2015 EASTSIDE SENIOR AND
HOUSING HEALTH Guide Customized Knee Implants Matters of the heart:
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Medicare Open Enrollment Tips Treating Loneliness EvergreenHealth Leads Region in
Reducing Hospital Readmissions
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Bellevue • Bothell • Issaquah • Kenmore • Kirkland • Mercer Island • Redmond • Sammamish • Snoqualmie Valley
EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
2015 EASTSIDE SENIOR
HOUSING HEALTH Guide AND
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Tips to help you avoid surplus fat as you age
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There are many ways you can stay fit and promote a long, healthy life. And you probably know about some of them, particularly those habits that are widely discussed in the media and by doctors. However, scientists have recently made new discoveries that can help you activate weight loss while gaining control over deadly aging processes. Beyond eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise, how can you facilitate a healthy body weight?
Your body’s enzymes can help
New research indicates that when certain enzymes in your body are functioning properly, certain aging processes, such as weight gain, can be slowed or even reversed. One enzyme, in particular, known as AMPK, is being highlighted by medical researchers, Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme found within every cell, serves as your body’s master regulating switch, determining body fat composition and how long you will live. When switched‚”AMPK triggers the use of stored energy from fats, enhances removal of fats and sugar from the blood, increases production of mitochondria, and reduces inflammation and cellular‚ junk.” “When AMPK is more activated,
it can help protect you against obesity and diabetes and many degenerative processes can be reversed,” says Dr. Michael A. Smith, senior health scientist for Life Extension and host of‚ ”Healthy Talk” on RadioMD.com. Smith likens the processes that AMPK promotes as‚ ’cellular housekeeping,’ warning that when these processes don’t work, dysfunctional cells can accumulate and create problems like weight gain and chronic inflammation.
Setbacks
As we grow older, cellular AMPK activation decreases, weight gain often follows, and we are more likely to succumb to the destructive factors of aging. Additionally, excess calorie consumption impairs the enzymatic activity of AMPK. Unfortunately, most humans today suffer chronic nutritional overload, say experts.
Solutions
Researchers have discovered four ways to boost the body’s AMPK activity: • Exercise: AMPK activity increases with regular vigorous exercise. • Restrict calories: By taking in fewer calories,
you create increased AMPK activity as cells sense a requirement to function more efficiently. • Metformin: One of the drug metformin’s most beneficial mechanisms is to activate AMPK. This is one way it lowers elevated glucose. However, most physicians only prescribe metformin for Type II Diabetes, making access to this drug difficult for most people. • Botanical Extracts: Two natural agents, the Chinese herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum and transtiliroside derived from rose hips, have been shown to activate AMPK, reducing belly fat, cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin levels. You can supplement your diet with an AMPK activator to turn off many damaging effects of aging. More information can be found at LifeExtension. com/activateAMPK. Over the years, you don’t just have to quietly accept weight gain and the effects of aging. Take advantage of the new scientific findings that can help you promote a long, healthy and fit life. – StatePoint
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PATRIOTS GLEN
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T H E P E R F E C T C O M B I N AT I O N O F S I Z E A N D S E R V I C E
Conveniently located in the Lake Hills neighborhood of southeast Bellevue, Patriots Glen is an assisted living & memory care community promoting independence for our residents while providing compassionate and supportive care in a warm and home-like environment. For more information or to schedule a personal tour, please contact us today!
1640 148TH AVE SE • BELLEVUE, WA • 98008 • (425) 373-1161
WWW.PATRIOTSGLEN.COM
EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
Senior Services:
your partner in aging well Since 1967, older adults in King County and those who care about them have relied on Senior Services for compassionate guidance and comprehensive services to meet the challenges of aging. For nearly 50 years, Senior Services has connected older adults with resources that fit their needs, whether they are facing a crisis or simply striving to lead more active, fulfilling lives. The senior population is growing rapidly in our region. The 2010 Census reported there were 312,000 seniors in King County. That number will increase to 496,000 by 2025 and elders will comprise 25 percent of the population
• Vibrant interactive community offers independent living for those 55 and older. Private wooded setting in easy walking distance to shopping, restaurants, medical care, and parks. • 1, 2, & 3 bedroom units from 656 to 1536 square feet. Secure buildings and underground parking.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Stay fit with indoor pool and spa, exercise programs, fitness room and walking trail.
Information & Assistance, Meals on Wheels & Mobile Market, Community Dining, Volunteer Transportation, Hyde Shuttle, EnhanceFitness & EnhanceWellness, Minor Home Repair, Family & Caregiver Support, Senior Rights Assistance, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA), Senior Centers
• Full range of activities includes book club, wellness programs, writing groups, bridge, woodshop, games, and much more.
1750 152nd Ave NE, Bellevue 98007 www.silverglen.org 425-957-1032
cut and, sadly, United Way of King County just revealed that they will no longer focus any of their investments specifically on seniors or aging issues. “We are responding to these significant changes in a number of ways,” says CEO Paula L. Houston, Ed.D. “We know that we need to connect with more communities throughout the region, both to ensure our services reach all who need them and to generate the support required to deliver those services.” For one, beginning in January, 2016, the organization will change its name to Sound Generations. “While our current name has served us well since Senior Services was founded in 1967, attitudes have changed,” explains Dr. Houston. “We want to underscore our commitment to aging as an affirmative process that spans a lifetime, engages all generations, and that should be celebrated every day.” “We arealso developing new partnerships and new sources of revenue, finding connections that will provide new support for important services like Information & Assistance,”says Dr. Houston. If you, or an older adult in your life, need support with resources – those described above and more – contact Senior Services at 206.448.3110 or visit seniorservices.org.
Senior Services provides seniors with vital resources to help them thrive. We offer meals and fitness programs, free rides to medical appointments, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with others. We alleviate stress by connecting seniors and those who care about them to whatever they need to remain safe, active and healthy. We are committed to helping all people — especially those in low-income communities and communities of color — feel included and respected.
EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR COOPERATIVE IN BELLEVUE !
• See website for details on units available.
every year who have no other means of staying engaged in their communities. Senior Services’ Minor Home Repair program offers low-cost accessibility modifications, and carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs to low-income homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, and Shoreline to help them remain safely in their homes. EnhanceFitness and EnhanceWellness – developed in partnership with University of Washington researchers and offered by Senior Services in more than 40 local sites – help older adults stay fit safely, learn how to respond to the physical and mental changes that come with aging, and increase their overall health. Senior Services also tackles larger societal challenges that affect those served. By educating staff and volunteers, along with others in the community, Senior Services addresses institutional racism and other forms of inequity to remove barriers so that communities of color, LGBTQ communities, immigrants and refugees, and people with disabilities feel respected and can seamlessly access critical services. However, this critical work is threatened because some oncereliable sources of support for seniors have disappeared. In just the past few months, government grants have been
206.448.3110 info@seniorservices.org www.seniorservices.org
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Participants in Senior Services EnhanceWellness program. Photo: Bryan Ilyankoff
at that time. One out of five are elders of color. More than nine percent of King County residents 65 and older live in poverty and poverty disproportionately affects elders of color. Only six percent of white seniors live in poverty, while 21 percent of black seniors and 38 percent of Native American seniors do. Malnutrition and isolation are common problems among older adults, especially those on low or fixed incomes. Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels and community dining programs provide more than good nutrition and good company; they allow many seniors to continue to live in their own homes. Seven affiliated senior centers throughout King County offer warm and welcoming places for all to share a meal or companionship, learn something new, take a fitness class and enrich the spirit in the company of others. Additional senior centers offer many of Senior Services’ programs in other communities. With the Hyde Shuttle, Senior Services provides seniors and adults with disabilities with rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, community gatherings and other activities. Volunteer Transportation provides free rides to medical appointments. These services are a lifeline to more than 6,000 people
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THE PREMIER HOME HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ON THE EASTSIDE
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NCY-FR
DEFICIE
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Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy Skilled Nursing • Medical Social Services • Home Health Aides
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Whether you are recovering from an illness, undergoing medical treatments, or dealing with disabilities, We provide you with care and assistance to safely and successfully remain at home or return home following a hospitalization. Our services are provided under the direction of your physician, and are covered by your Medicare or private insurance benefits.
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EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
We believe in
community. We believe that we foster an engaged and thriving retirement community when you have the freedom to pursue the things that inspire you most.
Courtesy photo: Tedd Boomershine and his dog Stella.
Customized knee implants offer advantages to patients
Delegate the daily details to us so you can follow your passions. Live with con dence no ing a ll contin m of health care—including a 5-Star-rated nursing center—is right here should you need it. • Independent living in spacious residences • Short-Term Rehabilitation • Direct admission to Assisted Living, Memory Care and S illed rsing • Respite stays available Schedule a personal tour today by calling 1-877-321-5614.
Covenant Retirement Communities is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
9150 Fortuna Dr. Mercer Island, WA 98040 www.CovenantShores.org/island 1-877-321-5614 Covenant Retirement Communities does not discriminate pursuant to the federal Fair Housing Act. 1441779
By 2030, the number of people turning to knee replacement surgery to end pain and regain mobility will likely increase to 3.5 million annually, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. For many patients, recovery from knee replacement surgery is painful and slow, and the results are often not what people expect. Multiple clinical studies have found that on average one in five patients who have a knee replacement are dissatisfied with the result because of pain after surgery or because their new knee feels unnatural. Seventy-two-year-old Ohio resident Tedd Boomershine went from running daily to having trouble walking and completing day to day tasks. When the pain became so severe it was debilitating, he decided to look into replacement surgery for both of his knees. His doctor told him about his options, including a customized implant from ConforMIS, Inc. called iTotal that is now available for total knee replacements. He liked the idea that the implant would be specifically designed to fit his anatomy based on a CT scan of his knees. “I had no second thoughts about surgery at all. I wanted to get back to my active lifestyle and enjoy my evening walks with my dog, Stella, again,” says Boomershine. “Two weeks after my bilateral surgery with the ConforMIS customized knees, I was walking without the assistance of a cane or a walker and I was able to drive. Now after eight months, my knees are pain free and have total flexibility, my legs are straighter, my stride is better and I no longer have lower back pain. The best part is that I have been able to
resume my evening walks with Stella.” Seven weeks after surgery Boomershine was able to walk to his fitness center, ride the bike and do weight machines and then walk back home, a total of three miles daily. Dr. Dan Dunaway, of Far Oaks Orthopedists in Dayton, Ohio reports that Boomershine’s recovery is similar to other iTotal recoveries he has seen. “Tedd has had an outstanding recovery, which is something we are now regularly seeing for patients who have both total and partial knee replacements with ConforMIS customized implants. Patients are able to get back to their normal routines much faster and with less pain. With an implant that is designed to fit that patient, the surgery often involves less blood loss and we can retain more of the patient’s natural knee. This is a major advance in knee replacement surgery,” says Dunaway. Dunaway suggests that all patients ask their surgeon some important questions before making a decision about knee surgery: • Is a customized knee implant that is designed based on my own anatomy an option for me? • Could a customized knee mean less pain and a faster recovery? • Will I be able to enjoy an active lifestyle again? For more information about ConforMIS customized implants please visit: www.conformis.com. – BrandPoint
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Matters of the heart:
Understanding atrial fibrillation An estimated 2.7 million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat and the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Surprisingly, many people do not feel any symptoms until they are suffering from complications of AFib such as heart failure or stroke. Take the time to understand your risk for AFib, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. One out of every four strokes in the United States is a result of AFib, according to the American Heart Association. Patients who experience a stroke caused by AFib are twice as likely to be severely disabled, a 1996 Framingham Study found. Stroke prevention and heart failure prevention are primary
treatment goals in AFib.
Who is at risk for AFib? There are a number of risk factors associated with AFib, including existing heart conditions, prior heart attack or recent heart surgery. People who are overweight, have high blood pressure, lung or thyroid issues or are under a lot of stress may also have an increased risk for AFib. Additionally, the risk for AFib increases with age, especially after 60. There is also a genetic component to AFib, so if someone in the family has it, the more likely the next generation will have it too. Without treatment, AFib can lead to serious health consequences, including:
• Heart failure • Stroke • Fatigue • Shortness of breath
What are the symptoms of AFib? Each year, millions of patients see physicians because they feel heart
palpitations or report their heart is racing, quivering or fluttering, which are the most common symptoms of AFib. Other signs may include general fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety or weakness. However, some people with “silent” AFib have no symptoms at all and their condition is only detected when they go in for a physical exam or have a medical event. In fact, a third of Americans who have AFib are still undiagnosed, noted a 2015 report from the American Heart Association.
Early diagnosis and treatment is key Early detection of AFib is critical to reduce unnecessary medical visits and prevent serious complications. However, AFib can occur intermittently or without symptoms, making it difficult to detect and diagnose. If a physician suspects AFib, they will typically conduct a physical examination and heart-monitoring tests. Traditional heart monitoring methods include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the timing and duration of each electrical signal of the heart.
New advancements in technology such as wireless, long-term, continuous cardiac monitors have significantly improved how AFib is diagnosed and managed. For example, iRhythm’s ZIO Service with a biosensor patch has the ability to monitor and store patients’ heartbeats for up to 14 days, catching any hard to detect events that may be missed with older technology. The long-term continuous monitoring allows physicians to rule in, or even rule out, the diagnosis and characterization of AFib and potentially eliminating the need for further testing and resulting in faster treatment.
Talk to your doctor While AFib may not sound serious, it can actually be life threatening. Understand your risk and treatment options, and take the necessary next steps to live a healthier lifestyle, including eating heart healthy foods, exercising regularly and minimizing stress. To learn more about AFib and continuous long-term cardiac monitoring, talk to your doctor or visit www.irhythmtech.com. – BrandPoint
S W E’ T A
Our “rejuvenation” is complete and it’s the talk of the town! Come by for a visit soon to see our beautiful look and feel. Let us show you why we’re the leader in Eastside senior living.
12215 NE 128th Street, Kirkland • (425) 821-8210 • www.madisonhousekirkland.com
M H
I A L C A Koelsch Senior Community
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Since 1958
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EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
WE’RE
Expanding
Besides all of the great amenities, why should you make Timber Ridge part of your future today? • You’ll be prepared for life’s what-ifs with LifeCare® • You’ll have more time to do the things you love with your maintenance-free lifestyle • Our convenient Issaquah location is perfect (only 10 miles from Bellevue!)
EvergreenHealth leads region in reducing hospital readmissions
> PHASE II TO OPEN LATE 2016!
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According to recently released data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), EvergreenHealth is just one of two Puget Sound-area health care systems to avoid paying a federal penalty thanks to its success in reducing 30-day hospital readmission rates among Medicare patients. This is the fourth consecutive year the Kirkland-based system has been granted an exemption from the fine. The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) was launched in 2010 by CMS to improve the quality of care for Medicare patients by incentivizing hospitals to reduce readmissions within 30 days of a hospital stay. Under the program, hospitals that report high readmission rates are subject to penalties of up to 3 percent of expected reimbursements from Medicare patients throughout the following year. “To be the only Washington hospital to earn this achievement four years in a row reflects EvergreenHealth’s patient-focused philosophy of care, which puts quality care, safety and exemplary service at the center of all we do,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “Our care is not complete when patients leave our hospital, and this accomplishment demonstrates the collaboration across our system to ensure patients recover fully, and receive the most satisfying care at the best value.” Though readmission rates have decreased nationally since CMS implemented the reduction program, hospitals across the country stand
to lose $420 million in Medicare reimbursements this year based on their performance. Along with reducing hospital readmissions, EvergreenHealth has also successfully maintained low rates for hospital-acquired conditions (HAC). Under the Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Program, EvergreenHealth again will not be required to pay penalties thanks to its prevention of common conditions and infections that can result from medical procedures during a hospital stay. Instead, the organization is slated to receive a $167,000 bonus from CMS under the Hospital ValueBased Purchasing Program for its performance across several safety and quality care measures, while other lower-performing hospitals will be subject to additional fines of up to $500,000. “Much of our success in these areas is attributed to initiatives across our system designed to help patients navigate their care. Our care managers and providers work one-on-one with patients to remove any potential barriers to achieve the best outcomes, ensuring patients receive the followup care, referrals, education and coordinated treatment they need to recover,” Malte said. More information about EvergreenHealth’s commitment to quality and safety is available at www. evergreenhealth.com or by calling is 24/7 Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425-899-3000.
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EvergreenHealth receives SightLife Vision award for outstanding results in cornea donation EvergreenHealth in Kirkland is the recipient of the SightLife Vision Award, which is presented to SightLife’s top hospital partners with a demonstrated commitment to cornea donation advocacy. EvergreenHealth has achieved a cornea donation conversion rate of over 70 percent four of the last five years, according to SightLife, a global nonprofit health organization focused on eliminating corneal blindness in the U.S. and around the world. Through nurses and other care providers working closely with SightLife professionals, EvergreenHealth successfully connected cornea donors to 163 individuals receiving sight-restoring transplants in 2014. “Giving the gift of sight through cornea donation involves a significant level of coordination at every step of the way,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “This award reflects a collective effort by our skilled and dedicated patient care teams to seamlessly work with our partners at SightLife to ensure that a family’s wishes are realized when a donation opportunity becomes available.” EvergreenHealth Chief Nursing Officer, Nancee Hofmeister, accepted the award
from SightLife representatives on behalf of the patient care teams. She recognized the hard work by nursing leadership and staff to establish a process for cornea donation, as well as the significant contributions made by EvergreenHealth Hospice Care, which is responsible for a large percentage of the donors. “Every family has the right to choose if they want to be an organ, tissue or eye donor,” said Bernie Iliakis, SightLife Chief Operating Officer, during the award presentation. “EvergreenHealth nurses play an important role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. With leadership’s strong support of these efforts, EvergreenHealth consistently has one of the highest conversion rates among our hospital partners in the Northwest.” As one of the largest eye banks in the U.S., SightLife meets 100 percent of the local need for transplant tissue in the Northwest and helps eliminate the waiting list for corneal transplants throughout the U.S. In addition to supporting transplants domestically, SightLife and its global partner eye banks serve the needs of those with corneal blindness in over 32 countries.
Senior Living at its Finest Join the Fun!
WE ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! Snoqualmie Valley has active adult and customized assisted living care offered in a smaller more personable community at the foot of Mount Si.
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425.888.7108 • 650 E. North Bend Way • North Bend
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"See why Red Oak is the best value for Senior Care in the Valley and on the Eastside."
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EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
The most treatable serious senior health issue: loneliness While Americans tend to associate the holidays with togetherness, joyful occasions and feelings of warmth and happiness, the season can also worsen feelings of loneliness and isolation for some people‚ ‘especially older adults. Loneliness is not only bad for seniors’ mental health, it can affect their physical wellbeing as well. “The holidays can present families with an opportunity to spot signs of loneliness in their older family members and take steps to do something about it,” says Dr. Kevin O’Neil, chief medical officer of Brookdale Senior Living. “Isolation and loneliness in seniors can lead to debilitating depression, high blood pressure, dementia and shorter life spans. Time and time again we see that when seniors overcome loneliness, make new friends and feel a part of a caring community, they’re happier and their physical health improves.” Research illustrates the link between loneliness and the advancement of dementia, deterioration of physical health and shortened lifespans. Conversely, multiple studies show feeling connected and happy is good for your health and can lead to a longer lifespan. What’s more, happiness
really can be contagious. In fact, one study by researchers at the University of California and Harvard University found surrounding yourself with happy people can make you more likely to become happy yourself. “Social connections are vital for people of all ages,” O’Neil says. “Emotional ties are even more important for seniors, yet they are also more vulnerable to losing those bonds through the death of a spouse, grown children busy with their own lives or the relocation of a long-time friend who moves closer to be near their own family.” As families gather for the holidays, they should be alert to signs their elders are feeling lonely or isolated, including: “It’s vital seniors stay connected,” O’Neil says. “Every Brookdale Senior Living community has resident programming, activities and opportunities for seniors to develop closer relationships.” He recommends some tactics to help seniors combat loneliness: • Get moving. Physical exercise increases the body’s level of “feel good” hormones, and
can contribute to improved sleep, as well as fewer aches and pains. Seniors should get 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise per day, and if you exercise with companions, you’re also reaping the social benefits of the activity. • Sit down with a friend or family member and watch a funny movie or TV show together. Laughter’s positive effects on the mind and body are well documented. Laughing together improves mood and can make people feel more connected.
health. When you volunteer your time to help others, you’ll feel good about your actions and also expand your opportunities to meet new people. • Learn something new. It’s not only good for cognitive health, it gives you the chance to make new connections with other students. Take a craft class, go to a personal finance seminar or take a cooking class.
• Make new connections. Sit with someone at lunch whom you don’t know well. Ask a neighbor to go for a walk with you. Join a club or social organization.
“Loneliness can be a serious health issue for seniors,” O’Neil says. “Fortunately, it’s also one of the most treatable.”
• Help yourself feel better by helping others. Volunteering has many positive effects on mental
Visit www.brookdale.com to learn more about senior living and for tips on combating loneliness. – BrandPoint
SENIOR TRANSITIONS As a Senior Transitions Specialist, I am committed to understanding the individual needs of clients aged 65 and older through the transitions involved with moving into life’s next phase. A Time of Transition For many people, there comes a time when the lifestyle that used to fit them so perfectly no longer serves their needs best, prompting the need to find something more comfortable and better fitting.
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Services and Support As a Windermere Senior Transitions Specialist, I am trained to understand your goals, concerns, and needs. I will provide a customized approach with the patience, professionalism, and respect you deserve! Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to assist you through this process.
Tricia Ebert
Managing Broker Senior Transitions Specialist Windermere Real Estate/ East, Inc tebert@windermere.com
MEDICARE RATED Exceptional Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Services
www.issaquahnursing.com | 425-392-1271
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5 tips to make Medicare Open Enrollment easier Medicare Open Enrollment, which happens every year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, marks an important time of year for people older than 65 to change their health plans and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year. HealthCare Partners, the leading independent medical group in America with nearly 1,000 physicians across the country, provided these tips to help seniors who are reviewing their health plans. 1. Review changes to health plans Seniors have many details to keep in mind during Medicare Open Enrollment. There are often changes to Medicare health plans from year to year, which is why seniors should carefully review their plans and understand changes that might affect their coverage. HealthCare Partners encourages seniors to consider the costs, benefits and choices of doctors and providers available. Seniors should also identify whether all of their necessary health care services and prescription medications are still covered under their current plans.
2. Know your enrollment period It is important to distinguish Medicare Open Enrollment from other health-related enrollment periods. Some people might confuse Medicare Open Enrollment with the open enrollment period for the state and federal exchanges. These are different enrollment periods and are not associated with each other. 3. Consider Medicare Advantage Medicare Open Enrollment serves as a valuable opportunity for seniors to change their coverage plans. Many might want to explore Medicare Advantage plans, which may fit their health care needs better. These plans could serve as good alternatives to Medicare Fee-For-Service. Medicare Advantage plans typically offer access to coordinated care , where primary care doctors and specialists work together as a team. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Advantage plans can also provide protection against high out-of-pocket expenses.
Some of these plans also offer personalized telephone care management, health coaching, and education and support from health care professionals. 4. Identify costs beyond premiums Seniors should consider all of the costs associated with a plan, not just the monthly cost, also known as a premium. This includes co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles to understand how much will be spent on health care for the year. 5. Consider access to coordinated care HealthCare Partners advises seniors to thoroughly review their coverage options to determine whether their coverage will provide access to coordinated care, a value-based form of health care in which a team of providers work together to promote preventative, high-quality care. HealthCare Partners has successfully used this coordinated, patient-focused
approach for years in an effort to provide its patients with the highest quality of care. This approach provides patients with access to a team of primary care physicians, specialists, care managers and other professionals who work together to manage all aspects of patients’ care and overall health. This model of care has a strong focus on prevention and helping patients make the most of their health insurance benefits. HealthCare Partners encourages seniors to learn more about Medicare Open Enrollment by visiting www.medicare. gov. You can also learn more about HealthCare Partners’ services at www. healthcarepartners.com. – BrandPoint
Mobile Will & Estate Planning Services Make the move to protect the ones you love. We’ll come directly to you wherever you are
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EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
Emerald Heights residents embarking on new adventures Courtesy of Emerald Heights For the McEwen sisters, a sedentary retirement lifestyle was never an option. Irene was a physical therapist and worked with students with disabilities in the public schools for 15 years. She finished her career as a professor of rehabilitation sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Choosing a different initial first path, Marie started out in the Peace Corps and continued her career teaching math and science. Later, she worked for a life insurance company for 27 years in many positions before retiring as a senior analyst in the finance department. The sisters have resided in different states and even different countries. But growing up in Everett, the Northwest has always left an imprint on each of their lives and influenced where they see themselves in the future. Irene, Marie, and third sister, Judy Richardson, have spent most of their adult lives traveling to beautiful and remote destinations and seeing the world. In recent years, their love for adventure has led to two to three overseas trips each year. Most recently, the three spent six weeks in Italy and look forward to their fast-approaching trip to
Judy Richardson and Irene and Marie McEwen on vacation in Cappadocia, Turkey.
India in February. They each have a passion for immersing themselves into the different and unique cultures of the places that they visit, spending time with the local people and learning about the culture and history from a guide. When Emerald Heights in Redmond first opened in 1992, their parents were part of the first wave of residents living in the new continuing care retirement community. The sisters found comfort in knowing that their mom and dad were happy with the care that they received at Emerald Heights’ the friends they made, staff, food and services provided a sense of community that felt like a small town. Seeing the results and benefits that their parents were able to reap, Irene, Marie and Judy decided that when the time came to retire from their careers, they would carry on the Emerald Heights legacy of their parents; as they saw how planning earlier really paid off. True to their word, Irene moved into Emerald Heights in November of 2014, and Marie a month later in December. Judy has plans to join her sisters within the next couple of years.
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100 Years with good grace By Ryan Murray, Reporter Newspapers | 425-453-4602
Despite finding her current age “ridiculous,” Bea Fulton ushered in 100 years with good grace and a toast to friends and family at the Silver Glen Cooperative in the Crossroads neighborhood of Bellevue. Fulton, born Oct. 10, 1915 in Fairmont, Minnesota, was one of eight children. Her family moved to Cumberland, Wisconsin (“lake country” as she recalls it) where she graduated high school during the Great Depression. “The Depression was very hard on the family,” she said. “I don’t know how my mom and dad did it. I remember when dinner was a piece of bread with creamed corn on it and that was all. I thought it was wonderful at the time.” Fulton went into nurses college in Minneapolis and then joined Northwest Airlines based out of Minnesota in 1948. “I remember it as the most exciting time of my life,” she said. “It was exciting, educational and I met wonderful people. I loved every minute of it.” She married Russell McNown and had two daughters, Sandy and Roberta. McNown passed away in 1962. She then married Bob Fulton in 1971.
Fulton, who has been at Silver Glen since it opened in 1994, is legally blind and partially deaf. But she still walks every day and remains active in the cooperative community designed for those 55 and older. She participated in a nursing board and wellness programs, and attends most community gatherings, despite low vision. “It felt quite different all of a sudden,” she said. “I never felt old until one day I did. I keep thinking it is ridiculous being 100 years old. My hearing is off somewhere else and my sight has gone downhill.” Fulton celebrated her 100th birthday with a dinner of boneless porkchops, twice-baked potatoes and pie, eschewing the bread and creamed corn. “I wish I knew how I got to this age,” she said. “That’s the best answer I can give. We were very active as children and ate lots of fresh vegetables.” At her party, Fulton raised a glass of wine to the gathered friends and family. “I can’t believe this is going on,” she said. “It is a world of pleasure to be here with all of you.”
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EASTSIDE SENIOR HOUSING & HEALTH GUIDE 2015
Retired and Inspired Over five years ago, longtime Eastside resident Barb Follett, 68, found herself in a major transition; with decisions to be made about the direction her life would take. She had just been laid off after 30 years with the phone company and a great deal of time on her hands. At the top of her list was doing something about her health. She had been a life-long yo-yo dieter and had been diabetic for 15 years, relying on medications. Looking and feeling better were motivations, of course, but living on a fixed income as an older, single woman was another big factor. A friend had suggested the Y to her as a possible way to get more active. Barb had begun Weight Watchers and knew that physical activity would be an important part of her success. Enjoying the indoor and outdoor activities, meeting new people, and following her Weight Watchers plan, Barb started to feel like she was on a roll. Along with hiking the trails and walking in towns and residential
communities, the Bellevue Y has weight machines, treadmills, and stair climbers, and there are also classes for aerobics, zumba, stretch, yoga, and many others. Clubs also meet at the Y including a coffee group, lose to win groups, and a knit/crochet group. Health talks and technical classes are held, and various field trips are offered, including trips to see theater shows and the sights in the Northwest, planned by the Shared Adventures team of which Barb is a member. Currently Barb is controlling her diabetes with diet and exercise and no medications. As an added benefit, Barb feels like she has gained a family of friends at the Bellevue Y.
The Bellevue Family Y offers a wide variety of programming for all ages for the active and senior population. It offers group fitness classes that range from an advanced cardio class to seated chair fitness classes including healthy back class, tai chi, yoga, strength, senior cycling, water fitness, Zumba Gold, NIA, and chair yoga that are included free with membership. In addition all of our members get two free appointments with certified trainers to discuss a wellness plan to help meet their goals. We offer a variety of chronic disease
programming including a free weight loss program for members, Diabetes Prevention Program, and Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s Disease. We offer a collaboration with Overlake Hospital to provide health talks about living with Alzheimer’s Disease and a series on diabetes. We provide support groups for Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer Care Groups. The Bellevue Y currently offers social programming including bridge classes, theater trips, hiking and walking trips, as well as knitting groups
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EvergreenHealth X-ray technician Erin Pool meets with former Seattle Seahawk and current broadcaster Mack Strong in front of the hospital during a prostate awareness event in Kirkland. This was the sixth year Strong has volunteered for the event. — Image Credit: Matt Phelps, Reporter Newspapers
EvergreenHealth in Kirkland gets Strong on prostate cancer Former Seattle Seahawks fullback Mack Strong hosted an event at EvergreenHealth Sept. 16 to raise awareness about prostate cancer that also helped highlight exclusive new technology introduced at the hospital for improving cancer treatment. The event allowed participants to test their Seahawks trivia knowledge, get signed autographs and photos with Strong, who played for the Seahawks 14 seasons. Strong has been hosting the event for six years and said he first got involved out of a desire to encourage more men in his age group, particularly African American men, to take proactive steps in dealing with prostate cancer and live their lives with peace of mind.
“It became one of those things I needed to do,” he said. “It’s something we need to stress a lot more, when you’re approaching that age you need to get checked. “ Around 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. African American men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer and 60 percent more are likely to develop it compared to Caucasian men. However, 95 percent of men get prostate cancer at some point, according to Rose Guerrero, director of cancer services at The Halvorson Cancer Center at EvergreenHealth. Although the exact cause is not known for certain, the survival rate is relatively high. The main problem, Guerrero said, is convincing
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reluctant men be screened earlier, starting in their 40s and 50s. As part of their prostate cancer treatment, EvergreenHealth has introduced new technology not found elsewhere in the state. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April, the technology reduces the side effects of prostate cancer treatment. Richard Hsi, MD, a radiation oncologist at EvergeenHealth, participated in the clinical trials for the technology. Injecting a gel into the patient reduced radiation in the surrounding areas treated for cancer by 75 percent, with a 70 percent reduction in toxicity. For patients looking at treatment options, the gel injection makes radiation a more attractive
by TJ Martinell, Reporter Newspapers
choice than surgery; the gel is 90 percent water and goes away within six months, according to Hsi. For doctors like Hsi, the gel could possibly allow them to give patients stronger radiation treatment. “We’re basically taking a step in making the treatment successful without any residual effects,” he said. According to EvergreenHealth, since the radiation treatment was first introduced in 2000, 98 percent of prostate cancer patients who opt for the treatment were found disease-free in follow-up prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. More information about the cancer center can be found at evergreenhealth. com/halvorson.
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When you or your loved one needs rehabilitation or skilled nursing, be sure to chose the community with the best care, the best service, and the best outcomes. Come and learn about our team of dedicated professionals. We are confident that the Mission Healthcare difference will be hard to miss.