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Study: Bras Make Breasts Sag Rochester–Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

May 2013 • Issue 93

Livingston: Healthiest County in NYS

5 Cups of Tea That Can Save Your Life

In the last few years Livingston County has been listed in the top five healthiest in NYS. New survey puts it as No. 1. Find out why

Page Page117

The Skinny on Feta

1 in 8 Skip Meds to Save Money

Looking for Love and Companionship Online?

See ‘Savvy Senior’ on page 19

Mother’s Day

Meet the Doctor

Tarik Hussain, an orthopedic surgeon in Clifton Springs, talks about joint replacements

OB-GYN Loralei Thornburg of URMC and other experts comment on the benefits of motherhood.

Page 11 May 2013 •

Arthritis Relief Some seniors say they have found relief for their arthritis in the “Arthritis Plus” class at the Penfield Fitness and Racquet Club pool. Started by instructors from the Arthritis Foundation, the class expanded from that initial format to serve those whose mobility is compromised by other health conditions or surgeries, and those who have never exercised before.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

Bras Make Breasts Sag, Study Suggests

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or generations, women have been advised that wearing a bra would keep breasts from sagging, prevent back pain and improve posture.

Wrong, wrong and wrong, according to a study conducted by Jean-Denis Rouillon, a sports medicine specialist from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Besancon, France.

“Medically, physiologically, anatomically — breasts gain no benefit from being denied gravity,” Rouillon said, as quoted on TheLocal.fr. “On the contrary, they get saggier with a bra.”

Rouillon should know: Since 1997, he has been studying the breasts of 330 volunteers aged 18 to 35 using a slide ruler and a caliper to record the changes in breast position as the women aged.

His meticulous research revealed that women could experience about a 1/4-inch (7-millimeter) lift in the nipples each year they didn’t wear a bra, news site Counsel & Heal reports.

The researchers involved in the study suggested that bras — which Rouillon now calls “a false necessity”— discourage the growth of supporting breast tissue, leaving the breasts to sag more quickly.

Other research has challenged the conventional wisdom that breast-feeding causes breast ptosis (sagging). A 2007 study of 132 women revealed that

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breast-feeding had no effect on the degree of breast sagging.

What did affect breast ptosis, that research revealed, was age, smoking status and the number of times a woman had become pregnant.

Because Rouillon’s study focused on younger women, he cautioned that the results can’t be generalized to all women.

“It would be dangerous to advise all women to stop wearing their soutien-gorge [bra] as the women involved were not a representative sample of the population,” he said, as quoted in French news site The Connexion.

“It would be of no benefit to a 45year-old mother to stop wearing a bra,” Rouillon said.

One of the participants in the study extolled the virtues of going bra-free: “There are multiple benefits: I breathe more easily, I carry myself better and I have less back pain,” she told news site France Info.

New Autism Registry Hopes to Boost Research Participation Rates

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ach year, only 5 percent of the estimated 1.5 million children with an autism spectrum disorder in the US participate in clinical research studies. This is in stark contrast to pediatric cancer studies, which have a nearly 90 percent enrollment rate — a rate that has helped advance treatment and outcomes for childhood cancers substantially in the last decade.

In an effort to accelerate similar progress within the autism community, a group of academic medical centers has collaborated to launch an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) sub-registry within ResearchMatch (www. researchmatch.org), a disease-neutral national database connecting patients with ongoing research. The new ASD sub-registry helps act as a matchmaker, linking families with autism researchers around the nation. Registration on ResearchMatch takes about five minutes and is open to volunteers of all ages and conditions including volunteers without health conditions.

“If we could raise the autism research participation level to that of the pediatric cancer community, we think we could realize similar gains in new knowledge, treatments and outcomes,”

said Rose Hallarn, program director for clinical trials recruitment at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at The Ohio State University and Institutional Liaison for ResearchMatch.

Working with researchers at Vanderbilt University, Hallarn’s team interviewed families of autistic children, autism advocates and researchers to come up with five additional questions that have been added to the registration process for those who have identified themselves (or their dependents) with ASD during registration.

The questions help identify behaviors and medications that could make children eligible for certain studies. The registry allows for a range of participation levels from volunteers — some studies involve going to a lab or taking medication, other studies are just looking for volunteers to take online health information surveys.

“Research studies can be stalled or prematurely closed if they are unable to enroll enough study participants.

We’re hopeful that the simplicity of this registry will encourage people to join,” said Hallarn.

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DMM’s look at your entire financial picture and can refer you to other professionals who can help, such as geriatric care managers, financial advisors, trust and estate or elder law attorneys, or other organizations.

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May 4

May 7

Finger Lakes Hematology & Oncology and Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic Foundation will host a Mother’s Day tea. The event will take place at Dallywater’s, a tea-centric British eatery at 68 Castle St. in Geneva from 1 – 3:30 p.m., May 4. Tickets for the event are $20 for an adult and $15 per child. Ticket price includes buffet, fashion show by Papillon Boutique, photograph and craft commemorating the event. All proceeds from the event will benefit income-eligible cancer patients of Finger Lakes Hematology & Oncology and Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic. Tickets can be purchased at Finger Lakes Hematology & Oncology, 6 Ambulance Drive, Clifton Springs or Community Bank, N.A., 26 East Main St., Clifton Springs. Tickets can be reserved by calling 315-462-0122.

Home Helpers and Dutcher & Zatkowsky will host an educational and entertaining event focusing on issues important to seniors, including how to better manage incontinence.

The first annual “Don’t Freak if You Spring a Leak” event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 4, at Mario’s Italian Steakhouse, 2740 Monroe Ave., Rochester. The event will feature live entertainment by Jeff Elliott, workshops, refreshments, drawings, prizes, gift bags, and more. According to organizers, this event will allow seniors to obtain valuable information about a topic many people are uncomfortable discussing—and to have a lot of fun at the same time. Reservations for this free event are recommended. Call 585334-0999 to make a reservation.

Cochlear implants and a conversation with local audiologists are the topics featured in the May seminars organized by the Rochester chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). They will be held May 7 at St. Paul’s Church, East Avenue and Westminster Road.

The daytime meeting — from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. — will focus on “Living and Hearing with Cochlear Implants.”

About 20 members of HLAA/Rochester have cochlear implants and several people have one for each ear. A severely to profoundly deafened individual benefiting little from hearing aids may wish to consider the surgically implanted prosthesis, which bypasses a damaged inner ear to send electrical impulses directly to the brain. Although cochlear implants now are more extensively publicized than previously, conflict and misinformation still exist about them. The four late-deafened adults on the cochlear implant panel will relate their histories of living and hearing with six cochlear implants and one hearing aid. Among the topics they will touch on are their reasons for undergoing an implant, surgery, hookup, insurance issues, and functioning in the real world.

The evening meeting — from 7 to 9 p.m. — will bring three audiologist who will answer questions from the audience. As with previous “Ask the Audiologists” presentations, it is completely impromptu and unrehearsed. The panelists are prepared to field questions on all aspects of hearing aids and hearing loss. As hearing aid dispensers, they can comment on new developments in hearing aid technology, deafness, audiograms, etc.

For more information visit www. hlaa-rochester-ny.org or telephone 585266-7890.

May 7, 14, and 21

May 13

‘Living Alone’ seminar: Survive and thrive

Naturopathic medicine to be featured in meeting

Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own,” is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to gain the know-how to forge a meaningful and enriching life on their own. You’ll discover how to think differently about living alone and learn practical strategies to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover your true self, and socialize in a couples’ world. The workshop takes place from 7 – 9 p.m. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Tuesdays: May 7, 14, and 21. The workshop fee of $125 includes a Living Alone manual, empowerment exercises, and lots of helpful resources. To register, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

Holistic Moms Network of Rochester will hold a meeting to discuss how a new model of healthcare could pave the way for a healthier and more fulfilling life. The focus will be on naturopathic medicine, a combination of modern medicine with the principles of naturopathy. According to a news release, the practice of naturopathy began in the 1900’s and uses natural healing methods such as herbal medicine, nutrition, to cure various illnesses.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at 36 South Main St. (Christ Episcopal Church) in Pittsford. The meeting takes place every second Monday of the month. It will be presented

by Laura Sleggs, doctor of naturopathic medicine. For more information or to join the Rochester, chapter, visit hmnrochester.homewebs.com/ or email holisticmomsroc@gmail.com.

Mother’s Day tea to benefit cancer patients

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I

HEALTH EVENTS

Coping with incontinence to be featured in event

Seminar to feature cochlear implants, audiologists

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

May 25

Meditation retreat in the Finger Lakes scheduled Springwater Center, a meditation retreat in the Finger Lakes town of Springwater, is organizing a oneday retreat May 25 that is open to the public. Springwater Center is located about an hour south of Rochester on Route 15. It comprises more than 200 acres of beautiful country land.

The retreat includes organic gourmet vegetarian lunch, group meditation and a dialogue on “The Purpose of my Life.” It will also include a walking meditation and period of silence. The cost is $70. According to organizers, a retreat is especially relevant and useful in today’s busy, agitated world. “We can know our minds better and see ourselves in depth in the quiet space of retreat,” reads a news release. For more information, email Usha Shah at ushah@frontier.com or 585-442-8141.

May 28

Doctor to speak at fibromyalgia support group Physician K. Rao Poduri, medical director of the University of Rochester’s physical medicine and rehabilitation, will present a seminar titled “Exercise and Rehab,” sponsored by the new fibromyalgia support group. It will take place from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. May 28 at Westside YMCA, 920 Elmgrove Road. Poduri works closely with physical medicine and rehab, pain medicine, and spinal cord medicine. She brings to participants new ideas on how to become healthier and feel better. Class size is limited.

Reservations are needed by emailing brendal@rochesterymca.org or calling 585-341-3290.

May 28

Transplant group meeting in Pittsford Transplant Awareness Organzation (TAO) is inviting the public to attend its May 28 meeting and learn more about transplant-related issues. It will feature physician R. Demme, who will discuss “Transplantation As Depicted in the Movies.” Popcorn will be provided. The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. in the fellowship room of Christ Episcopal Church, 36 S. Main St., Pittsford.

For additional information, contact Deb Yendrezeski at auggieday@aol.com

June 3

Hospital association announces golf tournament The 10th Annual Rochester General Hospital Association Twigs Golf Tournament will be held June 3 at Irondequoit Country Club. Proceeds will benefit Rochester General Hospital. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m.; shotgun start at 1 p.m. The four-person scramble format includes 18 holes of golf, lunch and dinner. The cost to compete in the tournament is $195 per person, $750 per foursome ($780 after May 3). The Rochester General Hospital Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.twigsrgha.org or www.

Facebook.com/twigstournament.

Upstate Hospitals Making Great Strides in Infection Control

U

pstate New York hospitals have been more successful than state facilities as a whole in lowering rates of two commonly reported hospital-acquired infections, according to a new report issued by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“Hospital-acquired infections are serious but avoidable public health problems that reduce a patient’s ability to heal, causing suffering, extended hospital stays, expensive treatments and even death,” said physician Martin Lustick, senior vice president, corporate medical director, Lustick Excellus BCBS. New York state began tracking and reporting hospital-specific rates of surgical site infections and central line-associated bloodstream infections in 2007. Excellus BCBS’s analysis of the New York state reports finds that each year between 2008 and 2011, Upstate New York hospitals had lower rates of these two, common types of hospital-acquired infections than New York state hospitals.

According to the report: • Surgical site infection rates in Upstate New York hospitals decreased

by almost 8 percent between 2008 and 2011, when surgical site infection rates among New York state hospitals decreased 3 percent. During that time, surgical site infection rates dipped 33 percent in the Finger Lakes region.

• In 2011, the Finger Lakes region had the lowest surgical site infection rate in Upstate New York.

• Between 2008 and 2011, central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in upstate New York decreased 46 percent, while central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in New York state hospitals decreased 42 percent.

If Upstate New York hospitals could lower the number of hospitalacquired infections by even 20 or 40 percent, there would be 5,000 to 10,000 fewer infections and 200 to 400 associated deaths, according to the Excellus BCBS report. That would also annually save upstate New York hospitals between $68 million and $137 million.

Efforts to eliminate hospital-acquired infections are advancing on federal, state and local levels. One strong motivating force behind reducing hospital-acquired infections, for example, is the Medicare payment penalty.

To view the complete report, “The Facts About Hospital-Acquired Infections in Upstate New York,” go to excellusbcbs.com/factsheets.

1 in 8 Skip Meds to Save Money

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bout one in eight working-age adults say they have skipped doses of their medications or delayed filling prescriptions because of the cost, according to a new government report.

The report, based on the results of a national 2011 survey, says that 12.6 percent of adults between ages 18 and 64 said they had not taken medication as prescribed in order to save money.

Among adults ages 65 and older, 5.8 percent said the same.

Those who do not take their medications as prescribed are more likely to wind up in an emergency room, be hospitalized, and have a heart attack or stroke, according to the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report was aimed at allow-

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ing researchers to track the strategies adults use to reduce their prescription drug costs. In 2011, Americans spent $45 billion on prescription drugs.

Among 18- to 64-year-olds, 10.6 percent delayed filling a prescription to save money, 8.5 percent took less medication than prescribed (for example, by cutting pills in half) and 8.2 percent skipped doses.

Those living at or near the poverty line, and those without insurance were more likely to not take medication as prescribed to reduce their drug costs.

About one in five adults said they have tried to save money by asking their doctor for a lower-cost medication. A small percentage of people said they bought medications from other countries or used alternative therapies.

SERVING MONROE, ONTARIO AND WAYNE COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health Rochester–GV Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 30,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 585-421-8109.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2013 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

106 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564.

• Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers and Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Chris Motola, Gina Roberts-Grey, Jeanne Gehret, Maggie Fiala Advertising: Jennifer Wise, Donna Kimbrell Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Officer Manager: Laura Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

May 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

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Dr. Tariq Hussain DISABILITY Clifton Springs orthopedic surgeon: ‘Most of the CLAIMS joint replacements are pretty straightforward See us at www.startss.com

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surgeries’

Q: What kinds of joint replacements do you perform?

A: Total hip, total knees, total shoulders, reverse shoulder joint replacement. We do the small joints of the hand.

Q: In layman’s terms, what’s involved in a joint replacement?

A: So as you know, it’s done because the patient has arthritis and is at the point, pain-wise, where their quality of life is significantly affected.

The indication, obviously, is pain.

When they come, we do an examination of the joint, get X-rays and other imaging as needed. We like to make sure the patient is well-educated.

We’ll talk to the patient about what is involved in the joint replacement. We’ll discuss the joint replacement, discuss what are the complications of the joint replacement, what they can expect. We discuss the longevity of the joint replacement.

We’ll give them reading material and brochures.

Once they’re happy with the information that we’ve given them, we schedule them for surgery.

Joint replacement is really the last resort, so we’ll look at pain medications, supports and injections first.

and last the longest. With total shoulders, it’s harder to say how long the prosthesis will last.

Q: When you talk about pain management, are you talking specifically about joint pain or pain in general?

A: When we say pain management, we actually mean pain everywhere.

Joint pain, upper and lower extremity pain are usually covered by orthopedics. Back pain. You can deal with these with different injections, depending on what the cause is. There’s also a controlled procedure called radiofrequency ablation that can be used if injections aren’t working. For certain types of back pain, there’s a relatively new procedure where we put electrodes to stimulate the spinal chord and block the pain signal as it travels up to your brain, so

Q: What joints are the easiest to replace?

A: Most of the joint replacements are pretty straightforward surgeries. I don’t think any these can be said to be harder than the others from our point of view.

Q: How about in terms of outcomes?

A: Total hip and total knees have to be there for a very long period of time, almost 50 years. I would say they’re the ones that are most commonly done

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

even though the patients still have pain, they don’t feel it.

Q: How do you determine which method to use on a joint?

A: We’d take a detailed history of how long patients have had pain in that joint, what treatments they’ve had so far. We’d determine what they can and can’t do, how limited they are.

We’d get X-rays done to see how much arthritis there is. In some cases, typically with the shoulders, we’d take additional imaging, a CT scan or an MRI. We’d then discuss with the patient the different procedures, classifying them into operative and non-operative procedures, which would include physical therapy, injections. After having tried all that and the patient’s quality of life is no better, we would counsel them about total joint replacement.

Q: How did you end up practicing at Clifton Springs Hospital?

A: I think Upstate New York is a great place to be. I’ve been in Upstate New York for the last nine years. I was at Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls, which is south of Seneca Lake. My family has been very pleased living in Upstate New York and wants to stay here. I thought being a little closer to Rochester would be a good opportunity for me.

Q: How has the science behind joint replacement changed?

A: When hip replacement started 50 years ago, we used to cement all the composites. We’ve had better materials come in, especially for younger people who are more active. There are materials where the bond between the bone and the joint itself which helps the joint become part of the bone itself. For younger patients, there are ceramic composites that last longer. It depends how you select the patients and the procedures. So I think joint replacement technology has increased in quality over the years, but you’ll find that many joint replacements that were done 30 years ago are still doing well. So on one hand, the quality has increased, but I think we need more time to see how that affects the longevity of the joints compared to those done 30 years ago. You really have to choose the right product for your patients.

Lifelines Name: Tariq Hussain, M.D. Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan Education: Dow Medical College (Karachi); University of New Mexico; Ohio State University. He completed his sports medicine fellowship at The Ohio State University and a Hand Microvascular Surgery fellowship at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He received a majority of his orthopedic training in Great Britain and is board certified in orthopaedics by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, Canada.

Affiliations: Clifton Springs Hospital; Schuyler Hospital Organization: Royal College of Surgeons (Canada); American Orthopedics Association Family: Married, three children Hobbies: Carpentry, travel

Why Livingston Is the Healthiest County in NYS New survey puts county as No. 1 in New York state

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

W

hether it’s the workplace, school, family genetics or the community where you live, there can be a litany of situations and circumstances that makes a person healthy.

But if you are one of the 65,000 people who live in Livingston County you may have reasons to celebrate.

Livingston County recently found its way to the top of the list as the healthiest county in New York, according to a newly released study. It has been one of the top five healthiest counties for the past three years.

Rockland, Tompkins, Putnam, Saratoga counties round out the top five. Monroe County ranked 33, while Ontario County was placed 11th.

Livingston County ranked No. 1 in morbidity rate in the state. It averaged 6.1 percent low birth rate for babies, far below the 8.2 percent state average.

Its workers registered a low number of mental and physical health days and the community has low excessive drinking rate.

The county ranked sixth out of 60 counties in mortality rate producing 4,701 premature deaths, lower than the state average of 5,317. In addition, the county had a higher than stat average for a higher high school graduate rate and social support systems, while possessing lower numbers in violent crime and children living in poverty.

The local county health department worked with Genesee Valley Health Partnership, county government officials, the Livingston Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to reduce obesity and smoking rates overall.

“You can’t do all the work that this county had done without the support of so many agencies and people all working together for a common cause,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, Livingston County health director.

The county was one of the first

New York communities to go smoke free indoors in 1998, years before it became state law. The measure went from indoor bars and restaurants, then county-owned areas and finally playgrounds.

“We were well ahead of the curve,” said Lisa Beardsley, senior public health educator for the Livingston County health department. “We realized that changing the environment would make people smoke less. We go to schools and rally the students around nutrition, physical activity and making healthy decisions.”

Livingston County hosts an event every April where 20 restaurants take over an area and offer healthy choices.

In addition, Livingston County villages, towns and businesses get together to educate the public about cancer screenings, posting signs, banners and decorating windows.

“This really helps us engage the community and educate them about the importance of early detection,” said Rodriguez.

Explaining the study

The County Health Ranking, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, is based on various factors that involve length and quality of life. The process combined reviewing health literature, feedback from a panel of technical experts and reliability indicators at the county level throughout the nation. They used surveys, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases and other health indicators.

The organization calculated eight different composites broken down into four sections; 40 percent for social and economic factors, 30 percent health behaviors, 20 percent clinical care and 10 percent physical environment.

Under health behaviors were smoking, exercising, alcohol use and

Fitness First!

‘The one thing that helps me stay on track is keeping fitness first on my list. Everything else one way or another manages to fall into place’

By Cheryl Rommes

F

or many of us just getting out of bed in the morning is a work in itself. Then there’s getting the kids dressed, breakfast ready, lunches made and, after all that, getting ready and to work on time.

So how exactly are you supposed to put fitness first?

I guess that explains why it remains last on the to-do list.

What we seem to forget is that if we don’t take care of ourselves first,

how is everything else going to get done? Somehow things do get done, but at what price?

There is the endless number of infomercials and quick fixes such as take this pill, eat this, don’t eat that, detox with this, buy these and sign up for that. Let’s face it, you don’t need me to tell you how overwhelming it can be. This situation usually leads to “what the heck, I’ll just start on Monday, another few days isn’t going to

Livingston County Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez said she was pleased with a survey showing the county as the healthiest in New York state but she adds that “there are things we need to improve on and we will.” sexual activity. Under clinical care, they factored uninsured employees, number of primary care physicians, dentists, preventable hospital stay and mammography screening. Social and economic factors included education, employment, income, and family and social support, while physical environment includes drinking water safety, limited access to healthy food, access to recreational facilities and number of fast food restaurants. In addition, education, jobs, income and environment play a major role in how healthy people remain.

Angela Russell, associate researcher for the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, said the study provides counties with an annual snapshot of their overall health. She views the places where people play and go to work as an essential health factor, and she trusts that the study shines a light on those factors.

“We see this as a call to action for leaders to look at the results and see where they can improve,” said Russell, who is the community engagement

lead on the County Health Rankings.

“We hope this starts a conversation about health in every county, and we hope people will use the information to start changing the culture of their lives.

Where we live really matters to our health.”

While Jennifer Rodriguez said she was pleased with the results, the county isn’t resting on its laurels and top spot on the list. She said there are pockets of poverty in Dansville and Mt. Morris close to the prison where county outreach programs need to penetrate. The study also stated the county struggled when it came to drinking water safety. It added that 41 percent of all eateries within the county are fast food restaurants.

The next step is creating walking trails and expanding parks in the Town of Lima and Conesus, said Rodriguez.

“We want to reach out to every corner of the county and do workshops to educate the public about how safe their drinking water is,” added Rodriguez.

“There are things we need to improve on and we will.”

matter.” Monday comes and goes and the cycle begins once again! The harsh reality is that eventually the “I should haves” and “if onlys” won’t help buy back those Mondays.

It’s overwhelming, to say the least, but trust me when I tell you I do know how hard it can be to dodge the curve balls that keep getting thrown at us (we will save that story for another day), and let’s not mention all the times you didn’t dodge fast enough and ended up getting hit, and getting hit hard!

The one thing that helps me stay on track is putting and keeping fitness first on my list. Everything else one way or another manages to fall into place, and it does get a little easier each time to dodge those curve balls.

I can help find what works for you, not what someone who has no clue what you’re up against thinks will work for you. Realistic, “back to basics” ways to get you started in putting fitness first. No detox fixes, quick

fixes, another “free” one month membership you don’t have the time to use, a new “state of the art” ab gadget or thigh toner you saw on an infomercial, a magic pill, the new Hollywood craze, or another miracle cure you heard about on yet another talk show.

There are not many things we do have control over, but one thing you can control is whether you are going to put fitness first or keep it last on your list along with cleaning out your closets!

May 2013 •

Cheryl Rommes is a certified personal trainer at Campanella Chiropractic and Wellness.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

You’ve Got Questions? I’ve Got Answers

F

aithful readers of this column know that I traveled alone to Paris in 2004 to celebrate my 50th birthday. It turned out to be the most glorious and memorable 10 days of my life.

It was also life changing.

While in Paris, I began to think about my life and my “calling” at this significant milestone. I wondered, What do I have to offer? What could I do on a personal level to contribute to this big, beautiful, complex world?

Sipping an espresso in Café de Flore, on Boulevard Saint-Germaine, I can remember asking myself: “What do I know well? What am I good at? What could I possibly give back to a world that has been so good to me?” And that’s when the idea of helping women live alone with success percolated to the surface.

I thought, I know how to live alone, I’m pretty good at it. I enjoy it! Maybe I could help other divorced or widowed women my age reclaim their lives.

Maybe I could help them get a better handle on living alone and to feel more content with themselves and their independence.

And the rest is history. When I came back to New York, I put all the pieces together and launched, “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own” a three-part workshop designed to give women the know how to forge a meaningful and enriching life on their own.

I’ve been leading the workshop

for over five years now, and often get questions from “In Good Health” readers about what the workshop covers and how it is organized. In this month’s column, I am pleased to answer the most frequently asked questions.

Q. What is the purpose of the workshop and what do you cover?

A. Because I’ve walked in your shoes, I know how painful it can be to find yourself alone at this time in life. I also know that it is possible to rediscover yourself and reclaim your life. Getting good at living alone will improve your chances of finding happiness on your own. And it will improve your chances of finding a new healthy relationship, if that’s what you desire.

When you feel better about yourself — more confident and resourceful — life on your own or with a special someone can be richer and more satisfying My workshop will help you think differently about living alone. In a nutshell, I cover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, banish negative thinking, rediscover your true self, socialize in a couples’ world, and otherwise embrace what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a wonderful and reward-

KIDS Corner

ing life on your own.

Q. Who attends the workshop?

A. Most, but not all, of the women who attend the workshop are between the ages of 40 and 65, and have come out of long marriages or relationships. Some are on their own for the first time in their lives.

All have one thing in common: They want to get a better handle on living alone and to feel more content with themselves and their independence. Many see this workshop as an extension of the support they are receiving from friends, family, a therapist, and/or their congregation.

Q. I’m still grieving the loss of my marriage/ spouse. Is this workshop right for me?

A. Good question. My Living Alone workshop is a “nuts and bolts” practical workshop to help women become more resourceful and independent on their own. It is not a grief or mental health support group. If you are still in the grieving process and seek support, I recommend grief counseling or the help of a professional counselor.

Q. What are your credentials?

A. I’m not a licensed professional.

My expertise is born out of real-life experience. I’ve “been there.” I emerged from my divorce feeling very deflated

N

But many children who get diagnosis may not really have the condition, experts say

A

bout 11 percent of school-age children in the United States — and 19 percent of high-schoolage boys — have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

The figures show that about 6.4 million children aged 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives, a 16 percent rise since 2007 and a 53 percent increase over the past decade.

Page 8

•

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York.

For information about her May workshop, call (585) 624-7887 or e-mail Gwenn at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Most Pre-packaged Meals, Snacks for Toddlers: Too Much Salt

early 75 percent of commercial pre-packaged meals and savory snacks for toddlers are high in sodium, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions.

In the first study to look at the sodium content in U.S. baby and toddler foods, researchers compared the sodium content per serving of 1,115 products for babies and toddlers using data on major and private label brands compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Also, about two-thirds of kids with Baby food was categorized as ina current diagnosis of ADHD take tended for children less than 1 year old, prescription drugs such as Adderall or and toddler food was categorized as Ritalin, which can improve the lives of intended for children between the ages patients, but may also lead to addiction, of 1 and 3. anxiety and even psychosis, the report A product was defined as high in said. sodium if it had more than 210 mg of The data could add to growing sodium per serving. Toddler meals had concern among many doctors that significantly higher amounts of sodium the ADHD diagnosis and its drug than baby meals, and the amount of sotreatments are overused in American dium in some of the toddler meals was children. as high as 630 mg per serving – about 40 percent of the 1,500 mg daily limit

Report: One in 10 U.S. Kids Diagnosed With ADHD

and very alone, faced with both the practical and emotional challenges of living alone.

It took years and some hard-knock lessons, but I eventually discovered a resourcefulness within myself that enabled me to forge a joyful and meaningful life on my own. My time-tested experience, combined with valuable resources and tried-and-true advice has inspired and helped many workshop participants.

Q. How large are the workshops?

A. Ideally, I like to have eight women in each workshop, although, on occasion, I have led workshops with a few more and a few less. This ideal size (eight) gives everyone a chance to actively participate and benefit from the experience.

Q. Where are the workshops held?

A. At House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon. House Content is a little historic gem, situated on a picturesque six-acre site, surrounded by horse farms and parkland. Reminiscent of a quaint English cottage, this setting serves as a peaceful and inspirational setting for the workshops.

Q. I’d like to sign up for the workshop. What’s my next step?

A. I like to speak with potential participants by phone, as a first step.

That way, I can answer your questions and you’ll be in a better position to decide whether this workshop is right for you. Just call me at 585-624-7887 or e-mail me at gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com. You’ll find information about my upcoming workshop in the “Calendar of Health Events” included in this issue.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

recommended by the American Heart Association. The foods with the most sodium were savory snacks and meals for toddlers.

“Our concern is the possible longterm health risks of introducing high levels of sodium in a child’s diet, because high blood pressure, as well as a preference for salty foods may develop early in life.

The less sodium in an infant’s or toddler’s diet, the less he or she may want it when older,” said Joyce Maalouf, lead author and fellow at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Consuming excessive amounts of sodium has been linked to the development of high blood pressure in scientific studies.

“Parents and other caregivers can read the nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods, to choose the healthiest options for their child,” Maalouf said.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium consumption to less than 1500 mg a day.

Vegetable Garden: Should You Go GMO? Experts: It all starts with the right seeds

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you want to get into vegetable gardening, it’s time to select those seed packets at the garden center and get busy preparing the ground. Especially if you’re new to gardening, terms surrounding growing vegetables can be a little confusing. Organic, heirloom and non-GMO seeds are the options that are supposed to be better for us and yield more nutritious produce. Or are they?

Genetically modified organisms — or GMOs — include plants that have been altered to provide resistance to pests and weeds. Although approved by the Food and Drug Administration, many natural health advocates fear that eating GMOs will negatively impact health.

Michael Loos, interim director of the New York State Seed Testing Laboratory Department of Horticultural Sciences in Geneva, said that most seeds sold in garden centers are not GMO seeds. Those are sold in bulk to large-scale producers. But produce such as corn, widely grown by farms using GMO seeds, may still effect your garden plot, even if you use non-GMO seeds.

“The issues with things like corn is that if you have a heritage corn crop and you’re trying to keep it pure, you have to keep it a certain distance from the farmer down the road who’s growing a GMO corn,” Loos said. “It’s wind pollinated. Corn is especially vulnerable to that GMO drift.

He added that nearly all the commercially grown field corn and soybeans are from GMO seeds.

Heirloom vegetables have been growing in popularity. Derived from varieties your grandparents may have enjoyed, these pure strains tend to be open pollinated and GMO-free.

“They’re passed down from hand to hand,” Loos said, “But you can find them through many seed vendors and catalog.”

The plants are identical to what was for sale 50 to 80 years ago, but “it doesn’t make them any better than varieties sold today. Some are much harder to grow because they don’t have disease resistance and when you put them in an environmentally stressed situation and they die,” Loos said.

Some people like heirloom veggies because they offer something unusual such as an offbeat color, or a more robust or different flavor.

Growers develop hybrids by crossbreeding two strains of the same type to result in a better product.

“They’re generally more consistent in that the produce will be more hardy,” said Solveig Hanson, organic product manager for Harris Seeds in Rochester. “They can be bred to have disease resistance and better flavor.”

Look for “F1” on the package to indicate a hybrid if you don’t see “hybrid” on it.

Open pollinated seeds are more affordabl- and allow you to save the seeds the plant produces for planting next year if you wish, unlike hybrids which will not produce consistent results from saved seeds. Heirloom seeds are a subset of open pollinated seeds.

Organic seeds won’t be treated with pesticides. Mary Ellen Sheehan,

just

$ Solveig Hanson, organic product manager for Harris Seeds in Rochester, listed some of her favorite varieties she prefers for her home garden for their appearance and flavor.

• Indigo Rose Tomato • Chioggia Guardsmark Beet – Organic Seed • Fire & Ice Blend Lettuce • Honeynut Squash • Manny F1 Cucumber – Organic seed • Peppermint Swiss Chard organic fruit and vegetables coordinator for Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York in Rochester, said that how organic plants are grown makes more difference as to the produce’s health. Selecting the right variety helps.

“Get seeds that are regionally adapted,” Sheehan said. “This has been a popular idea recently. Heirloom varieties from this region may be better for this region. Many come from the northeast that are sold here that handle cool springs, cool falls and wet summers.”

Hanson, agreed that the growing practices impact the vegetables more than using organic seeds. Growing organic seeds near non-organic seeds may contaminate the organic ones. It takes more care and time to use organic growing practices since the plants are more vulnerable to conditions.

“Spend time conditioning the soil and composting, so it’s a living soil with lots of microorganisms,” she said.

“That is where you’re passing that nutrition to the soil to the plant to your body...There’s not a lot of research on the seeds’ impact on the nutritional value.”

Cindy Fiege, natural health consultant at Harmony Health Store, LLC in Spencerport, said that “researchers have found little difference in nutritional content from organic to heirloom” and that “GMOs can be modified to have greater nutritional value than the organism would have naturally.”

But she warns that GMOs are sprayed with chemicals and their producers “have no concern for human health and safety.”

May 2013 •

59

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Do you live alone?

Living alone can be a challenge, especially for women in mid-life who are divorced or widowed. But it can also be the start of a rich and meaningful chapter in your life. Need a jump start?

Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own Tuesdays, May 7, 14 and 21 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm House Content B&B, Mendon, NY

In the workshop led by Gwenn Voelckers — a women who’s “been there” — you’ll discover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover your true self, and socialize in a couples’ world. $125 fee includes manual, empowerment exercises and book.

For more information, call (585) 624-7887 or visit www.aloneandcontent.com IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

Concussion

Rochester Hall of Fame boxer devoted to spreading the word about danger of brain trauma

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

W

hen Ray Ciancaglini speaks before large crowds, he has to arrive at the venue an hour before. He is typically accompanied by a Rochester neurologist. He needs a small boost of caffeine, something he’s not permitted to have on regular days. His notes must be printed in big letters and in bullet point form instead of an expanded script.

There can be little to no distractions at all. Finally, doctors adjust his medication, which allows him to be audible for a few hours before his system crashes.

The rituals that Ciancaglini goes through have nothing to do with public speaking anxiety. It has to do with the reason he is giving the speeches in the first place.

Ciancaglini suffers from dementia pugilistica, a neurological disorder that affects those who take multiple blows to the head.

In his case, it was because of boxing, but sports like football, wrestling, lacrosse and soccer also involve steady impact. He condition was entirely avoidable.

“I challenged concussions and I lost,” said Ciancaglini, 61, a Rochester Hall of Fame boxer, who speaks at high schools and universities weekly about brain injury trauma.

“Athletes are so vulnerable to the peer pressure of getting back on the field as soon as possible. But that’s the problem because once you have multiple concussions that are not treated properly, you are headed on a dangerous road.”

A concussion is a temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head. It is especially becoming a problem for young students. In the past decade, 6 percent of the 2.6 million people under the age of 19 were treated for traumatic brain injury.

The number of sports and recreational-related visits because of head trauma increased from 153,375 to 248, 418, according to the Brain Trauma Foundation. Football is the most common sport with concussion risk for males at about 75 percent, while soccer is the most common sport with concussion risk for females at 50 percent,

according to the Sports Concussion Institute.

A professional boxer’s punch has been registered at 20 miles per hour. A professional football player will receive an estimated 900 to 1,500 blows to the head during a season. Those staggering numbers don’t even compare to the estimated 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions occurring each year. With the concussion figures increasing, officials saw a need for immediate action.

The New York State Concussion Management and Awareness Act went into effect July that set requirements for all students who sustain a brain injury.

The law requires immediate removal from athletic activities of a student believed to have sustained or who has sustained a mild brain injury. The law states no return until the student is symptom free for at least 24 hours and they must be evaluated and receive written permission to return by a licensed physician. Parents must sign permission slip that contains information relating to concussion.

When it comes to school districts, they are authorized to establish a concussion management team to oversee policy implementation. In addition, school districts, and the New York State education and health departments must post information on their website.

Ciancaglini, who spoke to Keuka College students in October, discusses his story nationwide. He was a boxing journeyman for about six years, but that short stint had a wicked effect on his life. His condition causes his arms and body to tremble slightly, akin to someone dealing with Parkinson’s disease. He said for years people ignored the importance of concussion awareness; however, thanks to high-profile athletes telling their heartbreaking stories, all that has changed.

Whether it’s a local high school, youth sports clinic or an NFL developmental camp, he now spends his life discussing the impact of going through the protocols before returning to the field. Thanks to his and others’ efforts, 39 other states have adopted the New York model of concussion evaluations for youth sports.

“I get emails and letters from

Ray Ciancaglini (left) chatting with Sarah Hillman of Elmira, a senior at Keuka College.

She was a member of the team’s soccer and lacrosse who suffered numerous concussions.

She had to forgo the last two years of her athletic career because of too many concussions. young athletes who ask me can they get away with playing just one more game without telling their coaches they have a concussion,” said Ciancaglini, of Romulus. “I convince them that it isn’t worth it and I believe the message is resonating.”

Educating athletes is essential because it teaches and reinforces the importance of prompt and honest reporting and dispels the myth that being a man means sucking up the pain and pushing forward. Those who have dealt with concussions said it is a good thing that some districts are also rechecking equipment to ensure helmets and protective devices are up to date.

Those in charge of protecting their student athletes feel it’s their responsibility to put a spotlight on the subject so there will be fewer people rushed back from debilitating concussions.

“Ray’s story is one that all athletes, coaches, parents and administrators need to listen to,” said John Boccacino,

Ray Ciancaglini (left) talking with Keuka College students about concussions.

Page 10

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

Keuka College’s director of sports information. “He was the ultimate competitor who wanted so badly to win, and in the end, his dedication to his sport cost him more than a win in the ring; it cost him his quality of life.

Today’s student-athletes need to know how important it is to get properly checked out, otherwise they could suffer a fate similar to Ray.” Linda Kohn, director of health care issues for the U.S. Government Accountability Office, spoke at a House Education and Labor Committee meeting several years ago about the issue.

She viewed that concussion figures might actually be underestimated and that the problem isn’t going away.

“It is clear we need to put more focus on the student part of the student athlete,” said Kohn. “A concussion doesn’t have to mean the end of a student’s athletic career, but without the appropriate management and treatment, it could have serious implications.”

Now school districts are educating classroom teachers to notice signs a student-athlete has been concussed Students could have serious cognitive difficulties that would impact their classroom learning, such as listlessness, headaches, dizziness and unresponsiveness.

“The sheer number of concussed athletes is always alarming since good technique, sportsmanship and good protective devices should help to reduce the number,” said Cindy Devore, state chairwoman of the Committee on School Health and Sports Medicine for the American Academy of Pediatrics Division II. “What alarms me is not so much one statistic, but it is the astounding opposition and pressure from parents who insist their concussed athletes should skirt school protocols or New York state law and return to participate because ‘tonight is the big game.’”

Mother’s Day

Being a Mom is Good for You

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

O

f course, no woman becomes a mother for the health benefits, but it’s nice to know you receive some health perks that come with the role.

Linda Guiberson of Rochester coleads the Rochester Chapter Holistic Moms Network. She found that becoming a mother improved her eating habits.

“I used to think I ate pretty healthfully and knew quite a bit about food and nutrition,” she said. “Since having kids, I realized how much I didn’t know.”

Like most parents, Guiberson wanted to feed her children healthful, nutritious meals. She became more active in reading food labels, and buying whole and organic foods instead of processed ones. In turn, she became healthier Guiberson for her efforts, too.

“Sometimes they say ignorance is bliss, but I feel we like our lives much healthier as an empowered consumer,” she said.

Michele Brown of Rochester is a member of Rochester Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network and has worked as an emergency medical technician.

“My children have made me more active than anything else ever has in my life,” Brown said, “and that includes soccer for four years.”

Like Guiberson, Brown has found that her diet has improved as she has sought more nutritious foods for her children.

Mom Libby Lauer-Thompson, a licensed clinical social worker for the Veterans Administration, became stressed through lack of sleep and working hard to “do all the right ‘mom’ things,” she said.

Experiencing autoimmune problems, which she attributes to her stress and lack of sleep, along Lauer-Thompson with wanting a more healthful lifestyle for her daughter, spurred her to make some healthful dietary and household changes.

“As I became more aware of how everything effects us, I became interested in chemicals and toxins,” she said.

“I was never a crunchy, organic person.

I now make my own cleaning supplies and switched beauty aids from ones that have chemicals. I buy organic vegetables more and I try not to feed my daughter processed foods or sugar.”

She also opened her own business, Essential Nature Wellness, where she

helps clients as a health coach.

“Being a mom has impacted my need to do all these things to stay healthy,” she said. “When you’re in your 20s and single you don’t have as big of a reason to stay healthy.”

Beyond these healthful habits, becoming a mother also offers women health benefits, including a reduced risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.

“For those with multiple babies, there was a study that suggested having more than three decreased the risk of lung cancer, and more than five decreased the risk of colon cancer after menopause,” said Loralei Thornburg, OB-GYN with specialty in maternal fetal medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “This is especially true if you are at a young age when you have your first child, and if you have multiple pregnancies.”

Some women who have certain types of autoimmune diseases prepregnancy, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or psoriasis experience a prolonged remission during pregnancy.

“For those Thornburg that don’t have an autoimmune disease, having children decreases the likelihood they will get one,” Thornburg said. “For MS, having children decreases the risk of relapses as well.”

Nursing helps shed pregnancy pounds since it burns about 300 calories per day. It also reduces her risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

“Breastfeeding for more than seven months also decreases the risk of heart disease,” Thornburg said. “It seems that that oxytocin released during breastfeeding has cardiovascular benefits. Breastfeeding for more than 24 months total, not with each child, decreases the risk by about one-quarter.”

Many moms also drop bad habits for the sake of their children, such as smoking, lax oral care, and skipping immunizations and health screenings.

Whether they take these steps for the sake of pregnancy or to become a good example for their children, many moms continue in their new, healthful lifestyle.

Later in life, the social interaction and support that adult children and grandchildren usually provide can help you age better, especially if you’re a single mother or if like many elderly women, you end up widowed.

“My mother-in-law watches [my daughter] every day while we’re at work and there’s a great connection,” Lauer-Thompson said. “My mother-inlaw says it keeps her going.”

May 2013 •

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5 Cups of Tea That Could Save Your Life Sip on this. Your favorite cup or mug just might hold the key to your health.

By Gina Roberts-Grey

I

t’s great paired with a scone or if you need to perk up a dreary day. But a cup of tea could save your or your family’s life, while it calms your nerves or helps everyone unwind after a hectic day. It turns out that many types of teas have natural compounds and nutrients that can fend off heart disease, Alzheimer’s and all sorts of other life-threatening illnesses. So the next time you’re steeping, consider brewing up a cup of these promising healthy teas.

Colon cancer

Imagine preventing colon cancer is as simple as developing a taste for yerba mate tea. A recent University of Illinois study says keeping this deadly disease at bay just might be possible because the compounds in yerba mate tea actually kill off human colon cancer cells. “Put simply, the cancer cell self-destructs because its DNA has been damaged by the components in the mate tea,” says Elvira de Mejia, a University of Illinois associate professor of food chemistry and food toxicology, and one of the study’s authors.

Wildly popular in South America, one cup of yerba mate also reduces inflammation in your body. That’s important because inflammation can trigger the steps of cancer progression, says de Mejia.

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Black tea’s bold, earthy flavor isn’t just pleasing to for your palate. The antioxidants in black tea have been shown to prevent the formation of deposits in the brain that contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease as well as Parkinson’s disease. White tea is also helpful in the fight against Alzheimer’s because it’s effective at minimizing the effects of stress in the nervous system that leads to cell loss and age-related and neurodegenerative disorders.

Ulcers

There’s no need for your stomach to ever be in knots again. That’s because Darjeeling tea can block the development of ulcers and many other stomach-related diseases, says a new study conducted at the University of Massachusetts. It turns out a cup of Darjeeling has probiotic powers and

•

Ovarian Cancer

Black tea is packed with powerful polyphenols, organic chemicals that have high amounts of antioxidants.

And studies have found the types of antioxidants found in black tea are effective at lowering a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Green and herbal teas also have ovarian cancerbusting antioxidants, but black tea has some of the highest levels of the anti-cancer antioxidants.

Blood pressure

The next time you’re feeling stressed out or like your blood pressure is surging out of control, steep yourself a cup of Chinese oolong tea. The compounds in oolong tea help keep enzymes that are naturally produced in the body and that are major players in regulating your blood pressure from raging out of control and causing your blood pressure to spike, according to a recent study. “There is the likelihood of many health benefits of drinking tea every day,” says Louise Bennett, senior research scientist and one of the study’s authors.

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helps to regulate the enzymes and bacteria in your gut.

Adding honey or lime can boost the tea’s healthful benefits, says Kalidas Shetty, professor of food biotechnology, at the University of Massachusetts and a co-author of the study. But try to avoid adding mix to your mix.

“Milk can prohibit some of the components in the tea from being effective,” says Shetty.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

In Good Health Rochester’s Healthcare Newspaper

585-421-8109 • editor@GVhealthnews.com

Camping Can Help Keep Kids and Teens Fit Fitness and good nutrition emphasized during day or overnight camps

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Y

our memories of summer camp may include crafts, campfires and an occasional game. Today’s kids and teens can choose from a variety of camps in the area that can inspire them to get and stay active.

“The younger you get involved in sports and the number of times you stay involved, it increases the chances you will develop healthful habits that will stick with you the rest of your life,” Jason Cipolla, director of Rochester Youth Camps, LLC. The day camp accepts children through age 14, but Cipolla has known former campers to return to work at the day camp.

“They’re still involved in lacrosse or hockey even as high school seniors Rowcliffe or college age young people,” he said. “If you develop a habit as a child and teenager, it’s much more likely to carry over into your adult years.”

Though many of the campers have played the sports before, Rochester Youth Camp accepts beginners, too.

Michele Rowcliffe, executive director of YMCA of Greater Rochester’s Camp Cory, agrees that camping can kick off lifelong healthful habits. Camp Cory sees a large teen population between 13 and 17 enjoy its day camp and overnight camp.

“At camp, everything we do improves their health,” Rowcliffe said.

“They’re outside, on a schedule and there’s structure. There’s no opportunity to just sit around.”

Most camps, as with Camp Cory, technology is banned and the sheer volume of available recreation is sure to get kids moving. The positive peer pressure can also get young couch potatoes active and interested in trying something new and physically challenging.

Camp can also help kids eat better.

“At overnight camp, we provide all their meals, so we’re in charge of the menu offering healthful options,” Rowcliffe said. “There isn’t the opportunity to just eat all day. We provide snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables and granola bars.”

Like Rochester Youth Camp, Camp Cory sees campers return as staff. Rowcliffe estimated that 85 percent of the staff once camped with the YMCA. “We’re a big sailing camp,” she said. “What I hear from alumni of all ages is that things they learn at camp, they do throughout their lives. Many were collegiate sailors and then recreational sailors. The canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing, they may engage in it later in life because they tried it at summer camp.

“When they start out young, they can taste everything. In the early teen years, they can choose specialty areas to focus in on an activity.”

To get your child revved up about going to camp, let him help select what he wants to do. If he isn’t sure, try a camp that offers numerous activities so he can dabble in activities.

Once he has returned from camp, foster interest in continuing the activity by joining him in it. By creating the environment of positive peer pressure, he will more likely continue to stay active.

Plus, you’ll stay more fit, too.

For example, if rock climbing

Participants at YMCA of Greater Rochester’s Camp Cory. “At camp, everything we do improves their health. They’re outside, on a schedule and there’s structure. There’s no opportunity to just sit around,” said Michele Rowcliffe, executive director. rocked his world during camp, seek an indoor rock climbing facility such as Rock Ventures in Rochester (www. rockventures.net). Or if she got her kicks from trying martial arts at camp, check out a local school, such as Kuk Sool Won of Greater Rochester (www.

kuksoolny.com). These organizations emphasize family involvement and safely pushing your physical limits.

If you can’t find one thing everyone likes, try a membership at the YMCA. The key is to keep moving after camp closes.

Wellness for the whole person, all in one place.

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Movement and physical activity can have a positive impact on chronic health conditions.

The Pieters Family Life Center has a variety of low-impact therapeutic exercise programs to decrease pain and increase muscle power.

Learn more or register at (585) 487-3500.

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May 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

The Skinny on Feta I

’ve never met a cheese I didn’t like. Parmesan, mozzarella or anything in between: I could eat cheese at ever meal. But I don’t.

Cheese, like chocolate, can pack on the pounds and clog the ol’ arteries if consumed without constraint.

So I moderate myself by eating less of the hard cheeses (which tend to have a higher fat content) and more of the soft cheeses, like mozzarella, ricotta, and — the star of today’s column — feta.

A key component of the hearthealthy Mediterranean diet, feta is lower in fat and calories than most cheeses.

A quarter cup — enough to satisfy any salad lover — has 7 grams of fat and only 90 calories. As a comparison: The same serving of cheddar has 11 grams of fat and 133 calories.

Just like milk, feta serves up healthy doses of calcium, protein and phosphorous, three nutrients that contribute in some way to the develop-

ter cup has about a fourth of your daily needs of saturated fat and a little over 10 percent of your daily sodium needs.

But all fat is not bad. In fact, indulging in a little of this dairy dynamo can keep you slim. According to a study in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” women who ate an ounce of full-fat cheese every day gained fewer pounds over time than those who didn’t. Now that’s something to ruminate!

Helpful Tips Choose feta made from goat’s milk, if possible. Goat’s milk is easier to digest and contains more tryptophan than cow’s milk. Feta should be white — not yellowish — and the container should state that it is pasteurized (important for pregnant women). Opt for reduced-fat feta to lower your intake of saturated fat.

dium bowl and stir to combine. Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before eating.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

Chew on this fact

ment and maintenance of strong bones.

Protein is also a powerhouse building block for muscles, cartilage, skin and blood.

Feeling a bit sluggish? Reach for some feta: it’s a mighty source of two indispensible B vitamins that fuel our engines. Riboflavin (B2) helps convert food to energy and protect our bodies from free-radical damage; vitamin B12 is essential for making red blood cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Thanks to feta’s strong flavor, you don’t need to eat a lot to feel satisfied.

Which is good, considering that a quar-

Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta Salad Serves 4

A scientific study done on people who had lived beyond the age of 100 showed one common denominator — all of the centenarians were consumers of goat’s milk.

6 tomatoes, diced 2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and sliced in half-circles 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips salt and pepper to taste

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.

Combine all ingredients in a me-

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

Clifton Springs

Hospital & Clinic

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By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

n its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the US Department of Labor describes dispensing opticians as professionals who “help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or type of contact lenses to buy.”

In New York, opticians must be licensed.

• “I wish people understood better the care between independently-owned optician business and franchise businesses. Independent opticians typically have access to much greater range of products and we can better accommodate the buying public.

• “People in general have a good working knowledge when it comes to automobiles. There are differences between a Mercedes Benz and a Yugo, a rather poorly made car. In the optical industry, there is no such name brand recognition, except those who work in the industry. There can be significant difference between the brand names of frames and lenses.

Optician Dr. Scott Davies, Whelpley & Paul, Webster • “First, ask if your optician is licensed or an apprentice. A licensed optician has taken and passed the necessary testing for New York state whereas an apprentice has not.

• “You want an optician to assist you in frame selection, not a stylist. There is so much more that goes into purchasing the proper eyewear than how it looks.

• “The bottom line is you are making the selection to see better as well as like the way you look.

• “Listen to the recommendations that are made for your personal lifestyle. Sometimes this may require multiple pairs of glasses.

• “All frames are not created equal.

There are numerous different material types that eyeglass frames can be made of. You may be able to find three frames that look very similar to each other but they may have vast quality differences. There are frames made of wood or that are enhanced with crystals. Different types of acetates are used in plastic frames. These are used to create different saturations of color or laminates. This is where colors are stacked one on top of another. All of these features are part of what may determine the price of the frame you have selected. The better the quality and/or more craftsmanship the higher the price.

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• “The same can be true of lenses.

There are many different materials and type of lenses that can be selected. A basic plastic lens with glare to an ultra thin glare free lens and many options in between. There are lenses that change color called photochromatics which can be very helpful if you have an indoor/outdoor type of occupation. There are polarized lenses used in sunglasses. These are the most glare eliminating lens and should be the lens of choice for general sun wear.

• “Ask about warranty information from the eyewear provider. You should not have to pay for a defective replacement warranty.

• “Ask if adjustments and small repairs are included with the purchase of the eyewear.”

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Optician Lisa Castronova, Reed Eye Associates, Pittsford, Greece, Irondequoit, Newark and Sodus • “A lot of people tend to think if they see OK that their eyes are healthy and that’s not always the case.

• “I wish people with contacts would bring them along with their glasses.

• “Some people say, ‘The glasses don’t work’ but it would help if people would bring them and a list of what bothers them. It would make it easier to help them.

• “Contact lens [options] have blossomed over the last few years as far as giving lots of oxygen to the eyes.

A lot of the new lenses are lighter and changing color to shade out some of the light. Everything has got a little more high tech and better that way.

• “Almost everyone has a problem of over-wearing them, not changing on time, and wearing them longer than the recommended wear time. Most people assume if they feel good, they are fine.

But you could be damaging your eyes.”

Optician Dr. Cary A. Kazdan, Cary A. Kazdan & Associates, Penfield and Spencerport

Deborah Jeanne Sergeant is a writer with In Good Health. “What Your Doctor Wants You to Know” is an ongoing column that appears monthly to give our area’s healthcare professionals an opportunity to share how patients can improve their care by helping their providers and by helping themselves.

May 2013 •

The distribution of In Good Health — Rochester-Genesee Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper has recently been audited by the Circulation Verification Council.

Here are some of the results

100,000 Readers � Reliable Circulation. Nearly 100% of copies are picked up by readers vs. the national average of 75%.

� Readership. Each issue is read by 3.05 people vs. the national average of 1.8.

� High Retention. Nearly 50 percent of readers keep an issue of In Good Health for a month or more.

� Positive Results. The average for positive ad results in our publication is 51%. The national average for positive ad results is 74%, largely due to manufacturer’s coupons

� Ideal Readership. Over half of In Good Health readers are female.

Over half of readers lives in households with incomes of over $75,000.

Health In Good

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 525 • Victor, NY 14564 Phone: 585-421-8109 Web: GVhealthnews.com Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com

Rochester-Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

Golden Years Older Motorcyclists More Likely to Be Seriously Hurt in Crashes Number of bikers over age 65 is climbing as well

O

lder motorcyclists are up to three times more likely than younger riders to be seriously injured in a crash, a new study shows.

The findings are especially important in light of the growing number of older riders, the researchers added.

They analyzed U.S. government data collected between 2001 and 2008, during which time there were 1.5 million motorcycle crashes involving adults aged 20 and older who required emergency department treatment. Men accounted for 85 percent of these cases.

When divided by age groups, more than 921,000 of the incidents involved riders aged 20 to 39, more than 466,000 involved those aged 40 to 59 and more than 65,000 involved those 60 and

older, according to the study, which was published online Feb. 6 in the journal Injury Prevention.

Injury rates for all three age groups increased during the study period, but the greatest increase — nearly 250 percent — occurred among riders aged 60 and older. Riders in this age group were nearly three times as likely to be admitted to the hospital after a crash than those in their 20s and 30s.

Riders aged 40 to 59 were nearly twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital after a crash than younger riders, according to researcher Tracy Jackson and her colleagues in the department of epidemiology at Brown University, in Providence, R.I. Compared to younger riders, the

risk of serious injury in a crash was 66 percent higher for middle-aged riders and two and a half times higher for those aged 60 and older.

The greater severity of injuries among older riders may be due to age-related physical changes, such as reduced bone strength, decreased elasticity in the chest wall and shifts in body-fat distribution, the researchers said. Underlying illnesses may also

increase the risk.

In the United States, the percentage of motorcyclists over the age of 50 more than doubled from about 10 percent in 1990 to 25 percent in 2003. The average age of people involved in a motorcycle crash has steadily increased, with rates of injuries among riders over 65 increasing by 145 percent between 2000 and 2006, according to the study.

Study: Home-delivered Meal Program Helps Seniors Stay in Their Homes

F

or some of Rochester’s seniors, a hot meal and a daily check-in are all they need to remain at home independently. But without that help, many would enter an expensive nursing facility.

A Brown University study recently confirmed a connection between homedelivered meals and seniors remaining at home. Healthcare researchers found that states that spent more money on home-delivered meal programs had lower rates of “low-care” nursing home residents. “Low-care” describes resi-

dents who need assistance, but not the full comprehensive care that inpatient skilled nursing provides.

“Every day we serve seniors who are able to stay in their own homes because of the nutritional assistance we provide,” said Phil Shippers, director of Meals On Wheels in Monroe County.

“They rely on us, and our services enable them to stay right where they are—in their homes filled with memories and familiarity. Although we’ve known the benefits of our services, we’re thrilled about this new research

that further validates these efforts.”

Meals On Wheels cited a 2012 survey completed by Monroe County recipients in which 92 percent of respondents reported that the meals have helped them stay in their present home. Since receiving home delivered meals, 66 percent of respondents reported feeling more independent and 69 percent reported depending on family members and friends less.

In Rochester, Meals On Wheels provides approximately 300,000 meals to 2,000 seniors each year. Dietitians

ensure each meal meets one-third of a senior’s recommended daily nutritional requirements, and these professionals also assess individual needs for each recipient on a regular basis.

Anyone who would like to donate to Meals On Wheels and help a senior stay in his or her home should contact the local Meals On Wheels program at 585-787-8397 or visit www.VNSnet. com/meals-on-wheels.

More information about the study is available at news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2012/12/meals.

Biennial Mammograms Best After 50, Even For Women with Dense Breasts

S

creening for breast cancer every two years appears just as beneficial as yearly mammograms for women aged 50 to 74, with significantly fewer “false positives” — even for women whose breasts are dense or who use hormone therapy for menopause.

That is the finding of a new national study involving more than 900,000 women. The same team of researchers from UC San Francisco and Seattlebased Group Health Research Institute recently reported similar results for older women ages 66 to 89 years old.

By contrast, women in their 40s with extremely dense breasts who undergo biennial mammography are more likely to have advanced-stage Page 16

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and large tumors than women who undergo annual mammography — but annual mammograms also resulted in more false positives, according to the new study from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC), the largest available screening mammography dataset in the United States. Having dense breasts means it is difficult for Xrays to pass through the breast tissue.

“Increasing age and high breast density are among the strongest risk factors for the disease,” said senior author Karla Kerlikowske, a professor of medicine at UCSF and a physician at the UCSF-affiliated San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Kerlikowske and other BCSC researchers reported in 2012 that risk

factors may inform individual decisions that women make with their doctors about when to start breast cancer screening and how often to repeat it.

For instance, a family history of breast cancer raises the likelihood of developing the disease but it does not increase the chances of advanced-stage tumors or large tumors.

“These individual decisions involve evaluating the balance between the benefits of screening — detecting cancer early — and the potential harms, such as false positives among healthy women,” Kerlikowske said.

“Some people who are at higher risk of disease may be more willing than those at lower risk to accept such potential harms of screening.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

False positives mean that women without cancer are called back for more testing, including biopsies, ultrasounds and more mammograms.

“For women 50 to 74 years old with dense breasts who are cancer-free, we estimated that more than half will be recalled for additional mammography at least once over the course of 10 years of annual screening,” said study co-author Rebecca A. Hubbard, an assistant investigator at Group Health Research Institute who is also at the University of Washington School of Public Health.

“Screening every other year decreases this risk by about a third. The risk of false-positive results is even higher for women who begin annual screening at age 40.”

Golden Years

Relief For Arthritis in Swimming Classes at Penfield Fitness and Racquet Club

By Jeanne Gehret

N

o matter what my mood when I begin leading my pool class for seniors, I always finish in a better frame of mind. For starters, it’s hard not to love an 89-degree salt-pure pool, especially in Rochester. Plus a workout gives me all those mood-enhancing endorphins. But most of all, the people who attend this fitness class consistently inspire, charm, teach and entertain me.

Each Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m., between 20 and 30 seniors gather at the Penfield Fitness and Racquet Club (PFRC) pool for the “Arthritis Plus” class. Started by instructors from the Arthritis Foundation, the class expanded from that initial format to serve those whose mobility is compromised by other health conditions or surgeries, and those who have never exercised before. Marsha Young and I alternate leading the class. She brings a wealth of variety and experience from 29 years as the group exercise and SilverSneakers director at PFRC, and I offer a more therapeutic perspective from my work as a licensed massage therapist. The participants’ average age is in the high 70s.

The occasional younger person who attends is surprised by how much this class differs from other water workouts. For one thing, it doesn’t focus on increasing the heart rate. That suits Paul Brown just fine because congestive heart failure originally brought him to this type of workout. “Even though I can’t do everything the instructor does, I get my exercise anyway because I do what I can. At 82, I know enough not to overdo things.”

Unlike water aerobics classes, which feature dozens of repetitions of jogging or jumping, this class focuses on a much wider variety of gentler movements that keep joints limber.

Sometimes it includes specific move-

Each Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m., between 20 and 30 seniors gather at the Penfield Fitness and Racquet Club pool for the “Arthritis Plus” class. The program is coordinated by Jeanne Gehret (second from left, wearing glasses) and Marsha Young. ments to increase balance, inspired by the work of Penfield author Betty Perkins Carpenter. Another difference is the way that Marsha Young and I accommodate participants whose hearing and eyesight have been compromised.

Both of us avoid playing recorded music, project our voices to describe each movement clearly, and demonstrate everything.

Carolyn Daniels, who has attended the class since it started in 1997, has

many painful joints and has undergone a knee replacement. Daniels is so dedicated to this kind of exercise that when attendance dropped she recruited friends so that the club would continue offering the class.

The Arthritis Foundation deems warm water a safe, ideal environment to relieve stiff and painful joints.

By raising the body’s temperature, it causes blood vessels to dilate and increases blood flow. “The water

May 2013 •

supports joints and lessens stress on them to encourage free movement,” says Young. “In addition, it provides mild resistance to help build muscle strength.”

Participants find that in the water they can walk much farther with improved coordination and less pain.

They can raise their legs higher, stand comfortably on one foot, and continue for longer periods than on land.

Winnie Delehanty and her husband John have attended since 1997 after John’s doctor recommended the pool class for post-surgical therapy. Winnie, who barely reaches John’s shoulder, likes the fact that the pool ranges from 3 ¼ to 4 ½ feet deep. “It’s great for me because I’m short. Other pools don’t have enough room in the shallow end.”

Jim Boyle, 90, has a similar devotion to fitness, doing pool classes twice a week and Nautilus machines twice.

“I’ve been swimming all my life,” says Boyle, “so this is perfect for me.

Besides, I like the people.”

Like many other participants, Barb Kristan is motivated on difficult days to attend because of the social interaction. A longtime member, she’s often the first to greet newcomers and keeps a list of participants’ phone numbers.

Sometimes called the “mayor” of the class, she has organized picnics for the group and on occasions has even taught the class herself. This may not seem remarkable until you realize that on land Kristan spends most of her time in a wheelchair. This spring she had her 50th operation for arthritis, but in the water she strides down the pool like everyone else, smiling.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Golden Years Seniors: Eye Exams Very Important

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you’re a frugal retiree on a tight budget, it may seem tempting to skip receiving an annual eye exam, especially if your glasses seem to work fine; however, you may be endangering your health.

Lisa Castronova, optician with Reed Eye Associates, recommends annual exams for healthy seniors and quarterly for those with eye issues such as glaucoma.

“Without proper eye care, seniors could suffer from undiagnosed Davis diseases and serious conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or lid disease such as cancer,” Castronova said.

Though some of these conditions may not manifest with any symptoms you would notice, it’s important to seek professional care if you notice anomalies such as blurred or cloudy vision, changes in how colors look (such as a brown or yellow tinge),

glare, reflections or decreased night vision.

“These can be possible symptoms of cataracts,” Castronova said.

Cataract surgery has become a routine procedure for the lens problem.

If you notice that your central vision is unclear, yet your peripheral vision seems fine, dry macular degeneration could be the culprit, and you should seek professional care.

Some patients report that activities such as reading or even recognizing others during conversation become difficult because macular degeneration blurs what is directly in front of them.

Though dry macular degeneration damage is irreversible, the disease progresses slowly and dietary changes and supplementation may be recommended by a healthcare professional to support eye health.

“Tunnel vision or loss of peripheral vision can be a late stage sign of glaucoma,” Castronova said.

Though one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, glaucoma doesn’t have to rob sight. It can be treated. Unfortunately, most people

do not realize they have any problems until it is well advanced.

“It’s only through testing that it can be determined that tine intraocular pressure, that is, pressure within the eye, if it’s elevated,” said Scott Davies, optician with Whelpley & Paul in Webster. “If it is, it can be controlled through medication or procedures if necessary.”

Any damage caused by glaucoma causes irreversible damage.

“Glaucoma typically strikes older people, and particular, if you relate overall health issues, it’s more important to get screening for glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration,” Davies said. “That can result in blindness or significant loss of vision as well.”

What To Expect at an Eye Exam

I

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f it’s been a while since you’ve had an eye exam, you may be surprised at what has changed relating to technology, medical science and how you’re tested compared with when you were younger. Bausch + Lomb offers the following information on senior eye exams: Typically, your eye doctor will review your personal and family health history for eye hereditary problems of eye disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or poor vision.

Then your doctor will conduct tests to check for: • Vision — The doctor can check for nearsightedness (myopia),

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In Good Health

farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia. While you look at an eye chart, the doctor will measure your vision precisely, and, if necessary, determine a prescription for corrective lenses.

• Coordination of eye muscles — The doctor will move a light in a set pattern to test your ability to see sharply and clearly at near and far distances, and to use both eyes together.

• Side (peripheral) vision — The doctor will move an object at the edge of your field of vision to make sure you can see it.

• Pupil response to light — The doctor will shine a light in your eye and watch the pupil’s reaction.

• Color testing — The doctor will ask you to describe figures in a series of illustrations made up of numerous colored dots or circles. This tests your ability to differentiate colors.

• Eyelid health and function — The doctor will examine your eyelid, inside and out.

• The interior and back of the eye — After dilating your eyes (by both using a few eye drops and dimming the lights so the pupils will widen), the doctor will use a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see through to the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. This is where clues to many eye diseases first show up.

• Measurement of fluid pressure — The doctor will release a puff of air onto your eye using an instrument called a tonometer. This tests the pressure inside the eye, an early indicator of glaucoma and other diseases.

Dementia Care Costs Among Highest of All Diseases; Comparable to Cancer, Heart Disease

T

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P.O. Box 525, Victor, NY 14564 Page 18

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$15 payment enclosed

he costs of caring for people with dementia in the U.S. are comparable to — if not greater than — those for heart disease and cancer, according to new estimates by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System and nonprofit RAND Corporation.

Annual healthcare costs tied to dementia, including both formal and unpaid care, reach $159-$215 billion — rivaling the most costly major diseases, according to the findings that appear in April in The New England Journal of Medicine.

“Our findings show why dementia is sometimes described as a ‘slow-motion disaster’ for patients and families,” says co-author Kenneth Langa, professor of internal medicine at U-M Medical School.

“The majority of the costs associ-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

ated with dementia — about 80 percent in our study—are due to the long-term daily care and supervision provided by families and nursing homes, often for many years. Ignoring these long-term care costs that build up steadily dayafter-day leads to a huge under-counting of the true burden that dementia imposes on our society.”

Dementia is a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior – the most common form is Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers found that the direct costs of dementia care, which includes formal costs for nursing homes, Medicare, and out-of-pocket expenses, were estimated at $109 billion in 2010. That compares to direct health expenses of $102 billion for heart disease and $77 billion for cancer in the same year.

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By Jim Miller

Looking for Love and Companionship Online Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about online dating for older people?

My daughter has been urging me to give it a try, but at age 62, I’m a little hesitant.

Lonely Senior Dear Lonely, Dating sites have become enormously popular among the older generation in recent years. In fact, boomers and seniors make up about 20 percent of online daters today, and the numbers keep growing. Here’s what you should know.

Meeting Online

If you’re interested in dating again or are just looking for a friend to spend time with, dating websites are an easy way to meet hundreds of new single people without ever having to leave home.

If you’re feeling hesitant, a good way to ease into it is to visit a few dating sites and look around. Most services allow you to check out their members at no cost or obligation. Then, if you like what you see, you can sign up (fees typically range between $15 and $60 per month, however some sites are free) and start emailing members you’re interested in or they can email you. Here are some other tips to help you get started.

Choose a Site

With over 1,000 matchmaking sites on the Internet today, choosing can be a bit overwhelming. Depending on your preferences here are some popular options to look into.

If you don’t want to spend any money, free sites like PlentyofFish.com and OKCupid.com are good places to start, but beware that these sites have a lot of ads.

If you’re interested in other choices, consider mainstream sites like Match.com and eHarmony.com which have huge memberships in all demographics.

Or, if you are looking to find a specific type of person, there are hundreds of niche sites like OurTime.com and SeniorPeopleMeet.com for those 50 and older, Alikewise.com for book lovers, DateMyPet.com for animal lovers, VeggieDate.org for vegetarians, JDate.com for Jewish singles, BlackPeopleMeet. com for African Americans, and ChristianMingle.com whose slogan is “Find God’s Match for You.” Or, check out AARP’s new dating website partner HowAboutWe.com.

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When you join a dating site you’ll need to create a personality profile that reflects who you are including recent photos, hobbies, interests, favorite activities and more. If you need some help, sites like eFlirtExpert.com or VirtualDatingAssistants.com can write one for you for a fee.

Use Caution

When you register with a dating site you remain anonymous. No one gets access to your full name, address, phone number or email until you decide to give it out. So be very prudent who you give your information to, and before meeting, chat on the phone a few times or video chat online, and when you do meet in person for the first time, meet in a public place or bring a friend along. If you want to be extra cautious, you can do a quick background check on your date for a few dollars at sites like valimate.com and mymatchchecker.com.

Don’t be Naive

In an effort to get more responses, many people will exaggerate or flat out lie in their profiles, or post pictures that are 10 years old or 20 pounds lighter.

So don’t believe everything you see or read.

Make an Effort

A lot of times, people — especially women — sit back and let others come to them. Don’t be afraid to make the first move. When you find someone you like, send a short note that says, “I really enjoyed your profile. I think we have some things in common.” Keep it simple.

Don’t Get Discouraged

If you don’t get a response from someone, don’t let it bother you. Just move on. There are many others that will be interested in you and it only takes one person to make Internet dating worthwhile.

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.

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Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

May 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Putting ‘Home’ Back in Nursing Home

The Social Ask Security Office

By Maggie Fiala

O

ne of the most gut-wrenching decisions any family can face is choosing a nursing home for a parent, spouse or loved one.

It is an emotional and difficult task.

The horror stories are well documented and many elderly people stubbornly resist the transition to a nursing home in fear of loneliness, boredom and helplessness—common stereotypes that plague institutional care facilities.

Adding Life To Years New York is a local educational, advocacy, and support group, working to improve nursing home conditions so they become more desirable places to call home.

“ALTY seeks to build upon the work of Eden Alternative, the Pioneer Network, and others who continue to seek culture change that combats the many problems and challenges that often characterize a senior’s daily life in such institutions,” Janet Gelein, chairwoman of ALTY. The nonprofit group that will soon go public is seeking fundamental changes in long-term care and the way elders receive care, focusing first on traditional nursing homes.

“Our intent is to work collaboratively with the public and to focus upon the many challenges that we all have experienced in such settings,” she said.

Poor staffing, residents’ rights, high costs and neglect are some of the serious problems that exist in institutional settings today. Despite the good staff that work in such settings, “we still have been unable to surpass the problems that exist,” she said.

Reclaiming identity

From ALTY’s perspective, institutional care devalues and compromises the quality of care of elders by stripping the residents of their personal identity and will.

The group is a part of a growing national “culture change” movement, working to deinstitutionalize long-term care facilities and promote person-

centered care, a health care model that sees residents as equal partners in their health care.

As difficult as it is to imagine, nursing homes should be an inviting destination for people to go and live a highly fulfilling and meaningful life, rather than just a place to live a little longer, said Ken Traub, an active member of ALTY and a state-certified ombudsman for seven years.

“We need to put ‘home’ back in nursing home,” he said.

“Although many care facilities and providers have begun to embrace the need for an institutional makeover, the lack of urgency among some continues to compromise the quality of elder life,” Gelein said.

“Things just don’t move fast enough for me,” she added.

Stiff dose of stress

Most often, a typical search for a nursing home is made under stress. A large percent of admissions come from hospitals. The hospital is in a hurry to discharge a patient and move them to a nursing home bed, which doesn’t leave the family much time to prospect nursing homes properly.

That’s why ALTY created a comprehensive set of questions to ask care facility administrators during the selection process. They also recommend families use Nursing Home Compare, a database that rates and provides detailed information about every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country. Nursing Home Compare can be found on www. medicare.gov/nhcompare.

Ultimately, change will come when consumers demand better, Gelein said.

ALTY New York meets at noon on the first and third Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at the Pittsford Library, 24 State St., Pittsford.

The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 585-978-ALTY (2589).

Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Can’t Work Due To Disability?

D

isability is something most people don’t like to think about.

But if you’re not able to work because you have a disabling condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, then it’s a subject you may not be able to avoid.

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It may take you months to obtain all your medical records and for us to process an application for disability benefits.

The types of information we need include: • medical records or documentation you have; we can make copies of your records and return your originals; • the names, addresses, and phone numbers for any doctors, hospitals, medical facilities, treatment centers, or providers that may have information related to your disabling condition; • the names, addresses, and phone numbers for recent employers and the dates worked for each employer; and • your federal tax return for the past year.

If you don’t have all of the information handy, that’s no reason to delay.

Q&A

Q: My wife doesn’t have enough work under Social Security to qualify for Social Security or Medicare. But I am fully insured and eligible. Can she qualify on my record?

A: Yes. The question you’ve raised applies to husbands as well as wives.

Even if your spouse has never worked under Social Security, she (or he) can, at full retirement age, receive a benefit equal to one-half of your full retirement amount. Your wife is eligible for reduced spouses benefits as early as age 62, as long as you are already receiving benefits. If your spouse will receive a pension for work not covered

by Social Security such as government employment, the amount of his or her Social Security benefits on your record may be reduced. For more information, take a look at the fact sheet, Government Pension Offset, Publication No. 05-10007 at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10007.pdf. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “Retirement” tab.

Q: My neighbor said he applied for Social Security retirement benefits on the computer. Can you really apply for retirement without traveling to an office?

A: Yes you can! And what’s more, it’s the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits. There’s no need to fight the traffic to visit an office and wait to be served. Our website makes it simple, allowing you to apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. You can get started now at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

Page 20

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

You should still apply for benefits right away. Social Security can assist you in getting the necessary documents, including obtaining your medical records. Just keep in mind that if you do have the information we need, it will probably speed up the time it takes to make a decision.

The fastest and most convenient way to apply for disability is online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. You can save your application as you go, so you can take a break at any time.

If you prefer, you may call our tollfree number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your application over the phone.

If you are approved for disability benefits, that doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to work again. In fact, Social Security has special rules called “work incentives” that allow you to test your ability to work.

Learn more about disability benefits and take advantage of the helpful Disability Starter Kit at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm.

Q: What is the earliest age I can begin receiving retirement benefits?

A: The earliest age you can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits is 62. If you decide to receive benefits before your full retirement age, which for most people is age 66 or 67, you will receive a reduced benefit.

Keep in mind you will not be able to receive Medicare coverage until age 65, even if you decide to retire at an earlier age. For more information, go to www. socialsecurity.gov.

Q: Is there a time limit on how long I can receive Social Security disability benefits?

A: Your disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you cannot work. Social Security will periodically review your case to determine whether you continue to be eligible. If you are still receiving disability benefits when you reach your full retirement age, your disability benefits will automatically be converted to retirement benefits. Learn more about disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Q: Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits?

A: The law states Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been disabled continuously throughout a period of five full calendar months. Social Security disability benefits begin with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not able to receive benefits for any month during the waiting period.

H ealth News Dustin Riccio is Unity’s new ED chairman Physician Dustin Riccio has been appointed chairman of Unity Hospital’s Emergency Center. Riccio joined Unity in May 2008 and has been the associate chairman of the department of emergency medicine since 2010. Since December 2012 he served as interim chairman of the department of emergency medicine. He also serves as president-elect of the Unity medical staff and chairman of the hospital code committee.

Riccio earned his Riccio doctor of medicine degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, where he also completed his residency in emergency medicine.

The Pittsford resident is certified in emergency medicine and surgery. He has a master’s of business administration from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. He is also medical director of the Greece Volunteer Ambulance.

Premier Physical Therapy to expand into Naples Premier Physical Therapy has recently opened a new physical therapy clinic in Naples. This expansion will allow the Canandaigua-based practice to meet the physical therapy needs of patients in Naples and the surrounding area, where there are currently no physical therapy clinics.

“We see this expansion into Naples as complementing the services we offer in Canandaigua. Many patients travel to us from Naples and nearby towns.

By opening a practice there we are hoping to eliminate the need for the long distance travel associated with coming to Canandaigua.” said Mitch Carlson, the owner of Premier Physical Therapy.

The new office at 24 Mill St. is staffed by professional Shelly Lawson and Frank Vaughan.

Lifetime Health names associate medical director Mark Cohen has been named associate medical director of Lifetime Health Medical Group, which provides primary health care for more than 80,000 patients in Rochester and Buffalo.

He is a board-certified internist and pediatrician practicing at the Perinton Health Center. As associate medical director, Cohen will continue to see patients at Perinton.

“Throughout his more than 20 years with Lifetime Health Medical Group, Dr. Cohen has proven himself to be compassionate towards his patients, professional in his diagnosis and treatment, and reliable Cohen as both a leader and a team member,” says Mark F. Perry, chief medical officer for the group.

“Due to his tireless and ongoing work related to our patient centered medical home program and other initiatives, and on behalf of our patients who have benefited from his involvement, our physicians and executive leadership, I am pleased to reflect his efforts with the new title of associate medical director.”

Cohen also serves as the group’s chief of adult medicine in the Rochester region, and chief of healthcare infor-

matics. He led the team responsible for implementing the patient centered medical home initiative, earning all 11 of Lifetime’s practices recognition as level 3 patient-centered medical homes from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the national agency’s highest designation. Cohen continues to provide clinical leadership for Lifetime’s patient centered medical home certification and peer review program.

He has been the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics CME/CPD Award numerous times and also received the American Medical Association’s Physician’s Recognition Award.

Colleen Melvin Schmidt named VP at Excellus Colleen Melvin Schmidt has been named vice president of government programs clinical operations for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit organization that provides health care coverage to 1.9 million members.

In her new role, Schmidt is responsible for the strategic development of all care management programs and quality and risk-based revenue programs related to state and federal programs.

She will work with providers, hospitals and community partners to assure that members receive access to highquality health care.

A nine-year Excellus BlueCross BlueShield employee, Schmidt has served Schmidt as director of clinical services, network and membership management. She earned a master’s degree in business administration from

Binghamton University and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Syracuse Health Science Center.

Schmidt serves on the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York and is a former trustee of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. She is a member of America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Association for Community Affiliated Plans.

Schmidt resides in Baldwinsville with her husband Kent and their three children.

Unity’s ACM Global Central Lab had new VP Timo Jackle has joined ACM Global Central Laboratory as vice president of clinical trials operations.

Jackle will oversee project management, data management, study support, specimen management and logistics activities for all of ACM Global’s U.S.-based clinical trials, as well as developing and implementing its strategy for operations globally.

Jackle joins ACM Global from Bausch & Lomb (B&L), where he served most recently as the executive director of global clinical trials operations, responsible Jackle for overseeing multinational pharmaceutical and medical device clinical trials managed from seven locations around the globe. Prior to that, Jackle was based in Germany, where he served as director of global refractive R&D and site leader for B&L’s refractive surgery subsidiary.

Before moving to Germany, Jackle held progressively higher leadership roles in B&L’s global quality organization,

Hilton Man’s Ride Earns Him More Than Just a Charitable Compliment The National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter has named Jim Andolina of Hilton recipient of the “Professional On the Move” award. He was honored during a the organization’s annual luncheon in March.

“This is the chapter’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to someone who has really gone the extra mile to help make one of our biggest fundraisers a success,” said Stephanie Kunes-Mincer, president and CEO of the Upstate New York Chapter. “Jim is a great example of the passionate volunteers and fundraisers we have in our 50-county chapter area who are working tirelessly to raise funds to find new treatments and a cure for MS.” Andolina is one serious cyclist when it comes to pedaling his way through the MS movement.

For almost two decades, he has participated in Bike MS, the premier cycling series in the nation, a fundraising event for the National MS Society. He got involved soon after one of his closest friends was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 2002, Andolina formed a team that he named The Vintage Raiders. His wife and children joined his team, and then in 2009, the team added both of

Andolina’s grandchildren, who were just 7 and 11 years old. The Vintage Raiders have been among the chapter’s top three Bike MS fundraising teams for several years.

Andolina takes Bike MS very seriously. His family has planned a baby shower, a bridal shower, two weddings, and countless personal activities around this annual ride. Andolina trains each week by cycling many miles.

Three years ago, Andolina had a major heart attack. Before he left the hospital, he assured everyone that he would still be riding in Bike MS the following August, a promise that he kept.

Andolina, is sales manager for Röchling Advent Tool & Mold, a Rochester-based plastics injection molding manufacturing company.

He was one of 10 people/groups honored in five categories: Other honorees were • Volunteers On the Move: Sharon Radak and Kerrie Giesen • Young Person On the Move: Sandra Quinones • Inspirational People On the Move: Andrea Coggeshall and Patty Horr May 2013 •

Jim Andolina at Bike MS with his wife, Jeanne. For almost two decades, he has participated in Bike MS, the premier cycling series in the nation, a fundraising event for the National MS Society.

• Professionals On the Move: Daniel Krist & Todd Schirmer and James Andolina • Groups On the Move: Nazareth College Physical Therapy Department and Dixon Schwabl.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 21

H ealth News ultimately leading B&L’s global quality team with responsibility for design quality, production and distribution quality and global compliance.

Jackle graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and earned a master’s degree in quality and applied statistics from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Jackle lives in Webster.

Jordan Health operating Canandaigua clinic A clinic that for four years has provided care to uninsured and underinsured community members will now be operated by the Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, a nonprofit primary care center headquartered in Rochester and widely recognized as one of the first federally qualified health centers in the country.

Now called Jordan at CCIA (Canandaigua Churches In Action), the clinic originally opened in 2009 at 120 N. Main St. in Canandaigua, in the building that once housed the original Thompson Hospital. Funded in part by a grant from Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield, it was the result of collaboration between Thompson Health, CCIA and Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes. Its staff — Thompson employees — provided short-term, non-urgent health care while patients applied for insurance and found a family physician with the assistance of a resource coordinator.

Thompson Health President/CEO Michael F. Stapleton Jr. says transferring the clinic operation to the Anthony L. Jordan Health Center — effective April 8 — means more comprehensive healthcare services will now be available to patients. As a federally qualified health center, Anthony Jordan is able to provide patients who have Medicaid coverage or no insurance with a sliding fee scale to access the full array of family practice services.

“Anthony Jordan has been providing affordable, high-quality primary health care for more than 40 years,” Stapleton said. “It has been Thompson’s privilege to operate the clinic for the past four years, and it is our honor to be able to entrust it to Anthony Jordan with the knowledge that this exciting transition ensures patients will continue to receive services in a manner that best meets their needs.”

Physician Janice Harbin Joseph, interim CEO of Anthony L. Jordan Health Center, echoed Stapleton and said Jordan at CCIA will be part of the resources Ontario County families need to make total health accessible and affordable.

“Jordan never works alone,” she said. “We join hands with agencies who can offer solutions to problems facing our patients like homelessness, food and clothing needs, and inadequate transportation. Thompson and Canandaigua Churches In Action — and the entire safety net of service providers here – have extended a warm welcome to us and we look forward to being part of this community for years to come.”

Nurses honored at Canandaigua VA The Canandaigua VA Medical Center and VA Rochester Outpatient Clinic celebrated Certified Nurses Day by honoring its board certified nurses and nurse assistants. The following were recognized in April for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in patient care: • Kim Bagley: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, adult nurse practitioner • Dianne Bray: American Nurses Credentialing Center, ambulatory care nurse • Jennifer Brown: American Nurse Credentialing Center, gerontological nurse • Karen Buongornio: Commission for Case Management, case manager • Karen Curtin: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult nurse practitioner • Rose Curtis: National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators, certified diabetes educator • Linda Dietsche: American Nurses Credentialing Center, family nurse practitioner • Cheryl Driscoll: American Nurses Credentialing Center, gerontological nurse practitioner • Linda Ford: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult psychiatry and mental health nurse practitioner Page 22

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• Milagros Garling: American Board of Wound Management, wound care nurse • Judy Green: American Nurses Credentialing Center, ambulatory care nurse • Virginia Hanchett: American Nurses Credentialing Center, family nurse practitioner • Mary Hummel, NYS Department of Health, patient review instrument certification • Stephen Johnson: American Nurses Credentialing Center, ambulatory care nurse • Melissa Kropf: American Nurses Credentialing Center, acute care nurse practitioner • Robin LaRocque: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult psychiatric and mental health practitioner • Catherine Lucas: Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Infection Control and Epidemiology and American Nurses Credentialing Center, gerontological nurse • Stacy Marotta: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, adult nurse practitioner • Katharine McGahey: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, family nurse practitioner • Peggy Miller: American Nurses Cre-

St. Ann’s CEO Betty Mullin-DiProsa 2013 Recipient of LeadingAge New York Lawrence E. Larson Award St. Ann’s President in the dynamic field and CEO Betty Mullinof aging services,” DiProsa has been selected said Patrick Burke, to receive LeadingAge St. Ann’s CommuNew York’s Lawrence E. nity board president.

Larson Memorial Award “Her stewardship of Honor. The Larson and vision for the last Award is LeadingAge, 16 years has placed New York’s highest St. Ann’s as a premier award given. senior housing and This prestigious healthcare provider award is given to in our region. Those someone for their of us who assist Betty distinguished service, know her passion dedication and forefor providing excepsight in aging services. tional healthcare for The individual has to seniors makes her have made outstandextraordinary. I speak ing contributions to the for the entire orgafield and is a recognized nization in thanking leader at both the state Betty for her unwavMullin-DiProsa and national levels. The ering dedication and recipient must have a reputation for being recognized by LeadingAge humanitarian achievement and pro- New York.” fessional vision in the field of senior Mullin-DiProsa will receive the living services and have established Larson Memorial Award of Honor a reputation for humanitarian at the LeadingAge New York Anachievement in the health care field. nual Conference and Exposition to “Betty’s qualifications and be held on Wednesday, May 22 at accomplishments reflect, and the Saratoga Hilton Hotel and Conexemplify, the leadership required ference Center in Saratoga Springs.

dentialing Center, family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist in adult psychiatric and mental health nursing • Dianne Moroz: Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, infection control and epidemiology • Nina Mottern: Commission for Case Manager Certification, certified case manager • Cindy Mullin: National Alliance of Wound Care, wound care nurse • Tonya Murray: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult nurse practitioner • Fred Osborne: American Nurses Credentialing Center, psychiatric nurse practitioner • David Prener: American Nurses Credentialing Center, family nurse practitioner • Barbara Russak: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult psychiatry and mental health nurse practitioner and clinical specialist in adult psychiatric and mental health nursing • Dianne Schmidt-Ciminelli: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult nurse practitioner • Jennifer Shaffer, American Nurses Credentialing Center, gerontological nurse • Deborah Spratt: American Nurses Credentialing Center, nurse executive — advanced and certified

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013

operating room nurse from the Credentialing & Competency Institute • Lucy Stoyles, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, family nurse practitioner • Nancy Swanson: American Nurses Credentialing Center, family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist, public community health nursing • Wayne Thompson: American Nurses Credentialing Center, psychiatric and mental health nurse • Laura Van Buren: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult nurse practitioner and geronotological nurse practitioner • Heather VanEe: American Nurses Credentialing Center, ambulatory care nurse and Institute for John Hopkins Nursing, guided care nurse • Jennie Vegard: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult nurse practitioner • Amy Warner: American Nurses Credentialing Center, adult psychiatry and mental health nurse practitioner • Nurse assistants certified through Prometric: Brittany Archer, Frances Bermudez, Kailey Bucklin, Patricia Bulman, Norman Fox, Mary Goodson, Natalie Johnston, Michelle Knaak, Mayra Morales-Rivera, Jerome Phillips, Patricia Rizzo-Daniels, Charlene Travis, Darlene VanDeWalle.

Board certification of nurses and nurse assistants plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients

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On the Cover ✓ Retirement Planning Resources for Unmarried Women ✓ Don’t Shortchange Your Retirement Standard of Living ✓ Meet Three 55-plus Tennis Pros GENERATIONS

LONGEVITY

ROMANCE

VOLUNTEERISM

• Canandaigua mayor, former judge: Never too old to rock ‘n’ roll

• Online dating: “My own experience”

ZOO LIFE

• Head vet at the Seneca Park Zoo: On the job for more than 30 years

ACTION

• Extreme biking: “My 124-mile bike ride in Quebec”

• Meet 101-year-old Larry Marro of Ontario County

• Many 55-plus women involved in Habitat for Humanity Women Build project

HISTORY

• Rochester-area pair teams up to co-author historical book

LAST PAGE

• Longtime Town of Geneva supervisor talks about public life, education and her feeling upon being named Geneva’s Citizen of the Year

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May 2013 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 23

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • May 2013