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Johns Creek Herald | September 24, 2014
Sponsored Section
Milan Eye Center welcomes eye cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kiran Sajja Milan Eye Center is excited to announce the arrival of Dr. Kiran Sajja, a Board-Certified ophthalmologist specializing in functional and cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery. Dr. Sajja has a unique blend of experience, compassion and artistry that he shares with each and every patient. With
the addition of Dr. Sajja, Milan Eye Center will expand the unsurpassed level of care and services provided to the Atlanta community. Dr. Sajja cares for patients with a wide variety of conditions, including eyelid droopiness, eyelid bagginess, and tearing.
Eyelid ptosis or “eyelid droopiness” is most often related to stretching or detachment of the muscle used to open your eyes. Over time, this condition can interfere with your vision resulting in a decreased field of view or overall dimming of your vision. Common complaints often
Eye Drop Schedule. Changed. Forever. The surgeons at Milan Eye Center have taken another step towards the modernization of cataract surgery, with the launch of our new App - ‘Easy Drops’. ‘Easy Drops’ aims to simplify eye drop regimens, educate the patient and promote better outcomes through better compliance.
include needing more light to read, difficulty driving, and headaches. Eyelid ptosis is often associated with a tired or disinterested appearance. This condition can be corrected with a quick, minimally-invasive outpatient surgical procedure which is often covered by your medical insurance. Eyelid dermatochalasis or “eyelid bagginess” is related to stretching and thinning of the eyelid skin. This often affects both the upper and lower eyelids giving a puffy or wrinkled appearance. At times, the excess skin can rest on or over your eyelashes interfering with your vision. Other common complaints include eyelid redness or itchiness, tearing, or headache. Women often note difficulty applying and maintaining eye make-up, such as mascara, eyeliner or eye shadow. This condition can be significantly improved with an easy outpatient surgical procedure. An evaluation with Dr. Sajja would determine if the procedure is covered by your medical insurance. Tearing or “watery eyes” can be separated into two main issues: producing too many tears or not effectively draining the tears away. Common complaints include blurred vision, itchiness, redness and discharge. During an evaluation with Dr. Sajja, he will perform a comprehensive examination of your eyes and your tear drainage system to determine the possible causes of your watery eyes. Based on your symptoms and examination, Dr. Sajja will discuss a treatment regimen including diet, medication and surgical
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intervention. Many procedures are performed in the office with little to no down time; and are often covered by your medical insurance. In addition, Dr. Sajja has considerable experience in cosmetic concerns of the eyelids and face employing advanced surgical techniques and facial injectibles, such as Botox®, Juvederm® XC, Belotero®, and Restylane®. Dr. Sajja will perform a detailed evaluation and provide recommendations to allow you to achieve a balanced, youthful and energetic appearance. Dr. Sajja will be joining Milan Eye Center on June 9th. Call 678-688-4575 for more information on Dr. Sajja and his procedures. Milan Eye Center has four convenient locations around Atlanta: Johns Creek, Cumming, Canton, and Buford. Milan Eye Center is a premier ophthalmology practice and is affiliated with Atlanta’s finest hospitals including Northside Forsyth, Northside Cherokee, and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
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Design tips that can help keep seniors safer
Bianco Primary Care dedicated to restoring “old-fashioned” medicine Many of us may remember a time when we could wake up feeling sick, call our doctor and be seen that day. At that appointment, we could explain our complaint and concerns without feeling rushed. We would leave the office feeling taken care of and with a clear plan for getting better. Nowadays, if we wake up feeling sick and call our doctor we can be told that there is no availability. We then go to a walk-in clinic where we might receive the care we need but the personal attention is missing. Many aspects of healthcare have changed, but the quality of care and the doctor-patient relationship should not be one of them. Husband and wife Drs. Michael and Shelley Bianco are dedicated to restoring “old-fashioned” medicine. As Internal Medicine physicians, they have opened a general practice that focuses on giving doctors and patients more time together. This time allows the
doctors to listen and develop a personal relationship with their patients. This caliber of care is delivered within the concierge model. In this type of medical practice patients pay an annual fee that guarantees them more time with their physician. This fee allows the physician to have a smaller patient pool for their practice, giving them the ability to see fewer patients in the day and spend more time with those patients. Joining a concierge practice restores the strong doctor-patient relationship that many of us can still remember. Becoming a patient of Bianco Primary Care means same day or next day appointments that start on-time, access to your doctor 24/7 and unrushed office visits. Additionally, Drs. Michael and Shelley Bianco offer nutrition counseling, coordination with specialists and house-calls. Bianco Primary Care is accepting new patients; call for an appointment today!
(NAPS)—Investing a little time and effort to create a safer environment for a senior can pay dividends when it comes to preventing falls. This is significant, since falls that result in injury are one of the more serious threats faced by seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one out of three older adults (65 or older) falls each year. In 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency rooms; 662,000 of those patients were hospitalized. To help, here are some tips from stylist, designer and host of the HGTV show “Secrets from a Stylist,” Emily Henderson. She stresses that when considering a space for a senior citizen, it’s important to put thought into the little things, such as the shape of a counter or color of a duvet. “The fact is that seniors and older adults are more prone to safety hazards and falls at home due to low balance, low vision and poor furniture choices,” says Henderson. An expert on teaching her viewers and clients how to manipulate spaces to serve a purpose, she suggests the following: • Get well rounded—Oval or circular tables without glass tops help keep rooms open and safe. • Light the way—Place soft lighting near the bed and ensure that cords are tucked away to prevent tripping. • Provide colorful contrasts— Walls, trim and floors should be in neutral or warm colors and should stand out from each other.
• Give bedding a boost—Create an inviting bed with pillows, throws and upholstery in different textures that contrast with the wall color. • Stylize the storage—Add storage with an ottoman that has a hidden compartment or surface trays to minimize clutter in the space. Henderson puts her tips into practice through her partnership with Sunrise Senior Living, which offers assisted living communities for seniors around the country. As part of the partnership, Sunrise holds an annual Suite Style Contest, in which a member of the Sunrise community can win a complete makeover of his or her suite from Henderson. “Emily’s design tips and philosophy align closely with our goal of creating each Sunrise suite with comfort, convenience and safety in mind,” said Jeff Fischer, head of Operations. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Emily and offer our residents the chance to win a personalized suite.” To learn more, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com. HGTV’s Emily Henderson with Fran Ferguson, the 2013 winner of the Sunrise Suite Style Contest.
Customized Healthcare With Old-Fashioned Service. “With healthcare becoming less personal and more complex you deserve more than the standard level of care.”
Imagine...
Dr. Shelley Bianco D.O.
• Having a personal and meaningful connection with your doctor • Having a doctor that has the time to listen • Having a doctor you can call at a moments notice– any time, any day • Making a same day appointment that starts on time • Unhurried office visits
12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 108 • Alpharetta GA 30004 (in the Silos Plaza next to Alpine Bakery & Atlanta Fitness)
Dr. Michael Bianco D.O.
BIANCO PRIMARY CARE
We are accepting new patients. Call us today to see how personal healthcare can be.
Phone: 678-254-2333 www.BiancoPrimaryCare.com
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Sponsored Section • EMPTY NEST
May 2014
There’s no need to go it alone Learn why millions apply let Senior Helpers help online for Social Security Whether your loved one is dealing with the normal struggles of aging or coping with the effects of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, there’s no need to go it alone– let Senior Helpers help! Call Senior Helpers today at 770-442-2154 for a free assessment. Q; Pam, I know you work with families everyday, but I feel my situation is different and we are really having a tough time seeing our Papa age. He is needing so much help and in turn we need help! Pam; We do work with many families, however, every family we work with is unique in the care needs for their loved ones. Why don't you and I meet soon and we can come up with a specialized care plan that works for your Papa! The great thing is that our care starts with just one hour, and we often find that starting slow can be a good way to begin. Q; My wife was at St Joseph's hospital and is currently at rehab near the hospital. We live in Alpharetta and will need lots of help when she returns home. Do you offer some type of short term transitional care? Pam; We do! Our team often times provides 24/7 care for the first weeks to help with the transition home. Communication is an emphasis of ours and we can closely monitor your wife's care and adjust as she recovers. With care from Senior Helpers, staying at home safely becomes a real-
• Alzheimer and Dementia Care • Transportation and Errands • Bathing, Dressing and Light Housekeeping • Fall Risk Care
ity, whether the needs are emotional, cognitive or physical. At Senior Helpers we understand the desire to live independently and safely in one's own home. Taking care of you and your family is our passion. We deliver compassionate care specifically tailored to you or your loved ones needs. Our caregivers are able to come and help from as little as a few hours a week to 24/7 care. All of our caregivers are fully licensed and insured in the State of Georgia and can help with Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Care, Fall Risk & Transferring, Hospital to Home Transitions, Bath, Dressing and so much more. Call our office to set-up your FREE in-home assessment 770442-2154.
• Caregivers Available from 1 hr./day to 24/7 and Live-in • Assisted Living Placement Assistance • Custom and Flexible Schedules
Senior Helpers: Matt Fredenberg, Elizabeth Jackson, Pam Hodgson, Hutch Hodgson
770.442.2154 Your Local Senior Care Expert.
(NAPS)—For millions of people across America, the concept of retirement has changed significantly. “Retiring” used to mean taking it easy. Today, it’s a more active time than ever; a time for new interests, being involved with family and friends, volunteering, and paying attention to being physically and mentally fit. Retirees live healthier, work longer, and play harder. It’s the new normal. Even the momentous act of applying for retirement benefits—which used to require a visit to the Social Security office—has become more convenient, easier, and faster for busy “retirees.” Thinking about applying for your benefits? Begin at Social Security’s website—www.socialsecurity.gov. It offers a wealth of services, information, and tools to help you plan for a better retirement. When you are ready, you can apply for benefits online, from home. No appointment, no travel to a busy government office, no worry that you’ve brought all the right paperwork. The online retirement application is easy to use. In most cases, it will take you less than 15 minutes to complete. You also can save your unfinished work at any point and finish later. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. Before you apply, you need to consider several factors. For people born in 1938 or later, “full retirement age” has gradually increased, and for people born after 1959, it is age 67. You can apply for reduced benefits as early as age 62. You also should consider whether you want to work in retirement, health issues, your family’s monetary needs, and future financial obligations. Social Security offers several online tools to help you explore your retirement options. Regardless of your age, there are advantages to creating a personal my Social Security account. It gives you complete access to your personal
information, including your lifetime earnings and estimated retirement, disability, and survivor’s benefits for you and your family. There are advanced security features to protect your privacy. You can have unique text message codes sent to your cell phone each time you sign in. There’s even an address bar at the top of your screen indicating the website has an extended validation certificate. This means your information will be encrypted and that the website has been verified by a certification authority. When you receive Social Security benefits, your personal account will be the best way to manage them, enabling you to start or change direct deposit of your payments, get proof of benefits, and more. More than 7 million people have chosen to retire the fast, convenient, and stress-free way—online. In fact, last year, almost 50 percent retired online. Choose the most convenient option to retire by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov. Applying for Social Security benefits has never been easier. The online process is quick and secure, and offers services and tools to help plan your retirement.
May 2014
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
Meeting caregiving challenges (NAPS)—In today’s world, many women find themselves facing the consequences of an aging population and for good reason. The profile of the average U.S. caregiver will be familiar to many: a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends nearly 20 hours per week providing unpaid care to her mother for nearly five years.* Given these competing responsibilities, many caregivers are absent from work more often than their noncaregiving counterparts, missing between eight and 12 workdays per year.** As caregiving duties intensify (as dementia worsens, for example), even more time at work may be lost. Nearly 70 percent of those who provide 21 or more hours per week of hands-on care report having to make accommodations in their work schedules, such as arriving late or leaving early and cutting back on hours, as well as changing jobs or leaving the workforce entirely.* In addition, the obligations faced by working caregivers can take their toll in other ways. Caregivers in every age group score themselves lower in emotional and physical health than their non-caregiving colleagues, and the deficits are especially pronounced for working caregivers under the age of 44.*** Their reported anxiety, depression and injuries result in an inability to concentrate and greater conflict with supervisors. In short, caregiving can affect the bottom line. The associated decrease in productivity among full-time workers is estimated to cost the U.S. economy $33.6 billion, with a cost per full-time employed caregiver of $2,110.* What May Make A Difference Federally employed women who have already experienced or witnessed the consequences of a long-term care event in their family or circle of friends may recognize the value of participating in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). The coverage is designed to reimburse for long-term care services in a variety of settings—at home or in a facility such as an assisted living facility, an adult day care or a nursing center—and can lessen or eliminate an individual’s reliance on a working family member to provide hands-on care. Federally employed women may also want to explore the benefits of having their qualified relatives apply for coverage as a way to minimize their own future caregiving obligations. The eligibility list is broad and includes spouses and same-sex domestic partners, parents and parentsin-law, and adult children older than age 18. Qualified relatives can apply even if the employee they’re related to does not. Expert Care Coordination Most people have little knowledge of or experience with long- term care decision-making. It’s not something you learn about until the need exists in your own family or circle of friends, often when it’s an emergency. The program’s care coordination services offer enrollees information and advice on long-term care resources, such as local care providers and relevant community programs. With just a toll-free
call, enrollees can get professional input to help guide decision-making, reduce uncertainty and lower stress. Having access to a team of experienced insurance professionals can help you make an informed decision about which provider is best for you or your loved one. This expertise is available not only for FLTCIP en rollees, but also for their qualified relatives even if that relative isn’t enrolled in the program. It’s a valuable resource for federally employed caregivers. The Next Step To learn more about the FLTCIP’s comprehensive benefits and features, you can register for an upcoming webinar or view the existing library of on-demand topics at www.LTCFEDS. com/webinar. For personalized assistance, you can call (800) LTC-FEDS [(800) 5823337)] / TTY: (800) 843-3557 to speak with a program consultant. They are available to answer any questions you may have and can walk you step by step through the plan design and application process. More About the FLTCIP Established by an act of Congress in 2000 and overseen by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the FLTCIP is designed to meet the specific needs of the federal family. The FLTCIP provides industry-leading benefits and offers flexible options that allow enrollees to tailor coverage to meet their needs. Certain medical conditions, or combinations of conditions, will prevent some people from being approved for coverage. You need to apply to find out if you qualify for coverage under the FLTCIP. The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, offered by John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, and administered by Long Term Care Partners, LLC.Getting help providing long-term care to a loved one may be easier than many people realize. *AARP Public Policy Institute. “Valuing the Invaluable: The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving,” http://assets.aarp.org/ rgcenter/ppi/ltc/i51-caregiving.pdf (accessed March 2014). **National Institutes of Health. “Construct Validity of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire across Informal Caregivers of Chronically Ill Older Patients,” www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3040443/ (accessed March 2014). ***Gallup. “In U.S., Caregivers Suffer From Poorer Physical Health,” www.gallup.com/ poll/145940/Caregivers-Suffer-Poorer-PhysicalHealth.aspx (accessed March 2014).
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Chiropractic Technology Leaps Forward By: DR. KEVIN HUDEC Chiropractic is one of the oldest medical specialties still in practice. It has lasted this long and been extremely beneficial to so many people because it simply works. A highly trained doctor and his hands are the some of the best tools a patient could ever hope for. However, every now and then, chiropractic technology takes a leap forward. The PulStar is a computer-based analysis and treatment system. It uses a hand-held impulse head which is connected to a sophisticated, proprietary software program. The impulse head identifies sources of joint restriction in the spine, which cause pain and muscle spasms. “With the PulStar system, we now can know within minutes where to direct our treatment, bringing relief to our patients faster than ever before. We are delighted to offer this cutting-edge technology to our patients.” This new system eliminates the need for twisting, turning, “popping” or “cracking”… the kind of manipulations that many patients may find intimidat-
ing or painful. With its gentle treatment, the Pulstar is ideal for children, senior citizens and many others with either a low tolerance or any fears about manual adjustments. Contact Hudec Chiropractic Center for a consultation today at 770-6417811
New Chiropractic Technology... Old Fashioned, Personalized Care Seven Signs of Stress • Headaches • Fatigue • Sleep Disturbances • Low Back Pain
• Neck Pain • Sciatica • Poor Posture
If you have one or more of these symptoms ults That Make A Difference! Difference! we provide Proven Results Re-live old fashioned personalized sonalized care with the speed, efficiency, convenience and outstanding results that modern technology has to offer. Precise, effective and painless treatment with no popping or cracking. Dr. Kevin Hudec has been serving the Alpharetta and Roswell communities since 1995.
HUDEC CHIROPRACTIC CENTER
10595 Old Alabama Road Con #9A, Alpharetta, GA 30022
(770) 641-7811 www.hudec-chiro.com
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