Gv igh no119 july15 by In Good Health: Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper

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July 2015 • Issue 119

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Rochester’s Healthcare Newspaper

‘July Effect’ Real Phenomenon or Myth?

The ‘July Effect’ is the belief that medical care received in teaching hospitals during the month of July bears a higher risk of complications because it’s when many experienced medical providers go on vacation and when new physicians begin their residencies. There is even a study about that — and tons of criticism of the study

Knitting & Cancer How knitting is playing a role to relieve stress among cancer patients at Lipson Cancer Center n Related: New blood test may predict breast cancer

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FPO

Bionic Pancreas Offers New Hope for Type 1 Diabetics

SUNSCREEN Don’t skip the lips and other spots, local experts say

Heroin in Rural Wayne County

Treadmills: Tread With Care

Law enforcement, drug prevention and treatment experts, school and county agency officials recently met at a summit to discuss ways to prevent and combat use of heroin in the Finger Lakes

How dangerous can using a treadmill be? Just ask Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who was recently injured while using the equipment. Studies show in 2014 alone emergency departments across the country reported 24,400 injuries associated with treadmills. We talk to local experts about it Page 9

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A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control ranks Swiss chard ahead of kale, the the Kim Kardashian of leafy greens. Why the impressive ranking? In a word, Swiss chard is an antioxidant superstar.

Meet Your Doctor Nicholas Jospe talk about juvenile diabetes, obesity and how he feels about his URMC department being picked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top in the county Page 8 July 2015 •

Bionic Page 8 Pancreas Offers New Hope for Type 1 Diabetics

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Millions More Long-Term Care Workers Needed by 2030: Study

Underage Drinking Down in Past Decade

Biggest need is in home and personal care aides, expert says

t least 2.5 million more long-term care workers will be needed to look after older Americans by 2030, a new study shows. This demand will remain even if there is a major shift from institutional care to home care, according to the researchers. “Even if 20 percent of elderly patients move out of nursing homes into home health care, which would be a huge change, the projected increase in demand for long-term care workers would only drop from 79 percent to 74 percent,” study author Joanne Spetz, a professor at the Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a university news release. “Filling these jobs will be a big challenge under any scenario,” she noted. Spetz is also associate director for research strategy at the Center for the Health Professions. Policy makers and educators need to “redouble” their efforts to recruit, train and maintain long-term care

workers, the researchers said. They noted that 20 percent of Americans will be aged 65 or older by 2030. Nineteen million adults will require long-term care by 2050. That number was just 8 million in 2000, the researchers added. Over the next 15 years, the biggest increases in demand will be for counselors, community and social workers, and home health and personal care aides, the researchers predicted.

“In terms of sheer numbers, the greatest need is going to be for home health and personal care aides, with well over 1 million additional jobs by 2030,” Spetz said. “The challenge is that these are currently very low-paid, high-turnover, entry-level positions. A lot of people in these jobs are living in poverty while working full time. We have to figure out how to make them sustainable,” she added.

nderage drinking in the United States is declining. But alcohol remains the most widely used substance of abuse among American children, federal researchers reported in June. The rate of current drinking (within the last month) among youngsters aged 12 to 20 fell from 29 percent in 2002 to 23 percent in 2013. Plus, the rate of current binge drinking in this age group declined from 19 percent to 14 percent during that time period. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks on the same occasion. However, more American teens use alcohol (23 percent) than tobacco (17 percent) or illicit drugs (14 percent), according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report. The report is based on data from an annual, national survey of 67,500 Americans aged 12 and older. “When parents communicate clear expectations and they are supported by community efforts to prevent underage drinking, we can make a difference,” Frances Harding, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, said in an agency news release. “However, there are still 8.7 million current, underage drinkers and 5.4 million current, underage binge drinkers. This poses a serious risk not only to their health and to their future, but to the safety and well-being of others. We must do everything we can to prevent underage drinking and get treatment for young people who need it,” Harding added.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

July 8

is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Eastman House Council and recipient of the 2013 Impact Award from the Rochester Media Association. His book compiles the best of his essays, reviews, and interviews Jack Garner, the retired 32-year film with many Hollywood celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood, critic and entertainment writer for the Meryl Streep, Jimmy Stewart, Woody Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, will discuss and sign copies of his book Allen and Philip Seymour Hoffman. For reservation or more informa— “From My Seat on the Aisle: Movtion, call Marie at 585-697-6606. ies and Memories” — during a book signing event at Chapel Oaks from 1 to 3 p.m., July 8. Chapel Oaks is located at July 9, 25 Portland Avenue. Garner, who also worked as a chief film critic for the Gannett News Service, still writes weekly film reviews as well as jazz and classic film critiques. Garner is a recipient of the The public is invited to attend prestigious George Eastman Medal of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation / Honor and contributor to the Eastman automated external defibrillator (CPR/ House academic journal, Image. He AED) at the Cardiac Life Training

Film critic Jack Garner host book sign at Chapel Oaks

CPR/AED classes offered at Cardiac Life Training Center

Center to learn the skills to save a life. The classes will be offered from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., Thursday, July 9, and from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, July 25. The Cardiac Life Training Center is located at 349 W. Commercial St., Piano Works Mall, suite 1400, East Rochester. Call to reserve your spot as class sizes are limited. The cost is $45 per person. For more information, call 585-286-3811 or send an email to training@cardiaclife. net. The Cardiac Life Training Center is an American Heart Association training center and has been an AED distributor for more than 10 years. It has experienced instructors, including professional paramedics

July 14

Fibromyalgia group has meeting in Rochester The Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York will sponsor a support group meeting from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, at Greece Town Hall meeting center, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Rochester. The main topic will be how to get access to medications. Pharmacist and health consultant Darlene M. Mednick will be the speaker at the event, which is free

and open to the public. The Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York (FARNY) was formed in spring 1993 to educate and inform others about fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), as well as to serve as a support system. For more information, call 585-2257515 or visit www.farny.org.

Aug. 6, Sept. 12

Southeast and Victor YMCAs host kids marathon The Southeast and Victor YMCAs will host their kids marathon. Over five weeks, young runners and walkers aged 5-12 will walk, jog and run 25.2 miles on their own and with the help of the Y’s organized weekly clinics led by trained staff. They will complete the marathon during the Victor 5K run in September. The marathon will kick off on Aug. 6 at a party at YMCA Camp Arrowhead. There will be games, a bounce pillow, swimming and more. Weekly training clinics will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for participants, leading up to the Victor 5K race on Sept. 12, when the final

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

The ‘July Effect’ — Real Phenomenon or Myth A study states that medical errors increase 10 percent in teaching hospitals during the month of July as a result of new doctors coming into the profession. Experts offer a criticism of the study By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

hen something goes wrong in a medical scenario, patients and loved ones want answers. It’s only natural to examine what went wrong to find something or someone to blame. In part, we want to understand why this happened so it can never devastate someone else’s life. Understanding also helps us gain closure about trauma. The “July Effect” is the belief that medical care received in teaching hospitals during the month of July bears a higher risk of complications because it’s when many Sayers experienced medical providers go on vacation and when new physicians begin their residencies. A study published in 2010 in Journal of General Internal Medicine stated that medical errors increased 10 percent in teaching hospitals, but not other hospitals, during the month of July. The

data spanned from 1979 to 2006. Critics of the study assert that the time span goes back to decades predating technology that helps today’s medical personnel cross-check patient care plans. The earlier data would skew the statistics and current-day hospital processes help reduce errors. Margaret Sayers, a private health care advocate serving clients in Rochester, has worked for decades as a clinician, administrator and researcher in geriatric health care. “I have not heard the ‘July Effect’ as being verified as an influence.” Said Sayers. “They’re under the supervision of a university faculty member. “If you’re Somerset someone who can schedule their hospitalization, [during the summertime] hospitals are likely shorter staffed, not just because of the ‘July Effect.’ Just as you wouldn’t want

to schedule surgery the week of Christmas, you might have substitutes and you may not feel the care is the same as regular docs.” Medical malpractice attorneys certainly see numerous examples of how different factors can add up to a serious and even fatal complication; however, attorney Jim Foley with Foley & Foley in Palmyra, said that the “July Effect” represents only one factor. “People think it has to do with bad outcomes and it can,” he said. He compared a hospital stay with driving. “If for some reason your attention is broken when driving the chance of error is higher,” he said. “That change in personnel can be stressor of the process [in the hospital].” Although you likely won’t be surprised with a new surgeon for an elective surgery, your care team during your recovery could include members who are new. “It can take a while for the team to work well together,” Foley said. “The more open discussions are about what’s going on and the risks involved, the results are better.”

Though anecdotally some patients refer to the “July Effect”, it “has never been a factor in medical malpractice cases to my knowledge,” said Margaret E. Somerset, attorney specializing in health care with Underberg & Kessler LLP in Canandaigua. “But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.” The firm maintains offices in Rochester, Canandaigua, Geneseo, Newark, and Buffalo. Somerset pointed out that courts rely upon relevant evidence on the day of a particular incident for medical malpractice suits, and the “July Effect” would not contribute significantly enough to become a factor in a case. Nonetheless, if you’re nervous about an upcoming hospital stay, discuss with your providers the possibility of scheduling for a different month if thoughts of the “July Effect” concern you.

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman Women as family “CMO” Fifty-nine percent of women say they make the healthcare decisions for their families, according to a survey of more than 9,000 people conducted by a NYC-based think tank. This jumps to 94 percent when women work and have kids under 18. However, 62 percent of these family “chief medical officers” say they lack time to research and understand healthy habits; 50 percent reported they lacked the confidence to make the right choices for healthcare; and 35 percent actually distrust their providers. The results of this survey are not new. The industry has to do a much better job of educating and engaging the family “CMO,” especially as reimbursement shifts to pay for performance and outcome. Impact of penalties on hospitals uncertain Since 2008, Medicare has penalized hospitals for preventable or avoidable injuries like patient falls, pressure sores and infections. (Hospitals are fined 1.5 percent of their Medicare payments for failure to report.) Unfortunately, there haven’t been random follow up surveys to determine if there is a cause and effect. Are there fewer avoidable incidents as a result of the penalties? If hospitals focus on reducing these particular incidents, does it come at the cost of an increase in other types of avoidable injuries? The good news for Medicare members is that preventable hospitalizations have dropped 11 percent since 2013. The reduction can be attributed to a lot of factors, including penalties for hospital readmissions

within 30 days of initial discharge, Medicare simply not paying for certain admissions anymore and better outpatient management. Drug costs unsustainable According to a study sponsored by Express Scripts, ever increasing specialty drug costs will bankrupt our healthcare system. About 576,000 of us spent more on drugs last year than the median household income (about $52,000). That number is up 63 percent over 2013. 140,000 of the 576,000 spent over $100,000. While 98 percent of these costs were borne by insurance, they are ultimately passed on to all of us in higher premiums. Specialty drugs to treat hepatitis C and cancer are primarily responsible for the drastic increases. This is not just a USA problem. Global costs for cancer drugs exceeded $100 billion last year. The AMA and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America are recommending that an insurer’s summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) provide more detail about what drugs are covered so consumers can make informed decisions. If this does happen, however, there must be an independent authority looking out for insurers who purposely “dump” expensive specialty drugs from their formularies, or significantly reduce coverage, in an effort to steer away at-risk-consumers who require expensive drugs. No single insurance company could survive if it had to assume all the risk for all consumers who needed an expensive specialty drug. The playing field has to be kept level.

Less choice is not worse care Insurance plans that limit consumers to specific physicians and hospitals are nothing new. These “narrow” networks are easier to manage and control and can keep costs down. Like the staff model HMOs of old, burgeoning hospital systems and accountable care organizations will ultimately control both costs and quality by offering finite provider choices for care. The question has always been does the quality of care provided by 50 cardiologists, for example, differ from that provided by 200 cardiologists? According to a study published in Health Affairs, the average quality of care in narrow/restricted networks is actually higher than that of open-ended unrestricted commercial networks. This is not surprising because there is far better communication, cooperation and familiarity among a finite or narrower panel of providers. Premiums for 2016 Depending on your plan, most NYS insurers are once again requesting double digit rate increases for 2016. The NYS Insurance Department rarely approves the full request. Commercial insurers traditionally cite increased utilization and higher drug costs as the culprits for the rate increases. Meanwhile, by comparison, Medicare premiums (for the oldest of Americans) have remained virtually unchanged the last four years at about $105 a month for Physician Part B coverage. The nation’s seven largest insurers (Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Health Care Services Corp, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, United)

July 2015 •

added 5.6 million members with profit margins over 4 percent. Health insurance stocks hit an all-time high earlier this year. Costliest conditions While the list is pretty much unchanged over the last ten years, costs, in 2012 dollars, have risen substantially. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: heart conditions lead the way at $101 billion; trauma was second at $93 billion; at third was cancer, which increased 48 percent over the last decade to $88 billion; in fourth place is asthma at $76 billion; mental health treatments came in fifth at $84 billion. New York State Healthcare Forum Got a question concerning healthcare? Check out “Ask the Oracle” at www.Newyorkhealthcareforum.com. The site is designed to help consumers navigate the often confusing and frustrating healthcare system. It is free and anonymous. Your email address is kept in strictest confidence and is not used for any other purpose than to respond to your question.

GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Good News Snacking on Peanuts May Extend Your Life

eople who regularly eat peanuts may live longer, a new study from the Netherlands finds. But before you get too excited, peanut butter doesn’t count. In the study, people who ate at least a third of an ounce (10 grams) of peanuts or other nuts daily were 23 percent less likely to die over a 10-year period than people who didn’t eat nuts. The biggest reductions in deaths among the nut-lovers were for deaths from respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, followed by cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the researchers said. The benefit of eating nuts topped out at 15 grams daily, which is about half a handful, and eating more than that did not bring further decreases in people’s risk of dying during the study, Piet van den Brandt, a co-author of the study and professor of epidemiology at Maastricht University, said in a statement. But “it was remarkable that substantially lower mortality was already observed” at this level of consumption, he said. Eating peanut butter, however, despite its high content of peanuts, was not associated with a lower mortality risk. Peanut butter’s salt and vegetable oils, which contain trans fatty acids, may supersede the protective nutrition in the peanuts themselves, the researchers said.

Bad News Exercising Mind and Body May Not Protect Against Alzheimer’s

ome studies have linked doing brainy puzzles and physical exercise with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, or with staving off the cognitive decline associated with the disease. But now, new research suggests otherwise. The latest study on the topic found that staying physically and mentally fit may help healthy people ward off the normal mental decline that comes with aging, but it doesn’t affect the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease. In people with Alzheimer’s, the brain contains abnormal, fuzzy, cloudlike clusters of fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid that surround nerve cells and block their signals. This leads the person’s brain function — and, in particular, memory — to deteriorate. In the new study, researchers looked at beta-amyloid and other markers of Alzheimer’s, to see if the levels of these markers in people’s brains responded to physical and mental exercises. The results indicate that exercising “may possibly be separate from any protection against the markers of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain,” study author Keith A. Johnson, co-director of the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Harvard Medical School, said in a statement.

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Nicholas Jospe, M.D. Golisano Children’s Hospital physician talks about juvenile diabetes, obesity among children and how he feels about his department being picked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top in the county Q.: Tell us about your role at Golisano Children’s Hospital A: I’ve been the division head since around 2002. I’ve been in the division since 1988. So I’m going on 27 years here. Q: What kinds of disorders do you treat? A: We take care of kids with diabetes. Type I, which is insulin-dependent diabetes and Type II diabetes, which is insulin-resistant diabetes. We take care of a lot of kids with obesity and what’s called metabolic syndrome. These are kids who are at risk of developing diabetes. We take care of growth disorders, kids who go through puberty too early or too late, thyroid disease, we take care of children who are intersex — that’s when you can’t tell the gender at birth. We take care of kids who are transgender, who are raised one gender, but then soon enough declare that they are the other gender. We also take care of endocrine cancers, though they’re fairly rare. Q: Type I diabetes was often called “juvenile” and Type II “adult.” Has there been a growth in children with Type II, or have obesity-related diseases been leveling off? A: Perhaps a little of both. There are some indications that obesity may be leveling off within some age groups. That’s not necessarily the case with Type II diabetes. It depends very much on which region of the country you’re talking about. Here in Rochester Type II diabetes is probably 10 – 15 percent of our overall patient population with diabetes. In San Antonio, Texas, it will be closer to 65–70 percent. So genetics plays into it, ethnicity, socio-economic status all play into it.

tes are much higher in Hispanics and blacks than Caucasians. There may be an as-yet-undiagnosed genetic component to that. We’re mostly Type I, but we did have a 4-year-old with Type II a few years back. That’s exceptionally rare. It’s usually adolescents. Q: How do you treat kids with Type II? A: Type II may require insulin, particularly in the beginning after they’re diagnosed, as they’re often quite ill. After that we start tablets, just like with adults. We may or may not be able to stop the insulin. The tablets have no discernible benefits for Type I. The challenge is that not as many medications are approved for use by children. That cuts across the board in pretty much all of medicine. Q: How do you assist children who are identifying as transgender at a young age? A: It’s more than just medical, because there’s a huge behavioral and emotional component to transgender. We work in conjunction with our colleagues in adolescent medicine and psychiatry, but in our division we’ll focus on the medical management of transgender therapy. We offer primarily two sets of medication. One set is puberty suppressors, the other is the hormones of the desired gender.

Q: That’s a huge difference. A: So, for example, there’s a far larger Hispanic population in San Antonio — incidences of diabe-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

Q: Are there advantages or disadvantages to administering them at a young age? A: There are many considerations that come into play:

In the News The endocrine / diabetes division of UR Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital has been named one of the top in the country. It ranked 42 out of 184 pediatric institutions nationwide, according to U.S. New & World Report. In the same report, the nephrology department at Golisano Children’s Hospital also ranked amont the top. It is listed as 41 in the nation, according to the U.S. New & World Report. It’s the first time that both specialties rank among the top 50 in the country. age, awareness, understanding, desire, financial cost, timing. Q: How about biologically? A: That’s a complicated question. There are phases of transition. The first is living, behaviorally, as the opposite gender. The second is suppressing puberty. The third is giving hormones of the desired gender. The last step is irreversible whereas the first two are. Q: U.S. News & World Report placed your department in the top 50 children’s hospitals in the nation. A: So they rank pediatric divisions using a set of criteria and assigning points to the criteria. It’s a mix of quality of care items and state-of-theart therapies as well as reputation. It changes slightly from year to year. While it’s not terribly important in changing what we do in the clinic, it gives us some positive publicity. It’s the first time for this division. Q: As head of the department, how much of your time does administration take? A: It takes around 15 percent of your time. The remainder is divided on research, clinical care and education. The proportion varies by person and the setting differs depending on whether you do bedside teaching to formal classroom teaching. You’re expected to do more than just provide clinical care at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Q: What are your future plans for the department? A: It is to continue to be informed on state-of-the-art care. It’s important to be a part of local and national research efforts on diabetes — that’s the holy grail of what we’d like to accomplish. The endocrine conditions have therapies that allow for pretty much resumption of normal life. With diabetes you still have to do a mountain of work. So there’s a lot of work going into curing or better managing of diabetes.

Lifelines Position: Chief of the division of pediatric endocrinology at Golisano Children’s Hospital Hometown: Born in New York City, but grew up in Belgium and France. Education: Boston University-BA; Free University of Brussels Medical School Affiliations: University of Rochester Medical Center Organizations: American Diabetes Association, Pediatric Endocrine Society Family: Married, two children Hobbies: Bicycling, photography, travel

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recent special summit of Wayne County law enforcement, drug prevention and treatment experts, school and county agency officials highlighted the extent of heroin usage in the Finger Lakes region. There’s no doubt that heroin is back after many years. And now its reach is deeper than the suburbs. For Wayne County, it’s rural, and victims are younger. “We’ve seen an increase in heroin usage in the last five years,” said John L’Hommideau of the Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling and Referral Agency. “We see younger and younger people develop a drug issue earlier on — that’s the scary issue.” “Twenty-five years ago, this was an urban problem,” said Rick Stevens, director of probation services for Wayne County. “Twelve years ago, there was an increase in the western edge of the county, with the influence from Monroe County. Now we’re seeing a big increase in the eastern end of Wayne County, where it’s more rural and desolate. We’re seeing a lot of heroin usage out there.” “I’m glad to see so many agencies working together,” said Wayne Central High School Principal Michael Pullen. “A lot of our students are exposed to opiates. It scares the heck out of me that we could be exposed to an overdose situation with a student walking in the school in the morning.” Jay Roscup of the Lyons School District reported that 1.5 percent of county high school seniors say they have used heroin. “Our problems are not insurmountable,” he said. “What makes them unique is that they’re our problems — our kids. That 1.5 percent, that’s our kids, our schools — there’s a heartbeat behind those numbers.” “Somebody doesn’t wake up wanting to be an addict,” said L’Hommideau,” there’s always a progression. The majority of opiate-dependent addicts started with a painkiller that was given to them legally. It’s when the doctor says they no longer need those painkillers that it becomes an issue. They’ve created an addiction and there isn’t the management of bringing the patients down. “People get addicted and say, ‘Holey moley, what do I do now?’” He said when someone is addicted to prescription painkillers and can no longer get the supply, “heroin is the better option, financially.” Many start with snorting it, but when the addiction involves hypodermic needles, a whole new level takes hold. The ritual of getting the drug ready is intoxicating in itself,” L’Hommideau said. Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts says heroin is affecting county taxpay-

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ers because of what shows up in his jail, and before that, what’s going on in too many homes. “This is a public health crisis,” he said. “It cuts across all families and it doesn’t matter what color your skin is or where you come from. It’s common for a heroin problem to be dealt with behind closed doors. Families try to fix it themselves, but they are helpless against this. They don’t have the tools or the expertise. Families feel powerless.” “It’s an absolute horror this thing causes people and their families, and school systems,” said physician Charles Morgan, who works for the state OASAS system and for the Wayne County Behavioral Health Network.

Getting help

Getting help in all its forms was a central theme in the summit, which was sponsored by the Wayne County Coordinating Council. Roscup challenged the attendants to come together to solve the problem. “Are we working together?” he asked. “Are we referring to one another? What do we really know about one another’s services? What do we think everyone knows?” Arun Nagpaul, medical Physician Charles director at the Morgan addresses Wayne County Health Dethe Wayne County partment and Heroin Summit on a physician at May 20, speaking Newark-Wayne to law enforcement, Hospital, said school and treatment there are one or professionals about two overdoses how to deal with showing up in his emergena growing heroin problem in the county. cy room every weekend. “Most are discharged after being stabilized,” he said. The problems of getting help to these people are many. “The social network and support systems at home are lacking,” he said. “Detox programs are not available.” Nagpaul said heroin abusers need to get connected with a social worker and someone to guide them through treatment options. He said there has to be easier access to treatment, including inpatient treatment. “You need to deal with depression — depression and anxiety lead to drug use. You need to help people connect with their value. Who’s going to pay for this? The healthcare system in this country has been backward for years — it pays for disease, not prevention,” he said. “The truth is, many healthcare providers don’t feel effective in treating addicts. Family doctors and internists would want to refer to specialists,” he added. Problem is, those specialists are rare. July 2015 •

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Less can be more for those who live alone

ess is more. We’ve all heard that expression. But can less really be more when you live alone? For me, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Here’s what I’ve discovered: When I’m pining for what I don’t or can’t have — when all I want is more, more, more — I lose my center. I get overwhelmed. In those times, I need to remind myself that less is often more, and that moderation and balance are good rules to live by. If you’ve fallen victim to the allure of “more, more, more” as I have on occasion, you may want to hop aboard my less-is-more bandwagon. Here’s what I plan to do less of this summer. Care to join me? Spend less. Have you been on a spending spree lately? I was, just last month, and now I am paying the price, literally. I just couldn’t stay away from the garden centers! For the rest of the year, I resolve to reduce my spending. How? By creating and sticking to a budget, of course, but also by following some good advice I got from a friend a few years ago. She suggested I stay out of stores (even the garden centers). Sounds obvious, right? Well, it didn’t occur to me at the time, but it works. So does throwing out direct-mail catalogs without cracking their covers.

Waste less. Wasting less goes handin-hand with spending less. I’ve been on this personal crusade for a while now, and it’s paying off. I use up what I have before I buy any replacements. No exceptions. Just this spring, I purchased some earth-friendly, lavender-infused dryer sheets. I thought it would be the “green” thing to do. I’m sorry to report that they didn’t do a very good job, but I used up the sheets anyway. I then gave myself a big high-five for doing my part to minimize waste. Eat less. It’s picnic time! Did you overdo it this weekend? Jeans a little snug? Welcome to my world. Rather than go on some fad or overly restrictive diet, I resolve to regain my waistline by cutting calories, not by cutting out major food groups. I am determined to exercise more, eat only when I’m hungry, and focus on portion control. Granted, it’s easier said than done, but I’m on a mission to get it right this summer. Are you with me? Drink less. One glass of wine, and I’m relaxed and happy. Two glasses, and I’m ready to call it a night at 8:30

p.m. (Hey, what do you expect at my age?) Besides draining me of my energy and motivation, alcohol also weakens my resolve to avoid that second helping of potato salad. If I have more than one drink, my new pledge to “eat less” bites the dust. When it comes to drinking, “twice as much ain’t twice as good,” by any standard. Let’s raise a glass to drinking less in 2015! Socialize less. Yes, socialize less — especially if your pace is frantic in an effort to avoid that dreaded “alone time.” When you slow down, you become more mindful of yourself and the things around you. This will help you appreciate what you have and make better choices. Ease into it, if you need to. It can take time, patience and practice to find comfort in your own company. Complain and blame less. Try this: For one hour, do not complain about anything or blame anyone for your troubles. If you’ve fallen silent, take heed. While chronic complaining can be a hard habit to break, I believe there is an antidote: You can choose to take responsibility for your life. When you

complain, you are declaring helplessness. When you decide to do something about what bothers you, you are declaring strength and you are taking responsibility. I have a little sign above my desk that reads, “In the face of adversity, don’t complain, just work harder.” It reminds me that I am in charge of my destiny and that complaining and blaming others will get me nowhere. Care less. That’s right. Care less about what others think of you. Care less about what your ex is up to. Care less what your kids think of your new haircut. Or what your mother thinks of how you live your life. Sure, we all need to be sensitive to other’s thoughts and feelings, but if we care too much about other’s opinions, we risk losing our own sense of self. What’s important is what you think and what you want for your life. On your own, there’s no better time to express your own independence, your own sense of style, and your own point of view. Caring less will empower you. Wanting less, doing less, and consuming less instead of more, more, more has untold benefits. It can improve your health, your relationships, and even our planet. If constantly wanting “twice as much” is sending you to your knees, I encourage you to stay down there for a moment and to say a little prayer for moderation in all things. I’m confident that better health and happiness will be your reward, nothing less. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, NY. For information about upcoming workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Bionic Pancreas Offers New Hope for Type 1 Diabetics New technology being developed at Boston University; other research, including pancreatic cell transplantation, also brings hope By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ew and emerging technology is helping Type 1 diabetics more easily manage their condition. About 3 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, accounting for about 5 percent of people who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, in which the body doesn’t use insulin effectively and diet and exercise can help mitigate the effects of the disease, those with Type 1 diabetes have a poorly functioning pancreas. It produces too little or no insulin, the hormone that Heider converts sugar and starch into energy for the body’s use. Page 8

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Since it is usually diagnosed in childhood, it has been called “juvenile diabetes” though Type 1 diabetes is incurable. Using insulin injections or automatic pumps and constant blood sugar monitoring can help diabetics manage the condition. But these methods are laborious and especially difficult for children to handle. New discoveries may change that. Researchers at Boston University are working with the American Diabetes Association on a bionic pancreas. “It’s so exciting for people who have Type 1 diabetes,” said Travis Heider, executive director for the Upstate New York region of the American Diabetes Association. Based on a closed-loop system, the device administers insulin and micro-bursts of glucagon as its sensors realize the body’s need. The “smart” technology learns the user’s eating habits and activity patterns so it can supply insulin and glucagon accurately. The equipment interfaces with a

smartphone. “No more are the days of literally counting all the carbs,” Heider said. The device is proving so successful that diabetics involved with its initial testing did not want to give them up. “It was so life-changing for them, to have a taste of what it’s like to not live with diabetes,” Heider said. The anticipated date for FDA approval is 2017.

Other advances

David Weber, assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology with University of Rochester Medical Center, said research involving pancreatic cell transplantation could stimulate the diabetic’s body to generate its own insulin. “If you had enough of these cells, they could make enough insulin on their own so they wouldn’t need shots anymore,” Weber said. Technological advances include a shelf-stable insulin pen, so diabetics can inject insulin on the go.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

Disposable insulin pumps offer convenience, “a simplified regimen for patients who maybe aren’t interested in making regular changes on their pumps,” Weber said. Inhaled insulin (Afrezza) allows users to inhale insulin before a meal to help stabilize blood sugar. Needle-averse patients can avoid so many pricks. It must be used along with basal, long-lasting blood sugar, however. New insulin concentrations last longer in the system. “The hope is that it would decrease the number of injections,” Weber said. “They might be able to take one daily or every other day. It would simplify dosing for people not on pumps, since pumps aren’t for everyone.” He compared wearing a pump like wearing an expensive, over-sized pager--inconvenient for adults and impractical for active children. “It’s really getting exciting seeing all the advances we’re making,” Weber said.

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Treadmill Can Pose Serious Danger

Serving Men, Women and Children

Emergency departments across the country report 24,400 injuries associated with treadmills By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

any people enjoy the convenience of working out on a treadmill at home or at a gym. Regardless of the weather, you can still get a great workout and stay fit. But treadmills also present a few hazards for the unwary and they were in the news recently because two highly reported incidents. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada was injured while exercising on a treadmill, as was CEO of web survey company Survey Monkey, David Goldberg, husband of Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook. Goldberg died of head injury after reportedly falling from a treadmill, though heart arrhythmia played a role in his untimely death. In a New York Times blog in early May, writer Sabrina Tavernise cites that there were just 30 reported deaths related to use of treadmills from 2003 to 2012, based on information from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission—an average of about three a year—but the number of injuries is far higher. In 2014, according to the blogger, emergency rooms treated 24,400 injuries associated with treadmills nationwide. In all, 62,700 injuries Gruttadauria were reported for all exercise equipment—a category that includes swimming pools, weights, golf clubs, and trampolines. Treadmills caused the single largest number of injuries, according to the blogger. Falling while on a treadmill can cause serious injuries because the automatic belt continues to rotate while the runner is down. A fall can also cause the user to hit the head on the hardware and suffer severe injuries. Though treadmills provide an opportunity to run regardless of weather, anyone interested in purchasing a treadmill should know how to use it safely. The most important step is selecting the right treadmill for you. Jamie Gruttadauria, owner of Rochester Fitness & Cycling, sells and services treadmills. He advises people shopping for treadmills to first consider how many people will be using the treadmill and how they will use it. “Just because it goes 10 mph doesn’t mean it’s made for the pounding of a runner,” Gruttardauria said.

“There are a lot of determining factors that go into determining the type of treadmill you want.” Two walkers may use a model with a smaller, shorter deck and smaller motor, as opposed to a family couple training for a half marathon and teens that run track to withstand that type of usage. “Look at weight capacity of the treadmill for how durable it is. You apply 2 1/2 times the capacity’s impact. We typically take the heaviest person and double their body weight to be sure.” Check the warranty to make sure you can receive service on the equipment to both prevent problems and make any needed repairs. “If it’s not set up and calibrated properly, that can ruin the machine and make it unsafe,” Gruttardauria said. The machine must be placed five to six inches from a wall at the rear of the unit in case of a fall. It should also plug directly into a wall without the cord getting pinched under the machine. John Schiffhauer, general manager at Rochester Athletic Club for Women, said that people should not stand on the belt when it’s first turned on, but to always keep the feet off to the sides. “Attach the safety strap to your shirt so if you start to fall back, it will turn off,” he said. “Otherwise, most machines have a panic lever so you can hit that emergency stop and turn it off if you feel like you’re losing control.” Brianna Cooper, certified athletic trainer with Finger Lakes Health, encourages treadmill newbies to first assess their fitness level and receive a doctor’s OK if they’re not accustomed to exercising. “Get footwear that gives you good support and that have good tread,” she said. “We’re used to controlling the surface underneath us. On a treadmill, it won’t stop until you physically stop it.” Starting at a slow pace allows you to get used to how the machine works. Use the handrails, too. Cooper advises clients to start with no grade and to adjust either the pace or the grade once you feel comfortable, but not both at the same time. “Once you’re walking at a pace where you’d normally walk at, and that becomes easy--your breathing isn’t labored--you can increase the speed or grade,” she said. To reach your target heart rate, you should be able to talk, but not sing. July 2015 •

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SummerSafety Sunscreen: Don’t Skip the Lips and Other Spots By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ummertime is sun time. Many people take a few moments to apply sunscreen to save themselves from a nasty burn and future skin damage, but some don’t apply it everywhere they should. Martha Ryan, senior director community engagement for the American Cancer Society for Upstate New York, said, “anything open and exposed needs to have sunscreen, like tops of your feet, earlobes, back of the neck.” Many people miss these areas or feel uncomfortable applying sunscreen there, though they should do so. “Wear a hat to Lambert protect your head,” Ryan said. “Its visor can shade your ears, face, and the back of your neck. Wrap-around sunglasses can protect your eyes.” Since it’s difficult to keep sunscreen

out of the eyes, she advises wearing wrap-around sunglasses to protect them. Make sure they are UV-rated. Sport sunscreen tends to run less and resist stinging the eyes when its user sweats. Sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, protecting against UVA and UVB rays and bear a 30 SPF rating or higher. Re-apply every four hours or after each time you towel off. Physician Emily Lambert, dermatologist with Geneva General Dermatology, said that to protect the part, or, for those with thin or short hair, the entire scalp, a hat makes it easy. Otherwise, hair care products containing SPF can help. “Another spot that people often forget is their lips, especially the lower lip which protrudes more,” Lambert said. “There are good lip balms and Chapstick has SPF. I encourage people to wear 30, but 15 is better than zero.” Lipstick and lip gloss typically do not contain SPF, so check labels. Many makeup manufacturers are getting sun smart to protect their users. Some foundation primer, liquid foundation and powder also offer varying lev-

els of SPF; however, those containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide offer the best protection. “Another place people often forget is the back of their hands and feet,” Lambert said. “These are areas that if you’re spending a day outside in sandals, you can get quite a bit of exposure.” If you drive a lot, your hands also receive plenty of sun through the windows, which may not filter enough damaging rays to excuse your hands from sunscreen. Beware of gaps such as at the lower back between the hem of your shirt and the waistband of your shorts if you’re bending down to garden. Mark Brown, board certified dermatologist specializing in treating skin cancer, works at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He said that many people miss the backs of the legs and arms, areas which most people expose with short sleeves and shorts during the summertime. “During any outdoor activity, whether working in the garden, riding a bike or playing tennis, people need

to think about what will be exposed as they move,” he said. “People have to pay attention that if there’s exposed skin, they need sunscreen on it.” Many surfer-style rash guard shirts come with SPF technology as part of the fabric to help beachgoers stay protected. They also come in crew neck and long-sleeved styles. Outdoors clothing companies have also begun selling garments with SPF as a selling point. A plain, white t-shirt offers only about 7 SPF when dry and 3 when wet. In general, the darker the color and the tighter and thicker the fabric’s weave, the better protection it offers, unless it’s a high-tech fabric made to offer high SPF.

cause injury. “We see a lot of people who think their coals aren’t out and they bury them in the sand and others come along and put their foot in hot sand,” Bell said. “That can stay extremely hot for a long time.” Where you grill makes a big difference also. Chief Mike Combs with Geneva Fire Department said that grilling must take place exclusively outdoors with adequate space around the grill. The fire risks of grilling on the patio, along a narrow walkway or in the garage, are too great. Tie back long hair and avoid wearing clothing or aprons

that can hang down over the grill. No matter how carefully you tend the grill, “sometimes things flare up,” Combs said. “We suggest that people stay away from brush. Keep children and pets away from them. They can get burned or knock it over. Never leave a grill unattended.” The novelty of grilling can attract children to want to get involved, but it’s not worth the risk. After you use the grill, clean it to remove any excess grease. “Once grease builds up on it, you have a greater risk of it getting hotter and igniting,” Combs said.

Grilling Safety 101 URMC doctor sees at least a dozen burn injury patients a weekend By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

t’s peak grilling season. Whether you prefer beef, chicken, fish, veggies or all the above, safety should be your first thought when it comes to grilling. Though many grilling safety tips seem common sense, Derek Bell, a burn specialist physician with University of Rochester Medical Center, said he sees at least a dozen burn injury patients a weekend. “People can have serious enough injuries that they can be in the ICU, especially the explosion-type injuries,” Bell said. “We have a 10-year-old in ICU right now who was injured by the grill. She was trying to light the grill and her parents let her do it because she wanted to.” Grill-related injuries he has treated include “falling into fires — which are usually alcohol related — or grills that explode,” Bell said. “I think half the grilling related accidents are probably because of lessened judgment because alcohol is involved.” Page 10

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The message: If you’re the grill master, skip the alcohol while handling the grill. Some people struggle to get propane grills to light. Meanwhile, the odorless gas fills the air and causes an eruption of flames once it ignites. “If you can’t get the gas to light, turn it off, let the gas dissipate and then try again,” said Bell, who’s also an avid griller. “The problem with the gas is it’s very dense and can be low to the ground. People can’t smell it and can be engulfed in the propane.” In addition to inexperience with grills, poorly functioning, worn grills can also cause problems. If you haven’t had yours out lately, examine it carefully for leaks before using. Charcoal grills can also cause injury. Some people, eager to get their fire lit, use too much lighter fluid and cause a flare-up or cause other things to easily catch on fire, such as shrubbery. Disposing of charcoal can also

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

Meet Your Provider THE VEIN INSTITUTE Rochester’s Premier Varicose Vein Treatment Center Do your legs feel achy or heavy at the end of a long day? Do your socks leave a line on your swollen ankles? Are you kept awake at night by restless legs or leg cramps? Have you noticed that little vein seems to be getting bigger and bigger? Varicose veins could be to blame. The Vein Institute can help. Q.: My legs look fine. There’s no way I have varicose veins, right?

A.: The stigma with varicose veins is that many consider them to be a cosmetic issue, so they often go undiagnosed. This is because the symptoms caused by varicose veins and the underlying disease, venous insufficiency, are so nonspecific — aching, throbbing, leg fatigue, restlessness, cramping, swelling, heaviness, and itching. It’s easy to

The Vein Institue team, from left: Dr. Atul Gupta, Dr. Michael Rivero, Ashleigh Rausch, PA-C, Dr. Donnette Dabydeen, Dr. Raj Pyne, Dr. Jonathan Broder.

attribute the symptoms to things like working long hours or getting older, especially if you don’t see bulging veins on the surface. You don’t have to have bulging veins to have an underlying varicose vein problem.

Q.: How do I find out if my symptoms are from venous insufficiency?

A.: A specialized and detailed ultrasound, like the kind done at The Vein Institute, is the key to diagnosing venous insufficiency. Skilled sonographers will ultrasound the leg veins along with a physician to gauge their function. The ultrasound is crucial to the creation of a treatment plan.

Q.: What kind of doctors are at The Vein Institute?

A.: All of our physicians are board certified, fellowship trained interventional radiologists — doctors who specialize in minimally invasive treatments using imaging guidance — making them especially inclined toward vein treatments. Our doctors have performed more than 5,000 vein procedures.

Q.: Will insurance cover my treatments?

A.: The vast majority of insurance plans cover varicose vein treatments as long as they are done for symptomatic relief (aside from any copay or deductible). The good news is the staff at The Vein Institute has vast experience with getting insurance authorizations for treatments, so you don’t have to worry about navigating through confusing insurance requirements on your own.

Q.: Do I need a referral?

A.: Ninety-nine percent of our patient’s insurance plans do not require a referral.

Q.: What sets The Vein Institute apart?

A.: We are 100 percent focused on varicose vein treatment using the most modern technology and innovative techniques, all while treating our patients like family in a friendly, welcoming environment. We’ll guide you through the process every step of the way, making sure you understand every aspect of treatment.

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Good Kids –

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Financial Fitness How physical, financial health intertwine By Lynette M. Loomis

ew college grads worry about paying off their student loans. Engaged couples and their parents try to trim wedding costs. Job seekers are frustrated by the lack of good paying jobs. Every month, most people looking at their credit card bills are stunned to realize what they spent — and what they owe. Interest charges and missed payment fees add up quickly and with these fees may come a sense of dread and anxiety. It’s common to hear: “I am one pay check away from poverty.” “I go to bed worried about money. I toss and turn all night thinking about what I can cut to make ends meet, and my first thought in the morning is money. This is no way to live.” David Mielach, a writer for BusinessNewsDaily, reported that people who had a high level of stress about debt were twice as Hochlander likely to suffer a heart attack, had more migraines, were more depressed and experienced greater muscle pain than people who were not concerned about their financial situation. Taking care of one’s financial health can be as important as diet and exercise to living a balanced life. Why do Americans overspend?

Poor financial role modeling at home is a cause for some people. Death of an important wage earner is one reason. Divorce strains everyone’s finances. An expensive heath condition is another. Failure to pick a career that fits one’s economic expectations and a weak employment market also contribute. TV plays a part. Kids grow up watching shows about birthday parties and weddings in which enough is spent in a few hours as could feed a small country for a year leads to false expectations. “Reality” shows suggest that everyone lives a lavish lifestyle and “you should too” is the take away for many adults. Advertisements that offer no payments until five years hence give the consumer a false sense of economic security and the misleading sense that payments are never due. By contrast, but all too common, the TV show “The Middle” included an episode in which the full payment for something was due after the item had already become obsolete and was sold at a yard sale for less than what the family owed on it.

Spend within means

Financial health does not mean being wealthy, but rather living within our means and setting aside money for an emergency. An emergency can be anything from losing a job, unexpected legal costs, meeting the health care outof-pocket maximum, or replacing the old furnace because parts are no longer

available. In other words, there are many large financial costs that are not the result of irresponsible spending; they are part of life. For low-wage earners, these challenges are compounded by the fact that it can be hard to set aside money for emergencies when daily expenses are tough to meet. What are some strategies to guide you through a healthier financial future? Make a budget. Would you drive from New York to California without a GPS or map? No, but we assume we can drive through our financial life without a plan. Track what you spend for a month. Most of us think we know what we spend just like we think we know how many calories we eat until it stares up at us from a scale or our stomach. After you review it and say to yourself about 10 times: “This can’t be right. I spend how much on coffee on the way to work?” You might be ready to make a change. Recognize that most TV programs that show the “typical” single adult aren’t real. About one third of young adults aged 18-24 live with their parents as they complete their education, pay off their loans, work jobs that don’t pay a true living wage and save enough to live on their own. Adults who are in their 50s are not faring any better. Studies suggest that people facing retirement are increasing their debt faster than they are setting aside retirement savings. Many Americans only have a few years of savings set aside for their retirement despite the fact that they may live 15-25 years post-retirement.

Follow the basics

There are a few basics to consider for your financial health. Check your unrealistic expectations at the door, like the six-figure dream

wedding — yours or your kid’s; the lavish apartment with all new furnishings; or trying to keep up with the wealthiest family members or friends. Know what you spend each month. Try using cash for a few weeks to see how quickly money is really flowing out of your pocket. Do all of the things you need to do to stay physically healthy to avoid chronic medical conditions and a lifetime of poor health and high medical expense. And if you are in debt, understand what services are available to help you. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the financial well being of individuals and families. It recommends that people understand some of the basic differences between debt settlement services and for-profit companies. “People don’t realize that companies that reduce debt take a large up-front fee even before anything is accomplished and these organizations are not regulated by the government. Also, most people are unaware that they will pay income taxes on forgiven debt and their credit scores may be affected,” says Lisa Hochlander, director of counseling for CCCSR. “We help people with debt management, which is different from debt settlement. Unexpected life circumstances can be an unwelcome surprise when it comes to managing money. Our mission is to help people through these challenges.” While you trade in the super-sized bagel for the fruit cup on your way to the gym to improve your health, consider putting as much energy into managing your financial health. Lynette M. Loomis is the president of Your Best Life Coaching, LLC. Check out her website at www.yourbestlifecoaching. com. She is also a board member of CCCS of Rochester.

Ooops! I Forgot my Prescription Drugs By Kevin DeValk

ou’ve arrived at your vacation spot, weary from the long trip. You begin to unpack, when that dreadful feeling sinks in. Tacky Hawaiian T-shirt? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Prescriptions? Whether they were lost somewhere during the flight, undercounted or simply were left at home, obtaining an emergency refill on your prescriptions can be a nuisance when you’re out of town.

Flying with Prescriptions Travelers are permitted to bring unlimited amounts of prescription medications on airplanes, but they should declare them at screening and separate them from other belongings. Federal law does not require them to be in their original containers, but some states do. According to the TSA’s website, travelers may request that they not be X-rayed. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/what-expect-if-passenger-needs-medication. Page 12

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With some drugs, like anti-convulsants and anti-seizure medications, withdrawal symptoms can begin after even missing one dosage. The good news is that out-of-town pharmacies can usually help. Your vacation isn’t ruined. There are just a few things you need to know. Out-of-town pharmacies should be able to access your records by computer, said physician Thomas Campbell of Canalside Family Medicine in Greece. Complications can arise, however. For example, they may need to reach your doctor with questions, and may have trouble doing so. The drug may not be readily available. And what if they can’t fill it right away, and you’re traveling every day? Some drugs, like pain medications, can be harder to fill because of restrictions on how prescriptions can be filled. Campbell recommends filling your pillbox before you travel, and including a few extra days worth of supply in case you are delayed in getting home. He also said to bring your containers, as a record of precisely what you are taking. If you need to fill a prescription, Campbell recommends phoning your doctor before visiting the closest pharmacy to save time.

Other steps to take before you travel: • Pack an actual container of your medication, to bring to the pharmacy. • Make sure you have your insurance card. • Two weeks in advance, check your inventory to make sure you have enough. • Consider obtaining a prescription for each medication from your doctor. “The biggest thing from a doctor’s perspective is to plan ahead,” Campbell said. Flying with medicine is not a problem. According to the Transportation Security Administration, prescription medication can be packed in unlimited amounts, but if you’re carrying them on with you, it needs to be declared at security and displayed for screening. The problems of refilling prescriptions become amplified, however,

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

when you’re abroad, especially if the drug or a pharmacy aren’t available, or the pharmacist doesn’t speak English. If you have travel insurance, your coverage may include emergency refills, so your insurer may be able to help. According to a story in “Everyday Health,” international travelers should obtain a prescription from their doctor prior to leaving. If there is no pharmacy where you are, contact your local pharmacy, Jason Poquette, a Massachusetts pharmacist, wrote on his blog page. Many pharmacies can mail medications, he said. He also recommended not delaying in handling the problem, especially since you may have to come back to pick them up. He also suggested calling the phone number on your insurance card to find the closest pharmacy that will honor your insurance.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Swiss Chard Packs a Nutritional Wallop

ome produce just gets all the press. Kale — the Kim Kardashian of leafy greens — is one such vegetable. Sure, it’s loaded with benefits; and, yes, it’s a vitamin K and calcium hotshot; but it’s not the only nutritious green out there. Its humble cousin, Swiss chard, is also packed to the max with health benefits. A recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control that ranked 47 “powerhouse fruits and vegetables,” in fact, placed Swiss chard above kale. Why the impressive ranking? In a word, Swiss chard is an antioxidant superstar. Research has demonstrated that chard contains a rare and diverse variety of antioxidants that help reduce both inflammation and oxidative stress. Because chronic inflammation, especially when coupled with damaging free-radical stress, has been shown to increase our risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers and several forms of arthritis, Swiss chard and its huge entourage of antioxidants seem primed for the limelight. Swiss chard has been called a “diabetic’s best friend”— for numerous

and unique reasons. One, multiple animal studies have shown that one of chard’s premiere antioxidants helps to steady blood sugar, especially following a meal. Two, chard’s good amount of fiber and protein also help stabilize blood sugar levels, since they help regulate the speed of digestion and keep food moving at the right pace through our system. Three, promising research has demonstrated that chard may help pancreatic cells — the cells responsible for the production of insulin — regenerate. And four, repeated studies on animals have revealed that chard may protect the liver from diabetic damage. Calling chard a “bone’s best friend” would not be out of the question either. Like other leafy greens, Swiss chard is loaded with vitamin K, with one cooked cup providing 700 percent of our daily needs. Vitamin K,

which helps blood clot properly, is a key ingredient in maintaining strong, healthy bones. And although chard does contain bone-healthy calcium, it also contains oxalates, which can bind up calcium and make it unavailable to the body. Since oxalic acid is broken down in cooking and doesn’t interfere with the absorption of calcium present in other foods, many nutritionists recommend that we cook our chard and also combine it with calcium-rich foods, like cheese, that can be easily absorbed. Last but not least, this low-calorie vegetable is a super source of vitamin A, delivering 200 percent of our daily needs in one cooked cup. This workhorse vitamin is needed for normal bone growth, healthy skin, eyesight and proper tooth development. Helpful tips: When buying Swiss chard, look for firm leaves that are vivid green, not wilted, and unblemished. Stems may be white, yellow or red, with no noticeable flavor differences between the colors. Do not wash Swiss chard before storing. Place it in a plastic storage bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Braised Swiss Chard with Dried Cranberries and Feta Adapted from Gourmet 1 bunch Swiss Chard 2 large garlic cloves, finely

chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1/3 cup water ¼ cup dried cranberries (or currants) Lemon zest from 1 lemon 1 tablespoon (or more) fresh lemon juice ½ cup toasted slivered almonds 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese Cut stems and center ribs from chard, discarding any tough parts near base, then cut stems and ribs crosswise into ¾-inch-thick slices. Coarsely chop leaves. Cook garlic in oil in large heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Add chard stems and ribs, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add chard leaves and water; stir well, then increase heat to medium and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until leaves are tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cranberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, toasted almonds, and feta cheese. Makes about 4 servings.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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Women’s issues False Breast Cancer Alarm Has Negative Impact on Health T he psychological strain of being told that you may have breast cancer may be severe, even if it turns out later to be a false alarm. This is the finding of new research from the University of Copenhagen, which has just been published in the scientific journal Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers call for improving screening accuracy, thus reducing the number of false-positive mammograms. “Our new study shows that facing a potential breast cancer diagnosis has a negative effect. So far, we have

believed that women who only had to undergo physical examinations or additional mammography would feel mentally better than women who had to undergo biopsy or surgery. It now turns out that there is no difference between having to undergo a physical examination or surgery. Being told that you may have cancer is what affects, stresses and worries you,” says Bruno Heleno from the Research Unit for General Practice, University of Copenhagen. “We must do everything we can to

reduce the number of false-positive mammograms. We must also be better at informing women that there may be psychological consequences associated with a mammography screening, and that many women receive false positives. For each woman who dies of breast cancer, there are 200 women who receive a false positive, says John Brodersen, associate research professor at the research unit for general practice, University of Copenhagen.

Menopause & Complementary Medicine More women turning to alternative medicine for menopause without medical guidance

he use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing for the treatment of menopausal symptoms but often without the guidance of a clinician. That’s according to a new study reported online in June in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). As a result, the authors suggest that healthcare providers — in particular family medicine practitioners — need to be more aware of the various CAM therapies and take a more active role in guiding patients through their options to more safely and effectively coordinate their care.

Ongoing fear of the potential risks of hormone therapy is cited as a primary reason for the growing use of CAM among menopausal women (including pre-, peri- and postmenopausal) in recent decades, according to the study. CAM is a general term for healthcare practices and products not associated with the conventional medical profession. Some of the more commonly accessed CAM practitioner groups include massage therapists, naturopaths/ herbalists, chiropractors/osteopaths, and acupuncturists. The more popular self-prescribed CAM supplements/ activities include vitamins/minerals, yoga/meditation, herbal medicines,

Strong Bones After 50? Women May Not Need Next Test Until 65 Fracture risk was very low for younger postmenopausal women with no osteoporosis, study found

postmenopausal woman who is 50 and still shows “normal” readings on her bone density test may not need her next such test for 10 or even 15 years, a new study finds. However, researchers led by physician Margaret Gourlay of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stressed that younger women who do show signs of bone loss are at high risk for a major fracture, and do require regular testing. The study involved almost 4,100 postmenopausal American women between the ages of 50 and 64 who took part in the ongoing Women’s Health

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Initiative study. All of the women had undergone a bone mineral density test to assess their risk for fractures and osteoporosis. The women were not taking hormones, calcium or vitamin D supplements. They also had never had a broken bone, the team said. The results: Among women whose tests showed no signs of osteoporosis, it took nearly 13 years for just 1 percent of the youngest women, and almost eight years for 1 percent of the oldest women, to suffer a spinal fracture or broken hip. It also took roughly 12 years for

3 percent of the younger women and nearly nine years for 3 percent of the older women without osteoporosis to sustain a spinal fracture or break a hip, wrist or arm, Gourlay’s team said. The researchers believe that — barring significant health issues — younger postmenopausal women with no sign of osteoporosis do not need a repeat bone mineral density test for 10 to 15 years. The study was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and published in the June issue of Menopause.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

aromatherapy oils and/or Chinese medicines. “There is still much to be learned in the CAM arena and women need to understand that just because something appears natural does not necessarily mean it is without risk, especially for certain populations,’ says NAMS Medical Director Wulf Utian, a physician. “In the meantime, this study does a good job of alerting clinicians to the growing interest in CAM alternatives and of the critical role of health providers in helping educate patients on the potential risks and benefits of all options.”

Urinary Tract Infections Harder to Treat By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

rinary tract infections (UTIs) have become harder for physicians to treat. New strains of bacteria resistant to anti-biotics have developed, making the infections more difficult for doctors to treat, especially in populations of immuno-suppressed women. These include diabetics, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and people receiving immunosuppressant drugs such as for rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Jason Donovan, physician assistant at Vitalize Medical, a comprehensive female and male wellness center in Rochester supervised by urologist Ralph Madeb, said that the problem has caused physicians to up the ante and perform inter-muscular injections and IV therapy to treat these infections. In addition to those who are immuno-suppressed, “the aging population as a whole is experiencing this,” Donovan said. “There’s a lot more aged women developing these infections.”

Part of the reason this has become a problem is that physicians have been too eager to appease patients who demand antibiotics for treating viral infections or minor bacterial infections that should self-resolve. Both individually and corporately, this causes bacteria to develop stronger strains. Physician Paula Jaye Doyle, who is an assistant professor of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center, agrees that she is seeing an increase of resistance patterns among patients with UTIs. “Women generally get UTIs at two points in their lives: after they become sexually active and then it starts to go away and then after menopause,” she said. She said changes in estrogen at these points allow the good bacteria to die off and allows bad bacteria to cause the infection. She recommends vaginal estrogen cream to help post-menopausal women.

“You can change the pH level so it’s more acidic and it allows the good bacteria to thrive and it comes inhospitable to pathogenic bacteria,” Doyle said. A home remedy that works is cranberry extract. Taking 400 mg. per day reduces the chances of chronic UTIs. D-mannose, available over the counter at most pharmacies, can also help. “It coats the inside of your bladder,” Doyle said. “When the pathogen bacteria get into the bladder, it tries to hold onto the inside of the bladder but can’t and get washed away. “A lot of people don’t want to take more medication, and many older women are already taking a lot of medication. D-mannose and cranberry are good and have low side effects.” In addition to avoiding unnecessary anti-biotics, Doyle isn’t aware of any other means of preventing urinary tract infections. “If you wipe front to back, if you

go to the bathroom right after intercourse, or if you wear only brief-style, cotton underwear you’re not supposed to get UTIs, but they’ve proven these are not true,” Doyle said. “I’ve never seen any science behind these.” In general, eating right, getting enough rest, exercising and treating any other health issues should help women resist UTIs.

Injuries From High Heels on the Rise Most of those seeking ER treatment are in their 20s, study says

s it time to give your high-heeled shoes the boot? Injuries related to the perilous but fashionable footwear nearly doubled in the United States in a recent 11-year-period, new research finds. U.S. emergency rooms treated

123,355 high-heel-related injuries between 2002 and 2012, say researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. More than 19,000 of those injuries occurred in 2011 alone. Sprains and strains to the foot and ankle were the most common complaints, and most patients were in their 20s and 30s, the study found. “Although high-heeled shoes might be stylish, from a health stand-

point, it would be worthwhile for those interested in wearing high-heeled shoes to understand the risks and the potential harm that precarious activities in high-heeled shoes can cause,” said the study’s lead investigator, Gerald McGwin, an epidemiology professor in the UAB School of Public Health, in a university news release. Previous studies have found that walking on high heels causes discom-

fort in the lower leg, ankle and foot, McGwin and his colleagues noted. High heels also inhibit movement of the ankle muscles and reduce step length and overall range of motions. They can also cause people to lose their balance. “Some historians suggest that highheeled shoes have been around for nearly 300 years, and that medical professionals have been warning wearers about the dangers of such shoes for the same amount of time,” McGwin said.

Breast Cancer Screening Should You Stop it When You Turn 65? By Stamatia Destounis, M.D.

n April 20, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued updated guidelines for mammography screening. The guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence to recommend screening mammography in women 75 and older as the benefits and harms are not as clearly defined. But if women are healthy and without other disease, why shouldn’t screening for breast cancer continue? Women are living longer and are frequently the caretakers and providers for their families, including spouses, children and grandchildren. A small tumor that is cancerous identified on a screening mammogram is much easier to treat with minimal surgery and follow up additional treatment such as radiation. If women don’t have a screening mammography exam at regular intervals (yearly) a small tumor can grow to a larger size and will require additional treatment and the possibility

of a poorer outcome for the patient. Women older than 65 represent a significant number of the annual total deaths from breast cancer, according to the U. S. Census data. The American Cancer Society (ACS) surveillance research estimates there will be 231,840 breast cancer cases and 40,290 deaths this year in the U.S. In women 65 and older, 99,590 breast cancers will be diagnosed and 23,280 women will die from the disease, that is 58 percent of total breast cancer deaths. At the Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, a breast imaging facility that images close to 100,000 patients per year in Rochester and the surrounding area, the rate of breast cancer identified in older patients is very similar to the U.S Census and the ACS Surveillance Data. In 2014 our outcomes at EWBC reveal that 60 percent of the cancers we diagnosed were in women over 60. So when should breast cancer July 2015 •

screening stop? The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging suggest “that screening may stop being beneficial in women whose life expectancy is less than five to seven years, due to age or coexistent illnesses. Or when abnormal results from a screening mammogram would not be acted on with diagnostic workup, biopsy, or even surgery due to a woman’s age or comorbidities.” Evaluating each woman and realizing her health issues is important in order to cause no additional harm by extensive testing and targeting the diagnostic evaluation according to patient’s ability to undergo the testing and the possible follow up treatment. But a screening mammogram is a simple test that is accessible to most women and requires no preparation. It is a safe test and most breast cancers are identified through screening mammography.

A screening mammogram has the ability to save women from more invasive testing and added treatment down the line. Thus for most women over 65, a routine mammogram yearly to screen for breast cancer makes a lot of sense. Physician Stamatia Destounis, a radiologist, has practiced at Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic since 1993. She sits on several medical advisory boards for breast imaging technology companies and frequently lectures to professional groups, both nationally and internationally, on a variety of radiological subjects related to breast imaging, new technologies and early breast cancer detection.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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QUALITY CARE. COMMUNITY FOCUS. Regional Primary Care Network (RPCN) is a not-for-profit network of Community Health Centers with multiple service locations that provide primary medical and dental care across Upstate New York, including Livingston, Monroe, Oneida, Ontario, Wayne, and Yates Counties. School-based portable dental services are also provided throughout the Finger Lakes region and in Oneida County. RPCN is dedicated to providing access to quality health care for all, regardless of financial, cultural, or social barriers.

JOIN OUR TEAM NOW Rushville Community Health Center is located in the Finger Lakes village of Rushville, NY. This small quaint village is the perfect home for our health center and just minutes away from the bedroom/resort community of Canandaigua. Our center offers primary medical and dental services and is seeking qualified individuals for the following full time positions: • Family or Pediatric Physician • Nurse Practitioner • Staff Nurse (RN) • LCSW • Practice Administrator

Can a Blood Test Predict You’ll Get Cancer? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Possibility of predicting breast cancer through metabolic blood profile could add yet another weapon in the fight against breast cancer

RPCN is also a participant with National Health Service Corps loan repayment program

Please send your resumes/cv to hr@rpcn.org or Contact HR Director, Joe Cirasuolo at 315-793-7600 ext. 7501 More info: www.rpcn.org

Women’s issues

iagnosing and treating breast cancer early bodes for the best chances of beating it. A new test developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen may be able to predict a woman’s likelihood of developing breast cancer — before it’s even present. Though still in the experimental stage, the possibility of predicting breast cancer through metabolic blood profile could add yet another weapon in the fight against breast cancer. Mammography is about 75 percent accurate, but can only detect cancer already present. “Anything that allows us to better predict breast cancer is very exciting,” said Alissa Huston, a physician Wilmot Cancer Institute University of Rochester Medical Center. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out.” Huston hopes that the research

RPCN provides a generous compensation package including competitive salaries, dental, health, and retirement plans.

on the blood test will continue using a larger group and that the subjects will be studied over a longer period of time. The test will show an increased risk with 80 percent accuracy. That can arm women and their physicians with the knowledge they need to mitigate the patients’ risk with the other screening tools available. Though 80 percent accuracy seems impressive, 20 percent of women could receive a false negative. “Those women shouldn’t be lax about screening and say, ‘I don’t have to worry,’” Huston said. Especially women with additional risk factors, such as family health history, should continue to remain vigilant with the screening regimen their doctors recommend. Since 87 percent of breast cancer occurs in women with no family health history, every woman should stick with the screening her

physician recommends. At present, most medical professionals agree that annual, baseline mammograms should begin at age 40, unless factors such as family medical history of breast cancer, which sets the baseline at 10 years younger than when the relative received a breast cancer diagnosis. “It’s always good to have a discussion with your primary or OBGYN,” Huston said. “Mammography is still the gold standard, but for dense breasts, ultrasound or breast MRI may help. It’s individualized.”

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Compiled by the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester • Over 2.5 million women in our country are now living in the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis. According to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, on Jan. 1, 2009, in the United States there were approximately 2,747,459 women alive who had a history of cancer of the breast. • Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. • The biggest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older. The average age of diagnosis is 61. • A woman in the United States has a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. It is estimated that a woman age 20 has about a 5 in 10,000 risk of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years; for a woman age 40, it is about 1 in 100, and for a woman age 60, it is about 1 in 28. For more information, visit www. bccr.org.

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How Seniors Can Tame Pet Care Costs Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend to help senior pet owners with their veterinary bills? I have two cats and a dog that are family to me, but their vet bills have become unaffordable. Fix Income Frankie Dear Frankie, The high cost of veterinary care has become a problem for millions of pet owners today, but it can be especially difficult for seniors living on a fixed income. Routine medical care can cost hundreds of dollars, while urgent/ specialized treatments and procedures can run into the thousands. But, it is possible to reduce your pet care costs without sacrificing their health. Here are some tips that can help you save. Shop around: If you’re not attached to a particular veterinarian, call some different vet clinics in your area and compare costs. When you call, get price quotes on basic services like annual exams and vaccinations, as well as bigger-ticket items, like to repair a broken leg, so you can compare. Also, check to see if you live near a veterinary medical school (see aavmc.org for a listing). Many schools provide lowcost care provided by students who are overseen by their professors. Ask your vet for help: To help make your vet bills more manageable, see if your vet’s office accepts monthly payments so you don’t have to pay the entire cost up front. Also, find out if your vet offers discounts to senior citizens or reduces fees for annual checkups if you bring in multiple pets. Search for low-cost care: Many municipal and nonprofit animal shelters offer free or low-cost spaying and neutering programs and vaccinations, and some work with local vets who are willing to provide care at reduced prices for low-income and senior pet owners. Call your local shelter or humane society to find out what’s available in

your area. Look for financial assistance: There are a number of state and national organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need. To locate these programs, the U.S. Humane Society provides a listing on their website that you can access at humanesociety.org/petfinancialaid. Buy cheaper medicine: Medicine purchased at the vet’s office is usually much more expensive than you can get from a regular pharmacy or online. Instead, get a prescription from your vet (ask for generic) so you can shop for the best price. Most pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Kmart, Rite Aid and Target fill prescriptions for pets inexpensively, so long as that same drug is also prescribed to humans. And, many pharmacies offer pet discount savings programs too. You can also save by shopping online at one of the Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, like 1-800-PetMeds (1800petmeds.com), Drs. Foster & Smith (drsfostersmith.com), KV Supply (kvsupply.com), and PetCareRx (petcarerx.com). Consider pet insurance: If you can afford it, pet insurance is another option worth looking into. You can get a basic policy for under $10 per month, and some insurers provide discounts for insuring multiple pets. See petinsurancereview.com to compare policies. Membership discount plans like Pet Assure (petassure.com) are another way to save, but you’ll need to use a vet in their network. Look for other ways to save: In addition to cutting your veterinary bills, you can also save on pet food and other supplies depending on where you shop. Target, Walmart, Costco and the dollar stores typically offer much lower prices than supermarkets and specialty retailers like Petco and PetSmart. You can also save on treats and toys at sites like coupaw.com and doggyloot.com. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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The Social Ask Security Office By Deborah Banikowski

Supporting Our Youth, Protecting Our Future

ocial Security serves a person for life — from birth, to death, and even beyond, by helping to care for surviving dependents. When a parent becomes disabled or dies, Social Security benefits help to stabilize the family’s financial future in an otherwise turbulent time. And, we pay benefits to adults and children. In July, the world celebrates World Youth Day. Social Security is no stranger to helping children in need. Every year, about 4.4 million children receive monthly benefits because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired or deceased. Those benefits help with their day-to-day needs. In addition, Social Security provides vital income for disabled children, including people disabled since childhood, through our Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for children’s benefits under the SSDI program, the applicant must be the child of a parent entitled to benefits and meet Social Security’s strict definition of disability. He or she must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of disabling conditions, that seriously limits his or her daily activities and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The SSI program provides pay-

Q&A

Q: I’m 17 and eager to start my first summer job, but my mother misplaced my Social Security card. How can I get another? A: If you know your Social Security number, you may not need to obtain a replacement card to obtain employment. However, if a prospective employer requests it, in most cases you only need to provide your Social Security number, and you don’t actually need a replacement card. But if you do need the card, you can get a replacement Social Security card by following the steps below. There is no charge for a Social Security card, but you are limited to three per calendar year and 10 replacement cards during your lifetime. You will need to: • Show the required documents. We need to see different documents depending on your citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber to find out what documents you will have to show. • Fill out and print an “Application for a Social Security Card;” and • Take or mail your application and original or certified copies of the original documents to your local Social Page 18

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ments to blind or disabled children who live in households with low income and limited resources if they meet our strict definition of disability. You can find more information on eligibility requirements by visiting our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA ensures equal opportunity for and equal treatment of people with disabilities at school, in work places, in commercial facilities, and through the services available from state and local government agencies. The ADA requires that government agencies communicate with Americans who have disabilities in the way that fits their needs. This legislation shows our nation’s commitment to all people, despite their physical and mental disabilities. Since the ADA’s inception, Social Security has been and continues to be at the forefront, providing accommodations for disabled beneficiaries and employees. It’s a natural part of who we are as an agency. If you think your child may qualify for children’s benefits, you can apply by calling Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting your local Social Security office. You can also read our publication, Benefits for Children, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Security office. For more information, read our pamphlet, “Your Social Security Number and Card” at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs. Q: Why should I sign up for a Social Security online account? A: my Social Security gives you a personal online account you can securely use to check your Social Security information and do business with us. With a my Social Security account you can: • Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year; • Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working; • Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them; and • Manage your benefits: • Change your address or telephone number; • Start or change your direct deposit; • Get a replacement Medicare card; and • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season. • To find all of the services available and set up an account, go to www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

H ealth News VA Canandaigua has new interim director Michael J. Swartz has been appointed interim medical center director at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. Swartz will also continue his service as the medical center director at the Bath VAMC. Prior to his appointment as director for the Bath VA in 2012, Swartz was the associate medical center director at the Syracuse VA since July 2004. As associate director Swartz was responsible for the day-today management of Syracuse VA operations, resource management and working collaboratively with staff to improve overall quality, veteran Swartz satisfaction and access. In addition to his duties as associate director he also served as VISN 2 diagnostics and therapeutics care line program manager for 10 years. Swartz earned the degree of Masters of Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in health care management from SUNY Brockport in January 1991. He had previously earned his bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Ithaca College in May 1985. Swartz is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Swartz began his VA career in 1984 as an administrative intern at VA Medical Center Batavia and in 1990 moved to Syracuse VA Medical Center as the administrative assistant to the director. He held several other positions in the VA system in Buffalo and Rochester.

Visiting Nurse Service hires three professionals Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester has recently hired the following professionals. • Jason Welch, a physical therapist who lives in Webster, was appointed to rehabilitation team manager for the east team. His new responsibilities include managing and supporting occupational, physical, and speech therapists who help patients recover from surgery or illness. He previously worked for PORT RehabCare as a program director at Hill Haven in Webster. Welch has a history of clinical and leadership roles in a variety of settings. Skilled in Welch business management, Welch also worked for Johnson

& Johnson after earning his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. • Lisa Wille of Greece recently became the supervisor of patient fnancial services at Visiting Nurse Service. She oversees the timely Willie submission and follow-up of third party and private pay claims. Wille has 12 years of healthcare billing experience. She previously worked as supervisor of billing services at ACM Medical Laboratory, Inc. • Martin Williams of Sodus is Visiting Nurse Service’s new Meals Williams On Wheels operations manager. Williams assists with the overall management of the program and oversees the intake process. He previously worked as the deputy director of the Wayne County Office for the Aging, and has 20 years of experience in the human services field and 15 years of experience in the aging services field.

Rochester Regional acquires FLMA practice Rochester Regional Health recently announced the finalization of legal agreements that will bring Finger Lakes Medical Associates (FLMA) into the health system, effective Sept. 1. With offices in Geneva and Penn Yan, Finger Lakes Medical Associates provides cardiology, family practice, internal medicine, nephrology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and urology services. The medical group has partnered for several years with Rochester General Hospital for cardiology services and with Newark-Wayne Community Hospital for OB-GYN services. “Today’s announcement solidifies

our longstanding partnership with Finger Lakes Medical Associates,” said physician Michael Nazar, executive vice president and chief of medical groups for Rochester Regional Health. “Together we will continue to provide services to meet the needs of the people of the Finger Lakes area and help them enjoy healthy lives.” “Joining Rochester Regional Health enhances the group’s commitment to the community and to its patients,” said FLMA managing partner, physician Mark Ryan. “We have a long tradition of working with Geneva General Hospital to provide high-quality care close to where our patients live. This relationship maintains our close ties with Geneva, and ensures our patients will have greater access to specialized services and cutting-edge technology.”

Highland Hospital holds ceremonial groundbreaking on new building

HCR Home Care expanding its Finger Lakes operations HCR Home Care is expanding operations into Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties, following approval from the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council. Through this expansion, HCR officials say the organization will help fill a service gap in the Finger Lakes region, and area patients and families will have more choices for home health care services. In addition, HCR is extending its presence in the Finger Lakes region, where it already serves patients in Monroe, Genesee and Orleans counties. “HCR Home Care has a long history of providing high-quality, specialized, in-home health care services in the Finger Lakes region,” said HCR President Elizabeth Zicari. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to serve more people in the region and to help meet the local need for community-based home health services to support independence, manage chronic illness and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.” The state Public Health and Health Planning Council approved HCR’s expansion plan in May 2015, following solid support from several local health care providers and community organizations.

www.gvhealthnews.com July 2015 •

Highland Hospital recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking on a new two-story building addition on the south side of the hospital’s current campus. The $28 million project will enhance patient care based on the modernization of hospital facilities and renovation of existing space. Physical construction will begin on the site once approval for the certificate of need from the New York State Department of Health is received; all application materials have been filed. Approval is expected by he end of July. The construction project will run for 12-18 months with an additional six months of internal renovation in adjacent building space. “This is a proud day when we can celebrate our plans to build this much-needed state-of-the art addition to Highland Hospital,” said Joel Seligman, president, University of Rochester. “Highland has long provided quality patient care and this new facility will help us meet the growing needs of our community.” The new building addition will have two floors and approximately 30,000 square feet of space for six new operating rooms and a 26-bed observation unit. The hospital’s current bed count of 261 will not change; however, patient care areas will be modernized based on

more efficient space utilization and design, as well as the installation of new state-of-the-art equipment. The project is being financed through a combination of equity and loans and is not receiving any government assistance. The building addition will answer essential facility-improvement priorities for Highland: updating and expanding the hospital’s perioperative area and creating a dedicated space for observation patients. Locating all observation patients in one area will also give Highland space on inpatient units to convert some current semi-private inpatient rooms to private rooms. “Highland is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care and it’s the right time to invest in modernizing our hospital,” said Steve Goldstein, President and CEO of Highland Hospital. “It’s an exciting time for a great community hospital that also serves as a regional referral center for patients with complex needs.” The new building was designed by HOLT Architects, P.C., which specializes in health care facilities. LeChase Construction, LLC will oversee the project. It’s estimated that between 80 and 100 construction worker jobs will be created for the project.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Monroe County Medical Society Honors Two The Monroe County Medical Society has recognized physician Cynthia Angel and Burton S. August with its 2015 Edward Mott Moore Awards. The Edward Mott Moore Award is named after Edward Mott Moore, a prominent physician, teacher, investigator and community leader who resided in Rochester. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the 193-year-old society. It is presented annually to a physician and layperson in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service to the medical profession and the community beyond the usual call of duty. The awards were presented at the society’s annual meeting May 6 at Angel the Irondequoit Country Club in Rochester. “These two outstanding individuals were selected after a thorough review process conducted by the Monroe County Medical Society Awards Committee,” said Nancy Adams, Monroe County Medical Society executive director. With more than three decades of service in Rochester, Angel is wellknown among the local medical community and patients alike as a compassionate leader in advancing care for women with cancer. Many of her colleagues and patients say that the doctor does not just treat patients, she treats the whole person. She forms relationships with patients and is by their side every step of the way, even if that means taking time away from her own family. Angel started her career as an intern and today is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of August Rochester. Among many other accomplishments, Angel also led Highland Hospital’s efforts to earn the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in 2012 for uterine and ovarian cancer, making the hospital the third in the country to earn such a designation at that time. She is an expert robotic surgeon and has given women in our community greater access to minimally invasive surgery. Reaching the age of 100 is an exceptional accomplishment, and Burton S. August is no stranger to achievement. Well known as an outstanding leader in the community, his generosity and commitment is weaved throughout a lifetime of giving to the community. A native of Rochester, August came from humble beginnings. In 1936 he joined he joined Michaels-Stern & Co., where he learned the men’s clothing manufacturing business from Page 20

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the ground up. In 1969 he joined his brother Charles, the founder of Monro Muffler Brake. Before retiring in 1980, he played a major role in building the business from an eight store local business into a highly respected regional chain operating more than fifty automotive service centers. Committed to serving the community, August’s civic and philanthropic work dates back to the 1920s when he became a Boy Scout. He has been a supporter of scouting in Rochester ever since and was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with their Distinguished Citizen Award in 1984 for his long standing commitment and support. He has more than seven decades of support to the United Way of Greater Rochester, holding many leadership roles at both the local and regional levels. In 1989 he was honored by the United Way with their Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award for his lifelong volunteer commitment. August has also been involved with and supports Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Hillside Children’s Center, the Al Sigl Center, the Mary Cariola Center, the Strong Museum, Roberts Wesleyan College, the Catholic Diocese of Rochester, Temple Sinai and other ecumenical and interfaith efforts, as well as several local home care service agencies.

New Appointments at St. Ann’s Community St Ann’s Community, a nonprofit healthcare and housing system serving seniors across a full continuum of care on two campuses in the Greater Rochester area, has recently made the following appointments: • Susan Murty has been promoted to vice president and administrator. She previously held the position of administrator at St. Ann’s Care Center in Webster and prior to receiving her nursing home administrator license in 2010, spent 12 years working in social work. Murty has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree Murty in social work. She volunteers her time serving on several local boards including Irondequoit FaithLink and Visiting Nurse Services quality and compliance board. Murty co-founded St. Ann’s Leadership Academy and received the “Partner in Philanthropy Award” in 2014. • Tony CoccitCoccitto to has been hired as executive director of strategic partnerships. He will provide a strategic plan to identify future customers, health partners and market opportunities

Remember Garden Poem Dedication

Sister Grace Miller of The House of Mercy and Gillian Conde, vice president at DePaul Properties, during a dedication of a plaque at the Remember Garden designed to raise awareness to mental health issues. In an effort to maintain increased awareness to the plight of those with a mental health diagnosis and to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness, DePaul held a special event at the Remember Garden in Rochester’s Highland Park on May 19. The Remember Garden is a living memorial to those who died while institutionalized at the Monroe County Insane Asylum, Almshouse and Penitentiary, some 900 of whom were buried in an unmarked mass grave, which was discovered at Highland Park in 1984. In 2009, a group of community members led by Gillian Conde, vice president at DePaul Properties, came together to plant a garden at the site of the grave. At the May event, a plaque with a poem about the Remember Garden written by Mary Lee Pifer was installed and the piece recited by the poet.

that support the strategic growth of St. Ann’s Community. Prior to joining St. Ann’s, he served as a managing partner for The Premier Partners for 11 years where he provided workforce consulting and executive search services to the senior care industry. Coccitto is married with two daughters residing in Spencerport. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Alfred University. • Nurse Barbara Robertson has been promoted to director of nursing.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

“I was inspired to write this when I came for the Remember Garden dedication,” said Pifer. “The stones seem to speak to me and told me write this poem. I felt their stories needed to be told and they deserved the respect they were denied.” In addition, Michael Keene, author of “Mad House,” which details the hidden histories of 19th century insane asylums in New York, shared stories of lives lived in these institutions. Sister Grace Miller of The House of Mercy concluded the event, which was designed to honor individuals as well as raise awareness, with a blessing for those buried at the site. “The callous mass burial of people with mental illness, one on top of another, with no love, no compassion, no care, no heart, should never have happened,” said Sister Grace Miller, pictured with Conde below.

Robertson

Robertson has more than 20 years of experience working in nursing and has been with St. Ann’s since 2008. Prior to joining St. Ann’s Community, she served as the chairwoman of nursing and dean of academic services at Monroe Community College.

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Southeast and Victor YMCAs host kids marathon from page 4 mile will take place. Kids will complete their 26.2 miles by running through a timed finish line, feeling like an official marathoner. Each participant is invited to have an adult companion accompany them during the final mile. Children 6 younger must have a companion runner. The fee for companion runners is $5. Registration includes participation in the marathon, four clinics with a YMCA personal fitness expert, a kids marathon sports pinny, mile charms, a 5K event shirt, and a medal at the finish line.

Center for Disability Rights hosts a series of events to celebrate 25 years of ADA The Center for Disability Rights (CDR), Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) and All About You Homecare (AAY) are hosting a series of events in July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Several other events already took place in June to celebrate the milstone. The July events are: • July 11 — CDR will host the ADA Legacy Bus Tour. The first stop will be at The Strong Museum on Manhattan Square Drive from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Learn, play and educate your kids on the ADA, disability rights, sports and culture. The Legacy Bus will make a second stop at CDR’s downtown office, 497 State St. from 5 - 8 p.m. Enjoy a cookout and performance by Elaine Kolb. This is a free event to attend. • July 17 — CDR is partnering with RCIL’s Youth Own (YO!) group to host the Slam Poetry, Music and Arts

with Background Noise?

All proceeds will benefit the YMCA of Greater Rochester’s annual campaign, which helps ensure all youth and families have access to the YMCA’s life-changing programs. Each year, hundreds of families in the Westside community rely on the financial aid that the Y raises to send their kids to camp, participate in swim lessons, and afford child care and youth sports programs. This funding also helps support programs for cancer survivors, pre-diabetics and seniors. For more information, contact Kelly Conlan at 585-3413062 or kelly. conlan@rochesterymca.org. For complete details and to register, visit rochesterymca.org/kidsmarathon or visit the Southeast or Victor YMCA branches.

Fest. This event will take place at Brue Coffee on Genesee Street, from 6:30 9:30 p.m. Enjoy various artistic talents of youth with and without disabilities, and free appetizers. This is a free event to attend. • July 19 — CDR will host an ADA Picnic at Ontario Beach Park (Sandpiper Shelter) from 1 - 4 p.m. Enjoy a relaxing and fun-filled afternoon at the park with games, food, music and more. This is a free event to attend. • July 23 — CDR will hold its annual ADA Gala Fundraiser dinner at Artisanworks at 565 Blossom Road, from 6 – 10 p.m. Enjoy dinner and dancing, a live art auction, raffles, a caricature artist, photo booth and more. During this event CDR will honor New York State Deputy Secretary for Health Courtney Burke, Doug Westerdahl and the Monroe Wheelchair team, and WHAM 13 ABC anchor Jennifer Johnson. Ticket costs for this year’s gala are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Interpreters will be provided at each of these events. For more information on any events, contact Kristin Salter at 585-546-7510 or ksalter@ cdrnys.org. July 2015 •

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6/16/15 4:01 PM

Local Efforts Are Making a Difference Against Big Tobacco

How Does it Feel to Be 102? Just Ask Stella Maliborki

By Cassie Grattoni

By Jessica Gaspar

obacco use is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death in New York state, killing 28,200 New Yorkers every year and afflicting nearly 600,000 New Yorkers with serious disease directly attributable to their smoking. While New York has made significant progress in reducing cigarette smoking, 2.5 million adult New Yorkers still smoke and every year thousands of kids under 18 become new daily smokers. Tragically, there has been almost no reduction in smoking rates among low-income adults, adults with poor mental health, and those with less than a high school education. Here in the Greater Rochester area, we are fortunate to have leaders and communities Grattoni supporting tobacco control efforts to create healthier outdoor areas. Several employers and a municipality have created smoke-free or tobacco-free outdoor area polices that help protect community members and our youth from exposure to secondhand smoke. We know that secondhand smoke is extremely dangerous; there are over 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, and there is no risk-free level of exposure. A tobacco-free outdoor area policy can help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, reduce cigarette butt litter, and support those who are ready to quit smoking. We are very thankful for the following employers and municipality who created smoke-free and/or tobacco-free outdoor area polices: • ABVI-Goodwill of the Finger Lakes at their store locations • Flower City Habitat for Humanity office campus and ReStore • Hickock Center for Brain Injury, Inc. • LiDestri Foods • Monroe Community College • Monroe Plan for Medical Care

• Rochester Psychiatric Center • Town of Henrietta — its office campus locations and all its parks and playgrounds

Three Stories

“At Flower City Habitat, we care about healthy choices. Health is one of the many reasons we believe in homeownership — a healthy stable home creates opportunity for the families to thrive,” says Matt Flanigan, president and CEO of Flower City Habitat for Humanity. “Having a smoke-free campus at our offices and ReStore follow in step with our support of reinforcing healthy choices.” Joleen Jenkins, wellness program administrator at LiDestri Foods, Inc., said, “The topic of our smoking policy came up, leading to the fact that LiDestri Foods was re-implementing a policy that wasn’t getting the attention it needed. In doing so, the topic of signs for communication came up and Smoking and Health Action Coalition staff mentioned we may be able to get the signs paid for. Our policy kick-off was Jan. 1, 2015. Perfect timing! “The signs play a major role as our property and our facilities are 100 percent smoke-free. The new policy transitioned in quite easily and employees have been supporting it; a few of them are taking the steps to quit smoking. LiDestri not only offers to pay our employees to quit smoking — they give 100 percent support. Thank you so much for assisting us with our health-minded endeavors.” Also, kudos to the Town of Henrietta. The first time I took my German shepherd dog, Maverick, to Veteran’s Memorial Park in Henrietta, he almost ate a discarded cigarette butt that was along the walking path. I am very grateful that the town made its parks smoke-free. It will help reduce the cigarette butt litter For more information about tobacco-free outdoor areas contact SHAC at 585-666-1399 or SmokeFreeMonroe. com. Cassie Gratton is the director of Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Monroe County.

Serving Monroe and Ontario Counties in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health Rochester–GV Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 30,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 585-421-8109.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2015 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 106 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. • Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, John Addyman, Lynette Loomis, Kevin DeValk, Stamatia Destounis, M.D., Jessica Gaspar, Cassie Grattoni • Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston • Layout & Design: Chris Crocker • Officer Manager: Alice Davis 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.

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wo world wars. The Great Depression. The Bay of Pigs invasion. The John F. Kennedy assassination. The 1960s civil rights movement. Woodstock. The Berlin Wall coming down. The boom of the personal computer. The World Trade Center bombings — 1993 and 2001. The American financial crisis and Great Recession in 2007. America’s first African-American president. Most people only read about these historical events in history books now. But Stella Maliborski, born Stella Dubaj, lived through it all. Born in 1913 in a small village outside of Lubland, Poland, Maliborski and her family settled in Gowanda — a small rural village south of Buffalo — in 1926. She remembers quite fondly the day she and her mother arrived to meet her father who had moved several years before to save money and find a home for his family. Maliborski celebrated her 102nd birthday on April 30. “When we came, all the kids were waiting for me to see what I looked like, and I didn’t look any different than they did,” she said, laughing at the memory. Nearly 90 years after moving to America, Maliborski still speaks with a hint of Polish accent. She admits English was a difficult undertaking. While in school in Poland, she learned some German, which was easier for her to pick up, but English was no picnic. “When I came here, the English was terrible. It was very hard to learn. The words are not the same as European words,” she said. A few years after her family reunited, her father died in a farming accident at the age of 42.

Challenging era

At that time, the Roaring Twenties had ended, and the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression. Maliborski graduated high school in 1933 and went to work at a tannery to help her mother, who had two younger children. Maliborski admits she was very fortunate to receive that job as not many jobs were available at the time, and many employers did not hire women. Eventually, she was laid off from the tannery due to lack of work. Family friends told Maliborski about many job opportunities in Rochester, so she packed her bags, boarded a bus, and moved to Rochester by herself. She remembers feeling nervous at the time since she didn’t know anyone else there, but she needed the work. She went to work for Rochester Products, which made parts for Chevrolet. It was in Rochester where she met her husband, Edward. They married in 1938. Edward would later serve in World War II. After the service, he took a job in the maintenance department at Eastman Kodak Co. Though he died in 1980, Stella never remarried. They had two children, Carol and Edward, both of whom are still alive and well. Maliborski and her husband moved to Webster, then Ontario in Wayne County. About 10 years ago, she sold the house in Ontario and moved back to Webster. She has lived at The

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015

Legacy at Willow Pond in Penfield for nearly three years. Since leaving Poland at age 13, Maliborski has only returned once — with her daughter and sister. Things had changed so much, mostly in the wake of World War II when parts of Warsaw were destroyed. New buildings stood in the place of buildings and homes that were reduced to rubble in the ‘40s.

Forgive and forget

There’s a Kenny Chesney song called ‘Don’t Blink’ in which the subject turns 102 and tells a younger fellow not to blink — life goes faster than you think. Maliborski shares that sentiment, but the greatest lesson in life came at the hands of her mother. “My mother used to say, ‘If somebody throws a stone at you, you throw bread at them.’ I learned it pays,” Maliborski said. “The moral? If someone betrays you, don’t seek revenge — help instead. Maliborski has always paid close attention to her health and body, which has no doubt added to her longevity. The Polish diet is not a very rich diet, and she always made sure everything she ate was mostly homemade or homegrown. At home, she always kept a garden and she never drank or smoked. Even now, at the Legacy, she regularly takes exercise classes to stay fit and active. “She’s always in the front row,” said D’Arcy Dobbertin, lifestyle director at the Legacy at Willow Pond. “It’s wonderful for your body,” Maliborski added.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Knitting & Cancer How knitting is playing a role to relieve stress among cancer patients at Lipson Cancer Center. Program was started in the spring by a former patient at the center By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

was started this spring — would be a great way to give back to others who are going through the same situation that she went through. It would also be a good way to pass the time during treatment. All patients at Lipson Cancer Center are eligible to participate in the program. Registration is free. Each registered participant receives a special selection of original, colorful and easy to knit project kits designed by Feingold. “Whether it’s people making blankets, washcloths, sweaters or hats, whatever manageable project can be good for the spirit,” said Feingold. “Making something beautiful can do a lot for you when you are going through this. If not for yourself, for someone else.” The Dawn & Jacques Lipson Cancer and Blood Reenie Feingold (right) who started the knitting program at the Dawn and Jacques Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester Center. Next to her is her friend Betsy Twohig-Barrett, president and executive director of the Cancer Regional was founded on a commitment to provide Wellness Connections, a local nonprofit organization. comprehensive cancer “We are even thinking of creating lize leading-edge medical technology care from one integrated program, in something together where different to create and administer personalized which experts in medicine, radiation people work on one project every time cancer treatment plans for patients. treatment and surgery work to treat the A business developer and art direc- they go to the center. It is a wonderful unique needs of each patient. Each day, teamwork aspect and builds a commutor for over 40 years, Feingold enjoys the highly trained oncology teams utidesigning original knitted projects and nity,” said Feingold. That method is called yarn bombfinds the process of ing, which is an art form that employs knitting soothing colorful displays of knitted or crofor many reasons. cheted yarn. The practice is believed to “The rhythmic have originated in the U.S. with Texas click of knitting knitters trying to find a creative way needles, the pleasto use their leftover and unfinished ing textures and knitting projects, but it has since spread colors of yarn, worldwide. Yarn bombing was initially and the ability to about reclaiming and personalizing lose oneself in the sterile or cold public places. It has flow of creativity makes time seem to developed with groups knitting and vanish,” she added. crocheting worldwide. Karen Petito, owner of the Village “The finished Yarn and Fiber Shop, likes the idea project becomes a of communal knitting. “My vision legacy both for the person who creates of bringing knitting into the medical setting is born of several recent years of it and the person personal experience in caregiving for who receives the family members with cancer, Alzheibeautiful handmade blanket, scarf, mer’s disease and heart disease,” she added. “I have seen first-hand how or hat.” knitting, crocheting and spinning can Feingold said have a profound impact on people’s she would love lives. It’s all about giving yourself to to get a group of the creative process, immersing your volunteers willing to train people how senses in color and texture, feeling to knit. Feingold is the sense of continuity and connectivity these beloved crafts impart, and working with varsharing it all with others. When you ious companies to provide funding for have completed a project it is a tangible the program where memory of various times in your life to enjoy for years to come.” people would donate equipment Wearing blankets made by cancer patients at Lipson Cancer Center are Kylee, 8, who loves to keep her doll such as needles and warm in her favorite pink and purple hand-knit doll blanket and Brody, 6, who snuggles up under a hand-knit yarn to the project. blanket with his favorite puppy.

ometimes life is all about distractions, especially when your world gets turned around in an instant. When Reenie Feingold was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, many things traveled through her mind. How would she recover from surgery and then radiation? Would the cancer come back? And how to deal with all the time when your mind is allowed to wander? When she would visit the Dawn and Jacques Lipson Cancer Center, which is apart of Rochester Regional Health, she would be in the treatment room and watch the faces of people. “My husband, Stan, would go with me every day and you sit in the waiting room and nobody is talking to each other because there is obviously a lot in their minds,” said Feingold, of Brighton. “It just had a cold and impersonal feeling, and I just thought that people have to be here two, three, four hours for treatment and they need something to do.” Feingold had an idea of how to make it less impersonal. She has worked to start an overall treatment experience for patients and families, which is knitting while they have treatment. Knitting has an effect much like meditation and yoga and can help patients to lose themselves in the flow of creativity and ease the stress of cancer treatment. A knitter herself, Feingold said there is research that shows the therapeutic use of those needles mixed with yarn and the repetitive motion. She figured this program — which

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2015