IGH Rochester #173 January 2020 by In Good Health: Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper

PRICELESS

Resolve to Take Good Care of You in 2020 Live Alone & Thrive columnist Gwenn Voelckers discusses why readers have to take care of themselves first.

VAPING URMC Physician Matthew McGraw talks about the vaping crisis in the U.S.

GVHEALTHNEWS.COM

Wintertime in Rochester Why you are more likely to have a heart attack this time of the year • 10 things you need to do to have a safe season • How to diagnose and treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Page 12

Fitness Trends for 2020

DONATE BLOOD Blood supply decreases this time of the year. Red Cross encourages people to donate, volunteer

What’s Hot, What’s Not

GIFT OF LIFE

JANUARY 2019 • ISSUE 173

Things You Need to Know About Organ Donation

n 12 surprising benefits of zumba workouts n 6 new fitness trends to help you achieve your 2020 health goals Page 14

How to Manage a Loved One’s Social Media Afterlife

Green Leaf Lettuce Looking for a great way to lose weight after the holidays.? Go for salads. Page 16

Excessive Screen Time Study shows average time children spend in front of screens increased from 53 minutes per day at 12 months to more than 150 minutes at 3 years. Page 10

Declining Life Expectancy a ‘Distinctly American Phenomenon’

Findings shows life expectancy in the U.S. is rapidly falling behind that of other wealthy countries

fter increasing for decades, U.S. life expectancy is on the decline, and a new study reveals some of the reasons behind the alarming trend. The study, published Nov. 26 in the journal JAMA, found that the decline is mostly among “working-age” Americans, or those ages 25 to 64. In this group, the risk of dying from drug abuse, suicide, hypertension and more than 30 other causes is increasing, the authors said. The findings suggest that life expectancy in the U.S. is rapidly falling behind that of other wealthy countries. Indeed, the particular decline among working-age adults has not been seen in other countries, and is a “distinctly American phenomenon,” said study co-author Steven H. Woolf of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. “Death rates among working-age adults are on the rise,” Woolf said. “We have known for years that the health of Americans is inferior to that of other wealthy nations, but our research shows that the decline in U.S. health relative to other countries began as early as the 1980s.”

Concerning decline The new study analyzed more than five decades of data on U.S. life expectancy. The results showed that, although U.S. life expectancy increased from 1959 to 2014, those figures plateaued in 2011 and began decreasing in 2014. The main culprits behind the decline appear to be drug overdose, alcohol abuse, suicide and a wide variety of organ system diseases among young and middle-age adults, especially individuals who did not complete high school. In particular, declines were seen among people living in some parts of New England, including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont; as well as those living in the Ohio Valley, which includes Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania. These specific regions have been battered by the opioid epidemic and were among the most hard-hit victims of the collapse of the United States manufacturing sector. Indeed, more than one-third of excess deaths since 2010 have occurred in the Ohio Valley states.

In contrast, life expectancy increased for those living along the Pacific coast from 2010 to 2017.

Woolf suspects that the unique drop is U.S life expectancy may be due to lack of support for struggling families. “In other countries, families that “American phenomenon” fall on hard times have programs and services available to cushion the Data from past decades showed blow. In America, people often have that U.S. life expectancy began to to fend for themselves,” Woolf said. lose pace with that of other countries starting in the 1980s, the authors said. Absence of social services may also explain why the study found larger “Historically this [period] was the beginning of the opioid epidemic, relative increases in mortality among the shrinking of the middle class and women, “who have even fewer support systems, and more childthe widening of income inequality,” care responsibilities,” he added. (See Woolf said. related news under Healthcare in a Although many countries expeMinute column). rienced economic shifts in the 1980s,

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Jan. 7

Hearing loss group presents new programs

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Issue 61 • Janua ry-February 2020 For Active Adults in the Roche ster Area

Bonsai Maste

The Rochester Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) unites people with all degrees of hearing loss. Come to one of our monthly chapter meetings to meet others with hearing loss and learn from the professionals who treat it. Visit our website for details: HearingLossRochester.org

Henrietta resid ent Bill Valav anis is a world-reno wned expert and grower of bons ai trees. He often travels the glob e to share his passion

5 Clever Ways to Supplement Your Retirement Incom

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The Rochester Area Vegan Society will host Jonell Belcher-Chudyk, the founder and president of Mockingbird Farm Animal Sanctuary in Byron. She will talk about “The Story of Mockingbird Farm,” an animal sanctuary that houses a variety of animals. The Sunday, Jan. 19, meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. with a vegan sharea-dish dinner. Belcher-Chudyk’s talk is scheduled for 7 p.m. The event takes place at Brighton Town Park Lodge, 777 Westfall Road, Rochester. Dinner is a vegan potluck. Vegan means no animal products (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products or honey). Bring a dish with enough to serve a crowd, and a serving utensil; also bring a place setting for your own dinner. Consider using organic ingredients whenever possible. There is help for non-vegetarians or others uncertain about how to make or bring a vegan dish. Guest fee is $3 and it’s free for members. For more information, call 585234-8750 or visit rochesterveg.org.

And just as happens with traditional cigarettes, the nicotine found in e-cigarettes can hook teens for a lifetime, with uncertain results for their health. “Our nation’s youth are becoming increasingly exposed to nicotine, a drug that is highly addictive and can harm brain development,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an agency news release. n See related story on page 6.

A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. Distribution: 33,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high-traffic locations.

Meet the Oasi s Tappers. Loca l Dancers Love to Entertain

Savvy Senior: How to Get Free Legal Ass istance

Don’t Miss the Next Issue

Animal sanctuary owner to speak at Vegan Society

Serving Monroe and Ontario Counties

Moving Away in Retiremen t? Things You Need to Consider

Celebrating 10 years featuring the best in 55+ news & stories Page 4

n epidemic of vaping by American teenagers shows no signs of stopping, with 2019 data finding more than a quarter (27.5%) of high school students using e-cigarettes. The rate was somewhat lower, but still troubling, among middle school kids — about one in every 10 vaped, according to new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Jan. 19

More Than 1 in 4 High School Students Now Vape: CDC

PLUS A Finances: Jim Terwilliger

You don’t have to face hearing loss alone.

Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter invites anyone interested in hearing loss to any or all of several events taking place Tuesday, Jan. 7. All programs are held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, Rochester, across from the George Eastman Museum. • 10 a.m. : “Hearing Other People’s Experiences” (HOPE). Church Vestry Room. Prospective, new or experienced hearing aid users can share their experiences, questions and hearing loss journeys in an informal round table discussion facilitated by retired audiologist and hearing aid user Joseph Kozelsky. • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Parish Hall. Program begins at noon. “What is listening effort? The emotional and mental fatigue of hearing,” with Laura Arney. Your hearing loss forces you to work hard to understand social conversations. How is it that we make sense of the words we hear? Arney will present a beginners’ overview of mental processes involved in hearing loss, specifically the mental effort and stresses weighing on the person with hearing loss attempting to listen to conversation. • 7 – 9 p.m. Parish Hall. Program begins at 8 p.m. “Hearing Other People’s Experiences” (HOPE) with Suzanne Johnston, speech language pathologist.

All HLAA programs are free. Most meetings feature an inductive loop hearing system and open captions. For more information, view the organization’s website at hearinglossrochester.org or telephone 585-266-7890.

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo • Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Kimberly Blaker, Lucy Connery, Marcia Kester Doyle, Lynette M. Loomis, Christine Green, Josie DiPisa • Advertising: Anne Westcott, Linda Covington • Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office manager: Nancy Nitz 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.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Matthew D. McGraw, M.D. Physician talks about the origins of the vaping crisis and the role URMC is playing on the diagnosis and treatment of vaping use associated with lung injury Q: Vaping is under a lot more scrutiny as of late, from a number of troubling deaths to New York’s attempt to ban flavored e-cigarettes. From the medical side of things, what’s going on? A: This epidemic first started in early June. A case report from Illinois and Wisconsin listed about 12 patients with respiratory failure who had recent history of e-cigarette exposure. That prompted a greater evaluation nationally and locally to look for an association between e-cigarettes and respiratory failure. About the same time, Rochester was seeing the same thing. To date we now have 26 patients who have respiratory failure associated with e-cigarette use. So, over the past six months these patients have accumulated in Rochester and we’ve kind of led the charge in New York state in creating appropriate evaluations as well as management for maintaining patients. That evaluation has been led by a collaboration between adult pulmonary medicine, pediatric pulmonary medicine and medical toxicology. At the state level, we’ve partnered with the Department of Health as well as Upstate and Downstate Poison Control Centers for communication nationally with the CDC. It’s been an exciting time. Fortunately, we now have a standardized metric we use for evaluation and management pioneered at the University of Rochester.

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Q: At this point, pretty much everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but the message seems more confused for vaping. What are the risks with regard to vaping? A: So, there are now over 1,000 cases nationally with respiratory failure, and a significant number of deaths. About 80% of those cases have been associated with THC, which is the main psychoactive component in marijuana. With that being said, 20% of those cases have nonTHC substances and have still been associated with respiratory failure. One of the more recent reports from the CDC looked at the fluid from the lungs of those patients and found one of the common

chemicals was vitamin E acetate, and of the 30 samples they tested of the patients with respiratory failure, all 30 had vitamin E acetate. About two months prior to that, we had been testing the cartridges as well and found the same association; the cartridges all had greater than 50% vitamin e acetate. What we’re trying to find out now is if that vitamin E acetate truly has a causal relationship with respiratory failures. Laboratories here at the University of Rochester, the University at Buffalo, in association with the New York State Department of Health are doing some of the work that needs to be done to look at that causality.

e-cigarettes before the age of 25.

Q: Is vitamin E acetate used in all vaping products? A: Some people are asking, “Why now?” Vaping has been around for 15 years. One of the things we noticed back in June was that one of the primary reasons vitamin E was starting to be used in cartridges was that it makes the liquid more viscous. So, people were using this to make illegal cartridges look similar to the commercial ones. We think that is contributing to some of the increase in acute presentation of respiratory failure in the past six months. The lack of regulation is a big issue, not just for the chemicals but how they’re being used; how the devices are heated may matter as well. Many of the newer devices are using greater amounts of heat to create more vapor. So that needs further investigation as well. There’s also the issues that can come up with refillable cartridges and what’s getting into those.

Q: What recommendation would you give to the general public given that the investigation is still underway? A: The University of Rochester as well as the New York State Department of Health still feel that not smoking or vaping is the best way to avoid this type of injury. I say that as a pediatric lung doctor as well, so stopping the use of nicotine-based products is important for preventing the next generation of people getting addicted.

Q: Am I right to assume the underground use of vitamin E is why these cases are more common with THC cartridges? A: Yes, but again, there’s that 20% of cases that aren’t related to THC cartridges. So why are they still having respiratory failure? But, yes, most cartridges that have THC also have vitamin E acetate as well. And the thought there is that vitamin E is used as a thinning agent so they can distribute a larger number of cartridges by thinning out the THC. Q: The state’s attempt to ban flavored e-cigarettes seems to have been held up in court. My impression is there’s some confusion as to how this relates to cases of respiratory failure if at all. Can you clear that up? A: I think it’s a good question. We know that flavorings are detrimental because they attract younger users. We know well that any tobacco products with flavoring tended to attract younger users, so it’s applying the same rationale here. There’s a strong association now that you’re about four to eight times more likely to go on to using other tobacco products if you start using

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

Q: Can you go into more details about what’s meant by “respiratory failure” in these cases? A: So, the acute presentation is called EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). To make that diagnosis you have to have symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, constitutional symptoms like vomiting, weight loss, headache, fast breathing. Sometimes there’s a need for oxygen. If you look at a chest X-ray or CT, you’ll usually see both sides having infiltrates on both sides, which usually indicates lung injury.

Q: Is there any truth to the claims that vaping can help people quit smoking? A: This generation of e-cigarettes began with the idea of them being smoking cessation devices. That said, they really haven’t been used that way nationally. I say that because the amount of nicotine in a typical cartridge is two to three times more than what’s in a pack of cigarettes. That’s inappropriate marketing to call it a cessation device when it has more nicotine. One way we can advocate for regulation is to reduce the amount of nicotine allowed in e-cigarettes. Q: What type of research is underway now at the University of Rochester on this topic? A: We’re uniquely positioned for research. We’re actively investigating the cartridges that caused respiratory failure. We’re looking at the chemicals in them. We’re doing further studies in rodent and human samples to see what chemicals cause injuries in the lungs. This will be very helpful in making regulatory recommendations.

Lifelines

Name: Matthew D. McGraw Position: Assistant professor in the division of pediatric pulmonology, University of Rochester School of Medicine Hometown: Fairport Education: Bachelor of Science in engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse; residency in pediatrics; University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia; fellowship in pediatric pulmonology, University of Colorado SOM, Denver Affiliations: Rochester Regional Organizations: American Academy of Pediatrics; American Thoracic Society, Society of Toxicology Family: Wife (Taylor), Son (Harrison) Hobbies: Biking, running, cooking with wife

Lack of Specialists Doom Rural Sick Patients Research finds higher death tolls, more hospitalizations in small town USA

esidents of rural areas are more likely to be hospitalized and to die than those who live in cities primarily because they lack access to specialists, recent research found. The study, led by Kenton Johnston, Ph.D., assistant professor of health management and policy at Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, looked at data from Medicare patients who have chronic health problems. The paper was published in the December 2019 issue of Health Affairs. “People on Medicare with chronic conditions such as heart failure or diabetes who live in rural areas have

higher death and hospitalization rates than their urban peers,” Johnston said. “The biggest reason for this appears to be that people in rural areas have less access to specialist physicians like cardiologists and endocrinologists.” Johnston and his coauthors urge policy makers to target innovations to bring more specialist care to rural areas. Some of the strategies they suggest are: • Expanding telemedicine in key areas, such as cardiology, to provide routine specialty care visits through technologies such as video conferenc-

ing;

• Adding incentives for physicians to practice in rural areas such as loan forgiveness; • Considering differential payment rates that offer specialists who practice in rural areas more money; • Incentivizing rural and urban hospitals partnerships; • Bringing urban specialists into rural health systems on certain days of the week. Researchers examined 2006-2013 data from Medicare claims of patients in rural and urban areas who have heart disease, diabetes and other complex chronic conditions. They linked the claims to health care supply data from hospitals that was provided by the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice and determined rural-urban classifications using a Health Resources and Services Administration database. The researchers defined a rural area as any town with fewer than 10,000 people, and found that 10% of Medicare beneficiaries lived in such areas.

Patients who saw a specialist at least once in addition to a primary care provider compared to those who saw only a primary care provider were 15.9% less likely to be hospitalized for a preventable cause and 16.6% less likely to die. Preventable hospitalizations were highest in rural areas and lowest in metropolitan areas. Residents of rural areas had 40% higher rates of preventable hospitalizations and 23% higher mortality rates than their metropolitan counterparts. Their findings have implications for all Medicare patients with chronic conditions, Johnston said. “Our research shows that all Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions--urban and rural--have lower death and hospitalization rates when they visit a specialist at least once annually,” Johnston said. “Primary care is important, but it is not enough by itself; specialist care is needed as well.”

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Life Expectancy in the U.S Has Peaked

been cardiovascular, cancer and musculoskeletel. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents also believe costs are driven by inappropriate or unnecessary care.

ur average life expectancy increased almost nine years from 70 years in 1959 to 78.9 years in 2010. Then it leveled off and started to trend downwards from 2014 through 2018. It’s expected to be 78.9 this year, just as it was nine years ago 2010. Those of us between 25 and 64 incurred the largest increase (6%) in mortality, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The leveling off of our life expectancy over the past decade has been due primarily to drug over doses, suicide and obesity. Other high -income, developed countries

that spend far less on care than we do on healthcare, have not experienced our leveling off or peaking. Fatal drug overdoses increased 386% between 1999 and 2017. Deaths due to obesity increased 114% and deaths due to hypertension increased 79% over the same years. The majority of us are obese and 80% of adults do not meet basic physical activity guidelines. Researchers conclude life expectancy is not only impacted by medical conditions. Social drivers like income inequality and mental distress are in play as well. (Editor’s note: See related story in this issue).

Fraud recoveries up

will pay out-of-network providers a reasonably fair amount. Not surprisingly, the top specialties for out of network claims or “surprise bills” are typically related to a hospital stay or ER visit: emergency medicine, pathology, anesthesiology, radiology, surgery. Surprise billing typically occurs under two scenarios: local private providers simply do not elect to participate in your insurance plan or the providers are employed by an out of area national or regional company that doesn’t participate. Surprise billing occurs more frequently with rural hospitals that often resort, out of necessity, to contracting with out of town physician placement firms.

Government agencies (Office of Inspector General and Department of Justice) have recovered nearly $6 billion in fraudulent provider claims this year compared to about $3 billion in 2018. Recoveries were across the healthcare gamut including a $43 million settlement regarding genetic testing fraud and a $700 million settlement from a drug company over the fraudulent marketing of the opioid addiction drug Suboxone. Both the OIG and DOJ expect recoveries to decrease as providers realize that the government has gotten serious about investigating healthcare fraud and abuse and has dedicated more resources to such.

Surprise billing

Congress has been addressing this issue recently. Consumers are often unaware that particular providers, usually related to a hospital admission or ER visit, do not participate in their insurance plan, although the hospital does. This results in a “surprise bill” from out of network providers for the balance due after payment from the insurance company. Most insurance companies

Cost of care in 2020

A survey of 296 insurers in 79 countries reveals employer-sponsored insurance costs will rise an average of 7% globally. Forty percent of the respondents believe rates will increase by more than 7% for at least three years after 2020. Twenty-seven percent believe mental health conditions will break into the top three conditions driving up costs over the next five years. The top three conditions driving costs historically have January 2020 •

Physician shortage addressed

Congress controls the number of residents in hospital residency programs. In turn, Medicare reimburses hospitals for costs associated with their residency programs. Despite the anticipated physician shortage, there has been virtually no increase in the number of approved residency slots since the 90s. There are two bills addressing the MD shortage. The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act would add and pay for 15,000 additional residency slots over five years starting in 2021. The Opioid Workforce Act would add another 1,000 residency slots, over five years, specifically for addiction medicine, psychiatry and pain management.

Hospital price transparency rule

(WARNING: Reading the following could cause severe confusion, helplessness and an urge to move to Canada.) In a well-intentioned effort to help consumers make informed decisions and to create real price competition among hospitals, Medicare has given hospitals until 2021 to post their “standard charges” which include: gross charges, discounted cash prices, payer-specific negotiated rates, de-identified minimum negotiated charges and de-identified maximum negotiated charges. Hospitals are also required to post their charges and payer specific negotiated rates for 300 “shoppable services.” (Did you get all that?) Besides fueling consumer confusion and suspicion about healthcare costs, this rule will be a nightmare for hospitals to comply. Shopping prices in healthcare sounds good, but it will be a wasted effort if your physician does not have admitting privileges at your selected hospital or your health plan

considers your selected hospital out of network. Also, prices do not reflect outcome. Since most hospital admissions are elective, your physician, for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with price, will have strong preferences for a particular hospital for your particular procedure. I suspect this well-intentioned rule will push us even faster to a single payer system like the one in Canada.

Speaking of Canada

Despite having to wait months to see certain specialists, and the consequential $2 billion lost in annual wages, Canadians are fiercely defensive when it comes to their healthcare. The outcome statistics that ultimately matter the most are: Canadian life expectancy is 82 vs. 79 in the US; their death rate from treatable causes is 59 per 100,000 versus our 88; their infant mortality rate is 4.5 per 1,000 births versus 5.8 for the US. Rural hospitals and physicians fare better in Canada vs. the US because everyone that presents for treatment is a paying customer.

2020 Medicare Premiums

The standard Part B (physician) monthly premium is $144.60, up about $9 from 2019. The annual deductible is $198. Most seniors will have the Part B premium automatically deducted from their social security checks. The Standard Part A (hospital) monthly premium is $0 because this was paid by you through payroll taxes. If you are hospitalized, your deductible is $1,408. There are daily copays after 60 days. 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.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Things You Need to Know About Organ Donation

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

n the United States, the most commonly transplanted organs are the kidney, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas and intestines. On any given day there are about 75,000 people on the active waiting list for organs, but only 8,000 deceased organ donors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitals are required to have written agreements with organizations that coordinate organ and tissue donation and recovery. “Organ donation allows you to save someone’s life and become an impact to their future,” said Eran Muto, emergency room physician for Rochester Regional Health. “When you lose a loved one, it is difficult but the opportunity to give back and be part of a strong network of people who have done the same is an incredible feeling. I speak from experience when it comes to this.” Muto wants to offer people five thoughts about organ donation.

Hospitals will attempt to save your life regardless.

When you go to the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life. You’ll be seen by a doctor whose expertise most closely matches your particular condition and who can give you the best care possible. An individual must be in a hospital, on a ventilator and pronounced dead in order to donate organs. The organ donation program is not notified until life-saving efforts have failed.

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The transplant team is not notified until permission has been given by a member of the deceased family or has been previously decided by the patient as indicated on his or her license. “It is our duty to give you the best possible care imaginable when you enter a hospital,” said Muto. “We will perform every life saving measure for everyone, including those who are organ donors. You don’t have to be afraid that you won’t receive great care.”

Religious beliefs don’t exclude organ donations.

Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of all major religions. These religions include christianity, hinduism, buddism, islam and judaism. However, if you’re unsure or uncomfortable with your faith’s position on organ donation, ask a member of your clergy. “I went to a lecture, and when you see the five major religions make statements in support of organ donations, then you know religious beliefs should not be a hindrance to your decision,” said Muto. “No religion claims that organ donations limits where your soul goes after you die.”

Organ donation sign up is easy

Signing up on your state registry means that someday you could save lives as a donor by leaving behind the gift of life. When you register,

most states let you choose what organs and tissues you want to donate, and you can update your status at any time. You can sign up at the Department of Motor Vehicles or online. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to sign up. “It will make the process easier by eliminating any surprises to your family and clearly states your wishes,” Muto added. “This takes the burden off your family to make a decision when they are dealing with one of the hardest moments of their lives already.”

4. tive.

Organ donation changes lives for the posi-

Muto has first-hand understanding of this. Her husband was a trauma critical care surgeon who died suddenly from a brain aneurysm in 2012. His story did not end there because he was an organ donor. “We were always supportive about organ donation,” said Muto. “We had a desire to do it because we knew what impact it would have. My children and I attend organ donation fundraising walks and when you are walking next to someone who had a lung transplant and they are side by side with the families who donated these organs, there is a sense of family and support.”

Hospitals need to educate their staff

Muto said hospital staff should

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

Eran Muto, emergency room physician for Rochester Regional Health discusses the importance of organ donation. I speak from experience when it comes to this,” she says. know the most updated information about organ donation. Patients may have essential questions and they might be looking to the hospital staff. “I think it is our responsibility to make sure we are educated about the process. Some people don’t think you can donate if you have certain medical conditions or once you reach a certain age. But there are opportunities such as skin or cornea donations,” said Muto. “Time is of the essence when it comes to organ donation so it is important if someone wants to be a candidate that they are identified as soon as possible.”

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Once-a-Month Birth Control Pill Is in the Works Pills to be tested in humans in clinical trials thanks to grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “The pill” is a popular form of birth control, but it needs to be taken every day, and even one forgetful moment can increase the chances of becoming pregnant. To combat this problem, a group of researchers has developed a birth control pill that needs to be taken only once a month. The once-a-month birth control pill is embedded into a starfish-like organic device and packed into a capsule that can be swallowed, according to the study, published Dec. 4 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Once the capsule reaches the stomach, it dissolves and releases the starfish contraption, which then extends out its six arms, gets lodged in place and slowly delivers hormones. The team, based at MIT, has tested its biomedical design on pigs and found it to be effective, but it has not yet been tested on humans. This starfish shaped device slowly delivers hormones after it unfolds in the stomach. “We were trying to find a way in which we could improve patient adherence to therapies,” said lead author Ameya Kirtane, a senior postdoctoral fellow at MIT. Although the researchers initially developed their system to deliver drugs to treat HIV and malaria, they realized it could be adapted to deliver contraception. In the United States, around 12.6% of women use an oral contraceptive pill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But failure to take the pill at the same time every day or forgetting to take the pill can increase the risk of pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that if a pill needs to be taken less frequently, people are more likely to take them, “so that’s what really drew us to come up with a system that can be orally taken but much less frequently,” Kirtane said. The team members built their new design based on their previous work, but spent some time trying to identify new polymers — large molecules with special chemical properties — that could survive the treacherous churnings of the stomach

for a couple of weeks. After testing a number of polymers in simulated gastric fluid, they found that a type of polymer called polyurethane worked the best for the starfish arms and core. They also found that by changing the length of the polymer, they could change the amount of drug that it releases — either through diffusion (where it naturally leaves the contraption because it flows from an area of high concentration to one that’s low) or degradation (where parts of the arms break down and release the drug). The researchers connected the arms to the contraption center through “linker polymers.” After three to four weeks, these linker polymers could be designed to break down so that the contraption gets smaller and passes through the stomach and out of the body, Kirtane said. Once the capsule hits the stomach, it dissolves and releases the device which extends out its arms. It delivers hormones for some time and then degrades and moves out of the stomach. The researchers loaded the six arms with levonorgestrel — the hormone found in “Plan B” emergency contraception and other types of hormonal birth control — and tested different versions of their once-amonth oral contraceptive in pigs. They found that the device effectively delivered the same amount of hormones as that of a daily pill and stayed in the pigs’ bodies for up to 29 days. And, in contrast to other birth control methods such as IUDs, this once-a-month pill is “noninvasive” and “user-controlled,” Kirtane said. So far, there haven’t been issues with the contraceptive blocking other fluids or materials from passing through the stomach, he added. Still, it’s unclear if the results from the current study would apply to humans, so studies in people are a critical next step. Some of the researchers founded a biotech company called Lyndra Therapeutics, and with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they are now taking steps to test these pills on humans in clinical trials. The current study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. January 2020 •

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Page 9

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Resolve to Take Good Care of You in 2020

his morning, as I do every morning, I got up early, made a cup of tea and spent some important “me time” in mindful meditation. This daily routine helps clear my mind and launch my day with a more generous heart. Meditation is one of many ways I take care of myself. But that hasn’t always been the case. After my divorce, I adopted a “What’s the point?” approach to caring for myself and my home: What was the point of getting up early, meditating, exercising, eating healthy meals or putting on lipstick when no one was watching? Who cared whether I made my bed or combed my hair? It’s not uncommon for people who live alone to fall into a “What’s the point?” frame of mind. Leaving the dirty dishes in the sink or wearing your pajamas all day may seem harmless, until you consider the impact these acts of indifference can have on your self-confidence and sense of self-worth. Taking good care — very good care — of yourself is about the value of you. It’s about your intrinsic value to yourself, to your family, and to those you encounter throughout your day. It’s an essential part of feeling

good and living alone with success. Here are some of the benefits: It builds self-esteem: When you take good care of yourself you send an important message to yourself that you are worth treating well, cleaning up after, fussing over and protecting. When I come home after a busy day and walk through my front door, I am reinforced when my house is tidy and the kitchen sink is empty. It means I care enough about myself to maintain an inviting home, even if it’s just for me. The appearance of my home is a visible, tangible barometer of how I value myself — and, this is just one of many examples. My self-esteem gets a boost whenever I exercise discipline and do the things I know will deliver positive and self-affirming results. It looks good on you: When you treat yourself with love and respect, it shows and people notice. It opens up your world. During my “What’s the point?” period — my blue period — I would leave the house without paying much attention to my appearance. My sorry, baggy attire was only

s d i K Corner

Study Finds Children Log Excessive Screen-Time Study shows average time children spend in front of screens increased from 53 minutes per day at 12 months to more than 150 minutes at 3 years

study conducted by the University at Albany, the National Institutes of Health and New York University Langone Medical Center uncovered several new findings about the amount of time children spend watching television or using a computer or mobile device. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study found that the average time children spend in front of screens increased from 53 minutes per day at 12 months to more than 150 minutes Page 10

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at 3 years — time periods that greatly exceed recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). AAP recommends that digital media exposure should be avoided for children under 18 months of age, introduced slowly to children 18 to 24 months of age and limited to an hour a day for children from 2 to 5 years of age. Additional findings include: • 87 percent of children had

made sorrier by the dour expression on my face. Needless to say, I didn’t turn many heads nor invite connection with others. But, those were the old days. Today, I take more care. When you care about yourself inside and out, you radiate vitality. It’s intriguing. And it may draw people, compliments and unexpected connections and opportunities your way. Life can be richer. It enables you to better care for others: When your own needs are met and you feel happy with yourself, you are better able to respond to the needs of others. I like the familiar “airline” example: When traveling by plane, we are all given instructions on how to use an oxygen mask in an emergency. We are cautioned to put ours on first if we’re traveling with a child or dependent person. The reason is obvious: if we don’t put our mask on first, we risk passing out and putting both lives in jeopardy. One of the best things you can do for others is to take care of yourself. That way, you’ll be better able — both physically and emotionally — to help your friends and family when they need you. It is essential to your health: Eating healthy, enjoying a good night’s sleep, getting regular health check-ups, and exercising can all contribute to feeling good and alive. But living a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge for those who live alone. Without a partner to coax or inspire you, it’s easy to become complacent. I was having an awful time sticking to my exercise routine, so I decided to become a group exercise instructor. I knew I needed the “obligation” of leading a class to force myself to show up. screen time exceeding recommendations from the American Pediatric Academy. • Children were more likely to be in the highest percentile of screen time exposure if their parents had only a high school diploma or equivalent (more than twice as likely) or were children of first-time mothers (almost twice as likely). • Compared to single-born children, twins were more likely to belong to the highest screen time group. • Children in home-based care, whether provided by a parent, babysitter or relative, were more than twice as likely to have high screen time than those in center-based care. • While screen time increased throughout toddlerhood, by age 7 and 8, screen time fell to under 1.5 hours per day. The researchers believe this is due to time consumed by school-related activities. The team, including Erin Bell, professor of environmental health sciences at UAlbany’s School of Public Health, analyzed data from the Upstate KIDS study. Upstate KIDS, an ongoing cohort-based study co-led by Bell, tracks the ongoing growth, motor and social development of more than 6,000 babies born to 5,000 mothers between 2008 and 2010 in 57 counties of Upstate New York. For this particular study, mothers of nearly 4,000 Upstate Kids participants responded to questions

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

Believe me, I wouldn’t be going to the YMCA as often had I not become an instructor. It was one way of taking better care of my physical health and it worked! What might work for you? It is rewarding: Self-care can lead to self-discovery. Like anything else, learning how to care for yourself can reveal opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. It can be fun and it can take you places far and wide. Again, another personal example: I’ve discovered after years of living alone that just like meditation and exercise, travel is an essential part of my self-care routine. Even in retirement, I can go into overdrive and become overwhelmed with life’s demands. Solo travel gives me time to relax, think and re-balance my priorities. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or long vacation, I return rejuvenated and ready to take on what’s next. However you practice self-care, do so with steadfast resolve. As long as you put yourself first and focus on your overall well-being, you’ll enjoy the blissful benefits. Taking good care of yourself can help you acquire the personal strength, resilience, and energy you need to create or re-invent a life that you truly love and live with gusto.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of “Alone & Content” empowerment boot camps for women held throughout the year in Mendon. She is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” For information about her boot camp, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak call 585-624-7887, email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com on their children’s media habits when they were 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months of age, and then to similar questions when the children were 7 and 8 years old. The study compiled additional demographic information on the mothers and children from birth records and other surveys. “This collaborative study led by our colleagues at Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has made it clear that screen habits are developing earlier than recommended,” said Bell. “Given the concern that increased screen-time may impact child development, our results suggest an important need to develop strategies for reducing children’s screen time at very young ages to better meet the current AAP screen-time recommendations.

s d i K Corner

We are the #1 recommended Pediatric Urgent Care in Rochester

Peanut Allergy Vaccine to Rewrite the Immune System Work on the vaccine is showing signs of success, according to researchers

eanut allergies could become a thing of the past as breakthrough research from the University of South Australia develops a radically novel vaccination that’s poised to cure the potentially life-threatening condition. Peanut allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies peanuts as an allergen, signaling immune cells to release chemicals resulting in adverse reactions that can range from mild hives, cramps, nausea and vomiting to life threatening anaphylactic reactions that require immediate medical attention. Severe allergic reactions can include impaired breathing, swelling in the throat, a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and even death. Globally, the incidence of food allergies and related life-threatening anaphylaxis is increasing, with the World Allergy Organization reporting 220-550 million people are affected. Peanuts are one of the most common food allergies and the most likely food to cause anaphylaxis or death. In Australia, there is particularly high prevalence of peanut allergies with one in 200 adults, and almost three in every 100 children affected. Project lead, physician Preethi Eldi, said the new peanut allergy vaccine has great potential to change lives. “The impact peanut allergy can have on a family is all-consuming, especially given the very real risks to a child’s heath,” Eldi said. “Parents are constantly protecting their child from being exposed to peanuts in all forms — from popular breakfast cereals and school snacks, to biscuits, cakes and even health foods — whether at home, school, or in social situations. And, it means being vigilant and imposing very stringent dietary restrictions, not only for the child, but often, also for family members. “If we can deliver an effective peanut allergy vaccine, we’ll remove this stress, concern, and constant monitoring, freeing the child and their family from the constraints and dangers of peanut allergy.” The new peanut allergy vaccine is formulated by packaging bits of peanut proteins into the Sementis

Copenhagen-vectored (SCV) virus platform. SCV is a ground-breaking technology developed by physician Paul Howley, chief scientific officer at Sementis and UniSA’s professor John Hayball, head of UniSA’s Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory. Hayball says the peanut allergy vaccine tricks the immune system into seeing peanut allergens in a new light, so that the body responds normally instead of generating an allergic reaction. “We’re effectively reprogramming the body to see peanuts as an entity that can be cured by a vaccine, rather than an allergen that elicits an allergic reaction,” Hayball said. “Already, the vaccine is showing signs of success, shifting peanut-specific immune responses in mouse models of peanut allergy, and in preliminary in vitro vaccination-like studies using human blood samples from clinically confirmed peanut allergic people. “The next steps are to gain further human samples and confirm the efficacy of the vaccine. This will demonstrate human translational capacity and will significantly increase the chances of success in future clinical trials.” Physician William Smith, Head of the Clinical Immunology and Allergy unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and lead clinician involved in the study, says that despite global efforts and several other ongoing clinical trials, the development of immunomodulatory therapeutics is proving extremely challenging. “There are varying degrees of ‘clinical’ desensitization of peanut allergy, but to date, none have succeeded in safely and completely eradicating peanut allergy,” Smith said. “An effective vaccine for use in peanut allergy must be safe to administer with minimal adverse events, have a short immunization schedule to improve compliance specifically with peanut allergic children and, most importantly, induce lifelong protection. “The preliminary data is encouraging and favors that the vaccine can meet all these criteria. It’s very exciting research and we are very positive to take the next step into what we hope will be a cure for peanut allergy.”

January 2020 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

well. Instead, opt for a brisk walk for 30 – 60 minutes each day. If you want to do something more vigorous, do 20-30 minute runs or aerobic workouts three to four times a week with weight lifting in between.

Avoid public places during outbreaks

When you hear of the flu or virus outbreak in your area, stay home if possible. Avoid public places in particular. This will serve double duty by keeping you out of the cold that makes you more susceptible.

medication 8.Take an antiviral

10 Tips to Stay

Healthy This Winter By Kimberly Blaker

he medical field has long known people are more prone to catching colds and the flu during the cold winter months. Previously, scientists primarily attributed this to people living and breathing together in enclosed environments. But cold temperatures also make our immune system sluggish and prevent our bodies from fighting off infection. This is according to a 2015 PBS report, “Scientists Finally Prove Why Cold Weather Makes You Sick.” So follow these tips to stave off colds and the flu this winter.

1.Keep your home warm

Maintaining warmth is essential to ward off winter-related illnesses. So keep your home temperature comfortably warm by setting your thermostat between 68 and 75 °F. Optimum daytime temperatures for living areas are 70 to 72 °F. At night, set the thermostat just a couple of degrees cooler for your bedrooms. What’s comfortable varies from person-to-person. So if you feel cold at 72 °F, turn it up a notch or two. The idea is to remain comfortable.

2.Dress in layers

Layer your clothing, whether you’re at home or heading out. Wear a T-shirt or cami, long-sleeved shirt or blouse, and a sweater over the top. This way, you can set your thermostat at a moderate temperature and peel off layers to maintain the perfect comfort level. Layers will also ensure you maintain comfort if you go out. When you do leave the house, wear warm boots, gloves, and a hat even if you’ll be outside just briefly. We lose most of our body heat through the extremities. So it’s vital to keep those areas warm.

3.Eat healthily

A healthy diet is essential year-round. But during the cold winter months, certain foods are particularly beneficial to the immune system. The much-criticized starchy potato is an excellent source of nutrition. It’s high in vitamins B6 and C, both

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of which boost immunity. Collards, kale, and chard, among other dark leafy greens, are high in vitamins A, C, and K. Winter squash, including pumpkin, butternut, spaghetti, and acorn, is high in beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, another vital source that boosts the immune system. Several fruits are also particularly beneficial and protect against winter-related ailments. Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamin C. Kiwi packs even more of a ‘C’ punch than oranges. Other fruits that help keep your immune system strong include pomegranates, blueberries, cherries, and even bananas.

hours. If you come along and touch the germ-ridden object, the bacteria transfer to your hands. Then when you scratch your nose or grab a cookie to eat, you become infected. So when you wash your hands, use soap and warm water. Rub between your fingers and underneath your fingernails. Then rinse your hands well and dry them thoroughly. In public restrooms, use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the restroom door after you’ve washed your hands.

6.Keep active

An active lifestyle is crucial to a healthy heart, lungs, and bones. But a moderately active lifestyle also improves your immune system, according to a 2010 study cited in “Exercise and Respiratory Tract Viral Infections.” Prolonged intense exercise suppresses the immune system, however. So the key is to exercise regularly but in moderation. Unless you’re trying out for the Olympics, a 20-mile run won’t likely serve you

4.Drink plenty of water

Dehydration causes a host of health complications. Despite this, most people don’t drink nearly enough water. As a result, health experts say they’re in a state of chronic dehydration. So how much water should you drink each day? A commonly repeated recommendation is eight 8-ounce glasses per day. But why would a 100-pound inactive woman need the same intake as an active 220-pound man? It turns out there’s a formula to determine how much water you should consume. Divide your weight by 2.2. Next, if you’re between age 30 to 55, multiply by 35; and if older than 55, multiply by 30. Now divide your result by 28.3 for the number of ounces you should drink daily. Divide this by 8 to determine the number of cups.

5.Wash your hands

One of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs is by washing your hands regularly. This not only reduces the risk of transferring your bacteria to others. It reduces the risk that you’ll transfer bacteria to yourself. When someone with a cold or the flu touches a doorknob, handrail, or other objects, their germs get transferred to the object. Bacteria can survive this way for several

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

If you’re exposed to the flu, be proactive and nip it in the bud with a prescription for Relenza or Tamiflu. The only catch is there’s a short window of opportunity for these medications to be effective. These treatments must begin within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. So as soon as you feel signs of the flu coming on, call your doctor. If your doctor can’t see you right away, go to an urgent care.

9.Get a massage

According to a 2010 study for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Swedish massage increases lymphocytes, which improve the effectiveness of the immune system. So now you have the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a massage! If regular massages aren’t in your budget, trade massages with your partner to help stave off illness.

10.Get your z’s

When we sleep, our bodies release cytokines, which promote sleep. Certain cytokines also ward off infection. When we don’t get enough sleep, we’re deprived of the protective cytokines, leaving us more susceptible to infection. Sleep requirements vary from person to person. But adults typically need seven to eight hours.

Why the Risk of Heart Attack Rises in Winter By Jim Miller

veryone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have heart disease or have suffered a previous heart attack. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself. In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high as it is during

the summertime.

Why?

There are a number of factors, and they’re not all linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk. Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter. • Cold temperatures: When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat. This

causes blood pressure to go up and makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So, stay warm this winter, and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before you breathe it in. • Snow shoveling: Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling. Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine those factors with the cold temperatures and the risks for

heart attack surges. If your sidewalk or driveway needs shoveling this winter, hire a kid from the neighborhood to do it for you, or use a snow blower. Or, if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow as much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks. • New Year’s resolutions: Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you. • Winter weight gain: People tend to eat and drink more and gain more weight during the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for someone with heart disease. So, keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid binging on fatty foods and alcohol. • Shorter days: Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develop “seasonal affective disorder” or SAD, a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) per day. • Flu season: Studies show that people who get flu shots have a lower heart attack risk. It’s known that the inflammatory reaction set off by a flu infection can increase blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people. So, if you haven’t already done so this year, get a flu shot for protection. And, if you’ve never been vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia, you should consider getting these two shots (given 12 months apart) too. Jim Miller is the author of Savvy Senior column, which is published every issue in In Good Health.

Mental Health

SAD: Not Just the January Blues By Lucy Connery

anuary marks the end of the holiday season, the beginning of a new year, and is often thought to be a fresh start for a better year and personal growth. However, for many people this time of year is the hardest of all. The holidays can bring stress, emotional distress and unhealthy coping mechanisms like consuming large amounts of unhealthy foods, drinking more alcoholic beverages than usual, staying inside to avoid the cold weather, etc. The National Institute of Mental Health has documented that these behaviors could be indicative of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition is characterized by feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness or isolation at the same time of year — spikes in SAD often occur in the

winter time. Seasonal affective disorder can also be a response to memories of losing a loved one, an emotional holiday season, weight fluctuation and even changes in the weather. Not sure if you experience SAD? Symptoms include having low energ, problems sleeping, difficulty concentrating, feeling sluggish or agitated, changes in appetite, and feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt. SAD is very common, affecting millions of individuals a year. Prevention includes regular physical activity, spending time outdoors and eating a balanced, nutritional diet. If you already experience SAD, these methods also serve as a form of treatment. Other treatments for SAD may include light therapy, medications and psychotherapy. January 2020 •

Accepting and recognizing mental health is not always easy or comfortable, but it is not anything to be ashamed of. If you or a loved one is struggling, seek help locally or nationally. Lucy Connery is a health promotion specialist with The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo.

Advertise with In Good Health — Rochester’s Healthcare Newspaper to reach nearly 100,000 readers in the region. For information, please email editor@ GVhealthnews.com

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Fitness

12 Surprising Benefits of Zumba Workouts When workouts are fun, we look forward to them, rather than dread them By Marcia Kester Doyle

ive years ago, a few of my friends told me about a new gym nearby and raved about Zumba, a dance-based fitness class that combines aerobic exercise with resistance training. Zumba classes are popular throughout the country. My friends’ enthusiasm for the program piqued my interest, and although I found the competitive nature of most co-ed gyms intimidating, I knew I needed to do something before I ultimately succumbed to living like a sloth. The first Zumba class I attended was filled mostly with women of all shapes, sizes and ages in a body-positive atmosphere that immediately put me at ease. The philosophy behind Zumba is to have fun while you exercise; to embrace your body and to feel good about yourself while you’re dancing. No matter where you live, the classes are designed to make you feel happy and healthier rather than worrying about your appearance. To my surprise, after a few weeks of attending classes, I discovered that Zumba was not only an enjoyable way to exercise, but also had multiple benefits that improved my physical and mental wellbeing. Since I started doing Zumba, I’ve learned how to salsa, mambo, samba and merengue, and I have more energy now than I ever imagined I would at 60. Here are 12 benefits you can look forward to when you join a Zumba class:

Fun while you exercise. Zumba

is an enjoyable way to improve your physical health in an energetic, upbeat atmosphere. The classes promote body positivity, with an emphasis on having fun and feeling good about yourself. The idea is

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that you don’t have to look or move like others in the class, because there is no right or wrong way to dance. I don’t feel like anyone in the class is watching or criticizing me; they’re focused on their own workout and having fun. And, because it’s fun, the hour goes by quickly, which makes me look forward to exercising, rather than dread it. This helps me stick to a healthy workout routine instead of making excuses to skip the gym.

The cardio is good for your heart. Dancing, like any cardio

workout, gets your heart rate up, which helps you maintain a healthy cardiovascular, respiratory system. It’s also great for building endurance since most of the songs played during class are around 145 beats per minute.

Total body toning. The classes engage every muscle group in specific dance moves, along with squats and twists to tone your entire body.

Uplifts mood and relieves stress. Cardiovascular exercise

releases the highest amount of mood-improving endorphins and neurotransmitters that can signal positive thoughts and eliminate stress. Zumba also helps boost energy levels, improving both alertness and concentration — something many of us feel a decrease in as we get older.

Weight loss. If your goal is to

lose weight, Zumba workouts help to increase your metabolism, burning 600 to 1,000 calories per class (the rate varies depending on the intensity of your workout). A faster metabolism equals faster results in weight reduction.

Improves balance, coordination and posture. As with most

forms of dancing, your limbs are moving in different directions, and that takes coordination. You might feel awkward doing it at first, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get at following the dance steps and developing a sense of rhythm.

It’s easy on the joints. With

bone density and joint support decreasing as we age, Zumba’s low-impact workout is easy on the knees. However, you can wear soft knee braces during class for extra protection if you feel you need it. The good news is if you attend classes regularly, you’ll notice increased flexibility over time and a wider range of motion.

Boosts self-confidence. Zumba involves self-expression through dance and a deeper sense of your body’s abilities. After doing it for a while, I began to feel better about my overall health as I built up my cardiovascular fitness and toned my body, which in turn boosted my self-confidence.

You can exercise at your own pace. With Zumba, you can

modify the movements to suit your level of comfort. As your ability improves, you can increase your workout level in a more advanced class.

. Keeps the brain sharp. The dance patterns of Zumba challenge your hand-eye coordination and right-left brain activity. Similar to dancing the Macarena, your arms are doing something entirely different than your legs and

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

these movements require good memory skills to repeat the sequenced steps correctly.

. Variety of class types. There

are different classes for every level in Zumba, so it’s easy to find one that will suit your needs. Some of these options include: the standard Zumba class, the most common type with a combination of ages from young adult to 70 and older; Zumba Gold, for older adults; Aqua Zumba, a workout done in a pool and STRONG by Zumba, for spot toning.

. Encourages social interaction. This has been my

favorite part of Zumba. I’ve met a lot of fun people who share the same health goals as me, and I’ve made friends. If you’re still feeling a bit intimidated about joining a class, there are plenty of free Zumba videos online to help you practice and get accustomed to the movements. Experts recommend that you do three to four classes per week to receive the full benefits of the workouts. I would also suggest bringing a friend with you to class — the more, the merrier! Zumba has been a game-changer for me, physically and mentally. I’ll always be grateful to my circle of friends who convinced me to dust off my sneakers and salsa my way to a healthier life. Marcia Kester Doyle is the author of the book “Who Stole My Spandex? Life In The Hot Flash Lane.” This article first appeared in www.nextavenue.org. Reproduced with permission.

Fitness

Fitness Trends for 2020. What’s Hot, What’s Not By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

erhaps one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get fit. If so, check out the trends area experts predict as becoming more popular in 2020. Sarah Lane, exercise physiologist at Riedman Campus Wellness Center of Rochester Regional Health: • “I think we’re going to keep going on the circuit training path we’ve been taking with the studios like Orange Theory, Metabolic and Burn. It’s the new generation of not doing aerobics classes, but they have a little of everything. You leave feeling you have a little piece of everything. • “I’m happy to see that over the past few years, people are getting smarter about their workouts. There’s more interest in the current 20- to 40-year-olds to get fit for health than the vanity of it. They’ve taken interest in it at a younger age. I think we’re finally getting out of ‘No pain, no gain’ and replacing it with ‘Let’s work smarter and more efficiently.’ Billy Sobolewski, head performance coach at Power Train Sports & Fitness in Rochester: • “People are looking for someone who’s a performance coach. Everyone has their own niche or goal or something as simple as hiking in the morning or swimming every day. They don’t want a trainer anymore, but someone who can help them perform better at their activity.” Kaitlyn Vittozzi, SUP director, Finger Lakes Yogascapes, Canandaigua: • “Boutique fitness will continue to be big. • “Group fitness will be popular, because people like motivation that comes from a group setting. • “Yoga is going to start to move toward not just the body benefits but the mind-body connection. Yoga

6 I

practices are going to start to slow down. That’s influenced by mindfulness. • “I think overall, people are going to start to move toward a fitness and health routine that’s inspired by themselves, not something they have to do but something they want to do. There’s so much variety. We have everything that most big cities have. This helps people find something they find joy out of, instead of, ‘I have to go to boot camp or spinning or Pilates.’ • “Whether on-trend or not, I hope if people feel they can’t find a fitness routine they love that they realize it’s still out there and they can keep looking until they find some joyful movement for themselves.” Daniel DiMarco, manager, Riedman Campus Wellness Center, Rochester Regional Health: “Wearable fitness technology, like FitBits was a top trend last year and it’s still growing. The Apple Watches can be synched to your mobile device. They can track pretty much everything these days without needing extra equipment. The apps can keep you motivated. They can also provide you with your own workouts. They’re really easy to use. “Functional training is becoming more popular among people of all ages. It’s something that when it first stared becoming popular, was for older adults or athletes. Now people are incorporating it into their workouts regardless of age. It can directly translate to a movement you do on a day to day basis, like squatting down, going up and down stairs or reaching overhead. It mimics a movement. It’s good for range of motion, strength within that range, increasing your awareness in space with balance and perioperception and core strength. “Lifestyle medicine. It’s reaching

outside of the fitness world. Health and wellness is so much more than just the physical aspect, it’s emotional, social and cognitive. Introducing those goals improve overall wellness. “Taking time for mindfulness and meditation. I’ve seen more meditation classes popping up. They’re 30 minutes to get away from everything and get in tune with yourself and refocus. “Word puzzles for brain health. The workout only takes you so far

New Fitness Trends to Help You Achieve 2020 Health Goals

f you need some motivation to achieve your 2020 fitness goals, consider incorporating one or several of these new fitness trends from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). From wearable tech to fitness programming to health and wellness coaching, ACSM’s annual fitness trend forecast can help you. Plus, the trends might even spark ideas for last-minute holiday gifts. From activity trackers to heart rate monitors to devices that do both and much more, the newest wearable tech offers sophisticated tools to record steps per day, distance run and calories burned. Wearable tech can also support weight management efforts. Setting a daily step goal and using a basic activity tracker to monitor your progress is an easy way to get started moving more and sitting

with weight gain and are at greater risk of age-associated muscle loss. Beginning exercisers should start slow. Group training offers a great solution if you want to try new types of exercise. These classes provide motivation, encouragement, a sense of community and a chance to learn proper techniques from instructors. These classes are good for beginners and experienced exercisers. Strength training can make everyday activities easier; help maintain bone health

less.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) uses repeated cycles of short exercise alternated with rest. Sessions typically last less than 30 minutes yet lead to fitness improvements. HIIT can be good for aging women who struggle January 2020 •

for this. “Exercise and aging adults. Due to advances in everything else, the population is living longer and working longer and has an overall higher quality of life. To maintain their levels of activity, exercise in the population becomes more of a priority. We need to keep our employees healthy and able to provide care for the community members that need us.”

and promote weight loss. Personal training. Oneon-one training with a certified personal trainer or exercise physiologist can help you learn proper techniques, try new exercises and keep you accountable. A well-rounded fitness assessment from your exercise physiologist and subsequent tracking over time can help you adjust your training and diet to reach your goals and optimize performance. Body weight training. Popular for building strength and endurance with minimal equipment, body weight training focuses on dynamic movements to build strength and endurance. This type of training can be done almost anywhere, which is great for your budget and home workouts. Remember, whether you decide to incorporate one, several or none of these fitness trends, make sure you find time to be active. Health and fitness will always be trendy!

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

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Intuitive Eating

Yes, this is a thing when it comes to dieting By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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n eating plan that says to eat when you want, treats no foods as “good” or “bad” and doesn’t require tracking calories, points or food measurements — it all sounds like a dream come true for people struggling to manage their weight. But that’s intuitive eating, the non-diet eating plan. Popularized in 1995 by the book “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, intuitive eating has come back into vogue by influences and themes as diverse as mindfulness, body acceptance (versus body shaming), enjoying whole foods and local foods and finding a pleasurable physical activity instead of a brutal exercise regimen. Heather Carrera, doctor of clinical nutrition who works in the office Lesley James, MD in Pittsford, finds some merit in listening to the body’s needs. “If you have cravings, it’s OK to indulge once in a while,” she said. “It may be an emotional craving, as long as we identify it as that, as the reason you’re doing it. You’re eating it just for enjoyment and that’s OK. “Our bodies are supposed to tell when we’re eating enough.” Carrera is not a big fan of measuring foods, but emphasizing more produce and whole foods as sources of nutrients. She said that by focusing on these, the body can more readily signal satiety and natural portion control. Tonya Klein, registered dietitian and clinical nutrition specialist with Rochester Regional Health and Lipson Cancer Institute, said that intuitive eating isn’t a weight loss plan per se, but about building a better relationship with your food, body and mind. “Some people as a result do lose weight but some gain and some stay the same.” As most dietitians, Klein wants to see patients adopt a lifelong healthful eating plan. She views intuitive eating as a good example since it isn’t rigid and also helps patients work on the emotional factors tied to eating and body image. “It’s unrealistic to never say you’ll never eat sugar or eat a full Thanksgiving meal again,” Klein said. “Learning to navigate your

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

internal needs helps with that.” As effective as intuitive eating can be to help people eat better for life, it’s also important to note its caveats. Someone whose poor eating habits have contributed to weight gain may need guidance from a dietitian to learn what foods should constitute the majority of the diet. As Carrara indicated, that can help the body tune into true hunger cues and not cravings and help prevent overeating. Klein said that it’s also vital to eat at the first signs of hunger “instead of waiting until the last minute. That starvation mode will trigger you to eat more.” She said that one of the hardest parts of intuitive eating is making peace with food and activity and viewing them as contributors to good health instead of sources of struggle. “You also have to accept your genetic blueprint,” Klein said. “Not all of us are bikini models. Recognize you can make healthful food choices while making you feel well. Shoot for progress, not perfection.”

The 10 principles of Intuitive Eating 1. Reject the Diet Mentality 2. Honor Your Hunger 3. Make Peace with Food 4. Challenge the Food Police 5. Respect Your Fullness 6. Discover the Satisfaction Factor 7. Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food 8. Respect Your Body 9 Exercise—Feel the Difference 10. Honor Your Health www.intuitiveeating.org

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Heads Up: Green Leaf Lettuce Teems with Nutrients

he desire for “clean eating” consumes many of us in January. After weeks of indulging in rich holiday foods, we’re anxious to get back in the saddle of healthier eating. Salads can help pave the way. Flavorful and nutritious, a healthy salad can fill you up without filling you out, with the key here being “healthy.” Many of my salads include green leaf lettuce and here’s why: its curly leaves have a unique buttery flavor; it hasn’t been dogged by E.coli contamination; and it’s remarkably nutritious. Plus, because of its pliable texture, I often use it to wrap other foods, creating a healthy wrapper that’s low in both carbs and calories. Although lighter in color than some of the dark-green heavy-hitters, green leaf lettuce still packs an impressive good-for-you punch. Looking to shore up your bones? An average serving of green leaf lettuce delivers over 100% of our daily needs for both vitamins A and K — two vitamins that contribute to overall bone health. What’s more, vitamin A also promotes a healthy immune system and good vision,

while vitamin K helps blood clot properly. Green leaf lettuce is especially good for hearts, thanks to many factors: its inflammation-lowering antioxidants (vitamins A and C), its cholesterol-lowering fiber and its healthy dose of folate, a B vitamin that helps to reduce arterial hardening. What makes this fat-free lettuce also good for hearts is its low-calorie count: only 10 calories per 2-cup serving. By consuming nutritious foods that are lower in fat and calories, we’re less likely to become overweight or obese. Excessive weight, according to multiple studies, has been linked to several factors — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes — which may increase one’s risk for heart disease. As diet-friendly as salads can be, they can quickly go from healthy to unhealthy with unchecked ingredients that add fat, calories and sodium. So, be mindful of the add-ons, especially when dining out, such as bacon bits (100 to 300 calories), croutons (100-200 calories), shredded cheese (100 to 200 calories), and

Healthy tips

Choose lettuce with healthy outer leaves: fresh, crisp, bright green. Wash greens right before use under cold running water. One method of washing: immerse loose greens in a large pot of cool water and allow a minute or two for debris to sink to bottom, then rinse under running water and dry with a salad spinner or paper towels. Wash organic lettuce, too. creamy dressings (120-150 calories). As an example, The Cheesecake Factory’s Cobb Salad with many of the ingredients listed above has 1540 calories, 2280 mg of sodium, and 124 g of fat.

Green Leaf Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Walnuts and Feta Adapted from Eating Well

¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 6 cups (or more) green leaf lettuce 2 apples, such as Honeycrisp or Gala, thinly sliced ½ cup crumbled feta ½ cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted

For vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together vinegar, yogurt, oil, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. In an extra-large serving bowl, combine lettuce, apple, cheese, dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and walnuts. Drizzle with half of the vinaigrette; toss to coat. Pass the remaining vinaigrette.-

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.

Better or Worse: 5 Foods Myths You Should Know About Sea salt vs. table salt,, white eggs vs. brown eggs, high-fructose corn syrup vs. sugar. This and other food myths are important for diabetes sufferers

ood nutrition is important for managing diabetes. But there are some food myths that may be wrongly influencing your food choices. Here’s what true about salt and nighttime eating, along with clarity on three other misconceptions:

Myth: Sea salt is healthier than table salt.

Sea salt and table salt have the same nutritional value — about 2,400 mg of sodium per teaspoon. The only difference between the salts is how they are processed. Sea salt is made from evaporated ocean water or salty lake water with minimal processing, and so there’s still some mineral content which gives it its flavor and color. Table salt, mined from underground salt deposits, is more heavily processed and contains additives that prevent clumping. But nutritionally, these salts are the same. True salt substitutes are made from potassium salt. Potassium salt, though, tends to have a bitter, metallic taste. “I would encourage people with diabetes to try and keep their sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day,” said Melissa Kinstlinger, outpatient dietitian and certified diabetes educator at The Diabetes and Nutrition Center at Northwest Hospital. “For instance, you can swap cold cereal for old fashioned oats, which contain zero milligrams of sodium.”

Myth: Eggs from brown shells are better for you than eggs from white ones.

Eggs with brown shells and eggs with white shells have the same nutritional value. The color of the eggshells, quite simply, depends on the breed of the hen that lays them. White Leghorn chickens lay white eggs; Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks lay brown eggs. But eggs from brown and white shells are both healthy. A typical egg contains lots of vitamins and minerals (such as vitamins D and B12 and riboflavin) and is an excellent source of protein, and it’s only about 80 calories.

Myth: Late-night snacking makes you gain weight.

Always keep in mind that regarding weight loss or weight gain, it does not matter what time of day you eat. It is about what and how much you eat (as well as how often you’re exercising). Eating more calories than you need is what causes you to gain weight. There’s nothing wrong with eating a light snack after dinner as long as you plan for it. For example, if you’re supposed to have 1,500 calories for the day and you plan a snack within that range, that’s fine, even if you eat the snack at night. A snack in the 100 to 200 calorie January 2020 •

Which type of egg is better for you? Brown or white?

range is ideal. Some good options are packaged 100-calorie snacks, low-fat yogurt, fruit or small servings of light butter popcorn. Some ice cream bars are low in calories. Eating every three to four hours can help regulate your hunger as well as your blood sugars.

Myth: You should wash raw meat to eliminate bacteria.

Cooking food at the right temperature is what kills bacteria. Washing raw meat or poultry before cooking is not recommended in large part because bacteria in the juices can cross-contaminate other foods, utensils and surfaces. Some bacteria are so attached to meat they can’t be

washed away. With regard to consuming meat, Kinstlinger recommends that people with diabetes “choose meats that are labeled 90% or more lean.” “Remove skin from chicken. Bake, grill, lightly sauté — maybe try an air fryer for crispy meat with less fat,” she says.

Myth: High-fructose corn syrup is worse than sugar.

From a chemical standpoint, high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar are similar. High-fructose corn syrup is a mix of glucose and between 42% and 55% fructose. Table sugar is also a combination of glucose and fructose in amounts similar to what is in high-fructose corn syrup. Some studies have shown that people metabolize high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar differently. But the goal for people with diabetes is to cut back on sugar in general, no matter what kind it is. “A quick way to decrease sugar in your diet is to drink zero calorie beverages instead of sugared sodas,” Kinstlinger says.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Story of Hope Comfort Care By Lynette M. Loomis

rlene Nanry, a hospice nurse who has devoted her life to helping those around her, decided to begin the long journey of opening a comfort care home in Gates in March of 2014. With $200,000 left to raise, scores of volunteers are working to get this hospice-like home, Story of Hope Comfort Care, built in 2020. It will feature two beds. “After a career as a hospice and oncology nurse, I understand the importance of helping people transition from this world to the next in a supportive, tranquil environment,” says Nanry. Gates has one of the oldest populations in Rochester and the need was evident. With only 18 such hospice beds in Monroe County, there is a waiting list for people who want some control over their end-oflife care. Comfort care facilities are totally volunteer-managed and staffed, and while they have regulations, they fall outside the even stricter requirements of a hospital-based or nursing home-based hospice. As a nonprofit organization dependent upon volunteers and fundraising, the staff and volunteers conduct a variety of events to raise money. The events sponsored by Story of Hope range from a car show, a music festival to an annual gala, (the next one is March 21). The organization also raises funds by selling the piano CD “Transient” by Levi Gangi, staging numerous pasta dinners and organization the first “Family Mud-

Run” in the Rochester area. “I have participated in Story of Hope’s Mud Run the last two years with my two daughters, 13 and 10. We got together with other friends and their kids and made a morning of it; even getting team shirts made “The Muddy Monkeys,” said Diana Coleman a Family Mud-Run fan. “It is nice to have a mud run that is available to kids. Most of the larger ones are only geared to adults....and we all know kids sure enjoy getting messy,” Coleman added. With land donated by Faber Builders, Inc., Story of Hope in Gates will offer non-curative care to people whose life expectancy is less than three months. All services will be provided for free and include lodging, meals, pain medications as prescribed by a physician, and dedicated volunteer staff who listen to life stories, provide companionship and comfort. Volunteers will include doctors, nurses, social workers and community people who receive extensive training in providing emotional and spiritual support to the patient and his/her family. “Some people have no local family who can provide 24-hour care to a person at the end of their life,” said Diane Celento, one of board members. “For people who have local family, burn out is a real concern as they try to maintain their jobs and care for their families as well as provide round-the-clock care to a loved one. Volunteers are great listeners, but it’s important that close friends

A past dinner event is one of the ways official behind Story of Hope Comfort Care use to raise money to build a comfort care in Gates. Shown are Rachel Rohr, Happy (Dick) Stutzman and Arlene Nanry, a hospice nurse who founded Story of Hope. and family members be able to reminisce together, rather than check the med schedule or turn the patient over every two hours to avoid bed sores.” Story of Hope volunteers realize talking about end of life and hospice care is not at the top of anyone’s list or something they are comfortable to discuss. But dying is also just as much a part of everyone’s life as birth. Story of Hope wants to be there to help the patient and their family and friends make this transition with grace. “I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to talk about the absolutely true fact that my life on earth will one day come to an end. I think the reality of that hit me hardest when I started writing my age down and it began with a 7. To know that

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

a place like this can and should exist is a godsend,” says Carol DuPre, a member of the Gates community and a fundraiser volunteer for Story of Hope. Founder Arlene Nanry explains that as does everything else in life, they have had their ups and downs in working toward bringing this building, this dream, to this area to pass. “We are confident that when it is, finally, a part of the Gates-Chili community, others will confidently say, ‘This place is a godsend, and we are so glad it exists.” To make a contribution to Story of Hope or to volunteer in its creation, go to the home page at www.storyofhoperochester. com. The donate button is under the house.

Experiencing Vision Loss? By Jim Miller

How to Manage a Loved One’s Social Media Afterlife Dear Savvy Senior, How do I go about changing or canceling a person’s social media accounts when they die? My sister passed away several months ago and her social media accounts are still active.

Inquiring Sister

Dear Inquiring, I’m sorry for your loss. This a question that’s become more frequent in recent years as most Americans have participated on some type of social media platform. Here’s a run-down of how you can change or cancel some different social media accounts after a loved one dies.

Facebook Let’s start with the biggest and most frequently used social media platform on the web today. When someone with a Facebook profile dies, there are two different things someone with authority over their account can do. You can either “memorialize” it or “delete” it. A memorialized account serves as a place where friends and family can share stories, photos or memories to celebrate the deceased person’s life, with the word “Remembering” shown next to the deceased person’s name. Once an account is memorialized, content the person shared is still visible on Facebook to the audience it was originally shared with, however, the user’s profile will not show up in public spaces such as people you may know, ads or birthday reminders. If you don’t wish to memorialize your sister’s profile, you can also have her account permanently deleted from Facebook. Facebook allows users (when they’re alive) to choose a “legacy contact,” which is a person chosen to look after their account once they’ve passed away, or users can request to have their account permanently deleted after they die. (To do either of these tasks, click on “Settings” on the top right of Facebook, then click on “General” on the left-side menu and then on “Manage Account.”) If your sister didn’t set up a legacy contact before she passed, you can submit a memorialization request at Facebook.com/help — type in “How do I report a deceased person on Facebook that needs to be memorialized?” in the search bar. You’ll be

asked to provide proof of death by providing a copy of either an obituary, death certificate or memorial card. Or, if you would rather have her account deleted, go to Facebook. com/help, and type in “How do I request the removal of a deceased family member’s Facebook account?” This also requires proof of death plus verification that you’re an immediate family member or executor of the account holder.

Instagram Instagram’s policy on a deceased users’ account is similar to its parent company, Facebook. A deceased users’ account can either be memorialized or removed, which you can request at Help.Instagram. com/264154560391256. Like Facebook, to memorialize an Instagram account requires proof of death, but to remove an account you’ll also need to provide verification that you’re an immediate family member.

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Twitter If your sister was a Twitter user, Twitter will work with anyone who is authorized to act on behalf of her estate, or with a verified immediate family member to have an account deactivated. To request the removal of your sister’s account, go to Help. Twitter.com/forms/privacy. After you submit your request, Twitter will email you with instructions for providing more details, including information about the deceased, a copy of your ID, and a copy of the deceased’s death certificate.

LinkedIn If your sister also had a LinkedIn profile, the only option is to delete her account. To request this, see LinkedIn.com/help/linkedin/ask/ ts-rdmlp. You’ll need to provide her name and URL to her LinkedIn profile; the relationship you have to her; her email address; date she passed away; link to an obituary; and company she most recently worked for.

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Learn more at hoacny.com/Cyberknife CyberKnife treats tumors in the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate and more. IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Staff member Colleen Calnan, 62 ,of Irondequoit, helps donor Sandra Phillips, 75, of Clarkson, with her blood donation at a Brockport blood drive. Phillips has been donating blood for over 20 years.

quicker. The blood you donate is used to help save people’s lives.”

I’m unable to donate blood. What else can I do to help?

Time to Donate Blood Blood supply decreases this time of the year. Red Cross encourages boomers to donate, volunteer By Christine Green

he twinkling lights are turned off, the ornaments are packed away, and it feels like everything can get back to “normal” again. But just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean gift giving needs to be. Blood supplies are critically short this time of year and the Red Cross needs donors more than ever to give the gift of health to those in hospitals all around the nation. National Blood Donor Month has been recognized in the United States for the last 50 years. President Nixon signed a proclamation on New Year’s Eve 1969 stating: “No manifestation of this gen-

erosity of spirit is more expressive, and no gift more priceless in time of personal crisis, than the donation of one’s blood. The voluntary blood donor truly gives life itself.” Patty Corvaia, who until recently served as external communications manager for the Red Cross New York/Penn region, said that during the busy winter holidays people aren’t donating as often as usual. They are tired, traveling, hosting parties and shopping, so blood donations don’t always make it onto the to-do list. That means in January supplies dip very low. Now, more than ever, the Red Cross needs people to donate blood.

Can I donate if I’m over 55?

Terry Kirkpatrick of Gates is 70 years old and donates blood four or five a times a year. “This is the perfect fit for me. I never regretted it once.” Page 20

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Corvaia said that sometimes potential donors express concern over donating in their senior years. But as long as a person is in good health, age doesn’t preclude them from donating, she said. “When people think about donating blood, they often wonder what their health and their age mean for their donation. I am happy to say that I met with blood donors that are eighty-plus. If you have a health concern, we always recommend that you talk to your physician because the health of our donors is just as important as the health of our recipients,” said Corvaia. James Dempsey, 60, of Henrietta, started donating blood when he was in high school back in the late 1970s. Since then he has donated over 14 gallons of blood. “I come from a large family — five sisters and three brothers — and at some point almost all of us have donated blood as well as my father. I’m willing to bet between all of us as a family we have donated close to 100 gallons of blood.” Dempsey does a “Power Red” donation about every 116 days. During a power red donation, the

donor is able to donate two units of blood using a special machine that draws blood from the arm, collects the red cells, then returns the remaining blood components and saline back to the donor. Dempsey is a very special Red Cross blood donor not just because of his personal commitment to help others but because he is part of a small group known as “Heroes for Babies.” Dempsey’s blood type is O negative which is in high demand because it is a universal blood type most often used in emergencies and trauma cases or situations where a patient’s blood type is unknown. He’s also CMV negative, which makes his blood even more unique. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that most people are exposed to at some point, and the virus is present in the blood of most American adults. But babies who have compromised immune systems cannot fight off CMV the way older children and adults can. Therefore, newborns who need blood transfusions are often given O negative/ CMV negative blood like Dempsey’s. Dempsey encourages others who are able to, to donate as it really doesn’t take much time at all to make a big difference in another person’s life. “It only takes about an hour to donate doubles and less than that if doing a standard donation. And what is one hour of your time every 56 or 116 days? Back in the day one pint donation could save one life and now with doubles and the magic that goes with that one donation can save up to three lives; that’s not bad for just one hour of your time.” “The people you work with are always so kind,” he continued. “They do everything they can to make you comfortable. They tell you exactly what they are going to do so there are no surprises. If you drink plenty of water—an extra glass or two— the day before donating things go much

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

On occasion certain medications or other health issues prevent a person from donating blood. But the Red Cross needs help in a host of other ways, too. They rely on volunteers to find locations for blood drives (churches, schools, community centers, places of business, etc.), work checking donors in at drives, and man their canteen passing out snacks and drinks. Other volunteers drive units of blood from the processing centers to hospitals all around the region. “Volunteers are just as important as the actual blood donor who gives the blood,” Corvaia told 55 Plus magazine. “They’re the ones that bring the people together into a room, into a facility, into a place of worship, or a community center, and make it possible.” Terry Kirkpatrick of Gates is 70 years old and donates blood four or five a times a year. But that isn’t where his giving ends. He is a dedicated volunteer who helps out at blood drives all over the area. He started with the Red Cross when he left his job at Kodak three years ago. He knew that he, “simply couldn’t go from working forty or more hours a week to zero. I needed to explore volunteer opportunities. The first thing that came to mind, because I’d been donating for a number of years, was the Red Cross.” He didn’t hesitate to sign up and complete an orientation session. His first day with the Red Cross was two days after his last day at Kodak. “This is the perfect fit for me. I never regretted it once.” To learn more about the Red Cross and blood donations visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

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Embrace Technology for Added Safety on the Road We BUY TEST STRIPS We will pick up and pay on the spot

By Josie DiPisa

ars have come a long way since Henry Ford introduced the barebones Model T in 1908. Thanks to radar and computer controls, today’s autos include features that make cars smarter and safer than ever. That’s great news for drivers, especially those who want to retain their independence as they age. If it’s been a while since you drove a new car, you’ll be amazed at the array of seamless technology at your fingertips to support and enhance your mobility and performance behind the wheel. Here are some features the American Association of Retired Persons website (AARP.org) suggests are worth considering in a new car: • Safety: Blindspot detectors, collision warning with automatic braking, and cruise control that modifies your car’s speed to match traffic can reduce the risk of accidents. • USB ports: A port makes it easy to keep your phone powered up and connected to audio systems. • Seat warmers: In Rochester, heated seats are a must-have to counteract your natural instinct to tense up when you’re cold. • Self-parking technology: This option may appeal to you if you live in the city or a neighborhood where parallel parking is a way of life. • Automatic headlights: A sensor to detect light conditions and oncoming traffic turns your headlights on automatically when you start your car in the dark. It also activates the high beams on dark stretches of road, and then clicks them off when cars approach. • Keyless entry: This system detects a key fob in your purse or pocket and automatically unlocks the doors. A very handy thing to have when you’re bringing a load of groceries to your car. • Bluetooth connectivity: The wireless feature lets your phone talk

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AARP Smart Driver Course St. Ann’s Community will host a two-part AARP Smart Driver course at Chapel Oaks from 9 a.m.– noon, Tuesday, Feb. 11 and from 9 a.m.–noon Thursday, Feb. 13. The fee is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-AARP members. To reserve your spot, call Josie DiPisa at 585-697-6606. to your car — and you talk on your phone — without taking your eyes off the road. You may also be able to get voice-to-text software allowing you to send text messages on the go. • Backup camera: This valuable feature is now federally mandated standard equipment on cars. When driving in reverse, a backup camera lets you see behind your car and beeps when you come close to another object. • Be a safe driver longer: Smart cars still need an alert, cautious and knowledgeable driver behind the wheel. The AARP Smart Driver course, a research-based instructional class is a specially designed course for drivers aged 50 years and older and is an excellent opportunity to brush up on road safety, learn about new traffic laws, and the latest automotive technologies. Plus, you’ll receive up to a 10% discount on your auto insurance for three years. Josie DiPisa is a marketing representative for St. Ann’s Community at Chapel Oaks. Contact her at jtiberio@mystanns. com or visit www. stannscommunity. com. January 2020 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020

H ealth News Thompson opens OB-GYN practice in Geneva UR Medicine Thompson Health has opened a new OB-GYN location on at 765 Geneva Crossing Way in Geneva. The 5,000-sq.-ft. building, located near the intersection of routes 5 and 20 with Pre-Emption Road, was designed by Rozzi Architects and erected by Christa Construction. It is the fourth location for the Canandaigua Medical Group’s OB-GYN practice, which is affiliated with F.F. Thompson Hospital and also has locations in Canandaigua, Farmington and Victor. The building, which includes an ultrasound suite, is where both physician Francis Finneran and certified nurse-midwife Samera Sorell will see patients. A graduate of Albany Medical College, Finneran did his OB-GYN residency at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, joining the Canandaigua Medical Group in 2017. Sorell, who joined the group earlier this year, is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives and the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives who previously worked as a certified nurse-midwife for another regional health system. Both Finneran and Sorell will continue seeing patients at the Canandaigua location as well. Both deliver babies at Thompson’s Birthing Center, which holds advanced certification in perinatal care from The Joint Commission and is recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care.

Dr. McCann honored by Highland Hospital Foundation The Highland Hospital Foundation presented the 2019 Heritage Award to physician Robert McCann, a longtime member of the Highland Hospital board and former board chairman, at a ceremony at the Genesee Valley Club Dec. 4. The Heritage Award is the highest honor given by The Highland Hospital Foundation for philanthropic contributions. It honors a person or organization that plays a significant role at Highland Hospital and in the community through their time, talent and financial support. McCann has been an integral part of Rochester’s healthcare community for close to 35 years, has received many accolades and honors, and is regarded as a national and international expert in geriatric and end-of-life care. He has served

as chief of medicine at Highland Hospital for almost 20 years and also serves as chief executive officer of Accountable Health Partners. “Bob McCann embodies everything that makes Highland Hospital so special and valuable to our community,” said dentist Ned Nicosia, chairman of the Highland Foundation Board. “He has been Highland’s biggest cheerleader and supporter, extremely generous with his time, talent and financial support. We are so pleased to give Dr. McCann the highest honor given by the Highland Hospital Foundation.” The award has deep significance for McCann. “I have a profound commitment to Highland — our people, programs, patients and their families,” he said. “It’s important for all of us to collaborate and contribute our time and financial resources in support of this vibrant community hospital.”

Surgical patient care at Unity Hospital gets accolates The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) has recognized Unity Hospital as one of 88 out of 592 eligible hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2018. Unity Hospital is the only hospital in the Rochester area to be recognized.

“We are so proud to receive this extraordinary recognition. It reinforces our commitment to always putting patient safety first,” said Doug Stewart, Unity Hospital president. “Our teams have worked tirelessly to provide the high quality of care patients deserve and expect,” said Unity Hospital Chief Medical Officer Manuel Matos. “We are excited to be recognized for these quality outcomes.” ACS NSQIP participating hospitals are required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures. The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving a meritorious composite score in either an “all cases” category or only “high risk” cases. ACS determines the composite score through a different weighted formula combining eight outcomes including, mortality, cardiac: cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction, pneumonia, unplanned Intubation, ventilator > 48 hours, renal failure, SSI: superficial incisional SSI, deep incisional SSI, and organ/space SSI and UTI: urinary tract infection Unity Hospital was recognized in the “all cases” category. Five hundred and ninety-two of the 722 NSQIP hospitals participating in 2018 met the 3 year criteria to be eligible for meritorious consideration.

St. Ann’s recognized for assisting individuals with disabilities St. Ann’s Community has been recognized by the New York State Education Department of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for a demonstrated commitment in assisting individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment. The recognition was part of ACCES-VR’s observation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is observed every October. Both Irondequoit and Webster campuses of St. Ann’s Community were recognized by ACCES-VR for their efforts. St. Ann’s Community utilizes resources from ACCES-VR such as job coaching services in order to help prospective employees prepare for job interviews and connect them with the resources they need to be successful. “It’s important to us that our workforce represents the diversity of the Rochester community that we serve,” said Michelle Dwyer, human resources coordinator at St. Ann’s Community. “We’ve always been committed to hiring individuals from all different types of backgrounds, and we’re really proud to have a diverse workforce of over 1200 employees where everyone is differently talented.”

Jewish Senior Life Debuts New Neurobehavioral Rehab Program Program has a capacity for 20 patients and is currently accepting applications

ewish Senior Life recently opened a new neurobehavioral rehabilitation program — a specialized program designed for individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors related to brain injuries, neurological impairments such as dementia, or certain behavioral health conditions. The program is one of the first of its kind in Rochester, making it possible for individuals from the area to receive care close to home. “Having support can play a huge role in a person’s ability to recover and regain their independence,” said Mike King, president and CEO of Jewish Senior Life. “We have individuals coming to our program who have had to live away from their families for years. Now, people are able to get the care they need right here in Rochester. We’re so proud to make that possible for our community.” Individuals receiving treatment at Jewish Senior Life’s neurobehavioral rehabilitation program focus on developing behavioral manJanuary 2020 •

agement strategies based on their individual needs. Patients work oneon-one with highly trained medical professionals to achieve their maximum health and functional ability, so they are able to successfully manage a daily routine following discharge. “It’s really common for individuals affected by brain injury or dementia to have difficulty adapting to their environment, but unfortunately there is a limited number of rehabilitation programs in New York state equipped for this kind of care,” said Michael Celento, neurobehavioral program director, Jewish Senior Life. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of an organization that continually looks for opportunities to better serve the needs of our community, and I’m even prouder of our new neurobehavioral program that does just that.” An in-house team of behavioral health specialists, nurses and psychiatrists is available 24 hours a day for patient support, helping individuals develop increased independence and personal awareness through: behavioral counseling and stress manage-

ment; life and vocational skills; medical monitoring and support; care management; nutritional planning and dietary services; psychiatric consultation; recreation therapy that includes unique programs like horticulture, creative arts therapy, and neurologic music therapy; and access to a peaceful courtyard space, where patients can enjoy quiet reflection in a safe and enclosed area. For more information about the program, visit www.JewishHomeNeuro.org.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2020