Hall About Health - Spring 2023

Hallabout health

Seniors Helping Seniors extends their reach in the community

spring

2023

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p rodu C t of t he t imes ainesville, gA 30501 770-532-1234

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o n the Cover: Seniors Helping Seniors

3 Fun, Effective Outdoor Exericses for Seniors

How audiologic rehab can help people with hearing loss

UV Exposure and Eye Health

The Hows and Whys of Bad Breath

Group p ublisher stephanie Woody Advertisin G sA les Megan smarz, Jenna Wellborn, stacey smith

Cre Ative s ervi C es

Tracie pike, Claudette Keeley, April seymour, Chelsea sunshine

s eniors Helping s eniors

Taking companion, personal care to the next level

Having worked with Mother Teresa herself, Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS) was originally started in 1998 by Kiran Yocom. For Kiran, Mother Teresa’s influence pushed her to create an organization that could help those who might otherwise not be able to do the things they love, stay in their own home, or even care for themselves anymore.

“We have already seen such tremendous growth, we are excited to be expanding our client base and territories,” stated Tina Boggs, President and Owner of Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS) Lanier, “We have expanded into Barrow and Walton counties and are affirmed with the VA.”

In 2022, the organization began serving both Forsyth and Hall County and has recently expanded into Barrow and Walton County thanks to their high success rate and capacity to take on new clients.

Story by Alexis E. Abbott

WHY SENIORS HELPING SENIORS?

Tina shared what originally attracted her to Seniors Helping Seniors was that the organization aligned with her priorities, passion, and purpose.

Originally never seeing herself as a stay-at-home mom, she became a parent and her priorities changed. “When God blesses you with the birth of a new child, you find your priorities change quickly. Suddenly, I began the struggle of balance and purpose.”

Soon after the birth of their first child, both hers and her husband’s mothers began to decline, “Shortly after becoming new parents, Grady and I both found ourselves in the sandwich generation as both our mothers began to enter a 15-year phase of health challenges and decline. Struggling to find balance and deliver on these new responsibilities, I quickly decided the corporate rat race was not for me,” Boggs said.

Photos by Vicki Alsup Photography

Her husband’s mother passed away in 2012 and her mother passed in 2014. Seeing her husband’s mother pass peacefully in the comfort of her own home alongside a team of caregivers planted the seed in her mind. “In 2012 Grady’s mom passed peacefully in her own home with a strong team of caregivers who left their mark on our lives forever. When my mom passed in 2014, I got to see firsthand God at work through her passing and felt a VERY strong calling that I was to do something in the health care / hospice / homecare space, but really didn’t know what that looked like. When the Seniors Helping Seniors, model was presented to me, it was like a glove. It fit perfectly for where my priorities, passion and purpose would collide.”

TWO CATEGORIES OF OFFERED CARE

SHS divides the type of care they provide clients into two separate categories: Companion Care and Personal Care.

Companion Care helps clients enjoy life again and complete simple chores around the home that they might otherwise have trouble with.

Personal Care requires a higher skill level and helps clients with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, feeding, transferring and toileting.

As explained by Tina, “We are a non-medical in-home care agency providing companion and personal care services. Companion Care is supporting your Instrumental Activities of

Daily Living (IADL’s) – meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, changing bed linens, grocery shopping, errands, taking to doctor’s appointments. By hiring mature active seniors to serve less active seniors, we shorten the generational gap so they have more in common and can have meaningful conversations. It’s more like having a friend coming alongside them. Personal Care supports Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) such as dressing, feeding, transferring, toileting, and bathing. Personal Care may be provided by a caregiver of a broader age range, as we prioritize matching with a more technically skilled individual who can provide the necessary care needed by our clients.”

“What sets us apart is that we don’t accept just anyone for employment. We look to provide a certain chemistry and atmosphere for both our caregivers and our clients. We believe happy employees make happy clients. We seek to provide certain types of experience for both categories of care,” stated Tina, “Because we are Seniors Helping Seniors we target a different set of people when we recruit therefore our methods are more out of the norm than other agencies.”

“We have expanded our office staff and we brought on Darcy who is an RN Supervisor who previously worked in hospice, which is an invaluable added benefit to having us on a families’ care team. For many of the families we serve, the primary caregiver finds themselves in

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uncharted waters when caring for a loved one in the final stages. As their loved one starts to decline and reach their final phase, it’s invaluable to have someone guide you through that process while keeping your loved one as comfortable as possible,” Tina added.

HOSPITAL TO HOME TRANSPORT

“One of the biggest challenges that hospitals and facilities have is that when a client comes in, they need to have post care set in place before they can be released to go home,” Tina shared, and she’s right!

According to NCBI’s Discharge Planning written by Paula R. Patel and Samuel Bechmann, “Before releasing a patient from the hospital, it is a requirement that the discharge can be completed safely.” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557819/).

But there are several things standing in the way of being safely discharged from the hospital. Srividya Koduru, a Hospitalist at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, identified some of the challenges, including possible transition to senior care and setting up both transportation and care for patients.

When told about SHS, Srividya said, “We need that kind of help because a lot of times the patients get so sick afterwards that they can’t shower or drive or feed themselves.”

Tina says, “Seniors Helping Seniors can help! If you’re looking to add someone on your referral list, please give us a call!”.

As a result of their highly selective employment process and the kinds of care they offer, SHS Lanier has recently extended their reach beyond the initial target demographic of senior citizens.

PARTNERSHIP WITH FREEDOM WATERS

Not only can SHS help with transportation and care after hospitalization, they can also assist those who have children with disabilities to get the respite break necessary. As a primary caregiver, Tina knows firsthand how important it is to take care of yourself first so you can provide the necessary care for a loved one.

“At SHS, we have several caregivers who are skilled and have a huge heart in aiding children with disabilities. If anyone ever needed

support in that way, we would be ready to help!” Tina shared excitedly. Recently accredited with the Veteran’s Administration, SHS Lanier sponsors an event with Freedom Waters (freedomwatersfoundation.org) each fall hosted at Lake Lanier. At this event, families with either life threatening illnesses or disabilities are treated with a day out on the lake on Saturday and Veterans and active military and families out on Sunday followed by a barbeque lunch!

“Last year was our first time at the event,” said Tina, “When I went, I met a man with Parkinson’s disease and his wife who enjoyed a wonderful day with us! His wife messaged me a month after the event to inform me that he had sadly passed away, but that Freedom Waters had been his last big outing and he rated the day a 10! This is why I love this program!”

FREEBIRD FLY

Last but not least, one woman has SHS Lanier to thank for helping her after a serious car crash left her unable to feed, dress, or bathe herself while she healed from surgery. SHS helped her with bathing, feeding, walking, and more from October 2022 to March 2023. “Our whole team was moved by this person’s heart and outlook of a situation which had changed her life forever and yet she keeps such a positive attitude. What made my heart full during our time caring for this individual was watching my staff go above and beyond the care we provide through SHS, but providing meals for the family during the holidays. This is not just a job for us, it’s our ministry!” Tina said.

WANT TO HELP?

Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS) is always looking to expand their family. If you would like to reach out, you can contact them on their website www.shslanier.com or call their office based in Buford at (770) 884-4358.

Or if you find yourself or a loved one in need of help make sure to make SHS your first call or get a quote tailored specifically to your care needs straight from their website!

“We look forward to coming alongside you to serve your care needs”, Boggs said.

outdoor exercises for seniors

of heart disease and 11 percent less likely to develop cancer. Seniors, whether they are still working or retired, can incorporate cycling into their daily routines and enjoy all the fun and health benefits that riding a bike provides.

3. Hiking:

The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin D the body absorbs while outside can have a positive effect on blood cells and the immune system.

Seniors can benefit from the great outdoors as much as anyone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones. ThatÕs especially beneficial for seniors, as the National Council on Aging notes that bone density often decreases after age 50, which can increase the risk of fractures. ThatÕs especially so in women over the age of 50, as a 2021 report from Amgen, Inc., indicated women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone density within five to seven years of menopause.

Spending time in the great outdoors also provides a social benefit, encouraging individuals from all walks of life, including seniors, to get out of their homes and spend time with other people. With so much to gain from spending time outside, seniors can consider these three outdoor exercises as they seek to maintain or improve their overall health.

1. Walking:

Walking is free and effective. In fact, WebMD notes that a brisk 30-minute walk can improve blood flow, contribute to a stronger heart, strengthen bones, and even help people sleep better at night. In addition, a 2022 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found that people between the ages of 40 and 79 who walked about 9,800 steps per day were 51 percent less likely to develop dementia than people who didnÕt walk much at all.

2. Cycling:

Riding a bike is both fun and a great form of outdoor exercise. Though many studies regarding the health effects of cycling have looked at the value of riding a bike to work, a scenario that does not apply to retirees, the results of such studies still offer insight into just how valuable it can be to ride a bike. For example, a 2020 study published in the journal The Lancet found that people who cycled to work were 24 percent less likely to die

Hiking is a bit more strenuous than walking, particularly when individuals choose to traverse steep and/or rocky terrain. WebMD notes that hiking after age 60 can help people reduce their risk of falls and fractures; lower their risk for a host of ailments, including coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes; reduce blood pressure, even in adults who have already been diagnosed with hypertension; and maintain healthy bones and joints. Hiking is not a one-size-fits-all activity, so seniors, especially those who would characterize themselves as novice hikers, are urged to speak with their physicians prior to hiking trails that are not flat.

Seniors can consider these three fun activities and others as they answer the call of the great outdoors. Walking, cycling and hiking offer a great reason to get out of the house and reap the health-related benefits of spending time outside.

Heart surgeries that used to require long incisions and months of recovery can now be performed in Gainesville through tiny 8-millimeter incisions –about the diameter of an ink pen – with much faster recovery times. Georgia Heart Institute’s surgeons at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery are now offering minimally-invasive, robotic heart surgery, giving patients in the area more access to much-needed, stateof-the-art procedures.

“I’m excited to announce that we performed our first robotic heart surgery last week at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville,” said T. Sloane Guy, MD, a robotic heart surgeon and the director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Heart Surgery at NGPG.

“I read that Dr. Guy was one of the best robotic heart surgeons in the country,” recalled Bill. “It made the most sense for us to make the trip back down from Minnesota, and it was definitely worth it. Just two days after the surgery, I was leaving the hospital and feeling great. I can’t believe what the team was able to do through these tiny incisions. I remember when my brother had open heart surgery, and this is a totally different experience.”

“Robotic surgery patients can have a significantly shorter recovery period,” said Dr. Guy. “This means they can get back to their normal activities sooner than open heart surgery patients.”

NGPG Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery is an integral part of Georgia Heart Institute, Northeast Georgia Health System’s (NGHS) comprehensive heart and vascular service line.

Bill Mayfield and his wife originally traveled to Georgia last month to visit their son, but Bill started to feel ill. He stopped by NGPG Urgent Care in Dahlonega, where the care team discovered a heart murmur. They quickly referred him to Dr. Guy at NGPG Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Guy explained Bill needed heart surgery, there was a less invasive robotic surgery option and he was an excellent candidate. Bill and his wife were optimistic, but wanted to go back home to Minnesota to do a little research.

“Whether the surgery is done using a minimally invasive approach or an open approach, our primary goal is providing the best possible treatment plan and outcome for each individual patient,” said Clifton Hastings, MD, medical director of NGPG Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery. “We’re collaborating with the cardiologists of Georgia Heart Institute to coordinate care across specialties, providing patients a more seamless patient experience.”

To schedule an appointment with NGPG Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, call 770-219-7099. To schedule an appointment with one of Georgia Heart Institute’s cardiologists, visit georgiaheartinstitute.org or call 770-534-2020.

“The surgery went so well that Bill was able to leave the hospital just two days after the surgery, and he’ll be able to fly home to Minnesota after his follow-up appointment this week.”

At Georgia Heart Institute, we’re offering breakthroughs to keep your heart healthy and repair it if needed. Our world-renowned surgeons specialize in minimally invasive robotic heart surgery with the smallest possible scars and shorter recovery times, so you can get back to your everyday life faster than ever.

The future of heart care. We’re leading Georgia there.

Dr. Scott Barrett

Dr. Hanna A. Lin

Brooke Wilkins, PA-C

how audiologic rehab can help people with hearing loss

Hearing is easily taken for granted. Unless a person has experienced temporary or permanent hearing loss, it can be hard to imagine a life in which hearing is compromised or completely lost. But that is precisely the life hundreds of millions of people across the globe live every day.

Coping with hearing loss can be difficult. Hearing loss sufferers may feel disconnected from family and friends because they can't engage as fully in conversation as they once did. In addition, adjusting to simple pleasures like listening to music after hearing loss can be difficult.

Audiologic rehabilitation services can help people adjust to hearing loss. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association notes that the following are just some ways that audiologic rehab can help people adjust to hearing loss.

· rehab helps families understand their loved ones' hearing loss. Audiologic rehab will help people and their families adjust to hearing loss by discussing that loss with family. Family members are often frustrated by conversations with relatives who have hearing loss because many simply don't understand what their loved one is experiencing. Audiologists may play a recording for families that simulates their loved one's hearing loss so they can understand exactly what their relative is going through. That can help family members become more patient as people adjust to hearing loss.

· rehab can help people understand their hearing aids.

Audiologists explain how hearing aids work and how to maintain them. Various hearing aids are available to people with hearing loss, and audiologists will be able to explain how each type works and answer any questions patients have now and in the future.

· rehab can help people with hearing loss and their families communicate more effectively.

Audiologists can provide tips on how to improve families' listening and how to communicate more effectively. Such tips can make it easier to transition to life with hearing loss.

· rehab can teach those with hearing loss to use visual cues.

People without hearing loss may not recognize it, but the ASHA notes that everyone uses his or her eyes to get visual cues about what people are saying. Rehab can help people with hearing loss fine tune these skills to make up for their loss of hearing.

Audiologic rehab can help people adjust to life after hearing loss. Learn more at www.asha.org.

uv exposure and eye health

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can prove harmful to the skin. UV rays have been linked to the formation of various skin cancers, including the dangerous melanoma. However, UV exposure also can cause issues elsewhere in the body, including the eyes.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says everyone's eyes are at risk of damage from UV light, regardless of their age or skin pigmentation. But some people are at higher risk. Children are included in the elevated risk group because they often play outside. Some studies also show that people with eye diseases like retinal dystrophy or those who underwent surgery for cataracts may be at higher risk for sun damage.

uv light and eye disease

UV light damages cells in the eyes, particularly in the retina. The Cleveland Clinic says the retina is responsible for capturing light that enters the eye and translates it into the images you see. If the retina becomes damaged, vision can be impaired or even lost. Here are some additional eye diseases associated with UV radiation.

· photokeratitis: This is the equivalent of a sunburn on the surface of the eye. While it can occur during the summer, the sun reflecting off of snow or light-colored pavement also can contribute to photokeratitis at other times of the year.

· Cataracts: UVB radiation can harm the lens of the eye and damage proteins. Over time, these proteins can clump together to form cataracts.

· Conjunctival cancer: This is a form of cancer that forms on the surface of the eye, known as the conjunctiva.

· macular degeneration: This is the leading cause of vision loss among older people, according to NVision Eye Centers. The macula is the center of the retina. If this area becomes damaged, central vision will be compromised.

protect vision

Look for sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays, offering 99 to 100 percent protection (or UV400 rating). UVA rays harm central vision, while UVB rays can damage the front of the eye. Sunglasses should be worn when spending time outdoors. Sunglasses are available in all sizes, even for kids. Wraparound styles may protect the eyes and sides of the face.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat also can protect the eyes by filtering harmful light. Select a hat with a broad, dark brim that shades the eyes and reduces glare, advises the National Eye Institute.

Consider the use of UV-blocking contact lenses. Some contact lenses offer UV protection, which can be an added precaution when used with sunglasses.

Another way to avoid UV eye risks is to stay away from tanning booths, mercury vapor lights and some types of halogen or fluorescent lights.

the hows and whys of bad breath

Anyone who bites into a big chunk of garlic bread knows that less-than-fresh breath is a likely outcome of such an indulgence. But for some people, halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is something they regularly confront regardless of what they eat.

Functional dentist Dr. Steven Lin indicates around 50 million people suffer from chronic bad breath. Halitosis often is a highly preventable condition, provided an individual can discover the root of the issue, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It's important to note that while halitosis may be an oral condition, it also may be indicative of other health problems. That's why it is vital to determine what's behind bad breath.

· Poor oral hygiene: Bacteria reside in the mouth on the teeth, tongue, and other tissues. Failing to floss and brush regularly may lead to increased bacteria growth, resulting in bad breath. Poor oral hygiene may lead to gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which also can exacerbate bad breath.

· Dry mouth: When dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs, salivary glands cannot make enough saliva to keep the mouth moist, states Harvard Health. Saliva helps flush away bacteria and food particles. Without saliva to wash them away, bacteria and debris can start to break down, leading to odor. Certain medications may cause dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and using dry mouth aids can help moisten the mouth.

· Food: Certain foods are linked to bad breath. Notably, garlic, onions and some spices are absorbed into the bloodstream and have the potential to affect breath until they leave the system.

· Dirty dentures: False teeth, such as dentures and bridges, can collect bacteria, food and fungi if not properly cleaned. Improper cleaning can contribute to bad breath.

· Tobacco products: Tobacco can cause unpleasant mouth odors, says the

Mayo Clinic. Smokers and oral tobacco users also are likely to have gum disease, which contributes to bad breath.

· Sleeping with mouth open: Like other causes of dry mouth, sleeping with one's mouth open dries out the mouth and can lead to what's often referred to as "morning breath."

· Sinus illnesses or infections: Small stones covered in bacteria can form in the tonsils and produce odor. Infections, chronic inflammation of the nose, throat or sinuses can contribute to postnasal drip, which also causes bad breath.

Anyone with concerns about chronic bad breath should speak to his or her dentist about their condition. If the cause cannot be traced to oral hygiene, an individual may be referred to a general physician for a physical to rule out other issues.

Our Mission

DIGNI TY & RE SP ECT

With a compassionate companion providing assistance, seniors can continue to live happily and age gracefully in the comfort of their own home without sacrificing their independence.

To provide our seniors with the ability to choose an independent lifestyle in their own homes, for as long as possible, with the dignity and respect they deserve by finding caring seniors to help each other.

COMPA SS ION

When like-minded seniors are able to share their mutual experiences of aging, the care that they give and receive can feel more compassionate because there is a deeper level of understanding.

LOVE

It is easy to provide seniors with their basic needs, but we’re going above and beyond to make seniors feel valued, happy, and loved. The difference this makes in lives is immeasurable.

SE CU RITY

Loved ones can feel comforted by the fact that our trusted Caregivers are thoroughly vetted and qualified to provide compassionate care.