Active Living a guide for senior wellness
Oswego Health Spring 2018
p. 3 Weight Loss
Success Story p.10 New Surgeon Frank and Terry Carbone enjoying their patio at Springside at Seneca Hill
Lisa Lai, MD
The warm weather has finally arrived, and as we all know it’s been a long wait to get outdoors and participate in our various good weather pursuits. I know I am looking forward to longer walks and swimming with my dog, Legion.
Healthy at any age Active Living is a magazine dedicated to strengthening a positive attitude, action and knowledge of seniors’ health awareness. A Publication of Oswego Health 110 West Sixth Street, NY 13126 315-349-5511 Michael Harlovic President and CEO of Oswego Health
In this issue of Active Living, you can learn more about several new services that Oswego Health has recently launched. We introduced Care OnDemand, which uses technology, such as a phone, tablet or desktop to connect residents with a board-certified provider 24 hours a day/7days a week. Community members can conveniently and quickly seek medical care from almost anywhere. Turn to page 8 for more details. Another fast option is one of our urgent care locations, where a board-certified physician is always available. Our two locations in Central Square and Fulton are open daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for all your summertime bumps and illnesses. In the upcoming months, we will begin to offer appointments at each of these locations. As this is our senior community newsletter, you can read about Terry and Frank Carbone who live at Oswego Health’s upscale retirement community, Springside at Seneca Hill. They share how much they like the carefree lifestyle Springside offers.
Jeff Coakley Oswego Health Executive VP & COO for Oswego Hospital Marion Ciciarelli Senior Director of Communications
We also feature two family members that have participated in our successful Center for Weight Loss & Surgery patients. They tell us that the surgery has given them back their lives. Turn to page 3 for their story.
Jennifer Martin Director of Marketing Anne Raham Communications Coordinator
In closing, I encourage you to embrace a new outdoor hobby or activity this summer. As you most probably know, keeping active is key to healthy aging. There are some good related tips on page 7.
Maureen Miceli Executive Assistant CORRESPONDENCE: Oswego Health Development and Community Relations 110 West Sixth Street Oswego, NY 13126
Sincerely,
dearoh@oswegohealth.org
p. 4 - Staying Young and Active p. 5 - Springside Welcomes Kelly Lawton p. 6 - Customer Satisfaction 4 Stars p. 7 - Wound Care Staff is Fantastic p. 8 - Care OnDemand p. 9 - Continuum Care p. 10 - New Breast Care Physician
©2018
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oswegohealth.org for newsletters, medical information, provider listings and more Information in this issue comes from a range of medical experts. If you have any questions or concerns about specific content that may affect your health please contact your health care provider.
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Michael Harlovic President and CEO for Oswego Health
Weight Loss and Surgery Success! After attending one of Oswego Health’s Center for Weight Loss & Surgery free seminars last fall, Linda Myer was so impressed she returned the following month with her step-daughter, Christine “Chrissy” Mendenhall. Following those initial seminars, along with the required screenings and counseling, the pair has successfully undergone surgery and are well on their way toward improving their overall health status. Linda, 73, was the first to undergo the sleeve gastrectomy procedure on February 7th, with Kenneth Cooper, DO, performing the surgery in Oswego Hospital’s stateof-the-art surgery center. “My care was fantastic,” Linda said. And, I was able to go home the next day as I had no pain.” Just a week later, on Valentine’s Day, Chrissy underwent her own procedure with Jeffery DeSimone, MD, in the operating room. “I had two amazing nurses and opted to stay an extra night,” she said.
While they had different surgeons who performed their surgeries, they used the words, “awesome, fantastic and wonderful” to describe both of them. Since their surgery, they are attending the provided support group and have leaned on each other with nearly daily phone calls as they continue to lose weight. While the main goal of the surgery may have been to lose weight, they have noticed some other health benefits. Linda no longer has persistent back pain and has more energy. Meanwhile, Chrissy, age 40, says her triglycerides level has significantly lowered. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I’m off all my blood pressure medications.” They both have set goals for the summer. Linda won’t be sitting in the car during this summer’s Syracuse Nationals and instead plans to walk around to get a close up look at the cars on display. She and her husband are car enthusiasts who own several classic cars and enjoy going to car shows together. For Chrissy, the goal is to return to work and to wear a new bathing suit when she, her husband and three children, swim in the family pool.
Christine “Chrissy” Mendenhal, left, with her step-mother, Linda Myer. Community members interested in learning more about the program offered by Oswego Health’s Center for Weight Loss & Surgery, now have two seminar options. Residents can watch the seminar from the comforts of their home or another location by registering online at https://www.oswegohealth.org/services/ weight-loss-surgery Once you register, a staff member will call you within a few days with a user name and password allowing you to view the presentation. There is a short quiz you will be required to take following the video. After taking the quiz, if you are interested in the program, a staff member will make a return call to arrange a physician appointment. The office will also continue to hold Wednesday seminars. To learn the dates of the next seminar, please call 315-349-5822.
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active
Staying young and
ncial benefits of living at Springside before they moved. They no longer pay property taxes, sewer & water expenses or liability insurance. Their monthly fee includes all interior and exterior maintenance, including lawn work and snow removal. Their home and attached garage are power washed each year and if an appliance were to break, it’s replaced at no cost to them. “I think the first month we lived here our water heater went and a new one was installed the next day,” Frank said. “The staff here can’t do enough for you,” added Terry. But even before they moved in, the entire home received a fresh coat of paint. Other cosmetic upgrades are typically made as well, which is not charged to the homeowner.
The Carbones don’t have any pets, but if they did, they are welcome to move in as well. There are other Enjoying the library at Springside options the Carbones could It is the carefree and easy lifestyle that attracted Terry take advantge of, including enjoying delicious meals and Frank Carbone to sell their Oswego home and prepared by a chef each night and served in Springmove to Springside at Seneca Hill. side’s attractive dining room. Since Terry likes to cook The couple, high school sweethearts who grew up in they occasionally eat in the dinning room. Utica, first moved to the city of Oswego seven years ago To ensure all of Springside’s residents have plenty of to be near their daughter and her family. activities, the staff plans several events each month Then nearly three years ago they decided it was time to from trips to nearby sites to outside entertainment proconsider another move. They looked at possible options vided right at the facility. in Baldwinsville as well as other nearby retirement communities, before choosing a duplex at Springside. “We decided we didn’t want the maintenance responsibilities or the taxes,” said Terry. “This gave us the freedom we wanted and has certainly allowed us to do as we wish.”
When a popular band is the evening’s entertainment, the Carbones are typically the first to take to the dance floor.
The Carbones considered both the lifestyle and fina-
Continued on next page
The couple, both in their 70s, have embraced an active lifestyle their entire lives and still maintain a busy calendar. When the weather permits, they kayak and Frank added, “When we left for Florida for a month last bike. They also regularly walk the Seneca Hill campus, winter, it was nice to lock the door and not have any which they say offers a nice, 1.5 mile route. They have worries. The maintenance staff looked after the house the option of using the Springside exercise room as well while we were away.” if the weather is bad. During their recent Florida trip, the
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Carbones were introduced to pickleball, which they plan to pursue locally. Terry also likes swims at Grandy Elementary School, offering convenient hours a short drive away. A watercolorist most of her life, she teaches acrylic painting classes at a variety of venues in the Oswego area. Keeping them just as busy is their church, Elim Grace Christian Church, where Frank is a Deacon and Terry helps out in the nursery and other activities. Needless to say, they regularly spend time with daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Mark Humphrey, MD, and their two teenaged children. A son, Frank Jr., resides in the Rochester area. As the weather gets warmer, the Carbones are looking forward to the Springside annual picnic in the beautiful garden area, as well as enjoying the outdoors on their attractive patio. To learn how you can also enjoy the carefree Springside lifestyle, please call 315-343-5658. We have several apartments available.
Springside Welcomes Kelly Lawton as Executive Director of Springside Kelly Lawton was welcomeed to Springside at Seneca Hill as Executive Director in late March. She is excited to be working at the upscale retirement community, saying she was impressed on her first visit. “When I walked through the door, I found Springside to have a very nice atmosphere, very calming and friendly,� she said. She has approximately 20 years of experience managing and operating senior housing communities and multi-family housing and apartment complexes. She most recently was a Regional Property Manager at Millenia Housing Management, where she was responsible for managing 13 properties in four different states. Kelly is a native of Liverpool. She is a graduate of Liverpool High School and has an accounting degree she earned at Bryant and Stratton, all while working 60 hours a week and managing her family. She has four grown children and six grandchildren.
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Once Again 4 Stars for Excellent Customer Service Oswego Hospital has once again been awarded four stars for providing excellent customer service experiences. Hospitals across the country are rated using a five-star scale, much like hotels, movies and even books availMotorists, who wish to take advantage of this new paable for order on Amazon. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) created tient initiative, just need to drive up to the hospital’s this five-star quality rating to help individuals, their main covered entrance weekdays between 8 a.m. and family members, and caregivers compare hospitals in 4:30 p.m. There is no cost and tipping is not allowed.
Similar to valet services at a hotel, motorists will give Oswego Hospital was recently awarded a four-star rat- their keys to the attendant, who will park their car nearing by CMS for the care its physician and staff deliver by. When the patient is ready to return home, the attento patients. Oswego Hospital, in fact, earned more stars dant will retrieve their car, bringing it back to the hospithan any other healthcare facility in the area, including tal’s covered entrance. Patients who need to remain at the hospital after 4:30 p.m. will be able to retrieve their the Syracuse hospitals. car keys from hospital lobby security personnel. an easily understandable way.
Along with offering great care, Oswego Health has implemented two customerfriendly services.
We’ll Take You Home Too Our wheelchair bound patients who have been discharged from Oswego Hospital can now receive a free ride home.
Implemented in April, this Oswego County Opportunities contracted service is helping these patients get This service has been extremely well-received by our home quickly. This service is provided to residents who patients, with as many as 35 people a day using the free reside in the Oswego Health service area, which encomvalet service. passes most of Oswego County.
Free Valet Parking at Oswego Hospital
Working at Oswego Hospital’s valet station are Roland Eugenio and Tyler Krebs.
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Assisting our wheelchair bound hospital discharged patients get home is Melvin Anthony Jr.
Wound Care Center Staff is Fantastic Francis Cutro said he was delighted when he learned he could receive his wound care treatments at Oswego Hospital’s Center for Wound Healing. “I was kinda in bad shape,” he said. “I had a bad infection of my bone and toe.” Following treatments that included advanced wound care dressings and use of the onsite hyperbaric chamber, Francis was healed. “The staff here was fantastic,” Francis said. “They treated me very well, more like a friend than a patient. They were always concerned about monitoring my healing and made sure I was comfortable and not in pain.” Francis is pictured with Katie O’Reilly, hyperbaric chamber technician.
Now with his newly healed toe, Francis, a retired Phoenix biology teacher, is looking forward to taking a bus trip this summer.
Stay Active as You Age for a Healthier Brain Moving your body is a good thing at any age. Staying active into your later years has a host of health benefits, including brain health. For instance, daily activity can help: • Reduce depression and anxiety by releasing brain chemicals that make you feel good. • Make your muscles stronger, reducing your risk for falls. • Keep your weight in a healthy range. • Keep your heart healthy. • Keep your blood sugar at healthy levels. • Strengthen your bones.
Getting out and about
• Volunteer at the library, at an animal rescue agency or as a mentor. • Take an art or a pottery class. • Visit museums and art galleries.
How physical activity helps your brain Older adults who are active have been found to have larger amounts of gray matter in the brain, finds a new study done by Oxford Academic. More gray matter is a good thing: It’s associated with better cognitive function. Gray matter controls memory, speech, senses, thinking and feeling, muscle movement, and more.
You don’t have to pick up a gym habit to enjoy life, get some exercise, and engage with your family and community.
The amount of gray matter tends to decrease with age. Lower amounts are associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why staying active is important to your brain health.
Some suggestions:
Exercising as you age
• Walk your pets or stroll the mall. • Get a pool membership where you can swim or do light water aerobics. • Take a dance class, such as ballroom dancing. • Plant a garden. • Play with your grandkids.
How you exercise may change as you age, but staying active is still important. Regular exercise is one of the key things you can do to enjoy a longer, healthier and more independent life. Talk with your doctor about what kind of exercise is best for you.
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Healthcare When You Need It Community members no longer need to leave their couch for healthcare from a board-certified provider. Oswego Health introduced its new Care OnDemand services in April, allowing community members to receive virtual care from a provider 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Care is easily accessed from your phone, tablet or desktop. You will be able to speak with a board-certified provider within 30 minutes of your initial call, by telephone, FaceTime, Skype or online video chat, using the camera or webcam on your device. Among the most common conditions treated by Care OnDemand are asthma, back pain, burns, colds, cuts, rashes, sinus symptoms, and headaches. To take advantage of this new service, please call toll-free 1-833-267-9346. Community members can also download a free app at either the App Store or Google Play by searching for Oswego Health Care OnDemand. To ensure the best virtual physician visit, community members are encouraged to be ready to verbalize their health condition and have their list of medications handy. The Care OnDemand physician may prescribe
Urgent Care
medications that can be filled at the community member’s pharmacy. The online physician will also send a report to your primary care physician. To access this service, there is a $39 charge, payable by credit card only. Some insurance companies will reimburse their subscribers this fee. To learn more, please visit: https://www.oswegohealth. org/services/care-ondemand/
PHYSICIAN, LAB & MEDICAL IMAGING ALL ON-SITE TWO LOCATIONS
Central Square and Fulton Open 7 days 9 am - 8:30 pm Central Square Medical Center 3045 East Ave (Rt 49) • 315-668-5240 Fulton Medical Center 510 South Fourth St. • 315-592-3500
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Oswego Health’s Continuum of Care From baby boomers seeking an easy, comfortable life- Oswego Health Home Care style to those needing skilled nursing care, Oswego Oswego Health Home Care is a certified home care Health’s specialized senior services offer options that agency offering convenient and professional care to provide exceptional care regardless of the individual’s patients in the comfort of their homes. Staff members stage in life or healthcare needs. are available 24 hours a day/seven days a week and can “The Oswego Health system’s senior services were de- provide skilled nursing, rehabilitation services and supveloped to allow community members to enjoy their port services. life in the best possible environments and to receive unsurpassed care,” said Jason Santiago, an Oswego Health Lifeline Vice President who is the Chief Operating officer of both Oswego Lifeline offers a range of choices to help indiThe Manor and Springside at Seneca Hill. viduals maintain their independence. With the push of a button, help can be summoned if faced with a medical emergency or a fall. Lifeline is the #1 medical alert sys“These services are interconnected so tem in the U.S. ready to take calls from Lifeline subscribthat as a person needs more attention or ers 24-hours a day.
a different type of care, it’s available for them and easily accessible.”
An overview of these services are outlined below.
Springside at Seneca Hill Springside at Seneca Hill is Oswego Health’s retirement community. For those age 62 or older it’s the perfect setting to enjoy their favorite pursuits and hobbies in an immaculate, well-maintained community. At Springside, there are no worries about yard maintenance, household chores or what to serve for dinner. Instead, residents can take part in educational, health and wellness activities. And, each night a delicious meal is served by the executive chef in the well appointed main dining room. Springside offers several housing options to fit your needs. There are one and two-bedroom apartments along with one-story cottages and homes.
The Manor at Seneca Hill The Manor provides not only exceptional skilled nursing services for its residents, but also an attractive facility that offers a tailor-made rehabilitation program following an accident, stroke or illness. For families looking for a safe place with lots of activities where a loved one can spend the day, The Manor offers an Adult Day Health Services Program.
Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe • 1 tsp vegetable oil (any kind of cooking oil) • 1 onion, diced • 1 carrot, sliced • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth • 1 cup dry brown lentils • 1/4 tsp dried thyme • 2 bay leaves • dash salt and pepper, to taste • 2 tsp lemon juice (optional) Instructions 1. In a large pot, sauté the onions and carrot in the vegetable oil for 3-5 minutes until onions turn clear. 2. Add the vegetable broth, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and a dash of sea salt or kosher salt and black pepper (you can always add more later when you taste the soup). 3. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook your soup until the lentils are soft, about 45 minutes. 4. Remove bay leaves and stir in lemon juice before serving. The lemon juice is optional, but it just helps to bring out all the other flavors a bit more. 5. Taste, and season with a bit more salt and pepper to taste, or, serve as is and allow everyone to season as they prefer. Makes 4 servings. One serving provides approximately: Calories: 230, Calories from Fat: 27 Total Carbohydrates: 33.0g Total Fat: 3.0g, Saturated Fat: 0.7g Dietary Fiber: 15.6g Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 852mg Sugars: 4.6g Protein: 18.7g
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Breast Care Physician Joins Oswego Health Oswego Health welcomes Breast Surgeon Lisa Lai, MD, to its General Surgery Associates practice. Dr. Lai is seeing patients at the Fulton Medical Office Building and is performing surgical procedures in Oswego Hospital’s advanced surgery center. Dr. Lai provides a complete range of breast care from screenings, to evaluation of breast masses or other concerns, management of abnormal breast imaging and surgery for benign or malignant disease including lumpectomies and mastectomies. She is affiliated with the Cancer Center at Upstate Medical Center, serving as the medical director for the breast cancer program. She brings a continuum of services through the partnerships between Upstate and Oswego Health. This collaboration provides radiation oncology and medical oncology services locally. This partnership will further benefit local breast cancer patients who require specialized care or choose to have plastic surgery following a breast procedure. Dr. Lai received her medical degree and undergraduate degrees from SUNY Buffalo, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She completed her surgery residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University and her breast surgical oncology Fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. To make an appointment with Dr. Lai, please call General Surgery Associates at 315-342-6771.
General Surgery Associates affiliated with Oswego Health Oswego Health’s surgeons are providing exceptional Dr. Zhurov fulfilled his residency at Nassau University surgical services in Oswego Hospital’s technologically- Medical Center and a minimally invasive bariatric advanced Surgery Center. Fellowship at N.Y. Medical College. The surgeons are conveniently offering office appoint- Along with the surgeons, assisting in the offices is ments in Oswego, Fulton, and Pulaski. Family Nurse Practitioner Deanna Grimshaw. Oswego Office, 38 Erie St. Among their areas of expertise are breast care, colonoscopy, endoscopy, gallbladder, thyroid, with many perFulton Medical Office Building, 522 S. Fourth St. formed laparoscopically. These include appendectomy, Pulaski Health Center, 61 Delano St. colon repairs, and hernias, among others. To make an appointment at any location, please call the In addition to Dr. Lai, profiled above, Jai Singh, MD, and Oswego office at 315-342-6771. Yuriy Zhurov, MD, are among Oswego Health’s surgeons. Dr. Jai Singh earned his bachelor of medicine and surgery (MBBS) from Maulana Azad Medical College and his master’s of surgery at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, both part of the University in Delhi, India. Dr. Yuriy Zhurov earned his medical degree and completed a Fellowship at medical institutions in the Ukraine, where he also earned his Ph.D. Dr. Zhurov uses Oswego Hospital’s new high-definition equipment.
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Feel better with fiber in your diet Fiber can improve digestion, cut the risk of disease, and help control weight, but most Americans don’t get enough. Fiber not only works to keep your digestive system healthy, but it also helps you prevent heart disease and some types Oswego Health of cancer, lower choCertified Dietician/ lesterol, control diaNutritionist Alicia Olsen, RD, CDN betes, and maintain a healthy weight.
Types of fiber Dietary fiber is the carbohydrate in plant foods your body can’t digest. There are two kinds— soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves is water to form a gel like material, it helps lower cholesterol levels, and lower blood glucose levels. Insoluble fiber helps with constipation. Both types are important for health. It’s also important for normal bowel function. Overall, dietary fiber slows down digestion. A person feels full longer on fewer calories, which can help control weight.
Many people can meet their daily fiber needs by eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables plus at least three small servings of whole grains, according to the AICR.
Here are some practical ways to get the fiber you need: • Start with a high-fiber breakfast. It can be as easy as selecting a cereal that contains 20 percent of your daily fiber needs. The nutrition facts label will spell it out. • Arrange your plate so that two-thirds of it is devoted to plant-based foods. • Eat fruit for snacks. • Replace white, refined grains with whole grains • Toss in a small handful of nuts and seeds a few times a week.
Don’t overdo it As good as fiber is for you, be careful not to get too much or increase your intake too quickly. Eating more than 60 grams of fiber a day or suddenly increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can lead to stomach pain, gas or bloating. It’s better to add fiber slowly so your body has time to adjust. Also, drink plenty of water each day. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other caffeine- and sugar-free beverages a day.
Many high-fiber foods are also rich in nutrients that may help prevent other types of cancer, such as those affecting the mouth, throat and stomach. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts/seeds, and whole grains.
A registered dietician/or your doctor can help you create a high-fiber diet that works for you.
Your fiber fix
See our related recipe
How much fiber do you need? The National Academy of Science’s Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that adult men up to age 50 get 38 grams a day and women in that age group get 25 grams a day. After age 50, men should get 30 grams and women should get 21 grams of fiber.
Oswego Health Certified Dietician/Nutritionist Alicia Olsen, RD, CDN, shares a fiber rich recipe on page 9.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most Americans get about 16 grams per day, considerably less than the amounts recommended.
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