Healthcare in Union County
Debilitating illness prompts dollhouse hobby Residents take their corn-eating seriously ‘The Pearl’ of Union County
August - October 2015 www.UnionLifestyle.com
UNION
Lifestyle
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Editor
Away From Public View
Nancy E. Stephen
Photographers
Wingate grad
Nancy E. Stephen Jason Walle Suzanne Walters
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Union Lifestyle
A publication of Cameo Communications, LLC PO Box 1064 Monroe, NC 28111-1064
Legendary performer calls Union County ‘home.’
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leads the university.
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Dollhouses
Debilitating illness turns man into dollhouse craftsman.
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Grilling Out
Chilled side dishes give a cool touch.
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On the cover
Dr. Roy Blank, a volunteer with Community Health Services of Union County, checks the feet of a diabetic patient for neuropathy. Photo by Nancy E. Stephen
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Healthcare in Union County
16 - It’s not just doctors anymore. 17 - Non-profit gives out $75 million in prescriptions.
Bob Zip serves variety of Asian foods.
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How do you eat your corn on the cob?
18 - Is it really an emergency?
20 - Community Health tackles diabetes. 21 - Hospice preserves quality of life.
22 - Local healthcare has changed dramatically. 24 - In-home services aid people at home.
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Event Calendar Lots of fun things to do in Union.
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 3
I may not be Julie Andrews, but these are a few of my favorite things
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juicy tomato sandwich, or better yet, a BLT. You just can’t beat summer’s fresh tomatoes, with just a tad of salt and pepper. I remind myself to enjoy them now because those winter pastel, shipped-in, hard-as-a-rock, tasteless tomatoes are just around the corner. n Watching a child enjoy an ice cream cone. Sticky drips down the arms and a cream mustache don’t even register on a toddler’s radar screen. And you can read pure bliss on his face. If he could, he would say, “It doesn’t get much better than this!” n Roundabouts or traffic circles. It’s a minor thing, to be sure, but it’s nice to keep moving. Now if we can only get people to merge into the flow a little faster. n Good news. The continuous litany of bad news, negative and inflammatory comments and horrendous behavior by what seems to be almost every public figure drags me down emotionally. With everyone having a voice on social media, which in itself is not a bad thing, I’ve learned to scroll past comments after reading the first line. I might be turning into a Pollyanna. “Fluff” is what we old-school newspaper people used to call what I now want to read! n The TV mute button. It makes the over-the-top screaming commentary and negativity go away, allowing me to “believe” the speakers are talking about cute puppies, tomatoes and a burgeoning economy, despite their pointing fingers and scowling red faces. n A convertible with the top down. With safety as a concern, I don’t ride “topless” very often. But when I do, it’s a simple pleasure. The gentle breeze sending my golden locks ever so slightly awry . . . OK, that’s a bit of hyperbole, but that’s the mental image as opposed to the mirror image of a tangled mess. n Grilled anything. Whoever invented the gas grill is my hero. Within a few minutes, you can have vegetables sizzling on the grill beside meat or fish. Younger folks may not remember the tedious hour of squirting charcoal with lighter fluid and waiting for the coals to turn white. Just as the meat finally was cooked, the coals were truly at grilling point. n Sitting under an awning in a slow summer shower. I can almost remember this sensation – it seems a very long time since my area has received a gentle rain that lasted more than a few minutes. n Freshly-cut grass. It smells so good, I could almost eat it. n Scones. I’d rather have one scone than a dozen donuts. I’ve convinced myself that scones, while not a health food, are better for me than cake. n The first “hit” of Coke. I rarely indulge in soft drinks and almost never in a dark variety, having read the data about their impact on bones. But every now and then, a good palate-cleansing hit of Coke is wonderful. Editor@UnionLifestyle.com
Former Wingate student returns as 10th president
Away from public view
Rhett Brown epitomizes “college student does well.” Earlier this year, the Wingate University graduate was named the 10th president of Wingate. Childhood ambition – I had a weird obsession with dolphins, so I decided to be an oceanographer when I grew up. Little did I know that oceanography had nothing to do with dolphins. I was 7 or 8, and it had "ocean" in the title, so I thought they were related. Guilty pleasure – I really enjoy watching quality, depressing television series. My favorites of all time are The Wire, The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. My current obsessions are The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. I probably don't want to delve too deeply into the personal psychology of this. Guilty splurge – My wife, Nicci, has relatives in Hawaii. And for several years, we've tried to get to Oahu in the summer. Our favorite beach is the one President Obama enjoys in Kailua. It's a great break, but it ain't cheap. Inspiration – Abraham Lincoln, without a doubt. His Gettysburg Address moves me every time I read it or hear it. I love the Lincoln Memorial and get emotional each time I'm there. I simply think he was a visionary leader, super intelligent and a person of great integrity. Challenge – Balancing all the things I want to do in my new role – for our students, our employees and our community – with fiscal responsibility. As a consulting friend said, “No margin equals no mission.” I need to be patient and not let our dreams outpace our checkbook. Greatest accomplishment – My first job at Wingate was to start a student-led volunteer service organization. We called it UCAN – University and Community Assistance Network. It's still around, and the young people involved are still doing good things for others. Its longevity is satisfying. Greatest joy in life – Food and fun with my family. Real life hero – Arsene Wenger, soccer coach for Arsenal Football Club in London. His teams play beautiful soccer, his players are devoted to him, and he runs a sports organization that is self-sustaining financially. And besides, he's a French economist who speaks multiple languages coaching soccer in England . . . what's not to love? Lemons to lemonade – I received a scholarship to play football at Wofford College after junior college. Before I arrived on campus, the entire coaching staff who recruited me was fired. The new coach was not impressed when I showed up to sign my scholarship. It was his first day on the job, and he had never seen me play. He took one look at me and said, "No wonder they were fired." At that point, I needed to look for another school. So I came to Wingate. Now I'm the president. I'd say that's a happy ending. Mantra – Work for a cause, not for applause. Take time to do what makes you happy.
Jason Walle Photo
Lifetime on stage
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Weddington resident Earl Dawkins performs beach music in a career spanning multiple decades By Todd Bennington
ust off Weddington-Matthews Road in Western Union County you’ll find the home of "The Pearl” of Union County.
No, not Earl "The Pearl" Monroe of NBA fame, but two-time Beach Music Hall of Fame Inductee Earl Dawkins, owner and lead singer for The Entertainers Band, who earned his nickname from his silky smooth voice. Earl moved from Charlotte to Weddington 29 years ago where he still lives with his wife, Gail. When asked why Union County, he replied, “To be honest, my wife dragged me here against my will because of a pretty wooded lot she found. Turns out, she was right, as usual.
“I love the friendliness of the people, the reasonable taxes, our swim club and it’s just a great location. I don’t ever want to live anywhere else.”
Last year, The Entertainers were named “Beach Music Group of the Year” by the Carolina Beach Music Association and Earl, Gary Alexander and David Floyd won Songwriter of the Year for “Maybe We Can Still Be Friends” which topped the chart on 94.9 The Surf in North Myrtle Beach for 13 weeks. Coupled with “Summer Love,” The Entertainers held the top spot on the Surf Top Twenty for 25 weeks last year. About his decades in the music business, he says the performing business is not just what you see. “Most people think once the show is over, your work is done. That’s not the case. I spend the majority of my time running the business, not singing. There are logistic and personnel
6 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
issues, payrolls to meet, working with clients, advertising, arranging bookings, etc. On-stage time, while the most rewarding, is just one part of what it takes to make it happen. “Oh, and don’t forget the drive time,” he adds.
Earl recalls being scared once on stage when stage dressing went awry.
“Years ago when we used flash pods in our shows, there was parachute cloth hanging from the ceiling in the venue. One of the flash pots had too much powder and caused a big explosion and caught the cloth on fire. Thought we were all goners! Fortunately, we got it under control and no one was injured.”
The band entertains a wide variety of sizes and types of audiences, including weddings, corporate parties, festivals, summer concert series and club dates from Maryland to Florida, always playing beach and popular dance music. “We typically play for folks who just want to dance and have a good time, and we do our very best to accommodate them.”
“Of course, Star Search (where his previous band The Rivieras competed) had a 33 million worldwide audience so that was by far the biggest,” he adds. “Some of the beach music festivals we do along with other bands can easily attract audiences in the thousands.” The group also entertains the home crowd, recording six CDs, one which will be out in August and available at BeachMusicOnline.com, and included on compilation CDs. While the hours and travel might grow old with some folks, Earl has never wanted to do anything else.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to continue to do what I enjoy doing for a living. It’s nowhere near as glamorous as some people think but it does have its moments and I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe a few. “
www.TheEntertainersBand.com
The journey to his career started early
Earl began his lengthy musical journey when he received his first set of drums at age 8. With the encouragement of his parents, he began having jam sessions with his cousin on bass and a friend on guitar.
At 12, he got his first paying job at The Cavern on Central Avenue in Charlotte with a band called The Excels. Their total take was $40.
Three years later, he began playing with an established group called The Aqualads and cut his first record, Ain’t Gonna Ride, at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte. During his teen years, the band traveled the U.S. and Canada backing up such stars as Arthur Conley, Barbara Lewis, Clifford Curry and Major Lance.
Earl then migrated to another band called The Rivieras, which eventually became Sugarcreek – another Charlotte area band that performed on Ed McMahon’s Star Search TV show. Ironically, Earl was on the same show as a solo male contestant.
In 1975, he was recruited by The Catalinas, one of the original beach music bands who, along with the Embers, wrote many hits and anthems.
The Catalinas had just recorded “Summertime’s Callin’ Me” one of the top five beach music songs of all times. During his time with The Catalinas, Earl was the lead singer and for a brief period doubled on drums.
Five years later, he and Doug Adams, trombone player from The Catalinas, formed The Entertainers, which Earl still leads today. The Entertainers have become a top-tier beach music band that lives up to its name by playing everything from Sinatra to Maroon 5, and from Big and Rich to Pharrell Williams.
Contributor Todd Bennington, a 30-year Union County resident, is a musician and a freelance writer. Contributed Photos
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 7
There are dollhouses. . . . . . and there are Barry Roberson’s dollhouses
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Text and Photos by Nancy E. Stephen
arry Roberson’s doctor told him he had progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder that causes progressive problems with gait and balance, along with complex eye movement and thinking problems. In even rarer cases, the symptoms are more similar to Parkinson’s Disease, and some individuals may even have tremors. Barry has the very rare diagnosis and was He started with a kit, “but it was just not what I given a life expectancy of four to seven years. wanted to do.” Now, he uses a kit frame and lets his imagination take off from Although the disease “is Barry speaks plainly about his there. Not only does he build slowing me down, I’m not condition. “I used to fall every day; I’ve the outside of the house, he going to give up. I’m broken every bone you can think of.” decorates the inside, placing going to go as long as I furniture, pictures and Now he wears a medical jacket with can go. sometimes even a pet. “And I metal plates in it, weighing about 15 “I’m almost halfway to 20 pounds, which can be moved always put a mailbox with through the life around the jacket depending on their name on it,” he adds. expectancy,” he says, “and where they are needed to it’s getting harder and Early on, friends wanted a counterbalance his leaning tendencies. harder to walk.” model of the family’s old
His doctor told him to keep his hands moving as therapy for tremors. “I had built a dollhouse (from a kit) about 20 years ago, and said ‘I might start that again’.” That was the start of Barry’s dollhouse construction hobby. The 57-year-old, who took medical retirement from AT&T after 33 years, has built not just dollhouses, but lighthouses, barns, churches, beach houses, hunting cabins “and Pleasant Grove Campground’s arbor. He gave his first house to a girl with cancer, then a barn for two little boys with health issues. By word of mouth, I got more requests and they got more and more elaborate.”
8 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
homestead house, which Barry built from scratch. “I learned a lot on it. When you build out of a kit, everything supports itself. This was an old house with a big, high roof – more roof than building. When I built the second floor, there was too much weight and it cracked.” “My boss from AT&T asked me to build a house to raise money for the company’s United Way campaign.” The buyer told him to give it to the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte, which also sold it to raise funds.
“I agreed to build them (Ronald McDonald House) three a year as long as I’m able. I’ve built them two so far.”
In all, Barry has built about 21 “houses,” each taking an average of three weeks. “It depends on what it is, how big it is, how enthused I am about it, who it’s for. If it’s for a kid with cancer or someone who needs something good to happen, I’m more motivated. “I don’t take any money for them. If people want to pay, I tell them, ‘Whatever you think it’s worth, you give it to somebody else’.” A relative suggested early on that it isn’t “manly” to build dollhouses. “I told him I was building a dollhouse especially for him, and the color drained from his face. I built him a hunting lodge – now it’s a prized possession.” He’s built “man cave barns” for friends – “I’m an Arkansas fan, it pained me to paint the Ohio State and Alabama signs.” And he didn’t stop there. As with all of his “houses,” he bought items online for decorations. “They’ve become more and more elaborate; they’re pretty detailed.” Barry and friend Jerry Griffin built the Pleasant Grove arbor at an exact 1/39 scale. “We built it with notches, exactly the way it is.” Their attention to detail went as far as the correct number of church pews and ceiling fans. The
Contributed Photo
roof lifts off so that you can see inside. Typically, his houses are open at the back like traditional dollhouses. Building dollhouses “has been good for me with my disease. My hands don’t shake much at all because of the medicine. When they do shake, if
I go back there and work, it goes away. I think it’s God’s way to telling me that’s what I’m supposed to do. “I work most every day; a lot of times I stay in there all day long. Most of the time I’m building two at a time. I do it in the house, which causes a lot of dust, but (his wife) Dawn doesn’t mind.” Through his website and Facebook page, Barry’s expertise has become well-known. “I have a guy from Norway who wants me to build him one.” Barry’s building career hasn’t been without problems. “I cut the ends of two fingers off one day, and the doctor sewed them on. My wife took me home and told me to just sit down. I went back and cut two more fingertips off. “We went back to the hospital where it was the same shift of people. I told them. ‘You did such a good job with my left hand that I wanted to see what you would do with my other hand’,” he said. “That’s the first time I’ve heard my wife swear.” www.MrBarryDollhouses.com
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 9
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Bob Zip: Go hungry, enjoy diverse
f you’re looking for a new take on Asian food, Bob Zip in Stallings is a place to try. The tiny restaurant adds a wide variety of Korean, Indonesian and Thai dishes to the standard Chinese and Japanese fare.
You need to know
1. Huge portions, plan to take a lot home for future meals.
2. Steaming hot entrees. Our waiter asked if we wanted our dishes brought out as they were made to order, that is, not sitting under a heat lamp until all were made. Yes, please. 3. Pickled radish “amuse-bouche” was very different – crunchy and flavorful.
Designed primarily as a take-out restaurant, Bob Zip features seating for about 20 – at best. But that doesn’t mean the presentation wasn’t good. In fact, our reviewers were quite impressed with the plating of the dishes; all were attractively plated on real dishware.
Eating Out in Union Our group of six shared four appetizers, which were plenty. The Cream Cheese Crab Rangoon (five pieces for $4.95) was beautifully presented and quite tasty. No imitation crab here – the crab flavor really came through.
Several fans of lettuce wraps were pleasantly surprised by Bob Zip’s version of the dish. Instead of head lettuce, the filling of seared mushrooms, scallions, water chestnuts and choice of chicken, beef, pork or shrimp, is served over crunchy tempura flakes on Romaine lettuce. Very hearty and very savory. The $5 appetizer would be gracious plenty for an adult’s entrée.
Spicy Edamame ($4) also
Here’s the skinny
Ambiance: Tiny restaurant, primarily takeout, but cute seating for about 20.
Menu: Enormous menu of Asian foods, including Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, Indonesian and Thai.
Quality: Steaming platters of hot food with fresh vegetables
and tender meats. Everything made to order.
Service: Cooking is done by one person. The waiter asked if we wanted our meals as they were individually cooked or held for group delivery. We recommend the staggered timeframe. 10 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
Cream Cheese Crab Rangoon
Lettuce Ssam (wraps)
was a hit. A bowl of steaming whole baby green soybeans were topped with a spicy coating of Japanese schichimi and kosher salt. One diner said the spices “had a little authority – my lips were burning after a few.” A steamed bun small plate ($5 for two) was surprising; we were expecting a Chinese-style stuffed bun, but they were open-faced buns folded up like a taco.
Value: Great value. Dine in or take out. Will we return? Absolutely! Actually, we’ve already been
back.
Bob Zip 1369 Chestnut Lane Matthews, NC (actually in Stallings city limit) (704) 821-0888 Phone; (704) 821-8802 Fax www.bobzip.com Open every day, 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; lunch until 3 p.m.
e foods, take home tomorrow’s meal! Steamed Buns
mushy! The ($11) dish featured soy, garlic, ginger plus onion, pepper and zucchini.
Kung Pao Chicken ($9.50), one of the daily specials, was sweet and sour and crunchy with cashews, as well as quite spicy. Mee Goreng Pasta, ($6.95/$9.95), an Indonesian-Malaysian noodle stir-fry, was very colorful with egg noodles, chicken, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, snow peas and mushrooms. It was stir-fried, very filling and generous in portion.
chicken with vegetables, was very colorful and served on a black plate for a beautiful contrast. There was a flame icon on the menu for this entree, but it was not overly spicy. Our diner especially liked the chunks of potato in this dish, saying they weren't
We also tried a hibachi trio of chicken, steak and shrimp ($13.95) and a double crunchy tuna sushi.
The sushi (six pieces for $11.95) by itself was enough for one diner.
If there is a weak point, we’d say it is the rice side dishes. They were OK but not great, but they were truly secondary to the main dishes, which were delightful.
Double Crunchy Tuna Sushi
Filled with cucumber, carrot, cilantro, lettuce, caramelized onion, tomatoes, scallion and your choice of meat, they were quite filling and tasty.
Bob Zip has an enormous menu of entrees, ranging from small Asian salad plates that include squid and octopus for the adventuresome, to Asian pancakes, fried plates, soups, special rices, stir-fried noodles, fusion noodles (Italian pasta, Korean-Chinese egg noodles, udon noodles), Chinese, Japanese and Korean entrees, plus a list of daily specials. Oh yes, there’s a separate sushi menu with approximately 100 items!
Yaki Soba ($6.95 lunch/$9.95 dinner) a Japanese stirfry, was a generous portion of slender egg noodles with slivers of veggies in a light, flavorful sauce. You can add chicken or tofu for $1, beef for $1.50 or shrimp for $2 – prices you don’t see often. The leftovers from the dinner portion served an adult and a child the next day.
Dal Galbi, a Korean entrée of spicy
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 11
Anything on the grill makes a great meal. Add the No matter what you call it – we spend a lot of time grilling, BBQing or simply cooking out our summer meals. It’s a way of life in the South.
Grilled meat or fish may take the spotlight for many outdoor dinners, but add the perfect side dish, and your ordinary dinner is ramped up to a new level. We asked Mark Sitzer, executive chef at Rolling Hills Country Club, and Holly Tartaglia, owner/gardener and mom at Whisper Creek Farm for their favorite side dishes to complement grilled meat. Their choices are cool, classy and easy – and isn’t that what you want when you’re grilling out in Union County’s hot, hot summer?
Kale Parmesan Salad 1/2 C
1/4 C
extra-virgin olive oil
lemon juice
3
cloves of garlic, pressed, minced or mashed
Pinch
red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/2 C 2T
14 oz
finely grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus shaved for garnish
Italian bread crumbs, toasted (optional)
fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
In a large bowl, wisk together the first five ingredients. Add chopped kale and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes. Add grated cheese and bread crumbs and toss. Garnish with shaved cheese before serving. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to two days.
When Burt and Gina Loftis of frequently are grilling healthy shrimp and fresh vegetables.
se chilled sides for a cool touch to your hot meat! Blue Cheese, Bacon & Red Bliss Potato Salad
1C 1C 1T 1 2 lb 2T 1T ½C ŸC
sour cream mayonnaise ranch dressing seasoning juice of one lemon Red Bliss potatoes scallions, chopped parsley, chopped blue cheese crumbles bacon crumbles salt and pepper to taste
Boil potatoes until soft; cool and slice. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and ranch seasoning. In a medium bowl, place sliced potatoes, bacon crumbles, scallions, parsley, blue cheese crumbles. Pour the sour cream mixture over and gently fold in. Season with salt and pepper; serve cold.
Marinated Mushrooms
Unionville grill out, they food such as veggie burgers,
1 lb 1 small 1/2 1/2 1/3 C 1/4 C 1 2T 1 1/2 tsp 1/4 tsp 2T Dash
mushrooms, whole onion, julienned red pepper, julienned green pepper, julienned apple cider vinegar salad oil clove garlic, minced sugar salt pepper water Tobasco
Wash mushrooms and pat dry. Place in a medium bowl with onions and peppers. Place remaining ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour liquid over the mushrooms, onions and peppers. Marinate overnight. Drain and serve.
How do I love thee?
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Let me count the ways.
By Nancy E. Stephen
Here’s how we enjoy our corn
Most countians we talked to – 80 percent – eat their corn from side to side, a few rows at a time. After that similarity, eating styles and nuances vary widely. lizabeth Barrett Browning might have been talking Do you start at the left? The right? Big end or little? So many about a person, but her sonnet could just as aptly be directed to options. Here are some of the varieties we heard. corn – as in corn on the cob. t In rows, right to left with the little end at the right. We’re in the midst of prime lip-smacking, corn in the t In rows, left to right with the big end at the right. teeth and smeared up the t Short rows, starting in the middle and going to the cheek corn on the cob time. left. Turn the ear around and repeat the process. In North Carolina, we It’s obvious that which hand is holding the big end typically have two months is of vital importance to some! You don’t want to to enjoy fresh-from-the-field rock the boat with these folks! corn, and many of us are t In rows, moving back and forth like a teletype making the most of the machine between right to left and left to right, season. Mother Nature depending on where the last pass ended. played a cruel joke on us t Start in the middle and going around slowly this year, depriving the working toward to one end. “Then I go back and do crops of rain which the same thing with the other side.” hampered some corn crops. t Around in circle, starting at big end, with the husk While it’s available: corn as a handle. for lunch and dinner, anyone? Throw in a stillt Randomly, wherever there is corn. warm-from-the-field sliced t And my favorite. “In a straight line, large end tomato, a hunk of cornbread first. I start the next row left to right. Once I have and we’re in hog heaven! cleaned the ear, I suck the juice if no one is watching.” This woman certainly knows how to These days, new methods of enjoy her corn! cooking corn pop up regularly, many making Just as the style of eating varies widely, so does any shucking almost a chore of adornment. the past. We’re enjoying Some folks say fresh corn on the cob needs no Two-year-old Caroline McCain perfects her microwaving an ear for a technique, somehow not getting corn all over her. adornment, while others go with butter only; butter couple of minutes in a wet Photo by Suzanne Walters and salt; butter, salt and pepper; “NO PEPPER” and paper towel, then pulling off on and on. All caps apparently signifies a sacrilege. the husk and silk in two moves! A few connoisseurs suggest adding ground rosemary or Old Bay But then grilling it with husk and silks on gives a special taste. seasoning, which sounds good, too. One family butters a slice of “When you take it out of the coals and shuck it, the husk and white bread, then rolls the corn around on it to get the ear silks come off like a thing of beauty,” said one aficionado. slathered. “Of course they ate the bread, too.” But did you know that there are more ways to eat corn on the A few respondents made comments that are true visuals, such as cob than to cook it? Who would have thought! “I keep rotating the cob or the butter smears into my mustache.” And “I get corn juice all the way up to my ears! And up to my We completed a tedious and thorough investigation (OK, quick elbows! survey) of corn on the cob eating habits of Union Countians and I guess that’s why most of us would never dream of ordering discovered a variety of styles and some serious set-in-our-ways corn on the cob in a “real” restaurant. habits. There’s no changing us!
14 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
Providing quality in-home care in Union County for over 10 years.
l Personal Care Services l Home Helper Assistance l Companionship l Respite Care
Cromer & Gladys Carelock enjoy time with their caregiver, Robin King.
Visit us at our new location
310 W. Franklin Street, Monroe, NC 28112 704.296.5070
Shoreline Partners LLC. d.b.a. an independently owned and operated Home Instead Senior Care Franchise.
H
ealthcare in Union County changes almost weekly as new medical options become available. It used to be that you went to the doctor’s office or hospital where you saw a doctor and his nurse. Times have changed. With the growing demand for healthcare, midlevel caregivers provide staffing in many healthcare offices. In some cases, there are more physicians assistants (PAs) or nurse practitioners (NPs) in a practice than physicians.
What’s the difference?
Medical doctors (M.D.s) and doctors of osteopathy (D.O.s) are physicians licensed to practice medicine. Both attend a four-year medical school following a fouryear undergraduate degree, the difference being the type of school – medical or osteopathic.
Doctors further study through internships and residencies in their specialties and pass examinations for boardcertification and licensure. With internship and residency, many physicians have eight or more years of education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Medical practices frequently hire nurse practitioners and physician assistants who manage patient care under the supervision of a physician. Both NPs and PAs can provide care, order diagnostic tests or prescribe many medications.
16 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Registered nurses can obtain their family nurse practitioner certification with a master’s degree, at minimum. Some go on to specialize in a certain field, including geriatrics, pediatrics or mental health.
Their training allows NPs to prescribe medication and therapies, order diagnostic tests and diagnose acute and chronic conditions. Although NPs work under the guidance of a physician, they can serve as the primary care provider for patients.
Physician Assistants (PAs)
Physician assistants do much of what a physician does, but they work under the supervision of a physician. Like nurse practitioners, PAs examine patients, prescribe medicine and order diagnostic tests.
In the 1990s, there were approximately 50 programs across the nation. Now there are more than 185, including one at Wingate University.
According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, PA students complete more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations after classwork in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine and psychiatry. After graduation, PAs become nationally certified and obtain a state license.
I
Non-profit pharmacy provides $75 million in medicines don’t know what I’d do without you.” That’s what HealthQuest clients say all the time. “You’ve saved my life.”
The non-profit pharmacy serves more than 1,500 clients in Union and Anson counties each year by providing maintenance medicines that clients can’t afford. Those medicines keep most HealthQuest clients out of the hospital and emergency rooms.
cholesterol, diabetes and many others. Clients pay a $20 a month administrative fee, regardless of the cost of their prescriptions, and average 5.1 prescriptions each month with a value of $745.
When clients have more than six prescriptions, HealthQuest provides the most expensive and/or the most critical prescription. Diabetes is the biggest diagnosis for new HealthQuest clients. “Last year, 62 percent of our new clients were diabetic. That shows how unhealthy we are as a nation,” Heather says.
It sometimes comes to a choice between buying food or purchasing their medicines, says Heather Horne, executive director. “That’s not a choice anyone should be forced to make.” With the cost of prescription medications at an all-time high, more residents simply cannot afford their medicines AND the cost of daily living. Nationally, between 28 percent and 31 percent of new prescriptions for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol go unfilled, according to findings in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Harvard Medical School researchers found that more than 20 percent of firsttime prescriptions are never filled.
Since opening in 1999, HealthQuest has distributed more than 600,000 prescriptions with a retail value of more than $75.1 million. Last year alone, HealthQuest distributed more than 50,000 prescriptions valued at more than $9.8 million.
“We get new clients every day,” Heather says. “We’re a safety net provider.” The average age of clients is 42. “We’re serving people who are falling through the cracks; they’re in between jobs, not working full time or waiting on disability benefits.”
Charlene Brown signs for her medicines with employee Cheryl Billotto.
C
‘. . . I don’t know what I’d do’
harlene Brown of Waxhaw never expected to find herself in need of HealthQuest.
A licensed practical nurse, she left her job after a disabling accident and began receiving Social Security disability. When her husband retired, his retirement income was too high for her Social Security benefit, which was paying for her medicines.
“The hospital turned me on to HealthQuest, who got the medicine that I needed.” Once she was with HealthQuest, she learned that the agency also would pay for her maintenance medicines, which she hadn’t been taking due to their cost. Now, each month, she receives six medications with a retail value of $1,152 for diabetes, plus elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. “I never, ever dreamed that I would be the one sitting here, wondering how to pay for prescriptions. “If it weren’t for this place, I don’t know what I’d do.”
HealthQuest provides up to six monthly medications for conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, high
HealthQuest gives free testing supplies – syringes, meters, testing strips – in addition to other medications. “We’re doing something monthly,” says Heather, whether it’s educational classes on healthier eating, diabetic foot care, injecting insulin and more. “Some clients are diagnosed but don’t know how to inject insulin.” The depth of the diabetes blight is evidenced by the agency’s five refrigerators continually stocked with insulin for disbursement.
As a non-profit, HealthQuest must raise all of its funding. “The funding aspect is the most challenging,” she says. “Sustainable funding is the most challenging.” Some granting foundations limit the years an agency can receive funding, expecting the agency to develop other sources of income.
Multiple state foundations have funded HealthQuest since its inception, though. The Sisters of Mercy Foundation, Leon Levine Foundation, Duke Endowment, Union County Community Foundation, BlueCross BlueShield (through the state association of free clinics) and Union County have been consistent funders.
In addition, the organization conducts fundraising events, such as the upcoming Amazing Charity Challenge in September, to help underwrite the costs.
Is it really an
Y
ou’ve got a cold. Or has it progressed into something more serious?
Your child took a nosedive from his bicycle or skateboard, leaving an ugly raw and bleeding scrape. Or your mother is complaining of shortness of breath. Where should you go for medical treatment?
Urgent care
Urgent care centers provide a range of walk-in treatment services, some with 24hour assistance. Centers can be staffed by physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners, all of whom can prescribe medications.
In Union County, we’re fortunate to have a continually-increasing number of immediate care facilities – medical offices where no appointment is necessary. But they’re called five different names and provide differing levels of care.
We have two traditional 24-hour emergency departments within Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) in Monroe and Waxhaw, plus adult and child urgent care facilities, Novant Express Care and Minute Clinics within three CVS pharmacies around the county.
How do you know where to go? Chest pains, potential strokes, poisoning, seizures, difficulty breathing or unconsciousness – these conditions require an emergency department and you should call 911 for emergency transport.
For other conditions, here are general guidelines about what each facility offers.
Emergency departments
From broken bones and severe cuts to heart attacks and strokes, emergency departments provide the highest level of emergency care quickly and efficiently.
Both CHS facilities have board-certified physicians and a helicopter pad should patients need immediate transport to the Charlotte’s Level I Trauma Center.
18 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
can diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe needed medications, conduct work and sports physicals and provide wellness screenings and vaccinations. The express clinic perform tests such as cholesterol screening, rapid strep tests or blood glucose screening.
Minute Clinics
CVS Pharmacy’s three Minute Clinics in Union County also are staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners. They treat minor ailments such as strep throat, bladder infections, pink eye and infections of the ears, nose and throat, and also offer vaccinations for flu, pneumonia, pertussis and hepatitis, among others. Staff treat minor wounds, abrasions, joint sprains and skin conditions such as poison ivy, ringworm, lice and acne, and provide these wellness services: TB testing, sports and camp physicals, and lifestyle programs for smoking and weight-loss.
Online Service
Urgent cares treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, as well as school, sports or work physicals and immunizations. Some urgent cares offer on-site X-ray and lab testing; others will refer you to an imaging center if an X-ray is needed.
Health Express
Novant Health’s Express Clinic at Indian Trail offers walk-in care and extended hours for patients 2 and older. A nurse practitioner or physician assistant
Both Novant and Carolinas HealthCare (CHS) medical systems are on the cutting edge of electronic healthcare. You can participate in both systems for a variety of health issues, including cough, red eye, diarrhea, sinus and urinary concerns. CHS’ Virtual Visit allows you to connect from your phone, tablet or computer. Within minutes, you can connect with a medical professional, get a diagnosis and prescription, if needed. The cost is $49. Novant’s e-visits allow you to communicate with your provider – no matter where you are. Patients can fill out an online questionnaire, submit it to a provider and receive a course of treatment without ever visiting a doctor's office.
Y
See a provider AND get your meds in one place
ou used to go to pharmacies strictly to pick up your prescriptions. Now you can see a healthcare provider there who orders the prescription you pick up down the aisle. CVS Pharmacy’s Minute Clinics have added another portal of care in Union County, as well as across the country. According to Autumn Schultz and L’Anita Smith, physician assistants with CVS, county residents troop in every day. “During the day, it’s pretty steady. . . it’s definitely steady,” comments Autumn. “In the summer, we see swimmer’s ear, allergies and poison ivy,” says L’Anita. “In the colder months, we see colds, babies’ ear infections, flu and sinus infections most.” The clinics are first-come, first-served with typical visits approximately 15 minutes. Patients sign in at a computer kiosk and can leave a cell phone number for notification when they’re the next in line. You might think most patients don’t have a doctor or insurance, but that’s not the case. Approximately 85 percent have both.
Patients frequently go there because it’s quick, easy and less expensive. Although the providers file insurance, some patients with a high deductible enjoy the clinics’ lower cost while meeting that deductible.
In addition to treating current health issues, the staff conducts physicals for school, sports and work and gives immunizations. “We do wellness screenings for companies – sugar, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure checks. Those visits are more common in fall and winter, right before open enrollment,” L’Anita says.
Patients are all ages. “We get a lot of Nurse Practitioner Au tumn Schultz checks children because it’s easy and convenient,” blood the pressure of Editor N ancy Stephen. explains Autumn. Once we treat one child, we’ll start to see the other children. You get to know the families.” me?’,” says L’Anita. And yes, they can Once patients are comfortable with the prescribe medications, based on clinical service, they’ll return when they have guidelines. another health issue. “Patients who came Sometimes patients have a condition that is last year for allergies come back for beyond the clinic’s scope of care, but the something else this year,” L’Anita says. staff helps then, too. “That’s one thing we do. If we can’t treat you, we’ll find “One thing patients want to know is ‘Are somewhere for you to go,” says L’Anita. you doctors? Can you prescribe? Treat
Contact information and locations
Emergency Departments
Carolinas HealthCare System Waxhaw 24-hour emergency department 2700 Providence Road S. Waxhaw, NC 28173 (704) 667-6800 Wait times at carolinashealthcare.org. Schedule your appointment online at www.carolinashealthcare.org/waxhaw. Carolinas HealthCare System Union 24-hour emergency department 600 Hospital Drive Monroe, NC 28112 (980) 993-3100 Wait times at carolinashealthcare.org www.carolinashealthcare.org/union
Urgent Care
CHS Urgent Care - Union West 6030 U.S. 74 W, Suite A Indian Trail, NC 28079 (704) 246-2777 Every day, 24 hours www.carolinashealthcare.org/union
FastMed Urgent Care 2242 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28110 (704) 220-1904 Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.FastMed.com
CHS Children's Urgent Care - Union Children 18 and younger 3193 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110 (704) 698-4089 Every day, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. www.carolinashealthcare.org/union Urgent Care - Monroe 613 E. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28112 (704) 283-8193 Every day, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. www.carolinashealthcare.org/union
Health Express
Novant Health Express (Union Festival) 622 Indian Trail Road S. Indian Trail, NC 28079
Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat. - Sun. 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m (704) 384-1575 www.novanthealth.org
CVS Minute Clinic
2901 Wesley Chapel Stouts Road Monroe, NC 28079
625 E. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28112
1142 N. Broom Street Waxhaw, NC 28173
Hours for each location Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (except 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) Sat., 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (except 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.) Sun., 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (except 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.) www.cvs.com/minuteclinic
Online Healthcare
carolinashealthcare.org/virtualvisit novanthealth.org/home/patients--visitors
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 19
Community Health
needed lifestyle changes. “these people have a leg up because they’re learning about diabetes – that’s not as available in a private practice. “If we can get a newly-diagnosed patient to take their medicine, alter their eating habits and lifestyle, they can stay healthy.” Diabetes “is killing more people than AIDs and breast cancer together,” Cindy says. Currently, diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in North Carolina. s the prevalence of diabetes continues to balloon in North Most diabetics are type 2, which is characterized by high blood Carolina, union County’s rate is going right with it. glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's the nation, as a whole, has 29.1 inability to use insulin efficiently. million people or 9.3 percent of the symptoms of the disease include population with diabetes. the state urinating and thirst problems, hunger, rate is 9.7 percent (up from 4.5 in fatigue, dry mouth, itchy skin and blurred 1994), while the county rate is 9.2 vision, as well as yeast infections, slowpercent (up from 7.3 in 2004), healing sores and pain or numbness in according to the CDC. your feet or legs.. Cindy Cole, director of Community In 11 years through 2013, Community Health services of union County, Health assisted 53,340 patients. last year, believes the rate is much higher once the agency saw 3,621 individuals in pre-diabetics and undiagnosed 8,272 visits. through May of this year, diabetics are added. Her agency has 4,218 patients have had 8,003 visits. fought the disease since 1982, In addition to diabetes care, the agency beginning as a counseling service. Dr. Howard Guthmann examines a patient as Director administers flu shots each year and holds today, it’s much more than general health neighborhood clinics. Cindy Cole looks on. counseling; it’s a hands-on education, Community Health has earned the highest level accreditation for counseling and treatment program for residents without insurance. free clinics and is one of seven in the nation participating in a pilot Dr. Roy Blank, a diabetes specialist who volunteers at Community National Diabetes Prevention Program. Health, calls the disease controllable. “If you adhere to our prescribed www.chsuc.org program of care, we can reduce the chances of your have complications in the future. “If you have a genetic inclination to diabetes, and you’re smoking AN T FFORD OUR EDICINES and overweight, you’re at a high risk. It’s genetics, combined with an unhealthy lifestyle that drives it,” he says. like all conditions, not everyone is compliant. It’s not uncommon for insulin-dependent diabetics to think they can just increase their insulin and continue eating what they want. “that’s not the way it works,” Cindy says. “It takes an incredible amount of self-control.” Dr. Blank agrees. “You have to understand the A1C test (which measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months,) and why it matters. the end game is to not have a stroke, heart attack, blindness, loss of limb or be on dialysis.” Recent data shows that type 2 diabetics can lose as many as 15 years of life. Dr. Blank adds: “I tell non-compliant patients, ‘You’re getting away with it now (at age 32), but you won’t at 45’.” Visiting the clinic weekly or monthly, clients bring their glucose meters, which they use to test their blood multiple times a day and which retains a record of the readings. “We want to see what they’re Call (704) 226-2050 for an eligibility appointment. doing every day,” Cindy says. “We don’t want to wait for three months to see what they’re doing.” Dr. Blank says clients are “getting Cadillac service (at Community Health). It’s full service. We discuss potential major complications and prevention, provide education, testing strips and meters. If they’ll . . . helping residents with prescription medicines. be compliant, I’ll get them under control.” Medicines typically are provided through fellow non-profit HealthQuest. *Only non-narcotic maintenance medicines distributed. Prescriptions limited to six per client as available. Clients are screened for eligibility, Dr. Howard Guthmann of Waxhaw Family Physicians and sports based on proof of income. Other restrictions may apply. Medicine Clinic who also volunteers, says, “the beauty is that these patients are getting the complete package all at once.” Most practices are unable to provide in-depth education to patients on
Saving lives of county diabetics
A
C ’ A
Y
M
?
If you’re on a limited income and without
prescription insurance,
you may be eligible for free prescriptions.*
HeAltHQuest
20 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
www.HealthQuestPharmacy.org
‘Everybody has their niche in life, and this is mine’
P
atsy Ballard is the epitome of a caregiver. As a registered nurse, she’s worked in palliative and hospice care for 22 years. It’s a field that fits her perfectly. Originally in pediatrics for 19 years, “I had a lot of friends who had cancer and I helped them privately. And it snowballed. I like bedside nursing and this is hands-on nursing . . . It’s what I love. “I think we do make a difference. When I was a student in nursing school, I saw a team doing CPR on a young patient who was dying. ‘Why are they doing that?’ I wondered.” “If you can’t do the things you want to do, and
H
your definition is that your life is not quality, why would you do that?”
Patsy is often asked how she can work in palliative and hospice care. everybody is going to die, people say. Her answer? “We enjoy life with everybody.
“either you find your balance or you don’t survive. I have incredible peers who have grounded me, as well as my family . . . the thing with hospice is if nurses don’t love it, they don’t stay. It’s not for the money; you have to love it.
“this is just what I do. everybody has their niche in life, and this is mine.”
Patsy Ballard shares a laugh with James Haythe, a nurse at Carillon.
Currently, Patsy works on the union County palliative care team for Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
Hospice isn’t about dying, it’s about living
ospice is a difficult topic for many people because they believe it’s about death. Local Hospice staffs say Hospice is about life – quality of life.
What is hospice?
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, hospice provides quality, compassionate care for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury and their families.
Hospice focuses on caring, not curing, and in most cases care is provided in the patient's home, although care is provided in freestanding hospice centers, hospitals and nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Hospice uses a team approach to care, utilizing the personal physician, hospice physician, nurses, home health aides, social workers, clergy and trained volunteers.
Staff visit regularly to assess the patient and is on-call 24 hours a day. The team manages the patient’s pain and symptoms, assists with emotional, psychosocial and spiritual aspects of end of life, provides needed drugs, medical supplies and equipment a bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends.
Hospice care is designed for when life expectancy is six months or less, if the disease takes its normal course. Most insurance policies require medical staff to certify the life expectancy.
Union County is served by two hospice organizations – Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region and Hospice of Union County, a part of Carolinas HealthCare System.
Both hospices provide standard hospice care, have inpatient facilities and hold a grief camp for children, regardless of whether their loved one was a hospice patient or not.
Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region
The Charlotte organization has both hospice and palliative teams. Palliative care differs from hospice in that the disease “could be terminal, but the prognosis is not six months or less,” says Amy Curtis, education and resource manager. Palliative care is consultation care and does not have a life expectancy criteria. It does, however, offer assistance with chronic and incurable diseases by establishing goals of care. “What I appreciate about hospice is all the support for not only for the patients, but also the families,” Amy says. “We go to our patients wherever they consider home. “We have helped people who were homeless, who lived under the bridge under 277. “There’s so much to end of life, to advocating for person and their wishes.”
Hospice of Union County
Most Hospice of Union County’s patients remain at home, although the organization has a residential/inpatient facility where patients can receive more acute care and symptom management. “We can monitor patients and their treatment regimen very closely 24/7,” says Mary Durham, agency director. “Often they return to their previous residence.” “Sometimes the family can no longer manage care at home, but they don’t have an alternate plan,” Mary says. “Or families may need time to get set up at home. Our team can teach caregiver ways to take care of patient, to learn management. It’s not intended to be a long-term placement. “Taking care of a critically or terminally ill person at home is “foreign to people,” she says. “It’s scary if you’ve never done before and it’s scary because it’s somebody you love.”
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 21
W
Times have changed
The practice of medicine changes dramatically in 38 years
hen Dr. Edward Bower came to Monroe in 1977, healthcare in Union County was nothing like it is today. The surgeon followed Dr. Gary Jewell from Fort Stewart, Ga., where both were finishing up their terms in the military. “At sick call one day, I asked him where he had been.” Monroe was the answer. “Do they need a general surgeon?” As a matter of fact, they did. Two days later, Dr. Bower received a phone call from Nat Greene, then director of the Chamber of Commerce which was not only leading economic development in the county, but recruiting physicians for what was then Union Memorial Hospital. Many Chamber board members also served on the hospital’s board of trustees. Nat and the late Harry Sherwood flew to Georgia on a private company’s plane to bring Ed and his wife, Angela, to visit the county. He remembers driving to Charlotte on U.S. 74, which then had just two traffic lights. “They gave us the grand tour. I was very impressed by the kind of recruiting they were doing. They promised me a new hospital,” he says. The new hospital opened in 1985.
22 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
When Ed arrived, the existing hospital was small and underserved, with just 115 beds and no intensive care unit. Fifteen doctors were on staff. At the end of the recruitment visit, Ed recalls his wife saying, “I don’t know where you’re going next year, but if you want to see me and the kids, you’ll come to Monroe.” She doesn’t remember it quite the same way. “Right after I got here, we recruited Jay King and Sandra Abda; now we had orthopedic surgeons. I participated very rigorously in recruitment,” he says. He also has served on the board of trustees and as president of the medical staff.
Charlotte hospital leases Union’s facility
When Presbyterian Hospital (now Novant) opened Matthews Medical Center in 1994, “everyone was Dr. Edward Bower’s worried about that medical school facility taking insured yearbook photo. patients, leaving us to take care of indigent. People forgot about having to drive up 74,” Ed recalls with a laugh. By then, 74 was dotted with lighted intersections, the result of “a traffic light sale,” he adds. In 1995, the county leased the hospital to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, operating as Carolinas HealthCare System. The leasing of the county-owned hospital was contentious. Many residents and physicians were concerned about what “Charlotte” would do to “our” hospital. “Initially, I wasn’t very enthusiastic. I was on staff of Carolinas Medical Center and Matthews Presbyterian. I was on the hospital board during conversations about the leasing option and remember the hospital administrator trying to prevent it from happening. It was not presented as a positive move.” At the time, “General Motors was paying more money for
healthcare than it did for steel for its cars.” As more changes occurred nationwide, “it was predicted that small, independent hospitals would die, and this has happened. “You had to join a larger system. The local vision was that if we didn’t do this (lease the hospital), we were going to die. That was what county commissioners saw.” CHS wanted to “expand into the neighborhood,” he recalls. Over several years, the facility added a new emergency room and renovated the day surgery and endoscopy unit. Within four years, the hospital announced the 85,000square-foot Outpatient Treatment Pavilion. Even more changes to the hospital occurred in 2005 when Union West Medical Plaza opened in Indian Trail and the Monroe hospital’s name change to Carolinas HealthCare System Union in 2005. In 2011, the county extended its lease agreement with CHS to operate the hospital for another 50 years.
Changes in the practice of medicine
Before Ed closed his private practice, he had seen reimbursement streams dry up significantly. “I did a computer analysis of patients referred on county call and how much money I made. For 18 months, I made $500 total; by the number of hours, it was 50 cents an hour.” And the phone rang at least twice a night. As a one-surgeon office, he couldn’t negotiate reimburse rates with insurance providers, something that large practices or hospitals can do. This year, the contract between CHS and United Healthcare lapsed for almost two months before a new agreement was reached – something a private practice could never do. Patients would just go elsewhere. Ed says during his last year in private practice, he performed more surgeries than any other physician in the county “and still couldn’t pay my rent.” When he closed his practice, he took a salaried position with Carolinas Medical Center Union, leading the wound care center, where he still practices. Was it a good move? “Oh yeah. Vacations were impossible in private practice. I never saw my kids grow up; the reason they turned out so good is because of Angela . . . it’s different, though.” Despite his early misgivings about CHS, Ed says the quality of healthcare “is excellent. When I came here, everyone wanted to go to a Charlotte hospital. Now, you get the same healthcare here as you get in Charlotte. “We have specialities here that we would never have had without CHS,” he adds.
“The practice of medicine is changing rapidly in the sense that physicians and private practices are probably going to be no more. With healthcare reform the way it’s going, it’s almost impossible for private practitioners to survive. Hospitals are buying the small practices,” Ed says.
“Right now, the only ones not working for hospital are very large groups, like OrthoCarolina, pathology groups and anesthesia. There are very few private practitioners.”
In the last few years, healthcare has seen non-medical businesses starting healthcare clinics. “There’s a whole slew of companies getting into healthcare,” Ed says, pointing out that by law, hospitals are required to provide indigent care while other healthcare agencies do not.
As reimbursements tighten up, medical facilities also have tightened their services to cover costs. “We’re supposed to have people come in and be seen within five minutes of their appointment, have a 15 minute appointment and they’re out.”
E. Kelly Anderson, MD, attended Yale University
medical school, completed her internship and
residency through Carolinas Medical Center and
is board certified in Family Medicine.
1301 Dove Street in Monroe (Just off US 74 near the hospital)
(704) 283-8888 www.AndersonFamilyMed.com
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 23
IN-HOME CARE I
Compassionate service keeps people at home
n-home care is not medical care, but the services can keep clients at home and out of nursing facilities. Jim Lonon, owner of Home Instead in Monroe, says that’s his company’s primary intent – “to keep people at home. It’s rewarding to see the happiness when people can stay in their homes, that they can be independent.” Home Instead services range from assistance with personal care tasks that are essential to independent living to home helper service, errands and grocery shopping. The key to success, Jim says, is matching each caregiver’s role to each client’s needs. While each service might differ, the goal remains the same – to enhance the lives of clients and families. Jim experienced in-home care with his mother, then 92. “She was at home, which is where she wanted to be, with our staff going in. I had no concerns about her safety when we weren’t there.” Home Instead’s caregivers provide approximately 210,000 hours a year to 2,500 clients, ranging from 7 years old to 103. Care can be provided for a few hours a week up to 24 hours a day, every day. Many longterm care insurance policies pay for the service, as do Medicaid and the VA. County resident Doris Mitchell has used Home Instead services on several occasions, both for herself and her late husband, Bob. The latest occurrence came when a diagnose of broken vertebrae forced her to wear a rigid, cast-like back brace from her neck to her waist for nine months. “I couldn’t even dress myself,” she explains. “I couldn’t bend. to put on my shoes.” Initially, it took a caregiver two hours to help Doris get dressed and downstairs to start her day. As her condition improved, she could do more for herself, but still couldn’t do anything that required bending or driving. And much of life requires both. As her caregiver, Jeanette Reed, a social worker who retired from Department of Social Services, helped Doris with tasks ranging from dressing to shopping and light housekeeping. “She couldn’t change her bed linens or drive to her doctors’ appointments.” Jeannette says in-home care allows people to maintain
Home health offers medical care
Another home care service, home health, is a medical service ordered by a physician and administered by registered nurses, certified nurse assistants, therapists and medical social worker. Services include blood and urine collection for lab tests, catheterization, colostomy care, diabetic care, infusion therapy, rehabilitation services and wound care. Multiple home health agencies serve Union County. Locate a list online by searching “home health agencies Monroe NC.”
24 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015
Caregiver Jeanette Reed, right, visits her client-now-friend Doris Mitchell.
independence. “But the biggest thing, it keeps them from being so dependent on family members. Family members don’t have to spent an entire visit doing errands, cleaning house, doing mundane things. They actually get to visit. “A little bit of help can make a big difference.” www.HomeInstead.com/578
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36 things to do in Sweet Union
August
Concerts in the Park 6: Presented by Unionville Lions Club Music by The Village Greene Free; 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Unionville Community Center Food available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair. www.UnionvilleNC.com
7: Jammin’ by the Tracks Music by Aerial View
29:
Great Pirate Day and War of 1812 Adults $5, children $2, seniors $4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Storytelling, sword fighting, bullwhipping, pirate and War of 1812 displays, mermaids and more 8215 Waxhaw Hwy.,Waxhaw www.MuseumoftheWaxhaws.org
29:
Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Province of Thieves $4; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
5:
September
Music at Treehouse Vineyards featuring Emerge $3; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
11:
Cruise-In featuring Trucks Free; 6 p.m.; Main Street in Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
19:
Free; 7 p.m. Under the water tower Bring a chair www.Waxhaw.com
Noon - 5 p.m. 5th annual Grape Stomping Harvest Festival Music at 7 p.m. Food, craft vendors and music 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
$5; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
Music on Main featuring Ken Knox & Co. (Beach/variety) Free; 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; bring a chair Downtown Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
8: Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Mackenzi Morris 14:
Cruise-In Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of V-J Day Free; 6 p.m. Main Street in Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
15: Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Woodie and The String Pullers $4; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
22: Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Bonfire Country Band $4; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
27: Music on Main featuring Radiojacks (Variety) Free; 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Bring a chair. Main Street in Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
24:
25:
Monroe Fall Festival Movies in the Park Bounce houses, face painting, vendors, free games and fun for the kids. Movie at dusk Belk-Tonawanda Park in Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
26: Cultural Arts Festival Arts and crafts, food
Free; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Parkway www.IndianTrail.org
26:
Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Province of Thieves $4; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
1:
October
Make It in Union CountyManufacturing Awareness Showcase Learn about manufacturing in Union County Free; 3 p.m.-8 p.m. SPCC, Salon A; 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe www.UnionCountyCOC.org
3:
Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home 50 Years Late Free; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 11 a.m.; veterans’ recognition ceremony Food for sale; 1 p.m.-3 p.m. USO-type show Events for kids Museum of the Waxhaws 8215 Waxhaw Hwy., Waxhaw www.MuseumoftheWaxhaws.org
Register in advance for these events
Sept. 10: Girls Night Out
Benefits Core Compassion Project l Dinner, music and fun $50; tickets at www.CoreCompassionProject.org Morning Glory Farm, 6205 Kate Rd., Monroe
Sept. 17:
Governmental Affairs Luncheon Representatives and senator will share General Assembly info $22-$45; tickets at www.UnionCountycoc.org 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. l SPCC, Salon A, 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe www.UnionCountycoc.org
Sept. 19:
Boots & Bow Ties Benefits Community Shelter Aw Shucks Farm & The Cotton Gin l 3718 Plyler Mill Rd, Monroe l $60 in advance; www.UnionShelter.org Country fair food, music, old-fashioned games, silent & live auctions
Oct. 3: Judy Collins in Concert $42; 8 p.m. The Batte Center at Wingate University l
l www.BatteCenter.org
Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015 25
3: Music at Treehouse Vineyards Featuring Dirt Poor
$5; 7 p.m. - 10 p.m; 301 Bay St, Monroe www.TreehouseVineyards.com
4: Union Symphony Orchestra With Wingate University Singers
$28-$18; 4 p.m. Overture by Union Symphony Youth Orchestra The Batte Center at Wingate University www.UnionSymphony.org
9: Cruise-In Featuring Corvettes Free; 6 p.m.; Downtown Monroe
9-10: Grill’n & Chill’n BBQ Cook-off Details at www.Waxhaw.com www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
10-11: Autumn Treasures Arts & Crafts Details at www.Waxhaw.com
9-10:
Monroe Artwalk All forms of art displayed in businesses. Live music. Free; 6 p.m. Friday; noon on Saturday www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
10:
Jazz Night Benefits Union Symphony $50; 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; The Bottle Factory www.UnionSymphony.org
17:
Halloween Happenings Free; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Costume contest at noon Treats and prizes, crafts,inflatables, petting zoo Main Street, Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
17:
Fido's Fall Fun Fest 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; Waxhaw Animal Hospital
17: Adam Trent, the Futurist $25, $15; 8 p.m.; The Batte Center at Wingate
www.BatteCenter.org
22:
Music on Main Featuring Matt Stratford Band (Variety) Free; 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Bring a chair; Main Street in Monroe www.HistoricDowntownMonroe.org
23:
Halloween Trunk or Treat - Indian Trail Details at www.IndianTrail.org
23: Girls Night Out Benefits Alliance For Children
Shopping, silent auction, raffle, food and drink. Free; 5 p.m.-8 p.m; 105 Cedar St., Monroe www.AllianceForChildren.org
Got an event for the public?
Submit your activity with all the details - who, what, when, where and cost per person - to Editor@UnionLifestyle.com.
CALL NOW FOR THE SEASON’S BEST SEATING!
monday, Sept. 7
Sunday, december 6
youth Symphony Orchestra 4 p.m.; Free marvin Ridge High School Sabrina Howard, music director
Union Symphony Orchestra with CUmC Festival Choir 5 p.m.; Free Central United methodist Church in monroe
New Classics/Old Friends
youth Symphony Orchestra 4 p.m.; $18-$6; check website for location. Sabrina Howard, music director
Winter Songs
Labor Day Concert
Sunday, march 13
Sunday, Oct. 4
Union Symphony Orchestra with Wingate University Singers Requiem mass in d minor 4 p.m.; $18-$28 The Batte Center at Wingate University Richard Rosenberg, Artistic director dr. Kenney Potter, Choral director
Sunday, April 24
Invitation to the New World
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 6 & 7
H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan Wingate University Opera
with Union Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m.; $15 The Batte Center at Wingate University dr. jessie Wright martin, music director dr. Kenney Potter, Conductor
Saturday, Nov. 21
youth Symphony Orchestra 7 p.m.; $18-$6 Call or check website for location. Sabrina Howard, music director
Union Symphony Orchestra jessica mathaes, Violin Soloist Violin Concerto in d major, Tchaikovsky New World Symphony, dvorák 4 p.m.; $18-$28; The Batte Center Richard Rosenberg, Artistic director
Save TheSe DaTeS Oct. 10 t Jazz Night Nov. 20-21 t Holiday Home Tour
Season subscriptions available at (704) 283-2525.
Sec. A - $78 t Sec. B - $68 t Seniors (B) and Students - $58
www.UnionSymphony.org
THIS PROjeCT IS SUPPORTed By THe UNION COUNTy COmmUNITy ARTS COUNCIL GRASSROOTS PROGRAm OF THe NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL, A STATe AGeNCy.
ANd THe
26 Union Lifestyle l August - October 2015