CONTINUED EYE CARE

BY MICHELLE KELLY Associated Retina Consultants

For more than 30 years, Associated Retina Consultants has served Arizona by providing access to the most innovative treatments of diseases and conditions affecting the retina, macula and the vitreous humor of the eye.

Care is provided with the utmost courtesy, professionalism, comfort and respect for patients’ time because, at ARC, patients come fi rst. The practice’s team of nine, highly skilled retina physicians understands how important eyesight is and how challenging it can be coping with impaired vision. That’s why our practice is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of sight.

Associated Retina Consultants is closely monitoring the ongoing changes and guidelines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the serious, urgent nature of some of the conditions it treats, Associated Retina Consultants’ offi ces will remain open for business with certain limitations. Visit its web

Associated Retina Consultants incorporates a team-based care approach allowing the physicians to be effi cient. The Associated Retina Consultants team is, from left, Drs. Jaime R. Gaitan, Benjamin Bakall, Henry M. Kwong Jr., Matthew Welch, Alan J. Gordon, Bryan J. Shepard, Kendra A. Klein, Rahul K. Reddy and Stephen A.M. De Souza. (Photo courtesy Associated Retina Consultants)

site for more information about its efforts as a practice at associatedretinaconsultants.com. It is the practice’s priority to provide the best possible care while ensuring the health and safe

ty of patients, staff and the community.

The most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).

For more information, call Associated Retina Consultants at 602-242-4928.

RETINA CARE TRUSTED EXPERTS IN

Voted Top Ten Eye Care Centers 2019

Diagnosing & Treating Conditions Such as:

Dedicated to the Preservation and Restoration ofVISION ·INHERITED RETINAL DYSTROPHIES ·RETINAL TEARS & DETACHMENTS ·MACULAR PUCKERS & HOLES ·MACULAR DEGENERATION ·DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ·CANCER OF THE EYE ·OCULAR INFLAMMATION ·RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA ·RETINAL VASCULAR DISEASE

Alan J. Gordon, M.D. J. Shepard Bryan,

M.D. Stephen A.M. De Souza, M.D. Henry M. Kwong, Jr.

M.D. Rahul K. Reddy,

M.D., MHS Benjamin Bakall,

M.D., Ph.D. Jaime R. Gaitan,

M.D.

Ma�hew Welch, M.D. Kendra Klein,

M.D.

BY SANDERSON FORD

Sanderson Ford realizes one of our greatest freedoms is the freedom to go wherever, whenever we want. Our enhanced mobility department has been committed to helping everyone with the freedom of travel since 2010.

Gone are the days of going to several places to get a vehicle outfitted with equipment and paying huge markups. Sanderson Ford is the only Ford dealer that performs mobility and commercial upfits on-site. We stock several different ready-to-go packages, saving you valuable time and expense.

The all-new Ford Transit Connect wheelchair-accessible mobility van starts at just under $40,000 and includes an 800-pound-capacity FlexFlat ramp that folds fl at when not in use, creating a usable deck for things like luggage and cargo. It holds six passengers, including a wheelchair. This newly designed ramp allows for the three-passenger, second-row seat to stay in place for even more added convenience. The Transit Connect can also be upfi tted with our newest product, Abilitrax. Abilitrax is a common platform that integrates quick-disconnect seating with several different wheelchair tie-down options, lifts, grab handles, stretcher mounts and several other accessories using a fl oor-grid system. This platform allows users to change the confi guration of a vehicle in seconds.

Sanderson Ford also offers multiple fi nancing options. Through a strong partnership with Ford Credit, we can offer one low monthly payment on the vehicle, conversion, lifts, hand controls or anything else needed. We can do it all at Sanderson Ford and provide you with world-class service. Sanderson Ford is America’s most awarded dealership for customer service, and we will go further to earn your business. For more information, contact mobility specialist Ray Wohlgemuth in the Sanderson mobility department at 623-842-8600 and start your road to independence today. Abilitrax is a common platform that integrates quick-disconnect seating with several diff erent wheelchair tie-down options, lifts, grab handles, stretcher mounts and several other accessories using a fl oor-grid system. (Photos courtesy Sanderson Ford)

Benevilla recognizes that caring for the needs of older adults reaches beyond the individual to the entire family.

Its well-established services offer assistance to older adult clients, and many programs address the ongoing needs of caregivers and families. Caregiver support groups: Benevilla offers a variety of free, friendly and professionally run support groups for caregivers in the community. Taking care of someone can be diffi cult. Experiencing the end of a loved one’s life can be lonely. Connecting with peers who are going through similar experiences can make a positive impact on the caregiver’s life. Caregivers also benefi t from hearing speakers who can educate and provide answers to their many questions. Benevilla is available to help caregivers on their journey. Life coaching: The Benevilla Life Coaching program addresses specifi c personal events, general conditions, relationships and/or transitions in clients’ personal life. Through this process, parBY BENEVILLA

ticipants will examine what is happening in their world, identify what may be their obstacles and create a course of action to move forward in making their life what they want it to be. All sessions are provided by trained Benevilla Life Coach Connie Danks, M.A. Free home services: Benevilla Home Services program provides older adults extra assistance to maintain their independence. Services are available short or long term to those with limited resources and options. Free support services include grocery shopping, assisted rides to medical appointments, friendly visitors and phone pals, light handyman services and emergency errands, all provided by generous community volunteers. Benevilla C.A.R.E.S. resources and information: Benevilla C.A.R.E.S. (community assistance, resources, Benevilla is here to support the community of caregivers. (Photo courtesy Benevilla) education and support) is designed to provide assistance and resources to tackle concerns of caregiving or other related needs. A highly qualifi ed, vetted agency, Benevilla has resource specialists available to help by phone or in person. For every person enrolled in a Benevilla program, two people get their lives back: the individual and the caregiver. For more information, call 623-584-4999 or visit benevilla.org.

Now is the time to make a difference with your Arizona Charitable Tax Credit donation!

Our homebound seniors need us more than ever and Benevilla is still here providing grocery shopping, assisted transportation to essential appointments, and emergency errands to those who have nowhere to turn.

Please call our Donor Relations Department at 623.584.4999 to donate or visit www.Benevilla.org

The heart of a Hospice of the Valley volunteer

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Hospice of the Valley is honored to have more than 2,100 dedicated volunteers supporting our mission.

COVID-19 may be temporarily suspending volunteers’ face-to-face visits with families as all of us practice safe social distancing, but many volunteers are staying in touch by telephone and apps like FaceTime.

In addition, they are volunteering to shop for grocery essentials for our patients and families with a critical need. They utilize grocery store gifts cards purchased with donor funds to shop and drop at the doorstep. Others are creating cheery greeting cards, paper fl owers and even videos of their therapy pets to comfort patients.

It’s a beautiful way for these selfl ess volunteers to continue giving back to our community and to wrap our famiBY LIN SUE COONEY Volunteer Betty Schecker loved supporting Darlene Ferjak, who appreciated getting a break from full-time caregiving. (Photo courtesy Hospice of the Valley)

Spring 2020 lies in a warm virtual hug.

Hopefully soon, they’ll be back to visiting and reading, running errands and offering companionship and emotional support. That’s exactly what volunteer Betty Schecker provided when Brian Ferjak was under Hospice of the Valley’s care last year.

Brian’s wife, Darlene, looked forward to Betty’s visits.

“Caring for Brian was 24/7. There was no relief,” Darlene said. “Betty lifted that burden for a couple of hours, and she put me at ease. I knew Brian was in good hands.”

To join our volunteer family, visit hov.org/volunteer or call 602-636- 6336.

Lin Sue Cooney is the director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley.

Get Your Copy Today!

Just say the words “rotator cuff tear” and most people immediately think surgery is inevitable. Research is showing that this may not be the case. Conservative care has been shown to be just as effective as arthroscopic repair for full and partial rotator cuff tears. A physical therapist can help patients improve range of motion, improve strength, decrease pain and, most importantly, improve function of the shoulder so patients can return to the activities they value most in life.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine published a review of all the studies that looked at the natural course of recovery from rotator cuff tears and found that these injuries recover well whether treated with or without surgery. Physical therapy can serve as a more cost-effective and noninvasive way to help heal rotator cuff issues. Physical therapists communicate with the patients’ physicians to make sure they are aware of treatment progress and recovery status. In the majority of injuries, BY DR. MARK KARGELA, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Physical therapy can serve as a more cost-eff ective and noninvasive way to help heal rotator cuff issues. (Photos courtesy Midwestern University) Dr. Mark Kargela is a clinical assistant professor for the Physical Therapy Institute at Midwestern University in Glendale.

there is no need to proceed with invasive surgery and its inherent risks before attempting more conservative physical therapy. The physical therapist will refer for surgery if indicated but frequently can help patients avoid surgery.

The information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment. Always consult a qualifi ed health care provider for questions about possible health conditions. Dr. Mark Kargela, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT, is a clinical assistant professor for the Physical Therapy Institute at Midwestern University in Glendale, where he supervises Midwestern physical therapy students in their clinical rotation practice. The Physical Therapy Institute utilizes the latest technology and research to evaluate and treat a wide range of orthopedic and chronic pain conditions for both children and adults, at affordable prices. For more information, call 623-537-6000 or visit mwuclinics.com/arizona.

You Want [Exceptional Physical Therapy.]

We are Your Healthcare Team.

The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Institute is your source for affordable, comprehensive, individualized therapy treatments following injury or surgery, as well as orthopedic, spine, and chronic pain conditions.

Call 623-537-6000 for an appointment.

MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY MULTISPECIALITY CLINIC Your Family’s Home for Healthcare

19389 North 59th Avenue Glendale, Arizona 85308 623-537-6000 www.mwuclinics.com