Active Lifestyles December 2019 Telegraph/Edwardsville

Active Lifestyles

December 2019

Got Faith?

Santa does: Ministry, beloved figure go hand in hand

Active Lifestyles Staff

What’s inside 3 Cover story:

16 Apples keep more than

the doctor away

7

17 What to expect for a

healthy diet

Got Faith? Santa does

Preventive care involves safeguarding mental health as well

8 Don’t get caught off

guard by glaucoma

18 ‘Dear Dietitian’ answers

your health questions

9 Learning to Cope

19 The ABCs of Medicare coverage

10 Newest ‘Duck Pluckers’

ambulance rolling

21 3 simple ways to eat

healthier every day

14 Age-related muscle loss

22 How women can take charge of cervical health

15 Why annual checkups are

so important

23 The rise of telehealth services

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500 ACTIVE LIFESTYLES ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500 ACTIVE LIFESTYLES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448 ACTIVE LIFESTYLES COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433

INSIDE

16

Apples keep more than the doctor away

2 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

23 On the cover

Jody Jedlicka | Active Lifestyles

Santa with a reindeer during a holiday photo shoot in Jersey County.

Read more about this man in the red suit in the cover article of this issue of Active Lifestyles.

The rise of telehealth services

Got Faith? Santa does Ministry, beloved figure go hand in hand

By Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com

Jill Moon | Active Lifestyles

3

Got Faith? Ministry founder Steve Pegram, of Jerseyville, stands next to a Got Faith? T-shirts, for a donation of $10 to Got Faith?, at Olive Branch Cafe, on S. State Street, in Jerseyville. Pegram holds Santa’s helper, “Elfis,” who travels with Santa. During Got Faith? Weekend in May, participating Jersey County businesses will be offering discounts and promotions to those who enter the business, wearing a Got Faith? T-shirt, also available for a donation at Elizabeth Grace Gifts and Tonsor Custom Awards and Decals. Olive Branch Cafe also is offering a free meal with dining on site from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Christmas day, Dec. 25, delivering meals to homebound only from 9-11 a.m., and hosting Santa on site from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

December 2019

See FAITH | Page 4

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JERSEYVILLE — A simple favor for his daughter led to Steve Pegram becoming known as Santa Claus.

“Seventeen years ago at headstart here in Jerseyville, they had a suit but no one could fit in to the suit, it was so small, but me,” he recalled with a twinkle in his deep blue eyes at Olive Branch Cafe, in Jerseyville.

Four professional Santa Claus academies later, Pegram exudes the spirit of Santa like no other, but not because of the sanctioned conferences and classes.

“I stand for love and giving,” he said. “I let the kids know there’s only one Santa, but he has tons of helpers, they’re cousins.

That’s why they look alike.

“The real Santa has beautiful blue eyes,” he said, his eyes twinkling again. “I let the kids and grownups know, you don’t have to wear a red suit to make a difference. Santa doesn’t come in through the chimney, he comes in through the heart.”

Not all that children ask is easy, especially if it’s to get their parent out of prison or for “bug spray” to get rid of insects in their house.

“We did get an exterminator to that house,” noted

Faith From page 3

Pegram, who, 10 years ago, founded “Got Faith?,” a ministry defined by the letters of the second word in the title – “Feed And Inspire The Hungry” — but does whatever it can to help those in need in Jersey County.

Got Faith? is a faith-based interdenominational nonprofit organization that seeks to bless God through bringing faith-based communities together by feeding and inspiring the hungry.

Santa keeps a little green prayer book with him and writes down a child’s first name and prayer list when a tough and heartbreaking request comes along; and, Pegram prays for those situations that are brought to his attention.

“That’s one thing — I give all the glory to God,” said Pegram, whose own tough and heartbreaking experiences led him to God and eventually to starting Got Faith? Ministry.

Pegram charges no fees to appear in his Santa role and donations alone

We Take Time to Care About Your Health.

Active Lifestyles 4 December 2019

support Got Faith? Ministry. Yet Got Faith? asked that customers put the money they saved by shopping May’s Got Faith? Weekend in their own churches’ offering baskets.

The No. 1 reason Pegram embraces the Santa Claus academies is because each day starts with prayer.

“To me that shows you what they’re all about,” said Pegram, who attended Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, in October, where more than 300 Santas and Mrs. Clauses attend from all over the world; he also attends a more business-oriented Santa school in Colorado.

“I learn something new every year, every year you get a different idea,” he said.

This year, The Polar Express, in St. Louis, sought and asked Pegram to host a weekend of train rides to the “North Pole.” And, Santa touched down by helicopter to the annual Country Christmas Festival in Jerseyville. He also spent time in November at Alton’s Lovejoy Elementary School teaching youngsters how to dance to a Christmas song and at

More from Got Faith? Ministry in the new year In January, Got Faith? Ministry holds its annual bookmark contest for elementary age Jersey County school children in 113 classes, in which teachers are involved.

The teachers pick the winner in each participating class. Each winner gets a free meal at Olive Branch Cafe. Then the bookmark designs of the winners in each class are voted on by the community for an overall winner, who wins $50, as well as the student’s teacher.

Then, Got Faith? prints 3,000 of the winning bookmark design and hands them out at the schools.

Visit Got Faith? Ministry’s Facebook page and/or www.gotfaithonline.org or call the ministry at 415-448-6437 and/or email feed.inspire.hungry@gmail.com for more information or to get involved.

Eckert’s for a 600-attendees event in Belleville. Santa also visited Jersey County schools, interacting with easily 2,200-plus children, and the homeless living on the street and in abandoned buildings.

Santa often starts his busy public season of sharing in September and closes it in January.

“The kids get so excited,” he said.

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Melissa Mitchell, WHNP Women’s Health

See FAITH | Page 6

The Center for Senior Renewal Outpatient Program at Alton Memorial Hospital Our goal is to help patients achieve the highest level of functioning and to improve their quality of life.

Alton Memorial Hospital’s Center for Senior Renewal outpatient program serves the needs of older adults going through difficult episodes in their lives.

Our outpatient program helps older adults who struggle with: • Depression • Anxiety • Adjustment Difficulties

• Grief and Loss • And more

Our treatment team develops an individualized plan of care to treat each patient’s emotional issues.

Through a combination of group and individual therapy, medication management, and nursing education, patients gain insight into their issues and learn effective ways to cope.

Ask about our Memory Disorder Diagnostic Clinic.

The Center for Senior Renewal Outpatient Program 1 Memorial Drive | Alton, IL 62002 618-463-7895 Visit AltonMemorialHospital.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A REFERRAL PLEASE CALL 618-463-7895 CS_333779_4/19

© 2018. Alton Memorial Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

December 2019

in front of the Jerseyville store, like the school bus.

The ministry also is working with Jerseyville’s Hardee’s now through Dec. 20, for every two cookies for $1 purchased by a customer, Hardee’s will send two cookies to the same place as the care packages overseas to Paces’ unit.

In 2017, Jersey County made two official proclamations for Got Faith? weekends, including the first full weekend in May and the first full weekend in August.

For May, Got Faith?

Weekend occurs the same weekend as the National Day of Prayer, and during which Jersey County businesses offer discounts and promotions to those who enter wearing Got Faith?

T-shirts. The T-shirts are available with a $10 donation to Got Faith? at Elizabeth Grace Gifts, Tonsor Custom Awards and Decals, and Olive Branch Cafe, which also is offering a free meal with dining on site from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Christmas day, Dec. 25, on S. State Street, in Jerseyville. The restaurant, which works often with Pegram, will deliver meals to homebound only from 9-11 a.m. on Christmas morning.

Also, that day, Santa will be on site from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Olive Branch Cafe.

Approximately 100 businesses — both national and local to Jersey County, including The Whole Scoop and Jersey State Bank’s branch, both in Grafton — participated in this year’s Got Faith? Weekend in May. Got Faith? founded annual popular charitable events, including its Feed

Active Lifestyles

But, Pegram and Got Faith? volunteers go all year round, including to all 48 of Jersey County’s churches, a different one every Sunday, and, in partnership with drug treatment program First Fruits, during Grafton’s Music in the Park, distributed enough food for 500 to flood victims.

“Everything we do always connects to something else we’re doing. Santa’s always in the picture somewhere,” said Pegram, who belongs to the International Brotherhood of Santas, and currently is collecting socks for a Santa Needs Sox campaign.

Pegram recalled a longago day, when he’d been unemployed and looked into his kitchen cabinet but saw no food. Then out of the kitchen window a vehicle approached, and Pegram thought it was a bill collector. He was surprised and grateful to find out it was a Dow church bringing him food.

“They came at my time of need,” he said. “I became a Christian. It all came to me, I wrote it down. It wasn’t my thinking, it was God’s thinking. The main thing is, this is because of God and through Him.” Last year, Got Faith? provided 800 free meals and in July it parks a school bus in front of Jerseyville’s Walmart for the community to fill with school supplies for the Jersey Community School District. Currently, Got Faith? is seeking an Army truck to use to collect supplies for care packages to send to U.S. troops overseas. Got Faith?’s board treasurer, Steve Pace, is currently deployed in the Middle East country of Kuwait. Walmart approved the ministry collecting items in a truck parked

5

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4/3/19 4:11 PM

Faith From page 5

Got Faith? is a ministry exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, benevolent, civic, patriotic and housing purposes, including such purposes as the making of and distribution to organizations that qualify as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Monetary donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to Got Faith, 24400 State Highway 3, Dow, Illinois, 62022.

Visit Got Faith? Ministry’s Facebook page and/or www.gotfaithonline.org or call the ministry at 415-448-6437 and/or email feed.inspire.hungry@ gmail.com for more information or to get involved.

Reach Jill Moon at 618-208-6448 and Twitter @jill_moon.

6 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

And Inspire The Hungry Weekend with the Cans 4 Car Crusade, open to all classes: car, truck, motorcycle, antique tractor, pulling lawn mower and race car; the Faith Fest Christian Music live concert, which includes a shopping cart race, and 500 Men’s Breakfast: Faith, Food & Fellowship, featuring Fox 2’s Tim Ezell, at the at Jersey County Fair grandstand; and, The Yard Sale, in which items are purchased with canned goods rather than money (9,000 cans were collected this year), at the Jersey County fair-

grounds, all during the first weekend in August in Jerseyville.

All food collected at Got Faith? events go to all Jersey County food pantries, including the Salvation Army Food Pantry, Fieldon Food Pantry, First Fruits Ministry, Jerseyville Township Food Pantry, Charity Works and St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry.

Pegram lives in Jerseyville with his family, including his wife, Sheryl Molloy Pegram, a teacher for special needs at Alton Middle School.

Got Faith? asks that people donate items that their own families would use, and if able to share new items, other families would surely be blessed. Please don’t send or donate dirty or broken items.

Jill Moon | Active Lifestyles

Got Faith? Ministry’s newly painted trailer parked on the lot of Olive Branch Cafe. The nonprofit organization currently is seeking a permanent storage building and a place to unload the trailer. The ministry also has tables and chairs it can lend for events, receptions, etc. For more information, email Got Faith? at feed. inspire.hungry@gmail.com or call 415-448-6437.

Breathe Easie

Preventive care involves safeguarding mental health For Active Lifestyles

Preventive care is often looked at through the needs people need to do to protect their physical well-being.

For example, a healthy diet and routine exercise, while beneficial to mental health, are often viewed as lifestyle choices that can make people feel better physically. But taking steps to protect one’s mental health also is vital to a long, productive life.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that positive mental health and mental wellness can have a profoundly positive impact on a person’s life. Positive mental health can help people realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

What can I do to protect my mental health?

Learning to recognize the early warning signs of mental health problems can help prevent such problems from escalating and compel people to seek help. The DHHS advises anyone feeling these signs or recognizing these signs in others to seek help for themselves or their loved ones:

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Don’t get caught off guard by glaucoma For Active Lifestyles

Vision should never be taken for granted. Appreciating one’s sense of sight involves scheduling routine eye exams and taking steps to protect one’s eyes. But safeguarding vision also involves understanding the various conditions that can affect eye health.

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that can lead to progressive damage to the optic nerve. People who experience glaucoma can lose nerve tissue and eventually suffer vision loss. Understanding what contributes to glaucoma can help people take the steps necessary to reduce their risk.

The American Optometric Association says that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness for people over the

age of 60 — although it can occur at any age. The Mayo Clinic states that many forms of glaucoma produce no warning signs and changes in vision may occur so gradually they are not detected until the condition has reached an advanced stage.

There are various types of glaucoma. However, primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, affecting about three million Americans, indicates the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Primary open-angle glaucoma occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time and fluid cannot drain out of the eye. As a result, intraocular pressure rises and damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals from the eye to the brain.

People with a family history of

glaucoma, African Americans over age 40 and Hispanics over the age of 60 have an increased risk, says the AOA. Those with thin corneas, which is the outer layer of the eye, also are at an elevated risk of developing glaucoma.

A less common type of glaucoma is called acute-closure glaucoma, which occurs due to an abrupt and rapid increase of eye pressure. This is an emergency situation that requires prompt care to prevent vision loss.

An eye doctor will conduct various tests to determine if a patient is at risk for glaucoma.

The Mayo Clinic says tonometry is commonly used to measures intraocular pressure.

During this test, the eye surface will be anesthetized with special drops. A tonometer will be applied lightly to the cornea, indenting it slightly. The resistance will be measured and calculated to determine if pressure is present. Other tests include the following: • imaging tests that look for optic nerve damage that involve a dilated eye examination; • visual field tests to check for areas of vision loss; • pachymetry, which measures corneal thickness; and • an inspection of the drainage angle of the eye.

The effects of glaucoma cannot be reversed, but glaucoma can be caught early. Medications and lifestyle changes, like more frequent eye exams, can improve symptoms. Prescription eye drops can reduce the production of aqueous humor (fluid) in the eye and improve outflow of that fluid. Oral medications and surgery are other options as well.

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Active Lifestyles

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Learning to Cope AMH Center for Senior Renewal helps patients’ wellbeing Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Active Lifestyles

ALTON — If you’re trying to cope with loneliness and depression, help is close to home at Alton Memorial Hospital’s (AMH) Center for Senior Renewal.

Janice Case, of Alton, was convinced that it wouldn’t work for her, but now she is happy to tell anyone and everyone about the help that is available. When Case’s husband Warren died, after 48 years of marriage, she expe-

rienced anxiety and depression, she said.

“I had always been busy with work, but now I was retired and my husband was gone,” she recalled.

“I thought I could handle it myself, but I couldn’t. I became a mess.”

Case visited the AMH Emergency Department on more than one occasion. It was during one of those visits that that a staff member handed her a brochure about the Center for Senior Renewal and its programs, which

are a part of AMH’s Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine.

“I didn’t think I was in that bad of shape,” she said. “I actually ended up in the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit for eight days last year. After that, I started coming for sessions twice a week.”

Case met with Senior Renewal counselor Montana Brown and soon began feeling better about herself.

“At first, I didn’t think it would work,” she admitted. “I was just a wreck. I had never had panic attacks before, but it got to the point where I didn’t want to go out anywhere by myself.”

Between sessions with

Brown and also in group sessions, Case really made progress.

“We talk a lot about coping skills,” she explained.

“Talking to myself is actually one of them. I’m so grateful for Montana, as well as Carolyn Wilkening and Dr. (Scott) Arbaugh in Senior Renewal.

They have just helped me so much. I would recommend Alton Memorial to anyone who is going through something similar.”

For more information about the Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine’s Senior Renewal at Alton Memorial Hospital, visit www.altonmemorialhospital.org or call 618-463-7895.

Active Lifestyles For Active Lifestyles

December 2019 9

Janice Case, left, meets with therapist Montana Brown at the AMH Center for Senior Renewal.

For Active Lifestyles

Alton Memorial Hospital and Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation Board members, sponsors, Duck Pluckers Committee members and hospital senior leaders with the newest “Duck Pluckers” ambulance at the end of September.

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ambulance rolling at AMH Alton Memorial Hospital Special to Active Lifestyles

ALTON — The rubber meets the road again with the another new Alton Memorial Hospital (AMH) ambulance, thanks to the $110,000 raised at the 11th annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners and Fish Hookers Ball earlier this year.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) manager Jason Bowman showed the new vehicle to AMH senior leaders, sponsors and Duck Pluckers Committee members during a brief ceremony this fall next to the hospital’s Healing Garden.

“These ambulances have state-of-the-art equipment that helps us take care of our patients in the best way

possible,” Bowman said.

“We are very appreciative of our hospital leadership and the Duck Pluckers Committee. We could not do this without them.”

The new ambulances are equipped with: • Zoll cardiac monitors and Bluetooth technology that allows for EKG testing while the ambulance is on the way to the hospital; • Stryker PowerPro hydraulic lift stretcher rated for 750 pounds of total weight; • Stryker PowerLoad system rated for more than 1,200 pounds; • HoverMatt, which is a single patient use air transfer system; • DefibTech automated

For Active Lifestyles

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) manager Jason Bowman, center, and squad leader Jared Brooks, right, lift paramedic Meghan Osterbur on a power stretcher as a demonstration of what the new Duck Pluckers ambulance can do.

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those, 5,000 patients were treated for chest pain and 450 patients were in cardiac arrest.

“Bluetooth technology allows us to do 12-lead EKGs from anywhere — a home, business or on the road,” Bowman explained.

“The EKG can be transmitted to a doctor at any hospital in the greater Alton area before the patient arrives in the emergency department. This critical information helps the doctor determine if the patient is having an active heart attack so treatment can begin immediately on arrival.”

AMH ambulance services, which marked 30 years of service last year, cover a 350-square-mile area.

Active Lifestyles

CPR device used for continuous compressions in a patient suffering from cardiac arrest; • and, a Stryker Stair Pro used for moving patients down stairways.

More than 350 people attended the Duck Pluckers Ball on June 1 at Nilo Farms in Brighton.

“The event is a testament to strong community support,” said AMH President Dave Braasch. “It is more evidence of the community standing tall to ensure access to the very best emergency medical care and that state-of-the-art ambulances are here when needed.”

During the past 10 years, Duck Pluckers ambulances at AMH have made more than 82,000 trips. Out of

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Active Lifestyles

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• Hourly and 24 -hour services • Bath visits • Mini visits • On call 24/7 • Client based schedules • Physician care management • Blood pressure monitoring • Bathing • Meal planning and preparation • Medication management • Medication reminders • Wellness checks • Housekeeping • Home maintenance • Laundry • Transportation • Errands/Escorts • Pet care • RN supervision • Home supervisory visits • Free in-home assessment

STAFF

• No independent contractors • Staff available 24 hours/7 days a week including holidays • Agency complies with the Health Care Workers Background Check Act • All employees are insured and bonded • Experience in Hospice and Alzheimer’s care • Performance supervision • Monthly training and testing • Registered Nurses • Licensed Practical Nurses • Certified Nursing Assistants • Homemakers Voted #1 2018 & 2019

4124 Alby St. • Alton • 618-466-1010 • www.ahcsllc.com

December 2019

“OUR CAUSE IS YOUR CARE”

Active Lifestyles

Absolute Health Care Services provides considerate and respectful care while recognizing the diginty and individuality of all of our clients. Absolute Health Care Services realizes when a client or family needs to utilize our services, it can be an emotional time with questions and concerns. We want out clients and their families to be assured they have made the right choice about their loved one’s care.

13

Age-related muscle loss

By Seth Wilson, B.S., M.S., CSCS

For Senior Services Plus Special to Active Lifestyles

ALTON — Sarcopenia is loss of muscle tissue as a natural part of the aging process.

It is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength and it is strictly correlated with physical disability and poor quality of life.

Risk factors for sarcopenia include age and level of physical activity. It is commonly found in conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and aging, lean body mass is lost while fat mass may be preserved or even increased. All the con-

14 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

• Bar • Grill • Lotto • Convenience

ditions have very low levels of physical activity correlated with them.

People with sarcopenia run the risk of physical limitation and potential disability. With the increase risk of obesity, more adverse health effects may arise.

• Exercise Recommendations for Fighting Sarcopenia: I could put it quite simply and just say “keep moving” but I don’t find that helpful.

Resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning aka “cardio” have recommendations to have a high quality of life.

• Resistance training recommendations: A strength training program should be performed

a minimum of two non-consecutive days each week, with 1- 4 set(s) of 8 to 12 repetitions for. Try to hit each major body-part twice per week.

• Cardiovascular “Cardio” training recommendations: The American Council of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.

• Nutrition recommendations for fighting sarcopenia The Journal of Gerontology suggests a protein intake of .5-.7 g/lbs./day for the maintenance of muscle health during the aging process. Older subjects

with acute or chronic diseases are recommended to take up .7-.9 g/lbs./day of proteins. A further increase in protein requirements occurs in older people with serious illness or malnutrition, for which a contribution of 1.0 g/kg/day of protein is recommended.

You can do that math if you like or you can aim for 3-4 meals a day and aim to get 25-30 grams of protein in each meal.

Summary: • Lift weights twice per week • Get 150-300 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week • Eat 3-4 meals per day with 25-30g of protein per meal Contact Senior Services Plus at 618-465-3298. Senior Services Plus is located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton, Illinois.

Why annual checkups are so important For Active Lifestyles

as nutritious diets and routine exercise. By scheduling annual checkups with their physicians, adults can closely monitor their overall health and potentially uncover issues before they escalate into major health risks.

Active Lifestyles December 2019 15

Nutritious diets and routine exercise are two hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle. Combining the two can lower people’s risk for various diseases and contribute to a high quality of life.

But food and physical activity are not the only things people should do to improve their chances of living long, healthy lives.

Preventive care is important. One of the most effective principles of preventive care is to schedule an annual checkup with a physician. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, routine health exams and tests can find problems before they start.

During annual check-ups, doctors may notice some red flags, such as high cholesterol, that men and women won’t detect on their own. These warning signs could be increasing people’s risk for disease and/or discomfort. Many of these red flags are undetectable without proper screenings, which is why annual checkups are

integral to maintaining one’s health.

Annual checkups also serve as a great time for adults to be screened for certain cancers.

The American Cancer Society notes that cancer screenings are used to find cancer before a person develops symptoms.

That’s a vital benefit of annual checkups, as cancers caught in their early stages are more easily treated. In addition, catching cancer before it has metastasized greatly improves patients’ prognosis.

Another reason to schedule annual checkups is that they make perfect opportunities for patients to discuss their family histories with their physicians.

This is especially important for adults over 40, as age and family history are significant risk factors for a host of conditions and diseases. Men and women concerned about conditions and diseases that their family members have had can discuss those concerns with their physicians during their annual checkups.

Physicians can then recommend ways for patients to balance

their risk, calming patients’ concerns and giving them a road map to reduce their risk for conditions and diseases that seem to run in their families.

Annual checkups are as vital a component of a healthy lifestyle

Apples keep more than the doctor away

16 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

Special to Active Lifestyles

Apples are big business, with more than 7,500 U.S. growers producing about 240 million bushels of apples each year.

And Illinois is no exception.

Getting your own apples at an orchard, of which there are several in Illinois, can be a fun way to bond with family and friends.

So, while you probably actually need more than just one apple a day to keep the doctor away — such as proper sleep, regular exercise and a diet rich in vegetables, for example — apples, in all variations, can be a useful part of a healthy diet.

The incredible, edible apple Studies show that people who eat apple slices before a meal, tend to eat less during that meal, said Nathan Hamman, wellness services manager for OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Medical Center. A couple apple slices before a meal can help you consume fewer total calories and possibly even lose weight.

Foods that are high in fiber tend to be more filling, so you feel full earlier in a meal and reduce the risk of overeating.

Fiber can also help lower “bad” cholesterol and help lower blood pressure, decreasing risks for stroke or cardiovascular disease.

The type of fiber in apples is a prebiotic, Hamman said, meaning it’s the good type, from which healthy bacteria in your gut feeds. So, apples can help keep your digestive system running smoothly.

Another tip from Hamman about eating apples: don’t ditch the skin.

“A lot of people pare their apples, but you lose over half the fiber when you get rid of the skin,” he said. “You need 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day, and a medium-sized apple might have four grams of fiber. When you ditch the rind, you not only reduce the amount of fiber you take in, you also lose vitamins and a bunch of phytochemicals that can have positive effects, like helping prevent cancer.”

Have your apple and eat it, too Perhaps it should be no surprise that

apples are so popular. They not only have several health benefits, they also are very diverse.

There are so many ways to eat them: plain, cut into slices for dipping or in any number of baked goods. Plus, with a wide variety of flavors and textures, there is bound to be an apple to suit just about anyone.

“It’s easy to mix and match and find different textures, different levels of sweetness and tartness that appeal to your personal preference,” Hamman said.

“I like the tart ones and they’re good by themselves. They don’t have to be in an apple cider doughnut to be enjoyed.

“Some people cut them up and put them in a salad. It can really freshen a salad up, with some crunch and sweetness. It’s a healthier way to get a crunch than croutons.”

Ask your doctor about a referral so you can consult with a dietitian and get more from your meals.

For more information, contact OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center.

What to expect as you transition to a healthy diet For Active Lifestyles

For many people, the road to a healthy lifestyle begins in the kitchen. People make changes to their diets of their own volition or at the recommendation of their doctors, and those changes can have a profound effect that might surprise even the most devoted of healthy eaters.

According to the Center for Advancement in Cancer Education, 90 percent of all cancer cases can be prevented through environmental and lifestyle choices like deciding to eat a healthy diet. In addition, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, notes that a history of poor eating is one of the biggest contributors to the various nutrition- and physical activity-related health challenges that now face the U.S. population. By simply altering their diets to make them more nutritious, millions of people across the globe can significantly reduce their risk for various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

People who are committed to eating

healthier should know that changing diets can produce some adverse, but typically temporary, side effects. The CACE notes that such side effects are predictable, as they are essentially just manifestations of the body’s adjustments as it responds to eating better. People adopting healthier diets should discuss the appearance of the following side effects with their physicians while recognizing that they are not necessarily a cause for concern.

Colds or fevers Colds or fevers can be another way the body indicates it’s working hard to cleanse itself. Fevers should always be monitored closely, even while in the midst of changing one’s diet for the better. But the CACE notes that colds or fevers, while unpleasant, can serve as a natural form of housecleaning as the body adjusts to a healthy diet. Persistent colds and fevers should be brought to the attention of a physician.

Skin rashes The CACE notes that people who have histories of recurring skin rashes or eruptions may experience such rashes as they adjust to healthy diets. That’s because the skin is becoming more active and alive due to the healthy diet and expelling toxins that could potentially prove hazardous down the road. Doctors unfamiliar with patients’ histories may mistake these rashes for food allergies, so it’s important that patients be open and honest about their medical histories and remind their doctors that they are in the process of changing their diets for the better.

Additional symptoms Some people may experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability as they transition from unhealthy diets to healthy ones. Such symptoms may be more likely to occur among people who suddenly adopt extreme diets. A gradual transition may help mitigate these symptoms, as can choosing a less extreme, balanced diet as opposed to one that demands certain foods be avoided entirely right off the bat.

Choosing to eat a healthier diet is a smart move that can pay long-term dividends. But the transition may require people to confront potentially uncomfortable side effects as their bodies adjust.

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December 2019

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Active Lifestyles

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‘DEAR DIETITIAN’ ANSWERS YOUR HEALTH QUESTIONS

Notice eating in IBS attack Dear Dietitian, I recently was hospitalized overnight for irritable bowel syndrome. The abdominal pain was treated, then I was released the next morning. I was not given any information on what diet I should follow.

Can you help?

Julie Dear Julie, A flare-up of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be very painful, but the good news is it can be well-managed with diet and lifestyle changes.

IBS is a common intestinal disorder that affects from 25 million to 45 million Americans. It requires a diagnosis by a physician or another qualified clinician. The cause of IBS is unclear; it usually is diagnosed based on symptoms, including abdominal pain, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

During a flare-up of IBS, avoid foods that are high in fiber — raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains. When the flare subsides, you may slowly add these foods back into your diet. Many research studies point to a high-fiber diet to help prevent obesity,

heart disease, diabetes and possibly some types of cancer.

It is very important to add these foods to your diet.

Most Americans get about half the recommended amount of fiber each day, so if your body is not accustomed to high-fiber foods, increase them slowly. Start with 5 grams of fiber each day and increase the amount by 5 grams each week until you reach a goal of 25 to 35 grams a day. Drink plenty of water and/or noncaffeinated beverages while increasing your fiber intake. For a list of foods that are high in fiber, go to health.gov/dietaryguidelines and search for “Appendix 13”.

In today’s busy world, sometimes we don’t find enough time to slow down and eat at regular times. As we have routines throughout the day, mealtimes also should be a part of that routine. In this McCrate way, food will be moving through your system at regulife and it’s important to manlar times. In addition, planned age stress when managing meals tend to be healthier, IBS. Increasing physical activand you will be less likely to Doctors of Audiology, ity, yoga, stretching, much more than just a hearing aid store. breathing grab fast food — which oftenCall exercises, and meditation today to start your journey to is high in fat — on the run. improved hearing! to alleviate are all avenues Stress is a part of everyday pressure brought on by life’s

twists and turns.

It’s essential to know what Visit our foods your body can digest iea ng Nevv Location r in the Jerseyville Hospital!

1d H comfortably when managing Doctors of Audiology, # much more than just a hearing aid store. Professional Vote IBS. Many people have trou�to Call today to start your journey ble tolerating sugar alcohols. improved hearing! ' Hearing Associates These are found in some 1344 D'Adrian Professional Park Memorial Hospital Chester, IL 62233 Godfrey, IL 62035 Treating you like family. Providing professional audiology services for 20+ years. (Exf 1366)sugar-free products and are 618-826-4581 618-466-4444 commonly known as xylitol, ProfessionalHearingAssociates.com Doctors of Audiology sorbitol and mannitol, among Visit our much more than just a Nevv Location others. The amount of these in the Jerseyville Hospital! hearing aid store artificial sweeteners found Call today to start your journey in sugar-free gum probably � Professional to improved hearing! won’t have negative con' Hearing Associates Dr. Joe Hopper Dr. Michelle Cramer sequences, but avoid large 1344 D'Adrian Professional Park Memorial Hospital Chester, IL 62233 Godfrey, IL 62035 amounts, since they can cause 618-466-4444 618-826-4581 (Exf 1366) excessive gas and abdominal ProfessionalHearingAssociates.com discomfort.

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Active Lifestyles

c Clini

Hearing Healthcare Excellence!

Finally, while certain foods do not cause IBS, some find that specific foods irritate the condition. Keep a record of these foods so you remember to avoid them next time. Just carry a pocket-size notebook and record problem foods as you go about your week.

Until next time, be healthy!

Dear Dietitian Leanne McCrate is a registered dietitian (RD), licensed dietitian (LD) and certified nutrition support clinician (CNSC), is an award-winning dietitian with more than 15 years of clinical experience. She is registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Have a nutrition question? Email it to deardietitian411@gmail. com.

you’ll pay nothing for covered services.

The ABCs of Medicare coverage

By Dr. Ralph Velazquez OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center Special to Active Lifestyles

19

Find your plan OSF HealthCare participates in most Medicare plans, including Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.

Dr. Ralph Velazquez is chief medical officer for OSF HealthCare. He began his career with The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in 1994. Dr. Velazquez’s responsibilities include leading the development of the clinical strategy and goals for OSF HealthCare, and he also is responsible for initiatives that enhance clinical performance and practice standards across OSF. Dr. Velazquez oversees academics/research, accountable care, care management services, managed care, quality/ safety, telehealth, clinical documentation integrity and the credentialing verification organization.

December 2019

you have Part B. The Part B premium for 2020 is $144.30, although it might be higher depending on your income. There is also a deductible ($197 for 2020), after which you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of the service. No cap is provided for annual out-of-pocket expenses. However, most preventive services are free.

Medicare Part C What it covers: Also called a Medicare Advantage Plan, this is offered by Medicare-approved private companies. These plans include all the benefits covered under Parts A and B. In addition, most cover prescription drugs and other benefits not included in Medicare Parts A and B, such as vision, dental, and hearing services.

The details and cost: You pay the Part B premium and, in some instances, an additional premium for the Medicare Advantage Plan.

Unlike Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket costs are capped each year.

Once you reach this limit,

Active Lifestyles

Medicare is the largest public health insurer in the country, covering more than 55 million Americans.

It’s a huge program with lots of moving parts. The four most important parts follow the alphabet: A, B, C and D. Here’s what you need to know.

Medicare Part A What it covers: Inpatient hospitalization, hospice care, inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care), home health care, and inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health care institution The details and cost: You are automatically enrolled in Part A when you turn 65 if you’re receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). (However, you’ll get your Medicare card three months before your birthday.) If you’re not getting Social Security or RRB ben-

efits, you have to sign up for Medicare.

If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working, you’re in luck – there’s usually no premium for you!

Otherwise, you may have to pay up to $460 a month in 2020. For everyone with Part A coverage, you may have to pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, which vary depending on the service.

There is no cap on your annual out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Part B What it covers: Medically necessary doctors’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, mental health services, several preventive services, and home health services The details and cost: Like Part A, you are automatically enrolled at age 65 if you’re getting benefits from Social Security or the RRB. However, you can drop the coverage if you don’t want it. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible but change your mind later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as

Medicare Part D What it covers: This is the newest part of Medicare, added in 2006. It provides prescription drug coverage and, like Part B, is voluntary. (People with Medicare Advantage typically get their drug coverage through their plan.)

The details and cost: If you’re not in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can sign up for a prescription drug plan and pay a monthly premium, which varies based on the plan. Many also have deductibles and co-payments.

Most Medicare Part D drug plans have a coverage gap, called the “doughnut hole.” Once you and Medicare together spend a certain amount on drugs ($4,020 in 2020), you are “in the hole” and pay 25% of the plan’s cost for covered brand-name and generic drugs. Once you spend $5,000 out of pocket, you climb out of the gap, and Medicare covers most of your costs for the rest of the year.

The purpose of memory care is

PURPOSE

One day, one resident at a time Making connections. Staying engaged. Constant communication. Those are the keys to the individualized, person-directed memory care that residents receive at Cedarhurst of Edwardsville.

These keys—and the life-enriching activities managed by committed, compassionate caregivers—provide the daily structure and encouragement that help residents reach their highest potential. Physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively.

20 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

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It’s about reclaiming the present. It’s about focusing on living active and purposeful lives right now, every day.

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To learn more about our personalized approach to senior living, please contact us at (618) 323-3878.

3 simple ways to eat healthier every day For Active Lifestyles

Diets can be difficult to navigate. Since no two people are the same, a healthy diet that satisfies one person won’t necessarily satisfy another. Vegetarians might be perfectly happy without chicken or steak, while some people might shudder at the notion of never indulging in the occasional filet mignon.

While the most effective diets tend to be those that emphasize nutrition while still allowing individuals to indulge in some of their favorite dishes in moderation, the following are three ways that everyone, regardless of their personal preference, can eat healthy every day.

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If your wound has been resisting everything you’ve tried, call us or ask your doctor for a referral. You’ll see what technology combined with a caring touch can do.

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21

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December 2019

2. Make a concerted effort to eat more fruits and vegetables.

The United Kingdom-based National Health Service, which is the largest single-payer healthcare system in the world, recommends eating at least five

3. Kick added sugars to the curb.

Avoiding added sugars is another way anyone, regardless of their food preferences, can eat healthier every day. Healthy foods such as fruit contain natural sugars, and these don’t pose a threat to overall health. However, added sugars, which the Harvard Medical School notes are found in many foods and can include honey, molasses and corn syrup, can increase a person’s risk for various conditions and diseases, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Fruit contains fiber that slows the absorption of natural sugars, but the body digests added sugars much more quickly, leading to an uptick in blood sugar levels that can ultimately contribute to diabetes. Added sugars can be found in a host of foods and beverages, including some that aren’t generally considered unhealthy, like bread, certain breakfast cereals and pasta sauces. When shopping, consumers should read nutrition labels and avoid products with excessive amounts of sugar.

Eating healthy does not require people to abandon their favorite foods. A few simple adjustments can be all it takes to improve the nutritional value of your diet.

With all our sophisticated healing methods, caring is still one of the most effective.

Active Lifestyles

1. Eat lots of whole-grain carbohydrates.

Fad diets tend to paint carbs as the enemy, but various studies have shown just how integral carbohydrates, particularly whole-grain varieties, are to a healthy diet. One such study published in 2018 in the medical journal The Lancet Public Health found that diets that got between 50 and 55 percent of their calories from plant-based carbohydrates like whole grains were associated with a lower risk of mortality than low-carb diets that favored animal-derived protein sources.

When buying carbs at the grocery store, shoppers can opt for whole-grain varieties, including whole-grain pastas, brown rice and cereals. That won’t require sacrificing flavor and makes for a simple way to eat healthier every day.

portions of fruits and vegetables every day. That may sound like a lot, but it’s pretty easy to incorporate all those healthy fruits and veggies into a diet.

For example, add a serving of antioxidant-rich blueberries to your cereal bowl each morning.

At dinner time, allow vegetables to take up the most real estate on your plate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that diets rich in fruits and veggies can help people control their weight and may even reduce their risk for certain diseases, including cancer.

4/3/19 4:18 PM

How women can take charge of cervical health For Active Lifestyles

22 December 2019

Active Lifestyles

Maintaining cervical health is an important component of self-care for women. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition indicates that nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 1,350 Canadian women will have been diagnosed with cervical cancer for 2019 — and around 410 will have died from it.

Cervical cancer can be deadly, but it is often preventable. Learning more about the disease can ensure women get the treatment they need.

Human papilloma virus Human papilloma virus, commonly refered to as HPV, is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion states that HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer.

Roughly 79 million Americans currently have HPV, and many aren’t even aware they are infected. HPV can also cause genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that preteen girls and boys get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. This vaccine can prevent HPV-related cancers, which contribute to cervical cancer as well as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and other parts of the body. Women and men up to age 45 can still get the vaccine even if they were not vaccinated as children.

Adults require a three-dose

series of the vaccine.

HPV contraction can be prevented through safe sex practices, including limiting the number of one’s sexual partners.

Cervical cancer screenings In addition to HPV vaccinations, women should have regular examinations with a gynecologist that will include both visual exams of the cervix and surrounding tissues and testing. The NCCC says testing will include a Pap test, which will determine if there are cellular changes on the cervix, as well as an HPV test,

which can look for the virus itself. These tests (either alone or in combination) are recommended for women age 30 and over. Screening frequency typically depends on doctor preference and patient risk.

Cervical cancer diagnoses Many cases of cervical cancer can be prevented, and there are various treatment options for those diagnosed with the disease. Depending on the stage the disease has reached, doctors typically perform some sort of surgery to treat the area. Hysterectomy, which takes out the uterus and cervix, is the most

common way to treat cervical cancer, advises the American Cancer Society. Laser surgery to burn off cancer cells or cryosurgery to freeze them are other options.

Sometimes only a portion of the cervix is removed. The American Society of Clinical Oncology says the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer averages 66 percent, although the rate varies depending on age, race and ethnicity.

Women can take charge of their cervical health by speaking with their doctors about HPV and cervical cancer and by scheduling the screenings they need.

The rise of telehealth services For Active Lifestyles

December 2019 23

and promote patient-centered health care.

With a shortage of some medical specialities in rural areas, telehealth can play an important role in ensuring all patients get access to care they need. But the benefits do not only extend to rural patients. Individuals who are elderly and/or those who have mobility issues and cannot travel easily can benefit from telehealth services.

Furthermore, any patient with a rare condition may no longer have to travel long distances to consult with specialists in that field.

Telehealth applications and programs on smartphones, tablets or laptops can make it easy for people to monitor their health. These apps can enable patients to do things like track health measurements, share information with clinicians, manage chronic illnesses, and set medication or appointment reminders. Patients also can communicate with providers to get health information through patient portals or to refill prescriptions effortlessly.

Telehealth is changing the face of medicine and utilizing technology in unique ways.

Active Lifestyles

Getting sick once meant traveling to a physician’s office only to sit in a waiting room with fellow under-the-weather individuals. Few if any people like leaving home when they’re feeling ill, and thanks to technology, many no longer need to do so.

Telehealth services, which the Massachusetts Medical Society defines as the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies, are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. In many instances, patients need not leave the comfort of their beds or sofas to be diagnosed and treated.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology says telehealth, which is a broader scope of remote healthcare services than telemedicine, can utilize everything from videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless phone communications.

Many providers and insurance companies now offer some method of telehealth services. Consider some of these statistics.

• The American Telemedicine Association says more than one-half of all hospitals in the United States have a telehealth program.

• Forty-eight states require payers to cover telehealth, says the Center for Connected Health Policy.

• BBC Research indicates that telehealth makes up roughly one-quarter of the healthcare-related technology market.

• The American Medical Association says nearly 75 percent of all doctor, urgent care and emergency room visits could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or via video.

• Beckers Hospital Review says 82 percent of millennial patients surveyed would rather have a telemedicine visit than an in-person consultation.

• Around seven million people use telehealth services across the globe, according to eVisit.

Telehealth can connect rural providers and their patients to services at other sites

CANCER. CANCER. It’s personal.

It’s personal.

Will I be able to work? How will I get to treatments? Will I lose my hair?

Will I see my children grow up? Where do I find hope?

Will I beno abletwotocancers work? How will Iour getteam to treatments?

Will I loseSaint my hair?

Because are alike, at OSF HealthCare Will I see my children grow Where do I find hope?

Anthony’s Health Center willup? personalize a treatment plan to meet your needs. That is why we designed the new OSF Moeller Cancer Center Because no two cancers are alike, our team at OSF HealthCare Saint as an all-in-one facility, so you can focus on what is important to you – Anthony’s Health Center will personalize a treatment plan to meet your getting back to your life. needs. That is why we designed the new OSF Moeller Cancer Center We’re by your sidefacility, from diagnosis through as an all-in-one so you can focus treatment. on what is important to you – Because for all of us – it’s personal. getting back to your life.

We’re by your side from diagnosis through treatment.

Because for all of us – it’s personal.

To learn more, visit osfhealthcare.org/cancercare.

To learn more, visit osfhealthcare.org/cancercare.