In Good Health: Rochester #198 - February 2022

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FEBRUARY 2022 • ISSUE 198

You’re Not Getting Enough

VITAMIN D Many of us in Upstate New York are vitamin D deficient. Is it a big deal? We chat with local experts about why that’s the case and what we can do to cope with the problem. P. 7

ALSO INSIDE:

GOLDEN YEARS SPECIAL

COVID-19: One in 10 People May Still Be Infectious After 10 Days. P. 5 PHARMACISTS: Role Expected to Expand Over the Next Decade. P. 9 SMART BITES: Move Over Meat, it’s Tempeh Time! P. 13

MEET YOUR DOCTOR Rebeca Monk recently became Highland Hospital’s new chief of medicine, right in the middle of COVID-19 surges. See how she’s handling the new job. P. 4

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THYROID We spoke with Michael Quartuccio, clinical endocrinologist with Rochester Regional Health, about thyroid misconceptions and more. P. 9

Time to Ditch the

READING GLASSES

VUITY is a new prescription eye drop that can help correct age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults, has recently been approved by the FDA. Within about 15 to 30 minutes of using the drops, patients experience a notable improvement of their near vision. P. 2

New Eye Drops Eliminate the Need for Reading Glasses Patients must have a thorough, dilated eye exam before obtaining a prescription of Vuity

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

re you “playing trombone” with your phone or reading materials?

Perhaps you’ve bought a pair of reading glasses—or two or three— and still never manage to have them when you need them.

Now you have another option: VUITY (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution).

The prescription eye drop can help correct age-related blurry near vision (presbyopia) in adults.

“It’s FDA-approved for 45- to 55-year-olds for presbyopia, the slow progression of the inability to see up close,” said Mark Deeley, a primary care optometrist for Rochester Regional Health.

Patients use it once daily and can gain improvement in their near vision by three lines on an eye chart.

Deeley also said that those who wear contact lenses for their far vision can use VUITY if they wait at least 10 minutes between administering the drops and putting in their contact lenses. Contact lenses tend to absorb chemicals, including medication.

Within about 15 to 30 minutes of using the drops, patients experience a notable improvement of their near vision that peaks for one to two hours. For the next three to 10 hours, the effect dissipates. This could help someone on the go who does not want to bother carrying reading glasses all the time.

“You shouldn’t use it before

nighttime driving, as it works on the sphincter muscle of the pupil to make it smaller,” Deeley said. “When it’s smaller, it increases the depth of focus, but because it makes the pupil smaller, you may have trouble with low light.”

He said that the level of improvement varies among patients based upon studies, but he still has not prescribed it much. Insurance does

ROCHESTER

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FINGER LAKES

not cover VUITY. “It’s not a miracle drop that works 100% for everyone but can make you less dependent on eyeglasses throughout the day,” Deeley added.

Therese Farugia, optometrist with UR Medicine’s Flaum Eye Institute, said that for those who are very far sighted, “it may not help as much.

It gives a very good depth of focus,

so it depends on how much the pupil constricts.”

She noted that patients interested in VUITY must have a thorough, dilated eye exam before obtaining a prescription for the drops.

“It can cause redness,” Farugia said. “It’s a mild drop, but when you constrict a pupil, you’re at a higher risk for a retinal detachment.”

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

services at once, I think in the entire history of our hospital.

Q: How are you addressing burnout?

A: It’s hard right now. We know that there are a bunch of things we can do in general. I have a mindfulness practice that I think has helped with my own resilience. I think everyone knows what they need to do, whether it’s spending time with their family, spending time out in nature, exercising. But it’s hard to combat these systemic issues right now. And there have been some longstanding systemic issues I’ve wanted to address, like the electronic medical record. It keeps us working late into the night even after we’ve seen our patients. We’re on the computer a lot looking at labs, patient messages.

There’s an expectation that we’re on the computer 24/7. I was hoping to implement some kind of systemic support. I think right now I’m just trying to support the staff with some lunches and feel supported and healthy.

More Than 10 Million People Died of Cancer Worldwide in 2019

C

ancer remains a major killer, with 10 million deaths reported worldwide in 2019.

More than 23 million new cases were documented globally in 2019, according to researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

By comparison, in 2010 there were 8.29 million cancer deaths worldwide and fewer than 19 million new cases.

Deaths were nearly 21% higher in 2019 than 2010, and cases were about 26% higher, the researchers say.

The study also highlighted the global disparities in treating the disease.

“Ensuring that global progress against cancer burden is equitable is crucial,” said lead author, physician Jonathan Kocarnik, a research scientist at the university’s Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation.

“This will require efforts to reduce disparities in cancer prevention, treatment and survival, and the incorporation of local needs and knowledge into tailored national cancer control plans,” Kocarnik said in a university news release.

The researchers looked at 204 countries and territories, estimating cancer burden and trends.

They found that cancer was second to cardiovascular disease in the number of deaths among 22 groups of diseases and injuries.

Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths in 119 countries and territories for males and 27 countries and territories for females. Breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide, including for 119 countries.

Also, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer accounted for the most years lived with ill health and disability, according to the study.

There was a glimmer of good news: After adjusting for age, the researchers found death and incidence rates decreased by about 6% and around 1%, respectively.

The age-standardized death rate decreased in 131 countries and territories, and the incidence rate fell in 75 countries and territories.

Researchers called these small declines promising but cautioned there may be setbacks in cancer care and outcomes due to COVID-19.

The report was published Dec. 30 in JAMA Oncology. It is part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019.

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Rebeca Monk, MD

Highland’s new chief of medicine juggles new position as the hospital is flooded by COVID-19 patients in December and early January Q: You’ve recently become the chief of medicine for Highland Hospital. Talk about bad timing.

A: Oh my goodness, it really is.

I’ve just gotten off a meeting about the COVID surge. These are really unprecedented times. The number of patients we have, the number of patients hospitalists are taking care of right now are just unheard of. In addition, there is a lot of staff who are becoming sick. So it’s just put such a strain on the system.

Q: Is it mostly Omicron? How serious are the illnesses you’re seeing?

A: We assume it’s mostly Omicron just because of how infectious it is and the rate of rise. But we’re not always checking which variant it is.

It is spreading so quickly through the community and, even though it doesn’t tend to be as severe as the delta variant, it’s not causing as many patients to need ventilators and things like that. If you’re vaccinated and boosted, most people aren’t getting that sick.

Q: I understand that the virus is affecting mostly unvaccinated people but we are still seeing a number of vaccinated people getting sick.

A. The people who are vaccinated and boosted who are getting really sick are usually people who have other conditions. Despite that, because it’s so infectious, those who aren’t vaccinated are getting sick and we are seeing deaths in younger patients. It can still affect the lungs, even though it doesn’t tend to affect them as badly as Delta. Just by the sheer numbers, you are going to get

some people who get very sick from it.

Q: Is the Highland Hospital ICU strained?

A: Our ICU numbers aren’t rising that much, but our hospitalization numbers are. Often, we’re finding that patients without too many symptoms coming to the hospital for other reasons are testing positive during pre-op screenings. So it’s also delaying care for a lot of people. The numbers we’re seeing in the hospital from people who are sick but not in need of intensive care, or for who it’s complicating other issues is just so great that it’s put a huge strain on the system.

Q: Has it been hard to keep everything manned due to staff infections?

A: It really is. I’m a nephrologist and even just managing all the patients who need dialysis, especially with COVID, it’s just gotten crazy.

But in terms of staff, the physicians are doing OK. Many people are getting infected not in the hospital, but outside of it. A lot of nursing staff. A lot of support staff and technicians. It’s affecting the whole hospital. Everyone’s working extra hard, working extra shifts. I think my concern as chief of medicine is burnout. That was actually my major goal getting into administration. I didn’t anticipate it was going to be this bad.

Everyone’s doing the work though.

I’m very impressed by my staff. They really are an exceptional group of people who put their heads down and plow through. We’ve just never had so many people getting medical

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

Q: Beyond staffing, how are hospitals like Highland doing in terms of resources?

A: I think right now we’re doing OK. We’ve been trying to get N95 and KN95 masks for all the staff right now to reduce COVID transmission.

The supply chain issues are affecting us, though, in terms of some medications. There’s been a shortage of dialysis supplies. But we’ve got some great pharmacists keeping us as well supplied and stocked as they can. So far we’re doing OK, though. I haven’t heard of any shortage that is keeping us from delivering care.

Q: How much are you still able to practice nephrology?

A: I’m still practicing. I’m seeing some patients in clinics. I still see some patients in the hospital. I’m also the medical director of one of our outpatient dialysis units. I’m probably going to be giving some of it up over time. I hope to continue it to some degree, but this is a big job.

Q: Has COVID-19 had any broad impact on kidney health in your patients?

A: The Delta variant and some others were initially causing some patients to develop kidney disease, but we haven’t seen that so much with Omicron. Right now the big issue is, with dialysis, we don’t want to be mixing our patients with COVID with our patients without it. That’s been logistically challenging. Initially these patients were being sent to the hospital because we didn’t have outpatient COVID capacity. Now we are opening a COVID dialysis unit in an outpatient setting. It’s probably not enough to handle this current surge, though, so it’s still stressing the system.

Lifelines

Name: Rebeca Denise Monk, M.D. Position: Chief of medicine at Highland Hospital Hometown: Buffalo Education: Columbia University Affiliations: URMC; Highland Hospital; Strong Memorial Hospital Organizations: National Kidney Foundation; American Society of Nephrology; National Kidney Foundation; American College of Physicians Family: Husband (David Trawick, M.D.); two sons, two cats Hobbies: Biking; Cross-country skiing

Helping Rochester's Children, Adults & Families for 100 Years!

One in 10 People May Still Be Infectious for COVID-19 After 10 Days

O

ne in 10 people may have clinically relevant levels of potentially infectious SARSCoV-2 past the 10-day quarantine period, according to new research.

The study, led by the University of Exeter and funded by Animal Free Research UK, used a newly adapted test which can detect whether the virus was potentially still active. It was applied to samples from 176 people in Exeter who had tested positive on standard PCR tests.

The study, published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that 13% of people still exhibited clinically relevant levels of virus after 10 days, meaning they could potentially still be infectious.

Some people retained these levels for up to 68 days. The authors believe this new test should be applied in settings where people are vulnerable, to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Professor Lorna Harries, of the University of Exeter Medical School, oversaw the study. She said: “While this is a relatively small study, our results suggest that potentially active virus may sometimes persist beyond a 10-day period, and could pose a potential risk of onward transmission.

Furthermore, there was nothing clinically remarkable about these people, which means we wouldn’t be able to predict who they are.”

Conventional PCR tests work by testing for the presence of viral fragments. While they can tell if someone has recently had the virus, they cannot detect whether it is still active, and the person is infectious. The test

used in the latest study however gives a positive result only when the virus is active and potentially capable of onward transmission.

Lead author Merlin Davies, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “In some settings, such as people returning to care homes after illness, people continuing to be infectious after 10 days could pose a serious public health risk. We may need to ensure people in those setting have a negative active virus test to ensure people are no longer infectious. We now want to conduct larger trials to investigate this further.”

Animal Free Research UK CEO, Carla Owen, said: “The University of Exeter team’s discovery is exciting and potentially very important.

Once more, it shows how focusing exclusively on human biology during medical research can produce results that are more reliable and more likely to benefit humans and animals.

“Pioneering animal free work is providing the best chance of not only defeating COVID-19 but also finding better treatments for all human diseases.

“The results also send a loud and clear message to the government to better fund modern medical research and make the UK a world leader in cutting edge, kinder science.”

The research is a collaboration between the University of Exeter Medical School, the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, and the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility.

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5

CALENDAR of HEALTH EVENTS

Hearing Loss Association Announces New Programs Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Rochester Chapter will offer several virtual programs in February benefitting anyone interested in hearing loss. All are free and in real time on the Zoom platform. They all are closed captioned. Preregistration is required by visiting the HLAA website at: http://hearinglossrochester.org Here are the programs:

• “Why I like Rochester Chapter.”

Noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Carla Beyer-Smolin, HLAA Chapter and membership coordinator at the national office in Rockvillle, Maryland, joins Rochester Chapter members virtually. She will interview Rochesterians to explore what has attracted them to Rochester Chapter.

• “Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE).” 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2. Prospective, new or experienced hearing aid users can share their experiences, questions and hearing loss journeys in an informal vir-

tual round table discussion facilitated by retired audiologist and hearing aid user Joseph Kozelsky.

• “Virtual ALD Demo Center.” Noon on Thursday, Feb. 17.

HLAA-Rochester Technology Team.

This is a continuing orientation to the online “Virtual Demo Center” web site. It is a review of selected assistive listening devices, captioning-capable and amplified telephones, signaling-alerting devices and smart phone APP’s related to hearing enhancement and gives the opportunity for the presenters to answer questions from those joining the Zoom meeting.

• “Hear Together: Parent/Caregiver support group.” 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22. This will focus on a new group for helping deaf and hard-ofhearing children.

For more information visit the HLAA Rochester Chapter website at www.hearinglossrochester.org or telephone 585 266 7890.

Feb. 15

Who is Your Second Half of Life Hero?

Lifespan is seeking nominations for the Second Half Hero Awards to be given at the organization’s March 24 Celebration of Aging luncheon.

The award highlights older people who are roles models for the ways they take on either the challenges or opportunities of longer life.

Nominees must be age 65 or older and must be able to attend the March 24 event at the Convention Center.

Nominating someone is easy Lifespan wants to know why this person is your role mode, the words which best describe your hero and about their life attitude and outlook.

Nominations are due by Feb. 15.

For more information or to submit a nomination, go to www.lifespanrochester.org.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Provider Burnout: Many Physicians, Nurses Inclined to Retire Earlier Than Planned

A

recent survey by the American Medical Association (AMA) revealed 20% of physicians and 40% of nurses are inclined to retire or quit, earlier than planned, within two years. In addition to early retirement, about a third of these providers intend to decrease their hours until then in order to reduce stress, get their lives back and avoid potential infection or illness. Industry observers, the AMA and the ANA, are predicting new medical and nursing school graduates will not fill the near

future deficit. The AMA estimates the annual impact of earlier retirement and reduced hours to be $4.6 billion.

The No. 1 complaint after burnout among providers is feeling undervalued. While employers can adopt strategies to mitigate stress and burnout, both nurses and physicians cited the drastic increase in non-compliant, belligerent, demanding and abusive consumers, especially among the unvaccinated, as a major reason for feeling undervalued.

Vaccine Profiteering

companies. These bills typically emanate from services provided to you via your local emergency room. Unsuspecting consumers, who correctly go to their in-network emergency department, unknowingly receive services from an out-ofnetwork contract physician company.

Sometimes, these bills come from the company that supplies the hospital with emergency room physicians.

When it comes to out of network services, your insurance company will often pay you directly based upon what it would have paid an in-network physician. You then get the “surprise” bill from the out of network company leaving you to make up the difference between their bill and the check you received from your insurance company. It is often a difference of hundreds of dollars.

In fairness to hospitals, especially rural and isolated ones, it is difficult if not impossible to attract and retain certain physicians, so they are forced to use outside contract groups.

Contract groups will either have to accept in-network payments from local insurers or go to arbitration to settle with insurers. In any case, the consumer is now held harmless.

Perhaps in anticipation of negotiating prices with Medicare, drug manufacturers raised prices on 434 common drugs an average of 5.2%. Leading the way with higher than average increases were vaccine producers Pfizer, Moderna and BioNtech. Apparently, they really need the money. According to consumer advocate People’s Vaccine Alliance, based on financials released by these three drug manufacturers, collectively they will earn $34 billion in pretax profits. That comes to $65,000 profit a minute or $93 million a day. Nearly all (99%) of their vaccine supplies have been sold to wealthy countries, leaving the poorer countries to fend for themselves. Despite more than $8 billion in R&D funding from the US taxpayers, all three drug companies have outright refused to share their technology or know–how with struggling countries. The US has struck a “deal” to purchase 20 million doses of Pfizer’s anti-viral drug, Paxlovid, for more than $10 billion. The anti-viral pill and vaccines will result is sales between $50 billion and $60 billion.

No More Surprises

Effective January 2022, you will no longer be liable for what has been deemed “surprise medical bills.”

These are bills from contract physician companies that are considered out of network by your insurance

2020 Costs

Total healthcare spending increased a staggering 9.7% in 2020.

(It increased 4.3% in 2019. The jury and data are still out for 2021.) But that is misleading as most of the

9.7% increase was not due to claims.

The majority of the increase was due to CMS providing needed financial support to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, testing sites, physician practices and every state to weather the crisis. If this emergency funding for providers is excluded, the net increase in healthcare spending due to claims was about 2%. Compared to normal non-COVID-19 years, a 2% increase in costs due to claims is relatively low. That can be attributed to people still delaying care and hospitals having to cancel elective surgeries again. Consequently, because of profit limits established by the ACA, commercial insurers rebated over $2 billion to consumers via premium credits, check or debit cards in 2020.

The rebate was $1.3 billion in 2019.

The omicron variant is the monkey wrench making it difficult for industry analysts and actuaries to predict 2022 costs. Once again, as in 2020, hospitals and surgery centers are forced to cancel elective surgeries in reaction to the continuing pandemic and staffing shortages. A recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed almost half of us did not bother to seek care due to household financial constraints and high out-ofpocket costs.

Funding Terrorism?

A federal circuit court will review a unique complaint, filed under the federal anti-terrorism act, against drug manufacturers Pfizer, AstraZeneca, J&J and Roche. The complaint, filed on behalf of the 395 Americans either killed or wounded in Iraq, alleges the pharmaceutical companies won contracts by bribing officials in the terrorist-controlled (Jaydsh al-Mahdi) Iraq health ministry. The funds were then used to finance attacks on Americans. The four companies have denied the charges.

Fraud

In September 2020, the Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit organized and led a historic national takedown, in collaboration with USAOs, HHS-OIG, FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal and state partners. Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt announced this nationwide enforce-

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

ment action, which involved 345 charged defendants across 51 federal districts, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals. These defendants were collectively charged with submitting more than $6 billion in allegedly false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers, including more than $4.5 billion connected to schemes that involved telemedicine fraud, more than $845 million connected to substance abuse treatment facilities, or “sober homes,” and more than $806 million connected to other health care fraud and illegal opioid distribution schemes across the country. This enforcement initiative included cases charged during an unprecedented national health emergency.

Climate Change and Health

The healthcare industry knows that curing cancer and saving lives on one hand is all for naught if on the other hand carbon emissions are killing more than saved. Five percent of global carbon emissions are from healthcare. (That’s more than the aviation industry.) In the US, healthcare accounts for 10% of carbon emissions. For the first time, the 2021 U.N Climate Change Conference listed public health as a priority. The Health Care Without Harm advocacy group is lobbying Washington to establish an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. HCWH president Gary Cohen succinctly summarizes their philosophy proclaiming “You can’t have healthy people on a sick planet.” The advocacy group has established a formal coalition of 600 hospitals to develop climate change solutions for the industry and the government.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

exposure can cause skin cancer, 20 minutes’ cumulative exposure in a week suffices for generating vitamin D. “Fatty fish like salmon, meats and fortified foods are also sources,” Lester said.

Commercially processed milk and other fortified products such as most boxed breakfast cereals contain vitamin D. Milk processed by an onfarm creamery may not have vitamin D added.

“Surprisingly, mushrooms have some vitamin D, but it’s not the most bioavailable,” Lester said.

can attribute that to part of it.”

She takes 5,000 IUs of vitamin D3 daily. Supplements may be taken at once and with or without food.

Pickering-Picone said that some health conditions may warrant more vitamin D3 than the standard recommended daily values, “such as those with autoimmune issues like MS or anything muscular,” she said.

“A functional medicine doctor can give more guidance, but they’re not typically covered by insurance.”

How much D do we need?

Getting Enough Vitamin D?

When you’re not ingesting enough vitamin D with your food, supplements can help

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

n addition to your summertime tan, your vitamin D stores have long since disappeared.

While excessive sun is not so good for your skin, in moderation, it makes the body generate vitamin D, a pre-hormone that modulates many important bodily systems, including the immune system.

Why is D important?

“Vitamin D influences energy, depression and some research supports that it has a role in immunity as well,” said Rhianon Lester, registered nurse and registered dietitian with Rochester Regional Health Unity and RGH Bariatric Surgery. “If someone

becomes depressed or feels under the weather, we would perform lab work to look at their vitamin D level.”

Vitamin D also helps the body absorb many of its nutrients.

Who needs more vitamin D? Nearly everyone in Upstate New York. The sun is not intense enough from about October through May to trigger production of vitamin D. Lester said that older adults and people with darker skin tones are not as good as absorbing sunlight and synthesizing it for vitamin D.

Where can we get vitamin D? Primarily, it’s through the UVB radiation in the sun. While too much

As a fat-soluble nutrient, vitamin D is stored by the body if it gets too much.

“You can have too much of a good thing,” Lester said. “You don’t want a toxicity if you are supplementing. If you’re feeling depressed, tired this time of year, speak with your primary care provider and they can run lab work to find out if you are deficient. We’d look at how to bring it into your diet and we’d look at supplementation.”

Vitamin D generated through sunlight exposure does not cause toxicity.

Most people older than 70 need more vitamin D than younger people.

“After a certain age, you don’t absorb it as well,” said Marge Pickering-Piccone, health and nutrition coach and owner of Professional Health Services in Pittsford. “And few people spend enough time in the sun.”

The amount of vitamin D one needs varies depending no only on age but also other health concerns.

Pickering-Picone added that taking vitamin D3 supplements is better than vitamin D2, as the latter tends to calcify in the kidneys.

“D3 is essential for just about everybody in North America, as almost everyone is deficient,” she said.

Her last blood test revealed that her D3 level was “shockingly lower than what I expected,” she said. “The pandemic has kept me inside. So I

So Why Do I Have Vitamin D Pills?

U

nfortunately, doctors do not prescribe a vacation to a sun-soaked island for their patients deficient in vitamin D. Instead, it’s a supplement providing 50,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per dose. Over-the-counter vitamin D provides at the most 10,000 IUs. Vitamin D helps the body absorb nutrients. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children and in adults, hypoparathyroidism, osteomalacia, hypocalcemia, or bone diseases, which is why a prescription is sometimes necessary.

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February 2022 • 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

Will You Be Mine? Dating Tips for Finding that Special Someone

I

’m often asked by readers and those who have attended my “Live Alone and Thrive” workshops whether I ever date.

My answer is unequivocally “yes!”

More often than not, people are surprised by my answer.

I like the question, because it gives me a chance to remind everyone that living alone with success isn’t about mastering the art of becoming a hermit. It doesn’t mean abandoning the idea of sharing a life with someone special.

I’ve said it before and it bears repeating: Living alone doesn’t mean being alone. Many people satisfy their need and desire to be with others by developing a great group of friends, including family members. Some want more though, and long for romance and the exclusive domain of a loving relationship.

It is to this latter group that I dedicate this column.

If the idea of dating in mid-life following the loss of a long-term relationship or marriage seems daunting, know that you are not alone. I’ve talked with many older women and men who have resigned themselves to “terminal singlehood,” after having tried unsuccessfully to enter the dating scene.

It only takes a few disappointments and rejections to send people

running for cover. But like any challenge, if you approach dating with care, a satisfying and lasting relationship is possible at any age.

Below are a few tips I’ve assembled from my own experience and the experiences of others that may help you jump-start your search for a loving companion: • Define what dating means to you. If you haven’t dated in years (perhaps in decades), the term “dating” may suggest the first step in a predictable path to marriage.

These days, dating is, well, dating. And you can define it anyway you like.

Maybe you’re looking for a number of companions with whom you could enjoy movies, dinner, intimacy, etc. Perhaps you just want someone to join you for special events. Or you may be on a serious quest to find a new life partner.

Your definition — your dating goal — will shape the style and pace of your search.

• Know what you’re looking for. I remember reading a magazine article recently in which the author detailed her experience of writing down all the things she wanted in a man, and then — lo and behold — having the man of her dreams stroll

right into her life.

Was it coincidence? Magic? Who knows, but the exercise has merit.

Thinking about what you want as well as what’s unacceptable will help you refine your search and improve your chances of finding a compatible partner.

• Be yourself. This is no time to try to become the person you wish you were or you think others will find attractive. One of the advantages of being a little older is increased self-awareness and the confidence to be who you truly are.

Accept and embrace yourself “as is.” Pretending to be otherwise will only compromise your chances of meeting someone who loves you just the way you are.

• Spread the word. If you want to meet someone, make your search a priority and let friends and family know you’re looking. Don’t be apologetic about expressing your desire to find a companion.

It might sound like this: “You know it’s been a while, and I’m feeling ready to meet someone. May I ask a favor? Would you keep me in mind if you run into someone you think might be a good fit for me?”

Other ways to initiate your search include joining a matchmaking website or by subscribing to a dating service. Having had no experience with these methods, I can only offer this bit of cautionary advice: It’s potentially risky, so take precautions.

There’s a lot written on this subject, so conduct a web search to learn how best to protect yourself.

• Have fun and keep your expectations in check. We’ve all suffered the occasional bad date or rejection. Try not to let that stop you from meeting new people and pursuing that special someone.

Dating, just as networking for a new job, can put you in the company of interesting, stimulating people.

Even if your heart doesn’t go pitter-patter, you’ll be out in the world and expanding your experiences and circle of friends. So give it a whirl.

Muster your courage and pick up the phone, sign up, or show up to fulfill your heart’s desire.

• Put yourself with like-minded people. Do you like music? Are you an athlete? Is reading your passion?

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com

s your teen staring at her smartphone all day? There are many things parents can do to protect kids from the potentially negative effects of social media, experts say.

While there are positive aspects to social media, there’s evidence it can pose risks to teens’ mental health due to issues such as bullying, body image concerns and other social pressures.

“The reality is that social media is part of the world we live in, and it’s not going away,” said Mari Radzik, a clinical psychologist in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

“We can’t just take away our kids’ phones or computers. It’s about figuring out how we can guide them on using and navigating these tools,” Radzik said in a hospital news release.

Some signs of social media-related problems in teens include changes in mood, eating and sleep habits, as well as isolating in their room. In such cases, parents might want to begin a discussion about their teen’s social media use by using “I” instead of “you” statements, Radzik suggested.

Instead of saying, “You’re on Instagram way too much and that’s bad for you,” try, “I noticed this and I’m really worried. Can we talk about it?” If your teen doesn’t want to talk at that moment, let them know you’ll be there when they feel ready.

“Berating will make a young

person shut down,” Radzik said. “Or sometimes parents will dig through their child’s social media accounts and that can feel invasive. The approach has to come from a place of caring and concern, rather than something punitive or accusatory.”

Parents should check in frequently and pay attention to their teens’ media use, said Sarah Voyer, lead social worker in the division of psychiatry at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Parents may want to ask their teens how they use social media -— do they share updates with their friends, follow certain celebrities or influencers, or are they seeking some kind of advice or help — and how they feel when they use it, Voyer said.

If you’re certain that social media is affecting your teen’s mental health, suggest they take a break or even delete their account.

“There are some kids who can break the cycle, and sometimes it takes the parent to help with that,” Radzik said.

Before a child begins to use social media, parents should set parameters, according to Radzik.

“It can be problematic when children are given regular access to cellphones at an early age,” she said. “I understand the need to use it at times, especially age-appropriate material. But as parents we need to encourage a curiosity of the world around them and use creativity tools rather than rely on social media all the time.”

I

Worried About Your Teen’s Social Media Use? Experts Offer Help

Or birdwatching? We all enjoy being with people who share our interests.

One way to kick-start your dating adventure is to attend gatherings, classes, and social functions that attract the kind of partner you are looking for.

I’ve heard from many happy couples who met on the pickleball court, in a book club, hiking group just for singles, dance lessons that didn’t require partners, or in a support group that caters to divorced or widowed men and women. Others met while volunteering or supporting a cause they believe in.

To be successful, you need to get out of the house.

Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

Pharmacists’ Role Expected to Expand Over Next Decade Nearly 80% of patients see pharmacists as a key component of their health care team, but more advanced training needed to meet growing demand and fill gaps in care

N

ew research released by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Express Scripts Pharmacy, an Evernorth company, reveals that amid growing provider shortages, pharmacists in the U.S. are well-trusted by patients and projected to play an increasingly integral role in care

5

management.

The Prescription of Trust report, which surveyed more than 3,000 patients, 1,000 pharmacists, and 500 providers (including physicians and nurse practitioners), was designed to more deeply understand the expanding role of pharmacists in transforming patient care. It is the largest study

of its kind ever conducted and is the first to include the voice of patients.

“The results of the report are clear. Most people trust pharmacists to play a greater role in providing their care. As the shortage of doctors and nurses persists, and as complex new therapies and digital health care technology solutions are developed, the role of the pharmacist will continue to evolve,” said John McHugh, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of health policy and management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Key findings of the survey, conducted from November to December 2021, include: • Pharmacists Will Expand Responsibilities: Looking toward the field of pharmacy in 2030, a majority of pharmacists see a transition from transactional care to more direct patient care responsibilities.

At the forefront of this trend are pharmacists in ambulatory clinics, health systems (hospitals) and home delivery pharmacies, who already often serve as specialists advising patients with specific diseases or interact with a larger health team to help manage complex patient care.

• Providers, Patients Trust Pharmacists: Nearly 80% of patients said they see pharmacists as an integral part of their health care team.

Providers reported a high level of trust, often exceeding 90%, in pharmacists’ current professional activities, including dispensing medications, communicating with health professionals and patients about potential adverse drug interactions, counseling patients on their medications, and administering vaccines.

Notably, providers who collaborate with pharmacists have increasing

trust in pharmacists providing direct patient care and prescribing medications.

• Advanced Care Requires Advanced Training: Pharmacists recognize that patients need more consistent clinical counseling and disease education, but say training will be a focus in key areas to fill gaps in patient care. More than half (53.3%) of pharmacists agreed their current training and education is sufficient to manage patients. However, pharmacists did identify opportunities for additional training in chronic disease education, diagnosing, and prescribing.

• As Roles Evolve, So Does Patient Engagement: The study shows that nearly half (49.7%) of patients would find it very helpful to have routine testing and medical visits done from home. More than half of home delivery pharmacists report engaging more with patients via telepharmacy, while about 15% of retail pharmacists report using telepharmacy. Of pharmacists who use this technology, more than a third say it gives them more time to interact with patients, allowing them to provide crucial information and support when — and where — patients need it most.

“While the role of pharmacists has been expanding in some areas of healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted their accessibility and the trust people have in them as health care professionals,” said pharmacist Susan Peppers, vice president of Express Scripts Pharmacy, one of the nation’s largest and most experienced home delivery pharmacies that fills 281 million prescriptions every year.

Things You Should Know About Thyroid 3.

Disease. Although Graves’ disease may affect anyone, it’s more common among women and in people younger than 40.

Treatment

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

T

he thyroid gland is a small organ that’s located in the front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe. It’s shaped like a butterfly, smaller in the middle with two wide wings that extend around the side of your throat. An underactive thyroid can affect your life in many ways.

Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into your body. The effect makes your metabolism slow down.

“It is very common to have an underactive thyroid and it can dictate several aspects of your overall health — whether that is fatigue, weight gain or just a lack of energy,” said Michael Quartuccio, clinical endocrinologist with Rochester Regional Health.

However, the condition does have many stereotypes and misinformation. Quartuccio talks about five aspects of thyroid conditions.

1.Misconceptions

Thyroid-related symptoms can be present in many different medical conditions. Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, heart palpitations, dry skin and high blood pressure.

Lower-than-normal T4 levels usually mean you have hypothyroidism.

However, some people may have

increased TSH levels while having normal T4 levels. The thyroid helps regulate the heartbeat so it is not pumping blood too fast or too slow.

Yet sometimes thyroid gets blamed for several negative symptoms in your overall health.

“People think that an underactive thyroid is the only thing that can cause low energy or weight gain and that simply is not the case,” said Quartuccio.

In addition, some may confuse hypothyroidism with hyperthyroidism. The latter, which is diagnosed as an overactive thyroid, has symptoms that include nervousness, anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, sensitivity to heat and muscle weakness.

2.Causes

Often times hypothyroidism is caused by a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis where a patient’s immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid.

“Well over 90% of those who suffer from hypothyroidism have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease,” said Quartuccio. “Generally the condition causes mild inflammation over time. It is a slow-moving process.”

In cases of hyperthyroidism, the most common diagnosis is Graves

For an underactive thyroid, doctors prefer to prescribe levothyroxine. It can also be used to help decrease the size of enlarged thyroid glands, often called a goiter, and to treat thyroid cancer. Levothyroxine comes as a tablet and a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to one hour before breakfast.

“It is a very common treatment in pill form,” said Quartuccio.

In rare cases, a doctor can perform a thyroidectomy, which removes most of your thyroid gland.

Risks of this surgery include damage to your vocal cords and parathyroid glands.

“Surgery is one of the last options we recommend for thyroid issues,” Quartuccio added. “It can be used as a last resort if several previous treatment options have been deemed unsuccessful.”

4.Diagnosis

A diagnosis is made with a physical examination and laboratory tests that measure the amount of thyroid hormone. Blood tests that measure thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormones can confirm the diagnosis. High levels of thyroxine and low or nonexistent amounts can indicate an overactive thyroid.

Occasionally if a patient feels a lump on their neck or throat an endocrinologist will perform an ultrasound or a biopsy.

Michael Quartuccio is a clinical endocrinologist with Rochester Regional Health.

5.Diet

When it comes to diet and food, thyroid treatments have mixed messages. Some believe in iodine treatments. Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet. If you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone, according to the American Thyroid Association. Remedies such as iodine supplements are not viewed as necessary if you live in the United States or most developed countries.

“We tend to have enough iodine in our food and dairy so most people in the United States are not going to suffer from not having enough,” said Quartuccio.

February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Move Over Meat, It’s Tempeh Time!

E

ver since I put the breaks on meat consumption, I’ve been on a quest to find plant-based meat alternatives. Like many, I first turned to a popular meat substitute: tofu.

While I certainly like tofu and continue to consume it, I’m now smitten with tofu’s heartier cousin: tempeh (pronounced “tem-pay”).

We met by accident. When I was reaching for some tofu, I happened to notice an ill-placed package of tempeh tucked amidst the tofu. Curious, I picked it up (firm and nubby), read the label (high in nutrients), and decided to throw caution to the wind (a true food romantic!).

What is tempeh? Tempeh is a high-protein meat alternative made from fermented soybeans that have been cooked and compressed into a dense cake. Some versions also contain beans and grains, which is why gluten-sensitive folks should scour ingredient labels. Unlike tofu, tempeh has a meaty, firm texture and an earthy, nutty flavor.

Tempeh has about 20 grams of protein per average serving, an impressive amount that puts it on par with some animal-based sources of protein, like shrimp, tuna, tilapia, and many lean meats. What’s more, its protein is complete, meaning it has all the essential amino acids every body needs. Studies show that a diet high in protein can aid appetite control by increasing fullness and decreasing hunger. For some, this means better weight management; for others, it can mean weight loss.

Looking to shore up your bones?

This tasty meat-alt brims with bone-building minerals: calcium, phosphorous, manganese and magnesium. All four work synergistically

to build and maintain strong bones, which is important in reducing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. In addition, tempeh’s bounty of protein is also a boon for bones, say experts.

Hearts benefit from tempeh in more ways than one. Its soy isoflavones — natural plant compounds — have been linked to reduced cholesterol levels. Studies show that these same plant compounds also have antioxidant properties and reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing toxic free radicals. A buildup of these highly unstable atoms has been linked to many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And, unlike the unhealthy saturated fat in some meats, tempeh’s fat is mostly heart-healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats.

An average serving of plain tempeh has about 170 calories, no sodium or cholesterol, good amounts of several B vitamins, iron, and, depending on the kind of tempeh you buy, even some fiber.

Helpful tips Buy tempeh in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, typically near tofu. Check the label: some flavored tempehs have added sugar and salt while others have gluten proteins. Tempeh loves marinades and absorbs flavors better with a thinner slice (1/4 “) or a finer chop. Use grated tempeh as you would ground meat for meatballs, taco fillings, or a meatless “meat” sauce for pasta.

Tempeh BLT (BaconLettuce-Tomato) Bowl Adapted from Salad Samurai Cookbook

Tempeh Bacon Bites 8 oz tempeh 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon ketchup or hot sauce of choice 1 tablespoon vegetable oil ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional) Olive oil for pan-frying 1 tablespoon water Salad 6-8 cups mixed greens ½ red onion, sliced in half-moons 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 ripe avocado, diced Dressing of choice

How Olive Oil Can Add Years to Your Life

S

wapping out the butter or other artery-clogging fats in your diet for heart-healthy olive oil may add years to your life, researchers say.

Folks who consume more than 1/2 a tablespoon of olive oil a day are less likely to die from heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or lung disease when compared to people who consume less of this healthy fat, a new study finds.

It’s not just adding olive oil to your diet that staves off death from disease, said study author Marta Guasch-Ferre, a research scientist in the nutrition department at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. “We need to pay attention to overall diet quality and lifestyle, and consistent with our results, the key would be to add olive oil into the diet as a substitution of other unhealthier fats.”

Olive oil is rich in healthful antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamins and is a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. “One may

speculate that mechanisms related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of olive oil may have played a role in these findings,” Guasch-Ferre said.

Olive oil use could also be a marker for a healthier lifestyle. Folks in the study who consumed the most olive oil were more physically active, less likely to smoke and ate more fruits and vegetables than people who consumed less olive oil.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 90,000 people from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were free of heart disease and cancer when the study began in 1990. These folks were followed for 28 years. Every four years, they were asked how often they ate certain foods, including fats such as margarine, butter, mayonnaise, dairy

fat and olive oil.

When compared with people who never consumed olive oil, those who consumed more than 1/2 a tablespoon a day had a 19% lower risk of dying from heart disease, a 17% lower risk of dying from cancer, a 29% lower risk of dying from a neurodegenerative disease, and an 18% lower risk of dying from lung disease.

The researchers also developed statistical models to simulate what would happen if a person swapped out 3/4 a tablespoon of margarine, butter, mayonnaise or other vegetable oils with olive oil. This switch reduced the chances of dying from all causes. Substituting olive oil for other vegetable oils such as canola, corn, safflower and soybean didn’t have the same effect, the study showed.

Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

1. Slice the tempeh (widthwise) into ¼-inch thin strips. Then, stack two strips at a time and slice the tempeh into bite-size pieces, about an inch long.

2. In a small metal baking pan (i.e., 9” x 5” loaf pan), whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, ketchup or hot sauce, vegetable oil, salt, and liquid smoke until smooth. Add the tempeh bites and gently toss to completely coat with marinade. Let stand for 10 minutes (flip after 5) or cover and chill overnight.

3. Use your fingers or a fork to transfer the tempeh pieces (leaving the marinade behind) to a lightly oiled skillet preheated over medium heat. Lay the pieces in a single layer.

Cook until well browned on one side, flip, and cook the other side until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. After the tempeh is browned on both sides, turn the heat to low, mix 1 tablespoon water into remaining marinade, and then pour the mixture over the bites and cook until the marinade is absorbed, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm until ready to use.

4. Place the mixed greens, red onion slices, tomato halves, avocado dices, and tempeh bacon in a large bowl. Using your hands or tongs to combine, toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten completely. Serve and enjoy! *Salad Samurai is my all-time favorite salad cookbook. Although geared to vegans, which I am not, its unique recipes are loaded with flavor and nutrients.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

nist, 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.

The findings are published in the Jan. 11 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Nutritionists not involved in the new study point out that eating a healthy, balanced diet is more important than any one food.

It’s not just the olive oil that confers these health benefits, it’s likely what the olive oil travels with and adds flavor to, said Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health emerita at New York University.

“Olive oil is part of the classic heart-healthy Mediterranean diet,” Nestle noted. This style of eating includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein, and is low in processed foods. “It’s never about one food, it’s really about dietary patterns,” she said.

Olive oil has calories, and they can add up quickly, Nestle pointed out. There are about 120 calories in one tablespoon of olive oil.

This isn’t a lot of olive oil either, said Meghan McLarney, a dietitian at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.

“A typical salad at a restaurant has about four tablespoons of dressing.”

Meet Your Provider

Blossom Hypnosis ‘Hypnosis Can Help Change Your Life for the Better’ Q: How does hypnosis work?

A: Hypnosis is simply a relaxed state of mind where the subconscious mind becomes highly receptive to the suggestions offered. By relaxing with the induction method (focusing attention), you shift into a state that allows your conscious mind to be bypassed so that the subconscious mind can retain the suggestions.

Q: What is the mission of Blossom Hypnosis?

A: The mission of Blossom Hypnosis is to provide clients with quality service that will help improve their functioning level and daily life.

Q: How does Blossom Hypnosis provide quality to the clients?

A: Blossom Hypnosis is founded

by Rekha Shrivastava. She has a master’s degree in psychological development and is a certified rehabilitation counselor and a certified hypnotist.

With over 20 years of experience in cognitive behavioral therapy, Shrivastava offers tailored treatment plans to meet the individual needs of her

clients. The success of treatment is evidenced by over 100 testimonials available on www.blossomhypnosis. org.

Q: What does the first session look like?

A: A free consultation is offered in the first session which identifies the areas that need to be addressed in treatment. Individualized treatment plans are designed to work on the underlying issues. Shrivastava has helped hundreds of clients who felt that traditional talk therapy did not work.

Q: What type of issues can be treated with hypnosis?

A: Blossom Hypnosis addresses a variety of psychological issues ranging from mild anxiety to severe depression, PTSD, OCD, phobias, obesity, addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and food, low self-esteem, and many everyday problems like nail biting, hair pulling, skin picking, and procrastination.

Q: How do you determine if someone is a good candidate for hypnosis?

A: During the consultation appointment, a pre-talk on hypnosis and a suggestibility test is conducted to determine if the client is appropriate for hypnosis.

Q: How can I schedule a free consultation?

A: Call 585-281-2988 to schedule an appointment or visit the website and complete the contact form. You will receive a phone call or an email within 24 hours.

Q: Who has the access to Blossom Hypnosis services?

A: Both online and in person sessions are available. Rekha has served clients all over the U.S., and globally in Canada, India, Malaysia, Dubai.

Germany, and Australia.

Q: How Does Blossom Hypnosis Get Referrals?

A: Several local physicians believe in the effectiveness of alternative

Rekha Shrivastava, MS, is a certified hypnotist and certified rehabilitation counselor. medicine and refer their patients to Blossom Hypnosis. Many referrals are also provided by satisfied clients.

Additionally, Shrivastava provides blog posts on www.cognitivehealing. com and readers then complete the contact form.

Blossom Hypnosis • 700 West Metro Park, Rochester, NY 14623 585-281-2988 • blossomhypnosis.org

10

Mistakes Contact Lens Wearers Make

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

lenses on an extended basis, it doesn’t mean they’re not at risk for inflammation that can be damaging.”

2. Swimming while wearing contacts.

C

ontact lenses offer sharp peripheral vision and freedom from wearing glasses all day.

They have certain care and use rules that help those wearing them reduce risk of injury and increase comfort.

Avoid these mistakes when wearing contact lenses:

1. Sleeping with lenses in.

“I try to discourage this,” said Mark Deeley, a primary care optometrist for Rochester Regional Health.

“Naps are OK—people have to live— but I don’t like patients to make it a habit. The lid closure at night makes the eye suffocated for oxygen. It can cause visual changes. Although there are FDA-approved options to wear

“Especially if patients are wearing lens that they do not replace every day, this can cause problems,” Deeley said. “The microbes and bacteria in a pool, hot tub, lake and fresh water can cause an infectious ulcer. If you have your head submerged, the bacteria and microbes stick to the lens. Sometimes, multipurpose solutions can eradicate those from the lens. It would be better with a daily disposable. Or you could wear goggles.

3. Skipping check-ups.

“Just because patients are seeing well and are comfortable in their lenses doesn’t mean the lenses are fitting appropriately,” Deeley said.

“People should go in for their contact lens exams to make sure their eyes are truly healthy.”

4. Wearing lenses beyond their disposal schedule.

“By over-wearing them, you get deposits on the lenses that can cause infections,” said Therese Farugia, optometrist with UR Medicine’s

Flaum Eye Institute. “It can be a drier lens and can cause the cornea to dry out and it can distort the cornea. We recommend that the patient doesn’t wear their lenses at that point. For some, it increases their astigmatism, and we may have to fit them with a different lens. I ask patients what they’ve been doing if they haven’t been here for a year and a half and I gave them a year’s supply of lenses last time.”

5. Reusing disinfecting solution.

“Every day, you should dump out the solution, rinse out the case with tap water or lens solution if you’re not going to put them in again right away and let it air dry,” Farugia said. “This abuse is a lot less than it used to be because of the dailies.”

6. Switching disinfecting solution brands.

“Stay with the same lens solution,” Farugia said. “They can have different preservatives in the solution. To avoid allergies to that solution, stay with the same one and don’t mix them.”

7. Using saliva to clean a lens.

“I’ve had patients say they put a lens in their mouth to remove debris,” Farugia said. “There are bacteria in their mouths. It does not belong in the eyes.”

8. Using eye drops for cleaning contacts.

“The problem with Visine for redness is it can dilate your pupil and it’s absorbed into the lens,” Farugia said. “Saline is made just to rinse your lenses. It’s not made to disinfect your contacts. You have to use some form of a disinfecting solution or you’re not killing the bacteria. If you don’t care for the lens well, bacteria are covering the lens and you’re putting it in your eye. If you fall asleep in your lens and you wake up and they’re dry, put some saline in to moisten the lens so you don’t cause a corneal abrasion, also known as a scratch on your cornea. Leave them out for the day. If you end up with a severe infection, you may never be able to wear contacts again.”

9. Wearing lenses the entire day.

“Most patients can wear them for a full day as long as their vision is clear and they’re comfortable, but they should take them out an hour before they go to bed so they get oxygen,” Farugia said. “Most lenses are still permeable but it’s still good to get that full oxygen before bed.”

10. Neglecting to prepare for a vision emergency.

“Bring an extra pair of lenses in your bag,” Farugia said. “And bring your glasses wherever you go if you’re leaving home.”

February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

‘I think it would be outstanding if we could expand infusion services allowing patients to remain in their homes rather than having to travel to receive a much-needed infusion.’ more than 100 miles per day, and often there may be no direct route.

Substantial driving, rural locations, weather, road conditions and parking can all impact the number of patients that our team can visit on any given day.

Q A &

with

Michelle Dahlkemper CEO of UR Medicine Home Care talks about her new jobs. ‘This is a special organization of caring and compassionate individuals with deep ties to the community’

By Todd Etshman

M

ichelle Dahlkemper is the new CEO of UR Medicine Home Care. Dahlkemper was previously CEO of Penn Medicine Home Health Lancaster (Pennsylvania) General Health.

She discusses her new job, its challenges and the many services URMHC provides to home care patients in our region. UR Medicine Home Care employs approximately 600 staff members today.

——— Q: What made this job and area appeal to you? Even Lancaster is warmer.

A: This was a great opportunity to be part of one of the top academic medical centers in the country while simultaneously combining all aspects of the post-acute environment with other home-based services. I have worked in home health, hospice and palliative care for more than 20 years and have always believed that patients have better outcomes when receiving their care at home.

COVID-19 amplified that healthcare at home was preferred by patients when facilities and hospitals became inundated. The weather is very chilly, but I’ve been told you get used to it!

Q: How great is the need for URMHC services and how far does the geographi-

cal service area extend?

A: UR Medicine Home Care covers Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Yates and Wyoming counties. We work with system partners to maintain a continuum of care from birth to the end-of-life by providing skilled nursing, rehabilitative services, pediatric and perinatal care, Meals On Wheels, health home, infusion therapy and hospice.

Q: Does our area present any unique or additional challenges for home care?

A: We provide care to individuals in their home. Our service area covers seven counties which requires significant driving. Our staff travels to patients’ homes to provide care and services, often in inclement weather and challenging road conditions. Some of our clinicians travel

Q: Is staffing at URMHC as much of a challenge as it is for many health care agencies today?

A: Like other health care entities, we are experiencing staffing shortages. Our response to this challenge has been to analyze our salaries and benefits as well as identify ways to support our staff as we recognize they are our most valuable asset. We have increased our recruitment efforts and continue to identify opportunities to provide more to our employees.

Patient care is our first priority and we continue to provide services to our most vulnerable patients.

Q: Would you like to see services expanded and is that financially possible?

A: I think it would be outstanding if we could expand infusion services allowing patients to remain in their homes rather than having to travel to receive a much-needed infusion.

Growing our hospice program to ensure that all patients with a life limiting illness have access to the benefits available through hospice would be tremendous. This includes additional nursing services and personal care, as well as the medications and equipment needed to care for the patient at home. It would be great to increase our use of technology in the home including remote patient monitoring and telehealth programs.

These programs are ideally suited for patients with chronic health care conditions, such as heart failure, COPD, high blood pressure and asthma. We hope to provide additional community education and partner with other healthcare providers to expand awareness around these important services.

Q: Please describe the certified home care agency and who it serves.

A: After a surgery, illness or a hospital stay, medical professionals may prescribe nursing or rehabilitation therapy services to help a patient recover at home. These services are covered by most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Nurses, therapists and other clinical staff can provide high-quality, compassionate health care at home. Patients may also receive assistance from a medical social worker or home health aides, if needed.

Q: Please describe the health home program and who it serves.

A: Starting in 2013, as part of the Affordable Care Act, health home is a Medicaid program that serves people with chronic or mental health conditions needing regular doctors’ care. URMHC contracts with Greater Rochester Health Home Network and Health Home of Upstate New York to manage the program. To

Page 12 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

qualify, clients must have at least two chronic illnesses or mental health/ substance abuse issues. The program addresses medical, behavioral/mental health, chemical dependency and assists with managing complex psychosocial problems such as housing, transportation, and food insecurities.

Q: Please describe the hospice program and how many people it serves.

A: UR Medicine Hospice uses a team approach that supports individuals with an advanced life limiting illness. We annually care for more than 1,600 patients and their families in Monroe, Ontario, and Yates counties. Bereavement is offered to families for one year after a loved one passes away. The programs primary goal is to improve quality of life, manage symptoms and pain, and encourage patients and their families to make the most of their time together. The hospice benefit is available to patients for six months, if their illness runs its normal course, but often patients do not access services until very late. We would like to see patients and their families receive these wonderful services sooner.

Q: Please describe the nurse-family partnership program and who it serves.

A: UR Medicine Home Care is the staffing agency for the Monroe County Health Department. It is an evidence-based program for firsttime Medicaid mothers from 16 weeks gestation to a child’s second birthday. The program serves more than 200 families in the poorest sections of Monroe County.

Q: Please describe the Meals On Wheels program and who it serves A: Established in 1958, URMHC’s Meals On Wheels program is the third oldest in the United States!

In partnership with Trio Meals, the program helps Monroe County residents remain healthy and independent at home by providing great-tasting and nutritious meals delivered by caring volunteers. It offers social contact with a check of the recipient’s safety and health. Meals on Wheels is funded privately through grants and generous community donations, and is not covered by insurance.

Q: How does our area compare to other cities you have worked in regarding home care?

A: This is the first organization that I have worked with that has such a diverse range of services to support patients not only with excellent healthcare, but also population health initiatives. The various programs at UR Medicine Home Care illustrate excellent care coordination and integration as well teamwork and patient engagement. This is a special organization of caring and compassionate individuals with deep ties to the community. I feel very blessed to have been chosen as their new president and CEO, and hope to continue the incredible work that has been part of the Rochester area for more than 100 years.

Deciphering Senior Housing Options

By Jim Miller

T

here’s a wide array of housing options available to seniors, but what’s appropriate for your mom or dad will depend on their needs and financial situation. Here’s a rundown of the different levels of senior housing and some resources to help you choose one.

Independent living: If your parents are in relatively good health and self-sufficient, “independent living communities” are a top option that can offer a sense of community.

Typically available to people over age 55, this type of senior housing is usually apartments or town homes that are fully functional. In addition, many communities also offer amenities such as meals served in a common dining area, housekeeping, transportation and a variety of social activities.

To locate this type of housing, contact the county office of the aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number), or use an online search tool like Caring.com. Most of these communities are private pay only and can vary greatly in cost ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 per month.

Assisted living: If your parents need some help with daily living chores, they’ll probably need an “assisted living facility.” These facilities provide help with the activities of daily living — like bathing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom — as

needed, as well as meals, housekeeping, transportation, social activities and medication management. Many facilities also offer special “memory care units” for residents with dementia.

Costs for assisted living usually run between $3,000 and $6,000 per month depending on location and services needed. Most residents pay for assisted living from personal funds, while some have long-term care insurance policies. And many state Medicaid programs today also cover some assisted living costs for financially eligible residents.

Another similar, but less expensive option to look into is “board and

care homes.” These offer many of the same services as assisted living facilities but in a much smaller home setting.

Your county office of the aging is again a good resource for finding assisted living facilities and board care homes, as is Caring.com.

Nursing homes: If your parents need ongoing medical and personal care or have very limited mobility, a nursing home, which provides 24hour skilled nursing care is the next option. To find a good one, use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. This tool will not only help you locate nursing homes in your area, it also

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provides a five-star rating system on recent health inspections, staffing, quality of care, and overall rating.

But be aware that nursing home care is very expensive, costing anywhere between $4,500 and $13,000 per month for a semi-private room depending on where you live. Most residents pay from either personal funds, a long-term care insurance policy or through Medicaid after their savings are depleted.

Continuing-care retirement communities (CCRC’s): If your parents have the financial resources, a “CCRC” is another option that provides all levels of housing (independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing home care) in one convenient location. But these communities typically require a hefty entrance fee that can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or more, plus ongoing monthly service fees that vary from around $2,000 to over $4,000. To search for CCRC’s visit Caring.com.

Need Help?

If you’re not sure what your or your parents need, consider hiring an aging life care expert (AgingLifeCare. org) who can assess your mom and find her appropriate housing for a fee — usually between $300 and $800.

Or you can use a senior care advising service like A Place for Mom (APlaceForMom.com) for free. They get paid from the senior living facilities in their network.

Jim Miller is the author of Savvy Senior, a column that runs monthly in In Good Health.

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

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How to Recognize a MiniStroke and What to Do

By Jim Miller

E

ach year, around 250,000 Americans have a “mini-stroke,” also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), but less than half of them realize what’s happening.

That’s because the symptoms are usually fleeting — lasting only a few minutes, up to an hour or two — causing most people to ignore them or brush them off as no big deal.

But anyone who has had a mini-stroke is much more likely to have a full-blown stroke, which can cause long-term paralysis, impaired memory, loss of speech or vision and even death.

A mini-stroke is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain and can be a warning sign that a major stroke may soon be coming.

That’s why mini-strokes need to be treated like emergencies.

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A person is more likely to suffer a TIA or stroke if they are overweight or inactive, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes.

Other factors that boost the risks are age (over 60), smoking, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and having a family history of stroke. Men also have a greater risk for stroke than women, and African Americans and Hispan-

The easiest way to identify a stroke is to use the F.A.S.T. test to identify the symptoms.

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Warning Signs The symptoms of a mini-stroke are the same as those of a full-blown stroke, but can be subtle and shortlived, and they don’t leave any permanent damage. They include any one or combination of the following: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

F (Face): Ask the person to smile.

Does one side of the face droop?

A (Arm): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S (Speech): Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred?

T (Time): If you observe any of these signs of stroke, call 911.

If the doctor suspects a TIA, he or she will run a series of tests to determine what caused it and assess the risk of a future stroke. Once the cause has been determined, the goal of treatment is to correct the abnormality and prevent a full-blown stroke. Depending on the cause(s), the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce the tendency for blood to clot or may recommend surgery or a balloon procedure (angioplasty).

For more information on ministrokes and how to recognize one, visit the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association at StrokeAssociation.org.

Jim Miller is the author of Savvy Senior, a column published by In Good Health every month.

How to Get Your Affairs in Order

By Jim Miller

O

rganizing your important papers and getting your personal and financial affairs in order is a smart idea and wonderful gift to your loved ones. Here are some tips to get you started.

Get Organized The first step in getting your affairs in order is to gather up all your important personal, financial and legal information so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit you now, and your loved ones later.

Then you’ll need to sit down and create various lists of important information and instructions of how you want certain things handled when you die or if you become incapacitated. Here’s a checklist of areas you need to focus on.

Personal Information • Contacts: Make a master list of names and phone numbers of close friends, doctors and professional advisers such as your lawyer, accountant, broker and insurance agent.

• Medical information: Include

a list of medications you take, along with any allergies and illnesses.

• Personal documents: Include such items as your birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage license, military discharge papers, etc.

• Secured places: List all the places you keep under lock and key such as safe deposit boxes, safe combination, security alarms, etc.

• Digital assets: Make a list of all your digital assets, including everything from social media accounts to online banking accounts to home utilities that you manage online. It should include usernames and passwords. Use Rutgers Digital Assets Inventory Worksheet (njaes. rutgers.edu/money/pdfs/digital-assets-worksheet.pdf) as a guide.

• Pets: If you have a pet, give instructions for the care of the animal.

• End of life: Indicate your wishes for organ and tissue donation and write out your funeral instructions. If you’ve made pre-arrangements with a funeral home include a copy of agreement, their contact information and whether you’ve prepaid or not.

Golden Years Legal Documents • Will, trust and estate plan: Include the original copy of your will and other estate planning documents you’ve made.

• Financial power of attorney: This document names someone you trust to handle money matters if you’re incapacitated.

• Advance health care directives: This includes a living will and medical power of attorney, which spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

Financial Records • Financial accounts: Make a list of all your bank accounts, brokerage and mutual fund accounts, and any other financial assets you have.

• Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or debts you have – mortgages owed, car loans, student loans, medical bills, credit card debts. Also, make a list of all credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information.

• Company benefits: List any retirement plans, pensions or health benefits from your current or former employer including the contact information of the benefits administrator.

• Insurance: List the insurance policies you have (life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, Medigap, prescription drug, etc.) including the

policy numbers, agents, and phone numbers.

• Property: List real estate, vehicles and other properties you own, rent or lease and include documents such as deeds, titles, and loan or lease agreements.

• Taxes: Include the location of your tax records and your tax preparer’s contact information.

Keep all your organized information and files together in one convenient location, ideally in a fireproof filing cabinet or safe in your home.

Also be sure to review and update it every year, and don’t forget to tell your kids where they can find it.

If you need help, get a copy of “Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won’t Have To” at Nolo.com for $17.50 for the downloadable versions, or $20 for a printed copy.

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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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

Golden Years

Supplements May Have Negative Affect on Heart Health RRH cardiologist says vitamins and supplements should only be used for any deficiencies

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

M

aintaining heart health is vital for healthy longevity.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, topping nearly 100,000 more deaths annually than all forms of cancer combined.

It may seem that turning to supplements can help boost heart health.

Not quite, according to Gaurav Sharma, cardiology and clinical lipidology at Sands Constellation Heart Institute, part of Rochester Regional Health.

“It is best to maintain optimal heart health by following a healthy, well-balanced diet with routine moderate physical activity and with the help of medications only as needed and as prescribed by your health care providers,” Sharma said. “For the most part, vitamins and supplements should only be used for any deficiencies and when advised to do so by your physician.”

Supplements are not FDA regulated, so their efficacy in promoting health can be hard to consumers to judge.

Study: Get Moving to Put the Brakes on Early Parkinson’s

A

new study suggests that people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease who regularly got one to two hours of moderate exercise twice a week, like walking or gardening, may have less trouble balancing, walking and doing daily activities later. The research is published in the Jan. 12 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of

Omega-3 supplements are often touted as helpful for promoting heart health. Sharma cited research that they could increase risk of a heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation.

“However, there is a prescription form of omega-3 supplement, Vascepa, which is purer and has shown a cardiovascular benefit, but only in certain patient populations,” he added.

He cautions patients interested in other over-the-counter supplements such as St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba and ginseng that these can interact with prescription medications and lead to elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

“Licorice can itself raise blood pressure and arginine can cause dangerously low blood pressure, especially for those on certain heart related medications,” Sharma said.

Many people rely on energy shots and drinks to power through their day. While many consumers think of these as pick-me-up beverages on par with coffee, they are classified as supplements because the beverages are fortified. They also contain a wallop of caffeine. the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers found that those who exercised regularly over five years did better on cognitive tests and had slower progression of the disease in several aspects.

“Our results are exciting, because they suggest it may never be too late for someone with Parkinson’s to start an exercise program to improve the course of their disease,” said study author, physician Kazuto Tsukita of Kyoto University in Japan and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “That’s because we found that to slow progression of the disease, it was more important for people with Parkinson’s to maintain an exercise program than it was to be active at the beginning of the disease.”

The study looked at 237 people with early-stage Parkinson’s. They had an average age of 63 and were followed by researchers for up to six years.

The study does not prove that maintaining an exercise program will delay the effects of Parkinson’s disease. It only shows an association.

Gaurav Sharma is cardiology and clinical lipidology at Sands Constellation Heart Institute, part of Rochester Regional Health.

“Caffeine supplements can exacerbate heart arrhythmias and raise blood pressure as well in some people, especially those with underlying heart health issues,” Sharma said. “Beyond these, there are many other supplements that could potentially have adverse effects on your heart health. As a general principle, it is best to discuss with your health care providers prior to starting any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements.”

Marge Pickering-Picone, health and nutrition coach and owner of Professional Nutrition Services in Webster, takes a holistic approach to supporting good health. She guides clients in filling in any nutritional gaps in their diet with supplementation while they continue to take any medication that their doctor prescribes.

“Electrolytes are the main thing your heart runs on,” Pickering-Picone said. “If the electrolyte balance is OK, your blood pressure will be better.”

She also said that the proper levels of magnesium, amino acids, coenzymeQ10 and taurine support heart health.

“Some people swear by vitamin E but it can also be a blood thinner,” she warned.

Make 2022 Your Year for a Free Memory Screening

W

hen it comes to routine health screenings, resolve to include a memory assessment in 2022.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers routine screenings that are both virtual and free every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The process is quick, taking about 10 to 15 minutes. It includes a series of questions meant to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other intellectual functions. For the screening, you’ll need a device with a webcam and internet capability, such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet.

The foundation compares the screenings to those for cholesterol, skin and blood pressure. While the results are not considered a diagnosis, they can suggest if someone should see a doctor for a full evaluation.

Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

Of course, that would be contraindicated for people who take blood thinning medication, among other possible bad interactions.

“Hawthorn can help reduce blood pressure and improve circulation,” Pickering-Picone said.

She encourages clients to take control of their overall health to promote heart health. Since every system and organ of the body is interconnected, improving health of all the body systems will only help promote heart health.

She shares her list of supplements with her doctor and encourages clients to talk with their providers about their supplements and medications. Pharmacists can often answer questions about supplements as well.

Neal Holtzman, founder of Pomegranate Health in Rochester, said that his company’s CardioPom “supports a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. It is a standardized dietary supplement made entirely from the pomegranate fruit.”

Pomegranate is a source of potassium, copper and manganese.

Potassium has been identified as helpful in regulating blood pressure and reducing risk of heart attack and stroke.

People supplementing with calcium should be careful to discuss its implications with their healthcare providers. A study publicized in the April 2021 issue of the journal Circulation indicates that patients who do not have heart disease but who have high levels of calcium in their heart’s arteries have a much higher likelihood of heart attack, stroke or other cardio events. The findings corroborate with a 10-year study publicized in 2016 by Johns Hopkins Medicine, which concludes “taking calcium in the form of supplements may raise the risk of plaque buildup in arteries and heart damage, although a diet high in calcium-rich foods appears be protective.”

Overall, it is important to eat a healthful diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein and whole grains and discuss supplementation with a healthcare professional.

“Annual screenings are important, including for our brains, which is why everyone should make getting a memory screening a New Year’s resolution for 2022,” said Charles Fuschillo Jr., foundation president and CEO. “Just as we regularly check other facets of our health, we should all get a checkup from the neck up, regardless of whether or not we are having memory problems.”

Many conditions can cause memory issues, including those that are treatable, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid conditions, urinary tract infections, stress, anxiety and depression.

Early detection is also important for dementia-related illness, including Alzheimer’s disease. It can provide an opportunity to start treatments earlier to help slow symptoms, to take part in a clinical trial or get connected to support groups and therapeutic programming.

To schedule a memory screening, call the foundation at 866-232-8484 or visit its website at www.alzfdn.org

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COVID Helps Drive Nearly Two-Year Decline in U.S. Life Expectancy

C

OVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death for Americans and has shortened life expectancy by nearly two years, a drop not seen since World War II, a new government report shows.

Life expectancy dropped from 78.8 in 2010 to 77 in 2020 as the age-adjusted death rate increased 17%, going from 715 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019 to 835 deaths per 100,000 in 2020, researchers from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

“We haven’t seen a decline like this since 1943,” said Robert Anderson, chief of mortality statistics at CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

“Normally, we don’t see fluctuations of more than two or three tenths in a year. So, any sort of change of this magnitude is really quite unusual. And we can attribute the bulk of this decrease in life expectancy to COVID-19,” he said.

Death rates increased for all age groups aged 15 and older. The leading causes of death were heart disease and cancer, followed

by COVID-19. Other causes of

death were drug overdoses and other unintentional injuries, followed by stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, influenza, pneumonia and kidney disease.

“There was a large increase in unintentional injury, mortality, and most of those are drug overdose deaths,” Anderson said. Overdose deaths dipped in 2017 and that was “encouraging,” he added.

But they have risen again: “The bulk of the increases are due to the synthetic opioid category, most of which is illicit fentanyl,” he noted.

There were also increases in cardiovascular deaths, heart disease and stroke and, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease. Also, increases in deaths were seen in diabetes and pneumonia. “Those are the causes really driving this and, of course, the largest driver is COVID-19, which we didn’t have before,” Anderson said.

He also said that COVID-19 may be playing a role in these other deaths, as some causes of death may have been misreported.

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

Golden Years

Members of the Rochester Chapter of Mended Hearts are, from left rear, Jeff Ordan, Barney Quinlan, Gene Binder, Bruce Rychwalski and Marty Levin; in front are program chairs Marlene Adams and Bruce Newton.

Mended Hearts Are Beating Strongly Group aids those facing heart surgery

By John Addyman

P

icture what might be the darkest night of your life.

You’re lying in a hospital bed, already connected to IVs, waiting for heart surgery first thing the next morning. Everyone has left your room to go home and get some sleep.

Alone with your thoughts, you’re doing your best not to panic. You’re wondering if you’re ever going to see tomorrow. If you’ll ever blow out any more birthday candles. If you’ll feel your spouse’s hand in yours. The faces of the people you love move by as you close your eyes.

Someone is tapping lightly on your door.

“Come in,” you say.

What now? It’s someone you haven’t met before. A man your age, give or take a few years. Warm smile.

Respectful attitude.

The visitor is from a Mended Hearts and he knows what you’re going through.

“We see people pre-operation and give them an idea what to expect,” said Jeff Ordan, 74, of Rochester. “I know they’re afraid. I tell them I had my heart surgery in 2008 and I’m still here. I tell them, ‘You’ll get through it. Yeah, the first couple of weeks are going to be uncomfortable, but after that you’re going to feel better every day.’ Most patients are thankful for the visit.”

Patients may get a visit from a Mended Hearts volunteer after their surgery. Ordan has been there, too.

“Depending on how long ago the surgery was before my visit, they may still be in pain,” he said. “The doctors are basically cutting you open for a bypass. We try to calm them. We tell them they’re going to feel better. It doesn’t take as long as they might think. I let them know I’m giving them an example of myself. I was up and around fairly quickly. I was home in less than a week. I tell them to listen to what their surgeon is telling them to do. Also, when they get home, try to change their eating habits a little bit and exercise at rehab centers.”

Gene Binder, 87, of Farmington is

another Mended Hearts visitor who calls on cardiac patients at Rochester General and Strong Memorial hospitals.

“Patients have said they found it quite reassuring to hear me mention I’ve really had quite an active life after heart surgery,” he said. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve made to do the surgery. I share that with them. It puts them in a better frame of mind to feel they’re going to recover from the surgery and actually be better off than they were before. I know I was. Almost everyone in this room is.”

Binder was speaking, talking about his experience, during a brief Mended Hearts, Rochester Chapter meeting. Everyone in the room was a heart patient.

“I’ve run into people who were concerned the surgery was going to kill them. Oh, absolutely, I was one of them. I knew it was a very invasive procedure. I’d read about it. I was wondering if I should go through it.

And there are probably people who don’t,” he said.

He said Mended Hearts likes to talk to cardiac patients before they have surgery and they ask cardiologists to pass along the Mended Hearts contact information so patients can start the process. Those pre-surgery talks can put a lot of patients’ minds at ease, the group feels.

Mended Hearts began in 1951 when Boston cardiac surgeon Dwight Harkness realized that his patients’ success stories, verbalized by them one-on-one with others, could comfort and support the next generation of heart patients. Mended Hearts slowly went national and was established in Rochester in 1966, with a satellite chapter in Canandaigua and a Mended Little Hearts chapter for kids in Rochester.

The group meets monthly on the third Monday at the Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave., in Rochester and alternately at the Webster Columbus Center on 70 Barrett Drive. Meetings begin again in January. Canandaigua meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at Thompson Hospital, Continuing

Care Center (RG&E Room), 350 Parrish St. It’s in those meetings that the effect of Mended Hearts deepens.

Program director Marlene Adams of Rochester presses for good speakers, doctors, cardiologists, rehab specialists and motivational experts and provides time for talking and schmoozing.

She heard about Mended Hearts and joined it to improve the chapter.

After a quadruple bypass, she found herself in rehab, and frustrated.

“Everybody was so busy in rehab. I wanted to talk to people, but rehab is not a social situation,” she said. “I asked one of the nurses, ‘Don’t you have people who I can talk to?’”

She was directed to a Mended Hearts flyer on the wall.

“I called the number and didn’t hear from anybody for three months,” she said. “Finally, someone called me. I started going to the meetings.”

And, she ended up as one of the Strong Memorial visitors.

“People get better when people are being visited,” she said. “You make people better by just showing up. When I visited people, I know I made some people very, very happy.

Some people were in tears.”

The information people can gather from the experts at Mended Hearts meetings can be life-changing.

Bruce Newton, 70, of Scottsville discovered in 2009 that he’d had a silent heart attack, the feared “widowmaker,” and a third of his heart was comprised of dead tissue. His doctors used medication to treat him and things slowly improved, but Newton felt something better had to be available.

“In 2010, I got involved with Mended Hearts,” he said. “I was looking for something because I was concerned: what was my life going to be like? I Googled ‘heart support groups in Rochester NY.’ There weren’t too many of them. Mended Hearts came up; I decided I needed to go to find out what my life was going to be like.”

Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

“My mother had heart surgery and died on the operating table.

Probably the best thing I ever did was going to that first meeting,” he added. “I made a decision I needed to be in this group. The speakers they had and the things they were doing were very informative. I didn’t know much about heart disease. It was a scary thing for me. I grew up in a family of 14. I’d been married a while. I had three children and a couple of grandchildren. Life was important to me. I needed to learn and then I started learning, what would help me be healthier and what would help me to survive as long as I could?”

After a year he got a new cardiologist and had a triple bypass. That was 10 years ago.

Mended Hearts has staying power as members learn the latest treatments and medications and wisdom that can improve their lives.

“It made me more aware of how to behave and eat and take care of myself,” said Barney Quinlan, 83, of Webster. “The openness of the meetings and all the latest information… we would have doctors come and give us all the procedures and what was the latest. From 2004 to today it’s just unbelievable, the technology has just gone so fast.”

Quinlan is aware of something that was a descriptor of someone who had a heart attack in the 1960s, they were “cardiac cripples,” they couldn’t do anything physical.

“It meant their activities were cut right down. That was never discussed (in Mended Hearts meetings) because with all this new technology and medications, it just doesn’t happen,” he said.

He had a five-artery bypass because three of his arteries were blocked.

“I did not have a heart attack,” he said. “The doctor said I should have. He was worried about me just going in the gurney up to the operating floor. Obviously, everything went well. That was 18 years ago.”

Mended Hearts of Rochester is now looking for new members, people who may be looking at heart surgery, or those who have had it and want to continue living a good life.

Don’t expect members to sit still.

Bruce Rychwalski, 72, of Rochester, a well-known runner, made a presentation to the group on fitness and is now the chapter treasurer and the captain of the 25-member Lionhearted Heart Walk Team.

Marty Levin, 74, of Hilton, didn’t feel well, so his nurse wife took him to the hospital. The doctor told him he was having a massive heart attack.

A triple bypass followed and he ended up joining the chapter and was anointed the technical director, in charge of the website, www.mendedheartsrochester.com “We’re here to get people acclimated to going through their bypass or whatever heart problems they have and to make them feel comfortable coming to meetings and learning more about the latest procedures,” said Quinlan.

“And, we’ve been doing it in Rochester for 55 years,” added Davis.

Lifespan Expands Services for Older Adults in the Finger Lakes Region

M

edicaid beneficiaries aged 50 and older and other individuals with Medicare or private insurance living in nine area counties can now access Lifespan’s comprehensive care management and healthcare coordination services.

Through its System Transformation and Community Investment Program, Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) is partnering with Lifespan to expand access in Monroe, Livingston, Genesee, Wayne, Ontario, Steuben, Chemung, Seneca and Yates counties. The goal is to improve health outcomes for individuals who have medical, behavioral health or social needs by helping them coordinate their care and connect to supportive services.

Services are provided under Lifespan’s Community Care Connections program, which won the 2019 award from Excellence in Program Innovation from the national Archstone Foundation.

LPN healthcare coordinators and social work care managers work in tandem with medical providers to coordinate care and help individuals navigate systems. They schedule and attend medical appointments with patients, coordinate transportation for appointments, conduct medication reconciliations at home, and provide health literacy training.

Lifespan’s social workers visit people

at home, assess needs and link individuals and their families to supportive services.

These care management services are also part of a network of community-based care management agencies that work with individuals with serious and complex physical health, mental health and substance use disorders to achieve better health outcomes and reduce costs. Greater Rochester Health Home Network (GRHHN) is a lead health home in this area, responsible for managing and supporting the network of care management agencies.

“The key to the success of this menu of services is our ability to have a two-way dialogue with doctors and other medical professionals about both health and social support needs at home,” notes Ann Marie Cook, president and CEO of Lifespan. “We’ve proven this model can improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations, and that’s a win for everyone.”

“FLPPS is pleased to partner with Lifespan to expand care management services throughout the region. ,”said Carol Tegas, executive director of FLPPS. For more information about these services, contact Annie Wells at 585-244-8400, ext. 172 or awells@ lifespanrochester.org.

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19

Golden Years From Left: This Albright Remodeling project features widened doorways and smooth flooring for easier use of a wheelchair or walker. The lever door handles are also easier to use for people with arthritis (1). Albright Remodeling installed this easy access shower. Its size can accommodate a caregiver and its grab bars, bench seat and handheld shower makes it easier to use (2).

Is Your Home Age-in-Place Ready?

Preparing home renovations early, instead of after an emergency, can ensure your home can accommodate you into private retirement

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

O

ne of the outcomes of the pandemic has included the realization by many that they want to spend their last years living at home instead of at a long-term care facility.

“Aging in place” means living in one’s private home as an elderly person instead of in an institutional setting. Doing so takes a measure of preparation that unfortunately some people do not begin until an emergency such as release from the hospital after a crisis. By then, time and money can be limited. Planning for aging in place while undertaking any home renovation project can make it easier to live at home.

“I think it’s wonderful for people in their 50s and 60s being that forward thinking,” said Steve Ryan, geriatrician with Rochester Regional Health.

“More and more of us should do that and avoid the crisis of the living space issue.”

He wants people to look at their activities of Steve Ryan daily living and how that would work in their home: where they will sleep, bathe and wash laundry? Ideally, all of these should be on the first floor, since nearly all older adults experience at least short-term difficulty with stairs resulting from an injury or illness.

“Folks need to be realistic,” Ryan

said. “There’s a certain amount of modification.”

Very small homes can also be more difficult to modify because allowance for using a walker and wheelchair.

“Start to think about the ability to maneuver in your home,” Ryan said. “Clinically, the biggest barrier is the width of the hallways.”

A small bathroom can also prove problematic, as it must accommodate mobility devices and allow the homeowner to bathe.

“If you’re serious about making a big renovation, put in the investment in a way to help for the next 20 years,” Ryan said. “Invite someone who does assessment for older adults to come into your home. The homecare agencies, physical therapists and care managers have training in this.

You need someone who can think beyond the needs of you as an individual but the height and width of stairs and width of hallways.”

The entrance to the home itself also presents a quandary to many people, as most homes feature several steps to go in.

Gina L. Donnelly, care manager certified and co-owner of Entrusted Care, LLC in Newark, said that a professional should assist with the process to ensure that all the necessary accommodations are done—and Gina L. Donnelly done properly,

such as “the grab bars need to be anchored to the proper beams so they are secure,” she said.

Statistically, most falls among seniors at home occur in the bathroom.

Grab bars near the toilet, tub or shower can help make the bathroom safer to use. They do not have to look like they belong in a hospital.

“They have some very nice-looking ones that can double as towel bars,” Donnelly said.

She also recommends a shower or tub with a low lip or no step and a higher toilet. These changes can make using the bathroom easier for someone with limited mobility. A sink style with clearance underneath allows access to a wheelchair.

The bathroom door should swing outward or slide such as with pocket doors or farmhouse-style barn doors, in case of a fall. Otherwise, help has a much harder time getting inside.

Widening the door entrances to at least 32 inches in the bathroom and throughout the house is also vital, along with leveling the floor so that a wheelchair or walker has better access.

Donnelly recommends not only first-floor laundry facilities but a front-loading washer, “even if you have to elevate them a little bit,” she said.

In the kitchen, a side-by-side refrigerator-freezer can make it easier to reach items.

For homes lacking a first-floor bedroom, it pays to remodel in a way that can enable changing a room into a bedroom as the need arises. For example, its proximity to a bathroom is important. Donnelly said that a

Page 20 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

dining room often has a wide enough doorway to offer a good first floor sleeping space.

A home office, family room or even a remodeled portion of the garage might work as an eventual bedroom. The key is to ensure that any of these areas are kept wide open enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. The furniture arranging can wait.

Small touches include lowering light switches and electrical sockets, installing lever handles for doors and faucets and using flooring choices like lower pile carpeting and linoleum, for easier rolling, and in the bathroom, non-skid tile to prevent falls.

Jim Albright, owner of Albright Remodeling, Inc. in Canandaigua, is a certified aging in place specialist.

He said that some contractors do not know how to perform ADA-compliant remodeling and that it is important to make sure this is the type of work they perform.

“What we Jim Albright see in your home is what would make you fall,” Albright said. “That’s what takes people out over 60. If they fall once, they fall again in three years, statistically. Reduce steps whenever possible by using a ramp. One of the most common things is there’s usually two steps up from a garage.”

Ramps must be a maximum of one inch rise per foot to maintain a compliant pitch.

Albright also recommends two railings at the entrance.

In any room where the wiring will be redone, Albright recommends additional outlets so that extension cords can be eliminated.

“I go into a lot of houses where there’s cords everywhere,” he said.

Additional lighting is also beneficial for minimizing risk of falls.

Albright said that today’s materials and techniques can beautifully blend the function needed to age in place with form that’s eye pleasing and complementary to a home’s décor.

“Some say these projects may impact the resale value of the home,” Donnelly said. “I say it will—in a positive way. The people looking at your home may have an aging loved one they want to bring with them.”

Golden Years

Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Are On the Way

Rushing sea. Whistling winds. Gulls calling. If you’re missing out on life, friendly support and help are available. Schedules and registration for free programs can be found at hearinglossrochester.org or call 585.266.7890

Audiologists weigh in on the new devices

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

vailability of over-the-counter hearing aids may become reality sometime this year.

The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed guidelines on allowing a new class of hearing aids to be sold without a prescription for people 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Congress approved OTC hearing aids in 2017. However, the industry has been waiting on the FDA’s guidance. The bill states: “The regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids must: (1) provide reasonable assurances of safety and efficacy; (2) establish output limits and labeling requirements; and (3) describe requirements for the sale of hearing aids in-person, by mail, or online, without a prescription.”

Hearing instruments currently available include personal sound amplification products, which are currently available over the counter and hearing aids, which are prescription-only devices presently.

PSAPs are devices for people with normal hearing. These simply ramp up all sound and are used for certain hobbies such as bird watching.

OTC instruments, once available, should offer more sophisticated help than PSAPs, but the FDA is still deciding how to describe and regulate these products.

Hearing aids are much more sophisticated instruments than PSAPs lower cost OTC aids. They help users with hearing loss amplify and make sense of wanted sounds such as conversation. Top-of-the-line models use Bluetooth technology to communicate with each other to boost the user’s ability to locate sound origin.

Some models can transmit phone calls and smart TV output directly to the user’s ears. OTC products will likely be much simpler as the cost associated with this kind of technology would disincentivize many consumers to purchase them.

Katherine Joyce, an audiologist at UR Medicine, sees a few benefits to offering OTC hearing aids.

“Obviously, the goal of over-thecounter hearing aid is to improve access to hearing aids,” she said. “They

have lower pricing, which is a barrier for a lot of folks.”

Prescription hearing aids start at about $5,000; over-the-counter models could cost as little as $200. Consumers who feel any stigma about obtaining hearing aids may feel more comfortable purchasing devices at a familiar location—their local drugstore—instead of seeking help at a hearing device office.

Joyce said that currently, nonFDA approved devices are being sold as “hearing assistance devices” for fairly high prices, a practice she said is “price gouging. The output can be whatever you want because it’s not regulated. It can hurt you. They can be a few hundred dollars. If you pay that much, you’ve been had.”

The bill specifies that OTC devices must have reasonable assurance of safety. This may help reduce risk of injury, since the instruments do not require a professional to adjust them.

One of the aspects of OTC devices that troubles Joyce is the wording “mild to moderate hearing loss” referring to patients who would be good candidates.

“It’s vague,” she said. “Who determines that? If you come in here, you have an audiologic examination.

There are degrees of hearing loss we’ll measure.”

She said that people presenting with a profound hearing loss often do not realize the extent of their hearing loss. On average, most people wait 7 to 10 years before addressing their hearing loss and do not realize how bad their hearing has become.

She hopes that patients will at least initially visit an audiologist for an exam to see if OTC devices might be appropriate and to seek follow-ups for adjustment to their devices.

Joe Kozelsky, retired audiologist and honorary board member of the Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter in Fairport, fears that many consumers will not know the difference between a well-made hearing aid and a simpler over-thecounter device.

“On one hearing aid, a circuit process at 56,000 times a second,” he said. “You don’t get that with OTC devices that amplify. It’s not easy to do.

“In addition, hearing aids also monitor the environment to detect the optimal signal you want to hear.

This is happening 500 times a second.

You’ve got these two factors in operation with a hearing aid circuit you don’t have with general headphones or earpieces. Hearing aids are very, very complicated.

“In addition, they ‘talk’ to each other. If someone’s on the left side you want to hear, they turn up the left side and turn down the right side. They record how many hours a day the individual uses the hearing aid. They also know what noise environments you’ve been in during that period of time.”

This type of sophisticated data logging helps hearing aid dispensers know how they need to adjust aids for the user’s optimal success.

Kozelsky said that a study from the University of Indiana indicates that the level of satisfaction among hearing instrument consumers was much higher with the guidance of a professional than when selecting an OTC device themselves.

“At one time, I queried my colleagues about who could pick out a hearing aid and walk out the door happy, and the consensus was 2% to 5%,” he added. “They’re a lot more complicated than people realize.”

Hearing instruments also need maintenance, cleaning and in some cases, battery replacement (although rechargeable devices are becoming more available).

Kelly L. Thurber is a New York State registered hearing care professional with Empire Hearing & Audiology. The organization’s New York locations include Webster, Penfield, Greece Amherst, Niagara Falls, Auburn, Cicero, New Hartford, Rome, East Syracuse and Liverpool.

Thurber compares OTC devices to drugstore reading glasses.

“If your vision is impaired, you should see an optometrist for an assessment and prescription glasses. But, if you just need a little help reading small print, a pair of OTC ‘cheaters’ can provide some help,” Thurber said.

In a similar sense, people with hearing issues should seek an evaluation from an otolaryngologist

or audiologist to rule out any medical issues before seeking a hearing instrument. Wax build-up, ear infections or tumors could all cause hearing impairment and may be medically addressed. Simply picking up a hearing aid at the drugstore would not address the problem.

For those with an actual hearing loss, a professional exam is still important.

“Without undergoing a comprehensive hearing evaluation from a licensed hearing care professional, the actual degree of loss is unknown,” Thurber said. “The risk is that the brain will not receive the appropriate levels of amplification necessary for proper sound and speech processing with an OTC hearing aid, this could be too little or too much amplification.”

Hearing care professionals have completed training to help them offer custom hearing aid adjustments to the device that can offer the ideal hearing experience for the patient, which is especially important for patients with severe to profound hearing loss.

Mike Halloran, president of Beltone based in Glenview, Illinois, sees easier adoption as a plus of OTC hearing instruments.

“With the caveat that we still don’t know the final guidelines on OTC products, we welcome this new regulation and believe it will help many more people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss,” Halloran said.

Beltone operates locations in Batavia, Blasdell, Tonawanda, Fayetteville, Liverpool and Watertown.

Halloran said that only 20% of people treat their hearing loss. New products and care models can help people seek treatment earlier. OTC devices “will be great for consumer choice, providing people with lots of ways to treat their hearing loss sooner. That’s a very good thing.”

He expressed some concern over potential for confusion over the various types of hearing devices. He hopes that the FDA guidance will help consumers know what they are purchasing and that they will continue to seek the care of a hearing professional.

February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 21

Golden Years

Mimi DeVinney, a dementia and quality of life specialist at St. John’s Home, has found innovative ways to engage residents.

Improving the Quality of Life for Dementia Patients

Mimi DeVinney: ‘They need to be treated with respect’

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

A

s a dementia and quality of life specialist at St. John’s Home, Mimi DeVinney has worked with those battling dementia for more than 22 years.

Understanding that the disease is on the rise, she has helped engineer several programs at St. John’s Home to improve the quality of life for its residents and their caregivers.

“I have a genuine love for working with people with dementia. They are unique and fun to work with and it is just a rewarding part of my life,” said DeVinney. “We have to be honest, we are all getting older and as the baby boomer generation ages, we are going to see more cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s not a scenario that people want to talk about, but they need to be aware and know how to handle it.”

Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, that leads to deterioration in cognitive function. Currently more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year, according to the World Health Organization.

DeVinney found innovative ways to engage residents and recently helped create Beyond Memory dementia care recreational rooms.

DeVinney and her team named the “she shed” and “man cave” to ensure residents receive a place to go for fun and socializing. The rooms feature a spa, hair salon, a chess table and small putting green among other engaging activities that provide an enjoyable and safe place for residents navigating through various dementia stages.

“I like working with people with dementia because they’re always in

the moment, they are very honest, they get pleasure out of things that sometimes we take for granted and they love people unconditionally,” she said. “You can definitely see the change in the mood of somebody who goes from being bored with nothing to do to finding something that they enjoy, something that makes them feel contributing that they can be helpful.

Things that remind them of things they used to do.”

Beyond Memory focuses on the idea that people living with dementia have the right to live a life full of joy.

Residents have a “well-being” plan to address the specific needs of each elder as well as a “Journey of You” (JOY) profile that tells their story in a way that ensures nurses have a road map of each elder’s journey.

Formerly partially funded through a Greater Rochester Health Foundation grant, staff members have helped improve the lives of the 86% of residents in St. John’s living with the condition.

“We try to focus on retaining ability and creating an atmosphere where they are comfortable using best practices like music and other aspects to just amplify quality of life,” said DeVinney.

The facility saw a 66% decrease in high-risk adverse behavior among residents with dementia. She is also instrumental in working with dementia families and patients to ensure they have resources needed to ensure elders and their families have quality care.

“Mimi brings a deep understanding not only of dementia, but how it impacts the elders living here and the employees who work with them,” said Diane Bogaczyk, St. John’s director of nursing. “She is able to teach and guide staff in growing their understanding as well. Mimi quietly goes about her day, sharing her knowledge by spending most of her time with the elders and caregivers and helping everyone to see the person that dwells within, rather than the challenges that he or she may struggle with.”

DeVinney trains staff members from their day one orientation about what to expect from their residents.

She authors a column, which is found on St. John’s website, where anyone can write to her and ask questions

about dementia because there are many people who are caregivers looking for extra support.

“In this workplace, it is extremely important no matter who you are that you understand various aspects of dementia because you will be touched by someone here dealing with it,” she added.

She focuses on talking with family members who many times have questions and also want to understand what is going on with their loved ones. Before the pandemic hit, DeVinney led support groups.

“People with dementia feel the way people treat them differently.

They talk about them like they are already gone,” she said. “We have to be mindful of how we treat people, especially later in their lives. They need to be treated with respect. How you make someone feel always makes a difference.”

Last year, DeVinney also used her passions to help develop “St. John’s Online Dementia Resource Center.”

The website (https://dementia.stjohnsliving.org) is a “tool box” for at-home dementia caregivers to find answers to questions that come up on a daily basis, helping to guide them to a better understanding of their loved one and their needs.

In addition, the facility implemented new technological programs to enhance the residents’ experience.

Embodied Labs provides several VRbased programs that can help employees, volunteers, and family members better empathize with residents living with chronic conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and vision/hearing loss. St. John’s recently incorporated Embodied Labs sessions into orientation and training after a group of employees tried the program at an industry conference.

St John’s leadership is happy that DeVinney is on their side when it comes to helping the organization, family and residents deal with this difficult disease.

“She is an inspiration to work with and is always my go-to expert with any questions regarding providing the highest level of care and quality of life for all of our elders who are living with dementia,” said Bogaczyk.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Mimi on our team.”

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Page 22 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

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Evergreen Place Senior Living Community

By Jim Miller

Tax Breaks for Caregiver of Elderly Parents Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any tax breaks that you know of for family caregivers? I help financially support my 82-year-old mother and would like to find out if I can write any of these expenses off on my taxes.

We‘re Local. We’re Passionate. We Care.

— Supplemental Sam

Age in Place

Dear Sam, There are actually several tax credits and deductions available to adult children who help look after their aging parents or other relatives.

Here are some options along with the IRS requirements to help you determine if you’re eligible to receive them.

• Tax Credit for Other Dependents: If your mom lives with you and you’re paying more than 50% of her living expenses (housing, food, utilities, health care, repairs, clothing, travel and other necessities), and her 2021 gross income was under $4,300, you can claim your mom as a dependent and get a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $500.

If you happen to split your mom’s expenses with other siblings, only one of you can claim your mom as a dependent, and that person must pay at least 10% of her support costs.

This is called a “multiple support agreement.”

The IRS has an interactive tool that will help you determine if your mom qualifies as a dependent. Go to IRS.gov/help/ita, scroll down to “Credits,” and click on “Does My Child/Dependent Qualify for the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents?”

• Medical Deductions: If you claim your mom as a dependent and you help pay her medical, dental or long-term care expenses, and weren’t reimbursed by insurance, you can deduct the expenses that are more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

So, for example, if your adjusted gross income is $80,000, anything beyond the first $6,000 of your mom’s medical bills — or 7.5% of your AGI — could be deductible on your return. So, if you paid $8,000 in medical bills for her, $2,000 of it could be deductible. You can also include your own medical expenses in calculating the total.

You should also know that your state might have a lower AGI threshold, which means you might get a break on your state income taxes even if you can’t get one on your

While keeping your independent and active lifestyle. federal income taxes.

To see which medical expenses you can and can’t deduct, see IRS Publication 502 at IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/p502.pdf.

• Dependent Care Credit: If you’re paying for in-home care or adult day care for your mom so you are free to work, you might qualify for the Dependent Care Tax Credit which can be worth as much as $4,000.

To be eligible your mom must have been physically or mentally incapable of self-care and must have lived with you for more than six months. To claim this tax credit, fill out IRS Form 2441 (IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/f2441.pdf) when you file your federal return.

See How Our Passionate Services Change Families Lives

• Flexible Health Savings Accounts: If you have a health savings account (HSA) or your employer offers a flexible savings account (FSA), you can use them to pay for your mom’s medical expenses if she qualifies as a dependent. But be aware that if you use an HSA or FSA to pay for your mom’s medical costs, you can’t take a tax deduction on those expenses too.

For more information, see IRS Publication 969, “Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans” at IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/p969.pdf.

www.pegasusseniorliving.com/evergreen-place/

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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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 23

Ask St. Annʼs

By Brian Burger

Ask The Social

Security Office

From the Social Security District Office

Get Your Social Security Benefit Statement

Façade of an independent cottage home St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge in Webster.

What to Expect When Moving into Independent Living

W

ill you be an empty nester or easing into retirement soon?

Now’s an excellent time to right-size your home and responsibilities and treat yourself to a more comfortable life by moving to an independent living community.

Quaint cottage homes found in independent living communities have the amenities of a privately owned home, such as multiple bedrooms and baths, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, and an attached garage. Many people 60+ choose them for peace of mind and freedom they bring.

• Maintenance-free living. Cut down your to-do list of homeowner responsibilities and chores. Independent living provides housekeeping, lawn care, snow removal, trash pickup, and household maintenance and repairs, from changing light bulbs to fixing appliances. If you don’t drive or want someone else to do the driving when you go shopping, do errands, or go to the doctor, transportation is included in your monthly rent, too.

• Built-in safety. Independent living strives to help seniors age in place safely, when possible. For example, St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge in Webster has motion sensors in every cottage and provides residents with Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) buttons. If there’s no movement in the home for an extended period of time, a staff person checks in to ensure everyone’s okay.

• Focus on wellness. A wellness coach on staff gets to know residents and plans a host of special events and daily activities to encourage an active lifestyle for overall health and wellbeing. You’ll have plenty of choices to enjoy and new friends to make.

• Walkable neighborhood. Sidewalks and a neighborhood restaurant and club room to walk to are often standard features of independent living communities. Many also have

nature trails through wooded areas and landscape features like ponds so there’s lots of wildlife. Many residents also run into old friends who are now their new neighbors!

• Consolidated expenses. In addition to maintenance-free living and active social life, monthly rent covers most utilities and services, so paying bills and balancing your checkbook are easier. Plus, you’ll save money on your internet, cable, and phone services with community negotiated rates. Best of all, no property taxes!

• Priority access to care. Senior communities that offer a full continuum of care ensure you’ll have priority access to higher care levels as your needs change. Some communities also have a Primary Care practice on campus. St. Ann’s Community, for example, works with Pillar Medical Associates whose doctors can even make house calls to St. Ann’s residents. Many communities also offer transportation to medical appointments, so that you can keep your existing care providers if you don’t want to switch.

“We should’ve done this years ago” is a typical response heard from residents at Cherry Ridge. Their advice? Don’t wait! Make a move while you’re able to enjoy all that independent living has to offer.

It’s never too early to plan for your future if independent living sounds like a great fit for you. Visit the many senior living communities in the greater Rochester area to learn which one suits your lifestyle and budget.

Brian Burger is a marketing representative for St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge in Webster.

Contact him at bburger@ mystanns.com or 585-6976702 or visit www. stannscommunity.com.

We’ve made getting your annual Benefit Statement even easier. The Benefit Statement, also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA-1042S, is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from us in the previous year. You can use this information when you file your tax return, as it shows how much Social Security income to report to the Internal Revenue Service.

If you live in the United States and you need a replacement SSA1099 or SSA-1042S, go online to get your instant, printable replacement form using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount. Look for your replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for the previous tax year in your personal account after Feb. 1.

If you don’t have access to a printer, you can save the document to your computer or email it to yourself. If you don’t have a my Social Security account, creating one is very easy to do and usually takes less than 10 minutes.

And that’s not all you can do with a personal account. If you receive benefits or have Medicare, your

personal my Social Security account is also the best way to: • Request a replacement Social Security number card (in most states and the District of Columbia).

• Get your benefit verification letter.

• Check your benefit and payment information.

• Change your address and phone number.

• Change your direct deposit information.

• Request a replacement Medicare card.

• Report your wages if you work and receive Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits.

If you’re a non-citizen who lives outside of the United States and you received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will send you form SSA-1042S in the mail. The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you can create one today at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount.

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Page 24 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

You want the best for your loved one when it comes to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.

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With 13 locations in the greater Rochester area… we’re in your neighborhood!

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February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 25

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Page 26 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022

Health News Excellus BCBS Appoints Cindy Langston as its First Female Chief Information Officer Cindy Langston has been ap pointed as senior vice president and chief information officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the largest nonprofit health insurer in Upstate New York. Langston is the company’s first female Cindy Langston chief information officer in its 87-year history.

“Cindy is an experienced and strategic leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering results,” said Jim Reed, CEO and president of Excellus BCBS. “She’s also tremendously generous with her time and service to our community.”

“Anyone who knows Cindy is also likely not surprised that she broke this barrier at our company, as our first-ever female chief information officer,” he added.

In her new position, Langston is responsible for delivering on a new technology foundation, developing market leading capabilities and readying the organization with the talent and technology needed for the future.

Langston has a B.S. degree in computer technology from Purdue University, an MBA from Lake Forest

Graduate School of Management and over 30 years of experience in the field of information technology and consulting. She has worked for Dow Corning Corporation, Aon Hewitt, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, in addition to her time as a consultant.

Langston’s leadership journey has taken her across the globe. She spent 10 years, for example, as an international consultant leading large, global IT implementations in Australia, Japan, England, Singapore, Scotland and South Korea.

In 2014, Langston started at Excellus BCBS as a vice president in information technology. Three years later, she was promoted to lead the Analytics & Data division as chief analytics data officer.

Langston serves the Rochester community in a variety of ways, including as board chairwoman of the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County; member of the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes; and past chairwoman of the YWCA Racial Justice Committee and Stand Against Racism events.

Langston also mentors and coaches many individuals, and leads the Excellus BCBS Women’s Leadership group, which engages women with a passion to invest in the advancement of themselves and other women leaders.

Doctor joins CMG Internal Medicine Physician Suzamie Jo Farnsworth recently joined the internal medicine

practice at UR Medicine Thompson Health’s Canandaigua Medical Group.

Board-certified in internal medicine, Farnsworth is a resident of Penn Yan who has been with Thompson as a hospitalist in its hospital medicine program Farnsworth since August of 2020. She previously worked as a hospitalist at Thompson from 2001 to 2003.

Farnsworth, who has a special interest in wound care, received her degree as a doctor of osteopathic medicine at the University of New England and completed her residency in internal medicine at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to her time as a hospitalist with Thompson, her prior experience includes serving as a physician at both Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic and the VA Medical Center in Canandaigua.

Excellus BCBS appoints senior VP of human capital management Lori Florack has been appointed senior vice president of human capital management at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Florack most recently served as president of Lifetime Benefit Solutions (LBS), a subsidiary of the Rochester–based Lifetime Healthcare

Companies, where she oversaw the strategic plan and executive leadership of the organization.

“Since joining our team in 2010, Lori has established strong relationships and focused on engaging our workforce,” Lori Florack said Jim Reed, President and CEO of Excellus BCBS. “During her time as president of LBS, she led a major business transformation that has been credited in part to her team’s laser focus on culture and people.”

As senior vice president of human capital management at Excellus BCBS, Florack is responsible for providing strategic leadership to advance the organization’s overall health and workforce through culture, talent management, total rewards, and inclusion practices.

Florack is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia and Baruch College, where she earned her master’s degree.

She began her career at Andiamo Partners in New York. She joined Excellus BCBS in 2010 serving as the leader of the organizational development department, sales training, and the director of talent management.

A board member of the Rochester Education Foundation and the Penfield Presbyterian Early Learning Center, Florack also volunteers with the National Human Resources Association.

Florack and her husband reside in Penfield and have two children.

Thompson Hospital Nurse of Year

S Flanked by Nursing Administration Johnelle Keck, left, and Hazel Robertshaw, right, Environmental Services’ evening shift was named UR Medicine Thompson Health’s 2021 Department of the Year for playing a key role in getting patients into beds in a timely manner during surges. Left to right are supervisor Stephanie Abbott, Nancy Wade, Ben Eagley, Makaila Wirth, James Thompson and Donna Miranda.

Environmental Services’ Evening Shift Named Thompson’s Department of the Year

E

nvironmental Services’ evening shift was recently named the 2021 Department of the Year by UR Medicine Thompson Health.

During patient surges, hospital discharges happen later than usual, often falling during the evening shift.

“The members of this small team are often tasked with cleaning multiple rooms so nursing can move patients, preventing emergency department boarders and opening up telemetry and ICU beds,” said Vice President of

Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer Hazel Robertshaw.

According to Robertshaw, the team members on Environmental Services’ evening shift are strategic in making patient throughput possible, remaining nimble and upbeat as more patients are flagged and bed priorities change. “The movement of patients would not be made possible without their flexibility and teamwork,” she said.

urprised by a small group of executive team members and nursing leaders during a recent shift in the emergency department, registered nurse Morgan Schirmer was named UR Medicine Thompson Hospital’s 2021 Nurse of the Year.

“Morgan is top notch and deserves recognition of her efforts this year in mentoring and precepting several new nurses,” said Vice President of Patient Care Services/CNO Hazel Robertshaw. “Her experience in critical care as well as her ability to teach prioritization are her strengths and these have shown this year.”

Two days prior, Schirmer — a Springwater resident — had been named a Thompson Nurse of Distinction in the Preceptor/ Mentor category.

A team led by Robertshaw also surprised many of the following hospital nurses, by selecting them Nurses of Distinction. They are: • Operating room RN Carla Eggleston, of Rochester, for collaboration • Emergency department RN Chet Eldredge, of Bloomfield, for

Morgan Schirmer advocacy • ICU Nurse Practitioner Jess Falk, of Canandaigua, for advanced practice provider • Urgent care LPN Aurora Folts, of Hemlock, for rising star • Floor 3 East RN Susan McCormack, of Geneva, for clinical judgment • Radiology administration RN Jennifer Reho, of Canandaigua, for systems thinking • Floor 3 West RN Kathy Trainor, of Canandaigua, for caring practices • Emergency department RN Ken Trezise, of Lima, for facilitation of learning In addition, Floor 3 West’s Darci Camacho, of Newark, was named the hospital’s Technician of Distinction for 2021.

February 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 27

Page 28 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • February 2022