In Good Health: Mohawk Valley #189 - November 2021 by In Good Health: MV's Healthcare Newspaper

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NOVEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 189

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH TODAY

• Get your probiotics • Practice a healthy mindset • Reduce sugar consumption • Get the flu vaccine • and more. P. 12

INSIDE: WHAT EVERY OLDER ADULT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SHINGLES. P. 15

NEW DOCTOR IN TOWN Danielle Thesier is a new vascular diseases physician at MVHS. She explains her specialty and says that becoming a doctor was ‘in the cards for a long time.’ P. 4

PARTNER VIOLENCE: WE ALL KNOW A GABBY Gabby Petito’s disappearance and death reveals that partner violence is epidemic in this country; we just don’t always recognize it by name. P. 5

Peter’s Cornucopia!

A staple in New Hartford: the store sells all sorts of organic products including coffee, tea and more. P. 9

WE CARE LIKE FAMILY

We are growing and have exciting career opportunities in the health care industry. To join our talented, professional team, please visit one of our care facilities career pages for available positions.

Become a part of Our Family!

Life in balance.

A company philosophy that speaks to a continual process of individual and collective development to improve our well-being, quality of life and personal relationships.

17 Sunrise Drive Oswego, NY 13126 315-342-4790 | www.MorningstarCares.com

Our Mission.

To provide people in our community with healthcare, customer services, support & employment to achieve their individual best quality of life.

Our Vision.

RESIDENTIAL CARE CENTER

To redefine skilled nursing care through successful team development, use of technology, progressive service and being a strong community partner.

Our Team.

Registered Nurses Licensed Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Physical Therapists Occupational Therapists Speech Therapists Social Workers Recreational Therapists Dietitians

Waterville

Nurse Aides Housekeeping Laundry Finance Maintenance Medical Records

Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

220 Tower Street, Waterville, NY 13480 315-841-4156 | www.WatervilleCares.com

Assisted Living Community

132 Ellen Street, Oswego, NY 13126 315-343-0880 | www.TheGardensByMorningstar.com

Aaron

Manor

Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

100 St. Camillus Way, Fairport, NY 14450 585-377-4000 | www.AaronManor.com

Sanitized. Secure. Trustworthy. This flu season, count on Empire DM Inc. for Taxi, Medicab, Wheelchair & Stretcher Services. In 2011, disinfecting our vehicles and equipment between customers became Empire’s standard. We remain commited. Our community’s health and safety are always Empire’s top priority.

Big Rise in Injuries From E-Scooters, Hoverboards

overboards, electric scooters and electric bikes are the transportation of choice for a growing number of Americans, but they’re taking many straight to the emergency room. Injuries associated with these socalled “micromobility products” skyrocketed 70% between 2017 and 2020, according to a soon-to-be-released report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). That increase dovetails with greater use of these transportation alternatives as Americans return to work, school and other activities. Between 2017 and 2020, injuries related to micromobility products resulted in more than 190,000 visits to U.S. emergency departments. The numbers rose steadily — from 34,000 in 2017 to 44,000 in 2018, 54,800 in 2019 and 57,800 last year, according to a CPSC news release. E-scooters accounted for much of the surge: 7,700 ER visits in 2017; 14,500 in 2018; 27,700 in 2019; and 25,400 in 2020. The injuries often involved arms

and legs, as well as the head and neck, the findings showed. The commission said it’s aware of 71 deaths associated with micromobility products during the study period, but noted that reporting is incomplete. Hazards associated with e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes mainly owe to mechanical, electrical and human factors. To reduce these hazards, CPSC is working with ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to improve voluntary product standards. Meanwhile, the CPSC called on users to take several steps to protect themselves. When using micromobility products, always wear a helmet. And before riding an e-scooter, check it for any damage. This includes examining the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tires, cables and frame. Damage can cause a loss of control and lead to a crash.

THE MOHAWK HOMESTEAD’S ANNUAL

Holiday Basket Raffle & Bake Sale Saturday, November 20, 10 AM – 3 PM 1 Fulton St., Mohawk Due to the COVID-19 pandemic & for the safety of our residents & community, a mask must be worn at all times. All proceeds benefit the residents of the Mohawk Homestead.

WHEN?

Wednesday, November 17th at 5:00-6:00PM

SERVING ONEIDA, HERKIMER, & MADISON COUNTIES A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($21 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2021 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: 315-749-7070 • Email: IGHmohawkvalley@gmail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Contributing Writers: Barbara Pierce, Deb Dittner, Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, George W. Chapman, Daniel Baldwin, Megan Plete Postol, David Podos, Anne Palumbo • Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Joey Sweener • 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.

November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Barbara Pierce

CDC Reports Record High 12-Month Drug Overdose Death Toll Vermont sees largest increase in overdose deaths

rug overdose deaths in the United States hit a new record for the 12-month period ending March 2021, new government data shows. A record high 96,779 drug overdose deaths occurred between March 2020 and March 2021, representing a 29.6% rise, new statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics found. The numbers are provisional, and the CDC’s estimate for predicted deaths totals more than 99,000 from March 2020 to March 2021, CNN reported. “It is important to remember that behind these devastating numbers are families, friends, and community members who are grieving the loss of loved ones,” Regina LaBelle, acting director of the executive office of the president, Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a statement, CNN reported The state with the largest increase in overdose deaths (85.1%) during that time was Vermont. Opioids accounted for the highest number of overdose deaths, followed by synthetic opioids, excluding methadone, which was linked to the lowest number of overdose deaths. Three states saw their number of overdose deaths decline from March 2020 to March 2021: New Hampshire, New Jersey and South Dakota. South Dakota’s reported overdose deaths declined by 16.3%, the highest of any state. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States and disrupted normal daily routines, CNN noted. The CDC data also show a 29.7% increase in drug overdose deaths between February 2020 and February 2021. Earlier this year, the CDC said the more than 93,000 drug overdose deaths already reported in 2020 was nearly 30% more than the number observed in 2019, and the largest single-year increase ever in the United States, CNN reported. At the time, National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow called the figure “chilling” and said the COVID-19 pandemic has “created a devastating collision of health crises in America.”

Danielle Thesier, MD

New vascular diseases physician at MVHS: Becoming a doctor was ‘in the cards for a long time’ Q: How did you become interested in becoming a physician? A: My mother recently found a mimeographed flyer from my fourthgrade awards ceremony. It had a quote from my fourth-grade self about growing up to be a doctor. So, I think that it’s been in the cards for a long time. Q: How did you choose to become a vascular surgeon? A: Vascular surgery is very immediate and incredibly vital. What’s more important than blood flow? Q: As a vascular surgeon, how would you describe what you do? A: A vascular surgeon treats diseases of the blood vessels of the body. This includes the arteries that carry blood away from the heart, and the veins that carry blood back toward the heart. We do this in many ways, including traditional open surgery, as well as minimally invasive techniques that employ wires, catheters, balloons and stents. Q: What do you find is most rewarding for you about being a physician? A: The most rewarding part is that I’m able to help people who really need it. People come in to see me really sick and when they come back, they’re transformed. I’m allowed to be in a very privileged position in peoples’ lives, hopefully in a way that I can fix things for them. For example, we treated a patient who had beaten two different kinds of cancer — ovarian and bone — which was very inspiring. However, she needed a stent in an artery in her pelvis because of the radiation treatment that she received. Over time, the stent became infected. This required a permanent IV and long-term antibiotics. Despite that, she occasionally got flare-ups, when she would need to be hospitalized, often in the ICU. We performed an operation to very carefully re-enter the area where she previously had surgery and radiation. We

removed the stent and replaced it with a biologic bypass which is much more resistant to infection. Postoperatively, she did incredibly well. She no longer needs constant antibiotics, and is able to live her life without the ever-present worry and fear that she will be hospitalized again. It’s a great feeling to be able to help her with that. Q: What areas of your practice are you especially drawn to and why? A: I truly like all aspects of vascular surgery. Open vascular surgery can run the gamut from small, ambulatory day-procedures like fistula creations for dialysis, to operations that take hours, such as aortic bypass procedures. Additionally, about half of a vascular surgery practice involves endovascular procedures to open arteries and veins or to treat aneurysms using catheters and stents. The minimally invasive nature of this procedure allows patients to be treated and recover faster. Sometimes, this work can be like a great puzzle. And we can’t forget seeing patients! I love to sit down and help people to understand their disease process by drawing pictures and explaining what is going on in ways that they can easily understand. If a patient feels connected to and involved with their own health, I believe that we end up with better outcomes. Q: Do you do more than surgical procedures? A: Vascular surgeons are also trained to read the ultrasound studies that we order so that we can look at the arteries and veins. I have an additional certification for this purpose.

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

Q: How do I know if I need to see a vascular surgeon? A: For arterial occlusive disease of the legs, the first symptom that people notice is cramping in their thighs or calves with walking that is relieved with rest.

In the News Physician Danielle Thesier recently joined the Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group Vascular Surgery group in New Hartford. She specializes in the treatment of conditions of the blood vessels and lymph system (vascular diseases) as well as performing surgical procedures that involve the heart or the blood vessels. Without treatment, this can progress to pain, even when resting, that can wake them up at night. Some can even develop wounds on their feet and toes that do not heal. Venous disease shows up with swelling in the legs with or without painful varicose veins. Over time, the skin on the legs will change, and people can develop painful difficult wounds on their ankles and legs. Preventative treatment for both of these conditions is key. Aneurysms, or dilations, of the arteries are often found in tobacco users. These can be found with a simple screening ultrasound that is offered to current or former smokers when they turn 65 years old. We also treat disease of the carotid arteries in the neck, which is important in stroke prevention. Patients with a history of risk factors, including diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure, will often be checked for disease in these arteries and may be referred to a vascular surgeon. Q: What achievement or contribution are you most proud of? A: I just try every day to do my best, work my hardest and treat everyone as I would like to be treated. Q: How do you find living in the Mohawk Valley area? A: I grew up in West Carthage, New York. The Mohawk Valley is a beautiful place. It’s close to home, and home is very important to me. Q: What else would you like us to know about you? A: I’m looking forward to building a practice and living a full life here in the Mohawk Valley!

Lifelines

Birth year: 1976 Birth place: Carthage, New York Current residence: Utica Education: Medical degree, residency in general surgery and fellowship training in vascular surgery at the State University of New York, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. Also completed fellowship training in thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts Affiliations: Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, St. Elizabeth Medical Center Personal: Single. No human children; adoptive mother to a golden doodle puppy Hobbies: “I enjoy indoor gardening. During COVID, I learned how to make French macarons and I love experimenting with new flavors with the help of my coworkers”

Between You & Me Partner Violence: We All Know a Gabby

By Barbara Pierce

he story of Gabby Petito has blown up in the media: the attractive 22-year-old who went on a cross-country road trip with her fiancé and never returned home. The young couple set off from Long Island in July in their converted van — documenting their travels on Instagram. Her remains were recovered in Wyoming in September. It appears that she may have been murdered by her boyfriend or that there was ongoing abuse in their relationship. Partner violence is epidemic in this country; we just don’t always hear about it. One in three females are victims of domestic violence in their lives, and one in 12 males, say experts. We think it happens to other people, but it can happen to anyone. It may be happening to someone you know. Maybe even to you. Partner violence, or domestic violence or abuse as it’s often called, is usually not obvious. A lot of folks think it’s physical: hitting, punching, bruises on the face, things that we can see. But often the most intense and damaging harm happens behind closed doors: emotional abuse, controlling behavior, verbal abuse, things like that. As a counselor, I worked in an organization that helped victims of domestic abuse. I was stunned, day after day, as woman after woman, and the occasional man, shared their

horrific stories. I learned much about abuse from these brave people. Some of the things I believe are important for us to learn from Gabby’s story: — In a healthy relationship, both people feel respected, supported and valued, decisions are made together, both have friends and interests outside of the relationship, and disagreements are settled with open and honest communication. — Both have the right to their own feelings and ideas and to share them without worrying about how their partner will react. Their privacy is respected, including the rights to private conversations, phone calls, text messages, social networking. — While there isn’t a sure way to spot an abuser, most abusers share some common characteristics. This list of warning signs means the person may have the potential to be abusive: • Quick involvement: Many victims knew their abuser only for a short time before being pressured to live together or get married. The abuser comes on like a whirlwind saying things like: “You’re the only person I can talk to;” “No one else ever understood me before.” The abuser needs someone desperately and pressures the victim to commit. • Controlling behavior: The

abuser tries to control your life: what you do, who you see, what you think. The abuser will be angry if the victim is “late” coming back. The abuser will question the victim closely about where the victim went, and who they spoke to. • Blames others for problems and feelings: Abusers are very good at making victims think they deserve the abuse and will blame the victim for almost anything that goes wrong. The abuser will say: “You made me mad,” “You made me do it. The abuser blames the teacher for a failed class, blames the cop for a traffic ticket, blames the boss for getting fired. • Unrealistic expectations: The abuser is very dependent on the victim for everything. The abuser will say things like: “If you love me, I’m all you need. No one will love you like I love you.” • Isolation: The abuser cuts the victim off from all resources and support. The abuser gets jealous of the other people in the victim’s life. The abuser does not “allow” the victim to make decisions or have friends. • Verbally abusive: In addition to saying things that are meant to be cruel and hurtful, there is an element of degradation, cursing, and criticizing any of the victim’s actions. The abuser may call the victim stupid; no one else would ever want them. • Past history of abuse: The abuser may say that a victim was only abused because they made the abuser do it. The victim may hear from the relatives or friends that the partner was abusive in past relationships. • Threats of violence: Any

threat of physical force meant to control the victim. “I’ll slap you,” “I’ll kill you,” “I’ll break your neck.” At Gabby’s funeral, her father, Joseph Petito, had a lesson for the world: “If there is a relationship that might not be the best for you, leave it now.”

Getting Help Locally YWCA Mohawk Valley is a certified provider of domestic and sexual violence crisis services by New York state. Services are free and confidential. Anyone who suspects they are in an abusive relationship is urged to call their 24-hour hotline: Herkimer County: 315-866-4120; Oneida County: 315-797-7740 or they can be found online at www. ywcamv.org/ or on Facebook, The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-SAFE (7233) or text “Start” to 88788 or see www.thehotline.org/.

Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.

New Specialist: Dr. Asad Khalid

Sports Injuries & Joint Pain Orthopedic Specialists

357 Genesee Street, Oneida • 315-363-4651 • www.oneidahealth.org November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

This Thanksgiving: Be Grateful for Goals

y self-esteem took a real nose dive after my divorce. It was years ago, but I can still recall how empty, exposed, and embarrassed I felt. It was as if my personal and private failure at a relationship had become very public. I just wanted to hide. And hide I did! I hid in my work. I hid in my home. I hid in my books. Divorce — even a fairly amicable divorce — can really knock the wind out of your self-confidence. If you are suffering from the fallout of a failed marriage and are in hiding, as I was, know that you are not alone. Regaining my self-confidence was a slow process and painful at times, but ultimately very rewarding. The process started with “baby steps.” While I am a huge believer in positive thinking, I intuitively knew I wouldn’t be able to talk myself into more confidence. Nor could my morning meditations cure my emotional ails. I knew I would have to work at it. I knew I would have to build my confidence back up one success at a time. And that’s when I discovered the healing power of goals and a “to

do” list. During the dark days following my divorce, I found the simple act of writing things down and checking them off the list actually helped me get through my day. At the time, my list was pitifully basic: get dressed, make my bed, water the plants, feed the cat, etc. That list looks pretty silly now, but anyone who has endured a painful loss knows just what I’m talking about. The simplest tasks can seem insurmountable. So, I would pick an item on my list, do it, check it off, and then go on to the next item. Remarkably, this process of articulating and accomplishing my mini-goals began to have a real and positive impact on my day and on my self-esteem. Committing things to writing had amazing power. To this day, I create a “to do” list on a daily basis and still get a confidence boost when I accomplish my mini-goals and check them off the list. This practice has been so rewarding and self-affirming that I now employ a goal-setting process for my bigger life plans. In fact, I created a “no excuses goal worksheet” for my larger projects, plans, and dreams. My

worksheet captures what every goal should be: written down; expressed in positive, affirming language; assigned specific steps and deadlines; achievable; and, when met, rewarded. Below is an example of a goal I set for myself one difficult November, when I had no plans for Thanksgiving. My life circumstances had changed and I knew I needed a change of pace and time to myself to think and reflect on my life and my future.

Goal Statement I will (gulp) make plans to spend Thanksgiving on my own. Specifically, my goal will be to enjoy a solo three-day getaway over the Thanksgiving holiday. Action Steps and Timetable • Day 1: I will share my goal with my best friend and ask her for feedback, support and suggestions. • By day 5: I will research and identify an Adirondack lodge that serves a home-style Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings. • By day 10: I will select my destination, ask about community-table options in the dining room, and make a reservation. • By day 16: I will make arrangements for pet care, stop my mail and the newspaper, and schedule a tire-rotation and fluid check for my car. • By day 24: I will hit the road with a full tank of gas, map, an audio book and snack pack. • Later that same day: I will check into the lodge, unpack, and head down to the lounge to relax and unwind in front of the stone fireplace.

• Thanksgiving Day: I will embrace the day with an open heart, ready to enjoy my own company and the company of those around me. I will take a nature walk, write letters (perhaps one to myself) and focus on all the things and relationships for which I am thankful. I will cherish the day in front of me.

Reward I will feel extraordinarily good about myself when I accomplish my goal and I’ll reward myself with a ... (fill in the blank!). My reward was a walnut picker-upper. True. I wanted one. My house is surrounded by walnut trees. Goals can give your life direction and purpose. And they can put passion into your everyday existence, which is especially important for those of us who live alone. It may take some time before you regain your footing and self-esteem. Chances are, you’ll take some detours and encounter some bumps along the way. I sure did. But I kept moving forward and soon discovered that setting and accomplishing minigoals and eventually larger life goals was key to regaining my self-confidence. Actually doing (vs. wishing and hoping) worked for me, and it can work for you, too. For that, we can be very grateful. 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 Voelckers to speak, visit www.aloneandcontent.com

Over 140,000 U.S. Children Have Lost a Caregiver to COVID-19

t is an excruciating statistic: One in every four COVID-19 deaths in the United States leaves a child without a parent or other caregiver, researchers report. The analysis of data shows that from April 2020 to July 2021, more than 120,000 children under the age of 18 lost a primary caregiver (a parent or grandparent who provided housing, basic needs and care), and about 22,000 lost a secondary caregiver (grandparents who provided housing, but not most basic needs). “Children facing orphanhood as a result of COVID is a hidden, global pandemic that has sadly not spared the United States,” study author Susan Hillis, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researcher, said in a U.S. National Institutes of Health news release. Overall, about one in 500 children in the United States have become orphans or lost a grandparent caregiver to COVID-19, according

to the study published Oct. 7 in the journal Pediatrics. Children of racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 65% of youngsters who lost a primary caregiver to COVID-19, compared with 35% of white children, even though whites account for 61% of the U.S. population, and people of racial and ethnic minorities represent 39% of the population. Orphanhood or the death of a primary caregiver due to COVID-19 was experienced by: 1 of every 168 American Indian/Alaska Native children, 1 of every 310 Black children, 1 of every 412 Hispanic children, 1 of every 612 Asian children, and 1 of every 753 white children. Compared to white children, American Indian/Alaska Native children were 4.5 times more likely to lose a parent or grandparent caregiver, Black children were 2.4 times more likely, and Hispanic children were 1.8 times more likely.

States with large populations — California, Texas and New York — had the highest overall numbers of children who lost primary caregivers to COVID-19. The researchers also found significant racial/ethnic differences between states. In New Mexico, Texas, and California, 49% to 67% of children who lost a primary caregiver were Hispanic. In Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, 45% to 57% of children who lost a primary caregiver were Black. American Indian/Alaska Native children who lost a primary caregiver were more common in South Dakota (55%), New Mexico (39%), Montana (38%), Oklahoma (23%), and Arizona (18%). The fallout from losing a parent is significant for children: It is associated with mental health problems; fewer years of school; lower self-esteem; high-risk sexual behaviors; and increased risk of substance

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

abuse, suicide, violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, the researchers noted. “All of us — especially our children — will feel the serious immediate and long-term impact of this problem for generations to come. Addressing the loss that these children have experienced — and continue to experience — must be one of our top priorities, and it must be woven into all aspects of our emergency response, both now and in the post-pandemic future,” Hillis said. “The magnitude of young people affected is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of the past 18 months,” said study co-lead researcher Alexandra Blenkinsop, from Imperial College London. “These findings really highlight those children who have been left most vulnerable by the pandemic, and where additional resources should be directed.”

Oh, No! I Got COVID- 19: Here’s My Experience I was thankful that I had received the vaccine, as it spared me the worst of the symptoms By Megan Plete Postol

arrived home from a weekend trip in early September to find my husband on the couch resting with what we thought was a simple head cold. We are both fairly healthy 32-year-olds. He has no preexisting conditions and I have a few, one being asthma. For that reason, I received the Pfizer vaccine in the spring. Neither of us was overly concerned about the recent spike in COVID-19 infection numbers in Oneida County. So when he developed those common cold-like symptoms, we did not recognize the red flags. The first mistake we made was that he should have isolated himself starting then. We have a big house with two bathrooms and it would not have been that complicated for him to retreat into the master bedroom. He did go lie down, but I continued to go in the room to bring him food, drinks, medicine and to just generally check up on him. I sat on the end of the bed and chatted. His condition was not alarming and I thought he would feel better by the morning. Morning came and he felt worse. Within a few days he was considerably more ill. He was sweaty, pale

and fevered. He felt generally weak and unwell. I checked his temperature using a digital thermometer on the forehead. It read more than 104 degrees. That was a huge surprise. I suddenly felt a heaviness in the pit of my stomach and that is when the very first glimmer of thought that this might be COVID-19 came into my mind. He took Tylenol and stayed in bed. By that afternoon he had been tested for COVID-19 at a local urgent care. The staff was quick and efficient. He came home and went straight back to bed. At this point I was feeling “blah.” I was not nearly as sick as he was, but I was not feeling great. I felt tired and achy. I’m vaccinated so I knew if his test came back positive for COVID-19 I still had some protection. The next morning he received his results; the virus was detected. My heart sank. I knew I had not done enough to contain it to one section of the house and I knew I was most definitely exposed. Over the next few days I developed a minor breakthrough infection. My symptoms were fatigue, aches and chills. It cleared up within a week.

Contributing writer Megan Plete Postol and her husband, Dale. They live in Remsen. He, on the other hand, quickly deteriorated. As each day passed he grew sicker. He developed a dry cough and shortness of breath. He ended up in the emergency room where they gave him a barrage of tests and diagnosed him with COVID-19 pneumonia, a common complication. He was prescribed antibiotics and prednisone. After being on the medicine for a few days, he felt a little better. He was able to walk around, which was something that a few days prior was basically unmanageable. After he finished his course of meds, his condition again worsened, though not to

his prior state. The cough, weakness, and sweats came back. He made another visit to urgent care and was given a different antibiotic. It will take time for his body to fully heal. What I have learned from experiencing this first hand is that COVID-19 is unpredictable. It affects every body uniquely. I was thankful that I had received a vaccine because it spared me from some scary symptoms I watched my husband go through. He knows for sure that he does not want to ever feel that way again and is getting himself vaccinated soon.

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November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7

Hospitals with More Inpatient Nurse Practitioners Linked to Better Outcomes

new study published in September in Medical Care shows hospitals that employ more inpatient nurse practitioners (NPs) have lower surgical mortality, higher patient satisfaction and lower costs of care. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced grad-

uate education and expanded legal scope of practice to prescribe treatments including pain medications. Researchers at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania studied more than 1.4

million patients in 579 hospitals. “This is the first large study to document the significant added value of hospitals employing nurse practitioners in acute inpatient hospital care as well as having good RN staffing,” said lead author, professor Linda Aiken, Ph.D., who works at Penn’s Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research and the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. “When we compared hospitals with the most and fewest NPs, we estimated that hospitals with more NPs had 21% fewer deaths after common surgical procedures and 5% lower Medicare costs per beneficiary,” Aiken said. The study also documented significantly higher patient satisfaction in hospitals employing more NPs as well as higher quality of care and patient safety ratings. Having more NPs also enhances the work and clinical environment of the RN staff. The researchers found that RNs practicing in hospitals with greater numbers of NPs had higher job satisfaction, lower burnout, and were more likely to intend to remain in their positions, all good signs given growing concerns over nurse shortages resulting

from the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, RNs in hospitals with more NPs reported greater confidence that their patients would be able to successfully manage their care after discharge. Indeed, independent measures of actual hospital readmissions show patients are significantly less likely to experience a hospital readmission when their surgery took place in a hospital that employed more NPs. “Our study shows that NPs in advanced clinical roles in inpatient care are a very valuable addition to excellent RN and physician care,” said co-author Regina Cunningham, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “This important study shows that nurse practitioners enhance hospitals’ success achieving clinical excellence, patient satisfaction, and lower per patient expenditures while also contributing positively to overall clinician wellbeing during challenging times.” Funding for the study was from the National Institute of Nursing Research/NIH, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

cards). The accomplice has been charged with theft of government agency seals to commit fraud and trafficking in counterfeit goods. Ironically, the fake cards were to be manufactured in China. Beware of scams where a link is sent to a phone requesting personal information (name, DOB, SS# and picture of your NYS driver’s license) to validate your vaccination status.

no longer be available are totally specious. The proposed legislation is now buried in the $3.5 trillion human infrastructure bill. Because there is no control on drug prices like there are on physician and hospital prices, investing in drugs is a safe bet. For example, Walgreens is putting up $970 million for a 71% share in Shields Health Solutions to expand its specialty pharmacy business. Meanwhile, in the hospital world where Medicare sets, not negotiates prices, a survey by Kaufman Hall of 900 hospitals predicts hospitals will lose a collective $54 billion this year. Without COVID-19 relief, it is estimated the loss would be $92 billion. As a result of the pandemic, patient acuity levels are way up, services are delayed and adding insult to injury, drug costs have sky-rocketed.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Cost, Confusing Technology, Poor Provider Information: Telehealth Dissatisfaction

ndoubtedly, the pandemic fostered a surge in virtual care or telehealth. In 2019, 7% of patients reported using it. In 2020, 9% of patients availed themselves of it. This year, 36% of patients reported using telehealth for their care. A recent survey of 4,700 consumers by J.D. Powers revealed underlying dissatisfaction among telehealth users. On the positive side, 57% of respondents cited convenience; 47% cited

quicker care; 36% cited safety. On the negative side, 24% said services were too limited. Cost, confusing technology and poor provider information were each cited by 15% of respondents. The take here is the demand for telehealth services will continue beyond the pandemic. Providers and insurers need to accept the new reality and work to improve this new and popular service line.

No “Surprise Billing” Ruling

These commercially administered plans, versus the traditional Medicare plan administered by CMS, have seen their enrollment double over the past decade. 42% of eligible seniors have opted to drop their traditional Medicare plan and enroll with a MA plan. There are currently 33 different MA plans offered by commercial giants such as BCBS, United, Anthem, Cigna, Aetna, etc. Premiums may actually decline next year, which could mean less being deducted from a senior’s Social Security check. All of these MA plans offer extra services beyond traditional Medicare to both entice enrollees and improve their care, including: transportation, dental, optical, auditory, mental health, home visits, food delivery and even pest control. All of the major insurers are expanding their footprints and markets to capture more seniors.

The intent of this law is to protect unwitting consumers from exorbitant/surprise out-of-pocket costs for services provided by out of network providers. A typical example would be when a consumer goes to an in-network emergency room and then gets a “balance due after insurance payment” from the out of network emergency room group, specialist or radiology group. A recent ruling requires that disputed bills between the out-of-network provider and the commercial payer be settled by an independent arbitrator. Each party submits their preferred dollar amount to the arbitrator. The arbitrator will reward the party that is closest to a national qualified payment amount. The AHA and AMA argue it favors commercial insurers and it is a form of price setting. (Congress actually DOES set prices for Medicare.) Consumer advocates laud the ruling which should mitigate surprise outof-pocket expenses.

Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans Open enrollment started Oct. 15.

Fake C19 Cards Two VA employees in Detroit have been charged with theft, fraud and conspiring to sell fake proof of vaccination cards. One has been charged with theft of government property, (actual vaccination record

ACA Updated For those who do not get health insurance from their employer or Medicare, the exchanges have been improved. Commercial plans must pay a user fee every year. It is about 2.5% of their premiums for next year. It goes toward consumer information, outreach and navigation programs. The number of navigators has been increased to 1,500 thanks to an $80 million grant from CMS. Open enrollment starts Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 15, 2022. Navigators can now help enrollees with how to appeal for financial assistance and reconciling premium tax credits. The previous administration had reduced the number of navigators, allowed states to reduce benefits via a waiver and to offer short-term plans. CMS rescinded the aforementioned in order to broaden assistance, maintain decent coverage and further strengthen health insurance for more than 20 million consumers.

Drug Prices Granting Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices seems like a no-brainer. Literally tens of billions can be saved. Not surprisingly, fear mongering ads by drug manufacturers have increased significantly. Medicare would simply be given the ability to NEGOTIATE (not SET) drug prices. Negotiating is a twoway street, so claims by the drug lobby that fewer drugs will come to market or your particular drug may

Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

NYS Vaccine Mandate Just days after the vaccine mandate deadline, NYS climbed to a 92% vaccination rate among hospital and nursing home healthcare workers. It is one of the highest in the country. This achievement has alleviated fears of massive staff shortages and delays in services. NYS is being sued by a small group claiming a religious exemption based on the fact that cell lines derived from fetuses aborted years ago were used in the development or production of test vaccines. More than 700,000 people in the US have died as a result of COVID-19. 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.

Left “We’re mostly organic,” says Peter Corn. “We don’t carry anything with any preservatives in it.”

Regular grocery stores [are] going to carry just the real popular [organic] products for the most part, where we carry so much more variety.”

Peter’s Cornucopia: Locally Owned Health Food Store

A staple in New Hartford, store sells all sorts of organic products including freshly ground coffees By Daniel Baldwin

eter Corn, owner of the Peter’s Cornucopia Food Health Store at the New Hartford Shopping Center, started working at his brother-in-law’s food health store when he was 13 years old. Corn said that he worked at this store all throughout his high school and college years, and Corn learned from his brother-in-law how to run and manage the store. He knew all the specific health-related items and foods sold in this store and later worked his way up to become the store manager. When his brother-in-law moved to Florida, Corn took the knowledge and experience that he gained working at his brother-in-law’s store, and used it to open and run his own health food store. Corn opened his first store in 1985 on 52 Genesee St. in New Hartford. He named the shop after his first name “Peter” and the word “cornucopia,” as the first four letters of that word was his last name (Peter’s Cornucopia). “It’s what I really wanted to do and dreamed of doing,” Corn said. “I was nervous that I could financially do it. I ended up driving through the village of New Hartford for one day and there was a little store for rent. I ended up calling on it and it was meant to be. I didn’t have a plan of action at that point because I didn’t know if I could even do it. But I ended up finding the spot and opened it up on my own. It was a business that I knew, grew up in, and loved. I worked in the business back then, so I kind of had an idea what I was in

for.” Corn’s first-ever store had health-related products that were unheard of back in the 1980s. He sold natural supplements, herbs, spices, essential oils, vitamins and protein supplements. Corn later added organic fruits and vegetables to the list in the late ‘80s. All the foods and drinks sold in this store were organic. The food and health products at Peter’s Cornucopia were for people who were vegetarians, on diets, wanted to stay fit, had food allergies, ate healthy foods more often, or just wanted to try the organic produce and supplements. “We’re mostly organic,” Corn said. “We don’t carry anything with any preservatives in it. It’s everything in a much cleaner state as far as how they’re grown. They’re not treated with pesticides or any preservatives. Regular grocery stores do sell organic foods, too, but we carry it more on a larger scale. They’re going to carry just the real popular products for the most part, where we carry so much more variety that what you’re going to find in a grocery store.” Corn said that the space of his first store was small. He only had 1,200 square feet of space to work with. “It was tiny,” Corn said. “If you took that same store, like we started back in ‘85 and you tried to open up with that size store today, you’d never survive. The whole trend has changed. In a small store, like that back in ‘85, you wouldn’t be competitive with anybody.”

The owner also said that the first three years of running the business were rough. Corn did have a bit of a following, as the people, who knew him and shopped at his brother-inlaw’s store shopped at his store too. But most people, back in the 1980s never heard or were not interested in these sorts of stores. “When I opened on my own in 1985,” Corn said, “business was much different back then than it is even today. It’s become more mainstream. It’s not such a weird thing in a sense. A lot of people shop in health food stores now. If you look at the percentages back then it was a very low percentage. Now it’s kind of like the ‘hip’ thing people want. They want organic and clean foods.” Despite the financial struggles, Corn was fortunate enough to open his first store on 52 Genesee St. New Hartford, as the area, to his point of view, was the best place to do business. The store location was what helped Corn keep his business afloat and drew in more customers. “We opened up at that time right in the village of New Hartford,” Corn said. “It was probably the perfect spot for a health food store back in the 1980s. There was no place better really. We just hit it in the right location.” Peter’s Cornucopia moved to its current location, the New Hartford Shopping Center, in 2004. A small café, named Cafeucopia, was added in the New Hartford store in 2006, according to Peterscornucopia.com. Corn said that the café was not the main attraction of this store,

as he still saw people looking around the grocery section and buying organic produce and supplements. Although, it did serve as a way to bring in more customers. “There are some customers that come in just for the café and didn’t shop in the store,” Corn said. “Then you had the customers that shopped in the store, ate in the café and loved all of it, but the café definitely drew that much more. A sense of new clientele that we may have never gotten.” Cafeucopia’s menu consists mostly of soups, sandwiches, salads, vegetable juices, fruit smoothies, organic coffees, organic teas and cookies for dessert. Corn said that all the foods and drinks, on the café menu, are made from scratch and served fresh. No mixes or preservatives. Business is looking good for the local health food shop, as the company just opened its second store, located on 1707 Oriskany St. West in Utica, last October. Peter’s Cornucopia still sells organic produce, natural supplements, herbs, spices, essential oils, vitamins, health items and protein supplements. But they also have organic coffee grinds, organic tea bags and bottles, gluten-free foods and vegan-specific food, like a burger patty made up entirely of vegetables and plants and has no beef. The in-store environment that Corn sees and experiences every day at work is always friendly and quiet. Corn said that he received a lot of positive feedback from the customers about how kind and hardworking the staff is, at answering their questions and carrying out their groceries and how clean and organized each aisle is inside the store. The friendly environment, cleanliness, café, excellent customer service, as well as the organic foods and supplements is, to Corn’s opinion, the few things that make Peter’s Cornucopia special and different from all the other grocery stores throughout the Mohawk Valley. “Customers always loved our store because it was kind of old-fashioned like in a sense of customer service, carrying groceries out for you, no high pressure, a lot of knowledge of what we sell from the people who work for us, and it is like a social scene,” Corn said. “We’ve got customers that come in two to three times per week and there’s a lot of social activity within the store. Everybody knows everybody by name for the most part and I think that’s what’s unique.”

November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9

Excellus Doc: Do not Take the Flu Lightly Two years ago the CDC tracked 405,000 American hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths from the flu—a typical year. The sooner people get the flu vaccine, the better, says doctor

he number of cases proportion of respiratory of flu was unusually specimens testing positive low throughout the for influenza peaked be2020-2021 flu season both tween 26.2% and 30.3%. in the United States and The exact timing and globally, according to the duration of flu seasons can U.S. Centers for Disease vary from year to year, Control and Prevention, but influenza activity and the reason is not a often begins to increase in surprise. October, peaks between The safety protocols December and February, implemented to protect and can last as late as May. against COVID-19, includ“Each year brings ing wearing face masks, a new formulation for proper and regular hand the flu vaccine to reflect Anna Kanaley washing, physical distancthe different strains that ing, and limiting exposure to large are expected, so it’s important for gatherings of people, also prevented everyone to get the flu vaccine each the spread of the flu. The availability year,” said Kanaley. “The vaccine can of a record number of flu vaccine provide a level of immunity to infludoses was also a factor. enza or reduce the severity if you do “The statistics from the CDC get sick.” indicate that more influenza vaccine Kanaley cautions not to take the doses than ever before (193.8 million flu lightly, noting that two years ago, doses) were distributed in the U.S. which was a more typical year for during the last flu season,” said Exflu activity, the CDC tracked 405,000 cellus BlueCross BlueShield Medical American hospitalizations and 22,000 Director Anna Kanaley. deaths from the flu and flu-related During last year’s flu season, complications. 0.2% of respiratory specimens tested The flu vaccine is now available by U.S. clinical laboratories were pos- at most major pharmacies and other itive for an influenza virus. For comsites in the community. The CDC recparison, during the last three seasons ommends it for everyone 6 months of before the COVID-19 pandemic, the age and older. Adults 65 years of age

and older should consult with their health care provider to see if they recommend the high-dose flu vaccine that is approved for people in that age group. Most health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine in full, and you usually don’t need an appointment to receive it at a pharmacy.

“While it is never too early or too late in the flu season to get vaccinated, sooner is better to help establish a level of herd immunity in our community,” said Kanaley. “It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide protection.”

When it comes to learning your risk of cancer – including breast cancer – knowledge is power. That’s why Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is proud to offer comprehensive Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling with specially trained experts. Available to anyone – not just HOA patients – Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling: • helps you and your family make better-informed decisions about your healthcare • is covered by most insurance plans • begins with a simple blood sample To see if Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling is right for you, talk with your doctor and take our five-minute survey at hoacny.com/cancergenetics or by scanning this code.

Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

SmartBites

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Parmesan, Garlic and Thyme

The Superfood to Eat Year-Round: Sweet Potatoes

1½ lbs sweet potatoes (about 3 medium) 2½ tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ¼ cup grated Parmesan

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

The problem with sweet potatoes is this: Many people think of sweet potatoes only when Thanksgiving rolls around. That’s a problem because we should really be thinking about this nutritious tuber all year long! A few points to ponder: They’re considered a superfood by many; they’re widely available for a decent price; and, they’re delicious. What makes them worthy of the esteemed superfood title? Put simply, they’re loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that do a body good. While we can’t list them all, we can focus on a few standouts. Sweet potatoes are super rich in vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), which is important for eyesight. Numerous studies demonstrate that eating adequate amounts of vitamin A promotes healthy vision, prevents the development of night blindness, and may help slow age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. What’s more, vitamin A helps fight off infections and contributes to building strong, healthy bones. A great source of fiber, sweet potatoes deliver about a fourth of our average daily needs in one cup. Fiber contributes to good health by stabilizing blood sugar levels, promoting regularity, and ferrying bad cholesterol out. Some studies suggest that

increasing fiber reduces our susceptibility to diseases such as heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. Sweet potatoes brim with antioxidants— powerful compounds that mop up free radicals linked to a host of age-related diseases. They’re also a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure, and an excellent source of both manganese, a mineral that promotes a healthy metabolism, and vitamin C, a workhorse vitamin that’s necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. Although sweet potatoes are low in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories (180 per baked cup), they are high in carbs (46 per baked cup). The good news is, they’re the complex kind that takes longer to digest, which keeps our engines running longer.

Select small to medium sweet potatoes that are firm and do not have cracks, soft spots or moldy ends. Large ones can be tough and tasteless. Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place for up to 10 days. Preparing sweet potatoes with a little fat, such as olive oil, can help boost the absorption of beta-carotene. While topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar is a Thanksgiving tradition for many, there are healthier ways to prepare them.

poor diet quality and higher risk of several chronic diseases,” said study author Filippa Juul, an assistant professor and postdoctoral fellow at NYU’s School of Public Health. “The high and increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods in the 21st century may be a key driver of the obesity epidemic,” Juul added in a university news release.

The researchers also said the COVID-19 pandemic may have prompted Americans to eat less nutritious foods that have long shelf lives. “In the early days of the pandemic, people changed their purchasing behaviors to shop less frequently, and sales of ultra-processed foods such as boxed macaroni and cheese, canned

Helpful tips

Adapted from Cooking Classy Serves 4

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash potatoes thoroughly and then cut into 1-inch chunks. Place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over sweet potatoes, mix with hands (or spoon), and then spread into an even layer on one to two baking sheets. Roast in preheated oven until tender, tossing once halfway through, about 30 minutes total. Remove from oven, move rack to broiler position (about 6 inches away) and turn on broiler. While broiler is heating up, drizzle potatoes with remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with Parmesan. Return to broiler for about 1 minute. Adjust seasonings and serve.

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.

Americans Are Eating More UltraProcessed Foods

mericans’ increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods is putting their health at risk, researchers warn. Ultra-processed foods are readyto-eat or heat, include additives and contain little, if any, whole foods. They include frozen pizza, soda, fast food, sweets, salty snacks, canned soup and most breakfast cereals. Previous research has shown that eating ultra-processed foods is associated with obesity and heart disease. The New York University investigators analyzed U.S. federal government data and found that the proportion of ultra-processed foods in Americans’ diets grew from 53.5% of calories in 2001-2002 to 57% in 20172018, while consumption of whole foods fell from 32.7% to 27.4% of calories, mostly due to people eating less meat and dairy. The greatest increase in ultra-processed foods was in readyto-eat or heat meals, while intake of some sugary foods and drinks declined, according to the study published Oct. 14 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “The overall composition of the average U.S. diet has shifted toward a more processed diet. This is concerning, as eating more ultra-processed foods is associated with

soups and snack foods increased substantially. People may have also eaten more packaged ‘comfort foods’ as a way of coping with the uncertainty of the pandemic,” Juul said. “We look forward to examining dietary changes during this period as data become available.”

November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

direct sunlight. NASA has done extensive Aloe vera is toxic if eaten but the studies of the role of houseplants in cleansing the air, hoping to capitalize internal gel is great for sunburns and cuts. on these benefits for future space Other low maintenance plants stations. Their studies have shown include pothos, areca palm, Ficus that certain houseplants are excepand dracaena. tionally good at cleansing the air. “The best plant for you? Any Their research recommends having at plant that makes you happy!” adleast one air purifying plant per 100 vised D’Alessandro. square feet of home or office space. If you have pets: Plants that Indoor plants improve air quality remove major air toxins are also toxic in other ways as well. Plants release to pets if eaten; you’ll find much water vapor into the air, which increases humidity, which can improve information online about this. respiratory and skin health by offsetting the drying effects of heating Common mistakes systems. This can be an incredible benefit to those with respiratory When it comes to indoor plant issues, headaches, and allergies. care, many problems stem from the Plants also increase oxygen levels little things people do wrong, added in the air by absorbing carbon dioxD’Alessandro. Overwatering is just ide and releasing oxygen during pho- as hard on a plant as underwatering. Over fertilizing and over adtosynthesis. Maximize these benefits justing the plant’s location or pot by placing plants in your ‘breathing zone, six to eight square feet of where situation can all do more harm than good, despite your best intentions. you normally sit or lie. Also keep in mind that many plants An attractive plant that quietly require less care and attention during works its magic in the background fall and winter months. on your health is a sure winner. For Just having plants around you plants that work best to provide will obviously offer psychological psychological and physical benefits, benefits but the act of caring for your D’’Alessandro recommends a few plants can also help decrease stress houseplants. If you’re a beginner or haven’t and anxiety. So next time you’re had much luck keeping houseplants watering your plants, slow down, alive in the past, these foolproof take a few deep breaths; really focus plants will boost your indoor-garden- on what you’re doing. Admire your ing confidence with their forgiving plants’ leaves and flowers; touch By Barbara Pierce growing habits and stylish forms and them; maybe even talk to them! It foliage. will help both you and your plants The snake plant, also known as thrive. othing adds more beauty and increase your mood, they’ve been Another common mistake people comfort to our homes and proven to help your immune system, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, or Sansemake is not cleaning their plants; use offices than the flourishing boost productivity and improve your vieria; “It’s popular, as well as pretty,” said D’Alessandro. “It increases a soft cloth to clean each leaf, D’Alesfoliage of indoor plants. Bedrooms, relationships. oxygen into your home, takes carbon sandro noted. Leaves have spores, by bathrooms, kitchens, cubicles — Multiple studies prove that inmonoxide and makes oxygen.” cleaning them you will open all the there really isn’t a space a housedoor plants offer both psychological Order Proposal# If you’ve seen plants thriving spores so the plant can do its job of plant can’t enliven. and physical healthMP benefits, inhe classification of:Just add light in neglected areas—mall or airport Ad cleaning the air. and water and you’ve got an indoor cluding lowering stress and anxiety, Letter planters, office parks and the like— Houseplants have become more oasis that will bring you a lot of good reducing fatigue, improving office they’re most likely the snake plant. popular recently, said D’Alessandro. feelings. performance and focus, boosting They’re about as bulletproof as a Time spent at home since COVID-19 Bringing plants into your home healing and pain tolerance, minimiz2014 plant can get. 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Self-Care for Women: Don’t Put Yourself on the Bottom of Your Priority List Anytime you choose to do something that nurtures your well-being, you’re practicing self-care. By Barbara Pierce

n our fast-paced world, daily life powerful in who we are if we care for for most of us is a juggling act. ourselves.” As women, we play vital roles Life coach April Cacciatori, in family and community. In our owner of Zensations Therapeutic society, especially during a pandemMassage in Rome, also finds this is ic, women are the caregivers. We an important issue for the women put others first: children, partners, she works with. parents, bosses, friends, even pets. “All the time it comes up with So, it may feel awkward for us to clients. I invite them to build a pracshift the balance from everyone else tice of self-care,” she said. to ourselves. What exactly is self-care? However, if we don’t care for Self-care simply means you’re ourselves, our bodies will let us taking time to care for yourself—and know in negative ways. that’s critically importOngoing exposure ant for your health and to stress, without taking well-being. It means care of ourself, puts us identifying and meeting at risk for serious conseyour needs, something quences such as depresthat most women strugsion and heart disease. gle with. As people weigh the Self-care is anything costs and benefits, more you do to take care of and more are turning to yourself so that you can the practice of caring for stay physically, mentally themselves. and emotionally well. “This is something I This creates positive help my clients with all health outcomes, the time,” said Heather increasing your resilHeather Beebe is a Beebe, certified personal certified personal trainer ience, making you better trainer and integrative equipped to deal with holistic life coach, owner and integrative holistic stress. life coach, and owner of of Unstoppable You Neglecting ourUnstoppable You Coach in selves can cause increasCoach in Utica. “We are more es in anxiety, distractiUtica.

Q A

bility, anger, and fatigue. a sound building—if We may have problems self-care is not the founwith sleep, relationship dation, the building it satisfaction, self-essupports will be comteem, empathy and promised with a steep compassion. price tag. For Cacciatori, Where to begin with self-care is the practice self-care? of being aware of what “It’s a daily practice. we can do to keep our Begin by noticing what life in balance on a daily you need,” Cacciatori basis. suggested. “It sounds “Not one size fits simple, but the results all,” she said. “It’s are profound. Awarenoticing what you need. Life coach April ness will help you create It’s being aware of how Cacciatori is owner of a new habit or shift you feel, mentally and perspective.” Zensations Therapeutic physically.” Do something you Massage in Rome. “Each person enjoy every day, somedefines self-care differently,” said thing that brings you joy. Like readBeebe. “It’s tricky.” ing a few pages of a book, gardening, “For some, it might be aggressive going for a run, doing a craft project, activities, like boxing or hiking, Othcleaning out your closet. It doesn’t ers prefer calming activities, such as have to make sense to anybody else. meditation or journaling,” she added. If it makes you feel good, it qualifies. Each person has something inSometimes it can be something as side of them. “I like physical activity, simple as taking a hot shower. Howoutside activities—hiking, skiing, ever, you can’t just do it while your anything that keeps me moving outmind is racing through your laundry side,” she said. list of things to do. The key word Anytime you choose to do some- here is “enjoy,” which means you thing that nurtures your well-being need to pause and immerse yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally or in the experience or activity. spiritually), you’re practicing selfCacciatori writes 750 words a care. It doesn’t matter how big or day on 750words.com. “I do it the small the activity may be. It doesn’t first thing in the morning, while I matter whether anyone else would enjoy my coffee,” she said. find it to be nurturing as well. All Do what you do with more intenthat matters is that it nourishes you. tion, she suggested, adding, “When At the core, self-care is about valuing we add intention to our daily ritual, yourself. consider it a ritual to service yourSelf-care is not an indulgence. It’s self. It becomes a lot more powerful. a necessity that should be woven into You’re making a conscious attenyour life each and every day. Selftion instead of unconnected going care doesn’t have to be a day at the through day.” spa or a whole weekend getaway to “Find what works for you be beneficial. In fact, there are simple through trial and error,” Beebe said. things you can do that will help you “Try something—if you don’t feel take an important mental pause to good, don’t do it. You’ll stay with the nurture your body, mind and spirit. things you need.” It’s much like the foundation of

CFLR is a local nonprofit organization supporting individuals struggling with addition, mental health and behavioral concerns. It’s celebrating 10 years this year.

with Cassandra Sheets

CEO of Center for Family Life and Recovery based in Utica talks about the organization mission, challenges. “We are all about prevention and recovery,” she says By David Podos Q: Who is the clientele that you serve? A: We work with people who are in recovery, whether that is recovery from alcohol, drugs or from a mental health condition. Our job is to transform people’s lives for the better. We also work with prevention and have a strong foundation in prevention. We offer school-based prevention services as well as family-based prevention services. Additionally, our clients can receive peer services. These are people who have had addiction or other issues that are very similar to what our clients are dealing with

and they offer coaching and support to those clients. So we are all about prevention and recovery. Q: What is one of the most important things you offer? A: We look at the four pillars of recovery: your home, your health, your community and your overall safety. Our part is really important to meet people where they are at. For instance, if someone is on their third or fourth relapse, they don’t want to look you in the eye, they know it’s happening again — they are down and out and depressed. But we keep

working with them, we don’t give up. Perhaps the next relapse won’t be as bad. We have a mantra here that says, ‘where there is help there is hope.’ Even speaking aloud the word hope, it just lightens the heart. Q: Can you give us an example of how you can impact people’s lives? A: We had a family during the height of COVID where their son came home and started using and he overdosed. They sent him to the hospital but shortly after he was discharged. The parents were besides themselves and did not know what to do, or who to call for further help. Someone in the community said to these parents that they should place a call to the Center for Family Life and Recovery, and they did. We helped get their son into treatment. He kept

in touch from time to time but has now moved out of the area. We gave not only that client hope, but brought hope to his family as well. Q: What counties does your organization serve? A: The two main counties we serve are Oneida County as well as Herkimer County. We also offer services in Otsego and Madison counties.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery is located at 502 Court St. in Utica. It has an operating budget of $2.4 million and about 50 employees. It can be reached 315-733-1709. Fopr more information, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com.

November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

10 Tips to Improve Your Health Today By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ou know the drill: eat right and exercise. But you can do many other things to improve your health also.

1. Reduce processed sugar. “What’s made the biggest difference in my energy and sleep is that I stopped eating processed sugar. I use Monk fruit, maple syrup or honey for sweetening. I don’t have dips and dives in energy and I sleep better. Our taste buds last 10 to 15 days. They re-grow based on what we’re feeding them. 2. Hydrate, but not too much. “Hydration seems like an all-ornothing mindset: one gallon of water a day or not drinking anything. Really, we don’t need a gallon of water a day. Over-hydration is a thing. Every couple hours have a cup of tea or some water. Don’t guzzle it but keep sipping throughout the day. Five to six glasses a day is reasonable and healthy. We sometimes overshoot goals and it’s draining because we make it so complicated.” 3. See your primary care provider. “Be honest with your provider and work with them to find ways to improve your health. Some people tell me they’re doing things when they’re not. Having a primary care provider is so important. We need a partner to help manage our health. We need to take proactive steps that aren’t reactive. I’m here to identify things early and coordinate care and get you in the right direction so we can manage it. People are scared to get colonoscopy and mammograms. But not knowing is scary.” 4. Get your flu vaccine. “Flu vaccine is important every year,

especially if you’re a senior citizen. When they go to their providers or the pharmacy, we call it the ‘high dose’ flu vaccine. At any age, anyone should have their vaccines, like whooping cough every 10 years. 5. Practice a healthy mindset. “My emphasis is having a healthy mindset. It’s just as important and having a positive mind to keep your body healthy. Don’t just focus on your body. Keep your mind and emotions healthy as well. Have a good social life and someone to talk with or reach out when you’re stressed. Those things make the body healthier as well.” 6. Try strength training. “Strength training isn’t just for young males. It’s for females and for the elderly. When you’re doing strength training, you use your cardiovascular system. It improves bone density to prevent osteoporosis. It also makes you more limber. Activities of daily living are more difficult than if you do strength training. It helps reduce body fat and increases muscle mass. Strength training helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.” 7. Aim for more monosaturated fats in your diet. “Not all fats are created equal. According to the American Medical Association, we need fats to help keep the body warm, to nourish our brains, give us energy, and help with the production of some hormones. The good fats are monounsaturated like olive oil, peanut butter, avocados, and even animal fats though

these should ideally be from pastured beef, pork and chicken. Polyunsaturated fats are found in oils such as sunflower, soybean, and corn oils and in nuts and seeds like walnuts and flaxseed. 8. Get your probiotic intake with yogurts and other fermented foods. “A healthy digestive system is important for healthy living. We hear so much about the water we drink and the air we breathe being filled with pollutants. Antibiotics kill good bacteria, too. Sugar helps grow the bad bacteria. The resulting bacterial imbalance can really throw us off. It’s a delicate balance between good and bad bacteria. This is why we have the recent push for fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and others. They are filled with good bacteria and the more the merrier. When these aren’t available or appealing, there are supplements to help balance your gut called probiotics.” 9. Pick your soy products carefully. “If you are consuming soy products as protein sources, I would recommend them to be USDA organic or non-GMO verified. I also recommend free-range or organic animal protein sources. I typically recommend rBST-free (bovine growth hormone) or organic dairy sources (cow, goat or sheep) that are at least 1%-2% milkfat. Research has shown that at least 2% dairy products contain anti-inflammatory properties.

Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

10 Increase magnesium-rich foods like avocados, black beans and almonds into your diet. “Magnesium is a

very important mineral that oversees more than 350 enzymatic processes in our bodies. It has been seen to assist in immunity, insomnia, depression, irritability, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, regulating blood pressure, relaxing smooth muscles, regulating blood sugar and so much more.”

Sources

• Tips 1 and 2 by Lacey Roy, lead nutrition coach and owner Full Bodied Health, Fayetteville. • Tip 3 by Nathaniel Farden, family nurse practitioner with Lakeview Primary Care, Oswego. • Tip 4 by Jiancheng Huang, public health director, Oswego County. • Tip 5 by Chiheon Yi, licensed acupuncturist, Holistic Practitioners Acupuncture Syracuse. • Tip 6 by Brandon Anderson, personal training manager at Blink Fitness in Syracuse. • Tips 7 and 8 by Sadieann Zogby Spear, owner A Strong And Healthy You, New Hartford. • Tips 9 and 10 by Laurel Sterling, registered dietitian, nutritionist and educator with Carlson Laboratories in Canastota

Golden Years

Shingles: What Every Older Adult Should Know Shingles can last from two week to several By Barbara Pierce

hingles is a rash with shooting pain—pain that can be intense, severe. Caused by an infection, the pain of shingles can continue for months, even years, after the infection. The pain from shingles can be mild to intense. Some people will have mostly itching; others will feel pain, even from a gentle touch of clothes or sheets, even from a breeze. Though pain is the most common symptom, other symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, upset stomach, muscle weakness and even decrease or loss of vision or hearing. (From the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases online.) “One in three people will get shingles in their lifetime,” said Pharmacist Sabrina Femia, Parkway Drugs, North Utica. “You’re more likely to get it as you get older.” The shingles rash begins with tingling, pain, numbness, or itching. Within a few days, the rash will develop and may spread. Fluid-filled blisters that are very similar to chickenpox blisters will grow out of the rash. Shingles can last from two weeks to several weeks. Most people will only have one outbreak in a lifetime, but multiple outbreaks are possible. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can develop shingles. Most adults in the U.S. had chickenpox when we were children, before we had the routine childhood vaccinations that now protect against chickenpox. Studies show that more than 99% of us older than 40 have had chickenpox, even if we may not remember having it. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus (varicella zoster virus). After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and stays dormant in your body for many years. In some people, the virus suddenly wakes up, forming the blisters or rash of shingles on the upper body. The reason for shingles is unclear. It may be due to lowered immunity to infections as we grow

older. It is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems. As we age, our immune system weakens in its ability to fight off infections, which makes us more vulnerable to diseases like the flu, pneumonia, COVID and shingles. We’re also at higher risk for serious complications from these diseases. The shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, is the only way to protect against shingles and the pain that can follow. “Absolutely do get the vaccine!” Femia said. “We recommend the shingle vaccination for all older adults.” CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, with two to six months between doses, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles. Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective at preventing shingles. Shingrix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, was approved by

the Food and Drug Administration in 2017. Shingrix is a nonliving vaccine made of a virus component. In clinical trials, the Shingrix vaccine was not associated with serious side events. In fact, serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare. The most common side effects of either shingles vaccine are redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and itching at the injection site and headaches. Shingrix causes a strong response in your immune system, so it may produce short-term side effects more intense than you are used to from other vaccines. Most people got a sore arm with mild or moderate pain after getting Shingrix. Some also had redness and swelling where they got the shot. Some people felt tired, had muscle pain, a headache, shivering, fever, stomach pain or nausea. About one in six people who got Shingrix experienced side effects that prevented them from doing regular activities for a few days. Side effects were more common in younger people. The side effects usually last only two or three days. The pain will be less severe than having shingles and

the complications from it. Overthe-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen helps. CDC advises that people older than 50 get Shingrix even if you have had shingles or you received the Zostavax vaccine (which was previously used to prevent shingles, now no longer available in the U.S.), or are not sure if you had chickenpox. Medicare Part D plans cover the shingles vaccine, as do many private health insurance plans; you may have a copay. You should not get Shingrix if you currently have shingles, have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, tested negative for immunity to varicella zoster virus, or currently are pregnant or breastfeeding. The shingles vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get shingles. But it will reduce the course and severity of the disease and reduce your risk of ongoing pain. Parkway Drugs in North Utica offers the shingles vaccine every Monday; call 315-624-9988 for an appointment.

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(315) 507-4751 | www.falconclinic.com November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

HOW CAN NY CONNECTS HELP? Free, easy, local access to information and assistance about long term care services and supports… regardless of age, income, or payor source. Get help with community services/supports designed to help people remain healthy and independent for Older Adults, Adults or Children with Disabilities as well as their Families and Caregivers. For answers to all your questions Contact us at 800-342-9871 or call one of the NY Connects partnering agencies at 315-697-5700 (Madison Office for the Aging) or 315-427-3122 (ARISE). You may also look for services and support at www.nyconnects.ny.gov

Five Ways to Apply for Social Security Benefits

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We continue to make it easier for you to access our programs and benefits. Our website offers a convenient way to apply for benefits online. You can apply online for: • Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits — You must be at least 61 years and 9 months in age and want your benefits to start in no more than four months. Apply at www.ssa.gov/ retireonline. • Disability Benefits — You can use our online application, available at www.ssa.gov/disabilityonline, to apply for disability benefits if you: – Are age 18 or older; – Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; – Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death; and – Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our online appeal application, is a start-

Q&A

Q: I need proof that I receive Medicare benefits. Where can I get a letter proving that? A: If you need proof that you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare, get an instant benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account. If you don’t receive benefits, your letter will serve as proof that you don’t receive benefits. If you recently applied for benefits, the letter will make that clear as well. The information on your benefit verification letter will include information that applies to your situation. You can set up your secure, personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Q: I was incarcerated for two years. Before I was imprisoned, I received SSI benefits. Will my SSI payments start automatically when I am released? A: No. You must contact your local Social Security office and provide them with information regarding your release dates. In some cases, it may be necessary to reapply for SSI benefits. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/reentry or contact your local Social Security office. Q: Will my retirement benefits increase if I wait and retire after my full retirement age? A: Yes. You can increase your Social Security retirement benefit in two ways:

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ing point to request a review of the determination we made. Please visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/ appeal.html. • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — SSI is a federal income program funded by general tax revenues, and helps people who have little or no income and who are age 65 or older, blind or have disabilities. If you meet certain requirements, you may apply online at www.ssa. gov/benefits/ssi. If you are not able to apply online, call your local Social Security office to apply. • Medicare — Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older, some people younger than 65 who have disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, you should apply for Medicare three months before turning age 65 at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare. • Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs — People who need assistance with the cost of medications can apply for Extra Help at www.ssa.gov/i1020. • You can increase your retirement benefit by a certain percentage if you delay receiving retirement benefits. We will add these increases automatically from the time you reach full retirement age until you start receiving benefits or reach age 70. • If you work, each additional year you work adds another year of earnings to your Social Security record. Higher lifetime earnings may result in higher benefits when you do retire. For more information, visit www. ssa.gov/pubs to read, print, or listen to our publication, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.” You also can use our “Retirement Estimator” at www.ssa.gov/estimator to determine your estimated future benefits. Q: I was speaking with my sister and she told me that she receives half of her spouse’s benefit. Why am I not eligible for benefits from my spouse? A: If your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits, you could be eligible for one-half of their benefit at your full retirement age. However, if you worked and are eligible for Social Security benefits on your own record, your own benefit may be higher than what you could be eligible for on your spouse’s record. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for benefits, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

runs between $1,000 and $3,000. If you want additional services beyond what a direct cremation offers, ask the funeral home for an itemized price list that covers the other services cost, so you know exactly what you’re getting. All providers are required by law to provide this. To locate nearby funeral homes, look in your local yellow pages, or Google “cremation” or “funeral” followed by your city and state. You can also get good information online at Parting.com, which lets you compare prices from funeral providers in your area based on what you want.

By Jim Miller

Simple and Inexpensive Final Farewells

Immediate or Direct Burial

Dear Simple, With the average cost of a full-service funeral running around $11,000 today, many people are seeking simple ways to make their final farewell more affordable. Depending on how you want to go, here are several low-cost options to consider.

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are looking for the simplest and least expensive way to dispose of our bodies when we die. We hate the idea of wasting a lot of money on highpriced funerals and would like some advice on some simple and cheap send-offs. – Simple Seniors

Direct Cremation If you and your husband are interested in cremation, a direct cremation is the simplest and least expensive way to go. It includes picking up the body, completing and filing the necessary paperwork, the cremation itself and returning the cremated remains to the family. There’s no embalming, formal viewing or casket. A simple cardboard box called an “alternative container” is used to hold the body. Depending on where you live and the funeral home you choose, the average cost for a direct cremation

The Balanced Body

It won’t happen overnight; take one day at a time and don’t give up

Green Burial An eco-friendly green burial is another affordable way to go that costs anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the provider. With a green cemetery burial, the body is buried in a biodegradable coffin or just wrapped in a shroud, without embalming chemicals or a burial

Anatomical Donation If you’d like to eliminate your cremation or burial costs all together, as well as help advance medical research, you and your husband should consider donating your bodies to science. This option won’t cost you a cent, however, some programs may charge a small fee to transport your body to their facility. After using your body for medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice, your remains will be cremated and your ashes will be buried or scattered in a local cemetery or returned to your family, usually within a year. To locate accredited university medical school body donation programs in your state, see the University of Florida’s U.S. program directory at Anatbd.acb.med.ufl.edu/ usprograms, or call the whole-body donation referral service during business hours at 800-727-0700.

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.

By Deb Dittner

Staying Fit Boosts Immunity taying fit is a labor of love, but it’s needed to boost immunity for the upcoming fall and winter months. Only you can make it happen to physically move, to be active, to play, to exercise. Get on your feet and dance. Or, if you enjoy running, weight lifting or biking you’re on your own and may need some tunes or a playlist to push your workout. Sure, there are some days when there’s a chill in the air and you don’t want to get out from under the warm covers. I get it. But I also know how much better I feel once I have taken action by going to my favorite gym for an hour class of cardio, HIIT, strengthening, yoga, you name it. For me, this is an important part of my health and wellness, and it can (and should) be for you, too. By taking those first steps, you can look toward your next class with more energy, motivation and confidence. So why do you need to get off the couch, stand up and move? Your overall health counts on it. Living a sedentary lifestyle, you age more quickly, decrease mobility and increase your risk for many health conditions. You can prevent so many health problems through consistent

If you’re interested in being buried, an immediate or direct burial is the most basic and low-cost option. With an immediate burial, your body would be buried in a simple container shortly after death, skipping the embalming, viewing and use of the funeral facilities. If your family wants a memorial service, they can have it at the graveside at your place of worship or at home without the body. These services usually cost between $1,800 and $3,500, not counting cemetery charges, which can run you an additional $1,000 to $3,000. All funeral homes offer direct burial.

vault. The Green Burial Council (GreenBurialCouncil.org, 888-966-3330) has a state listing of cemetery operators who accommodate green burials, as well as funeral professionals who provide the services.

daily action. Need help in getting off the couch? Here are some tips to motivate you on your journey. • Think of this time as self-care or “me time.” You need to look at exercise as an important lifestyle change necessary in taking care of you in the best way possible. • Set an achievable goal and be realistic. A fitness assessment can help determine your goals after examining the results. Speak with your health care provider or physical therapist or personal trainer to point you in the direction of a good assessment tool, and follow through with the results and necessary changes. • Set specific milestones along the way towards your goal. By taking steps in increments makes the task more manageable and motivational. • Lifestyle changes are necessary along with exercise. When attending birthday parties, holiday meals, or family night out, don’t deprive yourself but do take responsibility for your actions. Being held accountable by a friend or family member will help you to attain your goals. • Create a doable plan and workout schedule. If you go to a gym, set your schedule weekly or monthly

and make sure it’s in your planner. If you work out at home, set a specific time of day and stick to it. • Patience is a virtue so they say. And this is an excellent time to be patient with yourself and your goals. Nothing happens overnight and it does take work, especially if you’re starting from scratch and getting the move on. It takes approximately three months to develop a habit so take one day at a time and don’t give up. • You need a cheerleader. Whether it be a family member or dear friend to support your efforts, it is necessary in achieving your goals. Ideally, encourage a family member or friend to join in your efforts and train with you. Working out with others gives you that added push. And it’s always more fun! A group setting will also decrease stress levels, and increase improvements in your mental, physical and emotional quality of life. • If a gym membership is too costly, there is low-cost fitness. This consists of videos, apps and wearables. • For seniors, exercise is anti-aging. Exercise will help lubricate joints, increase mobility, and decrease overall inflammation. • Stay focused on the goal. Surround yourself with fitness by reading fitness blogs, and magazines. Keep company with like-minded fitness friends who are supportive. • Create a vision board. Cut out picture(s) of a special outfit you’d like to see yourself in or a location to

where you want to travel. • Have fun! Exercise should not be pure drudgery. If you enjoy dancing, take salsa lessons. If you enjoy team sports, join a basketball, ice hockey or soccer team. There are many age groups to choose from. Once you begin to look and feel better, have more energy and begin to see changes in your body, you will know you are gaining improved health for a better tomorrow. So, without further ado, find some motivational lyrics to help keep you on track.

Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner.com or contact her at 518-596-8565.

November 2021 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

Health News Bariatric Surgeon from Rome Health Inducted into Who’s Who Registry

ome Health bariatric surgeon Keneth Hall II has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process. The Jamaica-native physician is the medical director of the hernia center, weight loss center, and wound centers at Rome Health. Since taking that position with the hospital in September 2019, he has been

instrumental in bringing minimally invasive general surgical techniques to the forefront of the institution. He recently performed some of the first minimally invasive weight loss surgeries ever done at Rome Health. Hall did his undergraduate education at York College of the City University of New York where he received several scholarships and awards for academic excellence and commitment to research and graduated with honors. He received an M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine in 2005, and while there, he was selected to complete an internship at the US Department of Health and Human Services in Bethesda,

MVHS welcomes new nurse practitioners

Bassett’s efforts to combat burnout recognized

Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) recently announced the addition of two new nurse practitioners to its staff. • Kristin Rutherford has joined MVHS Oneida Medical Office as a certified family nurse practitioner, where she will provide care to patients of all ages. Rutherford has more than 14 years of clinical experiKristin Rutherford ence in family medicine, hematology/oncology, surgical, trauma and critical care. Most recently, Rutherford was assistant medical director at Hamilton College in Clinton, where she provided clinical care to students as well as administrative protocols for the college’s health care center. Rutherford earned her Master of Science degree in family nurse practitioner from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Utica College of Syracuse University in Utica. • Melissa Schmidt has joined Upstate Urology at MVHS as a certified family nurse practitioner and will provide care to patients of all ages. Schmidt has more than 10 years of nursing experience at MVHS in inpaMelissa Schmidt tient post-operative care and vascular surgery. Schmidt earned her Master of Science degree in family nurse practitioner from Utica College in Utica. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recognized Bassett Healthcare Network recently as a recipient of the 2021 Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program. The AMA awards this distinction to health systems that actively demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing of health care team members by combating work-related stress and burnout. Physician Caroline Gomez-DiCesare, Bassett Healthcare Network’s director of wellbeing, accepted the recognition on behalf of the health system. Bassett is based in Cooperstown and operates Little Falls Hospital in Herkimer County. “The chronic crises throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on everyone, with particularly high stressors on all of us in health care,” said Gomez-DiCesare. “It is especially meaningful to receive this recognition of Bassett’s leadership at a time when working toward wellbeing in the health care workplace is even more important than ever before.” “Our employees are the single most important asset we have at Bassett Healthcare Network,” says physician Tommy Ibrahim, president and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “We strive to empower our people with a support system that allows them to thrive and give their best to our patients. An investment in our caregivers is an investment in our patients and community.” One such investment — and an important consideration of the AMA’s evaluation — has been the Clinician Peer Support Program of Central New York (CPSP-CNY). Launched in May 2020 by Bassett with four other regional health institutions and now the American Nurses Association of New York (ANA-NY), the CPSP-CNY offers emotional and empathetic support to clinicians under stress. The program’s referral system allows clinicians to confidentially reach out individually or on behalf of colleagues who might themselves be reluctant to seek help. The multi-institutional framework matches

Keneth Hall II

clinicians with peer supporters from outside of their home organization, allowing more anonymity when receiving support. Peer support has been proven to help decrease suicide rates in other high-stress professions, such as law enforcement and the military.

New surgeons join MVHS Surgical Group Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) recently announced two surgeons have joined the staff of MVHS Surgical Group. • Matthew Denson specializes in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, as well as colon pathology and colon cancer surgery. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and his Master of Science degree Matthew Denson in biomedical sciences, from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, Florida. He performed his residency in general surgery at CarePoint Health, Bayonne Medical Center, in Bayonne, New Jersey. • Kathryn Fitzgerald specializes in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, as well as abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repair. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern UniverKathryn Fitzgerald sity College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, Florida. She performed her residency in general surgery at CarePoint Health, Bayonne Medical Center, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Fitzgerald is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Association

Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2021

Maryland, where he investigated and made recommendations to address disparities in healthcare. Hall later underwent a rigorous general surgery training program at Stony Brook University Hospital before completing a minimally invasive, robotic and bariatric surgical fellowship at NYU Long Island in 2012. Hall is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He has recently helped to start a new bariatric program in Rome, where is currently offering surgeries for obese patients including Roux-En-Y gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomies and corresponding revisions as well as a full complement of general surgical procedures.

and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. Both physicians have privileges at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Center for Family Life and Recovery gets $19K to expand

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc (CFLR) has received a $19,000 charitable grant through the Mele Family Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. According to Jodi Warren, director of prevention services at CFLR, the funds will be used to help the Holland Patent and Camden school districts to become accredited in providing support in grief and loss, anger management and group support for children and youths. The grant will also help fund the current curriculum, which is crucial for today’s school children who are dealing with mental health issues, including the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19 or other illness, divorce or separation, and overdose or suicide. “By bringing this kind of accreditation to our prevention department, it enhances what we do by helping support protective factors and decreases the potential of risky behaviors or further types of traumas,” said Warren. “Now more than ever with what our children and families continually have to endure, programming such as this is vital to their well-being.” Since 1952, the Community Foundation has invested millions of dollars into Oneida and Herkimer counties. The foundation partners with various nonprofits in order to make impactful investments in core areas of need, including economic development, education, arts and culture and health. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness and transform lives. The vision of CFLR is to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery.

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