in good Holistic approach to medicine Page 13
Special Needs Families spend 1.5 billion hours yearly on special needs children.
February 2017 • Issue 132
MVhealthnews.com
‘Golden Years’ Darken
free
Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
Seniors must find ways to stave off isolation Page 5
Seniors’ Health Special Section
Page 14
Meet Your Doctor
Do you have risk factors for high blood pressure?
Warning: Sitting can be hazardous to one’s health
Introducing Dr. Felix Oduwa
Page 9
Page 7
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Delicata Squash This great-for-you veggie is known for its soft texture, its scrumptious flavor (similar to sweet potatoes), its tender skin (edible!) and its bounty of health benefits. Read more in SmartBites.
Page 15
Docs reeling Physicians are facing many challenges as result of health care reform
Page 3 February 2017 •
Rise of NPS
Nurse practionioners begin to flourish, thanks to Dr. Loretta Ford
Page 20 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 1
CALENDAR of
Julis Meditation Complementary Health Approach
Working together with conventional medicine in finding a source of balance, inner strength, and resilience to live a more fulfilling life. Focused awareness meditation incorporates an evidence-based systematic method of bringing mindfulness into focus.
HEALTH EVENTS
Instruction by: Julia Aikens, RN. BSN. Certified Meditation Specialist
Specializes in Stress, Anxiety, Pain, Cancer, and Cardiac Management
By appointment only - please contact for scheduling your one-on-one sessions at 315-338-1318 • 505 North James St., Rome, NY 13440
Change Two Lives... Yours and a Child’s
Become a Foster Parent Today
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Mondays
Support group for OCD sufferers The Central New York Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc., a registered nonprofit agency, has offered OCD sufferers in the region a weekly support group since 1997. Brian’s OCD Support Group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday except holidays in the Sister Regina Conference Room, first floor, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. Meetings are professionally
Visit us at berkshirefarm.org or call (315) 454-4700 to learn how you can be a hero in a child’s life
assisted the third Monday of each month. For more information, call founder Susan Connell at 315-768-7031, email her at info@cnyocf.org, visit www.cnyocf.org or check out Cen NY OCD Support Group on Facebook. A speakers’ bureau is available at no cost.
Women’s support group to get together A women’s support/therapy group is meeting weekly from 5:30-7 p.m. on Mondays. Groups will be held in a confidential location in New Hartford and group size will be limited to protect anonymity. Topics of discussion may include family issues, stress, anger, relationships, grief, and more. Clinical therapist Cynthia Davis, who has over 20 years of experience, will lead the group. To pre-register, contact Davis at 315-736-1231, 315-794-2454 or email cindycsw@yahoo.com.
Food Addicts in Recovery to meet
Present Tense Psychiatry
Food Addicts in Recovery holds an anonymous meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. For more information, call Helen at 315-794-2314.
Continued on Page 18
Community Information Seminar:
Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Brady, DNP, NPP-BC Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
February 8, 2017 • 6:00 p.m.
315-853-2125
Presented by
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Individuals • Couples • Families • Children ages 5+
Medication Management, Psychotherapy/Counseling
January Hill, MD Utica Business Park 125 Business Park Drive, Suite 150, Utica, NY The offices of William A. Graber, MD, PC
Treatment of all psychiatric disorders such as Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar, Sleep disorders & Behavioral issues 2 Fountain Street, Suite 105, Clinton, NY 13323 (315) 853-2125 phone/fax www.PresentTensePsychiatry.com Page 2
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
To register call 315-235-2540 or toll free 877-269-0355
Docs shoulder the brunt, yet carry on
Expert: ‘To my knowledge, no other profession has had to endure more changes or more attacks on their autonomy than that of physicians’ By George W. Chapman
I
have worked with physicians, as an administrator or consultant, in every type of healthcare setting including primary care, specialty care, community and regional hospitals, health centers, clinics, for profit, nonprofit, urban and rural for my entire career. At no time have I been more impressed by their professionalism, fortitude, resiliency, adaptability and, yes, sanity, as I am now. Unbeknownst to most people, your physician has managed to carry on and provide you with excellent care while shouldering the brunt of the most radical Chapman and comprehensive (but well intentioned) changes in the healthcare industry since Medicare. Despite the virtual healthcare war being waged in Congress and all the uncertainty in the industry it creates, your physician continues to provide excellent care and remains your best advocate. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, or ACA, set into motion dramatic, pervasive and unproven changes in how healthcare will be organized, delivered and reimbursed. It will impact all of us, regardless of age or insurance. But most consumers would never know that because the press and politicians have focused almost exclusively on the exchanges. The exchanges are a relatively small component of the entire ACA. Of the 20 million people who receive their insurance because of the ACA, 7 million are on expanded Medicaid which leaves only 13 million out of 320 million of us (4 percent) purchasing individual insurance from a commercial insurance company on the exchange. The obsession with the premiums and carriers offering insurance on the exchanges has totally overshadowed the rest of the ACA which impacts us all. There is much more at stake for physicians, hospitals, payers and all 320 million of us than just the exchanges. Some background is in order. Prior to the ACA, there was general consensus among the “players” (physicians, hospitals, insurers, government, employers) that our fragmented and super expensive US healthcare system had to change. Healthcare costs us more then $3.2 trillion annually or about $10,000 per
person which is more than double the per capita costs in Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Australia and Japan. The ACA was developed with input from all the players. But because everyone had vested interests to protect, what we got was compromise, not a perfect solution, and we all know how hard it is to keep everyone happy. So what happened? The ACA became a political football and critics quickly dubbed it “ObamaCare.” When Medicare was passed into law in 1965, it wasn’t dubbed “JohnsonCare.” We all know the more political anything becomes, the more irrational, divisive, emotional and uncivil the discourse. Facts are twisted or spun — if not totally ignored — and the search for blame and the development of straw man arguments begin. There is far more to the ACA, and its impact on physicians in particular, than meets the public eye. Hundreds of billions have been invested by the players in preparation for the changes, agreed upon in principle, to improve affordability, access and quality.
Three-pronged approach
“Triple Aim” is the mantra of system reform: improve overall health, enhance the experience of receiving care and lower costs. Six years into the ACA, just about every horse is out of the barn. Repealing and replacing the ACA would be like canceling an important experiment before the results were in. The ACA has been rolled out in phases and will continue to be rolled out until 2022. We are half way. Because of all that has been invested so far, none of the critical players in healthcare (physicians, hospitals, insurers), is actively lobbying Congress to kill the ACA. Too much money has been invested in complying with the ACA, especially by physicians and hospitals. Our healthcare system will take time to fix and starting over or introducing new legislation half way through the 12th-year ACA experiment makes no sense. As politicians, pundits and analysts pontificate, and government agencies regulate, and “big insurance” and “big pharma” bloviate about decreased profits, physicians have quietly scrambled to comply with the myriad of mandates and changes, all the while managing to take care of us. In order to get paid, or not be penalized, physicians have had to (for better or worse): master one or more
electronic medical records systems; morph into population managers; transition from fee-for-service reimbursement to fee-for-quality or outcome; learn new and ever changing procedural and diagnostic coding; adhere to quality metrics and incentives that differ by third party payer; forfeit their autonomy by working with “care management teams;” affiliate with the alphabet soup of “health systems” out there such as ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations) and CINs (Clinically Integrated Networks); compete with retail clinics; incorporate telemedicine and online access; and much more. Factor in declining revenue and increasing expenses on top of all this and you can appreciate what physicians have had to deal with over the past few years. While physicians aren’t happy with every aspect of the ACA, most agree things had to change. Despite all the regulations, mandates, confusion, and even uncertainty as to how they will eventually be paid, physicians do remarkably well according to their patients. A Harris poll from about a year ago revealed that 88 percent of those surveyed report they were “satisfied” with their most recent doctor visit. The aspects of a visit to the doctor’s office considered to be “very important” are: doctor’s training and expertise: 83 percent; doctor’s ability to access overall medical history: 65 percent; time spent with doctor: 58 percent; ease of making an appointment: 49
percent; efficient and simple billing process: 45 percent; ability to communicate with the doctor by phone or email: 44 percent; time spent waiting: 43 percent; convenience of office location: 40 percent; minimized paperwork 32 percent; office appearance: 31 percent. To my knowledge, no other profession has had to endure more changes or more attacks on their autonomy than that of physicians. Yet, they are exhibiting an uncanny ability to block all the “distractions” around them and focus on us in the exam room. Physicians are a tough breed. They aren’t looking for our sympathy. Physicians are looking for us to be compliant and to take responsibility for our health. They want us to be active partners in our healthcare. Their success will depend on our success in the new reimbursement system. Finally, I think a little understanding and appreciation are in order. Hopefully, you now have a little better idea of the conditions under which they are working. So… if your physician is running a bit behind or seems to rarely look up from his/her laptop, cut him/her some slack. Consider how they must carry on while shouldering the brunt of change. • George W. Chapman is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com. For related column, see Page 18.
‘Repealing and replacing the ACA would be like canceling an important experiment before the results were in. The ACA has been rolled out in phases and will continue to be rolled out until 2022. None of the critical players in healthcare (physicians, hospitals, insurers) is actively lobbying Congress to kill the ACA.’
February 2017 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 3
Meet
Your Doctor
By Patricia J. Malin
Dr. Felix Oduwa
From his improbable start as a youth growing up in a small village in Africa, to multiple active duty assignments around the world with the U.S. Army, Felix Oduwa brings a wealth of experience as a family practice physician to his new position Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Oduwa (pronounced oh-DU-wa) recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about his career. Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor? A.: I grew up in a small village in southwest Nigeria and there was a missionary doctor who would come to our village every few weeks. I remember watching the way he cared, the way he touched people. He was easy going and tireless. I knew I wanted to be like him. Every time he came to the village, people got very excited and they said we had to sweep up and clean up for him. There were always long lines of people, and he would stay in the village all day. As I got older, I began assisting him, like going to get water or whatever he needed. He had a lot of influence on me. Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley? A.: I grew up and attended high school in Endicott. I still have family in the area and I wanted to come back to New York state. Q.: How did you end up serving in the U.S. Army? A.: After graduating high school, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. During my first year of college, an administrator suggested I might want to go in the military to help offset the cost of my education, so I went into the ROTC. After the first year, I was able to get a three-year scholarship. When I graduated from college, I was able to get another scholarship to medical school. Q.: How does military practice differ from the civilian realm? A.: I cared for mostly servicemen, retirees and their families, so there’s a built-in clientele. It’s very straightforward, very structured; there’s no confusion about your duties. But as a military doctor you also have responsibilities with officer training, not only as a doctor. Q.: What are the specific and most common ailments or disorders you treat? A.: Comprehensive health care including preventive services such as physical exams and immunization, well women care including pap smears and pelvic exams, as well as well-baby care. I also treat a variety
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of conditions including coughs and colds, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight management, fractures and rashes. Q.: How did you decide to get into family practice? A.: I didn’t go into it right away. When I graduated from medical school, I got an internship in obstetrics/gynecology in Hawaii. I got experience delivering babies and bringing new life into the world. Then when I got into my residency, I worked many long hours and I began questioning what I wanted to do. I’m a people person! I wanted to be more involved with the health of my patients. I realized that after I delivered a baby, I never saw the child again. After one year of residency in obstetrics/gynecology at Walter Reed Hospital in 1998, I resigned from the program and I went into the general medicine program. Then I was sent to Korea and began to take care of soldiers. When I came back, I went into the residency program for family practice. I began to like the little things I did. I could still see the baby delivered, but also take care of the young and the old. The breadth of knowledge is very wide. Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job? A.: Time. Like every other primary care physician, I wish I had a lot more time to spend with my patients. It’s a challenge balancing the work schedule to maximize the time I am able to spend with each patient. Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job? A.: The long-term relationships I form with my patients. I derive great satisfaction and joy from caring for my patients. Getting to know them and their families is priceless. Q.: What recent technological developments have occurred in the field of family medicine that has made diagnosis and treatment more effective? A. The advent of electronic medical records has great potential to improve the quality of health care. Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding health care? A.: Being able to be responsive to governmental requirements while at the same time ensuring I can deliver the quality of care my patients have come to depend on. As technology develops it will become easier to achieve this balance.
Lifelines Age: 45 Birthplace: Benin City, Edo, state of Nigeria Residence: Clinton Education: Bachelor of Science, biology, Hampton University, Hampton, Va., 1988-92; medical doctor degree, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, Mass., 1992-96; internship, obstetrics and gynecology, Tripler Army Med Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1996-97; residency, obstetrics and gynecology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, 1997-98; residency, family medicine, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine Professional Affiliations: American Academy of Family Physicians Family: Married, wife, Marvis; four children aged 15, 14, 13 and 10 Hobbies: Spending time with family; reading; church; traveling
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
Diet & Nutrition Food Fiends Recovery group available for those who cannot control eating By Amylynn Pastorella
W
ho says losing weight can’t be a winning battle? Not members of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. This organization is a foundation for people who have an addiction to food and can take back their lives with the support of others on the same road to recovery. Marjorie, 60, of Rome, is 5 feet5-inches tall and weighed over 200 pounds because she didn’t have the willpower to stop eating once she started. “I have had problems with food all my life and started dieting in the ninth grade,” said Marjorie. (Names have been changed due to the anonymity of the organization’s members.) “I have tried many diets, but have had no success,” she said. Marjorie became involved with the group after a family member did a Google search of “Why can’t I stop eating,” and discovered FA. Marjorie identified with the information posted on the site. Once she committed to the organization, Marjorie gained a newfound opportunity to control her addiction to food, to appreciate her body, as well as gain confidence in her life. “I was desperate for a solution to not only my physical discomfort, but the negative thoughts I was having about myself,” she said. Since joining Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, Marjorie has lost 85 pounds and has maintained her current weight for two years. Marjorie was wearing size 18 clothes and is now between a size six and eight. She is at a point in her life where she is comfortable and her body size feels “right,” she said. Similarly, Linda, 60, of Ithaca, struggled with weight control throughout her life. “From the time I was 10 years old, I would lose the weight from eating too much food and gain it all
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back,” said Linda. “I had an addiction.” Linda has been in FA for 18 years and has maintained her weight loss for the last 16 years. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a growing organization that helps people who resort to desperate measures to control their weight, including expensive diets, surgery, medications, excessive exercise, purging, abuse of laxatives and extreme food restriction. Founded in 1998, there are more than 420 FA chapters in the United States and in five other countries. FA has no fees, dues or purchases of special foods and is not affiliated with any public or private organization, ideology or religious doctrine. It is a fellowship of men and women of all ages, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who through shared experience and mutual support are recovering from food addiction. Based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, FA describes food addiction as a physical craving and an increasing dependence upon food, particularly flour, sugar and extreme quantities. It stresses longterm recovery from addiction. FA’s clients say they have an increase in mobility, strength, learned to control eating, plus have reduced the amount of medications taken for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety and depression. Joining in this effort is a new Mohawk Valley chapter of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. Both Marjorie and Linda used to travel to FA meetings across the state in Schenectady, Ithaca and Syracuse. FA meetings are held at 7 p.m. every Monday at Trinity Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. “It is not a diet club. It is a solution to addiction,” said Linda. Anyone wondering whether they
Madison
Are you a food addict? • Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn’t? • Do you think about food or your weight constantly? • Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success? • Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)? • Do you binge and then get rid of the binge through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging? • Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people? • Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight? • Is your weight problem due to your “nibbling” all day long? • Do you eat to escape from your feelings? • Do you eat when you’re not hungry? • Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve and eat it later? • Do you eat in secret? • Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake? • Have you ever stolen other people’s food? • Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have “enough?” • Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight? • Do you obsessively calculate the calories you’ve burned against the calories you’ve eaten? • Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you’ve eaten? • Are you waiting for your life to begin when you lose the weight? — Source: www.foodaddicts.org have a food addiction should check out the FA website at www.foodaddicts.org and read the 20-question questionnaire under the banner “New to FA.” “If you answer ‘yes’ to many of the questions posted (see related
story, this page), consider joining us for face-to-face communication and support,” said Marjorie. “Like any type of recovery to addiction, you are not alone. We offer a safe environment with those who know how you feel.”
counties
A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2017 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Deb Dittner Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.
February 2017 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 5
Golden Years Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
‘Golden Years’ or lonely years? How to be a single senior
I
’ve been married, and I’ve been single and it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other — at least that’s what I used to say. For years, that’s what I believed. But then I found myself single again, when I was older. I found it’s not six of one or half a dozen of the other when you’re older. It’s more like five to one. Being single when you’re in your 60s or 70s is totally different than when you’re in your 40s or 50s. Aging alone is not easy. The ordinary challenges of growing old — managing illnesses, enduring loss of abilities, Pierce watching friends and family die — can become extraordinary hardships for someone alone. There are many good reasons we have more of a need of a partner when we’re older. When I lead workshops for single people who are older, all agree it’s tough to be alone. We identify what we need to live alone and be OK. Think about the things you need in your life, the things you miss most from the relationship you had, and think about what sustains you. “Support people” is far and away the No. 1 thing on the list of what we need. Someone to drive you home from outpatient surgery; or when you’re so sick that don’t even have enough energy to heat up some soup; or someone who cares when you get a new car or a new grandchild. You really only need one or two people like this in your life. But if
you live alone, those one or two are essential. Our well-being suffers when our need for connection has not been met; we’re wired to be connected to others. The more socially isolated you are, the more your risk of dying. Living without people in your life is like smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic; it’s more harmful than not exercising and twice as harmful as obesity.
Isolation a killer
Isolation kills faster than cigarettes, faster than Dunkin Donuts, and faster than being a couch potato. Even casual acquaintances have a protective effect, or even being around strangers. Experts recommend we connect with others in a social setting at least once a week.
When you’re older, falling easily into friendships is not the natural process it used to be. “Forming new relationships at my age is no easy task,” says Diane Rehm, in her book “On My Own.” She recreated her life after the death of her husband. “But how important new friendships have become in my life. I’m so thankful to have connected with so many people here in my condo,” she said. Forming new relationships can be hard. But, if you want a social life, you’ve got to make it happen for yourself. It’s a big mistake to wait for others to befriend you. To get friends, assume you’ll have to put in all the effort. If you live alone, consider shared housing. “I didn’t want to. I went way beyond my comfort zone when
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I invited Liz to share my house,” said 66-year-old Julie. “I’d never lived with anyone but my husband. When he died, I was so lonely. Liz was looking for a place to live. It’s worked out so well for both of us. It’s nice to have someone to have dinner with from time to time. It feels good that there’s someone who cares about how my day went. I’m really glad I pushed myself.” “Being single is like being an artist,” says Kate Bolick in her autobiography, “Spinster.” “Because it requires the same close attention to one’s needs as well as the will and the focus to fulfill them.” “Studies show that a woman who lives alone is more likely to have an active social life, and maintain family bonds, than her married peers. Because those very bonds are what sustain her,” she continues. Another thing we need as single people is a purpose for our life, a passion, so that we jump out of bed each morning, excited about what the day will bring. “I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile, something that makes a difference,” 86-year-old Frances Mannino of Utica said. After her husband died, Mannino began volunteering at Hospice and Palliative Care in New Hartford. “I feel at peace when I’m there working,” she said. Make a goal for yourself. What will you do to make your single life better? What can you do to get more people in your life and to find your purpose? What steps will you take to get there? • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When you Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
ONEIDAHEALTHCARE.ORG
The Social Ask Security Office
we’re hiring!
From the Social Security District Office
2017 brings changes to ‘full retirement age’
Providing Services to families and people living in Oneida and Lewis Counties for over 60 years!
Find out how new measures impact you
E
very worker’s dream is having a secure retirement to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow. Part of that commitment is ensuring you have the most up-to-date information when you make your retirement decisions. “Full retirement age” refers to the age when a person can claim their Social Security benefits without any reduction, even if they are still working part or full time. In other words, you don’t actually need to retire from your work to claim your full benefits. Also note that waiting until you’re 70, if you can, will bring you a higher monthly benefit. The choices you make will affect any benefit your spouse or children can receive on your record, too. If you claim benefits early, it will reduce their potential benefit as well as yours. As the bells rang in a new year, they also rang in changes in 2017 for people considering claiming Social Security retirement benefits. For people who attain age 62 in 2017 (i.e., those born between Jan. 2, 1955 and Jan. 1, 1956), full retirement age is 66 and two months. Full retirement age was age 65 for many years. However, due to a law passed by Congress in 1983, it has been gradually increasing, beginning with people born in 1938 or later, until it reaches 67 for people born after 1959. You can learn more about the full retirement age and find out how to look up your own at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/retirechart.html. There are some things you
should remember when you’re thinking about retirement. You may start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be. Your monthly benefits will be reduced permanently if you start them any time before full retirement age. For example, if you start receiving benefits in 2017 at age 62, your monthly benefit amount will be reduced permanently by about 26 percent. On the other hand, if you wait to start receiving your benefits until after your full retirement age, then your monthly benefits will be permanently increased. The amount of this increase is two-thirds of 1 percent for each month — or 8 percent for each year — that you delay receiving them until you reach age 70. If you decide to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, you should also understand how continuing to work can affect your benefits. We may withhold or reduce your benefits if your annual earnings exceed a certain amount. However, every month we withhold or reduce increases your future benefits. That’s because at your full retirement age we will recalculate your benefit amount to give you credit for the months in which we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earnings. In effect, it’s as if you hadn’t filed for those months. You can learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners/retire/whileworking.html. You can learn more by visiting our Retirement Planner at www. socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire.
Q: I found out that my daughter submitted incorrect information about my resources when she completed my Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. How can I get my application changed now to show the correct amount? A: You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) and let us know. We will match information on your application with data from other federal agencies. If there is a discrepancy that requires verification, we will contact you. For additional information about Medicare prescription drug plans or enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227.
Q: How do I know if I meet the eligibility requirements to get Social Security disability benefits? A: To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually 10 years). You must also have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s strict definition of disability. We consider an adult disabled under our rules if he or she has a medical condition, or combination of medical conditions, that are expected to last for at least one year or result in death, and that prevent the performance of any type of work. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability
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Study: Too Much Sitting Ages You Faster
Y
ou might age a lot faster if you sit too much, a new study warns. Researchers who assessed nearly 1,500 older women found those who sat most of the day and got little exercise had cells that were biologically older by eight years than the women’s actual age. “Our study found cells age faster with a sedentary lifestyle. Chronological age doesn’t always match biological age,” said lead author Aladdin Shadyab. He’s from the University of California, San Diego’s School of Medicine. The women, aged 64 to 95, answered questionnaires and wore a device for seven days to track their activity levels. The study doesn’t establish a cause-and-effect relationship between accelerated aging and lack of exercise. Still, “discussions about the benefits of exercise should start when we are young, and physical activity should continue to be part of our daily lives as we get older, even at 80 years old,” Shadyab said in a univer-
February 2017 •
sity news release. Specifically, the researchers found that women who sat for more than 10 hours a day and got less than 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily had shorter telomeres. These are caps on the end of DNA strands that protect chromosomes from deterioration. Telomeres naturally shorten with age, but health and lifestyle factors — such as smoking and obesity — can accelerate the process. Shortened telomeres are linked with heart disease, diabetes and cancer, the researchers explained in background notes. “We found that women who sat longer did not have shorter telomere length if they exercised for at least 30 minutes a day, the national recommended guideline,” Shadyab said. He and his colleagues plan future studies to examine the link between exercise and telomere length in younger adults and in men. The study was published online Jan. 18 in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 7
Golden Years
Downsides of medication
Does treatment actually lead to additional woes? By Barbara Pierce
I
t’s sad, but true. The older we get, the more likely we are to have side effects from medications. As we age, doctors prescribe more medications for us — our lists of medications get longer and longer. We’re more likely to get side effects from medications than a younger person. We get side effects from commonly prescribed medications, even from over-the-counter drugs. Taking any new medication is a minefield. Side effects from medication cause an estimated $877 million worth of preventable medical problems each year, said a pharmacist on the AARP website, as well as leading to suffering from miserable side effects. It’s not uncommon for older adults to be overmedicated and to experience undesirable reactions to the ever-lengthening list of medications they take. This concerns pharmacist Gary Actna of Garro Drugs in Utica, who says there is no general answer, no easy solution. The way medications interact with us is a very individual thing. “What works well for one person won’t work for another; what side effects one person has doesn’t mean the next person will have them,” Actna said. “There is no general answer. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns.” “People read things and they believe it,” he added. “Don’t look at Google; it does have good information, but that doesn’t mean its right for your specific concern.” Actna is especially concerned about the older people who live alone. “They have a lot of issues. The doctor puts them on a new medication, and it causes a chain reaction,” he said. Bert Crane of Jamestown is an example of this. The 82-year-old
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widower ended up in intensive care for several days following a bad fall, then suffered a heart attack in the hospital. He’d been falling frequently and had been diagnosed with dementia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. He came into the hospital on 17 medications he took each day. His new physician found he had dangerously low blood pressure, which was causing his falls. His confusion was probably caused by one of the many medications he was taking. He left the hospital on just four medications. He’s clearing up mentally, is steadier on his feet, and overall doing much better on far fewer medications.
Avoiding disaster My story is similar: I’ll never forget the day — several years ago — my doctor looked me in the eye and told me I had dementia. I’d been complaining about my forgetfulness. Thinking that was a symptom of my depression, he doubled my antidepressant medication. My forgetfulness got worse and worse. I felt my mind slipping away as I lost more of my ability to think clearly. Not willing to accept his diagnosis and sink into dementia, I went to a psychiatrist who specialized in dementia. He did a series of tests and told me I had pseudo-dementia — caused by the antidepressant. Yes, I had dementia but it wasn’t real. Within a few weeks after stopping the medication, my cognitive abilities were back to normal. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications work on neurotransmitters in the brain, explained Actna. Neurotransmitters play a major role in cognitive function. What works in a helpful way for one area of your brain can do harm to another. As people age, they become more susceptible to dementia caused
by medication. This is known as drug-induced cognitive impairment. It is important to recognize, because in almost all cases it can be reversed. Forgetfulness and cognitive impairment caused by medication is often overlooked by medical professionals and attributed to “old age,” when it is actually a side effect of a medication. In many cases, the reason for prescribing the culprit drug is questionable, or the cognitive impairment is related to taking multiple drugs at once. Drug-induced cognitive impairment is most commonly linked to benzodiazepines, opiates, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. What can older adults do to lower the chance of medication-related problems? “Drug safety starts with awareness,” says pharmacist Snezana Mahon, senior director of Medicare Solutions, online. “Keep track of all medications you’re taking and make sure your doctor has access to the list before he or she prescribes any new medicines,” she said. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medications and
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
any supplements you take such as vitamins. Include dosages. “Be willing to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to say something if you’re unhappy with a prescribing decision,” Mahon said. “If you’re helping a loved one manage his or her prescriptions, be sure to keep upto-date on the medications and help avoid the use of any potentially risky new medicines.” “Ask what side effects your medications can cause, and watch for them. If you think you may be having a bad reaction to a medication, or if you think a medication is not working, tell your health care provider as soon as possible,” she said. “However, don’t stop taking a medication without first checking with a health care professional.”
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Golden Years
Under Pressure Could you be at risk for high blood pressure? By Barbara Pierce
H
igh blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage your body for years before you even know you have it — before you even have any symptoms that would warn you. “The blood vessels inside our body are like a balloon,” explained Brenda Carney, family nurse practitioner and CEO of CNY Family Nurse Practitioners, New Hartford. “If you blow up the balloon, and it gets too much air, it will pop.” “Same thing with our blood vessels. Too much pressure will cause them to burst. And this causes a stroke or a heart attack.” A stroke or a heart attack can kill you or leave you disabled with a poor quality of life. Scary? Definitely! Carney agrees this is scary. She wants people to know how important it is to have regular blood pressure checks with your primary care provider once or twice a year. Also, she added, uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause other kinds of damage in your body — to your heart, kidneys and eyes. It’s a common disease — About one out of three adults in the United States has high blood pressure. Roughly half of those with untreated hypertension die of heart disease. A third die of stroke. Not good odds. One out of three adults are at risk for developing high blood pressure. There are several risk factors for high blood pressure. Some can be controlled, others can’t. • The first risk factor is age. Beginning in their mid-40s, people have a higher tendency to develop blood pressure problems. It’s something that we all must be more conscious of as we age. • African-Americans in particular should pay careful attention to
blood pressure. It’s more common in African Americans at an earlier age, along with more complications. • Your heritage has a lot of influence, said Carney. “High blood pressure runs in families, so it’s important to know the medical history of your parents and grandparents. And certain medications work better in certain families.” • Being overweight is a risk factor, added Carney. As your body weight increases,
your blood pressure can rise. You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by losing weight. • Tobacco use is a factor, cautioned Carney. Smoking even one cigarette raises your blood pressure. With the first puff, the smoker’s blood pressure increases 10 to 15 percent.
Avoid excessive alcohol
• Another risk factor is drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases your blood pressure, but repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases in blood pressure. Excessive alcohol also contributes to weight gain. • Much evidence shows that excessive salt intake increases blood pressure.
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• Also, there’s a relationship between other medical conditions and high blood pressure, said Carney. “Any one of the systems of the body can cause high blood pressure,” she said. “If a patient has high blood pressure, we investigate why it’s occurring,” said Carney. Endocrine issues, kidney involvement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cardiovascular problems may be a cause. “We do a good work-up to see if there is something that might be causing the high blood pressure,” she said. Many with high blood pressure also have pain issues, explained Carney. When their high blood pressure is controlled, their pain will lessen. We can handle pain better when our blood pressure is under control. Reduce your risk factors. If you decrease your risk factors and still have high blood pressure, it is treatable. Carney and other medical professionals recommend starting with lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure — weight control, exercise, stop smoking, limit alcohol and caffeine, eat a healthy, low sodium diet, and reduce your stress levels. When lifestyle changes are not enough, your medical professional may prescribe one or more medications. You may need to take blood pressure medication the rest of your life to keep your condition under control. “When someone is diagnosed with high blood pressure, we bring them in and get them informed about the effects high blood pressure can have on the body,” added Carney. “If you just tell me to take a pill, I may not take it. If I understand why I’m taking it, I’m more likely to take it. “The more people understand about why it’s important to control their high blood pressure, the better they will be at controlling it.” Also, people with hypertension who regularly monitor their own blood pressure at home tend to have lower numbers than those who don’t use a home blood pressure monitor, a new study has found. Get your blood pressure checked once or twice a year. If you develop high blood pressure, work with your health care professional to find the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication, and you will probably be able to control your high blood pressure over time.
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Golden Years Scamming Seniors Family members, friends could be the culprits
tolerated.” Adult and elder abuse exists across all demographic and geographic boundaries. Anyone can become a victim, regardless of age, gender, financial status, or background.
By Barbara Pierce
E
lder financial abuse is all too common. “Financial abuse is the most frequent type of elder abuse we see,” said Mike Romano, director of the Oneida County Office of Aging. You might think that strangers mostly commit elder financial abuse. But you’d be wrong, said Romano. In reality, it’s more likely to come at the hands of family members and caregivers. “Perpetrators are often someone who is perceived to be a friend or family member,” he said. “Not long ago, my mother telephoned me, on the verge of tears,” said Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on an AARP website. “Since mom only works part time and receives Social Security, I thought she might need some money. Instead, she said she wanted emotional support.” “‘Your sister just asked me for $200,’” mom explained. “‘When I told her I didn’t have the money, she suggested that I go to my bank and get a cash advance from my paycheck.’” “I was mortified that my sibling would ask mom for money. Fortunately, she stood her ground and declined to fork over the cash. But that didn’t stop her from feeling bad about saying no to her child,” Khalfani-Cox said. Financial abuse — financial exploitation — from family members, friends, and caregivers is common, Romano said. It’s normal for parents to feel responsible for the economic well being of loved ones, even adult children and grandchildren; it’s natural. Some children and grandchildren encourage those instincts in mom and
Getting financially abused
dad. The danger for aging parents is when adult children turn that subtle manipulation into outright financial abuse. More adult children are leaning on their aging parents financially. Some use guilt or fear to push the emotional buttons of parents and grandparents. Others use charm, flattery and attentiveness to achieve financial goals. New York state law defines financial exploitation as “improper use of an adult’s funds, property, or resources by another individual. This includes, but is not limited to, fraud, embezzlement, forgery, falsifying records, coerced property transfers, or denial of access to assets.” It is against the law. “No one has the right to financially abuse you,” stressed Romano. “It will not be
You could be in a financially abusive relationship if someone you trust or love takes economic advantage of you. An example would be if your spouse, partner or friend runs up household bills or hurts your good credit, or if the person finagles you into buying the things they want, not you. Or, if family or friends consistently dip into your wallet, like the granddaughter who frequently “borrows” money, then conveniently “forgets” to repay you; or, the nephew who calls you up to bail him out of trouble when the rent is due and the lights are about to be disconnected; or, if you’re the parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend of someone who enriches himself at your expense. He’ll make you feel guilty by reiterating a hard-luck tale about facing foreclosure, being downsized or going through a divorce. If any of these scenarios seem familiar, tell someone. Financial abusers count on your silence to mask their misdeeds. Financial abuse is often a “hidden” problem because victims fail to report abuse. The situation will only become worse if you do nothing. “In a typical situation of financial abuse, the person is ashamed,” said Romano. “We all like to believe we’re in control; we’re independent. It’s very embarrassing to admit we’ve been taken advantage of.”
Eat Hot Peppers for a Longer Life?
L
ike spicy food? If so, you might live longer, say researchers at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, who found that consumption of hot red chili peppers is associated with a 13 percent reduction in total mortality — primarily in deaths due to heart disease or stroke — in a large prospective study. The study was published recently in PLoS ONE. Going back for centuries, peppers and spices have been thought to be beneficial in the treatment of diseases, but only one other study — conducted in China and published in 2015 — has previously examined chili pepper consumption and its association with mortality. This new study corroborates the earlier study’s findings. Page 10
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Using National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) III data collected from more than 16,000 Americans who were followed for up to 23 years, medical student Mustafa Chopan ‘17 and physician Benjamin Littenberg examined the baseline characteristics of the participants according to hot red chili pepper consumption.
They found that consumers of hot red chili peppers tended to be “younger, male, white, Mexican-American, married, and to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and consume more vegetables and meats ... had lower HDL-cholesterol, lower income, and less education,” in comparison to participants who did not consume red chili peppers. They examined data from a median follow-up of 18.9 years and observed the number of deaths and then analyzed specific causes of
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
If you suspect you are being abused, you might wish to consult with someone you trust, such as another family member, clergyman, bank manager or attorney. “Trust your instincts,” stresses a brochure called “Smart Seniors” from the New York State Attorney General. “Abusers can be very skilled at persuading you that you are wrong. If you think there is a problem, take steps to stop it. Report it.” “It’s not shameful to have been taken advantage of financially,” said Romano. “We get many calls regarding this.” “If you suspect you or someone you know is the victim of elder financial abuse, call us; the call will be completely confidential,” encouraged Romano. For Oneida County, call 315-798-5456. For other counties, call 844-697-3505. Your concerns will be investigated when you call to report suspected elder abuse. “We get the information and look into the situation,” said Romano. “It is confidential.” The second type of elder financial abuse is scams and frauds targeting the older population, added Romano. “Actually, they target all consumers,” he said. “This is a common type of abuse; a large number of people are being taken advantage of.” To help seniors identify potential scams, the NY Attorney General developed a statewide elder abuse prevention program called “Smart Seniors.” The website provides information so you can be aware of the tricks used by scammers. Google “Smart Seniors” to link to this website and look at the valuable information on the booklet called “Smart Seniors.” death. “Although the mechanism by which peppers could delay mortality is far from certain, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, which are primary receptors for pungent agents such as capsaicin [the principal component in chili peppers], may in part be responsible for the observed relationship,” say the study authors. There are some possible explanations for red chili peppers’ health benefits, state Chopan and Littenberg in the study. Among them are the fact that capsaicin is believed to play a role in cellular and molecular mechanisms that prevent obesity and modulate coronary blood flow, and also possesses antimicrobial properties that “may indirectly affect the host by altering the gut microbiota.” “Because our study adds to the generalizability of previous findings, chili pepper consumption may become a dietary recommendation and fuel further research,” says Chopan.
By Jim Miller
Protecting seniors: 5 tips to prevent falls this winter Risk of injury increases with age By Jonathan Kaspar
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he winter months bring opportunities for joy with family and friends. These cold months also bring the risk of serious injuries due to falls. Astonishingly, half of seniors are “frequent fallers” and one third of seniors fall every year. As falls can result in serious injuries such as hip fractures, broken bones and head injuries, fall prevention is a must for those over 65 years of age. There are several factors that can contribute to falls. according to Victoria Braund, director of the division of geriatric medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem and medical director at Brandel Health & Rehab at Covenant Village of Northbrook, a continuing care retirement community. “Falls are caused by either intrinsic or extrinsic factors,” explained Braund. “Intrinsic factors include age, hearing or vision loss and medical issues, while extrinsic factors include medications and a person’s environment. Falls not only pose a risk of serious injury but can also cause you to live in fear of falling, which can impact your quality of life.” Braund offers five tips to help prevent falls: — Monitor the effects of medications. Medications can often have unpleasant side effects that can contribute to falls. These side effects can include dizziness, changes in blood pressure and drowsiness. Review your prescriptions with your doctor to keep track of schedules and side effects. — Use assistive devices. Using canes, walkers, hearing aids or other fitted assistive devices can help re-
duce the risk of injury. — Assess the safety of the environment. Poor lighting, area rugs, bathrooms and clutter can create a dangerous living environment for those with mobility, vision and hearing challenges. There are several simple measures that can help prevent falls, including: • Ensuring stairs have adequate lighting and railings • Checking that area rugs have no-slip pads beneath them • Installing grab bars in bathrooms • Clearing clutter from high-traffic areas in living space • Securing cords to ensure they are not in main walkways — Exercise regularly. Not only can regular exercise improve heart and lung functioning, but it also improves balance and muscle strength, which helps reduce falls. — Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause dizziness and that can lead to a fall. As we grow older, we lose our sense of thirst, so make it a common practice to consume at least six glasses of water daily, even if you don’t feel thirsty. In addition to following these tips, regular osteoporosis screenings are wise. “The risk of falls increases with every decade of age. As osteoporosis can lead to a greater risk of a fracture if a fall occurs, regular screenings for bone loss and taking a proper medication or supplement if detected is a must,” Braund added. For more tips on fall prevention, visit the National Council on Active Aging. • Jonathan Kaspar is the health care administrator at Brandel Health & Rehab, Covenant Village of Northbrook, Illinois.
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Tax help for caregiver of elderly parents Dear Savvy Senior, Are caregiving expenses tax deductible? I provide a lot of financial support to my elderly mother and would like to find out if I can write any of it off on my taxes. Supporting Son Dear Supporting,
There are actually several tax deductions and credits available to adult children who help look after their aging parents or other relatives. Here are your options along with the IRS requirements to help you determine if you’re eligible to receive them.
Dependency Deduction
If you’re paying for more than 50 percent of your mom’s living costs (housing, food, utilities, medical and dental care, transportation and other necessities), and her 2016 gross income (not counting her Social Security benefits) was under $4,050, you can claim your mom as a dependent on your tax return, and reduce your taxable income by $4,050. Also note that your mom doesn’t have to live with you to qualify as a dependent, as long as her income was under $4,050 and you provided more than half her financial support. If your mother does live with you, you can include a percentage of your mortgage, utilities and other expenses in calculating how much you contribute to her support. IRS Publication 501 (see irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ p501.pdf) has a worksheet that can help you with this. To receive this, or other IRS publications or forms via mail, call 800-829-3676.
Shared Support
If you share the financial responsibility for your mom with other siblings, you may be eligible for the IRS multiple-support declaration. Here’s how this works. If one sibling is providing more than half the parent’s financial support, only that sibling can claim the parent. But if each sibling provides less than 50 percent support, but their combined assistance exceeds half the parent’s support. In that case, any sibling who provides more than 10 percent can
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claim the parent as a dependent. But only one sibling can claim the tax break in any given year. Siblings can rotate the tax break, with one claiming the parent one year, and another the next. The sibling who claims the parent as a dependent will need to fill out IRS Form 2120 (irs.gov/pub/ irs-pdf/f2120.pdf) and file it with his or her tax return.
Medical Deductions
If you can’t claim your mom as a dependent, you may still get a tax break for helping pay her medical costs. The IRS lets taxpayers deduct money spent on a parent’s health care and qualified long-term care services, even if the parent doesn’t qualify as a dependent. To claim this deduction, you still must provide more than half your mom’s support, but your mom doesn’t have to be under the $4,050 income test. And the deduction is limited to medical, dental and longterm care expenses that exceed 10 percent (or 7.5 percent if you’re 65 by Dec. 31, 2016) of your adjusted gross income. You can include your own medical expenses in calculating the total. See the IRS publication 502 (irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf) for details.
Dependent Care Credit
If you’re paying for in-home care or adult day care for your mom so you are free to work, you may also be able to claim the Dependent Care Tax Credit, regardless of whether or not your mom qualifies as a dependent on your tax return. This credit can cut up to $1,050 off your tax bill for the year. In order to claim it, you must fill out IRS Form 2441 (irs.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/f2441.pdf) when you file your federal return.
Check Your State
In addition to the federal tax breaks, more than 20 states offer tax credits and deductions for caregivers on state income taxes too. Check with your state tax agency to see what’s available. For links to state tax agencies see taxadmin.org/state-taxagencies. 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.
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Heartfelt Approach Organization seeks to sustain mended hearts By Patricia J. Malin
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t’s hard to believe, but Christine Kisiel was just 29 years old in February 1995 when she underwent her first open heart surgery. “I didn’t expect to have any heart problems,” she explained. “You don’t expect it in young people.” Surprising, yes, but it was then she discovered she had a congenital heart defect called connective tissue disorder. Eleven years later, she underwent a second operation at Albany Medical Center to replace an aortic valve. Nevertheless, on the verge of her 52nd birthday, she anticipates a long and healthy life thanks to advances in cardiac research and 21st century technology. How significant is the research? Call it dramatic. Just consider that Kisiel’s mother died at age 46 in 1976, only a month after her second heart open surgery. Some of her children and possibly her grandchildren, too, have inherited the genetic defect, but it’s certainly not the death sentence it was in the past. “All four of her children outlived her,” said Kisiel, a teacher at Stockbridge Valley Central School in Munnsville and president of the Utica chapter of Mended Hearts. She said researchers have isolated the gene responsible for the heart defect and t her siblings and nieces and nephews have also been tested for the genetic disorder. “Hers was a surprise as was mine, but they discovered she had an
aneurysm. It’s amazing how much my life mirrored hers,” she said. Christine’s brother, Jess Kisiel, also had an operation to replace his aortic valve, she said. Her sister in Minnesota happens to be a nurse. She undergoes routine echocardiograms and has avoided problems thus far. Her brother Paul Kisiel and his two children have been tested and appear to not have inherited it. The patriarch of the family, Raymond Kisiel, lives in the Utica area and is an active 85-year-old fitness enthusiast. “My mother’s operations were 10 years apart and mine were 11 years apart,” Kisiel said. “I’ve been followed very closely by my doctors. I’m sure my mother would have survived if she had been followed as closely. The research and technology have changed so much. I’ll be on Coumadin for the rest of my life, but things look good.”
Heart Run/Walk activities
With all the hoopla surrounding Valentine’s Day, February is generally regarded as heart month and it’s also when the American Heart Association kicks up its activities a notch. The Utica chapter of AHA rolls out its campaign for its annual fundraiser known as America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk. Kisiel and a host of volunteers will be giving out health and fitness tips during the Healthy For Good Expo at Utica College March 3. All of the run/walk events will be held on March 4 and will wrap up at the UC gym on Burrstone Road.
Rural Americans at Higher Risk of Preventable Causes of Death: CDC
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mericans who live in rural areas have a higher risk of death from five leading causes than people who live in urban locations, a federal study reveals. In 2014, there were many potentially preventable deaths among rural Americans, including 25,000 from heart disease, 19,000 from cancer, 12,000 from accidental injuries, 11,000 from chronic lower respiratory disease and 4,000 from stroke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This new study shows there is a striking gap in health between rural and urban Americans. To close this gap, we are working to better understand and address the health threats that put rural Americans at increased risk of early death,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said in an agency news release. Page 12
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About 46 million Americans — 15 percent of the nation’s population -— live in rural areas. Several factors, including economics, environment and demographic and social factors, might put rural residents at a higher risk of these preventable causes of death, the researchers said. Compared to city dwellers, rural Americans tend to be older and sicker. In addition, rural residents have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and obesity. They also get less leisure-time exercise and are less likely to use seatbelts than people who live in urban regions, the study authors said. Rural Americans also have higher rates of poverty, less access to health care and are less likely to have health insurance, the findings showed.
Leo Schwenzfeier, heart attack survivor and Mended Hearts volunteer, visits with registered nurse Dawn Rich at the short-term cardiology unit at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. Mended Hearts is a national nonprofit organization started in 1951 by Harvard Medical School heart surgeon Dwight Harken and his patients. With 300 chapters now in the United States, including 12 in New York state, volunteers visit hospitals and provide peer-to-peer counseling and support to heart disease patients and their families. Leo Schwenzfeier of Whitesboro is chair of the Utica Mended Hearts’ “visitation team” and has been an active volunteer since 1997. He had open-heart surgery in 1994 and recalls getting a visit in the hospital from a Mended Hearts volunteer. “Just being a patient helps others,” said Schwenzfeier. “They know they can lead a healthy life after a heart attack.” His team of volunteers, which includes his wife, Judy, the club’s treasurer and secretary, provides educational materials along with heartfelt advice and tips on recovery to cardiac patients at the St. Elizabeth campus of Mohawk Valley Health System. “The nursing staff in the cardiology unit will call us or someone else will contact us,” said Schwenzfeier. “They know we are available. Someone goes on a visit every day, five days a week.” In 2014, the national Mended Hearts organization conducted a two-part survey in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services studied the database for hospitals that host a Mended Hearts visiting program compared to hospitals that do not have one. The research featured interviews with cardiovascular patients regarding their experience in meeting with a Mended Hearts volunteer at the health care facility. Patients were surveyed again approximately six weeks after their discharge from the hospital to follow up on their overall sense of wellness, their attitudes about their own health, readmission rates, and their impressions of Mended Hearts.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
The survey concluded that hospitals with regular visits from Mended Hearts members are significantly more likely to have fewer patient readmissions for heart failure. Kisiel didn’t become aware of Mended Hearts Chapter 288 until a year after her surgery. “I was just looking for people who had gone through what I went through,” she said. Since she became president, she did some research and learned that a group of Mohawk Valley residents had founded a heart and stroke club many years ago. Around 1997, a volunteer named Bill Pantle applied for a Mended Hearts charter. Pantle has since left the area. The Mended Hearts website notes it serves about 460 hospitals and its volunteers visit more than 200,000 patients a year. The Utica chapter visited nearly 3,000 patients in 2009, Schewenzfeier said.
Sudden heart attack causes panic
Schwenzfeier, a robust 80-yearold, can never thank his wife enough for her help and quick thinking during his heart attack in 1994. “It was terrifying,” he recalled. “I was having a heart attack in the middle of the night. I was a healthy guy; this just came on. I had no problems (previously). I thought it was indigestion.” Fortunately, his wife — whose own father had died of a heart attack — didn’t hesitate. “If you don’t feel better in 10 minutes, put your pants on and I’ll take you to the hospital,’ she told me,” he said. Judy did drive him to the emergency room, where he teetered on the verge of death. “I collapsed and they needed to shock me five times,” he noted. He later underwent bypass surgery at Albany Medical Center. “From that point forward, I made changes physically and mentally. Even after that, my doctor thought I would only live another 10 years; it’s now 22 years! But I think the good Lord has something to do with it.”
The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
The 7-minute diagnosis Break out of traditional examination rut with holistic approach to medicine
O
ver the years, our conventional medical system has been changing. Some say for the better; others say for the worse. When you make an appointment to see your health care provider, you will have approximately seven minutes in which to explain your symptoms, be examined (sometimes), and receive a diagnoDittner sis that may include blood work or other tests, and prescription(s) that may only mask symptoms or contribute to other symptoms. Seven minutes? That’s all? You didn’t even have the opportunity to explain those symptoms in detail. Any triggers? Possibly highlight some family history. Discuss any travel. Talk about the foods you eat. How you sleep. What you do for physical activity. These are important aspects that should be included as part of a health appointment as these features are vital to maintaining health. This is where integrative medicine or holistic medicine comes in. It’s important to find a health care provider that can offer you the necessary time to listen to your symptoms and problems, and begin to delve into the root cause(s) of those symptoms. As a health care provider, it’s important to give you, the patient or client, the opportunity, information and support necessary to find health and wellness in your life. Understand your body by listening to every little piece of information that it provides. It can feel like a daunting task, but indeed a necessary one. Your body has the innate capacity to heal if you decide to take on that mission toward wellness. Your integrative practitioner will search for the root cause of your symptom(s) following a variety of different techniques. You are an individual requiring individual attention as no two people or symptoms are alike. Compiling a food and lifestyle journal is an important initial step for the integrative practitioner to view. This would include everything you eat and drink, any symptoms that occur, how you sleep, when you are stressed, when and what you do for exercise, bathroom visits, and whatever else you think may be important. Reviewing past blood work and test results and possibly the need to
ner. You may need to look outside the box to receive the help you need. Finding the solutions to your symptoms is passionate work. Being an investigator of your health and practicing holistic medicine is more than running off a list of diagnoses and prescribing quick, ordinary fixes. Searching for solutions is not accomplished in a seven-minute visit. A zealous, dedicated, enthusiastic progressive practitioner can accomplish it in the name of integrative and holistic medicine. • Deborah Dittner is a nurse practitioner and health consultant for amateur and professional athletes. If you’re an amateur or professional athlete looking to increase your energy, boost your performance and shorten recovery time, check out www.debdittner.com to learn how.
order other tests will also be beneficial.
Opening up new avenues
Once your provider has a better understanding of the issues, you may be encouraged to explore different forms of healing such as energy medicine, whole nutrient dense foods, botanicals, bodywork, therapeutic grade essential oils, homeopathy, and physical therapy. Being on your health journey in finding the root cause of symptoms can take time, energy and patience. As Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once said, “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” and “All disease begins in the gut.” You need to approach healing through elimination and detoxification while listening to your body as to what is causing your inflammation or lack of energy. This does not occur overnight. It can take years of exploration, motivation and patience, while all along studying and reading everything you can get your hands on. An integrative practitioner will examine your symptoms through a wider lens than a typical seven-minute office visit by looking at nutrition, lifestyle, sleep patterns, exercise patterns, stressors, support system, and belief system. Today’s major chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension can often be reversed through lifestyle changes, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Sadly, many of today’s conventional practitioners do not have this kind of training necessary to help their patients or clients in this man-
What if you could choose?
5 Days or 45 Days
February 2017 •
hoacny.com
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KIDS Corner
Nurse Manager 7a-3p, FT (Monday – Friday) RN Supervisor 11p – 7a PT LPN – 3pm-11pm - FT, PT, & Per Diem CNA– 3pm-11pm - FT, PT, & Per Diem Housekeeping – Per Diem Adult Day Health Care Cleaner Dietary – per diem positions
DO YOUR FULL TIME BENEFITS LOOK LIKE THIS? • Employer PAID Blue Cross Insurance. • 3 PAID Personal Days a year • 12 days of Sick Time a year • 10 Vacation days to start, 20 after ten years. • 8 PAID Holidays!! That includes Easter and a Floating Holiday! • Employer PAID Retirement Plan • Holiday and Weekend Premium Pay • Overtime paid if your work over 8 hours in a day. • Vacation sell back. • Annual “End of Year” Service Bonus in time for the holidays! You deserve the BEST and we are looking for the BEST! Crouse Community Center is Not-For-Profit, Community Based Organization that’s mission is to serve the area. Our culture, reputation, and services are second to none.
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101 South Street, Morrisville, NY 13408 Phone (315) 684-9595 | Fax (315) 684-9275
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Families Spend 1.5 Billion Hours Yearly on Special Needs Kids Care provided by parents adds up to nearly $18 billion in lost wages, study says
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amilies in the United States spend 1.5 billion hours each year providing home health care to their chronically ill or disabled children, a new study shows. The hours of health care these parents and other family members provide would cost $36 billion if performed by home health workers who received the going rate — or $12 billion if unskilled workers receiving minimum wage were hired, said senior researcher, physician Mark Schuster. Parents of chronically ill children are asked these days to provide “the kind of care that, if they weren’t there, the system would have to provide home health care or keep the children in the hospital longer,” said Schuster, chief of general pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. He’s also a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. These time-consuming and sometimes technical health care tasks can include maintaining ventilators, performing physical therapy, tracking medication and changing bandages, Schuster said. “There’s pretty sophisticated stuff that parents are being asked to do once their child gets home,” Schuster said.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
All this time spent caring for their sick children adds up to $17.6 billion in lost wages for these families — about $3,200 a child every year, the study authors said. One in five U.S. families has a child with special health care needs, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Schuster and his colleagues analyzed data from a survey conducted regularly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the impact of special health care needs among American children. Muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, intellectual disability, epilepsy and head injury or traumatic brain injury were the conditions that required the most hours of family-provided health care at home, Schuster said. The illnesses requiring the most hours are all very complex, he said. “These are conditions that really involve a lot of support,” Schuster said. “These children often need a lot of help from an adult, and the adult at home is usually the parents. “A child with cerebral palsy might not be able to get out of bed, he pointed out. “A child with cystic fibrosis may need a lot of treatments at home.”
2.1%
OUR LOW AVERAGE EARNINGS MEAN YOU CAN SAVE FOR OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS.
From 2011 – 2015, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s annual earnings before interest and taxes averaged 2.1 percent of premium, considerably less than the 7.4 percent earnings of large national insurers. Because we are a business, not a charity, we need to earn a margin, but we do not need to pay dividends to shareholders. That works in your favor. We’re a nonprofit health plan, so we deliberately budget for low margins to keep coverage more affordable. We know you have other important things that matter. We’re neighbors helping neighbors build healthier communities. A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
SmartBites
mentioned, the nutrient-rich skin is edible, so you can leave it on.
The skinny on healthy eating
Delicious, Nutritious Delicata Winter Squash
I
f you haven’t tried delicata squash — an oblong-shaped winter squash with yellow-colored skin and green stripes — steer your shopping cart to the produce aisle. This great-for-you veggie is known for its soft texture (unlike other winter squashes, it can be easily sliced and chopped), its scrumptious flavor (similar to sweet potatoes), its tender skin (edible!) and its bounty of health benefits. On the vitamin front, the delicata, with its orange-yellow flesh, is a vitamin A superstar, providing nearly all of our daily needs in one cup. A nutrient we can’t live without, vitamin A is essential for growth, healthy skin, vision and a well-oiled immune system. Delicata also packs an impressive vitamin C punch. Immune-boosting vitamin C helps the body maintain healthy tissues, heal wounds in a timely manner, and neutralize cell-damaging free radicals that can sow the seeds for disease. Many studies have linked winter squash — delicata included — to a lower risk of certain cancers. Their fiber (perhaps more with delicata because you can eat the skin) and abundant carotenoids help shuttle out inflammatory and potentially can-
cer-causing substances from the body. Those looking to lose or maintain weight will appreciate delicata’s health cred: half a squash delivers a scant 30-40 calories and is super low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Moreover, delicata’s slow-digesting fiber helps us feel fuller longer, so we’re not as inclined to reach for those chips. And while delicata squash, like all winter squash, has more carbs than your average vegetable, recent research has made it clear that all starch is not the same: there are “nature-made” good carbs that get absorbed more slowly into our systems and then there are “refined” bad carbs that zip through us lickety-split. Thankfully, delicata is full of good carbs and all the benefits they reap: more stable blood sugar levels, longer-lasting energy, improved digestion and fiber-driven heart protection.
Helpful tips:
Select squashes that feel firm, especially near the stem ends, and that feel heavy for their size. Steer clear of those with blemishes or soft spots. Store delicata squash in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for up to one month. Delicata may be cooked whole, split lengthwise, or sliced. As
Delicata Squash with Quinoa Stuffing Adapted from EatingWell.com Serves 4 2 small delicata squash (12-14 ounces each), halved lengthwise and seeded ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper 2½ tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 cup water ½ cup quinoa 1½ cups chopped leek (about 2 large), white and light green parts only 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried parsley ⅓ cup dried cranberries ⅓ cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve the delicata lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds to make four long “boats.” If the boats are too
February 2017 •
wobbly, take a very thin slice off the bottom so they’ll sit flat. Brush cut tops with olive oil (1 tablespoon for all 4), season with salt and pepper, and arrange cut-side up on the prepared pan. Bake until they are soft and just starting to char a little, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees. While squash is baking, prepare stuffing. Combine 1 cup water and quinoa in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with fork and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Heat 1½ tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add leek and cook, stirring constantly, until the leek is tender and edges are slightly browned—about 8 minutes. Add the leeks, thyme, parsley, cranberries, pecans, and salt and pepper to bowl of quinoa and stir well. Spoon the quinoa mixture into the squash halves, packing as needed. Bake at 350 degrees until the stuffing is heated through, about 15 minutes. Tasty tip: Seeds may be washed and roasted. 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.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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H ealth News MVHS names director of facilities management Brian Croghan has been named director of facilities management for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, he is responsible for the management and oversight of utilities management, life safety compliance, construction and renovation management and grounds keeping. Croghan Croghan is a master electrician with more than 20 years of facilities management experience. Prior to joining MVHS, he served as director of facilities for Cobleskill Regional Hospital in Cobleskill and Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn. Croghan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from State University of New York Empire State College and his associate degree in liberal arts from Dutchess County Community College in Poughkeepsie. He is a certified health care facility manager.
FNP joins MVHS Boonville Medical Office Briana Button has joined the MVHS Boonville Medical Office as a family nurse practitioner. Button earned her Master of Science degree in nursing, family nurse practitioner at SUNY Polytechnic in Utica, her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, cum laude, from SUNY Delhi in Delhi, and her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth Button College of Nursing in Utica. Button joined St. Elizabeth Medical Group at its East Utica Medical Office in 2012. She was previously employed at Genesee Orthopedics and Hand Surgery in Utica and at Rome Memorial Hospital in Rome. Button is a member of the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nurses. She is a certified pediatric nurse and is certified by New York state in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.
MVHS names physician assistant Karly Woodrick has joined the MVHS Medical Group at its Waterville 0ffice-Madison Street as a physician assistant. In this position, Woodrick provides nursing assessment and treatment to patients. Prior to joining MVHS, Woodrick Page 16
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2014, serving as an inpatient dialysis nurse in various roles. Prior to joining the organization, he worked as an emergency medical technician and as a New York State Police officer. He earned two associate’s degrees at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica in criminal justice and nursing and his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica. He is pursuing his Master of Science degree in nursing education/ health care administration.
MVHS names operations manager
MVCC faculty and staff donate to Feed Our Vets Mohawk Valley Community College faculty and staff raised $1,550 in a basket raffle and chose the Feed Our Vets food pantry in Utica as the recipient of the proceeds. Joseph Ancona, left, director of the Feed Our Vets Utica pantry, is shown accepting the ceremonial check from MVCC President Randall VanWagoner. The donation will help Feed Our Vets fulfill its mission of helping U.S. veterans and their families win the fight against hunger. The organization involves the public in its cause through community food pantries that provide free food to veterans and their families, distribution of related goods and services and public education and outreach. The Utica pantry is located on Genesee Street in downtown Utica and is open from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and from 8-11 a.m. the third Saturday of each month. was employed at Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls as an emergency department patient care technician and at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown as an intensive care unit patient care associate. She earned a Master of Science degree in physiWoodrick cian assistant studies from Le Moyne College in Syracuse and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Siena College in Loudonville. She is a certified physician assistant and is a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants and the New York State Society of Physician Assistants.
MVHS Medical Group sites earn national recognition The National Committee for Quality Assurance announced recently that all seven Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group primary care offices affiliated with Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare have received Level 3 recognition under the 2014 standards. Recognized practices include Barneveld, Boonville, Herkimer, New Hartford-Crossroads Plaza, Washington Mills, Waterville-Madison Street and Whitesboro. Each
has received NCQA patient-centered medical home recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships. The NCQA patient-centered medical home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.
Dialysis Center has new assistant nurse manager David Volz has been named assistant nurse manager of the Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Volz assists the nurse manager in maintaining nursing operations in both clinical and administrative areas for all dialyVolz sis units. Volz has been an employee at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare since
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
Kelsie Becker has been named operations manager for Faxton Urgent Care at the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Becker is responsible for operations to include both clinical and administrative responsibilities for the urgent care. Becker earned an associate’s Becker degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. She is certified in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Becker joined Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in 2010 on a medical surgical unit and was also employed at Central New York Cardiology.
MVHS names child life specialist Erin Ratajczak has been named child life specialist for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Ratajczak is responsible for working with children in a variety of situations related to health care. Ratajczak earned an Associate of Science degree in early Ratajczak childhood education from Herkimer County Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in the psychology of child life from Utica College. She completed a pediatric outpatient practicum at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica and a child life specialist internship at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. Prior to joining MVHS, Ratajczak was employed at the Children’s Center of Brighton and Daystar for Medically Fragile Children, Inc., both in Rochester, and served as a child life specialist fellow at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse. She is a certified child life specialist and a member of the Child Life Council.
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H ealth News Continued from Page 16
Caregivers who participate in this program will be offered free companion service for their loved one through the existing Helping Hands home companion service and ActiveDay adult day program while they attend the support group. LutheranCare® is a multi-faceted organization in Clinton, providing innovative and quality adult care programs since 1919.
Emergency management, security director named Allan Chrysler has been named director of emergency management and security at Rome Memorial Hospital, announced David Jabs, vice president of support services. “Allan’s extensive training and experience in preparing organizations to respond to all Chrysler types of emergency situations from natural disasters to life-threatening security incidents makes him a natural fit for this position,” said Jabs. Chrysler has served as the hospital’s disaster preparedness coordinator since 2007 and is a graduate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s master exercise practitioner program. He is also certified as a health emergency professional, a certified emergency disaster professional and a certified hospital emergency coordinator. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management. In his new role, Chrysler will oversee security throughout the hospital, including updating policies and procedures to ensure the continued safety of patients, their families and hospital staff. Prior to joining RMH in 2007, he was a member of the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. Chrysler lives in Ava with his wife, Julie, and their three children.
RMH names director of plant operations James Marquette has been named director of plant operations at Rome Memorial Hospital. Marquette, formerly the assistant director of the department, takes over as director of plant operations following the retirement of director Edward Koziarz. “The care and Marquette maintenance of the hospital building and various off-site facilities has been placed in good hands,” said David Lundquist, president-chief executive officer. “Having worked in many positions within the department since joining the hospital in 1980, Jim has first-hand understanding of the inner workings of the buildings and a wealth of knowledge and experience which he readily shares with the members of his team.” The plant operations department
VHS selects employee of quarter
CABVI hears the roar of Lions Club of Herkimer The Lions Club of Herkimer recently donated $500 to support vision rehabilitation services at the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Utica. Taking part in the check presentation are, from left, Herkimer Lions Past President Rudy Scialdo; CABVI President and CEO Rudy D’Amico; Herkimer Lions President Dave Parmon, and Lions Immediate Past District 20Y2 Governor Paula Flisnik. is responsible for maintenance of the hospital building and 13 off-site facilities.
Rome Medical Group pediatricians certified Rome Medical Group pediatricians Ayotunde O. Adeyeye and Adaobi Enekwizu have each earned their board certifications from the American Board of Pediatrics. Board certification demonstrates that physicians have met the highest standards of pediatric medicine. Certification Adeyeye is voluntary and includes an exam that tests a physician’s ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Adeyeye joined his wife, board certified pediatrician Olubukola T. Adeyeye, at Rome Medical Group in September 2016. He earned his bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and Enekwizu completed his residency in pediatrics at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx.
Enekwizu has been caring for her patients at Rome Medical Group since September 2016. She earned her bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. While completing her residency in pediatrics at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, Brooklyn, she provided care in the well baby nursery and neonatal intensive care unit nursery at the hospital, and cared for pediatric patients in the outpatient and emergency units. Both physicians are members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and are certified in neonatal resuscitation and pediatric advance life support.
Lutheran Home awarded grant The Lutheran Home of Central New York, an affiliate of Community Wellness Partners, has been awarded $500,000 from the New York State Department of Health to expand its caregiver support programs over the next five years for rural communities with limited access to services. Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory impairments throughout rural areas of northern Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis and Madison counties may qualify to participate in the caregiver support program. This program is a training intervention and support group designed to enhance the quality of life for both the caregiver and the individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
February 2017 •
Cliff Munio was selected employee of the fourth quarter 2016 at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. He joined the maintenance staff at VHS on March 11, 2002. Co-workers who nominated Munio stated, “Cliff is a very well-liked employee at Valley Health Services. He is Munio often sought after to get work done and help where needed. Families, staff and residents all like Cliff because of his friendly attitude and his willingness to help.” Munio resides in Herkimer with his wife, Linda. The VHS employee of the quarter program recognizes the outstanding performance of VHS employees. Employees submit nominations and the winner is entitled to a designated parking spot for three months, a gift certificate, recognition in local media and the facility newsletter and becomes eligible to participate in the employee of the year program.
LFH receives $25K from F.M. Kirby Foundation Little Falls Hospital, a subsidiary of the Bassett Healthcare Network, has received $25,000 from the F.M. Kirby Foundation for patient monitoring equipment in LFH’s emergency department. This upgrade in equipment will enable the emergency department to connect to the radiology department, resulting in better and faster diagnoses and ultimately better patient care. The Kirby Foundation previously awarded grants to LFH for renovations and expansions of the interior of the emergency department and another grant to upgrade the emergency department’s ambulance bay for a total of $2 million. By investing in capital improvements, LFH is responding to the changing needs of the surrounding community and ensuring that patients in the Mohawk Valley receive exceptional care from the moment they enter the building, a hospital spokesperson said. Fred Morgan Kirby, a five-anddime-merchant who became one of the founders of F.W. Woolworth Company, endowed the foundation in 1931 and served as president until 1940.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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CALENDAR
HEALTH EVENTS
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Tuesdays
Insight House offers family support group Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30-4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
Wednesdays/Thursdays
Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings Overeaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 101 (first floor) at Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 James St., Rome. It also meets from 7-8 p.m. every Thursday at Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St., Oneida. Participants are asked to use the rear door. There are no dues, fees, weighins or diets. For more information, call OA at 315-468-1588 or visit oa.org.
Feb. 2
Parents bond to battle addiction A support group — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Canajoharie Fire House, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie. The support group is for parents with a son or daughter who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. The next meetings are Feb. 2 and Feb. 16. According to recent research cited by the National Institute for Drug Abuse, opioid and heroin overdose deaths now exceed annual deaths from car crashes. PAL is incorporated as a non-profit organization and is run by a volunteer board of parents. For more information on the organization, visit www.palgroup.org or call PAL at 480-300-4712.
Feb. 3
Lifestyle change award up for grabs The American Heart Association is working to celebrate individuals who have made a positive impact on their health. The AHA is accepting nominations for the Lifestyle Change Award. The Lifestyle Change Award, sponsored by Olivari Olive Oil, honors someone who has made signifi-
cant, positive changes in an effort to live longer and healthier. Friends, co-workers or relatives can submit nominations. Individuals can also choose to nominate themselves. Nominations are due by Feb. 3. Photos and stories from finalists will be posted on the AHA/American Stroke Association Facebook page at @HeartCNY. The winner will be chosen by a combination of a panel of judges and public votes on Facebook. Voting will be held from Feb. 6-24. The winner will then be chosen and recognized at the America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk closing ceremony on March 4 in the Utica College gymnasium. Email heartofutica@heart.org or call 315-580-3960 to request nomination forms. Completed copies can be emailed to heartofutica@heart.org or printed versions may be mailed to Lifestyle Change Award, American Heart Association, 120 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502.
Feb. 3
MVHS to host networking event The Mohawk Valley Health System will celebrate National Women Physicians Day Feb. 3 by hosting a social event for women physicians in the community from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It will be held on the St. Luke’s Campus at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services in its Sogg’s Room and is sponsored, in part, by the MVHS Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle. Feb. 3 marks the celebration of women’s heart health and the 196th birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in America. Those interested in attending are asked to preregister with name and contact information by calling
315-624-5608 or emailing thuzarew@ mvhealthsystem.org.
Feb. 7
Dialysis Center offering CKD program The Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The program will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 7 in Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Registration is required as seating is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or email her at cchristi@ mvhealthsystem.org. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans have CKD and millions of others are at risk for developing the disease. Early detection and intervention helps to prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, known as end stage renal disease.
Feb. 13
Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 13. The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
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Most Trusted Profession
or the 15th year in a row, nurses are the No. 1 most trusted professionals, according to Gallup’s annual poll that ranks the honesty and ethical standards of various professionals. Healthcare providers took four of the top five spots. Following nurses are: No. 2 pharmacists, No. 3 physicians, No. 4 engineers, No. 5 dentists. Also ranking high were teachers and police officers.
2016: Some Good Health News
Colon cancer, dementia and heart disease started declining in developed countries. Since 1990, the number of women dying due to pregnancy or childbirth has declined by half. Public smoking bans have improved health in 21 countries and the number of US smokers has declines by 8.6 million since 2005. Harvard scientists are honing in on an antibiotic discovery that could help remedy the growing antibiotic resistance crisis. Homelessness has decreased in the US by 35 percent Page 18
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over the last 10 years. Teenage pregnancies have declined in the US for the 24th year in a row. Large oil spills declined from an average of 25 per year in the 1970s to just two a year now. Charitable donations were at an all-time high, again lead by Warren Buffet at $2.9 billion and Bill Gates at $5 billion.
Hospital Mergers
In recent months, both the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice have increasingly intervened to thwart or block hospital mergers. While one can only speculate what President Trump will do, there is a history of support for antitrust enforcement in healthcare from both parties. The fear is that mergers have tended to drive up costs whether in the same or separate markets. A potential merger between Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health this year would create the nation’s largest system by revenue. The number of Catholic-owned or affiliated hospitals has grown by 22 percent since 2001, resulting in control of 17 percent of acute care beds in the US.
States Ranked by Health United Health Foundation just released its America’s Health Rankings. It takes into consideration 34 measures of behaviors, community, environment, policies and clinical data like smoking, obesity, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, etc. The five healthiest states are: No. 1 Hawaii, (five years in a row) No. 2 Massachusetts, No. 3 Connecticut, No. 4 Minnesota, No. 5 Vermont. The five unhealthiest states are: No. 50 Mississippi, No. 49 Louisiana, No. 48 Arkansas, No. 47 Alabama, No. 46 Oklahoma. It should be noted four of the five worst states are in the southeast. NYS ranked No. 13.
Choose Hospital Wisely
A study published in the academic journal Public Library of Science (PLOS One) found that patients cared for in the “worst” hospitals were three times more likely to die and 13 times more likely to have complications than if cared for in one of the “best” hospitals. 22 million admissions were studied, using 24 measures of medical outcomes.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
Researchers found significant differences among hospitals. Under terms of the agreement, in order to get hospitals to participate, the identity of the hospitals were kept confidential. In general, hospitals that treated high volumes of certain conditions fared better than those with low volumes. Most patients have little information about the differences between hospitals. The study raised the obvious question of why don’t we have broader outcomes measurement and transparency around performance available to the public. • Related story, Page 3. George W. Chapman is a healthcare consultant who works with hospitals and medical groups. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
Pauline’s Pieces
By Pauline DiGiorgio
Discover Your Fitness Niche Exploring the top-5 trending group fitness crazes
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ow more than ever, getting in a workout benefits your health, but it is also a social outing that increases the opportunity to meet new people. This is the second in a series exploring the top-trending fitness workouts. Below, I explore Bikram (hot) yoga, power flow yoga and CrossFit.
Heat yoga/power flow yoga
— What is it? An upbeat class that gets you sweating and breathing deeply as you flow through the sequence of postures. The heated room helps you with flexibility, circulation and detoxification, all while building strength in the mind and body. — Who is it for? Yoga is good for people who haven’t been DiGiorgio active in a while. It’s good for people who have certain health conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis. You can change the exercises to fit your needs. But yoga is also great if you’re already fit and want a challenging workout. As you become more strong and flexible with yoga, it’s easier to do other kinds of exercise like lifting, swimming and running. — Why? (benefits): It improves balance and stability. Balancing poses require you to use your core muscles. This can help you improve your overall stability. It strengthens the mind and body connection. Yoga requires you to focus all your energy on each movement or pose exactly. This can help you feel the mind and body work together. Yoga reduces your risk for injury. Each pose targets specific muscles. This will help you increase your flex-
ibility and reduce your risk for injury. — Where? In Bloom Yoga, New Hartford — Perks: You walk into the class and automatically go into relaxation mode — soothing music, lightly scented lavender-infused air, and a hug of heat to help you loosen up. The mats, support blocks and tension ropes are all provided. Just grab a spot and allow the instructor’s words fade away any tension you might have built up from daily life. Plus, each class ends with a new motivational intention quote and essential oil send-off, leaving you with a feeling of happiness and zen. — Cons: One of the disadvantages of yoga is that not everyone can practice all the poses. Men, in particular, lack the flexibility of women. They make up for it in strength, but yoga is about exceeding your boundaries, so pay attention to your body and don’t push yourself past any positions that feel tight or strained. If your class is heated, it might get a bit sweaty, which is a great detox. But don’t count on going anywhere in public afterwards unless you want to be spotted with wet hair and armpit stains.
CrossFit
— What is it? A mix of strength and conditioning consisting mainly of a mix of aerobic body weight exercises. The programming of a class is constantly varied and features functional movements executed at a high-intensity pace. CrossFit gyms use equipment including barbells, dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, jump ropes, kettle bells, medicine ball, plyometric boxes, resistance bands and rowing machine. — Who is it for? An individual who likes to be challenged and see progression by increasing reps and weight each session at his or her own rate. You are given a list of exercis-
es — workout of the day — in the beginning of the class, then it’s up to you to focus on your body and form to finish. Many who enjoy CrossFit say you develop a “community-like bond” with classmates since you will often see the same faces if you wish to go often at the same time slot in the day. So if you prefer going to the gym alone, but want to challenge yourself in a group setting, this is for you. — Why? (benefits): It improves heart health. Because your heart rate remains elevated throughout the entire workout, you are bound to increase your endurance. This is a sure way to improve cardio fitness and body composition. Remember that personal coaching equals gaining knowledge. All CrossFit classes are led by a coach to ensure proper form, provide modifications, encouragement and uphold standards. Your instructor will be looking to make sure you’re completing your workout of the day properly or if you are not giving your full effort. They often take a step-by-step approach to teach you how to exe-
cute the workout and what muscle groups you are targeting. CrossFit also increases joint mobility, which is the result of varied functional movements involved in a CrossFit workout. Because you are not just doing one or two movements, you’re constantly moving your limbs in all different directions. — Where: Mohawk Valley Cross Fit, Yorkville — Perks: You will never get bored or not challenged walking into a CrossFit gym. Leaving feeling accomplished is very common and a top reason this industry has grown such a large following — everyone in class becomes each other’s cheerleader. — Cons: It’s a bit intimidating for beginners but certainly not impossible. Also, because you are working with weights and movements that you might not be use to, there is risk for injury, which is why it’s very important to choose a CrossFit gym with an experienced instructor. • Pauline DiGiorgio is a fitness ambassador and Group X instructor at Retro Fitness gyms. Questions? Email her at ptlifts@gmail.com.
they laugh, cough, sneeze, lift heavy objects or exercise. Medications Several drugs are approved for urge incontinence (or overactive bladder), such as prescription mirabegron (Myrbetriq), oxybutynin (Ditropan XL and generic), solifenacin (Vesicare), and tolterodine (Detrol and generic). While drug treatments are effective for many people, you also need to know that more than half of those who take incontinence drugs stop within six months because of side effects including constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurry vision and dizziness. Electrical stimulation Mild electric shocks to nerves in the lower back or the pelvic area can
stimulate and strengthen muscles that are involved in urination. This can help with both urge and stress incontinence, but it requires multiple treatments over many weeks. Surgery Several surgical procedures are available for stress incontinence. The most common is sling surgery, where strips of synthetic mesh are implanted to support the urethra. This surgery is very effective in most patients, but should be a last resort.
Help for Seniors with Bladder Control Problems By Jim Miller
I
ncontinence is very common in older adults. According to the CDC, more than half of women and 30 percent of men aged 65 and older are affected by it. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options that can help, as well as a number of absorbent pads or underwear you could use for leakage protection. Here’s what you should know. See a doctor If you leak unexpectedly (also known as stress incontinence) or sometimes have such a strong urge to urinate (urge incontinence) that you fear you won’t make it to a bathroom in time, your first step is to make an appointment with your primary care
doctor or see a gynecologist, urologist, or urogynecologist. A doctor can determine if a medication side effect or a condition like diabetes or a urinary-tract infection might be causing urine leakage. They can also set you up with a treatment plan. Depending on the reason or the type on incontinence you have, here are some common treatment options. Non-drug therapies There are a number of exercises, bladder training techniques and lifestyle strategies that should be the first line of treatment. Kegel exercises (repeatedly tightening and relaxing the muscles that stop urine flow to strengthen them) are especially helpful for women with stress incontinence, or leaking when
February 2017 •
•Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. He writes the column “Savvy Senior” published in this newspaper.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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NPs on the Rise
SUNY Poly students represent new wave of health care frontline professionals By Patricia J. Malin
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hite coat ceremonies for nursing and medical students are relatively new, but they are becoming popular rites of passage. The College of Health Sciences & Management at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica honored 115 students with its first inaugural nurse practitioner white coat ceremony recently. The event is held to recognize the transition of first-year NP graduate students from the classroom to intensive clinical study in the hospitals and actual examination of patients. The ceremony helps promote the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care to new NPs. “It signifies (students’) movement from their classroom studies to the clinical arena and demonstrates their readiness to work with patients at an advanced level,” said Kathleen Rourke, nursing and health professions department chairwoman at SUNY Poly. The keynote speaker was Loretta Ford, a former nursing educator and founder of the NP model and training program. The 96-year-old Ford began her nursing career in 1942 and served as a nurse on military bases in World War II. She is credited with transforming the nursing profession and making health care more accessible to the public. “Our students are so fortunate to be able to start their academic careers with the kind of perspective and insight only Ford can provide,” Rourke said. The awarding of the lab coat Page 20
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The College of Health Sciences & Management at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica recently held its inaugural nurse practitioner white coat ceremony recently. Enjoying the occasion are, from left, Sierra Garrett, Dr. Loretta Ford, Crystal Sipley (standing) and Maggie Towles. ceremony is gaining widespread recognition. It is practiced at 100 medical schools in the United States and in many other countries for students pursuing careers as physician assistants, NPs, and those in pharmacology, osteopathy, physical and occupational therapy, dentistry and veterinary medicine. SUNY Poly was one of 50 schools nationwide chosen by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to host a white coat ceremony, thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism In Medicine. The Gold-sponsored ceremony is used by 97 percent of Association of American Medical Colleges-accredited schools of medicine. In 2014, the Gold Foundation began its partnership with the AACN to establish the white coat ceremony at nursing schools.
Pledging their commitment
As they receive the coat, students take an oath pledging their commitment to the highest professional standards and receive a commemorative humanism lapel pin. “Proclaiming this dedication to their patients at the inception of their studies, rather than the conclusion of them, is a truly meaningful event for our students,” commented Jennifer
Klimek-Yingling, assistant professor of nursing and health professions at SUNY Poly. SUNY Poly offers a four-year program in nursing and health information management for undergraduates, as well as an accelerated program leading to a master’s degree as a family NP and in nursing education. It also has an Associate in Applied Science/Bachelor of Science degree program in collaboration with St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica. The white coat ceremony is associated with first-year graduate students, but since this was the inaugural ceremony at SUNY Poly as well as the program’s 20th anniversary, the nursing school faculty decided to present pins to second-year students too. The second-year students will graduate in May. The NP student class included only two men, including a second-year student Bikash Regni, a native of Bhutan. Regni, who received his undergraduate degree from the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, is specializing in oncology. His wife, Kumari Regni, is a first-year NP student and a registered nurse. “We have one of the best programs in New York state,” Robert Yeh, dean of the College of Health
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • February 2017
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Sciences and Management at SUNY Poly, told the nursing students. “We want to become the best, not just locally or regionally, but nationally. This ceremony is just the start of our tomorrows.” During the ceremony, Rourke remarked that NPs have a “totally unique” role to fill in health care. “You’re not an M.D., but you’re providing primary care for the patients, plus their families. You’re not just delivering professional care to the patient, but compassionate care,” he said. In the late 1960s, when Ford originated the concept of NPs, many medical professionals were worried about the implications of such change. It took “a paradigm shift,” a different way of thinking and communicating, Ford said, to convince physicians that NPs were not a threat to their practice. NPs see their mission as forging a partnership with patients, and that aspect undoubtedly scared some doctors of the old school who used to view nurses as subordinates. Health care professionals and patients, too, should anticipate further cataclysmic changes to the U.S. health system. Ford told students to “get out of your comfort zone” and to transfer individualization and democratization to patients. This means a shift of power to engage and encourage patients to be involved and in charge of their own health, she said. Today’s students are fortunate to be studying and practicing their profession in an era when the medical community is accepting NPs. Just 21 states and D.C. allow NPs to establish a full scope of practice independent of physicians. It’s still not mandated on the federal level, leaving states with a patchwork of regulations regarding NPs. Although NPs have come a long way, they still face a battle for acceptance and recognition. Rourke said the New York state chapter of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners is regularly lobbying legislators in Albany to improve the power and influence of NPs.
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