In Good Health: ROC #213 - May 2023

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY FORUM

Protecting Vulnerable Adults at Home and in Long-Term Care

THURSDAY JUNE 15, 2023

12:45 PM - 3:45 PM

What is Elder Neglect, Abuse & Exploitation

Reporting & Preventing Elder Abuse

When is Elder Abuse Considered a Crime

Regulations & Laws

Needed Changes

No Cost - Refreshments Provided ejcevent@elderjusticecommittee.org 585-397-3537 (ELDR)

WE DO WELL-BEING REALLY WELL.

And here, you will too.

Welcome home to The Village at Unity, where wellness infuses every part of community life. PrimeFit Wellness, our signature approach to senior wellness, gets you active and keeps you that way. From taking nature walks and running a 5K to walking your granddaughter down the aisle, we’re with you every step of the way. Call today for more information and to schedule your tour.

LOCATION

1471 Long Pond Road I Rochester, NY 14626 585-206-2103 I thevillageatunity.com

Caring for all parts of you. EVERYBODY BENEFITS

Wellness is about actively nurturing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and making choices that promote balance in all parts of your life. Here are some tips for keeping all of you healthy.

1. Physical Wellness: Exercise regularly, eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce processed and sugary foods and get more sleep.

2. Emotional Wellness: Maintain a positive attitude, take time for self-care (meditation, reading, or quiet relaxation), and practice gratitude.

3. Social Wellness: Keep in touch with friends and family. Connect with others by joining a club, starting a new hobby or volunteering.

4. Intellectual Wellness: Take an online or in-person class, read a book on a new topic, challenge your mind with puzzles or games.

Learn more about taking care of yourself at ExcellusBCBS.com/PreventiveCare

5. Spiritual Wellness: Connect with your inner self. Practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment. Reflect on your personal values and beliefs.

6. Environmental Wellness: Boost wellbeing by spending time in nature. Care for our planet by reducing waste, composting or recycling.

7. Occupational Wellness: Seek professional development, strive for work-life balance, connect with coworkers.

Carmen Clark Lodge Brighton Town Park 777 Westfall Rd Rochester 14620

FAMILY MEMBER OF A PHYSICIAN HOUSE CALLS PATIENT

Hugh Jackman Urges Sunscreen Use After Skin Cancer Scare

Actor Hugh Jackman is offering a warning about sun damage and skin cancer after having two biopsies.

Jackman was recently wearing a bandage on his nose in a video posted to his Twitter account.

"I just went to my doctor... and she just saw little things — could be or could not be basal cell, in her opinion. She doesn't know," Jackman shared. "Summer is coming for those of us here in the northern hemisphere. Please wear sunscreen. It's just not worth it no matter how much you want to tan. Trust me, trust me, trust me."

Basal cell carcinoma is common and not as potentially harmful as some other types of skin tumors, such as melanomas. It's the type of skin cancer that President Joe Biden had removed after a recent physical.

Jackman, 54, urged people to wear sunscreen. He previously was treated for basal cell carcinoma in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Jackman reminded viewers that UV exposure in youth can leave a legacy of skin cancer decades later.

"This is all stuff that happened 25 years ago and it is coming out now," he said, pointing to the bandage on his nose. "Put some sunscreen on — you'll still have an incredible time out there."

About eight of every 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), people can protect themselves by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Wear it even on cloudy days, the AAD says.

Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps. If possible, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Seek shade.

Meet Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Stephen F Ryan, M.D.

Medical director of ElderONE discusses how this Rochester Regional Health program is an alternative to nursing home. Over 700 seniors participate in it

Q: What is ElderONE and how does it function with the rest of the Rochester Regional Health system?

A: ElderONE is described a lot of different ways depending on the audience. I like to describe it as a nursing home without walls, because all of the patients that join have to be nursing home eligible. They receive all of the services that are associated with nursing homes like physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, medical, social work, dietary. So that helps some people get a sense of ElderONE. To doctors I describe it as a patient-centered medical home on steroids. Patient-centered medical home is a term that doctors understand means providing a little more care coordination so that patients' loose ends are taken care of. So it's not just a doctor's office, it's an entire team working toward those aims. The third way I'd describe it is it's also a health plan.

Q: How so?

A: ElderONE is responsible for coordinating all the care that the 700-plus folks in the program receive in the hospital, out of the hospital, home care, nursing home, durable medical equipment, medication, specialty visits, rehab, all those things get coordinated so that family can be more focused on being family members than keeping track of all the appointments and transportation.

Q: What is the process for getting enrolled in ElderONE?

A: Typically somebody realizes the patient may need help to remain in the community. That call could come from a family member, it could come from the hospital. There's a several-step process where someone calls in, we get some basic information. We send a team out and see from our perspective if they have real needs, do they meet eligibility criteria set by the state. If they say yes, it has to go to a third party who will look things over again. Then the patient gets to come in, meet people, gets to see if this is a good fit, do they like what they see? And then they can sign up. You can sign up on the first of any month, and they're also able to leave at the first of any month, although it's pretty rare that, once people join, that they leave.

Q: So it's not a program that's typically used for temporary nursing home needs?

A: Yeah, it's meant to be an alternative to ending up in the nursing home. So some people will join who have been getting rehabilitation after a hospital stay. They need to go home, but they realize they need more help than they needed before. ElderONE lets them return to the community while still getting help.

Q: How have patients and families responded? Are the outcomes generally positive?

A: There are a lot of outcomes over time. Some are more medically focused. ElderONE is an example of a PACE [Program for All-inclusive Care of the Elderly] program, so some of the numbers I cite come from Rochester General, some from national data. But in general enrolled folks will go the hospital for preventable conditions less often. They'll stay in their home longer. They'll get more and longer periods of therapy. They'll reduce the number of medications they're taking. Here in Rochester we've been able to reduce falls and falls with injuries. In terms of satisfaction, around 95% of individuals would say enroll again or recommend it to a friend or family member. And that's a pretty high level of endorsement.

Q: What's the average age for enrollment?

A: The average is around 77. The federal rules around it are that you have to be 55 years or older. You have to be able to live safely in the community. And you have to be nursing home eligible. Most folks are Medicaid and Medicare eligible, but if they're not they work with whatever they're eligible for. But this program is a replacement for all things Medicare and Medicaid-related.

Q: What are the requirements to be nursing home eligible?

A: It's all functional. You have to require help for accomplishing certain activities of daily living, like help getting in the shower, getting dressed. The state has a very elaborate list of criteria that I can't summarize, but that determines whether someone is nursing home eligible. New York has a pretty strict standard, so that can vary from state to state.

Q: How many hours of help to ElderONE patients generally need?

A: It varies. We have adult day centers where folks can come to where they can see the doctor, see the physical therapist, meet with a social worker, meet with a nurse, chat with a dietitian or come for activities. Some of those folks will come four or five hours one day a week, or three days a week. Some folks come less often and get more of their services performed by staff who go out to their home. Some live in the home where they raised their family. Some live in senior housing where staff may go floor to floor asking if people need anything.

Q: What is your role like in all of this?

A: I'm the medical director for ElderONE and have been in the role for about 15 years. I supervise all of the doctors, all of whom are board-certified geriatricians, as well as nurse practitioners and physician's assistants. I'm also responsible for helping monitor and improving the quality of care. And then there are some health plan functions that I'm also responsible for.

Q: What kind of patient is a good fit for this program versus a nursing home?

A: Some folks really want to be in a nursing home. They like the security and having stuff taken care of for them. Those folks are a good fit for a nursing home. Others are more independent. They may have family, they may not, but they want to stay in the community as long as possible. Those folks are a good fit. No one will work harder than ElderONE will work harder to make sure you can stay in the community as long as possible.

Lifelines

Name: Stephen F Ryan, M.D.

Position: Medical director, ElderONE; senior medical director for geriatric medicine, Rochester Regional Health

Hometown: Rockville, Maryland

Education: Medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; residency in general internal medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; clinical research fellowship in geriatric medicine and gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; master’s in public health (MPH), Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health

Affiliations: Rochester General Hospital; Unity Hospital

Organizations: American Geriatric Society; National PACE Association; Society for Post-Acute and Longterm Care

Family: Married, four children, four grandchildren

Hobbies: Gardening, time with grandchildren

Pain, Tingling or Numbness in Your Feet?

By Andrea Ide

Pain, Tingling, or Numbness in your hands, feet or legs may be due to Nerve Damage. If left untreated this small annoyance can lead to big problems. Unfortunately, most people have no idea what to do abut this problem and some don’t even realize how big of a problem it is. They tell their doctor who gives them drugs and injections which only mask the pain and there is no surgery, other than amputation, that will heal/stop neuropathy from progressing.

Neuropathy is a term used to describe damaged nerves, primarily in the hands and/or feet, that are progressively breaking down due to a lack of blood supply, nutrients and oxygen reaching the nerves along with a lack of communication from the brain. Since the nerves are what the brain uses to communicate with the area and they are breaking down, the brains ability to communicate with the area lessens over tine, allowing for the progression of more breakdown and worse symptoms. It can be caused by Diabetes, Poor Ciculation, Poor Nutrition, Chemotherapy, Agent Orange, Misaligned Spinal Bones Placing Pressure on the Nerves, along with over 100 other causes. “Patients experience extreme sensations, loss of feeling, even No Feelings in their Hands and/or Feet along with muscle spasms, pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and burning and many have a very hard time with balance” says Dr. Nathan Riddle of Riddle Wellness, a Neuropathy testing and treatment clinic.

This condition can eventually lead to further nerve damage, causing complete loss of legs or arms leading to amputation, death or brain injury due to falls, burns or other injuries that will not heal, along with organ failure in some cases.

Are you or someone you love suffering with loss of balance, numbness or pain from Nerve Damage in your hands and/or feet that just won’t heal? You don’t have to any longer. This local clinic right here in Rochester, NY is helping people find lasting relief without the use of drugs or surgery! That’s BIG EWS!

HEALING IS POSSIBLE

More than 20 million people in the U.S. Are dealing with some form of Neuropathy. Most commonly noticed first in the hands or feet, causing weakness, numbness, tingling pain and debilitating balance problems, often frustrated with no place to turn to and no hope of recovery. “By the time they come to see us, they feel like they have tried everything. Their MD put them on Anti-Seizure or Epilepsy meds like Gabapentin, Neurotin, Cymbalta or Lyrica and told them they will just have to live with the pain,” said Dr. Riddle.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

With recent advancements in nerve regeneration technology and treatment options, clinics all over are seeing larger success rates and faster results with their neuropathy patients.

“This new technology paired with our multifaceted approach, has been life altering for our patients and our clinic,” said Dr. Riddle.

The development and success of these new, highly effective Neuropathy Protocols by Dr. Riddle and his team at Riddle Wellness have been the talk of the town in recent months. “Neuropathy patients have been coming in from all over the state and the results that they are getting is truly amazing,” said the Patient Coordinator at the Clinic. There are some things people can do at home to aide in the healing process of their neuropathy however, healing neuropathy is an all-encompassing process that ill require lifestyle changes, home care and may or may not include chiropractic, (varying from patient to patient) along with guidance from a medical professional that is experienced, skilled and trained to treat neuropathy.

Dr. Riddle and his skilled care team in Rochester have been treating neuropathy for years now in and judging by their 5 Star patient reviews, and all their patient video testimonials, they have been doing a very good job providing excellent patient care. One person had all but given up, they were crying in their testimonial. They were so thankful and its all because of this amazing new treatment option! They state it

New Treatment Options for Neuropathy

ing pain, numbness, tingling, pins and needle sensations, cramps and burning in your feet, or hands, along with the many other bodily symptions this horrible condition plagues people with, take action because it will progress.

Not everyone is able to start care at the clinic but, those who do are thankful! Find out if you are a candidate for their Neuropathy Protocols so they can help you regain the feeling in your hands or feet, stop the pain and start living life again! “Our Neuropathy Protocol is a multifaceted approach to heal neuropathy by nurturing the nervous system, increasing circulation, blood and oxygen, working to rebuild, strengthen and balance the body, all while stimulating the damaged nerves. Revitalizing and healing the damaged areas, enabling them to reactivate and function at an increasingly higher rate over time, all while increasing the patients quality of life dramatically,” said Dr. Riddle.

has about a 98% effective rate!

FIND

LASTING RELIEF

Claim Your Voucher Now for a Consultation & Examination to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment... Dr. Riddle and his care team are here once again to help readers learn about new options for finding pain relief! Call the clinic today to receive your comprehensive (normally $250).

The clinic utilizes the most advanced Pain Free Testing and a full, easy to understand report of finding

with Dr. Riddle going over your options for care if you are able to move forward.

Call 585-670-0020 and use Code NUMB0021. They have agreed to reduce their usual cost of $250.

But hurry, due to the number of patients the office can see, this is a limited time offer, with only 25 spaces at this exclusively discounted rate. These will be on a first come, first serve basis, messages left will count. My advise, don’t suffer any longer, waiting around for it to get worse... If you or your loved one is experienc-

Over the years they have treated thousands of patients with chronic conditions of Neuropathy, Sciatic nerve pain, Back & Neck problems, Whiplash Injuries along with Knee Pain. The office is well known and has a good reputation. Patients drive hours to this clinic and the vast majority enjoy superior, lasting relief. In fact, many who have suffered and tried other treatment options with no luck, only to have been told that they are just stuck with their pain and discomfort, have credited the care team at Dr. Riddle office for giving them their lives back!

Call them now at their Rochester, NY location, for a full, thorough Consultation and extensive Neuropathy Consultation at $49. Use Code: NUMB0021 (saving you over $200) to determine if and how Dr. Riddle and his team can help you recover, just as they have helped so many others that suffer with the Pain and Numbness of Nerve Damage.

“I feel like myself again. The pain is gone and I am even sleeping through the night”

~Gill B. Rochester NY

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Medicare Hospital Fund in Jeopardy

The trustees of the Medicare hospital trust fund have projected the fund will be depleted by 2031. Incoming Medicare taxes after that will be insufficient to rebuild a reserve. Thanks to the InflationReduction Act, which fixes monthly insulin costs at $35 and authorizes Medicare to negotiate a few drug prices effective 2026, the fund would have been depleted three years sooner in 2028. So that begs the obvious question: if the projected savings in insulin costs and a dozen or other drugs can push the depletion date out three years, why not let Medicare negotiate all drug prices? Answer: the drug lobby.

Putting Off Care

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Guarded Optimism, Trepidation Among Providers

Artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer), is being met by providers with the same guarded optimism and trepidation as the now firmly entrenched electronic medical record.

But unlike the electronic medical record, which was slowly and painfully incorporated into healthcare over several years, chatbots will become an integral part of healthcare seemingly overnight.

Google’s chatbot scored 85% on a practice medical licensing exam. Another chatbot scored 90% on a law bar exam.

As with the electronic medical record, if AI is not used properly, there are concerns over privacy, equity, safety and quality. Proponents of chatbots in healthcare see win-win scenarios for providers and

their patients.

Chatbots will relieve providers and their support staff of several menial administrative tasks, thereby freeing them to spend more time with their patients and critical clinical issues.

Industry experts believe AI will increase access, improve the patient experience, lower costs and prevent many heretofore frustrated physicians and nurses from leaving healthcare altogether.

Basically, chatbots can: automatically refill prescriptions; provide basic, necessary medical information; check symptoms; assist with coverage and claims; instantly respond to queries; recommend wellness programs; provide medical assistance; and schedule appointments. And all this 24/7.

Physician Compensation Declines

According to a survey of 31,000 full time physicians by Doximity, the average physician compensation declined 2.4% last year. (It went up 3.8% in 2021.) The decline occurred despite a predicted MD shortage, a significant rise in operating costs, and MD burnout. According to the AMA, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement declined 22% between 2001 to 2012. (Commercial carriers tend to follow suit.)

According to Doximity, the highest paid specialties are:

• Neurosurgery, $746,000

• Thoracic surgery, $668,000

• Orthopedic surgery, $605,000

• Plastic surgery, $539,000

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery, $538,000

• Vascular surgery, $534,000

• Cardiology, $527,000

• Radiation oncology, $516,000

• Gastroenterology, $486,000

• Radiology $485,000.

Even though 90% of us have health insurance, many are saddled with increasingly higher deductibles and co-pays as employers continue to shift more of the costs to employees. Not surprisingly, most consumers are clueless about their benefits and out-of-pocket costs until they are confronted with a health crisis. Healthcare in our country is confusing, frustrating and terribly expensive. Healthcare debt is still the No. 1 reason for bankruptcy. A recent survey of over 1,000 consumers by a national consulting firm revealed:

• Over 50% of respondents are concerned about their ability to pay for a major healthcare event;

• 65% said they are not able to afford a new $250 a month expense to manage a chronic condition and related medications;

• 64% said they would delay or skip necessary care if they were unsure of their ultimate out of pocket responsibility.

Ironically, putting off care to save money can result in even higher costs to patients as symptoms not treated early worsen over time until there is an acute medical crisis. This non adherence eventually impacts quality, outcomes, productivity and even provider burnout. Hospitals have been slow to display mandatory pricing information on their websites. Once in compliance, this should help consumers calculate what their insurance will pay and then what they will owe out of pocket for selected procedures.

Exchange Rates Up 3.4%

According to an analysis by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, health insurance premiums on the federal exchange increased about 3.4% this year. The enhanced subsidies provided by the federal government resulted in record breaking enrollment. The number of insurance companies on the exchange increased to 232. Premiums on the exchange actually dropped 2.2% from 2019 through 2022. The reasons for the 3.4% increase this year are: high inflation beginning last year; uncertainly over enhanced income-based subsidies (the Inflation Reduction Act eventually continued the enhancement through 2025); the end of continuous coverage requirements through the pandemic; uncer-

tainty over the lingering impact of COVID19 and newer strains. Most commercial insurance premiums increased for the very same reasons.

Uber More Than Rides

Uber has been providing non-emergent medical transport (NEMT) since 2018. Uber’s newest venture is delivering prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and healthy foods. Providers will use the same Uber platform they already use to arrange rides for their patients. Patients who lack their own transportation are more likely to be non compliant by missing medical appointments or by not taking their meds.

Uber ride and prescription delivery services are be- coming more popular with providers under value-base, contracts which reward providers for positive patient outcomes.

HIPAA Privacy Violations

Health Affairs analyzed over 3,700 hospital webpages and found just about all of them incurred at least one third-party data transfer. Specifically, 98.6% had at least one third-party data transfer and 94.3% had at least one third-party cookie. The median number of third-party transfers was a whopping 16. The leading culprits were Alphabet 98.5%; META 55.6%; Adobe 31.4%; and ATT 24.6%. Angry consumers, feeling their privacy has been violated, have filed individual and class action lawsuits against hospitals for sharing their personal information with these website trackers.

Another Attack on the ACA

The Affordable Care Act mandates that insurers offer free prevenservices including screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, diabetes and vision testing for preschoolers. Inexplicably, judge Reed O’Connor, the same judge who tried to kill the entire hugely popular act in 2018, has ruled that some of the mandated free preventive services are illegal. Really? Who brought this suit? Just about every commercial carrier has vowed to continue with free preventive services because it saves lives and money in the long run.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

Deaths by Suicide Increase During the Week of a Full Moon

For centuries, people have suspected a full moon in the sky to cause mysterious changes in people. Now, psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine have found deaths by suicide increase during the full moon.

“We wanted to analyze the hypothesis that suicides are increased during the period around full moons and determine if high-risk patients should be followed more closely during those times,” said physician Alexander Niculescu, Ph.D.

Niculescu and his team looked at data from the Marion County coroner’s office in Indiana about suicides that took place from 2012-2016. They found deaths by suicide significantly increased during the week of the full moon, with people over age 55 showing an even higher increase. They also looked at the time of day and months that suicides took place, finding 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the month of September to be peak times for suicides.

The team recently published their findings in Discover Mental Health.

“From a clinical perspective and a public health perspective, we found some important take-home messages in this study,” Niculescu said. “Highrisk patients should possibly be followed more closely the week of the full moon, during late afternoons and perhaps the month of September.”

Niculescu and his team previously developed blood biomarker tests for other mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder) and for pain. Using blood samples previously taken by the coroner from some of the people, the team was able to see which biomarkers were present.

“We tested a list of top blood biomarkers for suicidality that we identified in previous studies,” Niculescu said. “The biomarkers for suicidality that are predictive of death by suicide during full moon, peak hour of day and peak month of the year compared to outside of those periods appear to be genes that regulate the body’s own internal clock, so called ‘circadian clock’. Using the biomarkers, we also found people with alcohol-use disorder or depression may be at higher risk during these time periods.”

Niculescu said the increased light from the full moon could be what leads to the increase in suicides during that period. Ambient light plays a major role on the body’s circadian rhythm, which is the natural 24-hour cycle our bodies follow to regulate when we are asleep and when we are awake. Moonlight could be impacting people at a time when it should be darker.

“The effect of ambient light and body clocks in suicide needs to be studied more closely, along with how people sleep and their exposure to light,” Niculescu said. “Changes in light can affect vulnerable people, in conjunction with other risk factors.”

As for the other two peak periods for suicides, Niculescu said the peak of suicides from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. could be related to stressors throughout the day as well as a decrease in light beginning to occur that day, causing a lower expression of circadian clock genes and cortisol. And in September, many people are experiencing the end of summer vacations, which could cause stress, as well as seasonal affective disorder effects, as daylight decreases during that time of year.

SERVING MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Chris Motola, George Chapman, Gwenn Voelcker, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Mike Costanza, Jim Miller, Cindy Lovetro, Priscilla Delgado and Shaneeya Cooper

Advertising: Anne Westcott (585-421-8109) • Linda Covington (585-750-7051)

Layout & Design: Angel Campos–Toro • Office Secretary Allisons Lockwood 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. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

How Content Are You? A QUIZ

The Oxford English Dictionary defines contentment as "the state of being happy and satisfied."

This dictionary definition sounds like a nice way to feel, doesn’t it? Oh, if we could just snap our fingers and be content with who we are and what we have.

Wouldn’t life be grand?

I’ve had the privilege of meeting and talking with a lot of women and men who live alone, and our conversations often turn to the subject of contentment: how to find it, how to keep it, and how to find it again once it has been lost.

Those on their own often feel a lack of something in their lives, and many have trouble letting go of a craving for things to be different.

I know. I’ve been there.

For years after my divorce, I had trouble seeing the good in myself and in my life. But with time, intention and practice, I was able to stop yearning for what I didn’t have and start appreciating what existed right in front of me.

It all began with an important first step — taking a hard look at myself.

While I’m no expert in survey design, I created the simple non scientific quiz below to help you assess where you are on the road to contentment.

Your results may light a new and

hopeful way forward.

HOW CONTENT ARE YOU?

Circle the choice that best answers the questions below:

1. If asked, can you readily name your own positive personal qualities? How many come to mind?

A. 5 or more.

B. 1 to 4.

C. Nothing really comes to mind.

2. How would you describe your home?

A. Very “me” — I’ve made it my own.

B. It’s fine. I keep meaning to redecorate, but I never get around to it.

C. My home looks as tired as I feel.

3. How would you describe your success in letting go of old ways of thinking and of negative thoughts or behaviors that keep you anchored in the past?

A. I live in the present; it’s full steam ahead!

B. I still wallow in self-pity from time to time.

C. I can’t let go of regrets and obsess about the past.

4. Could you imagine planning a trip by yourself and traveling alone to a new or familiar destination?

A. In a heartbeat.

B. Maybe someday.

C. I can’t imagine traveling solo.

5. Does going alone to a café for a cup of coffee or grabbing a bite to eat at a local restaurant feel comfortable — even enjoyable?

A. I do it all the time.

B. Occasionally, but I feel self-conscious.

C. I’m just not ready.

6. Do you exercise, get enough sleep, and stay on top of health screenings?

A. Of course!

B. A little, but I could do more for myself.

C. Sadly, I’ve neglected my health and fitness.

7. How often do you pamper or reward yourself by taking some time just for you or by purchasing that little something special you’ve had your eye on?

A. As often as I can.

B. I tend to put others’ needs before my own.

C. I can’t remember the last time I pampered myself.

8. Can you imagine your life without a special someone on your arm?

A. I would enjoy sharing my life with someone special, but I could also be perfectly content with my "family of friends."

B. Maybe, but not for long; I feel incomplete without a "one and only."

C. Life doesn't feel worth living when I'm not in love.

YOUR SCORECARD

Calculate your total points using this scale:

3 points for each A answer

2 points for each B answer

1 point for each C answer

8 points: Contentment may feel elusive at the moment-beyond your grasp. But it can be found. You may benefit from talking with a professional counselor or spiritual adviser. Help and encouragement might also be found in grief support groups and other gatherings — in person or online — that offer emotional support and practical advice.

9-15 points: You experience feelings of contentment, but you know there’s more to be found. Continue to stretch yourself. Reach out to others. And “try on” healthy pursuits outside your comfort zone. Success and achievement breed contentment. You might also find inspiration and a needed jump-start in workshops, lectures, and retreats devoted to personal growth and development.

16 points: Good for you — what you have is precious. Being content with yourself opens up all kinds of possibilities. It enables you to feel peace and joy, whether you are alone or in a committed relationship. It is an invaluable inner springboard on which you can launch all things imaginable!

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com

Dealing with a Picky Eater: 5 Tips for Parents

Does it sometimes feel like your young picky eater is turning every meal and snack into an epic power battle — and you're just not sure how to get them the nutrition they need?

If so, you're not alone.

According to an article published recently in the journal Pediatrics, up to 50% of kids may be described as "picky eaters." And while there's no one agreed-upon definition of picky eating, in general, if your child or adolescent is particular about the food they eat at least some of the time, you may have a picky eater on your hands.

“I think all parents have said at one time, 'My kid is such a picky eater!'” clinical psychologist Rachel Busman said in a recent Child Mind Institute article. “It's very normal for kids to go through stages where they're a little more picky, especially when they are trying to assert their autonomy.”

Experts at the institute note that picky eating is one of the most “common complaints” of parents. Here, they and other child experts weigh in on the topic with five top tips for parents of picky eaters:

1.Grocery shop and cook together

Involving your child in grocery

shopping can help extend their picky eater food list to include novel items, Busman explained. When they are shown a wide variety of food flavors and options, it can open their eyes to new tastes and textures they might enjoy.

Similarly, if you scroll through recipe books or websites together and pick a new dish or dessert to create, it helps make eating different foods a fun adventure instead of a battle.

2.Avoid forcing foods

Cleveland Clinic registered dietician Jennifer Hyland notes that forcing kids to eat food they don't like can make them doubt their own body signals surrounding hunger, especially when they're toddlers.

“Forcing food can cause your child to distrust their own appetite and lead them to believe that they can't regulate their own hunger cues,” she explained in an article. Instead, allow them to eat until they're full — even if that means some vegetables are left on the plate. This also helps ensure that eating food doesn't become associated with stress and anxiety.

3.Have meals as a family

Both Hyland and the pediatricians at Healthychildren. org recommend eating together as a family, to help create a positive vibe

around food. They also suggest cooking the same meal for everyone at the table and including at least one food in each meal that your picky eater enjoys, if possible.

“Try your best to cook the same meal for the whole family. The child may not eat all of it, but it's important that you present it, and that you set an example of trying these foods yourself,” Hyland explained.

4.Take food rejection calmly

Teaching your child that unwanted food is still safe food is important, according to the Child Mind Institute. For instance, they may need to be shown that the tomato they are repulsed by isn't actually full of bad germs just because they don't like it.

One way to demonstrate this is to teach your child to offer unwanted food to others at the table. When your picky eater sees other family members enjoying it, they're more likely to understand that it's safe to eat.

5.Have fun with food

You may have thought that a good meal presentation was only for formal restaurants, but as it turns out making foods into fun shapes and including a variety of colors in your meals can help make them appealing to kids.

Hyland recommends offering your picky eater something they can shake onto their food if they don't want it, to make it “more exciting.” Additions like herbs, seasonings or seeds can help turn an unwanted item into a winner.

“Sprinkles also go a long way,” said Hyland. “Sometimes it really is as simple as that.”

The Cleveland Clinic also notes that a child may try a food between 10 to 20 times, on average, before they like it. This means that your patience and persistence in re-offering previously rejected foods to your picky eater can really pay off.

Hyland explained that, “The most important thing a parent can do with a choosy eater is to be consistent and not give up.”

One

in Every 36 U.S. 8-YearOlds Has Autism M

ore American children have autism than previously thought, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It also finds that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed diagnosis for many, which could have lasting impact.

Data from 11 communities in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, which tracks the number and characteristics of children with autism and other developmental disabilities, revealed that at age 8, about one in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

That's 2.8% of 8-year-olds, according to an analysis published in March in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

A previous estimate, done in 2018, pegged prevalence at one in 44 children, or 2.3%.

A second report found that

progress in early detection of autism among 4-year-olds in the same 11 communities slowed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They were less likely to be screened or identified with ASD than current 8-year-olds were at the same age.

“Disruptions due to the pandemic in the timely evaluation of children and delays in connecting children to the services and support they need could have long-lasting effects,” said physician Karen Remley, director of CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

“The data in this report can help communities better understand how the pandemic impacted early identification of autism in young children and anticipate future needs as these children get older," Remley said in an agency news release.

Who was diagnosed with ASD also changed, the report revealed.

Prevalence of autism in Asian,

Black and Hispanic children was at least 30% higher in 2020 than 2018. Among white children, ASD prevalence rose 14.6% over the period.

This was the first time that the percentage of 8-year-old Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Black children identified with autism was higher than in white children. For

white children it was 2.4%, compared to 3.3% for Asian and Pacific Islander children; 3.2% for Hispanic children, and 2.9% for Black children.

Public health experts noted that the shifts may reflect improved screening, awareness and access to services among historically underserved groups.

Q & A with

Jason Barnecut-Kearns

By Mike Costanza

Trillium Health will soon gain a new president and chief executive officer. Jason Barnecut-Kearns, the nonprofit’s current senior vice president, chief financial officer and chief development officer, will transition into that role on July 1.

Born as AIDS Rochester in 1983, Trillium Health has grown into a community health center that provides affordable, nonjudgmental health care to all in Rochester and

he joined Trillium Health as its chief financial officer (CFO).

For the past five years, he has overseen the nonprofit’s finances, facilities, procurement activities, grant management and donor engagement while performing other duties.

In Good Health interviewed Barnecut-Kearns regarding Trillium’s operations, the challenges it faces, and how it might overcome them.

Q. You came to the nonprofit world af-

holiday period, care boxes for the patients living with HIV. At the time it was named AIDS Rochester. As time went on, I actually joined the board of directors of Trillium. It was an organization I really wanted to support. Through being on the board, the opportunity of the CFO came up. To move from the corporate-shareholder focus to a mission-based organization was the best thing I’ve done.

Q. In brief, what is Trillium’s mission?

A. Trillium Health is a community health center. Our focus is really providing extraordinary care to the community, including the LGBTQ+ community. We welcome anybody. We don’t care about their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their race or their ethnicity. Anybody that walks through our doors, they deserve high quality care which is affordable, irrespective of their ability to pay.

Q. What did you bring to Trillium when you came on board in 2018?

A. I’ve always been focused on changing things. We know we can’t do the same things the way we’ve always done them. I thought, “Well this is something I could bring to Trillium.” I also thought I could bring to Trillium the business mindset and apply it to a nonprofit. We have to operate like a business.

Q. How did you use those skills to help Trillium establish the Center for Gynecological Care & Wellness?

A. When I first came on board, we were just on the journey of looking into acquiring pediatrics and women’s health practices to kind of expand our service lines and provide increased access. I kind of just jumped straight in to do the business case analysis. We stood up our new location in 2019.

Q. What are some of Trillium’s most important programs?

A. The main one is primary care. Here at Monroe Avenue, we focus on providing day-to-day primary care services. To complement our primary care, we do have a pediatrics service line (Pathway Pediatrics), and also a women’s health service line. We also focus on sexual health.

Q. How does Trillium focus on sexual

A. That’s about prevention and treatment of HIV and STIs [sexually transmitted infections], along with educating the community on why to get tested and getting individuals tested. Prevention is key to reducing HIV for the future and ending the epi-

demic. We provide excellent HIV care for those individuals living with HIV and those that are newly diagnosed.

Q. What are some of Trillium’s other important programs?

A. One that’s really been close to my heart over the last couple of years is our food pantry. We all know what’s going on in the economic environment—the cost of buying food has just been going up—and we know there’s a lot of food insecurity. Up to now, our food pantry was really funded by our organization. We just received more funding through some Monroe County American Rescue Plan [federal American Rescue Plan Act] dollars. It’s going to allow us to expand it, and then be able to serve more people. The total grant is about $4.9 million over four years.

Q. Will all of that grant go to your food pantry?

A. That’s actually to support our food pantry and our investment in a project that were calling “project access.” That’s where we’re investing in medical case managers that are going to be in each of our different entry points into the organization. They could be in the food pantry, they could be in our clinic, in our harm reduction sites, in our pharmacy. The purpose of these roles is really to understand the need of any individual walking through the door and then connect them to all of our services. My team designed the programs to expand the food pantry and to increase access to our services.

Q. Does Trillium offer financial assistance to those it serves?

A. We have a sliding-fee discount program. Depending on your income, your household size, we would discount any services. Also, we have a complementary charity care policy that’s a mechanism for us to use to cover the cost of services. If you have no insurance, we will still continue to see you. We can use that fund, as well, to offset the cost of your medications.

Q. What challenges does Trillium face at this time?

A. One of our key challenges is really workforce shortages. With two major [health care] systems in town, we’ve just got a lot of competition, especially with nursing staff. We’ve had to continuously look for new ways to attract nursing staff. Sign on bonuses and retention bonuses have been critical.

Q. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2024 budget includes changes to New York state’s 340B Prescription Drug Discount Program. Could that cost Trillium revenue?

A. That would take $5 million out of our programs. We’ve been really focused on working with the state to see how this can be done differently so that we keep this critical funding.

Note: as of press time, New York State’s 2024 budget had not passed.

Trillium Health

For more information about Trillium Health and its services, go to: www.trilliumhealth.org

The soon-to-be president and chief executive officer at Trillium Health talks about his new position, the challenges he will have to face and how his 24-year career at Xerox will help him succeed in the job

Jason Barnecut-Kearns: 'One of our key challenges is really workforce shortages. With two major [health care] systems in town, we’ve just got a lot of competition, especially with nursing staff.'

Biggest Drop in U.S. Pregnancies Seen Since 2010

Pregnancy rates in the United States suffered a steep decline during the last decade, new government data shows.

The overall U.S. pregnancy rate fell by 12% between 2010 and 2019, according to figures released in April by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

The pregnancy rate among women aged 15 to 44 was 85.6 per 1,000 in 2019, down from 97.3 per 1,000 in 2010, the report found.

A drop in unintended pregnancies and teen pregnancies contributed to the overall decline in pregnancy

rates.

Pregnancies among teens declined by more than half (52%) during the 2010s, added the researchers, who were led by Lauren Rossen.

Likewise, unintended pregnancies experienced a 15% decline, falling from 42.1 per 1,000 in 2010 to 35.7 per 1,000 in 2019.

The drop in pregnancy rates is reflective of the overall decline in U.S. birth rates that has been going on since the mid-2000s, said Phillip Levine, a professor of economics at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

“The report is not terribly

surprising,” said Levine, who was not involved with the study. “We know that birth rates have been falling pretty dramatically, beginning around 2007.”

The pregnancy rate is calculated from three components: live births, lost pregnancies and abortions, the NCHS said. These are compared to the total female population.

Abortions experienced a heavy decline of 17% during the 2010s, while lost pregnancies and live births increased by just about 3%, the NCHS report noted.

An increasingly larger proportion of women in their childbearing years simply aren't getting pregnant at all, Levine said.

Many potential explanations have been suggested as reasons why young adults aren't having kids, Levine said — financial pressures like rising housing costs and student debt, a decline in religiosity, greater access to contraception, the decision to delay childbearing.

Levine argues that none of those explanations really seem to work, and that the falling pregnancy rate appears to be due to a larger societal shift regarding family priorities.

“If it's the case that people decide they're going to have their first baby at 30 instead of 25 or something like that, that would reduce the birth rate in the short term but eventually it would catch up, right? That doesn't seem to be happening. There's a reduction in childbearing over wom en's entire childbearing years. By the end of their reproductive period, they're having fewer children than they used to,” Levine said.

in mind.

That model is described as a be havioral change theory developed to understand why some people don't adopt a certain health behavior. It's usually applied to illness or disease prevention, according to the study.

“I think the results from this study really help shed some light on the reasons why” people are still using their phones in their cars, said lead author Aimee Cox, a research associate with the IIHS.

Cox said that appears to include “the need or the perceived need to respond to family or friends, the need for information, all these things that modern cellphones have really allowed us to do without thinking about it.”

Half of Drivers Say They Often Use Cellphones Behind the Wheels

Texting and driving can be deadly. Holding your phone in your hand to talk and surfing the internet while behind the wheel is dangerous, too.

This is widely known, but a new survey finds that about half of all respondents still use an electronic device most or every time they drive.

“I'd say it's not as much surprising as it is frustrating,” said Adam Snider, a spokesman for the non-

profit Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which wasn't involved in the study but issued a news release after it was released.

“Distracted driving is something that is incredibly pervasive.”

In the survey, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 2,000 licensed drivers were asked how much they agreed with dozens of statements designed with the health belief model

While distracted drivers are using their phones while driving because they don't want to miss a call from their kids, for example, it's also their family members who they say could motivate them to put the phones down.

“I think that provides a really unique opportunity to where if we can encourage that open and safe communication and dialogue, we can have teen drivers and kids encouraging their parents to practice safe driving behaviors and vice versa. I think it needs to go both ways,” Cox said.

Distracted drivers killed at least 3,000 people in 2020, according to a statement issued by GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins. That was 8% of all traffic deaths.

Another 400,000 people are injured each year, Snider said, but it may very well be higher, because it can be hard to prove that distracted driving caused a crash.

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Things You Should Know About Allergies

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

While nationwide the temperatures are trending upward and we are experiencing brighter forecasts, we are also seeing an increase in spring and summer allergies.

Around 50 million people suffer from allergies in the U.S., according to The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, which makes it a very common ailment.

“Allergies are common and millions of people suffer from allergies worldwide,” said physician Cheryl Rozario, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Hay fever can lead to a variety of symptoms that can decrease quality of life and exacerbate other allergic conditions such as asthma. Some allergies can be severe or life-threatening, such as bee sting allergies, or potentially food and drug allergies.”

Rozario, who holds a master of public health (MPH) and an osteopathic medicine degree (OD), specializes in allergy, immunology and rheumatology. She talks about five aspects of allergy ailments.

1.Spring vs summer allergies

Common symptoms of allergies include sneezing, runny nose or nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, post nasal drip, cough or feeling tired.

Recognizing and managing these conditions can improve quality of life

and overall health.

“Although allergy symptoms for an individual may be the same in spring and summer, the specific type of environmental allergen can differ,” said Rozario. “For example, tree pollen counts are higher during spring in our area, and grass pollen is higher during summer. In addition, during the warmer months, stinging insects such as bees, wasps and hornets can also cause allergic reactions.”

2.Misconceptions about allergies

Sometimes the symptoms of allergies can mimic those of other conditions, so it is important to be evaluated by your primary care doctor and if needed, consultation with an allergist. Respiratory allergies and colds look and feel a lot alike. Both cause sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose and tiredness. But unlike allergies, colds are caused by a virus, so you can spread them to other people. Allergic rhinitis can be mistaken for a sinus infection, or coughing that is related to underlying asthma might be mistaken for bronchitis. To make sure of the diagnosis and receive the proper treatment, it is important to be evaluated.

“Many people think that allergies are only seasonal, however, indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander can also trigger allergy symptoms all year round. In addition, allergies may be not recognized

Drug-Free Tips to Fight Spring Allergies

Spring allergies can be brutal, and many — but by no means all — sufferers reach for synthetic medications to combat their symptoms. Many others want something

more natural, however.

“These allergies cause unpleasant symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion,” said physician Jo Reed, an expert in allergy, asthma and

as a true medical condition but they are, and require management to keep symptoms controlled,” said Rozario.

3.Allergy maintenance

Those spring flowers also bring flowering buds and blooming trees. Because of those environmental conditions, there are various prevention options for allergy sufferers.

“It’s important to minimize exposure to allergic triggers to prevent symptoms. For example, pollen counts are higher during the morning and midday, so planning outdoor activities in the evenings may be better,” said Rozario. “Closing windows may help to keep pollen outside as well. For indoor allergens, keeping pets out of the bedroom at night when you sleep may help minimize exposure to dander.”

When these measures are not enough, medications such as intranasal steroid sprays and antihistamines can help to relieve and control symptoms.

“For patients with moderate to severe symptoms, using these medications daily during their allergy season may be beneficial,” she added. “Consultation with a board-certified allergist can help to evaluate symptoms, determine if and which allergic triggers are present, and come up with an individualized plan to manage symptoms long term.

4.Family history

Allergies can be hereditary — you are more likely to be allergic if one or both parents have allergies.

“Family history of allergies increases the potential for an individual to have allergic conditions. However, the specific allergy is not necessarily directly inherited. If a parent has a penicillin allergy, their child will not necessarily have an allergy to penicillin,” she added.

5.Other health ailments

If you think you have seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor.

Physician Cheryl Rozario, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She specializes in allergy, immunology and rheumatology. “Family history of allergies increases the potential for an individual to have allergic conditions,” she says.

Experts can help you establish your triggers along with possible treatment options. Creating your personal blueprint will help you follow and manage your allergies.

“Many patients with hay fever or allergic rhinitis also have asthma. If allergic rhinitis is uncontrolled, it can increase the risk of asthma attacks. Uncontrolled allergies can also lead to sinusitis and nasal polyps in many patients. Dust mite sensitivity may contribute to poorly controlled eczema for some,” said Rozario. “Those with a delayed type food allergy known as eosinophilic esophagitis who also have allergic rhinitis may experience worsening of their symptoms allergy season.”

immunology from Ochsner Health in Louisiana.

“Of course, you can take various synthetic medications for allergies, but many sufferers prefer to use natural remedies,” Reed said in an Ochsner news release.

Here, Reed offers some options:

An herb known as butterbur is one option, according to several scientific studies. In one, Swiss researchers found butterbur is a strong antihistamine that can control hay fever.

“It also does not cause drowsiness, unlike some over-the-counter allergy medications,” Reed said.

• Green tea contains a substance that can block certain allergic responses in the body, according to studies by Japanese scientists. It may reduce sneezing and itchy eyes.

• Spicy food, including cayenne pepper, could help. It contains capsaicin, known to reduce nasal congestion. Also, allicin, found in garlic, is an anti-inflammatory that can reduce swelling and inflammation.

• A neti pot, with its long, thin spout, can help clear clogged sinus passages. Fill the pot with warm, sterile water and salt before tilting your head back and allowing the solution to enter your nasal passages through a nostril. Continue until the solution flows out of the other

nostril.

Seasonal allergies can cause dryness in your nose and sinuses, leading to congestion and swelling.

“One great way to counteract the dryness is to use a humidifier,” Reed said. “This device releases water vapor into the air and helps moisturize your dry nasal and sinus passages, resulting in less congestion and discomfort.”

• Eucalyptus oil, from the leaves of eucalyptus trees, has been found in studies to reduce inflammation-caused allergies. Add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water and breathe in the vapors.

Your vacuum should have a high-efficiency particulate air filter, so you can rid your home of pollen with regular cleaning. These filters effectively minimize the amount of symptom-causing pollen inside your house.

You can also wear protective clothing to reduce your pollen exposure when outside, Reed advised. Slip on sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and long pants to keep pollen from getting on your skin. Remember to remove your clothes at the end of the day and shower to remove any pollen.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Why Swiss Cheese Makes Healthiest-Cheese Lists

My cheese-loving friend has sworn off cheese for a while, saying it’s “too caloric, too fatty, too tempting.”

She’s not the first to go on a cheese moratorium, and I get it: cheese can be all those things. But not always. There are healthy cheeses to be had and recommended ways to eat them.

Swiss cheese, in fact, is one of the healthier cheeses, a designation bolstered by its appearance on nearly every healthiest-cheese list out there.

Why does Swiss cheese make the coveted cut?

Let’s begin with why Swiss cheese is the cheese for you if you’re watching your salt intake. With only 52 mg of sodium per slice, Swiss cheese has significantly less sodium than most other types of cheese. Considering that the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day, you’ll barely make a dent with a few slices of Swiss. Make the same sandwich with American cheese, however, and you’re looking at 900 mg.

Swiss cheese also has more vitamin B12 than any of its peers—a whopping 36% of your daily requirement. An essential vitamin, B12 helps the body produce energy, maintain nerve health and lower blood pressure. Unfortunately, many people— from older adults to vegetarians—are deficient in this important vitamin.

Incorporating a slice or two of Swiss cheese into your weekly diet can help keep your B12 levels up.

Much like milk, Swiss cheese serves up healthy doses of protein, calcium and phosphorous, three nutrients that contribute to the development and maintenance of strong bones. But unlike many milk products, Swiss cheese is super low in lactose, making it a great cheese option for people with lactose intolerance.

On the downside, Swiss cheese has 5 grams of saturated fat per slice, which is about a quarter of the recommended daily amount. Although some research indicates there may be no link between saturated fat and heart disease, experts still advise limiting your intake. On the plus side, Swiss cheese’s full flavor, along with its slow-to-digest proteins and fats, may help thwart the urge to overindulge.

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.

SWISS, SPINACH & MUSHROOM CRUSTLESS QUICHE

Serves 6-8

1½ tablespoons olive oil

3 cups sliced mushrooms

10-oz box frozen chopped spin-

ach

½ cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

5 large eggs

½ cup milk

1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper

1½ cups shredded Swiss cheese

Helpful Tips

The majority of Swiss cheese made in America, often called baby Swiss, is only aged for about a month, while traditional Swiss cheese is aged from two months to many years. Because of the shorter aging, baby Swiss has smaller holes, tastes slightly sweet and nutty, and is great for melting. Traditional Swiss, on the other hand, is more expensive, has larger holes, and tastes sharp and tangy.

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Preheat oven to 350F. Thaw and squeeze moisture from spinach. Lightly coat 9-inch pie pan with cooking oil; set aside. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion and garlic and cook for 4 minutes more, stirring often, until tender. Turn down heat if mixture starts to burn. Remove from heat, transfer to medium bowl and let cool. Gently mix in spinach.

In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper. Fold in the mushroom mixture and cheese. Transfer to prepared pie pan and bake until set, about 50 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

“Get moving for a good cause all June long!”

Biking for the Best of Reasons

Deputy town supervisor of the town of Chili embarking on a 1,800 mile bike trip to rase money to three nonprofit organizations

Michael Slattery just loves putting miles on his bicycles.

“I average about 5,000 miles a year,” says the deputy town supervisor of the town of Chili.

The married, 57-year-old grandfather plans to put his love for cycling to use for worthy causes on May 8, when he sets out on an over 1,800 mile jaunt down the Eastern Seaboard to raise money for three nonprofits.

The money Slattery brings in will go to the Pirate Toy Fund, the

By Mike Costanza

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Honor Flight Rochester.

Slattery plans to start his trip in Charlotte and head south, rolling through Penns ylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia before ending up in Florida 25 days later. Along the way, he’ll stop at the Alexandria, Virginia headquarters of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as part of his fundraising efforts.

NCMEC, the largest and most influential nonprofit child protection organization in the U.S., helps find missing children, strives to decrease child sexual exploitation and tries to prevent child victimization.

“We lead the fight to protect children, creating vital resources for them and the people who keep them safe,” says Edward Suk, executive director of NCMEC’s New York branch.

Slattery says the deaths of two young women, 20-year-old Fairport

resident Lisa Eisman and 17-yearold Brittanee Drexel of Chili, made NCMEC’s fight particularly important to him. Both young women died violently.

Eisman was Slattery’s cousin. She and her college roommate, who were students at the State University College at Buffalo, were beaten to death in 1985 while hitchhiking to Fort Lauderdale on spring break. Drexel disappeared in 2009 while on a trip to Myrtle Beach. Slattery coached her for a time when she was on the team Chili Soccer.

“My daughters grew up with Brittanee,” he says. “For me, it’s personal.”

NCMEC aided the search for Drexel.

“We had our local and national case management team involved in cultivating leads with law enforcement,” Suk says. “We also handled targeted poster distribution, and media outreach through our media team.”

Raymond Moody, Drexel’s killer, was convicted of kidnapping, murder and first-degree sexual in late 2022. He was sentenced to life in prison on one charge and 30 years each on the other two charges. Slattery plans to visit the place where Drexel’s remains were found while en route to Florida, and to visit NCMEC’s Washington offices as part of his fundraiser.

Slattery’s upcoming journey south is just one of the rides he’s taken to raise money for NCMEC. Just last year, he participated in The Ride for Missing Children, NCMEC’s annual fundraiser. Mounting his bike, he pedaled through Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany, covering about 100 miles in each city.

Since 1995, the Pirate Toy Fund has headed to hospitals and other locations in the greater Rochester area to distribute new toys to needy children free of charge. As Slattery pedals along to raise money for the nonprofit, he’ll have a friend at his back—literally. Otto Harnischfeger, the Pirate Toy Fund’s executive director, will follow him down the road in an RV, providing aid.

“I can’t believe he’s doing it,” Harnischfeger says of his good friend. “I ride five minutes and I’m sore. I want to get off the bike.”

Harnischfeger has known the Slattery family since he became friends with Raymond Slattery, Michael’s father, when the two were on the Rochester Police Department.

“It’s a caring family, they really are,” Harnischfeger says.

The money Slattery raises on his long-distance ride should be welcome.

“Our first year we gave out 300 toys,” Harnischfeger says. “Last year, we gave out over 36,000 toys free of charge, all because of the good nature of the Rochester community.”

In addition to raising money for the Pirate Toy Fund, Slattery sits on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Six times a year, about 60 veterans and their helpers, called “guardians,” head out of Rochester for a weekend in the nation’s capital, courtesy of Honor Flight Rochester.

“Honor Flight Rochester provides airplane trips for veterans to travel together to see their memorials in Washington DC to receive that long-delayed thank-you that they’d not received many years ago,” says Richard Stewart, the nonprofit’s president and CEO.

The trip to the nation’s capital in-

“I can’t believe he’s doing it. I ride five minutes and I’m sore. I want to get off the bike.”

Otto Harnischfeger,

the Pirate Toy Fund’s

executive director.

cludes hotel accommodations, tours of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials and other important sites and a gala dinner in honor of those who once served their country. The veterans travel free, but their guardians, who are usually fam ily members or friends, have to cover part of the cost of the trip.

Slattery says he plans to stop in Washington this May to accompany an Honor Flight Rochester group as it visits memorial sites. After that, he’ll have lunch with them and get back on his bike.

“I plan on leaving Washington in the early afternoon, so I can get in about 30 miles or so,’ Slattery says.

Honor Flight Rochester, an all-volunteer organization, spends about $500,000 a year on its services to veterans, and is supported by donations. Stewart says the nonprofit is able to cover its current costs, but will have to fund new trips to Wash ington in the future.

“We have a fly-list of 1,000 veter ans,” Stewart says. “If we don’t have money, we don’t fly.”

Slattery’s ride south is just his latest effort to help his community.

He has also raised money for other nonprofits, including Camp Good Days & Special Times, which offers residential camping programs and recreational and support activities to children who are affected by cancer or sickle cell anemia and their families. In addition, Slattery sits on the Chili Town Board.

“It’s a passion for me,” Slattery says. “I enjoy giving back.”

The father of two grown daugh ters and grandfather of four children recently retired from the Monroe County Department of Transportation, where he was the highway maintenance manager.

How to Donate

For more information about Slattery’s upcoming ride or do donate to his fundraiser, go to: michaelscharityride.com.

For more information on the nonprofits for which he plans to raise money, go to: www.missingkids.org/ footer/about/newyork, www. piratetoyfund.org or https://honorflightrochester.org.

Edward Suk, executive director of NCMEC’s New York branch. His nonprofit will be one of the beneficiaries from Michael Slattery’s effort to raise money.

TOP: Michael Slattery with the Rochester skyline in the background;

MIDDLE: Slattery on the Erie Canal;

BOTTOM: Slattery with Otto Harnischfeger, the Pirate Toy Fund’s executive director, who will follow him down the road in an RV, providing aid. Photos provided

Shortage: Attracting Nurses to the Bedside

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The pandemic exacerbated the longstanding shortage of bedside nurses. Tougher conditions, supply scarcity, employee illnesses and many sicker patients prompted many hospital nurses to quit the profession or move into a non-hospital role in nursing.

In addition, waves of retiring nurses have also affected the number of hospital nurses, according to Lydia Rotondo, associate dean of education and student affairs at the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

“We have a lot of people aging out,” she said. “Most of our faculty are over 50, so there are fewer educators.”

To properly care for patients, many hospitals temporarily reduced capacity or paused services. Some are still not operating at full capacity, as that would place the patient-to-nurse ratio at unsafe levels. Some also use agencies dispatching travel nurses, which seems to Rotondo a bit like a “shell game,” shifting nurses from working for hospital systems to better-paying traveler positions. Some agencies pay four to five times what regular nurses receive.

“The financial piece is significant,” she said. “Team and culture and expense of orienting people is affected by travel nurses. That’s all part of it.”

A lack of nurses at long-term care facilities further worsens the problem, as sick people who need shortterm rehabilitation or long-term care have no place to go and must therefore stay at the hospital longer, filling beds needed by still sicker people.

“We have at any given time 100 ‘boarders,’” Rotondo said. “The lack of ability to get people out of acute care and into LTC over stresses every hospital.”

Rotondo can’t blame people who turn to lucrative travel nursing to pay off school debt. But she added that the tide is beginning to change as students interested in nursing realize that many organizations offer education benefits.

Representing another factor, nursing school applications are down 6 to 7% and Lisa Kitko, dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, is not sure why, although she theorizes that the uptick of people applying during the pandemic’s acute period has leveled out once people fully realized the challenges of the work.

She believes that hospital nursing recruitment and retention requires extra creativity.

“Early in the pandemic, we offered a traveling position to our own employees without benefits,” Kitko said. “Salary needs to come down to a happy medium between travelers and the pre-COVID rates.”

Many healthcare organizations are grappling with payrates, as many travelers have been receiving four to five times the rates of non-travelers. But engaging traveling nurses is not ideal for many reasons.

“Right now, obviously, we have to use agencies more than we’d like to,” said Kara Silkiewicz, talent acquisition supervisor and human resources for Finger Lakes Health. Although they can fill in the gaps, travelers cost more to employ, both through higher administrative overhead and higher wages, and do not tend to contribute to camaraderie and continuity of care with regular nurses. But Silkiewicz said that Finger Lakes Health is working to draw on new nursing program graduates with the lure of tuition reimbursement.

Like many other organizations, Finger Lakes Health also tries to “grow its own” nurses by hiring high school students for entry level nutritional services positions. When they graduate, they can enter the CNA program, then move on to the LPN school and eventually RN education.

Finger Lakes Health also works to hire mid-career job seekers, using social media now more than job fairs, which Silkiewicz said “aren’t as effective anymore. It’s instant now. People want to click and apply and converse through text message.”

Kathy Mills, dean of the college of nursing at Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences, wants to see New York State allow simulation hours to account for onethird of RNs’ 600 required clinical hours.

“That will open up clinical spots to get students in,” she said. “Right now, it’s bottlenecked. I can only put so many students through. More nurses will be able to be accepted into a program this way.”

Nursing Shortage Affects Independent Practices Differently from Hospitals

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The shortage of nurses to work in hospitals pre-existed the pandemic; however, the health crisis made the problem worse. The nursing shortage has not affected independent practices similarly.

Ted Lewis, board certified pediatrician and owner of Lewis Pediatrics in Rochester, has “not had to interview anyone for a long time,” he said. “I haven’t experienced any issues with the nursing shortage. I’m in good shape.”

Although he can’t compete with hospitals for wages, he believes that nurses working at independent practices feel drawn to them because of the family-like working environment, regular hours, no holidays to staff and limited weekend hours.

“I’ve never even thought of my staff as working for me but working with me,” Lewis, said. “I’ve been really lucky for the 42 years I’ve been in practice.”

Kathy Mills, dean of the College of Nursing at Finger Lakes Health, said that among the primary care

offices, staffing has done well since the pandemic has subsided.

“It’s the hospital and acute side that’s still struggling,” she said.

Primarily, that’s because more nurses crave the better quality of life offered outside of the hospital setting. The work is challenging, but “it usually doesn’t ‘follow you home’” emotionally, Mills added.

That doesn’t mean that every independent practice hires nurses with ease.

Lisa Olson-Gugerty, who holds a master’s in public health and is an associate teaching professor at Syracuse University David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, said that although many nurses prefer the better work-life balance at private practices compared with hospitals, “they tend to also pay less on average, so it can be difficult to fill positions due to the lower pay rate. I think the nursing shortage is hitting all places of employment. The shortage is not necessarily due to lack of RNs available, but due to the storm

Gold Standard

of COVID, travel nurse positions, retirements and other opportunities for nurses.”

Some nurses have segued into case management, school nurse positions or, with additional education, academia, rather than office or bedside nursing.

Yvette Conyers, doctor of nurse practitioner and past president of the Rochester Black Nurses Association, said that many nurses have been pursuing additional education, such as a bachelor’s degree, making it challenging for some organizations to hire nurses at the entry level LPN education.

“It’s about using the nurses to their full education; they don’t want to hire BSNs and have them only on the phone triaging calls,” Conyers said. “That’s not what they’re prepared to do. They’re prepared to manage, look at a complicated picture, note the sociological determinants of health.”

Many large healthcare organizations reimburse or pay upfront for employees’ education, but with a stipulation that they work for them for six months to three years, depending upon the organization and the level of education. Although this brings many more nurses into the workforce, it also keeps away from choosing small, independent practices and instead working in the larger healthcare systems, such as

Over the past few years, much has been said

those operating larger hospitals and the freestanding offices owned by the same healthcare systems. The strategy is often successful in keeping nurses in the same organizations for years after they have fulfilled their obligation.

Conyers said that independent practices struggling to find nurses can improve their staffing by partnering with educational institutions. All students in nursing programs are required to complete a number of supervised clinical hours before sitting for their LPN and RN board examinations.

“This would help address the shortage of providers and open up the eyes of the students who are usually working in hospitals to the vast areas in out patient settings,” Conyers said.

Many students choose hospitals because of the availability of slots for clinical hours, the skillset and the fast-paced environment. But Conyers said that 80% of healthcare occurs outside of the hospital, making that a more needful place to focus in healthcare.

“Working in primary care and in the community is important and these are great areas to work,” she said.

She wants to see more nursing programs promote primary care and public health in nursing education.

about ‘healthcare heroes.’

The truth is, our nurses have always been heroes. In ways big and small, Thompson nurses touch the lives of our patients, residents, and their families every day while working hard to uphold the highest standards of quality. They don’t do it because they seek the label of ‘heroes’ or for any other kind of recognition; they do it simply because it’s who they are. We are so proud of each and every one of them.

To our Thompson Health nurses and nurses everywhere

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

F.F. Thompson Hospital is an ANCC Magnet designated hospital for nursing excellence.

for Nursing Excellence

- Arthur Ashe

Dean Viggiano, 31, completed his bachelor’s degree in December and currently works as a registered nurse at Golisano Children's Hospital. “It’s very powerful and fulfilling,” he said about his nursing job.

very powerful and fulfilling'

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Helping others one on one has always been part of 31-yearold Dean Viggiano’s professional career.

Before becoming a nurse, he operated Tutoring Up-Grades in Poughkeepsie.

During the pandemic’s quarantine period, he had time to consider other careers that would allow him to help people. Someone he met through his tutoring service who was studying to be a nurse “opened my eyes to the world of hospital nursing and the huge, diverse array of

options nurses have,” Viggiano said. “It excited me.”

He applied to many schools and decided to go to the University of Rochester. He found that going back to school as an adult for a second bachelor’s degree was “a big shock” but his level of maturity and knowledge of how to study helped.

“It’s not easy getting that nursing degree,” he said. “It’s not easy material. Having all of those clinical hours and being able to slowly transition to my role as a student to a nurse was helpful.”

It was also helpful that his first degree was in biology, which he earned in 2015 at the University at Albany. Those credits transferred, so that helped accelerate his academic path.

Viggiano completed his bachelor’s degree in December 2022 and currently works as a registered nurse at Golisano Children's Hospital.

Viggiano feels well-prepared by his program and its clinical hours. Part of his schooling included simulation experiences, where nurse practitioners functioned as providers and actors portrayed family members.

“We had sophisticated models for our patients,” Viggiano said. “We got to role play in those experiences

in a safe space. They prepared us well in clinicals for the day-to-day. Even though a one-year accelerated program, we had 150 clinical hours. We had a good look as to this is what their day looks like.”

These exercises also helped him better realize the team effort necessary in healthcare, and the vital role of communication in providing quality care.

Once on the job in the real world, what surprised him the most was the level of connection he builds with patients and their families.

“It’s very powerful and fulfilling,” he said.

Although historically nursing has been a female-dominated field, Viggiano’s nursing class was nearly 30% men, he said. He attributes this shift to more men realizing what a fulfilling position nursing can be.

“There’s demand there as well, like a professor of nursing, nurse educators or educator on a unit,” he said. “Others are seeing this as well. For me, this is something I’d be interested in, possibly becoming a nurse practitioner or earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice. I’m a lifelong learner. The opportunity to continue is one of the great benefits to me.”

The rigors of a 12-hour shift and serving patients with diverse needs challenges nurses may feel overwhelming at a times. “Nurses have to learn to delegate to other team members and make sure that as a nurse, you’re the center of the wheel and you’re connecting all the team members who are working on a patient’s care, like those in dietary, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pharmacy. You have to advocate for your patients.”

Despite these struggles, “I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said about his new career. “It’s an extremely fulfilling and rewarding change working with these patients and families and being able to help them.”

He and his wife Rachel have also enjoyed living in Rochester near the Erie Canal Trail and other hiking areas, but also likes the easy access to restaurants and entertainment.

'It’s

How to Become a Nurse

People who want to work as a nurse have many pathways to receive their credentials.

Unlike many careers, nursing does not have to cost a lot to enter.

It may seem that obtaining higher education in nursing requires many hours of hands-on nursing experience; however, Conyers said that is not necessarily so. While completing her DNP program, she had classmates who had never worked as a nurse practitioner. But a more hands-on future role would be better served by sufficient hands-on experience along with the education.

Kathy Mills, dean of the college of nursing at Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences, said that her organization provides tuition support and “buy back,” for when students complete the program, and they pay back a portion of the student loan. The typical work obligation is about six to eight months.

“Right now, what I’m seeing is almost all the hospitals are paying,” Mills said. “I’m not seeing that yet from others, unless they fall under larger organizations.”

In addition to tuition help and offering educational stepping stones from CNA to RN, Finger Lakes Health offers options for mid-career workers to complete an RN program or BSN program through day or evening classes and online classes. This has proven so popular that only 10 to 12% of Finger Lakes’ students are directly from high school and the rest are second career adults.

“If you had bachelor’s from another college, you could transfer credits,” Mills said. “I tell my students, it’s usually cheaper to get the second degree at the same college.”

Transfer problems can cause students to have to retake courses sometimes. It’s important to check with schools before enrolling to avoid costly mistakes.

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Key

clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or certified nurse midwife (CNM).

to Nursing? Training

Many people begin nursing in entry-level work, such as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) through a free tuition program with an employer such as a home health company or nursing home. These programs typically run four to 12 weeks.

Many organizations offer tuition in part or in full to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), a credential that requires a year-long program and next, a registered nurse (RN), an associate degree program that requires passing a state exam before receiving licensure.

Since 2017, RNs are required to complete a bachelor’s degree (BSN) within 10 years, which is a four-year program (including the two years to complete the RN program). Again, most larger healthcare organizations assist with tuition so their employees can comply with this requirement.

The next level is the advanced practice registered nurse, or master of science in nursing (MSN). This could include a nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse leader (CNL),

Beyond these levels are the non clinical specialties such as doctor of nurse practitioner (DNP), which enables professionals to serve as a nurse administrator, nursing informaticist, nurse educator or nurse researcher. With each level comes a higher level of responsibility, scope of practice and salary.

Lydia Rotondo, associate dean of education and student affairs with the University of Rochester School of Nursing, said their program will pay tuition in exchange for practicing three years at the hospital.

“This is a great way of attracting people to UR,” she said. “They have a tremendous career trajectory.”

Lisa Kitko, dean for the school of nursing at UR, added that seeking the bachelor’s degree is important— and not only for compliance—but investing time in seeking the education can challenge some students.

“When we look at some of the evidence we have, it’s important that nurses should be prepared at the bachelor’s level,” Kitko said. “Many hospitals want a BSN in five years.

At the University of Rochester and other places, we have an accelerated program for people to get a BSN in 12 months. That is a great way to help people in the workforce.”

Seeking more education can only help nurses in furthering their careers in the future, especially in management education or leadership roles.

“For these, you typically need a higher degree,” said. Yvette Conyers, who holds a doctorate in nursing and served as past president of the Rochester Black Nurses Association.

At the master’s level, nurses can specialize in areas of interest so they can command higher wages and practice more independently. But Conyers said that the DNP is not recognized by many institutions. “It’s more an internal decision factor. That varies for everyone. For me, it was the desire to continue in academia teaching students to become advanced practice nurses. For those considering leadership roles, the DNP will allow you the education to do so.

“What you learn in your DNP program allows you to oversee an organization in the C-suite with other leaders.”

How can nursing be more in touch with patient needs and public health needs? For Mary Dahl Maher, Nazareth College's chairwoman of nursing and public health, the answer begins with training.

“The accreditation association is looking at the fact that nursing needs to be more population health based,” Maher said. “New standards are being passed that when we’re accredited by our national accreditors, we have to show how we’re addressing public health in those courses. The idea behind that is that new nurses have to understand how to keep people out of the hospital through good discharge planning. Nurses need to be exposed not only to acute care. We are responding to those recommendations. We’ve changed two courses in the fall required of students on population health and understanding what that involves. Senior nursing students will be taking a course in emergency preparedness and disaster response.”

Lydia Rotondo

Lisa Kitko

Yvette Conyers

Nursing National Nurses Month Celebration May 1-May 31

Nurse Celebrates 25 Years

Working at UR

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

This year, Julie Berkhof celebrates an important anniversary: 25 years of working for the University of Rochester.

Now serving as director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute Regional Nursing Practice and senior nurse practitioner at Wilmot Cancer Institute, Berkhof became interested in nursing as a youth because of a relative who worked as a nurse.

“She really inspired me at a young age to see what nurses could do and how many opportunities nurses had,” Berkhof said. “For me, it was about being able to see you

could do nursing in so many different areas. There was so much growth and opportunities in the profession.”

She obtained her licensed practical nurse credential in 1995 at Bay College in Michigan, and two years later, her associate degree.

“Ongoing and continuing education is part of our drive as nurses,” she said. “For me, back then, it was really hard and competitive to get into nursing programs. I had to find a way to get in and not through the bachelor’s program.”

She moved to Rochester later and started as an RN at University

U.S. Sets Up $300 Million Database for Alzheimer's Research

Anew national Alzheimer's disease and dementia database could be a game changer for research on the memory-robbing condition that now affects more than 6 million Americans.

Planning has begun at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to fund the data platform. A $300 million grant for the six-year project has been posted online.

The database “aims to transform” the Alzheimer's disease research enterprise “by serving as a central hub of research access,” the NIA said recently.

The project's earliest start date is April 2024. The NIA will commit $50 million per year to fund one award, CNN reported.

In creating the database, the goal

is to provide something that can “improve applicability and generalizability of findings.” It could be used as a tool for researchers, making it possible to more rapidly answer scientific questions, the NIA said in a posting.

“The newly announced NIA funding for a large-scale Alzheimer's disease research database is truly exciting and a very important step forward for our field, and the Alzheimer's Association will apply for that grant,” Maria Carrillo, Alzheimer's Association chief science officer, said.

“The [Alzheimer's] Association is already leading ALZ-NET, which is a national network of physicians that is collecting data — including measures of cognition, function and safety — for patients treated with new

of Rochester in 1997. But that wasn’t enough for Berkhof. She continued working as a nurse and learning, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree. She became a nurse practitioner in 2003. In December 2022, she completed her doctorate in nursing practice.

A lot has changed over the past quarter century, including the “wider scope of work that we do in nursing,” Berkhof said.

“We have nurses who are trained as leaders of departments, chief nursing officers. The other thing that has changed is technology. We use so much tech in delivering patient care. It has really helped us take the best care of our patients.”

Who is in nursing has also changed. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, men represent nearly 12% of all licensed practical

nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners in 2023, a figure that has grown by 59% compared with 2013.

“We’re growing in our diversity with more males in the nursing profession,” Berkhof said. “It’s not just a profession for women. To see more men in the field is a testimony to being able to create environments inclusive for everyone.”

Recruiting and retaining nurses has become more challenging in recent years, as many retire or burnout from nursing and not enough people pursue nursing to take their places.

“We have to be creative on how to do that,” Berkhof said. “It really takes some visionaries and out-ofthe-box thinking. The most important thing is that the patients are at the core of what we do every day. Our foundation in nursing is built on quality, standardizations, safety. Those can never be compromised.”

A big part of retention is listening to staff and to people looking for work.

“How do we recruit differently for people who might be looking for a different thing in nursing?” she asked. “What are people looking for in their jobs?”

For some, it’s remote work, which Berkhof said University of Rochester can offer for some nursing tasks such as follow-up care and symptom management.

She hopes to eventually build geriatric screening into Wilmot’s cancer program to use an objective measure into screening. Ten different people aged 65 will vary widely on frailty, for example, so treating them all the same during a screening will not be effective.

“My purpose moving forward is looking at integrating a geriatric screening for our nursing teams to provide an objective measure of that overall function of an older adult,” Berkhof said.

Berkhof has a German wirehaired pointer puppy, Remy, and enjoys kayaking, reading and attending book club meetings.

FDA-approved Alzheimer's treatments,” Carrillo added. “The NIA funding could expand ALZ-NET's scope to the benefit of all stakeholders.”

A growing number of people are expected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the coming years, with an estimated 13.8 million cases predicted by 2060, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias affect memory and thinking skills.

Julie Berkhof celebrates an important personal milestone: 25 years of working for the University of Rochester. She now serves as director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute Regional Nursing Practice.

Parkinson Gloves

Hospital launches the latest Parkinson’s gloves to reduce tremors

Doctors at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Thailand have developed lightweight and easy-to-use Parkinson’s gloves that can automatically reduce tremors, allowing Parkinson’s disease patients to enjoy social life and reducing side effects from medication and risk from brain surgery.

Tremors, slowness, stiffness — these are the noticeable symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), especially the hand tremors while resting which are found in 70% of patients. These uncontrollable tremors make patients appear disabled and unable to enjoy their daily routines, calling for a caretaker, which lowers their self-esteem and makes them scared to socialize.

The current method of treating Parkinson’s is taking a cocktail of medications, which is mostly unable to reduce all the tremors.

Some patients whose tremors are especially strong may need brain surgery, which is an always undesirable option due to its high cost and many side effects. T

This conundrum has inspired a team of researchers at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, led by Professor Dr. Roongroj Bhidayasiri and Assistant Professor Onanong Phokaewvarangkul, Ph.D. to research and develop the prototype of “tremor-reducing Parkinson’s gloves” since 2014. The product received a patent under the name

portable tremor measuring and reducing device using electrical muscle stimulation in January 2017. Many research articles have been published in international medical journals to support the efficiency of the device. The team has now succeeded in developing the “5th generation tremor-reducing Parkinson’s gloves” which are lightweight, easy to wear, and effective, not to mention cheaper than similar imported device.

“The tremor-reducing Parkinson’s gloves are the first medical device that can help reduce tremors in the hands of PD patients through automatic electric stimulation of the hand muscles. We hope this will help reduce the tremors for the patients without having to increase the dosage of their medication unnecessarily and reduce the risk of brain surgery,” discussed Asst. Prof. Dr. Onanong in connection with the significance of the innovation for Parkinson’s disease.

Currently, there are over 10 million PD patients around the world and approximately 150,000 patients in Thailand. It is estimated that for every 100 elderly people (aged 60 and over), there is one with Parkinson’s disease.

“As we move further into the aging society, the number of PD patients will only increase. Our estimation predicts an increase of two to three times in the future.”

Dr.

Golden Years

Why Prompt Hearing Evaluations Matter

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Every baby born in a hospital receives a newborn hearing exam. Unfortunately, the next time that the person’s hearing is examined is typically once a significant degree of hearing is lost.

Joe Kozelsky, retired audiologist, honorary board member of the Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter in Fairport and author of the forthcoming book “Hearing, Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids,” said parents should have their preschool-aged children’s ears checked more often. “[If children] seem irritable, discomfited and they seem unwell, if someone doesn’t respond right away or seem to be ignoring you but it’s inconsistent, problems with their ears may be the reason.”

Sometimes, it’s a problem stemming from an ear-nose-throat related illness that could cause damage to hearing unless addressed promptly. Kozelsky also noted that anatomical differences may cause kids’ ears to not drain fluids correctly, so that can contribute to illnesses and hearing issues.

School-aged children may seem to not listen in school, keep the TV or other devices loud or seem confused when given directions that are age-appropriate in complexity. For adults, it’s typically other adults who signal a hearing problem is present.

“Hearing loss is elusive to the person experiencing it,” Kozelsky said. “It causes a decrease in hearing distance. In early hearing loss, the person always hears when conditions are great or if the person they’re speaking with is closer than 20 feet or if the person raises their voice a little. They think hearing is normal. It’s the only disability that others can make it better for you. As hearing goes down, you hear fine as long as people make it loud.”

Some less obvious signs he included are not hearing the crickets at night or the birds during the day. Dizziness or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can also indicate a hearing problem.

Losing hearing can cause different and significant problems across the lifespan. For children, diminished hearing can interfere with language acquisition, learning and development of social understanding.

“Most of the times, kids suffer from fluid in their ears and have a temporary hearing loss,” said Kaelynn Briggs, audiologist with Clear Choice Hearing & Balance in Rochester. “We can help them address it on the spot. It’s harder for kids to develop speech if they aren’t hearing.”

For school aged children who have lifelong hearing loss, early intervention can help them stay abreast with their schoolwork. Neglecting hearing issues can cause them to fall behind.

Working adults should also promptly address hearing issues. Otherwise, “you can miss important information in a meeting or informa-

tion you need in the future,” Briggs said.

Not hearing correctly for long periods of time can make people appear inept, ambivalent or uncommitted. For people working in environments such as construction or agriculture, not hearing well can compromise their safety because they don’t realize what they’re missing.

“If we find they have hearing loss, the hearing aids can help reduce background noise and allow them to catch what people are saying,” Briggs said. “Hearing aids also have noise reduction qualities in them, so it dampens loud sounds to protect their ears.”

For older adults, letting hearing loss go too long can increase the risk of cognitive impairment because the part of the brain stimulated by hearing sounds receives less input. Waiting can also make acclimating to hearing aids more challenging as the brain has to relearn how to process sounds again. Briggs added that untreated hearing loss can also increase risk for falls.

“A lot of people who have problems with balance don’t realize it can be related to their ears,” Briggs said. “We also do balance evaluations. A lot of times when we have hearing loss, our brain puts so much effort into hearing that it forgets about balance. When they wear their hearing aids, they can focus on balance and dizziness.”

Unfortunately, it can take many people a long time to discover and treat hearing loss—the average time is seven years.

“A lot of our time is spent in explaining the hearing loss, what may have caused it, how it can change if it’s not treated and how it can affect their life,” Briggs said.

As with many areas of health, the sooner a problem is identified and addressed, the better, she said.

Kaelynn Briggs, audiologist with Clear Choice Hearing & Balance in Rochester: “A lot of people who have problems with balance don’t realize it can be related to their ears.”

Physical Therapy Isn’t Just for the Office

In-home visits by PTs grow in Rochester area

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Getting to a physical therapy appointment challenges some patients more than others. Whether it’s transportation, physical frailty, social anxiety, deconditioning or scheduling, patients now can call on a number of mobile physical therapy practices serving the greater Rochester area.

Matt Berliner, who holds a doctorate in physical therapy and manages the physical therapy department at Jewish Senior Life in Rochester, believes that at-home physical therapy can help move patients along the rehabilitation spectrum.

“It gives us a look as to how they function in their homes and we can look at things like trip hazards like throw rugs,” he said. “We also look at showers to see if the patient needs a walk-in shower or if the patient needs accommodation for the toilet seat height. We also give home exercises like range of motion. It helps them get their exercise endurance up to get out patient PT.”

Berliner views in-home PT as a

bridge to standard out patient PT in the office, where more equipment is available. But regardless of where the PT happens, completing the program and getting people moving is what is most important, he said.

Lindsey Chase, physical therapist at Thrive in Rochester, sees patients only in a non-clinical setting. She likes that unlike at an office, her sessions are always one on one and can last an hour, which allows her plenty of time to make progress.

“A big advantage is the fact that we can use their own furniture, like their couch or dining room chairs,” Chase said. “People with Parkinson’s tend to freeze up in certain doorways. We can work through that. We can practice movement in the place where they spend 90% of their time.”

It’s also helpful that patients— many of whom are in ill health-do not have to wait in a waiting room, potentially exposing them to communicable illnesses.

Judy Mariotti, who holds a doctorate of physical therapy and owns

PT At Home with Judy in Webster, has worked in physical therapy for 38 years in a variety of settings. Like Chase, she prefers the more intimate environment of the home over the office.

“Patients tell me when they go to a clinic, they’re put on equipment and the physical therapist goes to see another patient,” Mariotti said. “With home visits, you’re with the patient the whole time and your undivided attention is with them.”

She can also chat with family members present to know how the patient is doing on compliance with restrictions and performing exercises. She uses portable devices like resistance bands and whatever is available in the home, such as a step with a handrail nearby for step-up exercises.

Molly Greenbaum, physical therapist, represents another mobile PT practice as owner of Stronger Today Physical Therapy in Rochester.

“When it comes to out patient physical therapy services in the home, people don’t realize that you don’t need to have a recent hospitalization or recent surgery,” Greenbaum said. “It can be for people who have a new ache or pain or has noticed more difficulty doing activities of daily living or experienced a recent fall or are overall feeling more unsteady.”

Making PT more convenient helps patients stick with their regimen and helps them make better gains.

Holding physical therapy at sites other than the office can help patients who want to return to their normal activities. Greenbaum can help pa-

tients strategize how to run errands safely if she accompanies them as part of their physical therapy, such as going to the grocery store together.

“It can be intimidating but with the guidance and having someone work with you and start with you where you are and challenge you, you can benefit,” she said.

Bryan Guzski, who earned a doctorate in physical therapy and owns Motive Physical Therapy in Rochester, brings physical therapy to patients’ homes, businesses, gyms and “anywhere that the patient would like to be seen.”

He finds it easier to see patients where they experience issues and adjust in real time. “This allows patients to get better care and downstream, require fewer visits, saving them time and money with a better outcome.”

One example is observing the ergonomics of a person’s office. Guzski said that many people don’t realize that their setup is not ideal and contributes to worsening their issue.

“The person who works out in their basement and has problems with their home workout — we can look at the equipment they’re using and make suggestions in real time,” he added.

Guzkski’s business operates outside of insurance networks, but some insurers will reimburse for visits.

New York is a direct access state, meaning patients may have 10 visits or up to 30 days of seeing a physical therapist without a referral from a physician. This provision helps patients receive care right away without another doctor visit and a needless copay.

Judy Mariotti Lindsey Chase Bryan Guzski

Golden Years Drug Overdose Deaths Among Seniors Quadruple

Drug overdose deaths — both accidental and intentional — have quadrupled over the past 20 years among older adults in the United States, a new study finds.

This increase in people ages 65 and older suggests the need for greater mental health and substance use policies, the authors said.

“The dramatic rise in overdose fatalities among adults over 65 years of age in the past two decades underscores how important it is for clinicians and policymakers to think of overdose as a problem across the life span,” said co-author Chelsea Shover, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine.

“Updating Medicare to cover evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders is crucial, as is providing harm reduction supplies such as naloxone to older adults,” Shover said in a school news release.

About three-fourths of those who died accidentally were using illicit drugs, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine

and methamphetamine. In 67% of intentional overdoses, seniors used prescription medication, including opioids, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics and sedatives.

The researchers calculated overdose deaths among seniors from 2002 to 2021, using a database from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The investigators compared demographics, specific drugs, and whether the deaths were intentional, unintentional or undetermined.

They found that fatal overdoses quadrupled from 1,060 in 2002, which was 3 per 100,000, to 6,702 in 2021, or 12 per 100,000. Black seniors had the highest rates, at 30.9 per 100,000.

By 2021, 1 in 370 senior deaths was from an overdose, the report noted. About 57% of those involved opioids, 39% involved stimulants and 18% included a combination of the two types of drugs.

About 13% of overdoses in 2021 were intentional and 83% were unintentional. Another 4% were undetermined, and 0.7% - five people -

were murdered.

Women comprised 57% of the intentional overdoses and 29% of the accidental overdoses, according to the study.

The researchers also determined that 37%, of overdoses among Asian-Americans were intentional compared to 17% among white people and 1% among Black people.

Deaths from alcohol poisoning rose from less than 0.03 per 100,000 to 0.5 per 100,000 during the study period.

“Even though drug overdose

Welcome Change

remains an uncommon cause of death among older adults in the U.S., the quadrupling of fatal overdoses among older adults should be considered in evolving policies focused on the overdose epidemic,” the researchers wrote. “Current proposals to improved mental health and substance use disorder coverage within Medicare, for example, applying mental health parity rules within Medicare, acquire greater urgency in light of this study's results.” Study findings were published March 29 in JAMA Psychiatry.

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Many life-enhancing choices await you.

By Jim Miller

How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility

Dear Savvy Senior,

What’s the best way to go about choosing an assisted living facility for my 86-year-old father? Since mom died last year, his health has declined to the point that he can’t live at home anymore but isn’t ready for a nursing home either.

Searching Susan

Dear Susan,

If your dad needs help with things like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, managing his medications or just getting around, an assisted living facility is definitely a good option to consider.

Assisted living facilities are residential communities that offer different levels of health or personal care services for seniors who want or need help with daily living.

There are nearly 29,000 assisted living communities (also called board and care, supportive-care or residential-care facilities) in the U.S. today, some of which are part of a retirement community or nursing home. Most facilities have anywhere between 10 and 100 suites, varying in size from a single room to a full apartment. And some even offer special memory care units for residents with dementia.

To help you choose a good assisted living facility for your dad, here are some steps to follow.

• Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top assisted living communities in your area including your dad’s doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who’ve had a loved one in assisted living; or you can do an online search at Caring.com.

• Do some research: To research the communities on your list, put a call into your long-term care ombudsman. This is a government official who investigates long-term care facility complaints and advocates for residents and their families. This person can help you find the latest health inspection reports on specific assisted living facilities and can tell you which ones have had complaints or other problems in the past. To find your local ombudsman visit LTCombudsman.org.

• Call the facilities: Once you’ve identified a few good assisted living facilities, call them to see if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services your father needs.

• Tour your top choices: During your visit, notice the cleanliness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem respon-

sive and kind to its residents? Also be sure to taste the food, and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It’s also a good idea to visit several times at different times of the day and different days of the week to get a broader perspective.

On your facility visit, get a copy of the admissions contract and the residence rules that outline the fees (and any extra charges), services and residents’ rights, and explanations for when a resident might be asked to leave because their condition has worsened, and they require more care than the facility can provide.

Also, find out their staff turnover rate, COVID-19 infection-control procedures and if and when medical professionals are on site. To help you rate your visit, Caring.com offers a checklist of questions that you can download and print at Caring.com/ static/checklist-AL-tour.pdf.

• How to pay: Monthly costs for assisted living ranges anywhere from $2,500 to $6,000 or more, depending on where you live, the facility you choose, and the services provided. Since Medicare does not cover assisted living, most residents pay outof-pocket from their own personal funds, and some have long-term care insurance policies.

If your dad has limited financial resources and can’t afford this, most states now have Medicaid waiver programs that help pay for assisted living. Or, if he’s a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. To find out about these programs, ask the assisted living facility director, or contact his local Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov) or the regional VA benefit office (800–827–1000).

Assisted living facilities are residential communities that offer different levels of health or personal care services for seniors who want or need help with daily living.

Ask St. Ann’s

By Cindy Lovetro, Priscilla Delgado and Shaneeya Cooper

Falls lead to more than 800,000 hospitalizations a year in the U.S. And 60% of falls occur in the home.

Falling Can Have Serious Consequences— Here's How To Reduce the Risk

Taking a fall is never enjoyable.

But if you're an older adult, it can cause serious health issues and even take years off your life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of injuries (fatal and non-fatal) among people over 65. Falls lead to more than 800,000 hospitalizations a year. And 60% of falls occur in the home.

What's happening?

As we age we generally don't have the same agility and flexibility we did when we were younger. Our bones lose strength and density (osteoporosis), making the consequences of a fall much more serious, including fractures and broken bones. Other health-related issues like vision impairment and low blood pressure (often caused by standing up too quickly) can contribute to a loss of balance, increasing the likelihood of falling.

And it's not just the fall that causes problems. The resulting lack of mobility as a person recovers can reduce both the quality of life and the number of years of life one has left. It can lead to social isolation, depression and, potentially, the inability to continue living independently.

But falls are preventable and don't need to be an inevitable part of aging. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling.

Around the house:

• Keep paths clear of clutter, including electrical cords, shoes and papers.

• Get rid of throw rugs or use double-stick tape to secure them to the floor.

• Install grab bars in the bathtub and consider a shower bench. Place non-slip mats in the tub and on the bathroom floor.

• Use nightlights so you can see where you're going after dark.

10 Steps for Healthy Aging

Alzheimer’s Foundation issues easy-to-follow rules to stay healthy

• Make sure there are sturdy handrails on all stairways.

In your daily routine”

• Wear sensible footwear. Shoes should fit properly and have a good tread to give you traction. Avoid slippers with no back—they're not a good idea!

• Don't let a fear of falling limit your activity. Walk regularly and do gentle exercises (like tai chi) that strengthen your legs and improve balance. Look online or check with your local community center about exercise classes for seniors.

• Consider a medical alert button that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. These devices allow you to summon help immediately if you fall or suffer an injury.

• Contact the local nonprofit Lifespan, which can connect you with resources to support a healthy lifestyle.

Most importantly, tell your doctor if you've fallen or are experiencing dizziness or a lack of balance. He or she can assess the situation, provide appropriate treatment and refer you to a physical or occupational therapist if warranted.

By taking the proper steps you can stay healthy while staying on your feet!

It’s never too soon to practice healthy aging; the things we do to keep body and heart healthy also can help promote brain health and wellness. To help individuals be proactive about protecting their brain health, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing these 10 steps for successful aging.

“Lifestyle choices play a vital role in healthy aging and brain health, and it’s never too soon to start,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “Eating right, exercising the body and mind, getting proper sleep and being socially active all contribute to healthy aging and good brain health, and can potentially reduce the risk of developing a dementia-related illness.”

AFA offers the following 10 steps for healthy aging:

• Eat Well — Adopt a low-fat diet high in fruits and veggies, like strawberries, blueberries and broccoli. Take daily vitamins. Limit intake of red meats, fried and processed foods, salt and sugar. In general, foods that are “heart healthy” are also “brain healthy.”

• Stay Active — Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and can also help improve mood and overall wellbeing. Brisk walking benefits brain health, while aerobics can boost your heart rate, and weight training builds strength and flexibility.

• Learn New Things — Challenge your brain by starting a new hobby like playing tennis, learning to speak a foreign language, trying a cooking class, or something you have not done before. Even something as simple as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand stimulates the brain by forcing it to think outside of its normal routine.

• Mind Your Meds — Medication can affect everyone differently, especially as you age. When getting a new medication or something you have not taken in a while (whether over-the-counter or prescription), talk to your doctor or local pharmacist.

• Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol

— Smoking can increase the risk of other serious illnesses, while too much alcohol can impair judgment and cause accidents, including falls, broken bones, and car crashes.

• Stay Connected — Social interaction and maintaining an active social life are very important for brain health, cognitive stimulation and mood. Invite friends and family over for a meal, board games, or just to hang out. Engaging in your community and participating in group activities is also beneficial.

• Know Your Blood Pressure — Blood pressure can impact your cognitive functioning. Visit your physician regularly to check your blood pressure and make sure it is in normal range.

• See Your Doctor — Maintain checkups. Health screenings are key to managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, all of which can impact brain health. Speak with your physician about any concerns or questions you have about your health.

• Get a Memory Screening — Our brains need regular checkups, just as other parts of our bodies do. Memory screenings are quick, noninvasive exams for our brains.

AFA offers free virtual memory screenings every weekday—visit www.alzfdn.org or call AFA at 866232-8484 to learn more about getting a free virtual memory screening. You can also talk to your doctor about getting a screening as part of your annual wellness exam.

Cindy

and Shaneeya Cooper are associate directors of nursing, also at St. Ann's Community. Got a question for the experts at St. Ann's? Send it to info@mystanns.com.

• Get Enough Sleep — Getting a consistent sleep every night is key; at least seven to nine hours is ideal. Having a good sleep environment is also helpful. Insomnia or sleep apnea can have serious physical effects and negatively affect memory and thinking.

Individuals who would like to learn more about healthy aging, brain health, or memory screenings can contact the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Helpline by phone (866-232-8484), web chat (www. alzfdn.org), or text message (646586-5283) seven days a week, or visit www.alzfdn.org.

‘Falls are preventable and don't need to be an inevitable part of aging’

Lovetro is chief nursing officer, St. Ann's Community; Priscilla Delgado

Don’t Accept Osteoporosis as Part of Aging

An estimated 10 million Americans aged 50 years and older have osteoporosis and 20% of them (2 million) are male, according to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Promotion. An additional 43 million people — including 16 million men — have low bone mass, putting them at risk for developing osteoporosis. The disease affects every race, ethnicity, and gender.

“Osteoporosis shouldn’t be accepted as a normal part of aging,” says physician Ankit Garg, vice president medical affairs and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “There are things everyone can do to improve bone health throughout their life.”

Bones are living, growing tissue, and throughout your life your body is losing and making new bone mass. Osteoporosis develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the structure and strength of bones change. It is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and older men, most commonly in bones of the hip, wrist, and vertebrae in the spine. Usually there aren’t any symptoms, and many people don’t know they have it until they break a bone.

“You’re never too young, or too old to make lifestyle changes to improve bone health,” says Garg. Lifestyle changes include stopping smoking; reducing alcohol intake; eating a healthy diet with plenty of calcium-containing foods including dark green leafy vegetables; having moderate exposure to sunlight (but avoiding sunburn) to get enough vitamin D; and trying to do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise each day, such as walking or strength training with weights. Always consult your

health care provider before beginning an exercise program.

Fall prevention is also important to maintaining bone heath and reducing the risk of fractures. Your health care provider can assess your risk of falling, and provide tips to avoid them, and also fall-proof your home. “Preventing falls is important, whether or not you have osteoporosis, because bone fractures can cause other medical problems and take away your ability to live independently,” says Garg.

Bone mineral density (BMD) testing, also known as a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DEXA, or DEZ, is used to determine bone health and diagnose osteoporosis. The test is quick and painless and uses a small amount of X-ray to measure the amount of minerals (mostly calcium and phosphorous) contained in a certain volume of bone. In addition to being used to diagnose the disease, BMD testing is used to determine how well osteoporosis treatment is working, and how likely the patient is to suffer a fracture. If diagnosed, there are many drugs and hormone therapies available to prevent further bone loss and to stimulate new bone formation.

“At your next medical office visit, ask your health care provider if BMD testing should be included among your regular preventative screenings, and about any lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent osteoporosis or slow its progression,” advises Garg.

May is Bone Health Awareness Month. Learn more about osteoporosis from the National Institutes of Health online at https://www.bones. nih.gov./ Submitted by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Physician Ankit Garg, vice president medical affairs and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Hearing loss. You don’t have to face it alone.

CALENDAR HEALTH EVENTSof

May 2, 18, 23

Hearing loss group announces programs

Anyone interested in issues related to hearing loss is invited to participate in monthly programs sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of America /Rochester Chapter. They are free and some are in-person meeting while other are through Zoom platform.

Programs for May are:

• Tuesday, May 2

– 10–11 a.m. “Hearing Other People’s Experiences” (HOPE). In person. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, Rochester, across from the George Eastman Museum. Vestry room. Prospective, new or experienced hearing aid users can share their experiences, questions and hearing loss journeys. Retired audiologist and hearing aid user Joseph Kozelsky facilitates.

– Noon-1 p.m. “Financial Fitness While Aging Gracefully.” In person. St. Paul’s Parish Hall and virtual on Zoom. To obtain Zoom link, preregister at the chapter web site hearinglossrochester.org. Presented by Gabe Geiger, Lifespan’s coordinator of financial services engagement and outreach.

• Thursday, May 18

– 10 a.m. –2 p.m. “Assistive Listening Devices Demo Center.” Technology team. In person. Lifespan, 1900 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester. Consumers are invited to view and try a selection of assistive listening devices before actually buying them.

• Tuesday, May 23

– 8-9:00 p.m. “Hear Together.” Virtual on Zoom. Speech language pathologist Kristin Bergholtz conducts a virtual support group for parents and caregivers of deaf/hard

of hearing children.

For more information, view the HLAA Rochester Chapter web site at hearinglossrochester.org or telephone 585 266 7890.

May 6

Alzheimer’s Association holds African American health symposium

The Alzheimer’s Association

Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter announces the return of the Dr. Lemuel and Gloria Rogers African American Health Symposium. This year’s theme is “Caring for Our Community: Dementia’s Impact and Hope for the Future.” It will take place in person on Saturday, May 6, at Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, 161 Chestnut St, Rochester. It’s free of charge and includes a hot lunch catered by Northern Nola. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3GT5NCU or call 800.272.3900.

Now in its 12th year, the symposium is geared toward creating connections, partnerships and hope. The event is named for Lemuel Rogers Jr. M.D. and his wife, Gloria Rogers. In 1968, Dr. Rogers became one of the first African American doctors to build and own a medical building in Rochester. Over the course of his 30 years of practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist, he delivered more than 5,000 babies at Rochester’s Highland and Saint Mary’s hospitals.

The Rogers were members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church who were diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, respectively. The couple was deeply involved in health education in the local Black community.

The event will feature a keynote

address by Jackie Dozier, a lifelong community advocate who serves as director at Community Health and Well-being at Common Ground Health. In particular, Dozier has led community efforts focusing on health disparities impacting communities of color.

May 14 Breast Cancer Coalition calls for nominations from survivors

The Breast Cancer Coalition is seeking nominations from breast or gynecologic cancer survivors for the 2023 Laurie Pask Heart & Hands Award.

The Heart & Hands Award is named in honor of Laurie Pask, an early member of Breast Cancer Coalition’s Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Common Ground group. Those who knew Pask knew her as a kind and caring wife, sister, daughter, niece, and friend.

The award is given annually to a cancer care provider whose approach to care reflects the balance of kindness, compassion, respect and science that Pask demonstrated while providing care to her own patients with passion, hope, and joy.

Nominations are due by 10 p.m. Sunday, May 14 and should be submitted online at https://bccr.org/ heart-hands-award. Only nominations from patients and survivors will be considered.

The Breast Cancer Coalition is a local grassroots organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer through action and advocacy.

May 17

MCMS symposium for providers to address burnout, medical error

The Monroe County Medical Society, along with the Rochester Academy of Medicine, Borg & Ide Imaging and the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester-Maimonides

Society, will host a health symposium to introduce critical new healthcare leadership tools to reduce burnout and medical error.

It will take place from 3:30-7 p.m., May 17, at the Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Ave., Rochester.

The topic will focus on Mindfulness and Human Factors – Ergonomics (HFE) Science. Attendees will learn skills to help relate in a healthier way to inherent stressors within medical work as well as learn essentials of HFE science curated and adapted for lay leaders to address systemic and organizational challenges, reduce burnout, improve satisfaction, and decrease medical error.

Attendees will have an evening to learn with local experts, including physicians Michael Privitera, Mathew Devine, Sachiko Kaizuka and Mick Krasner.

For more details, visit www. mcms.org/healthsymposium or send an email to Jen Casasanta at jcasasanta@mcms.org .

May 24

NCADD-RA’s luncheon to feature expert on addiction

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence–Rochester Area’s (NCADD–RA) will hold its annual luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Wednesday, May 24, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Rochester.

Keynote speaker is physician Kevin McCauley, who wrote and directed two films “Memo to Self” and “Pleasure Unwoven” about the neuroscience of addiction which won the 2010 Michael Q. Ford Award for Journalism from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. He is a senior fellow at The Meadows of Wickenburg, Arizona and is currently a graduate student at the University of Arizona School of Public Health.

For more information or to register, contact Elaine Alvarado at 585719–3481 or ealvarado@depaul.org. You can also visit https://ncadd-ra. org/events/trainings/ncadd-raannual-luncheon/ to register online.

Eight sessions with Blossom Hypnosis changed my life! Before hypnosis, I was constantly battling my brain’s flight or fight mechanism. I began noticing changes in the way I reacted to stressful situations. Now I am not fearful of presenting and my mind is not clouded by anxiety.” —C.B. 2023

OUR VOLUNTEERS FILL CRITICAL ROLES SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS.

• Help an older adult manage day-to-day nances.

• Give a lift to someone who no longer drives.

When you do good, you feel good! Learn more!

• Give a caregiver a break.

• Make a friendly phone call.

• Lead fall prevention or healthy living workshops.

• And more!

Time exible and ful lling!

www.lifespanrochester.org

Highland gala raises over $130,000

Thanks to generous donors, community members, physicians and staff, more than $130,000 was raised at this year’s Highland Hospital Gala.

Traditionally the hospital’s largest annual fundraising event, proceeds from this year’s gala will benefit the hospital’s patient tower project, which is currently under construction. The project will add four levels plus a mechanical penthouse to the hospital’s southeast wing and will be one of the largest additions in the hospital’s history. Three of the floors will include 58 new patient rooms and one floor will house other clinical programs. The new tower will allow the hospital to provide private rooms for nearly all of its patients.

Donors and co-chairs of the event were Thomas and Betty Richards and Joseph Nicholas, M.D., and Julie Black.

Midwife joins OB-GYN team at Thompson

Certified nurse midwife Shannon

balance.”

“These honorees prove that when employees' needs and desires are met, the entire organization is better for it — they are able to make a greater impact on the lives of patients,” Becker’s said in a March 23 article announcing the list.

This year, there is a total of seven New York health-related organizations on the list; Thompson is the only one outside of the New York City area. The list includes some better-known health systems such as the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

“Being named to this list for the sixth time is just as exciting to us as it was the first time, back in 2015,” said Thompson Health Vice President of Associate Services and Wellness Jennifer DeVault. “This is a time when people who have devoted their lives to healthcare are really looking for workplaces where they feel both valued and empowered, and we want them to know Thompson offers a unique corporate culture and exceptional colleagues.”

According to Becker's, the annual list of 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare is based on nominations and editorial research. Organizations do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on the list.

YOUR SUPPORT

Shannon Welker

Welker has joined the obstetrics and gynecology practice affiliated with F.F. Thompson Hospital’s Canandaigua Medical Group. A member of the American College of Nurse Midwives, Welker is a Macedon resident who received her master’s in midwifery from the Thomas Jefferson University College of Health Professions in Philadelphia. Her bachelor’s in nursing is from St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

In 2021 and 2022, Welker worked as a student nurse midwife with the UR Medicine Midwifery Group. She has also worked as a registered nurse in The Birth Center at UR Medicine for the past six years. Previously, Welker worked in neurology and epilepsy at the UR Medical Center. Welker, who is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, will be based at the OB-GYN practice’s Canandaigua location until the opening of the new Farmington Medical Group office in August.

Thompson among top places to work

For the sixth time, UR Medicine Thompson Health has earned a spot on the “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare” list released by Becker's Hospital Review.

According to the monthly publication featuring business and legal information for healthcare industry leaders, the 2023 list highlights hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that “provide comprehensive benefits packages, opportunities for professional development, inclusive work environments and the flexibility needed for a true work-life

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IT'S WORTH SUPPORTING

Part

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Do what you love. Even if it’s nothing at all.

As one of the most important people on earth, you should have nothing to worry about but choosing today’s activity, outing or dining option. Or just enjoying quiet time in beautifully maintained surroundings with 24-hour security.

St. Ann’s Community at Chapel Oaks has no entrance fee, only a low, monthly service fee for all your amenities. You also have complimentary transportation for appointments and activities, and access to higher levels of care if you ever need it.

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