In Good Health: ROC #222 - February 2024 by In Good Health: Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper

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FEBRUARY 2024 • ISSUE 222

Daily Multivitamin Might Help Aging Brains Recent studies by top universities suggest taking multivitamins could help prevent memory loss and slow cognitive aging among older adults.

ALSO INSIDE • 8 Top Concerns for Older Adults • Expanding Longevity: $101 Million to the Best Ideas • Why You Need to Have Your Hearing Checked

GOLDEN YEARS SPECIAL WHO WINS, WHO LOSES IN THE DISPUTE BETWEEN EXCELLUS BCBS AND WELLNOW?

HEART HEALTH DON’T WAIT ‘TILL SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOUR HEART P. 11

George Chapman: “Unless the stalemate is broken, all three parties — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, WellNow, consumers — will lose.” P. 26 P.

Teen Smoking Rates Have Plummeted, With Less Than 1% Now Daily Smokers

he number of American teens who smoke or have even tried smoking has dropped dramatically compared to a generation ago, with less than 1% now saying they light up cigarettes daily. Researchers tracked data on students in grades 9 through 12 from 1991 through to 2021. They report a 16-fold decline in daily cigarette use — from 9.8% of teens saying they smoked daily in 1991 to just 0.6% by 2021.

Even trying smoking is clearly unpopular now: Whereas about 70% of teens surveyed in 1991 said they had "ever" smoked, that number fell to less than 18% by 2021, a fourfold decline. “The substantial decrease in cigarette use among U.S. adolescents spanning three decades is an encouraging public health achievement,” said senior study author Panagiota Kitsantas, of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

“This decrease underscores the importance of continued vigilance, research and intervention to further reduce tobacco use and its associated harms," Kitsantas said in a university news release. She's chairwoman of population health and social medicine at the university's Schmidt College of Medicine. The findings are based on federal government surveys comprising more than 226,000 teens. The study is published online in the winter 2023 issue of the Ochsner Journal. Other findings from the study: • "Frequent" smoking (on at least 20 days of the prior month) fell from 12.7% of teens in 1991 to 0.7% 30 years later. • "Occasional" (at least 1 cigarette over the past month) smoking dropped from 27% of teens to 3.8% by 2021, a sevenfold decline. • 12th graders were more likely to say they occasionally smoked versus kids in grades 9 through 11. That suggests that older teens may be more likely to at least experiment with smoking, the researchers said. • Smoking rates have fallen most dramatically among Black teens, compared to whites or Hispanics. Smoking-related illness is still responsible for one in every five U.S. deaths, killing about half a million Americans annually, the researchers noted. And even though reductions in smoking among young people is welcome news, it may take time to show up in improved life spans. “Quitting smoking significantly reduces risks of cardiovascular disease beginning within a matter of

Even trying smoking is clearly unpopular now: Whereas about 70% of teens surveyed in 1991 said they had “ever” smoked, that number fell to less than 18% by 2021, a fourfold decline. months and reaching the non smoker status within a few years, even among older adults," explained study co-author, physician Charles Hennekens. "However, for lung and other cancers, reductions do not even begin to emerge for years after quitting, and even after 10 years, remain midway between the continuing smoker and lifelong nonsmoker," said Hennekens, who is a professor of medicine at Florida Atlantic. "Thus, for reducing cardiovascular disease risks it's never too late to quit, but to reduce risks of cancer, it's never too early," he said.

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Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

“My days are filled with friendships and activities, combined with the care I need.” A D U LT D AY G U E S T

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February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

Meet

because there are a lot of injuries.

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Sherard Tatum, MD More Americans Will Only Have to Pay $35 a Month for Insulin in 2024 Managing diabetes will be a less expensive proposition for more Americans in 2024. Sanofi has officially joined Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in lowering the cost of insulin to $35 a month for many patients. The three drugmakers are also drastically lowering the list prices for their insulin products. The price-cutting moves were first announced last spring, but some of them didn't take effect until Jan. 1. After spending on insulin had tripled in the past decade, drug makers had come under heavy fire from patients and politicians alike. In 2022, $22.3 billion was spent on insulin costs, compared to just $8 billion in 2012, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Over 8 million Americans need insulin to survive, but up to quarter of those patients haven't been able to afford the medication and have dangerously rationed doses, according to the ADA. Now, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare enrollees pay no more than $35 a month for their insulin prescriptions. But they are not the only ones getting price breaks. As of Jan. 1, Sanofi established a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for Lantus, its most widely prescribed insulin in the United States, for all patients with commercial insurance. It already limits the cost to $35 for all uninsured patients. In September, Novo Nordisk launched the MyInsulinRx program, which provides a 30-day supply of insulin for $35 to eligible patients, including the uninsured. The company also offers a co-pay savings card that allows eligible patients to buy its insulin products for as little as $35 and no more than $99, depending on their health insurance coverage. And in March, Eli Lilly instituted an automatic $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for those with commercial insurance buying its insulin products at participating retail pharmacies. The uninsured can download the Lilly Insulin Value Program savings card, which allows them to get the medication for $35 a month.

Upstate doctor now serves as president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He talks about the new position and the trips to Ukraine to perform facial surgeries on people injured in the war Q: You are a currently the president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. What does that organization do and what are your duties as president? A: The AAFPRS is the trade organization for facial plastic surgeons. It’s the largest organization representing facial plastic surgeons. We have over 2,000 members. We represent the membership to the public and to government. Our prime objectives involve quality of healthcare, research and service. We do some pro bono work domestically and abroad. And we put on two or three meetings a year for education. I’m president, chairman of the board of trustees for the academy and for the foundation, the nonprofit arm. I represent the interests of the membership to the media and to government and preside over meetings. Q: Did you seek the position or was it more of an opening you fell into? A: It’s an elected position. I was nominated by our nominating committee. It’s typically based on many years of service to the organization at the committee level, putting on meetings, activism. Usually there’s an election with two to three candidates, occasionally one. And the membership votes. Q: You’re an ENT, but do you mostly focus on plastic surgery in your practice? A: Yeah, I do mostly reconstructive surgery. I run the cleft and craniofacial clinic at SUNY Upstate. So I fix faces that have deformities from birth defects, injuries and cancer defects. Q: What accounts for the majority of those cases? A: Most of what I do is the birth defects. That’s what I specialize in.

But I do have a fairly broad practice taking care of trauma- and cancer-related reconstruction. Q: What’s involved in correcting cleft-palates and facial asymmetries? A: Clefts are corrected in stages. For example, a baby born with a cleft lip and palates would have the lip repaired in the first two or three months of life. The palettes are usually repaired at about a year of age. They usually get tubes in their ears if they have a cleft-palate. We’ll follow them as an interdisciplinary team until they’re 18, sometimes into their early 20s because there are certain aspects of the cleft that affect how their faces grow that are best dealt with after they’re fully growing. The cleft results in some minor asymmetry in the nose and upper lip region, but there are other conditions that cause significant facial asymmetry like craniofacial microsomia where one side of the face is much smaller than the other side. That requires repair in stages. Q: You were recently in Ukraine to perform facial surgeries on people injured in the war. What was that like? A: It was both horrifying and gratifying. It’s terrible to see the nature of injuries that war causes. We specialize in taking care of facial injuries. Some of the facial injuries were horrific. Some of these individuals are left with horrible disfigurement. Often an eye has been lost. Occasionally both eyes. They may have trouble feeding themselves, speaking. Sometimes even breathing. So their lives are completely disrupted by these injuries. We try to reconstruct them as best we can to give them some of their life back. When we’re able to do that, it’s really quite rewarding. And there’s a great need for it,

Nominate a Doctor for ‘Meet Your Doctor’ If you’d like to nominate a special physician, dentist, chiropractor, physical therapist or any doctor to be featured in our “Meet Your Doctor” segment, please send an email to editor@GVhealthnews.com — please write “Meet Your Doctor”

on the subject line.

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

Q: What tends to cause the majority of these injuries? A: It’s a lot of direct fire bullet injuries and a lot of shrapnel. There are also some crush injuries from buildings coming down and things like that. A few burns. Q: Obviously those are all very different types of traumas, but how successful were you generally at improving their quality of life? A: This most recent trip — we’ve been there three or four times — we had eight cases where a segment of jaw was missing and we reconstructed it with a piece of bone from the leg. We were able to rebuild eye sockets. While we obviously can’t fix their vision, we did give them the ability to have an ocular prosthesis and have a fairly normal-looking eye. Some other people had problems with holes in their palates, so a lot of work was done to help improve speech and feeding. And, of course, appearance. Q: How much does plastic surgery overlap with more general ENT practice? A: There’s a lot of overlap. Anything you do in ENT, if you’re not working through an orifice, then you’re cutting on the face. So you have to be careful to design your incisions so that you make the most acceptable scars that you can on the face. And the reconstructive aspect focuses on fixing defects like part of the tongue being missing. All of that overlaps, especially since we deal with a lot of cancer. Sometimes we’re the ones creating the defects by removing the cancer from their face or jaw. So we need to know how to put them back together as well. Q: As president of a national trade organization, how do you find Central New York is perceived by your peers? A: Upstate’s ENT department has a storied past. We’ve had pretty famous people involved in our ENT department. So having continued national leadership coming out of Syracuse doesn’t really surprise anyone at the national level. Certainly I do my best to shine a good light on our department and the university in general.

Lifelines

Name: Sherard Tatum, M.D. Position: Director of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at SUNY Upstate University Hospital, professor of otolaryngology and communication sciences and of pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee Education: University of South Florida; Eastern Virginia Medical School; University of Eppendorf; University of California Affiliations: Upstate Medical University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, Syracuse VA Organizations: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolarynology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons Family: Wife (Diane Diamond), two children Hobbies: Skiing, cooking, traveling.

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February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

Drug Prices

Excellus vs. WellNow

hile I have no specifics regarding the stalemate as of this writing, I can offer my considered observations. Basically, unless the stalemate is broken, all three parties — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, WellNow, consumers — will lose.

problem, urgent care allows some employees to get back to work the same day versus wasting the entire day in an ER. Urgent care centers are paid far less than an emergency room for the same visit. It seems Excellus is shooting itself in the fiscal foot by

First, Excellus.

provider (physician or hospital), would suffer financially if excluded by Excellus. WellNow provides an invaluable service to consumers, employers, even their provider colleagues. Shunning WellNow can cause negative ripples and unintended consequences in physician offices and ERs.

Third, Excellus

Excellus's v. WellNow: Unless the members. The insurer controls virtually 85% of the stalemate is broken, all three parties — Instead of a paying the market and faces little Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, WellNow, relatively nominal copay competition. Unless it and receiving care in about can produce some urgent consumers — will lose. an hour, Excellus members care alternatives, other are now faced with either plans will have a great not getting care at all, selling point and may excluding WellNow from its provider (potentially dangerous) or paying the take members away from Excelpanel. entire WellNow fee, which is considlus. Urgent care centers provide an erably more than the copay or killing invaluable and cost-effective service. Second, WellNow. their day in an emergency room with They keep hundreds of same day a much higher copay in probably acute care visits out of overbooked Since Excellus controls so much three to six hours. physician offices and overrun emerof the commercial market, any gency rooms. Depending on the 15 through Dec. 7. Medigap supplemental insurers can deny coverage of pre-existing conditions if you switch back to traditional from MA. However, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York prohibit these insurers from denying care. There have been vocal critics of MA plans because of coverage issues and inaccurate provider lists. Beginning this year, MA plans must comply with federal network expectations or face consequences.

CVS in the Metaverse Switching Medicare Plans About half of our 66 million seniors have elected to be covered by a Medicare advantage plan versus traditional Medicare. Advantage plans (MA) are funded by the federal government but administered by commercial insurance companies like Blue Cross, United, Aetna, Cigna, etc. You can switch back to traditional Medicare or switch to another MA plan during the two open enrollment periods: Jan. 1 through March 31 and Oct.

For better or worse, the national drug chain has filed a patent to sell drugs in the virtual world. Surely, others will follow. CVS plans a dwindling physical presence and will close 900 stores over the next three years. It will offer healthcare services via three main platforms. Traditional stores that remain open will continue to provide prescription services and health and wellness programs. Free standing clinics will provide primary care services. HealthHUB locations will offer screenings, monitoring, counseling and other treatment

options. CVS reported $304 billion in revenue is 2022.

Fighting Gun Violence It is the No. 1 cause of death between the ages of 1 and 25. Since gun violence prevention is virtually stalled in Congress, several states have taken the matter up themselves and have authorized the use of their Medicaid dollars for gun violence prevention. They are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Oregon. President has authorized the use of federal Medicaid dollars to supplement state efforts. 54% of gun deaths are suicide; 43% are murder; the remaining 3% are accidental or undetermined.

Fake Ozempic There should be no surprise that there are fake versions of the popular

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

weight loss drug on the market. The FDA has seized thousands of fake units and — with manufacturer Novo Nordisk’s cooperation — is testing for defects. So far, it appears the fake drug can result in infections and comes with unsterile needles. But rest assured the fake Ozempic still has the same adverse side effects as the real thing: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation. Ozempic is a class GLO-1 drug originally designed to treat diabetes. But its popularity as a weight loss drug could cost Medicare an additional $14 billion to $27 billion per an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. So far, according to a survey of HR professionals, only about 25% of employers cover the drug for non-diabetic treatment.

The New Year means annual drug price increases. Last year, manufacturers jacked up prices on 1,425 drugs, which is slightly less than 1,460 in 2022. Leading the way is Pfizer, which accounts for more than 25% of the price increases. While Medicare won’t be authorized to negotiate drug prices until 2026 (and then only 10 drugs), starting this year, the Inflation Reduction Act limits price increases to inflation.

Price Transparency Hospitals and payers are slowly complying with federal regulations regarding price transparency. 83% have posted negotiated rates with payers; 77% have posted cash rates; 80% have posted surgery rates; 65% have posted diagnostic rates like lab and X-ray. In addition, as of November 2023, 205 payers had posted what they pay for certain procedures and tests. Last December, the House passed the “Lower Cost, More Transparency” law which is now in the hands of the Senate. While it is smart to check out prices, just where you’ll receive healthcare will most likely be determined by your provider or your healthcare system.

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

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What's Your Bedtime Routine? Survey Finds Americans' Favorites

hot shower, a glass of wine, a good book and sex are a few of Americans' favorite ways to unwind at bedtime, a new survey shows. "What defines a comfortable night's sleep varies from person to person, but developing a consistent sleep routine that removes distraction is a big first step in building a habit of good sleep health," said physician James Rowley, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). A successful routine should lead to seven or more hours of shuteye, he said in an AASM news release. "Going to bed at the same time each night is one of the keys to a successful and healthy sleep routine, yet only about one-third of people are doing it," said Rowley, director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. About 39% of survey respondents take a bath or shower first; 30% shut off electronics; and 29% read. A quarter have sex. About one in five meditate, do breathing exercises or stretch. Twen-

ty-two percent have a cup of tea or other non-alcoholic beverage, while 15% use alcohol to unwind. Twenty percent have a cigarette or vape and 19% smoke marijuana. Many rely on accessories to help them nod off, including fans (47%), black-out curtains (29%), weighted blankets or sleep masks (20% each), noise machines or apps (18%), and ear plugs (16%). Nearly a quarter rely on an alarm clock with wake-up lights to get going. Even if they manage to get to sleep, noise and light often jolt them awake, the survey found. Thirty-six percent said their sleep is always or often wake disrupted by outside noise, while more than one-third were bothered by indoor or outdoor lights. "The new year provides the perfect time to reset habits to make sure that healthy sleep is a priority," Rowley said. The online survey of 2,005 adults in the U.S. was conducted March 24-29, 2023. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

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When you do good, you feel good! OUR VOLUNTEERS FILL CRITICAL ROLES SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS. Time exible • Help an older adult and fullling! 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 www.lifespanrochester.org workshops. LIFESPAN WELCOMES EVERYONE • And more!

Learn more!

SERVING MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. Distribution: 33,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high-traffic locations. In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2024 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Chris Motola, George Chapman, Gwenn Voelcker, Anne Palumbo, Mike Costanza, Jim Miller Advertising: Anne Westcott (585-421-8109) • Linda Covington (585-750-7051) Layout & Design: Angel Campos–Toro • Office Secretary Allison 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.

Forty Years Strong

Hearing loss. You don’t have to face it alone. Scan the QR code or visit HearingLossRochester.org to learn more.

February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive By Gwenn Voelckers Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Create and Embrace a ‘Family of Friends’

iving alone after a significant life change can be daunting. It was years ago, but I remember feeling lost and disoriented after my divorce. At first, time alone felt overwhelming, but eventually I discovered an invaluable source of support and companionship: my family of friends. As I navigated this new phase of my life, I realized that cultivating and nurturing this chosen family became essential to my finding joy and contentment on my own. It took conscious effort, but the rewards were immeasurable. My new network of friends became my pillars of support, understanding, fun and recreation. They helped me transition from a shared life to a solitary one — one in which I found tremendous solace and strength. You, too, can make this transition with the help of chosen friends and meaningful connections.

Taking the first step The first step in creating my family of friends was to step out of my comfort zone, which at the time meant sitting at home alone on my couch watching Seinfeld reruns. I decided to follow my therapist’s sug-

gestion to turn off the TV, sit quietly and think about what brings me joy (or what used to bring me joy). Music came to mind. Like a familiar refrain, this idea played in my head until I worked up the courage to call the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester to inquire about their New Horizons music program for older adults. One week later, I joined their “Green Band” for beginners and have been making music and new friends ever since. Let your interests, your loves and your values illuminate the way forward and you’ll find yourself immersed in engaging activities and fulfilling friendships.

Nurturing new-found connections Creating a family of friends isn’t just about meeting new people; it’s about deepening and maintaining those connections. Regular communication plays a pivotal role. I made an extra effort to reach out and stay connected to my new companions through texts, emails, phone calls, meeting for coffee, etc. Consistency is key, as is timeliness. Demonstrate your interest and

Getting School Kids Gardening Pays Off for Eating Habits

ending a garden can help young kids develop healthy attitudes about food that will influence their health years later, a new study says. Kids who participated in a gardening and food education program during elementary school were more likely to eat healthier as they grew up, researchers found. “Kids who grow vegetables in a school garden and learn how to prepare meals seem to show a lasting desire for fresh, healthy food as young adults,” lead author Christine St. Pierre, a doctoral candidate and researcher at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, said in a news release. For the study, researchers brought together focus groups made

up of current and past participants in the FoodPrints food education program, which is offered in 20 elementary schools in Washington, D.C. On average, older participants in the focus groups were ninth-graders. The program starts when students are 3 years old, in pre-kindergarten, and continues through fifth grade. In the program, kids help grow vegetables and fruits in a school garden, harvest their produce, and then use it to prepare healthy food. Current and former participants said the program helped them better appreciate fresh food offerings at home. “Almost all of the foods that we eat in FoodPrints, I didn't really eat at home before then,” one participant

enthusiasm by responding quickly to messages. Let others know you care by showing up early for events and by sticking around afterwards to chat and get to know each other. Be curious. Ask people about themselves and be open in return. Strengthening connections requires ongoing effort, just like tending a garden helps it flourish.

Letting your guard down Allowing others to see the “real me” during a vulnerable time in my life felt scary at first. But opening up became easier as my relationships grew deeper and more authentic. Sharing my feelings, fears and hopes with my trusted friends and hearing their stories and experiences created a secure and safe space for mutual support and understanding. Just recently, a conversation I had with a budding friend revealed a shared sadness about losses within our respective families of origin. I felt less alone while talking with her and after we hugged goodbye, I was filled with feelings of gratitude and inner peace. Shared vulnerability and empathy can pave the way for close, life-long friendships. They are within your grasp.

Savor the joy these relationships bring you. Relish the moments of pure happiness and genuine laughter. These moments are precious and will remind you that — on your own — life can still be vibrant and beautiful.

In closing . . . Let me reassure you. While living solo after years of sharing your life with someone may seem overwhelming initially, it’s also a chance for incredible personal growth and newfound connections. Embrace the journey and remember that in the midst of this change, there is immense potential for joy and contentment in the presence of a loving and supportive family of friends. You’re not alone — your family of friends is there to take this journey with you, bringing warmth, laughter and unwavering support all along the way.

The decision to create and embrace a family of friends is a powerful step toward reclaiming agency over your life and fostering a sense of belonging. It isn’t about replacing your biological family, but rather expanding the definition of family to include those who genuinely uplift and support you.

Gwenn Voelckers is the author of "Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own." She welcomes your thoughts on this column. Feel free to reach out to her with your questions and comments. And if you have any ideas for future columns, she would love to hear them! Just email gvoelckers@ rochester.rr.com

said. “Like I didn't eat ABC [apple, beet, carrot] salad before FoodPrints. I didn't eat sweet potato biscuits before FoodPrints.” The program also taught them how to prepare dishes and gave them confidence in the kitchen, results show. “We all got like recipe books and like recipe cards that we could take home... like once we did it in class, it's like I definitely made a lot of the recipes at home,” one participant said. “And so I think it definitely impacted the types of things that I was making with my family.” Further, parents appeared to pick up the lessons learned by the kids. “I think it's had an effect on like, especially my parents,” one participant said. “Like, they think, 'Oh, this is a healthier option that my kids would totally eat because they like

it, and they've made it before.' So I think with the parents, it was like, 'Hey, we should start eating these kinds of foods more.' And that's part of how it affected like, some of our meals.” Older kids who'd gone through the program said they were more open to trying new foods and had more confidence in their ability to make healthy choices. The researchers argued that such programs can help improve kids' health throughout their life, by improving the ongoing quality of their diets. “The hope is that such programs could help teens and young adults make better food choices as they grow older,” St. Pierre said. The findings were published in the January issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

Celebrating your chosen family

Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

Care when you need it. Anytime. Anywhere. When you’re in pain or feeling sick, we want to help you find the right care, right when you need it. There are several ways to seek care:

PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR

When possible, this is the best place to start. Your primary care doctor will know your health history and can help with the best next steps to start feeling better.

TELEMEDICINE

This is a great option when you can’t visit your doctor in person. Your primary care doctor might offer telemedicine visits but if they don’t, we’ve partnered with MDLIVE* for 24/7 virtual care.

URGENT CARE

Urgent care can be a good option for in-person care when your doctoris not available. Urgent care centers are designed to treat non-emergent conditions, like sprains and strains, colds and flu, cuts and lacerations, and can perform x-rays and lab testing.

EMERGENCY ROOM

If you’re experiencing a life-threatening event, call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency room.

Learn more about your options at ExcellusBCBS.com/CareOptions

* MDLIVE® is an independent company that provides services to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members. MDLIVE providers are available by phone 24/7 or by video 7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Plan coverage and cost may vary. Log in to your member account to check your benefits and coverage. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9

At 140,000 square feet, the Schottland branch is the second largest in the US. Q. What brings older adults to the YMCA of Greater Rochester? A. These are our health seekers. They’re not only just looking for fitness, they’re looking for an overall sense of community and belonging to an organization.

Q A &

with

Janet Paris

Schottland Family YMCA’s active older adult coordinator says members join not just for fitness and wellness but also for friendship, camaraderie and sense of community

By Mike Costanza

he YMCA of Greater Rochester offers a host of benefits to its members at 11 branch locations and neighborhood centers. They can hoist barbells in weight training rooms, practice yoga, learn computer skills, gather together to socialize or participate in many other activities. Parents can even drop off their children at Child Watch centers while they work up a sweat. With a current budget of about $60 million

and a staff of approximately 2,200, the YMCA of Rochester serves over 101,000 members, more than 28,000 of whom are 55 years old or older. Such members are called “active older adults” (AOA). In Good Health spoke to Janet Paris, active older adult coordinator at the Schottland Family YMCA, about the services that its parent organization, the YMCA of Greater Rochester, provides for older adults.

Q. Can you tell us of some of the fitness activities AOAs can engage in at the YMCA of Greater Rochester? A. We offer a wide array of them. We have complete fitness centers in our branch locations. They can come and use our strength equipment, and we also have something called an “electronic gym” at several of our facilities. They [members] are set up with one of our wellness coaches and programmed on each piece of equipment, so they can have it suited to their needs. They’ll feel accomplished when they’re able to perform the exercises correctly. There’s also several pieces of cardio [equipment] in our wellness centers, like bikes and treadmills and ellipticals and rowers. Several of our branches have indoor tracks, so they can escape the elements of the cold or the rain and still keep up with their walking. Q. Some AOAs might not be up to jump into an exercise routine right off the bat. How does the YMCA of Greater Rochester help them start working their way to greater fitness? A. We give them an array of classes that give them an ability to progress as their strength develops and their cardiovascular system improves. It could be things like a gentle yoga class on the floor, a qigong, a tai chi, a Zumba class. We also have many things in our pool. We have silver splash, aquafit and silver sneakers classes. We like to give them those options so that they can feel accomplished. Q. Does the YMCA of Greater Rochester provide other activities for its AOAs? A. We like to give them a blend of fitness, health and wellness, ed-

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ucation, social (activities) and arts. They’ll come in for a fitness class, or time in our wellness center, but then they’ll stay on. It might be for mahjong or card games. It may be for a lecture. We have a partnership with the University of Rochester, so there’ll be different programs that will come in and speak on maintaining a healthy mind and body. At the Schottland Family YMCA, we offer arts and humanities programs. Twice a month, I actually have an instructor that does open art [classes] for active older adults. He will teach watercolors or sculpting or origami. Q. You mentioned that some branches have STEAM (science, technology, engineering and math) labs that are used for instruction in technical subjects. What goes on in them? A. We’ll bring in a technology expert. There’ll be all kinds of topics that folks are learning from when our technology expert comes in. It could be on navigating the internet, virus protection, how to use Microsoft Office, the basics of the iPhone. Q. In what other ways might membership in the YMCA of Greater Rochester benefit an older adult? A. It really is a place for them to feel a sense of community and make friendships and form a bond with people. Many meet daily to attend class together, walk on the track, chat over a cup of coffee, and enjoy time in our community rooms. We offer a monthly AOA calendar with many opportunities to learn. Some of our most popular activities include a monthly book club, weekly mahjong and bridge games, cooking demonstrations, watercolor classes, jewelry making, presentations from community organizations, and holiday socials. The YMCA of Greater Rochester also offers eight day and overnight camps and one retreat center, The Y at Watson Woods. For more information on all of its programs, go to: https://rochesterymca.org

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Daily Multivitamin Might Help Aging Brains

daily multivitamin could help people keep their brains healthy as they age, a new trial

finds. Results suggest taking multivitamins could help prevent memory loss and slow cognitive aging among older adults, researchers report in the Jan. 18 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The effect was measurable: A daily multivitamin slowed brain aging by the equivalent of two years compared to placebo. Still, experts expressed some skepticism, and wondered if simply eating healthy might not bring about the same results. “Taking a multivitamin supplement is probably good for you, but we don’t know if it’s likely to have a big impact in people who have a healthy diet,” physician Richard Caselli, a professor emeritus of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, told NBC News. “I still maintain a bit of skepticism as far as what magnitude of impact this makes,” he added. “I’m

doubtful the difference would be really big.” The new study was led by physician Chirag Vyas, an instructor in investigation at Massachusetts General Hospital’s department of psychiatry. “Cognitive decline is among the top health concerns for most older adults, and a daily supplement of multivitamins has the potential as an appealing and accessible approach to slow cognitive aging,” he said. The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) is a large-scale, randomized trial performed in collaboration by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Columbia University and Wake Forest University. It looked at whether a special cocoa extract supplement, a daily multivitamin (in this case Centrum Silver) or both might help boost health. The clinical trials were funded by the National Institutes of Health and candy and snack manufacturer Mars Inc. Pfizer donated both the multivitamins and placebo tables used in the

Clinical trials found strong evidence of benefits for both brain function and memory from taking daily multivitamins for two to three years. trials. Neither company had any role in the design of the trials. Analysis of more than 5,000 participants in three separate, but related, COSMOS clinical trials found strong evidence of benefits for both brain function and memory from taking daily multivitamins for two to three years, researchers said.

“The meta-analysis of three separate cognition studies provides strong and consistent evidence that taking a daily multivitamin, containing more than 20 essential micronutrients, helps prevent memory loss and slow down cognitive aging,” Yvas said in a MGH news release.

up a sport. Mow the lawn. Monitor your heart rate to make sure you are working at the proper intensity.” Like Howell, Sica also recommends learning more about nutrition because most people eat too much animal product-based food, unhealthful fats, sugar and processed foods. Instead, choosing more produce, healthful fats such as those found naturally in nuts and minimally processed, whole foods promote heart health. “Fad diets are popular and everyone seems to know what they are. But few Americans seem to understand or accept the fact that the leading risk for noncommunicable diseases is an unhealthy diet,” Sica said. “Most heart disease is caused by diets high in animal products.” Lean sources of protein include plant-based protein, like beans, seeds, nuts and tofu and if consuming animal sources, stick with things like lean cuts of meat and healthful seafood like salmon, cod and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This type of seafood promotes heart health. Choosing whole grains as carbohydrate sources, like oatmeal, popcorn brown rice, sweet potatoes and whole grain pasta instead of white flour-based pasta, white rice and white potatoes is also healthful. Of course, the preparation of food matters as well. Olive oil is considered healthful for the heart, unlike

many other choices. Don’t rely only on packaging’s “heart healthy” claims. The American Heart Association offers its heartcheck digital grocery list tool free online. You can look for heart-check certified foods and draft a grocery list to use digitally or print or email. The organization updates the tool for upto-date information. Maintaining a healthful diet and exercise regimen can help you stay at a healthy weight for your height. If you’re not sure what that is, ask your primary care provider. Stress is not good for your heart. Find ways to mitigate the effects of stress through spiritual pursuits, mindfulness, gratitude journaling or meditation. Join a group of like-minded people for activities you enjoy. As long as you’re cleared for exercise, regularly doing so can help reduce your stress levels, as well as improve your heart’s function. Keeping a close watch on your heart health relies upon a trusting relationship with your primary care provider (and cardiologist if you’ve already been diagnosed with a heart issue). The American Heart Association recommends beginning cholesterol screening at age 20, long before the average American begins asking about this testing — or before most providers suggest it. This strategy offers a baseline and can help detect rare but serious issues.

Don’t Wait Till Something Happens to Your Heart

Experts say patients should be proactive: Start taking care of your heart now By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f course, if you have had a heart attack or not-so-good news about your heart you should follow your provider’s protocol for taking care of your ticker. But if you’re overall healthy, adopting healthful lifestyle habits can prevent heart issues when you’re older. And even if you’re already at or past middle age and have not been living healthfully, it’s not too late to start. “Many of us notice in middle age that it is harder to lose weight or start exercising or change our diets,” said Ann Caprio, doctorate of nurse practitioner, UR Medicine comprehensive stroke program coordinator and assistant professor of clinical nursing at UR School of Nursing. “It’s easy to think that the damage is done by our lifestyle in earlier years. But it is not too late to make a positive impact on health and lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke by making changes. “People who adopt healthy habits at age 50 live longer, healthier lives,” she added. “Although it is a very old statement, it holds true than an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” What you eat matters — a lot. “A healthful diet, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in protein and fiber will help keep your heart healthy,” said Kerri Howell, certified personal trainer and owner of The Hourglass Mom in the Roch-

ester area. Read the nutrition facts square on food labels to learn about what is in what you eat. You can also find information online at the American Heart Association site, www.heart. org. Exercise also helps maintain a healthy heart. But it doesn’t have to be extreme forms of fitness. “Make sure to perform exercise that elevates your heart rate at least three times per week for approximately 30 minutes,” Howell said. “You want to be able to carry on a conversation but not be able to sing. This will help condition your heart, which is a muscle after all. In addition, you can and should exercise your heart daily with 30 minutes or so of walking. You can do this by taking a 10-minute walk after each meal.” If walking is not your thing, that’s all right.. In fact, you should try activities until you find something you like. In addition to cardiovascular exercise, Jean Sica, a tai chi and mindful movement instructor and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester, recommends strength training at least two days weekly. “This is minimum,” she said. “If one wants to improve, then one must do more than the minimum. This doesn't mean spending hours of time in the gym. Choose ways to move your body that you enjoy. Take

February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

lood remains the powerful liquid life force coursing through our veins. The precious resource often goes unnoticed until someone is in dire need. Blood is a bodily fluid that runs through the human circulatory system, delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells and moving metabolic waste from those same cells. Understanding the significance of blood and its impact on saving lives can inspire individuals to become donors. According to the American Red Cross, someone needs blood every two seconds in the United States and less than 10% of the eligible U.S. population donates annually. “Donating blood is a simple thing to do, but can make a big difference in the lives of others. The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour,” said Michael Tedesco, regional communications director at American Red Cross from the Western New York region. “Our current blood donor base is at a 20-year low, but the need for lifesaving blood products never decreases, so donors are providing a lifesaving service to others.” Here are five frequently asked questions about donations.

What is the blood donation process?

Generally, blood donation takes between 45 to 90 minutes. A nurse or technician at a donated area asks you for essential information such as your address, phone number and driver’s license. In addition, you will

Things You Need to Know About Blood Donation By Ernst Lamothe Jr

answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and the places you traveled. Donors will have their temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked. Experts suggest wearing a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with loose-fitting sleeves to make it easier to donate. “We will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand–new, sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds,” said Tedesco. “After you are done, people spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.” The plasma from donations is replaced within about 24 hours. Red cells need about four to six weeks for complete replacement. That’s why at least eight weeks are required between whole blood donations.

should I do after do2.What nating blood?

After donating blood, participants walk toward a separate area to get a drink and a snack to eat. Nurses or technicians monitor to make sure there is no light-headedness or other symptoms. “Do not do any heavy exercising or lifting,” said Tedesco. “If the needle site starts to bleed, raise your arm straight up and press on the site until the bleeding stops because you could experience dizziness or loss of strength.” In addition, if a bruise appears, apply ice to the area intermittently for 10-15 minutes during the first 24 hours. After that, apply warm, moist

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Michael Tedesco is the regional communications director at American Red Cross, Western New York region.

heat to the area for the same length.

should people donate 3.Why blood?

When someone has surgery, gets into an accident or has an injury, they may lose a lot of blood. Some diseases cause anemia that requires blood replacement. Blood is in constant demand for various medical procedures, surgeries and to treat patients with conditions such as anemia and cancer. Regular blood donations remain important to maintain an adequate and stable blood supply. Sometimes components of blood are needed such as cryoprecipitate or platelets to help the clotting process. “Simply put, it saves lives,” he added “For trauma patients, cancer patients like those being treated for leukemia and those with sickle cell disease or other blood disorders, blood donations are literally lifesaving necessities.” The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply. “To continue to meet the needs of hospitals and ensure the good health of the patients they serve, the Red Cross needs new donors to step forward and for existing donors to consider giving more frequently,” said Tedesco.

What are some conditions 4. that you would not recommend for donation?

Individuals with cancer, heart, lung and kidney issues, infections or fevers should not donate blood. Each unit of donated blood has at least 18 tests performed on it before it can be given to anyone. Those tests include

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For a whole blood donation, blood is simply collected in a bag and sent for processing. This generally takes less time than other donations such as platelets or plasma, in which apheresis is used. Apheresis is the process by which platelets and other specific blood components (red cells or plasma) are collected from a donor. This process is accomplished by using a machine called a cell separator. “Blood is drawn from the donor and the platelets or another blood component are collected by the cell separator and the remaining components of the blood are returned to the donor during the donation. Each apheresis donation procedure takes about one-and-one-half to two hours. Donors can watch movies or relax during the donation,” he added.

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hep B, hep C, HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I, HTLV-II, syphilis and West Nile. “Generally speaking, donors must be in good overall health and meet some basic physical requirements, such as height, weight and age,” said Tedesco. “Eligibility guidelines vary with the different blood donation processes, which may range from whole blood, to plasma, to platelets. Certain medications, such as blood thinners or travel to certain areas prone to malaria, could preclude some donors from being eligible to donate.”

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SmartBites By Anne Palumbo

Helpful Tips

The skinny on healthy eating

Why Buckwheat Is This Year’s ‘Go-To’ Grain

Buckwheat comes in many forms: groats, flour, pasta, and noodles. Groats, the least expensive form, cook fairly quickly and last about 5 days in the fridge. Buckwheat flour, stored in an airtight container, can last up to a year in the freezer.

rom meal-flavored cocktails to hybrid snacks, premium bottled waters to soothing soups, the predictions are out for what we will eat and drink in the new year. This year’s trending grain surprised me. Buckwheat. Yes, humble, discrete buckwheat. Why now? For the climate-minded, buckwheat is a great cover crop, meaning it benefits the successful growth of future crops. And for the health-minded, it’s particularly rich in complex carbs, fiber, antioxidants and minerals. Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat. It’s a seed from a flowering plant and does not contain any wheat or gluten. Buckwheat, like many whole grains, is an excellent source of healthy carbs, averaging about 34 grams per cooked cup. Although carbs often get a bad rap, especially when it comes to weight gain, good carbs—like the kind in buckwheat— are vital to your health. They provide energy, help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and aid weight control by helping you feel full on fewer calories. In addition, buckwheat’s complex carbs, which take longer to digest than refined carbs, are less likely to cause blood sugar peaks and lows. Smart carbs, says registered dietitian Marina Chaparro, certified diabetes educator, “can actually do a lot for you and your diabetes control.” Buckwheat also contains a decent amount of fiber: about 5 grams per cooked cup. According to the Mayo Clinic, a high-fiber diet promotes regularity and bowel health, may lower the risk of colon cancer, helps control blood sugar levels, and may help lower total blood cholesterol levels,

which benefits hearts. Stumped about what to give your sweetie for Valentine’s Day? Nothing says “I love you” better than a steaming bowl of buckwheat! Antioxidants abound in buckwheat, more, in fact, than many other cereal grains. These remarkable compounds do a body good by helping to improve inflammation, lower your risk of cancer and heart disease, manage diabetes, and fight free radical damage. Although buckwheat is not a superstar provider of any one mineral, it boasts a wide variety of many, with manganese, copper, and magnesium taking top honors. All work together to promote good health and longevity.

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.

MUSHROOM, BUCKWHEAT, AND BLACK BEAN SOUP

Serves 6-8 Adapted from simple-veganista.com 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 2 celery ribs, sliced 2 large carrots, sliced 20 oz white mushrooms, sliced 1 cup buckwheat groats 2 teaspoons thyme 2 teaspoons fennel seeds (optional) ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 7-8 cups broth of choice or water juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ cup parsley, chopped

1. In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat, add onions and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in carrots, celery, mushrooms, thyme and optional spices; cook another 4 minutes, stirring frequently. 2. Add in the buckwheat groats, broth, lemon juice, zest, beans, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Serve garnished with a sprinkle of parsley.

Put Down That Salt Shaker to Spare Your Kidneys

olks who habitually add an extra sprinkle of salt to their meals are doing no favors for their kidneys, new research confirms. The finding held even after researchers accounted for other health issues, such as being overweight, not exercising or smoking or drinking. The bottom line: "Adding salt to foods is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease in the general population," concluded a team led by physician Lu Qi, of Tulane University's Obesity Research Center, in New Orleans. Qi and his colleagues recently published studies showing that adding salt to meals upped people's odds for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and shortened life spans. However, links between table salt and the odds of kidney disease

in the general population hadn't been well-researched, Qi's group noted. To remedy that, they analyzed data on more than 465,000 people, averaging 56 years of age, who didn't have kidney disease when they registered for a British health database known as the UK Biobank. Participants' health and lifestyle were tracked from 2006 to 2023. According to the researchers, over 22,000 cases of kidney disease emerged over the study period. Compared to folks who never or rarely added salt to their food, people who did so had a higher odds of developing kidney trouble. The risk rose with the frequency at which people said they used table salt. For example, compared to never-users, folks who said they "sometimes" added extra salt had a 4%

higher risk of kidney disease; those who "usually" added salt had a 7% higher risk, and those who "always" added salt saw their risk rise by 11%. Those risk estimates came after Qi's team accounted for lifestyle factors that often accompany heavy salt intake - overweight-obesity, smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, diabetes, hypertension and other issues. The study was published in the Dec. 28 issue of the journal JAMA Network Open.

There are many physiological issues linking high sodium intake and poorer kidney function, the researchers noted, including hormonal changes and "increased oxidative stress" on the twin organs. According to the Tulane investigators, their findings "support the reduction of adding salt to foods as a potential intervention strategy for chronic kidney disease prevention."

February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

Golden Years

Top Concerns for Older Adults

Planning in these areas will promote healthier, more comfortable aging By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

lanning for long life can certainly help you achieve it and enjoy it more. Consider these issues in your approach to positive aging.

Staying socially connected

“Socialization and interacting outside your own little world is important,” said Lauren Goetz, owner of Everyday Hands in Rochester. “People who are stagnant and by themselves don’t have new stories so they fixate on the past or what’s bothering them. It goes along with loneliness.” This can also help prevent cognitive decline, along with a healthful lifestyle.

Giving back

“It’s really important if you’re still able to volunteer,” Goetz said. “Everyone needs to have a purpose. If we don’t, then what’s the point? Staying involved in the community and being involved with things that bring you joy are important.”

Engaging in foot care

“We take a lot of people to podiatrists,” Goetz said. “I didn’t realize until I got into this business how foot care affects everything else. It can affect balance, be painful if there are ingrown or infected toenails. Swelling in the feet is painful. I’ve seen some nasty bunions.” It can increase risk of falling to shuffle around the house in sloppy slippers that accommodate these issues. A podiatrist can address serious issues. And for her clients who struggle clipping their toenails, Goetz

refers to a mobile pedicure service, Andrea’s Foot Care and Nails (585381-4297 and on Facebook).

current with 4.Staying technology

Keeping up with tech can help you stay better connected and able to access information and helpful services. You can age better using technology that can help you stay safe. Goetz refers clients to Daniel Jones, owner of Daniel Teaches, who leads tech classes for older adults in group and individual settings in the Rochester area. “Daniel Jones is a gem,” she said. “He’s so good and has so much patience.”

Developing an exit plan

It’s not macabre to plan for aging. It’s smart. “Have a strategy for if things change, whether downsizing your house or not having a first-floor bathroom,” Goetz said. “Split levels are the worst.” A bedroom and laundry facilities should also be on the first floor. By remodeling the house now, it won’t be a big adjustment when you’re older. Plus, you likely have more disposable income now. If moving or remodeling seems expensive, Goetz said to compare the costs to longterm care. Moving or remodeling is a bargain. You may get to the point where you can no longer live in your own home independently, so Goetz advises being proactive instead of reactive “and being in a place you don’t want

to be,” she said. “I see this all the time. Something happens. They fall and can’t go back to their home and they’ve never even visited a facility.” Assisted living apartments can also provide a continuum of care as more levels of care are added on, which is less of a shock than abruptly moving after a health crisis.

5.Planning for transportation Goetz said that transportation represents about 70% of her errand service and that many people “don’t want to be a burden” on their adult children. Learn how to use ride sharing apps like Lyft and Uber. Check into ministries of local houses of worship or civic groups. Some provide low-cost or donation-based rides. Friends and neighbors may be up to occasionally help, such as providing a ride when they’re already going to the store or salon.

6.Gaining muscle

“With more muscle, you can fight off illness, recover better from injuries and maintain your cognitive abilities,” said Kerri Howell, certified personal trainer and owner of The Hourglass Mom in the Rochester area. “It can also help prevent chronic disease. The healthier your muscles, the better your aging process.”

Maintaining muscle tone helps improve function and help you continue to perform activities of daily living longer.

7.Developing good balance

“Balance begins to decline at around age 50,” said Jean Sica, tai chi and mindful movement instructor and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester. “Poor balance comes with a heightened risk of falling during even the simplest of activities such as climbing stairs and getting up off a chair.” Regularly performing balance exercises or engaging in activities like tai chi, martial arts, dance or yoga can enhance balance.

cognitive 8.Maintaining function

There’s no guarantee that performing the Sunday paper’s crossword puzzle each week will keep you sharp into older age. However, an overall healthy lifestyle and staying mentally engaged can help. Avoid illicit drugs, excessive alcohol and smoking; exercise regularly and eat a healthful diet. Mitigate stress and find ways to engage with other people. Meaningful relationships go a long way towards reducing cognitive decline.

Know the Facts About Glaucoma

Black folks are six times more likely to have glaucoma than white Americans

laucoma can steal your sight before you even realize it, and early diagnosis is the best way to prevent it. Many of the 3 million Americans who have glaucoma are unaware of it because they have no symptoms, according to the Glaucoma Foundation. In glaucoma, a buildup of fluid in the front part of the eye increases pressure and damages the optic nerve. Here are seven key facts to know about glaucoma: • Most forms of the disease have no symptoms and vision changes don't happen right away. Once eyesight is lost, the damage is perma-

nent • Glaucoma can strike at any stage of life, not just in old age. In fact, about one baby in 10,000 is born with the condition • While family history is a risk factor, just because your family doesn't have glaucoma doesn't make you risk-free. Everyone in the family should be tested if there's a family history. • Black folks are six times more likely to have glaucoma than white Americans, and it starts years earlier, often with greater loss of vision. Asian people are also at high risk and glaucoma is more common among

Hispanic Americans than once believed. • Elevated pressure inside the eye is a risk factor for glaucoma, not the disease itself. In some of the more than 40 forms of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure is not involved. The common link is damage to the optic nerve. • Blood pressure and eye pressure are two different things. Even if your blood pressure is under control, your eye pressure may not be, but

Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

the two are often related. Low blood pressure is strongly linked to some forms of the disease • Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Nine in 10 causes of glaucoma-related blindness could have been prevented with treatment. That's why it's important to get your eyes checked regularly. Source: The Glaucoma Foundation.

Golden Years

Expanding Longevity: $101 Million to the Best Ideas

Can Tech Advance Longevity? Bestselling author thinks tech is the answer — and plans to award $101 million to the best ideas By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

n late November, Peter Diamandis announced a new XPRIZE competition, his $101 million worldwide event for pioneering technology that promotes healthy longevity. Diamandis is the founder of the XPRIZE Foundation of Culver City, California. The organization creates supports technological, environmental and health advances through competitions, among other efforts. Diamandis hopes to attract doctors, researchers, technology experts and more to develop verifiable means to roll back the clock by a decade in areas like muscle mass, immune function and cognitive ability for people aged 65 to 80 within a year. Judges of the competition will perform assessments on participants to rank the contestants’ results. The competition is sponsored by Hevolution, a nonprofit organization invest-

ing in aging research. “The team has got to deliver a minimum of a 10-year restoration of function with a target of 20 years,” Diamandis told Fortune. “We’re talking about the potential for therapeutics to have a massive impact on humanity.” The goal is not just longevity, but healthy longevity, in which those benefiting from the technology can stay active and enjoy their extra decade or two. Although the XPRIZE may succeed in finding such helpful technology, improving the chances of healthy longevity is available now. Lauren Goetz, owner of Everyday Hands in Rochester, provides companion and errand services largely to an older adult population. “Community and socialization and purpose would help people live longer,” she said. “We have to have a

reason to keep going and shared experience. Connection is a key to life.” Along with connection often comes greater physical activity and more cognitive activity, both of which are beneficial. Regular physical activity is also key to healthy longevity. Kerri Howell, certified personal trainer and owner of The Hourglass Mom in the Rochester area, recommends preserving muscle strength. “More muscle means fewer falls, more strength and mobility,” she said. It also contributes to performing activities of daily living, such as cleaning the house, shopping for groceries and cooking. These become harder with less muscle. “Falls among older adults have been identified as a strong indicator of shortened lifespans,” said Ann E. Cunningham, executive director at Oasis Rochester. “They contribute to bone fractures, which lead to deconditioning and greater susceptibility to illness.” She noted a recent advisory from the US Surgeon General, which called attention to the public health

crisis of loneliness, isolation and lack of connection with others. “He stated that lack of connection can be as detrimental to our health as smoking daily,” Cunningham said. She added that by engaging with organizations like Oasis Rochester, which provide opportunities in lifelong learning, health and wellness, “we can build strong interpersonal connections, remain active and engaged and continue learning and growing.” Although technology can help people live safer, healthier and longer lives, Jean Sica believes in keeping it simple. “My opinion is that good health is not complicated,” she said. “All we need to do is to go back to the basics. We don’t need more technology or fancy studies. “It’s people paying attention to what their bodies are telling them. Disease is most often a way for our body to tell us we need to change our lifestyles.” Sica is a certified tai chi instructor, personal trainer and owner of Kokoro Fitness in Rochester.

GRAND PRIZE $101M

Don't Miss the New Issue! SELECT STORIES IN THE NEW ISSUE OF 55 PLUS • Cover Warm up a winter’s day with a steaming bowl

• Health Over 50 already? 7 things you should do

• Secondhand Secondhand stores offer value and repurposing for home furnishings

• Spring Five things to look forward to this spring season

• Benefits Four Social Security shakeups proposed by President Biden

• Fraud Beyond the ‘Grandma Scam,’ fraudsters have developed sophisticated ways to steal your money

• Second Act Bloomfield photographer, firefighter takes retirement to a new level

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February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

Vision & Hearing

Hearing Aids May Extend Life Span

hearing aid's first purpose is fairly obvious, but a new study argues that the devices also provide an important second benefit — a longer life. “We found that adults with hearing loss who regularly used hearing aids had a 24% lower risk of mortality than those who never wore them,” said lead researcher Janet Choi, an otolaryngologist with the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. In the study, Choi and her col-

leagues tracked more than a decade's worth of federal health survey data on nearly 10,000 adults aged 20 and older, of whom more than 1,800 had suffered hearing loss. Previous studies had linked untreated hearing loss to reduced life span, as well as other health problems like social isolation, depression and dementia. But there's been little research regarding whether using a hearing aid can help ward off those health risks associated with hearing loss, the

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researchers noted. In the new study, they found a nearly 25% lower risk of early death among the hard-of-hearing who regularly use a hearing aid versus those who never use them. That difference remained steady even after taking into account other factors like age, ethnicity, income, education and medical history. “These results are exciting because they suggest that hearing aids may play a protective role in people's health and prevent early death,” Choi said in a university news release. Interestingly, there was no difference in death risk between people who never used a hearing aid and those who had one but only used it occasionally, researchers found. Choi speculated that this lowered risk of death could be tied to the benefits that improved hearing brings to a person's mental health and brain function.

Other studies have found that using a hearing aid can ease a person's depression and dementia, Choi said. By treating those problems, the devices could be contributing to overall better health. Hearing loss affects about 40 million U.S. adults, but only one in 10 who need a hearing aid actually uses one, the researchers noted. Choi said she hopes the new study will encourage more people to wear hearing aids, even if they must overcome barriers like affordability, identifying and fitting the right device, or the perceived stigma that comes with donning the gizmo. Choi personally relates to those challenges. Born with hearing loss in her left ear, Choi didn't wear a hearing aid until her 30s because it took her years to find ones that worked for her. The new study was published Jan. 3 in the journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity.

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Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

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Vision & Hearing

Why You Need to Have Your Hearing Checked It’s about more than missing conversations and cranking up the TV By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

our spouse may continually ask you to turn down the TV. Or perhaps repeat herself louder so you can hear. It may seem like “everyone mumbles” these days. But you have even more reasons to have a hearing exam. Untreated hearing loss can eventually bring other unpleasantries to your life. “Hearing loss affects mortality rate, meaning longevity,” said Joe Kozelsky, retired audiologist, honorary board member of the Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter in Fairport. “That really means longevity.” He referenced a study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that followed a population of younger people with hearing loss. Those who treated their hearing loss and used appropriately fitted

hearing aids regularly lived longer than those who didn’t. Kozelsky acknowledged that the aids may reflect an overall better engagement in self-care than in the shorter-lived population. He also added that increased fall risk among people with untreated hearing loss. “A deficiency in one aspect of the ear could relate to the balance aspect,” Kozelsky said. “There is an analogous organ in the semicircular canals, the otoliths, which affect balance. If the hair cells are affected, it makes sense it affects hearing.” Another aspect of fall risk and hearing loss is that the individual may focus on trying to hear what’s around them, such as conversation or music, that it’s a distraction from the function of walking. That can make staying upright more challenging, especially for people who already struggle with stability.

Untreated hearing loss may also correlate with cognitive function. Kozelsky said that recent studies even show a causal relationship between the two, “although it’s not strongly laid out,” he added. “Deprivation of stimulus of the brain and it leads to less social involvement, decrease in conversation and all those associated issues are physiological factors associated with hearing loss,” he said. Quality of life is another reason to treat hearing loss. It can shift the family dynamics as the partner with untreated hearing loss must rely increasingly upon the one who hears better, such as ordering dinner at a restaurant, answering the phone, talking with medical providers or making reservations. This effect further narrows the individual’s scope of human interaction and conversation. It also hampers dialogue be-

tween the couple, leading to miscommunication, impatience and resignation about feeling heard and understood. “You also don’t hear little sounds like the tea kettle or alarm,” Kozelsky said. “Very often you don’t hear those sounds. There’s a safety hazard there. Those people with more advanced hearing loss don’t hear sirens and emergency vehicles.” Seeking an exam and following through with any prescribed hearing instruments should happen sooner than later, as Kozelsky said those who wait have a harder time adapting. Unfortunately, many people delay seeking help, as they do not want to bother with seeing another specialist. They may also hold onto stigma about hearing aids being “for old people.” “A lot of people forget what they’re missing,” said Alexandra Martin, hearing instrument specialist with Greece Miracle Ear. The ticking of a clock and the soft laughter and speech of grandchildren: many of these sounds go unnoticed or are inarticulate. “As humans, we adapt and a lot of times, it’s not until you put on a hearing aid and listen to things again that you realize what you’ve been missing,” Martin said. “Hearing is one of our senses and depleting it has a huge impact on being able to recall memory and create connection.” For example, hearing snow crunch under one’s boots can elicit a memory of sledding as a child. Without hearing that sound, the memory would not surface. Anyone who notices changes in his hearing or whose family notices changes should schedule an exam. Most insurance covers exams and hearing instruments at least in part. An exam could reveal something other than hearing loss. If the provider does not identify hearing loss, the exam can serve as an important benchmark for future exams. Martin said that most primary care providers do not screen for hearing loss, so it’s important for patients to advocate for themselves. “There’s no harm in getting it checked out,” she said. “We really have to make it much more of a priority than it has been.”

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Andreasfootcare.com February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

Vision & Hearing

Dearth of Low Vision Care Providers With the increase in demand and fewer providers, people with low vision may not receive needed help By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

2021 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology states that 20% of those 85 and older in the US experience permanent vision loss. Many causes for vision loss relate to advanced age. As the baby boomer generation grows older this will increase demand for more care for those with low vision. But since the pandemic, the number of providers has decreased. This presents a significant problem for people with vision loss. “As a result, we need more people in low vision professions,” said JoBeth Rath, director of Vision Services and Workforce Development for Goodwill of the Finger Lakes in Rochester. “Across the nation, we’re in an incredible shortage.” This includes people like certified vision rehabilitation therapists (CVRT), certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS) and on the clinical side, ophthalmologists and optometrists who specialize in low vision eyecare. The therapists’ focus is helping people with low vision function better in their home and work environments. The clinical providers help patients optimize the vision they

have left. “After a low vision exam, we work with the individual to help them with being independent, employed if they wish to be employed or if they’re older and not wanting to work, helping them be independent in their home,” Rath said. She thinks that the shortage of providers increased dramatically during the pandemic, as many providers no longer wanted to provide services in people’s homes. “We’ve also seen a drop off of people entering into those programs,” Rath said. “Very few schools offer the one-year master’s program for CVRT.” Because most people tend to settle down near where they attended school — at least for a few years — this keeps people with CVRT training away from the Rochester area. Rath added that only about 40 CVRTs and 116 COMS live in New York “and that’s not enough. They cover every school district as well.” She attributed the shortage in part to a lack of knowledge about the profession. “We’ll continue to see increases in visual impairment, but we’re not

Words Matter

Nursing home patients or nursing home residents? By Rick Machemer, Ph. D.

ords matter. They have power. Words generate an image — in the person using them as well as in the person receiving them. Does the word and its image accurately reflect reality? What if the word and the image cause harm, not physical, but cognitive or emotional? Do we change this word to be more fashionable, more correct? Or do we change the word to more accurately describe the situation? Now put this word, with its image, into the context of a person living in a nursing home for the remainder of their life. We often refer to a person living in a nursing home as a patient. The image of a patient is of a person who is ill or has a disease or has been injured, who needs treatment, and then leaves. The person accepts the treatment

passively. It’s unusual for other than the person’s medical history to be known. Anything else may seem irrelevant to the treatment. While appropriate in an acute medical setting, this one-dimensional view of the per-

necessarily seeing the awareness of blindness at younger ages increase,” Rath said. It’s also rough to afford going back to school when jobs are plentiful for people with a bachelor’s degree. On the medical side of low vision care, the exams tend to take four to five times longer than an exam for someone with average vision. This means lower reimbursement for the provider. Goodwill works with Flaum Eye Institute to provide low vision exams and has other revenue streams to help support this mission. “There are a lot of downsides financially to providing this service,” Rath said. “It’s a passion project more than anything. They have to make a choice to reduce revenue.” The mission is what attracted Rath to work at Goodwill. She used to work in human resources in the banking industry but wanted to do more impactful work. Goodwill hired her to do workforce development and during the pandemic; she became engaged with working with the low vision part of Goodwill and now does both.

“The vision issue is a passion,” she said. “I don’t have good vision in one eye and all my life I’ve heard, ‘What if something happens to her good eye?’ But I’ve seen people without vision live very full lives.” She has worked with Goodwill for 13 years. “Being blind or visually impaired can be very isolating,” Rath said. “During COVID, we saw a lot of emotional health issues more so for people who are visually impaired.” It’s also been frustrating that many volunteers have not returned to perform tasks like driving visually impaired clients of Goodwill. Many volunteers for this and other nonprofits are older adults who have been understandably wary of catching COVID. “We’d love to talk with anyone interested in this field,” Rath said. “If you want a meaningful career with a decent salary, this is a great one. This service needs to happen in our community. Blindness is a low-incident disability so I’m not sure people understand how important it is.”

friends, education, work, memories, dreams, concerns, fears, the things of a complete life — are known, are important. The word patient used in a nursing home “reduces” this complex individual to “only” a chronic illness or disability. Everything else about the person becomes secondary. Remember, this is now their home. The individual may continue to actively participate in daily life activities and in their care. They didn’t check their history, their memories, their dreams, their fears, the rest of their non-medically-related life at the door. What image do we want to con-

patient. If we want to see them as a unique human being with a past, looking toward a future, filled with memories, encouraged as able to participate in their care, sharing all the human emotions, then use resident. It’s critical to focus on the person first as a resident in their home, and the medical and other care needs second. It’s a decision. That decision affects the person and how they see themselves. It affects how others see and interact with this person. There is a choice — make the individual into a one-dimensional caricature who needs only care. Or acknowledge and celebrate all that makes this individual a complete human being – a resident who needs care – in their home.

‘What image do we want to convey when we speak about an individual living in a nursing home?’ son is inappropriate in a long-term care setting. Nursing home is after all, two words, nursing and home. Nursing to focus on the on-going medical needs of the person. Home, a place to live in which all the many dimensions of the individual — family,

vey when we speak about an individual living in a nursing home? Is it a one-dimensional view — to focus on only the medical needs? Is this person to no longer have a say about their life? Are they to lose their history, dreams, fears, memories? Do they exist only to receive care? If so, use

Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

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Dear Sad, I’m very sorry for your loss, but this is a smart move on your behalf and one that often gets overlooked. Social media is part of many people’s daily lives, but when a person dies their dormant accounts can become vulnerable to scammers who can hack into them and even steal your deceased loved one’s identity. Here’s a run-down of how you can cancel or change many different social media accounts after a loved one dies.

Facebook If your wife used Facebook, you can either “memorialize” or “delete” her account. A memorialized account serves as a place where family and friends can share memories to celebrate the deceased person’s life, with the word “Remembering” shown next to the deceased person’s name. Once an account is memorialized, content the person shared is still visible on Facebook to the audience it was originally shared with, however, the user’s profile will not show up in public spaces such as people you may know, ads or birthday reminders. To memorialize your wife’s profile simply go to Facebook.com/ help/contact/234739086860192. Or, if you’d rather have her account removed, go to Facebook.com/help/ contact/228813257197480. To memorialize her account requires proof of death (via death certificate, obituary or memorial card), but if you wish to delete the account, you’ll also need to verify that you’re an immediate family member, legal representative or executor, unless you’re the legacy contact on her account.

Instagram The policy on a deceased users’ Instagram account is the similar to Facebook’s, which owns Instagram. You can either memorialize or remove the account at Help.Instagram. com/264154560391256. But just like with Facebook, you’ll need to provide proof of death and relationship to the deceased.

X (formally Twitter) To deactivate an X account, go to Help.Twitter.com and type in “How to contact X about a deceased family member’s account” in the search bar and follow the prompts. After you submit your request, X will email you with instructions for providing more details, including information about the deceased, a copy of your ID, and a copy of the deceased’s death certificate.

YouTube – Google To close these accounts, simply go to Support.Google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590 and fill out their form and upload scans of the death certificate and your ID.

Pinterest To remove a Pinterest account, email Care@pinterest.com with the deceased user’s account username, proof of death and proof of relationship to the deceased.

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LinkedIn To remove a deceased person’s LinkedIn profile, submit a request at LinkedIn.com/help/linkedin/ask/ ts-rdmlp. You’ll need to provide the name and URL to the profile; the relationship you have to the deceased; the email address; date of passing; and link to an obituary.

Snapchat To delete this account, simply login to the account and click “Delete My Account” and follow the prompts.

Tumblr Send an email to Support@ tumblr.com requesting to remove the account of the deceased person with their Tumblr username, proof of their death, and proof of your relationship to the deceased. If your wife had social media through a company not listed here, go to that company’s website for information on how to delete the account. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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February 2024 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19

Ask St. Ann’s

Choose Nutrient-rich Foods to Boost Your Immunity

By Amy O'Reilly

ating nourishing foods not only brings enjoyment and spice to life, but it's also how your body gets vitamins. Making good choices will boost your immunity and support your overall health and well-being, especially as you age. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that you “Personalize Your Plate” to include vitamin- and mineral-rich foods you

need. These general guidelines from the dietitians at St. Ann’s Community can help.

Choose Fresh Fill half your plate with bright and colorful fruits and vegetables. Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and red bell peppers contain vitamins A and C to support

a healthy immune system. Green salad topped with almonds and avocado will provide high vitamin E levels, which acts as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage cells and cause illness. Eating high protein foods such as poultry, seafood, and beans high in zinc and rich in vitamin B12 helps produce new immune cells and keep blood and nerve cells healthy. Salmon, trout, mushrooms, and fortified items such as milk, orange juice, and cereals provide vitamin D to keep bones and muscles healthy and strong, including your heart. Vitamin D also helps your immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. To receive the maximum nutritional value of what you eat, choose fresh foods whenever possible. Frozen or canned foods with reduced sodium or no salt added are healthy alternatives, too.

Pickup or Delivery Most local grocery stores provide delivery or curbside pickup. If the weather makes travel difficult, subscribe to an online grocery or meal kit service like Misfits Market or Hello Fresh to add fresh foods to your plate.

Supplement When Necessary When your diet doesn’t provide all the vitamins you need, vitamin supplements can help you make up the difference. This is especially important as the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals lessens

with age. Your doctor can order a simple blood test to identify which supplements you need and check to ensure they won’t interfere with your medications. For example, people aged 51–70 require 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day and 800 IU for those over 70 years of age. While your body produces vitamin D with help from the sun, needing a supplement to meet these requirements is common during Rochester winters. The dietitians at St. Ann’s Community recommend vitamin D supplements labeled “D3” or cholecalciferol, which you should take with nutritious high-fat foods like nuts to help with absorption. Also, any multivitamin you take should include at least 400 IU of vitamin D. Preparing healthy meals that support your body type, cultural background, and tastes is a daily act of self-care that can make a major difference in your quality of life. So, stay away from labeling foods as good or bad and enjoy! When your plate includes enough nutrient-rich foods, treating yourself to dessert is a just reward! Amy O’Reilly is a registered dietitian nutritionist at St. Ann’s Community. Contact her at aoreilly@ mystanns.com or visit stannscommunity.com.

Frank Guido couldn’t be happier he had a choice for treating his prostate cancer! 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!”

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Page 20 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024

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By Andrea Ide

ain, 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 “Numb feet and legs better!” -Jean L

“Reducing gabapentin with Riddle Wellness neuropathy protocols!” -Ray F

has about a 98% effective rate! FIND LASTING RELIEF Claim Your Voucher Now for a Consultation & Examination to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment... Dr. Riddle and his care team are here once again to help readers learn about new options for finding pain relief! Call the clinic today to receive your comprehensive (normally $250). The clinic utilizes the most advanced Pain Free Testing and a full, easy to understand report of finding

with Dr. Riddle going over your options for care if you are able to move forward. Call 585-670-0020 and use Code NUMB0021. They have agreed to reduce their usual cost of $250. But hurry, due to the number of patients the office can see, this is a limited time offer, with only 25 spaces at this exclusively discounted rate. These will be on a first come, first serve basis, messages left will count. My advise, don’t suffer any longer, waiting around for it to get worse... If you or your loved one is experienc-

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. 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.

Page 24 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2024