Well-to-do and better-educated Americans have far lower rates of heart disease than the rest of the population, a new study says.
The top 20% of high-income, college-educated Americans have less heart disease risk than others, and this gap has widened over the past two decades, researchers say.
“The accumulation of economic and educational advantages appears to drive better health outcomes, rather than any single factor alone,” lead researcher Salma Abdalla, an assistant professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, said in a news release.
“Wealth and education cluster among a small, advantaged group, while the majority of Americans face an increased risk of heart disease,” she added.
Compared to wealthier, college-educated people, low-income folks who didn’t graduate from college have a:
• 6.3 times higher risk of heart failure due to clogged arteries.
• 3.2 times increased risk of a stroke.
• 2.3 times increased risk of a heart attack.
• 2.1 times higher risk of angina.
These disparities persisted even after adjusting for heart health factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI, an estimate of body fat based on height and weight).
High income and advanced education consistently correlated with better heart health.
Even though the U.S. spends more on health care per person than any other high-income country, over-
THE TIME AND PLACE FOR A
all outcomes continue to lag behind, researchers said.
Life expectancy for the richest 1% of Americans is now 10 years higher than for the poorest 1%, researchers said in background notes.
For this study, researchers analyzed 20 years of data gathered from nearly 50,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018.
Researchers cited a number of reasons why more well-to-do people have an advantage when it comes to heart health.
Poorer folks might suffer from more stress due to their economic insecurity, while higher-income or better-educated people might have more access to healthy behaviors and activities throughout their lives, researchers said.
The well-to-do also might be
Welcome Change
better at taking prescribed medicines, have less exposure to environmental toxins and might benefit from stronger support systems, Abdalla said.
Policies to promote broad access to economic opportunity and education are just as important as increased access to health care when it comes to protecting heart health, said senior researcher Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of public health at Washington University.
“The continued widening of health disparities in the U.S. underscores the need for action,” he said in a news release. “If we want to improve public health outcomes, we must address the root causes — economic opportunity, education and access to resources that support longterm health.”
The new study appears in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas.
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More Americans Can’t Afford Health Care, Prescriptions
The inability to pay for health care has reached a new high in the United States, a new study says.
More than one-third of Americans — an estimated 91 million people — say they couldn’t afford to access quality health care if they needed it today, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index.
“The rising trajectory in the inability to pay for healthcare is a disturbing trend that is likely to continue and even accelerate,” said Tim Lash, president of West Health Policy Center, part of a group of nonprofit organizations focused on healthcare and aging.
“Policy action at both the state and federal level is urgently needed, or even more Americans will have to go without treatment or be forced to make painful tradeoffs between paying for medical care or paying for other necessities,” Lash continued in a news release. “The human and economic costs are enormous.”
The Healthcare Affordability Index has been tracking health care access in the U.S. since 2021, researchers said.
Its latest results show that 35% of Americans could not access quality health care if they need it.
Rates were even higher among Black Americans (46%) and Hispanic Americans (52%), results show.
Access to health care remained stable among wealthier Americans, but declined significantly among lower-income households.
About two-thirds (64%) of people earning less than $24,000 said they can’t afford health care, an 11-point increase from 2023, results show.
Likewise, 57% of households with an annual income between $24,000 and $48,000 said they struggle to afford health care, up 12 points
from 2023.
In all, about half (51%) of Americans are considered “cost secure,” in that they have faced no recent difficulty affording either health care or prescriptions, researchers found. It’s the lowest level observed since the index started in 2021.
Hispanic Americans have experienced the greatest declines in such security, with 34% saying they have no problem affording health care –down 17 points from 2021.
Black Americans experienced a 13-point drop in health care security, with 41% now saying they don’t struggle with health care bills.
Overall, about 11% of Americans, about 29 million people, are classified as “cost desperate” — meaning they are unable to afford either health care or prescriptions.
“Healthcare affordability and access continue to erode nationally, and this issue is especially acute among Black, Hispanic, and lower-income adults,” Dan Witters, a senior researcher at Gallup, said in a news release.
Sto Back
“White adults and those in higher-income households, in contrast, remain largely insulated from these worsening trends,” Witters added. “Among these groups, this is the widest gap in access to care we have recorded thus far, with many Ameri cans experiencing increased hardship year over year.”
a s ou d ot ea us o , screw and lengthy recoveries. Regenerative Medicine is changing how back pain is solv
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest moments Stop planning life around pain
Stop missing life’s greatest mome planning life around pain.
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries Regenerative Medicine is changing
The survey was conducted online and by mail between Nov. 18 and Dec. 27, 2024, among 6,296 people 18 and older. Respondents were from all 50 states and the District of Colum bia. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 1.6 percent age points.
More Americans are struggling to pay for needed health care and prescriptions.
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Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Chris Motola
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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.
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries Regenerative Medicine is changing how back pain is solved.
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, and lengthy recoveries. Regenerative ng how back pain is solved
’s greatest moments. Stop around pain mean fusion, screws, e l d
Back Pain should not mean fusion, screws, d l th eries Regenerative ow back pain is solved. ur last stop ur life!
your last stop
e your life! Y O U
By Gwenn Voelckers
Jump-Start Your Independent Life
How and why I became a life coach
It was totally unexpected.
I was in my 30s, married and working in the demanding field of nursing home administration when my life — my world — turned upside down.
I got divorced.
There were no children, but the split was still deeply painful. The dreams I had of building a future and family with my husband had suddenly vanished.
Everywhere I looked, it seemed like everyone else was getting married, having babies and living out the life I had imagined for myself. Meanwhile, I was alone and struggling to find my footing.
My divorce felt like a very public failure. I retreated into myself, hiding in my work, my apartment, and — worst of all — hiding from my own pain. I didn’t allow myself to grieve. I didn’t process the loss.
My world grew small and quiet, and my self-esteem plummeted.
It was my mother who noticed. She saw that I was withdrawing, shrinking from the world. One day, with loving but firm conviction, she said, “Gwenn, stop waiting for Mr. Right to come to the rescue. Go create a wonderful life on your own.”
Her words broke through my lethargy. I was ready.
That was the moment I started saying yes to life again. I rebuilt my social circle, focused on my health and fitness and began doing things that brought me joy. I explored hobbies, traveled and invested in my emotional well-being with the help of a therapist.
Slowly but surely, I reclaimed my
sense of self. And my life.
Fast forward 20 years: As I approached my 50th birthday, I was living life to the fullest. I owned my own home, had a supportive network of friends and family and was flourishing at work — proudly earning my nursing home administrator license. I traveled solo with confidence and immersed myself in rediscovered loves — gardening, music, reading and fitness.
Following my mother’s advice paid off and over time, I created a wonderful, independent life for myself. I felt whole, complete and immensely grateful.
With that gratitude came a strong desire to give back. I wanted to help others who were where I had once been — lost, alone and unsure of how to begin again.
But how could I channel that desire into something meaningful?
That’s when I hired a certified life coach.
I was familiar with therapy, which had helped me in the past, but this was different. While therapy often focuses on healing from past wounds, a life coach helps you clarify your goals, discover your strengths, and create a vision for your future.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented. It was exactly the kind of help I wanted.
Together, my life coach and I began a journey of discovery. Through a series of probing questions, reflection exercises and honest conversa-
24 FREE WORKSHOPS at Lifespan in May.
Monday, May 12
1–2:30 pm Paving the Way for Dying Well
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Thursday, May 15, 9 am–4 pm A Day of Hearing
In partnership with the Rochester chapter of the Hearing Loss Association, a day of workshops, an assistive-listening device exhibit and free hearing screenings.
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Friday, May 30, 10:30 am – noon at Lifespan and via Zoom Navigating Driving and Memory Loss
tions, I began to uncover my path. Early on, we explored a few directions, but none seemed to spark any real excitement.
Then she asked, “What are you good at? What are you proud of?”
Without missing a beat, I said, “I’m really good at living alone.”
Her eyes lit up. “Tell me more.”
As I described how I had built a full, rich, independent life, I could feel something shift. I came alive. My life coach noticed it, too. We realized that my lived experience — the confidence and contentment I had cultivated over the years — could serve as a guidepost for others.
That was the spark we had been looking for.I began my new journey
My own story is proof that it is not only possible to survive after loss — it is possible to thrive.
by writing this monthly column for In Good Health about the realities and joys of living alone. I share stories, tips and encouragement for readers navigating life on their own.
From there, I developed a curriculum for a three-part “Alone and Content” workshop designed to help women in mid-life rediscover themselves after divorce or the death of a spouse.
I hosted the workshops in my home — a deliberate choice. I wanted to show women what a joyful, empowered life alone could look like. The response was powerful. Women opened up. They connected. They began to see new possibilities for their own lives.
Then COVID-19 hit and, like so many others, I had to change direction. I took that time to reflect and reimagine. I knew I wanted to continue doing this good work, to keep helping women navigate the challenges of building a life on their own . . . but what?
The Path Forward Became Clear
So, I did something big: I became a certified life coach myself.
At 70, becoming a life coach felt like coming full circle. I have walked the path, learned the lessons and now I am ready and officially certified to help others chart their own course.
My focus will be on supporting divorced or widowed women who are seeking to rebuild their lives on their own terms.
As a certified life coach, I help women identify their personal goals and take meaningful steps forward through a four-week jump-start coaching program.
Together, we’ll identify what matters most to you and set clear, achievable goals in one or more of these areas:
• Reconnecting with your inner strength and identity
• Making changes that reflect your desires — not others’ expectations
• Cultivating joy and fulfillment in everyday life
• Pursuing long-postponed dreams or interests
• Learning how to feel at home in your own company
• Creating meaningful connections and a sense of community
My own story is proof that it is not only possible to survive after loss — it is possible to thrive. I’ve known loneliness and uncertainty, and I’ve also come to know what it feels like to come out the other side — stronger, wiser, and whole.
There is a way forward, and you have the power to create a life that feels authentic, fulfilling, and uniquely your own.
Working with a life coach changed my life. Now, it’s my turn to help others change theirs.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If my story speaks to you and you’re curious about how life coaching might help you create your next chapter, I’d love to hear from you. Just send me an email introducing yourself, and we’ll take it from there.
I’ll follow up with a brief telephone conversation to ensure we’re a good fit and to help clarify your goals.
On your mark, get set, JUMP!
Gwenn Voelckers is a certified life coach, columnist and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. She welcomes your comments, questions, and inquiries at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com
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Seasonal Allergies Likely to Grow Worse Under Climate Change
Experts: Allergy seasons are expected to get longer and grow more intense as climate change progresses
Spring is officially here, and with it comes watery eyes, stuffy noses and constant sneezing for people with seasonal allergies.
And climate change means things are only going to get worse for allergy sufferers, a new evidence review suggests.
Allergy seasons are expected to get longer and grow more intense as climate change progresses, researchers say.
Total pollen emissions are projected to increase as much as 40% by the end of the century, as pollen concentrations increase under climate change, researchers reported April 9 in the journal The Laryngoscope.
In addition, the pollen season could be as much as 19 days longer, researchers project.
While seasonal allergies might seem little more than a bother, they actually pose a serious drain on health care resources that will only grow as climate change progresses, researchers said.
“While it may not be well understood by health professionals, the financial strain of this increasingly prevalent disease cannot be understated,” the research team led by Alisha Pershad, a third-year medical student at the George Washington University School of Medicine, said of seasonal allergies in a
news release.
“The burden is approximately $3.4 billion, most of which is attributable to prescription medication costs and outpatient visits,” the team wrote.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from 30 previous studies, of which 16 reported longer pollen seasons or higher pollen concentrations related to climate change.
The studies also found that:
• Ragweed pollen tends to grow faster, flower earlier, and produce more pollen in urban areas affected by higher temperatures greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
• Cases of seasonal allergies have
been increasing with pollen counts.
• Heavier pollen loads are producing more severe allergy symptoms.
• Doctors have noted changes in the pollen season and how they’ve increased cases of seasonal allergies.
“Physicians are uniquely positioned to witness the impact of allergic rhinitis on patient outcomes and can adapt their practice as climate change intensifies,” Pershad said.
“As trusted voices in the community, they should leverage their frontline experience to advocate for meaningful change in addressing the climate crisis,” she added.
Food Allergy, Intolerance or Sensitivity?
How can you know the difference and why it matters?
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities can perplex those not affected by them.
Some people may even try to “slip in a little” of the offending food in a dish thinking that the person with a special diet is being overly picky for avoiding it.
Beyond being disrespectful of others’ wishes, this is a dangerous line of thought. Bodily responses to restricted foods can range from skin issues to GI upset to anaphylaxis and death. To better understand why food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities are so important, it’s vital to recognize the differences and similarities among them.
“Food allergy is mediated by the immune system,” said Shahzad Mustafa, allergist and immunologist with Rochester Regional Health. “It can put you at risk for anaphylaxis.”
Immune responses can also include hives, swelling of the tongue, mouth or face, low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, hives, faintness, coughing, wheezing and hoarseness. The body responds this way because the immune system perceives the offending food as a threat, even though most people don’t have this response.
Common food allergens include peanut, shellfish, wheat, tree nut, eggs, dairy, sesame seed, peach, banana, avocado, kiwi fruit, passion fruit, celery, strawberry, garlic, mustard seed, aniseed and chamomile.
According to Food Allergy Research and Education, about 33 million people in the US have a food allergy. Some of these will be outgrown; others are lifelong.
For those that have a food allergy that’s not outgrown, the patients who experience anaphylaxis must continue to completely avoid the food and using medication such as epinephrine, antihistamines and corticosteroids can help in case of accidental exposure. Those who have a non-life-threatening response such as digestive issues should also avoid the reactive food and can manage responses with different medication and strategies in case of exposure.
Some food allergies can be minimized with medication. It may not mean the patient is free to eat the allergenic food, but the medication can offer protection in case of accidental ingestion.
Healthcare providers can use medical tests to confirm allergies. It’s not as cut-and-dried with intolerances.
“It’s more trial and error,” Mustafa said. “We don’t have testing. Reactions are reproducible. Intolerances can be inconsistence as it’s more dose dependent.”
Using an elimination diet and food journaling can help patients detect when symptoms appear. Patients can also learn their limits and triggers. For example, someone with lactose intolerance may not be able
Medication Approved for Reducing Food Allergy
Xolair may help patients from accidental exposure
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Food allergies can cause serious, life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis upon exposure. The FDA recently approved Xolair (omalizumab) for people age older than 1for reducing food allergy reactions. Anaphylaxis is when the patient’s immune system releases chemicals to cause the body to go into shock. The blood pressure plummets. The person struggles to breathe and presents with a fast but weak pulse, flushed skin and possibly nausea and vomiting. Administering epinephrine is lifesaving and the patient should go to an emergency room as a follow-up.
Although people who have life-threatening food allergies should avoid exposure to allergenic food, Xolair can help reduce the reaction in case of accidental exposure.
to drink a milk shake but can have a small amount of cheese.
“An intolerance isn’t always mediated by the immune system and there’s no risk of anaphylaxis,” Mustafa said. “It’s not enjoyable but not life-threatening.”
As with food allergies, people with food intolerances should also avoid the offending foods. For lactose intolerance, patients can take overthe-counter enzyme supplements such as Lactaid with their first bite of dairy to aid in its digestion.
Wheat allergy triggers a systemic response to exposure. However, celiac disease, triggered by eating wheat and some other grains, is an autoimmune disease that over time causes damage to the small intestine and can impact things like nutrient absorption. Patients may have bloating, flatulence, constipation, headaches,
depression, fatigue, gastrointestinal pain and joint pain. Healthcare providers can test for celiac disease.
People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity may test negative for celiac but by the process of elimination find that they feel better when they avoid or at least minimize gluten in their diet. NCGS isn’t an immune disorder.
Whether a person experiences a food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity, the hardest foods to eat safely are those with complex ingredient lists. Some ingredients go by different names than many consumers are accustomed to. Potluck dinners can feel like minefields. Most people find it’s easiest to bring their own dishes so they know that it has been prepared without cross contamination from foods that harm them.
Xolair is not a new medication.
“It’s been around since 2003,” said Shahzad Mustafa, allergist and immunologist with Rochester Regional Health. “The FDA approved it for asthma in children and adults but this is a new application for food allergy.”
Patients receive an injection every two to four weeks. They can receive the injection at a doctor’s office or administer it themselves at home. Mustafa explained that it works by blocking the immunoglobulin E (IgE). The immune system produces this antibody, a protein, as a response to a possible attacker but mistakes harmless foods as invaders.
Mustafa explained that Xolair works by increasing the amount of allergen required to trigger a reaction such as anaphylaxis.
“You still avoid your food aller gen but the likeli hood of a reaction is less,” he said. The side effects are minimal and “largely match pla cebos,” Mus tafa said. “It’s incredibly well-tol erated.”
Xolair has no contrain dications and has shown 0.1% risk of side effects in children, including mild injection site pain and fever. None of the reactions were severe enough to warrant discontinuation of the medication. Reaction data among adults is limited.
to discuss this
“Any individual who has a food allergy that meaningfully impacts their quality of life should discuss Xolair with their care provider,” Mustafa said. “I’d encourage anyone
“In food allergies, there have been a lot of recent advances. Oral immunotherapy for young children, for example.” This involves gradually increasing exposure to reduce reaction extremes and potentially introducing the food to their diet. Oral immunotherapy could possibly mean that eventually, the allergy could be minimized in its effect or even eliminated. But this type of therapy should only be undertaken with a healthcare provider’s approval and guidance.
“These are important discussions to have with a healthcare provider,” Mustafa said. “They should discuss therapeutic options.”
MAKING A DIFERENCE
National Nurses Week
Every year, from May 6-12, nurses are recognized for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide. Throughout the National Nurses Week, healthcare organizations celebrate their teams
and people across the nation thank the nurses who have made a difference in their lives. In Good Health—Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper profiles two local nurses who are tes tament of the work nurses do every day in the field.
NESBITT
Lifelong F.F. Thompson Hospital nurse has learned to make balance in his life to avoid burnout KEN
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
When not in his role as nurse leader on the post-anesthesia care unit at F.F. Thompson Hospital, Ken Nesbitt engages in a hobby probably unlike any of his colleagues: rabbitry.
In addition to showing and judging French lop rabbits, he has also been breeding them to develop a new approved color, “otter,” a goal he hopes to achieve this year.
“When you work in an emo-
tionally taxing career like nursing, it helps to have a hobby like this that recharges you,” Nesbitt said.
Nesbitt is also outstanding among his healthcare peers in that F.F. Thompson recognized him with a Shining Star Award in 2020, which only 2% of employees receive.
Nursing had been a long-time career interest for Nesbitt.
The youngest of seven, he admired the work ethic of his sister
who became a registered nurse while Nesbitt was still a child. As a junior and senior in high school, he attended nurse aid training classes hosted by Flint BOCES and also worked at Thompson as a dishwasher as a high school student.
Once he graduated, he transferred to the continuing care center as a nurse aid. He completed the registered nurse program at Finger Lakes Community College in 1992 and returned to college in 2004 to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Keuka College.
“Thompson is exactly where I wanted to be as a nurse,” Nesbitt said. “It’s been a great place.”
Now 55, he has spent his entire career at Thomson, working in the recovery room since 2009.
“I enjoy the caregiving and primarily taking care of my community,” Nesbitt said. “It gives me great comfort to take care of previous teachers and classmates and parents of people I knew growing up and friends. I truly enjoy community nursing. I like the surgical area. For the most part, it’s great outcomes. People get things surgically repaired and they go home feeling better for it.”
He also likes the size of Thompson in that the organization is small enough that administrative leaders know hands-on staff by name.
Nesbitt also likes that the hospital is small enough that patients receive what he believes is a more personal type of care, but “we have some of the larger institutions nearby when we need that type of service,” he added. “We’re under the university umbrella which has opened resources for our community.”
He admonishes anyone interested in nursing to make sure that they view the career as a calling, not only as a means to earn a living.
“People in the ‘50s and ‘60s had a career because they punched a clock. But in nursing it has to be a passion,” he said. “They’re caregivers by nature. You have to have that level of excitement about the career and commitment to it.”
Still, he has observed a shift in
new hires’ outlook which demonstrates a positive change within the industry.
“All the new folks I’m hiring are about work/life balance,” Nesbit said. “That’s new for me. I love that for them. It’s great they can still find the time to be a bedside nurse and learn but they can unplug ad spend time with family. I find it hard. When I’m away for a week, I truly do unplug. I don’t check emails and have a back-up plan at work. They’ve helped me see the benefit.”
He likes the many opportunities that nursing offers, from its many venues to the hands-on or behindthe-scenes approaches. Nurses can work in education as well. Nurses also have much to learn themselves as medical science advances.
“It’s always changing,” Nesbitt said. “If you’re bored as a nurse, you’re not doing something right. You have to find your niche and where you belong.”
Nesbitt enjoys working at Thompson so much that he even got married at chapel at Thompson Health.
“It was full circle,” he said. “We met there and were together 30 years and decided to be married there.”
Heart + Stroke What Is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a general term that refers to many different types of heart problems.
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In fact, one American dies from heart disease every 33 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These are common types of heart disease and risk factors you need to keep in mind.
Arrhythmia (Irregular heartbeat)
Arrythmias are heart rhythms in which heartbeats are faster than normal (tachycardia), slower than normal (bradycardia) or skipped.
Doctors liken arrythmia to a mechanical malfunction: While it's usually not serious, it may sometimes be a sign of bigger issues.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a common heart disease in which a fatty substance known as plaque builds up in your arteries.
Also known as hardening of the arteries, the condition develops as cholesterol, fat, blood cells and other contents accumulate in artery walls. This causes the arteries to narrow, reducing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to tissues and organs in the body.
Atherosclerosis can lead to blood clots, chest pain, chronic kidney disease, as well as heart attack, aneurysm or stroke.
Heart attack
A heart attack is a life-threaten-
ing health emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. Also known as a myocardial infarction, a heart attack occurs when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of the heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked.
There is an urgent need to restore blood flow to the heart quickly. Otherwise, the heart may be deprived of oxygen, and the organ will begin to die.
Heart attacks are very common. As many as 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack each year, according to the CDC.
That's why it's important to recognize the symptoms and react quickly. Major symptoms include chest pain, feeling weak or faint, pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, one or both arms or shoulders and shortness of breath. Women may also have other symptoms, including tiredness that won't go away, nausea and vomiting.
Heart failure
Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is a common heart problem in the U.S. Roughly 5.7 million Americans live with the disease, and 670,000 more cases are diagnosed each year, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart muscle is too stiff, weak or damaged to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
It may come on suddenly or develop over time and can lead to other health problems, including liver or kidney damage and cardiac arrest.
Stroke
A stroke is a permanent injury to the brain caused by the blockage or bursting of a blood vessel.
Those caused by a blockage are called ischemic strokes, and those caused when a blood vessel bursts are known as hemorrhagic strokes. Because they are treated differently, emergency doctors must work quickly to determine which type is happening when a patient has stroke symptoms.
Understanding the warning signs and acting fast are essential. Remember the acronym, FAST, which stands for face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, time to call 911.
For those who survive a stroke, most improve afterward, even though the injury it caused is permanent.
Coronary heart disease
This is the most common type of heart disease in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Also known as coronary artery disease, this condition occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is limited because of plaque buildup caused by waxy cholesterol in the coronary artery walls.
For many people, its first sign is a heart attack. Other warning signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and fatigue.
Causes
Causes for these heart-related diseases vary, but they are often linked to genetics, lifestyle and other illnesses.
Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and using alcohol only in moderation or not at all are keys to preventing heart disease.
Risk factors
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood that heart disease may develop. Besides a family or personal history of heart disease, these include:
• Cholesterol or blood lipid problems
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking, vaping or tobacco use
By wire services
NAME
Fighting Parkinson’s with a Paddle
By Mike Costanza
Keith Boas hopes to slow the progress of his Parkinson’s disease by playing ping pong.
“If you’re active in sports, any kind of exercise, you’re less apt to get worse with the disease as time goes by,” the 84-year-old Fairport resident said. “You’re going to slow your progression quite a bit.’
Boas was one of eight people who headed to the Perinton Community Center on April 17 for a class in the use of ping pong (also known as table tennis) to reduce the effects of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Ping Pong Parkinson of Rochester, Inc. is a new local nonprofit that helps those who have PD gain the benefits of playing the sport. Five out of its eight co-founders have the disease. April was Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder that affects the nerve cells, or neurons, in the part of the brain that is responsible for physical coordination and the fluidity of movement. The cells produce dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between areas of the brain that make smooth, balanced muscle movement possible. PD causes the neurons to die earlier than normal, leading to a reduction in the amount of dopamine. As a result, those suffering from the illness experience progressively more difficulties controlling their movements.
PD’s common symptoms include tremors or shaking of the hands, legs or other parts of the body, rigidity or stiffness in the limbs, muscle aches, slower than normal movements and balance and coordination problems. Other symptoms include depression, anxiety and a lack of interest in activities.
Research has found that physical exercise may help preserve the neurons that produce dopamine, and cause the brain to release more of the neurotransmitter. The first condition can decrease the risk of developing PD, and the second can reduce its symptoms if it does appear. Advocates for the use of ping pong to combat PD and its effects say the sport can provide the exercise needed.
Dan Rothschild, president and co-founder of Ping Pong Parkinson of Rochester, was living in Massachusetts back in 2020 when he mentioned to his doctor that he was
having a little bit of trouble walking. The physician asked him to demonstrate the problem.
“I walked down the hall,” the 68-year-old said. “He said ‘You’re going to see a neurologist.’”
The neurologist diagnosed him with PD.
After moving to Fairport in 2023, Rothschild discovered PingPongParkinson, a global sports organization that is dedicated to encouraging those with PD to play ping pong in order to reduce the disease’s effects. Nenad Bach, a celebrated Croation-American singer, songwriter and producer, founded the organization after discovering that engaging in the sport helped relieve the symptoms of his PD. Rothschild spoke to him about his experiences.
“He played the game, and it helped him so much,” the retired real estate attorney said.
That conversation led Rothschild to become more involved with the local Parkinson’s community. He had been playing ping pong since he was a child, and decided to start a local chapter of PingPongParkinson.
“I just love playing ping pong, so it’s just, like, a natural corollary to what I enjoy doing,” said Rothschild, who, in addition to being the president of the organization, is also one of its instructors.
At that time, Rothschild was taking classes at a local affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing, which offers non-contact, boxing-based instruction that is designed to help individuals who have PD improve their quality of life.
Kathy Lewandowski was one of his classmates.
Lewandowski had felt the symp-
toms of PD developing for a number of years before she realized she had the disease.
“I developed a tremor in my leg, and I thought ‘Oh, it’s just nerves, and it’ll go away,’” the 70-year-old retired clinical psychologist said. “Not only did it not go away, but it got worse and worse.”
Lewandowski was diagnosed with PD in 2017. She subsequently learned of the work of PingPongParkinson, and the potential benefits of exercise for those who have the disease.
“The only thing that’s really been shown to slow down the progression and reduce the symptoms is exercise,” the Fairport resident said.
In 2023 Lewandowski decided to look for a local chapter of PingPongParkinson and learned that Rothschild was starting one. She joined with him to co-found Ping Pong Parkinson of Rochester, and is now the nonprofit’s vice president and one of its instructors.
After running the same route day after day, Chuck Vandenberg discovered he couldn’t make it up a hill. It was an early sign of PD.
“Fatigue was the main sign, and then just lack of dexterity in the left hand, and lack of consciousness of that left hand,” the 57-year-old Victor resident said.
The avid athlete continued running and working out, but his fatigue and other symptoms grew. In 2018, he learned he had PD. Vandenberg’s doctor suggested that he try to slow the disease’s progress by continuing to exercise, and he joined Rock Steady Boxing, where he sometimes assists the coaches. When Rothschild
approached him about starting a local chapter of PingPongParkinson, he eagerly responded.
“I was enthusiastic about saying ‘Yes’ to him,” the retired teacher said.
Though Vandenberg hadn’t played ping pong for a while he took it up again, and became a co-founder of Ping Pong Parkinson of Rochester and its treasurer.
At the Perinton Community Center, Vandenberg, Lewandowski and Rothschild joined some of their nonprofit’s other co-founders and members of its organizing committee to teach their students ping-pong.
The two-hour class included an entertaining performance by a local juggler, stretching exercises, instruction in the sport’s rules, demonstrations of ping pong strokes, and a lengthy session at the tables.
“Open play is the largest segment, typically, in the course of a class,” Rothschild said.
The class had a kind of festive feel as enthusiastic players sent ping pong balls sailing through the air, and even ended with a sing-along. Terri DeSario seemed to enjoy herself, but said she’d decided to take up a ping pong paddle for a reason. The Perinton resident was diagnosed with PD in 2017.
“It’s going to keep me alive longer,” said the 76-year-old. “I can visit. I can enjoy my family.”
Ping Pong Parkinson of Rochester holds its classes on Thursday and Sunday afternoons at the Perinton Community Center, and there is a charge for them. For more information on the classes, go to webtrac. perinton.org and throw “ping pong” into the search engine, or call the Town of Perinton at 585-223-5050. You can sign up for classes at webtrac.perinton.org or in person at the Perinton Community Center.
for more information on PingPongParkinson, go to www.pingpongparkinson.org.
10 Tips for Senior Feet
Foot care matters more as you age
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
If your feet hurt, not much else matters.
As you grow older, foot pain tends to worsen. Fortunately, you can reduce foot pain. Andrea May, nail technician with advanced education in diabetic and geriatric foot care, owns Andrea’s Foot Care in Rochester, offered a few tips to take better care of your feet.
1. “Examine your feet every day. If you need a mirror, use one. It gives a good advantage. Get a phone and take a picture of the bottom of the feet. As we age, we don’t feel the bottom of our feet as we used to, whether there’s neuropathy or not. Melanoma, slivers or blister: there can be spots you don’t notice. A lot of signs like cancer will show up on the bottom of the foot. Look for discoloration that’s darker. It might be flat
against the skin and you won’t feel a bump.
2. “Wear comfortable shoes. We lose the fat pads that cushion our feet. There are 200,000-plus nerve endings.
3. “Pay attention to injuries. Aging slows the healing processes. There can be circulatory issues. That makes a difference.
4. “Clean and dry your feet. While you’re doing that, you can examine them. One of the most important reasons for cleaning and drying them is our bodies shed dead skin cells constantly. The dead skin will pile up unless we exfoliate it. We’re aware of this on our faces. When we get out of the shower, we towel dry but we often ignore our feet and let them air dry.
5. “Layers of dead skin cells start to accumulate. I’ve seen many people with layers of dry patchy skin that almost act as a scab. People think they have dry skin and apply more moisturizers. The dead skin cells as they layer trap moisturizer in there and it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. It can be between the toes and on top or ankles. People think it’s dry skin and apply more moisturizer but it’s not. It’s dead skin. Cleaning regularly will prevent scaly build-up of dead skin.
6. “Keep it dry between the toes as it’s an area for foot fungus. I will often find clients that have such impacted skin between their toes that’s discolored and dead. I can smell it before I see it. It’s really heartbreaking to find
it on people. I find it day after day.
7. “Proper nail care is important. As we age, sometimes the nails get very thick for a variety of reasons. If the nails are very thick, they’ll pinch in the shoes as there’s pressure from the top. If they’re very long, you have the nail length bumping against the toe box. It can cause falls because you’re walking in pain. I’m not covered under insurance but your podiatrist is. They spend less time but I do detailed work. I tell clients, see your podiatrist and see me every other visit.
8. “Wear proper fitting footwear. One thing I tell people is next time you buy shoes, try them that are half a size to a size larger and see if your feet are happy. We usually buy ones that are smaller and they’re tight in the toe box.
9. “Seniors are often inside the house a lot at home so we’re wearing slippers. Regular slippers are floppy covers for the feet and don’t provide the support we need. Get an extra pair of your favorite shoes to wear inside only so you have good arch support and protection at home.
10. “If you feel comfortable barefoot or wearing socks with treads, it’s OK. There’s a lot of good stuff about going barefoot. However, as we’re aging, we need more protection. Possible neuropathy, you can easily step on something and not realize you’ve cut the bottom of your foot.”
WHERE
CONTINUE TO GROW. NOT AGE.
Whether you want to learn a new hobby or learn how to relax, there’s no one way to retire. But there is one place to do it best. Welcome to The Village at Unity, where it’s all about living each day with purpose while contributing to your community in new and exciting ways and, most importantly, on your own terms.
Call 585-684-8082 today for more information and to schedule your visit.
Proper nail care is important, says foot specialist Andrea May. “As we age, sometimes the nails get very thick for a variety of reasons.”
By Jim Miller
Where Solo Agers Can Find Help
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m a divorced 68-year-old childless cat lady and have been thinking a lot lately about who will look after me when I get older and my health falters. What resources are available to solo seniors like me, and where can I turn to find a reliable person to be my emergency contact, as well as lookout for my health, financial matters and living arrangements in my elder years?
Solo Ager
Dear Solo,
This is a very common concern for the 22 million solo agers across the United States who don’t have adult children or other family they can depend on to watch out for their well-being. Here are some tips and resources that can help you plan ahead.
Choosing Helpers & Decision Makers
While older adults who have children or are married usually name offspring or spouses as proxies and decision makers, solo agers most often choose a sibling, niece or nephew or rely on a trusted friend or neighbor.
Whomever you choose, talk to them first to make sure they’re up for the task.
If, however, you don’t have anyone you feel comfortable with, or who is willing to take on that responsibility, you can hire someone.
One of the best resources for this is an aging life care manager.
These are trained professionals in the area of geriatric care who often have backgrounds in nursing or social work and can serve as your emergency contact, oversee your care and even act as your executor. They can also connect you with professional legal and financial services in your area that can help you manage your affairs.
Aging life care managers typically charge anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour, depending on their location and experience. To search for an expert near you, visit aginglifecare.org.
If you can’t afford this, there are other reliable sources you can turn to for specific help. For example, if you haven’t already done so, you need to prepare a basic estate plan (including a power of attorney, advance directive and a will) to ensure your wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated and when you die.
To help you prepare these documents, your best option is to hire an experienced estate planning attorney, which can cost anywhere between
$500 and $2,000. He or she may also be able to act as your power of attorney or executor, or help you locate a professional in your area that can.
To locate someone, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (naepc. org) have online directories to help you search.
If you need help with bill-paying there are services like SilverBills (silverbills.com), or you can work with a daily money manager (aadmm. com) who, in addition to paying bills, can handle tasks like balancing your checkbook and organizing tax information. And to help you navigate care and senior housing options there are certified senior advisors (csa.us).
It’s also a good idea to meet with a financial adviser to help figure out what services and living arrangements you can afford and what steps you can take to ensure that your financial resources last your lifetime.
If you don’t have an adviser, you can find a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner trough the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors at napfa.org.
Some other helpful resources you can turn to include Aging Alone Together (dorotusa.org/agingalonetogether), a program offered by DOROT, which is a nonprofit social services organization that provides practical ways to help solo agers prepare for the future. They are offering a free, six-session virtual workshop (offered weekly) via Zoom starting April 24th.
Also see Navigating Solo (navigatingsolo.com), a national clearinghouse of resources for solo agers and information about solo-ager groups in the U.S.
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.
Enhancing
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Social Day Services: Open MondaySaturday 8am-4pm & serves people with disabilities/chronic health conditions 18 and up. Based in a country setting, our program is busy, interactive and fun with daily opportunities for animal encounters! Services include socialization with peers, meals/snacks, medication reminders, cognitive exercises and games, recreational activities and outings. Must be Medicaid eligible.
– Offering –Care Management Services: Serves people with disabilities/ chronic health conditions 18 and up. Our Care Managers coordinate all the community services someone could need to support them in living as independently as possible. Includes assistance linking to doctors and providers, finding a safe place to live, finding a way to get to medical appointments, securing financial and medical benefits and more.
Our Care Managers coordinate all the community services someone could need to support them in living as independently as possible. assistance linking to doctors providers, finding a safe place to live, finding a way to get to medical appointments, securing financial medical benefits and more.
Counties
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Based in a country setting, our program is busy, interactive and fun with daily opportunities for animal encountåers! We provide respite and peace of mind to caregivers during the day knowing their loved one is being cared for in a safe setting. Services include socialization with peers, meals/ snacks, medication reminders, social and recreational activities and outings, as well as assistance & supervision with activities of daily living.
Based in a country setting, our program is busy, interactive and fun with daily opportunities for animal encountåers! provide respite and peace of to caregivers the day knowing their loved one is being cared for in a safe setting. Services include socialization with peers, meals/ snacks, medication social and recreational activities and outings, as well as assistance & supervision with activities of daily
The Essential Plan offered by UnitedHealthcare provides health care coverage with $0 premiums. It offers medical, dental and vision benefits. And in 2025, every 3 months it includes a $100 credit on a prepaid card to help you buy over-the-counter (OTC) products and healthy food.
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Ask St. Ann’s
Hospice Enables Families to Share a Meaningful Experience
By Marguerite Janto and Jessica Kelly
When a loved one is nearing the end of life, it can seem like the whole world is falling apart. It's a time of complex emotions, difficult decisions and lots of anxiety.
Fortunately, professionals in the field of hospice care can help navigate those challenges.
Hospice centers like St. Ann's Leo Center for Caring focus on making a person's final days as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
It's about managing symptoms, relieving pain and creating a peaceful place of physical, emotional and spiritual comfort.
It's also about supporting the entire family, helping them have the most meaningful experience possible during a difficult time.
While hospice is end-of-life care, it doesn’t necessarily mean the person will die right away. Doctors typically recommend hospice when they believe someone will no longer respond to curative treatment (efforts to cure their illness) but instead would benefit from comfort care. They also recommend it when a patient likely has six months or less to live, although a person may outlive that expectation.
Every end-of-life journey is different. Hospice staff recognize this and work to accommodate what each person needs on their journey. We monitor symptoms and administer medication to relieve pain and distress; we also provide an environment where patient and family can share a deeply personal experience with comfort and support.
If it means making breakfast for family members who stay the night, we do that. If it means fulfilling a patient's wish to have his two greyhounds at his bedside, we make that happen (true story). If it means decorating our lounge for a family birthday celebration, that's what we'll do. Whatever someone would want if they were in their own home, that's what we work to provide.
[On a personal note, we also remind ourselves that one day our own grandchildren may be in this
situation as our lives come to an end. We'd want nothing less than compassion, understanding and sensitivity from the people supporting them, and that inspires us to do the same.]
The physical layout of many hospice centers adds to that feeling of “home.” At the Leo Center, for example, every room is a private room, ensuring peace and dignity. There are amenities for family members who stay overnight, including lounge areas with comfortable furniture and a private bathroom with shower. Our full kitchen is well stocked and open 24 hours for preparing meals and enjoying snacks. And our outdoor patio gives everyone a breath of fresh air. It's all about offering comfort during a difficult time.
Of course, the medical expertise of hospice professionals is second to none. Hospice nurses are highly trained in end-of-life care, symptom and pain management and the complex needs of terminally ill patients. Nursing staff are on site at all times, including certified nursing assistants who perform vital bedside care such as bathing, feeding, and repositioning patients.
The full care team also includes doctors, nurse managers, social workers, dietitians and pastoral care professionals, all working together to address the needs of patients and families.
In our many years working in hospice care, we've been blessed to meet many amazing people. It's a joy to be told, “You guys are like family to us,” or to have someone continue to visit long after their spouse has died because of the bond that formed between us. It's rewarding when they recognize we care about them not just medically but personally. That's the highest compliment anyone in our field can receive...and it's why we do what we do.
Marguerite Janto, nurse manager, and Jessica Kelly, licensed practical nurse, are on the staff of the Leo Center for Caring at St. Ann's Community. For more information, call 585-563-3723.
The Healthy Food Trucks
Yes, food at summer festivals can be healthy — just look for it
By Shaina Zazzaro
Fun fact about me: I own a food truck!
Back in 2013, I launched Effortlessly Healthy, and with it came Rochester’s very first healthy food truck. Here’s another fun fact: when I started, people told me no one would want to eat healthy food at a festival. Clearly, they underestimated the power of a good trash plate — a healthy one, of course.
I’m writing this as we roll into festival season (aka food truck season). It’s one of my favorite times of year, but I know how hard it can be to eat healthy when you’re surrounded by fried food and sweet treats.
While Effortlessly Healthy won’t be at every event, if you spot our truck, we’ve got you covered — especially if you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
Our signature dish? The “Healthy Trash Plate,” a delicious, better-for-you version of a Rochester classic that fits a range of dietary needs. Our most popular version is the chicken, bacon and avocado plate, but there are vegetarian and vegan versions too. Try one and see what you love best!
This year, we’re also adding healthy nachos, our popular wraps, and—by popular demand—protein balls. They’re the perfect sweet treat to satisfy your cravings without the sugar crash.
Now, what do I do when I’m at an event where Effortlessly Healthy isn’t around? I’ve got a few go-to favorites:
• My husband, Mike Zazzaro, runs another amazing healthy truck called Eat Greek. You can’t go wrong with a Greek rice bowl — or my personal favorite, a fresh, delicious Greek salad.
• If I see Chef’s Catering, I treat myself to their black bean and corn fritter (vegetarian and delicious). I usually skip the bun and cheese to
balance out the fried part, and they also offer grilled chicken for a lighter option.
• Rob’s Kabobs serves up fresh grilled meat and veggie kabobs. Just go easy on the sauces to avoid sneaky calories. Chicken kabob or shimp will always be the lowest calories.
• Craving pizza? Tony Tomato’s makes a fantastic wood fired pizza. My go-to hack: ask for light cheese— or just remove some yourself. Saves a ton of calories without sacrificing flavor.
• And yes, I almost always splurge on kettle corn. It’s one of my favorite snacks ever, but I keep my portion in check—it’s way too easy to overdo it!
These are just a few trucks where you can find healthier options, but the key is being mindful.
My general rule at festivals? Avoid the fried food when possible— one serving of festival fries can pack in over 400 calories with very little nutritional value.
And hey, if you do indulge, no big deal—get some extra steps in, explore the event or dance it off if there’s live music. There’s always a way to balance it out.
The bottom line? There are healthy choices out there—you just have to look for them. And when in doubt, find the Effortlessly Healthy truck and come say hi.
P.S. We’re booking for the season! If you’d like us at your event—or even just for a fun neighborhood dinner—reach out at www.ehmeals.com/ foodtruck. We’d love to feed you!
Shaina Zazzaro is a devoted wife and mother of two, blending her roles with a passion for health and wellness. She is the owner and chief executive officer of local meal delivery service, Effortlessly Healthy. For more information, visit www.ehmeals.com.
