Healthcare in the U.S. is changing: people need to be as informed as possible

By Bronwyn Muldoon Redstone Review

LYONS – Healthcare in the U.S. is changing. Some of these changes might have been accelerated by Covid, while other changes have no relation to the pandemic. Regardless of how these changes came about, they are affecting the quality and continuity of care throughout the healthcare system. Being informed and prepared for these changes can help when a health professional is needed.

Currently there is a shortage of healthcare professionals. Since the start of Covid, 38 to 42 percent of healthcare providers have left their career in healthcare, with a surprising 47 percent saying they will leave by 2025. Though some providers retired, others left pursuing different occupations because of burnout, long hours, staffing shortages and heavy patients loads. With the baby boomer generation at retirement and senior community age, the U.S. healthcare system will continue to lose critical providers, adding stress on our already strained system.

Covid helped accelerate the rate in which patients use Telehealth appointments. Telehealth includes health care using audio and video technology, replacing person-to-person contact. It was initially developed to provide basic care to rural and underserved patients. Telehealth was extremely beneficial during Covid and continues to have a place in healthcare. It is best used to monitor patients who have already been established and for those who have mobility or transportation limitations.

Telehealth is convenient and saves patients time as they don’t have to travel. However, Telehealth has its shortfalls and not all patients or clinical situations are appropriate for telemedicine appointments.

One of the biggest limitations is performing comprehensive physical examinations. A large percentage of the population don’t have the tools at home to help gather pertinent information like blood pressure, heart rate, weight and height. Though this is basic information, it is vital in helping assess overall health. When one of these measurements changes it can indicate possible other health concerns.

Other limitations in Telehealth are eval- sary. Its going to be more crucial that people be their own advocates and do research on their own. uating orthopedic and neurological conditions, thus Telehealth should not be a replacement for certain injuries/conditions. It should not be a replacement for annual checkups or evaluating orthopedic or neurological conditions. And thought Telehealth can save patients time, it does not eliminate the time health care professionals spend on documentation, billing and verifying insurance.

U.S., cleared over $5.3 billion in profits, a 28 percent increase than the previous year at the same time. The second highest, Cigna, came in at $2.8 billion in profits for the third quarter of 2023 (a 70 percent increase), followed by Elevance at $1.6 billion.

With the insurance companies decreasing their reimbursement to providers, it not only adds another reason for healthcare professionals to consider switching careers, but it decreases the overall quality of care to patients. Health care workers are being asked to increase their workload while their pay rate decreases or stays the same.

Over time this added stress leads to increases in human error and providers not able to perform thorough examinations. This can extend the time to get an accurate diagnosis, causing not only frustration to the patient but wastes valuable time and delays treatment.

Households should have some basic medical equipment, including a blood pressure machine, thermometer, and a scale. Call your insurance company. Find out what your insurance benefits are and what is covered. When scheduling appointments, ask if they are in-network with your insurance. In-network providers typically will have lower outof-pocket cost and unexpected charges.

Please don’t use Dr. Google to do your research on diagnosing something. There are better sources like Mayo Clinic, National Institute of Health (NIH) or Johns Hopkins Medicine. Once you have a diagnosis, then you can use multiple search engines to find treatment options. Hopefully by being informed and prepared for these changes, all of us can feel more empowered and in control of our health. Take care everyone.

The third major change to healthcare is the decreasing pay to healthcare providers. The gap between provider pay and insurance companies profit is widening at laser speed. Every year insurance premiums and deductibles go up. The majority of us relate this increase to inflation, higher wages and healthcare costs.

But unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. Healthcare companies just released their third quarters profits for the year. United Health Group, the largest in the

With a shortage of healthcare professionals and an increase in Telehealth appointments, patients will be required to be more independent and proactive with their health. The time to get an in-person appointment is going to be longer; certain surgical procedures are going to see earlier discharges; and responsibility for home treatments will be neces- their musical abilities and crowd appeal.

Bronwyn Muldoon, a licensed physical therapist, owns Lyons Physical Therapy, 435 High St. in Lyons. Some of the things addressed at her clinic include but are not limited to: acute and chronic spinal pain (back and neck pain), postural dysfunction alignment, sports and performance-related injuries, repetitive/overuse-related injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, muscles strains and sprains, and physical rehabilitation of all kinds. For more information, call 303-823-8813.

Dove This snuggly, almost five-year-old lady is affectionate, outgoing, and so ready to share the couch with you. People say teenagers can be hard to live with, but not for Dove – she loves ‘em. She chooses her dog friends wisely, so a meet-and-greet with another dog is needed before going home. No kitties for Dove. She has been with us for over five months and she’s eager to find her new family. If you adopt Dove during August, her adoption fee will be 75 percent off our regular fee. Stop in today and set up a visit with Dove at the shelter at 9595 Nelson Road. For more information visit www.longmonthumane.org or give us a call at 303-772-1232.

“They were the best up and coming bluegrass band I’d heard in awhile,” said McIntyre, who then booked them for the July 26 Sandstone Park show, drawing one of the largest crowds ever for those shows. Future appearances at Oskar Blues may also be in the works.

Though the band members brought plenty of experience and obvious talent on their own, their captivating sound and stage presence was further enhanced by teaming up with Lyons resident Sally Van Meter, a Grammy-award winning dobro player and music producer.

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“She’s the bluegrass oracle,” said Shuck, acknowledging Van Meter’s contributions to the group’s rapid success. “She coached three Telluride winning bands in the last six years.”

Van Meter is producing the group’s first recording effort, currently nearing completion at Vermillion Road Studio in Longmont, with sound engineering provided by Front Range music fixture, Eric Wiggs.

The self-titled debut album of the Fretliners’ original music will first be released in digital streaming formats (on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming sources) with a planned vinyl release in four to six months. Vinyl is now outselling CDs, Parks said, and has become a preferred for- communities and receiving accolades for over 20 years. She is the Disaster Manager and Coordinator for Boulder County Housing and Human Services and was a Program Advisor for the University of Colorado’s Women In Leadership program.

“The biggest influence my mom had over me was not anything she ever said; it was just the way she lived her life,” said Heck. “Because my dad traveled a lot for work and my mom was the main caregiver for much of my childhood, I never heard her say, I can’t do it because your dad’s not home. Something would break at the house, and she would get the tools out and fix it herself. She found a way, and that taught me to be a problem solver. When things get hard, like training, and I have to face injuries, I take my mom’s mindset and figure it out.”

Heck said, “My dad is very different. He gave me his words. He would always tell me that I could do whatever I set my mind to, and there was no reason that I couldn’t beat the boys, so that’s what I’ve always thought about. It’s a mindset. He would say, just because you’re not as big

Remembering Continued from Page 8 nity members in shared experience. We’ll talk about grief and change, PTSD awareness and normalization, grounding techniques and distress tolerance skills, and resources for getting more help if you need it. Email mentalwellness@leaflyons.org for more information or to let us know you’d like to attend. There is no cost for these sessions; come to as many as you’d like.

Our Program Director Cherie Maureaux will lead a community candlelight vigil on Monday evening, September 11 at the mat for up-and-coming musical groups, though it takes time to produce.

Making a first recording for a new band is neither easy nor cheap, and the Fretliners are nearing their fundraising goal to complete the project. Search “The Fretliners” on gofundme.com or go to the band’s website, thefretliners.com.

More fall live shows are also planned, including at Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins and the Gold Hill Inn, with exact dates to be announced and featured on the band’s website and Facebook/Instagram accounts.

Local music fans have enthusiastically welcomed the Fretliners as the latest addition to Lyons’ music heritage. With local music venues mostly closed in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, Lyons’ music scene appeared to wither somewhat. But it has been reborn and then some, with the Fretliners leading the charge and multiple local music events happening throughout the summer and fall. my form. While he is looking at the stopwatch and knows what my splits should be, my mom is going to be the loudest one cheering in the stands. She has this giant cowbell that she brings to all my events. She’s almost gotten herself kicked out of events because of the cowbell.” and you’re not potentially as strong doesn’t mean you can’t have better technique, be smoother, and execute your moves better. So I did.

“Lyons Thrives” is a town promotional slogan, and our surging resident group the Fretliners is leading the way to making that saying a reality.

Mark Browning is a Lyons resident and retired attorney. He is a former Trustee on the Lyons Town Board and he is active with the Lyons Volunteers and Lyon Emergency & Assistance Fund.

Through thick and thin, victories and setbacks, Steve and Joycelyn’s unwavering belief in Katie’s abilities has been a constant beacon of encouragement, propelling her forward on the path to making the world a more inclusive place to be. Together, their bond and shared commitment to pursuing excellence have shaped Katie into the formidable athlete and remarkable individual she is today.

“All of my achievements are because of who my parents are. They have an interesting dynamic between them. My dad is the one who’s taking videos for me and analyzing new Confluence Circle. We will be available to offer resources and support at the town’s various flood remembrance events. As we enter together this season of reflection, I would like to leave you with a poem from Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) that may be helpful in working through emotions every day, and especially at this time: This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Katie recently married Kaleb Heck and lives with their two rescue dogs, Camper and Bug, in Aztec, NM. She is a dog sitter, https://katiefankhouser.weebly.com/.walker, with an LLC and an advocate for Annie’s Orphans, a nokill dog shelter in Durango. For more information about Katie Fankhouser-Heck, you can visit her website at https://katiefankhouser.weebly.com/.

Tamara Vega Haddad is a Lyons local and long-time small business advocate.

Welcome and entertain them all. Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Remember that no matter the emotions and how big they get, they will fall again – just like the waters of the St. Vrain.

Megan Kram, LCSW, LAC recently joined LEAF’s team as a Mental Wellness and Addictions Therapist. As a Lyons resident, she is grateful to serve the community through individual and group therapy, be creative in designing new programs to meet community needs, and work with such a smart and dedicated team at LEAF. You may see her dog Callie, who as a therapy dog is available for clients, walking Kram around town. Feel free to say hi.

A-Lodge’s joint book club, Pints and Pages. The next meeting, at the Rock Garden, will take place on Sunday, August 20 at 5 p.m. We will discuss the Denver-based Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew Sullivan. It’s a fast-paced read so you still have time.

Have a college-bound student at home? Join Professor Emerita Manette Ansay for tips on creating original essays and building compelling applications on either Thursday, August 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. or Saturday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Ansay has spent the last 30 years teach-

Marker Continued from Page 8 ing and advising college students at Cornell, Vanderbilt, Marquette, and the University of Miami. She’s also a New York Times bestselling novelist. Ninth to 12th graders and their families are welcome: Q&A to follow the presentation.

The library is growing our team with the addition of an Adult Programming Librarian and a Library Associate. Do you have great ideas you’d love to share with your community? Are you someone who loves to connect others to programs, materials, and one another? Do you have experience with event planning? Do you speak “calendar”? If so, we invite you to apply to be our next Adult Pro- ute to the craftsmanship and industry of Vasquez and his employees who make Lyons more beautiful with their artful stonework. Thank you to Blue Mountain Stone and Raul Vasquez. The plywood template will be replaced by a bronze plaque with the title of the sculpture, artist, medium and a statement by the artist as well as the donors.

Now, on to the interpretive sign. In my efforts to understand what “the Ute Trail” is and was, I went down many internet rabbit holes and spoke with colleagues and friends. This is what I have come up with. “The Ute Trail” is not one trail but many trails and passages that move through the river valleys, mountains, and plains. Dr. William J Convery, Colorado State Historian, who was featured in the Rocky Mountain PBS documentary titled

SEED Continued from Page 9 inar will be offered by Wide Spaces Community Initiative, a program of the Lyons Community Library, with support from the library, the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) and the Friends of the Lyons Library, beginning September 12, 2023 and continuing every second Tuesday of the month through May 14, 2023. gramming Librarian. Are you a people person who loves to connect with your community while providing legendary customer service in a face-paced environment? Do you happen to love children and have a storytime ready to pull out of your back pocket in case of emergency? Do you know exactly how to “sell” your favorite book to make it seem irresistible and life changing? Then please consider applying to join our frontfacing group of Library Associates.

A consistent group of community members will meet each month from 6 to 9 p.m., sharing dinner and stories about themselves as they engage in self-reflection, guided discussions, artistic activities, and open conversations on topics of societal importance including race, class, immigration, gender, sexuality, ability, and religion. Registration is free, and community members are encouraged to sign up through the library website under Programming / SEED seminar as soon as possible in order to attend all nine sessions.

If you are interested, but still unsure, attend one of three upcoming informational sessions, where you will get a taste of a SEED seminar session and be able to ask any questions you may have. The information sessions will be held at the Lyons Community Library on Saturday, August 19, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Visit the library’s website for more information and application instructions. Your Lyons Community Library opens Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. We close at 5

Colorado Experience: The Original Coloradans, says in the documentary, “The Ute were so adaptable traveling the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin that our modern highway system simply overlays ancient Ute trails.” This begins to get at the idea that these original people were here for thousands of years and knew the land intimately. The passages we have now were formed over thousands of years of movement by the original people of the area.

David Kimmet, Lead Planner with the Town of Lyons, has worked closely with Linda K. Baker and Crystal Rizzo of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe based in Ignacio, Colorado, to create language that is elegant and ties the history of the Ute, the treaties repeatedly broken by the Federal Government, and the placement of the sculpture and plinth near the network of trails that have been used for over a millennium. I have reached out to Terry Knight, Cultural Director of the Ute Mountain Ute in Towaoc, and Thursday, August 31, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is encouraged, but not required for the info sessions. Learn more at www.nationalseedproject.org. Spots remain for the 2023-24 session. Please consider joining me and your neighbors on this challenging yet enlightening educational journey. Sign up through the library website

“Hall Ranch 2 has tremendous biological diversity including several significant native plant communities in good condition and wildlife designated as county species of special concern,” he said.

BCPOS staff will conduct a public planning process to determine the future management direction for the property. The timetable for that process depends on when the DRMS signs off on the reclamation.

The site has the potential for recreational opportunities, appropriate public amenities, unique education and interpretation, and the conservation of significant natural resources.

Ernst Strenge, Senior Planner with BCPOS, said that due to the high biodiversity and ecological values, much p.m. on Mondays and Fridays; 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Our online catalog is available 24/7 at lyons.colibraries.org and we’re always open for digital downloads on both the Libby and CloudLibrary apps. Give us a call at 303-823-5165 or email info@lyonslibrary.com with any questions. under Programming/SEED seminar or email me at regan.seed@gmail.com if you would like to join us.

Kara Bauman is the Director of the Lyons Community Library and holds an MLIS from the University of Kentucky. She’s an avid fly angler, enjoys craft beer, and in non-COVID times travels extensively to see her favorite band, Widespread Panic.

Colorado. Terry Knight is also featured in the documentary Colorado Experience: The Original Coloradans. With the help of these cultural experts, we hope to honor the story of the Ute in Colorado with language and photos. The story of the Ute in this area is a complex mosaic, with roots and tales that weave deeply into our collective history. The history of broken treaties and mistreatment of native people in the West and especially in Colorado is a cruel account. This gesture of placing a sculpture and interpretive sign is a small effort to open the conversation of where to go from here and how to recognize this history and more deeply understand and respect the land we are now a part of.

Priscilla Cohan is a local artist who works in multi media. She works for the Town of Lyons and is a liaison to the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission.

Regan Bullers serves as the secretary on LEAF’s Board of Directors. She lives in Lyons with her husband and their young son. SEED is Seeking Educational Equity and DiversitySM of the property is environmentally sensitive and future public access will be determined through the public planning process.

“Parks & Open Space always seeks to minimize impacts to sensitive resources and enhance protection and restoration of native ecosystems and species while providing passive, sustainable, and enjoyable public uses in appropriate locations that connect the public to their environment,” said Strenge. BCPOS has a website where the public can follow the progress on the site reclamation and learn more about the history and future plans: https://bouldercounty.gov/openspace/management/lyons-quarry-reclamation/.

Lyons’ resident Greg Lowell, is a former Lyons Town Board Trustee and serves as the chair of the Ecology Advisory Board.