Empty Nest February 2014

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Empty Nest

February Special Section

Empty Nest NorthFulton.com | February 2014

Sponsored Section

Milan Eye Center chosen to be the first to use the Ziemer Laser Milan Eye Center is excited to announce that we have been chosen to be the first practice in the United States to use the Ziemer Laser for Bladeless Cataract Surgery. This exciting news comes right after Ziemer’s new laser was cleared by the FDA to be used in cataract surgery.

Cataracts are the natural clouding of the lens in the eye. As we age, proteins in the lens of the eye become altered and lose their transparency. Symptoms that cataract patients generally describe include blurred vision, seeing halos or starbursts at night, difficulty reading, needing

more and more light to read and frequent changes in their glasses prescription.

Fortunately, removing cataracts has become a safe, effective procedure that our surgeons can perform in an outpatient setting. Indeed, cataract surgery is the most common outpatient surgery

Cataracts?

Worry no more!

Bladeless laser surgery is now available.

Milan Eye Center is the first practice in the United States to offer bladeless cataract surgery of its type.

Milan Eye Center is excited to announce that we have been chosen to be the first practice in the United States to use the Ziemer Z6 Laser for bladeless laser surgery. Now, Atlanta residents have the option to have a safer, quicker and more precise way of removing cataracts by utilizing our new bladeless laser procedure.

Look for our ad series and visit us at www.MilanEyeCenter.com for more information on specific services and ways to learn more.

2011 and 2012 One of America’s Top Doctors by U.S. News and World Report

Milan R. Patel, M.D. Niraj Desai, M.D. Cataract & Refractive Cataract & Refractive Surgeon Surgeon

Gina Borgnini, O.D. Optometrist

Priyal Gadani, O.D. Optometrist

6300 Hospital Pkwy, Suite 325 | Johns Creek 970 Sanders Rd, Suite 100 | Cumming

Learn more at

www.MilanEyeCenter.com

Call today for a consultation 678-688-4575

performed in the US. Traditionally, cataract surgery is performed with a blade in order to make the initial incisions for entry into the eye.

Blades are also used to correct any astigmatism in the cornea of the eye during surgery.

Thereafter, the surgeon uses ultrasound waves in order to break down the cataract into small pieces.

The pieces are then removed by a specialized vacuum device. Thereafter, an artificial implant is inserted in the eye restoring vision.

Now, Atlanta residents have the option to have a safer, quicker and more precise way of removing cataracts by utilizing our new Bladeless laser procedure. The procedure is quick and precise because of the accuracy of the Ziemer Femto LDV laser. The Femto LDV scans the entire eye and provides real-time imaging of the eye. This allows the doc-

tors to determine the exact thickness and location of the cataract and to project a grid of precise coordinates for every single laser pulse that will be emitted during the procedure.

This technology allows each procedure to be specifically tailored to patient anatomy resulting in better outcomes.

The laser is an FDA approved device with proven safety and efficacy.

One of the reasons why Ziemer chose Milan Eye Center as the first practice to offer their Bladeless Cataract Surgery is because Drs. Milan Patel’s and Niraj Desai’s exceptional reputation as leading eye surgeons is not only known here in Atlanta, but across the US. Ziemer also noticed that not only is our practice constantly at the forefront of the latest techniques and procedures, but we also provide a

See CATARACT, Page 5

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February 2014

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Ask Pam, Your Expert in The Road Ahead: Planning For Retirement Senior Home Care Since 2006 (NAPS)—If you or someone you love is

Pointers and Programs To Help Make The Most of the Golden Years

among the 13 percent of Americans over 65—or soon will be—there are a number of things that may pay to know when it comes to retirement planning.

What You Should Know According to the U.S. Census Bureau, persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years, meaning retirement could last for decades. To make the most of your retirement years, careful and strategic planning is critical. There will be many decisions to make, including whether you need to make lifestyle changes, whether you want to continue working, what goals and priorities you have, sources of income and benefits, and how you want to spend your time.

Often times, it can be helpful to consult with a financial services professional to make these decisions—and maybe, the place that you work.

6 Decisions to Consider Financial professionals say it’s important for your financial plan to include products that provide lifetime income. Six key planning elements to think about before retiring include: • Decide how you want to structure your retirement savings. If you are married you may wish to consolidate accounts, while others will choose to keep accounts separate.

• Communicate openly with your significant other and talk through your financial differences. Set goals and spending budgets so you are in agreement about how to spend during retirement.

• Learn about your pension and what rules apply to your pension and retirement savings.

• Establish a Social Security game plan. Work through the numbers and decide if it’s more beneficial to draw those benefits through your spouse’s working years or your own.

• Consider age when purchasing financial protection products. Is one spouse significantly older?

• Seek legal counsel about all your estate planning options. Wills, living wills, trusts and powers of attorney are all legal means of ensuring your wishes are carried out. It is also important to update all these documents any time there is a change in your marital status or family structure.

Helpful Resources An easy, but often overlooked resource in retirement planning is your current employer and the resources it offers. Through the workplace, many Americans can take advantage of a program that provides an opportunity for personalized guidance.

For example, one St. Louis woman

The more you know about yourself and your finances before you retire, the better off you may be afterward. never knew she’d be an entrepreneur in retirement until she participated in an employer-offered program, and met Todd Gentry, CFP, ChFc, CAP, a Financial Services Representative and Special Needs Planner. Through the retirewiseSM program, a MetLife-driven comprehensive educational program offered to individuals in the workplace, Gentry was able to assist this woman facing early retirement reach unexpected success.

“Through the retirewise program, we help participants identify and achieve their retirement goals,” Gentry noted. “We cover topics from savings and investments, employer benefits and creating an income plan for retirement years.”

Tim Essman, a Financial Services Representative with Wealth Strategies Group in San Diego, helped another woman who had worked for 35 years achieve her dream of visiting her Italian relatives, which included the purchase of a condo in Italy.

“Programs like retirewise encourage individuals to think about their retirement and provide tools and resources to help them reach success,” says Jeff Tulloch, vice president at MetLife.

“At the conclusion of our program, for example, participants and their spouses have the opportunity for a complimentary face-to-face consultation with a specially trained representative to take the training to the next level and move toward execution. It can be extremely helpful to ask your employer or HR representative if they offer such a program.”

Overall, it’s a good idea to first envision what you want your retirement to look like and then work with an advisor to see that vision come to life.

He or she can help you articulate the retirement you want and help you finance and plan based on current and future financial planning trends.

Senior Helpers is your hometown solution for all your Senior Care needs.

Since opening in 2006, Senior Helpers has helped so many families with exceptional care. Senior Helpers employees loving and experienced caregivers that are passionate about serving. All Senior Helpers caregivers are Alzheimer & Dementia Care certified and have passed strict hiring and background checks.

Q; My mother lives alone in Roswell and this weather has really been tough on her (and us children too :). She has been very anxious and scared at home by herself. Can Senior Helpers provide as needed care as well as long-term care? -John O. Pam; Yes sir. Senior Helpers can provide as little as one hour of care one time all the way up to 24/7 and live-in care.

A great aspect of our company is flexibility. Your mother can call us and receive care whenever she needs the help. Many families have us as a backup plan and use us when they are out of town, when their loved one returns from the hospital, around holidays...

We are here to serve however you need us!

Senior Helpers is locally owned and managed by Pam Hodgson and her grown children, Elizabeth Jackson & Matt Fredenberg. Pam lives with her husband on a farm where she enjoys as much time as she can with her grandchildren.

• Alzheimer and Dementia Care • Transportation and Errands • Bathing, Dressing and Light Housekeeping • Fall Risk Care

• Caregivers Available from 1 hr./day to 24/7 and Live-in • Assisted Living Placement Assistance • Custom and Flexible Schedules

Senior Helpers: Matt Fredenberg, Elizabeth Jackson, Pam Hodgson, Hutch Hodgson

770.442.2154 Your Local Senior Care Expert.

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February 2014

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Doctor’s Hearing Center offers Worry Free Hearing Care Solutions Doctor’s Hearing Center is now open in Johns Creek to provide hearing care for the general community, diagnostic hearing and balance services for physicians and industry or academic hearing screenings.

We offer hearing consultations, audiologic testing, the latest technology in hearing aids, hearing aid repairs, wax removal, tinnitus or ringing in the ears treatment and advice on hearing health programs

available.

Dr. Robin Andrews is an expert on correcting hearing problems.

Physicians trust Dr. Andrews and for over 30 years have been referring patients to assist in patient diagnosis and management.

He has been in private practice since 1984 and has helped many Georgians with their hearing health.

Dr. Andrews specializes in the treatment of hearing loss due to nerve damage and diagnostics for balance and dizziness.

He has worked with Neurologists, Primary Care Physicians, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons, Veterans Administration and many industries.

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition presented to the primary care physician.

The first is heart disease and the second is low back pain.

Do You: • Hear but don’t understand what people say?

• Ask people to repeat what they say?

• Get complaints that your TV is too loud?

• Have difficulty understanding women and children?

• Ringing or noise in your ears?

• Miss common sounds like telephones and doorbells ringing?

Hearing loss can occur if you have a family history of hearing loss, noise exposure, diabetes or heart disease.

Join us in our excitement to be here in Johns Creek by taking that next step to help yourself or someone you know or love.

Call 770-676-7208 or stop in at 11180 State Bridge Road, Suite 207, to set up an appointment to get the expert hearing care you need and deserve.

How do you know if you have hearing loss or diminished hearing?

Dr. Robin Andrews Audiologist Board Certified

Active Senior Living!

•Country Club Atmosphere •Beautiful Patios and Gardens •Movie Theater •Ice Cream Parlor •Respite and Short Term Stays

•Medication Management Programs •Individualized Care Plans •Exercise Room •Spacious Apartments •Incredible Social Activities & Outings.

Call today to schedule your tour!

Ivy Hall

5690 StateBridge Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30022 (770) 814-0114

Exceeding expectations, enriching cherished lives.

www.ivyhallseniorcommunity.com

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Help to choose a great way to live cookies, etc.?

Are there physicians in the house!?

Is there always a nurse on the floor and, if so, what is the resident-to-nurse ratio?

Now, let’s talk about medicine and fulfillment. If the resident needs medicine, then does the nurse distribute and notify the resident as well as the loved one when refills are necessary. Ask about hygiene and bathing routine. Ask about weekly laundry service and light housekeeping. Does the house provide garbage bags, toilet tissue and light bulbs throughout? Is there an activity schedule? Does the apartment include utilities, carpet, blinds and monitored smoke detectors? How about my loved one’s hair? Does a beautician come regularly? How do I get on their schedule? Is there a place for us just to visit?

Is there a place for a group of us to eat together privately?

Hearthstone Personal Care Community offers you not only the list of questions for you to consider when interviewing a place for your loved one but we also hope you will consider us! Call for a tour today of our private yet accessible home between the heart of Roswell and Georgia 400. Good luck with the important decision: 770-552-1091.

When You Need to Provide More Than Love OR A TOU LF lusive All incate r

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Intimate assisted living community in the heart of Roswell with a ranch style home-like setting and 24 personalized suites.

Hands-on Local Ownership 3 Home Cooked Meals Daily Weekly Housekeeping, Laundry and Linen Service Medication Supervision On-site Physician Care

350 Market Place | Roswell, GA 30075 770-552-1091 | www.hearthstoneofroswell.com

Come Home to Hearthstone

!

AlertAppen Media Group:

Empty Nest Monthly Special Section

Cataract: Continued from Page 2 friendly, personalized, family-like atmosphere for our patients.

Milan Eye Center has two convenient locations north of Atlanta: Johns Creek and Cumming.

Our locations are ideal for those living in other nearby locations such as Alpharetta, Cumming, Milton, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford, Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Roswell, Norcross, Gwinnett, as well as Johns Creek. Milan Eye Center

is a premier ophthalmology practice and is affiliated with Atlanta’s finest hospitals including Northside Forsyth Hospital and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

• First in US to use the Ziemer Z6 for Laser Cataract Surgery • No Blades are necessary for the procedure with Laser Cataract Surgery • With the laser, surgeries are safer, quicker, and more precise • This new technology allows each procedure to be tailored to each patient’s anatomy resulting in better outcomes.

Performed by Drs. Niraj Desai and Milan Patel, who have extensive experience with cataract surgery.

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The number of facilities and residents served in personal care homes has ballooned and so has the diversity of needs. Some homes cater to those who have trouble cooking or doing their own laundry; while others to those with dementia, loss of mobility and even more serious issues. Personal care the way it used to be is the way it can be again for one inclusive fee. Simplify your life and learn the questions to ask to make sure that all needs are covered.

With one inclusive fee, confirm that there are no needed additional fees.

What does the inclusive fee cover? Are there topics of fees that are not covered that need to be considered? And, do not forget to ask about time… If you elect to go with an inclusive fee, confirm how long the inclusive fee is guaranteed?

If you are looking at an inclusive fee, make sure that the meals are included!

Not just one meal but three balanced meals per day and that your loved one will be able to eat them! Is there a special menu needed? Is there a special way that the meal needs to be served: restaurant-table-top style, buffet, roomservice, staff-fed? How does your loved one need to make sure that they are nourished. Are snacks included? If so, how many and what kind: fruit, bars,

February 2014

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Advertising DEADLINE: 3rd Tuesday of every month Call to reserve your advertising now.

770-442-3278 x100

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February 2014

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We Connect You.

Top 10 Wealthiest Georgia Communities with Income over $150k (Milton Herald)

Druid Hills – 26% Sandy Springs – 25% Alpharetta – 23%

(Johns Creek Herald)

Roswell – 22%

Berkeley Lake – 41% Milton – 36% Johns Creek – 30%

(Revue & News)

Skidaway Island – 27% Dunwoody – 26%

(Revue & News)

Peachtree City – 21%

Per the Atlanta Business Chronicle Sept. 16-22, 2011

The Milton Herald, The Johns Creek Herald, and The Alpharetta/Roswell Revue & News are the primary local newspapers in the 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th wealthiest cities in Georgia.

Our Readers Should be Your Customers: • • • • •

Reach over 139,650 Loyal Readers 61% of Appen Readers earn $100,000+ 33% of Appen Readers earn $150,000+ 65% Are College Graduates or Post Grad.

75% Use our Newspapers to Purchase Goods and Services

• • • •

Milton Herald Circulation: 8,500 Forsyth Herald Circulation: 17,000 Johns Creek Herald Circulation: 20,000 Revue & News Circulation: 28,000

Online: NorthFulton.com & NorthsideWoman.com 319 N. Main St., Alpharetta, GA (about 15 miles N. of Atlanta)

Contact us now: 770-442-3278 x100

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