Empty Nest - May 2023

May Special Section

Discover the smart choice for fitness

Brought to you by – The Exercise Coach®

Start a fitness journey that’s all about you with the Exercise Coach®. We know everyone’s path to better health is different, and that’s why our workouts are designed just for you. Our advanced strength training machines adjust to your fitness level, making your workout both fun and safe.

The Exercise Coach way is safe,

works well, and saves time for people of all ages and fitness levels. Our exceptional Personal Training programs draw on a wealth of expertise spanning decades, the most reliable scientific evidence, and our exclusive strength training technology.

Choose a smarter way to work out that’s different from regular fitness options. The Exercise Coach is here to help you become your healthiest self. Call us today at 770.870.1750 to start your journey.

“Be Patriotic. Vape.”

Brought

- Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Yes, you read that correctly. Those were the only words written in what must have been size 20 million font on a billboard near Greenville, South Carolina. A beautiful United States flag was proudly portrayed on the billboard behind those words. And, oddly, no company name, logo or other identifying information was present to connect this billboard to a specific business or corporation. From what I could see as I drove by, nothing was on the billboard except an American flag and the words “Be Patriotic. Vape.”

This billboard had me puzzled. Was it a joke? Was it actually trying to convince people that vaping is an act of patriotism? Does it assume that the general population and particularly our young people are so impressionable as to believe this billboard and start vaping because they love our country?

I laughed as I drove by, but the billboard did have me worried. The US military included cigarettes in soldiers’ rations from World War II through 1975, and as a result, nicotine addiction and tobacco use has long been a plight of our veterans. Many adult smokers have attempted to use e-cigarettes and vaping as a way of avoiding regular cigarettes. But the fastest growth of vaping has been among young people. Approximately 20% of those aged 18 to 29 report vaping – the highest for any age group.

Since young people seem to be most strongly prone to vaping, it’s important to spread the word on the negative health effects of vaping to our youth. As a dermatologist, I can attest to negative skin effects of vaping, some of which should grab one’s attention:

1. Black, hairy tongue. Multiple oral problems can occur from vaping. The most newsworthy from a teen’s perspective is probably black hairy tongue. The exact

reason vaping can cause this condition is not known, but it’s well-established that some individuals will develop a black, hairy-appearing tongue when they vape. Skin cells on the tongue build up, and certain types of bacteria can overgrow. Go to Google Image and type in “black hairy tongue” to scare any teens you know out of vaping.

2. Genital burns. Many e-cigarettes use lithium batteries that were manufactured poorly and are prone to exploding. Between 2015 and 2017, more than 2000 people went to the emergency room for burn injuries from e-cigarettes. Explosions were often spontaneous while the device was simply in the person’s pocket. Pockets are close to one’s private parts, and genitals were commonly burned. Scare your teen with this one!

3. Acne and aging skin. Nothing seems to motivate a social-media era individual like aesthetics. Cigarettes are known to cause acne, premature aging of skin, enlarged pores and oil glands. Nicotine causes many of these changes, and nicotine is present whether one is using traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

Finally, the question of patriotism. In case you were worried that you need to starting vaping to prove that you are a patriot, the answer is that you do not. Patriotism and vaping have NOT been linked. An article in the journal Tobacco Use Insights entitled “The Vaping Teenager” found that teens who identify themselves as “patriotic” are actually less likely to vape than those with other peer crowd identifications. Teens who selfidentified as patriotic were more likely to report valuing hard work and enjoying the outdoors. The billboard would have been more accurate had it said “Want to risk burnt genitals, hairy tongue, acne, cardiovascular side effects and a lighter wallet? – Vape.” I guess they ran out of room?

to You by

PEXELS

Misconceptions about active Adult 55+ living

Brought to you by - Outlook Gwinnett

Assumption: Active Adult and Independent Living are the same thing Reality: FALSE! Active adult communities serve as choice-based option for individuals 55 and better who may not be ready for the needsbased services and amenities of a traditional senior living community.

Assumption: Active Adult site staff are medically certified Reality: FALSE! Our staff does not provide any medical care or interventions. This allows our residents to maintain their long-time health care providers and medical independence.

Assumption: I have to be retired in order to move into an Active Adult community

Reality: FALSE! Just like living in a multi-family community, we encourage our residents to continue to engage in their career and social interests as they did prior to moving in!

The Active Adult environment caters to older adults who typically have lower health needs and prefer an active,

community-based lifestyle where they can engage with their neighbors of similar age. This may allow for a stronger sense of community and an easier adjustment to apartment living. Here at Outlook Gwinnett, we seek to provide luxurious, worry-free living long before you are ready to relinquish your independence. Look forward to spending hot summer days lounging by our meticulously cared for outdoor pool! Or connect with your neighbors and plan your evening get-togethers around our stocked wine nook and sports lounge. Add in our community calendar, packed with a never-ending variety of SUN program activities, the possibilities are limitless here at Outlook Gwinnett!

Stop by our leasing office today to find out how to reserve a spot in this unique community today.

1500 Laurel Crossing Parkway Buford, GA 30519

(678) 890-5371

outlookgwinnett.com

Honoring our Veterans in death: Burial in a National Cemetery

Brought to You by - Katherine M. Wheat, Associate, Wilson Legal, PC

“Looking across

to protect America. And all carried with them memories of a family that they hoped to keep safe by their sacrifice.” - George W. Bush, Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2005

While most Americans are

familiar with Arlington National Cemetery, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration maintains 155 national cemeteries in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Most Veterans qualify for burial benefits, which include a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Cremated remains are inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.

If you or your loved one would like to be buried in a national cemetery, there are a few steps you can go ahead and take to prepare. Actual burial arrangements will be made after death, and the VA does not reserve grave space; however, upon request, the VA will go ahead and make eligibility determinations for burial in advance of need. This is called a pre-need determination of eligibility and obtaining it early may make a time of grief a little easier for you or your surviving family members.

Information about eligibility may be found at www.va.gov/ burials-memorials/eligibility/. To apply you will need your Social Security number; date and place of birth, military status, and service history (ex. service dates, discharge character, rank); discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents). If you do not have your discharge

papers, you may request them by submitting a military records request. Information about this process may be found at www. va.gov/records/get-militaryservice-records/.

The above application process applies to all national cemeteries except Arlington National Cemetery and the United States Soldiers and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. For burial in either of these Department of the Army cemeteries, you will need to call (877) 907-8585.

Even if you are not interested in burial at a national cemetery or state veteran cemetery, you may still want to honor your Veteran by obtaining a headstone, marker, or medallion, a burial flag, and/or a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Additionally, you can request an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible Veteran. Your funeral director should be able to assist you in obtaining or incorporating these honors into the Veteran’s funeral and burial. Another helpful resource is Military One Source, which is an official U.S. Department of Defense website available at www. militaryonesource.mil.

The death of a loved one can be such a stressful time and planning ahead to request burial benefits and honors for a Veteran may help to avoid some of that stress. It also provides the Veteran with an opportunity to voice his or her wishes for a funeral, burial, or cremation. To all of those who served – Thank you!

this field, we see the scale of heroism and sacrifice. All who are buried here understood their duty. All stood

PEXELS

Pain Relieving Laser Therapy

Brought to you by - Johns Creek Physical Therapy

Having treated hundreds of patients over the past 6 years with Pain Relieving Laser Therapy, it’s not hard for me to appreciate how well it works. But if you’ve never tried it, trust me when I tell you…. you’re missing out!

Several years ago, John Deere ran a promotion on their zero turn lawn mowers. They used a fun tag line, “It’s not how fast you mow, it’s how well you mow FAST!” I wish I could come up with a similar tag line for Pain Relieving Laser Therapy because it can deliver pain relief in just a few minutes. It’s not uncommon for patients to have their pain be reduced by 50% on the first treatment.

How does it work? Pain Relieving Laser Therapy uses light energy to promote healing and reduce pain. Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and is a great alternative to medications and injections.

The most common thing we hear after someone tries it for the first

time is “WOW!” I’m sure if you are just reading this article, you are probably thinking, “yeah, RIGHT??!! Nothing works that fast!” But don’t

take my word for it, call our office today and schedule your FREE TRIAL. The only thing you have to lose is your pain!

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

Connection Café: What’s that?

Brought to You by - Heather Terry, Senior Services North Fulton

It wasn’t long after Virginia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s that her husband, Anthony, started having trouble finding meaningful ways to engage with her. Anthony’s days were lived by a checklist – Making breakfast – check. Morning medications – check. Help with bathing – check. Getting dressed for the day – check…check… check. As Virginia progressed through her disease it became more difficult to accomplish tasks on the list - Virginia would insist she already took her medications that day, or that she didn’t need a shower. Frustration would kick in for both and the whole day would become a battle. They’d go to sleep, wake up the next morning and attempt the checklist all over again.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can trigger significant relationship changes. The new caregiver morphs from a loving family member into a role that is task and service oriented. It’s easy for

a caregiver to become burned out, leaving little energy to engage in fun and meaningful time together. Or, as in the case of Virginia’s changing abilities, how to have fun together. This is where Connection Café comes in!

Connection Café is a no-cost social gathering which allows people experiencing memory loss and their loved ones to connect with each other through activities, socialize, and build a new support network. Care partners can witness trained staff and volunteers model effective ways to communicate and interact with their family members, and they learn new activities and techniques that can be used at home. The group meets twice a month at the Roswell Senior Center and provides a break in the day-today and an opportunity to meet other families who are walking the same path.

Alyss Amster is the Associate Executive Director of the Dementia Spotlight Foundation, the organization that runs the Connection Café at the

Roswell Senior Center. “Alzheimer’s and the many related dementias are misunderstood in our society. Our attendees can be themselves in a safe environment where everyone understands”, Amster said.

Join us in June!

• June 2nd - “Armchair Travel to Finland”, led by Jake Heikkinen, owner of Roswell Home Care.

• June 16th – “Floral Arrangement and Design”, led by Julie Coffin, owner of Unique Floral Expressions, an award-

winning luxury floral and event design company.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia and would like more information on attending an upcoming Connection Café, contact Alyss Amster at 678-332-1711 or alyss@ dementiaspotlightfoundation.org

Connection Café at the Roswell Senior Center 1250 Warsaw Road – Roswell, GA 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 1:30PM – 3:30PM RSVP is required to attend.

Medicare supplement rates continue to drop!

Brought to you by- Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare

Now might be a great time to change your Medicare Supplement Plan. Rates are getting lower for those willing to make a change. Unlike Medicare Advantage Plans, you can change your Medicare Supplement anytime!

Right now is a “perfect storm” of new carriers getting into the market, along with existing insurance carriers deciding to put more emphasis on their Medicare insurance products.

Competition is great for the consumer!

Medicare Supplement Plans are named after letters of the alphabet. Currently there are Plans A - Plan N with Plan G, and Plan N being two very popular plans. To use Plan G for example, every insurance company’s Plan G is identical in benefit to any other Plan G. With this being the case, one of few

differences is price and how that price increases overtime. If you have left your Medicare Supplement plan on “auto pilot” for several years, it may be time to take another look at it.

Have you “shopped” your Medicare Supplement Plan in a while?

Work with a Medicare Insurance Broker, like myself, to shop the market. We price out over 20 of the leading Medicare Supplement insurance carriers. Not only could you drastically lower your monthly premium, but some Medicare Supplement insurance companies are adding benefits like gym memberships at no additional cost!

There is $0 cost to you to use our services. To receive a Medicare Supplement quote or if you have any questions, please call us at (770) 913-6464 or check us out online at www. SeniorSourceMedicare.com

Thank you for voting us Best Audiologist

Brought to you by

Atlanta Hearing Associates is dedicated to our mission to make each patient feel like they are a part of our family.

Atlanta Hearing Associates is a large audiology practice that encompasses 5 different locations throughout Georgia. Our offices provide comprehensive hearing tests, tinnitus assessments, ear cleaning, and hearing devices for all ages.

Every doctor you will meet is focused on your needs as a patient and works with every manufacturer to provide

a personalized fitting. Each location utilizes state of the art technology and family-oriented care to help guide our patients to the best hearing devices and information on hearing healthcare.

We also partner with different agencies to provide audiological care to veterans, ATF officers, reservists, police departments, Cochlear implants recipients, and community wellness groups.

We accept all major insurances for patients who have a hearing healthcare benefit that they are eligible to use.

Our offices are located in Atlanta, Decatur, Dunwoody, Lake Oconee, and Milledgeville.

Medicare supplement rates continue to drop!

Brought to you by- Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare

Now might be a great time to change your Medicare Supplement Plan. Rates are getting lower for those willing to make a change. Unlike Medicare Advantage Plans, you can change your Medicare Supplement anytime!

Right now is a “perfect storm” of new carriers getting into the market, along with existing insurance carriers deciding to put more emphasis on their Medicare insurance products.

Competition is great for the consumer!

Medicare Supplement Plans are named after letters of the alphabet. Currently there are Plans A - Plan N with Plan G, and Plan N being two very popular plans. To use Plan G for example, every insurance company’s Plan G is identical in benefit to any other Plan G. With this being the case, one of few

differences is price and how that price increases overtime. If you have left your Medicare Supplement plan on “auto pilot” for several years, it may be time to take another look at it.

Have you “shopped” your Medicare Supplement Plan in a while?

Work with a Medicare Insurance Broker, like myself, to shop the market. We price out over 20 of the leading Medicare Supplement insurance carriers. Not only could you drastically lower your monthly premium, but some Medicare Supplement insurance companies are adding benefits like gym memberships at no additional cost!

There is $0 cost to you to use our services. To receive a Medicare Supplement quote or if you have any questions, please call us at (770) 913-6464 or check us out online at www. SeniorSourceMedicare.com

Paige Gorman Agent