More@Mercy - Nazareth Hospital - Fall 2015

@ FOLLOW-UP CARE: BY THE NUMBERS

ONE The number of Emergency Departments in Northeast Philadelphia with a senior care nurse navigator.

12

The average number of senior Emergency Department patients receiving followup calls from Senior Care Nurse Navigator Lindsay Lion every day.

150

The number of languages the hospital’s translation service provides for follow-up calls to patients.

FALL 2015

First-class follow-up care HOW NURSE NAVIGATORS CAN HELP SENIORS STAY WELL The morning after falling and hitting her head on a sink in her home, 72-year-old Philadelphian Linda Fein was concerned.

“I wasn’t dizzy or nauseated, but things didn’t feel right,” she recalls. She debated—should she call relatives who live 20 minutes away? They’d gladly help. But Linda, a retired librarian, treasures her lifelong independence. “I’m not going to bother them unless I know something’s serious,” she says. After some deliberating, she thought, “This is ridiculous—just go to the hospital and have it checked out.”

To Linda’s relief, a CT scan in the Emergency Department at Nazareth Hospital showed everything was OK. And two ­— Continued on page 2

IN THIS ISSUE

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THE SECRET TO AGING WELL Three tips for staying healthy

COUNT ON OUR CARE We are experts on aging

BE OF GOOD CHEER Five ways to keep your spirits up

FIND US ONLINE Check us out on the web: mercyhealth.org/locations/ nazareth-hospital.

Senior Care Nurse Navigator Lindsay Lion, BSN, RN, CEN

First-class follow-up care ­— Continued from page 1 days later, even more relief came via a telephone call.

Dedicated to you The call was from Emergency Department Senior Care Nurse Navigator Lindsay Lion, BSN, RN, CEN. Lindsay calls patients ages 65 and up within 48 hours after they leave the Emergency Department. She makes sure they’re getting the right follow-up care.

On any given day Lindsay might: •• Arrange a home health visit •• Explain how to change a bandage •• Help to get prescriptions filled She also offers patients something less tangible but equally important: reassurance.

“Lindsay asked how I was; did I have any unusual symptoms; and was there anything she could do,” says Linda. “She even offered her phone number should I be concerned and want to reach out.”

According to Linda, many people appreciate knowing someone is there. “We senior citizens don’t like bothering relatives for something that could be minor—even if it is still worrying us. But with Lindsay, here’s somebody At every stage of saying ‘don’t hesitate to call life, you can turn to me.’ It’s also comforting because if something Nazareth Hospital. seems off, I don’t have to To learn more about return to the Emergency our services, call Department unless an 1.866.NAZARETH expert who knows my situation advises me it’s (1.866.629.2738). what I should do.”

Choose specialized care If you or a senior you love needs emergency care, rest assured: Nazareth Hospital’s dedicated nurse navigator is there to ensure first-class follow-up care—and peace of mind.

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SENIOR HEALTH

3 keys to aging well Americans are living longer than ever before. But what’s the secret to healthy aging?

Two of Mercy Health System’s geriatricians share these tips to help you stay well and get better care: Keep moving and engaged. “My healthiest patients are the ones who remain the most active,” says Lee Celio, MD. “They’re out there walking every day, and they’re active socially.” Being active with other seniors, visiting community centers or spending time with family are some ways to stay connected.

“You have to resist sitting and watching TV all day and isolating yourself,” Dr. Celio says.

Get checkups. You might figure, I’m healthy. Why bother? “But by the time you do go to the doctor because you have a minor symptom you’ve been putting off, it could be a major problem,” says Stanley Depman, MD. You might add years to your life by discovering something easily treatable you didn’t even know you had, he says.

Choose a doctor you’re comfortable with.

It might help you to ask questions and make informed decisions. “What’s more, you shouldn’t feel hesitant to call your doctor if you have a problem. If you truly have a good rapport with your physician, he’s not going to think you’re a bother,” Dr. Celio says.

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FIND THE BEST CARE To learn how Nazareth Hospital can help you through the years, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Are you living with pain?

FIND OUT HOW THESE THREE CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED New curves as a teenager. Laugh lines in middle age. Silver hair in the golden years.

Throughout life, women adjust to many physical changes. But they shouldn’t have to live with constant discomfort.

At Nazareth Hospital, interventional radiologists are specialists at relieving women’s pain. Each of the following three conditions can be treated using minimally invasive procedures:

Fibroid tumors These are benign (noncancerous) growths in the uterus. But they can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, constipation and pain.

How they’re treated: uterine fibroid embolization.

This procedure is performed to block blood flow to the fibroids.

“This lets the uterus shrink so symptoms go away,” says Diane Robinson, MD, a gynecologist with Mercy Women’s Healthcare at Nazareth Hospital. She believes this can be a great alternative to hysterectomy for women nearing menopause.

hollow needle to create a path into the fractured bone. A tiny balloon is inserted through the needle and inflated—creating space to inject cement, which stabilizes the spine.

“Outpatients are generally discharged two to three hours after the procedure,” says Joel Neuman, MD, an interventional radiologist with Nazareth Hospital.

And there are no stitches or staples.

Varicose veins When circulation problems cause veins in the legs to swell, it can be painful to stand.

How they’re treated: endovenous ablation.

First a catheter is placed into the swollen leg vein. “Then we use a heat source or chemical to shrink the vein,” Dr. Neuman says. “There aren’t many restrictions afterward— we encourage people to start walking immediately.”

Tired of living with pain? Minimally invasive procedures may help.

Each procedure usually takes under an hour. And short recovery times give women a fast track back to their normal activities.

We’re here to help There are a lot of women living with pain who don’t think they have any options. “But there are many ways to manage these conditions now,” says Dr. Robinson. “If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor about them and find out about minimally invasive treatments.”

“We work as a team with our referring physicians to achieve the best results possible,” says Dr. Neuman.

WE SPECIALIZE IN WOMEN’S HEALTH Call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738) for a referral.

Osteoporotic fractures Osteoporosis can cause painful fractures in the spine. They’re more common in older women.

How they’re treated: kyphoplasty.

The fracture is fixed by using a

WOMEN’S HEALTH: BY THE NUMBERS

1 out of 2 Number of people ages 50 and older who have varicose veins in their legs.

1 in 3 Women who have pelvic pain sometime in their lives.

50%

Percentage of African American women with fibroid tumors of a significant size.

Source: Society of Interventional Radiology

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AGING AND CANCER

Care you can count on CANCER RISK INCREASES WITH AGE, BUT NAZARETH HOSPITAL IS HERE TO HELP Good things come with growing older— wisdom, life stories and senior discounts are just a few.

But aging also brings its share of challenges, including an increased risk of cancer.

If you’re 65 or older, that’s nothing to fear.

But it is reason to stay alert.

Know the risk According to the American Geriatrics Society, half of all U.S. cancers occur in people older than 65.

“Cancer is a disease of aging, and we expect to see more of it going forward because the population is aging,” says Amy MacKenzie, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and geriatric oncologist at Mercy Hematology/Oncology at Nazareth Hospital.

Aging cells don’t always repair themselves and replicate correctly. That can result in mutations—and, ultimately, cancer.

Even so, you can lower your risk. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do.

Other steps you can take include eating well, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and using sunscreen.

screening tests are valuable.

“As you age, regular screenings, when appropriate, and checkups become even more important,” says Dr. MacKenzie. These tests can detect cancer early—often when it is easier to treat. And certain tests may catch “pre-cancer” before it becomes cancer.

“Talk to your doctor about which screenings are right for you,” Dr. MacKenzie advises.

Weighing the risks and benefits may help you decide which tests make the most sense for you.

Stay vigilant Of course, people who take every precaution sometimes get cancer too. That’s why

“As you age, regular screenings, when appropriate, and checkups become even more important. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are right for you.”

—Amy MacKenzie, MD

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On your side If you find out you have cancer, keeping in contact with your healthcare team is crucial.

It’s essential to openly discuss your expectations and concerns about the diagnosis. Talk with your physician about all the treatment options available to you. And ask how you can receive support and guidance during this time.

Nazareth Hospital offers a full range of

Scott Richard, MD

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Cancer expert joins the Nazareth Hospital team When it comes to treating cancer, experience matters. That’s why Nazareth Hospital is pleased to welcome Scott Richard, MD, to our medical staff. As a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Richard specializes in treating cancers of the female reproductive system.

“When you’re looking for someone to do these types of surgery, you want someone who does them a lot,” says Amy MacKenzie, MD, a geriatric oncologist at Nazareth Hospital. “It just improves quality.”

Dr. Richard is part of a comprehensive team at Nazareth, all working to offer you the best cancer care possible.

cancer expertise and services, including those of Dr. MacKenzie. She’s trained to address older patients’ needs.

Many people often have multiple health problems and other challenges that may affect their treatment options. These might include financial difficulties or concerns about how they’ll find transport to get to their appointments.

Dr. MacKenzie looks at the big picture, helping patients find solutions and creating a plan tailored to each specific circumstance.

“We’re not just treating a cancer,” she says.

“We’re providing you with the exceptional treatment and compassionate care you deserve.”

FIND THE RIGHT CARE For more information about cancer care at Nazareth, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

MOST COMMON CANCERS*:

BY THE NUMBERS

New cases expected in the U.S. in 2015 Men

Women

Prostate

220,800

Breast

231,840

Lung

115,610

Lung

105,590

Colorectal

69,090

Colorectal

63,610

Bladder

56,320

Uterine corpus

54,870

Lymphoma

44,950

Thyroid

47,230

Melanoma

42,670

Lymphoma

35,950

Leukemia

30,900

Melanoma

31,200

Kidney

38,270

Pancreas

24,120

Liver

25,510

Leukemia

23,370

Pancreas

24,840

Kidney

23,290

*Excludes noninvasive cancer of any site except urinary bladder and does not include basal and squamous cell skin cancers.

Source: American Cancer Society

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3 services for better health Mercy Home Health offers a wide range of services, including:

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Skilled nursing. A nurse will assess your health, provide treatment and education after a hospital stay, or assist you in managing a chronic condition such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure.

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Physical therapy. Most home health patients benefit from therapy to help them get stronger after an illness or surgery. A physical therapist can help you use equipment—such as a cane or walker—that may have been issued in the Emergency Department.

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Occupational therapy.

Therapists can help you adjust to a health condition by teaching you new ways of doing daily activities at home—for example, after a stroke, a surgery or any other condition that affects your ability to be independent with dressing, bathing and food preparation.

After the ER LET MERCY HOME HEALTH BE THERE FOR YOU Have you recently had to visit the Emergency Department? Maybe you have a chronic health problem that took a sudden turn for the worse. Or an injury or illness that caught you by surprise.

Nobody ever wants to go to the Emergency Department—or return any time soon. So it’s good to know about home health options that could help treat your health condition, says Ruth Martynowicz, Vice President of Operations at Mercy Home Health.

Home care isn’t just for people who’ve been to the Emergency Department or admitted to the hospital, Ruth points out. It can help those who may have gone to the Emergency Department and—after receiving care—were discharged home. “Going home after being in the Emergency Department or hospital can be quite scary,” she says. “Home health can provide the support needed to feel safe, secure and properly kick off the healing process.”

A little-known option Many people may qualify for home

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health. But patients and their doctors don’t always think about it.

“This is an option many people might not know that they have access to,” Ruth says. “It really can give you more confidence in your ability to manage your health,” she says.

For example, with Mercy Home Health, a nurse, therapist or other expert might visit a couple times a week to: •• Check on your health •• Teach you about your condition and how to control it •• Help you organize and manage your medications •• Help care for a wound •• Coordinate your care among all your doctors and specialists •• Assess the risks of falls and other safety issues at home

COULD HOME HEALTH HELP YOU? Find out by experiencing the high quality of care that the Mercy Home Health team provides. To learn more, call 1.888.690.2551 or visit mercyhomehealth.org.

LIVE WELL WITH DIABETES

Eat healthy and be merry Are visions of sugar plums dancing in your head?

There’s no doubt that the holidays are a deliciously tempting time of year. But life with diabetes means you must keep a close eye on your diet.

Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t savor the festivities along with everyone else. Just follow these tips to keep you—and your blood sugar numbers—on a merry track.

Plan ahead. Heading to a holiday get-together? Offer to bring your favorite healthy side dish. And have a small snack before you go. That way you won’t be overly hungry or tempted to overeat when you get there.

Pick and choose. Take a look at all the dishes offered.

Choose just a few things you really want to try, and take reasonable portions of each. If you want to sample everything, just a little of each.

For refreshment, aim to sip water rather than calorie-filled drinks. And try to put some distance between you and the buffet. You might move to another room to visit with friends and family, where you’ll be less tempted to snack the night away.

Put your walking shoes on. Make time to exercise every day.

If you overindulge, head outside after your meal for an extra bit of walking to help work it off.

HEALTH STARTS AT HOME Diabetes self-management is just one of Mercy Home Health’s many programs for an all-around healthier you. Our expert team delivers care throughout the five-county Philadelphia area. To learn more, call 1.888.690.2551.

Hope for the holidays 5 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR SPIRITS Another holiday season is here.

But you may be feeling less than jolly—and not especially in the mood to be merry.

Depending on your circumstances, the times of year that are joyful to others may be the times that are most difficult for you. So what can you do to navigate them?

Here are five ways to keep your spirits up throughout the holiday season.

Share your feelings. Call a friend, family member or pastor and be honest about how you’re doing. For example, you might let them know: “I’m feeling sad, because this is the first Thanksgiving without my partner.”

Keep it low-key. Have you been invited to a party? Consider attending for a shorter time than usual. Let the host know that you may leave quietly and a little early.

Try something different. Go out to eat instead of cooking that big holiday meal. Try new holiday recipes, activities or destinations. You’ll be making new memories at the same time.

Make someone’s day. You might visit a relative who is sick, help wrap Christmas gifts for Toys for Tots or volunteer at a local organization, for instance.

Take care of you. Treat yourself right, with plenty of sleep, exercise and nutritious food. And pamper yourself with a haircut, a massage or a pedicure.

Finally, if you find yourself feeling worthless or helpless—or with ongoing feelings of sadness— pay attention. These are signs of more serious depression. Reach out to a professional for help.

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AND

Good reasons to get screened Don’t let illness sneak up on you.

Paying attention to your health, even when you feel fine, can make staying well easier in the long term. Jeffrey Olson, DO, a family medicine physician at Mercy Primary Care–Holme Avenue, explains why regular screening tests and checkups with a doctor are good ways to take control of your health.

What is a screening?

Answer Health screenings involve the use of tests, exams or other procedures to detect a disease early in people who look well or aren’t having symptoms. These exams can make it easier to spot problems early, when treatment is often more effective. They might even prevent a problem from developing in the first place.

Q

Is it worth my time?

Q Answer Absolutely—health screenings are important. Catching a condition early or preventing it from developing can change the course of disease and improve your long-term chances of doing well.

How would I know which tests are for me?

Answer A conversation with your doctor can help you find out which screenings are right for you. For instance, if you are a 40-year-old male, it may not be a bad idea to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight checked. For women, beginning at age 40, we like to discuss starting screening for breast cancer. In men and women at age 50, we start colorectal cancer screening.

Q

Will it cost me anything?

Answer Today, many preventive care services are covered by insurance at no additional cost.

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SCREENINGS SAVE LIVES Which screenings do you need? A primary care physician can help you decide. To find a physician who is right for you, call 1.866.NAZARETH (1.866.629.2738).

Getting to know you Name: Jeffrey Olson, DO Specialty: Family medicine (board-certified) Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Internship and residency: Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown Office location: Mercy Primary Care–Holme Avenue (215.624.6007) Personal: Raised in Delaware County; has a twin brother MORE @ MERCY is published as a commu­nity ­service for the friends and patrons of ­Mercy Health System.

Information in MORE @ MERCY comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you would like to stop receiving this publication, please email IAtMercy@ mercyhealth.org. 2015 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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