Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine Medical Sept/Oct 2019 by Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine

COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

SETTING THE BAR

ST. GABRIEL OF CORPUS CHRISTI MEMORY CARE

FULL-SPECTRUM JOY YOUR PERSONAL BEST TRAINING STUDIO

SYNERGISTIC SUPPORT

DR. NESTOR H. PRADERIO SEPT/OCT 2019 I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Dr. Mathew Alexander

We passionately aim to raise the standard of care in Corpus Christi. Our goal is to offer an elevated level of service comparable to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading cancer centers by improving the quality of life of our patients right here in Corpus Christi.

Minimally invasive brain Minimally invasive spine Dr. Melissa Macias

Carpal tunnel Ulnar nerve Total disc replacement Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

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All-Star Neurology Specializing in: • Spine • Cranial • Peripheral Nerve • Surgical Plan Modalities

1227 3rd. Street, Corpus Christi, TX

www.southtexasbrainandspinecenter.com

361-883-4324

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Helping Patients Reach Their Goals

ST R RT OK IFI E E

At Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, our team delivers advanced rehabilitative care and close medical supervision to help our patients regain their maximum level of function and independence following an injury, illness, or surgical procedure. We focus on helping each patient develop and meet their own unique goals, such as performing daily activities, returning to work, or participating in leisure activities. Our interdisciplinary team approach and care plans are individually tailored to help ensure our patients receive effective treatment and the level of support they need to reach their goals.

Our general rehabilitation program offers treatment for conditions such as: • Myocardial infarction (MI) recovery • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases • Congestive heart failure (CHF) • Post-surgical care following cardiovascular procedures • Debility from illness • General weakness, deconditioning, and loss of independence

To learn more about our comprehensive approach to medical rehabilitation, please call us at 361-906-3700. CCRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM

5726 Esplanade Drive • Corpus Christi, TX 78414

6002 S. Staples St. Corpus Christi, TX TreaTing all eye Care needs!

 LASIK/PRK  Cataract  Eyelids  Glaucoma  Retina  Diabetes  Dry Eye  What you need!

Highly experienced, specialty trained, dedicated to you treating all of your eye care needs!

Schedule your eye care to be seen same day, next day, or as you request

Call 361.334.2625 or schedule online www.TexasEye.care

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER 2019

18 COVER STORY DR. NESTOR H. PRADERIO

Through his practice and Face to Face, LLC, this psychiatrist helps educate the community and erase the stigma of dementia.

26 PROFILE ST. GABRIEL OF CORPUS CHRISTI MEMORY CARE

Bringing Veritas Healthcare to the Coastal Bend, this community sets the bar high for memory care for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia.

34 PROFILE YOUR PERSONAL BEST TRAINING STUDIO

Functional aging training specialist, Lisa Wright, helps her clients improve both their quantity and quality of life as they age.

FEATURE 10 The Gift of Clear Vision

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS BY: TWINS MEDIA

PATIENT 12 Convenience Comes First HEALTH AND WELLNESS 14 Put Your Heart Into It! 16 Fit in Walking NONPROFIT 40 Game-Changer

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MEET THE STAFF COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER 2019

ADRIAN GARZA PUBLISHER & SALES adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 361.548.1044

PUBLISHER & SALES Adrian Garza

PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS Holly Lewis

EDITOR Erin O’Brien

ART DIRECTOR Elisa Giordano

HOLLY LEWIS PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 479.935.0868

SOCIAL MEDIA Morgan Bartel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jessica Dusek Jacqueline Gonzalez Jane Haas Casey Mihalik Leticia Morales Kathleen Naderer Erin Wilder

PHOTOGRAPHY TWINS Media

ERIN O'BRIEN EDITOR erin.editorial@gmail.com

ELISA GIORDANO ART DIRECTOR elisa@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 210.716.5320

www.inspirecoastalbendmag.com For advertising information, please call 361.548.1044 or email adrian@inspirecoastalbendmag.com. For editorial comments and suggestions, please call 479.935.0868 or email holly@inspirecoastalbendmag.com.

MORGAN BARTEL SOCIAL MEDIA morgan@inspirecoastalbendmag.com 620.417.5392

PELICAN

MEDIA GROUP

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Cornerstone Home Health Cornerstone Home Health can provide a service or a combination of services in your HOME. Along with your physician and our qualified staff, we plan, coordinate, and provide care tailored to your needs.

Services we offered include: Skilled nursing, Physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Worker, and CNA

If you have any questions or want to make a referral, contact our office at 361-727-2131 or Toll free 1-855-328-2131

2600 Lakeview Dr. Suite 2C | Rockport, Tx 78382

AAdi Home Health & Hospice Services AAdi Home Health and Hospice is a full service home health and hospice agency. We provide quality nursing services and outstanding support services. The staff at AAdi has the experience, dedication and compassion needed to provide care in a home environment without sacrificing quality or safety.

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SAVE THE DATE

COASTAL BEND

HEART WALK OCTOBER 5, 2019 | 8 AM WHATABURGER FIELD | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX This fun, family-friendly 5K has a variety of activities including a kids zone, live entertainment, CPR demonstrations, giveaways, food and more!

Questions? Call us at 361-445-3190 or email CoastalBendHeartWalk@heart.org Thank you to our generous local sponsors!

Treating your cancer journey locally means you can still make trips to the park. With all the new innovations and treatment options available to you, one of the most powerful is actually your normal routine. By caring for cancer right here at CHRISTUS Spohn, you’ll not only have access to nationally accredited facilities and a personalized care plan – you’ll also have your friends, family, and neighbors in your corner. You’ll get the emotional and spiritual lift you need, along with the powerful and personalized care you deserve. Treat your cancer where your life is. 361.737.0600 | ChristusSpohn.org/CancerCenter

FEATURE

THE GIFT OF CLEAR VISION Texas Eye Care Network honors a local hero with free LASIK. SPECIAL TO INSPIRE COASTAL BEND

exas Eye Care Network has set out to honor a hero in our community – to tell their story and celebrate them. “Heroes often go unnoticed, and there are so many close to home whose stories go unheard,” explains Christopher Majka, M.D., founder of Texas Eye Care Network. “We see these heroes! We began this campaign in order to honor them.” Dozens of nominations were submitted, highlighting wonderful individuals across South Texas. One in particular stands out as the hero we would like to honor – one who has gone above and beyond to serve our community and our country. Corpus Christi native, Nick Furr, joined the military following high school and was deployed oversees. During his tour in the Middle East, a piece of cargo fell and sliced an artery in his fellow soldier’s arm. Without hesitation, our hero used his shirt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, saving this soldier’s life. Furr was awarded with many medals. He was sought after and selected to be on special teams to go on further tours. After serving two more tours, his mother fell ill. Furr was honorably discharged to return home and care for his mother. Furr lives in Corpus Christi with his wife and two young children. He began and runs his own welding company.

We honor what Furr has accomplished abroad in service to our country, and what he has done right here at home building his family and business in our local community. Texas Eye Care sees what he has done for our nation and community and is now filled with joy to share his story and honor him with the gift of LASIK so that each day he wakes up, he will see his very best!

“HEROES OFTEN GO UNNOTICED, BUT WE SEE THESE HEROES! WE BEGAN THIS CAMPAIGN IN ORDER TO HONOR THEM.”

You can schedule your appointment for a LASIK consultation at www.texaseye.care.

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WE WILL PUT YOU BACK IN THE GAME OF LIFE

TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR: Musculoskeletal Injuries Pregnancy (Pre/Post Natal Care) Diabetes Fall Prevention Neuropathy Cardiovascular Therapy Osteoarthritis Vertigo (Dizziness) Osteoporosis Athletic Rehab (Sport Specific) Thoracic-Outlet Syndrome Orthotic Evaluation/Fabriation Pre-Op/Post-Operative Therapy

ALL 6 LOCATIONS OFFER CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN STATE OF THE ART GYMS AND LARGE INDOOR HEATED POOLS:

CORPUS CHRISTI

CALALLEN

ALICE

5026 Deepwood Cir. • 361.854.2278 4040 Five Points Rd. • 361.241.7399 1302 E. 5th St. • 361.664.9675

PORTLAND 114 Lang Rd. • 361.643.8243

ARANSAS PASS 2150 W. Wheeler Ave. • 361.758.5199

ROCKPORT 1811 Broadway (a.k.a. Fulton Beach Rd.) 361.729.8777

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PATIENT

CONVENIENCE COMES FIRST We know it’s hard to find time to visit the orthodontist. We have options for you! By: CASEY MIHALIK

e get it: Everyone’s lives are busy, and it’s harder than ever to carve out time to make an initial appointment to come see an orthodontist, much less fully research all of your options. For potential patients who are just now imagining what braces can do for them, fast answers can be even closer than one of our free consultations away. At CC Braces, we’re excited to introduce two new ways new patients can start to see if braces are the right choice for them – all without ever leaving their own couch! It can be hard to imagine what your smile could look like after months of orthodontic treatment, but fortunately, you don’t have to anymore. With the help of the SmileView practice assessment, seeing what your finished result could be at the end of Invisalign (or even traditional braces) is as fast and easy as snapping a selfie. Simply scan the QR code and smile, and let SmileView do the rest. The software generates an augmented-reality version of what your smile could be, after a little help from Dr. Mihalik and his team. While it’s impossible to determine exact details of treatment and cost without physically seeing you for a free consultation, we understand that our patients want as much information as they can get before they walk in our doors. For that reason, we offer a free online assessment tool under the “New Patients” tab on our website. Simply follow the instructions to take five pictures of your bite, then text them to Dr. Mihalik directly (along with any other information you think we should know). He will examine the photos, determine a rough estimate for your specific treatment plan and respond to you via text. He’ll provide a rough estimate for how long you’d spend in treatment and how much it may cost – information we know you need before you commit to an in-person consultation. CC Braces understands how hectic life (and how hard leaving the couch!) can be. With these two unique online options, we hope to make the decision to start braces – and the excitement for the end result – a little more attainable for everyone.

YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO IMAGINE WHAT YOUR SMILE COULD LOOK LIKE AFTER MONTHS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT.

Want to learn more about the many options offered at CC Braces? Visit us online at www.ccbraces.com, or call 361-992-4746 for more information.

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“If you have a hearing problem, we have a hearing solution.”

7602 S Staples Ste. 103 • Corpus Christi, TX 78413

(361) 288-3000 www.HoffmanHearing.com Services offered: • • • • • •

Full service audiology practice Over 17 years experience Latest in Bluetooth hearing technology 30 day trial Tinnitus Therapy Most insurances accepted

Carla S. Hoffman, BC-HIS

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT! How to monitor your exercise intensity through perceived exertion By: LETICIA MORALES

exertion, or how hard you feel like your body is working. Take note of how heavy you’re breathing, how much you’re sweating and how tired your muscles feel. Studies have shown that an individual’s perceived exertion correlates to his or her heart rate. This means that if you feel like you’re working hard, your heart rate is probably higher. A person can estimate if he or she is reaching the moderate-intensity level of an activity by using perceived exertion. In general, on a scale of 1 to 20, a moderate-intensity activity would feel like an 11 to 14. Other clues of this level of exercise include:

PERCEIVED EXERTION IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL.

• Breaking a light sweat at about 10 minutes into the exercise • Quickened breathing, but you’re not out of breath • Being able to carry on a conversation while performing the activity Moderate-intensity exercises can include brisk walking, biking, pushing a lawn mower, doing water aerobics, playing doubles tennis, gardening and ballroom dancing, among other activities. What’s important to note, however, is that perceived exertion is different for each individual. The same activity may be easier for one person and harder for another, and that’s O.K. Just be sure to do the activity at the level that feels right for you. And remember: Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

LETICIA MORALES is director of therapy operations at Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses and chronic medical conditions. It is certified nationally by The Joint Commission for Stroke Rehabilitation. For more information, visit www.ccrh.ernesthealth.com, call 361-906-3700 or visit the hospital at 5726 Esplanade Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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ODUA IMAGES/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

ccording to Strava, a social network for athletes, most people by now have given up on their New Year’s resolutions. (“Quitters’ Day” was officially on Jan. 12.) For those whose healthy resolutions may have fallen victim to that day, here is something to consider: According to the American Heart Association, being physically active is important in preventing heart disease and stroke, which are the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, respectively. Regular exercise can help manage known risk factors of heart disease. Studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce high blood pressure, weight and “bad” cholesterol, while increasing “good” cholesterol in the body. But despite these benefits, many Americans aren’t physically active on a daily basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about half of Americans meet the recommended guidelines for aerobic physical activity, which is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity for five days a week. Part of this problem might be caused by thinking that “moderate” exercise means heart-pounding exertion and sweat, when in reality, it can be as simple as brisk walking. Understanding how to gauge exercise intensity is important to reaping the benefits. To monitor exercise intensity, you have to pay attention to your perceived

Compassionate, Caring, Comprehensive Psychiatry COLIN MIHALIK, DDS, MS

Board Certified Orthodontist and Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel

Kalypso Ketamine treatments for Chronic Pain, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, & other conditions

Now offering Spravato

(intranasal ketamine)

for depression Covered by most insurance!

South Texas Mental Health Associates Board Certified Psychiatrists

Megan Talley MD

John Lusins MD

Exclusive Corpus Christi Psychiatric Practice Offering Concierge Services

Managed Services by

Specializing in Braces and Invisalign for the SAME Price

ANDREW T.  This is a great, super clean and exceptionally friendly facility! I am happy with my Invisalign correction and the staff was very flexible with my crazy schedule. The staff is very friendly and professional, they make you feel welcomed the instant you walk in the door! I would recommend CC Braces to anyone!

KIMBERLY T.  Phenomenal team and amazing results! Extremely knowledgeable, professional, and kind! Highly recommended for all orthodontic care! Your expectations will be exceeded!

Offering Exclusive Access to the Subscription Program at the Retainer Club*

STMHA

6625 Wooldridge Rd., Suite 101, Corpus Christi 361-356-6441 www.stmha.com

*find more info at retainerclub.com

Text or Call for a NO COST Consultation de

361-992-4746 www.ccbraces.com

5525 South Staples Street, Building C I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FIT IN WALKING How to work walking into your busy schedule morning, noon or night By: ERIN WILDER

• Keep everything you need for walking at work. This way, you won’t find yourself saying, “I forgot my shoes. I can’t go.” • Recruit some coworkers to join you. You can keep each other on track. • Depending on your walking pace, the weather and how much you sweat, you may be able to wear your work clothes and just put on athletic shoes. Or you may prefer to change into a T-shirt. • In cooler weather, you might need a jacket, hat or gloves. If you’re walking briskly, you’ll heat up in a few minutes, so don’t overdress. • Bring your lunch or pick a route where you can grab a quick healthy meal at the end of your walk.

Walking is one of the most versatile forms of exercise, because you can do it just about anytime, anywhere. These tips will help you get your walk on at the right time for you. LIKE TO MOVE AS SOON AS YOUR FEET HIT THE FLOOR? • Before you go to bed, get your walking clothes and shoes ready so it’s easy to put them on quickly and head out the door. • Eat a piece of fruit or a few spoonfuls of yogurt for a quick fuel-up. • Walking to your favorite jams may help get you moving. Just make sure you can still hear traffic. • If it’s still dark, wear reflective clothing or carry a light. • Be sure to stretch a bit at the end of your walk. Watch a morning news show or check your email while stretching.

MOST ADULTS SHOULD TRY FOR AT LEAST 150 MINUTES OF MODERATEINTENSITY ACTIVITY A WEEK.

IS LUNCHTIME THE ONLY BREAK IN YOUR BUSY DAY? • Schedule your lunchtime walks in your work calendar. Think of it as an important appointment.

EVERY STEP COUNTS Most adults should try for at least 150 minutes (two-and-ahalf hours) of moderate-intensity activity a week. Thirty minutes of brisk walking on at least five days a week is one way to meet this goal. But what if you’re so tight on time that you can’t spare a half hour every day? Then get creative and break up your activity into shorter sessions. For example: • In the morning, park or get off the bus/train about 10 minutes away from your job and walk briskly to work. • At lunch, walk for 10 minutes around where you work, indoors or outdoors. • At the end of the day, walk briskly for 10 minutes back to your car or station. And there you have an easy 30-minute daily workout! Remember, exercise is any kind of physical activity that gets your heart rate up. GET INVOLVED! Join the Corpus Christi American Heart and Stroke Association at the annual Coastal Bend Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Whataburger Field. For more information or to register, visit www.coastalbendheartwalk.org.

ERIN WILDER is the executive director of the Corpus Christi American Heart and Stroke Association. For healthy lifestyle tips, tools and hacks, visit www.heart.org/healthyforgood. Join the movement!

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AMERICAN HEART AND STROKE ASSOCIATION

IS WORKING OUT AFTER WORK YOUR IDEA OF HAPPY HOUR? • Have a light snack about an hour or two before you leave so you don’t experience an energy dip and talk yourself out of walking. Try yogurt, a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit. • Pick a route without heavy traffic, because rush hour can increase air pollutants. • Do some shoulder rolls and other warm-ups to release the stress of the day before heading out. • If it’s already dark, wear reflective clothing or carry a light.

SAVE THE DATE 12th Annual Luther Young

UNA CAJA DOVE SHOOT

Wednesday, October 2, 2019 LONESOME DOVE RANCH Presented by Riviera Telephone Company

Benefitting HALO-Flight, Inc. The Five-Member Team format features one box of shells per team member (provided) and your .410-gauge shotgun. The event is limited to the first 25 paid Teams. Sponsors and Teams available. FMI: Jane Dare Haas | 361.945.7070 janeh@haloflight.org

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COVER STORY

COMING FACE-TO-FACE WITH DEMENTIA Dr. Nestor H. Praderio creates a wonderful program to educate the community and erase the stigma of dementia. By: Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos by: TWINS Media

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Nestor H. Praderio, M.D., was born and raised in Argentina. At the age of 18, he left home to move into a medical school in his native country, where he graduated as a physician and completed his residency as a general surgeon in Argentina. In 1976, Argentina had a military coup, where he spent three consecutive years in concentration camps; in 1979, he was released to the United States as a political refugee. During this transition, he had to restart his training in the United States, including reinstating his license, which put him at a much lower level in his career. 22

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Although his initial career path was as a general surgeon, Praderio discovered a fascination with psychiatry during his resident training program in the United States. “I believe I connected with psychiatry through some of the traumatic life changes, not only through what happened in my country, but also the transition of entering and adjusting to the living and new society of the United States.” He completed his residency in psychiatry at Yale University, affiliate program at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown, Conn. During the process of seeking psychiatry as a specialty, he gained a better understanding of human behavior. With his enthusiastic interest in brain function, development and activity, he was drawn to his sub-specialty: geriatric psychiatry. In 1994, he decided to escape the cold, winter weather and ended up in sunny Corpus Christi. He established his practice, and is celebrating 25 years in Corpus Christi. Since he moved to Corpus Christi, he has developed a large geriatric psychiatry prac-

tice. A man of many talents, he also works with inpatient services at Memorial Hospital with the general psychiatry unit, office outpatient service here in Corpus Christi, and he also provides services for elderly patients living in approximately 72 nursing homes in South Texas. Praderio is also founder and president of Face to Face, LLC, a nonprofit organization that provides support, education, resources and relief for caregivers and their families. Through various educational activities and sponsored events throughout the community, Face to Face, LLC graciously provides a platform for education and a sense of community. Since its inception in 1998, Face to Face, LLC fulfilled Praderio’s desire to create a branch of his practice that would be dedicated to providing education. The education provided to family members and caregivers on a monthly basis has brought much success to the organization, creating an umbrella to cover multiple activities throughout the city.

PRADERIO FOCUSES ON CARING FOR THE PATIENT, THE CAREGIVER AND THE PHYSICIAN IN A SYNERGISTIC DESIGN. I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

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“AS A GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRIST TREATING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH DEMENTIA, I CANNOT SAVE THEIR LIVES. I TRY, ON A DAILY BASIS, TO HELP THEM DIE WITH DIGNITY. DEMENTIA DOES NOT HAVE A CURE; THEREFORE, ALL WE CAN DO IS SUPPORT THEM AND BE BY THEIR SIDE.”

The annual Walk for Memory is a large event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Praderio emphasizes, “We are committed to keeping it local by ensuring that 100 percent of the proceeds remain in the Coastal Bend.” With the funds raised, Praderio was able to create a respite program for family members and caregivers to allow them to take respite to recover emotionally and physically, while their loved ones are looked after during those days. Face to Face, LLC also works together with other organizations to put together various educational activities, such as the Caregiver SOS Center, located in the Lindale Senior Center. Together with the City of Corpus Christi and WellMed, Face to Face, LLC initiated this very successful program, which allows caregivers to connect and participate in various activities. Praderio notes that the caregivers are the ones in need of the most support. Caregiver burnout is heavy in the medical field, and aside from the various activities created by the nonprofit organization, without proper self-care, providers begin to compromise their own health, resulting in depression and a lack of passion and attention to their tasks.

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“I’ve learned so much from caregivers,” Praderio says. “They’re the ones who are using creativity to come up with new material, and their care and love for the patients shows through their performance.” Since he began working in geriatric psychiatry, Praderio has focused on what he calls “The Triad” approach. This involves taking care of the patient, the caregiver and the physician in a synergistic design. He mentions that talking about the disease early on and educating the community will help the triad hold together “through education, support and understanding.” In the last three years, Praderio has begun transitioning his methodology of educating the community by developing different branches of education to reach people in different levels of the community. Providing an interfamilial form of education in which both adults and adolescents are privy to dementia is important to Praderio. Dementia has always been silent and obscure, mostly due to its incurability, but including adolescents as recipients of this information will help erase the stigmatization of dementia. Praderio is very grateful to the Corpus Christi community, partners who have been with him throughout the years, his colleagues and the community of physicians for all their dedication and community service, and he looks forward to bigger things in the Coastal Bend. He hopes that “with eyes wide open and various research methods, we will wake up one day with a medication that will be curative for this devastating disease.” Until then, he will do his part in being a loud voice requesting more support and resources from state and federal governments, as well as evolving his practice to develop policies that will be beneficial to elder care.

Dr. Nestor Praderio, local geriatric psychiatrist and founder of the nonprofit organization, Face to Face, was the winner of the 2018 Inspire Coastal Bend Magazine MD Cover Contest. He was nominated among many other local Coastal Bend medical professionals and was voted the top choice, leading 25 other finalists for this prestigious recognition. We are honored to share his story. For more information on Praderio’s practice, call 361-887-9600. And to learn more about Face to Face, visit www.texasfacetoface.com.

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PROFILE

MEMORY CARE MATTERS Veritas brings St. Gabriel, a memory care community, to Corpus Christi

By: Kathleen Naderer Photos by: TWINS Media

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A llyson Kimble, executive director at St. Gabriel of Corpus Christi Memory Care, and her staff have had their work cut out for them this summer. St. Gabriel, a Veritas Senior Living community, took over the former Thrive Memory Care community on June 1, 2019, and immediately began implementing changes to enhance and enrich the daily lives and care of their residents. St. Gabriel is the only standalone memory care community in Corpus Christi, in addition to the first managed by Veritas, so they are striving to set the bar high for the future of memory care in both the Coastal Bend and Veritas communities. Veritas Healthcare Group, an organization founded by Chris Landers in 2007, has been successful in the development, rescue-and-turnaround and sustained operation of senior living communities throughout Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Even as the organization continues to grow and expand, it remains focused on Landers’ mission: providing a satisfying living experience to everyone who calls a Veritas community home. A former member of the military, Landers also has more than 32 years of health care leadership under his belt, with 17 of those years dedicated to improving the senior-living sector. His initial interest in senior living became a passion after he discovered that his grandmother was being mistreated in her own senior living community. “His mission is based on treating all residents like his own loved ones, which makes a huge difference in the way he comes into our communities and his expectations from us,” Kimble said. “He is very involved in all his communities.” Like other Veritas communities, St. Gabriel is committed to providing both residents and team members with opportunities to not just live, but flourish. Landers drew on his Catholic background to create a wellness philosophy that focuses on eight dimensions – emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual – vital to creating and sustaining a healthy, happy community.

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As the community transitions to its new Veritas model, Kimble has prioritized people, keeping and promoting the best staff members, as well as hiring new employees who will help St. Gabriel flourish. Nurses are now on staff 24/7 rather than simply on-call, and the creation of additional positions, such as fulltime housekeepers, allows resident assistants to focus solely on the health and care of the residents rather than daily chores. Furthermore, all employees are expected to participate in continuing education for memory care. “Memory care is all we do,” Kimble said. “The focus of our team members and staff ensure that our residents’ needs are being met. There are so many different journeys when it comes to memory care, especially when it comes to understanding Alzheimer’s and dementia, because nobody is at the same stage.” Meeting the unique needs of each resident requires St. Gabriel staff to tailor their approach to the individual. All residents have personalized care plans, and staff collaborate with residents, their families and medical professionals to create an environment that stimulates the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of the residents. Working with residents experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia requires a good deal of compassion and patience, which the team members and staff at St. Gabriel demonstrate in abundance. Kimble leads by example in this regard. Her compassion and patience are the key reasons Landers personally recruited her to serve as executive director. After working in the senior-living sector for a decade, Kimble witnessed firsthand how short tempers and a lack of understanding have detrimental effects on those experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia. “I felt that there was a need for more compassionate, patient leaders in the industry,” she said. As Martha Moseley, community relations director, elaborated, “Our genuine compassion for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as our community as a whole, really sets us apart.” St. Gabriel also provides resources and support to their residents’ families. Making the decision to move a loved one into a community is never easy, and those whose loved ones are showing signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia may end up running a gambit of emotions from grief and guilt to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Educational resources that St. Gabriel offers can help lift that burden and help families make the best decisions for their loved ones.

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OUR GENUINE COMPASSION FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE REALLY SETS US APART.”

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“They don’t have to take on this responsibility alone,” Moseley said. “We want to make this experience better for them – to be like an extended family to them.” Family engagement and involvement are encouraged at St. Gabriel. A wide variety of daily activities and special events, ranging from pop-up coffee shops to musical singalongs, are open to both residents and their families. These activities encourage socialization, cognitive awareness, self-expression and physical movement, which have been proven to be beneficial to those in memory care communities. Additionally, the architecture of the community is designed to maximize the residents’ quality of life. Four separate stateof-the-art neighborhoods, each containing 16 apartments, as well as their own living, dining and courtyard spaces, create a distinctive small house environment, while the similar layouts of each neighborhood are designed to allow residents to visit other neighborhoods and still feel at home. “We’re not a hospital, we’re not a nursing home, we’re not some place that people come and go,” Kimble said. “This is their home.”

For more information about whether St. Gabriel is a good fit for you or your loved one, visit the friendly staff at 7245 McArdle Road, call 361-288-4695 or go to www.stgabrielcorpuschristi. com. You can also follow St. Gabriel on Facebook and Instagram for community updates and fun photos.

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PROFILE

LIFE. HOPE. FITNESS. Your Personal Best Training Studio on aging populations and fitness

By: Jessica Dusek Photos by: TWINS Media

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I N S P I R E C O APhoto S TA Lcourtesy B E N Dof MYBP A G Training . C O M Studio

“What do you hope fitness can give you?” The question asked by functional aging training specialist, Lisa Wright, helps her clients embark on a higher quality of life over the next 30-plus years. Wright brings with her 21 years of fitness industry experience. Since 2015, she has served aging populations, helping them understand that quality of life plus quantity of life equals functional longevity. That same year, she wrote her book, “Your Personal Best: The Expert Guide to Aging and Fitness.” Asking clients about the kind of life they hope to live beyond the idea of “age” helps clients envision what kind of lifestyle they could achieve. “When we are working with the traditionalist or Boomer population, the problem with the typical trainer’s experience is the risk of over-training or under-training them,” Wright explains. Passionate in supporting mature populations, Wright offers customized training considering factors specific to her clients’ needs. She notes how the body changes over time, calling these shifts and changes “buga-boos.” Her lighthearted term indicates how the skeletal and muscular structure shifts over time without proper exercise. One example she notes is the shoulders, which can become “less symmetrical over time.” Applying exercises that strengthen matters in those areas can improve structural integrity. “My entire life, I’ve wanted to help people,” Wright says compassionately. In her own journey, Wright found fitness as a place of sanctuary. Going through a combination of life changes in her 30s, she was faced with bankruptcy and divorce, resulting in severe panic attacks. Not keen on the medication she was prescribed and dealing with low energy, she sought out active movements such as running and cycling events. Challenge after challenge, she decided to participate in her first bodybuilding show at 39 years old. Proving to herself that these changes worked has allowed her to guide others toward achieving their own goals. Overcoming the idea of being “too old” to become a trainer ironically helped her discover what many of her mature clients experience from their own perception of “age.” She studied health, nutrition and physical therapy to train these clients and guide them to break these paradigms. After attending a summit by Dr. Dan Richie, founder of the Functional Aging Institute (FAI), Wright had a tremendous “Aha!” moment. “I remember attending that course with my mouth hanging open,” she recalls when having this epiphany. Training Baby Boomers with FAI’s methodologies resonated. As a functional aging specialist, Wright and her team brought this training science to the Coastal Bend.

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THE ACTIVE 85-YEAR-OLD POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 400 PERCENT BY THE YEAR 2030.” I N S P I R E C O A S TA L B E N D M A G . C O M

Today, she and her team incorporate the functional fitness training formula to everything they do with their clients, as explained in her book. Wright found this in line with her organization’s core values focus on innovation and cutting-edge science to propel change in the body. This exercise formula, as a proven system for aging clients to achieve maximum results, helps lay the foundation for the four cornerstones from Wright’s book. “Your Personal Best: The Expert Guide on Aging and Fitness” outlines the client's role in their own success: 1. 2. 3. 4.

An in-depth understanding of the aging process and its implications for exercise A recognition of the desires, goals and aspirations that accompany the third age A strong belief that people can be fit, healthy, vibrant and functional at any age An approach to exercise that is grounded in evidence and honed with experience

Upon this foundation, there are two essential pillars: the Pillar of Specificity and the Pillar of Progressive Overload. The Pillar of Specificity provides, as Wright notes, a “how you train is how you gain” kind of attitude. The Pillar of Progressive Overload supports the fact that the body needs to be incrementally challenged (i.e. adding more weight over time or increasing repetitions). The proven theory behind these pillars is to increase strength and agility by focusing on small challenges over time. Wright’s client success stories continue to inspire her to spread the message through her everyday work. As she trained one client to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, she was also training another to walk a mile on her vacation. The applied pillars mentioned above help improve applied strength and mobility. As aging populations continue to find their motivation to stay healthy, themes of joy and community support drive and purpose. Examples of daily activities include: • •

•

Playing with grandchildren: The art of playing, and embracing one’s inner child, is good for both the spirit and physical health. Community engagement: Belonging to groups and associations, as well as keeping weekly or monthly routines in check, increases a sense of purpose in action. Volunteering: Completing assigned tasks and working in a group to achieve a common goal opens one’s mind and heart to being of service for local causes. Regional and international travel: releasing the adventurer within! Traveling to other countries opens our senses and minds to new cultures, food, outdoor activities and ways of living. Inspiration gained upon travel can become contagious and increases longevity.

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CAROLINA PRADERIO M.D., P.L.L.C. Gynecology & Women’s Health

It's all we do! 7245 McArdle Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 288-4695

Improving drive affects mobility and long-term health. With these improvements, aging populations experience a greater quality of life overall. “The active 85-year-old population is expected to increase 400 percent by the year 2030,” Wright explains. “With advancing technology and awareness, aging populations can improve their quantity of life (number of years) by improving quality of health.” As with anything, willingness and practice over time (showing up to those training appointments) brings Wright’s clients more joy. Exercise helps ignite those super powers: improving mood, strength, speed and an elevated energy. Wright creates a full spectrum of customizable programs for clients of all ages, sizes and goals by applying effective methodologies and listening to her clients. Drawing on that inspiration, she continues to do her best work yet.

To learn more about Lisa and Your Personal Best Training Studio, please visit www.ypbtrainingstudio.com.

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NONPROFIT

GAME-CHANGER

emorrhagic death remains the leading cause of survivable deaths in trauma cases. Today, the air ambulance professionals at HALO-Flight are changing that notion for South Texans with the introduction of blood on board each lifesaving mission. In 2005, the Fifty-Eighth World Health assembly designated World Blood Donor Day – June 14 – as an annual event to foster support of access to sufficient safe blood. Years later, the awareness day still draws attention to the lifesaving benefits of transfused blood and blood products that save millions of lives. Pre-hospital blood transfusions, the type now being provided to South Texans by HALO-Flight, can only be successful with continued commitment from donors. For more than a year, HALO-Flight Chief Medical Officer Randy Endsley, R.N., and Flight Nurse and Blood Project Lead Christal Tressider, R.N., have dedicated every spare moment to the pursuit of the HALO-Flight pre-hospital blood project. They have explored federal regulatory guidelines; procured exacting equipment for blood storage and portable deployment on the aircraft; and developed processes, procedures and protocols. Additionally, Tressider has undertaken intensive training from conferences across the country and brought in the strongest practices for training with the entire HALO-Flight medical crew.

“Our registered nurses at HALO-Flight come to us having administered hundreds of transfusions in their past careers,” Endsley says. “And now, we are working to achieve similar competencies with our flight certified paramedics, as well, to ensure that each flight crew is fully prepared for what each trauma patient presents.” “Our job is the essence of unpredictability,” Tressider said during a recent in-service with the HALO-Flight medical crew. “The goal is to restore the body’s ability to clot. If they have massive bleeding, they need blood, not saline.” HALO-Flight Medical Directors Dr. Jay Koska and Dr. Michael Simmons have been actively engaged in implementation of this lifesaver for South Texans. A major milestone came with the receipt of a very generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Gary Jones of Beeville, making it possible for the staff to secure the long list of specific and specialized equipment needed for on-board pre-hospital blood transfusions. With over 1,270 South Texans transported last year, many of whom were victims of accidents including major trauma incidents, utilization of pre-hospital blood will certainly reduce mortality rates. With a 28,000-square-mile service area, giving patients’ bodies a chance to restore natural defense mechanisms to better accommodate travel time to higher levels of care, which could be many miles away, is an outcome HALO-Flight is seeking

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OUR JOB IS THE ESSENCE OF UNPREDICTABILITY.”

for all missions. Donating blood where you live or where you work makes the lifesaving administration of pre-hospital blood in the air ambulance an absolute game changer for South Texans. In 2015, HALO-Flight began the administration of an antifibrinolytic medication known as tranexamic acid (TXA) to patients. This next escalation of care for patients experiencing excessive blood loss will ensure patient outcomes are improved on many levels. “It is with great appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Jones for their generous gift, and to Christal Tressider for her consummate leadership of this vital project, that we launch this service for South Texans,” stated HALO-Flight Executive Director Tom Klassen. “It is not always easy to be a leader in the complicated world of health care. But since our humble beginnings in 1987, it has been and remains HALO-Flight’s goal for all the South Texas patients for whom we care.”

About HALO-Flight For over three decades, HALO-Flight has delivered on the trauma needs of South Texans when minutes to a higher level of care mattered most. With a fleet of helicopter air ambulances based in Corpus Christi, Alice and Beeville servicing over 28,000 square miles and a population of over one-and-a-half million people, HALO-Flight responds to thousands of critical accident, heart attack and newborn patients, plus many more who might not have had a chance to survive otherwise. More information is available at www.haloflight.org.

For more information, contact JANE HAAS, HALO-Flight director of marketing, at 361-945-7070 or janeh@haloflight.org.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HALO-FLIGHT

HALO-Flight adds blood on board lifesaving missions for South Texans. By: JANE HAAS

14330 SPID | North Padre Island, TX 78418 361-949-2266 Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6 PM 1812 State Hwy 361 | Suite A | Port Aransas, TX 78373 361-749-2266 Open: Monday-Saturday 10-6 PM, Sunday 12-5 PM 615 Business Hwy 35 | South Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-2266 Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6 PM NEW LOCATION 5017 Saratoga | Corpus Christi, TX 78413 361-692-2177 Open: Tuesday -Saturday 10-6 PM

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