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Health, Wellness &Beauty a blank slate media/ litmor publications special section october 26, 2018
38 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018
OUR TOWN
Hope caring for Alzheimer’s sufferers Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that aficts 6 percent of those over the age of 65. It is characterishorttermrt term memory loss, loss of language facility, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation and a poor prognosis. Life expectancy is threenine years after initial diagnosis. Some 60 percent to 70 percent of dementia cases are due to Alzheimer’s and this disease takes a huge toll on the caregivers socially, psychologically and economically. The cause of this illness is multifactorial. Genetics accounts for about 70 percent of the cases but other risk factors include head injury, depression, gum disease, air pollution, obesity, smoking and hypertension. Onset is gradual and diagnosis is made with the help of the Mini-Mental Status Exam, imaging and blood work. Although drug treatment has proved to be largely ineffective there are interventions that have been helpful. These include an emphasis on lifestyle changes to include more
reading, cross words puzzles, increase in exercise or sports participation, more socializing and the use of coee. All these activities activate brain segments which delay the onset and progress of the disease. Stimulation with art, music or pets is recommended. Psychological interventions include basic supportive psychotherapy, meditation and Reminiscence Therapy. Reminiscence Therapy is using discussions and photos from the past to stimulate the patient’s memory. Perhaps the best demonstration of the use of this type of intervention was seen in the hit “The Notebookâ€? starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The plot of the ďŹ lm is based around the character of an elderly James Garner reading a love story to his wife who is stricken by Alzheimer’s and therefore no longer recognizes him as her loving husband. She thinks he’s just a nice a man who likes to read her a story out of his notebook. The story he reads is about
DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town how two teenagers once met at a carnival and fell in love. The love story he reads is plagued with problems since the boy played by Ryan Gosling is from a poor family and his love interest Rachel McAdams is from a well to do family who are trying to end the relationship. Although it was not reviewed well when it ďŹ rst came out this ďŹ lm is now widely considered to be one of the great romantic love stories in ďŹ lm history. For our purposes it demonstrates power of reminiscence therapy by showing how a per-
son can retrieve memory for the past when given the correct approach. The ďŹ lm is heart rending because it shows how temporary the woman’s grasp on reality can be but still it provides us hope. The other great ďŹ lm about Alzheimer’s and one which garnered 10 Academy Award nominations was “On Golden Pondâ€? made in 1981. It starred Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda and both Fonda and Hepburn won Oscars for their role as an elderly couple facing the grim reality of the ďŹ rst stage of Alzheimer’s. There is a fact that connects these two great ďŹ lms. The Notebook was directed by Nick Cassavetes who placed his mother Gena Rowlands in the starring role. “On Golden Pondâ€? was initially a Broadway play and Jane Fonda bought the rights of the play in order to make it into a ďŹ lm which her father Henry Fonda could star in. The family intimacy and love that one feels in both these superb ďŹ lms was partly based
upon the real human love that was part of the principals involved. And there is one other thing that makes these ďŹ lms seem so moving. Most great pieces of art are founded upon extreme pain that is faced by the artist and overcome through the making of the artwork. And when that particular artistic triumph relates to the populations shared pain then you have a hit on your hands. Who among us has not experienced a parent who has slipped into gradual decline and death? If it has not happened to you yet it will soon enough. I recall my father when he was in his nineties calling me up from his home in Florida and asking me outlandish questions like who was the Boston Red Sox second basement in 1965. Or who was the big Detroit Tigers reliever in 1958? He was really nervous about all that because he had a fear that his memory was slipping away. Now in his case this couldn’t be further from the truth because when I would visit him I
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A. It is vital for seniors to regularly have their feet examined by a professional. While we routinely check for and treat conditions such as painful corns and calluses (common among the aging), we also examine the feet of seniors for indications of what could be a more serious issue. Certainly many foot ailments cause pain, and those issues tend to drive patients to schedule examinations. It’s important to note though, that pain is not the only indicator of underlying health problems. This is why we strongly urge the elderly population to schedule regular podiatric visits so that we can monitor any changes that would indicate to us another more serious problem. It’s even more crucial to schedule these visits if a person is unable to check their own feet for visual cues of a problem or if they are unable to feel for sensory cues due to numbness. As we age, our circulation diminishes which also hinders the ability to feel pain. This can cause an existing ailment to worsen because it’s not addressed in a timely fashion when it’s less serious. It’s imperative to take proper precautions to avoid
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY
By Mark Schwartz, MD, FACS, ABPh, RPVI
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40 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018
Stretching for health and wellness Keeping limber a key to conducting daily life activities especially as people age BY LY N D A SCHOETTL What we do today clearly aects our tomorrow, especially when it comes to our health. While the importance of regular cardiovascular exercise is well documented, stretching plays a key role in our ability to conduct the daily activities of life. BeneďŹ ts of Stretching Stretching’s beneďŹ ts include increased range of motion, increased exibility and better circulation. As we get older, our muscles become shorter and lose elasticity. This natural process may ďŹ rst slow movements, then weaken the muscles, leading to the eventual loss of the ability to perform daily activities such as reaching for items above you, rising from a chair, even getting in and out of bed. Now that’s a case to reach for the sky, among other stretches! Stretching eases tension and stress in the body, prevents
injuries, decreases pain and helps reduce the risk of falls as it improves balance and stability, promotes good posture and alleviates some arthritis symptoms by relieving stiness. Rise and Stretch, Full Body Strength and Aqua Tone are my most popular classes at Jeerson’s Ferry. Zumba, Chair Yoga and balance classes continue to grow in popularity. Simple Daily Stretches Don’t take the eects of aging lying down. To oset the normal decline in the exibility of your joints – and help you remain active and independent – the following are some stretches that I recommend for the residents at Jeerson’s Ferry Life Plan community. Tighten your abs and your lower back muscles to help support your back while stretching. Hold all stretches except the neck stretch for 20-30 seconds each. Neck Turn neck to one side. Repeat on opposite side. Drop ear to shoulder. Repeat
on opposite side. Drop chin to chest. Slightly tilt head back to open throat. Chest/Shoulder Bring arms, behind your back. Interlace ďŹ ngers, press arms up to reach towards the ceiling. Cat/Cow While seated, ďŹ rst drop chin to chest and round your back, then arch back slightly, gazing upwards. Repeat movements three times. Spinal twist While seated chair, use left hand to grab opposite side of the chair to pull yourself around, gently turning from the waist. Start from the belly and chest and head will follow. Deepen the twist by gently pressing your hand against your opposite thigh. Repeat on other side. Side stretch Lift right arm towards ceiling and lean torso to the left, keeping your arm by your ear and reach toward ceiling. Repeat on other side. Lower back/hamstrings Seated or standing, extend one leg out as straight as possible,
keeping heel on the oor, toe pointing towards the ceiling. Slide your hands down your leg without rounding your back. Do one leg at a time or both together. Hips Seated, cross one foot above the knee and lean forward from hip to deepen stretch. Switch sides. Always gaze straight ahead. If you have had a hip replacement, cross legs at ankle instead. Inner thighs Sit in a chair with feet apart, rest elbows on thighs, drop head between legs. Relax. Quadriceps Using a chair or a wall for support, bend right leg and lift behind, grasping your shin or foot with your right hand. Pull in gently to stretch. Repeat using other leg and hand. Triceps stretch arm up, bend at elbow to reach back. Take other hand and gently push arm back. Ankle/Wrist Point and ex, rotate in circles, reverse direction.
Safety Tips 1. Start slowly. Warm up before stretching by moving around a bit or by walking. 2. Take deep, relaxed breaths while stretching ‌ don’t hold your breath. 3. Be Patient. You may feel sti and limited at ďŹ rst. It takes time to see an increase in exibility and range of motion. 4. Drink water before, during and after exercising. Stretches are most eective when done on a daily basis. Starting your day with a series of stretches will help you stick to a regular schedule. While we can’t stop the eects of time entirely, we can take the time to take steps to improve our quality of life. Lynda Schoettl, a certiďŹ ed ďŹ tness instructor at Jeerson’s Ferry Life Plan Community, is certiďŹ ed in Senior Nutrition and Personal Training, and is a Fall Proof Balance and Mobility Specialist and a Functional Aging Specialist. www.jeersonsferry. org.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018 • HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY
49
Simple ways to kick bad habits Educating oneself about the consequences of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, may compel people to overcome their bad habits.
B
ad habits run the gamut, from the relatively innocuous, such as biting one’s nails, to the potentially deadly, such as smoking tobacco. As much as people may strive to avoid bad habits, few people may say they don’t have at least one.
not, having someone along to praise your successes and discourage you from falling back into bad habits can make overcoming certain behaviors that much easier.
A 2015 60 Minutes/ Vanity Fair poll found that people tend to be more judgmental of themselves than others when it comes to bad habits. Nearly seven in 10 Americans admitted they judge themselves more than they judge other people. Men and women who are hard on themselves when it comes to their bad habits may want to try some of the following techniques to break those behaviors. Employ the buddy system. Men and women who aspire to lose weight often stay motivated by exercising alongside a friend or family member and/or encouraging their families to adopt certain dietary changes. The buddy system also can be employed when trying to break bad habits. Whether a partner, family member or friend is trying to break the same bad habit or
Try something new. When trying to quit a bad habit, having something to do in its place can help. For example, men and women who want to spend less time staring at their devices or watching television can benefit from finding something healthy to do in the hours they would normally be spending online or on the couch. For example, adults may find joining a recreational sports league gets them out of the house on weeknights when they would otherwise be sitting at home watching television. Replacing something that’s perceived as a negative habit or behavior with one that’s considered positive can provide the motivation necessary to kick a bad habit.
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Figure out what’s triggering your bad habit. Another way to kick a bad habit is to understand what triggers it. Such an understanding can help people develop healthier reactions to the triggers, ultimately eliminating the bad habit. For example, if stress at the office compels you to smoke a cigarette, you can prepare healthier ways to respond to that stress, such as walking around the office, than heading outside to smoke a cigarette. When necessary, speak to a psychologist about identifying triggers if you cannot identify them on your own. Educate yourself. Adults with especially harmful bad habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking, may find all the motivation they need to change their behaviors by educating themselves. For instance, smokers may be surprised to learn
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50 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018
Finding hope caring for Reduce exposure Alzheimer’s sufferers to harmful VOCs Continued from Page 38 would see all the lists he made with literally thousands of names of big league players from each team, which position they played and what their batting average was. That story demonstrated two things. It shows that we cherish memory a great deal and that we can fool ourselves into thinking we have dementia when in fact we do not. Our brains are designed to forget about 90 percent of input within 18 seconds. If not for this our minds would become hopelessly jumbled up.
“The Mind of a Mnemonist” by the Russian psychologist A.R. Luria is the story of a man who could not forget anything at all and that this incapacitated him in every way. Alzheimer’s is a dreadful disease that wreaks havoc on too many families but we at least can find some solace in a few great films that address this illness and show us ways to overcome the suffering. If you have someone in your family that has dementia and you need to find some hope go watch those two movies. I promise you will shed some tears but feel better in the end.
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olatile organic compounds are emitted by a vast array of products. The Environmental
V
and baking soda are as effective as chemical cleaners without the same harmful side effects.
Protection Agency warns that VOCs consist of gases discharged from solids or liquids that produce shortand long-term health effects.
• Use an air purifier in conjunction with HVAC systems. Purchase an air purifier that specifically filters out odors and VOCs, which can help people with chemical sensitivities.
VOCs are particularly troubling because their concentrations are consistently up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Those who spend time inside of homes and businesses may be at risk from concentrated exposure to VOCs.
• Rely on natural ventilation when using products that have strong odors or are suspected of emitting VOCs. This can be as easy as opening windows and doors or doing work outside.
Notable items that produce VOCs include treated woods, carpeting, building materials, paints, waxes, fabrics, and varnishes. Since people are constantly breathing in air, and whatever is circulating within it, it’s important for individuals to be conscious of these common offenders. VOCs can be dangerous because they may cause everything from minor symptoms of headaches, nausea and stuffy noses to more serious conditions like nervous system problems and kidney and liver damage. Some VOCs are known to cause cancer in humans, warns the EPA. To reduce exposure to VOCs, homeowners are advised to take the following steps. • Read product labels carefully for warnings against VOCs. Whenever possible, select products that do not emit VOCs. • Invest in alternative products, such as all-natural cleaning solutions. Many people find that common and safe items like vinegar, citrus oils
• Use a shed rather than an attached garage to store gas cans, pesticides, paint thinners, and other odoriferous materials away from the home. Contact the municipal waste department to learn how to properly dispose of leftover chemical products. • Rethink flooring materials to include carpeting that is low VOC or alternatives such as washable rugs or hard flooring. • Don’t forget to fill a home with plenty of live plants. A study from researchers at NASA found that certain indoor plants are effective at naturally purifying air. • Exercise caution with dry-cleaned clothes. Perchloroethylene is a chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. Air out dry-cleaned clothes before wearing them, particularly if they have strong chemical odors. Volatile organic compounds can be excreted through various items. Individuals who educate themselves can greatly reduce their exposure to these harmful compounds.
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52 HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, October 26, 2018
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mercy Medical Center Mercy Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation unit is a highly specialized 37-bed facility dedicated to the comprehensive rehabilitative care of inpatients who have suffered catastrophic illnesses and injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation, major orthopedic surgery, severe disabling arthritis and acquired brain injury. Mercy is the only hospital in Nassau County to offer the Bioness Wireless Rehabilitation System: Ness H200 Wireless Hand System and the Ness L300 Foot Drop System. This stateof-the-art technology uses functional electrical stimulation to stimulate the nerves to activate weak muscles in the forearm, hand and lower leg. Both systems may help a patient regain function if his/her condition is due to a stroke, a traumatic brain injury, an incomplete spinal cord injury or other neurological disorder. Using advanced equipment and techniques to help patients reach their highest possible level of function and independence, the staff includes the area’s top physical, occupational and speech therapists.
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516-62-MERCY (63729) or visit mercymedicalcenter.chsli.org 1000 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-9024
Advanced orthopedic and rehabilitation services, all in one convenient location Today’s Mercy offers advanced orthopedic services, including surgical and non-surgical treatment options, and a fully certified rehabilitation program.
Following treatment, highly specialized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation helps patients reach their highest level of function. Mercy is the only hospital in Nassau County offering both Bioness H200 wireless hand rehabilitation and L300 foot drop systems.
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