August • September 2018 ourhealthroanokeNRV.com
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FEATURES
AUGUST • SEPTEMBER 2018
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2018 SENIOR LIVING AWARDS
OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valleys Magazine is pleased to recognize the 174 businesses and individuals that make up the winners of our 10th Annual Senior Living Awards, which were voted on by our community.
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A GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL AGING INTO YOUR 90s AND BEYOND Whether you’re a senior or a caregiver helping a loved one, we’ll show you how to stay healthy, active and happy well into your 90s and beyond.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE
JOIN THE OurHealth Community ON Social Media! Write us, tweet us, or tag us today! #OurHealthRNRV
In recent years Medicare has become increasingly complex as Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies and prescription coverage have become available. Do you know what plans you need to manage your healthcare costs? www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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DEPARTMENTS AUGUST • SEPTEMBER 2018
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The Pulse | People. Places. News to Know.
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Calendar | Things to Do in Roanoke & New River Valleys
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Health Scene | Happenings. Who’s Who. Trending.
41 - Myopia: Keeping an eye on nearsightedness in children.
during August and September for your Mind, Body and Soul.
LewisGale Physicians hosts men's health fair at Valley View Medical Building.
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35 - Focus on Mind, Body, and Spirit: Fork Union Military Academy prepares boys to become healthy young men.
45 - The Do's and Don'ts of Getting a Perfectly Straight Smile.
50 Health Observances | Educate. Eradicate. Victory. 50 - August is National Immunizations Month: The Truth about Why Parents Shouldn't Fear Immunizations.
Volunteer Spotlight | Heroes. Champions. Community Minded.
Breast cancer survivor, Decca Knight, leads the Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge Board and advocates on behalf of cancer patients and their families.
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Q&A on Health | Questions. Answers. Knowledge.
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Health A-Z | Insight. Awareness. Mindfulness for the Whole Family. 28 - How to Build Resilience in Kids Going Back-toSchool: Kids face issues their parents never did: social media predators, an opioid crisis that’s snaking its way into first-grade classrooms, and epic levels of stress.
52 - September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: MRI, the new diagnostic tool for prostate cancer.
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Aging Well | Wisdom. Dignity. Support. 85 - Individualized Fast-Track Ortho Program Gives Patients Peace of Mind.
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Food and Fitness | Nutrition. Exercise. Prevention. 88 - Fresh and Fabulous Fall Produce: The fall harvest season brings a whole new assortment of delicious and heart-healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. Apples, pears, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are fresh in the market – or in your garden.
90 Funny Bone | Spot the Seven Differences 8
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1 8 S I LV E R
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august • september 2018 PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER WEBMASTER ACCOUNTING MANAGER ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY GUEST PHOTOGRAPHERS
McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Hungate Kim Wood Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Heidi McClintic Laura Bower Sunny Wasiela / Sunnyography David Amos Bob Crawford Narik Page
CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS & WRITERS
Janice Anderson, AuD Delmas Bolin, MD, PhD, FACSM Sue Irvine, RN Paul Kaiser, DDS Colleen Mitchell, OD Crystal Poff, FNP-C E. Lynn Atkinson Catherine Brown Brandy Centolanza Francis Farrell, Sr. Jennifer Lamont Michelle McLees Rick Piester Patti Culver Smith
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Kim Wood | P: 540.798.2504 kimwood@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are $19.95 per year. To receive OurHealth via U.S. Mail, please contact Jenny Hungate at jenny@ourhealthvirginia.com
@ourhealthSWVA
COMMENTS/FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS We welcome your feedback. Please send all comments and/or questions to the following: U.S. Mail: McClintic Media, Inc., ATTN: Steve McClintic, Jr., President/ Publisher/Editor: 303 S. Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Ext. 1 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth websites (websites listed below) and social media updates and emails is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical or health advice of an individual’s physician or healthcare provider as it relates to individual situations. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF YOUR DOCTOR. All matters concerning physical and mental health should be supervised by a health practitioner knowledgeable in treating that particular condition. The publisher does not directly or indirectly dispense medical advice and does not assume any responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves. The publisher has taken reasonable precaution in preparing this publication, however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright © 2018 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Roanoke and New River Valleys is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 303 S. Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483. MAIN: ourhealthvirginia.com | ourhealthroanokenrv.com | ourhealthlynchburg.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcharlottesville.com | Advertising rates upon request.
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The Pulse INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS words | OURHEALTH STAFF WRITER
Announcements
Awards & Recognitions
Carilion Clinic offers less invasive treatment for Carotid Artery Disease
LewisGale Medical Center Receives Several National Awards
TransCarotid Artery Revascularization, or TCAR, a new minimally invasive treatment for Carotid Artery Disease, is improving patient outcomes and reducing length of hospital stay. Carilion Clinic Aortic Center Director, Joshua Adams, MD, is the second physician in the state and the first in the region to offer this procedure. TCAR serves as a less invasive alternative to Carotid Endarterectomy, which is the traditional open surgery procedure used to reduce the risk of stroke for Carotid Artery Disease patients. TCAR also provides an opportunity for Carotid Artery Disease patients previously seen as high risk to have a safer surgical care option. Patients who undergo this procedure are typically out of the hospital by the next day versus a longer stay and recovery time with traditional carotid procedures. More information: www.carilionclinic.org
LewisGale Medical Center has received several national awards for excellence through Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive physician and hospital information. As the recipient of the Healthgrades 2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award, the hospital has prevented the occurrence of serious, potentially avoidable complications for patients during hospital stays. This distinction places LewisGale Medical Center among the top five percent of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data for its excellent performance as measured by objective outcomes (riskadjusted patient safety indicator rates) for 13 patient safety indicators defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
In addition to the patient safety award, LewisGale Medical Center was also noted as one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, was the recipient of the Healthgrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award and was ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation for Spine Surgery. The Salem, Virginia hospital was also recognized as a FiveStar Recipient for Treatment of a Heart Attack. Patients treated at hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have a lower risk of mortality. They also find that patients experience fewer complications when compared to hospitals with lower rankings. More information: www.lewisgale.com
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
The Pulse
Openings
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Introduces New Chief Nursing Officer
New Pediatric Vision Center Opens in Roanoke
Amy Woods, DNP, RN, has been named the new Chief Nursing Officer at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. Most recently, Woods served as Interim Chief Nursing Officer at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany and was previously the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at LewisGale Medical Center.
Vistar Eye Center announces the opening of its new eye center dedicated to pediatric eye care. The new Vistar Children’s Eye Center, located on the first floor of the old Allstate building at 1819 Electric Road, will be home to all Vistar pediatric services including all pediatric ophthalmological care and vision screening and exams. John Facciani, MD and B. Allen Watson, MD, Vistar’s pediatric ophthalmologists, are now seeing patients at the new location.
Amy Woods, DNP, RN
“I’m thrilled to be back home,” Woods says, “and once again making a difference in patients’ lives in the New River Valley by helping the team at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery deliver the highest levels of quality patient care.” Woods previously worked at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery as director of surgical services and as a staff RN in the operating room. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience and earned a doctorate degree in nursing practice and nurse executive leadership at Radford University. “We’re so excited to have Amy rejoin our hospital’s team,” says Alan Fabian, CEO of LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. “Her nursing experience, commitment to compassionate care, and deep knowledge of our hospital, community, staff and patients will prove invaluable in this important leadership position.” For more information: www.lewisgale.com.
For more information: www.vistareye.com or 540.855.5100
For More of The Pulse Visit: www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com Do you have health-related news to share for The Pulse?
Send to Stephen McClintic Jr. via email at
steve@ourhealthvirginia.com.
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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• NEWS TO KNOW
Announcements
The Pulse
• NEWS TO KNOW
Relocations Salem Urologists Relocate to Cave Spring Jefferson Surgical Clinic announces recent changes to its former Salem office located on the LewisGale Medical Center campus. Rodney J. Poffenberger, MD and Mark A. Schmidt, MD, two of JSC’s urologists are now seeing patients in the Tanglewood office located at 5372 Fallowater Lane in the Cave Spring area. Charles Daniel, MD will continue offering urology services in the downtown location on Franklin Road.
Welcome
For more information: www.jeffersonsurgical.com or 540.283.6000
Kaine Stokes, DDS ORAL SURGERY
Services Provided: • Oral surgery • Bone grafting • Implant placement • Extractions and wisdom teeth removal • Oral biopsy • Cosmetic dentistry
Mebratu Daba, MD
Carilion Clinic Pediatric Neurology Roanoke | 540.985.8454 www.carilionclinic.org
“Your smile is our success.”
Michael (Alan) Davis, DO
Gregory Dehmer, MD
Michael Donovan, DO
LewisGale Physicians Christiansburg 540.381.1882 www.lgphysicians.com
Director of Quality and Outcomes Carilion Cardiovascular Institute Roanoke | 540.981.7000 www.carilionclinic.org
Raina Karanjeet, MD, MBA
Theodore Killian, Administrator
James Moles, MD
Carilion Clinic Cardiology Christiansburg 540.731.2328 www.carilionclinic.org
Roanoke Oral Surgery 6035 Peters Creek Road | Roanoke
540.362.5900
www.roanokeoralsurgery.com
Kaine Stokes, DDS is now accepting new patients. Scan here for more information about our services and providers.
Carla Hart-Tyner, NP Carilion Clinic Pain Management Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.carilionclinic.org
Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.carilionclinic.org
Heartland Hospice Care Roanoke | 540.725.7600 www.heartlandhospice.com
LewisGale Physicians Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Salem | 540.444.0460 www.lgphysicians.com
OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valleys CHECK OUT
WEBSITE FOR EVEN MORE HEALTH RESOURCES!
SCAN HERE OR VISIT US AT www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com 14
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
The Pulse
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Radford | 540.731.3200 www.carilionclinic.org
Lauren Self, DO
Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.carilionclinic.org
Neeta Vorst, NP
LewisGale Physicians Pulmonary Care Salem | 540.772.3400 www.lgphysicians.com
Laura Peery, BSW
Social Worker, Willows/ Arbor Kroontje Health Care Center Blacksburg | 540.443.0416 www.retire.org
Norah Silver, MD
LewisGale Physicians Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Salem | 540.444.0460 www.lgphysicians.com
Harris Wexler, DO LewisGale Physicians Ob/Gyn East Salem | 540.772.5900 www.lgphysicians.com
Brent Poff, Administrator
Amanda Reese, DO, FACS
Vishalakshi (Shala) Sundaram, MD
Marie Swink, BS
Heartland Home Health Roanoke | 540.725.7600 heartlandhomehealth.com
LewisGale Physicians Family Medicine Roanoke | 540.265.4210 www.lgphysicians.com
Savannah Wills, PA-C, MS
Jefferson Surgical Clinic Roanoke | 540.283.6000 www.jeffersonsurgical.com
• NEWS TO KNOW
Benjamin Morgan, DO
LewisGale Physicians General Surgery Blacksburg | 540.552.0005 www.lgphysicians.com
Social Worker, The Cove Kroontje Health Care Center Blacksburg | 540.443.3449 www.retire.org
Amy Woods, DNP, RN
Chief Nursing Officer LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Blacksburg | 540.951.1111 www.lewisgale.com
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
CALENDAR
INFORMATION • EVENTS • AWARENESS
AUGUST
PORTRAITS FROM THE FRONTLINE OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Taubman Museum of Art
New York Times bestselling author Beth Macy and award-winning photojournalist and educator Josh Meltzer present an unforgettable portrait exhibition documenting the families and first responders on the front lines of the opioid epidemic as depicted in Macy’s new book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America.
8.7.18 IN BOOKSTORES
Free | See museum operating hours Taubman Museum of Art | 110 Salem Avenue | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/catawba-farmers
8.6: SCHOOL ANXIETY
AND ADHD WORKSHOP If your child has been labeled with ADHD, SPD or some form of ASD or you know in your gut that "something is just not right", this workshop, hosted by Cotton Chiropractic is for you. In this workshop you will not only learn to understand your child better, you’ll also leave with ACTION STEPS so you can immediately help give your child the life they deserve. Registration is required.
$5 (includes dinner and one drink ticket) | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 419 West Restaurant | 3865 Electric Road | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/adhdworkshop
8.11: CARILION CLINIC HEALTH WALK & TALK Join Carilion Clinic healthcare providers Saturday morning for a guided Health Walk and Talk along 1.5 miles of easy to moderate loop trail at Booker T. Washington National Monument. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing and bring water. Registration is not required!
Free | 9:30 am – 12 noon (Every second Saturday of the month) Booker T. Washington National Monument 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway | Hardy More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/ carilionwalk 16
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Calendar • AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
8.13: FREE YOGA FOR THE PEOPLE
As a public health and better living initiative, try out this onehour yoga class, three times a week, in a convenient public space, at no charge. We believe yoga poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and mindfulness (meditation and intention-setting) will help Roanoke and its citizens to live, work and play together better. Come join us and start or end your day off right!
FREE | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Elmwood Park Stage 703 S. Jefferson Street | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/ yogaforthepeople
8.25:
ADAPTOGENS, INFLAMMATION & SUPERFOODS
Part of the Vibrancy, Wellness & Wisdom hands-on workshop series, join the folks at Annie Kays Whole Foods to learn ways to include more vibrancy in our lives through food, herbs and lifestyle supports. Hosted by NatureScapes in Blacksburg.
$50 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Annie Kays Whole Foods | 301 S. Main Street | Blacksburg More Information: c 540.818.1394 or w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/aiands
8.26: MEDITATION
WITH THE FOREST
Enter the forest and leave your stress behind. Join Roanoke County Parks & Recreation to clarify your unity with nature, each other, and yourself. This guided hike will explore the meditative lessons that nature has to teach and will allow ample time for silent reflection among friends in the forest. Don’t forget your water bottle. Pre-registration is required. Ages 16+.
Free | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Explore Park Visitor’s Center 56 Roanoke River Parkway | Roanoke More Information: c 540.387.6078 or w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/meditation www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Calendar
• AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
9.9: ROANOKE HIKE FOR HOSPICE Good Samaritan Hospice’s 4th Annual Roanoke Hike for Hospice off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The day begins with a personal hike (easy and intermediate routes available) through the heart of Explore Park to the main event area. Hikers will enjoy lunch off the grill, ice cream, live bluegrass music, vendors (including massage therapy and music therapy exhibits), and games.
Registration: $20 - $30 | 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm Explore Park | 56 Roanoke River Parkway | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/hikeforhospice2018
9.19: 2018 HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR BY AARP AND VCOM Learn how to stay healthy and engaged in the New River Valley all in one spot! Gather local information on health topics from physical and mental health to intellectual, environmental and cultural health, all under one roof. All ages are welcome.
9.16: COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
FIELD TRIP:
Free | 12 noon – 4:00 pm Christiansburg Recreation Center 1600 N. Franklin Street | Christiansburg More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/ vcomhealth2018
Join Alex Watkins, licensed acupuncturist, at The Haven on 5th for an introduction into acupuncture and a tasty, wholefood lunch from Garden Song Eco Cafe. Participants will have a brief introduction into acupuncture and East Asian Medicine and enjoy a stress-relieving, balancing and calming acupuncture treatment. Preregistration is required.
9.24:
$36 per person | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm Depart from River’s Edge Northside parking lot | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/ events/acupuncture-trip
FRESH START: A FOOD-FIRST APPROACH TO BETTER HEALTH
Fresh Start classes provide hands-on cooking, tips, tricks and new perspectives on eating for health. Perfect for those managing heart disease, diabetes, and weight loss! Participants will create healthful, tasty recipes and take home valuable information and resources. The class is free but a $5 donation is encouraged.
Donations Accepted | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Virginia Cooperative Extension - Roanoke | 3738 Brambleton Avenue | Roanoke More Information: w www.ourhealthvirginia.com/events/vce-freshstart
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
For More Events Visit: OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com Do you have an event that our readers simply must know about? Tell us about it by emailing Stephen McClintic Jr. at steve@ourhealthvirginia.com. Please submit your information at least three months in advance to be considered for publication in the magazine.
Calendar • AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Health Scene HAPPENINGS • WHO’S WHO • TRENDING photos | SUNNY WASIELA
LewisGale Physicians’ Men’s Health Fair On Saturday, June 23rd, LewisGale Physicians held a Men’s Health Fair from 10 – 2 pm at its Valley View office located at 4910 Valley View Boulevard in Roanoke in observance of Men’s Health Month in June. The event included a variety of free health screenings for the public, including blood pressure testing, glucose testing and skin health evaluations with medical professionals from dermatology (Larry Patton, MD), ophthalmology (Donna Maxfield, MD) and internal medicine (Craig Mitchell, MD), among others, who were on hand to answer questions. Plenty of health information on topics such as vision, bone, joint and cognitive and behavioral health were provided and special giveaways were available to the many people who showed up on this beautiful day to learn more and improve the health of men. A special thank you is extended to LewisGale Physicians and all vendors who participated in this helpful and informative event for our community.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Health Scene • HAPPENINGS
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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VOLUNTEER
Spotlight HEROES • CHAMPIONS • COMMUNITY-MINDED
CANCER SURVIVOR DECCA KNIGHT
Leads the Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge Board words |CATHERINE BROWN
Photos: Decca Knight
Seven years ago, Decca Knight was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32. “The diagnosis came as a shock,” says Knight. “I didn’t have any family history of cancer, and I was a really healthy young lady who ate right and enjoyed running.” A new mom with a one-year-old son, Knight was at her yearly OBGYN visit when her doctor found a large mass during her clinical breast exam. He thought it was a cyst and gave her the option of either undergoing diagnostic testing or waiting to see if it went away. Suspicious that it could be serious, Knight opted for the ultrasound and found out she had breast cancer. In the months that followed, she underwent rigorous treatment, including surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. Knight appreciated the amazing support her family and friends provided, but, as a young breast cancer survivor, she still felt isolated. “I realized quickly I was pretty alone,” she says. “The other women in the breast cancer support groups were in very different stages of their lives.” Determined to help other breast cancer survivors, Knight became involved in the Young Survival Coalition and started volunteering with Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge, first on the race committee and then on the fundraising committee. Three years ago, Knight was elected to the Foundation’s Board, and, this year, she began her two-year commitment as President of the Board. Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge serves a wide area that includes forty-two cities and counties throughout Southwestern Virginia. Seventy-five percent of the money the Foundation raises stays in the area to provide grants to local clinics so they can offer diagnostic
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
tests and transportation for area residents. In her role as Board President, Knight plays an active role in the community. “In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I go and meet people and talk to them about Komen and what we do,” Knight says. In April, Knight works on promoting the Race for the Cure and helping to raise money for the Race. Throughout the year, Knight spends time talking about breast selfawareness and encouraging others to get mammograms and clinical breast exams. “If I had not had a clinical breast exam,” Knight says, “I would have ended up with stage IV cancer.” Many of her friends have followed her advice to have screenings done; in fact, a year and a half after her own diagnosis two people she knew were diagnosed with breast cancer. One of Knight’s jobs as President is to advocate on behalf of cancer patients and their families. In this capacity, she has traveled to Washington, DC three different times to speak to state legislators. She has spoken to legislators about the importance of funding breast cancer research as well as concerns about prescription drug benefits. Knight also plays a role in scientific advocacy, working with researchers to advise them on patient perspectives. “Researchers tend to get tunnel vision and quite often don’t get the patient perspective,” she says. In her role as Board President, Knight hopes to work with researchers at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Deeply rooted in Roanoke, Knight appreciates the opportunity to give back to her community and beyond.
ON THE WEB
More at OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
VOLUNTEER Spotlight • Cancer Survivor Decca Knight Leads the Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge Board
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www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
Questions. Answers. Knowledge. How is clinical research care different from regular medical care? Most of what we think of as regular medical care had its origin in clinical research care. Before a new therapy or device becomes regular medical care it needs to be investigated in a clinical trial whereby the new therapy or device is compared to current standards of care or a placebo in some cases. It is important to know that clinical research care is not in lieu of regular medical care but rather additive to your regular medical care.
It is important for enrolled
MEDICARE MEMBERS to review these documents
to ensure they are aware of changes that will take affect January 1st to ensure they are not caught off guard with any changes that can impact their costs and/or coverage.
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In all cases, participation in clinical research care is entirely voluntary for patients after they have been thoroughly informed. There are several reasons that patients elect to participate including access to a lifesaving therapeutic or device such as a new and improved heart valve, in many cases, years before it becomes regular medical care.
What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease? Not really a disease, OsgoodSchlatter is a condition found in growing adolescents. Usually found in active children, it develops during periods of rapid growth, especially when playing repetitive jumping or running sports. The painful lump in the upper part of the lower leg (the tibia) is characteristic and marks the spot where the tendon that attaches the kneecap to the lower leg (patellar tendon) begins to pull the tendon attachment site away from the underlying bone. Once the lump develops, it will usually remain, but will only be painful until the growth plate closes, usually around age 16. The condition is “self-limited” and treatment isn’t usually necessary. If the young athlete is in too much pain or too driven to compete, limiting sports participation, using crutches, and immobilizing the affected knee for three to four weeks usually brings the symptoms under control by allowing the leg to heal.
Francis Farrell, Sr.
Director of Research Carilion Clinic Research and Development Roanoke | 540.985.8510 www.carilionclinic.org
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Delmas Bolin, MD, PhD, FACSM Performance Medicine of Southwest Virginia Professor, Sports & Family Medicine, VCOM – Virginia Campus Blacksburg Roanoke | 540.772.1890 www.pmswva.com
I became eligible for Medicare this year. What should I know about selection and changes of the various related plans? The Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Part D, prescription drug plans, and Part C, Medicare Advantage plans is October 15th through December 7th of this year. Any plan changes go into effect on January 1, 2019. For those already enrolled in Medicare who have existing plan coverage, the insurance company is required to send an Annual Notice of Change to members by September 30, 2018. It is important for enrolled Medicare members to review these documents to ensure they are aware of changes that will take effect January 1st to ensure they are not caught off guard with any changes that can impact their costs and/or coverage. Medicare eligible individuals are highly recommended to pay close attention to their mail in September and October of each year so they do not miss any important related information. Remember to thoroughly review the material and contact your agent early if you have questions about any changes.
E. Lynn Atkinson
Sales Representative MarketPOINT | Humana Roanoke | 540.685.3817 www.humana.com/eatkinson
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Questions. Answers. Knowledge. How likely is it that Medicare Part A will cover my parent’s home health care?
Medicare covers
100
PERCENT
for skilled nursing and therapy services, when the services are considered reasonable and medically necessary, following an acute episode such as hospitalization or change in health status.
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Medicare covers 100 percent of skilled nursing and therapy services, when the services are considered reasonable and medically necessary, following an acute episode such as hospitalization or change in health status. The patient must be homebound, which means your parent is not able to leave his or her home without assistance or leaving the home is not recommended because of their condition. He or she must have an order from their physician stating the specific services needed. Your parents have the right to choose the Medicare certified home health agency from which they would like to receive services, and their choice should be honored by the doctor, hospital discharge planner, or other referring agency. Once the agency receives the order, a clinician will make a home evaluation to confirm that the above criteria are met and to determine the plan of care.
Sue Irvine, RN
Vice President of Operations Generation Solutions Roanoke | 540.776.3622 www.generationsolutions.net
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
I read that Virginia Veterans Care Center is a “state home”. What does this mean? The Virginia Veterans Care Center (VVCC) is referred to as a “State Home”. This is because every U.S. state has at least one veterans care facility. Each state manages its own facilities. Virginia’s veterans care homes fall under the Department of Veteran Services. Currently there are two veteran care facilities in Virginia: VVCC in Roanoke and Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond. Two additional facilities are planned to open in Virginia in the immediate future – one in Virginia Beach and one in Northern Virginia. Veterans care facilities are for veterans who have an honorable DD-214 (discharge), enlisted or presently reside in Virginia and have a medical need for which the facility can provide care. VVCC is licensed to care for up to 240 veterans. Services include Assisted Living, Secure Care for Dementia, Skilled Care, Nursing Home and Hospice. Virginia’s veteran care centers accept Medicare and Medicaid as well as other affordable options.
Patti Culver Smith
Director of Admissions and Marketing Virginia Veterans Care Center Roanoke | 540.982.2860 www.dvs.virginia.gov
What is Estimated Average Glucose, or eAG? Most healthcare providers use the term glycated or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to describe a patient’s average blood glucose control over a three-month period. The results of an HbA1c are expressed as a percentage. When people with diabetes check their blood glucose with a self-monitor, the results are expressed in mg/dl units. In an effort to help reduce the confusion that patients may have when trying to understand how their average three-month glucose control, represented by a percentage, relates to their daily blood glucose, represented by mg/dl, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), has encouraged healthcare providers to use an estimated average glucose (eAG), represented by mg/dl, when explaining a patient’s three-month average glucose (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2018). Thus, the eAG number helps a patient better relate their HbA1c to daily glucose monitoring levels.
Crystal Poff, FNP-C
LewisGale Physicians Internal Medicine Salem | 540.772.3490 www.lgphysicians.com
Q A ON HEALTH • Knowledge
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Health A-Z • How to Build Resilience in Kids Going Back-to-School
words | JENNIFER LAMONT
Keeping our children healthy and safe today goes beyond proper nutrition, exercise and good hygiene habits. Kids face issues their parents never did: social media predators, an opioid crisis that’s snaking its way into first-grade classrooms, and epic levels of stress. While children shouldn’t live in fear, they need resiliency skills to be successful. This Back-to-School guide addresses some of the more difficult issues kids face, including social media safety, substance abuse and mental health disorders.
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Health A-Z
• AWARENESS
Elementary K – 5: They know more than you ever knew at their age. Are You a “Sharent?” Oversharing pictures, or “sharenting,” of your young children on your social media or other public sites gives them a digital presence without their consent. It can also expose their image to predators, who steal those innocent photos and manipulate them in grotesque ways for use on illegal sites by pedophiles. There are as many addictive video and social media sites for young kids as there are for teens and adults. Maybe more. Limit their screen time with a timer. Don’t let YouTube or other video sites babysit your child. Unsavory content can be wrapped up in ‘fun’ kid’s videos.
Drugs are Everywhere. It’s Never Too Early to Talk About Them
DID YOU KNOW? THE RATE OF OPIOID OVERDOSES IN CHILDREN AGES 1 – 17 HAS
DOUBLED SINCE 2004.
More children are getting accidentally poisoned by parent’s painkiller medications than ever before.
NO RACE, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, GENDER OR AGE IS IMMUNE.
Always keep medicines locked up and never refer to pills as candy. Teach children to never take anything they stumble upon accidentally or if given to them. Young children love to know how things work. Educate them on how medications affect the brain and body.
Young Kids Get Stressed Too Stress shows up in young kids as:
A
aggressiveness
E
regressive behaviors like bed-wetting
B
nightmares
F
trouble concentrating
C
fears
G
harming behaviors like head-banging
D
sadness
Help them find the words to express themselves and listen to what they are—and are not—saying.
Middle School: This time of transition is when kids first get exposed to online bullying, predators, drugs and alcohol—right at a time when their brains are geared toward more risk-taking behaviors. Less Screen Time = More Authentic Friendships To tweens the online world is the real world. They form relationships through social media, gaming apps and other sites you may know nothing about. You may roll your eyes, but your daughter thinks all her 1,900 friends on Facebook are real. If you are a parent who ‘respects your child’s privacy,’ you’re the only person on the planet who has no clue about what they’re doing. Online privacy doesn’t exist for anyone. Follow them on all their accounts and talk to them about who they’re in contact with.
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Encourage offline activities. Joining sports or other groups, volunteering and attending church help them acquire interpersonal and coping skills, and empathy.
• How to Build Resilience in Kids Going Back-to-School
Know that social media and apps are all engineered to hack the brain’s neurological triggers. In other words, get it addicted to “likes” and attention. That’s according to a Google product manager.
“Just Saying No” Doesn’t Always Work Middle schoolers can get prescribed opioids after an injury or getting teeth pulled. Teaching them about the science of addiction will help them better understand why prescribed painkillers can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs. Showing them the effects of drug addiction may go further than telling them to “just say no.” Teach your children what the National Institute on Drug Abuse calls “refusal behaviors” against peer pressure. Brainstorm and practice strategies for saying no, exiting the situation and relying on help if needed. Supervise and spend time with your child (without your phones in hand). Studies show the stronger the bond between parent and child, the less likely they are to become addicted to substances.
Middle Schoolers Experience the Worst Stress Between bullying—which happens more in middle school than anywhere— social pressure, and trying to figure out where they “fit,” middle schoolers are an extremely stressed bunch of kids. Help them by keeping organized at home including good sleep habits and consistent routines.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the U.S. Justice Department,
ONE IN FIVE
CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 17 have received an unwanted sexual solicitation online.
Teach your child that stress is a normal part of life and lead by example. Show them how you effectively deal with stress through:
A
exercise
C
prayer
B
breathing
D
mindfulness and other techniques.
Be supportive of their homework, extracurricular activities and social calendar—while being consistent about your expectations.
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Health A-Z
• AWARENESS
High School: On the brink of adulthood, high school teens need to feel independent and successful, without feeling alone. Online: Is That Your Finsta or Rinsta? Often, teens have fake accounts on sites like Instagram. You may have ‘complete control’ over their “finsta” (fake Instagram account) while their “rinsta” (real Instagram) is where you’ll find their true activities. High school kids are frequently one step ahead of parents. Even if you take away one device, they usually have another way to get online. Be aware of how your child feels about their reputation and self-esteem. Kids who suffer from depression, self-esteem and mood disorders are more likely to share sexually explicit photos of themselves with other teens. That can create a cascade of exploitation.
DID YOU KNOW? NEARLY
ONE IN FIVE teens say they have used
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE AT LEAST ONCE in their lifetime to get high. In 2015,
58 PERCENT of 12th grade students were
REPORTED AT “GREAT RISK” FOR TRYING HEROIN.
Go beyond Facebook. Your teen doesn’t even use it, mostly because you’re on it. Predators prey on kids through apps like Instagram, Kik and WhatsApp, and through gaming sites. Encourage offline activities to get them engaged in real life. Joining sports or other groups, volunteering and attending church will help them develop interpersonal skills and empathy.
Resilient Teens are Sober Teens The most commonly abused drugs by highschoolers are:
A
alcohol
B
marijuana
C
prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Oxycodone and Vicodin
Withdrawing from everyone is not a normal “teenager habit.” Any of the following changes can signal that your teen is struggling with a drug problem:
A
behavior
C
grades
E
social life
B
dress
D
friends
F
mood
G
eating habits
Show your teen how to move forward through challenges rather than selfmedicate with drugs or alcohol to feel better. Get them—and yourself—resiliency training if needed: Studies show kids who can figure out how to bounce back from adverse situations and maintain good coping skills are more likely to refuse drugs and alcohol.
The Best Years of Their Life? Teens feel the same amount of stress as their parents, and sometimes more. But research shows they have little idea of the physical and mental impact that stress causes them.
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Twenty percent of teens are clinically depressed, according to Mental Health America’s estimates. They say many teens go without treatment because their behavior is seen by parents as normal adolescent “adjustments.”
How to Build Resilience in Kids Going Back-to-School
If you see signs of stress and depression in your teen, don’t ignore it. Encourage them to make new friends, engage in sports or other activities, or join a group.
SOURCES American Psychological Association (www.apa.org) CBS News (www.cbsnews.com) CNN (www.cnn.com) Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.drugabuse.gov) Psychiatric News – American Psychiatric Association (www.psychnews. psychiatryonline.org) Psychology Today (www.psychologytoday.com)
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INSIGHT • AWARENESS • MINDFULNESS
FOCUS ON
MIND,
BODY, AND
SPIRIT
Fork Union Military Academy Prepares Boys to Become Healthy Young Men words |BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Josh Henriques, 2018 valedictorian of Fork Union Military Academy.
When Joshua Henriques was in middle school, he began expressing interest in attending a military academy in lieu of a traditional high school experience. Though hesitant at first, his parents enrolled him in Fork Union Military Academy, where Henriques graduated this past spring at the top of his class as Valedictorian. He was also named Battalion Commander. “My experience at Fork Union has been one of trials as well as boundless learning,” Henriques says. “The majority of my enjoyment while attending Fork Union comes from the hardships I faced. I found amazing friendships and learned lessons of utmost value that will stick with me forever. It also developed core values in me.” Fork Union Military Academy, founded in 1898, is a college-prep boarding school emphasizing Christian values. Its military school system provides structure and discipline for boys in grades seventh through twelfth as well as postgraduates. In an age where cyberbullying, school shootings and other issues plague America’s public classrooms, some parents may be in search of an unconventional education for their sons. Enter Fork Union Military Academy. “I believe our mission statement summarizes us well: ‘Our mission is to educate, develop, and inspire young men in a college preparatory, Christian, military environment. Cadets build character, learn leadership, independence, confidence, responsibility, and discipline in a setting that encourages mental, physical, and spiritual growth,’” says Col. Stephen M. Macek, Vice President for Operations for Fork Union Military Academy.
Spiritual Growth Cell phone use as well as social media is prohibited at Fork Union and there is limited opportunity for video game play, but none of that was even a factor when Henriques, a native of New York, first told his parents he wanted to attend the academy after visiting the campus. “I figured once Josh saw that he couldn’t have his cell phone, he would change his mind,” recalls his mother, Pauline. “Imagine my surprise when he came home and announced he knew which academy he wanted to go to and he didn’t want to wait for high school. He wanted to go for eighth grade.” www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Health A-Z
• AWARENESS
Without the distraction of cell phones, boys at Fork Union can focus more on their academics and other aspects of the academy’s curriculum, including faith, which is a huge part of Fork Union Military Academy. “We are a school founded on and guided by Christian values and faith,” says Ltc. James Benson, Chaplain for Fork Union Military Academy. “While the vast majority of cadets profess to be either Christian or come from a Christian tradition, we also have young men of other faiths as well. All, regardless of their faith, participate in the spiritual formation aspect of the school. All attend chapel services three times a week.” Benson has been the academy’s Chaplain for nearly a dozen years.
“My goal is to help these young men to shift focus from themselves to others. Loving God provides us
identity, LOVING OTHERS THROUGH SERVICE provides purpose for our lives. Even a young man of another faith can learn lessons in chapel about the importance of helping others This is a benefit for all cadets as they move on from Fork Union along the journey of life.” - Ltc. James Benson
One unique course offering for seniors at Fork Union Military Academy is called Applied Christianity. The class, which Benson has taught for the past three years, incorporates various community service activities. “Some of the places we have visited and helped out are White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue, Fluvanna SPCA, West Central Elementary, Carysbrook Elementary, Ronald McDonald House of Richmond, Eagle Eyrie Camp and Conference Center, and the National Kidney Foundation,” says Benson. “This class provides the students with an opportunity to put their Christian faith and Jesus’ command to serve others into practice.”
Focus on Fitness Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also an essential part of life for students at the academy. Most days are structured, with class instruction held every morning and then afternoons set aside for sports and exercise. “We believe that structure and routine are beneficial to a young man as they enable him to focus his energy on activities that will help him reach his potential,” says Macek. “Much of a cadet’s day is planned in advance, relieving them of many of the distractions faced by youth today.” Physical activity is a part of daily life at the academy. Students either participate in interscholastic sports or an intramural program called Skirmish. “Skirmish breaks students of all levels into teams so they can experience the benefits of working together in sports and fitness-related team building activities,” explains Macek. Pauline Henriques appreciated the focus on fitness during her son’s time at Fork Union. “Joshua learned to push his limits physically and take his fitness to the next level,” she says. “He played soccer, ran track and field, and did orienteering as well as lifting in the gym. He also learned the importance of fueling his body to maximize its performance.” 36
Health A-Z
Personal Responsibility
•
Good mental health is also a vital component. All of the residential life and admissions staff as well as other faculty and staff are certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, a program offered through the National Council for Behavioral Health. Bullying is unacceptable, and cyberbullying isn’t an issue since the boys are not permitted on social media.
Focus on Mind, Body, and Spirit
Those who attend Fork Union Military Academy also learn time management skills, discipline, and personal responsibility and accountability as they prepare for college. “The most surprising thing for me was how Joshua was held responsible for himself,” says Pauline Henriques. “When he was home and enrolled in our local public school, there was an expectation that the parents would be involved in making sure homework was done. At Fork Union, it was his responsibility to get his work done and to learn without any parent involvement. This clearly helped Joshua grow and mature.” Students at Fork Union Military Academy range in age from 12 to 19. Last year, students came from 28 different states and seven different countries. Most live on campus, though there are some day students who commute from surrounding areas. While the misconception is that parents send their children to boarding school to address behavioral issues, most moms and dads who choose Fork Union typically do so because they prefer a more structured environment for their sons than a traditional school setting.
Safety First Pauline Henriques, like most mothers, had some initial concerns about sending her son to an institution so far away from home. She worried about whether her son would be eating well and what would happen if he fell ill. “A fear his father and I had was if Joshua got sick or hurt, we wouldn’t be there to help him,” she says. “The nurses at the Fork Union infirmary were wonderful and put those fears to rest. The other big concern I had was that I would no longer be a daily part of Joshua’s life. There would be no more daily opportunities to guide him, pray with him, and share my views. But in the end, Joshua has had tremendous spiritual growth at Fork Union. The daily devotionals had a big impact on developing his character and deepening his faith. And how knowing that cadets are able to call home often from their dorm room land lines was a big positive.”
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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY 4744 James Madison Hwy | Fork Union, VA | 434.842.3212 | www.forkunion.com
General school safety may also weigh on the minds of some parents. At Fork Union Military Academy, campus safety is also a top priority. “Safety is our number one concern,” says Macek. “We want parents to feel comfortable leaving their sons in our care. Our 1300+ acre campus is rural, providing us with an ideal environment free from the distractions of an urban setting. We consistently evaluate our environment to identify potential issues.” Later this year, a satellite office of the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office will be located on the campus. Both Joshua Henriques and his mother feel they made the right decision in coming to Fork Union Military Academy for his education. “While at the academy, I was able to discipline myself to a schedule of rigorous studying in both academia and Christianity,” says Joshua Henriques, who is moving on to the United States Air Force Academy as an officer. “I grew in my faith and learned so much. I was also able to become close with many instructors, who helped to guide my journey in so many ways. A couple teachers in particular helped to guide my diet plan as well as assist in workout routines. I have grown in many ways.” Pauline Henriques is proud of her son and grateful to those who helped shape him at Fork Union Military Academy. “I wish every boy could spend at least one year at Fork Union,” she says. “This school turns boys into men of integrity. Joshua went into Fork Union as a 13-year-old boy and came out an 18-year-old man of integrity and honor beyond what I could’ve expected. Sending our son to Fork Union Military Academy was one of the best decisions we have ever made.”
Josh Henriques and his mother, Pauline at the Fork Union Mother’s Day Parade.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Col. Stephen M. Macek, Vice President for Operations for Fork Union Military Academy. Ltc. James Benson, Chaplain for Fork Union Military Academy.
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on
NE EA S S N R E S S A N I G D H E T NEARSIGHTEDNESS T H D G I N S E R S S N SS EA NE in CHILDREN Blacksburg Optometry Team is Providing Effective Options to Help Treat Increased Nearsightedness Issues in Children. words | BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Myopia, or what is more commonly referred to as nearsightedness, affects many children, but there are ways to help delay its progression. “Myopia can affect anyone,” says Colleen H. Mitchell, OD, an optometrist with Blacksburg Eye Associates. “It is very common, and on the rise with the increased use of digital devices.” Myopia is defined as a condition in which the visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye resulting especially in defective vision of distant objects. Four percent of children 6-to-72 months of age and nine percent of older children five to 17 years old have myopia, or nearsightedness. The prevalence varies by age and race/ethnicity.1 “Myopia is not only a nuisance of blurred vision requiring correction with spectacles or contact lenses, but studies show that high myopic prescriptions can increase the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and even blindness,” says Dr. Mitchell. Symptoms of myopia include blurry vision, difficulty focusing or paying attention, headaches, and eye fatigue or strain. “Myopia can also cause children to disengage from schoolwork and seem easily distracted in class,” Dr. Mitchell says.
Myopia Often First Presents Itself in School-Age Children Deborah Miller of Blacksburg sought help for her daughter, Claire, when she began experiencing issues with her vision in eighth grade. “She began having difficulty seeing the whiteboard in the classes in which she was not seated at the front of the classroom,” Miller says. “Before she received her first pair of glasses, it seemed normal to her that things were a bit blurry off in the distance.”
Myopia in Children Miller discussed her daughter’s condition with her eye doctor and learned Claire’s nearsightedness could be slowed through a process known as “myopia control”. Options for myopia control include usage of special types of eye drops or wearing specialty contact lenses.
"Current research shows that CHILDREN WHO SPEND MORE TIME OUTDOORS HAVE
LOWER AMOUNTS OF MYOPIA
than children who spend more time inside. It also appears more near work, including the use of handheld digital devices, has driven the incidence of myopia up in recent years." - Colleen H. Mitchell, OD -
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• AWARENESS
“Prior to that day, I had no idea that a particular kind of contact lens could effect change, and I also had no knowledge of the existence of eye drops for the same purpose,” Miller says. “We jumped at the opportunity to try both. We have only utilized both of these treatments for a few months now and Claire has already made significant improvement.” In addition to the specialized contact lenses and eyedrops, Claire also learned other ways to better care for her eyes. “She had a habit of watching movies on her electronic screens in a darkened room, even during the day,” Miller explains. “I had warned her against this, but she only began to take it seriously when the doctor confirmed that this was not good for her eyes. She also takes more breaks now from her screens. As well, we purchased lenses for her glasses that incorporate some blue tinting that helps protect her eyes from the glare of the screens.”
Keeping an Eye on Symptoms of Myopia in Children
Myopia: (noun) A condition in which the visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye resulting especially in defective vision of distant objects.
Mitchell advises scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor if parents start to notice that their child is squinting, rubbing their eyes, favoring one eye, or turning their head to the side while trying to read or watch television. “Additionally, any complaints of headaches or avoidance of schoolwork or sporting activities should raise your suspicion for a vision problem,” Dr. Mitchell notes.
Blurry vision
Treatment for myopia can include eye drops, soft multifocal contact lenses, and specialty overnight contact lenses. Multifocal contact lenses are “special contact lenses that are designed to give the wearer clear central vision while simultaneously causing ‘peripheral defocus’” explains Dr. Mitchell. “This lens design allows for clear and comfortable vision at both distance and near as well as slowing the growth signals from the brain to the eye.”
Difficulty focusing or paying attention
Specialty Lenses Improve Eye Focus and Eliminate the Need for Daily Corrective Eye Wear
Symptoms of myopia include:
Headaches Eye fatigue or strain.
Meanwhile, Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) lenses work overnight to gently reshape the front surface of the eye, changing the curvature of the cornea and therefore the focusing power of the eye. These lenses are only worn while sleeping, and once removed, it isn’t necessary to wear glasses or contacts throughout the day. At home, “Changing a patient’s habits and environment should always be reviewed,” adds Dr. Mitchell. “Two places to start are increased outdoor time and decreased time with handheld devices. Current research shows that children who spend more time outdoors have lower amounts of myopia than children who spend more time inside. It also appears more near work, including the use of handheld digital devices, has driven the incidence of myopia up in recent years.”
4-9%
of children have
Myopia
Four percent of children 6-to72 months of age, and nine percent of older children five to 17 years old have myopia, or nearsightedness. The prevalence varies by age and race/ethnicity. 1 1 Data for 6-to-72-month-old children are from the population-based Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study. Data for 5-to-17-year-olds are from the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Ethnicity and Refractive Error Study, a multi-center but not population-based study.
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Dr. Mitchell also suggests routine eye checkups to catch any potential vision problems before they worsen. The American Optometric Association suggests a comprehensive eye exam by age three. “Just because mom and dad have good vision without glasses does not mean that their child is immune to refractive error,” she says. “By catching vision problems early and turning down the growth signals that the eye receives during childhood, we aim to slow the progression toward harmful high myopic prescriptions.” EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Colleen H. Mitchell, OD, Blacksburg Eye Associates
SOURCE National Center for Children’s Vision & Eye Health
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THE
AND
Do’s Don’ts OF GETTING A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT
Smile words | JENNIFER LAMONT
From the time Cleopatra flashed a ‘come hither’ smile at Antony, we’ve been concerned about having straight teeth. In fact, ancient Greeks and Egyptians even had orthodontics…sort of. Mummies have been discovered with rudimentary metal bands wrapped around each tooth. Archaeologists believe they used catgut (dried, twisted intestines made from sheep or horses) to exert pressure on teeth and close gaps between the bands. Even if those mummies could talk, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell you that repositioning your teeth is a complex, biological process. But dentists and orthodontists have been perfecting the science of teeth and bite alignment ever since. This guide to orthodontics will highlight the new options we have today, as well as dispel some myths and give you tips for getting the best result out of your braces. We’ve come a long way since the days of the ancient Egyptians—thankfully—and in the last decade have made exciting new advancements giving people more options than ever. Utilizing new technologies like 3D imaging and materials like ceramic and plastic, the science of orthodontics is quite advanced today. Some of the popular options include:
A Traditional braces. No longer the ‘train-tracks’ your mom wore in the eighties, conventional metal braces are much smaller and lighter, requiring much less metal in the mouth. They’re also less expensive.
B Self-ligating braces. Thinner than conventional metal braces, these don’t have metal ‘ties’ or elastics to exert force. Instead, they use special clips or brackets to maintain constant, gentle pressure. This moves teeth faster so treatment time may be shorter. Brackets also don’t poke the inside of the mouth, while at the same time providing an individual “handle” to move each tooth separately.
Regardless of age, orthodontic treatment can transform your smile and improve your functionality if you have any of the following symptoms:
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C Clear braces. They can be porcelain or plastic. Adult patients usually prefer translucent ceramic brackets that blend in with the patient’s natural tooth color. They’re small with a low profile to reduce irritation and rubbing inside the mouth.
D Lingual braces. Fastened to the inside of the teeth, they’re virtually invisible when you smile. Crowded, misplaced or missing teeth
E Plastic aligners. Aligner trays, such as Invisalign®, are computer-generated plastic trays that form to the teeth and get changed out every two weeks. While some people can get good results with plastic aligners, it’s a myth that aligner trays are as effective as traditional braces. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, here are 5 lesserknown myths you should be aware of:
Facial imbalance or asymmetry
Jaws that shift or make sounds
Lesser-Known Myths You Should Know Before Getting Braces
Myth 1: Difficulties with speech
Plastic aligners such as Invisalign® are the same as braces. Invisalign® trays are helpful for some people who need mild adjustments but they can’t take the place of traditional braces. In reality, the plastic aligner trays function more like retainers. Not all patients are candidates for this treatment option.
Protruding teeth or jaw, or recessed jaw
Paul C. Kaiser, DDS, is an orthodontist in Hollins, VA. He describes it this way: “If you’re going to move 28 teeth dynamically, the best way to do that is with 28 handles (brackets). With Invisalign®, you’re trying to move teeth within a box. You can’t connect force between arches because that would pull the tray out of the mouth…So what can be accomplished is limited.”
Myth 2: Teeth that don’t meet normally or at all
Braces and orthodontic care is only for kids and teenagers.
2 5% Frequent biting the inside of the cheek or mouth
Of the millions of people in the U.S. with braces, 25 percent of them are over the age of 18. Dr. Kaiser’s oldest patient is 77 years old.
Myth 3: Braces permanently straighten teeth. While braces will straighten teeth, teeth are not immovable objects. They will shift over time due to missing teeth, gaps, aging, cavities, genetics or grinding.
Teeth grinding or clenching
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Myth 4:
The Do's and Don'ts to Getting a Perfectly Straight Smile
Orthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic. Orthodontic treatment does more than improve the appearance of your smile. It corrects the alignment of the teeth and jaws so the functionality of the mouth—biting, chewing and speaking— is improved as well. At the very least, a properly aligned bite prevents chipped or cracked teeth. Researchers have recently discovered that a misaligned jaw structure can cause serious health issues including undue pressure on the brain stem, a compressed ear canal and stress on the ribs and underlying organs.
Myth 5: Retainers aren’t that important because the braces already ‘worked.’
2 5%
At least 25 percent of patients who wear braces must repeat their treatment because they didn’t wear their retainer as instructed.
The success of the treatment and your smile depends on your custom-made retainer. In fact, retainers are just as important as the braces themselves.
How to Waste Your Money on Braces After your teeth have been straightened, the gum and bone around them aren’t filled in yet to securely keep them in place. Retainers hold the teeth in their new position. And it takes time to stabilize—sometimes for as long or longer than the length of time the braces were on. “The orthodontist gets the teeth in their very best position and then Mother Nature and the retainer allow the teeth to settle in their best bite and position, and sometimes that can take a year or even two,” says Dr. Kaiser. He tells patients to continue using their lower retainer at night indefinitely. “The lower six front teeth require the most maintenance,” he says. Wearing your retainer all the time, especially during the first several months, will keep your teeth from drifting out of alignment and save you the heartache and expense of getting braces put back on.
It’s Never Too Late—or Too Early—for Orthodontic Treatment
- Paul Kaiser, DDS -
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by the time they are seven. Early treatment, known as interceptive orthodontics, can help prevent more difficult treatment later and can yield more effective results which may not be possible once the jaw stops growing. www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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BEFO RE
BR
E AC
S
Orthodontists can spot not-so-obvious problems with jaw growth, emerging teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Young children usually need a shift in their bite aligned so they don’t suffer from asymmetric bone structure. In his younger patients—the youngest is 3 years old—Dr. Kaiser eliminates functional shifts and centers the lower jaw by using a removable lower retainer with an artificial bite surface. It’s not necessary for a child to have all their baby teeth gone before starting treatment. Alexis Borovich, a patient of Dr. Kaiser’s who just graduated from Lord Botetourt High School, got her braces on in 5th grade. Before that, she had several baby teeth extracted due to overcrowding and to make the orthodontic treatment go more smoothly. Now that she’s 18, she still wears a retainer and sees Dr. Kaiser to maintain her smile. “I was so excited to get braces because I wanted my teeth to be straight,” says Alexis. She’s committed to wearing her retainer for as long as Dr. Kaiser tells her to, which he emphasized wearing as long as possible.
The Struggle is Real…But Don’t Ask When You’re Getting the Braces Off Patients get desperate to know, but orthodontists need you to stop asking. True, there’s nothing more infuriating than being told your braces are coming off at your next visit, only to walk out of that appointment with the braces still on because ‘it’s going to be just one more month.’ Dr. Kaiser says the minimum time most of his patients need to achieve a quality outcome where the teeth and bite fit comfortably is at least 18 months. “If they ask me before the 18-month mark, I tell them they will serve an automatic 6-month penalty,” he jokingly says. He also likes to give the patients time frames in seasons or moon cycles to make them do the math. As in, “well, it could be four moon cycles and a fortnight.” Dr. Kaiser, who plays ice hockey and races sports cars for fun, may tease his patients but he always tries to find something in common with all of them, whether they’re 3 or 73. Motivating his patients to an excellent outcome is his priority but it’s up to the patients to take proper care of their teeth. Orthodontic treatment requires excellent care from the patient— even more than the orthodontist. That’s right…it’s on you.
The 2 Biggest Culprits That Destroy Orthodontic Treatment To get the best result possible and maintain the integrity of the treatment, the patient must be on board with proper oral hygiene. That means being aware of these two major enemies of enamel: HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) drinks.
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Dr. Kaiser says he can tell when someone drinks a lot of sweetened drinks because of the amount and type of enamel damage he observes in the mouth. “When I see a lot of enamel damage, I ask my patients what their favorite drink is. The three biggest culprits are Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew and sweet tea.” He says he can even tell which drink they prefer by the type of damage. Improper or negligent brushing or flossing. The health of your mouth not only affects the outcome of your orthodontic treatment but also your overall health. Allowing bacteria to flourish in the mouth creates infection around the teeth.
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“A patient with full mouth gingivitis is the same as having road rash from your wrist to your elbow. It’s the same amount of surface area. So, you can image if you had an injury like that. That amount of inflammation would cost you if you were playing sports...These germs also enter your bloodstream and are detrimental to your entire health,” says Dr. Kaiser.
The Do's and Don'ts to Getting a Perfectly Straight Smile
Maintaining your oral hygiene fosters a healthy environment for orthodontic treatment and will prevent setbacks. Some of the most important things you can do during treatment are: Wear the rubber bands if you’re fixing an overbite. If not, the length of time the braces must stay on your teeth may be extended. Your bite is as important as straight teeth. Brush at least twice a day, if not after every meal. Don’t eat the foods that will break or damage your braces, like caramel, popcorn, corn-on-the-cob, hard nuts or candies. Cut up crunchy fruits or vegetables like apples and carrots into thin wedges. Avoid foods that stick to the wires and brackets like soft breads, small pastas and rice, and gum.
- Paul Kaiser, DDS -
Use lots of wax whenever you need it. Flossing may be harder with braces but it’s vitally important to prevent infected gums. A water flosser is the easiest way to floss your teeth when you have braces.
Alexis couldn’t wait to eat corn-on-the-cob when she got her braces off. She says it’s good to always follow the rules when it comes to foods and caring for your teeth because a “beautiful smile always looks great!” More than that, it improves confidence personally and gives you a competitive edge professionally. It’s why at least 4 million people in the U.S. are wearing braces right now. They’re the norm for people of all ages and walks of life, including celebrities who know their smiles are often the first thing others notice about them.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Paul C. Kaiser, DDS with Paul C. Kaiser Orthodontics in Hollins, VA
SOURCES American Association of Orthodontics (www.aaoinfo.org) International Medical College (www.med-college.de)
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HEALTH OBSERVANCES
AUGUST | NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH
The Truth
About Why Parents
SHOULDN'T FEAR VACCINATIONS words | RICK PIESTER
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, the yearly opportunity
New Beginnings Pediatrics p
3708 S. Main Street | Suite B Blacksburg, VA
N
540.739.3623
w
www.newbeginningspediatrics.org
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
"At New Beginnings, we’re pediatricians. But first, we’re parents. We understand the uncertainty and fears that can accompany the subject of vaccines." ANCY ABRAHAM, MD
A pediatrician with New Beginnings Pediatrics in Blacksburg. Dr. Abraham is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
to highlight the importance of vaccinations to people of all ages. At New Beginnings, we’re pediatricians. But first, we’re parents. We understand the uncertainty and fears that can accompany the subject of vaccines. Some of the things we all see on the news and social media regarding vaccines can be disturbing. However, we see evidence of the value of vaccines on a daily basis and we know of the nearly endless research that is done before a vaccine is ever introduced for public use. It’s important to know that vaccines can even protect people who have not been vaccinated which is known as “herd immunity.” For it to be effective, a large percentage of the people in a community do need to be vaccinated.
Hidden Value We may not appreciate the real value of vaccinations because since the era of vaccines many deadly infectious diseases have disappeared. As a society, we don’t have to worry about these harmful diseases thanks to the protective role of vaccines. In fact, some of history’s most dreaded, deadly diseases — polio, yellow fever, smallpox, measles, mumps, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B among them — have been almost eliminated in our country. Unfortunately, there have been isolated outbreaks which have occurred mostly due to refusal to vaccinate as was seen in the recent measles outbreak in California. Time and time again, research has proven that the risk of disease is far greater than any risk posed by vaccines.
Informed Patients are Good Patients Our practice and others routinely provide informational documents — Vaccine Information Statement produced by the Centers for Disease Control — that detail both the benefits and the risks of any vaccine. They are provided as part of all well child visits and immunization visits. All vaccines we dispense are logged in the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS), Virginia’s statewide immunization registry that contains individual immunization data of persons of all ages. Parents of our patients receive printed immunization records and digital immunization records are available online though our patient portal. We handle scheduling and reminders of upcoming visits to our office and vaccinations that are due. Soon, we’ll be offering educational seminars to share the importance of timely immunizations. And, most importantly, we are always happy to address concerns and answer questions about any aspect of your childrens’ health. That’s why we’re here.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
HEALTH OBSERVANCES • National Immunization Awareness Month
51
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
HEALTH OBSERVANCES
MRI,
SEPTEMBER | PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
words |RICK PIESTER
NEW
THE
DIAGNOSTIC
TOOL FOR
PROSTATE CANCER
Insight Imaging p
2923 Franklin Road, SW Roanoke VA 24014
N w
540.581.0882 www.mycdi.com
MEDICAL PROVIDER:
Mark C. Lopiano, MD Body and Neuroradiologist OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Fri (MRI): 7am-9pm; Mon-Fri (CT): 8am-4:30pm; Mon-Fri (X-ray): 9am-5pm Sat (MRI): 8am-4:30pm SPECIALTIES/SERVICES: High-field MRI, Prostate MRI, Injections for Pain, Ultrasound, High-field Open MRI, CT, Biopsies, X-ray
After lung cancer, cancer of the prostate is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States. This year, more than 164,000 men in America will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and it will kill more than 29,000 men. All told, more than 2 ½ million American men are living with prostate cancer right now. Diagnosis is rare in men younger than 40, and most men who have prostate cancer are 65 and older, according to the American Cancer Society. And as the population ages, the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States keeps growing. It can be a stealthy disease, creeping up on its victims and, without diagnostic screening, often does not leave clear symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why each September, health professionals dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease observe Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus extra attention on the disease. Prostate cancer can sometimes be very tricky to diagnose. The very first step — with or without symptoms — is usually a digital rectal exam, during which a physician estimates the size and texture of the prostate gland. If a physician feels that there may be a problem of some sort with the prostate, the next step will usually be the somewhat controversial PSA blood test.
WHAT’S THE PROSTATE? It’s a vaguely kidney-beanshaped gland that sits at the base of the male bladder and encircles the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. Its job is to produce some of the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm cells in semen.
The test (the initials stand for prostate specific antigen) does not detect cancer in the prostate, as many people commonly think. Instead, the test is a measure for the level of PSA in the blood that can indicate noncancerous conditions of the prostate, as well as prostate cancer. It’s a bit controversial because the test may show false positive or false negative results. This can mean that men without cancer may have abnormal results and get tests that are not necessary. It could also mean that the 52
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
HEALTH OBSERVANCES
INSURERS: We’ll wait and see In a position comparable to just about any new method of diagnosis, health care insurance companies are unhurried to approve the several-thousand-dollar price tag of an MRI to diagnose and aid in the biopsy of prostate cancer. To speed acceptance and to further establish the legitimacy of the MRI approach, radiologist Dr. Lopiano has decided to offer screening versions of MRI of the prostate — similar to a mammography screening — to patients. Images produced in the
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
screening version will not be as detailed as a full version, yet will still be highly accurate. Your physician can refer you.
test could miss cancer in men who may need to be treated. Most physicians will recommend the test, but you should talk to your doctor about the right decision for you. But with an elevated level of PSA, physicians do need more information. The usual next step is usually performed by a urologist, a surgeon who treats cancers of the genital and urinary tract. It’s a needle biopsy commonly called a TRUS biopsy (for transrectal ultrasound). Using ultrasound to form images of the prostate, the doctor quickly inserts a thin, hollow needle through the wall of the rectum and into the prostate.. When the needle is pulled out it removes a small cylinder of prostate tissue. Most urologists will take about 12 core samples from different parts of the prostate, following a grid pattern.
Enter the MRI Here again, however, the TRUS biopsy can be subject to false positive or false negative results, either indicating cancer where there is none, or missing a cancer entirely. Further, not everyone with prostate cancer needs treatment. Sometimes, screening finds cancer that is so small and so slow growing that, for many men, active surveillance could be the best option. In Roanoke, urologists working in partnership with Insight Imaging see a promising new advancement in getting to a faster, more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer. It uses the superior imaging power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view and detect suspected cancer in the prostate, and then visually guide the biopsy needle to pinpoint locations of suspected tumors. It’s a two-step process, according to radiologist Mark C. Lopiano, MD, who has performed about 1,500 of the diagnostic exams over about three years. In the first step, urologists send patients with suspected prostate problems to Insight Imaging, where a high-resolution MRI is interpreted by Dr. Lopiano, who either confirms or refutes a suspected prostate cancer. If Dr. Lopiano believes a tumor is present, the MRI image is then converted by software to a visual overlay, used along with ultrasound imaging to pinpoint the exact spot for a needle biopsy by the urologist. In this way, only 2-4 needle sticks — compared to a dozen or more — are needed to accurately confirm the presence of a prostate cancer that should be treated.
PROSTATE CANCER SYMPTOMS One of the confounding aspects of prostate cancer is that there may be no signs or symptoms in the cancer’s early stages, yet in more advanced stages may produce these symptoms: • Trouble urinating • Decreased force in the stream of urine • Blood in semen • Discomfort in the pelvic area • Bone pain • Erectile dysfunction
to learn more about
“One of the first goals I have,” Dr. Lopiano says, “is that I want to keep as many men as possible out of the biopsy suite and having needless biopsies, while at the same time providing highly, highly accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.” Results? Dr. Lopiano says that he has been able to accurately detect prostate cancers with 95 percent accuracy after the first MRI, and with nearly 100 percent accuracy after biopsy. One European study showed that use of an MRI scan reduced the number of invasive biopsies by up to 28 percent, with more accurate diagnosis of harmful cancer and fewer harmless cancers being diagnosed.
talk with your doctor or
visit myinsightimaging.com/ roanoke
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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IN
oanoke ew iver alleys The 10th Annual 2018 OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valleys Magazine Senior Living Awards OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valleys Magazine is pleased to recognize the 174 businesses and individuals that make up the winners of our 10th Annual Senior Living Awards, which were voted on by our community. To learn more about the voting process for our Awards, please visit www.ourhealthroanokenrv.com/2018-roanokenrv-sla.
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS
SENIOR LIVING AWARDS
AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
20
8 GOLD
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18 BR O NZE
AWARDS 201
AWARDS 201
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ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS
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AFTER LIFE SERVICES
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
The Feinour Center Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us/living/ feinour-center
Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley Roanoke | 540.981.2350 www.accrv.org
THIRD PLACE
Virginia Tech Adult Day Services Blacksburg | 540.231.3161 www.humandevelopment.vt.edu/ ADS/ads
HONORABLE MENTION InnovAge Virginia PACE Roanoke | 540.904.2817 www.myinnovage.org Pulaski Adult Day Service & Fall Prevention Center Pulaski | 540.307.5487 www.nrvrc.org
Oakey’s Funeral Service and Crematory Roanoke | 540.982.2100 www.oakeys.com
Rader Funeral Home Daleville | 540.992.1212 www.rader-funeralhome.com
THIRD PLACE Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory Roanoke | 540.366.0707 www.simpsonfuneral.com
HONORABLE MENTION John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home & Crematory Salem | 540.389.5441 www.johnmoakey.com Lotz Funeral Home Roanoke | 540.982.1001 www.lotzfuneralhome.com McCoy Funeral Home Blacksburg | 540.552.3211 www.mccoyfuneralhome.com Stevens Funeral Home Pulaski | 540.980.2600
AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
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18 BR O NZE
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
COMPANION CARE
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
THIRD PLACE
Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
HONORABLE MENTION Commonwealth Senior Living at Christiansburg Christiansburg | 540.283.9667 www.commonwealthsl.com Hermitage Roanoke Roanoke | 540.767.6800 www.hermitageinroanoke.com Pheasant Ridge Senior Living Roanoke | 540.904.4571 www.milestoneretirement.com The Park – Oak Grove Roanoke | 866.450.4522 www.capitalsenior.com/theparkoakgrove Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.552.9176 www.retire.org
Generations Solutions Roanoke | 540.776.3622 www.generationsolutions.net
Warm Hearth at Home Blacksburg | 540.443.3428 www.whvathome.org
Care Advantage, Inc. Salem | 540.343.2273 Christiansburg | 540.808.1190 www.careadvantageinc.com
HONORABLE MENTION Home Instead Senior Care Greater Roanoke Valley 540.302.4425 www.homeinstead.com Medi Home Health & Hospice Roanoke | 540.278.1322 www.msa-corp.com Visiting Angels Roanoke | 877.618.4748 www.visitingangels.com
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FINANCIAL ADVISING
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
Ann Green Anderson, Desimone & Green, PC. Roanoke | 540.776.6434 www.andersondesimone.com
Rhona Levine Coleman & Massey, PC Roanoke | 540.343.5100 www.colemanmasseylaw.com
THIRD PLACE
Mark Dellinger Rhodes, Butler & Dellinger, PC Roanoke | 540.342.0888 www.rhodesbutler.com
HONORABLE MENTION Robyn Smith-Ellis Vested Partners Salem | 540.389.6060 www.robynsmithellis.com
Andrew D. Owens Jr. Edward Jones Pulaski | 540.980.5302 www.edwardjones.com
Lee F. Brooks Brooks Financial Group Roanoke | 540981.0657 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ lee.f.brooks
THIRD PLACE
The Myrias Group Roanoke | 540.769.0052 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ team/themyriasgroup
HONORABLE MENTION David Ellis Vested Partners Salem | 540.765.2585 www.ellisfg.com Plott & French Financial Advisors Radford | 540.639.2139 www.plottandfrench.com
LET’S CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
201
8 GOLD
FITNESS CENTER
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
HOME HEALTH CARE
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
Green Ridge Recreation Center Roanoke | 540.777.6300 www.roanokecountyparks.com
YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gainsboro | 540.344.9622 Roanoke | 540.342.9622 Rockbridge | 540.464.9622 Salem | 540.387.9622 www.ymcavbr.org
THIRD PLACE Carilion Wellness Blacksburg | 540.961.8923 Botetourt | 540.992.2993 Downtown | 540.581.1111 Roanoke | 540.989.5758 www.carilionwellness.com
HONORABLE MENTION Curves Greater Roanoke Valley www.curves.com In Balance Yoga Blacksburg | 540.961.1030 www.inbalanceyogastudio.com
Interim Healthcare Salem | 540.774.8686 www.interimhealthcare.com
ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS
FIRST PLACE
AWARDS
2018 SENIOR LIVING AWARDS •
AWARDS
Heartland Home Health Care Roanoke | 540.725.7600 www.heartlandhomehealth.com
THIRD PLACE
Brandon Oaks at Home Roanoke | 540.283.8649 www.brandonoaksathome.net
HONORABLE MENTION Generations Solutions Roanoke | 540.776.3622 www.generationsolutions.net Kindred at Home Roanoke | 540.362.7578 www.kindredhealthcare.com Medi Home Health & Hospice Roanoke | 540.278.1322 www.msa-corp.com Warm Hearth at Home Blacksburg | 540.443.3428 www.whvathome.org
Planet Fitness Roanoke (Orange) | 540.904.7400 Roanoke (Towers) | 540.904.6288 www.planetfitness.com
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ROANOKE & NEW RIVER AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
20
1 8 S I LV E R
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18 BR O NZE
AWARDS 201
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HOSPICE CARE
SENIOR LIVING AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
THIRD PLACE (TIE)
Good Samaritan Hospice Roanoke | 540.776.0198 www.goodsamhospice.com
Medi Home Health & Hospice Roanoke | 540.278.1322 www.msa-corp.com
Gentle Shepherd Hospice Roanoke | 540.989.6265 www.gentleshepherdhospice.com
HONORABLE MENTION Carilion Clinic Hospice Roanoke | 540.224.4753 www.carilionclinic.org Heartland Hospice Roanoke | 888.304.1400 www.heartlandhospice.com New Century Hospice Roanoke | 540.366.0927 newcentury.curohs.com
Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.552.9176 www.retire.org
Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
The Village on Pheasant Ridge Roanoke | 540.400.6482 www.villageonpheasantridge.com
HONORABLE MENTION Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us Commonwealth Senior Living at Radford Radford | 540.922.1230 www.commonwealthsl.com Elm Park Estates Roanoke | 540.705.1732 www.holidaytouch.com The Glebe Daleville | 540.795.2224 www.theglebe.org
SENIOR LIVING 58
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
AWARDS SECOND PLACE AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
Relax Blacksburg Blacksburg | 540.315.6844 www.relaxblacksburg.com
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
THIRD PLACE INPATIENT
REHABILITATION Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
SECOND PLACE
Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com
THIRD PLACE Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
HONORABLE MENTION Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com Radford Health and Rehab Center Radford | 540.633.6533 www.radford-rehab.com Salem Health & Rehabilitation Center Salem | 540.345.3894 www.salemhealthrehab.com Springtree Health & Rehabilitation Center Roanoke | 540.981.2790 www.springtreehealthrehab.com
PHARMACY FIRST PLACE
Blacksburg Pharmacy Blacksburg | 540.552.3000 www.blacksburgpharmacy.com
SECOND PLACE Crouch’s Pharmacy, Inc. Hollins | 540.366.3179 www.crouchspharmacy.com
THIRD PLACE
Main Street Pharmacy Blacksburg | 540.605.7721 www.msblacksburg.com Martin’s Pharmacy Pulaski | 540.980.4060 www.martinsrx.com Radford Drug, Inc. Radford | 540.639.3996 f @radforddrug
Le Cheveux Roanoke | 540.343.7211 www.lescheveuxsaloninc.com Pure Spa Roanoke | 540.904.5900 www.puresparoanoke.com
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVIDER
FIRST PLACE
Lincare Christiansburg | 540.381.9270 Dublin | 540.674.6888 Roanoke | 540.344.8677 www.lincare.com
Commonwealth Home Healthcare Salem | 540.380.3383 www.commonwealthcare.com
THIRD PLACE MASSAGE THERAPY Erin Headrick, LMT Roanoke | 540.728.0082 www.erinheadrick.fullslate.com
FIRST PLACE (TIE)
Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
SECOND PLACE Brookdale Roanoke Roanoke | 540.218.1079 www.brookdale.com
THIRD PLACE
SECOND PLACE
FIRST PLACE SENIOR LIVING
HONORABLE MENTION
Cundiff’s Drug Store Vinton | 540.342.8928 www.cundiffdrug.com
HONORABLE MENTION
MEMORY CARE
Advanced Home Care, Inc. Salem | 540.389.8122 www.advhomecare.org
HONORABLE MENTION Allen Providing Health Care Services, Inc. Pulaski | 540.980.6022
Commonwealth Senior Living at Christiansburg Christiansburg | 540.283.9667 www.commonwealthsl.com
HONORABLE MENTION Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net Carrington Cottage Memory Care Center Daleville | 540.300.2412 www.carringtoncottage.com Heritage Hall at Rich Creek Rich Creek | 540.726.2328 www.heritage-hall.org Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.443.3415 www.retire.org The Crossings at Blacksburg Blacksburg | 540.317.3463 www.thecrossingsatblacksburg.com The Dogwood Memory Care Center at Salem Terrace at Harrogate Salem | 540.444.0343 www.salemterrace.com
Medi Home Health & Hospice Roanoke | 540.278.1322 www.msa-corp.com
AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
20
1 8 S I LV E R
20
18 BR O NZE
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ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS
FIRST PLACE (TIE)
LOCAL
Therapeutic Bodywork & Sports Massage Roanoke | 540.632.2051 www.potentialmovement.com
2018 SENIOR LIVING AWARDS •
VALLEYS
ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
20
8 GOLD
1 8 S I LV E R
20
18 BR O NZE
SENIOR LIVING AWARDS SECOND PLACE
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
THIRD PLACE (TIE) NURSING HOME CARE FIRST PLACE
Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com
SECOND PLACE (TIE) Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com Our Lady of the Valley Roanoke | 540.345.5111 www.ourladyofthevalley.com
THIRD PLACE Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
HONORABLE MENTION Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com Raleigh Court Health & Rehabilitation Center Roanoke | 540.342.9525 www.raleighcthealthrehab.com Salem Health & Rehabilitation Center Salem | 540.345.3894 www.salemhealthrehab.com Virginia Veterans Care Center Roanoke | 540.982.2860 www.dvs.virginia.gov
SENIOR LIVING
AWARDS
60
OUTPATIENT
REHABILITATION FIRST PLACE
Carilion Clinic Outpatient Therapies Roanoke and New River Valley 540.981.8050 www.carilionclinic.org
SECOND PLACE Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com
Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com Raleigh Court Health & Rehabilitation Center Roanoke | 540.342.9525 www.raleighcthealthrehab.com Radford Health and Rehab Center Radford | 540.633.6533 www.radford-rehab.com
201
8 GOLD
Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
201
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RESTAURANT FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE Al’s On First Pulaski | 540.509.5133 www.alsonfirst.com
POST-ACUTE REHAB SERVICES
FIRST PLACE
Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
8 GOLD
SALON AND DAY
SPA SERVICES
FIRST PLACE
Le Cheveux Roanoke | 540.343.7211 www.lescheveuxsaloninc.com
Salon Eleven Dublin | 540.674.0730 f @saloneleven
THIRD PLACE
Healing Hands Wholeness Center Wytheville | 276.617.8577 f @HealingHandsWholenssCenter
The Roanoker Restaurant Roanoke | 540.344.7746 www.theroanokerrestaurant.com AWARDS
201
SECOND PLACE
AWARDS
University Physical Therapy Roanoke and New River Valley www.universityptonline.com
AWARDS
HONORABLE MENTION
Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com
Draper Mercantile Draper | 540.994.5659 www.brunchatthemerc.com
Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
THIRD PLACE
HONORABLE MENTION
Bobby’s Hot & Cheesy Roanoke | 540.795.4217 www.bobbyshotandcheesy.com
HONORABLE MENTION Onyx Salem | 540.387.5895 www.onyxhairstudio.com Tea Tree Salon Blacksburg | 540.443.3817 Unique Full Service Salon Radford | 540.633.1444 www.uniquefullservicesalon.com
CONGRATULATIONS
THIRD PLACE Montano’s Restaurant Roanoke | 540.344.8960 www.montanos.net
HONORABLE MENTION Blue Apron Salem | 540.375.0055 www.blueapronredrooster.com
SENIOR LIVING AWARD WINNERS!
2018 SENIOR LIVING AWARDS • ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS
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ROANOKE & NEW RIVER AWARDS AWARDS AWARDS 201
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SENIOR LIVING SECOND PLACE
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
Virginia Varsity Transfer Roanoke | 540.982.2202 www.virginiavarsity.com
THIRD PLACE
Caring Transitions Roanoke | 540.977.2801 www.caringtransitions.com
SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
FIRST PLACE
The Village Center at Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.552.9176 www.retire.org
HONORABLE MENTION Clinton’s Transfer & Storage, Inc. Blacksburg | 540.552.3201 www.clintonstransfer.net Two Men and a Truck Salem | 540.685.0120 www.twomenandatruck.com
SECOND PLACE Salem Senior Center Salem | 540.375.3054 www.salemva.gov
AWARDS 201
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THIRD PLACE
Brambleton Center Roanoke | 540.772.7529 www.roanokecountyparks.com
HONORABLE MENTION Blacksburg Community Center Blacksburg | 540.443.1140 www.blacksburg.gov InnovAge Virginia PACE Roanoke | 540.904.2817 www.myinnovage.org Pulaski Senior Center Pulaski | 540.994.8627 www.pulaski.town
SKILLED NURSING CARE FIRST PLACE (TIE) Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
SECOND PLACE AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth Village Blacksburg | 540.443.3415 www.retire.org
THIRD PLACE
SENIOR RELOCATION SERVICES
FIRST PLACE
Crowning Touch Roanoke | 540.982.5800 www.crowningtouchusa.com
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Virginia Veterans Care Center Roanoke | 540.982.2860 www.dvs.virginia.gov
HONORABLE MENTION Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
AWARDS THIRD PLACE
Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com Our Lady of the Valley Roanoke | 540.345.5111 www.ourladyofthevalley.com Salem Health & Rehabilitation Center Salem | 540.345.3894 www.salemhealthrehab.com
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
FIRST PLACE
Carilion Clinic Outpatient Therapies Roanoke and New River Valleys 540.981.8050 www.carilionclinic.org
SECOND PLACE Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net
THIRD PLACE Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us
HONORABLE MENTION Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com
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8 GOLD
8 GOLD
McDade Travel Roanoke | 540.774.2255 www.mcdadetravel.com
STROKE CARE FIRST PLACE LewisGale Regional Health System Salem | 540.776.4000 www.lewisgale.com
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
RADAR Roanoke | 540.343.1721 www.radartransit.org
SECOND PLACE
THIRD PLACE
THIRD PLACE
Carilion Clinic Neurosurgery Roanoke | 540.224.5170 www.carilionclinic.org
Berkshire Health & Rehabilitation Center Vinton | 540.982.6691 www.berkshirehealthrehab.com
HONORABLE MENTION Brandon Oaks Roanoke | 540.776.2600 www.brandonoaks.net Richfield Living Salem | 540.380.4500 www.richfieldliving.com
New River Valley Senior Services Pulaski | 540.980.7720 www.nrvss.org Pulaski Area Transit Pulaski | 540.980.5040 www.pulaskitransit.org
HONORABLE MENTION Companion Home Care, Inc. Roanoke | 540.981.2255 www.companionhomecareofva.com Generation Solutions Roanoke | 540.345.0451 www.generationsolutions.net
Friendship Roanoke | 540.265.2100 www.friendship.us Highland Ridge Rehab Center Dublin | 540.674.4193 www.thelandmarkgroupllc.com
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
ON SOCIAL MEDIA! #OurHealthRoanokeNRV
& New River Valleys Magazine would like to give a special thanks to all the
SENIOR LIVING AWARD WINNERS and selflessly
TRAVEL SERVICES
WINNERS
OurHealth Roanoke
for passionately
Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com
AWARD
ON THE WEB
More at OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
FIRST PLACE
SECOND PLACE
CONGRATULATE
AWARDS
201
AAA Travel Roanoke | 540.344.0943 www.midatlantic.aaa.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Pulaski Health & Rehabilitation Center Pulaski | 540.980.3111 www.pulaskihealthrehab.com
SENIOR LIVING
AWARDS
ROANOKE & NEW RIVER VALLEYS
SPEECH THERAPY
AWARDS
2018 SENIOR LIVING AWARDS •
VALLEYS
dedicating their lives to senior care.
FIRST PLACE
Martin Travel Roanoke | 540.343.5400 Blacksburg | 540.951.7854 Martinsville | 276.632.6126 www.martintravel.com
SECOND PLACE Sunshine Tours Dublin | 540.674.9517 www.gosunshinetours.com
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FRIENDSHIP HEALTH & LIVING COMMUNITY North Campus: 367 Hershberger Road, Roanoke | 540.265.2100 | www.friendship.us South Rehab: 5647 Starkey Road, Roanoke | 540.777.8300 SERVICES PROVIDED: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Adult Medical Day Care, Home Care, Inpatient Rehab, Long-term Care, Alzheimer’s and Memory Care, Outpatient Rehab, Retail Pharmacy and Wellness Services
L I V I N G A T F RI END SH I P We understand the importance of living a fulfilling and independent life. That’s what makes us a great people-centered community. Independent Living at Friendship means there’s no need to worry about mowing the lawn or fixing the sink. That leaves plenty of time to do the more exciting things in life, like spending the afternoon swimming at our Residents Center, hosting a gourmet dinner party for your friends, or enjoying a walk with your furry little buddy (yes, you can bring your pets too)! You’ll be within minutes of Roanoke’s best shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Friendship Assisted Living offers you the opportunity to continue leading a more independent life by regularly helping in the areas where you need extra assistance. We provide four levels of assisted care, from occasional assistance to 24-hour supervision.
S U P P O R T SERV I CES Friendship Home Care helps individuals remain independent in their own homes through a range of services from simple companionship to running errands to around-the-clock assistance.
AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
AWARDS 20
1 8 S I LV E R
AWARDS
20
18 BR O NZE
AWARD WINNING SERVICES 10 YEARS IN A ROW
HEA LTH A ND R EHA B Friendship Health has some of the best inpatient and outpatient services in the Roanoke and New River valleys, all thanks to the award-winning care of our staff. With our skilled nursing care, long-term care, and memory care programs, we will help you find out which of our award-winning services are right for you. Our rehab programs offer physical, occupational and speech therapies for both inpatient rehab and outpatient recovery.
The Feinour Center, Friendship’s Adult Medical Day Care, offers a more affordable opportunity for daytime care for family members who can no longer stay home alone safely. Daily activities are tailored to each participant’s interests while filling social, physical and cognitive needs
YOUR LIFE IS IN MOTION, AND WE WANT TO KEEP YOU GOING—THROUGH CHANGES, THROUGH AGING, THROUGH RECOVERY, AND THROUGH WHATEVER ELSE LIFE BRINGS.
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HERMITAGE ROANOKE 1009 Old Country Club Road NW | Roanoke, VA 24017 | 540.767.6800 | www.hermitageroanoke.org SERVICES PROVIDED: Independent and Assisted Living, Nursing Care, Outpatient Rehab Services, Respite Care.
ABOUT US
SERVICES
Since 1964, Hermitage Roanoke has been a community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Care lifestyles for seniors 62 years of age and over. A part of Pinnacle Living, a not-for-profit corporation, Hermitage Roanoke is committed to providing an independent lifestyle as well as security throughout the continuum of care.
On its “Bed and Breakfast” like grounds, Hermitage Roanoke offers a choice of accommodations. Both independent living apartments and assisted living apartments are available. Should the need arise, nursing care, rehab therapy, and respite care services are just down the corridor. Residents enter the continuum of care based on the need for services.
THE COMMUNITY Besides the quality living accommodations, the community at Hermitage Roanoke also offers an abundance of social activities to enhance residents’ well-being and allow them to continue their active lifestyle. Community features include a large library, walking paths, exercise room, billiards room, prayer chapel, and wood working shop, just to name a few. From weekly outings, to on-site seasonal celebrations, there is always something to do at Hermitage Roanoke.
FROM THE MOMENT YOU PASS THROUGH THE GRAND GATES OF HERMITAGE ROANOKE, A LIFESTYLE OF PEACEFUL LUXURY COMES TO MIND.
CONTINUUM OF CARE If and when changes occur, residents will continue to receive the care they need. This is especially important for couples when one requires more services than the other. Keeping husbands and wives together, regardless of where they are on the aging spectrum, is a priority of the customized care offered at Hermitage Roanoke.
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Highland Ridge
5872 Hanks Avenue | Pulaski County | Dublin | 540.674.4193 | www.highlandridgerehab.com SERVICES PROVIDED: 24-Hour RNs and LPNs with support from Certified Nursing Assistants, Continuity of Care services, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language pathology, Restorative Nursing Services, Pain Management, IV Therapy, and Interdisciplinary Healthcare Teams
About Us
Right in the Heart of the New River Valley, in Dublin Virginia, Highland Ridge Rehab Center offers specialized rehabilitation services after a hospital stay, illness, or planned surgery. We have partnered with community professionals to provide personalized programs to meet an individual’s specific needs. Your team may include a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Dietician, Discharge Planner, and Activities Director.
Amenities
Highland Ridge Rehab Center offers all the comforts of home in a therapeutic setting. Our Amenities Include: •
Private & Semi Private Suites
•
Cable & Telephone Services
•
In Room Temperature Control
What Sets Us Apart
•
Private Master Baths
•
Walk In Closets
Many people do not realize how beneficial a short rehab stay is to their recovery. People who choose a comprehensive rehabilitative program find that they have improved outcomes. Along with short-term rehabilitation, we also offer Skilled Nursing, Aquatic Therapy, Continuing Care Services, and Outpatient Therapy.
•
Wireless Internet
•
Scenic Views
•
Specialty Rehab Programs through Accelerated Care Plus
Come by today to see all of the programs we have to offer.
•
Personalized Dining Choices
OUR HEART IS IN YOUR HEALTHCARE, OUR HEART IS IN YOU!
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR TOUR
540.674.4193
www.OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com
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Our Lady of the Valley 650 North Jefferson Street | Roanoke | 540.345.5111 | www.ourladyofthevalley.com
AWARDS 20
SERVICES PROVIDED: Assisted living, skilled rehabilitation, nursing care.
Our Care
To many seniors and their families, a retirement community may sound like a nice idea, but in reality they may wonder, “what makes it better than staying in my own house?” In reality, trying to list all the benefits of moving to a senior community can be difficult—there are so many! At Our Lady of the Valley, an assisted living community located near downtown Roanoke, their team has found that families are most excited to discover the following “perks” of assisted living.
Socialization
Opportunities for companionship, support from peers, and a sense of community can be found at Our Lady of the Valley through in-house activities, spiritual enrichment, and musical entertainment, plus local outings. While living at home may be isolating, living in a community among new friends has the potential to boost mood and even health!
Stress-Free Housekeeping & Maintenance
One of the greatest benefits of living in a retirement community is that you no longer have to bother with household chores or yardwork. Seasonal obligations like raking leaves and shoveling snow become a thing of the past.
1 8 S I LV E R
Transportation
Complimentary van transportation to medical appointments, surrounding shops, and area attractions just makes life easier. When driving is no longer an option, Our Lady of the Valley’s van can help residents stay connected to all that Roanoke has to offer.
Meals
An Executive Chef prepares three nutritious meals a day plus snacks for residents at Valley, and a registered dietitian assists with meal planning and nutritional tips. This can help residents stay healthy and looking forward to the next delicious meal!
A LEGACY OF CARING - SERVING GENERATIONS FOR OVER 28 YEARS.
Peace of Mind
Families at Our Lady of the Valley rest-assured knowing that 24-hour licensed nursing care is always available. Seniors are provided extra protection with a fullcommunity generator, security cameras, and indoor mailboxes. Since utilities are included in the monthly rent, residents are better able to manage a budget without worrying about something new they’ve discovered or come to love about life here.” Real friendships, great food, and peace of mind may only be scratching the service of all the assisted living “perks” one will receive at Our Lady of the Valley.
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Radford Health & Rehab Center 700 Randolph Street | Radford | 540.633.6533 | www.radford-rehab.com SERVICES PROVIDED: Rehabilitation, long-term-care, and respite care.
About Us
Radford Health & Rehab’s goal is simple: to use our Safe Transition program to develop a customized rehab plan for you in our post-acute setting where we will use innovative techniques and creative thinking to provide efficient, effective treatments. While its lush New River Valley setting may change with every season, Radford Health & Rehab Center provides the same great care year-round. Opened in 2002, the 90-bed center offers short-term rehabilitation services with a state-ofthe-are rehabilitation gym as well as long term care.
Innovative Care
The rehabilitation and clinical care you will receive in our center will give you the foundation and the life skills you need to be successful at your next destination. We are doing more than the status quo, we are changing lives. We offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy provided by a team of talented therapist who will use outside of the box thinking and home visits to ensure you reach your maximum potential. Our clinical team can also meet your clinical needs and can accommodate a wide range of complex medical conditions such as tracheostomy care, LifeVest monitoring, and Wound Vac’s. We also have innovative technology such as Smart Glasses that allow us to provide tele-medicine in a HIPPA complaint manner.
Amenities
In addition to these programs, each long-term resident can look forward to a wealth of amenities such as fine dining programs; small and large group activities, and daily housekeeping services. The monthly social calendar offers something for everyone, from group exercise to book clubs, to pet visits and tea parties, to church services and movie nights. The beautiful grounds and joyful, social community areas at the center make each resident feel right at home and families and friends are given peace of mind knowing the center offers the highest quality of care to all those we serve in the New River Valley.
TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE, WE PARTNER WITH RADFORD UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT, & HEALTH, DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF THERAPISTS AND THERAPY TECHNIQUES.
What Sets Us Apart
In addition to utilizing the latest technology, we provide a team based approach in designing our individual plan of care to assist you in achieving your goals. Our team will work with you prior to entering our facility and in every step of your rehabilitation journey. We offer a comprehensive, interdisciplinary evaluation beginning upon admission to address your individualized needs. Upon completion of our evaluations we give you an estimated length of stay, a customized discharge plan, and work with our partners in your care to ensure your success and safety at your next destination.
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Salem Terrace at Harrogate 1851 Harrogate Drive | Salem | 540.444.0343 | www.salemterrace.com
SERVICES PROVIDED: Independent living, assisted living, memory care, therapy and rehabilitation services.
A New Look for Senior Living!
Salem Terrace features stunning mountain views, delicious cuisine, award-winning care, and a wealth of exciting events and amenities. Residents live in luxury and style while enjoying the full retirement experience. Apartments at Salem Terrace cater to active seniors who yearn to retire in comfort and luxury but do not need personal assistance. Apartment Living residents are afforded all of the amenities of our community such as activities, social events and maintenance-free living. Weekly housekeeping, linen services, and meal plans are also available.
Assisted Living
Salem Terrace offers four levels of assisted living care for residents in need of extra help with activities of daily living. A wide variety of assisted living care services, ranging from help with medications to mobility assistance, is offered to suit each individual’s unique care needs. Care levels are based on a personalized assessment to determine the appropriate amount of support required. As always, licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO TAILORING COMPASSIONATE, INDIVIDUALIZED HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT FOR EACH RESIDENT, ALLOWING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE.
Memory Care
The Dogwood Memory Care Center at Salem Terrace has been awarded and complimented for its design, functionality and care of Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. Designed with the safety and serenity of the residents in mind, each room features a private half-bath, dressing and sitting areas. In addition, individual memory boxes to display mementos and special photographs are located outside of each resident’s door. The most important feature is our person-centered care for each Dogwood resident. A secure, outdoor walking garden provides an opportunity for physical exercise and mental stimulation. All activities are planned by a specially trained activities director, focusing on the needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia residents.
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Virginia Veterans Care Center
AWARDS
20
18 BR O NZE
4550 Shenandoah Avenue | Roanoke | NEXT DOOR TO THE VA MEDICAL CENTER | 540.982.2860 or 800.220.VETS SERVICES PROVIDED: Assisted living, memory care, post-hospital physical rehabilitation, and long-term care.
About Us
The Virginia Veterans Care Center (VVCC) in Roanoke is deeply committed to serving the veterans of our armed forces who so bravely spent a part of their lives serving us. While many of the area’s retirement living centers offer similar services, the Virginia Veterans Care Center is dedicated specifically to caring for our honorably discharged armed forces veterans who lived or who had enlisted in Virginia. Much time and effort has gone into building VVCC, including considerations for top-level healthcare, and oncampus services and activities such as nature trails, library, chapel, barber shop and billiard room.
Amenities and Services
VVCC is a unique example for long-term healthcare and one of only two state homes for veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Housing 240 beds, which includes a 60bed assisted living area and a 60-bed Alzheimer’s Care unit, VVCC continues to provide comprehensive, high quality care with on-site, x-rays, physical therapy, and many other ancillary healthcare services. Plus, nearly all residents of VVCC receive some level of financial assistance that subsidizes their living expenses, making it a much more affordable retirement option.
Memory Care
VVCC houses the area’s only “Wander Garden” for Alzheimer’s patients. The “Wander Garden” is an enclosed, outside area where Alzheimer’s patients can visit unsupervised without the threat of getting hurt or unknowingly leaving the campus. The entire area of the “Wander Garden” has been safety-checked to prevent accidental injuries. Even the plants in the area are safe and non-toxic.
Our Residents
These services and resources certainly play a role in the quality of life veterans’ living at VVCC have, but according to residents and staff alike, it’s the people that make the biggest difference. “They have so much to share and so much in common, it’s not just about the bond they share from being in the armed forces, they’re like brothers and sisters – an unconditional friendship among everyone.”
THEY WERE THERE FOR US WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND NOW WE WILL BE THERE FOR THEM.
Community Care
The VVCC is heavily supported by the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and community groups. Each of the organizations lend a hand whenever called upon to help out the veterans at VVCC. “I believe the VVCC stands for many great things, but above all else, the VVCC is a way to show our veterans we care and appreciate them and all they have done,” says Patti Smith, director of admissions and marketing. “Everything we do here is our way of saying “thank you” to our veterans.” They were there for us when we needed them, and now we will be there for them. *Do not have to be injured or have a service connected disability during military term to be a resident.
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Warm Hearth Village 2387 Warm Hearth Drive | Blacksburg | 540.552.9176 | www.retire.org SERVICES PROVIDED: Active adult, independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, long-term nursing care, home health.
About Us
Warm Hearth Village is the New River Valley’s only comprehensive retirement community. Established in 1974 with a mission to serve seniors of all socioeconomic backgrounds with a wide range of choices in housing, services and care, the nonprofit community has grown to be an asset to residents of the New River Valley and beyond.
Why Blacksburg?
Blacksburg has been recognized as one of the top retirement towns in the nation because of the quality of life it affords its residents. The small college town has a metropolitan feel with eclectic restaurants, ample cultural venues including the Moss Center for the Arts, and of course, Hokie sports year-round. A short drive from the center of town, you will find trout filled streams, the Appalachian Trail and endless recreational opportunities. Two regional health systems, HCA and Carilion, serve this community with a wealth of expertise and choice in healthcare services. With low cost of living and crime and high environmental quality compared to larger cities, Blacksburg is a preferred destination.
Why Warm Hearth Village?
While Blacksburg is recognized as a top retirement town, Warm Hearth Village has consistently been recognized as its top retirement community. We are located adjacent to Virginia Tech on a lush, 220–acre woodland campus. We are deeply rooted in our community and our mission to serve seniors from all walks of life. As a nonprofit community, we raise funds through the Warm Hearth Foundation to provide charitable care to seniors in need of housing and healthcare services. We are now home to more than 550 residents in living options that include active adult, independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term nursing care, skilled rehab care and home healthcare.
What’s New?
AWARDS AWARDS 201
8 GOLD
20
1 8 S I LV E R
Amenities
Complementing the full continuum of living options are ample services and amenities. Transportation, six dining venues, a robust events program and an innovative fitness center further enhance the lifestyle of our residents. We partner with Blacksburg Transit to provide door-to-door bus service to our residents while also operating our own transportation program. The Fireside Grill and Huckleberry Café add variety to the regular dining venues and welcome the public for breakfast and lunch. The Village Center hosts the Life Long Learning Institute at Virginia Tech, New River Stage and many local community performers each year. The fitness center provides something for everyone with scheduled classes, free swim, cardio and weight equipment, and certified personal trainers.
The Kroontje Health Care Center and Karr Activity Center are both undergoing an expansive remodel to better serve our residents. And, Carilion Clinic at Warm Hearth Village is currently under construction and will open to residents and the community in late 2018.
Why Now?
Why Not? Rid yourself of the burdens of home maintenance and yard work when you move to Warm Hearth Village. Enjoy this beautifully landscaped community without the hassles of chores or yard work. Don’t wait! Call us today to learn about what’s new at Warm Hearth Village.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Aging Well
ASK THE EXPERT
JANICE ANDERSON, AuD
•
ANDERSON AUDIOLOGY
Ask the Expert
Christiansburg ~ c 540.381.6967 | Dublin ~ c 540.674.4889 | Galax ~ c 276.236.0778 Wytheville ~ c 276.228.0866 | w www.anderson-audiology.com
Tips on communicating with a friend or loved one who has hearing difficulty.
4. Check your surroundings. Make sure you are not standing in front of a window while talking. The light behind you makes it hard to lip-read.
1. Turn off the TV! If there is a television or radio on in the background, turn it off. Whether the person is wearing a hearing aid or not, decreasing background sounds will give them a better chance to understand speech.
5. Get level. If the person is sitting, it helps to get down to his/her level and get a little closer. Within an arm’s length is a good rule.
2. May I have your attention? Bring the person into the conversation by getting their attention first and then speak. Only 40 percent of communication is verbal and the hearing impaired person is very adept at using facial expression and lip-reading to read the situation around them to help in understanding. 3. Make eye contact. If at all possible, look directly at the person when you talk. If that person is the only one with the hearing problem then everyone else will hear you anyway. It is only habit that makes us look at the person we are talking to.
6. One-on-One. If someone should leave the room, do not try to coax them back to the main stream. Go in and sit down and talk to them one on one. That may be the only way they can understand. I can assure you that if you will take time to notice, interpret and take simple actions to be considerate to the hearing impaired person, you will be giving a precious gift that they will remember. Communication is important to us all but anyone that has a hearing loss will tell you that communication is priceless.
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Aging Well WISDOM • DIGNITY • SUPPORT
A Guide to SUCCESSFUL
AGING
INTO YOUR 90s
and Beyond words JENNIFER LAMONT
MORE THAN
25 PERCENT
of Americans aged 65 and older have diabetes while
HALF OF THE POPULATION IS ALREADY PRE-DIABETIC.
Of those people, a
DISPROPORTIONATELY
HIGH NUMBER
ARE AT RISK FOR A SERIOUS HEART EVENT.
Further, cognitive impairment and depression among seniors is
SO COMMON THE TWO CONDITIONS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.
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As Sarah Holter tells it, she’s fitter now at 73 than she was at 53. The greatgrandmother walks two miles every day with a group of friends, gardens and does a Saturday yoga class. Her social calendar rivals her granddaughter’s schedule. Her doctor calls her a “successful ager,” she says with a laugh, “whatever that means.” To most longevity researchers and active seniors, successful aging in its simplest terms means living independently while staying healthy, happy and engaged with others. These are the characteristics shared by Sarah and other gracefully aging seniors around the globe, including those “Blue Zones” you’ve probably heard about. Home to the highest concentrations of happy, healthy people living vital lives well into their 100s, Blue Zones experience little to no diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Clearly, they’re doing something right.
Why Blue Zone Residents Live Longer Than the Rest of Us To age successfully, you need good nutrition and consistent physical activity. Blue Zone residents eat more traditional, plant-heavy diets that don’t include processed foods or refined sugar. They also naturally move their bodies—a lot—by incorporating physical activity into their day and walking most places. And they’re happier than the rest of us. Blue Zone centenarians have better mental health and social support. They prioritize time for rest, family and spiritual fulfillment, while maintaining a sense of purpose. Meanwhile, in the United States, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment and mental health issues affect seniors in astonishing numbers. Research is beginning to show that
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in Roanoke and New River Valleys
Five distinct—and relatively tiny— areas are home to the healthiest, longest-living centenarians around the globe. They include:
A Guide to Successful Aging into Your 90s and Beyond
Whether you’re a senior or a caregiver helping a loved one, we’ll show you how to stay healthy, active and happy well into your 90s and beyond with this Guide to Successful Aging.
The Blue Zones
•
But new studies also support what healthy, active seniors like Sarah and Blue Zone residents already know. It’s possible to ward off disease, increase lifespan and improve your quality of life, regardless of age.
Aging Well
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and depression are all related. Too many Americans are not aging well.
There’s No Such Thing as the Mediterranean Diet In her early fifties, Sarah steadily began gaining weight. Her doctor recommended the Mediterranean Diet to get both her triglycerides and weight down. But, the “Mediterranean Diet” doesn’t exist. From Spain to Morocco, the countries along the Mediterranean eat vastly different diets. Like Blue Zones, people in countries along the Mediterranean have one thing in common however. They eat more polyphenols, the antioxidants that fight inflammation. Polyphenols are found in nutrient-dense foods like seasonal vegetables, nuts, berries and unrefined olive oil.
Ikaria, Greece
Here are a few ways you can eat more “Mediterranean”: Eat a rainbow of vegetables and fruits, aiming for 3 – 4 cups of vegetables per day, including a salad or other raw vegetable. Eat 1 – 2 servings of fruits, especially berries. Reduce or eliminate sugar, processed foods, white flour, pasta and excessive alcohol to stabilize your blood sugar.
Okinawa, Japan
Get rid of processed vegetable and canola oils. These oils are refined with harsh chemical solvents unless they say “expeller” or “cold-pressed” on the label. Eat more healthy fats like avocado, nuts and extra-virgin olive oil.
DID YOU KNOW? Studies show extra-virgin olive oil, first cold-pressed, is the type of olive oil that reduces heart attack risk by helping your good cholesterol (HDL) shuttle bad cholesterol (LDL) away from your blood vessel walls. Only eat olive oil at room temperature or gently warmed. Heating it too high makes the oil become oxidized—and dangerous—to consume.
Ogliastra Region, Sardinia, Italy
The food you eat can ‘make or break’ your health. Your longevity also depends on how much you move.
Why Sheep Herders Outlive Us All
Loma Linda, California
Living longer than anyone else in the world, sheep herders in Sardinia’s Blue Zone walk all day long. And while you don’t have to herd livestock to get healthy, walking is the easiest and most beneficial activity you can do to increase your lifespan. Studies show the simple act of moderate walking can add years to your life whether you’re 51, 71 or even 91. It increases balance, circulation, bone mass and muscle strength while lubricating your joints to reduce pain. Researchers also believe walking helps you form new brain cells, improve memory, and increase your cognitive and decision-making skills. Studies show that women who walk two miles a day have lower rates of mental decline. The benefits are even greater for those who walk in social groups or with a caregiver.
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
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Aging Well
• SUPPORT
Get started with these tips:
Get Fit in 4-3-2-1… Walking is your core activity. Customize your sessions with the exercises or activities you enjoy. Always consult your doctor first and go at your own pace. Each week, do a 4-3-2-1 schedule of workouts:
If you’re sedentary, build up to 30-minute sessions at your own pace. Break it up into three 10-minute sessions throughout the day. Adding resistance or strength training twice a week can reduce the chance of accidental falls by 50 percent. Once you’re more active, try the “Get Fit in 4-3-2-1” schedule. (see left sidebar)
DID YOU KNOW? Taking a brisk walk 4 – 5 times per week decreases insulin resistance and the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Walking with a caregiver or social group also increases cognition, while decreasing the risk of depression. WALKING SESSIONS, preferably outdoors when possible.
While walking is so beneficial to mental health, it’s not the only secret to keeping sharp and happy. Successful agers are lifelong learners. They also have strong family and social connections to support them.
Beyond Crosswords: Finding a Sense of Purpose BALANCE SESSIONS, including t’ai chi or simple balancing exercises.
Puzzles are good for relaxing. But they probably won’t ward off Alzheimer’s. According to a recent study, seniors who learn more intellectually demanding skills like photography, quilting, or a new language have a better chance at preventing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Even better off are those seniors who learn something new within the happy circles of their friends or family. Learning challenging activities while being active and around people you like (the ones who are happy) is the special recipe for increasing your own happiness and giving you a sense of purpose.
RESISTANCE SESSIONS, building up slowly according to your level and strength.
Like other successful agers around the globe who feel a sense of purpose, Sarah says the key is eating right, and staying active and social, even when you don’t feel like it. “I laugh every day on my walk with the girls. I think that’s the key to being happy,” she says.
DID YOU KNOW? Mental illness is more prevalent among seniors over 55 than any other age group. But it’s not a normal part of aging. The good news is that researchers say latelife depression is just as treatable with proper medication, psychotherapy, nutrition, exercise, social support and sunlight.
FLEXIBILITY SESSION, like yoga or simple stretches at home.
SOURCES
For a quick cheat sheet on balance, strength and flexibility exercises, visit the NIH Go4Life Program’s website.
www.go4life.nia.nih.gov
American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) American Psychological Association (www.apa.org) Cardiovascular Diabetology (https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com) Circulation – American Heart Association Journals (www.circ.ahajournals.org) Go4Life – National Institute on Aging at NIH (www.go4life.nia.nih.gov) JAMA Network (www.jamanetwork.com) National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com)
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Aging Well WISDOM • DIGNITY • SUPPORT
WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
MEDICARE words | CATHERINE BROWN
In recent years Medicare has become increasingly complex as Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies and prescription coverage have become available. Do you know what plans you need to manage your healthcare costs? Read on for answers to some of the questions you may have.
What is Medicare? Medicare is a national health insurance program for people over 65, people under 65 with certain disabilities and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease.
“Part A is automatically available when you turn 65, but you still need to sign up for it. You can take Part B at 65 or delay it if you have not yet retired and have a health plan through your job.” LYNN ATKINSON with Humana Insurace.
What does someone need to do to sign up for Medicare? Generally, people qualify for Medicare the first day of the month they turn 65. If you plan to use Medicare, you can do it online, at the social security office or by phone. “Part A is automatically available when you turn 65, but you still need to sign up for it,” explains Lynn Atkinson of Humana Insurance. “You can take Part B at 65 or delay it if you have not yet retired and have a health plan through your job.”
What are the parts of Medicare? Medicare has four distinct parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance). “Part A provides coverage for in-patient hospital care, rehab or skilled nursing, hospice and home health, among other things,” says Atkinson. There are certain conditions you must meet to receive those services. Most people do not have to pay premiums for Part A because coverage was already paid for through payroll taxes. Part B (Medical Insurance). “Part B covers 80% of doctor visits, outpatient care and preventive services, occupational and physical therapies, diagnostic testing and medical equipment,” explains Atkinson.
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POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN
• What You Need to Know about Medicare
Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). Recipients who receive Part A and B, either through Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, are eligible to sign up for Part D benefits.
Aging Well
Part C (Medicare Advantage). Seniors have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through a private insurance company like Humana. Medicare Advantage plans are approved by Medicare and offer Medicare-covered benefits as well as extra perks. “Through Medicare Advantage Plans, we at Humana can provide benefits that Medicare cannot,” says Atkinson. “That includes dental and vision benefits, coverage for more preventive care services, fitness programs, access to nurses by phone and a mail-order pharmacy.” If you choose to work with a private insurance company to create a Medicare Advantage plan that works for you, you will get your Medicare Part A and B coverage—as well as other benefits you choose—through that plan.
Medicare Advantage Plans are not standardized. Plans are customized, and benefits can vary by location. Some possible benefits are as followed:
What does Medicare not cover? As Atkinson explains, “the original Medicare was not set up to cover routine services, like a routine healthy eye exam or preventive dental services.” Medicare also does not cover dentures or hearing aids or exams for fitting them. While many people think Medicare covers nursing care and long-term care, it does not. Medicare will only cover a short-term stay in a skilled nursing facility.
What is Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)? Medigap, or Medicare Supplemental Insurance, helps pay for some of the health care costs, like deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance, not covered by Medicare. The Medigap policy would pay after Medicare has paid its share of costs. Although Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies, they are standardized by the government and thus cannot be customized for each person. Medigap policies do not cover long-term care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, vision or dental exams or private-care nursing.
Why should I consider a Medicare Advantage Plan? A Medicare Advantage Plan is offered as an alternative to Original Medicare Parts A and B rather than a supplemental policy. “The main benefit of Medicare Advantage is that it might give you the opportunity to cover something that wouldn’t otherwise be covered,” says Atkinson. For instance, you could include a vision benefit, and that might be covered for everyone or for a specific individual. Medicare Advantage Plans often have a mail-order option for prescription drugs, allowing patients to receive generic medications at no cost. The plans also cover preventive care, like flu shots, mammograms and colonoscopies to help maintain good health. Some also offer over-the-counter benefits to help cover items like toothpaste, vitamins and denture cleaner. “Humana also has a tremendous program, Go 365,” Atkinson says. “It is a wellness reward program, and when people follow through with preventive care, they can turn points into gifts. Keeping people in good health saves money for everybody involved.” Patients with Original Medicare may only receive benefits when using providers who accept Medicare. Another benefit of Medicare Advantage Plans is that they contract with healthcare providers in managed care programs like HMOs (health maintenance organizations) or PPOs (preferred provider organizations). In addition, while Medicare does not cap potential out-ofpocket costs, Medicare Advantage Plans do, preventing patients from owing excessive amounts of money if a catastrophic event occurs.
Vision Benefits
Mail-order option for prescription drugs
Receive generic medications at no cost
Preventive Care Covered Including items such as flu shots, mammograms, and colonoscopies.
Over-the-Counter Benefits Including items such as toothpaste and vitamins.
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Aging Well
• SUPPORT
ONLINE RESOURCES: Where should I go for more information? Multiple websites offer helpful information about Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap. Here are two government-run sites:
Medicare Advantage Plans are not standardized the way a Medigap policy is. Medicare Advantage Plans are reviewed and approved annually by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Plans are customized, and benefits can vary by location. A Medicare member can shop during the Annual Election Period (October 15th to December 7th of each year) to find a plan that meets their level of risk tolerance, benefits and budget. Insurance agents can consult with individuals to determine which benefits to include and how to structure premiums, deductibles and copays.
Where should I go for more information? Multiple websites offer helpful information about Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medigap. Here are a few: www.Medicare.gov | www.Humana.com/Medicare | www.socialsecurity.gov EXPERT CONTRIBUTERS Lynn Atkinson with Humana Insurance.
www.Medicare.gov
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Local health. Anywhere you go. OurHealth magazine is Southwest Virginia’s only resource entirely dedicated to delivering information about local healthcare services and healthy living topics. Pick up our print edition at more than 900 locations throughout the area or get the digital edition by visiting
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Aging Well WISDOM • DIGNITY • SUPPORT
Individualized Fast-Track Ortho Program GIVES PATIENTS
PEACE OF MIND words |CATHERINE BROWN
At its six locations in Roanoke and New River Valleys—Raleigh Court, Springtree, Salem, Berkshire, Franklin and Pulaski Health and Rehabilitation Centers – Medical Facilities of America offers an innovative Fast-Track Ortho Program to help patients recover from knee or hip replacement surgery or a lower body fracture. Developed with orthopedic surgeons, the highly individualized program incorporates intensive daily therapies to enable patients to return to their normal activities more quickly than with other inpatient therapies. After having knee replacement surgery, 62-year-old Natalie Murphy chose Springtree’s FastTrack Program because she needed to quickly return to daily life, particularly because of her role as caregiver for her mother and mother-in-law, both of whom are 90 years old. “Springtree told me they could get me in and out of rehab in less than ten days,” Murphy says. “I went for it because I needed to get through therapy quickly.
What is involved with Fast-Track Ortho? When participating in Fast-Track Ortho, patients stay at the facility for an average of 13 days following a procedure or injury. The stay begins with an initial meeting. “We first evaluate the individual and see what their deficits and goals are. Then we develop focused treatment on those goals based on their deficits.” - Patty Lankford, MPT, Rehab Director with Hanover Health and Rehabilitation Center
Two main components of the program include strength and balance. Regardless of the procedure done, therapists work with patients to help them rebuild their strength and refine balance to perform daily tasks. Therapists also work with patients to ensure they are aware of
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Aging Well
• WISDOM
any precautions to consider; for instance, they help them use adaptive equipment to avoid bending the hip too far after a hip replacement. “I was amazed at the equipment,” Murphy says. “It was state-of-theart, and it helped me get better quickly.” While participating in the program, patients can also be involved in a variety of activities with other patients, from movie nights and games to church services and musical groups.
INDIVIDUALIZED FAST-TRACK ORTHO
Who should participate in the Fast-Track Ortho Program?
PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
The orthopedists, nurses, hospital case managers and Fast-Track Ortho admissions department have developed criteria for determining who would succeed in the Program. “It’s a fast-paced, intense program,” says Lankford, “so patients need to have the cognitive ability to understand everything, and they need to be able to handle the therapy and aggressive goals.”
Orthopedic surgeons developed a highly individualized program that incorporates intensive daily therapies to enable patients to return to their normal activities more quickly than with other inpatient therapies.
What makes Fast-Track different?
Patients stay at the facility an average of 13 days following a procedure or injury.
Initial Meeting A team of therapists start by evaluating the individual to see what their deficits and goals are.
Develop Treatment Plan The team then develops an individualized treatment plan according to the patients deficits and goals.
Implement the Plan The patient then participates in physical and occupational therapy three hours a day, seven days a week.
Care Meetings Throughout the Program, there are regular care meetings to update the patient and family members about progress and goals moving forward.
Returning Home Therapists provide a workbook with extensive information about daily exercise for the patient when they return home.
The major difference with the Fast-Track Ortho Program is the speed and intensity with which the patients progress through skill sets. “Patients typically participate in physical therapy and occupational therapy three hours a day, seven days a week,” says Lankford. The physical therapy portion involves working on tasks like moving up and down stairs and getting in and out of bed, while the occupational therapy portion involves preparing to return to daily living activities, like taking a shower and keeping up with housekeeping. “Their goal is to help you get back to your home situation,” Murphy says. “Two days before I went home, they helped me practice using steps so that I could climb my stairs at home. Everything was specifically designed to meet my needs.” Throughout the Program, there are regular care meetings to update the patient and family members about progress and goals moving forward. A Recovery Map in each room also tracks the patient’s progress as the patient moves through the Program.
What happens when the program ends? Before patients leave the program, therapists provide a workbook with extensive information about exercises they should continue when they return home. The workbook also includes education about symptoms to look out for and a review of medications. Most importantly, patients leave the Fast-Track Program with confidence that they can return to their normal daily living activities. “The therapists always had smiles on their faces and encouraged me throughout the process,” says Murphy. “I would not be doing all the things I can do now if it weren’t for their encouragement.” EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Patty Lankford, MPT, Rehab Director with Medical Facilities of America Natalie Murphy, Patient with Springtree Health and Rehabilitation Center
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Food Fitness NUTRITION • EXERCISE • PREVENTION
FRESH &
FABULOUS FALL PRODUCE words | MICHELLE MCLEES, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
The fall harvest season brings a whole new assortment of delicious and heart-healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. Apples, pears, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are fresh in the market – or in your garden. Autumn is a time to shift from the seed fruit that we eat in the summer to all the nutrition-rich goodies, like the grapes and persimmons we get in the fall. These fresh foods are not only tasty, but can help you feel better, get healthier and may protect against heart disease and stroke. Fruits and vegetables with color contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals that have different disease-fighting elements. These compounds
Colors of Fall Fall brings its own color wheel of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Deep colors like oranges, reds, and purples are especially prominent in the cooler months. However, it’s important to strive for variety with your fall favorites. Don’t just have a green salad; add all different colors into the salad. More colors usually means there is good nutritional value in your meal.
may be important in reducing the risk of many conditions, including cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends at least 4-5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables based on a 2000-calorie diet as part of a healthy lifestyle that can lower your risk for these diseases.
Fruits, Vegetables and Your Weight The autumn months bring additional health and nutritional challenges. The shorter, cooler days can make it harder to get physical activity outdoors. And there are the looming (and caloriepacked) temptations of football party snacks, Halloween sweets and Thanksgiving buffets. However, one good way to avoid those extra seasonal pounds is to keep eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. For example, apples are thought to have a unique source of fiber that is excellent for weight control. They are especially crisp and delicious during the fall because this is when they are harvested.
Other Fresh-food Benefits While grocery stores will carry an assortment of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, buying seasonal produce can take some of the strain off your wallet. When foods are in season locally, they are usually more abundant and affordable.
Web-exclusive Recipes Also don't miss recipes featuring fabulous fall produce at OurHealthRoanokeNRV.com/ recipes.
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Buying seasonal produce may also add zest and flavor to your meals. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are typically fresher and more flavorful. However, some canned or frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as healthy and satisfying. Some people think frozen or canned vegetables lack nutritional value, but they are usually processed at the peak of harvest, so they can provide nutritional value which is similar to fresh produce. Consider selecting fruit canned in its own juices and canned vegetables labeled “no” or “reduced” sodium.
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Funny BONE HUMOR • SEARCH • CHECK
pot the Differences Can you spot the SEVEN differences between the two cartoons? Be the first reader to email us describing what the seven differences are and you will earn the satisfaction (and bragging rights) of having your name in print in the next edition. OK, START YOUR SEARCH! Email info@ourhealthvirginia.com with the subject line Funny Bone Roanoke.
CON•GRAT• U•LATIONS! Eleanor Williams was the first person to email us the correct seven differences in last issue’s Funny Bone.
Visit our website ourhealthroanokenrv.com or our Facebook page @OurHealthRoanokeNRV and sign up for our e-newsletter for more fun games, quizzes and contests to win great prizes!
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