Appen Media Group
September Special Section
PEXELS
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2 | September 2026 | AppenMedia.com
Medicare insurance changes on the horizon Brought to you by – Senior Source Medicare For anyone on a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan, you should be receiving your ANOC right about now. This is your Annual Notice of Change. How will these plans change for 2027, you ask? On Prescription Drug Plans, expect higher monthly premiums and higher deductibles. Many drug plans will be using the standard $700 deductible on brand name medicines. And then, there is always a possibility of formulary changes on the prescriptions you take. For example, the drug that is currently at a lower Tier 3 cost could now be Tier 4 in 2027. For those do-it-yourselfers, the easiest way to verify these tier level changes is by visiting Medicare.gov and using the Prescription Drug Plan Finder Tool. On Medicare Advantage, there is a divide between companies that “want the business” (based on how competitive their Medicare Advantage benefits are designed) and companies that believe they are “too big to fail” (a 2008 reference for those of you that remember). Let me be frank, most Medicare Advantage companies are of sound finan-
PROVIDED
cial strength and do a great job at paying your medical and drug claims. But here are the areas of an MA Plan that shine when they are competitive: • Low to $0 monthly Premium • Reasonable Maximum Out Of Pocket amounts • Possible Part B Premium Reduction Option • Competitive Copays on doctor visits and surgeries
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 15 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies
Jay Looft Owner/Agent
• Wide selection of doctors and hospitals • Wide variety of brand name and generic prescription drugs covered • Sufficient dental and vision insurance, with quality providers available • Additional benefits such as gym memberships and grocery allowance possible If you have not opened your Annual Notice of Change in a couple years, chances are you have probably missed
out on some of these benefits listed above. So often the Medicare Advantage companies will degrade plans over time, but only those Medicare beneficiaries who are engaged with their plan changes every year, and their AGENT, will benefit and win in 2027. Fortunately, you have an agent… SeniorSource Medicare Solutions! We are based out of Alpharetta and Cumming, but also have agents in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Monroe, and Madison. I’m now entering my 18th Medicare Annual Enrollment Period as a Medicare Insurance Agent. Because of this experience, I can assure you we are very good at what we do and believe we can lead you to the best plan for you in 2027. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period will begin on October 15th, 2026 and run through December 7th, 2026, with those selections going into effect on January 1st, 2027. Please contact us by visiting our webpage for this upcoming AEP at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/AEP. Here we will provide valuable tips, information, and links to popular Medicare Advantage Plan Summaries starting on October 1st. We look forward to working with you this fall!
Would you like your business included in the next Empty Nest Section?
• Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis • Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services • Individual Health Coverage for those under 65
Reach affluent North Atlanta communities with a
circulation of 114,000 the fourth week of each month. 770.913.6464
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”
To learn more, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com
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AppenMedia.com | September 2026 | 3
Odysseus and medicine in the age of Homer Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology Medical science can sometimes help us step back in time and understand the past as though centuries no longer separate us. Homer's The Odyssey has received renewed attention through Christopher Nolan's recent film adaptation, providing an opportunity to revisit medicine in Homer's world. By understanding the effects of two plants— nightshade and snowdrops—modern pharmacology sheds light on one of the epic's most perplexing episodes: the transformation of Odysseus's men into swine. Christopher Nolan's adaptation includes the startling scene in which the sorceress Circe turns Odysseus's men into pigs. In Homer's original epic, Circe poisons the soldiers' drink. The god Hermes gives Odysseus an antidote in the form of a plant called Moly, described as having a black root and a white flower. Odysseus consumes the herb, drinks Circe's poisoned brew without harm, then confronts Circe and rescues his men. To modern audiences, Circe's potion seems fantastical. But to ancient listeners familiar with local plants and traditional healing, it may have suggested something far more recognizable. One influential interpretation proposes that Circe's potion was inspired by poisonous plants of the nightshade family, which profoundly affect the nervous system. Normally, the body shifts between "rest and digest" and "fight or flight" through the action of acetylcholine. Nightshade blocks acetylcholine, pushing the nervous system toward "fight or flight." In larger doses, the consequences become severe. Poisoning by nightshade produces the classic symptoms: "blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, red as a beet, hot as a hare, dry as a bone." Victims may suffer blurred vision, impaired sweating, confusion, hallucinations, and delusions. Nightshade is among history's most famous poisons, appearing in Homer, Shakespeare, and countless ancient texts. Homer's audience would likely have recognized its effects. Nightshade could leave Odysseus's men as helpless as pigs—or even convince them they were pigs. Medical historians have suggested that Moly may have been the snowdrop (Galanthus), which has a white flower, dark roots when freshly dug up, and which contains galantamine, a compound that increases acetylcholine activity and largely counteracts the effects
Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services
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of nightshade. But snowdrops are not harmless. In excessive doses, they can slow the heart, weaken breathing, lower blood pressure, and become poisonous themselves. Only a master herbalist or a hero with Hermes as his guide could have chosen the proper balance. For ancient audiences, the story likely gained another layer of suspense now largely lost on us. They may have recognized that Moly itself was dangerous. Once Odysseus swallowed it, the clock began ticking. Odysseus had to drink Circe’s nightshade before the snowdrop killed him. The antidote became the poison, and the poison became the antidote. When Odysseus consumed Moly, ancient listeners may have experienced the same suspense we feel watching heroes race to obtain an antidote in modern films. When Odysseus swallowed one poison in preparation for another, ancient listeners, too, were likely on the edge of their seats. Almost any substance can be a medicine at one dose and a poison at another. That paradox—and the knowledge that Hermes' "gift" was both antidote and toxin—deepens our understanding of the peril Odysseus faced. Between Circe and Hermes, nightshade and snowdrops, he navigates a medicinal Scylla and Charybdis in which each plant is both poison and cure. A knowledge of ancient herbal medicine and modern pharmacology makes sense of a scene of soldiers turned into pigs and helps us appreciate a moment of tremendous danger and suspense for our great ancient hero Odysseus.
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables. Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 years experience as a Dermatology PA and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Brent Taylor
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care. WINNER
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
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Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today. 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899
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Coming home after a hospital stay The equipment plan that keeps your loved one safe (and you sane)
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To learn more, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com
Brought to you by – Mobility Plus Alpharetta A hospital discharge date can arrive with surprisingly little notice. One day the care team is talking about “a few more days,” and the next, you’re told your parent or spouse can go home tomorrow — and the house isn’t ready. With the right plan — and the right provider — most families can have a home fully ready in the days between “discharge is happening” and “discharge day.” Before discharge day: What needs to happen Hospital discharge planners and case managers are focused on medical readiness — medication, follow-up appointments, home health referrals. The physical readiness of the home is often left to the family. The first few weeks home: Priority checklist The first two to three weeks after discharge are typically the highest-risk period for a fall or a re-hospitalization. A few things matter most during this window: • Entryway: A safe way to get in and out of the house, whether that’s a threshold ramp, a portable ramp for a few steps or a more substantial ramp system or vertical platform lift at the garage steps. • Bedroom: A safe, appropriately positioned sleeping setup. Whether that’s a fully electric hospital bed with adjustable height, head and foot elevation, or simply repositioning furniture, the goal is a bed that supports safe, independent (or assisted) transfers in and out. Additionally, an unobstructed and well-lit path to the bathroom is vital! • Bathroom: This is where properly anchored grab bars in the water closet and shower and a shower chair and bedside commode by the bed for emergencies really matter! Mitigating fall risk and avoiding hospital readmission are the goals! • Transfer Strategy: A transfer plan for anyone who needs hands-on help moving from bed to chair or chair to toilet is a must. A sit-to-stand lift or a full Hoyer-style patient lift protects both the patient and the caregiver’s back. Why one provider changes the math for family caregivers Working with one provider who can
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assess, sell, rent, install, and service the full range of equipment — hospital beds, transfer lifts, bathroom safety items, ramps, stairlifts, and mobility devices — collapses that into a single relationship. One visit can identify everything the home needs. One delivery schedule can be coordinated around the discharge date. One phone number handle question afterward, whether it’s a service call on a stairlift or a question about upgrading a rental to a purchase. Renting to bridge the gap Not everything can be installed or delivered instantly. A custom, curved stairlift may take several weeks to build and install. A specific power chair model may be on back order. In the meantime, a rental can cover the immediate need without forcing a rushed, permanent decision. Mobility Plus Alpharetta was built around exactly that model. We sell, service, and rent hospital beds, patient transfer lifts (including sit-to-stand and full Hoyer-style lifts), bedside commodes, shower chairs, grab bars, rollators, stairlifts, wheelchair ramps, vertical platform lifts, and lightweight, folding power wheelchairs — all from one team. We can schedule a home assessment before discharge day, help you prioritize what matters most, coordinate rental equipment to bridge any gaps, and manage the entire process from a single point of contact — so your family can focus on your loved one, not on managing five different vendors. If a discharge date is on the horizon, reach out to Mobility Plus Alpharetta to schedule an assessment and get a plan in place before the day arrives.
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Skin Care Awareness Month Understanding your skin’s unique needs
Brought to you by – Dr. Kehinde R. Olumesi, Epiphany Dermatology September is Skin Care Awareness Month, a wonderful reminder that healthy skin begins with understanding your skin’s unique needs. While a consistent skincare routine is important for everyone, no two people have the same skin, which is why individualized care is so valuable. As a dermatologist, I believe that awareness is the first step toward healthier skin. That means protecting your skin from the sun every day, becoming familiar with new or changing spots, and seeking care for concerns such as acne, eczema, hair loss, or persistent rashes before they become more difficult to manage. Preventive care and early intervention can make a meaningful difference in both your skin’s health and your confidence. For patients with skin of color, there are often additional considerations. Conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis may present differently than they do in lighter skin tones, and inflammation can sometimes lead to lingering dark spots, known as post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation. Some patients may also be more prone to concerns such as melasma or keloid scarring. These differences don’t mean skin of color is more difficult to treat—they simply reinforce the importance of receiving care from a dermatologist who understands how skin conditions can present across all skin tones and can tailor treatment accordingly. Partnering with a board-certified dermatologist allows you to receive a personalized plan designed specifically for your skin, hair, and nails. Whether your goals include managing a chronic skin condition, preventing skin cancer, improving pigmentation, or exploring cosmetic treatments such as laser procedures or injectables, expert guidance helps ensure your care is both safe and effective. This Skin Care Awareness Month, take the opportunity to invest in your skin’s long-term health. Healthy skin isn’t about having perfect skin—it’s about understanding your unique needs and working with a trusted dermatologist to help your skin look and feel its very best.
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Welcome
Joanne Jacob, MD! We’re pleased to welcome Joanne Jacob, MD, to our Brookhaven, GA, location. Now accepting new patients!
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BROOKHAVEN, GA 4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd Ste 280 Atlanta, GA 30341
CALL OR SCAN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
(470) 903-8886 E P I P H A N Y D E R M AT O L O G Y. C O M
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Medicare insurance changes on the horizon Brought to you by – Senior Source Medicare For anyone on a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan, you should be receiving your ANOC right about now. This is your Annual Notice of Change. How will these plans change for 2027, you ask? On Prescription Drug Plans, expect higher monthly premiums and higher deductibles. Many drug plans will be using the standard $700 deductible on brand name medicines. And then, there is always a possibility of formulary changes on the prescriptions you take. For example, the drug that is currently at a lower Tier 3 cost could now be Tier 4 in 2027. For those do-it-yourselfers, the easiest way to verify these tier level changes is by visiting Medicare.gov and using the Prescription Drug Plan Finder Tool. On Medicare Advantage, there is a divide between companies that “want the business” (based on how competitive their Medicare Advantage benefits are designed) and companies that believe they are “too big to fail” (a 2008 reference for those of you that remember). Let me be frank, most Medicare Advantage companies are of sound finan-
PROVIDED
cial strength and do a great job at paying your medical and drug claims. But here are the areas of an MA Plan that shine when they are competitive: • Low to $0 monthly Premium • Reasonable Maximum Out Of Pocket amounts • Possible Part B Premium Reduction Option • Competitive Copays on doctor visits and surgeries
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs
Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 15 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies
Paige Gorman Agent
• Wide selection of doctors and hospitals • Wide variety of brand name and generic prescription drugs covered • Sufficient dental and vision insurance, with quality providers available • Additional benefits such as gym memberships and grocery allowance possible If you have not opened your Annual Notice of Change in a couple years, chances are you have probably missed
out on some of these benefits listed above. So often the Medicare Advantage companies will degrade plans over time, but only those Medicare beneficiaries who are engaged with their plan changes every year, and their AGENT, will benefit and win in 2027. Fortunately, you have an agent… SeniorSource Medicare Solutions! We are based out of Alpharetta and Cumming, but also have agents in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Monroe, and Madison. I’m now entering my 18th Medicare Annual Enrollment Period as a Medicare Insurance Agent. Because of this experience, I can assure you we are very good at what we do and believe we can lead you to the best plan for you in 2027. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period will begin on October 15th, 2026 and run through December 7th, 2026, with those selections going into effect on January 1st, 2027. Please contact us by visiting our webpage for this upcoming AEP at SeniorSourceMedicare.com/AEP. Here we will provide valuable tips, information, and links to popular Medicare Advantage Plan Summaries starting on October 1st. We look forward to working with you this fall!
Would you like your business included in the next Empty Nest Section?
• Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis • Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services • Individual Health Coverage for those under 65
Reach affluent North Atlanta communities with a
circulation of 114,000 the fourth week of each month. 770.315.8145
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
To learn more, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com
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