The Nugget Newspaper's Focus on Health 2022 // 2022-01-26

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Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

FOCUS on Health WINTER FORECAST…

WARM & RELAXING!

SAUNAS & HOT TUBS:

Fresh-Flower Feel-Good Bouquets!

Sisters-grown Sisters grown seasonal, seasonal home delivery within Sisters

ORDER YOUR CSA SUBSCRIPTION NOW! 4-Week Spring Subscriptions Starting in April 12-Week Summer Subscriptions Starting in June

www.stumpmunkfarms.com

Environmental Center — Rethink Waste

Approximately 40 percent of the food we grow in the world ends up being wasted. For a family of four, 25 percent of food purchased ends up going in the trash — to the tune of about $1,600 tossed out each year.

Wasted food is responsible for 8 percent of man-made greenhouse gasses (airplane travel only accounts for 2.5 percent).

Simply creating an “eat first” bin or shelf in the refrigerator can reduce the amount of food we end up throwing away. Proper food storage helps a lot too. These are simple and easy steps that anyone can take today. More ideas are available through the Environmental Center’s Rethink Food Waste Challenge (rethinkwasteproject.org/ wasted-food).

The free four-week home challenge is designed to help you find out what — and how much — food is going to waste in your home. Over the course of the month, you will receive one email per week with tips and tricks on how to reduce your wasted food.

inside...

Stumpmunk Farms

Flowers enhance our environment and our quality of life, adding beauty, color, and fragrance to our spaces at home and at work. Studies have shown that flowers improve our moods, help reduce anxiety and stress, as well as increasing creativity and productivity.

Stumpmunk Farms grows seasonal flowers in Sisters and offers Spring and Summer CSA subscriptions.

Keeping health, the environment, and wildlife on top of mind, they do not use pesticides and only apply natural/organic fertilizers and materials.

“We grow a wide variety of flowers including heirlooms and favorites such as sweet peas, zinnias, and dahlias,” says proprietor Leah Thompson.

“Our flowers have allowed a simple and beautiful way to bring in and stay connected to nature, especially to those who have been isolated. Due to the pandemic, we are continuing to offer free, contactless porch delivery to the Sisters community.”

“Purchasing our flowers means you get an amazing variety of flowers, highly fragrant blooms since these were not flown in, and you get to help bolster the local economy.”

Relax & Soothe Muscles & Joints Fight Illness • Flush Toxins Cleanse Skin • Induce Deeper Sleep Improve Impr prov ove C Cardiovascular Performance

FINANCING AVAILABLE FREE DELIVERY aquahottub.com | 541-410-1023 413 W. Hood Ave., Sisters 9-5 Mon-Fri, Sat By Appt.

Aqua Hot Tubs

For hundreds of years, Scandinavians have understood the many health benefits of sauna. Those benefits are physical and psychological.

Regular use of sauna is like a gentle workout, boosting your cardiovascular health. It is good for the skin, and cleanses pores. Warmth and increased circulation can relieve pain.

Sauna flushes toxins and can boost immunity — and it is relaxing and promotes good sleep. There may be no better way to decompress from a long, hard day than a session in the sauna.

All these benefits can be enjoyed right in your own home with the traditional saunas provided by Aqua Hot Tubs in Sisters.

They’re Oregon-made products of excellent quality, and can be delivered directly to you, so you can indulge in all the health and lifestyle benefits every day.

There are many factors to consider when planning, picking out, and setting up an in-home sauna. Aqua Hot Tubs will guide you through the entire process, so that you can relax and have confidence in your purchase.

With a beautiful, properly installed sauna, you’ll soon be living a healthier and more peaceful lifestyle!

Keeping skin healthy while enjoying the Sisters Country winter ............. 19 One foot in front of the other ................................................................. 20 St. Charles Sisters adds two new doctors............................................... 20 Home COVID Tests ............................................................................... 20 How to pay for long-term care ............................................................. 22 A first aid kit is a vital part of preparedness............................................ 24

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Keeping your skin healthy

while enjoying the Sisters Country winter

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

By Ceili Cornelius | Columnist

It is no secret that winter in Central Oregon is cold and dry. That kind of environment is not ideal for the skin anywhere on our bodies, but it’s especially rough on the face.

Dryness on the surface of the skin can wreak havoc and create breakouts that nobody wants going into the new year.

When your skin is dry, it overcompensates in its natural oil production, clogging pores and creating pimples, cystic acne, and sometimes dry, rashy dermatitis. As Central Oregonians living in this harsh environment for many months, we want to create the best habitat for our skin that we can.

In the past, due to harsh environment and other factors, I have suffered from what is known as perioral dermatitis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “perioral dermatitis is a red rash that circles your mouth. Your skin can be scaly, dry, and flaky with swollen, inflamed bumps called papules. It is one of many types of dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis can look like acne and is often mistaken for it.”

There is no real knowledge as to what exactly causes this type of dermatitis, and when I had it, dermatologists and estheticians told me many different things that could cause it – from hormones to topical products, to diet, to the natural environment around me. I decided to take all the thoughts from these various practitioners and come to my own conclusion about what works for my skin and for healing inflammation and irritation on the face.

I wanted to figure out all the various elements that could be contributing to my skin rash and irritation. I didn’t suffer from severe acne, but I used all the same methods you would to combat acne — from diet change to topical product change — to reverse the damage to my skin and manage it when a flare-up occurs.

Sarah Woods, owner of Roam Natural Skincare in Sisters, helped me on my journey to healing my skin

and working with natural products to help heal the skin barrier. She also provided some tips for the local community on maintaining healthy skin during the winter months.

“One of the most important things is to maintain the lipid barrier with moisture on the outer layer of the skin,” she said.

One contributor to dry skin is how busy we all get: We go into autopilot on our skin care routine.

Woods emphasized, “It is important to be cognizant of the changing environment and not having just a blanket skin care routine, and having different products to reach for when the season changes.”

It is important to remember how the skin responds to different types of products, as well as routine. The nighttime skin care routine is when you want to apply heavier products such as moisturizers and oils, because the night is when our skin heals itself. The morning wash is important because that washes off all the dead skin that the body has cycled over during the night.

A good cleanser is the foundation of a good skin care routine.

“A cleanser is what changes the pH the most in the skin and it is different for everyone, but it’s good to have a morning and nighttime cleanser,” said Woods.

Another aspect of winter skin care is the use of a good facial oil.

“There are different molecular levels of oils out there that affect the skin differently. Something like jojoba oil is really good because it lasts into the skin longer than a coconut or vitamin-E oil which tends to just sit on surface of the skin,” said Woods.

The use of facial oil directly on my skin provided a huge transformation, because I was providing the moisture and natural oil it needs directly preventing the skin from working harder to keep moisturized when it’s cold and dry.

Woods also emphasized the importance of having a simple morning and night routine that includes a cream-based cleanser, a good waterbased serum such as a high-quality hyaluronic acid serum, a good facial oil, and/or a good moisturizer.

“I try to change out my routine every change of season with products and types of products I use to accommodate the changing environment, and then just trying to remain consistent with that routine,” said Woods.

You can visit Sarah Woods at Roam Natural Skincare and learn the brands of natural skin care products that she recommends for your skin.

Marianne Kennedy, owner of Radiant Day Spa in Sisters, also spoke with The Nugget about some tips she has for helping treat dry, irritated, and inflamed skin.

“A change in climate can cause the skin to go into shock, but if you maintain a good regime over time, the skin will regulate itself,” she said.

“A lot of people tend to overexfoliate when they see more dry skin on the face, which is actually stripping the acid mantle which is what protects the skin, so it becomes vulnerable,” said Kennedy.

She emphasized the importance of hydrating your body by drinking more water in these winter months, as well as providing more moisture directly to the face and looking at the active ingredients in your products.

“Look for products that have your hyaluronic acids, lactic acids, and water binding molecules. Make sure you eliminate any products that have alcohol in them — especially in your toners and sprays — as alcohol is very drying,” she said.

No matter where you are in your skin care journey, it is important to have some sort of basic routine, especially if you start experiencing dry, irritated skin all of a sudden — your body is telling you that you need to do more work to take care of the skin.

“A basic routine includes cleansing, using a good toner to balance out the pH, having a moisturizer, and staying consistent with that routine.

It is important to remain consistent especially when it comes to the skin,” said Kennedy.

Radiant Day Spa in Sisters is a partner with Éminence, a Hungarian natural skin care brand.

“We have a Vitaskin line of Éminence that is really good for this time of year, and we have that as a ‘facial in a bag,’ which is a really great way to try out the product,” she said.

Radiant will be offering Radiant Select facials during this season that are specific to what type of skin treatment you might need. You can visit Radiant Day Spa, Tuesday through Friday, and get a free skin consultation from an esthetician on site.

I worked on taking care of my skin and invested in natural products that last a long time. That has allowed me to heal the dermatitis that I had suffered from for many months. Once the winter months come around, I must take extra care and make sure that I am maintaining my routine when my skin is more vulnerable.

These tips and ideas to maintain moisturized, healthy skin throughout the winter months are general tips and ideas for treatment. If you have specific questions regarding your skin or don’t know exactly where to start, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a licensed esthetician. Both Kennedy and Woods, at their respective spas, offer skin care consultations and would love to have you come in and chat with them about what you are looking for or whatever questions you might have.

Everyone’s skin is different, and everyone’s routine is different. It is important to remain consistent and maintain something that you find works for you in your skincare journey.

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Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Your Story MATTERS

Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist

One foot in front of the other

To be honest, I am tired of writing about the turbulence of our COVIDera world. I am tired of prefacing each article with the muddy context of circumstances many of us find ourselves in. Like many of you, I am more than ready to move on, and yet the collective emotional climate cannot be dismissed. Resilience, selfcare, mindfulness, and acceptance have become ever more popular buzz words alongside grief, trauma, and burnout. Most all of us have become more intimate with loss and fear than we would ever prefer.

It is easy to feel daunted. It is easy to want to hide in bed. It is easy to want to escape. It is easy to want to numb. It is also, in many cases, understandable and sometimes unavoidable. Some of us have experienced levels of emotional distress not felt before, some of us have been haunted from past traumas rearing up in the

uncertainty, some of us have asked for help for the first time.

In my worldview, nobody is entitled to a carefree life or perpetual happiness. Part of resilience is learning to sit with discomfort — to acknowledge it — to recognize its inevitability. Struggle can be devastating, but without it, I wonder how virtues of empathy and compassion would be cultivated.

And so, the world keeps turning and the sun keeps rising. It is a new year, and we are all crossing our fingers that maybe just maybe 2022 will bring some sort of respite. In the meantime, we cannot forget the importance of the energy we bring to this world. Our behaviors and actions have consequences, and the ripple effect is powerful. Learning to take ownership of our energy is a major component of our wellness. In a time where many of us are reevaluating, the habits that lay the foundation for forward momentum and our capacity for compassion, are not just important, but sacred.

So, please remember the basics: 1. Sleep. Preferably eight hours or more. Try hitting the pillow and waking up at the same time each day.

Have a wind-down routine. Racing thoughts? Try journaling or meditation. And, please, I am begging you, put down the darn phone.

2. Eat real food and nourish your body. Throw out the processed food.

It does your body no favors. Eat lots of plants. The Earth will thank you for it. Support local and organic when possible. Eat enough. This is not a time to deprive yourself. This

is a time to be strong. We need your energy.

3. Move. If you are lucky enough to have a functioning body, please don’t take it for granted. Your body helps you live out your character.

Take care of it. Go outside if possible. If you are afraid of the ice like me, dance in your living room, find a treadmill, do some crunches on the floor, stretch.

4. Connection. Find meaning in your loved ones, friends, family. Connect to nature. Connect to a higher purpose. Find your “why.”

When we stumble in the dark, it helps when we can point to a north star.

And now for a few notes about habit-making: 1. Consistency is key. Sometimes we get so focused on intensity that we burn out too fast. Start small and build. Does that 60-minute workout routine feel daunting? Start with five minutes. Progress is not a race.

2. Add a touch of satisfaction.

While you are on the treadmill, listen to your favorite podcast, sip your favorite coffee as you work on your budget, make healthy food with a loved one. These perks of positive reinforcement make it easier to solidify new behaviors.

3. Focus on systems. We are an outcome-based culture. Outcomes are celebrated far more than the process.

Many times, we attempt to start habits based on an outcome and we spend less time planning the systems. Your goal might be to get off the couch and run a 5k. Do you have your shoes?

Do you have a schedule? Do you have support? Do you have fuel? Do

St. Charles Sisters adds two new doctors

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

The medical staff at St. Charles Family Care Clinic on N. Arrowleaf Trail has grown with the additions of Dr. Danielle Eigner, DO and Dr. Inger Lied (pronounced Leed), MD. Eigner is a 1999 graduate of Western University Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California, which is the only osteopathic medical school west of the Rockies.

Eigner comes to the clinic from Tamalpais Internal Medicine in Mill Valley, California, where she was affiliated with Marin General Hospital and Sutter Health Novato Community Hospital.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) see patients, prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and deliver babies in hospitals, medical centers, and offices across the United States and overseas. Whether they are primary care providers or specialists, DOs use all the standard tools of modern medicine, but also have additional therapeutic modalities with which to care for their patients.

Osteopathic medicine is a wholeperson approach that emphasizes

the body’s interconnectedness.

Osteopathic physicians are trained to use a hands-on approach called osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) for patients, in addition to using traditional diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Each patient is treated as an individual, not a set of symptoms.

Lied, a native-born Norwegian, joins St. Charles from Northeast Iowa Family Practice Center in Waterloo, Iowa. She earned her MD accreditation in 2017 upon graduation from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Lied tells The Nugget, “I first fell in love with Oregon when I was 17 years old as an exchange student, so naturally my husband and I couldn’t wait to move back. Central Oregon has always held a special place in our hearts. Sisters has proven to be a welcoming and inviting town. I am thankful for my patients’ patience as I adjust to this new setting, and an employer like St. Charles for supporting me as I establish my practice.”

Eigner added her sentiments: “I moved to Sisters to raise my active sons in a small town close to nature, and to practice community-based family medicine. We love it here. We love the mountains, the school, and all the

team sports, our community, friends, and neighbors. Unfortunately, my mother was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, so I will be doctoring part-time while I care for my family and savor the time we have left together.”

The new doctors are a welcome addition as the clinic works to keep pace with growth in Sisters Country.

They follow Mark Sauerwein, MD, a primary care physician of longstanding practice at the Clinic who retired, and Joseph Bachtold, DO, a primary care provider who left the practice last year.

St. Charles — who operate hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville — has been overwhelmed

by COVID-19, especially in the last two weeks as cases from the omicron variant of the virus have exploded.

Forty-two Oregon National Guardsmen arrived Tuesday and 48 more on Thursday last week. They will be spread out among the four hospital units to provide a range of clinical tasks.

There are 854 unfilled job openings in the system, St. Charles told The Nugget. This includes openings for physicians and other high-level medical professionals.

you know your routes?

4. Check your beliefs about who you are. How positive is your inner dialogue? Who do you want to become? What are your core values? Identify the “whys” driving your efforts and be kind to yourself in the process.

And finally, self-care can be hard some days, but it does not have to be complicated. Here are 20 (mostly free and mostly COVID-proof) DIY selfcare ideas: 1. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, breathe out for four counts. Repeat.

2. Note three things you are grateful for each day.

3. Dance like nobody’s watching.

4. Watch a funny movie.

5. Get outside and enjoy nature.

6. Give yourself one compliment each day.

7. Make a friend date.

8. Hug somebody.

9. Sleep eight hours.

10. Ditch the booze.

11. Volunteer.

12. Take a long bath or shower.

13. Cuddle your four-legged pals.

14. Take a social media hiatus.

15. Put on your favorite outfit.

16. Take a couch day. Rest is important.

17. Get your smells on with aromatherapy.

18. Make a budget.

19. Read a good book.

20. Cook a nourishing meal.

Wishing you health and resilience as we launch into 2022. Take good care of yourself. We will all be better for it.

Home COVID Tests In addition to the 500 million tests ordered by the federal government, Oregon is in the process of acquiring and distributing 6 million tests. However, those supplies have yet to be distributed to communities, said Nahad Sadr-Azodi, Deschutes County Health Services director of public health. Residents can have results in 15 minutes.

“The county is working on a strategy to distribute these tests to high-needs populations in coordination with community partners and (the Oregon Health Authority),” Sadr-Azodi said in an email.

“Consistent with past decisions, distribution of these tests will be based on risk-level and equity.”

Under the federal plan, each U.S. household will be entitled to four easy-to-administer-and-read rapid tests. To be included go to www. covidtests.gov.

Residents of Black Butte Ranch have reported difficulty in getting approved for the deliveries due to the unique addressing system the Post Office uses to deliver mail at the Ranch. The website was not syncing with the mail handling system at the Ranch, creating considerable angst among some residents.

The situation is further complicated for those receiving mail at post office boxes, mobile home parks, floating homes (house boats), and for some who get their mail at a rural route address.

FOCUS on Health

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

You’re in the right hands

NEW AT BLACK BUTTE CHIROPRACTIC!

YOGA CLASSES & SOUND HEALING

Chiropractic • Acupuncture Massage • Facials For all your Physical Therapy and Massage needs

541-549-3534

541-389-9183

325 N. Locust St., Sisters

392 E. Main Ave., Sisters In the Red Brick Building

greenridgept.com

Green Ridge Physical Therapy

Megan Rheeder is a physical therapist and athletic trainer with Green Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness. Her specialty is treating athletes. Megan notes that anyone who leads an active lifestyle in Sisters can consider themselves an athlete. Sometimes that active lifestyle leads to injury, and sometimes life throws a curveball that derails us from our favorite activities.

Rheeder takes great satisfaction in helping people in Sisters recover from injury or surgery and get back to the activities that bring them joy, purpose, and meaning. She is a vestibular physical therapist, which means she can help those dealing with vertigo, and she has expertise in concussion therapy.

Rheeder encourages people to be proactive and act early on injuries, even if it’s just a nagging annoyance. Early intervention improves outcomes and speeds recovery.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for health,” she says.

She offers a thorough assessment, and involves patients actively in their own recovery.

For more information or to schedule an appointment go to

www.blackbutte chiropractic.com

St. Charles Family Care Black Butte Chiropractic

At St. Charles Family Care in Sisters, an experienced, highly trained team is passionate about providing people in and around the area with comprehensive medical care close to home.

They offer a range of services, including pediatric care, women’s health, Medicare wellness exams, minor surgery, and more.

St. Charles Family Care is excited to welcome two new providers — Dr. Danielle Eigner and Dr. Inger Lied — to the Sisters clinic.

Dr. Eigner was born and raised in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, and spent five years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, including deployments in Qatar, South Korea, and Italy. She looks forward to partnering with her patients to help them live their best lives.

Dr. Lied, who was born and raised in Norway, first fell in love with Oregon when she spent a year here as an exchange student in high school. She loves skiing, hiking, playing the violin, and spending time with her husband and children.

Dr. Eigner and Dr. Lied are accepting new patients. Call 541-549-1318 to make an appointment.

AMP-3 FIRST AID KITS 15% OFF

Be Prepared!

Use code: Sisters • Order online at amp-3.net

Black Butte Chiropractic has become a center for well-being in Sisters, offering a range of modalities that promote healing and ongoing wellness.

Sound baths led by local musician Mark Faldmo take participants on a meditative journey through sound and vibration as they sit quietly on a yoga mat and take it all in. Sessions leave participants with a great sense of mental clarity.

There are multiple sessions scheduled at the end of January — a 7 p.m. class on January 28; a 10:30 a.m. class on January 29; and a class for young people is set for 4:15 p.m. on January 25.

There are several yoga classes each week. In February you’ll find Yoga for Healthy Aging with Lisa Kuettle; movement-based yoga for all levels taught by Joni Peck; meditative yoga with deep stretches led by Tara Seymour; and classes with Phoenix Ries focused on balance, flexibility, and strength. They partner with Circle of Friends to offer classes for children and teens.

A January special offers one class for free. Visit the Black Butte Chiropractic website and download the Mind/Body app for more information and to sign up for classes.

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Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

How to pay for long-term care

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

It’s no secret that the U.S. population of older citizens is increasing, with more people living longer. Every day until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Add to that the fact that seven out of 10 people will require some type of long-term care (LTC) in their lifetime. Women need an average of 3.7 years of care, while men average 2.2 years.

The time to think about your options for LTC is not when you suddenly need it, or even when you retire.

The time to begin planning for your care at the end of your life is as early as possible. No matter what your age now, if you haven’t made any plans for care when and if you need it, make 2022 the year to get realistic about your future needs, make a plan, and figure out how you will pay for it.

That kind of planning can seem like a daunting task. No one knows how long they will live, what kinds of health problems they might have, and what kind of curves might come their way, but some reasonable planning is certainly a better option than waiting to see what happens. Most people think about LTC at two points in their life – when their parents need it or when they are getting older and realize they need a plan.

What is LTC? LTC refers to a range of services that can help people who need assistance meeting their own daily needs.

That assistance may be while recovering from an injury, surgery, or illness, or over the span of years. It can involve medical issues, activities of daily living (ADLs), household chores, or round-the-clock nursing care. It can take place in your home, a skilled nursing facility, an adult foster home, or an assisted living facility – wherever you are currently residing, whether temporarily or long-term.

One thing is certain – LTC is expensive and can wipe out a carefully crafted budget. As of 2020, the average lifetime cost of formal LTC is $172,000. But before you begin thinking dollars and cents, consider the logistics of how to thrive as you age. Where do you want to live? Where can you get emotional, physical, and financial support? How healthy are you now and what are your risk factors for future health problems? What contributes to your quality of life? The list can include whatever is important to you to create the optimal situation you can afford for your older years.

How to pay for it When you know what you want, it’s time to address how to pay for it.

If you have been saving ample money for that purpose or have investments and/or a retirement account

to draw on, you may be prepared.

Considering the costs for skilled nursing or assisted living, your funds can shrink quickly. You should have at least two years’ worth of care covered (remembering to factor in inflation).

If you enjoy good health, you could live longer and perhaps have a higher risk of age-related dementia. In that case, you should have enough saved to cover five years of care.

It is important to understand that Medicare does not cover LTC costs for assistance with ADLs if that is the only type of care required. However, it will cover some of the cost of skilled nursing care, which includes medically necessary needs such as wound care, IVs, and drug administration, if those services are delivered by a Medicare-certified provider.

Medicaid will typically cover the cost of assisted living services, as well as skilled nursing care, for those who qualify financially and if such services are delivered by a Medicaidcertified provider. But you are limited to facilities that accept Medicaid and have an open bed. Unless your assets and income are below the federal poverty level, most LTC costs will be private pay, meaning a cost you must cover out of your own pocket or that is covered by a LTC policy or other financial tools.

About 7.5 million Americans currently have some type of LTC insurance. Annual premiums vary depending on your age when you purchase the policy, what benefits it offers, and your health. These policies are a good option if you haven’t started putting money aside in your younger years.

However, the older you are when you purchase a policy, the more expensive the premium, or you may not be eligible to buy one. Be sure to check limits and benefits to be sure you are getting what you need.

More people are turning to hybrid policies, which combine LTC insurance with annuities or life insurance.

If the LTC insurance isn’t used, a portion of the money put in is paid out to beneficiaries. Depending on regular life insurance terms and values, it is possible to convert some policies into an income stream to help fund LTC needs. For homeowners, a reverse mortgage could potentially provide a source of untaxed monthly cash advances, if you remain in your home. Be sure you understand the fees and interest rates, as well as other stipulations attached to this option.

If you want to age in place, but need money from the sale of your house, you can sell your larger house and purchase a less expensive one, but there is another option to consider. You can sell your home to an adult child and then pay them rent, or if finances permit, the child could gift you the value of the rent, up to $15,000 per year, with no tax ramifications.

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SHIRONOSOV

Don’t wait until you are in need of long-term care to figure out how you will cover the expense.

LTC services for veterans with service-related injuries and disabilities have full coverage from the Department of Veterans Affairs at specified locations or through certain providers approved by the department. Those without service-related disabilities may also qualify for VA benefits if they meet certain qualifications. However, depending on the veteran’s household income, there

may be co-payments required.

Whatever proves to be the viable option(s) for LTC, the single most important thing is planning now for what will be workable with your financial situation in the future. Talk to your family about your plan. Then do what needs to be done to make it happen. If you need help, seek professional advice. It is never too soon to begin.

MONTHLY MEDIAN COSTS: BEND, OR (2020 vs. 2030) 2020

2030

In-Home Care (44 hr/week) Homemaker Services Home Health Aide

$5,911 $6,101

$7,944 $8,199

Community & Assisted Living Adult Day Health Care Assisted Living Facility

$1,842 $5,090

$2,475 $6,841

Nursing Home Facility Semi-Private Room Private Room

$10,114 $11,178

$13,144 $15,657

Based on 3% inflation. Data courtesy Genworth.

FOCUS on Health

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

earth & sea

BODY TREATMENT

We have vee something for ALL LL L aages! ges!

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Full-body scrub to exfoliate & soften, anti-aging balm to hydrate, and relaxing scalp & facial massage. Mention this ad for

$20 OFF THIS TREATMENT — Book at roamnaturalskincare.com — 541-953-7112 392 E. Main Ave. Sisters, Oregon

Roam Natural Skincare

Winter is many people’s favorite time of year in Sisters Country — but it can be hard on our skin.

“As the weather gets colder, we notice that our skin is even drier than ever,” says Sarah Woods of Roam Natural Skincare.

Woods has introduced an “earth & sea” body treatment that relaxes as it exfoliates the skin over your whole body. The treatment blends the “earth element” of salts with the “sea element” of undaria algae to hydrate, soothe, and heal the skin. Mention this ad to enjoy $20 off the earth & sea body treatment.

“It’s just a deeply relaxing treatment, as well,” Woods says.

Woods likens undaria algae — delivered through OSEA products crafted in Malibu, California — to “another form of aloe vera.”

This level of skin care is not a luxury in Sisters Country: it’s a key part of a healthy way of life. At Roam, the wellness of the whole person comes to the fore.

With years of experience to draw upon, Woods offers healthful, “green,” and truly effective products, to provide skin care that is as enjoyable as it is beneficial.

Services include facials, waxing/sugaring, lashes, makeup, and, of course retail!

with Sisters Park & Recreation District!

Group Fitness Classes • Youth Athletics Winter Programs For a full listing of activities and programs, visit sistersrecreation.com 541-549-2091 | 1750 W. MCKINNEY BUTTE ROAD, SISTERS

Sisters Park & Recreation District

Being active is one of the keys to a healthy, fulfilling life. Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) is on a mission to provide access to fun, effective fitness programs for the Sisters community.

Pandemic-related restrictions have made it hard over the past couple of years to gather people together for classes, but SPRD is planning to help the community get back on track in 2022.

“I think what we’re really trying to do in 2022 is bring back some of our fitness programs and also expand our senior fitness,” says Executive Director Jennifer Holland.

Participation continues to be high in Virtual Zumba. SPRD is offering a threeday-a-week Power Hour — a body-weight circuit training program that is open to people of all levels of fitness. The program is scalable to meet everyone where they are.

A Yoga program is slated to kick off in February and Tai Chi is back.

SPRD is currently working on getting back to in-person work with seniors, with low-intensity workouts focusing strongly on stretching and balance.

Seed to Table

Healthy eating is the foundation of healthy living.

You can promote the health of yourself and your community by filling your fridge with six months of fresh Sisters-grown veggies.

Seed to Table Farm is excited to announce the launch of the 2022 produce share. With sign-ups opening on January 20, this season will feature a longer-thanever availability of fresh veggies, slidingscale payment options, and SNAP/EBT payment options. Seed to Table strives to support the health and wellness of Sisters community members through providing equitable access to local, farm-fresh foods and farm-based education.

In a produce share, you pay in advance or monthly for a season of fresh, local vegetables. A small share receives six to eight items and a large share receives nine to 11 items each week. The first pickup is on May 4. Supporting a produce share model also supports your community health by supporting farm-based education, decreasing carbon emissions from food production, fueling the local economy, bolstering farming practices that build and restore soil, and ensuring food that is free of harmful chemicals.

For our patients’ convenience, ed to host… we are pleased Dr. Shannon on Woods, ho Woods Ortho 1-2 days per month at our Sisters office.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Woods, call 541-385-3104.

HELPING PATIENTS GET MOVING!

Trevor Frideres, D.M.D. Greg Everson, D.M.D. Kellie Kawasaki, D.M.D.

541-549-2011

491 E. Main Ave., Sisters Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

www.sistersdental.com

Physical Therapy • Aquatic Therapy Post-Surgical Post Surgical • Sports-Specific Training Strengthening & Conditioning Stren

541-549-3574

2022 Desperado Trail, Ste 201 at Sisters Athletic Club www.therapeuticassociates.com/Sisters

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Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

A first aid kit is a vital part of preparedness

By Ceili Cornelius Correspondent

Living in Central Oregon, we can walk out our back doors and access the outdoors pretty much anywhere we go. With that comes unknown circumstances — a quick change in the weather could make or break your hike out in the woods if you aren’t prepared.

Being prepared when you decide to go out exploring is an essential element of safety for not only ourselves, but others on the trail.

Beth Pruett, cofounder of AMP-3, LLC First Aid Kits spoke with The Nugget about the importance of preparedness and having first aid kits for whatever your outdoor lifestyle might be.

AMP-3 was founded by David and Beth Pruett. David Pruett was an emergency room doctor for 20 years, and before that, a wildland firefighter.

So he had seen all kinds of emergencies and had experience in the field.

He started building homemade first aid kits and putting out YouTube videos about them. As the videos gained traction, Beth suggested he try to sell them. He built 10 kits, and they sold online within an hour.

“We realized then we really had a concept to start a business for building and selling these first aid kits,” Beth Pruett said.

The couple started building and selling kits 12 years ago and have since expanded their space in Sisters and their product line.

One of their most popular kits, the Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) is the kit that Beth Pruett suggested as the best one to carry on trips and to have in your home.

“It is a kit with a variety of first aid tools and items. It includes a blood-stopper kit and other major bleeding tools, chest scale kit for gunshot wounds, and then your

typical Band-Aids, pain killers, etc.,” she said.

The kits graduate up in level. They have an outfitter kit, which has largetrauma wound care, a dental-care kit (the only kit on the market with items for dental, the Pruetts assert). They also carry a wildland firefighter kit that is their most recent release. This kit contains blister and burn care for firefighters on the front lines.

“These first aid kits are one of a kind, they are American-made using custom-made bags that are sewn and manufactured here, and we try to source all the items from the U.S.,” said Beth. Most of the unique products that aren’t seen in typical first aid kits are made in the United States; most of the other typical items like Band-Aids, are made internationally.

On AMP-3’s website, they also have a list of 100 essentials for being prepared for any natural event or going into the outdoors. Pruett offered The Nugget a list of four main essentials she sees as extremely important to think about/have on hand.

“It is so important to have some sort of generator, especially here so you can keep warm if the power goes down. Also, to have shelter established — figure out somewhere where you can take shelter and have a safe place to keep warm. It is of course essential to have a stock of food and water in an accessible place in your home as well as when you go out; make sure you have enough food and water for your trip. For the home specifically, we recommend having what’s called a water bob, which goes into the bathtub and allows fresh water to be stored in the bathtub and stay good,” she said.

A few other items she mentioned: to have money and cash on hand in small bills, a hand radio in case cellular towers go down, and to have a preparedness plan.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Beth and David Pruett, cofounders of AMP-3, LLC.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Amp-3 makes a range of first aid kits here in Sisters, suited for a variety of applications.

“It is important, no matter what the situation might be, whether that be a natural disaster or a multi-day trip into the mountains, to have some sort of plan in place where people know where you are going to be or meet in a circumstance of emergency,” said Beth Pruett.

Jarod Gatley, director of Bend Adventure Sports (BAS) also spoke with The Nugget about the importance of being prepared for any sort of disaster or emergency. Gatley is a certified outdoor leader and often takes groups out on the trail and trips for BAS. “In today’s society, everything is so instant, and people think they can get a hold of someone immediately if they have an emergency. But oftentimes you won’t have service and will have to respond to whatever situation with whatever you have,” he said.

He sees a lot of situations where people go out for a hike not anticipating how long or extreme the hike might be and end up in an emergency because they don’t have enough water, or they get hurt and can’t treat a wound or injury.

“A lot of people also don’t carry items with them that are important to have, such as blister care; if you get a blister, you can’t wear shoes to get back to your car. You are stranded,” he said.

Gatley emphasized the importance of having some sort of self-carry basic first aid kit on you whenever you go out for a hike.

“You don’t need to carry trauma

gear, but some sort of basic first aid kit with sterile gloves, bandages, and standard Band-Aids etc. is important to have because you just never know what might happen on the trail.”

He spoke to the importance of knowing how to use basic everyday items out in the woods: In case you come upon someone on the trail in distress, you can help them as well.

“An example is using a hiking pole as a splint for a broken leg,” he said. “A lot of people don’t have the knowledge of how a basic item could save a life.”

Gatley hears a lot of stories of tourists going out onto the popular local trails without knowledge of the area, and think they must be safe because they saw it on social media.

“People need to have an understanding of what’s around them and have basic items with them, and be aware of what they are walking into.

In any situation it is important to just be prepared,” he said.

Having something like the everyday carry kit from AMP-3 would be the perfect example of a kit to throw in your hiking backpack.

All of AMP-3’s first aid kits can be viewed and purchased on their website. You can also find other preparedness items such as warming blankets and in-house kits versus just traveling kits. All their traveling kits, including the everyday carry kit, include a variety of emergency and wound-care products. For more information visit www.amp-3.net.

FOCUS on Health

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

SHE SOARS

Sweat PNW

Sweat PNW is helping people in Sisters live a better life through fitness, good nutrition, and positive wellness habits.

The gym has recently been remodeled to allow safe space for in-person classes — limited in numbers with masks required.

Sweat PNW offers varied workout programs scalable for any level of fitness.

You work from the core out, building a strong, stable foundation for improved strength and fitness, while avoiding injury.

The variety makes the work fun, and makes it easy to keep coming back consistently — a key to success.

The workouts build in agility and mobility as well as strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Each quarter, Sweat PNW serves up a Lifestyle Challenge that pairs a daily workout with nutritional information and dietary guidance to heal the gut and fight inflammation. Tips for better sleep round out a program designed to set clients on a path to a healthier way of life and sustainable wellness.

At the end of February, look for a prehab clinic to train in methods of stretching and foam rolling that will set you up for success in all of your physical endeavors.

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PSYCHIATRY

She Soars Psychiatry

Mental health and well-being have become more of a challenge to more people over the past few very stressful and challenging years.

Audry Van Houweling of She Soars Psychiatry has seen the need grow in her practice in Sisters. She recognizes that mainstream psychiatry may treat symptoms, but seldom identifies the source or roots of a mental health condition.

While she acknowledges that medication can help in some circumstances, Audry is committed to a broader, functional approach to treatment. She recognizes that physical, mental, and emotional health are all connected.

She Soars Psychiatry was born out of the belief that mental health diagnoses are not always permanent conditions and that non-invasive methods such as nutrition, fitness, supplementation, spirituality, social connections, and stress management may have as much if not far more impact than pharmaceuticals.

Audry recently launched a collaboration with Functional and Holistic Nutritional Therapist Megan Basl (available virtually in Sisters) to help women manage chronic conditions through managing what and how they eat.

Hamsa Healing Arts

Jeri Bonis’ favorite aspect of being a massage therapist — and one of her great strengths — is truly listening to the needs of her patients.

“I have a lot of tools, and what I love is to really get a sense of what my client needs,” she said.

Among her tools are traditional Swedish massage, as well as deep-tissue massage, and myofascial release. She has expertise in cupping and guasha (a traditional Chinese technique used to treat chronic pain), and Reiki energy work.

Jeri has a background in mental health, and is training in a body-based modality called Somatic Experiencing, a “traumainformed” modality that gets at the physical body responses to stress and trauma that can leave our bodies and minds locked in a state of threat response.

Effectively addressing any range of ailments requires much more than a onesize-fits-all approach. The key to choosing the right modality — the right tool to approach the work at hand — is in that ability to listen to a client’s needs. Jeri talks thoroughly with her patients to assess what is truly going on with them and assesses both their needs and the most effective way to enhance wellness.

HELP FOR CHRONIC STRESS!

Reduce stress • Relax Improve sleep • Manage weight Quit smoking • Control chronic pain

435.777.4021 Request Your Free Relaxation Audio!

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