in good Meet Your Doctor Physician Pamela S. Polashenski, chief medical officer at NewarkWayne and Clifton Springs hospitals, discusses challenges rural hospitals face
Physician Assistants
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February 2018 • Issue 150
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Sex After 90?
Can older adults enjoy sexual intimacy? Reed what several experts have to say about it.
Why this is one of the hottest careers in medical field today. The mean wage for PAs in Rochester area is $98,390
Also in this “Golden Years” special edition: • Buffalo woman turns 105 • New comfort care home taking shape in Newark • Too many meds = increased health risks. What to do about it? • Mediterranean diet a recipe for strength in old age
Top 10
Healthy Tips for 2018
Heard the Latest on Yoga?
How Bad is It in the Healthcare Industry?
Help with ED
Off-beat ways to perform yoga — with goats, on horses, in the air — have become a huge trend, thanks, in part, to a new generation of yogis
In news that will delight men who’ve had difficulties in the bedroom, two generic versions of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra hit the market in December.
Dark Chocolate Don’t feel guilty about eating dark chocolate, says SmartBites writer. There are tons of good things going for it.
Food & Meds Foods and medications can interact, reducing the medications’ effectiveness or increasing the risk of harmful side effects. Find out what you should not eat if you’re taking certain medications.
Top 10 Healthy Tips for 2018
Tips to help maximize your chances of a long, strong and resilient life
1.
3.
2.
4.
“If the food is white, it’s probably not right.” Avoid processed white carbohydrates such as white bread, bagels, rice, pasta and pizza. Replace with whole-grain products such as whole-grain bread, brown rice — or try pasta made from quinoa or brown rice.
“Don’t drink your fruit when you can eat your fruit.” Fruit in its natural form is healthiest. It is filled with fiber and antioxidants with their inherent benefits. When fruit is liquefied, you lose much of the fiber and increase the concentrated sugar load on your body. An apple a day will keep the doctor away, but a glass of
apple juice might not.
“Sitting is the new smoking.” Increase your daily physical activity by moving more every day. Aim for 10,000 steps per day — no ifs, ands or buts. “Don’t skimp on sleep.” Aim for seven to eight hours per day. This will allow you to function at your best and ward off many illnesses that are associated with sleep deprivation.
5.
“Maintain a gratitude attitude every day.” Looking at life with a positive attitude can help you deal better with everyday hassles. Remind
0.3%
An apple a day will keep the doctor away, but a glass of apple juice might not, says physician Roy Buchinsky as he encourages people eat fruit, not drink it. yourself that from challenges, come opportunities.
6.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Don’t get upset over minutia in life and focus on the big-ticket items health, family, work, religion.
7.
“Avoid toxins such as tobacco, excess alcohol and BPA.” Take care of the environment and the environment will take care of you.
8.
“Prevention is the best intervention.” Vaccinations might not be foolproof, but they are very powerful in preventing common illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, HPV, hepatitis, shingles, diphtheria, etc. Remember these ‘bugs’ are devilishly clever.
about things that are out of our control. If you focus predominantly on items that are actually within your control, you will be able use your energy productively.
10
. “Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” As the inimitable Charlie Chaplin said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Source: Physician Roy Buchinsky, director of wellness at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and the Robert and Susan Hurwitz Master Clinician in Wellness.
9.
“Control the controllable.” So much energy is spent worrying
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
JACKIE Stroke Survivor
“IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK.” Get back to your best self with the myPath™ Stroke Recovery Program.
After multiple strokes, Jackie found that even the simplest tasks were a challenge — let alone preparing a family meal. With a personalized care plan built around her goals, our highly trained staff was able to help Jackie regain her independence and even remaster her signature artichoke dip. Meet Jackie and see how the Short-Term Rehabilitation Program at the Jewish Home can get you back to your best self.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 3
CALENDAR of Join us on Tuesday February 6th
HEALTH EVENTS
Feb. 18
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church East Avenue & Westminster Road, Rochester, NY 14607 - Free parking is available at the George Eastman Museum
Vegan group to host president of food institute
Support Session: H.O.P.E., (Hearing other peoples' experiences) 10:00-11:00am
Rochester Area Vegan Society will hold a dinner program that will feature Antonia Demas, Ph.D., who will speak on “Why We Need to Make Food Literacy an Educational and Health Priority.” Demas is president of the Food Studies Institute, visiting scholar at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford. She is the creator of the award-winning “Food is Elementary” curriculum, which has been used in more than 3,000 schools in 33 states and several countries. The event will start with a vegan share-a-dish dinner at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 18, at Brighton Town Park Lodge, 777 Westfall Road, Rochester. The program will start at 7 p.m. Dinner is a vegan potluck. Vegan means no animal products (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products or honey). Those attending the program are encouraged to bring a dish with enough to serve a crowd, serving utensils and place setting for own dinner. For more information, call 585234-8750 or visit rochesterveg.org.
* Note new time Prospective or new hearing aid users can share their experiences, questions, and hearing loss journeys in an informal session. James Feuerstein, PhD, Professor of Audiology in the Nazareth College Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders, will be monitoring the discussion this month.
Daytime meeting 11:00am-1:00pm Program begins at noon Untreated hearing loss and Alzheimer's Disease: Is there a connection? Anton Porsteinsson, MD, an internationally known expert on dementia, will update us on current concepts in Alzheimer's Disease. As a geriatric psychiatrist, he has devoted his career to the care and study of individuals with memory disorders. A Professor of Psychiatry at the U of R, Dr. Porsteinsson is widely recognized for his clinical research and considered one of the leading experts in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias.
For more info visit hearinglossrochester.org or call 585.266.7890
A hearing loop and captions will be used
March 6
Hearing loss group holds free programs Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter invites anyone interested in hearing loss to any or all of several events Tuesday, March 6. All programs are held at St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, Rochester, across from the George Eastman Museum. The programs are as follows: • 10:15 a.m.: “Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE)” at church vestry room. Prospective or new hearing aid users can share their experiences, questions and hearing loss journeys in an informal round table discussion. Retired audiologist and hearing aid user Joseph Kozelsky facilitates. • 11a.m. to 1 p.m. at parish hall. Program begins at noon and will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Program starts at 8 p.m. “Alphabet Soup: “IP CTS (Internet Protocol-based Captioned Telephone Service) and New Technology.” Presented by Michael Holm and Cameron Tingey, CaptionCall. Captioned telephones enable hearing disabled callers to read incoming conversations on a small monitor. CaptionCall bills itself as the country’s largest provider of IP CTS. Program will review current state of the art technology supporting captioned telephone service, FCC regulations, and recent technology changes influencing these services over the next five years. For more information, view the organization’s website at hlaa-rochester-ny.org or telephone 585-266-7890.
March 9
LGBTQ group sponsors program for senior services providers Out Alliance, a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ), is spon-
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
soring a program titled “Senior Services Provider SafeZone” designed for senior services providers. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LGBTQ Academy’s Education Center, 100 College Ave., Rochester. There is free parking in the lot next to the building. According to a news release issued by the organization, many LGBTQ+ seniors are extremely vulnerable as they age. They may return to “the closet” after years of living authentically, for fear of being mistreated by health and aging care professionals. This dynamic and interactive workshop will provide information about the risks and realities of LGBTQ+ older adults, tips for being inclusive and respectful in our language, understanding the process of coming out for older adults, the components of sex, gender and sexuality, as well as strategies for working toward inclusiveness, where LGBTQ+ older adults are able to acknowledge their life experiences and age with dignity and respect. Registration fee is $85 (which includes: SafeZone manual, a SafeZone lapel pin and sticker, a certificate of course completion and lunch). To register, go to www.gayalliance.org/ programs/education-safezone/safezone-programs/.
March 29
NBA Bill Walton to host ‘Celebration of Aging’
Bill Walton, former UCLA and NBA star and current ESPN color commentator, will be the keynote speaker at Lifespan’s 22nd “Celebration of Aging” luncheon at noon on Thursday, March 29, at the Riverside Convention Center. The event is one of Rochester’s largest community, fundraising events. More than 1,800 people attended the March 2017 luncheon. Lifespan honors five older adults nominated by family or friends as Second Half Heroes. This year, the nonprofit is seeking nominations of people 65 and older, who, like Bill Walton, have overcome health or other challenges. Go to www.lifespanrochester (events tab/Celebration of Aging) to complete a nomination form. Nominations are due by Feb. 23. At 6’ 11” in his Grateful Dead tie-dyed T-shirt, Bill Walton has been named one of “50 Greatest NBA Players of All Time.” He missed nine of his 14 NBA seasons due to injuries related to congenital foot problems. Despite that, his achievements on the court were enormous. When his career ended with his 30th surgery, Walton pursued sports broadcasting. One problem: Walton had a severe, lifelong stutter that prevented him from even saying a simple “thank you.” Undeterred, he conquered stuttering and found a place behind the microphone, earning numerous awards and honors. Walton’s greatest test came in 2007 when severe back pain confined him to his home for two years. Finally relenting to surgery in 2009. He’s the author of the 2016 New York Times bestseller “Back from the Dead.” Tickets for the Celebration of Aging are on sale now. $55 per person or $550 for a table of 10. Register and pay securely online at www. lifespanrochester.org (events tab) or call 585-287-6482.
Childhood Vaccination Rates in Monroe County Among the Highest in the Nation
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hildhood vaccination rates in Monroe County are among the highest in the nation, according to a new study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). The study examined U.S. claims data for 843,610 children, born in 20102013 and commercially insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and followed their care continuously from birth to 3 years of age. Focusing on completion rates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended seven-vaccine series for children, the study found that 73.5 percent of them nationwide and 64.2 percent in New York state were up-to-date on their CDC-recommended vaccinations during the seven-year span. In Monroe County, the total childhood vaccination rate was 86.8 percent, the sixth highest rate among all counties examined in the study. “Childhood vaccination is one of the most significant public health accomplishments of the 20th century. We have all but eradicated many devastating diseases and health conditions with vaccinations, preventing an untold amount of illness, disease, and death,” said Excellus BCBS Corporate Medical Director Martin Lustick, a physician. “It’s very important for the healthy development of every child that they be vaccinated.” While overall vaccination rates are strong nationwide, 23 percent Newark-Wayne Community Hospital offers the latest in community healthcare. of children are still not getting the Care driven by the understanding that we are treating people not just patients. CDC-recommended seven-vaccine series within the first three years of life. For children who are not comOur teamCommunity of expert doctors, nurses, andthe technicians comprehensive treatments, pletely vaccinated, missed well-child Newark-Wayne Hospital offers latest inprovide community healthcare. visits were the largest reason for both in person and via our innovative telemedicine program. Our services include: Care driven by the understanding thatthe we latest are treating people not just patients. under-vaccination. Newark-Wayne Community Hospital offers in community healthcare. Newark-Wayne Community Hospital offers the latest in community healthcare. “The results of the national study • Cardiology • Orthopaedics • Senior Care Care driven byCare thedriven understanding that we that are we treating people notnot just patients. by the understanding are treating people just patients. highlight how important well-child doctors, nurses, and technicians provide comprehensive treatments, visits are to improving vaccination Our team of expert • Emergency Care • Obstetrics & Gynecology • Stroke rates,” said Lustick. “Physicians in both in person and via our innovative telemedicine program. Our services include: Our team of expert doctors,and nurses, and technicians provide comprehensivetreatments, treatments, our community are doing Our a greatteam job of expert doctors, nurses, technicians provide comprehensive • • • • Gastroenterology • Pulmonary • Urology with well-child visits, so we’re not both in person and via our innovative telemedicine program. Our services include: both in person and via our innovative•telemedicine include: surprised by the high vaccination • Cardiology • Senior Care Orthopaedicsprogram. Our services rates.” •• Cardiology • • • Orthopaedics • Senior Care “The fact that the Finger Lakes • Emergency Care• Orthopaedics • Obstetrics & Gynecology• Senior • Stroke • Cardiology Care region has the lowest uninsured rates • • • Emergency Care Obstetrics & Gynecology Stroke in modern times also helps explain Newark-Wayne Community Hospital • • • • Gastroenterology • • why we have among the best records Pulmonary Urology • Emergency • • Care Obstetrics &NY Gynecology Stroke 1200 Driving Park Ave | Newark, 14513 • Gastroenterology • Pulmonary • Urology on vaccinations in the country,” addP 315.332.2022 ed Lustick. • Pulmonary • Urology According to the U.S. Census • Gastroenterology Bureau’s American Community Survey, the 2016 uninsured rate in the Finger Lakes was 3.62 percent; lower Newark-Wayne Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Community Hospital than the uninsured rate in the state 1200 Driving | Newark, 14513 (6.06 percent) and in the nation (8.58 1200 Driving ParkPark Ave Ave | Newark, NYNY14513 percent). P 315.332.2022 Newark-Wayne Community Hospital Vaccination rates continue to im- P 315.332.2022 P Driving Park Ave | Newark, NY 14513 prove among commercially1200 insured children in the U.S., according to the P 315.332.2022 study.
Everyday. Exceptional Everyday. Everyday. Everyday. 5/8
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Newark-Wayne Community Hospital 1200 Driving Park Ave | Newark, NY 14513 315.332.2022 February 2018 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 5
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Many With Early Pamela S. Polashenski, M.D. Breast Cancer Are Chief medical officer at Newark-Wayne and Skipping Chemo Clifton Springs hospitals discusses challenges ewer women with early stage rural hospitals face breast cancer are turning to
F
chemotherapy to fight their disease, a new study finds. “For patients with early stage breast cancer, we’ve seen a significant decline in chemotherapy use over the last few years without a real change in evidence,” said study author Allison Kurian, a physician. She’s an associate professor of medicine and of health research and policy at Stanford University. “This likely reflects a change in the culture of how physicians are practicing, and a move toward using tumor biology to guide treatment choices rather than solely relying on clinical measures,” Kurian said in a Stanford news release. “We believe this study indicates that physicians are attempting to be more selective in their recommendations and to spare patients toxicity when possible,” she said. The researchers looked at nearly 3,000 women treated for early stage breast cancer in Georgia and Los Angeles between 2013 and 2015. During that time, chemotherapy use fell from 34.5 percent to just over 21 percent. Also, chemotherapy recommendations from patients’ oncologists declined from almost 45 percent to 31.6 percent. Chemotherapy use in patients whose cancer had no lymph node involvement went from 26.6 percent to 14 percent, and from 81 percent to 64 percent among patients with lymph node involvement. The study authors noted that there have been no changes in national treatment recommendations or guidelines. Treatment for early breast cancer typically involves some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or targeted therapy, according to the Susan G. Komen foundation. But there’s growing awareness that for some early stage breast cancer patients, the harms of chemotherapy may outweigh its benefits. And there’s also increased use of genetic testing to guide treatment, the researchers added. “As personalized medicine becomes more widely available, doctors are using test results as part of their dialogue with patients about their preferences and overall treatment goals. But the long-term outcomes of these recent changes in chemotherapy use are uncertain,” Kurian concluded. The study findings were published online Dec. 11 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Q: You are in charge of medical services not at one but at two hospitals in the region, correct? A: That’s correct. I’m the chief medical officer of both Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic.
Q: They’re both pretty rural. How similar are their operations? A: They’re different in that Newark has been affiliated with Rochester Regional Health for over eight years and Clifton is the newest one to have joined. So, there’s a lot of culture and policy differences at Clifton. But the physicians also go back and forth between the hospitals. Clifton has a little bit of a different feel to it too because it has a unit called “The Springs” that does complementary medicine. They offer things like chiropractic and acupuncture services. So they get patients looking for that as well. Q: What challenges do rural hospitals face? A: They’re small hospitals, so we can’t have the specialty services they have in the city. But a lot of patients who come to us don’t have to have to commute into the cities or make their families drive hours to see them. We’re trying to provide as many specialty services as we can safely provide. We’re trying to share services. Newark has a pulmonary critical care doctor during the weekdays, so if someone at Clifton needs a little higher level of care, we’ll move them to Newark. Likewise, Clifton has inpatient dialysis equipment, so we’ll try to get people who need the service in the eastern region to that hospital. Q: How do you manage the logistics? A: It sort of depends where the patients are. Sometimes a patient will just come into the emergency department, but they’ll come to the one where we can’t provide [a specific service]. So, then, we transfer them immediately. We’ll keep them in the eastern region if we
can. I worked in Rochester General for 15 years and we got five to 10 patients a day from surrounding rural hospitals. It’s a little more challenging when we have an inpatient, because we need to work with the insurance companies to make sure they approve the transfer. Sometimes, if they just need a procedure, we’ll send them to Rochester to have the procedure and then they’ll send them back the same day. We have to coordinate that with the ambulance companies, but there aren’t as many of them out here, so it can be challenging.
Q: With the trend toward hospital networks and consolidation, it seems like rural hospitals are the most vulnerable to being bounced around. Do you have to make a case to the city anchor hospitals often? A: Newark’s been a partner for a very long time, so that’s a very tight relationship. We’re trying to expand, really, to employ more of the physicians in the rural area who might be in private practice. I haven’t felt any real pressure from Syracuse or that Rochester General is considering dropping us. We’ve just been encouraged to grow and expand our services. Q: You mentioned Clifton Springs’ complementary services. That’s something even a lot of city hospitals don’t have. Does that draw from a larger area than a rural hospital otherwise might? A: I think we do. A lot of people will come as outpatients for those services and later want to come here as inpatients because they have a doctor here. It’s interesting because we’re trying to integrate those services with the hospital in case, for example, an inpatient wanted to get acupuncture while they were admitted. It’s been a little difficult because it’s not something insurance companies usually want to cover. So, we’re trying to figure out how to handle that
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
with reimbursements. Since we’re part of the electronic medical records now, we need to work with IT to try to get those very specialized service integrated into it. We’re very close to getting acupuncture integrated into our infusion center in Clifton, which is a pretty active cancer center. Since they’re both outpatient services, it’s a little easier on the reimbursement side. Our two oncologists are very well respected, so I think we have a big draw for that, as well it just being a lot easier to get to for many of our patients than Rochester or Syracuse. Q: What kind of mark do you want to leave on these hospitals? A: I’m kind of new to the job, so I haven’t thought too hard about that. I would say that I’m mostly focused on growth of our services so that we don’t have to transfer patients as much. Right now we have 24-hour care at Clifton in the ED but not on the hospital floor itself. I also want to really unify Newark and Clifton. We have a lot of physicians at one who are looking to get privileges at the other, so they can provide services to both. I think that will be pretty exciting to get the two hospitals working more closely together in the eastern region. Q: How do you sell rural hospitals to physicians? A: Most of the doctors you hire are recent grads. It’s a bit intimidating to go from a supervised position in a tertiary care facility to a rural hospital where you’ll have less technical and subspecialty support. We had one recruit from Clifton Springs who wanted to come home and another who isn’t from the area but is from a small town. You can then use them to help us recruit others because they provide some confidence for new grads. It’s not for everybody. We also have physicians from Rochester who will do a few months on our campuses, but that’s not ideal. We’d like to have people here fulltime who can fully embrace and get integrated into our culture. We had a doc who was at RGH forever and was getting really burned out. He was doing rotations at Newark and he just fell in love with it. He said it felt like the way medicine was practiced 30 years ago. Everybody talked to everybody. You knew everyone’s number who worked there. So, we sell it like that. It’s kind of like a family. It takes a lot longer to develop that at the big hospitals, if you do at all.
Lifelines Name: Pamela S. Polashenski, M.D., M.P.H.
Position: Chief medical officer of Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic Hometown: Kinderhook, NY Education: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Affiliations: Newark-Wayne Community Hospital; Clifton Springs Hospital; Rochester General Hospital Career Highlights: Medical chief resident of Rochester General Internal Medicine Residency program (20052006); director of clinical quality, Rochester General Hospitalist Group (2010 – 2016). In current position since 2016 Organizations: American Osteopathic Association Family: Married, three daughters Hobbies: Beach volleyball
Stephen Hawking Turns 76: How Has He Lived So Long With ALS?
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enowned physicist Stephen Hawking turned 76 Jan. 8, an age well beyond what he was expected to reach when he was diagnosed with the incurable neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more than 50 years ago. Hawking was 21 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS in 1963, and he was given just two years to live. The disease causes the progressive degeneration and death of the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements, such as chewing, walking, talking and breathing, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). But how has Hawking lived so long with a disease that is typically fatal after just a few years? In fact, no one knows for certain why Hawking has survived so long with ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. But researchers do know that the progression of the disease varies depending on the person. Although the average life expectancy after a diagnosis of ALS is about three years, about 20 percent of people live five years after their diagnosis, 10 percent live 10 years after their diagnosis and 5 percent live 20 years or more, according to The ALS Association. One factor that likely plays a role in patients’ survival time is genetics; scientists have identified over 20 different genes involved in ALS, said physician Anthony Geraci, director of the Neuromuscular Center at Northwell Health’s Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, New York, who is not involved in Hawking’s care. “ALS is probably 20 or more different diseases when one considers the genetic underpinnings,” Geraci said. Some of these genetic differences appear to affect various aspects of the disease, including survival. For instance, a gene called SOD1, which is linked with a type of ALS that runs in families, is associated with a more rapid course of the dis-
Stephen Hawking turned 76 in January. Few people suffering from ALS live more than 20 years. ease, said Geraci. Studies have also found that being diagnosed with ALS at a younger age is linked with a longer survival time. (Hawking was relatively young when he was diagnosed with ALS; the disease is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 55 to 75, according to the NINDS.) The Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs to treat ALS, called riluzole (Rilutek) and edaravone (Radicava). Each of these drugs can prolog survival by about six months, but the drugs likely don’t account for an exceptional survival time like the one Hawking has experienced, Geraci said. Early symptoms of ALS can include muscle weakness or slurred speech, and eventually, the disease can cause people to lose the ability to move, speak, eat or breathe on their own, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with ALS typically die from respiratory failure, which occurs when the nerve cells controlling the breathing muscles stop working or from malnutrition and dehydration, which can occur when the muscles that control swallowing deteriorate. Original article appeared in www.livescience.com.
Serving Monroe and Ontario Counties in good A monthly newspaper published
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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. © 2018 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 154 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. • Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, Kyra Mancine Diane Kane (MD), John Addyman, Katie Coleman, Julie Halm • Advertising: Anne Westcott, Denise Ruf • Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.
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Page 7
By Gwenn Voelckers
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
New Book Announcement: ‘Alone and Content’ Dear Readers,
s d i K Corner
US Childhood Mortality Rates Lag Behind Other Wealthy Nations Leading causes of death are prematurity and injuries
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n a new study of childhood mortality rates between 1961 and 2010 in the United States and 19 economically similar countries, researchers report that while there’s been overall improvement among all the countries, the U.S. has been slowest to improve. Researchers found that childhood mortality in the U.S. has been higher than all other peer nations since the 1980s; over the 50-year Page 8
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study period, the U.S.’s “lagging improvement” has amounted to more than 600,000 excess deaths. A report of the findings, published Jan. 8 in Health Affairs, highlights when and why the U.S. performance started falling behind peer countries, and calls for continued funding of federal, state and local programs that have proven to save children’s lives. Among the leading causes of
This collection of essays offers hope and encouragement for those searching for answers. Here, you’ll find practical and inspirational advice for overcoming loneliness, rediscovering your true self, and coming into your own with confidence, curiosity, and a renewed love for life.
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with independence. But, don’t take my word for it. Here’s what BJ Mann, highly respected founder of BJ Mann The thoughtful counsel in this book will Sally help you develop a new, stronger sense of Mediation Services, had to sayWard about self and experience the freedom that comes Certified Professional with being alone and content. the book: “As a divorce mediator Coach, PCC, CPCC (for 17 years) IGwenn have seen thousands Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive empowerment workshops for women, a newspaper and sought-after After her of clients yearn forcolumnist, a guide to speaker. help divorce, she overcame loneliness and loss to create a life of fulfillment and joy on her own. Today, she is dedicated them move from sadness to hope. to helping others embrace their independence and feel “at home” with themselves. Gwenn lives with her dog, Gwenn’s gentle nudges and positive Scout, in an 1830s English cottage in upstate New York, where she operates House Content Bed & Breakfast. suggestions are a blueprint for being yourwww.aloneandcontent.com best self and loving your own company. The book provides the key for thriving not just surviving, for living not just healing.” With the right attitude, you can turn the life you are living into the life you want. Possibilities can open up. When that happens, living alone becomes secondary to living fully! SELF-HELP USA $11.95 CAN $14.95
Cover design: Rebecca Nolen Author photograph: Amanda Kinton Photography
Writing this book has been a labor of love. And gratitude. First, I’m grateful to my “workshop women,” those resilient women who have attended my Live Alone and Thrive workshops and generously shared their stories, struggles and triumphs. Their courage touched me deeply and inspired not only the essays in my book, but my ongoing commitment to helping women live alone with confidence, peace, and joy. Next, my heartfelt thanks go to Wagner Dotto, publisher and editor of “In Good Health” and “55 PLUS” magazine. He invited me to become a contributing columnist over a decade ago and has been my biggest fan ever since. This book would not exist were it not for Wagner’s foresight and support. All my best, Gwenn
death for the most recent decade, the researchers say, were premature births and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Children in the U.S. were three times more likely to die from prematurity at birth and more than twice as likely to die from SIDS. The two leading causes of death for those 15 to 19 years old in the U.S. during the sa- metime period were motor vehicle accidents and assaults by firearm. Teenagers were twice as likely to die from motor vehicle accidents and 82 times more likely to die from gun homicide in the U.S. than in other wealthy nations. “Overall child mortality in wealthy countries, including the U.S., is improving, but the progress our country has made is considerably slower than progress elsewhere,” says physician Ashish Thakrar, an in-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
Gwenn Voelckers
I’m delighted to announce the publication of my book “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” The book is a collection of essays I handpicked and adapted from the series of monthly columns I have written for “In Good Health” over the past decade. Now, all in one place, my collection of essays is available for those who live alone after losing a spouse or partner through divorce, death or other life circumstance. Many often wonder, “Will I ever be happy again?” As a divorced woman, I know how painful it can be to find yourself living alone, especially after a long relationship has ended. I also know it’s possible to reclaim your life, to determine who you really are and to turn living alone into an adventure of self-discovery and personal growth at any age. My book opens with a “How Content Are You?” quiz, followed by a simple scorecard designed to help readers assess their level of happiness and satisfaction with life. While not scientific, this quiz and scorecard can provide a helpful baseline for
moving forward on the road to contentment. After the quiz is taken, readers can then pick and choose from over 25 essays full of thought-provoking and practical advice. The essays are organized into six chapters: • Coming into Your Own • Overcoming Challenges • Designing a Home Sweet Home • Surviving the Holidays and Special Occasions • Exploring Relationships and Romance • Spreading Your Wings Each essay is followed by two compelling questions, under the heading, “What You Can Do Today.” These questions are designed to inspire action and motivate readers to take healthy steps toward creating a life of fulfillment and joy on their own. While the book is intended for women, men can also benefit from my experience and helpful advice. It’s my hope that those who pick up my book will find encouragement, inspiration and even a few laughs within its pages. Ideally, “Alone and Content” will awaken readers to new ways of thinking about living alone and to the pride, pleasure and power that can come
You’re not alone. Gwenn Voelckers has been there—and so have hundreds of women who’ve attended her Live Alone and Thrive workshops to move forward after a divorce, death, or other painful separation.
“This book is a gift for those who live alone!”
Alone & Content: Inspiring, Empowering Essay to Help Divorced Women Feel Whole and Complete on Their Own
Live Alone & Thrive
re you wrestling with the end of a relationship? Does the thought of creating a full and intentional life on your own seem impossible?
AND
Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own
Gwenn Voelckers
“This book is a gift for those who live alone!” Teresa Jackson, Live Alone and Thrive workshop participant. To Purchase The Book Alone and Content is available for purchase in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com and can be ordered through Barnes and Noble. You can also find the book on Gwenn’s website:
www.aloneandcontent.com
Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her workshops, book, or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-624-7887, email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com, or visit www.aloneandcontent.com.
ternal medicine resident at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and a lead author of the study. He adds: “Now is not the time to defund the programs that support our children’s health.” Thakrar notes that while the U.S. spends more per capita on health care for children than other wealthy nations, it has poorer outcomes than many. In 2013, the United Nations Children’s Fund ranked the U.S. 25th in a list of 29 developed countries for overall child health and safety.
Raw Meat Not the Safest Choice for Your Dog … or You W hile your dog or cat might love the taste of raw meat, a steady diet of it might be a bad idea, a new study warns. Raw meat diets for pets have become increasingly popular, but there is no evidence that they are healthier than typical pet foods, the researchers said. In fact, some studies have reported that raw meat diets may pose a threat to pets and their owners due to the potential presence of bacteria and parasites. To learn more about these risks, the Dutch researchers analyzed 35 commercial frozen raw meat diet products for pets that are widely available in the Netherlands.
E. coli bacteria was found in eight products (23 percent), listeria bacteria was discovered in 15 products (43 percent) and salmonella was detected in seven products (20 percent). Eight products contained Sarcocystes parasites and two products (6 percent) contained Toxoplasma gondii parasites. The two types of Sarcocystesparasites found in the products do not affect people but pose a risk to farm animals. T. gondii can cause disease in people, the researchers said. The study was published Jan. 11 in the journal Vet Record. “Cats and dogs that eat raw meat diets are also more likely to become
infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria than animals on conventional diets, which could pose a serious risk to both animal health and public health,” lead researcher Paul Overgaauw, from Utrecht University, and colleagues said in a journal news release.
Pet owners should be informed about the risks of feeding their pets raw meat diet products. They should be educated about proper handling of the products and personal hygiene measures, and the products should include warnings and handling instructions, the investigators said.
Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman Hospital Ratings CMS has released its 2017 star ratings for US hospitals. CMS is constantly tweaking the rankings to make them more meaningful for both hospitals and consumers. More than 3,700 hospitals were ranked from one star to five stars. The rankings break down as: one star, 7 percent; two stars, 21 percent; three stars, 32 percent; four stars, 31 percent; and 5 stars, 9 percent. The number of 5 star hospitals tripled to 337 from just 102 in 2016. You can get the star rating for any hospital at www.medicare.gov/ hospitalcompare. Enter either the zip code or name of the hospital. ACA Individual Mandate The Affordable Care Act has not been “repealed” with the recent removal of the individual mandate requiring all citizens to have health insurance or else pay a penalty. The individual mandate made insurance premiums more affordable for all ages by including younger and healthier people in the risk pool. With the termination of the individual mandate, many younger and/ or healthier people will stop buying insurance, thereby leaving the risk pool with a higher mix of older and/ or less healthy members. All insurance premiums, not just those sold on the exchange, will be negatively impacted. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the removal of the individual mandate will: increase the uninsured by 13 million, increase premiums by at least 10 percent and reduce the federal deficit by $338 billion over the next 10 years. (The deficit decreases because the government will be subsidizing fewer premiums.) Despite the removal of the individual mandate, at the last count, 8.8 million people enrolled for insurance on the federal exchange, down slightly (4 percent) from 9.2 million at the end
of 2016. The number of additional people insured by the ACA through expanded Medicaid is around 15 million. Women Physicians For the first time in history, the number of women entering medical school has exceeded the number of men. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges or AAMC, 51 percent of incoming students are women, which is a culmination of the slight trend over the past few years. This class of medical students is also more diverse: 13 percent African American, 15 percent Latino. However, despite these encouraging numbers, the number of overall applicants to medical schools was the lowest in 15 years fueling the concern about a physician shortage. The AAMC continues to lobby congress to authorize Medicare to pay for more residency slots. Congress has not increased the number of US residency slots since the mid-90s. Millennial Point of View Currently, there is an equal number of millennials and baby boomers. At 75 million people apiece, they are the two largest segments of the US population. This is significant for both political and economic reasons. The highest uninsured rate is in the 26 to 34 age cohort. (Parents can cover their children up to 26.) This uninsured rate is sure to increase with the removal of the individual mandate. One can’t blame millennials for going without insurance. The world today is far different for millennials than it was “back in the day” for boomers. In 1980, when boomers were still young, 80 percent of insurance was paid by employers. Today, employers pick up an average 50 percent of the premium. Consequently, a lot of millennials can’t February 2018 •
afford insurance, let alone the high deductibles and copays that are part of today’s insurance policies. Many figure the deductibles (out of pocket) attached to today’s premiums are so high, insurance won’t even kick in. Millennials are just one catastrophic event from bankruptcy. On average, millennials have more medical debt than older boomers who have enjoyed better coverage for most of their lives. The actuarial problem is clear: by not purchasing insurance, younger and healthier people are not diluting the risk pool. If health insurance is not to be mandatory, there has to be a solution/incentive for millennials. MD Job Creation Always overlooked in discussions about the cost and effectiveness of care is the number of jobs created by physicians. According to a study by the American Medical Association, physicians are responsible for 12.6 million jobs, generating about $2.3 trillion in economic activity. The study measured the impact of 737,000 physicians based on four economic indicators: employment, wages and benefits, and state and local taxes. Every dollar from physician services supports another $2.64 in other business activity. The American Hospital Association claims it supports one in nine jobs. Osteopathic Physicians The number of osteopathic physicians (DO vs. MD) is increasing rapidly. There has been a 68 percent increase in their numbers in the last 10 years. There are now more than 108,000 practicing DOs in the US or about one in seven physicians. Osteopaths are fully licensed physicians and practice in every specialty. They emphasize treating the whole person with a focus on prevention. They
receive special training in the musculoskeletal system which is comprised of nerves, muscles and bones. More than half of DOs are in primary care. Currently, about 25 percent of all medical students are enrolled in a college of osteopathic medicine. MDs are technically “allopathic” physicians. Be a Better Patient in 2018 1. Understand how your insurance works. It’s your responsibility, not your providers’. Four in 10 of us don’t understand our benefits or what the policy pays. 2. Be an active partner in your care. Busy providers prefer an involved and responsible patient vs. an uninvolved and passive patient. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 3. Be compliant. Once you have agreed upon an approach to your care, stick with the game plan. 4. Keep your own records. You do for everything else. 5. Review your bill. If it confuses you, call the office. 6. Take advantage of preventive care. Most insurances will pay for it. 7. Never be afraid to get a second opinion. Your physician will not be offended. 8. Don’t be a “no show.” If you can’t make an appointment, be sure to call at least 24 hours ahead to reschedule. Considering the lead time to get an appointment, it is an expensive waste to have the slot go unused. 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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Working Out in Cold Weather Experts recommend plenty of ways to get active in wintertime By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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he weather may be frightful, but don’t let this winter “go to waist.” Area experts recommend plenty of ways to get active and stay fit. Tips from Mike Schuber, program manager, Rochester Regional Health Wellness Center: • “Think about the reality. One goes from a heated house to a heated car to a heated building for work. Working out at the gym; running on a treadmill, taking a HIIT class, doing some yoga or even going to a mall and walking are all reasonable and healthy activities for the cold dark
wintery days. • “Embrace the season and get out and enjoy the outdoors. A critical part of winter outdoor exercise is dressing appropriately for the cold. • “Think about taking a jog in the snow? Be sure to use rubber grippers on your shoes if it is icy and dress in layers. • “Another great outdoor activity is snowshoeing or cross country skiing which can be done in the local county and town parks as well as on golf courses covered in snow. Of course, these activities take some equipment, but renting is always an option until you know for sure you
like the sport. • “Skating, snowboarding or downhill skiing are not for the faint of heart and do take a level of skill that you may not have. Consider taking a ski lesson right at a commercial slope, or find a local group that helps you learn how to ski. • “If you are not into winter sports, it doesn’t mean you can’t be active in the cold weather. How about what we all enjoyed as children such as building a snowman, having a snowball fight, building snow forts and of course sledding? “• Keep your eye open for winter festivals as they always have exciting things to do and see as well.” Tips from Joanne Wu, board certified integrative and holistic medicine and rehabilitation physician, who specializes in wellness. • “I’m a big outdoorsy person, so I always coach people about getting outside. If it is a nice day, I tell people to ski, take hikes and snowshoe. • “Ice skating is somewhat accessible. • “Curling is something I talk with people about. Some are shy about it, but it’s a winter sport. You don’t have to be out in the elements — you can do it in an indoor ice
skating rink — but it is a winter sport and it gets people active and together. • “But if there’s a blizzard, you can stay active without going out. Indoors, try new things I don’t normally do when the weather is nice. Look up things exciting things like maybe rock climbing or indoor volleyball that are one-off of what you’d normally do. • “In Rochester, a lot of gyms have American Ninja Warrior and climbing. • “Try indoor leagues for soccer.” Tips from Andy Cowan, fitness director and certified personal trainer at LeRoy Physical Therapy and Village Fitness in LeRoy. • “Join a fitness facility. That way you’re inside. • “Join a fitness class that keeps you interested and motivated. • “We do a few different ‘boot camps’ like a cardio boot camp and a strength boot camp. People at first seem intimidated, but there’s times where you can choose your weights like a 5-pound weight instead of a 10. Or you can reduce the amount of reps. You can push yourself a little without overdoing it. Boot camps can be motivating as you see someone around your age doing or lifting more.”
Cold Hands or Toes? You May Have Raynaud’s Up to 10 percent of the population experience extreme sensitivity to cold, according to organization By Kyra Mancine
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s winter weather rushes in, we often we feel the chill in our fingers and in our toes. People pass this off as a sign of the season. However, for some, it can be a symptom of a more serious condition known as Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s is a little known, yet relatively common disorder that causes poor blood flow to the hands and the feet as a result of dropping temperatures. People with this condition experience “attacks” when the smaller arteries that supply blood flow are disrupted. These vasospasms (narrowing of the blood vessels) result in fingers and toes turning white or blue as blood flow is lost. This is accompanied by pain and numbness, often described as a throbbing, tingling or burning feeling. After an attack, skin color changes to red (or becomes blotchy) and, eventually, back to normal. Attacks can last for a few minutes to much longer. The disorder impacts fingers more than toes, women more than men, and is more common in colder climates. Primary vs. Secondary If you have primary Raynaud’s disease, you experience attacks described as above, but do not have underlying medical issues. This is the more common disorder. Secondary Raynaud’s disease is less common and can be the result of an underlyPage 10
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ing medical condition, such as lupus, scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis — even frostbite. Workers who work with vibrating power tools can also develop Raynaud’s. There is no cure for the disorder, although for secondary Raynaud’s, doctors can prescribe calcium blockers that help alleviate some of the symptoms. This type of medication is often prescribed for people with high blood pressure. The most severe Raynaud’s cases, while relatively rare, can result in skin sores or gangrene. However, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a majority of people who have Raynaud’s will not suffer from long-term tissue damage or disability. Preventing an attack If you have Raynaud’s, prevention of attacks is key. Stock up on hand warmers (hint – Dollar Stores have the best deal on them), get one of those pillows you can microwave and place on your hands, wear layers to keep the rest of your body warm, get into dry clothes as soon as possible after any outdoor activity where you might get wet (skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, etc) and try to keep your stress level low. Mittens are recommended instead of gloves, as they trap air and can keep you warmer. You need to be very mindful of weather conditions and attire when
People suffering from Raynaud’s disorder usually have the skin color of their hands and fingers changed to red during colder weather. you have this chronic condition. In winter, the cold and damp can exacerbate symptoms, although attacks can happen all year. Air conditioning can also be a trigger. Prevention is possible, but you need to be proactive. 9 tips to try 1) Keep your overall body warm. Cold impacts Raynaud’s sufferers more than other people. You may have to wear layers/coats/sweaters during times when others will not have to dress in a similar fashion. 2) Use hand warmers — these portable heat generators make a big difference! 3) Have mittens or gloves to wear when needed. This can include when you shop in the grocery store or pump gas. Reaching into a cold freezer or handling a gas pump can cause an immediate flare up for some people. 4) Cut back or quit smoking — it can exacerbate symptoms 5) Eliminate or limit caffeine, as this can be a trigger 6) Limit exposure to the elements as much as you can 7) Practice mindfulness and stress reduction techniques
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
8) Use cold or allergy over-thecounter medications with caution — they have been known to contribute to attacks 9) Educate your friends, family and coworkers on your disorder. People can dismiss what they don’t understand. Help spread the word! During an Attack If you do have an attack, there are things you can do, such as: 1) Running your hands under warm (not hot) water to help bring them back to normal 2) Move your arms in a windmill type motion (to increase circulation) 3) Go to a quiet area out of the cold, slow your breathing and try to remain calm If you think you may have Raynaud’s, consult your doctor to find out more and determine a treatment appropriate for your circumstances. Don’t be afraid to seek help. People often minimize this condition, not understanding the pain and severe nature of the affliction. For more information, resources and support, visit the Raynaud’s Association website: www.raynauds. org.
Good News, Guys: Viagra Prices Start to Tumble
Kaitlyn Vittozzi, co-director of Finger Lakes Yogascapes, instructs stand-up paddleboard yoga, in addition to traditional yoga, in Canandaigua.
Heard the Latest on Yoga? Off-beat ways to perform yoga has become a huge trend, thanks, in part, to a new generation of yogis By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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oga: would you do it on a boat? Would you do it with a goat? Today’s yoga scene sounds like it took a page from Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.” But yogis are practicing on boats, with goats — and in hammocks, on horseback and with a lap full of puppies or kittens. Off-beat ways to perform yoga has become a huge trend, thanks, in part, to a new generation of yogis looking for a fun, quirky way to enjoy an ancient practice. “Some are fusing other forms of exercise, like hooping or Pilates to the yoga program,” said physician Joanne Wu, an integrative and holistic medicine and rehabilitation doctor practicing in Rochester, who also teaches yoga. “Others are a brand new form of movement. It makes it more fun and keeps people challenged. For yoga practitioners, it helps remain mindful of their exercise program while trying something new.” Wu teaches aerial yoga, which uses silk fabric and hammocks as props to help students perform circus-like movements with yoga; piyo, which merges Pilates and yoga; barre yoga, a mix of ballet and yoga, acrobatic yoga, where a partner aids in achieving poses; and SUP yoga, which uses a stand-up paddleboard on the water. “There are definitely ways to make yoga fun and lighthearted, but maintain the mind/body connection that makes yoga what it is,”
Wu said. “I’ve worked on blending different exercises with a yoga core. People want to stay active and still learn new things while keeping old traditions. They want something a little different incorporated into their program. “Alternative yoga is helpful for a yogi who wants to stay grounded with mat practice, but expand their horizons and meet more people in the community.” For example, SUP yoga may draw paddleboard enthusiasts who have never tried yoga. Kaitlyn Vittozzi, co-director of Finger Lakes Yogascapes, instructs stand-up paddleboard yoga, in addition to traditional yoga, in Canandaigua. “Part of the reason people love us is that we have a very short summer up here in New York,” she said. “When the weather is nice, they want to be outside.” In addition to the novelty of the location, SUP yoga challenges participants by offering a somewhat wobbly surface. As a result, they strengthen their core muscle groups while practicing on the stand up paddle board. “It’s a great core workout,” Vittozzi said. “It’s different from doing crunches or holding planks. You’re so focused on breathing and where you’re moving your limbs, you don’t realize how hard you’re working.” Both Wu and Vittozzi said that alternative yoga classes aren’t just February 2018 •
Aerial yoga is one alternative ways to practice yoga. It’s increasingly more popular in the area.
for advanced students. People of any ability should be able to participate. “It’s not easy, but not something to be intimidated by,” Vittozzi said. Finger Lakes Yogascapes also offers a “snowga” retreat, a snowshoe hike with yoga poses at a scenic lookout. “Doing yoga on a paddleboard or with a goat or in the snow makes you think about things differently,” Vittozzi said. “Being outdoors in general brings a peace about you, as opposed to inside when you’re doing a challenging pose.”
In news that will delight men who’ve had difficulties in the bedroom, two generic versions of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra hit the market in December. One of the new generics is made by Teva Pharmaceuticals, and the other by Greenstone, a subsidiary of Pfizer, the company that manufactures Viagra. The generic versions of the little blue pill (sildenafil) are cheaper than brand-name Viagra for most men. And more generic versions are expected this year, which could drive prices even lower. Viagra came on the market in 1998 as the first drug to treat impotence. Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) are two other erectile dysfunction medications. They work by relaxing muscle cells in the penis, which allows for greater blood flow, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Pfizer says the current wholesale cost for a 50 milligram or 100 milligram Viagra is $61.54 a pill. Greenstone will sell the generic version for between $30 and $35 a pill. However, both of those figures represent the price the drug maker charges. A number of variables affect the final cost a consumer pays, such as mark-ups from pharmacy benefit managers or pharmacies, and insurance coverage and copays. “Cost has been a tremendous issue for patients. Many patients have been unable to obtain the medication since insurance companies don’t pay for it and outof-pocket costs are astronomical,” said physician Aaron Katz, chairman of urology at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola. “The hope is that [the introduction of generics] will reduce the cost, and patients will have greater access to Viagra, which has been an important medication for healthy men with erectile dysfunction,” Katz added. Generic versions “will be of real benefit to the majority of men,” he said. “The brand erectile dysfunction drugs are often not covered by commercial payers [insurance companies], or are covered but with substantial co-pays and restrictions on the number of pills covered per month,” he said. For older men on Medicare, he said the brand-name drugs can cost as much as $50 for one pill. The doctor said this has led many men in the United States to buy erectile dysfunction drugs online or in Canada.
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Diet’s Role in Heart Disease By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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our fork can influence your risk of heart disease. While genetics also affect your chances, diet represents one factor you can control. Here’s what some area experts recommend: From Seth B. Zebrak, lead physician assistant for UR Medicine Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital: • “Eat a common-sense diet with low cholesterol and high in fiber. • “It’s not just learning about what foods are better, but learning about the types of fat and how they interact. • “Eat things in moderation. If you tell people ‘Steak is bad,’ they can’t follow that and they’ll fall off the wagon. • “Don’t forget the physical activity guidelines. But remember, too, that there’s a genetic component. Many patients that are very physically fit may need surgery clearance for taking care of an injury. They fail the stress test because of the genetic component.” From Iluminada Vilca, nutrition educator, Finger Lakes Eat Smart NY, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County:
• “To avoid saturated fat, remember that anything coming from an animal has saturated fat. You need to watch your intake. • “With chicken, get the breast without skin. • “Certain cuts of red meat are leaner. For hamburger, look for 90 or 93 percent lean meat. It will have more protein and less fat than 80 to 83 percent lean meat. • “How you prepare food also makes a difference, as you can drain off the fat, bake, broil or steam instead of fry or cook in oil. • “Remember, since everything coming from an animal has saturated fat, dairy does, too. Drink 1 to 2-percent milk instead of whole milk. Read the labels on yogurt. Greek yogurt with protein may be the best. Butter has saturated fat. We need to balance everything. • “The intake of whole grains may help prevent heart disease. We need to have at least half of our servings of grains whole grains. Whole grains improve digestion and help prevent heart disease. Buckwheat, popcorn, brown rice, and bulgur are a few examples. By eating produce and whole grains, you help prevent heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. • “It’s always good to include
fruits and vegetables because of the fiber you can find in them. They will help you feel full, too. Fruits and vegetables have a key role to play to preventing heart disease, too. They also provide vitamins and minerals, which promote good health.” In general, foods with more processing tend to contain fewer nutrients and more sodium, fat and calories. “Dietary and Policy Priorities for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review,” by Dariush Mozaffarian published by the American Heart Association, states: “Evidence-informed dietary priorities include increased fruits, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, vegetable oils, yogurt, and minimally processed whole grains; and fewer red meats, processed (eg, sodium-preserved) meats, and foods rich in refined grains, starch, added sugars, salt, and trans fat. “More investigation is needed on the cardiometabolic effects of phenolics, dairy fat, probiotics,
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Iluminada Vilca, nutrition educator, Finger Lakes Eat Smart NY, a program of Cornell Cooperative fermentation, coffee, tea, cocoa, eggs, specific vegetable and tropical oils, vitamin D, individual fatty acids, and diet-microbiome interactions. “Little evidence to date supports the cardiometabolic relevance of other popular priorities: eg, local, organic, grass-fed, farmed/wild, or non–genetically modified.” For tips on portion and other aspects of healthful eating, visit www. myplate.gov.
SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
Lots to Love about Dark Chocolate B efore I became aware of dark chocolate’s nutritious ways, I used to feel a tad guilty whenever I indulged, fearing that I was consuming empty calories (and a lot of them). But I haven’t felt that way in years and here’s why: Dark chocolate is chock-full of health benefits. Let’s start with dark chocolate’s most noteworthy health perk: Its super-high concentration of antioxidants. We want to include antioxidants in our diets because they gobble up cell-damaging free radicals (present in all of us), which are unstable molecules that may contribute to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases that shorten lives. What’s more, the particular kinds of antioxidants found in chocolate — flavonoids and polyphenols — may boost heart health, by improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol. Another health perk to behold? Dark chocolate is surprisingly full of nutrients. A 1-ounce portion serves up 3 grams of fiber (as much as a banana!) and is rich in iron, copper and manganese. Current research shows that fiber may lower blood pressure, improve blood cholesterol levels
and reduce the “inflammation” now attributed to cardiovascular disease. Iron, copper and manganese all play a role in energy production and overall good health. Dark chocolate is a bona fide brain booster and mood elevator, as it triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin — neurotransmitters that make us feel up and good. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that participants over age 70 who reported regularly consuming chocolate scored higher on cognitive performance tests. Fortunately — because dark chocolate runs high in fat and calories — only 1 ounce (about 150 calories; 10 grams of fat) is needed to achieve health benefits. On average, a few truffles or 3 squares of a 3.5-ounce bar are equal to about 1 ounce. More sweet news: Chocolate, like nuts, induce satiety, so a little goes a long way in helping us feel fuller longer. Not all chocolate is created equal, so choose your chocolate wisely. Most nutritionists recommend minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa content or higher to reap the aforementioned benefits. While milk and white choc-
olate are delicious, they have fewer antioxidants and nutrients, scant fiber and nearly twice as much sugar.
Helpful Tips Double-Chocolate Black Bean Brownies 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained 3 eggs 3 tablespoons vegetable oil ½ cup unsweetened 100% cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2/3 cup white sugar (or less, if prefer) ½ cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate morsels ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil or coat an 8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, and sugar in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Gently stir in chocolate morsels. Add ½ cup of chopped nuts if you like. Pour the batter into the prepared
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f the prescription label says “take with meals,” does it matter what you eat? It depends on the medication. Many meds should be taken with food — any food — to increase their absorption and reduce the risk of side effects. But some foods and medications can interact, reducing the medications’ effectiveness or increasing the risk of harmful side effects. To stay safe, you should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn the ins and outs of your prescriptions, along with what foods and beverages to avoid while you’re on it. In the meantime, here are some foods you should stay away from for some commonly prescribed drugs. n Cholesterol Medications: If you take a certain statin drug to control high cholesterol like Liptor, Zocor, Altoprev, Mevacor or generics atorvastatin, simvastatin or lovastatin, you should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can raise the level of the drug in your bloodstream and increase the risk of side effects, especially leg pain. n Blood Pressure Medicine: If you take an ACE inhibitor drug like Capoten, Vasotec, Monopril, Zestril and others to lower your blood pressure, you should limit food that contain potassium like bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach and other leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and salt substitutes that contain potassium. ACE inhibitors raise the body’s potassium levels. Eating too many potassium rich-foods while taking an ACE inhibitor can cause an irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations.
Don’t Eat This if You’re Taking That By Jim Miller n Blood Thinning Medications: If you are taking Coumadin, Jantoven, or the generic warfarin, you should limit kale and other greens, including broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and brussels sprouts that contain vitamin K. These foods can block the effects of these blood-thinning medications putting you at risk for developing blood clots. You also need to watch out for garlic, ginger, vitamin E and fish oil supplements because they can increase these medications blood-thinning abilities putting you at risk for excessive bleeding. February 2018 •
pan and sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons more of the chips you are using. Bake 28 to 30 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting and removing from the pan.
n Antidepressants: If you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant like Marplan, Nardil, Emsam, Parnate, or generic isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline or tranylcypromine, avoid aged cheeses, chocolate, cured meats and alcoholic drinks. These contain tyramine, which can raise blood pressure. Normally, the body controls tyramine levels with an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, but the MAOI antidepressant block that enzyme. n Thyroid Medications: If you take a medication for hypothyroidism like
Store chocolate in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Ideally, it shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator, as chocolate is a magnet for odors and more likely to discolor (or “bloom” with a whitish coating) from the fridge’s moisture. Bloom doesn’t affect flavor, but it does affect how appealing chocolate looks. If refrigeration is a must, however, first wrap your chocolate tightly, then seal it in an airtight container. When stored properly, solid dark chocolate keeps for two years; filled chocolates, such as truffles, keep for three to four months, sometimes longer.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, 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.
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid or generic levothyroxine, you should avoid eating tofu and walnuts, and drinking soymilk. All these can prevent your body from absorbing this medicine. n Anti-Anxiety Medications: If you take medication for anxiety like Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, or generic alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam or lorazepam, you should avoid alcohol. These medications act as sedatives, binding with the brain’s natural tranquilizers to calm you down. But when you mix these drugs with alcohol, the side effects intensify, and can cause you to feel lightheaded, sleepy and forgetful. n Antibiotics: If you’re taking an antibiotic like Sumycin, Dynacin, Monodox, or generic tetracycline, doxycycline or minocycline, you should avoid dairy — milk, yogurt and cheese and calcium supplements and fortified foods — for a couple hours before and after taking the medicine. Calcium in dairy products binds to the antibiotic and prevents your body from absorbing it, making it ineffective. To find more dietary guidance on the drugs you take, see reliable health sites like MedlinePlus.gov or MayoClinic.org, or consider the excellent new AARP book “Don’t Eat This If You’re Taking That: The Hidden Risks of Mixing Food and Medicine” available at Amazon.com and BN.com for $13.
Jim Miller is the author of the Savvy Senior column, published in In Good Health every issue.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Golden Years
Volunteers are working hard to turn this former church and doctor’s offices at 224 Fair St. in Newark into a new comfort care, Laurel House. The project is expected to be complete by end of 2018.
New Comfort Care Home Taking Shape in Newark
Volunteers say new place to fill a gap in Ontario County By John Addyman Where do you want to die? At home? If that’s at all possible. Not in a hospital? No. Do you want to be alone? No. Would you like to have friends, family come see you? Yes. Do you have things you want to say to people? Final apologies to make? People you want to share a secret with? Friends you want to tell how much they’ve meant to you? A granddaughter’s hand you want to hold? A dog or cat you know will miss you? A new baby you want to hold? A football game you’d like to watch with friends? Oh, yes. But is there someone at home who can take care of you? No, there isn’t. Anyone in the family who can take over your care? They are all so busy with their lives. No. Can you afford private care to take care of you at home? No. How long did the doctors say you have? No more than three months. People we know play this conversation, or one very similar to it, as they reach a certain age and know that whatever malady was trying to catch them for untold years has finally arrived at the doorstep. I’m going to die, and soon…now what? This part of the world in New York state offers a unique possibility for someone who had the same kinds of answers you did. It’s called a “comfort care home,” and a new one is due to open up in Newark this year, serving Wayne County. A comfort care home is exactly that — a place where someone who is terminally ill receives palliative (not curative) care. It is a place where your neighbors take care of you. There is no charge. They are your neighbors. Laurel House, like other existing Page 14
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Dressed for work: Laurel House volunteers, from left, Pat Albrecht, Bob Hegeman, Dave Albrecht, Tom McUmber and Gene Palmer. comfort care homes in this area, will be homelike. “It’s their home,” said Gene Palmer, president of Laurel House, “their final home.” Your bedroom will look like a bedroom. A kitchen will feed you and your family and friends. Your kids can come and make your favorite dessert or soup or lobster thermidor. A large living room will accommodate your family, and there’s even a bedroom where out-of-towners can stay the night when they visit. A comfort care home’s staff is there for you. They are there only for you. Everyone except the director is a volunteer. Many are nurses or CNAs, but many more are just neighbors with a compassionate bearing and time to help you. Paramount is your comfort, your serenity. You won’t have things sticking in you. You won’t have wires or devices stuck to you. Medication will keep you comfortable and as painfree as possible. And the comfort care home staff will give you time — time to write letters you never quite got to finish, time to see your friends one more time, time to share stories, time to get your affairs in order and things settled. As much time as you have. The idea of Laurel House began in Newark in early 2013 with a meet-
ing between Newark-Wayne Hospital Administrator Mark Klyczek and an ecumenical group of local church leaders. The hospital had been gifted with a property owned by the late Dr. Brian Dunster, with the family asking that it be put to a community use. The hospital offered it to the ecumenical group. “But the group never met again,” said Pat Albrecht, a member of that group and now part of the board of directors for Laurel House. With her work as a pastoral associate at St. Michael’s Church, she knew a hospice-type facility was needed in Wayne County. Pines of Peace in Ontario was operating, but it had just two beds (as all comfort care homes do), same with House of John in Clifton Springs. Albrecht got a group of interested people together in November of 2014, and the idea of transforming the Tudor-styled, mansard-roofed building into a homelike structure began to take shape. Meetings were hosted. The group incorporated in 2015 and acquired charitable 501 (c) (3) status and took over the building with a long-term lease from the hospital and started renovations. Optimism got T-boned by reality when the fledgling operation looked at a $40,000 asbestos-abatement bill. And money was ever so dear.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
“We were the charity,” Albrecht said, gesturing to the others in the workroom in the cellar of Laurel House. “We were all putting our own money in.” More meetings were held, each one ending with an appeal for funds. And slowly, organizations started taking Laurel House under their wings. The Freemasons chipped in $10,000. Newark’s Park Presbyterian Church gifted $10,000. One particular benefactor has contributed $30,000. Palmer explained some organizations that had the ability to provide donations waited for the 501 (c) (3) status to clear, which took a lot longer than expected. Once the charitable status was clear and it was obvious the determined Laurel House group was going to get the job done, more people stepped in to help. In Newark, Plassche Lumber donated a top-flight KraftMaid kitchen. Colacino Electric donated and installed a generator and a new panel box. The Newark Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation donated money and held fundraisers. The Wayne County Motorcycle Club held a dice run and turned over $500. The Bullis Foundation sent money. The Newark Rotary donated. Lyons National Bank added funding. Craftsmen and tradespeople have gifted time, tools and expertise. And Laurel House has emerged. Every day is a better, brighter day for the 60-year-old former church building turned doctor’s office. Palmer and the facilities committee got an estimate from an architect of how much it would cost to renovate the structure for actual use as a comfort care home — $244,000. Then Bob Hegeman, who works with Habitat for Humanity, joined Laurel House. Don Long of House of John came in to lay out the floor plan. And volunteers began showing up three or four days a week to renovate the building. “We’ve done the building for less than $70,000,” said Palmer, and that includes the addition of a deck on two sides. And the 55-and-over crowd is dedicated to Laurel House’s completion. Albrecht is 70, Treasurer Tom McUmber, 68; Hegeman is 69; Palmer, 59, and Dave Albrecht, 73. And the volunteer list now stands at about 150. The next stage is to raise $160,000 this year to welcome the first resident, hopefully in fall 2018. Training of staff, furniture and finishing inside the house, and all the items needed to take care of the terminally ill need to be acquired. “Our first stage was to get rid of the asbestos,” said Palmer, “then the remodeling, and finally, operations. We’re now working on operations and expect to open up. To staff the house, we need 100 volunteers, with 55-60 available most of the time.” An April open house at 224 Fair St. in Newark will show everyone what Laurel House has accomplished. Palmer feels certain now that the house is a reality, financial support — and volunteers — will find Laurel House. “Can you tell we’re excited?” asked Albrecht. Her dream for a comfort care home could be realized, five years after she first heard about the possibility.
Golden Years Buffalo Resident Celebrates 105 Years Mary Pecoraro has no major medical issues to date except she can no longer hear By Katie Coleman
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elebrating 105 years of life was certainly a huge milestone for Buffalo native Mary Pecoraro, who marked her Dec. 23 birthday surrounded by loving family and friends. “Mary had a really fantastic time. They did a really nice job. She had her hair done and my sister, Lucille, bought her a new outfit,” said Pecoraro’s son, George, 72, who has always been very close with his mom and loves to joke around with her. Pecoraro, who lives at HighPointe on Michigan, a nursing home in Buffalo, has lived through major U.S historical events including the Great Depression, World War I and II, prohibition, the sinking of the Titanic, the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s suffrage movement and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. On her 101st birthday she received congratulatory letters from Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as Pope Francis. Pecoraro has no major medical issues to date except she can no
longer hear. She’s still very socially engaged and enjoys coffee with other residents, reading the newspaper and going for daily assisted walks. She has a brightness to her that defies her age, and although she can’t hear, she offered up many smiles during my interview and even invited me to come back to visit. “I never thought I’d get to see my mom turn 105,” said George. “She has always been very loved by the people around her. We live day-to-day with her, and moving forward I’d like to celebrate another birthday… I’m wondering if she’ll outlive me.” George says he has dodged a few health bullets, having survived cancer and open-heart surgery. He said Pecoraro’s health history has been much stronger than his, and any health conditions that run in their family bypassed her. So what can be credited to Pecoraro’s longevity? “It’s all about love,” George said. “We’re a very close family. She’s always had very
George Pecoraro, 72, and his mother, Mary, during her celebration of her 105th year. strong bonds. Even at HighPointe, people love her and she loves them. Her life has always consisted of love.” As the family story goes, Pecoraro was actually conceived on her parents’ way over from Sicily, Italy, on the boat they took to the U.S. Her father was one of the original stonemasons in the city of Buffalo, and her mother was a housewife caring for their nine children. Pecoraro spent much of her life helping care for her siblings until her 30s when she met the love of her life, her husband Russell. She was a homemaker to her two children, George and Lucille,
Sex After 90? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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an older adults enjoy sexual intimacy? Local experts say yes. “Many people remain sexually active well into their 80s and 90s and beyond,” said physician Pebble Kranz, who operates the Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness. “Humans need physical intimacy, touch and pleasure from cradle to grave.” She said that the risk of heart attack from sex is very small. But for some older adults, issues with mobility, pain and desire increase with age. Despite these problems, “there is clear evidence that as people mature they become less anxious and bothered by these issues,” Kranz said. “Vibrant older adults figure out how to keep their erotic selves alive by continuing to nurture their sexuality.” While they may not experience sex in the same way as when they were younger, many older adults can enjoy their time together. When physical problems make sex hard, they should talk with a doctor, who may counsel on various physical issues. Kranz said. Medication, for example, can inhibit satisfy-
ing intimacy. Doctors can also discuss ways to combat thin vaginal tissue, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction or other problems. “If you feel like you’ve hit a dead end with your primary care doctor, urologist, gynecologist, oncologist or other medical provider, then you may want to seek out the help of a sexual medicine specialist,” Kranz said. “Most medical problems should not get in the way of satisfying sex. “While one does need to respect one’s physical limitations, there are very few medical issues that get in the way of enjoying some kind of physical intimacy,” Kranz said. Non-medical issues can create barriers to intimacy, such as older adults who have lost a spouse through death or divorce. Finding someone new can daunt people who have been married for decades and feel out of place dating again. John David Eichenberger, licensed mental health counselor practicing at Hope and Health Counseling in Fairport, said that older people suddenly single may not “know the ‘rules’ of dating or the expectations. You’re also out of practice with the February 2018 •
old rules. I’d say that makes people feel lost and like they don’t know how to pursue that aspect of life.” He advises people of all ages to engage in honest communication to develop a relationship, a trait that seems to come more naturally to older adults who generally don’t bother with emotional games. Some relish the chance to woo and romance a new love, but it’s also normal to not feel interest in physical relationships. “There’s a lot of belief that it should be part of life that’s abandoned,” said Eichenberger. “I don’t know how much expectation feeds into their behavior.” According to the sources interviewed for this story, older people who are interested in intimacy don’t have to worry about unwanted pregnancy; however, they have same risk of sexually transmitted disease as a sexually active person of any age. Using condoms provide a measure of protection against many sexually transmitted diseases; however, the only foolproof way to avoid them is to only engage in sex in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who does not have any infections.
and loved to cook. “She learned from my grandmother. During Christmas season all of her sisters would get together and cook all day. Believe me, you ate all day, and you had to eat because they’d stand over you and watch you,” George said. Russell died at 67 years old from heart failure and to this day remains Mary’s one true love. Mary Pecoraro’s sister, Josephine, who is 92 years old, was Mary’s caretaker until she joined the HighPointe community.
Study: 10% of People 85-plus Still Do It According to “Older Adults and Sexual Health: A Guide for Aging Services Providers,” a study published by ACRIA last year, many older adults are engaging in intimacy. The New York Citybased organization promotes HIV research and education. ACRIA is a leading international HIV/AIDS research, education, and prevention organization based in New York City. Their survey indicates that 75 percent of those between the ages of 57 and 64 state that they’re sexually active. Of those between 65 and 74, more than half engage in sex. Over one-quarter of people 75 to 85 do. For those over 85, the number drops to 10 percent for women and remains at 25 percent for men, according to data compiled by Dr. David Lee, a researcher from Manchester University’s School of Social Sciences, and professor Josie Tetley, from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which was published in February 2017. Perhaps indicative of America’s tendency towards ageism and youth obsession, little data exists from American sources on intimacy for people 85-plus.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Golden Years Too Many Meds = Increased Health Risks Experts warn about the dangers of polypharmacy By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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he older patients become, the more likely they need prescription medication. According to the AARP, people 45 and older on average take four prescriptions daily. While needed medications improve length and quality of life, taking too many unnecessary prescriptions can have the opposite effect. Joanne Wu, board-certified integrative and holistic medicine and rehabilitation physician, specializes in wellness and sees clients in Rochester and other places in Upstate New York. She believes that one reason that some older adults take unnecessary medications is that their care providers lack the time to comb through their patients’ medical records and discuss their health goals. Many also don’t re-evaluate how well medication is working. “We’re striving for better cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure numbers, which can prevent mortality in the long run, but if you’re taking three to four drugs and the numbers are not well controlled, at some point, the primary care team may need to sit down and review it,” Wu said. The patient’s physicians may not realize all the medication taken. At this age and stage, many patients see numerous specialists who may not always communicate with one another. Despite the prevalence of electronic medical records, the systems don’t usually transfer data between them.
By law, they also require signed paperwork from patients to transfer data. Older patients also seldom self-advocate. “A lot of older adults don’t have the medical literacy to understand that a drug may cause harm,” Wu said. “It takes a strong primary care team and support for that older adult so they can understand they have a choice in the matter as to whether they take that drug or not. “If people take time to talk about those goals with the family and patient, we’d probably cut down on polypharmacy.” Wu added that some older adults taking over-the-counter herbs and supplements don’t realize the potential for negative drug interactions. Older adults who travel or spend winters South use different providers and pharmacies, making it more difficult to keep track of what they’re taking. For elderly adults, taking multiple medication may become difficult — and more dangerous — because of cognitive impairment. Physician Jennifer D. Muniak, board-certified in geriatrics and aging, practices at University of Rochester Medical Center. She said that patients can become “attached” to medication that they may have needed in the past but continue to take even after their issue has resolved or requires different management. “The list of medication gradually gets longer through the years,”
Muniak said. “Doctors are reluctant to decrease the medical risk because we don’t perceive immediate harm. Harm can be gradual and cumulative.” Younger patients may well tolerate medication that a middle-aged or older person may not. As the body ages, it’s less capable of efficiently processing and metabolizing medication. Some patients may take medication to counteract a side effect of another medication; however, if the side effect is that bothersome, patients need to ask about alternatives that could help mitigate the original problem. Muniak advises patients to bring every prescription bottle, over-thecounter medication and supplement
to every visit with every provider, even if the medication wasn’t prescribed by that provider. “’I take a green pill’ doesn’t help much,” Muniak said. “But the bottle can help.” She encourages patients to regularly assess their medication with their providers, since one’s health and body change constantly. “It’s reasonable to try getting off a medicine,” Muniak said. “Medicine’s use is not absolute. It’s contextual. “A lot of times, medication may stay on the list forever and it may not need to be on the list forever. The first thing I look for with a patient with a new symptom is, ‘Do they have a medication that may be causing it?’”
Mediterranean Diet a Recipe for Strength in Old Age
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Mediterranean diet may make seniors less likely to become frail and help them maintain their health and independence, new research suggests. Frailty — characterized by weak muscle strength, weight loss and low energy — is common among seniors. Frail seniors are at increased risk for falls, fractures, hospitalization, disability, dementia, nursing home placement and premature death. It’s believed that nutrition may play a role in frailty, so researchers reviewed data from four studies to determine if a healthy diet might reduce the risk for frailty. The studies included nearly 5,800 older adults in France, Spain, Italy and China. They found that following a Mediterranean diet appears to be beneficial. That diet is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes Page 16
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and nuts. The findings were published online Jan. 11 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. “We found the evidence was very consistent that older people who follow a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of becoming frail,” said researcher Kate Walters, from the University College London. “People who followed a Mediterranean diet the most were overall less than half as likely to become frail over a nearly four-year period compared with those who followed it the least,” she said in a journal news release. However, it’s unclear whether people who followed a Mediterranean diet had other factors that may have helped prevent frailty. And the study did not prove that a Mediterranean diet actually caused frailty
Mediterranean-style food includes fish, vegetables, herbs, chickpeas, olives and cheese, among other products. risk to drop, just that there was an association. “While the studies we included adjusted for many of the major factors that could be associated — for example, their age, gender, social class, smoking, alcohol, how much they exercised, and how many health conditions they had — there may be
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
other factors that were not measured and we could not account for,” Walters said. “We now need large studies that look at whether increasing how much you follow a Mediterranean diet will reduce your risk of becoming frail,” she concluded.
Healthcare Careers
Job Outlook for PAs: ‘Outstanding’ Field for physician assistants growing “much faster than average,” according to NYS Dept. of Labor By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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he physician assistant (PA) has become one of the most lucrative and employable positions in health care. PAs provide direct care to patients in conjunction with a physician and can focus on a medical specialty. Most schools in New York offer a five-year program that is an accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree, which is followed by required certification. The 2016 Statistical Profile of Certified Physician Assistants, a report by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, states that more than 115,000 certified PAs work nationwide, an increase of 44 percent in the previous four years. According to the Department of Labor’s most recent statistics gathered in May 2016, Rochester employs 1.53 PAs per 1,000 people. Their average mean wage is $98,390. The average mean wage statewide is $107,030. The Department of Labor predicts 37 percent increase in employment change between 2016 and 2026, cited as “much faster than average” growth. “As demand for healthcare services grows, physician assistants will be needed to provide care to patients,” the site stated. It only makes sense that the need for care providers has increased. With the jump in insured patients thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the decrease in providers as baby boomer physicians retire, demand for care providers has steadily risen. Many physicians use “physician extenders” — physician assistants and nurse practitioners — to help meet their patients’ needs. Seth B. Zebrak, lead physician assistant for UR Medicine cardiovascular intensive care unit at Strong Memorial Hospital, speaks enthusiastically about his chosen career path. Zebrak said that the job outlook for PAs is “outstanding. There’s a lot of potential.
Nationwide, PAs have multiple job offers.” He said that he has never heard of a physician assistant trying hard to find a job; in fact, most have jobs lined up well before graduation. The physician assistant also has room for advancement through specializing, thanks to fellowships and residencies. With that experience, “typically, you can get higher salary and more opportunities,” Zebrak said. PAs practice in every surgical and medical care setting. A few examples include emergency medicine, cardiac care, general surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, and neurosurgery. Zebrak said that the PA learns a lot about a specialty through on-the-job training. Beyond the patient care setting, PAs may also find roles in administration of a health care facility or as faculty. Zebrak said that good PA candidates will have people skills and previous medical experience, such as working as an emergency medical technician or paramedic. These types of employment help the candidate become familiar with medical settings and give a small taste of a few of the tasks PAs do daily. “I’m looking for someone who is mature and can talk with patients calmly even in an emotionally charged situation,” Zebrak said. They should also exhibit deep compassion for patients. Zebrak advises would-be PAs to seek a program that offers more clinical opportunities so students receive plenty of chances to interact with patients and gain hands-on experience. “More than just the degree and certification, having the experience helps PAs open up more opportunities,” Zebrak said. February 2018 •
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Sexual Harassment in the Healthcare Industry Power, pay and reputation: How sexual harassment affects the medical community By Julie Halm
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t seems that these days, more than ever before, women are feeling empowered to speak out regarding sexual harassment, whether it took place recently or decades in the past. The national eye has turned toward a number of politicians, entertainers and TV celebrities who stand accused of such misconduct, and it seems that the issue is rampant in those particular career fields. But what of the medical field? Are employees of hospitals subject to harassment at a higher rate than in other industries? According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment. A new ABC News-Washington Post poll released in October found that more than half of all women in all industries had experienced un-
wanted and inappropriate sexual advances at some point and 30 percent of those women said that they had been harassed while on the job. While hard numbers on an industry-to-industry basis are difficult to come by, according to Buffalo-based lawyer Lindy Korn, who focuses on illegal employment discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation, some conditions in the medical field lend themselves to just this kind of issue. According to Korn, sexual harassment is more likely to take place when there is a power differential between the two parties involved. “Sexual harassment is about power and the abuse of power and so I think that doctors in particular have a very high status in the United States. They’ve always been revered and respected and I think they’re better paid than some other jobs and that all goes toward some definition of power,” said Korn. According to Korn, the work
conditions of medical facilities, particularly hospitals, might also cause such an issue to arise. The long hours and high-stakes nature of the jobs which are undertaken by doctors and nurses can create strong bonds between co-workers. These bonds and close personal relationships can cause boundaries to become blurry and open the door for unwanted conduct to take place. “What I’m trying to say is, it’s not just doctors, but doctors have the right ingredients,” said Korn. Recently, a social media campaign took place where participants — primarily women — posted #metoo in order to denote that they have been a victim of some type of sexual harassment or assault. The campaign went viral and many experts, including Korn, think that it has the potential to be a very positive message. “I think this national conversation is powerful and it is necessary. It’s really a catharsis and it’s wonderful,” she said.
According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, roughly 34 percent of physicians in the country are female, whereas just over 83 percent of professionally active nurses are female, making the issue of equal pay a prominent one in this field. According to Korn, in addition to pay, the issue of reputation can cause a power differential, and a problematic situation for a victim of sexual harassment in the instance of a wellknown medical practitioner. “Allegations go to the heart of someone’s reputation and beyond and so sometimes there unbelievable in the public’s eye because the person seemed to be so talented, so kind, everything good, that they couldn’t possibly have this side to them,” said Korn. Whether in the medical field or not, Preble noted that the best course of action for someone who feels they are being harassed is to document everything they possibly can.
Almost 30% of Women in Medicine Experience Sexual Harassment New research shows that while 4 percent of men in academic medicine endure sexual harassment, nearly 30 percent of women in the same field do, according to Reuters. The finding comes from a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), released in May 2016. Researchers surveyed 1,719 individuals who had received the National Institutes of Health’s K08 and K23 grants — which give career support to young researchers — between 2006
and 2009. Around 1,000 recipients responded. Here are three findings from the study and its related background. 1. Thirty percent of females reported experiencing sexual harassment of some kind — whether through unwanted sexual comments, attentions or advances — at some point in their career. Nearly 50 percent of these females claimed the experience had negatively impacted their career. 2. According to the JAMA study,
70 percent of women said they’d seen gender bias in the workplace, and 66 percent said they’d personally endured it. Comparatively, 22 percent of males noticed a gender bias in the workplace. Only 10 percent of men said they’d personally experienced it. 3. A similar 1995 study found 5 percent of males and more than 50 percent of females in academic medicine faculty positions had experienced sexual harassment. Physician Reshma Jagsi, tthe lead author of the study, pointed out that
the women in 1995 had started their careers when less than 10 percent of medical school classes were female. “I really thought that harassment would be much less commonly experienced by women in our sample, who went to medical school when the proportion of women among medical students had exceeded 40 percent,” Jagsi said. Source: Becker’s Hospital Review
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Medication Drop Box Locations: Bristol: Town Hall
Farmington: State Troopers
Canandaigua: FLCC (Keuka Wing) The Medicine Shoppe Ontario County DMV Office Thompson Hospital (lobby) Mental Health Clinic Police Station (lobby)
Clifton Springs: Hospital (Lobby) Geneva: North St. Pharmacy Police Station
Phelps: Community Center
Richmond: Town Hall
Rushville: Village Hall
Shortsville/Manchester: Red Jacket Pharmacy
Victor: Mead Square Pharmacy Questions, please call us at 585-396-4554.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
Restoring hair Restoring confidence
Experience a
hug
Hurlbut
By Jim Miller
What To Do When a Loved One Dies Dear Savvy Senior, This may seem like a strange question, but can you tell me what steps need to be taken after a loved one dies? My 80-year-old father has a terminal illness, and I would like to find out what I will need to do when he passes.
Only Daughter Dear Only, I’m sorry about your father’s situation but this is a great question many families inquire about when a loved one’s death becomes imminent. Here’s a run-down of some things you can do now, and after his death, that can help keep a sad event from becoming even more painful.
Before Death Occurs There are several tasks you can do now while your father is still living, that will make things a lot easier and less hectic for you after he dies. For starters, find out where your dad keeps all his important papers like his will (also make sure it’s updated), birth certificate, marriage and divorce certificates, Social Security information, life-insurance policies, military discharge papers, financial documents, and keys to a safe deposit box or home safe. Also, if your dad doesn’t have an advanced directive, help him make one (see CaringInfo.org for free state-specific forms and instructions). An advanced directive includes a living will that specifies his end-oflife medical treatments, and appoints a health-care proxy to make medical decisions if he becomes incapacitated. In addition, you may also want to get a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, which will tell health care professionals not to perform CPR when your dad’s heart or breathing stops. Your dad’s doctor can help you with this. You should also pre-arrange his funeral and burial or cremation.
Immediately After Death Once your father dies, you’ll need to get a legal pronouncement of death. If no doctor is present, you’ll need to contact someone to do this. So, if your dad dies at home under hospice care, call the hospice nurse, who can declare his death and help facilitate the transport of the body.
If he dies at home without hospice care, call 911, and have in hand his DNR document. Without one, paramedics will generally start emergency procedures and, except where permitted to pronounce death, take the person to an emergency room for a doctor to make the declaration. If no autopsy is needed, you will need to call the funeral home, mortuary or crematorium to pick up the body. If your dad is an organ or tissue donor, contact the funeral home or the county coroner immediately.
Within a Few Days If funeral plans were not pre-arranged, you’ll need to make arrangements and prepare an obituary. If your dad was in the military or belonged to a fraternal or religious group, you should contact those organizations too, because they may have burial benefits or conduct funeral services.
A Hurlbut hug delivers the comfort of knowing that your loved one will receive the highest level of long-term care. A hug that will help to alleviate your fears. An expression of trust and confidence that everything’s going to be okay.
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Up to 10 Days After Death To wind down your dad’s financial affairs, you’ll need to get multiple copies of his death certificate. These are typically provided by the funeral home. If you’re the executor of your dad’s estate, take his will to the appropriate county or city office to have it accepted for probate. And open a bank account for your dad’s estate to pay bills, including taxes, funeral costs, etc. You also need to contact your dad’s estate attorney if he has one; tax preparer to see if estate or final income taxes should be filed; financial adviser for information on financial holdings; life insurance agent to get claim forms; his bank to locate and close accounts; and Social Security (800-772-1213) and other agencies that provided benefits to stop payments and, if applicable, ask about survivor benefits. You should also cancel his credit cards and, if relevant, stop household services like utilities, mail, etc. For more information on the duties of an executor, a great resource is “The Executor’s Guide: Settling A Loved One’s Estate or Trust” available at Nolo.com for $32.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. February 2018 •
What if you could choose?
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 19
Ask St. Ann’s
The Social Ask Security Office
By Diane Kane, MD
65 or Older? Get a Flu Shot!
From the Social Security District Office
It’s your best “shot” at staying healthy What Day of The Month Do I Get My Social Security Payment? s we age, our immune de-
A
fenses become weaker. That’s why people 65 and older are at higher risk of severe complications from the flu. Catching the flu not only makes you feel miserable, but it can also result in hospitalization and even death. With reported cases of the flu on the rise in Monroe County, how can you stay safe this flu season?
‘With the flu season still under way, protection is essential. Get a flu shot today at your doctor’s office, pharmacy or local clinic.’
Get your annual flu shot
Get medical help immediately
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as long as flu viruses continue to circulate in our area, it’s not too late to vaccinate — even now. Getting a flu shot is the best way for seniors to prevent the flu. The two flu vaccine options explicitly designed for people 65 and older are a high-dose vaccine and a Fluad vaccine. Both create a stronger immune response that is beneficial for seniors and which takes effect in about two weeks after immunization. Ask your health-care provider which is right for you. Be aware that people 65 and older should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine, the intradermal flu shot or jet injector flu vaccine.
If you have any flu symptoms, get to a doctor, clinic or emergency room for a full medical evaluation. The most common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Respiratory symptoms without a fever may also be signs of the flu. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may receive treatment with antiviral drugs, the benefits of which are greatest when started within the first two days of illness. With the flu season still under way, protection is essential. Get a flu shot today at your doctor’s office, pharmacy or local clinic.
Keep other vaccinations current Ask your doctor if you also need any pneumococcal vaccinations to protect against diseases such as pneumococcal pneumonia, a severe flu-related complication that can cause death.
Practice good health habits Covering your coughs, washing your hands often, and avoiding people who are sick can also help keep the flu away. And if you are sick,
avoid unnecessary interactions with others.
Physician Diane Kane is chief medical officer at St. Ann’s Community and founding physician of Pillar Medical Associates. She is board certified in internal medicine, geriatrics and hospice and palliative medicine and has been involved in senior care for 30 years. Contact her at dkane@stannscommunity. com or visit www.stannscommunity.com.
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T
iming is everything, and the arrival time of your monthly payment from Social Security can be key to keeping your financial house in order. As you budget to pay your bills and save for future needs, keep in mind that your monthly retirement or disability benefit will be paid at the same time each month. To see your next payment date, create or log on to your my Social Security online account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount and go to the “Benefits & Payments” section. In general, here’s how we assign payment dates: • If you were born on the first through the tenth of the month, you’ll be paid on the second Wednesday of the month; • If you were born on the 11th through the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the third Wednesday of the month; and • If you were born after the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month. There are exceptions. For example, children and spouses who receive benefits based on someone else’s work record will be paid on the
Q&A
Q: What is the average Social Security retirement payment that a person receives each month? A: The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2018 is $1,404 (up from $1,360 in 2017). The average monthly Social Security benefit for a disabled worker in 2018 is $1,197 (up from $1,171 in 2017). As a reminder, eligibility for retirement benefits still requires 40 credits (usually about 10 years of work). The Social Security Act details how the COLA is calculated. You can read more about the COLA at www. socialsecurity.gov/cola. Q: Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business? A: Yes, you can refuse to disclose your Social Security number, and you should be careful about giving out your number. But, be aware, the person requesting your number can refuse services if you don’t give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that doesn’t violate a federal or state law. To learn more about your Social Security number, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Q: How do I report a lost Social Security card? A: You do not have to report a lost Social Security card. In fact, re-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
same day as the primary beneficiary. For others, we may issue your payments on the third of each month. Among other reasons, we do this if: • You filed for benefits before May 1, 1997; • You also receive a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment; • Your Medicare premiums are paid for by the state where you live; or • You live in a foreign country. Individuals who receive SSI payments due to disability, age, or blindness receive those payments on the first of each month. If your payment date falls on a federal holiday or weekend, you can expect to receive that month’s payment on the weekday immediately prior. You can see a current schedule for Social Security and SSI benefit payments in an easy-to-read calendar at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-100312018.pdf. Social Security is with you through life’s journey, helping you to secure today and tomorrow through important financial benefits, information, and planning tools. To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
porting a lost or stolen card to Social Security will not prevent misuse of your Social Security number. You should let us know if someone is using your number to work call 1-800772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778. If you think someone is using your number, there are several other actions you should take: • Contact the Federal Trade Commission online at www.ftc.gov/ bcdp/edu/microsites/idtheft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); • File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; • Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by calling 1-800-908-4490, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and • Monitor your credit report. Q: My brother had an accident at work last year and is now receiving Social Security disability benefits. His wife and son also receive benefits. Before his accident, he helped support another daughter by a woman he never married. Is the second child entitled to benefits? A: The child may qualify for Social Security benefits even though your brother wasn’t married to the second child’s mother. The child’s caretaker should file an application on her behalf. For more information, visit us online at www.socialsecurity. gov.
ProudlyWelcomes
ProudlyWelcomes
People with disabilities, grieving families and others to benefit from Excellus awards Heritage Christian Services and 10 other Rochester nonprofits earned a total of $28,000 in awards
V
olunteers helped riders guide their horses around a stable in Webster as part of a therapeutic riding program at Heritage Christian Services. Lorrie Renker, director of Heritage Christian Stables, noted that the program does more than just teach these children and adults to ride horses. “Riding can be an empowering experience for anyone and especially for riders who might usually use a wheelchair,” she said. “Horseback riding can also help our children and adults improve their balance and coordination while boosting their confidence and self-esteem.” Heritage Christian Services will now provide more scholarships to help adults and children participate in the program, thanks to an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Award. Heritage Christian Services is one of 11 nonprofit winners of Excellus BCBS’s December 2017 Community Health Awards. Each nonprofit earned up to $3,500 of the $28,000 allocated by Excellus BCBS for health and wellness programs in the six-county Finger Lakes region. The winning programs in Monroe County are: • Daystar for Medically Fragile Children in Brighton: $2,000 to help its pediatric nursing program enroll 40 children and ensure that its nursing staff has the materials and supplies needed to support each individual’s special needs. “Excellus BCBS’s support will provide critical medical supplies and equipment to help our babies thrive as they are all struggling with complex medical healthcare needs” said Kim Condon, Daystar’s executive director. • Rochester Hearing & Speech Center: $3,500 for diagnostic devices and clinical supplies needed to help more low-income people get the care they need throughout its outbound community-based audiology services program. • Heritage Christian Services: $2,500 to fund scholarships and equipment for its therapeutic horseback riding program at Heritage Christian Stables in Webster.
Welcomes Dr. Xinmin Zhao Welcomes Dr. Xinmin Zhao
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Internal Medicine • Asthma • Allergies • Headache/Migraines • Pittsford Youth Services: $3,000 She has practiced Chinese Medicine & • Supplemental Therapy for Cancer Patients for its youth bereavement therapy Acupuncture over over 40 40 years years Acupuncture Addictions: Alcohol Alcohol •• Smoking Smoking •• Drugs Drugs Addictions: program, which includes support of Camp Heartstrings, a summer camp Call today today for for aa consultation: consultation: 43 Willow Willow Pond Pond Way, Way, Suite Suite 101, 101, Penfield, Penfield, NY NY 14526 14526 Call 43 for children, and therapeutic counselwww.xinxingacu.com www.xinxingacu.com ing for families who’ve experienced CA-00040348 the loss of a loved one. Areas that Dr. Zhao has an excellent track record of “Thanks to the support of comHer impressive include: Now Open credentials - Tours Available treatment success using traditional Chinese Medicin munity partners such as Excellus New York State Licensed Acupuncturist • Chronic pain for shoulder • Back • Limb • GI Condi Call 585-421-7321 Today! BCBS, Pittsford Youth Services will Former Chief Physician of • Menstrual disorder • Menopause • PMS • Infertili be able to fill the void in bereavement Internal Medicine www.legendsatwhitney.com • Asthma • Allergies • Headache/Migraines therapy services for children and will She has practiced Chinese Medicine & • Supplemental Therapy for Cancer Patients Acupuncture over 40 years have an immeasurable impact on a Addictions: Alcohol • Smoking • Drugs grieving child, and their family, at a Call today for a consultation: critical time in their lives,” said Jill 43 Willow Pond Way, Suite 101, Penfield, NY 14526 Lennox, executive director, Pittsford www.xinxingacu.com CA-00 Youth Services. • Refugees Helping Refugees in Rochester: $2,000 for A Voice for Women program that focuses on women’s health issues, such as famPROOF O.K. BY:___________________________ O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY:______________ ily planning, female genital cutting CONTEMPORARY SENIOR APARTMENT COMMUNITY PROOF BY:___________________________ O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY:_______________ and childbirth. PLEASE READ O.K. CAREFULLY • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE CREATE YOUR MEMORIES AT THE LEGENDS! Other winners include nonprofits PLEASE READ CAREFULLY The • SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE Legends at Whitney Town Center is a brand new, state-of-the-art in Livingston and Ontario counties, CA-00040348 (100%) apartment community for active adults. 55+ located in Fairport, N.Y including the Catholic Charities of ADVERTISER: PROOF CREATED 9/8/2017 10:21:10 AM CA-00040348 (100%) Relaxed, Carefree Living AT: Easy Access to Activities Livingston County ($3,000), Liv- DR. STEVEN SADLON 100 CLEAR SPRINGS TRAIL FAIRPORT, N.Y 14450 ingston CARES ($3,000), Thrive to SALES PERSON: NEXT RUN DATE: AT: 09/14/17 ADVERTISER: DR. 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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 21
H ealth News Highland Hospital introduces app for bariatric patients Highland Hospital is teaming up with “Baritastic,” a weight loss app, to offer a customized experience for patients in the Highland Bariatric Program. By connecting to Highland’s Bariatric Program through the “Baritastic” app, users will be able to more easily share information with their dietitians, access the program’s meal plans and receive notifications of upcoming support events. According to the hospital, Highland is the first hospital in Monroe County to offer this kind of tool for weight loss patients. The app provides an outline for potential patients to learn more about what to expect on their weight loss journey, both before and after bariatric surgery. It also allows current patients to track their daily food intake and exercise routines. Patients will be able to set reminders for vitamins and supplements, store before and after photos, and set reminders for upcoming support group meetings. The app also has the capability to link to most step-tracking devices. According to the hospital, the goal is for patients to have more information at their fingertips and to help them stay better connected to the Highland Hospital Bariatric Surgery Center throughout their weight loss journey. .
ACM Global Lab acquires two companies Rochester Regional Health, a $2.2 billion integrated health care delivery system with more than 17,000 employees, has announced that wholly-owned subsidiary ACM Global Laboratories has added to its portfolio with the acquisition of Philadelphia-based DrugScan, Inc. and DSI Medical Services, Inc. ACM currently operates in more than 65 countries, with key offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, China and India. DrugScan is a best-in-breed
Wegman Companies to assume ownership of The Village at Unity Rochester Regional Health announced an expanded collaboration in senior housing with Wegman Companies, Inc. of Rochester. Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Hospital and Wegman Companies have been working together in delivering senior housing services at The Village at Mill Landing in Greece since 2014. The agreement announced recently builds on that success by adding assisted living and memory care at The Village at Unity. “After a careful year-long evaluation of our senior housing division, we have made the decision to transfer ownership of additional entities of our senior housing division to Wegman Companies and their national partner, Leisure Care,” said John Foley, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Rochester Regional Health. “Wegman Companies/Leisure Care, together, have a demonstrated track record of success in developing and maintaining senior housing communities.” As part of this agreement, Rochester Regional Health’s name will remain on the properties, and will be added to future senior housing properties developed or purchased by Wegman Companies in Rochester. toxicology laboratory testing company with a 30-year track record of delivering innovative medication monitoring solutions to healthcare providers across the United States. As toxicology testing demand grows in the wake of the national opioid epidemic, health systems nationally will need to partner with innovative companies like DrugScan to help providers manage and treat patients with complex medication needs, according to a news release issued by Rochester Regional Health. “Adding DrugScan to our ACM Global Laboratories portfolio positions Rochester Regional Health to
Wegman Companies has retained a professional management company, Leisure Care, to manage day-to-day operations. Leisure Care has worked together in this capacity with other Wegman Companies properties around the United States. Leisure Care intends to extend employment offers to the current RRH employees at the Village at Unity and the Village at Mill Landing (already owned by Wegman Companies). “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Rochester Regional Health,” said Jay Wegman, partner, Wegman Companies, Inc. “Through this strategic agreement, we will be able to add a family style atmosphere to the extraordinary care and services The Villages offers to our seniors. The Wegman Companies/Leisure Care team is excited to work with the current employees at The Villages.” Rochester Regional Health will retain ownership and operation of its other Senior Housing facilities at Park Ridge Commons, Resch Commons, Moore Park, Hilton Park and Hudson Housing. The parties expect the transaction to close by March 1.
lead the way on the front lines of the opioid crisis here and across the nation,” read the news release. “The addition of DrugScan/DSI adds to ACM’s strong, established laboratory service portfolio and drug testing capabilities. ACM completed its acquisition of DrugScan and DSI Medical Services on December 31, 2017. ACM will retain DrugScan and DSI Medical Services’ leadership, locations and brand names.” Eric Bieber, president and CEO of Rochester Regional Health, said: “Rochester Regional Health is a recognized leader in integrated health services and we are excited to
continue to fuel the rapid growth of ACM Global Laboratories with strategic acquisitions of high performing, innovative companies like DrugScan and DSI Medical. As the traditional healthcare marketplace continues to evolve, Rochester Regional’s overall growth strategy of investing beyond the traditional healthcare vertical will continue to be an important part of our overall growth strategy.”
New endowed fund established at UR Eastman Institute The American and WNY Dental Partners Foundation have committed to a $50,000 endowed fund that will benefit UR Eastman Institute graduating residents from all the various clinical programs. Established in 1999 as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, the American Dental Partners Foundation is dedicated to improving oral health care as a component of overall health. This mission includes activities that address critical issues within the oral health industry itself, including scholarships at more than 30 dental and hygiene schools to help combat rising education costs; support for academic positions to help address the current shortage of dental school faculty; funding for continuing education programs to aid in professional development; and externship and residency programs to expand opportunities for student clinical experiences. “We enjoyed visiting with the faculty,” Jesley Ruff, senior vice president, chief professional officer, and director of the foundation. “There is a base selflessness, rectitude and probity here; little found in most any organizations we’ve visited.” The University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a uniquely special place, he said, and “the narrative is rich with accomplishment, and its mission is on display each and every day. Ruff, who is a 1981 graduate of Eastman’s General Dentistry’s oneyear program.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018
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Page 23
St. Ann’s ad - new - coming
It’s like being on a cruise, but without those tiny cabins.
When you think about a cruise you think about great dining, entertainment, the pool, having all your needs met. Well that’s what it’s like living at Chapel Oaks. You have a beautiful apartment but it’s up to you how much or how little time you spend there. There are community areas where you can gather with friends, watch a movie, read a book or do nothing at all. Actually, the only thing you need to do is enjoy life.
Caring for the Most Important People on Earth To schedule a tour of St. Ann’s Community at Chapel Oaks and enjoy a complimentary lunch for two, call Al Brumagin at (585) 697-6606.
Page 24
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2018