can be helpful in spotting opportunities to enhance access to coverage,” said Eve Van de Wal, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The Excellus BlueCross BlueShield study used U.S. Census Bureau surveys conducted from 2008 through 2010 to determine the health insurance status of those Upstate New York adults who are considered to be of traditional working age (18 to 64 years old). The report found high-uninsured rates among those who: • Resided in households with annual earnings of less than $50,000. The uninsured rate among those who resided in households that earned less than $50,000 per year was 22.6 percent, more than double the rate among those living in higher-income households (9.3 percent). • Were younger than 35. Of any adult age group younger than 65, those 35 and younger had the highest uninsured rate (21.3 percent). • Were underemployed or unemployed. The uninsured rate among those who were unemployed or worked part-time was 23.9 percent,

compared to 10.3 percent among those who were employed full time. • Were not educated beyond high school. Almost one in five (19.4 percent) Upstate New York adults who had no formal education or training beyond high school was uninsured, versus 10.6 percent of those who had at least some technical or college education after high school graduation. • Were of a minority race/ethnicity. The uninsured rate among non-Hispanic blacks was 21.9 percent, about 68 percent higher than that among nonHispanic whites (13 percent). May 2012 •

• Were single. About 22 percent of single individuals were uninsured, vs. 10.6 percent of those who were or had been married. The study also noted disparities in the distribution of demographic characteristics among the uninsured vs. the total population. For example, those whose annual household earnings were less than $50,000 represented the majority (59 percent) of the uninsured, but reflected only 37 percent of the population’s income distribution. Also, Upstate New York adults who were unemployed or employed part time accounted for more than onethird (35.3 percent) of the uninsured, although this group made up less than one-fifth (21 percent) of the employment distribution of the total Upstate New York adult population. “Today’s Excellus BlueCross BlueShield report, which reflects national patterns, calls attention to population groups that are most at risk for lacking health insurance coverage,” said Van de Wal. “It shows that groups which include minorities, the young, the single and the socio-economically disadvantaged are at highest risk.” A previously published Excellus BlueCross BlueShield study of all Upstate New York residents found that Upstate New York has a low uninsured rate (11.1 percent for 2008 through 2010), compared to statewide (14.6 percent) and national (16.1 percent) averages. The recent report exclusively focuses on Upstate New York’s uninsured 18- to 64-year-olds.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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• Basic life support classes for recertification— 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. May 17; 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. June 11; 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. June 14 Instructor is Ron Simons. Register with patient care services at 823-5272. Class size is limited. All direct caregivers are requested to certify or maintain current certification. • Advanced cardiac life support classes for recertification—8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 Instructor is Ron Simons. Register with patient care services at 823-5272. Class size is limited. Current BLS certification is required. • Pediatric advanced life support certification class—8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and June 8 • Pediatric advanced life support recertification class—8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8 Instructor is Ron Simons. Register with patient care services at 823-5272. Class size is limited.

Macular Degeneration Dr. George Kornfeld uses miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help those with vision loss keep reading, writing and maintaining independence.

By Elana Lombardi, Freelance Writer Just because you have macular degeneration or other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy doesn’t mean you must give up driving. “People don’t know that there are doctors who are very experienced in low vision care.” Dr. George Kornfeld, a low vision optometrist. “My new telescopic glasses make it much easier to read signs at a distance.” Says Bonnie, “Definitely worth the $1950 cost. I don’t know why I waited to do this. I should have come sooner. ”Low vision devices are not always expensive. Some reading glasses cost as little as $450 and some magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires. “Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning visually.” Says Dr. Kornfeld. Dr. Kornfeld sees patients in his five offices throughout upstate New York.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

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Sundays

DivorceCare for Kids, Adults set DivorceCare for Kids & DivorceCare for Adults are two programs held simultaneously at 12:45 p.m. on Sundays through June 24 at Notre Dame Elementary School, Utica. DivorceCare for Kids is designed for children aged 5-12 and helps children heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents. Registration is required and the class is free. DivorceCare for Adults is a separate support group meeting at the same time and location. Registration is required and the class is free. For more information, call The Good News Center at 735-6210. To register, call Notre Dame Elementary School at 732-4374.

Tuesdays

GriefShare group to meet in Utica GriefShare meets from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-7356210, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

May 1

College Night at The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter is offering a free college night at 6 p.m. May 1. Admission is free and it will be held in The Arc Training Center, basement level, 245 Genesee St., Utica. The program is for non-traditional students who want to further their education. CollegeWorks is a collective project between The Arc and Mohawk Valley Community College for individuals with disabilities. This program is a non-degree, non-credit two-year college-based vocational program. The program is located in Utica and Rome campuses of MVCC. The distance learning program courses that are offered at The Arc are credit and non-credit. Lecturers from The College of Saint Rose provide the

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U.S. cancer death rates continue to decline Dana-Farber president: Encouraging news, but improvements are still needed

report from the nation’s leading cancer organizations shows rates of death in the United States from all cancers for men and women continued to decline between 2004 and 2008. The findings come from the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. The report also finds that the overall rate of new cancer diagnoses for men and women combined decreased an average of less than 1 percent per year from 1998 through 2006, with rates leveling off from 2006 through 2008. Edward J. Benz, Jr., president of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, called the news encouraging, but is disappointed that the overall rate of cancer deaths is not falling nearly enough. “The rate of cancer diagnoses and deaths across all racial and minority groups are slowly decreasing,” said Benz. “But there are still gaps that must be addressed.” The report is co-authored by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute, and the American Cancer Society. Among children aged 19 years or younger, the report shows cancer incidence rates increased 0.6 percent

Parents enlisted in ﬁght against problem gambling

outh are exposed to gambling now more than ever. The New York Council on Problem Gambling is working with local prevention councils statewide to educate parents of school-age youth about problem gambling and encourage them to discuss the issue with their kids. As part of the efforts, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug DependenceRochester area (NCADD-RA) is offering parent presentations for area school and community groups. The New York Council on Problem Gambling 2012 Problem Gambling Parent Education and Outreach Project

per year from 2004 through 2008, while death rates decreased 1.3 percent per year during the same period. The authors also highlighted cancers associated with excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity. “This report emphasizes that the growing obesity problem and decreased overall physical activity in our society compared to decades ago have a real impact on multiple diseases, including cancer,” said Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, a colorectal cancer expert at Dana-Farber and author of several studies investigating the impact of exercise on survival rates for colorectal cancer patients. “While we currently see declines in incidence of many cancers, if obesity continues at the current rates, I believe these improvements in incidences will reverse and increase over time.” Benz added that the good news is that some of the cancer risks the report highlighted can be reduced by changes in lifestyle. “Many of the things that are still a problem in these statistics are modifiable,” said Benz. “If you watch your diet, exercise, and manage your weight, you can not only prevent your risk of getting many lethal forms of cancer, you will also increase your chances of doing well, if you should get almost any form of cancer.”

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is the first statewide, coordinated effort focused on raising awareness through education sessions, information dissemination, and various advertising efforts including Web, television and print. According to the results of a survey conducted by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, about 48 percent of seventh through 12th graders reported they had gambled in the past year. Approximately 140,000 adolescents have had problems due to gambling and another 10 percent are at risk. Children and adolescents are more likely to gamble if they witness adults gambling, and especially if the adults show interest and excitement about gambling. For more information visit www. ncadd-ra.org.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2012 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Amylynn Pastorella, Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab Advertising: Richard Annal, Marsha Preston Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Ofﬁce Manager: Laura Beckwith

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.

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May 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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May is Stroke Awareness Month

Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

Dr. Matthew Mittiga

In emergency, it is time to act F.A.S.T. Mittiga is a pediatrician and area native who joined the St. Elizabeth Medical Group East Utica Office in July 2011. He completed a pediatrics hat health condition is treatable if symptoms are identiresidency at SUNY Upstate Medical University-Golisano Children’s fied F.A.S.T.? Stroke. May is National Stroke Awareness Hospital, Syracuse. Recently, Mohawk Valley In Good Health Associate Month. Herkimer County Public Health Editor Lou Sorendo interviewed Mittiga regarding his career.

encourages everyone to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke and the importance of calling 9-1-1. In recent years, stroke deaths have declined in the United States. In New York state, stroke dropped from the third-leading cause of death to the fourth. This year, Gregory O’Keefe, director of Herkimer County Public Health, hopes to further reduce stroke deaths and disability by helping everyone to recognize the most common stroke symptoms, and to act F.A.S.T. and “Save a Life”. F = FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A = ARM: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S = SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange? T = TIME: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1. “Medication is available that dissolves the blood clot and restores blood flow to the brain. For the drug to work effectively, it must be given within three hours of the first sign of stroke symptoms,” O’Keefe said. “It’s important to be aware of stroke risks and have a strong knowledge of stroke symptoms to get the treatment needed by acting F.A.S.T. For every minute that brain cells are deprived of oxygen during stroke, the likelihood of brain damage increases. Treatment is most effective if given early,” he said. Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, yet more than 750,000 Americans suffer strokes each year. There are many steps you can take to help prevent a stroke. Herkimer County Public Health reminds everyone that you can prevent a stroke by keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and if you drink alcohol do so in moderation. For more information about stroke awareness, call Herkimer County Public Health at 315-867-1176, or visit the New York State Department of Health website at www.health.ny.gov.

Mohawk Valley In Good Health ... your source for local healthcare news! Page 4

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Q.: What is your function as a pediatrician with the St. Elizabeth Medical Group in Utica? A.: My responsibilities are general pediatrics—both inpatient and outpatient—as well as instructing family practice residents and medical students. Q.: Where do your clinical interests lie? Why did you choose pediatrics as your subspecialty? A.: My clinical interests are newborn care, medical education, and intra-office procedures and IV hydration. I chose pediatrics because I found working with children to be very fulfilling and rewarding compared to the other fields of medicine I was exposed to. I was also fortunate enough to have a wonderful mentor, Dr. Sanjeev Vasishtha, who encouraged me to choose pediatrics. Q.: Do you have a passion for teaching? Can you see yourself as devoting significant time to teaching as part of your career? A.: Teaching is one the most enjoyable aspects of my position at St. Elizabeth. I truly enjoy helping medical students and physicians-in-training develop and hone their pediatric skills. I feel teaching is a debt we owe to the kind and generous doctors who nurtured us as we learned. By passing along our knowledge using didactic and bedside teaching, we as physicians are continuing a tradition that dates back to Galen. Q.: What would you ultimately like to do career-wise? Work at a large tertiary center or run a private practice? Why? A.: I enjoy my current position in a community hospital with a small academic program. I hope to be able to continue combining general pediatrics as well as teaching. Q.: What do you believe it takes to be an effective and successful pediatrician? A.: I feel a pediatrician needs to be someone who can not only relate well to children, but equally as important, be able to relate and effectively communicate to the parents. A seriously ill child is one of the most terrifying events a parent can experience, and at that time, it is essential that a pediatrician project a calm, confident, and competent demeanor. The best pediatricians I have learned from take the time not only to treat the child’s physical needs, but also the parent’s emotional needs. Q.: What do you believe is the single-most significant health threat facing children today? How about

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

complications of their obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. This is a medical crisis on par with the great infectious disease epidemics of the last two centuries, such as cholera, tuberculosis, and polio. However, this disease is far more insidious and resistant to control, because there will be no vaccine created for it. Q.: The U.S. healthcare system has been criticized as being flawed. In what area do you think the healthcare system can improve the most? A.: I think the American health care system does a respectable job taking care of the very poor and the very wealthy. Where we fail is in making health care affordable to those in the middle—families who have too high an income to qualify for Medicaid, but certainly Matthew Mittiga with one of his patients, Antonio Pagliaro, not the wealth needed to absorb the massive III out-of-pocket costs of a people in general? catastrophic illness. A.: I feel the most significant health It is fundamentally unfair that threat today is the epidemic of obesity working families are punished for havin children, and the developing catasing private insurance by steep co-pays trophe of millions of overweight chiland ever-increasing deductibles. dren and adolescents who will develop

Lifelines Birth date: May 2, 1977 Birthplace: Potsdam Current residence: Whitesboro Education: Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Syracuse, categorical resident, June 2008July 2011; University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, July 2004-May 2008; Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, biology and chemistry, May 2004 Affiliations: American Academy of Pediatrics, student member, 2007, resident member, 2008-2009; American Osteopathic Association, resident member, 2008-present Personal: I’ve been married to my wife, Alyssa for almost 10 years. We have four children: Dominic, 6; Joseph, 3; Alivia, 2; and Stephen, 2 months. We also have a dog and cat.

Mother’s Day Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

Mom’s Greatest Gift What’s the greatest gift your mother ever gave you?

e have only one mother in our lifetime. For most of us, she is the greatest influence in our life. She stays with us—if only in our mind— throughout our life, when we are mothers and fathers, and even when we are grandparents. Mothers do their best to raise us to be good, moral adults. They protect us from harm; they make sacrifices for us. They work, cook, clean, run a household, help with homework. They kiss our wounds to make it better, comfort us when we are scared, stay up all night when we are ill. Most of us had mothers that did some things well and other things not so well. A few of us had moth- Pierce ers who did everything just right, and it was hard to live up to their standards. A few of us had mothers who did very little that was right and it was hard to accept that they did the best they could. Whether they gave us good mothering or inadequate, our mothers give us much, often without being consciously aware, just by being our mother. What is the greatest gift your mother ever gave you? From my mother, I developed empathy and concern for others.

Mom makes indelible impression

I did this thanks to her example, and also from the old books that she had as a child, poignant tragedies about homeless orphans suffering in the slums, cold and hungry. As I read and re-read these sad stories, crying my heart out, it created a desire in me

to do something that would change lives, change lives so that children did not have to suffer. It brought me to the career I loved, helping others move forward. From his very wise mother, my husband learned to understand the female psyche fairly well. Though he says it is truly impossible for a man to ever understand a woman, he does a better job with this than most men. With tears, my friend, 57-year-old Phillip Seltz, recalled what his mother gave him. As the youngest of four, he was his mother’s favorite. She encouraged him when he chose to bake cookies with her instead of playing ball with his brothers, when he wanted to help her arrange flowers instead of hanging out with his cousin. She warmly welcomed his life partner into their lives. Seltz remembers when she lay in her bed, terminally ill, saying her goodbyes to those she loved. As Seltz sat with her, she turned to him and asked, “Do you think I’m responsible for the fact that you’re gay?” “Absolutely!” Seltz replied. “Good!” she responded.

Candid responses

Every year, Real Simple Magazine and RealSimple.com ask readers to share the greatest gift their mother ever gave them. Some of the answers: • “My mother always had a sense of wonderment. The color of a leaf, a sprinkling of snow, the smell of hot soup—she found the greatest pleasure in everyday things.”—Nancy Bradford. • “The gift of decision-making,”

ONEIDA, HERKIMER, MADISON AND OTSEGO COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

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Local News, Inc. Distribution: 20,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315 749-7070.

from Saleah Hinton. “She let me make my own mistakes so I could learn from them. She never cleaned up my messes, never meddled, never said, ‘I told you so,’ but was always there when I needed advice or a shoulder to cry on. That gift is what made me the strong woman I am today.” • “My mother told me, every day, that I was beautiful inside and out. When the mirror reflected my braces, clunky navy blue glasses, the body of a 12-year-old boy, and that horrific perm, I wanted to doubt her, but she was so steadfast and convincing that I didn’t.”—Eileen Costanzo. • And from Sherry Pennell: “The greatest thing my mother ever gave me was the gift of good nutrition. To my chagrin, I got to drink soda only as

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a special treat. My lunch sandwiches were made with whole-wheat bread. (Try being the only kid in the cafeteria without Wonder bread.) Any desserts were homemade, and sweetened breakfast cereals were out of the question (how I coveted Fruity Pebbles!). And if we wanted a snack, we got fruit. At the time, this was beyond irritating, but as an adult I’ve been able to maintain a healthy weight. Sometimes those things you learn as a kid do stick, and to this day I feel guilty when I don’t eat my vegetables.” • Barbara Pierce, a published writer and a retired psychotherapist, writes memoirs for others, and helps people write their stories. Contact her at TellYourStory70@yahoo.com.

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May 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Golden Years Spectre of Death Dignity therapy found to make experience more tolerable By Barbara Pierce

cepts it,” continued Burke. “That is not so. At least 50 percent of the time, they never accept the fact that they are dying.”

e all face death. For most of us, the thought of death causes fear and anxiety. It’s hard to think about. Professionals who work with terminally ill persons have long considered ways to help people cope with the reality of their death. One of the things that has been found most helpful is to ask those who are dying to tell the story of their life. Called dignity therapy, this new kind of therapy helps ease the end of life burden. The meaningful aspects of the life of the dying person are documented, a legacy to pass on to their survivors. By asking questions such as “When did you feel most alive?” or, “What specific things do you want your family to know about you?” dignity therapy captures what really makes a person tick. Harvey Chochinov, a psychiatrist at the University of Manitoba, created dignity therapy. As described by NPR, Chochinov had a powerful experience when he visited a dying patient. In the bed was a skeleton of a man, very pale and weak. On the bedside table was a photo of him when he was young and muscular. It was clear that the man wanted to be seen as he once was. Time and time again, he found that what most people found most troubling about their death was the idea that who they were would cease to exist after their death; a fear that their lives would not have a ripple effect. “Dying is scary,” said Andrea LaQuay, director of patient services of the Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County. “Thinking about the impact you have made in your life and what you are leaving behind— that’s what makes it bearable.”

Sense of meaning

LaQuay explained that dignity

Accepting the inevitable

therapy is a new term for helping terminally ill persons gain a sense of meaning and closure in their final days. “Hospice nurses are the experts in this,” she said. “The hospice nurse helps the person accept this path in his or her life. It’s all about the relationship between the nurse and the person who is dying,” said LaQuay. The nurse gets to know the “person,” not the patient. The hospice nurse assists the person to identify his or her goals, what he wishes to accomplish before his death. The hospice nurse focuses on his accomplishments, the things of which he or she is most proud, and what he wishes to leave, added LaQuay. When Nate Lewis learned he had a complicated bone marrow disease,

with only 12 months to live, the San Francisco basketball coach was 56 years old. He chose to spend the last months of his life exploring and examining his life. As described on the Zen Hospice Project website, Lewis declined the chemotherapy that would have extended his life for a few months, so that he would have the clarity to consider his life and accept his death. ”The time between when you know you are dying and your death can be the most interesting time of your life,” said his oncologist, James Burke. For those who are open to it, dying offers a rare opportunity to explore and examine your life. “In medical school they tell you that people have these stages in dying, and in the final stage, everyone ac-

Lewis did not fight an incurable disease to the end, refusing to give up. He did something more difficult: He shut down the anger and desperation and moved on with living and controlling his life. He refused chemotherapy after trying it once. He wanted to focus on putting his life in order and accepting the inevitable. Unlike a lot of psychotherapy which pushes people to confront painful issues of their past, dignity therapy meets people where they are now, so they can address the topics they consider most pertinent and write their own stories. Dignity therapy gives individuals at the end of their life an opportunity to share things with their family that they might not otherwise share. Things like the regrets they have about how they lived their life, requests for forgiveness, and expressions of love. The most important thing most people wish to discuss is love. The second most important is lessons they learned in life. As the VNA’s LaQuay said: “Thinking about the impact you have made in your life and what you are leaving behind, that’s what makes it bearable.”

Patients with stroke symptoms still not calling 911

ationwide ambulance use by patients suffering from a stroke has not changed since the mid1990s, even though effective stroke treatments are now available. In a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center found that the number of stroke victims transported via ambulance has remained relatively static over the years, highlighting the need for more education about stroke symptoms and the importance of early intervention. Page 6

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The study, led by Hooman Kamel, a neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell, analyzed data collected by the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) between 1997 and 2008. “People do not always recognize the seriousness of stroke symptoms, or instead of calling 911, they may call their primary care physician for an appointment and lose valuable time as the damage becomes irreversible,” says Kamel. Based on 1,605 cases, the study found that just 51 percent of adults

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

diagnosed with stroke in emergency departments nationwide arrived via ambulance, with no significant change over the 11-year span. Kamel says recovery is possible with early treatment. “We have drugs and surgeries that can minimize brain damage from a stroke, but they can be used only within a few short hours. When stroke victims or bystanders quickly recognize the symptoms of a stroke and call 911, patients are more likely to arrive in time to receive these treatments.” According to the National Institute

of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, you should call 911 if you experience any of these symptoms. • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Golden Years Make retirement a reality Take practical approach toward living comfortably in retirement By Barbara Pierce

he best time to start planning your retirement is while you are still working. Before you throw out your alarm clock and put up your hammock, have a plan on how you will get to that place. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American spends 20 years in retirement. However, less than half of those who retire have calculated how much they need to save for retirement. And many find they must keep working past the time they planned to retire. “Many people are working longer than they expected,” said Bill Losey, certified financial planner and retirement expert. They took a big hit when the stock market plummeted and personal savings accounts faded away. Many expect to retire later than planned. Many will have a less comfortable retirement than their parents did. Losey, of Wilton, specializes in helping baby boomers generate a retirement income that they won’t outlive. Losey has shared his recommendations on several major TV and radio programs and in many magazines. “The most important rule is that the government and your company aren’t going to take care of you,” asserts Losey. “It’s up to you.” Over the last generation, the number of private sector employees with

pensions has declined significantly, according to Prudential Insurance. Health care and other costs of living in retirement keep rising.

People must shoulder more personal responsibility for their retirement. This calls for a fundamental shift in the way we plan for retirement. One of the major concerns of baby boomers is the fear of outliving their money. With people living longer, this is a legitimate concern, says Losey. Another concern is failing health; the last thing you want after you retire is a major illness. Keeping up with inflation is another concern. If you retire on $40,000 per year, and the rate of inflation is 3 percent per year, in time you will need to double the amount you have retired on. Here are some considerations: • Many take a full retirement when all they need is a break, said Losey. People in their late 50s and 60s get bored with the job they know so well or burned out and are eager for the new challenges of retirement. “Before you fully retire, see

whether your employer will consider a phase-out retirement plan,” advises Losey. Determine whether you can reduce your time at work to three or four days a week. This semi-retirement will give you a break from the daily routine and a chance to explore other things. Or, perhaps your employer will allow you to take several weeks off, then return to work. “It’s a win-win situation,” said Losey. • If retirement is on the horizon, pay down your debts, Losey said. Pay off your credit cards and your car loan. Your goal is to be debt free by the time you retire, except for your mortgage. • If you are still working and you have not maxed out your 401B, use the “catch-up” provision. If you are 55 or older, you may be able to add additional funds to your retirement account. Talk to your human resources person to learn whether this is an option you have. • Review your investments and your assets. Do not invest too heavily in stock. Limit your investment in your company stock to 10 percent, no matter how good it is. Do not put all your eggs in one basket, Losey cautions. “We are a nation of financial illiterates,” Losey added. “We all must become more knowledgeable about our personal finances.” To learn more about Losey, his website is www.BillLosey.com. He offers a free newsletter, “Retirement Intelligence.” He also has a book, “Retire in a Weekend,” based on feedback he has received from his newsletter.

Going Generic Excellus BlueCross BlueShield offers free initial co-pay for expanded list of generic drugs

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield members who take brand-name medicines for pain, heartburn, gout, high blood pressure, overactive bladder and migraine headaches now have an added incentive to ask their doctor if a generic drug might be right for them. It’s a free initial 30-day supply of a generic option to try at no cost, plus lower co-pays going forward if they continue with the generic. Excellus BCBS has long offered its members free trials of selected generic drugs. The health plan’s generic trial program had included 13 different generics in seven disease categories, accounting for about 41 percent of all prescriptions written for its members. Excellus BCBS now has expanded the program to 29 generic drugs covering 10 disease categories. A majority of the categories now have multiple generic options. “Our program is an alternative to

the free samples of heavily marketed drugs that pharmaceutical companies supply to doctors in hopes that patients become loyal users of the higher-cost brand,” said Joel Owerbach, Excellus BCBS vice president and chief pharmacy officer. A 30-day supply of an average brand-name prescription drug retails for $208, as opposed to $18 for an average generic. “That’s a dramatic price difference for people who don’t have prescription drug coverage,” said Owerbach. “Those who have prescription drug coverage typically are charged the lowest-level co-pay for generics, so a patient’s ongoing out-of-pocket costs likely will be lower with a generic than with a brand-name drug.”

Giving patients options

The free generic trial program is meant to encourage a physician to begin his or her patients’ course of treatment with a generic option. Excellus BCBS has found that more than 90

percent of all patients who start on a generic medication will stay with it. In addition, Excellus BCBS encourages patients who pay higher-level copays for brandname drugs to ask their physician if a lowerOwerbach cost generic might be right for them. “Generics are the gold standard when it comes to prescription medications, because they are widely used, time-tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Our expanded free generic trial program gives physicians an even broader arsenal of affordable treatment options for their patients who have chronic conditions,” May 2012 •

said Owerbach. Expensive brand-name drugs that now are targeted by Excellus BCBS for generic alternatives include Celebrex® for pain, Aciphex® for heartburn, Benicar HCT® for high blood pressure, Detrol LA® for overactive bladder, Uloric® for gout and Zomig® for migraine headaches. Nearly all of Excellus BCBS’ commercial benefit plans participate in the generic trial program, which does not apply to Medicaid Managed Care, Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus benefit plans. Members may ask about their particular plan by calling the pharmacy help desk at 800-7245033. More information regarding Excellus BCBS’ generic trial program, along with a library of information on savings opportunities with generics, is available on the Web at go.excellusbcbs.com/generics.

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Golden Years Telemedicine revolutionizes treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Presbyterian Home increases accessibility to specialists By Patricia J. Malin

argaret (Marge) Moylan appreciates the hands-on care she receives from her neurologist, Kevin Biglan, despite the two-and-ahalf hour drive from her home in Ilion to his office in Rochester. However, just one day after her annual visit, Moylan, 68, received another consultation a lot closer to home as Biglan addressed the Central New York Parkinson’s Support Group at the Parkinson’s Education Day at the Presbyterian Home for CNY in New Hartford recently. Biglan, a specialist in movement disorders and associate professor of neurology at the University of Rochester, addressed a group of about 75 Biglan people, which included his Parkinson’s patients from the Mohawk Valley, and discussed how technology can help increase their accessibility to specialists and their quality of care. Since 2008, Biglan has teamed up with Presbyterian Home Administrator Tony Joseph to make telemedicine a reality for Parkinson’s patients in Central New York, so his talk was not dramatically new to all of the guests. Following his one-hour lecture, Biglan remained in the room and answered a number of questions from the audience about Parkinson’s disease, answers that undoubtedly would not have come without an expensive, private visit to his office. Biglan also had arranged a telemedicine session later with one of his patients back in Rochester from the TV “studio” at The Presbyterian Home. Joseph has made The Presbyterian Home a forerunner in the use of telemedicine, which enables patients sitting in a conference room in New Hartford to consult with specialists from the University of Rochester and Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore by way of a TV screen, a computer with encrypted software and the Internet. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, degenerative neurological disorder in which the brain stops producing dopamine, a vital substance that allows the muscles of the body to operate automatically. With a lack of dopamine, those afflicted with Parkinson’s disease lose the ability to move, Page 8

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course, funding. Nevertheless, PD is a “treatable chronic condition,” Biglan said. Some patients, like Moylan, have little mobility and need to use wheelchairs, canes and walkers. Moylan, a singer in her younger years, has a weak voice now. Others cannot sit still, their hands and legs twitching uncontrollably. Moylan and her husband, Pat, helped found the nonprofit support group in New Hartford in 1992 to increase awareness about PD by sponsoring educational seminars like the one with Biglan, and provide support for patients and their caregivers. Moylan was the group’s first president, and Margaret (Marge) Moylan is shown with her husband Pat. her caregiver husband succeeded her. Both of them are speak and swallow, and to perform former high school teachers at Ilion other activities involving their muscles. Central School. Shortly after getting The “faces” of PD include such her diagnosis, Moylan said she had to celebrities as Michael J. Fox and Muquit teaching due to her disability. Her hammed Ali. Common signs and symphusband took early retirement at 55 toms include slow movements, tremors because caring for his wife became a or shaking of limbs, muscle stiffness, full-time job. stooped posture and loss of balance. In The support group is now affiliated addition, depression and dementia are with, but independent of, The Presoften unwelcome intruders. byterian Home, which was the first in Progressive disease the nation to provide a skilled nursing Moylan was diagnosed with unit for people affected by Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease more than 25 years disease and other movement disorders. ago at age 41, only a year after she The Presbyterian Home also became was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. the first skilled nursing unit in the While her MS has gone into remission, U.S. to utilize telemedicine, which is her PD has progressively worsened, she described as a “virtual house call.” said. Focus of research program She is now severely stooped over With the help of the University and uses a wheelchair. There are a wide of Rochester and Johns Hopkins, and variety of disorders associated with PD members of the Parkinson support and not everyone has the same sympgroup, The Presbyterian Home is untoms or behavior. There are no known dertaking numerous research studies. causes, although genetics is believed to The studies focus on the telemedicine play a small role, and the disease is asprogram and its beneficial impact on sociated with aging. The symptoms can actual treatment and quality of care. go undetected for many years and even The Presbyterian Home conducted decades in advance of the diagnosis, a survey of 357 patients with PD and said Biglan. concluded that those who visited a There is no cure either. Due to imneurologist were three times more likeproved medical care, longer life spans ly to be satisfied with their care. That’s and an aging population, the number of one of the key benefits of telemedicine. PD cases is projected to increase signifi“Parkinson’s disease is readily vicantly in the United States and around sualized,” Biglan said. From his office the world. Thus the need is greater for in Rochester, he can “see” his patient research, awareness, treatment and of on a flat screen TV sitting in a private

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

conference room at The Presbyterian Home. The doctor and patient can easily speak with each other, while the physician is also capable of assessing a patient’s condition firsthand, by sight and by communicating verbally. The patient’s family and a nurse or health aide can also be available. Telemedicine also provides for videotaping the conferences, so the patient and or the doctor can be available at their convenience, regardless of the time of day or the weather. Moylan said she has frequently engaged with Biglan by way of telemedicine and both she and her husband believe it is just as effective as personal visits. Parkinson’s patients can rely on synthetic dopamine-like medicines to help them get through the day, but there is no cure for PD. Some people diagnosed with PD, such as Deana Ventura, a member of the Parkinson’s support group, have no overt symptoms. Although she appeared in Biglan’s video that demonstrated telemedicine, she stands mostly upright and easily carries on conversations with friends. She was one of several Presbyterian Home patients who gave an “unprompted and unscripted” comment on telemedicine. Another member of the support group, Don Hamlin of Clinton, opened education day by exhorting his friends to buy his newly published book of humor titled, “You People Are Probably Wondering Why I Called This Meeting.” He is a lively, talkative man who uses a cane for walking and resembles many other senior citizens from afar. He, too, lives at home with his family, like Moylan, and comes to The Presbyterian Home for outpatient services, such as telemedicine visits, and for socializing with fellow PD patients.

High-tech approach

Computer technology, not just telemedicine, is rapidly advancing diagnosis and access to care for all types of patients. For example, Moylan’s tremors can be eliminated or controlled through the use of small computer chips or electrodes implanted in her chest, much like pacemakers, Pat Moylan pointed out. Marge Moylan placed a small handheld computer to the electrodes, one on each side of her upper chest, and got a reading that the electrodes were working properly. Despite the complications from PD, she and her husband are constantly on the go as they and other members of the support group give frequent lectures, often to nursing students, therapists and medical groups, and participate in health fairs. They have also helped PD patients in four other areas of the state get their own support groups up and running.

Why am I so tired? Surprising causes of fatigue and how to fight back By Barbara Pierce

hronic tiredness is one of the most common complaints that people bring to their doctor, says J. Fred Ralston Jr., on WebMD.com. Ralston is an internist practicing in Tennessee and past president of the American College of Physicians. If you feel tired all the time, first check with your doctor to rule out whether a medical issue could be the cause of your energy drain. You could have an underactive thyroid or anemia or something similar. If a medical reason is not the cause of your fatigue, here are some possible causes and how you can fight back. • Dehydration: You may not feel thirsty, but your body may not be getting enough water. That is enough to flatten you. To recharge, drink more water, eight cups a day. Limit beverages that dehydrate you like caffeinated beverages and alcohol. • Don’t skip breakfast: “Most people feel like they’re less tired if they eat a healthy diet,” says Ralston. If you skip breakfast, you will start your day being lethargic and you may never get your energy level up. Or, if your breakfast comes from Dunkin’ Donuts, you will be tired as your blood sugar spikes, then drops. Instead go for a breakfast of whole grains like oatmeal, fruit, and protein, like an egg. If you need to grab something quick, grab a protein bar and a banana. “Eating healthy also means you’ll carry less weight, and obesity is a big contributor to fatigue,” adds Ralston. • Boredom: Being stuck in a dull routine life with nothing to look forward to is an energy drain. We thrive by being challenged and having something to look forward to. To recharge

and give yourself an energy boost, nurture your curiosity. Geri Speich of Barneveld is excited about her life and all the new things she is learning at the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement at SUNY-IT. “We have a marvelous opportunity to learn for the sake of learning. It challenges your mind and you can make friends. We love the program,” she said. She has especially liked classes on birding, weather, and glaciers, and several on cultural diversity. “The subjects run the gamut; there is something for everyone,” she noted. Fern Ladd of Schuyler agreed with Speich that her life is more interesting with the classes she attends at MVILR.

She especially enjoyed the class on Victorian women and their homes, the people’s law class, and the history of cemetery art. • Gadget overload: Another cause of fatigue. Our constant plugged-in state is exhausting. Texting, checking emails, surfing the Internet, never getting away from interruptions from our cell phones—they all cause a sense of urgency. To recharge, schedule gadgetfree times. Make it a priority to get unplugged. Better yet, get out in nature, far away from phones and computers. • Lack of exercise: This is the biggie, said Ralston. He said the best thing for tiredness is regular exercise. Complete

your exercise at least three hours before bedtime. Exercise breeds energy. Studies have found that sedentary people who start exercising feel less fatigue than people continue to slouch on the couch. Ralston advises that it may take a few weeks, maybe a month, to feel the results. • Unfinished projects: The report that is overdue, the taxes that you got an extension to complete, the angry person you have been avoiding, the partly done knitted sweater—all these half done projects are draining your energy. To prevent this, do not start on new projects until you know you have the time to do it, and the desire to do it. If you don’t have time, do not start. The half-done projects: Throw them out it you can. Finish it if you must, but stop procrastinating. • Decision-making: Decisions are mental exercises that burn calories according to John R. Sharp, Harvard Medical School, in SpryLiving.com. You expend energy to make decisions. To get around this energy drain, make decisions in the morning when your energy is highest. And rely more on your intuition. • Toxic relationships: “We pick up one another’s energy,” said Sharp. “When you get sucked into someone’s negativity, that’s a tremendous drain. Instead, practice emotional distance. And set boundaries on your availability. Good boundaries are healthy.

Are you making your spring allergies worse? Five things that can aggravate your suffering

ruits and veggies, air filters, spring breezes, procrastination and self-medication — each can delay relief from a stuffy nose, sneezing, sniffling or other symptoms if you’re one of the more than 35 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. “People with spring allergies often don’t realize how many things can aggravate their allergy symptoms so they just muddle along and hope for an early end to the season,” said Myron Zitt, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “But there’s no reason to suffer. A few simple adjustments in habits and treatment can make springtime much more enjoyable.” The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and its allergist members alert people with spring allergies to be on the lookout for these five things that can

aggravate suffering.

1. Noshing on fruits and veggies

Many people with seasonal allergies also suffer from pollen food allergy syndrome (also called oral allergy syndrome), a cross-reaction between the similar proteins in certain types of fruits, vegetables (and some nuts) and the allergy-causing pollen. One in five people with grass allergies and as many as 70 percent of people with birch tree allergies suffer from the condition, which can make your lips tingle and swell and your mouth itch. The trick is to determine which problematic produce is causing your symptoms and then avoid eating it, (although you might be able to eat it if it’s peeled, cooked or canned). If you’re allergic to birch or alder trees, you might have a reaction to celery, cherries or apples. If you have grass allergies, tomatoes, potatoes or peaches may bother you. Usually the reaction is simply annoying and doesn’t last long. But up

to 9 percent of people have reactions that affect a part of their body beyond their mouth and 1.7 percent can suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. If you’ve had a systemic reaction, you should see an allergist and ask whether you should carry injectable epinephine.

2. Using the wrong air filter

Using an air filter to keep your home pollen-free is a good idea, but be sure it’s the right kind. Studies show inexpensive central furnace/air conditioning filters and ionic electrostatic room cleaners aren’t helpful — and in fact the latter releases ions, which can be an irritant. Wholehouse filtration systems do work, but change the filters regularly or you could be doing more harm than good.

3. Opening your windows

When your windows are open, the pollen can drift inside, settle into your carpet, furniture and car upholMay 2012 •

stery and continue to torture you. So keep your house and car windows shut during allergy season.

4. Procrastinating

You may think you can put off or even do without medication this spring, but the next thing you know you’re stuffed up, sneezing and downright miserable. Instead, get the jump on allergies by taking your medication before the season gets under way.

5. Self-medicating

Perhaps you are not sure exactly what’s making you feel awful so you switch from one medication to the next hoping for relief. Your best bet is to see an allergist, who can determine just what’s triggering your symptoms and suggest treatment. Visit www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org to find an allergist near you. You might even benefit from allergy shots (immunotherapy), which can stop the suffering altogether.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

Nutrition SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Boost your antioxidant level with artichokes

’m a big fan of any food that’s high in antioxidants, substances that help counter the damaging effects of free radicals. Dark chocolate, blueberries, red beans, walnuts: you name the free-radicalbusting food and I will have consumed it sometime that day or week. I seek antioxidants for this important reason: Free radicals, which form during normal metabolism and in response to X-rays, pollution, and UV radiation, have been implicated in the development of chronic health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. While looking for new antioxidant-rich foods to add to my list, I was floored to discover that, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, artichokes contain more antioxidants than any other vegetable. What a delicious, nutritious surprise!

Concerned about blood pressure? Reach for an artichoke next time you’d like to up your potassium intake: one medium artichoke has about as much potassium as one small banana. New research suggests that increasing the amount of potassium you consume may help to reduce blood pressure, decreasing the risk of both heart disease and stroke. A dieter’s dream food, fat-free artichokes are low in calories (60 per medium artichoke or 10 per whole canned artichoke heart) and high in fiber. Fiber keeps you regular, helps ferry bad cholesterol out of the body, and makes you feel full longer, so you don’t eat as much. Lastly, artichokes are relatively high in vitamin C, a powerhouse vitamin that plays a major role in healing wounds, building collagen and boosting the immune system.

Helpful tips

More great news: Artichokes may be your liver’s best friend. Long used in folk and alternative medicines as a treatment for liver ailments, artichokes have piqued the interest of researchers who are finding credible benefits. While some studies link artichokes with a boost in bile production, others suggest that artichokes may play a role in the regeneration of liver tissue.

If purchasing fresh artichokes, select ones that are heavy, have a tight leaf formation and “squeak” when you squeeze them. You may store whole, unwashed artichokes in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days. If preparing and eating whole artichokes seems difficult, canned artichokes (packed in brine not oil) are a convenient, cost-effective alternative.

Survey: Older adults do get good rest

he older you get, the better you sleep, according to new research that challenges conventional wisdom that a good night’s rest is harder to come by with age. In a survey of 150,000 adults, people in their 70s and 80s had the fewest complaints of sleep disturbance, while those between the ages of 18 and 24 had the most. Except for a bump in complaints in middle age, sleep appears to improve steadily over the course of a lifetime. One big implication of the study is that health-care providers should not just dismiss poor sleep as a normal part of aging, said study author Michael Grandner, a research associate at the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, which appears in the March issue of the journal Sleep, looked at responses to a phone survey conducted in 36 U.S. states and territories. People described how often they had experienced sleep disturbance or daytime drowsiness in the previous two weeks. “In women, you saw very clear increases in both sleep disturbance and daytime tiredness [in middle age]; in men you also saw an increase in later

middle age,” Grandner said. “I think in women, you’re seeing an effect of premenopause and menopause. With men, it’s a little later. That’s where career peaks — and peak stress — occurs, in the later 50s.” Men in that age group are also at higher risk of sleep apnea and other health problems, he noted. Health problems — especially depression — had a significant effect on sleep, the survey found. “One of the most important findings was that depression was a significant predictor for sleep problems,” said Michael Vitiello, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, and an expert on sleep and aging. “I applaud the investigators for this labor-intensive and comprehensive examination of the question,” he said. “I’ve been on the ‘It isn’t aging, it’s illness’ bandwagon for many years. It’s a treatable disorder. Much of the sleep disturbance seen in older adults is not driven by aging, but by illness.” Healthy older people sleep better, both experts said. They don’t necessarily nap more, and dozing off at the opera or movies is by no means a given. In his own research, Vitiello said,

“we looked at napping in older adults -- but not as large a sample, and found that, like sleep complaints, napping is driven by illness burden. If an older person complains [of sleep problems], something’s going on and it needs to be dealt with. A physician shouldn’t say, ‘OK, you’re old.’”

Artichoke, Tomato, and Yellow Pepper Salad 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon dried mint (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped) ½ teaspoon dried chive 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 14-ounce cans quartered artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained 1 yellow pepper, diced 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced 1 cup frozen shelled edamame (soybeans), thawed ½ cup crumbled feta cheese Salt and pepper, to taste Whisk lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mint, chives and garlic in large bowl. Check artichokes for tough or discolored leaves and remove. Gently stir in artichokes, yellow pepper, grape tomatoes, olives, edamame and feta cheese. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Fitness Exercise as a stress reducer Fitness leads to a higher quality of life, expert says

it. “Easing into a new regime is by far the most effective and safe way to begin,” Krebs said. If an individual is beginning exercise for the first time, Krebs suggests “seeking out the advice of a licensed fitness professional” for the best results.

By Kristen Raab

f you are feeling tired, overwhelmed, and you are ready to reach for some comfort food while lounging in front of the television, you may want to reconsider. Stress can lead us to make poor choices that negatively impact our health. Exercising is a choice that will improve one’s physical and emotional well-being. Steven Krebs, owner of Next Level Performance Boot Camps, says, “When the body is treated properly, it will work more effectively, therefore decreasing the risk of hormone-related issues like anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. This is because exercising has an amazing effect on our hormones.” Endorphins are released when a person exercises, and these neurotransmitters help reduce stress levels. Exercising also boosts self-confidence, which may change the way stress is handled. Krebs said living a healthy lifestyle has many benefits. These benefits include increased energy, strength, and mobility and decreased risk of disease, stress and back pain. For people who haven’t exercised in a while, Krebs says, “Listen to your

Find what you like

Krebs body, and progress slowly.” Intense exercise should be saved for when a person is ready to dive into

Finding an exercise that is enjoyable is important because you will be more likely to stick to it. Starting out with a low-impact activity such as walking is a great way to reintroduce your body to physical activity. For people who want a more intense routine, consider biking, jumping rope or kickboxing. Popping in a fitness DVD is perfectly fine as long as you are careful and stick with the program. This is a commitment that you are making to yourself, which will improve your life in many ways, including channeling your stress into a healthy place. The most common complaint regarding exercise is that there is no time to do it. Krebs argues, “Everyone is busy, and that is not an excuse not to exercise.” He explains that his company sees mothers with full-time careers who find time to commit to fitness. “We all have the same 24 hours in a

Where there’s smoke … Secondhand smoke can lead to illness, death By Kristen Raab

t is well known that smoking cigarettes damages a person’s health and can lead to death. Smoking is a personal choice, however, that adults are free to make. Ingesting secondhand smoke also produces many harmful effects, but unfortunately being exposed to secondhand smoke is not always an individual’s choice. The American Cancer Society website says tobacco smoke has over 7,000 chemical compounds. Over 250 of the chemicals are harmful with 60 or more linked to cancer. Some of the chemicals in a cigarette include ammonia, cadmium, carbon monoxide and arsenic. Non-smokers are exposed to many of these dangerous chemicals. There are two types of secondhand, or passive, smoke. Side stream smoke comes from the product itself while mainstream smoke is what the smoker exhales. Erin Gleason, tobacco cessation coordinator at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, says, “The longer you are around secondhand smoke, the more Page 12

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likely it is to hurt you.” This is because “breathing secondhand smoke makes the platelets in your blood behave like those of a regular smoker.” “People regularly exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20 to 30 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer than those who are not exposed as often,” Gleason said.

Kids have no recourse

Children have the least control over their exposure to toxic smoke. They may live in a home where one or both parents smoke. Gleason said “the effects of secondhand smoke can be long-lasting for our little ones.” According to Nysmokefree.com, children are mostly exposed to secondhand smoke by their parents 90 percent of the time. Babies are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome if their parents smoke. Parents might assume that smoking in a hallway or on the porch will protect their children. This is untrue as smoke seeps through windows, doors and vents. Gleason explains, “Even if a smoker only puffs outside, their clothes and skin will pick up the smell of smoke

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

and transfer it to the interior of your home.” What about our furry little friends? “Your pet is a living creature and is susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke,” Gleason said. Studies have shown that cats owned by smokers were at greater risk for feline cancer and that dogs in households with smokers were 60 percent more likely to get lung cancer. Dogs will typically suffer from nose and sinus area cancer whereas cats take in the toxins from their fur when they clean themselves, which can result in mouth cancer.

Renters beware

Renters need to beware of smoke migrating into their homes. If an apartment building or complex is not smoke-free, there is a chance that nonsmokers breathe in toxins from their neighbors’ cigarettes. Gleason says, “Even a short time in a smoking room causes your blood platelets to stick together. Breathing secondhand smoke makes it more likely that you will get heart disease, have a heart attack, and die early.” Many restaurants and other indoor establishments have gone smoke-free

day,” he says. Make the transition easier by starting out slowly.

Start slowly

Perhaps the first day you devote just 10 minutes to exercising. Do this every day, and by the end of the week, add another 10 minutes to the time. Your endurance will increase, and you may find yourself looking forward to your workouts. If you’d like to learn more about Next Level Performance Boot Camps, visit www.nxtleveltraining.com. They provide personal training, boot camp and athlete performance. Krebs has a degree in health science from SUNY Cortland. He’s a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association among other certifications and credentials. All potential members are required to attend orientation and assessment, which leads to “individualized programs,” Krebs said. This allows fitness specialists to train people all of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. For some people, yoga or Pilates may be the perfect stress buster. For others, it takes a vigorous run to feel better. Choose the exercise that you like, and enjoy the many benefits that will come along with that choice.

across the country. However, if you attend Central New York events such as parades, outdoor concerts, a Saranac Thursday or grab a drink at a bar or club, you will likely ingest secondhand smoke. In addition, smokers are present in front of coffee shops, stores, schools, and at bus stops, puffing toxins into the air we all breathe. Gleason suggests the following: • Limit exposure by only visiting smoke-free restaurants and bars • Encourage your work place to go smoke free, including not allowing smoking near doorways and entrances. • Let owners of businesses that are not smoke free know that smoke bothers you. • Ask smokers to wash their hands before holding your baby or children Gleason said there are both immediate and long-term benefits to quitting smoking. For example, eight hours after quitting, “the carbon monoxide levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal,” Gleason says. It takes about 48 hours for the nicotine to leave your body, and “your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased,” Gleason says. In addition, lung capacity improves by 10 percent in three to nine months. Five years after you quit, the risk of having a stroke is the same as the risk non-smokers face, and in 10 years, your lung cancer risk equals that of a non-smoker, too.

Fitness Healthy fit Youth fitness, taekwondo experts address kids’ health issues By Barbara Pierce

children, that the program is growing rapidly through word of mouth.” Program director LaFountain is a national strength and conditioning certified trainer, president of All American Fitness Center, and principal of Mount Markham School.

n exciting new program for Mohawk Valley kids, Tae Kwon Do and Youth Fitness, has become popular in just the few months since it began. This healthy approach to physical activity for kids is at the All American Fitness Center, 1 Campion Road, New Hartford. A program for physical fitness for children aged 7-18, classes are based on techniques for muscular development, cardiopulmonary health, flexibility, healthy body composition, nutrition and weight. Each child receives individual supervision. Fundamental instruction in agility, balance, coordination, and body awareness is at the core of the program. Goals are for each child to increase selfesteem and self-discipline, prepare to participate in athletics, learn personal self defense, gain nutritional education, and develop a positive lifestyle. Classes, organized by age, consist of endurance training, resistance training, core strength development, agility drills, and traditional taekwondo. Taekwondo, developed by the Korean military, is the most widely practiced marital art in the world. “During the 60 minute class, participants are engaged in organized activities requiring mental focus, physical effort, and self-determination,” said Dan Fusco, program instructor and certified master of taekwondo. “All activities are based on scientifically proven exercise physiology principles.” Most kids come to two or three of the after-school and Saturday classes each week.

Grim numbers

“We all know the statistics on childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease,” added Fusco. “Another peril facing youth are sports activity related injuries. Debilitating injuries, such as injuries to the ligaments that stabilize the knee, have life-long consequences.

Vast improvement

Dan Fusco introduces a young student to weights at the All-American Fitness Center next door to his classroom in New Hartford. These injuries are no longer isolated to just professional athletes. “A staggering statistic from the National Center for Sports Safety shows that more than 3.5 million children under the age of 14 receive medical treatment for sports injury each year. Overuse and improper athletic development is responsible for more than half of these injuries,” Fusco said. “A large portion of these injuries

is avoidable with proper movement training and muscular development. Our program focuses on building a solid foundation of proper movement habits for correct development of each child, prior to engaging in the physical demands of sport activities.” “The program has been an overwhelming success,” said Jim LaFountain. “Parents are so happy with the positive changes they see in their

“We see changes in every child in the program,” said LaFountain. “Their fitness is improved. They definitely benefit physically. But the big surprise is how they improve in social skills.” He described one young man who, when LaFountain first met him, could not make eye contact, looked at the floor, did not say anything. About a month later, the same boy came up to LaFountain, looked him in the eye, greeted him, and shook his hand. “What a dramatic change!” LaFountain said. Parents have also been pleased that, because of the program, their child’s grades have risen and their behavior at home is much improved. “The kids become more respectful and dignified,” added LaFountain. Together, LaFountain and Fusco developed the program. Fusco conceived the youth fitness and taekwondo program as he watched his 10-yearold son participate in taekwondo and organized team sports. He was concerned with the lack of preparation his son received to play sports. Said Fusco, “With my background in exercise science, personal training and taekwondo, I saw an opportunity to offer our community a unique program to address issues which are important to me as a parent, and with hope that it would also be an answer for other parents who feel the same way I do.” LaFountain agreed, and the program began in September 2011. For more information on the program, stop by the All American Fitness Center in New Hartford, or call 315-292-4819. A free trial period is available.

Excellus BCBS looking for owners of ‘Forgotten Funds’

early 12,000 individuals and companies in New York state have forgotten about $1.25 million in checks issued by Excellus Health Plan, including by its d.b.a., Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. This isn’t money left in their pockets, but is in the form of unclaimed checks issued in 2008 to members and providers. A complete list of names of people and companies with checks to claim is available on the company’s website at excellusbcbs.com/forgottenfunds. You can also see the legal notices in many newspapers across New York

state. Every year, the state requires insurers like Excellus BCBS to make a list of unclaimed checks that are at least three years old. The names are then placed in advertisements in local papers in an attempt to find the people who have money to claim. If the property is not claimed by the end of August, the money is then turned over to the comptroller of the state of New York. “This is money that was paid for claims or refunded premiums. If the money remains unclaimed it will go to the state,” said Christopher C. Booth,

president and chief operating officer. “It rightfully belongs to our members or providers and we want to make sure they have one more chance to claim it before it goes to the state.” Most of the funds that have yet to be redeemed were allocated to Excellus BCBS members and providers. Checks may not have been cashed for a number of reasons. The member may have moved and not left a forwarding address, a member may have died, or the member simply forgot about the money. To claim a check prior to Aug. 31, May 2012 •

do one of the following steps: • By way of e-mail, contact customer services or provider services at www.excellusbcbs.com. • By phone; if you are currently a health plan member, call the phone number on your member identification card. • If you are no longer a health plan member, or if you are calling on behalf of the estate of a family member, call Excellus BlueCross BlueShield: 877-7573850. Note that checks will not be mailed to claimants until after Aug. 31.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2 course teachings online while The Arc employees are on site assisting the students serving as mentors throughout the college experience. Students also will receive real college-life knowledge by attending social activities at The College of Saint Rose campus in Albany. For more information, call 315-7925465. The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC is a nonprofit human services agency which provides advocacy and services for 1,650 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oneida and Lewis counties.

May 2

Five companies take on the 2012 Corporate Challenge Recognizing that people spend a good part of their day at work and that employee wellness initiatives can reap big rewards, five companies in the Mohawk Valley have taken on the American Heart Association’s 2012 Corporate Challenge. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, First Source Federal Credit Union, AmeriCU Credit Union, Revere Copper Products, Inc. and Faxton St. Luke’s

Healthcare have entered a team in the Corporate Challenge—an eight-week workplace wellness challenge that kicked off March 5 and will culminate with an announcement of the results on May 2 at the AHA’s Go Red For Women Luncheon at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. The Corporate Challenge requires each company to field a team of employees who will participate in wellness activities and programs organized by their team captains for the duration of the eight-week program. Each employee will also log on to the AHA’s “Life Simple 7” Web-based wellness program and health assessment tool (www.heart.org/mylifecheck), where his or her progress is tracked. Tickets for the Go Red For Women luncheon may be purchased by calling 315-266-5403. Supporting the Go Red for Women luncheon helps advance research and education to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke.

May 3

Learn about insurance at Health Night Learn how you may be able to obtain free or low-cost health insurance at

Rome Memorial Hospital’s free Health Night at 7 p.m. May 3 in the hospital’s classroom. RMH’s Nicholeen Eaton, director of patient registration, and Amy DiStefano, director of the business office, will present the possible options available to individuals and families. Those interested should bring proof of age, address and income in order to determine eligibility for health insurance enrollment. The Health Night program includes free giveaways from agencies and refreshments. Advance registration is not required. RMH’s classroom is located on the second floor of the hospital. For more information, call 3387143.

May 4

FSLH offers free hearing screenings In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month in May, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica will offer free hearing screenings throughout the month at the Regional Rehabilitation Center at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Adults and children 4 years of age or older are welcome. Screenings are scheduled as follows: • May 4 from 8 a.m. to noon • May 11 from 1-4:30 p.m. • May 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • May 23 from 8 a.m. to noon • May 31 from 1-4:30 p.m. One in six Americans has a hearing, speech or language problem. To register, call the audiology department at FSLH’s Regional Rehabilitation Center at 315 624-4600.

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315-853-3698 Page 14

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

May 11

Learning the ‘Art of Marriage’ “The Art of Marriage” will be presented May 18-19 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The cost is $20 per person and registration is required by May 11. It is a video event that brings together some of the most respected and influential pastors and experts on marriage and family. For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, Tanya@thegoodnewscenter.org, or visit www.TheGoodNewsCenter.org-Events Calendar.

May 12

FSLH announces new aquatic class sessions A new session of youth aquatics classes starts May 12 at the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Wellness Center. “Mommy and Me” classes for children aged 6 months to 2 years take place at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. for children aged 3-4. A “Kidzercise” class for children aged 5-12 is at noon. Each session lasts six weeks and costs $50. Scholarships are available through the Children’s Miracle Network for families who qualify. Classes take place at the regional rehabilitation center pool located at the Faxton Campus of FSLH, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Call 315 624-5484 or email bgutowsk@mvnhealth.com for more information or to register.

May 6

May 22

The Separated & Divorced Support Group meets from 5-6:30 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-7356210, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

The Ava Dorfman Senior Center, 305 E. Locust St., Rome, invites the public to join in a tribute to the military at its sixth annual USO dinner dance from 5-8 p.m. May 22. The event will feature dance music by local DJ Frank Belmont. A homemade stuffed chicken breast dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by May 18. The cost is $5 for veterans; $10 for center members, and $15 per person. Call the center at 337-8230 for more information.

Separated & Divorced Support Group gathers Commercial Residential Management

4201 or online at www.alz.org/cny.

May 9

DementiaCare2012 to take place in Syracuse Registration is under way for “DementiaCare2012: Empowering Caregivers with Practical Solutions,’ the first care-giving conference by the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter. The inaugural conference is May 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Syracuse. The conference’s agenda is highlighted by keynote speaker Patti Kerr, who will present “What I Wish Someone Had Told Me,” an empowering and educational presentation about the myths, facts and unspoken truths related to dementia care-giving. Registration for the conference, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m., is $75 per person and includes admission to all programs and an expo of local vendors, a guide with the day’s presentations and local caregiving resources, and lunch. The event is presented by the Kirkpatrick Day Program, Syracuse’s only dementia-specific adult day program. Space for the conference is limited and reservations can be made at 315-472-

Senior center to feature dinner dance

2012 Go Red For Women Luncheon on agenda The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. May 2 at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. Before the luncheon gets under way, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a heart health fair at 10 a.m. to learn about stress management, cooking healthy, their personal risk of stroke and much more. Chrissie Hughes, a successful young mother of three, will share her personal journey as a survivor of heart disease. For information on the Go Red For Women Luncheon, contact the American Heart Association at 315 266-5403.

The Social Ask Security Ofﬁce Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Serving wounded warriors and the survivors of our fallen heroes

t’s an American tradition to pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces each Memorial Day — especially honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. If you are a military service member who was wounded and needs to apply for disability benefits, it’s important to know that you will receive expedited processing. Our wounded warriors initiative is for military service members who become disabled while on active duty on or after Oct.1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses, may be able to receive benefits. Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. Did you know that May also is National Military Appreciation Month? Even more reason to let members of

Q&A

Q: Do members of Congress have to pay into Social Security? A: Yes, they do. Members of Congress, the president and vice president, federal judges, and most political appointees, have paid taxes into the Social Security program since January 1984. They pay into the system just like everyone else, no matter how long they have been in office. Learn more about Social Security benefits at www. socialsecurity.gov. Q: How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records? A: To change the citizenship shown on our records: • Complete and print a new Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5) at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ss5.htm; and • Show us documents proving your: — New or revised citizenship status (Only certain documents can be accepted as proof of citizenship. These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents); — Age; and — Identity. • Take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

our military know how much we value what they do for us and our nation. To learn more about the Social Security benefits for those who have served in the military, read our publication, “Military Service and Social Security.” You can find it online at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html, or send us an email at OPI.Net.Post@ssa. gov, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask for a free copy to be mailed to you. Memorial Day also is a good time to remind families of fallen military heroes that we may be able to pay Social Security survivors benefits. If the person you depended on for income has died, you should apply for survivors benefits. Learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www. socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm. The men and women of the Armed Forces serve us each and every day. At Social Security, we’re here to serve them too.

Q: How long does it take to complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits? A: It can take as little as 15 minutes to complete the online application. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation to mail in. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. There’s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. To retire online, go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Q: I have never worked, but my spouse has. What will my Social Security benefit be? A: You can be entitled to as much as one-half of your spouse’s benefit amount if you start your benefits when you reach full retirement age. If you want to get Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age, the amount of your benefit will be reduced. The amount of reduction depends on when you will reach full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 66, you can get 35 percent of your spouse’s unreduced benefit at age 62. The amount of your benefit increases at later ages up to the maximum of 50 percent if you retire at full retirement age. However, if you are taking care of a child who is under age 16 or who gets Social Security disability benefits, you get full benefits, regardless of your age. Learn more at www. socialsecurity.gov/retire2/yourspouse. htm.

By Jim Miller

The often ignored warning signs of a mini-stroke A person is more likely to suffer a mini-stroke if they are overweight or inactive, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes Dear Savvy Senior, How can a person know if they’ve had a stroke? My 70-yearold husband had a spell a few weeks ago where he suddenly felt dizzy for no apparent reason and had trouble talking and walking because his left side went numb, but it went away after a few minutes and he feels fine now. Seems Fine Dear Seems, It’s very possible that your husband may have had a “mini-stroke” also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and if he hasn’t already done so, he needs to see a doctor pronto. Each year, more than a quartermillion Americans have a ministroke, but only about half of them realize what’s happening. That’s because the symptoms are usually fleeting (lasting only a few minutes, up to an hour or two), causing most people to ignore them or brush them off as no big deal. But anyone who has had a mini-stroke is 10 times more likely to have a full-blown stroke, which can cause long-term paralysis, impaired memory, loss of speech or vision, or even death. A mini-stroke is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, and can be a warning sign that a major stroke may soon be coming. That’s why mini-strokes need to be treated like emergencies. Who’s Vulnerable?

A person is more likely to suffer a TIA or stroke if they are overweight or inactive, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes. Other factors that boost the risks are age (over 60), smoking, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and having a family history of stroke. Men also have a greater risk for stroke than women, and African Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk than those of other races.

Warning Signs

The symptoms of a mini-stroke are the same as those of a full-blown stroke, but can be subtle and shortlived, and they don’t leave any permanent damage. They include: May 2012 •

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body. • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. Anyone who is having any of these symptoms should call 911 immediately. Or, if you’ve had any of them and they went away, ask someone to drive you to the emergency room or nearby stroke center as soon as possible and tell them you may have had stroke.

Take This Quiz

More than one-third of mini-stroke suffers will eventually have a fullblown stroke, unless their underlying conditions are treated. If your husband did have a mini-stroke and did not get medical treatment, this self-assessment quiz (known as the ABCD2 tool) can estimate his risk of having a major stroke in the very near future. • Age: If over age 60 — 1 point. • Blood pressure: If his systolic blood pressure (top number) is higher than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) is higher than 90 — 1 point. • Clinical features: If he had weakness on one side of your body during your mini-stroke — 2 points. If you had a speech disturbance without weakness — 1 point. • Duration of symptoms: If his symptoms lasted for 10 minutes to an hour — 1 point. If they lasted an hour or longer — 2 points. • Diabetes: If he has diabetes — 1 point. If his score is 3 or less, his risk of having a major stroke within a month of his TIA is 2 percent. A score of 4 or 5 indicates about an 8 percent risk for stroke within 30 days and a 10 percent risk within 90 days. And a score of 6 or 7 estimate a 16 percent chance of stroke in 30 days and around 20 percent within 90 days.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News RMH’s Sleep Disorders United Way holds community wide diaper drive Center earns accreditation United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area is collecting diapers and supplies for local babies and families in need. “Throughout our state, studies show that 56 percent of people reported they had to take money out of their savings or retirement funds to meet basic expenses,” executive director Brenda Episcopo said. “The diaper drive is a great way for us to come together as a community to support the health and well being of our youngest and most vulnerable residents: babies. It is also an opportunity for us to alleviate some financial pressure for some parents in the interest of the common good.” Diaper Drive sponsors, Target and M. Griffith Investment Services, are helping to spread the word within the community. Target at Sangertown Square has agreed to be a public donation site for those wishing to contribute to the drive. Local businesses and organizations are welcome to hold internal workplace collections. For details on how to start a workplace diaper drive, contact Adam Lawless, community engagement manager, at 315-733-4691 ext. 224 For more information about United Way, or to donate to the annual campaign, visit www.unitedwaygu.org or call 315-733-4691.

The Sleep Disorders Center at Rome Memorial Hospital has earned a five-year accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is committed to ensuring that those in the field of sleep medicine provide excellent healthcare and enhance the awareness of sleep as an important element for health, public safety and the quality of life,” said Dr. Nancy Collop, AASM president. “By successfully completing the accreditation process and upholding the standards for accreditation, the sleep disorders center at Rome Memorial Hospital has proven to be dedicated to the advancement of the field. Sleep facilities achieving AASM accreditation should be recognized in the community as a resource for expertise in sleep medicine.” The sleep disorders center is open seven nights a week for adult and pediatric sleep studies. During the sleep study, the technologist monitors brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, body and leg movements, cardiac arrhythmias, stages of sleep and breathing patterns. Data collected from the sleep study is interpreted in a report for the referring physician.

KIDS Corner Fewer kids getting hurt in stair-related injuries

new study found that more than 93,000 children younger than 5 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments for stair-related injuries from 1999 through 2008. On average, this equates to a child younger than 5 years of age being rushed to an emergency department for a stair-related injury every six minutes in the U.S. The study by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital appears in the April 2012 print issue of Pediatrics. It noted a decline in the annual number of these Page 16

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injuries during the course of the study. “While we are pleased to see a declining trend in the number of stair-related injuries, stairs continue to be a common source of injury among young children,” said the study’s senior author, Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Through a combination of educating parents, use of stair gates, and modifying building codes to make stairs safer, we can prevent

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

Specialist helps expand hospitalist program Abraham Buckley likes spending time with his patients. In his position as a hospitalist at Rome Memorial Hospital, Buckley takes his time to listen and address the needs and concerns of the patients he sees in the hospital. It is an opportunity afforded to him by the very nature of what a hospitalist does. A hospitalist is a physician who cares Buckley only for patients while they are in the hospital, and coordinates their care with their personal physician and specialists. Rome Memorial Hospital’s hospitalist program was recently expanded to provide on-site care aroundthe-clock. Being available 24/7 means hospitalists are able to recognize and react quickly to any sudden changes in their patients’ conditions. “I am interested in what is happening with them right now,” Buckley explained. “If there is something new going on, I want to know about it.” Spending his working hours only at the hospital also means that he can

these types of injuries.” While the majority of children fell down the stairs without mention of the involvement of another object or activity, children younger than 1 year of age were more likely than older children to be injured while they were being carried down the stairs, or while they were in a baby walker or stroller. In fact, one-fourth of injuries to children younger than age 1 occurred while the child was being carried on the stairs, and these children were more than three times more likely to be hospitalized than children injured by other mechanisms. Among all children, soft tissue injures (35 percent) were the most common type of injury followed by lacerations and puncture wounds (26 percent). The most common body regions injured were the head and neck (76 percent) followed by the upper extremities (11 percent). Study authors recommend the following to help prevent stair-related injuries: • Keep stairs free of clutter and in good repair • Install a handrail if one is not available • Use stair gates at both the top and the bottom of stairs • Remember that while stair gates are important and effective, they are not a substitute for adult supervision • Avoid carrying a child on the stairs when possible. Place him in a

offer continuity of care from admission to discharge. For primary care physicians, having someone coordinate their patients’ care while they are hospitalized allows them more time to focus on the patients they see daily in their offices. Buckley obtained his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, Calif. He completed his rotating internship, family practice residency and fellowship at Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway. Rome Memorial Hospital selected TeamHealth to manage and staff its hospital medicine program. TeamHealth is a physician-led, patient-focused organization with more than 30 years of experience caring for patients. Buckley joins Rome Memorial Hospital’s other hospitalists, Hashim Mapara and Amogechukwu Okonkwo.

Endoscopy center achieves AAAHC accreditation Mohawk Valley Endoscopy Center has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accreditation distinguishes the ambulatory surgery center specializing in endoscopy from many other outpatient

Continued on Page 17

safe place, such as a crib, when you need to use the stairs When you need to carry a child on the stairs: • Do not carry other items at the same time. The child should be the only thing in your arms • Keep one hand on the handrail to steady yourself in case you trip or slip • Never use a stroller or carriage on the stairs • Do not use mobile baby walkers. Stationary activity centers are safer for children • When a child begins to use stairs on his own, teach him • To always have a free hand to hold onto the handrail • To ask an adult for help if he wants to take something up or down stairs • To keep toys, including riding toys, off of the stairs • That stairs are not for playing or jumping on This is the first study to use a nationally representative sample to examine injuries associated with stairs that were treated in U.S. emergency departments. Data for this study were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), which is operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The NEISS provides information on consumer product-related and sports and recreation-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments across the country.

H ealth News Continued from Page 16 facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. Status as an accredited organization means MVEC has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. More than 5,000 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC. “We believe our patients deserve the best,” said Garth Garramone, medical director of Mohawk Valley Endoscopy Center. “When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that AAAHC, an independent, nonprofit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest level of care possible.” Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors.

The Arc makes staff announcement The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter announces the appointment of Louis Manzo as assistant director of business development of vocational services. Manzo will assist the business development component of vocational services in developing new business through direct sales and maintenance of existing contracts to include commercial, state and federal contracts. He will focus on maintaining customer satisfaction and the Manzo financial viability of business projects. Manzo is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Prior to coming to The Arc OneidaLewis Chapter, he worked as a sales consultant. He resides in New Hartford with his wife and two children. The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC is a nonprofit human services agency which provides advocacy and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oneida and Lewis counties.

Excellus BCBS earns national accreditation The managed care plans of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield have again received the highest accreditation status available, a rating of “excellent,” from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Excellent rating applies for all Ex-

Shown are, from left, Phil Cassidy, Kevin Roach and Chris Biro in the bed shop at the St. Luke’s Campus.

FSLH donates hospital beds to Abraham House

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare recently donated two electronic hospital beds to the Abraham House in Utica. This will make it easier for the staff and volunteers at the Abraham House to care for individuals and provide guests with a more comfortable experience. FSLH received an inquiry from Sister Maureen Denn, pastoral counselor for FSLH, asking if there were hospital

beds that could be donated. Abraham House was in need of beds that could be raised and lowered electronically. Keith Roach, director of clinical engineering and telecommunications for FSLH, responded to the request along with employees Phil Cassidy and Chris Biro. Patty Shenberger, executive director of Abraham House, states, “We are so grateful to Faxton St. Luke’s for its donation of two fully electric hospital

beds. It has made such a difference in caring for our terminally ill guests.” The entire clinical engineering team worked together to coordinate the delivery and set up of the new beds. “I am very pleased that FSLH was able to make this donation to the Abraham House,” said Roach. “The satisfaction of being able to support patients and their families in our community is incredible.”

cellus BlueCross BlueShield commercial (HMO/POS combined and PPO), Medicaid (HMO) and Medicare (HMO and PPO). NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Employers and consumers use information from NCQA to make more informed health care choices. NCQA’s excellent accreditation status is reserved for the best health plans in the nation. It is only awarded to those plans that meet or exceed NCQA’s rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement and deliver excellent clinical care. To become accredited by NCQA, a health plan must undergo a rigorous evaluation of more than 60 standards designed to evaluate its clinical and administrative systems. NCQA accreditation evaluates how well a health plan manages all parts of its delivery system—physicians, hospitals, other providers and administrative services—in order to continuously improve the quality of care and services provided to its members. Full accreditation

is effective for a three-year period.

will succeed David Klein, who retires at year’s end. “The best companies have orderly transitions, and this one is as good as it gets,” Clark said. “Chris is not only the legal architect of our entire corporation, he has been in the pivotal role of running our health plan and achieving membership growth as well as high performance goals. He has a deep understanding of our business needs and mission. Our company will be in steady hands, and our communities will be well served by his leadership.” “It’s an honor to lead such a talented Upstate workforce of people who provide care and coverage for their neighbors,” Booth said. “Whether federal health care reforms are upheld or not, we must work collaboratively with those who provide care and those who pay for it. Our mutual goals are high quality care and making coverage as affordable as possible.”

Excellus BCBS names Booth CEO-elect Christopher C. Booth, president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has been named to become chief executive officer of the health plan and its parent corporation, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The announcement of Booth Booth’s appointment came from Randall Clark, chairman of the board of directors. Booth May 2012 •

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 As CEO, Booth will oversee The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, a $6.2 billion nonprofit holding company that finances and delivers health care. Headquartered in Rochester, it provides health insurance coverage to 1.8 million people across 39 counties. The Lifetime Healthcare Companies employs more than 6,500 people across Upstate New York through its health plan and affiliated companies. Booth, 51, resides in Pittsford with his wife Gail and their three daughters.

FSLH announces 2012 medical staff ofﬁcers

The medical staff at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently announced its officers for 2012: John Sperling, president; John Ellis, vice president; and Chris Max, immediate past president/credentials committee chair. • Sperling is a general surgeon with the Adironack Community Physicians Surgical Group at FSLH. Prior to joining FSLH, Sperling was Sperling a staff surgeon and director of emergency services at Griffiss Air Force Base. He was recently deployed with the Navy Reserves in Afghanistan. Sperling studied medicine at Georgetown University and completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J. He has been on the medical staff at FSLH for more than 20 years. • Ellis is a physician at Radiology Associates of New Hartford and is an attendEllis ing radiologist at FSLH. Ellis completed the Brooklyn College/SUNY Downstate Medical School seven-year BA/M.D. program. He completed an internship at Staten Island University Hospital, his radiology residency at Tufts New England Medical Center, and a fellowship in nuclear medicine at Duke University Hospital. He is board certified Max by the American Page 18

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Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. • Max has his own general surgery practice located at the Faxton Campus of FSLH. Max studied medicine at Universidad Autonoma de TamaulipasFacultad de Medicina de Tampico in Mexico. He completed his internship and residency at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Md. He served as president of the medical staff from Jan. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2011.

FSLH welcomes back safety ofﬁcer Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently welcomed back Robert Sylvester as director of safety and emergency preparedness. He resumes his role as a FSLH safety officer. Sylvester was recalled to active military duty in March 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and was deployed with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Immediately prior to his activation, Sylvester was promoted to the rank of Navy master chief petty officer and served as senior medical department representative and as Navy senior enlisted leader for the battalion. Sylvester was responsible for the advanced medical training of 32 Navy hospital corpsmen as well as the medical training and healthcare of more than 670 Marines in three different areas of operation. Prior to being named director of safety and emergency preparedness, Sylvester was a regional agency safety and health representative for the New York State Department of Transportation. Sylvester has also held positions for Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Burrows Paper Corporation and New York State Department of Health. He is a certified environmental health technician and has more than 17 years of experience in many areas of health and safety. Sylvester received his associate of applied science degree in occupational and environmental health from the University of Phoenix and his Bachelor of Science degree in health care management from Touro University.

Slocum-Dickson adds internist to team Mohsin Syed has joined the internal medicine department of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Syed provides comprehensive primary care for adult patients. As an internist, he specializes Syed in the prevention and treatment of adult diseases and the general health care of the patient. Syed completed his internal medicine residency and internship at Albany Medical Center in Albany.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

FSLH’s 2012 Stomp Out Cancer Telethon raises more than $87,000 The annual Stomp Out Cancer Telethon raised more than $87,000, according to the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation and The Regional Cancer Center in Utica. The 14th annual Stomp Out Cancer Telethon was broadcast live recently from The Regional Cancer Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare. A portion of the funds raised through the generosity of community donors will support renovations of the cancer center’s main lobby and treatment areas and will also be used to assist patients with acute ﬁnancial needs. In above photo, Michele A. Sheridan, president, Zonta Club of Utica, and telethon co-host Symeon Tsoupelis enjoy the event. He received his medical degree from Sindh Medical College. Syed is board certified in internal medicine and has been working as an internist since 2008. He is a member of the American Society of Hypertension, the American Medical Academy, the Humanitarians, ACP Associate and the Patient Aid Foundation.

LFH partners with Center for Donation & Transplant In 2012, Little Falls Hospital is partnering with the Center for Donation & Transplant to honor patients and their families that choose to give the gift of life through organ or tissue donation. LFH will recognize its organ and tissue donors by flying a Donate Life Flag in their honor each time a donation is facilitated at the hospital in 2012. After the flag has been flown, it will be given to the donor’s family in memory of their loved one, as part of an aftercare packet designed to help families cope with their grief. “The flags provide awareness of the importance of donation and also

serve as a symbol of respect for those who have given the gift the life,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, chief executive officer of CDT. “The families of our donors find it very meaningful to receive the flag in recognition of their loved one.” To thank LFH for its support of CDT’s mission, CDT has dedicated a rose in honor LFH’s donors that will be placed on the Donate Life Float in the 2012 Rose Parade. 2012 marks the ninth year that the donation and transplant community has participated in the Rose Parade through the Donate Life Float, which is designed to inspire more than 30 million U.S. television viewers to give the gift of life. For more information about the Donate Life Float, or to read LFH’s rose dedication, visit the Donate Life Float website at www.donatelifefloat.org.

CABVI prime vendor for foreign military sales The United States Army Security Assistance Command recently named

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H ealth News Continued from Page 18 the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired a prime vendor for foreign military sales programs. CABVI will provide troop support equipment and clothing items in support of the Aberdeen, Md. Contracting Center-Aberdeen Proving Ground. According to CABVI President & CEO Rudy D’Amico, “Our agency will supply U.S. allies, like Canada or Iraq, with individual troop requirements like uniforms, mess kits and field packs, just to name a few items. These products will be produced by agencies that employ people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.” CABVI expects a number of employees who are blind to work on the contract with the expectation being that additional workers will be hired. The AbilityOne program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O’Day program, creates employment for thousands of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. “Employment is the key to economic security and personal independence of all Americans, especially Americans with disabilities,” said Tina Ballard, executive director of the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program.

Adirondack features lymphedema therapy Adirondack Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Center of St. Elizabeth Medical Center has announced the addition of lymphedema therapy services at Medical Arts, 4401 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford. Daniel Curri Curri has joined the staff and provides this service from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Curri received his bachelor’s and doctorate in physical therapy degrees from Utica College. He is an expert in evaluating and treating lymphedema and impaired skin integrity utilizing complete decongestive therapy and other researchbased techniques. Curri is a certified lymphedema therapist through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and is wound-care certified through the National Alliance of Wound Care. Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in one or more of the upper or lower extremities. It is the result of impaired flow of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels throughout the body that collects excess lymph fluid, which is filtered and eventually returned to the bloodstream. When the lymph vessels become blocked, it results in localized swelling, called lymphedema.

Heart Walk in Otsego County generates funds The American Heart Association held its 12th annual Oneonta Heart Run & Walk recently at Neahwa Park in downtown Oneonta. The local sponsor was Bassett Healthcare Network. There were 212 runners and walkers who came out to support the American Heart Association raising $10,027. Money raised from the event will fund lifesaving research, advocacy, training and educational programs in the community. For more information, visit www. heart.org or call 315-266-5403.

Health in good

MV’S HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER

EMPLOYMENT Advertise your services or products and reach your potential customers throughout the Mohawk Valley for as little as $80 a month. Call 749-7070 for more information.

VHS sponsoring Rehab-A-Room rafﬂe Do you have a room in your house in need of rehabilitation? Would you like to replace old carpeting or a tired couch? The Rehab-A-Room raffle presented by Valley Health Services in Herkimer allows the lucky winner to rehabilitate a room of choice in his or her home. The lead merchants in the RehabA-Room raffle are Adirondack Colonial Furniture ($1,000) and Johnson’s Carpet Plus Color Tile including Freeman’s Drapery Shop in Herkimer ($600). Other sponsors include Collis True Value Hardware ($100 toward paint); Hummel’s Office Plus ($100 gift card); accessories from Wal-Mart ($100); and a surprise $100 gift card from VHS. Value of this package is $2,000. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and can be purchased from Adirondack Colonial furniture, Johnson’s Carpet Plus Color Tile including Freeman’s Drapery Shop; Collis True Value Hardware; Hummel’s Office Plus, and VHS, 690 county Road 245, Herkimer. The drawing will be held June 3 at the Magic of Herkimer, one of VHS’ annual fundraisers. All proceeds will support VHS’ rehabilitation programs including cardiac rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapies and lymphedema management. For more information, contact Peggy Scarano or Kathy Eisenhut at (315) 866-3330 extensions 2247 or 2245 respectively or email pscarano@valleyh ealthservices.org.

WRITERS WANTED

CELEBRATING UPSTATE NURSING! Upstate Nurses provide award-winning nursing care. They initiate changes that enhance patient - and family centered care. They exceed expectations by shaping an environment that inspires excellence, respect and dignity. They are students, graduates, mentors and teachers. They are active in our community. They are ALL this, because they are Upstate Nurses.

We would like to thank our nurses for their incredible dedication. NATIONAL NURSES WEEK, MAY 4-11

Looking for writers to cover the Mohawk Valley health scene Call 749.7070 or send cover letter/resume to lou@cnymail.com

Upstate University Hospital Upstate University Hospital at Community General Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital www.upsatate.edu I Syracuse I State University of New York May 2012 •

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The Berry Best

Ava man, 84, points to healthy eating as key to longevity By Patricia J. Malin “Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of, a blessing money can’s buy.” -Izaak Walton (1593-1683)

elmut Schmeichel considers himself a rich man. He has literally taken Izaak Walton’s philosophy to heart, telling a recent visitor to his farm, “health is wealth.” Schmeichel, who insists he is 84 years “young,” wasn’t always in the best of health. He has worked long and hard at eliminating illness. First, he is rarely idle. From the time he became a shoeshine boy and newspaper delivery boy during the Depression, to three wartime stints in the military, a job as a cowboy on a cattle farm out West, building his house in Ava north of Rome, starting his elderberry farm and growing or hunting his own food, Schmeichel seemingly never takes time to sleep. He underwent a heart bypass operation at Walter Reed Hospital in 1987. As late as 2000, according to a report from a Utica doctor, he had 90 percent blockage of his right carotid artery and 85 blockage on the left side, but he declined another operation. It did motivate him to change his diet. “I threw away all my meds six months later,” he said. “I must have cleared that out since I have no dizzy spells or problems. My only health problem is that now my hair is growing back on my head!” He eliminated fats, sugars, salt and processed foods. All of his produce at Valley View Elderberry Farm is grown organically in three gardens, without pesticides. He eats only wild turkey that he hunts himself on his spacious farm. He has ducks that supply him with fresh eggs. He makes his own bread and pastries. “I hunt and fish when I can find the time,” he commented. He started stocking a pond in his back yard with crappie and bass. He hopes to bring disabled veterans on fishing excursions to his pond if he can get permission from the Veteran’s Affairs clinic in Rome.

Berry delicious

He became an advocate of natural foods, especially elderberries. He credits diet and exercise with helping him overcome Alzheimer’s disease, as well as macular degeneration and blindness, and avoiding dementia, strokes and heart attacks that afflict others in his age group. “Nine years ago, I had prostate problems,” Schmeichel added. “I went to my doctor and he said it was normal for a man of 74. He told me not to bother him unless it got worse. Now I only see my doctor once a year.” Perhaps his good health is due to the fact this time traveler never settled in one place for a significant length of time until he started his farm. He was born in the Bronx and his family moved frequently in his boyhood. He graduated from Coxsackie High Page 20

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Helmut Schmeichel looks at buds on his elderberry bushes at Valley View Elderberry Farm in Ava. School, an Albany suburb. At a young age, he learned the value of hard work. “My father had a taxicab business, but he lost everything in the stock market crash,” Schmeichel recalled. “During the Depression, we lived on Third Avenue, near West 55th. I virtually raised myself because everyone else was busy trying to find work. One day I saw a shoeshine boy. I saw him making money, so I made my own shoebox and started shining shoes. A few years later, I started selling newspapers. I’d buy 100 or 150 newspapers at a time and sell them on the street corner.” Schmeichel was still in high school as World War II raged on, but nonetheless, the shortage of manpower was so great that he was put in an accelerated academic program. He finished high school in three years. In the spring of 1945, he still expected to get drafted. “I saw the Army coming in the front door and I ran out the back,” he said, chuckling. “I didn’t want to be a foot soldier. I went to Albany and enlisted in the Marines.” He spent three years on an aircraft carrier in North Carolina. In the 1960s, Schmeichel got a job handling munitions for the Strategic Air Command’s B-52 bombers at the

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2012

former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome. He found farmland in the highlands in Ava, about 10 miles north of Rome. He spent two years living in a trailer, he said, while building a two-story home by himself. Schmeichel retired from Griffiss in 1972, but he didn’t start his accidental elderberry farm until 2000. One summer day, while walking in the fields across from his home, he noticed large flocks of birds feasting on the bushes. He took a leafy branch to Oneida County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension office and they identified it as wild elderberry. He now has some 400 or 500 bushes. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said, referring to his initial plan to make elderberry wine in 2001. “I started putting some berries in a bucket,” and they eventually fermented into wine. That’s when he began doing some serious research on the Internet and learned how to make quality wines and vinegars that he now sells at a health store in Rome.

Nutrition the key

In 2010, his vinegar earned a blue ribbon as “best condiment” at the Oneida County Boonville Fair. “Elderberries contain a lot of B-12

vitamins,” he pointed out, “and it’s said they can prevent cancer.” Schmeichel has had a lifetime bout with skin cancer. He has had three operations on the tip of his left ear, but it is still mostly intact. Nowadays when he goes out into the field, he protects himself with a wide-brimmed white hat. He insists that vitamins and good nutrition in general can cure anything. In 2004, he sent a letter to Nancy Reagan informing her that, in his opinion, her husband Ronald’s Alzheimer’s disease was “not a disease, merely an affliction” that can be treated and reversed. Schmeichel went on to tell the former First Lady that he had Alzheimer’s for five years in the early 1990s, but it went undiagnosed because of other stress factors in his life, namely “going blind and through a divorce.” He added, “It is my belief that Alzheimer’s is self-imposed due to eating habits.” He told Mrs. Reagan that at age 73, he successfully “lowered my blood pressure, regained most of my eyesight back, do not catch colds nor have any headaches” because of his devotion to using vitamins and natural herbs such as oregano, mint and garlic.