Good Health 2015
Good Health • October 2015 – 3 This edition of Good Health was published October 30, 2015, by
USPS 416-400 CONTRIBUTORS Lyndy Berryhill Catherine Boone Bruce Newman Stephanie Rebman Jondi Roberson Alyssa Schnugg Rob Sigler Joe Wortham EAGLE TEAM Tim Phillips, Publisher Stephanie Rebman, Editor Don Whitten, Editor (2005-2015) Mrs. J.C. Goolsby, Editor (1961-2005) Jesse P. Phillips, Publisher (1961-2005) Dan Phillips, Assistant Publisher (1983-2005) Rita Vasilyev, Co-Publisher (2006-2014)
TA B L E O F CO N T E N TS
Keeping your child healthy ............................................4-7 Help your child avoid an unhealthy weight .......................7 Seniors can live healthy in Oxford ................................8-9 Eyes: A window to health ..........................................12-16 Best eye practices...........................................................16 Competing in Special Olympics beneficial .................17-18 A path to recovery ......................................................20-23 Exercising mind and body ..........................................24-27 Research in Mississippi finds key to cognitive aging ......27 Pet therapy .................................................................28-31 BMH transforms health care for area ......................... 32-33 On the cover: Ashley and Annalee Rogers walk on the Whirlpool Trail in Oxford. Photo by Bruce Newman.
The Oxford Eagle is published Sunday through Friday, except Christmas at 916 Jackson Ave. Oxford, MS 38655 Periodical Postage Paid At Oxford, Mississippi 38655 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Oxford Eagle, P.O. Box 866, Oxford, MS 38655 Phone 662-234-4331 Fax 662-234-4351 Email: news@oxfordeagle.com
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Keeping your child healthy Story by Alyssa Schnugg ••• Photos by Bruce Newman
T
he years before kindergarten are among the most critical in a child’s life to influence learning. While experts agree it’s imperative to feed a child’s brain by reading to him or her, it’s equally important to feed bodies with the right nutritional needs to keep brains and bodies strong and healthy. A child’s brain is 90 percent developed by the time he or she is 5 years old.
Layla Harwell, 9, rides her bike in Oxford.
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Feeding your child’s brain is critical
L
ocal pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Catherine Phillips, advocates for early childhood nutrition, safety, sleep, health care, literacy and loving parental involvement. “In order for children to thrive we must provide basic needs such as safe housing, sound nutrition and adequate sleep; nurturing relationships; opportunities to play and explore; early literacy; and proper medical care,” Phillips said. The first step, Phillips said, is forming a relationship with a local pediatrician, even before a child is born. Pediatricians can answer questions for new parents, assess children’s development and make suggestions. “We see children and their families 15 times during the first five years of life, providing an opportunity to partner with families to establish healthy living habits,” she said. How much food a child eats is not as important as what the child is eating. More food does not equate good nutri-
“In order for children to thrive we must provide basic needs such as safe housing, sound nutrition and adequate sleep; nurturing relationships; opportunities to play and explore; early literacy; and proper medical care. ” Dr. Catherine Phillips
Oxford pediatrician
tion. The effects of malnutrition on young children can impede behavioral and cognitive development, educability and reproductive health, thereby undermining future work productivity. Whether or not children are well-nourished during their first years of life can have a profound effect on their health status, as well as their ability to learn, communicate, think analytically, socialize effectively and adopt to new environments and people. Good nutrition is the first line of defense against numerous childhood diseases, according to The World Bank website. Phillips says good nutrition starts while a child is still inside his or her mother’s womb.
Mothers need to eat a healthy diet that includes a daily prenatal vitamin. While any vitamin pill is considered “better than none,” prenatals contain more folic acid and DHA — an omega-3 fatty acid that helps brain function and cerebral cortex development. At birth, nature provides the sole source of nutrition needed for a baby. Breast milk is a unique combination of nutrients essential to a child’s health, and cannot be duplicated by any laboratory formula. It provides a number of health advantages beginning at birth and continuing throughout a child and mother’s life. Breast-fed infants are more resistant to ear infections, respiratory illnesses such SEE CHILD, 6
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CHILD: FROM PAGE 5 as RSV and diarrheal illnesses. Breast milk delays the onset of asthma, eczema, and allergies. It protects against pediatric obesity, diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. Mothers who cannot breastfeed, for whatever reason, have the option of using formula to feed their infant. Thanks to medical advances, baby formula today is constantly being improved to mimic a mother’s natural milk. “Most formulas now add DHA,” Phillips said. “But I don’t think they will ever get it exact. There are things that can’t be duplicated. A mother’s brain and body work together. If a mom is stressed out, the body can make a hormone to make the baby less hungry until the mother gets through her stressful moment. But we are lucky that most women in the United States have access to good formula through programs like WIC.” The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed for the first year of a child’s life and continue until they both feel they are ready to stop. In the first six months,
SOURCE: INTEGRATED LEARNING STRATEGIES
Developmental milestones, birth through 12 months.
the baby should be nourished exclusively by breast milk. The slow introduction of iron-enriched foods may complement the breastfeeding in the second half of the first year. Many parents stress over their toddler who doesn’t seem to be eating enough. Toddlers are often picky eaters, or at least exhibit behaviors that appear to be “picky” eating habits. Sometimes the child’s body knows what nutrients it needs. Children under 5 generally
don’t overeat for physiological reasons like an adult might when stressed out or depressed. Some children have just eaten what their body requires. “A serving size for a child is very small,” Phillips said. “The recommended serving for protein is the size of a palm for adults and children. But for children, it’s their palm, not the adults’.” Phillips recommends offering children plenty of choices that include fruits, vegetables, lean meats and other forms of protein and avoid high carbohydrate foods, even the ones marketed for babies. “We fill the kids up on puffs and crackers,” she said. “Then wonder why they aren’t hungry at dinner time.” One of the most important things a family can do to encourage good eating habits is simply sitting down at the dinner table together. “Family meal time is very important,” Phillips said. “Just sitting down together helps children learn good eating habits by watching the parents. It can encourage them to try different foods. Keep family meal time sacred in your home.”
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SOURCE: WHO/NMH/NPH/ALC, 2001
Food insecurity in younger children compromises brain development, immunologic function, and school performance. Hunger itself is a toxic stress that affects brain development. Hunger, malnutrition, diet quality, overeating and obesity all contribute to health problems. This is an ever-growing burden that must be addressed in homes, schools, clinics, grocery stores and communities. According to the National Food Service Management Institute at the University of Mississippi, nutrition during the early years of a child’s life is linked to performance in later years. Many research studies focus on the relationships between breakfast and learning in school-age children; other researchers identified the importance of nutrition at earlier ages. WIC, SNAP (formerly food stamps), school meals program and Head Start all are key community-level interventions to tackle the burden of malnutrition. A Congressional report found that for every dollar spent on WIC, the government saved $3.50 on reduced Medicaid, SSI, special education and unneeded medical costs. Children need a balance of food nutrients for healthy brain growth and development. Undernourished children grow more slowly and have less energy to learn and explore. “Pediatricians and families can also partner with our communities to provide children less than 5 years of age the loving, nurturing and nutritious environment their developing brains need to thrive into adulthood,” Phillips said.
HELP YOUR CHILD AVOID AN UNHEALTHY WEIGHT Most people would assume one of the causes of the growing childhood obesity epidemic is less activity due to video games, computers and tablets more readily available to children of all ages today. However, the invention of the microwave and the sippy cup has helped contribute, according to Darlene Hoar, registered dietitian and adjunct faculty member at the University of Mississippi. “A combined factor of increased calories and less activity and movement are the main causes of childhood obesity,” Hoar said. Microwaves have made it easier for even small children to prepare processed frozen snacks and meals that are usually full of sodium. Sippy cups allow children to carry around a drink wherever they go, and in many cases, constantly adding more calories to their diet. “Unless there is only water in the cup, it’s just a lot more calories,” Hoar said. Having food accessible can be a blessing and a curse, Hoar said, depending on what is being offered. “You stop and get gas and there is fried chicken there,” she said. “The size of the average fast food meal is now bigger. Food is accessible everywhere and generally, it’s not the kind of food we should have.” According to the Center of Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight. Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults. A small change in lifestyle can mean a big change in a child’s weight, Hoar said, who suggests children be allowed no more than two hours of “screen” time a day — whether it’s a computer, a television or an iPhone. “Kids who spend a lot of time doing those activities are just not moving around,” she said.
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Seniors can live healthy in Oxford Story by LaReeca Rucker ••• Photo by Bruce Newman
O
xford has been named one of the top retirement towns in the country for seniors, and there are a number of communities in the area that specialize in senior care, providing services and activities designed to help seniors lead a more healthful lifestyle. Lakesha Harris, 33, is the sales director at Hermitage Gardens of Oxford at 1488 Belk Blvd. “We are an assisted living community, and we also have memory care,” said Harris. “That’s for someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia.” Harris said the term “memory care” is something that facility leaders began using in the last few years. The 55-bed community has 37 assisted living beds and 18 memory care beds. It opened in May 2000. Harris said Hermitage Gardens recently began offering a Lifestyle 360 program Sept. 14. All of their communities soon will offer it. “We focus on the intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and emotional,” Harris said. “We do activities that help Residents of Brookdale exercise in Oxford on Oct. 14 as a part of reg- with brain functioning.” ular physical fitness activities. Some of the activities include chair yoga, Tai chi, bingo,
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Good Health • October 2015 – 9 arts and crafts. “We always get opinions from residents about what kind of activities they would like to participate in,” she said. Hermitage Gardens also has 24-hour nurses and medication management. “Those are key points of some of the services we try to make sure we advertise, because when someone is inquiring about coming into the community, those are some of the first questions asked,” she said. Jim McArthur, executive director of The Blake Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities, said they work to create a joyful, relaxing home for residents, providing peace of mind for their families. “Our residents enjoy an inviting and comfortable community with resortstyle services,” he said. “We encourage our residents to live life to the fullest, and let
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You’ll see us out and about enjoying all that Oxford has to offer.” The Blake is also health-centered. It offers daily fitness programs, and residents have the benefit of a rehabilitation practice offering physical, speech and occupational therapy services on site. “The Blake provides physical fitness, creative, social, educational and spiritual activities, and programs for the whole health of residents,” McArthur said. “Nursing staff is available on site 24 hours a day. “Promoting and providing programs and activities that support good health contributes to the joy that the residents of The Blake experience each day. “We strive to offer opportunities for our residents to engage physically, mentally and spiritually to enjoy the best quality of life available.”
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10 – Good Health • October 2015
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Good Health • October 2015 – 11
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Eyes: A window to health
Story and photos by Stephanie Rebman Dr. Ryan Wally with Oxford Eye Clinic and Optical performs an eye exam.
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Docs: Maintain good eye health E yes aren’t just the window to the soul — they are also a window to a picture of your overall health. Drs. Ryan Wally and William Strickland at Oxford Eye Clinic and Optical encourage everyone to get a yearly eye exam, even as young as age 2 because of how important it is as a health screening. “We certainly recommend regular eye exams, which is probably the very best way to monitor for changes over time,” Strickland said. “We recommend for most everybody a yearly eye exam with dilation, especially if they have health issues. If they are diabetic, in particular, they need a yearly exam, and their physicians let them know that they require an annual exam.” Another key group, Strickland said, that needs to not neglect their exam are those with hypertension. Sickle cell and AIDS and other chronic issues can also impact vision and require checkups. “You’ve always heard the expression that the eyes are the window to the soul,
Measuring vision and checking for eye disease are parts of the eye exam.
but they’re also the windows to the body and you can actually tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes,” he said. Wally said the exam is important for all ages, especially when reaching an age where other health problems could surface. “People get in the habit of going to the dentist every six months and most people do that fairly routinely, but in my opinion it’s just as important to have
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an annual eye exam, especially when you’re over 50 because that’s when a majority of your high blood pressure, your diabetes and those conditions are really going to start affecting you,” Wally said. “And a lot of times the eye is going to be the first place you see it. A lot of times eye doctors are the first ones to see it and then we refer to the primary care doctor.” But the exam isn’t just for those who are older or have health issues. It’s critical to get children checked since they are constantly learning and need their eyes for that. Both Strickland and Wally said children need an eye check before kindergarten. “Unless a parent notices something unusual like a white pupil or a crossed eye or the child squints or doesn’t seem like they are seeing the TV clearly, I like to do a screening around age 3,” Strickland said. There’s even an American Optometric SEE EYES, 14
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EYES: FROM PAGE 13 Association program where if parents are concerned about their child’s eyesight or see a problem but don’t have insurance, InfantSEE will help pay for the checkup. “A fact that’s widely reported is approximately 75 to 80 percent of a child’s learning is done through vision,” Wally said. “I’m a huge advocate of at least having an exam by kindergarten, but I would love to see more 2- to 3-year-olds. Their aptitude for learning will be so much greater.”
In the exam
When doctors do a dilated exam, Wally said they look at a patient’s retina, because retinal vessels can change when there are issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. They check for glaucoma, which is an optic nerve issue and cataracts, which is a cloud or haze on the lens of the eye. They also check the intra-occular pressure of a patient’s eye. In doing these exams, both doctors have discovered serious illnesses, and there have been both good and bad outcomes. Strickland had a small child around a year old where a parent noticed something wasn’t right with a pupil. It turns out the child had an extremely rare retinal blastoma, which is life-threatening. The child’s eye was removed and now is perfectly fine. Wally had a similar situation while practicing in South Mississippi, but the outcome wasn’t as good because the patient waited too long. “A family friend of ours came in complaining that he had lost the left part of his vision,” he said. “He came in in January and said it really started in October, and when I checked him, he wound up having a brain stem tumor. We sent him immediately to the cancer doctor, and sadly by June that young man had passed away. He had waited such a long time that if he had had that looked at when it first started, the doctor that I spoke with said he could have potentially not had that outcome.” Wally said the man was afraid something was wrong and didn’t really want to know, so he waited, and Wally now emphasizes to come in immediately when sensing something isn’t right so life-threatening issues might be avoided. “Luckily it’s very rarely that bad, but you need to get looked at quickly,” he said, “because if it is something, the sooner you catch it the better off you are.” Strickland said another one of his catches was in the 1980s before AIDS became well-known. He found karposi sarcoma cancer in the lower eyelid in a young
Dr. Ryan Wally with Oxford Eye Clinic and Optical prepares to give an eye exam.
patient, which is typically associated with AIDS. Wally said a lot of eye doctors in the 1980s were the ones to first diagnose the syndrome in patients before all of the symptoms were known. “A lot of people assume when you go to the eye doctor, it’s about 1 or 2,” Wally said. “It’s what we’re known for. And, there’s so much more to that. There’s a vision portion, and a health portion. The health portion is just as, if not more, important than the vision portion.”
Contact lenses
Wally emphasized that even though they may not want to have that annual exam, those who wear contact lenses need that check-in. “To maintain good corneal health and ensure that you’ve got a proper fit, proper care and proper replacements, an annual exam is the way to go,” Wally said. He said taking them out at night, not sleeping in them and replacing them properly are all musts for contact lens wearers, including university students who might break the rules due to the college lifestyle. Wally said its illegal to wear contact lenses you buy at the convenience store or beauty supply store because contact lenses are actually medical devices. “They do make colored contact lenses that you can buy and have fit by an eye doctor and they also make the Halloweentype cosmetic lenses that we can order for SEE LENSES, 16
REMEMBER YOUR EYES WHEN ... • Playing handball or racquetball. The doctors said the balls are so small that they can fit right in the eye and pop it if it hits your face just right. • Weed eating. Debris can be slung up into your face easily when working outdoors. • Using chemicals and cleaners. • Outside in the sun. Polarized sunglasses are a must, doctors said, because UV light has been linked to early cataract formation and macular degeneration. • Using the computer all day. You can wear glasses that have anti-glare coating and save your contacts for weekends or when not at work to prevent dry eye and other eye discomfort.
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LENSES: FROM PAGE 14 someone who comes in and says they want cat eyes,” Wally said. “We can get those and have them properly fit for a one night-type situation. You don’t want to just order them from eBay and stick them in your eye without any measurement because it can really cause some trouble.” Wally said bacteria from overused contacts can burn the cornea and cause massive damage to the eyes like burning ulcers when a proper care regiment is not followed. Strickland also said due to changing technology over the years someone who had difficulties with contacts in the past might consider them again. “They’re constantly coming out with newer material and newer designs,” Strickland said of contacts, and even solutions. “The vast majority of people can be properly and comfortably fit with contact lenses and have good-quality care with them.” Both doctors said the trend in Europe and Japan is for daily contacts, and the U.S. is gradually headed in that direction. “We’re more apt to replace them properly when you wear daily as opposed to wearing them for a month and never taking them out,” Wally said. “People who are in dailies are much more inclined to take them out. They make you follow the rules in a good way.”
Cost factor
While glasses, contacts and an eye care exam with a vision screen can be expensive both with and without insurance, Wally said it is a wise investment and there are ways to be healthy and not spend as much as the next person. “Your vision follows you around wherever you go,” he said. “Having good quality vision, being comfortable and having healthy eyes is precious,” Strickland added. “The number one fear people have outside of death is going blind.” Wally said the price of glasses varies and can be compared to buying a car. “You can buy a base model car that will get you from point A to point B, but it’s a base model car,” he said. “Or you can go and bump that up and get the premium package on your car and you’ve got the leather seats and the sunroof and you’ve got the entertainment center and navigation. You can do that same upgrade on glasses. You can go from a plastic lens to a Trivex lens, you can go from no coatings to an anti-glare coating, so pricing of glasses is just like pricing a car. You can make it more budget-friendly, get more quality driven. It just depends on where you are.” The doctors said they listen to the patients, make recommendations and then work with what’s in the budget.
BEST EYE HEALTH PRACTICES Dr. Eric Randle with Oxford University Eyecare compiled what he believes are these best tips for eye health from the American Academy of Optometry and his experiences as a doctor. • Get preventative care: A comprehensive eye exam is where eye health starts. Several diseases such as glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension can be detected with an eye exam. If eye problems are caught early, sometimes it can be treated. When missed, or caught later, permanent damage is common. • Nutrition plays a role in maintaining healthy eyes. Macular degeneration is becoming more common with the aging population. There are vitamins formulated just for replenishing nutrients that are needed to maintain healthy eyes. A regular comprehensive eye evaluation is recommended to detect and monitor these age related eye changes. • Eyewear: Sports goggles, shooting goggles, sunglasses and safety glasses are common for eye health. Ophthalmic lenses and contact lenses can help protect against UV light exposure that causes cataracts. The increasing use of computers and hand-held devices is creating a greater demand on your eyes and specialty coatings can be placed on lenses that help block some of this exposure from Computer Vision Syndrome. Anti-Reflective Coatings help with driving at night by reducing glare from lights and polarized sunglasses help with glare while driving and boating. • A diet high in the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables, as well as other foods, such as eggs. • To provide adequate protection for your eyes, sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation; screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light; be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection; have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition. • Don’t forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. • Chronic exposure to shorter wavelength visible light (i.e. blue and violet light) may also be harmful to the retina. • Recharge Anti-Reflective (AR) treatment on lenses provides blue-light blocking properties that offer protection, reduce eyestrain, and even help maintain your melatonin levels, so you can fall asleep at night. • As important as these tips are, an essential component of healthy vision is a regularly scheduled comprehensive eye examination. Optometrists are specially trained to detect and treat problems and conditions of the eye, and can help you get the most from your vision.
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Special Olympics was held in April at Oxford Middle School. The event is an annual competition for those with special needs.
Competing in Special Olympics beneficial Story by Rob Sigler ••• Photos by Bruce Newman
I
ndividuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and their support group of family and friends face a daunting array of challenges in their efforts to lead quality lives. These challenges affect every aspect of their lives, including where they go to school, where they live, the type and quality of health care they receive, their opportunities for gainful employment and careers, and, importantly, their ability to participate in a meaningful way in their communities and society at large. Special Olympics was created to use sport as a vehicle and stage for demonstrating the dignity and capability of people with ID. Special Olympics was designed to offer direct service, support
and a rare opportunity to people with ID, but, at the same time, to impact the perspectives of society at large toward this population. Athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and spectators repeatedly have witnessed many small and large miracles through Special Olympics. A decade ago, Special Olympics commissioned a study to determine the impact Special Olympics programs had on the lives of athletes in the United States. The approach was to assess the athlete experience and benefits received through participation in Special Olympics. The study of Special Olympics’ impact on U.S. athletes indicates that: SEE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, 18
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18 – Good Health • October 2015
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: FROM PAGE 17 • People with intellectual disabilities most typically come to Special Olympics during childhood and participate for more than a decade. • There is a successful partnership between Special Olympics and schools. More than two-thirds of U.S. athletes join Special Olympics through a schoolbased program. • Similar to other athletes, Special Olympics athletes enjoy the social experiences that accompany participation in sports training and competition. Teammates provide an important and valuable source of friendship, with more than half of the athletes socializing with teammates outside of Special Olympics. • Similar to other athletes, Special Olympics athletes are motivated to participate by their enjoyment of sports and by the competition Special Olympics provides. In an athlete’s own words, “I like to prove to myself that I can do it.” • Participation in Special Olympics spurs activity and pursuit of physical fitness as a lifestyle choice. More than half of the athlete respondents reported three or more hours of physical activity per week in addition to their participation in
A Special Olympics competitor crosses the finish line during the local event in April.
Special Olympics. • Throughout their careers, Special Olympics athletes take advantage of the
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variety of individual and team sports offered through the organization and participate in multiple sports — from track and field to bowling, basketball and softball. • When participating in Special Olympics, athletes have the opportunity to compete not only in their community Games, but also can advance to regional, state, national and even worldwide competitions. In fact, more than half of U.S. Special Olympics athletes advance beyond their local competitions to compete at the regional and state level. • The benefits of participation in Special Olympics are substantial for its athletes. There is an overwhelming consensus among athletes, coaches and family members that there is significant improvement in athletes’ sense of self, social skills and social interactions due to their participation in Special Olympics. • Families of athletes with intellectual disabilities want the same things for their children as do other families. Parents hope that by participating in sports their children feel good about themselves and develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. They also see health benefits that are critical to their well-being.
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A path to recovery
Story by Catherine Boone ••• Photos by Joe Wortham The Oxford Centre is an addiction recovery facility located on 110 acres.
Good Health • October 2015 – 21
Area treatment centers help addicts
W
hen John Melton began treatment for his addiction, he was a broken and homeless individual who had been cut off by his family and had nowhere to go. “Addicts and alcoholics find their way (to treatment) eventually because that’s where their solution is,” Melton said. “They know when everything else fails, this is the one place they can find answers. A lot of people can’t wrap their mind around the fact that I didn’t have the power of choice against my next hit. I would have done anything to get it, and there is an answer. There is a solution.” Addiction, a potentially fatal disease, touches many more lives than just the people who find themselves dependent on drugs and alcohol. Each year millions of family members and friends are affected by a loved one’s addiction. Luckily, those struggling with dependence on drugs and alcohol have access to effective recovery resources that can
“When I came (to Haven House), that’s when I started to work on my disease and that’s when I started to work the 12-step program. It’s essentially what saved my life and it’s made me a better person.” John Melton recovering addict
help them control their addiction and regain control of their lives right here in Oxford. Melton, a 33-year-old McComb native, is one who gained the strength to start a new life after receiving treatment at The Oxford Centre and then undergoing transitional treatment at Haven House. “The Oxford Centre took my drugs from me and gave me a good education as far as my disease goes,” Melton said. “When I came (to Haven House), that’s when I started to work on my disease and that’s when I started to work the 12-step program. It’s essentially what
O Deanna Mackie C.F.N.P,
saved my life and it’s made me a better person.” The Oxford Centre and Haven House are addiction recovery centers that serve those with a dependency on alcohol, narcotics and other addictions. The facilities also aid clients who are affected by anxiety and depression, and offer experiential therapies like art and music. Both teach the 12-step program, which helps addicts achieve and maintain abstinence from their addictions. Melton’s transitional treatment included group therapy once a day, individual therapy, and encouragement to take control of his life, education for writing a resume and learning how to go on a job interview. Melton lived in the Haven House’s facility during this period, which can last as long as 60 to 150 days. “I’m 33 years old and I never knew how to live life,” he said. “I didn’t begin to learn how until I got the structure at the Haven House that was simply just SEE RECOVERY, 22
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22 – Good Health • October 2015
RECOVERY: FROM PAGE 21 following the rules. I had to learn how to pay bills and learn structure. It gave me a structured environment where I could learn how to live my life.”
The treatment centers
The Oxford Centre is situated on 110 acres in the northeast corner of Lafayette County and provides a full range of care for addiction treatment. The Oxford Centre generally begins the treatment process with a medical detox on the residential campus equipped with 24/7 nursing care. Following detox, patients enter The Oxford Centre’s residential treatment program, typically with a stay of 30 to 45 days. The next step is sober living, which provides supportive housing where those who are new to recovery can practice a sober lifestyle and continue in an outpatient treatment program. The center also offers a young adult program for 18- to 25-year-olds,
education for family members and outpatient offices in Oxford and other regional cities for aftercare. “Research has shown that rates of recovery continue to improve the longer someone stays connected to the community where their recovery began,” said Billy Young, CEO of The Oxford Centre. “Our program is designed to support long-term recovery, and to help our patients and their families address the issues that helped fuel the addiction in the first place.” Haven House, a residential treatment program of Communicare, is a nonprofit that serves clients based on a sliding expense scale that enables addicts to find help and support for as little as $5,000. According to Melody Madaris, MRC, CRC, EMDR II and Communicare’s director of substance abuse and Employee Assistance Program services, treatment at other facilities can cost four to six times Physical fitness and group activities are a part of the recovery process at The Oxford Centre. that.
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Good Health • October 2015 – 23 The residential treatment facility services male and female clients aged 18 and up and has 48 beds. Although the program is part of the regional mental health center, the facility accepts people from all over the state and beyond. Haven House residents are admitted after receiving an evaluation and begin with 30 days of treatment that include all-day counseling from master’s degree-level therapists on addiction education, family skills, anger management and how to cope with depression and anxiety. After 30 to 45 days of treatment, clients move into transitional treatment. Madaris said the Haven House staff attempts to make recovery as encouraging a process as possible for their clients. “Treatment is a scary process,” Madaris said. “If you talk to people in recovery, their addiction is their coping skill. Their drug is the only thing they know and it’s how they feel anything. You’re asking them to leave their family and their friends and possibly quit their job — their livelihood. We attempt to make it less scary. “Everybody is here because they love addicts and they want to help,” she con-
tinued. “When a client comes through the doors, they are greeted with a smile and a hug and we tell them every day we’re glad that they’re here, and we truly mean that.”
Epidemic in L-O-U community
Tom Fowlkes, a medical consultant for the Third District Drug Court in Oxford and founding partner of The Oxford Centre, and Madaris said both centers have seen the effects of opioid epidemic. Although misuse of prescription pain pills like hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine have been prevalent for a number of years, the latest development in the epidemic is the increased use of the stronger and much cheaper drug heroin. “Heroin overdoses have now exceeded car wrecks as the leading accidental cause of death among young people,” Fowlkes said. “The urgency to get someone who’s addicted into treatment is very often about saving their life.” The epidemic hits people of ages and socioeconomic classes, as opioid addiction can begin after taking doctor-prescribed medication, has high relapse
rates and high risks of deadly overdose. “The problem with the epidemic is that most of the time people become dependent on pain pills that are given to them because they had surgery or an injury,” Madaris said. “Then they’re dependent, and heroin is cheaper than pills so you are seeing more and more of it.”
Melton’s new life of recovery: ‘Living the dream’
After completing a combined 180 days in treatment, Melton moved to Oxford and serves as the IT administrator for Communicare. He still attends group therapy and undergoes training in the 12-step program, but says he is “living the dream.” “I realized it’s the journey, not the destination and that my life would never stop getting better once I devoted it to doing the right thing,” Melton said. “Doors have opened that I could not have imagined in addiction… (A year ago) I could not imagine life without drugs and I remember longing for the day that I would be free of that bondage. I always say that I’m living the dream and I really feel that way.”
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24 – Good Health • October 2015
Exercising mind and body Story by Rob Sigler ••• Photos by Bruce Newman
Leisure Lifestyles offers exercise activities and other activities for the mind for older adults in Oxford.
Good Health • October 2015 – 25
Memory loss and dementia differ
M
ost older adults will agree that at one time or another, they have forgotten why they walked into a room, left their car keys or where they parked their vehicle when they stopped by the grocery store. It’s common that as we get older and our bodies age, so do our minds. But when should one become concerned about normal age-related forgetfulness and the early warning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? It’s important to know the difference, according to Dr. Jo Ann O’Quinn, who founded Memory Makers here in Oxford. “Memory loss is not a normal part of aging,” O’Quinn said. “Neither is depression that often can mimic some symptoms of dementia in older adults. Delirium, a short acute state of confusion, commonly due to illness, infection, dehydration, or drug interactions, can also look like dementia in older adults. “Since we do not know the cause of Alzheimer’s and many related dementia
“Memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Neither is depression that often can mimic some symptoms of dementia in older adults. ” Dr. Jo Ann O’Quinn Memory Makers founder
disorders, the process is to rule out any potentially treatable illness or disorders,” O’Quinn added. O’Quinn said it is imperative that all the symptoms of confusion and memory loss be evaluated by medical or other aging specialists. She added that there are “memory” aids that can assist when some slowing and normal age-related loss does occur. “Like making lists, reminders, reducing distractions and other behavioral changes can help with daily activities,” O’Quinn said. “I recall Dr. B.F. Skinner’s book on aging, saying that when he heard the weather report predicted
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rain, he would hang the umbrella on the door that night.” Lapses in memory can be frustrating, but most are not caused by dementia and are natural physiological changes. The following types of memory lapses are normal among older adults and generally are not considered warning signs of dementia: • Occasionally forgetting where you left things you use regularly, such as glasses or keys. • Forgetting names of acquaintances or blocking one memory with a similar one, such as calling a grandson by your son’s name. • Occasionally forgetting an appointment. • Having trouble remembering what you’ve just read, or the details of a conversation. • Walking into a room and forgetting why you entered. • Becoming easily distracted. SEE MEMORY, 26
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26 – Good Health • October 2015
MEMORY: FROM PAGE 25 As we get older, naturally our bodies and minds age. But experts say there are ways to improve our memories and keep our brains as sharp and fit as our bodies. While memory loss is attributed to age, it also can be related to other issues such as depression, anxiety and stress. Lack of sleep and sleep disorders also can be related to memory loss. The brain is capable of producing new cells at any age, so significant memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging. But just like muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it. Lifestyle, health habits and daily activities play a huge part on the health of your brain. There are many ways to improve cognitive skills, prevent memory loss and protect your gray matter. “New research shows that knowing more than one language may be protective against memory loss,” O’Quinn said. O’Quinn also suggests a healthy diet, in particular the Mediterranean diet, and exercise are key components to improve memory. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, walnuts, cauliflower and kiwi fruit, as well as Vitamin D can be beneficial to improving memory. High anti-oxidants (berries, prunes, Playing games, such as Mexican train dominoes at Leisure Lifestyles, can help apples, pecans) also can be critical in improving keep the memory sharp in older adults, but it is not considered a cure or prememory. vention for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
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Often called “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma is an increase in the intraocular pressure of the eyes, which causes damage to the optic nerve with no signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to a decrease in peripheral vision and eventually blindness.
Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic eye disease, so it is important that you don’t wait for symptoms to appear before having a comprehensive eye exam. Early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease will dramatically reduce your chances of sustaining permanent vision loss.
While there is no cure for glaucoma, there are medications and surgery available that can help halt further vision loss. Early detection and regular eye exams are vital to slowing the progress of the disease.
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Good Health • October 2015 – 27 Exercising 20-30 minutes a day will facilitate information and process memory functions. Exercise, such as swimming, walking, golf, tennis, dancing or climbing stairs, increases the heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. Playing games, such as working a crossword puzzle, word search, Sudoku puzzle or website computer games also will exercise the brain and help with preventing forgetfulness. Medical experts also suggest socialization with others with group exercises and group activities to improve memory in older adults. But O’Quinn is “leery of products or gimmicks” that make claims of being able to prevent Alzheimer’s since this disease can affect anyone. “Even those who have done all the right things to keep mentally active and engaged,” O’Quinn said can get the disease. “As for adult coloring books, I think that art and hobbies can be fun and may reduce stress as we age for some individuals. Music, dance and social activities are also valuable stress reducers for some. I have not seen any definitive research that coloring, crossword puzzles, memory games or visiting museums will prevent Alzheimer’s. In fact, I have seen many, many very intelligent, engaged, mentally active individuals that have succumbed to the disease.”
RESEARCH IN MISSISSIPPI FINDS KEY TO COGNITIVE AGING An international team of researchers, including investigators from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), has identified a gene that underlies healthy information processing — a first step on a complicated road to understand cognitive aging and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, is the largest genetics study to date to link a specific genetic mutation and information processing speed. “It is well-known that genetic variation plays an important role in explaining individual differences in thinking skills such as memory and information processing speed,” said Dr. Tom Mosley, director of the Memory Impairment Neurodegenerative Dementia (MIND) Center at UMMC and senior scientist on the study. “However, the genes that underly thinking skills remain largely unknown. Our team has identified a genetic mutation that may help unravel this puzzle.” The effort was conducted through the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium, in which researchers from around the world work together to search for genetic causes of disease in the general aging population.
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28 – Good Health • October 2015
Pet therapy
Story and photo by Lyndy Berryhill
Cindy Leigh, with her dogs Kipper and Henry, has been fostering pets for a number of years in Oxford.
Good Health • October 2015 – 29
Fostering pets good for your health
A
dog may be a man’s best friend, but any kind of pet can be a best friend to their owner’s overall health. Organizations in Oxford offer volunteer-based programs that are beneficial to the well-being and health of pet and owner.
Fostering dogs and cats
Cindy Leigh, 72, taught for 34 yeas mostly in the school of education at the University of Mississippi. In addition to teaching, fostering dogs for various organizations has brought her joy in life. “It is good for the heart and good for the health,” she said. “Yes, it is tough to spend hours with a puppy or kitten and then have to give it up. But remembering that by letting go of this one, you’ll be able to help others makes it not only possible to part with one, but also deeply rewarding, as you realize the happiness that you are bringing to the adoptive parents. “Fostering isn’t just about the animals; it is about the gift of love these
“Fostering animals isn’t just about the animals; it is about the gift of love these animals give to people.” Cindy Leigh
foster parent for the humane society
animals give to people. They push us to go just a little bit farther than we might without them. Without paying tuition at the gym you are encouraged to walk a little farther, bend over a few times more, and think about someone other than yourself. And, best of all, I have met many wonderful new friends through my rescue activities. These friends are all as crazy about animals as I am, and they are dedicated to making their lives better.” She grew up in Hernando as the daughter of a pharmacist and a legal secretary. Her mother was from Chicago, and had no experience with animals, but her father was a federal game war-
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den. Her father taught Leigh early that life was incomplete without non-human creatures around. She grew up with kittens and puppies and later with horses when she was a teenager. “I always had pets of some kind, and my childhood ambition was to become a veterinarian,” Leigh said. That goal continued through her experience as a pre-med major in community college. But, Leigh said women were not considered serious candidates for the field at that time. She was told there would be a 10-year waiting list after she applied. At 19, she could not imagine waiting that long. She then changed her major to education, where she could use all of her interests. “I came to Oxford in 1966 as a student, and stayed to teach and work on my master’s and eventually doctorate degrees. Oxford was having growing pains by the ’70s, and I joined a group that was seeking ways to alleviate the SEE PETS, 30
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30 – Good Health • October 2015
PETS: FROM PAGE 29 homeless animal problem that was a byproduct of this growth. That inspired the initial founding of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, of which I became a charter member,” Leigh said. Leigh shared an apartment with her friend, Peggy Emerson, who also taught in the School of Education, and eventually they moved into a house in the College Hill area. “My daddy said, ‘You two girls need a big dog out there, living by yourselves in the country.’ So Josh, an Irish Setter/ Collie mix became our ‘guardian,’” Leigh said. Leigh said she did not work much with the humane society at that point because she was too busy. For a while, the only activity she participated in with animals was rescuing a few strays and looking after her own pets. After keeping a small Bichon Frise dog for a friend from Maine, she became involved in Small Paws Rescue, a national rescue group for that breed. Leigh began transporting during her school breaks and fostering for Small Paws. She said Small Paws was one of the first groups in the nation to take on the rescue and rehabilitation of breeders
BRUCE NEWMAN
Pati Herndon takes a rest from a walk around the Oxford Square with her dogs Mac, Obie and Tali.
from puppy mills. “When I was working full time, I could only participate in these activities during school breaks. I was determined then that I would become more involved in the animal rescue area after I retired, so I also reconnected with the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society,” Leigh said. “It became clear to me that one of the best ways I could help animals was to foster those that needed homes, but had
Pregnant?
no place to hang their harnesses until they found the perfect adopter. Otherwise, lack of space in shelters meant that many very adoptable and wonderful animals would have to be euthanized,” she said. Leigh said for the past 15 years, she has had at least one foster dog in her home. She heard from a Small Paws friend how she kept a “foster wall” in her home to celebrate those pups she had fostered.
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Good Health • October 2015 – 31 “I’ve thought about it long and hard: fostering isn’t easy, and in the end, giving up a dog or cat you’ve grown attached to is actually painful,” Leigh said. Leigh said even though it’s difficult, the reward of knowing the animal found a permanent home is worth it. She said it contributes to her overall happiness and health.
Love on a Leash
Some volunteers choose to take their pets to be therapy animals and visit facilities like nursing homes, hospice and homes for neglected children on a regular basis. For the most part, Love on a Leash’s (LOAL) therapy pets are dogs, but they do certify cats and rabbits that have the proper temperament. Julie Davis, 39, is a teacher assistant and lives in Abbeville. She has trained dogs for 15 years and is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the American Kennel Club. She joined LOAL in 2012 with her dog, Rozzalyn. She then formed a chapter in Oxford the following year. She is the chapter leader and one of two approved LOAL evaluators.
“Seeing their faces light up and stress dissolve even for a short time is amazing.” Julie Davis
Love on a Leash member
“We offer basic, ‘cheer up services,’” Davis said. LOAL has volunteered at nursing homes, the Scott Center, Oxford learning center, individual counseling sessions, schools, Oxford library, rainbow camp, vibes program in Oxford, individual therapy testing and at occupational, speech and physical therapist directed sessions as well as church activities. Davis said LOAL is a wonderful organization and is easy to get involved with because the evaluation is simple for determining if an animal can safely interact with therapy recipients. “Our current struggle is that we have more opportunities than available handler/animal teams, so we are turning down programs in need. “We do have a non-certified group of teams consisting of farm animals, puppies that are not old enough to
be certified but need experience, and handlers who wish to serve with capable dogs but do not want to go through the formal process,” Davis said. Davis said the most amazing experiences have been at the Scott Center and Oxford Learning Center. She said students at the Scott Center have exceeded the goals set by the therapist and teachers by working with the animals. Davis said students at the learning center often have a dysfunctional home life and are under a lot of stress. She said they struggle emotionally for other reasons, or find academics exceedingly difficult. “Seeing their faces light up and stress dissolve even for a short time is amazing,” Davis said. Many animals can be used for therapy animals as long as they go through the evaluation process and are approved, which involves a vet evaluation and a minimum of 10 supervised visits. “I wanted to be involved because God calls us all to serve. I give Him all glory and praise for blessing me with fantastic animals with which to carry out His calling. With the animals, serving is a joy,” Davis said.
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32 – Good Health • October 2015
BMH transforms health care for area Story by Jondi Roberson ••• Photo by Bruce Newman
W
hen Baptist Memorial Health Care became affiliated with the Oxford facility in 1989, the system committed to expanding the facility into a regional referral center. Since then, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi has invested more than $160 million into the current facility and the medical staff has grown from 20 to more than 120 physicians. The level of care has transformed the hospital into a regional referral center, offering advanced surgical options and a wealth of other high-quality services, and a new hospital is being built. “With the growth our area has experienced in the last decade, building a newer, updated hospital to serve the community became an easy decision,” said Bill Henning, administrator and CEO of Baptist North Mississippi. “The new facility is a replacement hospital with the same number of beds as our current building. However, we will have the space to add new services, the flexibility for future changes in patient care and the infrastructure for new technology. “The new Baptist North Mississippi is designed to enhance the patient and guest experience, particularly for outpatient care, as this is the most utilized area. The new hospital located between Baptist Memorial Hospital - North Mississippi is investing in phySouth Lamar Boulevard and Old Taylor Road is a 150-acre campus sician care and a new hospital in Oxford. versus the current 13-acre site. The $300 million project will offer
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Good Health • October 2015 – 33 a larger, more modern hospital with more room to serve those in need and also will attract additional premier physicians to Oxford. “The growth that Oxford is experiencing is projected to increase at an accelerated rate. With the University of Mississippi experiencing the highest rate of enrollment and retention in its history, growth in businesses and housing, Oxford is an easy sell when recruiting physicians. “Everyone wants to be in Oxford and the new hospital is just the icing on the cake. As Baptist brings more physicians and adds specialties to the area, it reduces the need for locals to travel outside of Oxford for necessary medical treatments. Oxford is very blessed to have such a high-quality medical staff for a town of its size,” Henning said. Baptist boasts several other accomplishments achieved through efforts of the physicians and colleagues, including the transition to Baptist OneCare, a new electronic health record system that makes patient care more efficient and more accurate. As part of the new initiative, patients now have access to MyChart, which gives the patient control over their own health information. MyChart offers
“Everyone wants to be in Oxford and the new hospital is just the icing on the cake.” Bill Henning
Baptist North Mississippi CEO
many benefits, including the ability to view test results faster and the convenience of keeping records of immunizations and allergies. The hospital obtained full Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Baptist North Mississippi completed a rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. The new TrueBeam system, an advanced technology that enables a radically different approach to treating cancer with image-guided radiotherapy also was unveiled. This system enables faster, more precise tumor targeting and shorter, lower-dose treatments providing better patient care options and better patient comfort. Another milestone included the open-
ing of a Heartburn Treatment Center that provides access to comprehensive treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Baptist offers the latest in medical and surgical therapies for GERD and patients are educated on all of the effectiveness, risks and options for each procedure. “As a result of the hard work and dedication by many, we are proud to serve Oxford, Lafayette County and the surrounding areas,” Henning said. “The future looks bright, and we are committed to providing the high-quality health care that our community deserves for years to come.” According to the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Memphis, the Fiscal Year 2012 economic impact of Baptist North Mississippi was estimated at a total production of goods and services (output) value of more than $241.2 million; total salaries, wages, and benefits of $92 million; 2,141 full- and part-time jobs; and state and local taxes of $9 million. Baptist North Mississippi is a 217-bed hospital that offers a variety of services, including cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, the Baptist Cancer Center and a 24-hour emergency room.
34 – Good Health • October 2015