In Good Health: ROC #217 - September 2023

Is Venting Good For Your Health?

risk. Having a strong social support network has been linked to better psychological health.

Venting to people in that network is one way to reduce the impact of daily stressors, said Millstein, also an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. "Calling a friend and letting it out can be helpful. It helps us feel connected to our social support networks, which is a big determinant of life satisfaction and overall well-being."

Choose your audience wisely

Speaking to someone who is supportive of your feelings can be helpful, even if that person offers a different perspective, she said.

Shaffer said.

Venting without an audience

If speaking feelings aloud to someone else feels unsafe, another alternative is to write them down, Shaffer said.

Studies have found numerous health benefits to expressive writing, the practice of writing down feelings on a daily basis. It has been shown to aid in healing from traumatic experiences and to help lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, improve sleep and lessen depression and pain.

Don't forget the positive

Venting — the release of negative, pent-up emotions — can feel good. But is it actually good for you? Or does it do more harm than good to dwell on negative thoughts and feelings?

Experts say that depends on a number of factors, including who's on the receiving end of a venting session, how often a person does it and what type of feedback they receive.

"By and large, we do need to get our negative emotions out," said Rachel Millstein, a staff psychologist in the behavioral medicine program and the lifestyle medicine clinic at

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The ways we do it, though, that's where it's healthy or unhealthy, productive or unproductive."

Why vent

Personal relationships, work, finances and discrimination are just some of the daily stressors that may fuel someone's need to vent. Research shows this kind of stress can raise the risk for cardiovascular disease, whereas releasing or managing stress can improve physical and psychological health, lowering that

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But venting to someone who is dismissive of your feelings can be detrimental, said Jonathan Shaffer, an associate professor of clinical health psychology at the University of Colorado in Denver. "It's invalidating to share and get no response from the other person. It might make you feel like you don't have worth or are not loveable."

Venting also can be counter-productive if the listener amplifies negative feelings and "the conversation spirals. Then you can pull each other down," Millstein said.

Another negative consequence could be if the listener gets tired of listening. "If you vent over and over again, this person might not want to be present, and this can fray a social connection," she said.

For major stressors, it might be more helpful to speak to a therapist,

Whether releasing feelings on paper or in person, Shaffer suggests finding ways to focus on the positive, as well as the negative. For example, ending a venting session with a focus on things for which the person is grateful can help restore positive feelings, he said, as can mindfulness practices.

"Make a plan for some type of relaxation, such as deep breathing or meditation afterwards," he suggested.

Other ways to relieve stress

Exercise also can relieve stress and release negative feelings, Millstein said.

"And don't forget that humor is a really good coping strategy, too," she said. Venting to a friend with a good sense of humor may be twice as helpful, because "sometimes other people can help us see the funny side of things."

49,449 Americans Lost Their Lives to Suicide Last Year

The mental health crisis hitting Americans shows no sign of abating, with provisional numbers for 2022 showing suicides rose by another 2.6% last year.

That follows on an overall 5% increase in suicides in 2021, noted officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which in August released the early data for 2022.

Overall, 49,449 Americans lost their lives to suicide last year, up from 48,183 deaths in 2021, the agency reported.

“Today's report underscores the depths of the devastating mental health crisis in America,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in a CDC news release. “Mental health has become the defining public health and societal challenge of our time. Far too many people and their families are suffering and feeling alone.”

The ongoing rise in mental health issues spurred the launch a year ago of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7 to anyone who feels they are in crisis.

According to the latest CDC data, there was one glimmer of hope in the new statistics: An 8.4% drop in 2022 for suicides among the very young (ages 10 to 24), and a 6.1% drop among one group hit particularly hard by mental health issues and suicide, American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Still, most demographics saw a rise in suicide rates.

“The troubling increase in suicides requires immediate action across our society to address the staggering loss of life from tragedies that are preventable,” said CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry. “Everyone can play a role in efforts to save lives and reverse the rise in suicide deaths.”

Meet Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Benjamin F. Ricciardi, M.D.

Orthopedics chief at Highland discusses new job, joint replacement, changes in pain management protocols and how artificial intelligence may impact procedures

Q: How long have you been chief of orthopedics at Highland Hospital?

A: I've been the chief for a couple of months now, so it's relatively recent.

Q: How's the transition going? Were you always aiming for the job?

A: I wasn't aiming for it, but I'd been involved in some of the quality initiatives prior to it, so that's something I'd been working on for awhile. And then the person who was the previous chief, Catherine Humphrey, had another opportunity to run the trauma service over at our other hospital, so there was an opportunity for someone else to be involved. And that's how I became involved.

Q: What are you duties now and how are you dividing your time between administration and your clinical practice?

A: There are a couple of different duties. One is quality assurance. So a big part of being a chief is just overseeing that you're providing a high quality of care to patients. This involves making sure that we have appropriate quality assurance meetings, to go over cases that were challenging to see if there's anything we could learn or change our processes to produce better outcomes. Also, I meet with representatives from other areas of medicine and nursing and administration to just see if we're up-to-date and evidence-based in our practices and make sure we're providing optimal care to our patients. Another aspect of being the chief is credentialing, so that's making sure

that people have appropriate operating room time to get their cases done as best we can and to treat the many patients who want to be treated here. Those really are the main aspects.

Q: Do you handle any academic issues?

A: Yes, we have residents here. We teach residents at Highland. We give lectures throughout the year. I also do research at the university, mostly joint replacement outcomes and joint replacement infections. Those are really my two main areas. But I'm pretty involved in the academic side of things as well.

Q: Your personal specialty is joint replacement?

A: Yup, I'm an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee replacements. That's the bulk of my practice. I also do hip fractures and geriatric traumas at times as well.

Q: Joint replacement seems like a specialty that sees a lot of advances as of late. As chief of orthopedics, do you get to screen new developments, techniques, devices?

A: Yeah, there are a number of exciting things that have been going on in joint replacement in recent years. One area we're doing better in is on the pre-operative side, making sure patients are as optimized as possible coming into surgery. We've increased our patient education a lot so people are well prepared to understand what their surgery will entail, what their recovery will entail. I think this helps monitor people's expectations and set those expectations appropriately. The rehabilitation after knee replacement is critically important and just getting patients to realize what they need to do after surgery is something we've been getting better at. Additionally, we've changed our pain management protocols over the years, so now most of our pain management is done through regional anesthesia, usually a spinal anesthetic with a local block. And this has really reduced opiate consumption and feeling sick after surgery. And it's allowed them to mobilize a lot quicker with physical therapy. So we get people back up shortly after surgery, get them walking right away, and then most of the patients can leave the hospital the next day, which is a big change from before. It allows people to recover at home, out of the hospital environment. It's better for them to be in a more familiar environment. There are also advances in minimally invasive approaches, which we've been

doing in more recent years, and just being more precise with our surgeries.

Q: Have the implants changed much?

A: Most of the implants haven't changed as much. There have been some changes in the plastics over the last 20 years that have made the longevity of the joint replacements substantially better. So that's one thing that's been a big change that's allowed us to offer the surgery to younger patients.

Q: How young are we talking?

A: It depends on what's going on with the joint, but people over 50, 55 probably won't need a new one. Under that age, there's a chance you might need another one down the road. But we do joint replacements for people in their 40s and even 30s when we need to, where in the past that may have been an issue.

Q: What's the typical lifespan of the joint replacement?

A: About 80% make it to 20 years.

Q: I'm assuming activity levels affect that.

A: Yeah, activity levels probably play a role. We don't encourage patients to do high-impact activities on them, but people can usually get back to most activities, even things like tennis and skiing — those types of activities. There definitely is a correlation to how much you use to the joint to its wearing out.

Q: Do you think AI will have impacts on your specialty in the near future?

A: There's been a lot of talk about how artificial intelligence will impact what we do. And that's something that will probably increase over time. It will probably impact a bunch of different areas. Data is very important in healthcare in general, both in clinical records and notes, which will provide a lot of opportunities to identify ways to do things better and allow research in areas that we haven't been able to before. So it will expand what we can do with data we're already collecting. Another aspect is image-recognition, templating implants, those kinds of things can potentially give us the technology we didn't have before. And they may be able to be integrated into robotic surgery at some point. All of this is experimental, but at some point they'll probably be integrated into our practice in some manner.

Lifelines

Name: Benjamin F. Ricciardi, M.D.

Position: Chief of orthopedics at Highland Hospital

Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey

Education: Weill Cornell Medical College (medical degree); residency in orthopedic surgery and a fellowship in adult reconstruction and joint replacement at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City; European fellowship in hip reconstruction with the ME Müller Foundation.

Affiliations: Highland Hospital, Strong Memorial, University of Rochester

Medical Center

Organizations: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopedic Association

Family: Significant other, one child

Hobbies: Skiing, reading, traveling

Pain, Tingling or Numbness in Your Feet?

By Andrea Ide

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

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

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

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

HEALING IS POSSIBLE

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

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

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

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

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

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

New Treatment Options for Neuropathy

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

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

has about a 98% effective rate!

FIND LASTING RELIEF

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Gill B. Rochester NY

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

By Gwenn Voelckers and those alone

Solo Travel: The Hidden Joys and Benefits

By the time this edition of “In Good Health” hits the newsstands, I will have packed my bags, hired a cat sitter and stopped the mail.

I’ll be on my way to France for my annual solo sojourn to Paris to celebrate my birthday and further explore and enjoy one of my favorite places on earth.

In September, the tourist crowds have thinned, the weather is more to my liking (on the cooler side), and the locals have returned from holiday to open their shops, restaurants, homes and hearts to travelers like me.

My love affair with Paris was kindled on my 50th birthday. I wanted that important half-way milestone to be special and memorable. And it was!

I had dreamed of going to Paris for years and I wasn’t going to let my single status derail my dreams.

When I told my friends about my plans, I got mixed reactions. Many exclaimed “Oh, I could never do that! All alone?!”

They were right, of course. They would never experience the fun and fulfillment of traveling solo as long as they held onto that attitude.

Traveling alone, just like living alone, requires the right frame of mind to be successful and enjoyable.

But why travel alone in the first place? Why not grab a friend or two and make it a shared experience? Because the potential for self-discovery

and savoir faire that comes with solo travel is priceless.

I’m not suggesting an exclusive diet of solo travel, but I am encouraging you to consider this mode of travel, from time to time, for this important reason: You’ll gain both confidence and wisdom from your experience.

So, step on board and consider these benefits:

• You call the shots

When you travel alone, you are free to see and do whatever you like. Your decisions and itinerary are your own. And when it's just you, you are reminded of who you are, what you enjoy doing most, and what you like least.

with me or extend an invitation to join them. I’ve met some of the nicest, most interesting people this way.

When traveling with friends and family, we tend to stay focused on each other and lose the chance to meet people we might otherwise have met. That could be a missed opportunity, especially if you are single and hoping to meet someone new.

• You can release your adventurous spirit

By yourself (with no one watching), you may be willing to take more risks — dance at outdoor concerts, get a henna tattoo, eat gelato for breakfast, maybe even swim with the dolphins!

Here we go!

I’ve never gone swimming with dolphins, but I have sampled some pretty exotic food, wrestled Old Paint into submission on a horse trail and held on for dear life while rafting down the Colorado River.

• Likewise, you can find some heavenly time to yourself

When you travel with other people, their interests may be at odds with yours. And precious time can be consumed with the inevitable negotiations that come with trying to satisfy everyone’s needs and desires.

Traveling alone allows you to follow your heart and own path.

• You make new friends more easily

I’ve discovered this time and time again. When I’m on my own, other travelers and "locals" are more likely to strike up a conversation

5 Ways Your Teen Can

Prepare for Sports Season

Competitive sports can be a lot of fun for kids and teens, but starting a new season requires some planning. Nemours TeensHealth, a website specializing in children’s health, offers some suggestions for kids and teens who are taking up a new sport or beginning a new season.

• Start by getting into shape. That will make it easier when you begin your sport.

You can do this by writing down an exercise plan. Ask your coach, gym teacher or trainer for workout ideas. If you can't get to the gym, apps and online workouts offer options for exercising at home.

Write down your goals for the

week and your workout plans. If you schedule specific workout times, it will help you stay motivated and stick to your exercise plan. Make a note of a workout you particularly liked so you can repeat it another week.

• Set realistic goals. While this can include general goals like making the team or getting in shape, smaller, specific goals are easier to achieve and can help you build toward your bigger goal.

Write down those goals and discuss them with a parent or coach. Set new goals once you reach those on your list.

• Gear up. If you're returning to your sport, make sure your

On your own and with fewer distractions, the opportunity for a tranquil, soul-soothing retreat is within your grasp. Whenever I travel, I like to build in time to myself to relax and recharge my batteries. Solo travel makes guilt-free “me” time possible.

Want to sleep in till noon, find splendid solitude in a secret garden, or enjoy your own company and a nightcap at the end of the day? Go for it, because you can.

• You learn a new language faster Je peux en témoigner! (I can vouch for that!). When traveling alone in France, I enjoy practicing the language. It was either that or go

hungry. Ha!

But seriously, without a traveling companion to talk with or to aid in translation, I had to fend for myself. While I am far from fluent in French, I can at least order a croque-monsieur — a hot ham and cheese sandwich on my own. Want to learn a language more quickly? Travel solo.

• You build your confidence and sense of independence

Even a small jaunt can boost your self-confidence. All the decisions are yours, including your budget. You decide how to get where you’re going, where to stay, and how much to spend on transportation, food, accommodations, and things to do.

In no time, you’ll discover your own resourcefulness, ability to solve problems, and capacity to spend some time alone. Those are invaluable, lifelong lessons.

Solo travel is ripe with opportunities for self-reflection, growth, and joy. Start dreaming today. Pack your bags, and with no reservations (pun intended), set out on your journey with a spring in your step and a smile on your face for all the hidden treasures that await you.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content empowerment workshops for women (now on hiatus) and the author of "Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own " To contact Voelckers or purchase her book, visit www.aloneandcontent.com

equipment still fits. If you're new to a sport, ask your coach what you'll need.

Secondhand or borrowed gear can save you money. Make sure all your gear is clean and safe to use. Ask your coach to look it over if you're unsure, Nemours suggests.

• Think about attending a sports camp. This can be a way to practice skills before a season begins. College players, coaches or other professionals often teach these camps.

Most include drill sessions, then scrimmages toward the end of the day. Drill work helps improve skills, while scrimmaging with other campers lets you practice those skills. This

can give you a sense of what it's like to play on a team.

• See your doctor for a sports physical. It's a busy season for these physicals, so make sure your family sets up an appointment before your season starts. If you wear glasses, consider visiting your eye doctor to check your prescription and get the right protective eyewear.

Be sure to build rest into your schedule, with at least one to two days off a week from competitive sports and training. Take at least two months off each year from any particular sport to prevent repetitive stress injuries, Nemours advises.

Stress, Depression Won't Raise Your Odds for Cancer: Study

Alarge new study challenges the long-held idea that depression makes people more vulnerable to cancer, finding no association between the mental health condition and most types of cancer.

The study, of more than 300,000 adults, found that neither depression nor chronic anxiety were linked to increased odds of developing cancer in the coming years. And when researchers looked at specific types of cancer, the findings were largely the same.

The one exception was a slightly increased risk of cancers that are strongly linked to smoking, including lung cancer. And the analysis suggests that smoking — as well as alcohol and heavy body weight — are the real culprits, rather than depression or anxiety themselves.

Experts said the study, published online Aug. 7 in the journal Cancer, may offer reassurance to people who've blamed a cancer diagnosis on their mental health struggles.

"Our findings show that there is no evidence for this," said study leader Lonneke van Tuijl, a health psychology researcher at University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands.

Unfortunately, that kind of self-blame "comes up a lot," said physician William Breitbart, chief of psychiatry at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

"There are many patients who

feel guilt, who say 'I gave this to myself,'" said Breitbart, who was not involved in the study.

The reality, he said, is that cancer is many different diseases, each caused by a complex interplay of genes and environment.

There has been a decades-old interest, though, in the question of whether daily stress, depression or even a less-than-sunny personality might help cause cancer, Breitbart noted.

Over the years, that has included studies suggesting that having a "fighting spirit" or "positive attitude" helps people survive cancer.

"We called it the tyranny of positive thinking," Breitbart said. "It was a real thing, and it still is."

There is a logic to the idea that depression or anxiety disorders could increase the risk of cancer. The conditions are linked to heightened odds of certain other physical health ailments, like heart disease. In that case, researchers believe the connection might partly be due to the ravages of stress hormones on the cardiovascular system.

Similarly, it's been proposed that stress hormones might dampen immune system activity enough to feed tumor development.

But when studies have delved into the question of whether depression and anxiety are linked to cancer risk, the findings have been "all over the place," Breitbart said.

SERVING MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Chris Motola, George Chapman, Gwenn Voelcker, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Jim Miller, Jennifer Faringer, Caitlyn Stoffle

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

Layout & Design: Angel Campos–Toro • Office Secretary Allisons Lockwood

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

Finger Lakes Health Now Part of URMC

By Stefan Yablonski

The trend these days is for smaller hospitals to merge with larger systems to improve patient care and save money.

Finger Lakes Health officially joined the health system led by the University of Rochester Medical Center on Aug. 1.

“Affiliation ensures that we can continue to provide vital services for all our patients and focus on expanding their health care choices in the years to come,” said Jose Acevedo, president and CEO of Finger Lakes Health. “We are proud to join the University of Rochester Medical Center, a center of research and patient care with a reputation for exceptional innovation, quality and safety.”

The affiliation maintains and expands access to high-quality health services close to home in the communities of eastern Ontario, Seneca, Yates and Wayne counties served by Finger Lakes Health, according to officials of both institutions.

“This connection to one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers will build upon established clinical partnerships, increase access to specialty care and enhance our ability to serve our communities for generations to come,” Acevedo said in a press release.

Finger Lakes Health employs about 1,350 doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and staff members who join more

than 27,000 faculty and staff members employed by URMC and its UR Medicine affiliates.

However, it isn’t always a good thing.

According to Thomas H. Dennison, professor emeritus at The Maxwell School, Syracuse University, there can be some drawbacks.

“Too much dominance can change the way a system negotiates with insurers and that drives up costs because payment rates go up,” he said. “The other allegation is that quality doesn’t really improve. Often what you find is the hospital that is merging into the larger system is a hospital that has lower quality scores at the beginning of the relationship and it takes long time for those scores to come up. I don’t know if that is the case with Finger Lakes; I haven’t looked into that.”

Also, unions don’t like it, employees don’t like it often because it does affect terms of their employment. Members of the medical staff often don’t like it because it takes away the latitude and deals that they had in place. And, there can only be one chief [of something]. So there are those arguments against it, he added.

The smaller hospitals tend to lose local control, they’re not going to have any local governance; and largely, that is what happens, he said.

The Finger Lakes deal follows a recently signed agreement to collab-

orate with New York State Attorney General Letitia James to ensure the affiliation meets the health-care needs of Finger Lakes residents.

Patients are dependant on high technology services, medical staff and equipment — expensive equipment, Dennison said. Hospitals need to be able to provide state-of-the-art services — equipment and specialty physicians.

The affiliation proceeds — after several years of planning — following anti-trust investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and New York State Attorney General’s Office.

The systems provided extensive documents and data demonstrating substantial benefits to patients and communities served by other rural hospitals after they joined UR Medicine (the health system led by URMC) and showing that the same will be true for Finger Lakes Health.

The parties will develop a detailed plan for maintaining and expanding patient services in the Finger Lakes Health service area, reporting progress to the attorney general annually for five years.

Acevedo will continue oversee-

ing all administrative operations and patient services provided by the new affiliate, which will be known as UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health.

He noted the advantages of joining a health system that has built meaningful, productive affiliations with other rural hospitals in Upstate New York — at a time when rural hospitals in other parts of the country are financially fragile and at risk of closure.

Under the affiliation plan, URMC will work with Finger Lakes Health to expand access to a range of primary and specialty care services; support implementation of the electronic medical record used by all UR Medicine affiliates to provide patients a seamless care experience; build operational efficiencies through group purchasing; and help recruit physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“The potential is there to improve access for patients; the potential is there for quality improvement,” Dennison said. “They can save a lot of money and improve the quality of care if they can pull this off successfully.”

After I was in a car accident that impacted me mentally and physically, Rekha created a plan to help me heal. I am beyond grateful for Rekha and hypnotherapy. Both have helped me in ways that I could not even imagine. I am not sure I would be driving on the expressway without her E.W., 6/23

Leaders say intitiave will ensure quality of health in the Finger Lakes area, but an expert says merging may bring some drawbacks

5

By Ernst Lamothe Jr

Things You Should Know About Your Heart

The heart remains a remarkable organ at the center of our bodies that provides life and vitality.

The biological marvel is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen through our bodies.

Ensuring heart health can be paramount to overall well-being even with healthy individuals.

That was the case recently when Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James’ son, Bronny, suffered a cardiac incident. While details of the situation remain private, it shows the importance of having your heart health checked, recognizing family history and taking care of yourself.

One person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Understanding good heart health is essential for two reasons: prevention and early detection,” said Ryan Connell, a cardiologist with Rochester Regional Health. “Like many health issues, it’s best to prevent heart disease before it happens. You can take an active role in your own heart health by understanding what can be done to decrease the risk of developing cardiac disease. Not all heart issues are preventable, but reducing risk factors can make a real difference.”

Connell talks about five aspects of heart issues.

1.It won’t necessarily cause chest pain

While heart attacks often do cause classic crushing chest pain, a significant portion of heart attack pa-

tients do not have chest pain as their initial symptom.

Various studies estimate as many as 40% of women and 30% of men with heart attacks experience something other than chest pain. Symptoms like back pain, abdominal pain, jaw–neck pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea and vomiting can be the initial onset instead, according to Connell.

He also warns people against the thought that heart attacks only affectsenior citizens.

“People say coronary artery disease is only a disease of the elderly, but the fact is that coronary artery disease and heart attacks are more common as we get older, but can occur at younger ages too. There appears to be an increasing incidence of heart attacks in patients under the age of 55,” said Connell. “Also diseases — like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol — can begin in early adulthood or younger and lead to heart disease later in life if not managed early on.”

He also pushed back on the adage that wine is good for your heart.

“Unfortunately, the previous thought that you should drink a glass of red wine every day for heart health is not entirely clear. An occasional glass of wine in moderation is probably OK for your heart, but there is not enough evidence of actual benefit to make it a universal recommendation for everyone,” Connell added. “Excess alcohol definitely can increase the risk of cardiac diseases though, especially heart failure and arrhythmias.”

2.Cardiac symptoms

There is no one size fits all for cardiac symptoms. There are many types of heart problems and they can present in many different ways.

“For heart attacks, you can experience ongoing discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, arm, abdomen or back. Sudden shortness of breath, sweating or nausea. Warning signs of blockages in the heart arteries can be similar symptoms that occur primarily with exertion and improve with rest,” said Connell. “When it comes to heart failure and heart valve disease, patients tend to experience shortness of breath or fatigue with exertion.”

3.

Lebron James’ son

Prioritizing heart health is a fundamental aspect of maintaining overall well-being. Understanding the symptoms and addressing the factors that contribute to cardiac issues continues to be an essential step toward a healthier heart. When LeBron James’ son had a cardiac arrest, it shocked the sports world and the casual observer.

“The term cardiac arrest is similar to what happened to Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills earlier last year. A cardiac arrest means that the heart suddenly stops pumping,” said Connell. “If the heart is not pumping effectively, then blood can’t get to the brain, vital organs and the rest of the body. This results in loss of consciousness and is usually fatal if not treated quickly.”

He said cardiac arrest in competitive athletes is usually the result of a pre-existing cardiac condition that the player already had. These conditions are often undiagnosed in athletes before a tragic event like that occurs. Bronny James was saved by shocking the heart with a defibrillator to charge the cardiac rhythm back to normal.

4.Good heart health

Often called the engine of the body, a healthy heart ensures the efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, tissues and organs and maintains their proper function. A robust cardiovascular system contributes to increased energy levels, a stronger immune system and an overall enhanced quality of life. On the other hand, neglecting heart health can lead to a host of serious

conditions, including heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

“I tell people. ‘don’t smoke.’ Even just one or two cigarettes a day can double your risk of a heart attack,” he added. “If you do smoke, it’s never too late to quit.”

Eating healthy remains another good option. Having more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein is advised.

“I would tell people to eat less carbs, saturated fat, animal products and salt is a good way to start,” said Connell. “Also eat in moderation because you can still eat too many calories even if you are eating the right things.”

5.Medications

Depending on what heart diagnosis your cardialogist gave you, various medications are in place to help you maintain a quality life. For blood pressure, there are various medications including ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics.

When it comes to cholesterol medication, Connell said statins are the most common type of cholesterol medication used for a high LDL level. For blood thinners, aspirin and other antiplatelet medications are used in coronary artery disease to help prevent blood clots in coronary stents and coronary arteries.

Cardiologist Ryan Connell, affiliated with Rochester Regional Health: “Understanding good

heart health is essential for two reasons: prevention and early detection.”

U.S. Heart Disease Death Rates Have Fallen Sharply in Past 30 Years

Fatal heart disease in the United States dropped about 4% a year between 1990 and 2019, but Americans need to quit smoking, drinking and overeating or those gains could be wiped out, according to new research.

The declining rates of fatal heart disease have stalled, according to the research from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey.

“The overall numbers are good.

We saw a substantial decline in deaths from all types of coronary heart disease for both females and males,” said study lead author Cande Ananth, chief of the division of epidemiology and biostatistics in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

“However, because we examined how these three modifiable risk

High-Intensity Interval Training Offers Cardiovascular Benefits

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

You may love high-intensity interval training for its quick calorie blast. However, HIIT also provides benefits to your heart.

“They are finding HIIT can have better results for cardiorespiratory health as opposed to moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise,” said Jeremy Tiermini, a certified athletic trainer and professor in Health Sciences and Human Performance at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. Tiermini earned a Master of Sports Science Sports Medicine at the United States Sports Academy.

Of course, someone who’s sedentary should not engage in HIIT, as it’s pretty intense. HIIT involves working as hard as possible for 15 seconds at a physical movement, such as jumping jacks, riding a stationary bike or running on a treadmill and then taking a break for 10 seconds before engaging in a different activity. The times vary, depending upon the HIIT program. Some involve working hard for 30 seconds and rest for 30. The whole session could be as short as 15 to 20 minutes.

“You can actually burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, around 25% more than other forms of exercise,” Tiermini said. “If you’re burning calories, you’re changing your metabolism and the energy system your body uses fuel and you’ll get cardiovascular benefits. You’ll lose body fat which helps cardiovascular health and improve muscular skeletal health.”

Jean Sica, certified tai chi instructor and personal trainer and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester, works with many women who want to improve their health. She views HIIT as a means to help them improve their cardiovascular health.

“Older women’s reduced estrogen seems to work against building muscle,” Sica said. “Estrogen reduction in females equates in a reduction in human growth hormone, HGH. This adds to the high cortisol levels. A lot of times older women work really hard running, boot camps

factors affected mortality rates, we can see that there is room for considerable improvement,” he said in a Rutgers news release.

Among people aged 25 to 84, deaths from heart disease fell from more than 397,000 deaths in 1990 to about 237,000 in 2019, even while Americans' median age increased from 33 to 38, the researchers found.

Among men, the death rate dropped 3.7% a year, while women

and don’t seem to get anywhere. They’re causing more stress on their bodies and that reduces HGH. HIIT, where you work really hard and rest, actually builds up HGH much better in women than men. It absolutely improves cardiovascular health.”

HIIT is definitely a hit for timecrunched people who cannot cram in hour-long workouts into their schedules.

“It's important to think about your own situation when deciding whether to do HIIT or steady state cardiovascular exercise,” said Kerri Howell, certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and owner of The Hourglass Mom in the Rochester area. “HIIT can be a big bang for your body's buck, but it could come at the risk of injury. And if all you do are high-intensity workouts, you are only working on one component of cardiovascular conditioning, ignoring endurance.”

She added that HIIT may lead to burnout. She advises mixing up

saw a 4% annual decline during those years.

Those declines, however, slowed significantly between 2011 and 2019. People born after 1980 were even at slightly increased risk of dying from coronary heart disease at any age than people from the previous generation, the researchers said.

Future advances in treatment could continue reducing fatal heart disease, but lifestyle modifications are also important: Eliminating smoking, drinking and obesity would have prevented half of the deaths observed during the study period, the authors said.

A bright spot is that tobacco usage is trending downward, with the percentage of smokers falling from 26% to 14% during those years.

Yet, obesity rates rose sharply from 12% in 1990 to 43% in 2019. Alcohol use also rose slightly during the study period.

Besides reduced tobacco use, researchers credited cholesterol-lowering statins and better diagnostic tests with the reduction in heart deaths.

The study findings were published recently in the American Heart Journal.

fitness with a combination of low-intensity, mid-intensity and high-intensity workouts throughout the week as time permits.

Austyn Affronti, president of Affronti Fitness in Rochester, also said that combining HIIT with other exercise routines provides the most benefit.

“HIIT should be interchangeable with your workout but not every day,” he said.

He added that in addition to cardiovascular benefits, the biggest plus of HIIT is its long-term calorie burn.

“What it does is create a massive demand for oxygen for cells,” he said. “It’s the post-exercise oxygen effect. For the next eight to nine hours, your cells are demanding extra oxygen so you’re burning calories long after the workout instead of during the workout.”

HIIT also doesn’t burn muscle as long bouts of cardio tends to do, so “for muscle retention, it’s better,” Affronti said.

Jeremy Tiermini, a certified athletic trainer and professor in Health Sciences and Human Performance at Finger Lakes Community College.

Austyn Affronti, president of Affronti Fitness in Rochester.

Kerri Howell, certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and owner of The Hourglass Mom in the Rochester area.

Men's Health Men's Use of Personal Care Products Nearly Doubles in 20 Years

On average, men use about 11 care products a day — and that exposes them to some potentially harmful chemicals, study says

Men's use of personal care products has almost doubled since 2004, exposing them to some potentially harmful chemicals, a new study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) finds.

Overall, the average American adult uses 12 personal care products a day that contain as many as 112 chemical ingredients. That's a change from the previous average of nine products with 126 unique chemical ingredients, according to EWG's study from 2004.

And the gap between men's and women's use of products is shrinking. On average, women use around 13 care products a day, up from 12, the study says. Men, on the other hand, went from six in 2004 to 11 products daily: six products for body care, one for skin care, one cosmetic, two for hair care and one for baby care.

Heavy users abound, too. Ten percent of U.S. adults use more than 25 products every day, including cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, deodorants, soaps and more, the report reveals.

This isn't necessarily cause for alarm, however.

“While the number of products exposed or used daily has increased, the number of unique ingredients has decreased,” said Homer Swei, EWG senior vice president of healthy living science. “I do think it seems that the combination of clean beauty, stewardship retailer programs, U.S. state laws and consumer information has fundamentally changed the marketplace across the board. I can also see this trend toward healthy in the ingredients.”

Most of the ingredients, said Swei, scored green, the best rating in EWG's “Skin Deep” database, which rates nearly 100,000 personal care products for their safety. However, some of the ingredients still raised concerns for the researchers.

They found that, based on the 2,200 people surveyed for the study,

Staying Fit Lowers a Man's Cancer Risk, Study Confirms

Aman's cardio fitness might influence whether he'll develop — or survive — three of the most common cancers in males, a new Swedish study reports.

Higher levels of cardio fitness are associated with a significantly lower risk of developing colon and lung cancers, researchers report.

Cardio fitness also plays a role in a man's likelihood of surviving prostate, colon and lung cancers, results show.

“Better cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF] is not only important

for reducing cardiovascular disease risk, which is often communicated, but also for reducing cancer risk in men,” said lead researcher Elin Ekblom-Bak, a senior lecturer with the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences in Stockholm.

“Current cancer prevention guidelines focus on physical activity, but these findings show that CRF is also very important for both reducing cancer risk and risk of death from common cancers in men,” Ekblom-Bak said.

For this study, Ekblom-Bak and

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U.S. consumers are exposed daily to an average of two ingredients linked to cancer and two that are linked to chemicals that can harm the reproductive and development systems. These exposures mainly come from body care, skin care and cosmetics. They include chemicals like parabens, talc, cyclopentasiloxane, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone and triethanolamine. They also found that the average adult is exposed to 15 fragrance chemicals a day, with seven being chemicals that can cause

allergic reactions.

“The term fragrance is what we consider to be an umbrella term, which means it can hide up to 4,000 different chemicals. And that can also mean there are phthalates that might be considered to be a fragrance ingredient. And those are hormone-disrupting ingredients,” said Sydney Swanson, healthy living science analyst at EWG. “Since the term fragrance isn't necessarily needed to be disclosed, consumers can be exposed to any sort of ingredient that might fall into the term fragrance.”

her colleagues analyzed data on nearly 178,000 Swedish men, all of whom completed an occupational health assessment between October

1982 and December 2019. The findings were published June 29 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

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SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Whole Grain Quinoa Full of Healthy Surprises

Quinoa

Helpful Tips

Some quinoa needs to be rinsed to remove the bitter-tasting compound that naturally coats it. Although most packaged quinoa bought in the U.S. comes “prerinsed,” I always rinse mine under cold water for a few minutes, using a fine sieve. Also, quinoa is pretty high in oxalates, which may cause concerns if you have kidney issues. Cooked quinoa, stored in an airtight container, can last up to a week in the fridge.

(pronounced KEEN-

wah) is a whole grain whose popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Beyond being delicious, versatile and easy to prepare, quinoa is so nutritious that NASA feeds it to crews on long space missions.

Considered a bona fide superfood by many, quinoa serves up a powerful mix of desirable nutrients, many of which have been linked to the prevention of disease.

Let’s take a look at four good reasons to embrace this healthy whole grain.

1. Higher in protein than most whole grains.

Quinoa not only packs a whopping 8-9 grams of protein per cooked cup, it delivers protein that’s “complete,” which is uncommon among grains. Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids (protein’s building blocks) that your body can’t make on its own. Feeling sluggish, weak, under the weather? You may not be getting enough protein.

2. Loaded with heart-healthy fiber.

Quinoa delivers 5 to 6 grams of fiber per cooked cup, putting a sizable dent into the recommended 25 to 30 total grams we should be eating daily. Fiber keeps us regular, lowers cholesterol levels, helps prevent spikes in blood sugar after eating and may help us live longer. Studies suggest that increasing your fiber intake—especially from whole grains—is associated with a reduced risk of dying from heart disease and some cancers.

3. Packed with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Regularly eating quinoa can help meet your needs for a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (antioxidants that reduce inflammation and promote

longevity). Quinoa’s top five include folate, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc, all of which come together to help build bones, keep our immune system humming, promote healthy cell growth (crucial during early pregnancy), manage blood pressure and so much more.

4. Great for people with gluten intolerance.

Unlike most whole grains (though quinoa is technically a seed, like buckwheat), quinoa is gluten-free. What sets it apart from some gluten-free substitutes in grocery stores—many of which are made from refined starches and may have added sugar, fat, and salt—is its bounty of nutrients coupled with its paucity of fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol. Go, quinoa! Go, happy gut!

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.

QUINOA SALAD WITH OLIVES, CUCUMBERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Serves 5-6

1 cup quinoa, rinsed, drained

2 cups water

½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered

½ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced

1 cup crumbled feta, divided ½ cup basil, slivered juice of 1 lemon

1/3 cup olive oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper

1. Place the quinoa in a saucepan with the water; heat to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes). Set aside.

2. Place the olives, onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, ¾ cup feta and basil in a large bowl. Add quinoa; stir gently to combine.

3. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over the quinoa mixture; toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature for an hour before serving. Refrigerate for longer keeping. Stir gently before serving. Sprinkle each serving with remaining feta crumbles.

Alzheimer's Brain Protective Foods. Do They Really Help?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet for brain health. Avoiding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia isn’t as simple as, “Eat this and you’re guaranteed to never have dementia.”

But diet does play a role in supporting brain health.

“There is not a food or a food group what will reduce Alzheimer's,” said Eileen “Izy” Grooms, registered dietitian and program coordinator for

nutrition and dietetics and associate professor at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. “However, the mantra of, ‘Eat more whole foods and less processed foods’ is one of our pathways to longevity and potentially delaying Alzheimer's.”

She described a “whole food” as one with little or no refining or processing. It should also contain no artificial additives or preservatives.

“Try to make small changes to

whole foods every two weeks and after one year, you will have made huge changes,” she said. “It can be as easy as grabbing fruit for a snack.”

Ideally, the fruit should be a whole piece, such as a peach but not a canned peach. But a peach canned in natural juices is a better choice than in heavy syrup. And any produce is a better choice than items like chips or candy. Snack on baby carrots, celery stalks or broccoli spears with hummus dip.

“Brain neurons feed off of ketones and glucose,” said Debra Kostiw, certified master dementia strategist and owner of Answers About Alzheimer’s, Inc. in Rochester. “Your brain prefers the ketones over the glucose. If we can reduce glucose and increase the ketones, the brain is happier, healthier and performs at a higher level. We need to reduce carbs like sugars and processed stuff. They are what ‘gunks up’ the brain. If simple carbs are there, it’ll eat those first and faster.”

Whole grains are complex carbohydrates. Whole grain bread (not just “wheat bread” that’s dyed with caramel food coloring to look darker), popcorn, oatmeal and whole grain crackers such as Triscuit are a few examples. But watch out for added salt, flavoring agents and sugar. Making your own foods, such as air popped popcorn instead of bagged popcorn can help you control what’s

in your food.

Kostiw said that one of the ways to increase the ketones is with pure coconut oil. But slowly introduce it, as “it can be tough on the digestive system. I tried it and felt better half an hour after I took it. I felt a little clearer,” she said.

Omega-3 fatty acids also support brain health. Kostiw suggested fatty fish like salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna. Flax seeds and flaxseed oil, chia seeds and walnuts are also good sources.

“What’s good for the heart is good for the brain,” Kostiw said. “If it’s a heart healthy diet, it’s good for the brain.”

The most recent research indicates that the Mediterranean diet supports heart and brain health. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Mediterranean diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, olive oil and seasoning with herbs and spices. The Mayo Clinic further stated, “The main steps to follow the diet include: each day, eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains and plant-based fats; each week, have fish, poultry, beans, legumes and eggs; enjoy moderate portions of dairy products, limit how much red meat you eat; limit how many foods with added sugar you eat.”

It is also important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Exercise Beneficial for People Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Alzheimer’s is an incurable degenerative disease of the brain. However, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can benefit from exercise. A growing body of research indicates that in addition to offering some protective advantages,

regular exercise can also slow the disease’s progression for those who have been diagnosed.

A 2022 study indicates that exercise helps promote the level of a brain-protective protein that can delay onset of Alzheimer’s and other

dementias and slow the progression of the disease in those diagnosed.

The study’s author, Kaitlin Casaletto, an assistant professor of neurology in the Memory and Aging Center at the University of California San Francisco, said that other studies show physical activity lowers the chances of dementia by 30% to 80% but researchers still don’t know exactly why except that it may have to do with synaptic functioning.

“To me, that’s astonishing,” said Heather Henry, physical therapist and clinical director of Genesee Valley Physical Therapy in Penfield, referencing the study. “Exercise of course increases blood flow to the whole body, including to the brain. That increases the volume to the brain. Neurons continue to grow and develop.”

She works with many people who have neurological conditions. They find that regular exercise helps them stay more functional and independent, along with giving them a sense of control, even though they can’t change their diagnosis.

“They also are better at their activities of daily living and have fewer falls,” Henry said.

She recommends for those able to do so to engage in 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, including some aerobic movement, like bicycling, walking or swimming, and some strength training.

“Even small weights can help maintain strength,” she said. “Grip strength is also important. As people fall, they need to be able to grab onto things.”

Jean Sica, certified tai chi instructor, personal trainer and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester, said that exercise like tai chi “offers a body–mind connection. There’s a lot of cross-body activity, which is shown to slow down cognitive decline.”

She added that exercise promotes the growth of the hippocampus. Because the hippocampus is the first area of the brain to evidence Alzheimer’s, it makes sense to support the health of the hippocampus through exercise to slow the progression of the disease.

Many people with Alzheimer’s experience disrupted sleep and emotional stress because of their condition.

Excellus BCBS Invites Nonprofits to Apply for Grants of up to $30K

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is once again inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award (HEIA) funding. The awards help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities in Upstate New York. The online application period closes at 11:59 p.m., Sept. 14.

“Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Health Equity Innovation Award funding aims to support initiatives, programs, and research that specifically target and address the root causes of health inequities, with a focus on addressing structural racism. We believe that by investing

Deadline for applications is Sept. 14

in projects that tackle the underlying social, economic, and systematic factors that contribute to health disparities, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable healthcare system,” says physician Lisa Harris, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

501(c)(3) organizations in Excel-

lus BlueCross BlueShield’s service area are invited to apply for Health Equity Innovation Award funding up to $30,000.

Application proposals for innovative initiatives or projects that have proven data outcomes and can be expanded will be considered. Proposals must include clear, defined goals for reducing health disparities and the burden of health inequities and social disadvantages. Organizations will be required to specify how funding will measurably assist in improving racial and ethnic health equity outcomes.

Health Equity Innovation Award categories include, but are not limited to:

Heather Henry is a physical therapist and clinical director of Genesee Valley Physical Therapy in Penfield. She works with many people who have neurological conditions. She said her patients find that regular exercise helps them stay more functional and independent.

“Exercise can reduce stress and help maintain a more regular sleep cycle,” said Molly Greenbaum, doctor of physical therapy and owner and physical therapist at Stronger Today Physical Therapy in Rochester. “Exercise can also help to strengthen muscles, bones, and reduce risk for falls which helps people with dementia to continue to do as much as they can for themselves and stay active within their communities.”

Of course, what a person does depends upon their physical condition and interests. Following a typical workout may not be feasible for someone with advanced dementia. But at any stage, “it’s important to find activities they enjoy doing like going for a walk to look at birds, dancing to their favorite music, and participating in light household chores,” Greenbaum said. “Involving caregivers and other family members can help. It can seem less like work and more like quality time together.”

Reducing health disparities in racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, people living in rural or urban communities, or other groups of people that may be at a higher health risk for:

• Medical issues and conditions (chronic or acute)

• Behavioral health or mental health conditions

• Negative outcomes from the above, including death or suicide

For additional information, please visit: www.excellusbcbs.com/ community, and scroll to the Health Equity Innovation Awards section. Award winners will be announced in late October.

Jean Sica is a certified tai chi instructor, personal trainer and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester.

Golden Years Here's 8 Habits That Could Lengthen Your Life

Eight healthy habits could add years to your life.

A new study of more than 700,000 U.S. veterans breaks down the habits that when adopted by middle age, can help someone live substantially longer than folks who don't have these habits.

These are the big eight:

• Be physically active.

• Don't smoke.

• Don't get addicted to opioids.

• Don't binge-drink on a regular basis.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Manage stress.

• Practice good sleep habits.

• Maintain positive social relationships.

The study found that men with all those habits at age 40 could live an average of 24 years longer than men who have none of them. Women could gain an additional 21 years compared to their peers who have none of these habits.

The findings were presented in July at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, in Boston.

“We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three or all eight lifestyle factors,” said

study presenter Xuan-Mai Nguyen, a health science specialist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine in Urbana, Illinois.

“Our research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it still is beneficial,” Nguyen said in a meeting news release.

Researchers used data from medical records and questionnaires collected between 2011 and 2019 from more than 719,000 participants in the VA's Million Veteran Program. This included adults ages 40 to 99 and included more than 33,000 deaths during follow-up.

Low physical activity, opioid use and smoking had the biggest impact on life span among the study participants. These were associated with a 30% to 45% higher risk of death during the study period.

Stress, binge-drinking, poor diet and poor sleep habits were each linked to about a 20% increase in the risk of death. A lack of positive social relationships was associated with a 5% increased risk of death.

Researchers said their findings highlight the role of lifestyle factors in chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease that lead to premature disability and death. These results also help quantify the degree to which healthy lifestyle choices can help people reduce their disease risk and live longer.

“Lifestyle medicine is aimed at treating the underlying causes of chronic diseases rather than their symptoms,” Nguyen said. “It provides a potential avenue for altering the course of ever-increasing health care costs resulting from prescription medicine and surgical procedures.”

While adopting the healthy lifestyle factors had a smaller impact for those who were older, that impact still was significant.

“It is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Nguyen said. Although the study can't prove cause and effect, the findings align with a growing body of research supporting the role of lifestyle factors in preventing chronic diseases and promoting healthy aging.

Findings presented at medical meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Golden Years Q & A with Michael McRae

By Mike Costanza

Older adults have long been able to turn to St. Ann’s Community for a wide range of services, from day programs to skilled nursing home care. This year, the institution is celebrating 150 years of service to those in the Rochester area.

St. Ann’s Community began in 1873 when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester founded The Home of Industry on Rochester’s Edinburg Street. Younger women who lacked families came to the facility seeking shelter and the training in a trade that would allow them to become self-sufficient.

As the needs of the Rochester community changed through the years, The Home of Industry became St. Ann’s Home for the Aged, a residential care facility for the elderly. That institution is now just one part of St. Ann’s Community.

St. Ann’s Community now serves more than 3,000 older adults each year at campuses in Webster, LeRoy and Irondequoit and a Canandaigua affiliate. It offers apartments for older adults who wish to live independently, transitional care for those returning home from the hospital, hospice care for patients at the end of life and many other services.

The nonprofit has roughly 1,200 employees and a current annual operating budget of more than $89 million. The Sisters of St. Joseph relinquished control of St. Ann’s Community to a lay community

board in 1997, but have maintained a close connection to the nonprofit.

In Good Health spoke to Michael McRae, St. Ann’s Community’s president and CEO, about its mission, the challenges it faces and the ways it might overcome them.

Q: What is St. Ann’s mission?

A: We promote the highest levels of independence and physical and spiritual well-being of older adults in the Catholic tradition of excellence.

Q: I’ve never heard the term “Catholic tradition of excellence.” What does it mean, in the context of St. Ann’s mission?

A: Our foundresses, the Sisters of St. Joseph, talk about honoring their neighbor and doing right by the person that they come in contact with. It’s a deeply rooted and seated place that we come from in our view of providing the best care. We make sure that we take the people that we care for and put them at the center. We align our decision-making around that. I’m not saying in any way shape or form you need to be Catholic to be here. We welcome all faiths.

Q: Can you give us an example of how St. Ann’s has translated that tradition of excellence into action?

A: Very few senior communities in America have their own in-house medical teams. Our geriatricians, our physicians are the best in the busi-

ness and we have nurse practitioners. When somebody comes into St. Ann’s, they’re seen and assessed by one of our providers — that then follows them. When somebody’s living in one of our levels of care and they need a higher level of care, that continuity follows them right through. That consistent care and that high level of skill that our providers have really sets us apart.

Q: In 2014, you went from being the executive vice president and chief operating officer of St. Ann’s to heading the nonprofit. What were your goals back then?

A: We have a significant obligation to get the right person to the right level of care the right time. That was one of the things I was focused on.

Q: What are some of the changes St. Ann’s has made since you became its president and CEO?

A: We had an adult day services program here in St. Ann’s home on Portland Avenue. We opened up a second location in Durand [Durand Senior Apartments in Irondequoit]. We can pick up Mom or Dad in the morning and provide them not only with the social but also the medical needs that they have for the day or into the evening and get them back home. It’s very important to maintain that person’s ability to continue to live in the community. In our main building we have up to 60 slots and at Durand we have roughly 45 slots.

Q: What are some of the challenges that St. Ann’s faces today?

A: In the nursing home, the amount that we receive from Medicaid funding is woefully inadequate. We’re about 80% Medicaid [financed care], and the state pays us about $100 per Medicaid patient per day — less than the cost to care for that person. It’s probably our No. 1 challenge. There’s also a shortage of nurses. Everybody in town is competing for them.

Q: How has St. Ann’s tried to cope with the inadequate Medicaid payments?

A: We have been working closely with our local state delegation. They’ve raised the flag in Albany, saying that we need to increase the Medicaid rate. We’re also trying to find other ways to generate revenue. We have our own private medical practice, we have adult day care, we have independent living. Those things have other funding sources, whether it’s insurance, Medicare, some private pay. We try to use those to offset the losses on the nursing home side.

Q: How is St. Ann’s trying to maintain and add to its nursing staff?

A: The correlation between the lack of funding and the staff pay is direct. We’re doing everything, not only giving the best [pay] rates that we can give and being competitive in the economic space. We also provide customized and tailored scholarships and tuition assistance for employees who want to advance their careers.

n For more information on St. Ann’s Community, go to: https:// stannscommunity.com

Daily Baby Aspirin Raises Odds for Brain Bleeds: Study

Study shows taking baby aspirin won’t lower risk of stroke or heart attack

Foryears, older adults took a baby aspirin a day to help ward off a first-time heart attack or stroke. Now yet another study is showing the risks are not worth it for most.

Specifically, researchers found the risk of brain bleeding while using low-dose aspirin outweighed any potential benefit against stroke for relatively healthy older adults — that is, those with no history of heart disease or stroke.

In fact, among more than 19,000 older adults in the study, those who took daily low-dose aspirin for several years showed no reduction in their risk of an ischemic stroke (the kind caused by a blood clot).

They did, however, have a 38% higher risk of bleeding in the brain, compared to study patients given placebo pills for comparison.

Experts said the findings align with the latest recommendations on low-dose aspirin: Most people with no history of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack or stroke, should skip it.

"What's becoming clearer and clearer is that aspirin, for primary prevention, is not indicated for most people," said Anum Saeed, a cardiologist who was not involved in the study.

"Primary prevention" refers to prevention of first-time strokes or heart attacks.

The new findings do not apply to people who have been prescribed aspirin because they already have a history of those conditions, said Saeed, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a member of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Prevention Council.

President and CEO of St. Ann’s Community reflects on the 150th year of the organization, its mission and challenges

Golden Years

CDC: 28% of Americans Over 65 Will Fall This Year Experts provide tips on how not to be part of this group

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28% of Americans 65plus will fall this year.

“If you fall, statistics show you will fall again in six months,” said Debra Kostiw, certified master dementia strategist and owner of Answers About Alzheimer’s, Inc. in Rochester.

The National Institutes of health reports that “falls in older adults are a common occurrence and may lead to serious injuries (like head injury and fractures). Recurrent falls are also frequent and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in older adults.”

The consequences of falling are great for people who cannot rise and lie on the floor injured for hours or even days. What often happens after a fall and serious injury is that older adults remain less active because they’re recovering from the fall. Or they choose to reduce their activity level because they fear another fall injury.

“The more you sit, the higher you raise your risk of falling again,” Kostiw said. “You have to keep moving. There are proven ways to reduce falls. Falling is not a normal part of aging.”

Reducing activity level also leads to greater dependence upon others for activities of daily living. Ideally, preventing falls is better than trying to introduce fall reduction measures after a fall has occurred.

Kostiw reminds older adults to check with their doctors about medication which can cause dizziness as a side effect. Switching medications could spare them a fall. Keeping eyeglasses clean and maintaining an up-to-date prescription can also reduce the risk of falls.

Shoes with medium to high heels, open backs, thick soles and ill fit can often contribute to falls.

Kostiw said that people with dementia should not be given walkers.

“They’ll never remember to use it,” she said. “If they do try, they won’t use it properly. ‘Furniture surfing’ is safer.”

It’s likely that these people have already been using their familiar furniture as handholds to navigate their home. Replacing familiar handholds with the introduction of unfamiliar equipment can lead to falls.

Other environmental issues Kostiw mentioned include wiping up spills promptly, keeping clutter picked up and avoiding stepladders.

An environmental assessment by a physical therapist can help people better understand how their “perfectly safe home” they’ve lived in 30 years may at this point of their lives be fraught with fall hazards.

Season Bonino, doctor of physical therapy and instructor at Nazareth University in Rochester, said that changes in vision often sneak up on people in their older years.

“A lot of times, there’s a small lamp in the corner of the living room,” she said. “That lack of lighting can lead to significant fall risk.”

Motion sensing lights can illuminate the pathway to the light switch. For homes with insufficient outlets, battery- operated and solar lights can help.

Throw rugs and bathmats are also common fall culprits because “as we get older, we aren’t picking our feet up as high,” Bonino said.

Taping the throw rug’s corners down may help, as can draping the bathmat over the tub when finished with it.

Handrails at home entrances and grab bars — not the suction cup kind — near the tub and toilet can also reduce falls. These should be

installed by a pro and sturdy enough to support an adult’s weight. Towel bars are not enough.

Bonino warned about small furniture like coffee tables and ottomans close to the sofa.

Rather than forcing a shuffle to sit down, clear out these items.

The raised threshold between rooms or uneven flooring on a patio or porch can cause falls, as can stairs, since people don’t perceive the difference in height. Bonino recommends contrasting tape on steps to make these transitions easier to see.

Along with changes in vision, many people experience changes in balance as they age.

“If your balance is off a little, that can be the time to stop in and see a physical therapist or talk with your doctor before you have a fall,” Bonino said.

Patients in New York do not need a prescription or referral from a doctor to see a physical therapist for 10 visits or 30 days.

People of every age occasionally trip. However, older adults lose the ability to take that “fast step” and not completely wipe out.

“Our research is showing that we can be retrained,” Bonino said. “It takes about 45 minutes to significantly reduce fall risk based on validated fall measures.”

Her office uses a slip trainer device that uses a safety harness. No one actually falls, but it elicits a response to see how well they can try to prevent falling. This helps them relearn how to fast step and not fall.

In addition to special training like this, “staying physically active is also helpful,” said Eileen “Izy” Grooms associate professor in health science and human performance at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. “Working on balance will help prevent falls.”

Tai chi has been long lauded as effective in improving balance. But also try a few movements at home. Grooms recommends holding onto a chair or countertop and balance on one foot for as long as possible.

“Work on getting up from a chair without using the arms of the chairs,” she added. “This will build muscles in your legs to help keep you stable.”

CALENDAR HEALTH EVENTSof

Sept. 24

Pittsford cancer walk to raise funds to Embrace Your Sisters

Embrace Your Sisters, a local nonprofit, will hold its annual “Positively Pink in Pittsford Walk” on Sunday, Sept 24. The walk starts at Pittsford Sutherland High School at 10 a.m.; registration begins at 9 a.m. Walk with friends, family, coworkers to support breast cancer patients across our 13-county area. The walk covers 1.8 miles along the Erie Canal. Dog are welcome.

There is no fee to participate;

“She made me feel beautiful...”

“Sharon was so kind & understanding and she had lots of hairpieces to choose from. She knew exactly what I needed. I loved her right away because she showed me what was good on me & the ones not good on me. Sharon was always

however, donations are appreciated and if you raise $30, you will receive an event T-shirt. To pre-register as an individual or team, to donate or for sponsorship opportunities visit www.embraceyoursisters. org/2023-ppip.

EYS helps breast cancer patients in 13 counties in New York state. Many people diagnosed with breast cancer are unable to work during their illness or treatment, adding a huge financial toll to an already difficult struggle. Assistance from EYS eases the financial difficulties of unpaid bills and helps patients focus on their health and families.

For more information, visit www. embraceyoursisters.org.

Debra Kostiw is a certified master dementia strategist and owner of Answers About Alzheimer’s, Inc. in Rochester.

Eileen “Izy” Grooms is an associate professor in health science and human performance at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua.

Golden Years Give it a Shot: What You Need to Know About Adult Vaccines

By Kimberly Blaker

When it comes to health, prevention is the best medicine. Many avoidable diseases can cause extensive damage to our health, especially as we age or for those with other medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

While many preventable illnesses are treatable, they can nonetheless result in lasting complications. So getting vaccinated against certain diseases is vital to prevent these illnesses from taking hold in our bodies. We all know vaccinations are standard during childhood, but adults need immunizations, too. However, adults require different protections or may need booster shots to ensure the vaccines they received in the past remain effective.

How do vaccines work?

The goal of vaccines is to reduce your chance of infection by developing immunity through your body's natural defense system. When bacteria or viruses get into your body, they reproduce and attack your

system. Your body's immune system has various approaches to fight off this infection. For example, white blood cells can learn how to protect your body from particular germs that you've been vaccinated against.

The way this works is vaccines use a small amount of the particular virus or bacteria and introduce it into your system. The antibodies then learn how to fight off the germs in the event you encounter them in a larger quantity. For this reason, you may have a slight reaction to the vaccine, such as a fever, while your body works to fight it. Still, this is very minor compared to the complications of getting a preventable disease. There are many types of vaccines, and each can interact with your body differently. Some vaccines require multiple doses or else a booster later on to rebuild your immunity levels.

Some individuals are unable to get certain vaccines or have weakened immune systems that make them more vulnerable to infection. Herd immunity can protect these at-risk populations, including young

children, older adults, and individuals with certain health conditions. Herd immunity refers to a large percent of the population being immune to a disease, reducing the risk of the particular bacteria or virus passing from person to person.

What vaccines do older adults need?

The vaccines recommended in adulthood offer yearly protection, are recommended for specific life or health situations or are boosters to keep your childhood vaccinations working effectively.

Every individual has different medical needs, but common adult immunization recommendations include:

• Influenza: The flu shot is recommended yearly for every person over the age of 6 months, especially for those at higher risk due to a weak-

ened immune system, medical conditions, or close contact with those at risk for the flu.

• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap): The initial Tdap shot is currently given once, usually around the age of 11-12. Boosters are recommended every 10 years after that, especially if you come in contact with pregnant women or young infants.

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): If you were born before 1957, you are likely immune from MMR. If you were born after 1957 and don't have evidence of immunity, this vaccination is recommended, especially if you travel internationally. However, if you have a weakened immune system, it is not recommended.

• Recombinant zoster (RZV): The Zoster vaccine is the currently preferred shot to prevent shingles. It's especially recommended for those 50 or older since the risk and the likelihood of complications from shingles increases with age. Even if you've had shingles, you can get it again, so the vaccine is still recommended.

• Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23): This vaccine is for pneumococcal diseases like meningitis and bloodstream infections. It’s recommended for everyone 65 and older and for younger individuals with certain health conditions.

• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13): This immunization also works to prevent pneumococcal disease and pneumonia for those with conditions that weaken their immune system. The CDC offers a vaccine assessment tool to help you determine which vaccines you may need based on your own personal factors such as age or health conditions. The best way to make sure you are up to date on immunizations is to discuss your medical history and needs with your doctor.

Two-Thirds of Americans Say Their Lives Have Been Affected by Addiction: Poll

Millions of Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and millions more struggle with an addicted family member or friend, a new poll finds.

Two-thirds of those surveyed said either they or a family member have been addicted to alcohol or drugs, been homeless because of an addiction, or overdosed or died from drug use.

Moreover, 19% say they themselves have been addicted to drugs or alcohol, had a drug overdose or were homeless because of an addiction.

“It’s pretty surprising to think about when we talk about addiction and issues with drugs and alcohol, we typically talk about them as isolated incidents,” said Ashley Kirzinger, director of survey methodology at KFF (formerly known as Kaiser Family Foundation).

“I think what we’re seeing in this is that it’s not isolated,” she said. “It’s impacting almost a majority of American families and when we ask about the impact that it’s had on them, a large share say that addiction issues have had an impact on their mental health and their family’s financial situation. It’s pretty surprising to think about how pervasive of a problem it is in the U.S.”

Addiction is affecting everyone, regardless of where they live, regardless of their household income, she noted.

“There isn’t a typical person with addiction problems. It seems like it’s affecting families regardless of their race and ethnicity, regardless of their income and regardless of where they live,” Kirzinger said.

Addiction has been seen in 42%

of people in rural areas and 33% of white adults, she added. Yet, many people aren’t getting help. Only 46% of those with addiction in their families say that person got treatment. Among white adults, 51% got treatment, compared with only 35% of Black and Hispanic adults.

Families affected by addiction say it has damaged family relationships (76%) and mental health (70%), while it stresses family finances (57%).

Many families are also worried that their addicted loved one will overdose or unintentionally use the dangerous and potent drug fentanyl.

On the positive side, Kirzinger

said more people polled said their doctor (57%) talked to them about the pitfalls of prescription opioids, including the danger of addiction. Doctors (60%) were also more likely to offer alternative medications to manage pain, she said.

Kirzinger also noted that both Democrats and Republicans support addiction treatment centers in their community (90%) or making the drug Narcan (naloxone), which can reverse an opioid overdose, available for free at bars, health clinics and fire stations.

The poll of over 1,300 U.S. adults was conducted from July 11 to 19 either online or by telephone.

“These findings are not surprising,” said Robyn Oster, senior research associate of health law and policy at the Partnership to End Addiction. “With over 110,000 overdose deaths predicted in 2022 and more than 46 million people reporting having substance use disorder in 2021, it is inevitable that so many people would have family members impacted and be concerned about the mental health and addiction crises. Pervasive stigma and underinvestment have predictably led to a lack of access to needed services.”

Oster said that prescription painkillers are a driver of the opioid epidemic.

“A 2013 study found that four in five people who use heroin misused a prescription opioid first, and that was a big contributor to how this overdose crisis started,” she said. “As those prescriptions became more difficult to get, due to prescribing enforcement, cost or other factors, people switched to heroin and other illicit drugs, and now increasingly fentanyl.”

Yet, nearly half of people who misused a prescription pain reliever got it from a friend or relative, either by being given them, buying them or taking them without asking, Oster noted.

“Some people start using substances to self-medicate or in a social setting,” she said. “With the increasingly deadly drug supply, substance use can be dangerous even before someone is addicted.”

Oster said that given the size of the crisis there are not enough resources to support people affected by addiction.

“We know, both from this poll and from other national data sources, that far too few people with addiction receive any care, and even fewer receive quality care, including medications for addiction treatment,” she explained.

• Help an older adult manage day-to-day

nances.

• Give a lift to someone who no longer drives.

• Give a caregiver a break.

• Make a friendly phone call.

• Lead fall prevention or healthy living workshops.

• And more!

Addiction is affecting everyone, regardless of where they live, regardless of their household income, according to a recent poll.

Golden Years

Easier Pet Care for Older Adults

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Although pets bring many mental and physical health benefits, some older adults find caring for their cat or dog more challenging than it used to be. Fortunately, area resources can make it easier for them to enjoy their pets and keep up with their animals’ care.

Everyday Hands serves the Rochester area with non-medical domestic help. Clients are all ages; however, many are older adults. Lauren Goetz, the company owner, said that Everyday Hands employees will scoop litter boxes and feed animals, but typically do these as an add-on service for people already needing services such as errand transportation, light housekeeping, organizing–decluttering, and companionship.

“With our price point we’re not the best option, if that’s the only thing,” Goetz said. “If we’re already working with a client, it may be the best option. We’ll take pets to the groomer’s and to the vet, too.”

Goetz encourages older adults to use automation to streamline pet care, such as automated feeders, waterers and cat box cleaners. These items reduce the frequency of these pet care chores.

Buying the right products can help also, such as lightweight litter or small packages of litter if carrying 25-pound containers is too difficult. Clumping litter can reduce the frequency of lifting a full litterbox to dump it, as it’s easier to scoop out soiled clumps and conserve the remaining clean litter. Many online companies like Chewy. Com will regularly deliver products right to the doorstep, reducing the need to heft bags of food and litter.

If tight finances make it difficult to keep a pet, Goetz recommends

that those who receive Meals on Wheels ask about receiving pet food as well.

“In Irondequoit, the food cupboard has pet supplies like litter and food,” she added.

Whether a professional service or a responsible neighbor kid who wants to make some money, hiring a dog walker can reduce pet care work while still providing exercise and stimulation to a dog. Dog waste removal services can make yard clean-up easier.

Goetz also suggested finding a vet that performs house calls and a mobile groomer for people who struggle to transport their pet.

Haley’s Groom and Zoom in Lyons serves Ontario, Wayne Seneca and most of Yates counties. Owner Haley Stivers trims pets’ nails, toenails, bathes dogs, brushes dogs and cats, and cleans dogs’ ears.

“I do have some older clients who no longer drive and a couple of them have a harder time getting their pets in the car,” Stivers said. “Sometimes, caregivers reach out to me about my services because it’s super hard to even think about giving up a pet.”

Her prices range from $12 for a nail trim to a bath plus nail trim for $35 for a small dog to $45 for an extra-large dog, plus a $5 to $15 travel fee.

In addition, the home set-up can make caring for pets easier. For example, a dog run can help with taking the animal outside to eliminate rather than walking it on a leash.

Inside, reduce the risk of slips and trips.

“If you’re going to be able to take your dog for a walk, hang the leash up so it won’t fall on the floor and

create a tripping hazard,” said Jeremy Tiermini, a certified athletic trainer and professor in Health Sciences and Human Performance at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua. Tiermini earned a Master of Sports Science Sports Medicine at the United States Sports Academy.

“Keep pet toys picked up; have a spot to store them,” he added. “Dogs and cats like to claim their stuff and put them in the middle of the floor. Dogs can be messy when they drink, which can be a slipping hazard. Clean up any spills.”

Sometimes, the pet itself can contribute to falls. Tiermini recommends placing a bell on the cat’s collar and using metal tags for dog collars, so they jingle as they walk instead of plastic ones.

“Annually, 80,000 people go to the ER for a fall injury caused by a pet,” he said. “We don’t want to give up pets if they’re a source of comfort. Start to think of when you might need help. It’s hard at any age to ask for help, but you might need help if a pet still has a lot of energy.”

Lauren Goetz, right, is the owner of Everyday Hands, a Rochester business that helps people with non-medical domestic work.

By Jim Miller

How to Plan a Green Funeral

Dear Savvy Senior,

What can you tell me about green funeral options? At age 80, I would like to preplan my funeral and make it as natural as possible.

Old Environmentalist

Dear Environmentalist,

Great question! Green funeral options are becoming increasingly popular in the United States as more and more Americans are looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional funerals. Here’s what you should know about “green burial” and “green cremation” options, along with some tips to help you locate services in your area.

Green Burial

If you wish to be buried, a green–natural burial will minimize the environmental impact by forgoing the embalming chemicals (which is not required by law), traditional casket and concrete vault. Instead, you’ll be buried in either a biodegradable container or shroud with no vault, and you won’t be embalmed. This allows the body to decompose naturally and become part of the earth.

If you want to temporarily preserve the body for viewing or a memorial service, instead of embalming, you can request dry ice or Techni ice, a refrigeration unit, or a nontoxic embalming agent.

You’ll also be happy to know that green burials are much cheaper than traditional funerals, which average around $8,000 in 2023. By scrapping the coffin, vault and embalming, which are expensive, you’ll save yourself several thousand dollars on your funeral costs.

To find green burial services in your area, a good first step is to see if there’s a certified green funeral home in your area and contact them. The Green Burial Council offers an online directory of providers and other resources at GreenBurialCouncil.org.

If there isn’t one nearby, your next step is to contact several traditional funeral homes to see if they offer green funeral service options — many do.

You’ll also need to find a green cemetery. There are nearly 100 green cemeteries throughout the U.S., along with more than 300 traditional (hybrid) cemeteries that offer green burials too. To find them, the New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education and Advocacy website has a list at NHfuneral.org. Or, if you own rural property you may be able to have a home burial there, if your state and county allow it.

If, however, there are no green cemeteries nearby you can still make

your burial more environmentally friendly by not being embalmed. And, if the cemetery allows, using a biodegradable casket or shroud and skipping the vault. If a vault is required, ask to have holes drilled in the bottom, or use a concrete grave box with an open bottom so the body can return to the earth.

Green Cremation

If you would rather be cremated, you have some green choices here too. While cremation has always been touted as being more eco-friendly than a typical burial, a traditional cremation, which uses high heat to incinerate the body, does emit greenhouse gases into the air.

A green cremation, however, uses water and potassium hydroxide to reduce a deceased body to its basic element of bone ash within a few hours. This green technique, which is known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a little more expensive than traditional cremation but, unfortunately, it’s not legal in every state. Contact some local funeral providers to find out if this is available in your area, or Google “alkaline hydrolysis cremation” followed by your city and state.

Another green consideration is deciding what to do with the remains. Instead of scattering, which can be harmful to the environment, there are a wide variety of biodegradable urns that dissolve into the earth or water over time, and memorial urns that will grow a plant or tree in combination with your ashes.

Stages: Understanding the stages of breast cancer: 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 | Screening: Breast cancer screening: Is it worth if you’re over 70? | Diagnosis: Older women’s is often overdiagnosed, raising risk of unnecessary treatment: study | Fertility — When are women most likely to conceive? Understanding “fertile windows.” | Contraceptive: The FDA just approved the first overthe-counter oral contraceptive | Early Menopause: What are the signs and what can women do to mitigate its effects?

By Teresa Plumeri

Embracing New Adventures: Finding Joy in Independent Living

As we journey through life, there comes a time when you start to think, wouldn’t it be nice not to have the burdens and responsibilities that come with home ownership anymore?

This thought may come while at the same time craving a beautiful new setting for your future years, with new opportunities you couldn’t take advantage of while raising your family?

That’s what today’s senior living communities provide.

As you begin to look and start making a list of what’s most important to you, you realize making the right decision is imperative. And it’s very personal, one size doesn’t fit all. Are you someone that wants an extra bedroom for grandkids and guests? Do you like to be on the go and want a community that offers lots of activities? Is exercise important to you? Then you will want to be sure there is a gym and indoor pool.

New Friends and New Experiences

While websites and brochures might list amenities like multiple dining venues, exercise classes and on-site beauty salons, the true magic lies in making new connections that bring it all to life. Getting to know your neighbors and having time to enjoy yourself with no worries about home ownership, is just the beginning.

With the support of your new community, planning your move turns into a joint adventure, eliminating any stress or worry.

Inside senior living communities, there’s a whole team of friendly experts — people who know about finances, the real estate market, rightsizing and lending a helping hand — and they’ll be by your side every step of the way. Feel free to ask any questions you have, without any worry of judgment. Lean on technology and FaceTime and send

text messages to your sales rep, and watch YouTube videos to learn about your community, in addition to in person visits. There’s no question too big or too small, and someone is always there to provide you with the answers you need.

Discovering Chapel Oaks' Unique Charm

Chapel Oaks stands out in the world of independent living communities. The resident ambassador program creates immediate friendships, while the guest apartment offers friends or loved ones a comfortable place to stay. Many Chapel Oaks residents settle in, and, by evening of moving day, are sharing a refreshing glass of wine with their new neighbors at Marie’s Bar & Bistro.

A Bright New Beginning on Move-In Day

Once that last box is unloaded, it's time for celebration. New residents often share their appreciation for the support and guidance they've received during the entire process. Change is not always easy, but discovering that breakfast awaits you each morning and anticipating tomorrow’s water aerobics session just outside your apartment brings such a sense of relief.

As residents settle into their new home, they often find themselves saying, "I wish I had done this sooner."

We continue to make it easier for you to access our programs and benefits. Our website offers a convenient way to apply for benefits online. Here are five ways you can apply for benefits using ssa.gov.

1. Retirement or Spouse's Benefits

— You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your benefits to start in no more than four months. Apply at www.ssa.gov/retirement.

2. Disability Benefits — You can use our online application, available at www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older.

• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.

• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our online appeal application is a starting point to request a review of the determination we made. Please visit www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made.

3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have

QQ: I lost my Medicare card. How can I get replacement?

A: The easiest and newest way to get a replacement Medicare card is by using your My Social Security account. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount for more information on how to create an account. You also can get a replacement Medicare card by calling us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Keep your card in a safe place. You don’t want anyone getting hold of your Social Security number. They could steal your identity.

Q: I pay my monthly premium directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider. Why can’t I also pay my income-related monthly adjustment amount directly to my Medicare prescription drug plan provider?

A: By law, we must deduct your income-related monthly adjustment amount from your Social Security payments. If the amount you owe is more than the amount of your payment, or you don't get monthly payments, you will get a separate bill from another federal agency, such as

income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people aged 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications. If you meet certain requirements, you may begin the process online by letting us know you would like to apply for SSI at www.ssa.gov/ssi. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply.

4. Medicare — Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:

• People aged 65 or older.

• Some people younger than 65 who have disabilities.

• People with end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

• If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare 3 months before turning age 65 at www.ssa.gov/ medicare.

5. Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs — The Extra Help program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. People who need assistance with the cost of medications can apply for Extra Help at www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-dextra-help.

Please share this information with those who need it.

the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or the Railroad Retirement Board. Read Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries for an idea of what you can expect to pay at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

Q: I'm retiring early, at age 62, and I receive investment income from a rental property I own. Does investment income count as earnings?

A: No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net profit if you're self-employed. Non-work income such as annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and other government benefits are not counted and will not affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by government pensions earned through work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. You can retire online at www.ssa.gov. For more information, call us toll-free at 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Teresa Plumeri is a sales representative at St. Ann’s Community at Chapel Oaks.

The Eye Care Center Has a New Macedon Practice Meet Your Provider

With the new site in Macedon at 1025 Brixton Drive, finding great eye care is easier than ever.

Professionals at The Eye Care Center at Macedon, Canandaigua and Geneva, will ensure you have access to exceptional care from a knowledgeable team.

All locations provide comprehensive, subspeciality and cosmetic treatments, including: eye exams, eyelid surgeries, laser vision correction (LASIK), corneal surgeries, retinal surgeries, glaucoma treatments and cutting edge options for cataract surgery.

Q. What sets apart The Eye Care Center from other eye care providers?

A. Excellence and understanding. Our doctors have extensive experience and truly care about our patients.

Q. How often should people see a physician when it comes to eye health?

Regular visits will vary, depending on the patient’s age, family history and current health. It’s a good idea to see your doctor once every three years if you’re

under 50 and once per year when you are 50 or older.

Q. Can you offer any tips for people who work at a computer all day for their eye health?

One recommendation is the 20-20-20 rule. Individuals should take a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s also important to keep your monitor bright, so there is less “computer flicker,” which can lead to eyestrain and headaches.

Q. Are there things people should know about cataracts?

When your vision becomes hazy, blurry or less colorful, you may find you have a cataract. During cataract surgery, the doctor will remove your eye’s cloudy natural lens (cataract) and replace it with an artificial lens, which is called an intraocular lens (or IOL). What’s terrific about this surgery is that most patients experience significant improvement in their vision and they are often surprised at how easy the process is to get through.

Health News

Lifetime Benefit Solutions in expansion mode

Lifetime Benefit Solutions

ACA enrollment, Medicare products, long-term care planning, and more.

Q. Are there other options for cataract treatments?

With the new Light Adjustable Lens, you will have the opportunity to preview possible vision outcomes with your cataract surgeon before you establish your final vision. Essentially, this allows you to “test drive” the different vision settings before deciding on your final choice.

Unlike traditional IOLs, the Light Adjustable Lens can be modified using specialized UV

light treatments to enhance your vision. This is the world’s first lens implant that can be customized to your eye after surgery.

Q. What kind of cosmetic care do you offer?

You can enjoy the results of great treatments, including Botox, Dysport, facial peels, fillers, Kybella, Ultherapy and wrinkle reduction/skin resurfacing through TriBella.

Trish Mooney

(LBS), the Upstate New York-based third-party administrator with offices in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, is increasing its presence in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee with its purchase of a book of business from Virginia-based Towne Benefits. LBS acquired nearly 1,000 clients to provide COBRA, reimbursement accounts, and LBS’ full suite of ancillary benefits and specialty programs that help round out an employer's traditional benefits.

“Lifetime Benefit Solutions is strong, and growing,” says LBS President Trish Mooney.

Towne Benefits provides a full range of benefits services to its clients, including employee benefits administration, online enrollment technology, human resources consulting, compliance administration, individual insurance coverage and

LBS is among the nation’s top echelon of third-party administrators and an industry leader in designing, developing, and deploying reimbursement accounts, COBRA, retirement accounts, and other employee wellness-related plans that promote employee health while safeguarding a company’s financial health.

To learn more about LBS, visit www.LifetimeBenefitSolutions.com.

Jewish Senior Life selected as ‘Great Place to Work’

A nurse at Jewish Senior Life wrote, “It really is the best place to work in Rochester.” The comment was made on an anonymous survey administered by Great Place to Work Institute and its partner Activated Insights to measure more than 60 elements of employee experiences on the job. Based on results that exceeded national benchmarks for Best Workplaces in Aging Services, Jewish Senior Life was honored with certification as a Great Place to Work for the fourth time.

With approximately 1,000 employees, Jewish Senior Life is one of the largest nonprofit employers in Rochester, and the only continuing care retirement community. More

than 90% of employees praised the organization for providing a safe place to work, contributing in positive ways to the community, creating a welcoming environment and feeling a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

“Many people join our team when they are looking to find a meaningful career where they can see the impact of their work. We are committed to enhancing the employee experience in every way we can,” says Emy Giacalone, senior vice president of human resources. “We now offer an in-house life and employment success coach to support any employee who would like to develop skills that will help them to be successful.”

Jewish Senior Life also received positive survey comments about its inclusive and welcoming culture resulting from its renewed commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, its robust employee recognition programs, and ongoing opportunities for career development, training, and scholarships.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our employees,” says Michael S. King, president and CEO of Jewish Senior Life. “Their dedication and the compassionate care they deliver every day shows in the faces of the people and families we serve—our incredible team truly makes us a great place to work!”

Thompson physicians receive Service Excellence Awards

UR Medicine Thompson Health recently named two of its associates as second-quarter 2023 Service Excellence Award winners.

Chosen for the honor by the health system’s Service Excellence Team (SET) were physicians:

• Brian Greenberg of Victor, from the emergency department

•Ashley Leubner of Conesus, from Canandaigua Family Practice

The Service Excellence Award acknowledges Thompson associates who consistently deliver exceptional service. The SET selects award recipients quarterly, after reviewing system leaders’ submissions of compliments from patients, families, and coworkers.

Each recipient of the Service Excellence Award is given points to be used on Thompson’s online shopping site and is featured in CEO presentations as well as on Thompson’s intranet site and in its internal newsletter.

The new site of The Eye Care Center at 1025 Brixton Drive, Macedon.

Frank chose non-surgical CyberKnife® at HOA –offering 5 treatments instead of 35!

“The original diagnosis was to treat my prostate cancer with seven weeks of radiation, five days a week. I was kind of upset that I was never given the option of CyberKnife,” said Frank. “The precise radiation achieved by CyberKnife, far fewer treatments, and the personalized care I received from Dr. Chin and his team made my decision an easy one. Better, the treatment was a real success!”

• ADVENTURES: Friends spend nine days and about 630 miles to circle Lake Ontario by bike

• VETERANS: Group of veterans from Rochester takes part in the Honor Flight program

• EXERCISE: Why you should consider tai chi

• ARTS: Arena Art Group: creating abstract art

• COVER: Bruce Barnes: Preserving the legacy of George Eastman

• MEET THE IMMORTALS: Local guys carry skills to the national level

• WORKFORCE: Growing number of older Americans continue to work

• PETS: Local counselor pens grief book • Pet cremation becomes more popular ...and so much more!

Barnes, director of George Eastman Museum