Health Wellness 052017

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Health Wellness SUMMER 2017

Hit the Road

Cycling is great exercise, easy on the joints and a fun way of exploring.

Your Guide to Health & Wellness

Visit us on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

CHANCE. C H O I C E.

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SUMMER 2017

Don’t let poor health choices limit your summer fun Each day you make a host of choices that affect your health. Some choices, like going to the gym, make you healthier. Other choices, like the milkshake I had for lunch, make you sicker.

Each month the BEACON Senior Newspaper brings you informative stories about aging well. Reading this month’s Summer Health & Wellness insert will help you make better choices—or, at least, help you make more informed choices.

Cycling for the ages

You have one chance to get stroke care right. At the first sign of a stroke, it’s a race against the clock. There’s only one Primary Certified Stroke Center in the region.

Cycling is a sport you can do at almost any age. Cycling divas Marie Nemec, 73, and Charlotte Reicks, 81, are a testament to that as they prepare to ride 600 miles cross-country to raise funds for Huntington’s disease. Cyclists Donna King and Sam Marutzky also share their experiences and tips for bicycle safety. Let this story on pages 6-7 inspire you.

The road to successful rehab

Know the signs. Know where to go.

F•Face drooping A•Arm weakness S•Speech difficulty T•Time to call 911

This is the time of year when area residents are most active, but some of us are not as spry as we once were. When a physical injury occurs, learn how to increase your chances of recovery with some great advice from the physical therapists at Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Read what they have to say on page 3.

Keeping up with challenges, changes in health care Jason Cleckler, the CEO of Delta County Memorial Hospital, writes about the challenges and changes in health care and his hospital’s growing ability to adapt. Read more about the changes in store on page 5.

Get your golf swing back Speaking of Delta County, it was there at the Devil’s Thumb Golf Course that I wrenched my back so horribly that I missed playing the rest of the summer. Too bad Tabeguache Family & Sports Medicine didn’t exist back then to help me heal. Their story is on page 4.

Legendary lavender Lavender has played an important role in history (it’s been traced back to the Egyptians) due to its medicinal, therapeutic, practical and culinary purposes.

Once a favorite scent among medieval maidens, now it’s the focus of a popular local fair. Read more on page 9.

These and other stories will help you to have a healthy and happy summer. Of course, no choice is more important than your attitude. So pick a good one.

Kevin K. VanGundy Publisher, BEACON Senior News

The Learn more at stmarygj.org/stroke

Your guide to aging well in Mesa, Montrose & Delta Counties

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The road to successful rehab

By Jan Weeks

W

e begin to suspect we are no longer as spry as we used to be when the back twinges, the knee pops, the hip aches and the shoulder catches. Car wrecks, skiing injuries and even the simple stress of going about daily life for decades take their toll on bodies that might be happier in a recliner or lawn chair instead of cleaning the gutter or playing tag with the grandkids in the backyard.

Even those who remain active accumulate aches, pains, sprains and strains on a regular basis. When joints and muscles rebel, the tendency is to put off rehabilitation or surgery for as long as possible, even when we know that fixing the problem is inevitable.

Matt MacAskill, head of the physical therapy department at Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Samantha Garibaldi, DPT, a licensed physical therapist in the same practice, have seen every kind of injury and their aftermath.

“Our clinic sees more knees and shoulders. We commonly see total knee replacements, ACL reconstructions and rotator cuff repairs,” MacAskill said.

They see hip and ankle patients on a regular basis, as well as patients who have not had any surgery at all.

“The shoulder, knee and low back seem to be the most injured body parts,” Garibaldi said.

Up your chances of recovery If you’ve been injured or are recovering from a hip replacement, rotator cuff repair or other damage, there are some steps you can take to maximize your therapy and increase your chances of getting back to full mobility.

Ask questions. Both MacAskill and Garibaldi stress that you should ask questions about the surgery both before and after the operation.

Find out the expected recovery time and what rehab will involve.

“There are no silly questions,” Garibaldi said. “The more you know and understand about your rehab, surgery or about how an exercise is going to improve your function, the more likely you are to follow through to attain maximum recovery.”

Take an active role in your rehab. Many patients complain that they’re not getting any better, or at least not as quickly as they’d like to, because rehabbing at the clinic two times a week for 40 minutes is often not enough. You must also do the recommended exercises at home.

“It’s important for patients to be willing to be involved in their rehab from the beginning,” said MacAskill.

For example, if patients have had a knee replacement, they shouldn’t wait until the knee feels better before starting the home program.

Waiting too long can result in not getting the most out of the surgery.

Follow the doctor’s and therapist’s precautions. “Just because there isn’t someone else to shovel the snow two weeks after you had rotator cuff repair, doesn’t mean that it’s okay for you to do it yourself,” MacAskill said.

Garibaldi recommends RICE. “Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It’s an old standby but it’s been around so long for good reason—it helps,” she said.

Understand the fine line for post-surgical rehab behavior.

Car wrecks, skiing injuries and even the simple stress of going about daily life for decades take their toll on bodies that might be happier in a recliner or lawn chair...

“Rehabilitating after surgery requires time, patience and dedication to your exercises,” Garibaldi said.

Pushing too hard too fast can damage the repair, but not following your program can leave you with less than optimal function or continued pain.

Set goals. Talk to your surgeon and therapist about what you can reasonably expect, the timeline for recovery and what you want the final outcome to be.

Garibaldi suggests that people

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seek medical assistance after an injury.

“Most people assume that because the injury is just to a knee or a shoulder that the pain will go away on its own,” she said. “They wait too long and the injury becomes chronic. Physical therapy can assist with the early recovery phase.”

Getting older doesn’t have to mean living with pain or limiting your activities because of injuries.

With the proper care and the proper attitude, you can enhance your life and enjoy many more good years.

To contact Western Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, call 245-0484. ■

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SUMMER 2017

Be prepared in case of a health emergency

By Diana Reed, MLS Senior Care

L

ast year, my 68-years-young brother was admitted into the hospital with throat cancer. He was having difficulty swallowing and went to the emergency room with the idea that he would be given something to take and would be back at home that afternoon. But he had an emergency tracheotomy that evening, leaving him unable to speak and in some cases, unable to write.

This was the beginning of a fivemonth nightmare of being in and out of the ICU. Not only did my sister and I have to face the fact that we might lose our brother, we had no idea what his wishes were.

Doctors asked me if he had a DNR on file. I told them since my brother had never specified, they should resuscitate as needed.

I had been after him for quite awhile to fill out his advance directive, make a will and write down his monthly bills. His response was always, “I’ll get to it, sis.”

Our saving grace was that years earlier he had put my name on his bank account, which allowed me to purchase items he needed and pay his monthly bills once I determined what they were. (It took me days— hours that would be better spent by his bedside.)

I’m happy to report that my brother is home from the hospital and doing well. As a professional caregiver, I speak from experience when I say the best gift you can give a family member or loved one is the gift of being prepared by having the proper documents in place and making sure they know where they’re located. ■

Get your golf swing back A

t Tabeguache Family & Sports Medicine, it’s our goal to help each and every patient achieve their maximum level of physical mobility and performance.

Whether it’s treating an ankle sprain so a 9-year-old soccer player can get back in the game, or diagnosing and treating a shoulder injury for an 80-year-old so he or she can swing a golf club, we focus on getting you back to doing what you love.

Our team of highly-trained physicians provide family practice services, annual physicals and acute illness care, as well as same-day injury treatment for fractures, concussions, arthritis, sprains, musculoskeletal issues and other active lifestyle injuries.

Fletcher Colwell, MD; Karen Frye, DO; and Rich Price, MD are all trained in sports medicine as well

as primary care.

With the availability of ultrasound diagnostics in our exam rooms and x-ray services in our building, we can quickly and efficiently determine the extent of an injury or mobility issue and then plan a course of treatment.

Our office in the Primary Care Partners building at 3150 N. 12th St. adjoins The Physical Therapy Specialty Center, allowing us to conveniently integrate those two important components for injury recovery. Our services are provided in a medical home setting with additional team support available through acupuncture, medical nutrition therapy and behavioral health counseling.

From prevention to diagnosis and treatment, Tabeguache Family & Sports Medicine can keep you and your family healthy and active. Call 256-5201. ■

SUMMER 2017

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Keeping up with challenges and changes in health care

By Jason Cleckler, CEO, Delta County Memorial Hospital

A

s I move into my fifth year as CEO of Delta County Memorial Hospital (DCMH), it’s amazing to look back at the challenges we have already faced, programs we have developed and the successes our team has achieved. It has been an honor to serve the hospital and community during this time and it is encouraging to see the path ahead for health care in our community.

DCMH now serves all communities throughout Delta County. We employ over 600 people who have dedicated their time, energy and expertise to providing high-quality care to the families and patients of our community. In addition, the hospital is an economic engine in the county, with a payroll of over $30 million. We take our role as an anchor community health system seriously and continue to strive towards continuous improvement and engagement.

The hospital started the year with a strategic planning exercise that involved many people from different agencies and feedback from members of our community. The focus was to create a plan with an emphasis on long-term financial viability that will take the hospital into the next three to five years.

A community health needs assessment indicated that community members feel the hospital needs to focus on three main issues: access, affordability and improving mental health services.

Over the next year, the hospital will open a new primary care clinic in Hotchkiss to improve access for our North Fork residents. We will also add mental health services and integrated health services to the practice. We’re also in the process of opening a walk-in clinic

in Paonia that includes after-hours and weekend access. In addition to these two new clinics, our efforts to improve and enhance our existing clinics will continue with an emphasis on customer service, improving efficiencies and focusing on prevention and wellness services.

The hospital will also focus on crisis intervention. We’ll continue to work collaboratively with our regional health care partners to improve early intervention and access while working towards decreasing the existing stigmas around mental health. We believe that individual health and wellness involves both physical and mental wellbeing, and the hospital needs to take an active role in promoting both.

Health care continues to change and develop at a rapid pace due to the Affordable Care Act and the pending changes to the law. We believe that through continued collaboration with our regional partners, we will make each other stronger and improve health care throughout our region.

While much of our focus has shifted to outpatient services, we have not lost sight of our need to maintain and strengthen lines of service at the main hospital. In 2016 we invested heavily in new technology and equipment to provide stateof-the-art care. Those investments will continue to improve infrastructure, technology, billing, education and staff development.

DCMH has received significant recognition in recent years, including being selected as a top-performing hospital in the nation two years in a row. While I am proud of those accomplishments, I know that we have more work ahead of us. Our future goals are focused on improving the overall health and wellness of our communities and a clear path to that goal is being put in place. ■

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SUMME

Cycling for the ages

By Amanda Arnold

R

ain or shine, Donna King is out hitting the pavement with her trusty bicycle. Not even shoulder surgery will stop her in her tracks for too long. From spring until late fall or early winter, she sets out on at least three 75-mile treks every week.

King, 59, said cycling in the Colorado National Monument is her favorite route. She begins her usual ride in Orchard Mesa and sets off on the 16 miles to the Fruita Welcome Center, and then up to the Visitor Center at Colorado National Monument. From there, she continues to the Cold Shivers overlook.

While most cyclists would continue down the hill and exit the Monument at the east entrance, King turns right back around and leaves from the west entrance.

Once a month, she will take on a “century ride,” traveling 100 miles to locations such as Reeder Mesa in Whitewater, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Telluride, and Death Valley, where she recently rode 210 miles in three days.

When she became serious about cycling three years ago, she started by riding in the Monument area on a 35-pound bicycle.

“It took me two-and-a-half hours to climb up from the west entrance

to the Visitor Center,” King confessed, adding that she stopped a lot.

It wasn’t long before she bought a lightweight bike and committed to riding it three times a week.

After about a month, she could make it to the Visitor Center without stopping.

Now she loves cycling so much that she rarely takes her car for commutes around town.

Bike for the Cure Marie Nemec, 73, and Charlotte Reicks, 81, are no strangers to cycling long distances. Since 1999, they have embarked on an annual cross-country ride to raise funds for Huntington’s disease (HD) and have raised $700,000 to date. This year, they are preparing to ride 600 miles from Pleasant Hill, Missouri to Schaumburg, Illinois for the 32nd annual Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) convention.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a debilitating genetic disorder that breaks down nerve cells in the brain, gradually deteriorating one’s mental and physical abilities.

Nemec learned about HD in 1997

Left: Marie Nemec and Charlotte Reicks are preparing for their 600-mile journey to the HDSA convention in Illinois.

Top: Sam Marutzky, left, said bicycling is popular because almost anyone can do it.

while attending the HDSA convention in Denver with a friend, whose husband inherited the disease.

Referring to those suffering from HD, Nemec said, “Their plight tugged at my heartstrings because they were so ill by no fault of their own. They didn’t live an unhealthy lifestyle—it was just bad flip of the coin. I felt I had to do something to help. This ride evolved from that.”

Nemec and Reicks met through a mutual friend in 1998. A brazen road warrior for several years before riding for Bike for the Cure, Reicks rode for other charities, such as Make a Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the American Bible Society.

The next year, Nemec, Reicks and another friend set out on their first Bike for the Cure, which started in Santa Monica, California and ended

Donna King explores Colorado on her bicycle, making three 75-mile treks each week. Her favorite rides are through the Colorado National Monument.

in Arlington, Virginia. Since then, many cyclists have taken part in the ride—some have completed the entire trek alongside Nemec and Reicks, while others only ride certain legs. Those involved plan different routes every year, and thanks to the kindness of churches across the country, riders have a soft bed to sleep on at the end of the day.

The rules of the road Long-time cyclist Sam Marutzky said that bicycling is popular because almost anyone can do it.

“It’s easy on your joints, unlike running…and you can do it longer than other exercises,” he said.

Cycling is a rewarding activity, and even more so when riders consider their safety. Having advocated for bicycle safety for several years, King will be one of the first of the

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bicycle ambassadors in the Colorado National Monument.

This new program brings in volunteers on bicycles to help other cyclists and motorists enjoy the Colorado National Monument safely.

Bicycle ambassadors will provide information regarding safety and road conditions to all visitors.

King said it’s important to know the rules of the road no matter where you are. Cyclists should know the hand signals, and should wear a helmet that fits properly.

King recommends wearing a mirror on the helmet to reflect car lights, helping alert drivers to a rider’s presence on the road.

“Always have [front and rear] lights, whether you’re in Colorado National Monument or not,” she said. “I always have them on.

You should also have a light that flashes.”

Nemec suggested having an odometer, especially for long-distance rides, as some areas lack mile

markers. Reicks said long rides can be hard physically and mentally because you’re out of your comfort zone—therefore, it’s just as important to ride as comfortably as possible.

Marutzky, who makes several century rides throughout the year but spends most of his weekends riding solo through the Colorado National Monument, recommended wearing a jersey that wicks sweat, gloves and comfortable shoes, and buying the right bike.

“If you’re starting out and you’re older, you’re better to start with a mountain bike,” he said.

While mountain biking is more difficult, the upright stance is easier on the body than hunching over a road bike. It’s also best to find a bike that’s lightweight and easy to ride.

Nemec, who uses a touring bike on her epic rides, suggested considering a three-wheeled bike or an upright incumbent bike. ■

Happy trails!

Wish Charlotte, Marie and their companions a safe ride at a kickoff breakfast for their upcoming ride on June 3 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Sherwood Park in Grand Junction.

You can show further support by donating to their cause, purchasing a ride T-shirt, or by organizing a fundraising or awareness event with family, friends, your church or social group.

During the ride, both ladies write messages recounting the highlights and progress of each day. To subscribe to Marie’s emails, email ronnemec@gmail.com.

To subscribe to Charlotte’s emails, email careicks@gmail.com.

To purchase ride T-shirts or for information on how to organize an event, visit www.bikeforthecure.org or email ronnemec@gmail.com. Donations can be made at www.hdsa.org/bikeforthecure.

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3 easy steps to keep you independent and on the road I

f you have recently become disabled, are temporarily limited due to surgery or injury, or realize your driving skills have declined over the years, don’t self-diagnose yourself when looking at adaptive equipment you may need. Follow these three easy steps to help you find the right equipment to keep you independent:

Step 1: Discuss your concerns with your physician. They will diagnose your problem and may recommend visiting a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS), an occupational therapist trained on adaptive mobility equipment, to determine your unique needs. A CDRS will

evaluate your skills, restrictions and abilities to decide if you’ll be able to drive with vehicle modifications and adaptive equipment.

Step 2: Find the nearest National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) certified shop.

This is very important, as modifying your vehicle will likely change safety features, functionality and structural makeup. Using a NMEDA shop ensures that all safety and installation guidelines are followed and that warranties will be upheld.

Any shop trying to install adaptive equipment without these certifications is in violation of National Transportation Regulations, putting

you at risk and making you liable for any injury caused to you or someone else.

Step 3: Relax and trust your team!

A NMEDA-certified shop will work directly with your CDRS to make sure you get the best fit in equipment. Whether you require hand controls, chair ramps, lifts, restraints or something else, they will

train you on proper use and help direct you to agencies that may help with the cost of installation and maintenance.

Once you’re ready to explore the options of accessible equipment or purchase a van, contact Mobility Driven at 712-1435. Mobility Driven is the only NMEDA-certified shop between Denver and Salt Lake City. ■

SUMMER 2017

Legendary lavender:

the benefits of lavender through the ages

By Robbie Urquhart

T

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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he 1670 English nursery rhyme, “Lavender Blue,” expresses the love and devotion symbolic of lavender, an ancient herb known to have seductive properties. Young wives would often tuck lavender under their pillows at night to either encourage marital passion or avoid quarrels. Love letters were scented with lavender. Maidens would carry a sprig of lavender along with a sprig of rosemary to ensure their chastity. A gift of lavender represented opportunity and a promise of new adventure.

Lavender has played an important role in our history, not only with its emotional properties, but with its medicinal, therapeutic, practical and culinary purposes. Dating back to the times of ancient Egypt, lavender was used in the mummification process. The Romans used lavender to bathe, scenting their baths and apparel with the plant’s intoxicating fragrance. The medicinal uses are still used today for healing wounds, soothing burns and insect bites, and calming inflammation. This

diverse herb, which can be infused into oils, honey, milk, salt, sugar or marinades, adds an unparalleled dimension to culinary delights.

Fields of this diverse plant are beginning to grace the Grand Valley landscape, adding a purple hue to an already beautiful countryside.

On July 7-9, the Colorado Lavender Festival, presented by Hummel Real Estate, celebrates the many aspects of lavender, offering bus tours of lavender farms, an arts and craft fair, food demos, an elegant lavender dinner amidst an apple orchard and several informative seminars.

This three-day event will immerse modern day courtesans into an enchanting lavender experience. It is, after all, the best smelling festival in town.

The festival is put on by the Lavender Association of Western Colorado, an organization dedicated to promoting lavender as an alternative cash crop through education, research, networking and market development.

For more information, visit www.coloradolavender.org. ■

Immerse yourself In lavender

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SUMMER 2017

Back Pain? Headaches? What is restless legs syndrome, anyway?

Chronic Pain?

Healthy Geezer, To Regain Quality of Life, Contact or Visit Us Today.

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eferences to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) abound these days.

Many of us have never heard of the condition before, but it’s far from rare.

RLS is a neurologic movement disorder. It produces uncomfortable sensations that cause an irresistible urge to move the legs. Symptoms can be relieved temporarily by movement. They occur during inactivity and strike most frequently in the evening. These attacks lead to sleep problems.

Most people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder, which causes leg twitching or jerking movements during sleep.

RLS affects about one in 10 adults in North America and Europe. It is found in both men and women and can begin in childhood. The effects of RLS increases with age, and seniors experience symptoms longer and more frequently.

Are you a victim?

Many researchers believe that this syndrome is under-reported. Victims are often diagnosed with insomnia, depression or a disorder of the nerves, muscles or skeleton.

The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation says five essential features must be present for a diagnosis: • You have a strong urge to move your legs (sometimes arms and trunk), usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs.

• Your symptoms begin or become worse when you are resting or inactive, such as when lying down or sitting.

• Your symptoms get better when you move, at least as long as the activity continues.

• Your symptoms are worse in the evening or night, or only occur then.

• Your symptoms are not solely accounted for by another condition such as leg cramps, positional discomfort, leg swelling or arthritis.

What causes it?

There are two forms of RLS—primary and secondary. Primary RLS is unrelated to other disorders; its cause is unknown.

Secondary RLS can be brought on by kidney failure, pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia or some medications. RLS may be inherited. About half of patients treated for it have a family history of the syndrome. Research has shown that there is a relationship between RLS and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

How to treat RLS While caffeine and alcohol can worsen RLS symptoms, there is hope. Drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat the syndrome include Mirapex, Requip and Neupro.

There are also several drugs approved for other conditions that help alleviate RLS symptoms.

It is possible to combat the symptoms in other ways. Walking, massage, stretching, hot or cold baths, vibration, acupressure, meditation and yoga can help. ■

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

CBD oil relieves pain without getting you high C very low percentage of THC and a high percentage of CBD might be right for you.

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to administer CBD is through topical applications, such as creams, lotions, salves, balms and more. The skin is quick to absorb lipid-based materials that make contact with it; therefore, it’s one of the most effective ways to use CBD. Kush Gardens carries many other CBD-specific products and considers itself the Western Slope’s CBD Headquarters. Mary’s Medicinal has a full line of CBD products, including creams, patches, capsules and whey protein. Love’s Oven has CBD fudge brownies and cookies.

Highly Edibles has watermelon CBD gummies. Stratos makes a high CBD 15-to-1 pill, among other ratio pills.

KJL provides CBD vape oil cartridges. Greenhouse produces a CBD

granola.

Stop by Kush Gardens at 4550 US 6 in DeBeque (from I-70, take exit 62 and get onto the frontage road) to learn about all of the incredi-

ble CBD products that we have in stock. We pride ourselves on having the most knowledgeable budtenders that will take the time to answer your questions and explain the benefits of each product we sell. ■

This information is presented for educational purposes only. Kush Gardens provides this information to offer an understanding of the potential applications of cannabinoids. We are not medical professionals and we are not providing medical advice. Please seek the advice and guidance from your primary care physician.

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oloradans have come a long way in understanding the benefits of marijuana, yet there is still a stigma surrounding it.

Here at Kush Gardens, we listen to stories every day from our customers about how cannabidiol (CBD) products have changed their quality of life. Many were taking numerous varieties of opiates every day to relieve their pain due to arthritis, Crohn’s disease, cerebral palsy, bipolar disorder and more.

CBD is a highly therapeutic compound in cannabis that’s non-psychoactive (meaning you can’t get high on it). But when it’s used in conjunction with a small percentage of THC (the psychoactive part of the plant), it can be very beneficial for a multitude of ailments.

For those looking for pain relief without worrying about getting high, choosing a product with a

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Eye care for those after 50

By Melanie Wiseman

A

recent visit with my niece taught me that we seniors can be inspired by younger generations and learn more from them than how to use our iPhones. In this case, it was how critical eye care is, especially after 50.

You see, my 34-year-old niece, Gretchen, is an optometrist.

“The exact moment I knew I wanted to be an optometrist was on my first eye clinic mission trip to Malawi, Africa,” Gretchen said.

“I was acting as an optician, helping a woman in her late 60s who had never been able to see. Otherwise healthy, without glasses she became a handicap to her family and the community. She wasn’t able to help with daily tasks needed to be a productive member of society.”

The simple fix was donated glasses. With great excitement, the

woman immediately began pointing out and naming everything around her. Two lives were changed, not just one.

“That’s when I said helping people see better and having a better quality of life is what I want to do,” she said.

Get your eyes checked annually Eye exams are important for more than just the sake of vision.

“For the 50+ population, it’s especially important to get an annual eye exam with dilation. For those who are diabetics, it’s absolutely necessary,” Gretchen said. “Many diseases that take away your sight may not be noticed until they’re well advanced. Early detection through an eye exam can help progression to a bad place.”

If it isn’t offered automatically, ask for your eyes to be dialated and

have pictures taken of the back of the eye at each appointment.

“Looking through the dilated pupil shows the health of your eye and can be a window to your overall health,” she said. “It’s the only place in the body you can directly view living blood vessels and their condition. If it’s happening in the eye, it’s a representation of what’s happening in the rest of your body.”

She said the blood vessels of your eye are a picture of your whole cardiovascular system. You can see things like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol inside your eyes.

“Your eyes are actually little out-pockets or pouches formed out of your brain during development, so optometrists can also gather brain and neurological information as your eyes are attached to cranial nerves,” she said. “If we see that someone can’t move their eyes a certain way or open their eyes naturally, it can be an indication that

SUMMER 2017

further testing is needed.”

Caring for young eyes As more seniors are caring for their grandchildren, it’s important to talk about care for young eyes.

“Six months of age is the first time optometry recommends getting an eye exam,” she said. “There are many objective tests where the patient doesn’t need to tell us anything. We’re making decisions based on observation and data, such as how light reflects off the back of the eye or how their eye traces certain movement.”

She stressed the importance of eye exams prior to age 6.

“Once you hit age 6, it’s harder to correct some problems that could have been detected and corrected earlier,” she said.

Make a difference Donate your used glasses, sunglasses and readers to the Grand Junction Lions Club. Call 250-7988 or visit www.gjlions.org. ■

Top three eye care musts 1. Wear good sunglasses with 100 percent protection from ultraviolet A and B rays even on a cloudy day. Good sunglasses can actually slow down the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration, especially in Colorado where the sun is so intense.

2. Stay away from cigarette smoke. Smoking and secondhand smoke can make cataracts and macular degeneration progress faster.

3. A healthy diet in general is going to help with eye diseases. The vitamins and antioxidants from green leafy vegetables can slow down the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Western Rockies Eye Center, P.C.

Frontier Plaza  2460 Patterson Rd. Unit #2  Grand Junction, CO 81505

970-243-9000

• Medical Eye Exams • Refractions for Glasses • Diagnosis and Treatment of Cataracts • Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma • Contact Lenses • Unique Selection of Fashion Frames

Gregory E. Kellam, M.D. Ophthalmologist

Tracy D. Carter, D.O. Ophthalmologist

Michael E. Luby, O.D. Optometrist