PRICELESS
DECEMBER 2020 • ISSUE 184
GVHEALTHNEWS.COM
6 Foods to Help Fight Depression Feeling blue lately? A tad blah? You’re not alone. According to findings from government-funded COVID Response Tracking Study released in June, Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years. Writer Anne Palumbo presents six foods that show promise in helping improve mood and fight depression. P. 14
Multivitamins really are magic pills for your health, a new study contends — but just not the way you might think. P. 18
How to Make the Most of a COVID Christmas The Christmas holidays will certainly be celebrated differently this year, as we are in the midst of a pandemic and flu season. But you can still have yourself a merry little Christmas if you listen to the health experts, who stress the key word for this holiday season is “little.”
Are the Benefits of Multivitamins All in Your Head?
Boost Vitamin C with Portable Clementines
Great Gifts for Healthcare Providers
P. 15
P. 17
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 3
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Colon Cancer Screening Should Start at Age 45
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verage folks should start being screened at age 45 to prevent colon cancer, five years earlier than is now recommended, the nation’s top preventive medicine panel says. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends that people aged 50 to 75 be regularly screened for colon cancer, one of a handful of cancers that can be prevented outright. But new data suggests that screening earlier could save even more lives, said task force member, physician Michael Barry, director of the Informed Medical Decisions Program in the Health Decision Sciences Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “We have epidemiologic data that the risks of colorectal cancer are increasing before age 50, particularly in that 45- to 49-yearold age group,” Barry said. Computer models suggest that about 25 colon cancer deaths are prevented for every 1,000 Americans between 50 and 75 who are screened, Barry said. The earlier start is expected to prevent at least one more death per every 1,000 screened, Barry said. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies are required to cover the full cost of any screening test recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The task force is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. This guideline covers people at average risk for colon cancer, Barry said. People with factors that put them at higher risk – for example, a strong family history of colon cancer – might need to start screening even earlier, and should discuss it with their doctor. Colon cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps that form in the colon or rectum. These screening tests detect the presence of these polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Colonoscopy is the most widely known colon cancer screening method, but it’s not the only one, Barry said. “There are a whole group of tests that can reduce the risk that someone will die of colorectal cancer,” he said. For example, people can have their stool tested for the presence of tiny amounts of blood, which can indicate the presence of either cancer or polyps.
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Jeremiah Depta, M.D.
Cardiologist and his team at Rochester Regional Health celebrate life-saving heart procedure No. 1000 Q: I don’t know if you remember, but we actually did this four years ago when you were first working with the Watchman implant. It seems appropriate now that you’ve just recently installed your 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A: I do! It’s amazing that it’s been four years already. We’ve grown. There’s a field that’s emerged within the last five years that’s called structural heart disease, where you fix structures in the heart that don’t involve stents and the arteries. We’re looking at things like the valves and the muscle. So, I was recruited back in 2015 to start the program at Rochester Regional. The lion’s share of what we started doing was TAVR — in Europe they call it TAVI. A week and a half ago, we did our 1,000th TAVR. We’ve grown in a very short period of time into being, not just a high-volume, but a nationally recognized program. We’ve been pretty lucky and fortunate. And it’s been great for patients, because anything that’s being offered in that space is currently been doing at Rochester. TAVR, Watchman and other procedures are being done here. It’s pretty cool. Q: Can you give us a reminder of what TAVR is? A: What it essentially is, is placing a brand-new aortic valve where their current one is using a catheter, which is pretty much just a tube. We place a tube through the artery in the groin and it goes up through the large vessel that comes out of the heart called the aorta. And we use that tube to position the new valve. The valve itself is a metal stent loaded onto a balloon. We position the valve and then expand the balloon to push it into place. Inside the balloon are the brand-new tissue leaflets that function like a normal, native valve. Q: Now that you’ve had a few years to follow up with patients who got the Watchman implant, are you satisfied with the device? A: Yeah, absolutely. When we talked, we’d just
gotten started. We’re an extremely high-volume Watchman center. I don’t know the exact number, but we’ve done somewhere around 400 – 500 Watchman procedures. And it’s not just the number of procedures, we’ve also done some unique things where we now use a CT scan to three-dimensionally map the heart and plan the procedure. So when we select a device, we can consider the anatomy we’re working with. Boston Scientific, which makes the Watchman, has just released the Watchman FLX device. The prior one is called Watchman 2.5. Needless to say, the new device is very different. It’s a lot safer, which isn’t to say the old device was dangerous, but the new one has an a-traumatic end. It makes it easier to implant in patients who have difficult anatomy. It nearly eliminates the risk of us puncturing through the heart when we try to close it, which was rare, but it could happen. The new device basically eliminates that risk. So it’s safer and easier to implant. So we’ve now got the next generation of devices. Q: Has the process gotten more efficient too? A: Something that’s very cool that Rochester Regional is kind of the leader on: we’re the first to really start a formal same-day discharge program. In general, when people get Watchman, they stay overnight, sometimes longer. In 2017, we started discharging people the same day. Basically, we do that routinely now, where people get the Watchman device and go home the same day. We’re the first program to do that in the U.S., and the data we’ve accumulated on the safety of it is going to be published in a prominent medical journal. Especially now in the era of COVID, where patients need and want this procedure but have concerns about staying in the hospital. So we can do the Watchman implant and discharge in the same day. We’ve also done that with TAVR for selected patients.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
Q: In terms of outcomes and quality of
In the News Rochester General Hospital celebrated a milestone in November. Physician Jeremiah Depta and his team performed its 1,000 TAVR procedure (one of the top 25 sites in the nation). The TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. Patients who undergo this procedure experience immediate relief from symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. RGH is unique in that it is one site that offers same-day or early discharge for patients undergoing TAVR. life, are patients getting back to their lives more quickly? A: TAVR is the one that’s really remarkable. When we do TAVR, we’re doing it for aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is where the valve that pushes blood throughout the entire body narrows. The reason they have issues with the aortic valve is just a natural build-up of calcium as they age and then those leaflets don’t work right anymore, which puts pressure on the heart. If severe aortic stenosis goes uncorrected, it’s 100% fatal. Traditionally surgery was the only option, but now with TAVR the outcomes are about even. Some may even do better with TAVR. It’s about a 45-minute procedure that’s done without general anesthesia, but you’re comfortable under conscious sedation. You’re walking around within three to four hours, and you go home. And you feel dramatically better. So, it’s not only lifesaving, but you feel a whole lot better. Q: When we last spoke, about 10% of your valve replacements were TAVR and about 90% were open heart surgery. What’s the ratio at now? A: At the time when we spoke, only high-risk patients were getting TAVR. Now it’s available for medium and low risk patients. Now TAVR procedures are probably around 60%, 70% of cases. Maybe even higher. The people who are getting open-heart surgery are now only those who have anatomy that isn’t favorable to TAVR, or who have significant blockages. So it’s completely shifted within the last four years.
Lifelines Name: Jeremiah Depta, M.D. Position: Director of the Advanced Valvular and Structural Heart Disease Program at Rochester Regional Health Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Education: Chicago Medical School; internship and residency in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic, where he also served as a chief medical resident; cardiology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis/Barnes Jewish Hospital. He completed fellowships in interventional cardiology and structural, valvular, and peripheral vascular intervention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School Affiliations: Rochester Regional Health System Organizations: American College of Cardiology Family: Three children Hobbies: Hockey, coaching
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Page 5
Live Alone & Thrive
By Gwenn Voelckers
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
In COVID-19 Times: Uplifting Gift Ideas for Those Who Live Alone
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his column is for all of you who have friends or family members who live alone. In December, most folks look forward to joyous holiday time filled with family gatherings, laughter, cheer and gift giving. This year will be different for all of us, but it promises to be particularly challenging for those who live alone or are temporarily isolating due to COVID-19. Feelings of loneliness and anxiety will likely be more pronounced. What can you do to add a little “merry” to the holidays for those who live alone? You can give the gift of time together — probably the most welcome and cherished gift of all — with phone calls, video chats and Zoom gatherings. You can also give a thoughtful gift to lift a spirit, safeguard a loved one and warm a heart. Below, I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas for you. Some are practical, others personal, all are designed to put a smile on the face of someone who lives alone.
For Fun
• A subscription to online lessons, classes, workshops and tutorials. Do you have a single friend who
aspires to play the ukulele? Check out online music lessons. A divorced sister who eats supper directly from the take-out container? Consider a virtual cooking class. Or a widowed mother interested in life-long learning? A continuing education course might delight her. There are so many possibilities! • A “Be my guest!” gift certificate (for the future) to a movie, concert, art opening or theater production. And, when things open up, insist on doing the driving. • A bottle of Champagne and invitation to join you and others on New Year’s Eve for a virtual party. This can be a challenging night for those who are newly divorced or widowed. Years ago, after my divorce, I popped the cork with my sister and her husband. I was deeply grateful for their invitation to spend the evening together. It got my new year off to a great start.
For Safety
• An AAA membership. I don’t leave home without it. A flat tire, an empty tank, a lost key — I’ve been there. Just last week, I locked my keys in the trunk of my car. AAA was there within the hour to pry my
s d i K Corner
Is the Pandemic Harming Kids’ Mental Health?
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window open, unlock the door and release my trunk latch. This is a gift worth its weight in gold. • Handy tools for emergencies or life’s unexpected moments. Consider a compact “no-battery” wind-up flashlight/radio with a hand crank. Or a Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit. These are two of my prized possessions. • How about a Swiss Army knife, complete with a screwdriver, scissors, toothpick and tweezers? It even comes with a nail file and a highly coveted corkscrew. • A front-entrance motion sensor light that will illuminate your front porch after the sun goes down. This energy-saving device will light the way for visitors (a new suitor?) and may also scare off intruders and critters. Those who live alone will appreciate the peace of mind. • A gift certificate for car washes. While not necessarily a “safety gift,” I always feel better when my car is clean (and that can’t help but make me safer on the road). Who doesn’t enjoy a clean, sparkling car? Choose a car wash near your recipient’s home or work place.
For Pampering
• An opportunity to be “treated like royalty.” How many of your friends who live alone indulge themselves in luxury services? My guess is not many, if they’re like me. But that’s what makes this the perfect gift! Why not surprise her with a spa certificate for a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure? Or make his day with a certificate for a gentleman’s facial or deep tissue/sports massage. Note: As I write this spas and salons are open with mask and social distancing requirements. Check for updates. • For women in particular who live alone — fresh flowers delivered. Do you know a single woman who lives by herself? When’s the last time
S
ince last April, hospital emergency rooms across the United States have seen a sustained surge in visits related to the mental health of school-aged kids, a new report reveals. The findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on children because of disruptions to their everyday life, anxiety about illness and social isolation. That conclusion comes from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review of data on hospitals in 47 states. Those hospitals account for nearly three-quarters of emergency department visits nationwide. The study tracked emergency visits involving children under age 18 who sought care for a mental health issue between Jan. 1 and Oct. 17, 2020. “Our study looked at a composite group of mental health concerns that included conditions that are likely to increase during and after a public health emergency, such as stress, anxiety, acute post-traumatic stress disorder and panic,» said lead author Rebecca Leeb, a health scientist at the CDC in Atlanta who is part of its COVID-19 Response Team. “We found that from March through October, the proportion of mental health-related emergency department visits increased 24% for children aged 5 to 11, and 31% among teenagers aged 12 to 17 years,
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
she got flowers? It’s probably been years ... don’t I know it. Consider sending a bouquet of roses or tulips — red for love, yellow for friendship, pink for appreciation, and white for sympathy. • And speaking of deliveries, check out gift of the month clubs. Coming home alone at any time of year can feel a little empty, but it can really feel lonely during the holidays. Discovering a package on the doorstep can change everything. Go online and check out gourmet gifts and food clubs. You won’t believe the variety of delicious items that can be delivered on a monthly basis: chocolates, hot sauce, cheese, tea, cigars, wine, beer, pastas, olive oil, cookies, popcorn, pancakes or entire meals. I love this idea so much, I might treat myself.
For Inspiration
• A donation to a good cause. Making a charitable contribution in someone’s name is a gift you can both feel good about. Think about your friend or family member who lives alone. What do they care about? Choose an organization that supports his or her values. • A subscription to “In Good Health” or “55 Plus” produced by editor and publisher Wagner Dotto. Both periodicals are filled with inspirational articles and trusted health information. Consider a gift subscription for someone you love. Chances are good your holidays and theirs will be the healthier and happier for it. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women, and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www.aloneandcontent.com compared to 2019,” Leeb said. Pediatric mental health visits actually dropped off dramatically from mid-March to mid-April, when stay-at-home orders were in effect in much of the country. Since then, however, such visits have steadily increased, according to the report. But Leeb said interpreting the numbers is not straightforward. On the one hand, she said even the large jumps seen in the report likely underestimate the total number of pediatric mental health emergencies. “Many mental health care encounters occur outside of emergency departments,” Leeb explained. But additional research indicates emergency department visits as a whole dropped significantly between January and October. And that, Leeb said, might mean that “the relative proportion of emergency department visits for children’s mental health-related concerns may be inflated.” Regardless, Leeb said the findings show that many kids’ mental health was sufficiently concerning to prompt ER visits at a time when the public was being discouraged from using emergency departments for anything but the most critical care. As such, the findings “highlight the importance of continuing to monitor children’s mental health during the pandemic to ensure access to mental health services during public health crises,” Leeb said.
Tips to Cope With Lockdown as Cold Weather Arrives
I
solation may pose mental health challenges for people as they spend more time indoors in the winter during the coronavirus pandemic, an expert warns. Maintaining safe forms of social contact is crucial, especially for people who live alone, according to Frank Ghinassi, president and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, in New Jersey. Ideas to battle isolation include staying in touch with family and friends over social media, through video or over the phone, or even sharing a cup of coffee with someone over the phone in the morning. • Write letters. Sending and receiving them can be very rewarding, Ghinassi suggested. • If you live with others, do activities together such as board games or listen to audio broadcasts, rather than watch TV. Go for a group walk outdoors. • If you can’t get together with family over the holidays, you can still follow your traditions, even if it’s on a smaller scale, Ghinassi noted in a Rutgers news release. • Maintain your health by following a nutritious diet, exercising and getting enough sleep, he added. “The people I worry about the most are those who live in unsafe environments or where there is domestic violence. I encourage people
in these situations to reach out to agencies or their case managers,” Ghinassi said. It’s normal to mourn the loss of social activities you love, such as going to theaters, parties and restaurants, but people “should seek out the support of family and friends and, if necessary, professionals or religious officials if they feel their grieving is sustained without seeing any reduction after four to six weeks,” he advised. “If you get into what feels like a slump and that lasts more than four weeks without a lot of relief, it’s a signal you are not snapping out of it,” Ghinassi said. “Look for disruptions in your life,” he explained. “Are you finding it difficult to get and stay asleep? Are there changes in your eating habits? Have you lost your feeling of hopefulness for the future? Are you disinterested in things that used to bring you joy?” In more severe cases, do you have feelings that “’it wouldn’t be the worst thing if I didn’t wake up tomorrow’ or do you have thoughts of harming yourself or other people? That is a sign to contact a professional,” Ghinassi said, such as using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline (1-800-662-HELP or 1-800662-4357).
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Page 7
Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
Big Pharma Wins if Senate Remains Controlled by Republicans
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democratic president will have minimal to no impact on any attempt to reign in drug prices if Republicans retain control of the Senate. The bill authorizing Medicare to negotiate just a couple dozen drug prices will probably continue to languish on Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s desk and not be brought up for a vote. The Big Pharma lobby, via hundreds of millions in contributions to political campaigns, will retain its grip on Congress. The industry continues its mantra that the power to set prices is paramount to innovation and the viability of the industry. Physicians and hospitals may establish prices, but Medicare determines what they are actually paid. Commercial carriers tend to mimic Medicare. Insured consumers rarely end up paying the price charged by hospitals and physicians. Congress has denied providers the power to set their prices to maintain their innovation and viability. Congress (Medicare) does not seem overly concerned about the viability of our providers.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Pfizer, without federal funding, has broken ahead of the competition with a vaccine that is 90% effective. It will be available for distribution by the end of this year. Any approved vaccine will be critical to defeating the coronavirus; but as with any other vaccine like the flu vaccine, not everyone will choose to take it. What remains to be seen is how long the pandemic will be prolonged if millions of us refuse the COVID-19 vaccine and then what will be the related death rate among those who refuse the vaccine. If you look at the seasonal flu, there isn’t a lot of reliable data on how many unvaccinated adults die of the annual flu. It is not a reportable death. But there is data on how many unvaccinated kids die of the flu because it is a reportable death. The CDC reports 90% of children under 18 who die of the flu were not vaccinated. In a typical year, 50% of kids go unvaccinated. To keep perspective, between 100 and 200 children die from the seasonal flu each year and, as with COVID-19, about half had complicating conditions. The point is, many of Page 8
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those deaths could have been prevented.
Hospital Price Transparency
By executive order, hospitals must indicate their prices and charges for a mandated list of procedures established by CMS by Jan. 1, 2021 or face a fine of $300 a day. The executive order does not constitute a national healthcare plan nor will it save consumers millions as recently touted by the New York Post. This ill- advised executive order will only create more confusion and consternation among consumers shopping for the best deals. In a well-intentioned effort to help consumers make informed decisions and to create real price competition among hospitals, Medicare requires hospitals to post their “standard charges” which include: gross charges, discounted cash prices, payer specific negotiated rates, de-identified minimum negotiated charges and de-identified maximum negotiated charges. Hospitals are also required to post their charges and payer specific negotiated rates for 300 “shoppable services.” (Did you get all that?) Besides fueling consumer confusion and suspicion
about healthcare costs, this rule will be a nightmare for hospitals to comply. Shopping prices in healthcare sounds good, but it will be a wasted effort if your physician does not have admitting privileges at your selected hospital or your health plan considers your selected hospital out of network. Also, prices do not reflect outcome. Since most hospital admissions are elective, your physician, for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with price, will have strong preferences for a particular hospital for your particular procedure.
Biden Assembles Pandemic All-star Team
His transition team is virtually stacked with several healthcare heavy weights. Former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler captain the team. Several highly qualified, respected and renowned physicians round out the team. (It should be noted, none are radiologists.) Rick Bright, M.D., an expert in virology and immunology, who recently resigned in protest from Trump’s undermanned pandemic team, has been reappointed by Biden. Luciana Borio. M.D., is the former director of the FDA’s office of counter terrorism and emerging threats. Ezekiel Emanuel, M.D., is vice provost of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Also on the team is author Atul Gawande, M.D., who teaches health policy and management at Harvard. We need an all-star team to defeat the heretofore unchallenged opponent once and for all. We are at nearly 200,000 new cases a day (as of Nov. 13) and approaching 250,000 deaths.
ACA Back in Court
For the third time in eight years
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
the Affordable Care Act returns to the Supreme Court. The case, California V Texas, is brought by a cadre of Republican governors arguing that since the individual mandate (you pay a tax for not having health insurance) has been declared unconstitutional, the entire law should be scrapped. The timing couldn’t be worse as over 20 million Americans depend on the ACA in the midst of a pandemic. At stake is: discounted commercial premiums to eligible indigent recipients; the inclusion of pre-existing conditions in all policies; expanded Medicaid eligibility; caps on commercial insurance profits with excess profits being rebated to employers or individuals; standardization of benefits to make comparison shopping simpler; a platform from which improvements can be made. Neither the Republican governors nor the current administration has an alternative plan. At the time of this writing, the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments from both sides. So far, conservative judges Roberts and Kavanaugh have questioned the logic of tossing the entire law. (And speaking of rebates, it looks like commercial carriers will owe members over $2.5 billion after this year is finalized. About 11 million of the commercially insured will receive an average $219 rebate.) George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
‘I Just Had a Stroke. It Was a Bizarre Experience’ By Wagner Dotto
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he past six months have been the healthiest of my life. I started a regimen of walking three to four miles every day, I nearly eliminated alcohol consumption and drastically increased eating fruits and vegetables while reducing red meat. I regularly play tennis, sleep well and don’t take any medicine — and, of course, I don’t smoke. I have been controlling the food portions I eat as well. The result is that I lost nearly 30 pounds since mid April. I’m back to being slightly overweight as opposed to obese. My score on the BMI table is 27.2 points. I weight 218 lbs. and I am 6 foot 3 inches tall. My numbers have been pretty good all along — even before my brisk-walking days. Cholesterol was low and so was blood pressure. Triglycerides have been slightly elevated, but just by a tiny bit. So, leading such a healthy lifestyle, why did I just have a stroke? It happened suddenly — as I believe all strokes do. Oct. 5 was a Monday like any other. An uneventful day at the office. The usual stress, tons of emails back and forth, phone calls, production issues, meetings, the usual stuff. I got to the office early, about 7:30; when it was about 4:30, I got ready to leave. I sent a few more emails, turned the computer off and headed out to the door. I happened to stop to talk to a colleague on the way out and I noticed my speech was a bit incoherent — my colleague noticed that as well and mentioned that he couldn’t understand what I was saying. I brushed it off, said “never mind” and went to my car. I got home 30 minutes later. Something didn’t feel right. I had difficulty opening the garage door — it seems I had forgotten how to do it — and had to ask my son, Chris, who was in the driveway, to help me. My speech was slurred. I made an effort to pronounce every single word carefully but the sound that came out of my month was unintelligible. As I got more impatient, my speech got worse. I had to communicate in writing with my son, who grew very concerned about my well-being.
I was in the middle of having a stroke — and I was not aware of that. I would never have imagined this kind of situation for me. I’m glad my son took the initiative to call 911 and the ambulance showed up in minutes. I was taken to the hospital and I remember being surrounded by six or seven providers as soon as I got there. The whole episode — the drive home, the sense of confusion, the slurred speech, the trip to the hospital — lasted less than two hours. I was alert all the time and my speech gradually got better. The question remains — why did I have a stroke? The doctors ordered tons of tests and concluded that everything was normal — my arteries were fine, blood pressure was normal, I had no plaque built up in the brain and everything looked good. The issue was, they found a small hole in my heart, a condition I have had since birth, the doctors said. It’s called “patent foramen ovale.” That allowed for some bad blood to escape from this hole and hit the brain with a bit of a clot. Apparently, that was what happened. The unfiltered blood took the wrong turn in the heart and brought a tiny clot to the left side of my brain. I’m still puzzled and sometimes I’m in a state of denial. How can this happen to such a healthy guy like myself? To a person who follows every tip of good health around? Eat more fruit? Check. Avoid red meat? Check. Exercise? Check. Good sleeping habits? Check. Eat enough fiber? Check. Keep low blood pressure? Check. Keep cholesterol under control? Check. There is one little detail — I’m 63 years of age. And that’s a risk factor, according to the doctors. Still, why would I have this when I’m in my peak physical condition? Why not a year ago when I was a lot more sedentary and heavier? It’s puzzling! I guess the best explanation I got from one of the doctors was, “Shit happens.” I accept that. I’m glad this so-called stroke was minor. I left the hospital three days later, on Oct. 8. The following day, Friday, Oct. 9, I was back in the office, December 2020 •
working. On Saturday I was doing my regular 3-mile walking and the following Tuesday night, Oct. 13, I was playing a two-hour tennis match at Elevate in Liverpool. Not bad for a stroke survivor. The whole thing has been pretty weird; bizarre. And I have to say it, I’m still in denial. Did I really have a stroke? At this point, only two things remind me of the episode: a heart monitor attached to my chest, which I should keep for 30 days — it transmits my heartbeat to a company which keeps track of such things, and the three medicines I have to take on a daily basis — aspirin, Plavix and Lipitor. Other than that, it’s business as usual. In a few days I will remove the heart monitor. Done. Then I will lobby my doctors to gradually reduce — and eventually eliminate — all the meds I’m taking. I always pride myself on not taking any prescription drugs. I’d love to keep it that way, if it’s possible — and safe.
Key takeaways Of all the things that happened, the main takeaways are as follows: • Call 911 — Are you very healthy? Never mind. Be always ready to call 911 when you notice something abnormal about your body. It took me too long to get into an ambulance. That could have cost me a great deal of brain cells. • You’re not invincible — Even if you’re super healthy, if you’re over 60, you are within the risk group for stroke, heart issues and other bad things. Be on the alert for bad things to happen. Things won’t get any better. • “Shit happens” — Certain things just happen. And they do happen fast, regardless of family history, your health or anything. Call it wear and tear of the body. • Better be healthy — I believe the healthy lifestyle I was leading helped my overall outcome. Had I been obese and less physically in shape, my stroke could have brought more bad consequences. I’m just speculating here. • 60s are not the new 40s — Forget about what you read or hear in the media. When you’re over 60, you are over 60 — period. It means you’re old and much more vulnerable to bad things than when you were in your 40s. • Get a good insurance plan — One of the things I didn’t need to worry about: paying my hospital bills. I’m not sure what the total tab for my four-day stay at the hospital will be — $50,000? $100,000? My insurance, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, will take care of it. Honestly, I feel bad for Excellus. I really didn’t mean to cause this type of expense. Like auto insurance, I pay the premiums but I don’t want to use the service. From now on I guess I will stop complaining about paying my monthly premiums.
Wagner Dotto is the editor and publisher of Local News Inc., which publishes In Good Health. Reach him at editor@ GVhealthnews.com
Who Are the Loneliest Americans? The Answer May Surprise You Loneliness can strike at any age, but a new study finds that young adults are the loneliest Americans, with people in their 60s being the least lonely. Researchers analyzed responses from more than 2,800 people nationwide (aged 20-69) who participated in an online survey. They found that levels of loneliness were highest among 20-somethings and lowest among respondents in their 60s. Loneliness reached another peak in respondents’ mid-40s. “What we found was a range of predictors of loneliness across the lifespan,” said corresponding senior author, physician Dilip Jeste, senior associate dean for healthy aging and senior care at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. For all ages, predictors of loneliness included lower levels of empathy and compassion; smaller social networks; lack of a spouse or partner; and sleep problems. Except for people in their 60s, greater loneliness was associated with lower social self-efficacy. That’s “the ability to reflect confidence in exerting control over one’s own motivation, behavior and social environment,” according to a UCSD news release. Among people in their 50s, loneliness was also linked to a lower level of decisiveness. The study underscored other findings that have drawn a strong link between loneliness and low levels of wisdom — especially empathy and compassion. “Compassion seems to reduce the level of loneliness at all ages, probably by enabling individuals to accurately perceive and interpret others’ emotions along with helpful behavior toward others, and thereby increasing their own social self-efficacy and social networks,” Jeste said. As to why young adults are so lonely, researchers noted that people in their 20s face significant stress and pressure while trying to establish a career and find a life partner. “A lot of people in this decade are also constantly comparing themselves on social media and are concerned about how many likes and followers they have,” said study first author Tanya Nguyen, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry. “The lower level of self-efficacy may lead to greater loneliness.” And people in their 40s begin to experience physical challenges and health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, she said.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Meet Your Provider Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute
Helping you find your best health The health professionals at Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI) have not let the pandemic get in the way of helping people take charge of their own health. Since the advent of COVID-19, RLMI has converted its programs into virtual, Zoom-based events. There’s plenty of opportunity for interaction and mutual support, and people are signing up from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Programs
RLMI’s signature program is its 15Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart. Jumpstart participants make a big change in their eating habits all at once so they can see positive changes in just two weeks. Most people improve their lab values and other clinical measures, and many experience dramatic improvements, as shown by results from the more than 600 people who have taken the program. RLMI also offers an in-depth lifestyle intervention, the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP). CHIP has been helping people turn their health around since it was introduced in Loma Linda, California, in 1988, and a
number of research studies demonstrate its effectiveness in bolstering health. Recently, RLMI added an interactive program to boost mood, The Lift Project. RLMI’s sister organization, the Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Group, offers one-on-one medical consultations to those seeking individualized guidance and support.
Program for medical practitioners
RLMI has introduced a continuing medical education (CME) course to teach the fundamentals of plantbased nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Doctors and other health professionals watch 12 hours of recorded lectures on whole-food plant-based diet and other principles of lifestyle medicine. They also take the 15-Day Jumpstart themselves as part of the course, so they can experience its beneficial effects and learn how to support patients embarking on a plant-based way of eating.
Peer-reviewed publication
RLMI’s Director of Clinical Studies Susan M. Friedman, MD, MPH, recently published “Lifestyle Medicine
Team at Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute: from left, Maria Dewhirst, Robert Franki, Beth Garver, Ted D. Barnett, MD, Susan M. Friedman, MD, MPH, Courtesy of photographer Keith Bullis. in the Midst of a Pandemic” in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/ full/10.1177/1559827620957272). The article makes the case that following healthy behaviors to reduce the risk of chronic disease is the best way to defend against bad outcomes from COVID-19 (while also following public health measures such as mask-wearing, hand washing, and avoiding crowds). Eating a healthy plant-based diet is one of the most powerful behaviors to reduce risk.
Community events
RLMI had four outstanding speakers present by Zoom in September and October: Neal Barnard, MD; Michael Greger, MD; Milton Mills, MD; and Lisa Smith, executive director of the Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group. To find a calendar of upcoming events, as well as information about all of RLMI’s ongoing programs, visit roclifemed.com. While you’re there, you can download a four-page handout of healthy plant-based recipes for the holidays.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
‘If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are at risk of exposure or have been exposed, have symptoms or are awaiting test results, you should not attend in-person holiday events, period.’
Many families with out-of-town relatives have been doing this for years, but opening gifts together via Zoom is a great way to bring the family together safely
How to Make the Most of a COVID Christmas By Nancy Caridllo
T
he Christmas holidays will certainly be celebrated differently this year, as we are in the midst of a pandemic and flu season. But you can still have yourself a merry little Christmas if you listen to the health experts, who stress the key word for this holiday season is “little.” Large, in-person events pose varying levels of risk for spreading the COVID-19 virus, so the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that before deciding to host or attend any holiday gathering, you assess the level of risk based on the size and location of the event and the availability and use of mitigating strategies. For example, consider the current rate of infection in the community in which the event will be held. Indoor events pose more risk than outdoor gatherings, and indoor gatherings with poor ventilation pose an even greater risk. What is the duration of the event? How many will attend? Will attendees travel from different places? Will there be social distancing? Will the wearing of masks be enforced? Will hand washing/ sanitizing stations be available? Of course, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are at risk of exposure or have been exposed, have symptoms or are awaiting test results, you should not attend in-person holiday events, period. But if you do plan to attend any holiday event — large or small, indoors or outside — be smart and follow these tips from the CDC and the local health department to reduce your risk of being exposed to, contracting or spreading the COVID-19 virus: • Practice safe social distancing • Limit close contact with others (stay at least two arms’ length apart) • Wear a mask when around people who do not live in your household • Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 sec-
onds (hand sanitizer is good — it should be at least 60% alcohol), but doesn’t replace hand washing for the best possible protection) • Be safe around food and drinks (bring your own if possible) While this might not be the year to go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house, there are still many creative ways you can celebrate “with” family members and friends and continue the traditions that mean so much during the holidays.
Here are some ideas: • Decorate! Even if you won’t be entertaining to the extent you usually do, make your home festive! Pull out all those ornaments you’ve collected over the years, put up that tree and deck your halls with lights, greens, music and candles. Don’t forget to decorate outside, too! Maybe this is the year you put up outside lights … lots of outside lights. Get the entire household involved and then enjoy your efforts as you sip mulled cider or hot cocoa. Or pile the family into the car and drive around and enjoy festively decorated homes in your community — just like you did when they (or you) were little. • Send holiday cards. Many people stopped sending cards during the holidays because “it’s just too much work.” Well, we all have a lot more time on our hands this year, so let’s resurrect that wonderful tradition of reaching out to loved ones via a card or picture postcard. Be sure to include a short note letting recipients know how much they mean to you, or get creative and include a humorous (short!) letter. It’s a great way to stay close to those we can’t, well, actually be in the same room with this year. • Shop online. If you want to avoid going into stores or malls, online shopping can be a huge help. But it’s not all about Amazon — many local stores have online shopping options so you can support your community while finding unique gifts for everyone on your list. Hint: shop December 2020 •
and ship early to be sure your gifts arrive on time! Visit www.usps.com/ holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm for the recommended deadlines for domestic, international and military shipping. • Go car caroling. Rather than go door to door caroling, get a few of the neighbors together, decorate your cars, open the windows and sing out as you drive around. Be sure to spend a few extra minutes in front of the houses of neighbors who are quarantined, elderly or homebound. • Make family food favorites. Just because the entire extended clan can’t get together this year, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy grandma’s cookies, Aunt Sally’s scalloped potatoes or Uncle Fred’s fudge. Serve up a delicious holiday meal for the household, full of family favorites. Put together some goodies to take to elderly or vulnerable neighbors — they’ll appreciate your thinking of them. Or drop off a pizza, cookies or other treats to your local fire department, nursing home or hospital (be sure to call ahead and make sure it’s OK to do so). • Enjoy a virtual visit with Santa. Since most stores are foregoing having Santa on hand to personally make his list and check it twice, here’s a creative way for your kids to make sure Santa knows exactly what’s on their Christmas wish list. Go to one of several websites, such as www.jinglering.com or www. mrkringle.com, for a magical chat or visit with Santa, direct from the North Pole. • Open gifts together via Zoom. Many families with out-of-town relatives have been doing this for years, but opening gifts together via Zoom is a great way to bring the family together safely. Of course, it means being organized: you have to shop, wrap and send the gifts so they arrive in time (don’t forget to tuck in some of your homemade holiday treats)! Make it more festive by requesting everyone wear a Christmas sweater or socks or Santa hat (include the family pets if you can!). And be sure to consider relatives in different time zones when scheduling your Zoom unwrapping. • Attend Virtual Worship Services. Many of us have been worshipping online all along during the pandemic; well, Christmas is no different. While many houses of worship have reopened for in-person services – and many will still hold midnight mass – most offer live stream services via Zoom, You Tube, Facebook and other platforms. Check with your local church or diocese. You might not be able to celebrate Christmas this year exactly as you have in years past, but that doesn’t mean Christmas 2020 can’t be special in new and different ways. It’ll certainly be one we all remember.
Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season
G
ive your heart the gift of healthy eating this holiday season, the American Heart Association suggests. “It’s easy to get off track from making healthy choices during the holidays, and the pandemic may add to the stress,” physician Anne Thorndike, chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Nutrition Committee, said in a heart association news release. “Eating healthfully during the holidays doesn’t mean depriving yourself; it’s about eating smart and looking for small, healthy changes and swaps you can make so you continue to feel your best. For example, choosing vegetables instead of crackers or chips at lunch may not seem like much, but those little changes add up over time,” said Thorndike. She’s an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Metabolic Syndrome Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. You don’t have to sacrifice taste when eating healthy, according to Bridget Wojciak, director of nutrition and dietetics at Kroger Health, a national sponsor of the AHA’s Healthy for Good program. “Find the delicious, nutrient-packed foods you love,” Wojciak said. “Not everyone likes broccoli, and that is OK. There are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables to try, and so many healthful ways to prepare them. See what works best for you, and who knows? You may have a new holiday recipe to add to your table.” Here are some suggestions for healthy eating during the holidays: • Reduce sodium/salt by using more herbs and spices such as rosemary and thyme to flavor meals. • Choose nutritious snacks, like popcorn. • When grocery shopping, look for products with the AHA’s Heart-Check mark. During the holiday season, it’s also important to find opportunities to practice gratitude and meditate. Managing stress benefits your mind and heart.
Happy holidays! IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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DENTAL CARE
Flossing Important for Kids’ Oral Health By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
t may seem like flossing is not important for children. After all, their baby teeth are only going to fall out. As long as they brush twice a day, what’s the point? Dentist Nicole E. Mooney, a pediatric dentistry specialist with Rochester Regional Health, said that flossing children’s teeth “is extremely important because a toothbrush can only reach a certain amount of your mouth. A toothbrush can’t get in where teeth touch. If you’re only brushing, you’re not cleaning your entire mouth. A lot of times, cavities form there.” Treating cavities in children with drilling and filling can cause them to dislike visiting the dentist. They may also experience pain and even early loss of baby teeth. This set of teeth acts as placeholders as their adult teeth emerge. Losing them early can cause further dental problems. In addition to brushing at least twice daily or after meals, Mooney recommends flossing daily, ideally at night.
“Their mouths get dry and any plaque that gets there isn’t washed away by saliva,” Mooney said. “But if you’re not going to floss at night, if it’s better in the morning., then do it then to make sure it will get done.” The tools for flossing include traditional floss, dental pics, pics mounted on handles and water flossers. Using any of these daily is better than not flossing at all, but Mooney said that a water flosser such as Waterpik should be used only along with but not replacing a string-based floss. “Waterpiks are good because that water cleans out the debris from pockets,” Mooney said. “I say to use it in tandem with flossing. Hopefully, the parents are helping them brush and floss.” Parents should brush and floss their children’s teeth until they possess the fine motor skills and eye hand coordination to do it themselves. Mooney said that their handwriting can often reveal if they are ready. She encourages parents to brush
alongside their older children to motivate and supervise them, as well as to set a good example. It may also encourage children to select their own floss or picks. Many children’s floss picks come in bright colors and fun designs as well as a lack of the pointed end. Cynthia Wong, pediatric dentist and the director for Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, said that floss picks or floss on a handle can be easier for parents trying to work in tiny mouths. As children grow older, they may not be as compliant when it’s up to them to floss. “I say, ‘Do you play video games or watch TV? You can floss while you wait for your game to load,’” Wong said. She emphasized that children with braces also need to floss, using a floss threader to get around the orthodontic appliance. She also wants anyone with braces to use a water flosser, as “it is good at flushing the food out where floss cannot go in,
Dental Rinses Serve Different Purposes By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
V
isit the dental care aisle at any store and you will see a large array of dental rinses that meet several different dental needs. Of course, following the advice of your family’s dentist is what matters most. It can also help to understand the differences among the types of rinses available and how they affect dental health. Nicole E. Mooney, pediatric dentistry specialist with Rochester Regional Health, recommends discussing with your child’s dentist what rinse may be appropriate at that age. “For a fairly Mooney young child, supervise them,” she said. “They tend to accidentally swallow the rinses. Always supervise them.” If a rinse is advisable, practice with water a few times, having the child spit into a cup so you can ensure the same amount is coming out. Children at low risk for cavities may not need a rinse at all. “If you’re a medium to high caries risk, they may recommend a fluoride rinse,” Mooney said. That may include people living in areas without fluoridated water Page 12
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such as well water. The American Dental Association (ADA) classifies rinses as cosmetic, like clean breath mouthwash, or a therapeutic rinse that has a biologic application. The ADA seal indicates a therapeutic rinse. The cosmetic types “don’t strengthen the tooth or kill bacteria,” Mooney said. “Therapeutic rinses control gingivitis, tooth decay or things like that. A fluoride rinse helps prevent tooth decay. Some peroxide rinses are in a lot of rinses for tooth whitening, which is also therapeutic.” Fluoride rinses promote the remineralization of tooth enamel to help prevent tooth decay. People taking medication that causes dry mouth may need moisturizing rinses. “These tend to contain mucin or enzymes to mimic saliva,” Mooney said. “They provide some relief to patients with xerostomia, a reduced amount of saliva in the mouth. She also prescribes fluoride rinse to some of these patients to help protect their teeth. Cynthia Wong, a pediatWong ric dentist and
the director for Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, said that rinses meant to kill bacteria help prevent gingivitis, usually more of an issue for adults than children. For those who brush well, “mouth rinse is more of a gadget and doesn’t provide you with extra protection if your oral regimen is good,” Wong said. For younger patients whose brushing may not be so good, she recommends plaque revealing rinse as an educational tool, especially during the time children begin to brush their own teeth. Anti-plaque pre-brushing rinse may also help children who are not as careful as they should be, since this rinse helps loosen plaque before brushing. “If they have a good habit of brushing, the mouth rinse before a brushing habit has little effect because they’re brushing everything
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
Sign at the parking lot of Celestial Dental on West Henrietta Road urge patients to floss. Photo courtesy of Linda Covington. like around brackets.” For many children, the novelty of the water flosser—and the fun of squirting water around – may make it appealing to use. But as with other forms of flossing, parents should supervise until good habits are established. off,” Wong said. “The most important thing in children is fluoride toothpaste. Especially for small children who are getting new, permanent teeth, the fluoride is important to reinforce and mature the new teeth. That takes three years. The fluoride topically applied by brushing is important to reinforce the crystals on the enamel.” Beverages such as red wine, cof fee and tea tend to stain teeth. Middle aged and older adults are usually the ones seeking tooth whitening. Dentist Maricelle Abayon, associate professor of Abayon clinical dentistry, program director of the General Practice Residency Program at UR Medicine/Eastman Institute for Oral Health, said that whitening rinses can help reduce the effects of staining. For people with multiple dental needs, there are rinses to address them. Abayon said that some combination products may offer more than one dental advantage, such as anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis and anti-cavity. For post-surgical patients unable to brush for a while, “I’d prescribe a prescription mouthwash to help,” she said. “The same for someone with periodontal disease to help get that inflammation under control.” Though Abayon views mouth rinses as a “great addition to our oral hygiene practices, but it’s not going to be the end-all, be-all to replace brushing and flossing,” she said.
DENTAL CARE
Cavity Treatment: No Numbing, No Drilling Silver diamine fluoride is an option for those with cavities. But it has some drawbacks By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
magine treating a cavity without receiving drilling and filling and instead sitting only minutes for the application of a liquid to the affected area. That is how dentists are now using silver diamine fluoride, approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA a few years ago. The treatment works by slowing the advancement of decay in a cavity and offers an 80% success rate. “It can minimize aerosol production as when we cut into a tooth,” said dentist Sean McLaren, chairman of pediatric dentistry at Eastman Institute for Oral Health. “That’s a concern with COVID. With traditional treatments, there’s a question as to whether that can increase viral particles in the air.” He added that the treatment is well tolerated by small children, people afraid of conventional treatments, patients unable to comply because of epilepsy, dementia or brain injury and those on the autism
spectrum who struggle to tolerate dental treatments. People who cannot be sedated are also good candidates for silver diamine fluoride, as its application is fast and not unpleasant except for its taste. Silver diamine fluoride application costs as little as 1/10th the McClaren expense of a restorative treatment. Though it seems like a miracle treatment for cavities, it does have a few drawbacks. The treatment doesn’t last forever. It also doesn’t treat large cavities. If the hole is large, silver diamine fluoride cannot fill it up. It only slows the progression of the decay. That may make it suitable to spare
VEALS TER
minor decay in a baby tooth that will fall out in a few years, but not as a long-term fix for a permanent tooth with significant decay. “If you have an abscess or infected tooth, it isn’t going to cure that,” McLaren said. “It doesn’t work in every situation. There is still a hole there. You have to do some other type of restorative treatment to fill in that hole. I wouldn’t say it’s a one-time treatment and you never have to see a dentist again. You have to monitor it to make sure it was successful and that you’re not getting food impaction.” The aesthetics of silver diamine fluoride is also a drawback. Nicole Mooney, DDS with Rochester Regional Health, said when it’s applied to a cavity, which typically appears light brown, the solution turns the cavity black. “I try to not use it on anterior
teeth,” Mooney said. “I always make sure parents understand and see photos and videos so they’re fully informed. I would leave it up to the parents.” She said that young children — typical patients receiving silver diamine fluoride — usually develop cavities because they drink milk and juice in bottles and sippy cups all day instead of drinking only water between meals. “With daily assault of juices and not perfect oral hygiene, that cavity will harden,” she said. “Cavities in children ages 2 to 4 tend to be from improper use of bottle or sippy cup. Even diluted juice is bad for the teeth. The upper anterior teeth and molars in the back are most affected. “A sippy cup is great if only plain water is in it. Otherwise it can cause oral decay.”
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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6 Foods to Help Fight Depression
Psychiatry linked specific depressive disorders — feeling down, no motivation, trouble sleeping — with brain inflammation. Speaking of sleep, this healthy green boasts decent amounts of magnesium, an essential micronutrient valued for its role in supporting deep, restorative sleep. Moreover, research has found that magnesium may help reduce stress and anxiety.
Dark Chocolate
By Anne Palumbo
F
eeling blue lately? A tad blah? You’re not alone. According to findings from government-funded COVID Response Tracking Study released in June, Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years. From health worries to economic woes, social isolation to pervasive fear, many of us are struggling to stay positive. But here’s something to smile about: Growing research shows that simply making changes in what you eat can significantly boost mood and improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. In a recent study of people all diagnosed with depression, those who consumed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean protein and olive oil showed fewer symptoms of depression after three months than those who ate an unhealthy diet of sweets, processed deli meats and salty snacks. The study further revealed that more than a third of the healthy eaters no longer even met the criteria for being depressed. As promising as this and other studies sound, however, the scientific community does acknowledge that there is still much to learn about how our diet influences moods. And while experts in the field recognize that there is no single food or nutrient that can prevent depression, they do have some strong clues about what’s good and what’s not. Let’s take a look at six foods that have shown promise in helping to ease stress, relieve anxiety, improve mood and fight depression.
Fatty Fish
Ever since studies found that depression is less common in nations Page 14
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where people eat large amounts of fish, researchers have cast their investigative nets toward the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, especially fatty fish. Many have speculated that omega-3 may have a positive impact on mental health because of two important factors: they lower brain inflammation and they alter brain chemicals associated with the uptake of dopamine and serotonin, the “feel-good” neurotransmitters that affect our moods. Examples of fatty fish that contain high levels of omega-3s include salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines.
Eggs
Some say “an egg a day may keep bad moods at bay” and here’s why: Eggs are uniquely rich in two mood-boosting nutrients that may ease depression — vitamin B12 and selenium. Since vitamin B12 helps synthesize both dopamine and serotonin, eating foods that are high in this essential nutrient may lift our spirits. Multiple studies, in fact, have found that people with lower levels of vitamin B12 were more likely to have depression or anxiety. Selenium, on the other hand, works its mood magic by helping to keep our metabolism running smoothly and by wielding its antioxidant wand to suppress inflammation and oxidative damage to the brain, both of which can contribute to the development of depression. If you’re not an egg fan, many boxed cereals come fortified with B12, selenium, and other important vitamins and nutrients that contribute to mental health.
Bananas
How wonderful that science backs what we have known all along: Chocolate really does make you happy! In a study conducted at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, researchers found that eating about 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate every day for two weeks reduced the stress hormone cortisol in people who were highly stressed. According to experts, chocolate boasts a cascade of mood-elevating compounds, from inflammation-busting antioxidants to serotonin-boosting tryptophan to anxiety-reducing magnesium. Just be sure to enjoy it in moderation, as the calories in that tasty chunk of dark chocolate could contribute to a whole new stress: weight gain.
Yogurt Good news, banana-lovers: Regularly eating America’s favorite fruit may turn a frown upside down, research shows. Experts point to a banana’s high concentration of vitamin B6, which helps make the “happy hormones” — dopamine and serotonin. This portable fruit also contains tyrosine, an amino acid that helps produce dopamine, too. Last but not least, one large banana delivers 16 grams of sugar and 3.5 grams of fiber, a beneficial pairing that allows the sugar to be released slowly into your bloodstream. Takeaway? Stable blood sugar levels often translate into better mood control and less irritability.
Spinach
Spinach and other dark leafy greens consistently make mood-boosting lists because they teem with folate, another B vitamin that helps increase serotonin levels. Studies have found that those who suffer from depression tend to display lower blood levels of folate. Spinach is also loaded with antioxidants, which protect brain cells from inflammation and toxic free radicals. A recent study published in JAMA
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
While many dairy products can be beneficial for depression because they are rich in nutrients that keep us satiated and promote relaxation, yogurt is especially beneficial because of its probiotics. Probiotics keep our gut healthy, and a healthy gut, according to research, may reduce levels of anxiety and depression. In a recent review published in Annals of General Psychiatry, researchers noted that the majority of studies found positive effects of probiotics on depression symptoms. Since it is estimated that 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the digestive tract, a healthy gut may be the ticket to better moods. Other fermented foods that are rich in probiotics that benefit gut health include kimchi, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut. More food for thought: When you’re feeling down, it can be tempting to turn to junk food to lift your spirits. There’s growing evidence, however, that this sort of unhealthy food can bring you even lower. So try adding some mood-boosting foods to your daily diet. The six listed here are but a few of the many nutritious foods that may brighten your outlook.
SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
Boost Vitamin C with Portable Clementines
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othing says “nutritious snack” quite like a bright, cheery clementine. A cross between an orange and a mandarin, these seedless darlings burst with health-boosting vitamins and nutrients. Often called “Christmas oranges” because they’re in season during the winter months and are a traditional stocking stuffer, low-cal clementines provide a welcome respite to the heaviness of holiday eating. Like most citrus fruit, clemen-
tines teem with vitamin C, with one small fruit delivering around 50% of our daily needs. Well known for its immune-system support, vitamin C also improves skin health and may even help prevent certain cancers by disarming harmful free radicals that damage our cells. Another amazing vitamin C benefit: Eating foods rich in vitamin C increases the absorption of non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plants like spinach. A single clementine contains a little over 1 gram of fiber, which is
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notable given the fruit’s low-calorie count: 35. High fiber intake encourages healthy digestion by making stools easier to pass and has also been linked to lower body weights, according to multiple studies. All told, clementines’ attractive combination of dietary fiber, high water content, and low calories makes them an ideal snack to support a healthy weight or weight loss. Fiber also slows the digestion of sugar, allowing the natural sugar in clementines to provide a sustained and substantial boost of energy without spiking blood sugar. It’s why athletes often reach for fruit! Most processed foods with added refined sugars — like doughnuts, cookies, soft drinks — don’t contain fiber, which causes rapid insulin spikes and moments-later hunger pangs. Clementines abound with phytonutrients — health-promoting compounds found in plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Citrus flavanones, the particular phytonutrients found in clementines and oranges, have been widely studied for their possible role in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and age-related macular degeneration. A pop-in-your-mouth snack that may promote fruit consumption in children, clementines — with only 7 grams of sugar and 9 carbs — are also a good source of folate, thiamine, and potassium.
Festive Clementine and Avocado Salad with Mixed Greens Serves 4 Adapted from Jeanetteshealthyliving.com
1 tablespoon olive oil ¼ cup fresh clementine orange juice 1 shallot, minced
Helpful tips
Look for fruits with a bright orange color and a heavy feel. Clementines will keep at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to two weeks. To prevent bruising, don’t store clementines in overcrowded conditions. Like grapefruit, clemetines may interfere with certain drugs: be sure to discuss concerns with your doctor. salt and pepper, to taste 4 clementines, peeled 2 avocados, cut into chunks 1 cup radicchio, sliced ½ walnuts, toasted and chopped 4 tablespoons crumbled cheese: feta, goat or gorgonzola 4 tablespoons pomegranate seeds 6 cups mixed baby greens To make dressing, whisk together oil, clementine juice, minced shallot and salt and pepper to taste. Place a handful of baby greens on a salad plate. Arrange clementine slices, avocado, radicchio, walnuts, crumbled cheese and pomegranate seeds on top. Just before serving, drizzle dressing on top.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
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Planned Parenthood Reports Dramatic Drop in HIV Testing in Upstate Agency officials expects greater spread of HIV this year By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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or people at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, receiving regular testing and prompt test results can help reduce their chances of spreading HIV. Since the pandemic began last spring, testing and prompt results have been disrupted. According to Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, which maintains offices serving the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse areas, testing for HIV has decreased dramatically since the local onset of the pandemic. The agency facilitated 4,644 tests from Mar. 1, 2019 through Oct. 1, 2019. During the same period in 2020, the number of tests plummeted to only 2,403. That is 51% fewer tests. The reasons vary behind why testing has declined so dramatically. “I think that is directly related to our patients not wanting to come
in,” said Amy Hsi, nurse practitioner for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse. “In general, it’s because of the risk of COVID and having to adjust for safety reasons.” The healthcare industry underscored the seriousness of COVID-19 by suspending non-emergency services for weeks during the pandemic’s onset. Although on April 1, Planned Parenthood announced expansion of telehealth, testing for HIV through Planned Parenthood requires a physical presence. “Most healthcare providers are offering telehealth services so people can get care, but for HIV testing, you have to go somewhere,” Hsi said. “They need to come in or we could order it and they could go to a lab.” The agency does not provide home-based tests for patients to take or mail to a lab. Home tests are avail-
able at pharmacies such as CVS and Rite Aid for about $35 to $45. Oral tests offer accurate results in minutes; however, they are only accurate if the test is taken after three months of the exposure incident. For people who frequently engage in risky activity, waiting that long for test results can contribute to the spread of HIV. Although healthcare providers have opened back up for seeing more patients, the social distancing rules mean fewer patients can be admitted in offices at a time. That can hamper providers’ ability to offer services in a timely fashion. Hsi said that periodic surges in COVID-19 infection numbers continue to keep many wary patients away. She thinks that the pandemic may cause greater spread of HIV compared with previous years. At this point, it is difficult to tell. “If people really are self-quaran-
New CDC Apps Help Prevent HIV, STD Spread By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ant your patients to have the latest information on sexually transmitted disease (STD) resources? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has free widgets available to healthcare providers to aid their patients in finding what they need to prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs. A widget is an app-like tool that may be embedded on a website. Users of the website access the information in the widget by entering their information in it and clicking on it. The owner of the website does not have to perform any maintenance or updates. The maker of the widget (the CDC in this case) does that. It’s an easy way for providers to offer patients information that’s accurate and up-to-date.
The CDC’s STD widgets include ones that help patients find condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), STD testing sites and more resources that can help curb transmission of HIV and other STDs. The widgets may also be used on the CDC site, www.cdc.gov. Physician LeKeyah Wilson, who specializes in adolescent medicine and pediatrics for Rochester General Pediatric Associates, tried one of the CDC’s widgets. “I put in ZIP codes and it gave me a few locations that provide care,” Wilson said. “This is a good tool. Adolescents are tech savvy and are looking online for information. I think getting PrEP, testing and condoms would be helpful.” Wilson said that the widgets
appeal to adolescents because they like to advocate for themselves and what they need for good health, “especially when starting to go on their own and they’re not going with a parent,” Wilson added. “As a provider, it would be helpful to add to a website.” These sentiments were echoed by Debora McDell-Hernandez, senior director of public and community affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, which serves Rochester, Buffalo and Central New York. “I think as long as it is well promoted and people are aware of it, it would be great,” she said. “I think anytime you can develop an accurate app to assist people with any type of healthcare, it’s a plus. The CDC is a name everyone can trust.”
Topical Treatment for Head Lice Approved for OTC Use
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klice (ivermectin) lotion for treating head lice was approved for overthe-counter (OTC) use in a process known as prescription-to-OTC switch, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in November. Sklice 0.5% was first approved in February 2012 for prescription use in the treatment of head lice infestation in patients aged 6 months and older. The OTC use of the single-use lotion with 0.5% ivermectin as the active ingredient, is approved for topical use in the same patient population. It should only be used on the scalp and dry Page 16
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hair, according to label directions. The lotion will no longer be available as a prescription treatment. For prescription-to-OTC switches to be approved, the manufacturer needs to provide data that show “that the drug is safe and effective when used as directed in the proposed labeling. The manufacturer must show that consumers can understand how to use the drug safely and effectively without the supervision of a health care professional,” the FDA notes. The approval was granted to Arbor Pharmaceuticals.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
tining and not getting out as much, they may not be doing at-risk activities,” Hsi said. “Then again, maybe people at home are having more unprotected sex without knowing their HIV status. If people can’t get condoms and PrEP, it puts them more risk.” Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily medication that can prevent people at high risk for HIV from contracting the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “In the United States, HIV is mainly spread by having sex or sharing syringes and other injection equipment with someone who is infected with HIV. Substance use can contribute to these risks indirectly because alcohol and other drugs can lower people’s inhibitions and make them less likely to use condoms.” The widgets come in a variety of designs, including with the CDC logo, stock photos and in Spanish. They may also be customized to the preference of providers embedding the widget on their site. McDell-Hernandez added that helping people access information has been challenging for some providers, especially when patients have limited access to the internet because their rural location lacks high speed internet or because they lack a laptop or tablet at home. Most people who do not own a laptop or tablet can access through their cell phones. “Not everyone necessarily knows about the information out there,” McDell-Hernandez said. “If you have a smartphone and access to Wi-Fi, you could use these apps, whether using for free from a church building or somewhere that you can pick it up.” To find CDC widgets, visit: www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/ on-demand-prep.html (scroll down)
Holiday Greetings
Sterling Silver Stethoscope Necklace by AOBOCO ($29.99) features simulated birthstone crystals set in sterling silver. It can be found on Amazon.com
Bath and body products, including Inis’ Sea Mineral Soap, available at Eleventh Hour Gifts, 1922 Monroe Ave., Rochester.
Great Gifts for Healthcare Providers By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
T
his season, thank a healthcare provider in your life with a thoughtful gift that demonstrates how much you appreciate their hard work.
Slippers
After a long day on their feet, any healthcare provider would appreciate comfortable footwear, like Isotoner Women’s Terry Slip-In Clog ($26, www.amazon.com, item: A96035ASH6). Featuring memory foam, and comfortable arch support, these plush slippers offer relief for painful feet. Available in a variety of colors and in sizes 6.5 through 10, the slippers are washable. Treat a male healthcare worker to RockDove Men’s Nomad Slipper with Memory Foam ($27.95, www. amazon.com, item: B07WKJQGY1). The sherpa fleece lined and covered slippers cradle feet in cozy comfort with memory foam and arch support. The sewn side seams ensure years of wear. Machine washable and available in a variety of colors.
Apparel
Know a healthcare worker who
enjoys a good dad pun? Give the “I Found This Humerus” T-shirt from Ann Arbor T-shirt Company ($15.95, www.amazon.com, item: B07JN78F3N). The silk-screened shirt is an original design and is sure to elicit a chuckle from medical personnel who enjoy wordplay. Pre-shrunk 90% cotton, 10% polyester jersey knit in gray, available in medium through 3x-large. Good Luck Sock Women’s and Women’s Medical Socks in Grey ($9.95, www.amazon.com, item: B07HFXV71G women’s; B07HFZG67Y men’s) feature a zany print of medical images, from lungs to stethoscopes to bandages. They fit adult shoe size 5 through 9 for women and 7 to 12 men, and are made from 85% cotton, 10% polyester and 5% spandex with a reinforced heel and toe and a low to mid-calf fit.
Accessories
Poke a little fun at doctor handwriting with the pouch inscribed, “A Wise Doctor Once Wrote” followed by an illegible scrawl. The zippered pouch ($11.99, www.amazon.com, item: B08K3GQDMH) may make
nurses chuckle too as they have struggled to make out their doctors’ handwriting. The bag is a good size for a travel cosmetic bag. Offer a classy gift with this Navy Blue Stripe Caduceus Necktie Tie ($34.95, www.amazon.com, item: B01F4EM2F2). In 100% finely woven silk, the tie features in small print the ubiquitous medical symbol, the caduceus in gold print, alternating with thin horizontal burgundy and gold stripes. The size is 3 7/8 inches wide by 56 inches long with a wrinkle-resistant lining. Stainless Steel Stethoscope Cufflinks add a classy touch for any man dressing up ($14.90, www.amazon. com, item: B0151R6FZA). Arriving pre-boxed, the cufflinks are 0.39 by 0.94 inches in size and made from 316L stainless steel. A subtle nod to her career choice, the Sterling Silver Stethoscope Necklace by AOBOCO ($29.99, www.amazon. com, item: B07SLN95V3) features simulated birthstone crystals set in sterling silver. The pendant is a stethoscope that forms a heart, showing the calling where her passion lies. The pendant hangs on an 18-inch
DePaul Seeking Volunteers for its Holiday Helper Program
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ePaul, a nonprofit health and human service agency based in Gates, is seeking the community’s support for its annual holiday helpers program. Individuals, businesses, schools and service and faith-based organizations can “adopt” clients from DePaul’s mental health residential programs who may not have family support during this meaningful time of year. Participants can select from items on a wish list or choose to donate generic gifts such as hats, gloves, personal care items or socks for adults. Past client wishes have
included items as simple as a piece of chocolate cake, boots or basic articles of clothing. If you are interested in adopting actual gifts from an individual’s holiday wish list, arrangements can be made to ship adopted wishes from online retailers to DePaul. If you wish to purchase gifts and personally deliver them, please know we are dedicated to safety and social distancing and are implementing procedures that support the socially-distanced delivery of donated gifts, which includes specific appointment times and a new location for drop off. Donations of gift cards and finanDecember 2020 •
cial contributions can also be made instead of purchasing gifts. For over 20 years, generous members of the community have made the season special for those less fortunate by taking part in DePaul’s holiday helpers program. DePaul serves some 5,000 people annually
chain. Let your doctor know that “The influence of a great doctor can never be erased” as stamped on this elegant Doctor Keychain ($13.89, www. amazon.com, item: B07V4CNVZV). The hand stamped sentiment is on a lead-free and nickel-free stainless steel keychain measuring 15 mm. by 17 mm. and comes in a velvet pouch for giving. Treat a physician to a Hippocratic Oath Scarf ($29.99, www.amazon. com, item: B08KHRD5WQ). Elegantly printed in black with the famous doctor’s oath of ethics on tan 100% polyester, the scarf measures a generous 13.27 inches by 9.65 inches and features a fringe on each end.
Bath & Body
Restore that chapped skin with Burt’s Bees Essentials Holiday Gift Set ($9.99, www.burtsbees.com, item: 792850909663), which includes a sampler variety of Burt’s Bees products. Or go for the Hand Repair Kit (12.99, item: 85099-00) to soothe those work-weary hands. Root Candles (Eleventh Hour Gifts (1922 Monroe Ave., Rochester, www. facebook.com/EleventhHourGifts) include scents for relaxation, revitalization, and energizing. Eleventh Hour also sells numerous decadent bath and body items such as Inis products. Why not stop in and put together a luxury gift basket? in programs that encompass mental health residential and support services, senior living residential services, addiction prevention and support programs, vocational programs and affordable housing. For more information about the holiday helpers program, please contact Amy Cavalier at 585-426-8000, ext. 3102 or via email at acavalier@ depaul.org. You can learn more about DePaul by liking our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/depaul.org or by visiting the DePaul website at www.depaul.org. Tax-deductible financial contributions can be made by check and mailed to “DePaul Holiday Helpers Program,” 1931 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624, or made online on DePaul’s website at www.depaul. org/donate/donation-form/
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Are the Benefits of Multivitamins All in Your Head?
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ultivitamins really are magic pills for your health, a new study contends — but just not the way you might think. The health ‘benefits’ of multivitamins might just all be a trick of the mind, researchers say. U.S. adults who regularly take multivitamins self-reported 30% better overall health than people who don’t use the supplements, results of a federally funded survey show. However, a comprehensive medical history — assessing dozens of physical and mental illnesses — revealed zero actual health differences between people who did or did not take multivitamins. “Users of multivitamins and nonusers don’t differ in any of these clinically measurable health outcomes, but they report at least feeling about 30% better in their overall health,” said lead researcher Manish Paranjpe, a student at Harvard Medical School in Boston. About one-third of Americans routinely take multivitamins in the belief that they contribute to good health, the researchers said in background notes. But prior studies have found little evidence to support any benefit from multivitamins for an array of health problems ranging from heart disease to cancer, Paranjpe said. To see whether they could establish any benefit from the supplements, the researchers analyzed data on more than 21,000 people collected as part of the 2012 U.S. National Health Interview Survey. Participants were asked about their use of complementary medical practices, which included taking vitamin supplements. Nearly 5,000 people said they
regularly took multivitamins, while more than 16,000 said they didn’t. Regular multivitamin users were significantly older and tended to have higher household incomes; they were also more likely to be women, college graduates, married and have health insurance. Participants were also asked about myriad health problems that might affect them. The researchers assessed them, based on their responses to survey questions about: • Their subjective assessment of their own health. • Their need for help with routine daily activities, which serve as a measure of disability. • Their history of 10 long-term health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and arthritis. • Their bouts with 19 common ailments over the past year, including infections, memory loss, neurological dysfunction and musculoskeletal problems. • Their degree of psychological distress, which could indicate problems with depression or anxiety. Multivitamin users tended to judge themselves more healthy than nonusers, but the nitty-gritty medical details revealed that they really weren’t, the study authors noted. The strong belief that multivitamins work might trick people into feeling healthier than they actually are, Paranjpe and his colleagues said. It also might be that folks who take multivitamins are “in general, or just naturally, more positive people,” Paranjpe suggested. Reacting to the findings, Andrea Wong, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the
Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry trade group, cited problems with the study’s design. The results “in no way discount the multivitamins’ many benefits in combating insufficient nutrient levels and promoting optimum health, nor does it provide basis for consumers to reconsider their decision to take a multivitamin or to take one in the future,” Wong said. Wong noted that the study was based on survey data that did not ask which specific multivitamins people were taking or how often or how long they’d been taking them. As such, it can’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship and leaves many questions unanswered. The primary role of a multivitamin is to fill nutritional gaps and make sure people get their daily allowance of underconsumed nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E and K, calcium, magnesium, dietary fiber, choline and potassium, Wong said. “The conclusions of the study are a disservice to the public and should not influence consumers’ decision to take a multivitamin or other dietary
Calorie Count: Eating Early Doesn’t Boost Weight Loss
I
f you’re overweight, eating most of your calories early in the day won’t boost the benefit of a healthy diet, new research suggests. In a 12-week study, 41 people ate the same healthy diet, but one group ate 80% of their calories before 1 p.m. and the other group ate 50% of their calories after 5 p.m. All participants consumed the same prepared, healthy meals. Weight and blood pressure were measured at the beginning of the study, and again at four, eight and 12 weeks. The analysis found that people in both groups lost weight and had decreased blood pressure, regardless of when they ate. “We have wondered for a long time if when one eats during the day affects the way the body uses and stores energy,” said researcher physician Nisa Maruthur. She’s an associate professor of medicine, epidemiology and nursing at Johns Hopkins Page 18
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University in Baltimore. “Most prior studies have not controlled the number of calories, so it wasn’t clear if people who ate earlier just ate fewer calories. In this study, the only thing we changed was the time of day of eating,” Maruthur explained. The findings were presentated in November at the American Heart Association›s (AHA) virtual annual meeting. Research presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. “We thought that the time-restricted group would lose more weight,” Maruthur said in an AHA news release. “Yet, that didn’t happen. We did not see any difference in weight loss for those who ate most of their calories earlier versus later in the day. We did not see any effects on blood pressure either.”
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
supplement product,” Wong said. Paranjpe said these results shouldn’t be interpreted to say that all supplements are a waste of money. “There are certainly legitimate uses of vitamin supplements,” he said. “For example, during pregnancy folic acid is commonly prescribed to prevent neural tube defects in the child.” But, Paranjpe added, for the general population who have no specific condition that would require a multivitamin or specific vitamin supplement, “we really have no evidence to suggest that taking a daily multivitamin helps in any way.” The real concern is that people are wasting money on multivitamins that would better benefit their health if spent elsewhere, Paranjpe said. “We believe that money could be better spent on things that we do know have a positive health benefit, such as eating a healthy diet,” exercising or socializing, he said. The findings were published online Nov. 9 in the journal BMJ Open.
Do yo have Doglaucom you have or Do you glaucoma have high ey or glaucoma pressur high eye
By Jim Miller
How Seniors can Save Money on Prescription Eyeglasses Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend for finding affordable prescription eyeglasses? I used to have vision insurance through my work but lost it when I turned 65 and signed up for Medicare.
Need Spectacles Dear Need, Unfortunately, in 2020 it’s still true that original Medicare does not cover vision services, which includes routine eye exams and prescription eyeglasses — unless you’ve just had cataract surgery. While there’s no one solution to this common need, here are a few tips that can help you save.
Medicare Advantage While original Medicare doesn’t cover vision services, there are Medicare Advantage plans that do. Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold through private insurance companies, cover all the same medical and hospital services that original Medicare does, but many of them also provide vision as well as dental, hearing and prescription drugs too. To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 800-633-4227. But before enrolling in a plan, check the benefit details to ensure the plan’s vision coverage includes routine eye exams, eyeglass frames and lenses. If you are currently enrolled in original Medicare you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan each year during the open enrollment period, which is between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Or, if you already have an Advantage plan that doesn’t provide adequate vision coverage, you can swap to another plan between Jan. 1 and March 31. If, however, you don’t want to change your Medicare plan, you can still get coverage by purchasing a vision insurance policy — see eHealthInsurance.com. Vision policies typically start at around $11 to $13 per month for an individual, but before signing up make sure your savings potential is worth the cost of the monthly premiums and required copays.
Discount Stores Purchasing eyeglasses from discount retailers is another way to save. Costco Optical is one of the best discount stores for good eyewear and low prices. Eyeglasses cost an average of around $184, but to shop there you have to pay a $60 annual
membership fee. Some other good retail options for low prices include Sam’s Club Optical and Walmart Vision Centers. You also need to find out if you are eligible for any discounts. Some retailers provide discounts to membership groups like AARP and AAA. AARP members, for example, can get 30% off a pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at LensCrafters and Glasses. com, and you save an additional $10 on a complete pair at Target Optical. AARP also offers $55 comprehensive eye exams (dilation included) at participating eye doctors. See AARPVisionDiscounts.com for more information.
Buy Online Buying eyeglasses online can also offer huge savings. Stores like ZenniOptical.com, and EyeBuyDirect. com sell prescription eyeglasses for as little as $6 and $7. These sites let you upload a photo of your face, so you can see what you’d look like in different frames. Or, for a snappier choice of frames see WarbyParker.com, which offers single-vision glasses starting at $95. They even offer a free program where you can request up to five pairs to try on at home for five days. To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (typically no more than a year old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the centers of your pupils in each eye.
Low-Income Assistance If your income is low, depending on where you live, there may be some local clinics that provide free or discounted eye exams and eyeglasses. Put in a call to your local Lions Club to see what’s available in your area. See Directory.LionsClubs.org for contact information. You may also be able to get free eyeglasses through New Eyes (NewEyes.org, 973-376-4903), a nonprofit organization that provides free eyeglasses through a voucher program to people in financial need.
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Do you have Dry Eye Disease? We are enrolling volunteers for a clinical research study evaluating the safety and efficacy of a New Artificial Tear Formulation compared to Systane Ultra for individuals with Dry Eye Disease. Please speak to your doctor to be provided with more information.
For more information, Qualified subjectssubjects must: For more information, Qualified must: please contact: · Be 18 older please contact: • orBe 18 or older Paul Hartman, MD
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. December 2020 •
find out if you qualify.
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Those who qualify will receive study-related Those who qualify will receive exams, evaluations and study drug at no cost.
study-related exams, evaluations and study drug at no cost.
Version 2.0—Jan2020
Version 2.0–Jan2020
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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Ask St. Ann’s
Ask The Social
By Christine Walsh
Security Office
From the Social Security District Office
Sign up for Medicare Part B Online
F
Nourish Your Body During the Holidays
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fter a year like 2020, the holidays should be a time to celebrate our strength, courage and perseverance. Although attending holiday parties and gatherings may be off the table, there’s no reason to deny yourself the festive foods and treats that are central to the season. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no such thing as good or bad food. All foods provide the calories — or energy — your body needs to survive and function well. The nutritionists at St. Ann’s Community offer the following tips to help keep your nutrition in check as you savor the aroma and flavors of the season. • Shift your mindset. A simple change in your attitude can help you maintain healthy eating habits and manage your weight. Instead of saying, “I can’t have that,” say, “I choose not to have that.” Making healthy decisions while standing in your power can help to prevent disappointment and resentment. Enjoy your selections by savoring each bite before taking another. • Choose calories wisely. Indulgent drinks like eggnog and alcohol contain many calories that taste good going down, but they won’t satisfy your hunger. Instead, opt for low-calorie beverages such as water, black coffee, tea, unsweetened iced tea and diet sodas. By saving calories on drinks, you can afford to eat foods you enjoy without paying as great a price. • Enjoy everything — in moderation. Any treat can fit into a healthy lifestyle — even eggnog! Just choose a small glass and pour a 4 oz. sample. When you find the cookie tray, choose one or two cookies instead of filling a plate. As you take a sip or a bite, be mindful of how you feel. Are you delighted? Sometimes a sample is all you need to satisfy a craving. • Include exercise on the menu. Page 20
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The best recipe for optimal health at any age includes staying physically active, even in the cold winter months. Some safe indoor options for seniors include resistance bands and dumbbell workouts, chair yoga or Pilates, water aerobics, and walking. If you walk outside, choose a well-lit area clear of snow and ice. Whichever activities you choose, make sure you wear appropriate apparel and footwear. • Get your vitamin D. While eating a well-balanced diet provides most of the nutrients you need, the winter months make it harder to get enough vitamin D to support immunity and to absorb minerals, such as calcium. To boost your vitamin D levels naturally, soak up 10 to 30 minutes of sunlight, several times per week. Add milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese, fatty fish, such as salmon, and fortified cereals to your menu. Vitamin D supplements are another option but talk with your doctor beforehand to avoid any potential problems or drug interactions. So, warm your heart and lift your spirits this holiday with the seasonal foods you enjoy. The fond memories of happy times with friends and family they elicit will go a long way to helping you stay healthy, upbeat, and hopeful throughout the winter months to come. Christine Walsh, a registered dietitian, is the nutrition services manager at St. Ann’s Community. Contact her at cwalsh@mystanns. com or visit www. stannscommunity. com.
or many people, signing up for Medicare Part B doesn’t require you to leave the comfort of home. Please visit our Medicare Part B webpage at secure.ssa.gov/acu/ ophandler/loginSuccess if: • You’re enrolled in Medicare Part A. • You would like to enroll in Part B during the special enrollment period. You can complete form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare — Part B [Medical Insurance]) at www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMSForms/CMS-Forms/CMS-FormsItems/CMS017339 and CMS-L564 at www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMSForms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/ CMS-L564E.pdf (Request for Employment Information) online. You can also fax the CMS-40B and CMS-L564 to 1-833-914-2016; or return forms by mail to your local Social Security office. Please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) if you have any questions.
Q&A Q: How do I earn Social Security credits and how many do I need to qualify for benefits? A: We use your total yearly earnings to figure your Social Security credits. The amount needed for a credit in 2021 is $1,470. You can earn a maximum of four credits for any year. The amount needed to earn one credit usually increases each year when average wages increase. You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit application. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. You can read more about credits in How You Earn Credits at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. Q: I’m trying to figure out the best time to retire based on my future earnings. How can I calculate my own retirement benefit estimate? A: We suggest you use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Our Retirement Estimator produces estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record, so it’s a personalized, instant picture of your future estimat-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
Note: When completing the forms: • State, “I want Part B coverage to begin (MM/YY)” in the remarks section of the CMS-40B form or online application. • If your employer is unable to complete Section B, please complete that portion as best you can on behalf of your employer without your employer’s signature. Submit one of the following types of secondary evidence by uploading it from a saved document on your computer: • Income tax returns that show health insurance premiums paid. • W-2s reflecting pre-tax medical contributions. • Pay stubs that reflect health insurance premium deductions. • Health insurance cards with a policy effective date. • Explanations of benefits paid by the GHP or LGHP. • Statements or receipts that reflect payment of health insurance premiums. Please let your friends and loved ones know about this online, mail, or fax option.
ed benefit. Also, you can use it to test different retirement scenarios based on what age you decide to start benefits. For example, you can find out your estimated monthly payments if you retire at age 62, 70, or any age in between. Try it out now at www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Q: How do I terminate my Medicare Part B (medical insurance)? A: You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (medical insurance). Because this is a serious decision that could have negative ramifications for you in the future, you’ll need to have a personal interview with a Social Security representative first. The representative will help you complete Form CMS 1763. This form isn’t available online. To schedule your interview, call us at 1-800-7721213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or contact your nearest Social Security office. For more information, go to www.medicare.gov. Q: I want to sign up for a Medicare Part C and D plan, but I’m not sure which plan I want. Is there a resource to help me find a plan? A: Yes. Medicare.gov has an online plan finder and instructions available on how to use this tool. To access the Medicare Plan Finder, please visit www.medicare.gov/finda-plan/questions/home.aspx.
Vision Loss? Experiencing Experiencing Special Vision Loss? Vision Loss? Glasses Special Can Help.
Glasses Macular Degeneration Can Help. Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Degeneration Stargardt’s Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Stroke Stargardt’s Disease Stroke
Seniors Still Wary of Doctor’s Offices By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ocial distancing may curtail the spread of COVID-19, but it brings its own drawbacks, one of which is the hesitancy of many seniors in seeking care from their providers for ongoing conditions. Considering the higher risk seniors have of contracting COVID-19, some concern is warranted — and that is the take away message that has made a deep impression on many older adults who have chosen to stay home as much as possible during the pandemic. Physician Kim Petrone, medical director of St. Ann’s Community, believes that some older adults “still feel nervous about going out and contracting the virus in a doctor’s office,” she said. Though initially providers wanted to delay non-urgent care, COVID-19 is now better understood, infection rates are down in Upstate New York and providers know how to reduce the risk of transmission. “Any healthcare professional knows how it’s transmitted and how to protect you well,” Petrone said. “Those areas at the doctor’s office will be disinfected and the staff will be abreast at masking and cleaning.” News stories with dramatic accounts of sickened seniors and climbing infection and death rates may make staying home the better idea until the pandemic goes away. However, Petrone tells older adults to not further delay their doctor’s visits. “I don’t know that within a reasonable time frame the risk will be better,” Petrone said. “The problem is that with delaying [seeking care], there’s no one who could tell you definitively when the risk for your health condition will increase so you can make an informed decision.
You’re indefinitely delaying healthcare — that doesn’t serve you well.” Timothy Holahan is an osteopathic doctor and assistant professor of medicine specializing in geriatrics and palliative care at University of Rochester Medical Center. He is also medical director of The Hurlbut, Penfield Place and Woodside Manor. “There is a little apprehension which I think is normal, but we’ve definitely opened up,” Holahan said. During the height of the quarantine, most providers began offering telemedicine to resolve as many routine cases as possible. “We still try to take advantage of telemedicine as much as possible to limit exposure,” Holahan said. “We have started to do our basic health maintenance things now. They’re now clinically indicated.” Things such as podiatry, optometry and dental care may be safely delayed for a short time for most patients; however, Holahan said that it is important to take care of these healthcare needs now, before a problem develops. To reassure older adults concerned about COVID-19, he said that the community prevalence makes a difference. “In Rochester, we have a low prevalence, which means it is safer,” Holahan said. “We have to revisit this if those numbers change.” The protocols at doctor’s offices also matter. Holahan said that as long as proper cleaning procedures and protective gear are used, it’s safe to continue doctor’s visits. He especially encourages older adults to seek their flu vaccination and other care “before flu season gets worse and it gets really cold out,” Holahan said. “It is clinically necessary. You can only put it off so long.” December 2020 •
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Teens Who Vape Are at Greater Risk for COVID-19
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oung people who vaped were five to seven times more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than those who did not use e-ciga-
rettes, according to a study of young people who were tested for the virus published in The Journal of Adolescent Health in August 2020. Authors
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Serving Monroe and Ontario Counties A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. Distribution: 33,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high-traffic locations. In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2020 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Christine Walsh, Mike Costanza • Advertising: Anne Westcott, Linda Covington Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Manager: Nancy Nitz No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.
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of the study attribute the increased risk to the negative impact on the lungs from vaping. “The U.S. Surgeon General said youth vaping is at epidemic levels, and we agree,” said physician Gregory Carnevale, vice president medical affairs, Medicare and retail markets for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. In 2020, 3.6 million young people in U.S. currently use e-cigarettes, according to a study conducted earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection. That includes approximately one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students. “Many young people believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than other tobacco products, but they’re wrong,” said Carnevale. E-cigarettes can contain dangerous ingredients such as cancer-causing chemicals, chemicals linked to lung disease, heavy metals, ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and high levels of nicotine. JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette popular among young people. One study showed that 63% of JUUL users between 15-24 years old didn’t know the product contains nicotine. “It is unsafe for young people to use any product containing nicotine because it is addictive and can harm the developing brain, affecting memory and attention,” said Carnevale. “Some e-cigarette cartridges have a higher concentration of nicotine than an entire pack of cigarettes.” Research shows that e-cigarette
COVID-19: Excellus Provides Funding to Domestic Violence Prevention Groups
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xcellus BlueCross Blue Shield is providing $50,000 in financial support to domestic violence prevention organizations across Upstate New York as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Rochester area funding will be provided to RESOLVE of Greater Rochester and Willow Domestic Violence Center. The health plan has committed to spending more than $162 million to help its members and communities fight the pandemic. “With the numbers of people that continue to get sick, the growing unemployment rate, and an increase in anxiety and financial stress, this pandemic has created the perfect storm for an exacerbated domestic violence crisis,” said physician Sudha Bakshi, Excellus BCBS medical director. “Helping to put an end to domestic violence and removing barriers for those in need is our main objective with this funding.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced violence from a partner in their lifetime — and the risks to victims are severe. Victims of domestic violence face more social isolation
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
use by young people can have other health impacts, including chronic cough, chronic bronchitis and wheezing, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and an increased likelihood of smoking traditional cigarettes. “This new study linking vaping to susceptibility for COVID-19 should be a wake-up call for parents and others to intervene,” said Carnevale. “’The Vape Talk’ is an important one for parents to have with their kids,” said Jennifer Sullivan, manager of health promotions for the American Lung Association and Director of the Asthma Coalition of Erie, Monroe & Niagara Counties. “By having an honest and informed discussion you can help keep your child from beginning a lifelong addiction to nicotine and all the health risks that come with using tobacco products.” Resources to help someone quit vaping include their own doctor, the American Lung Association at www. lung.org, the NYS Smoker’s Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-6978487), www.SmokeFree.gov, and the website The Truth Initiative at www. truthinitiative.org. Excellus BCBS’s educational infographic, “E-Cigarettes: What You Need to Know About Vaping” is available for free download at https://news.excellusbcbs.com then type : “e-cigarettes inforgraphic” in the search menu.
in general, even when there isn’t a widespread pandemic. Abusers have more tactics at their disposal when victims can’t easily get away from home. With the multitude of entities closed to the public it is important for those in high risk situations to know that courts, many domestic violence organizations, phone hotlines, and shelters are available to help. Domestic violence organizations are also working to develop new strategies to support victims during the coronavirus pandemic, by offering hotline services through online chats or texting, in case victims cannot call with an abuser at home. The domestic violence prevention organizations receiving funding from Excellus BCBS comprise the following organization: • RESOLVE of Greater Rochester, Rochester, https://resolve-roc. org • Willow Domestic Violence Center, Rochester, https://willowcenterny.org • Family Justice Center, Buffalo, www.fjcsafe.org • Pinnacle Community Services, Niagara Falls, www.pinnaclecs.org • RISE, Endicott, http://rise-ny. org • Vera House, Syracuse, www. verahouse.org • YWCA Mohawk Valley, Utica, www.ywcamv.org For the latest information on the health plan’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, members, providers and employers are encouraged to visit www.chooseexcellus.com/ covid19.
the agency provide? A. We do home infusions, which are intravenous therapies. People who would otherwise have to go to clinics for chemotherapy, or whatever their medical condition is, we bring those services to their homes. In addition, social workers help people who might need assistance with some of the issues that impact their ability to recover. It might be financial, insurance issues—those kinds of things. Q. What is your health home program? A. It’s for people who have chronic issues around mental health or substance abuse, who often are low-income and kind of living on the margins of life. We help with such social determinants as housing, transportation and food support so they can take care of their health needs. It’s very similar to intensive care management. Over 50% of our care managers are Spanish bilingual. We do a lot of work with the Latino population and the Hispanic population in our community, who often tend to be left out because they have a language barrier.
Q A &
with Jane Shukitis
CEO discusses the scope of services provided by her agency, of UR Medicine Home Care, including end-of-life services, home care, Meals on Wheels and coaching low-income moms-to-be By Mike Costanza
U
R Medicine Home Care provides a host of services, from helping surgical patients recover at home to comforting those in their last weeks of life. The 750 nurses, home health aides, social workers and other employees on its payroll work with patients who live as far as Yates and Seneca counties. President and CEO Jane Shukitis spoke to In Good Health about UR Medicine Home Care, the benefits it provides and the kinds of people who turn to it for health care. Q. UR Medicine Home Care has been around in some form for quite a while. How far back can we trace its roots? A. We began during the 1919 pandemic as the Public Health Nurses Association. For 101 years, we’ve had the same core mission of providing outstanding care to people in their homes. We currently have a very broad range of programs that we provide to support people in their
homes. Q. The largest of your programs, the certified home care agency, tends to the needs of about 12,000 patients each year. What kinds of patients does it serve? A. The patients are mostly coming out of the hospital, and need post-acute interventions in their homes to help them recover and get back fully to their baseline of health. Our services include nursing care, oftentimes for things like wound, post heart-attack or post-surgical care, or managing their diabetes. All the therapies — physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy — are also provided to get people fully ambulatory and functional again. We also have certified home health aides who can provide a couple hours a few times a week to help people with their daily activities of life, things like bathing and dressing.
Q. You also offer the nurse-family partnership program. Could you tell me about that? A. A nurse is partnered with a first-time, low-income mom to coach and support her throughout her pregnancy, and up until the child is 2 years old. The positive outcomes for this program are in improved health for the infant, as well as education and job improvement for the mom. These children grow up at a much greater rate of high school graduation because they get a healthy, supportive start at life. UR Medicine Home Care provides the nursing staff, in partnership with Monroe County. Q. About 2,000 people in Monroe, Ontario and Yates counties turn to your hospice program each year. What kind of care does it provide? A. Hospice is a holistic program that supports people at the end of life and their families. It’s about living with quality until the end. It’s not about dying. We try to help people have the best quality of life for their final days, and keep them out of pain, making sure that their pain is managed. The program includes medical physician oversight and nursing. It also includes social work support for helping people with their end-of-life needs and getting their affairs in order, as needed. There’s spiritual support with chaplains if people want it. Our length of stay is typically only a month or four to five weeks. Q. How extensive is your Meals on Wheels program? A. We’re delivering over 1,400 meals every day to people of our community who have food and nutrition challenges because of being elderly or homebound. Beyond offering meals, it also provides a friendly check-in every day to make sure the person is OK. For many people, the volunteer is the only person they see all day. The program only serves Monroe County. For more information on UR Medicine Home Care and its services, go to: www. urmc.rochester.edu/home-care.aspx
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Q. What other kinds of services does December 2020 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper
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H ealth News St. Ann’s virtual event raises over $200K for residents St. Ann’s Community held its signature fundraising event, FOOD FIGHT — An Epic Culinary Competition, Oct. 16 at the Genesee Valley Club and on TV and computer screens across the country. Held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Ann’s signature event featured four local chefs competing in a 30-minute challenge to create an entrée from mystery ingredients. Chef Taylor Wilde, Sous Chef at Good Luck, took home this year’s trophy by creating a winning dish of curry-rubbed pork chops with apple and spiced couscous. As things heated up in the kitchen, audience members, including residents of St. Ann’s Community, joined the fun from their homes. Some, like Rachel Bandych, held virtual dinner parties via Zoom as they watched the action. “I’ve always wanted my sister to attend FOOD FIGHT but she lives in California, so the virtual event allowed her to join us for the first time,” says Bandych, a member of St. Ann’s Foundation board. Rachel’s sister, Sarah Epstein, calls it the “silver lining” of an otherwise difficult year. “The virtual nature was part of the fun,” says Epstein. “We decided to dress up as if we were going out but only from the waist up, with pajamas on the bottom.” The event raised over $213,000 for St. Ann’s Community residents this year. Proceeds from FOOD FIGHT support quality of life initiatives for St. Ann’s elders. St. Ann’s Community thanks their sponsors, volunteers, guests, and all of the local businesses who joined with their corporate support.
Yates County participates in opioid study Yates County is participating in the HEALing Communities Research Study with the goal of reducing opioid deaths by 40% over four years. Yates County is one of 67 communities in four states that were selected to take part in this ground-breaking $350 million study. Columbia University was awarded $86 million to lead the research effort among the 16 participating communities in New York where 3,224 people died in 2017 of overdoses involving opioids. Communities were selected at random with a focus on rural communities, to test evidence-based practices and reduce the stigma of opioid use disorder and treatment. The HEALing Communities Study is not only a large effort to find scientific solutions to stop opioid overdoses, but also a study on how communities and grassroots organizations are vital in the fight to combat opioid deaths. The Yates County Healing Communities Study is a collaborative partnership with The Yates County Page 24
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Department of Community Services, The National Institute of Health (NIH) Columbia University, Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Referral Agency (FLACRA) and numerous area services providers. Part of the National Institute of Health’s HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, the HEALing Communities Study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For more information on the study and its participants, visit the https://heal. nih.gov — type heal initiative in the search box.
Cindy Lovetro named new CNO at St. Ann’s Cindy Lovetro has been appointed as new chief nursing officer at St. Ann’s Community n Rochester. Lovetro is a registered nurse and licensed nursing home administrator. She earned her Master of Science in Management Lovetro and Bachelor of Science in Nursing both from Nazareth College. She comes to St. Ann’s Community with 39 years of experience in nursing and leadership, including many years of prior experience at several senior living organizations. Lovetro is active in the Rochester community and serves on the board of directors for Lifespan, the LeadingAge NY Nursing Facility Cabinet, and is a member of several local, state and national nursing associations. As a member of the leadership team, she will be responsible for overseeing the nursing department’s day-to-day operations. She will be tasked with building and maintaining a high-performing team that seeks to ensure the care delivery model drives exceptional outcomes. St. Ann’s Community is the seventh largest nonprofit senior living provider in New York state and Rochester’s leading senior housing and health services continuum. With campuses in Irondequoit, Webster and LeRoy, St. Ann’s offers a complete range of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, transitional care/rehab, hospice/palliative care, and adult day programs.
Friendly Home named ‘Best Nursing Home’ The Friendly Home in Brighton recently announced it has been ranked as a Best Nursing Home 20202021 by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking places the Friendly Home in the elite 21% of skilled nursing facilities in the country to achieve the coveted rating of “high performing,” the highest possible rating, for
URMC’s Department of Medicine Has New Leader Physician Ruth O’Regan, chief of hematology, medical oncology and palliative care at the University of Wisconsin, has been named the next Charles A. Dewey professor and chairwoman of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center School of Medicine and Dentistry. O’Regan brings more than 20 years of experience in academic medicine and a distinguished history of research and publication to her new role, which she will begin Jan. 1, 2021. “Dr. O’Regan’s career to date is a testament to excellence, and we’re both pleased and fortunate that she will be joining URMC,” said physician Mark Taubman, URMC’s chief executive officer. “Not only is she an engaging, upbeat leader with a history of innovation, she has a bold vision for our department of medicine, and a strong track record as a clinician, mentor and outstanding investigator in breast cancer. We’ll be able to rely on her wide-ranging expertise to help us to grow our program locally and enhance its national reputation, building on the strong foundations that already exist.” O’Regan succeeds physician Paul Levy, who is stepping down after a transformative decade as chairman. Medicine has nearly 500 faculty across 14 divisions, making it URMC’s largest clinical and academic department. “Dr. O’Regan rose to the top in a highly competitive search that drew a broad range of strong candidates from across the nation,” said physician Michael Rotondo, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group. “Her expertise will guide our department of medicine into a successful future across its patient care, research and educational missions. And her background as a distinguished hematologist and oncologist will open the way for important synergies as the Wilmot Cancer Institute continues to pursue National Cancer Institute designation.” O’Regan has held her current position at the University of Wisconsin since 2015. She is also an endowed professor of hematology/oncology, deputy director of the University’s
Carbone Cancer Center, chief scientific officer of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium and vice chairwoman of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Board of Directors. A native of Galway, Ireland, O’Regan grew up in Dublin. She earned her medical degree at University College, Dublin, in 1988, and completed a residency in internal medicine at Mater Hospital, Dublin. She moved to the United States for subsequent residencies at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Northwestern University and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Northwestern. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin, she was a professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she was the Louisa and Rand Glenn Family chairwoman in breast cancer research and led the translational breast cancer research program. She also served as medical director of the Emory Breast Center (now the Glenn Family Breast Center), as chief of hematology and medical oncology at the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital and as director of the hematology/oncology fellowship program. “I’m excited and honored to be joining the University of Rochester at this important time,” O’Regan said of her appointment. “URMC’s department of medicine has a solid research program, a strong commitment to education and an impressive clinical enterprise. Everyone I’ve met is highly invested in the success of the department and the university as a whole. In addition, I find URMC’s community outreach efforts especially compelling. One of my passions is working with patients from traditionally underserved urban and rural populations, and I look forward to continuing that work in Rochester.” O’Regan’s research centers on developing novel therapeutic approaches for treatment-resistant breast cancers, with a focus on triple negative and endocrine-resistant metastatic breast cancers, areas in which she is a nationally known thought leader. O’Regan’s work has been supported with funding from the NCI, foundations and industry. She has written more than 100 peer-reviewed publications that have appeared in leading oncology, radiology, molecular biology, surgery and pathology journals. She currently serves as editor-in-chief of Clinical Breast Cancer and as Breast Section Editor for Cancer.
long-term care. Rankings were based on quality measures focused on staffing, outcomes and processes of care. U.S. News evaluated more than 15,000 facilities throughout the country. Of those, 907 nursing homes received “best nursing home “designation for long-term care. Only four are located in the greater Rochester area. The Friendly Home is the only
nursing home in Monroe County to be named a best nursing home in 2020-2021 by both U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. “Every Friendly Home employee deserves to be congratulated on achieving this prestigious recognition,” says Glen Cooper, president and CEO of Friendly Senior Living. “It reflects their dedication, commit-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • December 2020
H ealth News ment and hard work — every day. I am grateful and honored to work among such an amazing group of healthcare heroes.” The Friendly Home has placed on the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Nursing Homes every year since 2016.
New CEO at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center As Rochester Hearing and Speech Center approaches 100 years serving the greater Rochester community, it recently appointed Bob Russell as its new president and chief executive officer. Russell began his work with RHSC Oct. 12 and will work alongside the departing CEO Mary Balme through the end of the year, when she retires. “Bob has a great deal of experience as a leader in the nonprofit sector. The search committee and board of directors voted for him unanimously. We are excited to have Bob as the next leader of our team,” said board chairman, Dave Pitcher. Prior to joining RHSC, Russell was the executive director for the Upstate New York region of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), where he oversaw the region of Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany. Prior to joining the ADA, he served as the CEO of Gilda’s Club Rochester, a cancer support agency. He also served as the executive director of The Little Theater Film Society, and was the director of marketing for Geva Theatre Russell Center. Before coming to the nonprofit sector, Russell spent 16 years as an executive in the professional sports industry with the Buffalo Sabres, Rochester Americans, and Rochester Rhinos. Throughout his career, Russell has led organizations that were honored with the “Organization of the Year” award, including Rochester Rhinos Soccer Club, The Little Theater Film Society and Gilda’s Club Rochester. “The common thread that has tied together these experiences has been the commitment to excellence that I have shared in leading these organizations for the people that they served,” Russell said. My commitment to the clients, staff, partners and friends of RHSC will be no different. I am excited to take RHSC into its next 100 years of serving the Rochester community.”
HRSA awards $1.2 Million to train NPs at Highland A $1.2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, will help expand the nurse practitioner (NP) residency program that is integrated into the University of Rochester/Highland Hospital family medicine residency program. Funding of $400,000 each year for three years will be used to expand the NP residency program from two residents per year to four residents per year, with a rural medicine component. The Highland Family Medicine (HFM) nurse practitioner residency program was developed in collaboration with the University of Rochester School of Nursing. It is the first program of its kind in New York state. “We are very excited about this opportunity to expand our program and help provide more health care in rural communities,” said Kristin E. Smith, HFM director. Created in 2016, the program is accredited by the National Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Consortium (NNPRFTC). The HFM clinic is the third oldest physician residency program in the country, internationally recognized for leadership and innovation in the integration of behavioral health into primary care practice. These qualities were brought into the NP residency program at its inception in 2016, where residents from all disciplines train together to create an inter-professional collaborative learning environment. Founded in 1889, Highland Hospital has a history of innovative and personalized care. The hospital is a regional leader in specialties such as bariatric surgery, joint replacement, geriatric care, gynecologic oncology, prostate cancer treatment, women’s health services, and maternity. An affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the 261-bed organization and its 2,700 employees are committed to providing patient- and family-centered care.
HCR Home Care promotes two directors HCR Home Care, a leading provider of home health care services across New York state, recently announced the promotions of two company directors. Jason Berl has been promoted to reBerl gional director of the Finger Lakes Certified Home Health Agency, having previously served as director of therapy, Finger Lakes region. An 11-year HCR employee, Berl now is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating HCR’s patient Northruo December 2020 •
Rochester General named one of America’s 100 hospitals
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ochester General Hospital is one of 100 Best Hospitals for critical care (eighth consecutive year), stroke care (fifth consecutive year), gastrointestinal care (third consecutive year), and general surgery (second consecutive year), according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions using Medicare data, and outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 16 states. The hospitals that have achieved the Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals have demonstrated exceptional quality of care. From 2017-2019, patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for: • Critical care: on average, a 29.9% lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award. • Stroke care: on average, a 39.1% lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award.. • Gastrointestinal care: on average, a 30.2% lower risk of experiencing a complication or dying while in the hospital than if they
services at the regional level. He also works with clinical management to assure high quality outcomes, patient and staff satisfaction and attainment of revenue goals. A resident of Penfield, Berl holds a master’s degree in physical therapy. Jessica Northrup has been promoted to regional director of the Finger Lakes Licensed Home Care Services Agency. Formerly director of nursing, Northrup manages the Finger Lakes region LHSCA staff, directs case managers to decrease hospitalization rates and maintain or increase home independence of clients by offering direct care, and assistance with establishing appropriate community resources. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Brockport and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Northrup resides in Spencerport.
UR School of Nursing gets HEED Award For the fourth straight year, the UR School of Nursing was honored with the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The UR School of Nursing and the UR School of Medicine and Dentistry were among 46 health professions schools selected to receive the
were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award. • General surgery: on average, have a 28.6% lower risk of experiencing a complication or dying while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award. Rochester General Hospital’s other clinical achievements: • Named among the top 5% in the nation for cardiology services in 2021 • Five-star recipient for treatment of heart attack for 12 years in a row (2010-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of heart failure for eight years in a row (2014-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of pneumonia for nine years in a row (2013-2021). • Recipient of the Healthgrades Neurosciences Excellence Award for five years in a row (2017-2021). • Recipient of the Healthgrades Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award for two years in a row (20202021). • Recipient of the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award for seven years in a row (2015-2021). • Named among the top 5% in the nation for neurosciences for four years in a row (2018-2021). • Named among the top 5% in the nation for cranial neurosurgery in 2021. • Named among the top 5% in the nation for treatment of stroke for five years in a row (2017-2021). Submitted by Rochester General Hospital. only national honor recognizing U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, osteopathic and allied health schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The schools are being featured in the December 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. “Receiving the HEED Award is a gratifying acknowledgement of the School of Nursing’s decades of work fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Kathy Rideout, dean of the School of Nursing and vice president of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). “We’re proud of how much we have accomplished, but we also know there is much work still to do. We will continue to look inward with a critical eye, knowing that our vigilance and persistence is essential to continual growth.” The UR School of Nursing is one of only nine nursing schools to receive the award in 2020. Its academic programs attract scientists, clinicians, researchers, and future nurses of varying ages, backgrounds, and talents. Its most recent class of students in the Accele rate d Bach elor’s P ro gr am for Non-Nurses (ABPNN) includes students from across the U.S. and countries such as Nigeria, Mexico, Turkey, Jamaica, and Gha-
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H ealth News na. Thirty-five percent of the new ABPNN students are from groups underrepresented in nursing, and 25 percent are male, approximately three times higher than the percentage of men in the nursing workforce.
Each recipient of the Service Excellence Award is given points to be used on Thompson’s online shopping site and is featured in CEO presentations as well as on Thompson’s intranet site and in its internal newsletter.
Thompson Health honors four staff members
AHA recognizes Thompson for workplace health
looks at organizational best practices and aggregates employee health data to evaluate the overall quality and comprehensiveness of workplace health programs. Studies show that worksites with a culture of health with comprehensive, evidence-based policies and programs, and senior leadership support are more likely to have engaged employees and a healthier, more productive workforce.
The results of the American Heart Association 2020 Workplace Health Achievement Index were announced recently and for the third consecutive year, UR Medicine Thompson Health achieved national gold-level recognition for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace. Thompson is one of 776 organizations that completed the index assessment this year, evaluating the period of July 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Of the organizations that completed the index assessment, 35% received gold recognition, the highest percentage to date. The American Heart Association created the index with its CEO Roundtable, a leadership collaborative of more than 45 members from some of America’s largest companies who are committed to applying evidence-based approaches to improve their employees’ overall health. The index is a web-based scorecard that
Unity Hospital is among the top 10% in the nation for joint replacement, according to new research by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians, and health systems. Each year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions using Medicare data, and all-payer data from 16 states for bariatrics and appendectomy procedures. Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards recognize hospitals with superior performance in specific specialty lines and specialty focus areas. For example, from 2017-2019, patients treated at hospitals receiving the Joint Replacement Specialty Excellence Award have, on average, a 59.5% lower risk of experiencing
The Service Excellence Team (SET) at UR Medicine Thompson Health recently announced the fourth-quarter recipients of the health system’s Service Excellence Awards. The four recipients are as follows: • Hope Breen of Rochester, resident assistant at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, • Amanda Buscemi of Rochester, sonographer in diagnostic imaging/ ultrasound, • Christy Jensen of Canandaigua, clinical services technologist in the lab, • Nick Sabia of Canandaigua, nuclear medicine technologist in diagnostic imaging. Created in 2014, the Service Excellence Award acknowledges Thompson associates who consistently deliver exceptional service. The SET selects award recipients quarterly, after reviewing system leaders’ submissions of compliments from patients, families and coworkers.
a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award. Similarly, patients treated at hospitals that did not receive the Joint Replacement Specialty Excellence Award were 2.47 times more likely to experience one or more complications in the hospital than if they were treated at hospitals that did receive the award. Unity Hospital was also recognized for the following clinical achievements: • Five-star recipient for treatment of heart failure for two years in a row (2020-2021). • Five-star recipient for total knee replacement for five years in a row (2017-2021). • Five-star recipient for total hip replacement for two years in a row (2020-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2021. • five-star recipient for colorectal surgeries for three years in a row (2019-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of bowel obstruction for two years in a row (2020-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of sepsis for four years in a row (2018-2021). • Five-star recipient for treatment of respiratory failure for three years in a row (2019-2021).
Unity Hospital recognized for joint replacement
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