Saturday, November 10, 2018 • Page 1B
The latest in hi-tech care comes to Houston For The Leader Houston Methodist Hospital recently opened its 22-story Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Tower, offering the newest, most precise imaging and surgical equipment for complex heart and brain surgeries. The nationally ranked Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and Houston Methodist Neurological Institute moved into the new building. Cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists from these centers believe the advanced technology will transform care and become the new standard for similar facilities around the country. “We needed space to grow and the most up-to-date technology in the world in order to provide the best patient care possible,” said Dr. Gavin Britz. “This puts us in the top tier.” “It’s a transformational moment,” said Dr. Alan Lumsden, chair of Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. The upgraded facility has what he describes as “the most advanced cardiothoracic operating rooms that exist.” HIGH-TECH HIGHLIGHTS The new hybrid ORs feature built-in advanced imaging capaPhoto supplied bilities. Intraoperative imaging The nationally ranked Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center and Houston Methodist Neurological Institechnology, including MRI, CT and tute have moved into the 22-story Paula and Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter III Tower. angiography, may be used during surgery for patients with tumors, Another new technology is the ous tumors. The technology allows used for every form of open-heart aneurysms or strokes. Surgeons latest generation of the Gamma real-time imaging, enabling sur- surgery, with minimally invasive can scan patients halfway through Knife — a device that delivers high geons to deftly navigate the brain’s cardiac procedures performed in the tower’s 14 interventional cathprocedures and immediately react radiation doses to the brain with complex terrain. Houston Methodist’s new robot- eterization labs. These treatments, to specific needs. They also can pinpoint accuracy without harmic-assisted technology, which mini- including cardiac bypass and valve take CT scans done weeks ago and ing healthy tissue. For patients facing intricate mizes tissue damage and maximiz- replacement, involve threading a fuse them in real time to images scanned during surgery. With this brain surgeries, imaging technolo- es precision, can be used for up to catheter through an artery from technology, surgeons can identify gy guides surgeons in locating and 80 percent of procedures involving the groin or other area to the heart, changes that may have developed removing diseased areas, such as the lungs and esophagus. See Methodist P. 4B The expansive OR suites can be in since images were last taken. blood clots from strokes or cancer-
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month — a caregiver’s guide
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Northwest ChiropraCtiC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com
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Ana M. Torres, M.D. , P.A. 713.863.9200 427 W. 20th St. Ste #503 Houston, TX 77008 www.Thetorrescenter.com
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Dora Cantú, M.D. 713.864.8652 1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180 Houston, TX 77008 www.opiavisioncenter.com
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com More than 3 million cases of Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed in the US each year. This diagnosis doesn’t just affect the patient but also the family who will care for their loved ones. Like most struggles in life, however, you don’t have to go it alone. When Sue Amash and her husband brought his father to Houston in order to care for him, they knew that he had some sort of dementia. Although there is no definitive test for Alzheimer’s, Amash got a diagnosis for her father-in-law from his doctor after an evaluation, which included the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination. Amash said it was difficult because she and her husband were getting pushback from other relatives but that it was important to have a diagnosis in order to get him the help that he needed. “We don’t do a good job about preparing for death,” said Amash. “Of managing the systems and resources that are out there. You’re sort of hamstrung, both emotionally and physically. But it doesn’t have to be perfect. You have to give yourself a break.” Amash’s father-in-law lived with her and her husband for three years and then went to an assisted living facility for his last two years of life. Amash said that two of her biggest resources were the Alzheimer’s Association where she and her husband attended support groups and Houston Hospice who came to visit her father-in-law regularly to monitor his medication once going to the doctor was harder for him. “It was a good thing that we engaged them sooner,” said Amash. “It made it easier later on.” For those with a loved one whose
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Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Photo supplied The Alzheimer’s Association has a number of resources for families dealing with the disease, including a number of support groups.
memory loss is disrupting their daily life, the Alzheimer’s Association has information about warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Specialist Kathy Spetter said that if you or a loved one is experiencing any of the signs, a visit to the doctor is in order. “Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for your future,” said Spetter. “You can learn how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, what questions you should ask your physician, and the importance of receiving an early diagnosis,” said Spetter.
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a hard thing and Spetter counsels a time to grieve but also a time to build a care team. Making legal and financial plans at the beginning of a diagnosis will make things less stressful down the road. “A care team is a group of people who you will partner with and rely on to provide you help, care, and support and connection throughout the course of the disease,” said Spetter. Spetter stresses that there is no one-size fits all formula when it comes to Alzheimer’s care.
“Needs change at different stages of the disease and each family’s situation is unique,” she said. “Deciding on care can be a tough decision.” At every step of the way, the Alzheimer’s Association has resources that can help families, such as Individualized consultation sessions to assist families with creating a care plan for their loved one; access to resources and support through their 24 hour HELPline (800-272-3900); Peer-led support groups for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s See Alzheimer’s, P. 4B
1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE
St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights 1917 Ashland Street Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-757-1000 Physician Referral 713-757-7575
TECHNOLOGY THAT TRANSFORMS PATIENT CARE To learn more about Walter Tower, visit houstonmethodist.org/walter-tower