How the pandemic has shaped the way young teens think and act. Hint: They are more anxious and have less sex
Think nature documentaries, Lassie or good old Scooby-Doo, a new study suggests.
Dogs are most engaged when watching videos that feature other animals, according to a new study published recently in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science.
The study is part of an overall effort to develop better ways to check
canine vision, something that the researchers say is sorely lacking in veterinary medicine.
“The method we currently use to assess vision in dogs is a very low bar. In humans, it would be equivalent to saying yes or no if a person was blind,” said researcher Freya Mowat, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of
Based on more than 1,200 responses, researchers concluded that video content featuring animals was the most popular among dogs
Veterinary Medicine.
“We need more sensitive ways to assess vision in dogs, using a dog eye chart equivalent,” Mowat added in a university news release. “We speculate that videos have the potential for sustaining a dog's attention long enough to assess visual function, but we didn't know what type of content is most engaging and appealing to dogs.”
To figure out what canines like to watch, Mowat created a web-based questionnaire for dog owners around the world to report their four-legged friends' TV habits.
The survey included questions about the types of screens in a home, how dogs interact with the screens and the kinds of content that most engaged them. Owners also described how their dogs behaved while watching videos.
Unlike humans, data show that dogs are commonly active when watching TV — running, jumping, vocalizing and tracking the action on the screen, rather than lying down or sitting as they watched.
Dog owners also had the option of showing their dog four short
videos featuring subjects of possible interest: a panther, a dog, a bird and road traffic.
Based on more than 1,200 responses, researchers concluded that:
• Video content featuring animals was the most popular among dogs
• Other dogs were by far the most engaging subjects to watch
• Humans weren't that interesting, ranking ninth out of 17 categories
• Age and vision were related to how much a dog interacted with a screen
• Sporting and herding dogs were more likely than other breeds to engage with any type of TV
• Movement on screens was a strong draw for dogs' attention
These results will be used to develop video-based methods that can track changes in visual attention as dogs age, Mowat said.
“We know that poor vision negatively impacts quality of life in older people, but the effect of aging and vision changes in dogs is largely unknown because we can't accurately assess it,” Mowat said. “Like people, dogs are living longer, and we want to make sure we support a healthier life for them as well.”
Understanding how a dog's vision ages also could help the humans who share their home, Mowat added.
“Dogs have a much shorter lifespan than their owner, of course, and if there are emerging environmental or lifestyle factors that influence visual aging, it might well show up in our dogs decades before it shows up in us,” Mowat explained. “Our dogs could be our sentinels the canine in the proverbial coal mine.”
As the region’s leader in robotic-assisted surgery Crouse Health is the only area hospital to offer the latest, minimally invasive technique for prostate surgery using a single, small incision. The da Vinci SP system uses advanced technology designed for access to tissue in the body with greater precision and enhanced mobility.
A pioneer in robotic-assisted surgery, urologist Po Lam, MD, is the first and only surgeon in the region to utilize the da Vinci Single Port robotic system for prostate removal. His experience with the SP system places him in the top tier* of robotic surgeons in the U.S. using this innovative technology.
See interview with Po Lam, MD, and SP patient Dan Cannucciari: crouse.org/ RoboticsSinglePort
Ask your physician if Single Port robotic surgery is appropriate for you.
Over 97,000 people in New York state depend on skilled nursing facilities for their care. For many, it is end of life care. Ninety percent of SNFs in the state have difficulty covering basic operating costs which typically leads to staffing shortages. To make matters worse, the proposed 2024 NYS budget calls for a $500 million cut in SNF Medicaid funding. On average, 70% of SNF patients are covered by Medicaid, so the proposed cuts are financially
After years of struggling financial ly, further exacerbated by the recent pandemic, rural hospitals see light at the end of the tunnel.
About 100 rural hospitals have closed altogether since 2005 and many more probably would have closed had they not been rescued by a nearby larger healthcare system.
About 75% of rural hospital executives revealed in a recent survey that they plan to remain independent and, after years of shrinking, plan to expand services. This is great news for rural residents who depend on their local, albeit small, hospital for primary care, specialty care and emergency services. Industry experts surmise the increased financial viability of rural hospitals will actually make them all the more appealing to larger healthcare systems. Ultimately, merging into a larger regional healthcare system would be the best route to solidifying their future viability.
Prior authorizations for care have created anxiety for patients and frustration for physicians. Prior authorizations
devastating. Staffing shortages will get worse. This is a 10% cut in the daily reimbursement rate which has not kept up with inflation. Current rates (before the proposed cuts) are based on 2008 costs. Since then, costs have risen 40%. Eleven SNFs closed in 2021 and 2022. Currently, eight more are on the verge of closing this year. To add insult to injury, federal surveys (Medicare) cite SNFs for staffing shortages, consequently lowering a SNF’s overall star rating.
slow care and interfere with treatment plans. Consequently, the Federation of American Hospitals has petitioned CMS (Medicare/Medicaid) to factor in a Medicare Advantage plan’s denial rate when determining their star rating from one to five. The FAH wants CMS to monitor the percentage of a plan’s prior authorizations that are finally denied or denied than overturned. A high denial rate would reduce their star rating. The hope is to discourage insurers from abusing prior authorizations and to promote getting coverage decision right and timely the first time. MA plans have overturned initial denials 80% of the time in 2021. The Office of Inspector General reported traditional Medicare would have covered 13% of denials. The five-star rating system impacts how much Medicare pays an Advantage plan annually to care for their members. The FAH is requesting a three-day turnaround for urgent prior authorizations and seven days for standard authorizations. The AMA would like to see those times shortened further.
Ten years ago, 60% of physicians were in private practice. (If you go back decades, it was probably close to 90%.) In 2022, 47% of active physicians were in private practice. The downward trend has been accelerating. Medicare rates, typically used as a benchmark or guide by
(Star ratings range from one to five stars.) It should be noted that Medicare does pay relatively adequately but not nearly enough to offset the low Medicaid rate. In a letter to the NYS legislature, SNF executives are requesting a 16% rate increase to stay afloat which will allow them to increase staffing and prevent further closures. Some perspective helps next time a loved one or friend is in a nursing home.
commercial carriers, have remained virtually flat over the last 20 years. Operating expenses, obviously, have not. Constantly changing the hoops physicians must jump through to get paid adds to the expense and frustration facing physicians. Increasingly, younger physicians, wary of the financial difficulties, frustrations and time commitment of private practice are opting for employment with hospitals, hospital centric healthcare systems or even Walmart or CVS. As employees, they can focus on patient care and maintain a reasonable lifework balance. Hiring and retaining staff, updating equipment, reimbursement rates and balancing the books are someone else’s problem. Most expect the percent of physicians in private practice to plummet over the next 10 years as baby boomer docs are replaced by the new generation of docs. So, what does that mean for patients? Insurance companies long ago inserted themselves in the doctor-patient relationship, so where your doc works won’t make a difference. Unfortunately, many patients don’t first select their physician. They first select an insurance plan based on benefits, especially drug coverage. If your physician of choice happens to be in the plan selected, then great. Physicians will always do what’s best for their patients.
Surprises can be nice, except when it’s an unexpected medical
bill. The No Surprises Act went into effect a couple of years ago. So far, it has prevented more than 10 million surprise medical bills from out-of-network or non-participating providers. A classic scenario was you went to a participating hospital emergency room that was in your plan. Little did you know, but the ER physician group was not in your plan. Your plan covered the ER facility charge and what it would have paid a participating physician. Consequently, you received a surprise bill from the hospital or the physician group for the difference between their full charge and what your plan paid. Another surprised bill could come from a out-of-network specialist that was called in to treat you. You assumed if the hospital was in your plan, so would the physicians. Thanks to the NSA, two-thirds of insurers have since expended their networks of participating providers to include the physicians that treated you in the participating ER. No plans have decreased their networks because of the NSA. 80% of the now much fewer NSA claims are resolved without having to go through arbitration or dispute resolution.
More and more of us, especially adolescents and young adults, are experiencing anxiety, depression, anger or helplessness. Social media and 24/7 world news coverage have contributed to the crisis in mental health. According to experts, we have naturally evolved to be aware of potential threats around us for survival. Before highly invasive social media and ubiquitous 24/7 world news networks, most of our perceived threats and bad news came from and maybe an hour of local and national news. The number of perceived and real threats were relatively low and more easily managed. We can only handle so much bad news. Doomsday scrolling refers to the habit (addiction?) of virtually seeking threats or bad news via social media or 24/7 cable news. We are now bombarded with bad news: wars, natural disasters, food insecurity, drug addiction, inept politicians and injustice. Few of us can handle this overload without getting depressed, anxious or angry. Mental health experts are urging us to put our phones down and limit cable TV news viewing. In other words, limit our doomsday scrolling. People who have done so have reported they are much happier, less anxious and have time for more pleasant activities.
George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
At Mohawk Valley Healing Therapies, I do a full body assessment to identify the root cause of your pain, then, using precision techniques, work to resolve the issues and restore mobility and function to your body.
MaryBeth Ritenour, Licensed Massage Therapist
Text 315-557-6810 with your name and a good time to call back.
I offer a Free phone consultation to ensure I’m the right fit for your needs.
BECAUSE HEALTH IS AN INVESTMENT, NOT AN EXPENSE!
Receive $60 off your first 90-minute session, when you mention this ad.
Two locations:
• 87 Utica St. Clinton, NY 13323
• 6128 McLaughlin Rd. Oriskany Falls NY 13425
mohawkvalleyhealingtherapies.com
Drug prices in the United States average nearly 2.8 times those seen in 33 other countries, the report from RAND Health Care found.
Brand-name drugs are even more expensive, with U.S. prices averaging 4.2 times those in comparable nations, the researchers added.
On the other hand, Americans receive a real bargain when it comes to unbranded generic drugs. Those run about two-thirds (67%) the average price found in comparable countries.
“These findings provide further evidence that manufacturers' gross prices for prescription drugs are higher in the U.S. than in comparison countries,” said lead researcher Andrew Mulcahy, a senior health economist at RAND.
“We find that the gap is widening for name-brand drugs, while U.S. prices for generic drugs are now proportionally lower than our earlier analysis found,” Mulcahy added in a RAND news release.
Generics account for 90% of prescription drugs sold in the United States, the researchers noted.
For the report, researchers com-
pared U.S. drug prices to those of 33 other countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Across all of the OECD nations studied, total drug spending was $989 billion in 2022, results show.
The United States accounted for 62% of the money paid to drug companies, but only 24% of the total drugs sold.
U.S. drug prices ranged from 1.7 times prices found in Mexico to more than 10 times prices in Turkey.
The analysis relied on manufacturer's gross prices for drugs because net prices — what is actually charged after negotiated rebates and discounts — are not systematically available.
However, estimates that attempted to account for those discounts found that U.S. prices for brandname drugs are still more than three times higher than those in other countries.
Retail prescription drug spending in the United States increased by 91% between 2000 and 2020, and spending is expected to increase 5% a year through 2030, researchers said. Prescription drugs now account for more than 10% of all health care spending in the United States.
In William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” a fortune teller warns Caesar to “beware the ides of March.” That immortal phrase portends gloom and doom, and has given this month a bad rap.
Sure, March can be cold, gray and damp. But it doesn’t need rain on your parade.
If the month of March is stretching out in front of you as a dreary void to fill, you are not alone. For many, our winter wonderland is not so wonderful during this unpredictable time of year.
That's when anxiety can make an unwelcome visit. You might feel yourself spiraling down, questioning the past, and second-guessing your decisions. And that’s when you could be tempted to grab the TV remote and head to the couch.
I can remember many nights after my divorce, coming home after work to an empty apartment with hours on my hands and a heavy heart. The prospect of a long, lonely evening ahead was almost unbearable.
After too many nights watching mind-numbing reruns, I had finally had enough and started making better use of my “me time.” I am now much more comfortable spending time by myself and have come to enjoy my own company.
In fact, it’s not unusual for me to pass on an invitation out, in favor of spending a nice quiet evening at home — relaxing or fully engaged in something I love to do.
If you are challenged by time alone this time of year, consider the suggestions below. You might even clip this column and post it on your refrigerator as a handy reminder.
Read
When’s the last time you read a good book?
In our busy lives and with so many electronic options vying for our attention, reading can fall by the wayside. It’s such a shame. Reading for enjoyment and enlightenment can turn a lonely evening into a lovely one.
Don’t know where to start? Ask a friend for a suggestion or select a “New York Times” bestseller. Snuggle up in a comfy place, and let a good book introduce you to new people, new places and new ideas. We rarely feel alone when reading.
If you haven’t read “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, I highly recommend it.
Write
Marcel Proust wrote, “We are healed of a suffering only by expressing it to the full.” I’ve found that to be so true.
Writing has been, and always will be, a helpful tool on my journey to create a fulfilling life on my own. Chronicling my emotional ups and downs, the steps I’ve taken to improve my life, and the progress I’ve made has helped to strengthen my resolve and self-confidence.
If you’ve never kept a journal, why not give it a try this month?
Make it a practice to make a journal entry at least daily. For me, the best times are first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Keep it short and simple to start.
Write about your day, your feelings and fears, your observations, your successes and setbacks, and — most importantly — your aspirations for the future.
You may discover, as I have, how
powerful and therapeutic the act of capturing your thoughts in writing can be. Numerous studies have found that journaling can increase emotional well-being, reduce stress, and even result in a better night’s sleep.
As you work through some of the issues associated with living alone, and you become more content, you may find that reading and rereading your journal entries can be a great way to see how much progress you are making.
I guarantee you’ll find it fascinating reading a year from now!
I know this might sound uninspiring, but clearing out the clutter can be very satisfying and a great way to spend a few hours alone.
Recently, I spent an evening sorting out my closet and filling two bags for a local refugee resettlement program. It was very satisfying. I not only lightened my load, I did something for a good cause.
As a result, I felt part of something bigger than myself and less alone.
This can be daunting, especially if you’ve yet to identify a passion, but hang in there.
Many women and men in long-term relationships often lose sight of their own interests in favor of attending to the needs of others. The pursuit of your own passions or personal pursuits can be lost in the process.
Now is a good time to rediscover your “loves” and to dedicate your time alone to those pursuits. Do some digging and identify the things you loved as a child or young adult, then make a conscious decision to revisit those things now.
I did some digging years ago and discovered that digging, in fact, was a passion of mine: digging in the garden, that is! I now enjoy bountiful flower and vegetable gardens, and use the month of March to plan what I want to grow and prepare for the planting season.
When you’re engaged in an activity you’re passionate about, you
born preterm,” concluded the team led by senior researcher, physician Jenny Bolk, a consultant neonatologist with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
“The findings may help professionals and families to better assess risk, follow-up and healthcare systems planning for children born moderately or late preterm,” they added.
may experience a state of “flow,” where you are fully immersed in the task at hand and lose track of time. I know that happens to me. And it can happen to you, too.
Start digging and uncover your passion this month!
With time on your hands, you are in a great position to reach out and make connections with others, including long-lost friends. This can be a very meaningful way to spend an evening.
Just yesterday, I received an email from a former colleague. I was very touched, and accepted her kind invitation to get together.
So, I encourage you to reach out to someone you haven’t seen in a while. Extend an invitation to get together and, chances are you'll be rewarded with a warm reunion.
That’s right, veg out. Grab the TV remote, a pint of ice cream, and head for the couch. Do it without guilt, give yourself a break, and remember you’re only human.
Everyone is entitled to an occasional night when they just hang out, do nothing, and eat junk food. Indulge yourself and tell yourself you deserve it.
Wake up the next morning free of remorse and ready to take on the day: alone at home and “at home” with yourself, even in the Ides of March.
Gwenn Voelckers is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” She welcomes your thoughts on this column as well as topic suggestion for future essays at gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com.
During an average follow-up period of 13 years, more than 75,000 children had at least one diagnosis of developmental impairment.
Babies born moderately or late preterm showed higher risks for any developmental impairment than those born at full-term, results showed.
Babies born even slightly early have a higher long-term risk of developmental difficulties that could affect their behavior and learning ability, a new study finds.
Infants born moderately (32-33 weeks) or late preterm (34-36 weeks) are more likely to have epilepsy or problems with brain function, motor
skills, vision or hearing, according to analysis of data from more than 1 million Swedish children.
About 80% of preterm births fall into these categories, researchers noted.
“The risks should not be underestimated as these children comprise the largest proportion of children
Previous studies have shown that babies born early have higher risks of developmental and behavioral disabilities through childhood and adolescence, researchers said.
However, few studies have investigated long-term outcomes of these children, compared with children born at full term.
For this study, researchers analyzed Swedish health data to compare children born at full term (39-40 weeks) compared to moderate- or late-preterm births.
The data included nearly 1.3 million babies born without birth defects in Sweden between 1988 and 2012.
That included a nearly five-fold increased risk of motor impairment and a nearly two-fold increased risk of epilepsy for children born moderately preterm, the study found.
The results were published Jan. 24 in the BMJ journal.
Researchers noted in a journal news release that since this was an observational study, they can't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between preterm birth and developmental problems.
For example, they can't rule out the possibility that factors like alcohol or substance use during pregnancy caused some of the developmental difficulties.
Q: Many local residents might not be familiar with the name “Green Utica.” I believe the organization was under a different name at one time, is that true?
A: Yes, we did have a name change. But let me first give you some historical context. The organization has been in business since 2003. We had been known as the Central New York Conservancy for many years. That was our legal name. In 2023 we went through a rebranding exercise and formed a new name; as a result of the rebranding we changed the name to Green Utica.
Q: What kind of programs and services does Green Utica provide?
A: Sure, well first and foremost for many years our organization existed to preserve and maintain Utica’s Olmsted-designed parks, like F.T. Proctor Park. The Olmsted design firm was an architectural design firm which was hired by the Proctor family many years ago and funded through their generosity. The Proctor family knew that many residents of the city lived in conditions that did not include parks or open green spaces and they wanted the people of Utica to have the opportunity to go to a park, free of charge, and within
walking distance. So, over the years we worked on projects to rebuild some of the historical infrastructure of the park such as staircases, bridges, landscaping etc.
Q: That’s pretty incredible. Are there any other parks that your organization maintains?
A: Yes. We also plant, maintain and water all the plants and flowers along the Memorial Parkway, which is a main thoroughfare which runs east-west through the city. The entire parkway encompasses five miles and 60 acres. We also maintain T.R. Proctor Park and Roscoe Conkling Park, which all are Olmsted-designed parks and many other parks throughout the city of Utica.
Q: What is the mission statement of Green Utica?
A: Our mission is to maintain and beautify Utica’s parks and natural environment.
Q: Why is it important to have green space in a city and what psychological health benefits as well as physical health benefits does it provide?
A: There are many benefits. I’ll start first with the beautification piece and the reason why we includ-
In 2023 we went through a rebranding exercise and formed a new name; as a result of the rebranding we changed the name to Green Utica.
ed that in our mission. We did that because we think that by taking steps to beautify the city, that will start a movement for residents to beautify their lawns. Of course, gardening takes physical work so the health benefits are many. You’re moving your body, bending and picking things up, working with your hands. The emotional benefits are many as well. Just being outside in the fresh air and sun is uplifting, you are breathing deeper and of course you see the results of your work, the beauty of the flowers and plants brings a feeling of accomplishment.
Q: I know when I am driving over the parkway and I catch a red light, I have a moment to look at the beautiful flowers that your organization has planted and the incredible array of colors. It actually brings a smile to my face; it lifts my spirits. Do you have people tell you that as well?
A: We do. We have a lot of people who express their appreciation for the work that we do on the parkway and how it makes them feel.
Q: It must take a fairly large labor force to do all of this. Who are the people that you use?
A: We use a combination of volunteers and independent contractors. Last year we had between 120 and 140 volunteers. In regards to contractors, that can vary. For instance, this year along with our volunteers, we will hire one independent contractor group.
Q: Where does your funding come from?
A: Many people may think that the job to maintain our park system should fall on the city itself. While Utica does a tremendous job and investment in our park system, parks, while a necessary fabric of a community, are also a burden in regards to labor and resources. This is not only true here in Utica, but for cities throughout the country. We are an adjunct to that work. That said, for years we existed primarily through private donations. So, we do a number of appeals throughout the year to donors and potential donors. We also have some grant funding that has helped us with projects. For example, last year we planted 63 trees through a DEC grant. The city of Utica purchases the annuals that we plant along the parkway which is a big help.
Q: If someone wanted to know more about your services and any upcoming events, where can they find this information?
A: They can go onto our website which is greenutica.org. There they can find out what up-coming events we are planning, information on volunteer opportunities, as well as how to support us financially. Our number is 315-794-4792.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February approved the first treatment for severe frostbite.
Known as Aurlumyn (iloprost), the injected medication lowers the risk of finger or toe amputation in cases of profound frostbite, the agency said.
“This approval provides patients with the first-ever treatment option for severe frostbite,” physician Norman Stockbridge, director of the division of cardiology and nephrology in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in an agency news release. “Having this new option provides physicians with a tool that will help prevent the life-changing amputation of one's frostbitten fingers or toes.”
Frostbite can range from mild cases that don't require medical intervention and don't cause permanent skin damage to severe cases where both the skin and underlying tissue are frozen and blood flow is stopped. In those instances, amputation is sometimes required, the FDA said.
Iloprost is a vasodilator, which opens up blood vessels and prevents blood from clotting.
The FDA approval hinged on the results of a trial that randomized 47 adults with severe frostbite, all of whom received aspirin by IV and standard of care, into one of three treatment groups.
Group 1 received iloprost intravenously for six hours a day for up to eight days. The two other groups received other medications that aren't approved for frostbite, given with iloprost (Group 2) or without iloprost (Group 3). The main measure of efficacy was a bone scan taken seven days after the initial frostbite that predicted the need for amputation of at least one finger or toe.
None of the 16 patients receiving iloprost alone was found to need amputation, compared to 19% of patients in Group 2 and 60% of patients in Group 3.
Aurlumyn's most common side effects included headache, flushing, heart palpitations, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and hypotension (very low blood pressure).
Iloprost was first approved in 2004 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure).
The shortage of certified nurse assistants has challenged nearly all long-term care facilities since even before the pandemic.
These frontline workers provide essential services such as checking vital signs, helping move residents, assisting with grooming and other personal care and supporting nutrition.
Elemental Management Group, which operates Waterville Residential Care Center in Waterville and other senior facilities in Upstate New York, has developed a 75-hour hybrid nurse aide training program designed to help expedite CNA training, enabling students to complete the program in less than three weeks instead of 164 hours across four to six weeks.
Elemental’s program has been available for nearly a year and has introduced hundreds of new CNAs into the health care system who otherwise would have been unlikely to have completed a standard CNA program.
“It’s our dream-come-true that we’re the first to get this up and going,” said Judy Harding-Staelens, registered nurse and licensed nursing home administrator and regional director of operations for Elemental.
Elemental manages long-term care and assisted living facilities in locations throughout New York. Five of Elemental’s facilities operate the program.
“The hybrid program has been exciting as we understand the generation seeking work now wants faster training and are more tech savvy,” Harding-Staelens said.
Students may sign up and complete the classes on a phone or laptop and schedule in-person times for completing the more clinical, handson aspects of the training. Instructors can monitor students’ progress and are always available for questions and feedback via email or in real time via chat. The program’s flexibility makes it accessible to people who are already working and those who have families and other obligations on their time.
“It helps focus on the social economic factors that our students face,” said Peg Reith, registered nurse,
regional nurse educator and CNA educator for Elemental. “There are young women joining in the workforce or middle-aged women. They can work at home while juggling their families, whether as caregivers or parents. This program has been very successful for them.”
It’s not that students of typical CNA programs lack the time to complete them. The big problem has been that the standard class times often conflict with when students have available time. Reith said that this timing and the length of the course caused many to drop out. Now Elemental runs a course every two weeks and can more quickly introduce CNAs into the workforce.
The hybrid CNA program can accommodate up to 20 students, providing sufficient instructors are available for clinical time. Some industrious students complete the program in a week, but most take about three if they work at it for four to six hours on weekdays. Students unable to finish in the prescribed three weeks can jump into the next session without having to redo material previously covered.
In addition to training its own CNAs, Elemental can offer outsourced training for other organizations, which offers Elemental another revenue stream beyond providing care.
Elemental has two packages. One provides training for educators who want to teach the hybrid CNA classes at their own facility. The other package completely handles the hybrid CNA classes as a third-party entity.
“We have a vested interest in this,” said Ryan Gilbartin, chief operating officer and licensed nursing home administrator at Elemental, which provides administrative support services to five nursing homes and two assisted living facilities.
Harding-Staelens said that the hybrid CNA program has enabled Elemental and other organizations to easily cross-train staff such as housekeeping and laundry personnel so that they can also perform hands-on
duties, such as feeding residents.
“It puts more hands on your residents as they can get more oneon-one time,” Harding-Staelens said. “It helps for the CMS Star Rating for number of people per resident. It goes up as to how many direct staff you have if they’re functioning as a CNA.”
Developed by the federal government, the CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System helps consumers compare long-term care options more easily. Legally, staff trained only as housekeeping or laundry workers are not permitted to provide any personal care to residents.
Reith said that occasionally, some people who are not familiar with the Moodle platform — or technology in general — don’t readily embrace the program. However, with a little coaching, she has not encountered any insurmountable problems. The program was written on a six-grade reading level to make it more accessible to students.
“I think it’s opened a door for us,” Harding-Staelens said. “Our goal is to get approval with the Department of Education to keep on going. The opportunities are endless.”
The next goal is launching a program to teach more types of skilled programs in a hybrid, accelerated model. In addition to helping alleviate the CNA staffing crisis, Elemental’s program provides an additional revenue stream to the company, which helps in light of stagnant Medicaid reimbursement for the past 15 years in the face of soaring inflation.
The initial start-up cost to train a facility’s educator is $7,500 and for each following month, $1,500. For organizations that want to outsource the entire program, it’s $1,200 per student.
“It’s very exciting,” Harding-Staelens said. “It’s a huge collaboration. I get to see a lot of families affected as they can gain steady employment. There’s joy in the life-changing things we’ve done for them.”
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT ROUP
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD?
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD?
Reach out to us to hear more
Reach out to us to hear more
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD?
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Reach out to us to hear more
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD?
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities?
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities?
Reach out to us to hear more
Look no further contact us today
Look no further contact us today
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities?
Look no further contact us today
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities?
CONTACT:
CONTACT:
Look no further contact us today
Peg Reith BSN, RN
Peg Reith BSN, RN
Phone: 315-529-3267
CONTACT:
Phone: 315-529-3267
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
Peg Reith BSN, RN
CONTACT:
Phone: 315-529-3267
Peg Reith BSN, RN
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
Phone: 315-529-3267
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
ou might think that only older people get colorectal cancer, right? You’d be wrong!
The facts are that colorectal cancer is on the rise in young adults.
Nearly double the number of young adults younger than 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer than a decade ago, reports the American Cancer Society. And more are dying from the disease every year.
Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. Your colon and rectum are part of your digestive system. Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer and cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that affects either of these parts may be called colorectal cancer.
We asked colon and rectal surgeon Kristina Go, Upstate Cancer Center, Syracuse, to help us understand more about this.
Q: Isn’t colorectal cancer just something that older people are diagnosed with?
A: Though the frequency of colorectal cancer is decreasing in people older than 50, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in male and female patients younger than 50. It’s the same kind of cancer, just shifted to a young age.
Even as overall cancer deaths continue to fall in the U.S., the American Cancer Society reports for
the first time that colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer death in younger adults. Younger people tend to be diagnosed at later stages of their cancer, when it is more aggressive, says the American Cancer Society online.
Q: Why are so many more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer?
A: We don’t fully understand why this is occurring. Several studies have identified that obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and diets that are high in fat, salt, red or processed meats are associated with young-onset colorectal cancer.
Additionally, some studies have suggested that our increased use of antibiotics — in comparison to what patients received before the 1950s — may also play a role in this. All of these factors can change the diversity of bacteria in one’s stool in a way that might promote inflammation and make a person more susceptible to developing colorectal cancer.
Physicians and researchers can’t fully explain the trend. And a combination of factors — including that young people don’t get regular screenings, are more likely to ignore symptoms and may not see a doctor regularly — can make diagnoses challenging. Diagnosing patients in this group is difficult.
Sadly, nobody knows for sure
why colorectal cancer numbers are rising in young people.
Q: Why aren’t young people diagnosed earlier in the disease process?
A: Early detection saves lives. The earlier that a colorectal cancer is found, the better chance a patient has at surviving five years after being diagnosed.
Several factors stand in the way of colorectal cancer diagnosis for young people. To start, people are often hesitant to mention bowel problems to family and friends, let alone a health care professional. And nearly half of young adults don’t have a primary health care professional. Many ignore early indicators because of their age; health care providers shrugged off their concerns for the same reason.
Q: What are symptoms that indicate one should consult a health care professional?
A: The most common symptoms are blood in the stool or rectal bleeding, long term abdominal pain, changes in stool habits (intermittent constipation and diarrhea), unexplained weight loss, stools that are narrower than usual. Keep in mind that some patients have no symptoms at all before being diagnosed with colon cancer.
I recommend you see a doctor if you’re experiencing any of the above
Researchers can’t fully explain the trend but nearly double the number of young adults are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer than a decade ago — and more are dying from the disease every year
symptoms or if you’re due for colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal screening is recommended at age 45 if there is no family history of colorectal cancer. Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) or a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps may need to have a colonoscopy sooner than age 45.
Right now, we recommend screening (doing a test in the absence of symptoms) starting at age 45. If someone younger than 45 is having the above symptoms, I urge them to speak to their health care provider for additional evaluation.
Several screening tests have been developed to find colorectal cancer before symptoms begin, when it may be more treatable. Some tests also allow polyps to be removed before they become cancer. Therefore, the screening is a form of cancer prevention in addition to early detection.
Colonoscopy screening is generally recommended starting at age 45. People with family histories of the illness may need to begin screening earlier. Many people are put off by the preparation for a colonoscopy, which includes taking a strong laxative the day before to clean out the bowels. But colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing colorectal cancers, and it saves lives.
Pity the poor peanut.
Despite being America’s most popular nut, peanuts rarely get the nutritional shout-out its trendier cousins get. Perhaps it’s their association with ballparks that clouds our perception. Or circuses, state fairs and bars. Whatever the reason, it’s time to unpack the impressive nutrition found in every peanut.
sure normal and the heart rhythm steady.
Let’s begin with a peanut’s most salient nutrient: protein.
Did you know that peanuts have more plant protein than any other nut? One handful (about ¼ cup) has 10 complete grams, meaning it has all eight amino acids in sufficient amounts. While protein is certainly important for growth, tissue repair and recovery from exercise, it is equally important for something else: weight control. Studies show that because protein improves function of weight-regulating hormones, it reduces hunger, helping you eat fewer calories.
Peanuts, like most nuts, are exceptionally good for hearts. For starters, their mix of soluble and insoluble fiber helps prevent heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels. A peanut’s healthy fats do the same, while also reducing plaque build-up in arteries and decreasing triglycerides (unhealthy fats) in blood. What’s more, peanuts are a good source of magnesium, a crucial mineral that helps keep blood pres-
Another reason to reach for America’s favorite nut? When it comes to managing or thwarting Type 2 diabetes, peanuts are like a secret weapon: they taste great but don’t cause blood sugar to spike; they’re filling and so help with weight management (excess weight is No. 1 cause of this quiet epidemic); their plant proteins have been proven to reduce the risk of getting diabetes; and, they’re endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.
Although low in carbs, peanuts are high in calories—a handful (¼ cup) has about 200. But because they’re so satisfying, a modest amount may sate your hunger.
Coincidentally, March is National Peanut Month. Woo-hoo! Another reason to go nuts for nuts!
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
Astudy published a year ago by Manchester Metropolitan University revealed that women dealing with endometriosis, a chronic pain condition in the uterus, often feel that their medical care providers dismiss their pain and that they do not receive referrals for specialists.
These struggles have led many women to seek alternative health as a means to deal with their pain.
Women also have chronic pain issues unique to their gender. A common area for women’s chronic pain is the pelvis. Physician Monideepa Baruah, who practices at Upstate Gynecology in East Syracuse, said that up to 25% of reproductive age women experience this kind of pain between the umbilicus and hips for
six months or longer, not including during menses.
“There are various causes of chronic pelvic pain,” she said. “They can be broadly categorized as gynecological, gastrointestinal, urinary, musculoskeletal and psychosomatic.”
Many different factors cause these issues, making it difficult to diagnose and treat them.
“A lot of things have to be ruled out,” Baruah said. “Sometimes, when most of them have been ruled out then diagnostic laparoscopy can be necessary.”
Vincent Sportelli, chiropractor, clinical nutritionist and owner of Sportelli Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center and Cold Laser Center in Syracuse, said that he sees many
Ginger Peanut Dressing
1½ tablespoons honey (more if prefer sweeter)
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (optional)
1½ tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Set aside.
Combine all of the slaw ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the dressing and toss well. Let the slaw sit for at least ten minutes so the vegetables have a chance to soak up the dressing. Taste and adjust sea-
more female than male patients, perhaps in part because women tend to be more proactive about their health, but also because they’re more susceptible to chronic pain issues and because “doctors don’t know how to treat chronic pain,” Sportelli said. “If you have joint and muscle pain, your system is creating inflammatory type substances to try to protect the body, but it goes overboard and causes arthritic pain.”
He believes that only prescribing pain medication masks the real issue, which outside of life-threatening issues can be improved through lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition, dietary supplements, hydration and exercise.
“People are tired of taking medication; they’re not feeling any better,” Sportelli said.
One of his modalities is cold laser therapy.
“Cold laser sends a light source that revitalizes tissue and decreases inflammation and breaks the pain pathway,” Sportelli said. “The light
If buying shelled roasted peanuts, read labels carefully and opt for no-salt or lightly salted versions. Store nuts in an airtight container in a cool place away from sunlight to preserve flavor and texture and prevent rancidity. Roasted peanuts last about a month but should be consumed within two weeks for best quality.
Slaw
10 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups shredded carrots
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces
1½ cups cooked and shelled edamame (more if preferred)
2 medium scallions, finely sliced (optional)
1 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, chopped
sonings. Serve room temperature or cold. This slaw is best served fresh but leftovers will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for a few days.
Make-Ahead Instructions:
The dressing can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time; store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
source gets into the mitochondria of the cell and releases the ‘fuel’ for rebuilding cells. It helps rejuvenate it. It’s been very successful.”
He also advises on nutrients and supplements and has found many patients reporting that this approach has “decreased stiffness, soreness and pain and helped with weight loss,” he said. “It they take time to listen and heal and get better. I tell my patients it’s a process. Stick with it and you’ll get the results you need.”
Sportelli is a big believer in proper hydration and advises patients to drink more water and less coffee and other caffeinated beverages, as these cause the loss of fluids.
As for exercise, for most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly, along with resistance training at least two days per week.
Young children get sick. It’s that simple.
They’re more vulnerable to illness because their immune systems are underdeveloped. Plus, conditions in daycare and schools are ripe for the spread of germs.
Physician William Fredette described the most common childhood illnesses and how to manage each. Fredette is co-director of Bassett Healthcare Network’s School-Based Health program and senior attending physician at FoxCare Pediatrics, Oneonta.
“Though all these illnesses vie for number one, probably the common cold is top on the list,” said Fredette. “Parents say to me: ‘He’s
been sick all winter!’ The typical child gets six to eight colds in the winter; each lasts about 10 days. The cold is bad for about four days, then better for four to five.
Symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever, said Fredette.
“There’s not much you can do. The key is to keep the child comfortable and keep him drinking. Give him plenty of fluids; he won’t want to eat much. He should pee at least three times during a 24-hour period; if he does that, he’s OK,” he added.
“Treat the child, not the fever. Make him comfortable. Fever is the body’s way of getting rid of the virus. If the fever lasts longer than 72 hours, bring him to his health care professional,” he said. “A fever of up
When you need lab work, we’re in New
Walk-ins
555
Open
through
to 101 is OK. If it gets up to 102-103, he’ll feel miserable. Give him Tylenol [acetaminophen] or ibuprofen. We don’t recommend alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen. It doesn’t help and can lead to problems. Pick one or the other and use it.”
If your child is younger than 6, don’t use over-the-counter medications, as they have potentially serious side effects, recommended Fredette. Use a spoonful of honey to relieve the symptoms.
See your doctor if the fever lasts longer than 72 hours or if the child has difficulty breathing, if his breath is fast and shallow. Babies flare their nostrils if they’re having trouble breathing or make a little grunting noise at the end of every breath; this means they’re having difficulty breathing. Even if it’s the middle of the night, bring the child to the ER, Fredette advised.
“The number one thing to limit colds: Make sure everybody is washing their hands!” he added.
It is common in schoolaged children, said Fredette. Kids younger than 3 rarely get it. Symptoms include sore throat that comes on suddenly, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache and stomach pain; there is no running nose.
“It will be uncomfortable for your child, but you don’t need to drop everything to take him to ER,” he said. “We have a 10-day window to treat the symptoms. If you think your child has strep throat, wait until morning to take him to the ER or you’ll spend the night there while they treat all the serious things first. Just keep him comfortable overnight and call your doctor the next day.”
“We’re seeing a lot now,” said Fredette. In general, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea.
To treat the child, hydration is important; have him take a sip every 20 minutes or so. If he urinates at least three times in 24 hours, he’s OK. If he has diarrhea, don’t give him dairy or fruit juice. Give him water, Pedialyte, Gatorade or a Popsicle to suck, suggested Fredette. If you give him milk or fruit juice, the bad bacteria will have a feast, making the illness last longer.
Don’t give him Pepto Bismol, he added. “In children, we want diarrhea to flush the virus out. If you stop the diarrhea, it could prolong the illness. Diarrhea means lots of loose stools — six to eight a day. It’s cleaning out the virus.”
Bring him in to your doctor if he can’t keep anything down, even fluids.
This is another common illness in children,” said Fredette. Any viruses can cause a rash in children. Some have a clear cause, like chickenpox, measles, roseola or fifth disease. But for many, doctors may not know the cause.
Symptoms depend on the type of virus and your child’s skin. There may be redness, bumps, or raised areas. Some rashes may be itchy. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, belly pain, diarrhea.
It’s completely benign. When the virus goes away, the rash goes away. If the rash is itchy, apply a cool, wet cloth for 15-30 minutes several times a day. Urge your child to not scratch the rash as scratching could cause a skin infection.
“Ear infections are the bane of many parents,” Fredette continued. “It’s the most common reason they bring the child to the ER. However, it isn’t a reason to go to the ER. To treat, give the child Tylenol or ibuprofen and call your doctor in the morning.”
Being a teenager today is astoundingly different than even a generation ago.
In addition to all the challenges of growing up looms a huge heap of newer ones.
When they were asked, just onethird of kids aged 12 to 17 said things were going well for them today, according to a recent survey by Common Sense Media, one of the largest nonprofits dedicated to advocacy for children.
Teens today are anxious about their lives and pessimistic about the future. A similar survey was done by Gallup and the Walton Foundation.
Together, the surveys offer a detailed look at the perspectives of teenagers.
“The data is pretty stark: Our kids are not all right,” said James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media online.
Some of the challenges identified by teens today include:
Teens identified mental health as their top challenge.
They have more awareness of mental health issues today and face less stigma in talking about it. Their concern is reflected in increasing hospitalization and suicide rates.
There’s an increasing mental health crisis among youth, rising dramatically here, Shawn Cusworth said. Cusworth is director of Behavioral Health, The Neighborhood Center, Utica, which offers mental health services for children.
A 2022 survey of students aged 13 through 18 in Herkimer and Oneida counties found that 78% had anxiety that interfered with their daily activities, she reported.
The mental health of our children is in crisis.
What can parents do?
If you have concerns about your child, talk to his doctor or school counselor, suggested Cusworth. Or contact The Neighborhood Center, call or text 988 to get connected. The most important thing parents can do is listen to their teenagers, say some experts. “It helps and it will work,” said one teen in the survey.
Teens identified social media as the biggest driver of poor mental health. The more a teen uses social media, the higher his risk for anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation.
Social media is defined by websites, apps and social games that connect people to each other through sharing pictures, thoughts, ideas, articles and other content. Most popular apps for teens are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory: While social media may offer some benefits, there are ample indicators that it can pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of adolescents. Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of those aged 13-17 using it.
Teens use their smartphones to access social media, also for texting. Teens text more than any other form of communication. Said one middle school principal, quoted in the book “Alone Together” by Sherry Tunkle: “They sit in the in the dining hall and look at their phones. When they share things, they share what’s on their phone. They aren’t emotionally developed; they don’t have empathy for each other.”
Parents need to be on top of their kids, on top of their social media, say experts. And keep an open line of communication without judgment; encourage them to come to you with anything.
Teens are having less sexual intercourse according to a CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey done in 2021. It’s possible that the pandemic played a role in this decline. A more recent survey being conducted now will show if the decline was temporary. Teens suspect the new data will show a spike.
Less sexual intercourse doesn’t mean they’re having less sex. The actions behind young love and lust are evolving.
And, the definition of sex? “Any sexual act,” said a 14-year-old peer ambassador trained by Planned Parenthood. “And sexual intercourse is one type of act.”
During adolescence, teens are exploring and beginning to understand their sexuality. A growing number of teens are identifying as part of the
LGBTQ+ community. Teresa Casullo, CAPP (Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention) director, Planned Parenthood, Schenectady, said: “Today’s youth are informed, intelligent and like to shatter boxes society places on them. I believe they’ve benefited from the progress of the LGBTQIA movements”
Gender fluidity is becoming more common along with a decrease is stigma about identifying as not heterosexual. However, “LGBTQ people still continue to face discrimination and victimization across the country,” added Casullo.
Contrary to what many think, young people are more likely to delay the onset of sexual activity if they have access to sex education. Some schools and organizations supplement sex education with peer counseling, where teens are trained to speak to each other about relationships and other topics that they might feel uncomfortable raising with adults.
What parents can do is listen, take an interest in what your teen is sharing, then validate their feelings and show empathy.
“On a cold day in the park, I met a small girl who changed my life.
Eight years old, wearing a drab, ragged dress with ugly brown shoes. I held out a cookie to her as she sat in the swing. She took a nibble, looked at me for the first time and smiled, a smile that lit up her dirty face. Arranged by her social worker, our meeting was not a coincidence.
“I badly wanted a child; she badly needed someone to love her. We’ve been mother and daughter for 30 years; I’ll never forget that day!”
I wrote this years ago in response to a writing challenge that asked me to sum up a life-changing event in 100 words.
The little girl I adopted had a tragic life that no child should suffer. Though all her belongings were in one shopping bag, she came overloaded with emotional baggage.
If you were to meet confident, attractive 48-year-old Vicky today, you’d never suspect the trauma she went through as a child. But she was severely traumatized by the emotional, physical and sexual abuse she suffered. My heart breaks when I think of all that raggedy little girl had endured.
I’d like to help you understand how she healed, how she got from that victimized child to the successful, contented adult she is today.
I learned much from her.
Also, I learned as a counselor in an organization that helped people coming out of an abusive situation; I learned considerably from the brave women and men who came through our doors.
Childhood is a sensitive period in our life. Never underestimate the power our past has on our present; it’s the foundation on which we build our adult life. Suffering trauma as a child has significant effects on adulthood. It affects our mental, physical and emotional health in critical ways — such as depression, anxiety, addiction, unhealthy relationships or avoiding relationships.
In the end, trauma is like a wound that hasn’t healed properly. It takes time, care, attention and thoughtfulness. No matter what life events you might’ve experienced, healing is possible. The process looks different for everyone.
The first step is understanding and acknowledging the trauma we’ve experienced. To understand who we are is to explore who we were; the events or unmet needs that have made us the person we are today.
It can be overwhelming to think of all the ways you’ve coped. But this recognition, though painful, is the first step to making positive changes.
It’s essential to have at least one other person with whom you can share your pain and your healing. Another survivor, a nurturing, trusted partner, friend or family member or counselor. A skilled therapist can be extremely helpful.
My daughter had several years of counseling once she left the abusive family; it was a significant help.
I realized she had made significant steps forward one night when she asked me “Do think I could change my name?” (Her name on the adoption certificate was Rebecca.)
“Rebecca’s not a good name,” she explained. “Nobody likes Rebecca. Rebecca screws everything up.”
“And it’s not the name my birth mother gave me,” she continued. ‘I want to go back to the name my birth mother gave me, Victoria. People like Victoria.”
She changed her name and changed her behavior.
She began to see herself as a survivor rather than a victim. One must be strong to survive what she survived.
Accepting is the next step. Accepting the reality of what you went through is particularly difficult, as you might experience guilt for putting down your parent(s) or the situation in which you were raised. However, you can accept both the good and bad experiences. You can be honest about the happy parts of your childhood alongside the wounding aspects, events or individuals.
Accepting doesn’t mean forgiving. Well-meaning people may advise this. But some things are unforgivable. Ultimately, the only person you must forgive is yourself. The key here is to stop and think: you are not responsible for what happened.
You were just a child. Your childhood trauma has left a scar. Like all wounds, it’s important to take the time to heal correctly. Be patient and loving with yourself. Treat yourself like you would a best friend.
Overcoming childhood trauma is work. It means rolling up your sleeves and gathering your resources, including personal support, professional services and additional financial or health insurance information. You must be willing to ask for help, remain open to learning new skills, own your shortcomings and endure temporary discomfort.
Healing is possible. It is possible for you.
Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
Our children are missing time in the great outdoors where you get to soak up the sunshine and breathe in the fresh air
How have your children been doing this winter? Hopefully well and looking forward to spring which is right around the corner.
Until those spring breezes begin and the shorts come out of winter storage, let’s take a look at how nature can help with those wintertime blues and why you need to get the children outside no matter what the weather may be.
Back in the day, children would come home from school, grab a snack and then head outdoors until they are called in for supper.
Sadly, today’s children (and adults) are in front of a computer screen at school (and work) and then return home to similar screen time until called to come for dinner and then bedtime.
Everyone, children and adults, are missing time in the great outdoors where you get to soak up the sunshine and breathe in the fresh air.
Instead, you are in artificial light and breathing in stale air. Now — which sounds better to you? I’ll take the outdoors in nature anytime.
And what becomes of these children who spend hours on end in front of a computer screen receiving little movement or stimulation from the great outdoors?
Many preventable conditions are developing such as obesity, mental health issues such as anxiety and mood issues, decreased immunity and poor sleep. Spending time in nature and being physically active has
been shown to improve such issues.
Getting outdoors especially when the sun is still shining (and it’s staying lighter later every day now) helps to boost the benefits of Vitamin D, supports your circadian rhythm and allows for fresh air to get into your lungs. Once home and after a snack, head out the door for a walk.
Depending on where you live, this walk could be around the block or on a trail in the woods. Adults can join in with the children as this time benefits all and allows for you to connect with your child away from any screens or books. This time allows everyone the opportunity to wind down after a long day and check out the beauty of nature around you.
Today’s children are in front of a computer screen at school and then return home to similar screen time until called to come for dinner and then bedtime
peeking up through any remaining snow, pine cones, acorns, the garden trowel that was accidentally left out over winter and more. Make a game out of this search and suggest a prize for the child who finds the most.
Rome Health has started the site work to build the new addition for the new intensive care unit and Kaplan Center for Surgical Services. The mid-February milder weather gave the Hayner Hoyt construction crew a window of time to excavate the site and start pouring the footings for the new addition.
The foundation walls for the $45.7 million project will be built over the coming weeks. The project will be completed in three phases with an anticipated completion in summer 2026.
The project involves constructing a 30,000 sq.-ft., three-floor addition on the north side of the hospital, which will allow the hospital to replace its aging operating rooms and intensive care units.
It’s funded through a partnership of more than $29 million in public funding and private philanthropy, including a $26 million New York State
This ad will appear at the classification of:
Once outdoors, you can also enjoy the afternoon snack either at a picnic table or lay out a blanket on the ground. Possibly even bring a card game or board game to play while experiencing the fresh breeze and sun on your face. While on the blanket, lie on your back and check out the figures the clouds may make. A game of “I-spy” can also be a lot of fun.
Rome NY
with in Home Date 05/2014
Date:
Is there a playground close by? It’s OK to get a bit dirty while playing in the sandbox or just running to and from each piece of equipment. There is always something for everyone at a playground from swings to slides to monkey bars.
Get creative. Depending on where you live and what can be found outdoors, make a list of objects to hunt for such as wild flowers
Transformation Grant and $3 million in ARPA funds from the city of Rome.
With nearly $44 million raised in public funding and private philanthropy, Rome Health is only $1.5 million away from reaching its fund-raising goal for the capital campaign.
“Every gift, large or small, brings us closer to our goal,” said Rome Health Foundation Executive Director Chester W. DiBari III. “Through your generosity, we are transforming community-based healthcare to provide local access to great care in state-of-the-art facilities.”
To support Rome Health Foundation’s Capital Campaign for surgical services and intensive care, please contact the Foundation office at 315-338.7181.
Information can also be found online at: romehealthfoundation.org/ public-giving.html
How about a favorite childhood game? If a sidewalk is available, draw a hopscotch board with colored chalk. Kickball is always good to get the heart rate elevated and your body moving. Some other games to consider are four square and red light green light or duck duck goose. Farmers markets allow for nutritional education. Some farmers markets may still be indoors while others are venturing outside. Allow the children to pick a fruit or vegetable that they haven’t had before to give the family a try of something new.
It is time to start preparing the garden soil once the snow has melted. You may want to start some seeds indoors in preparation for the first planting such as tomato and cucumber. Also, once the ground is warm enough, planting carrots and beets can go directly into the ground. Be cautious of weather as frosts can still occur and may need a warming
blanket on some nights. Herbs can also be started indoors only to head outside as the weather permits. Once planted, tending to the garden over the summer time and then finally harvesting the goods come fall provides the experience of gardening and satisfaction of the time and effort involved. Giving thanks to the earth and sun and care provided teaches the wonders of gratitude.
It’s more than time to get outside and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer whether it be winter, spring, summer or fall. You all need the fresh air, sunshine on your face and showing gratitude for the wonders provided.
MP Order Proposal#
Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. www. debdittner.com
For many people experiencing a mental difficulty, healing can be quite challenging.
Often it can be much more daunting than to deal with a typical physical health issue.
For example, you break your leg, it is put in a cast, you may or may not have to use crutches and or a cane to get around. To the outside world it is obvious that your leg is broken. It is also obvious to you. There is no ambiguity; the leg is broken, period. Pain medication may be prescribed as well as physical therapy. In time the bone will heal, the cast will come off and you will be back living your life pretty much the same way prior to your broken leg.
The intervention and healing are standard medical protocol. Your broken bone should heal within six to eight weeks unless it is severe. However, with mental health issues, things are often not as clear cut even when employing standard treatment modalities.
The truth is, for all our medical and technological advancements, the human brain still remains for the most part, a mystery. Because of this, mental health treatments can often times be “the best guess” treatment. This is not to say that medicines or therapies that are used exclusively in the treatment of mental health illnesses do not work. In fact, many medicines as well as trained therapists have a very high efficacy rating when it comes to helping patients. However, not all medicines work and many of those that can benefit patients have numerous side effects that often cause additional health risks.
For some therapists, it can be
a task to come up with the “right” therapy that will work. For instance, therapists might be comfortable (or “stuck”) with a certain therapeutic modality that they prefer to use. However, the patient may not be as adaptable to that treatment.
Some patients have a difficult time with just going to therapy. They might fear they will be judged by the therapist or they have a misunderstanding of how the therapy works altogether. For others, just the thought that they need to see a therapist can elicit feelings of loss of self-worth or despair, thus making the therapist’s job more challenging. A well-trained and seasoned professional is able to work through these roadblocks and help find the best treatment for their patients.
While cognitive therapy is one of the more widely used and popular therapies that are employed by mental health professionals, along with psychotropic drugs, there are other options that show favorable outcomes in treating mental health illness with little or no side effects.
The website NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) names a few.
The vagus nerve carries messages between your brain and other areas of your body, controlling important functions such as heart rate, digestion, immune response and your mood. Treatment with VNS to help alleviate mental health symptoms involves stimulation of the vagus nerve using a pulse generator by a trained medical professional.
Deep brain stimulation is used to treat symptoms of movement disorders, such as tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease, and conditions like dystonia and treatment-resistant epilepsy. DBS is also used to treat severe obsessive-compulsive disorder that hasn’t responded to traditional treatment. Although DBS is used less frequently for OCD, studies indicate that it can be effective for debilitating symptoms. DBS is a surgical procedure that uses electricity to directly stimulate sites in the brain.
Jim Davis is the executive director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley located in Utica.
Davis, a highly trained, educated and seasoned therapist, is aware of alternative treatments as well as new emerging treatments in mental health care and comments on a few of them.
“EMDR, stands for eye movement desensitization reprocessing. While EMDR has been around for a while in comparison to some of the older therapies it is relatively new. It has to do with rapid eye movement and processing traumatic experiences, which helps to release trauma and promotes self-healing. We actually have a trained EMDR therapist on staff.”
Another alternative mentioned on the NAMI website is transcranial magnetic stimulation. This is a non invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TMS is safe and effective and is used to treat a range of mental and physical health conditions, including depression, obsessive compulsive
disorder, PTSD, pain and substance use disorders and others. This can be particularly important for individuals who have not benefited from other treatments. For example, 30% - 64% of patients report an improvement in symptoms of depression.
The method of application for TMS may sound like something out of science fiction. But it works for many people, is safe and well-tolerated. It is in some aspects like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The doctor places your head under a machine. The machine has a coil inside that sits over your head. That coil sends magnetic pulses through your skull and to the part of the brain that regulates mood.
While the Samaritan Counseling Center does not offer transcranial magnetic stimulation, Davis commented on its use.
“This is definitely a new emerging treatment for mental health illnesses that shows great promise,” Davis said. “While we do not offer it here, I understand that there is a clinic in Syracuse that does.”
Davis also mentioned that psilocybin, (a species of mushrooms) known colloquially as “magic mushrooms” is drawing more attention today from clinicians and therapists for treating mental health disorders.
“This kind of therapy is done by a highly trained clinician therapist and in a very controlled manner,” Davis said.
For more information on these and other therapies, contact the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley at 315-724-5173. Samaritancentermv.com
Dear Savvy Senior,
I have arthritis and hand tremors that affects my grip strength and makes brushing my teeth difficult. I’ve read that electric toothbrushes can help make the job easier. Can you make any recommendations for seniors?
Arthritic Alice
Dear Alice,
For seniors who suffer from arthritis or have other hand weaknesses or tremors, an electric toothbrush is an often turned to solution for keeping your teeth clean. At the push of a button, an electric toothbrush will do everything but shake, rattle and roll to do the cleaning for you, and most come with a wide, slightly weighted handle and rubberized grip that make them easier and more comfortable to hold on to.
With dozens of different electric toothbrushes on the market today, here are several points to consider to help you choose:
• Cost: The cost of electric toothbrushes will range from $10 for a model with replaceable AA batteries to more than $200 for some models with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, multiple brushing modes, smartphone integrations and other features. How much are you willing to spend?
• Brushing action: Brush heads tend to be either “spinning” (they rotate very fast in one direction, then the other, and bristles may pulsate in and out) or “sonic” (they vibrate side to side). Both methods are effective and a matter of personal preference.
• Electric versus battery: Choose a brush with a built-in rechargeable battery and an electric charging station. They’re much more convenient and cost effective than toothbrushes that use replaceable batteries.
• Brushing timer: Since most dentists recommend brushing for two minutes (most adults average about 45 seconds), get an electric toothbrush with a built-in brushing timer — most have them. Some brushes will even split the two minutes onto four 30-second intervals and will notify you when it’s time to switch to a different quadrant of your mouth.
• Extra features: Most higher-priced electric brushes come with extra features like cleaning modes, pressure sensors, a charge-level display and more. There are even “smart” toothbrushes that connect to
a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to track brushing habits. What extra features do you want?
According to Consumer Reports — an independent, nonprofit product testing and research organization –the top electric toothbrushes for 2024 are the Oral-B iO 7 Series ($150); Oral B Genius X 10000 ($200); Bruush Electric Toothbrushes ($95); and the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100 ($120). And the top rated low-cost electric toothbrush is the Brightline 86700 ($30).
The New York Times Wirecutter, another popular product reviewing service, rates the Oral-B Pro 1000 ($40) as the best electric toothbrush followed by the Philips Sonicare 4100 ($40).
If flossing has become challenging too, a good alternative to traditional string floss are floss picks. These are disposable plastic-handle tools that have floss threaded onto them, which makes them easier to hold and use. DenTek, Oral-B and others sell packages for a few dollars or check out the Listerine UltraClean Access Flosser, which comes with a toothbrush-like handle for a better reach.
Some other flossing products to consider that are easy on the hands are the WaterPik Power Flosser ($15), which gently vibrates to dislodge embedded food particles between your teeth. Or consider a water flosser, which use high-pressured pulsating water to remove food particles and plaque and will stimulate your gums in the process. WaterPik offers a variety of water flossing products at prices ranging between $40 and $140, as does Oral Breeze, which offers the Shower Breeze and Quick Breeze water flossers (around $40) that connects directly to your faucet or shower head.
All of these dental care products can also be found at your local pharmacy or retailer that sells personal care items or online.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Physician James Cesare has James Cesare
relocated his breast care practice to the Rome Health Medical Center on the hospital’s main campus. He specializes in breast health and breast cancer management. Joining Cesare will be his team, including physician assistant Tracy Jayne and nurse Amelia Loucks.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Cesare and his team to Rome Health as part of our women’s health program,” said Chief Operating Officer Ryan Thompson. “At Rome Health, we are continuously building relationships with physicians with specialized expertise to provide convenient access to care in our region.”
For more than 30 years, Cesare
Tracy
has been helping women and men in the Mohawk Valley with the early detection of breast cancer and other breast disorders and navigating them through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Jayne has more than 16 years of experience as a physician assistant and has been focused on breast care with Cesare for the last two years.
Cesare earned his medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. Jayne received her bachelor’s degree from Utica College and her master’s degree from Lemoyne College in physician assistant studies.
Community Memorial (CMH) network has added a new physician to its team.
Physician Isaiah (Jake) Ham
Isaiah Hammonds
monds earned his medical degree from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. In addition, he obtained a Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College. With a history in the United States Army and years of successfully managing his chiropractic office, Hammonds has focused on patient care, cultivating an extensive patient panel. His residency at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, equipped him with comprehensive training in hospital care, from patient assessment to final diagnosis. As a seasoned general internal medicine physician with experience in a large city hospital, Hammonds will be a valuable collaborator with the Community Memorial team, particularly in working with the hospitalist team to care for admitted patients in the Hamilton facility. Being a native of Central New York, Hammonds is well-acquainted with the region and the healthcare needs of the local population served by CMH.
Hammonds will see patients ages 18 and up at the Waterville Family Health Center.
“Internal medicine offers diversity in care for patients, and my patient-centered and wellness philosophy will allow me to build relationships with my patients. I’m excited to join the CMH primary care team,” he said.
Tracy Frank, CPA, has joined the
Community Memorial Hospital as as new chief financial officer. A graduate of Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, Frank brings diversified
experience in different industries such as education, agriculture and healthcare.
Most recently she served as the director of finance and accounting for Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. She also previously held leadership roles in regional healthcare systems in the Syracuse and Utica markets.
Throughout her career, Frank has held progressive leadership positions. She is well-versed in process improvement initiatives and information system implementations, as well as all aspects of accounting and finance. Her leadership in these roles resulted in financial process improvements, in turn creating operational efficiencies and yielding financial success.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I am excited to welcome Tracy to the team,” said Jeff Coakley, president and CEO. “Tracy’s expertise and leadership will keep CMH on the path to financial success.”
As the Community Memorial network continues to see record patient volumes and growth through service line development, Frank’s experience will improve the healthcare system’s financial sustainability.
“There are a lot of wonderful initiatives happening at Community Memorial, along with an exceptional leadership team that I am excited to be a part of,” stated Frank. “I have been committed to local not-for-profit organizations throughout my career and have always been grateful for the mentorship and support I have received. I strive to pay it forward as a leader.”
To address the regional shortage
Aamer Mirza
of gastroenterologists, Rome Health will be establishing a gastroenterology practice at the medical center on the main campus of the hospital in early spring. The hospital has recruited two board-certified gastroenterologists Aamer Mirza and W. Asher Wolf, and an experienced G.I. nurse practitioner
EMelissa Kobito to Rome. They are expected to see patients in April.
Gastroenterologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of digestive and liver diseases. They are specially trained to perform endoscopy to visualize the inside of the digestive tract and perform advance endoscopic procedures to stop bleeding, remove polyps and stretch narrowed areas of the esophagus or intestine.
“At Rome Health, we are continuously building relationships with new physicians with specialized expertise to expand access to the best care out there, here,” said Chief Medical Officer Cristian Andrade. “Our goal is to make it easy for providers to practice here and perform their procedures here so they can simply focus on delivering the best patient care.”
Mirza has been practicing in the Mohawk Valley for more than 24 years. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut, and advanced his training with a gastroenterology fellowship at SUNY at Buffalo. Mirza received his medical degree at Rawalpindi Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Kobito worked with Mirza as a
nurse practitioner at Slocum Dickson Medical Group. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Utica University and her master of science in nursing as a family nurse practitioner at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Wolf has 14 years of experience in gastroenterology and has been practicing in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the last five years. He is experienced in performing specialized procedures including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle sampling. Wolf earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he also completed his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in gastroenterology.
xcellus BlueCross BlueShield was ranked No. 8 on the Forbes 2024 list of America’s Best Midsize Employers.
This is the second consecutive year that Excellus BCBS has been named to the list.
“We’re thrilled to once again be named a top employer in the United States. It is thanks to our employees that we maintain an inclusive, supportive culture where we work collaboratively to ensure our members have access to high quality,
affordable care,” said Excellus BCBS President and CEO Jim Reed.
“We remain committed to cultivating an environment where our employees can thrive by focusing on employee wellbeing, growth and development, diversity, equity and inclusion, comprehensive employee benefits, a flexible work environment and more,” Reed added.
This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., a global data and business intelligence platform established in Germany
in 2007.
America’s best employers are identified using an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 170,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S.
The final ranking is based on two types of evaluations:
• Personal Given by employees, also known as direct evaluations.
• Public Given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work
in the same industry, also known as indirect evaluations, with a much higher weighting for personal evaluations.
The ranking is divided into two lists of 600: one for the top large companies with more than 5,000 U.S. employees, and another for the top midsize companies with 1,000 to 5,000. Based on the results of the study, Excellus BCBS has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2024. See Forbes’ full list of America’s best employers on Forbes.com.
When you’re in pain or feeling sick, we want to help you find the right care, right when you need it. There are several ways to seek care:
When possible, this is the best place to start. Your primary care doctor will know your health history and can help with the best next steps to start feeling better.
TELEMEDICINE
This is a great option when you can’t visit your doctor in person. Your primary care doctor might offer telemedicine visits but if they don’t, we’ve partnered with MDLIVE* for 24/7 virtual care.
Urgent care can be a good option for in-person care when your doctoris not available. Urgent care centers are designed to treat non-emergent conditions, like sprains and strains, colds and flu, cuts and lacerations, and can perform x-rays and lab testing.
If you’re experiencing a life-threatening event, call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency room.