Caregiving for the Caregiver

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vol. 7 ISS. 2

g n i v i g e r a Cfor r e v i the Careg VIDEO LIBRARY A RESOURCE ANSWER THE MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

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UNEXPECTED JOURNEY OF A CAREGIVER KNOW ALL ABOUT JOINT REPLACEMENT MUST KNOWS ABOUT HEART ATTACKS HEALTHY, DELICIOUS RECIPES

HURLEYMC.COM | #HURLEYCARES

Know before you go–

URGENT CARE Urgen Care Cuts requiring stitches Minor burns Fever, cold, sore throat, ear infection, flu Upset stomach vomiting/diarrhea Bladder infection

VS.

Emergency ROOM

Emergency Room Symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or extreme shortness of breath Major burns, injury or bleeding Poisoning Seizures or loss of consciousness Coughing or vomiting blood Homicidal or suicidal feelings

HIGHER

LOWER Copay applies. $25-$50 average.

Copay applies. $100-$200 average.

30 MIN

Average length of time spent in ER.

MANY LOCATIONS

1 LOCATION

3-5 HOURS

You will usually be seen in under 30 min.

Hurley Urgent Care– Grand Blanc 5494 S. Dort Hwy. 810.262.7731

Hurley Medical Center– Urgent Care 1 Hurley Plaza, Flint 810.262.6744

Hurley Urgent Care– Lapeer 1794 N. Lapeer Rd. 810.245.1800

Hurley Urgent Care– Burton G-2065 S. Center Rd. 810.262.2360

One Hurley Plaza, Flint

CALL 911 Call 911 immediately if someone is unconcious, having trouble breathing, has suffered a serious injury or may be having a heart attack or stroke. This is a guide and is not intended as a tool to diagnose injuries or illnesses.

Hurley Urgent Care– Durand 8759 Monroe Rd. 810.262.2710 #HURLEYCARES | www.hurleymc.com

t n i l F s o d #Ku

s t n e t n o C TABLE OF

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

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Caregiver Resources Every Family Should Know

8 Replacing A 26 Joint Q&A at Hurley Wellness Hurley Medical 10 Healthy Recipes Center The Secret to Leading 12 Caregiver Avoiding 30 Cause of Death – Burnout Heart Disease Planning Head – Heart Attack 14 Estate and 32 Symptoms Personal Matters Deep Fried The Unexpected 34 Burritos 16 Journey of a I.G.N.I.T.E – Inmate Caregiver Honoring Honor Guards at VFW Post 822

Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education

18 Hurley Receives Summer Refresh 20 Superior Recognitions for 36 Tips for Your Home Senior Care Video Library What You Need to 22 Know About UTIs 38 for the Caregiver Managing Medicine at Home

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1

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... is a platform for good news, bringing people together, and strengthening our community.

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR IN CHIEF Elizabeth Marasco

P OPSOI STPIOTVSIEVI TEVI IVVBEIEBVEI B E P OPSOI STPIOTVSIEVI TEMI VIMNEIDNMDI N D P OPSOI STPIOTVSIEVI TELIIVLFEIEF LEI F E EDITOR Nicole Weddington GRAPHIC DESIGN Nancy Kurnik

WRITERS Jennifer Boice Daryn Green Diana Fletcher Elizabeth Marasco Katherine Negele Nicole Weddington PHOTOGRAPHER Doug Pike

CONTACT INFORMATION Brady Events and Marketing (810) 953-4000 Studio KUDOS magazine is published by Brady Events and Marketing Inc. We can be reached at liz@kudosmag.com or facebook.com/beamnow All right reserved, this publication cannot be copied or duplicated.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE Awww.KudosMag.com JOURNEY A JOURNEY TO HEALTHY, TO HEALTHY, HAPPY HAPPY LIV A JOURNEY TO HEALTHY, HAPPY LIVINGLIVING

@CupOfKudos @CupOfKudo @CupOfKudos /KudosMagazine

100%

PROUDLY DESIGNED, PRODUCED, AND PRINTED IN THE USA

Letter from the Publisher

S

tepping into the role of a caregiver for a family member is one of the most challenging experiences in a lifetime. Along my journey, I experienced different caregiving scenarios for loved ones. Some needed a little assistance getting to doctors’ appointments and surgeries, helping manage medicine and food supplies. While others required more time, dedication, and hyper-focus on every component of their life; bathing, cooking, assistance eating, managing bills and house maintenance, emotional support, safety and security, and so much more.

As a caregiver, there will be days you feel exhausted from lack of sleep, unattended self-care, riddled with worry and anxiety about a loved one’s well-being, and in some cases, a lack of support and resources for relief.

Other days greeted by the sweetest of sweetness in life, an authentic connection, facades removed, allowing vulnerability, honesty, and pure love to radiate.

These days often become a fueling point to continue pouring care and energy into your loved one.

When I look back at my journey as a caregiver, I am sometimes amazed I survived. My entire life changed and then came crashing down after all of them departed.

For me, I had two sons relying on me; I had to come back to living life again. My healing took time, effort, a lot of prayers, and willingness to lean into my faith, forgive others and forgive myself.

As a caregiver, you experience disappointing situations, people who will attempt to betray or take advantage of you or your loved one. There will be days you disappoint yourself for not being the best version of yourself or questioning if you made the right decisions or discovering something you could have done better. But take note, you

will also encounter people who surprise you with unexpected acts of kindness, and you may also find a deep love for living in peace and truth by not tolerating unnecessary drama in life. It becomes easier to see what is truly important in life.

In this issue of Kudos magazine, we focused on Caregiving for the Caregiver, providing insight for your journey, reminding you are not alone, and let you know many resources available to help along the way. When it comes to families faced with a long-term health crisis or a terminal diagnosis, sometimes it can be challenging for others to understand this topic or feel comfortable talking about it. We are digging into the nitty-gritty to help caregivers feel empowered, gain strength, find healing, and connect with resources for support.

I want you to know you are not alone. I know this hard. And even as hard as this is, I know you will keep sharing all that love with your loved ones!! I truly hope this issue of Kudos gives you a little dose of love, inspiration, and insight to help you along the journey.

And in case nobody has told you, you are appreciated and loved.

Elizabeth Brady-Marasco

Kudos Publisher and Editor in Chief

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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g n i r o Hon HONOR GUARDS AT VFWBYPOST 822 ELIZABETH MARASCO

M

ilitary Taps is a bugle call most Americans will recognize by hearing the first two notes pouring from a trumpet or bugle. This simple, yet emotionally moving, melody expresses honor and gratitude in ways words fail us. The Honor Guard shares this bugle call at military funeral ceremonies, often accompanied with rifle squad gun salutes to honor a deceased veteran. It is common to see the eyes of family members swell up with tears as the ceremony unfolds.

VFW Post 822, known as “The Flint Post,” is a home base for Honor Guards. Terry Ingram shared, “It was also the first Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Genesee County, established in 1921.

C.S. Mott was one of the charter members. We’ve been here a long time.”

Terry Ingram has been the Captain of the Honor Guard for over 25 years.

His dedication to honoring veterans is something he takes to heart. He is very humble about his service and dedication to honoring veterans, providing respect to families, and acting as a beacon of light to the crew

at Post 822. Terry shared how his involvement with the Honor Guard started by volunteering to help a friend temporarily. However, it became evident quickly that Terry’s involvement was the glue to keeping traditions going. “I just got a real good feeling about being able to come out and do it. I enjoy being with the guys, and I feel like I am accomplishing something I never set out to do,” said Terry.

Terry explained the tradition of sharing honors for a deceased veteran. “We salute the casket, the military takes over at the casket, we line up, and when they give

us the signal, we fire, play the Taps, the military folds the flag. After we fire, I pick up the shells and put them in a bag and present those shells to the person who gets the flag.”

Terry said, “January to the end of May, we have provided honors for 53. In 2020, it was a short season, but we did 119. We had three months in 2020 that we were down, and we didn’t do any.”

Neil Ketterer became a member of the Honor Guard around one year ago, and he shared how being involved is a way to share respect with veterans and their families. Neil said, “I was Commander at Post 822 before I joined the Honor Guard. Our Honor Guard members are getting up

Meet a few of the local Honor Guards who share honors at funerals for local veterans.

MOBILE DEVICE VIEWER

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

we can keep going with our honors.”

Tom Toohey, Neil Ketterer, Terry Igram, Don there in age, and we have had quite a few Honor Guard members who are not able to participate in the honors anymore. I stepped in to try to be a lending hand to them, to make sure

As Post 822 prepares to celebrate their 100th anniversary, they are focused on gaining community support to keep these great traditions going. “We are always looking for volunteers to join our post or the auxiliary. If somebody takes a shining to members of the Honor Guard, we can try to bring them on as members of the honor guard,” said Neil.

It is essential to note that you do not have to be a veteran to join or volunteer.

The post welcomes individuals who want to be a part of a supportive community for veterans and families. Get involved, support their efforts, stop by for a great burger on Wednesday or a fish fry on Friday, volunteer, donate, be a part of something that provides comfort to veteran’s families while honoring those who served our great country.

FRIDAY FISH FRYS AT THE VFW WEDNESDAY BURGER NIGHTS (5PM-8PM) FRIDAY FISH FRY NIGHTS (5PM-8PM) Dine in or take out.

(810) 742-1995 Open to Public www.facebook.com/ americans822/ Support VFW Post 822 and Celebrate their 100th Anniversary Now through Saturday, September 4, 2021 Buy A $10 Raffle Ticket and Enter to Win Harley-Davidson Motorcycle!

Contract Tom Toohey to purchase raffle tickets (810) 922-7947 VFWPost822@gmail.com

Baked Southwest Tortilla Eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350º Brush the olive oil over the inside surface of a circular baking dish. Press the tortilla down into the baking dish so that the edges fold up the sides of the dish. It may help to microwave the tortilla for few seconds first to make it more pliable. Sprinkle 1/2 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 of the shredded 1 flour tortilla cheddar on tortilla. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar bell pepper and diced green chiles on top of cheese cheese. Crack four eggs 1/4 red bell pepper on top of vegetables 2 Tbsp diced green chiles and che ese. Season 4 large eggs with salt and pepper.

Top with remaining 1/8 tsp salt shre dded cheese. Bake 1/8 tsp pepper approximately 20 minutes, 2 Tbsp salsa or until the egg whites are 1 green onion, sliced set and yolks are jiggly.

Remove from oven, put salsa and green onions over the tortilla baked eggs. Slide knife around the edge between the tortilla and dish to loosen, slide tortilla baked eggs out of the dish Cut tortilla baked eggs into quarters.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Ingredients

Parmesan Green Bean Fries

ºF.

Ingredients

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8 oz. Green Beans 1 egg 1 Tablespoon water 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon rosemary (optional) Season with salt and pepper

o a

Directions

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats (old fashioned oats or large flake oats, do not use quick oats or steel cut oats.)

2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground ginger 2 cups milk (dairy, almond milk or nondairy.) ½ cup maple syrup (or substitute with honey or brown sugar) 2 eggs (or flax eggs.)

3 peaches chopped: roughly 4 cups ¼ cup sliced almonds To serve Greek yogurt fresh peaches maple syrup

Peach Baked Oatmeal Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8 x 13 casserole dish with oil In a large bowl, mix oats, baking powder, and spices. Stir in the almond milk, maple syrup and eggs. Gently fold in the peaches. Spread mixture in the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with almond slices.

Bake for 45-55 min, until edges are brown, and center is no longer wet.

Divide into individual servings. Top with Greek yogurt, fresh peaches and/or maple syrup.

Good in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. In separate dish, gently mix parmesan cheese, garlic powder salt, pepper and rosemary (optional.) Dip the green beans in egg mixture to fully coat.

Transfer green beans to cheese mixture, gently roll green beans with fork to fully coat all sides with cheese. Place single layer of green beans on baking sheet, creating space so green beans do not touch.

Bake approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisptender.

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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THE SECRETTO AVOIDING CAREGIVER

t u o n r bWu

BY DIANA FLETCHER

hen you love someone, caring for them doesn’t seem like a burden. You may jump in with a willing spirit, arms open wide, and be grateful that you can help them. You want to help them feel better. That’s wonderful and anyone who performs this service is truly a hero.

Are you that person? Do you have times of feeling satisfied and proud? Good! You deserve to feel that.

However, you may have other emotions that are just as normal. Do you often feel tired and overwhelmed? Discouraged? Unappreciated?

You may be experiencing caregiver burnout. This is a very real problem and is dangerous for your physical and mental health.

These feelings often stem from physical and mental fatigue which is a natural result of doing too much and sleeping too little.

So the secret to avoiding caregiver burnout is getting more sleep.

Your thoughts may have immediately gone to all the reasons you can’t even THINK about sleeping! But, for your own health and well-being you need to make this a priority. Sleep deprivation negatively affects every part of our bodies from brain function to appetite control.

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

THE 2 LIMIT CAFFEINE. HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO HELP YOU MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY. SET THE SCENE. Make your bed

1

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soft and inviting. Set a bedtime, and stick to it. Do not turn on the television, bring a phone or laptop to bed, or read anything possibly upsetting. Soft music may help you release some stress. Close your eyes and concentrate on tightening and relaxing each body part. Practice slow breathing. Keep a notepad and pen next to your bed so that if you can’t stop your mind from racing with to-do items, you can write them down without getting out of bed. If you are taking care of someone in the home, consider a baby monitor so that you don’t have to keep getting up during the night to check on them. Don’t panic if you can’t sleep. You are still benefiting from lying down and being quiet.

Close your eyes and concentrate on tightening and relaxing each body part.

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Coffee or other caffeinated drinks may get you started and seem to keep you going, but they are reducing your chances of a truly restful sleep. Try to limit caffeine after noon and see if you fall asleep more easily and/or feel more rested.

THE 3 LIMIT ALCOHOL.

A glass of wine may seem like just the thing to help you fall asleep, but it can end up disrupting your rest one to two hours later.

FOR 4 ASK HELP.

There IS help out there and you need to make it a priority to get it so you can take a nap or go to bed earlier.

5 ACCEPT HELP.

It can be difficult to accept help. You must get over this and let people help you so that you can take care of yourself.

You may be the best caregiver in the world, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you will be of no use to anyone. It’s perfectly alright to love and take care of yourself.

Now go, get some rest!

About The Author Diana Fletcher is a writer, life coach and activist living in Pennsylvania. She is the best-selling author of Happy on Purpose Daily Messages of Empowerment and Joy for Women revised and expanded edition. Diana can be reached through her website at www.dianafletcher.com

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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PLANNING AHEAD

BY JENNIFER BOICE

I

t’s never easy losing a loved one. The period after the loss of a close family member feels like a dream or an alternate state of reality. Numb with the recent loss, we hurry around making funeral arrangements, procuring legal documents, and greeting family and friends with a smile, wishing we were seeing them under different circumstances. It isn’t until this flurry of events is over that we can properly grieve.

It’s exhausting. And we need time to process the loss of a life that was so dear to us. But there may be one more thing holding us back from getting to that state of grief. If our loved one was the lone survivor of their estate, the burden of

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dividing their assets, sorting through financial information, and tending to the remainder of their estate falls to us.

Within the past few years, I’ve witnessed my own family go through the task of sorting out the estate of passed loved

ones. Before my grandmother passed, she had everything arranged, her burial account ready, her documents organized, her will signed, and her wishes clearly stated.

She had talked with her children

INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

‘‘ about what she wanted, where things were, and how she wished for things to be in the end. There was no stone left unturned.

So much, in fact, that when my aunt went to get the outfit my grandma requested to be dressed in for burial, she found a baggie of undergarments pinned to it. We all smiled at this detail, picturing my grandma, always the planner, ensuring no difficult decisions fell to her family.

This is a great example of how good estate planning can ease the burden on surviving family members. Though thinking about your own mortality may not be easy, it is important. It’s never too early to begin the process of planning how to distribute your assets and property.

Keep organized and keep your appointments. Set up a meeting with your family members and be transparent with them. Tell them your plans, and who you’ve named as beneficiaries, power of attorney, and so forth.

MAKE A WILL. This document states how your assets and property will be divided upon your death and also names a guardian for any minor children.

It can be very basic, but is legally binding and can ensure your wishes are carried out.

MAKE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES. If you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself, it is necessary to have a health care declaration (“living will”) and power of attorney for health care.

These documents allow a person of your choosing to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.

CHECK YOUR BENEFICIARIES. Make sure your bank accounts, retirement plans, stocks, bonds, life insurance, and other accounts are updated with the beneficiaries of your choice.

HAVE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE AND KNOWN TO YOUR LOVED ONES. Set up a payable-upon-death account for funeral expenses and discuss final arrangements with your family members. Details such as burial versus cremation, and organ or body donation need to be known by the family members responsible for funeral planning.

‘‘

There are a few steps you can take to get a head start:

This is a great example of how good estate planning can ease the burden on surviving family members.

LET YOUR EXECUTER KNOW WHERE YOUR DOCUMENTS ARE STORED. These documents, in addition to insurance policies, real estate deeds, and financial information should be organized and accessible to the executer of your estate.

Handling a loved one’s estate after their death is not an easy topic to discuss. I remember when my parents had my brother and me over to discuss their estate plans. Initially I had an uneasy feeling; I didn’t want to think of losing my parents. But we soon realized they were just making it easier on everybody involved.

When the time comes, we know our roles, and we know their wishes. It won’t make losing them any easier, but it will certainly lessen the burden left to us.

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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d e t c e p x Une I THE

JOURNEY OF A CAREGIVER

BY ELIZABETH MARASCO

n 2012, John Stewart and his family experienced drastic changes when their mother passed away.

Then six months later, their father experienced a catastrophic stroke.

John explained, “It was such a severe stroke, it only happens to less than 1% of the population.

It takes out all of their cognitive abilities, including their balance, and can render them to a 2-year-old.”

John and his two brothers were thrust into the roles of caregivers and providing 24-hour care for their dad. For the next 7 ½ years, the three brothers coordinated schedules and rearranged plans as needed to ensure their dad had full-time proper home care. To make this possible, the entire family had to work together, adapt their lifestyles, learn new skills, and gather strength for what they were facing.

The medical field was nothing new to John; he has over 30 years of experience working in health care as a nurse and administrator. His credentials read like a badge of honor highlighting education and experience in the medical field: RN, BSN, MSA, Service Line Administrator Emergency, Trauma, Bariatrics, Oncology, Stroke, and EMS at Hurley Medical Center.

When you meet John, it is evident that he is passionate about helping patients receive the best medical care, especially during a moment of crisis. But nothing

16

could have entirely prepared John for the role of a caregiver for a family member. John explained, “When you flip the switch to your family, I think there are elements you can bring across to help during this time frame. But it is a whole different world.” John shared how the role of a caregiver for a family member is unique to the experience of working in health care because of the emotional connection. John said, “When it comes to you, and you’re holding the bag, all bets are off as it relates to an academic standpoint or formal health care standpoint. Your parents are your parents, and they depend on you.”

Caregivers often live with extraordinaire stress they easily overlook because they submerge themselves into looking out for their loved one’s well-being and needs. Although this may be with the best intentions, it can also lead to caregivers feeling exhausted and depleted. John explained, “It is hard to recognize when you need an outlet.

One of the aspects we learned was balance. Yes, it may be easy to say, but it is a challenge to do.” It is essential to understand the reality of the journey and not fall into a martyr mindset to try to take the role on by yourself.

There are various emotions caregivers may experience—sadness, fear, anger, exhaustion, shock, guilt, frustration, and loneliness, to name a few. John wants

INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

caregivers to know, “It’s OK to feel how you are feeling; one week you might nail it, and the next week you might feel a void. You need to be OK with feeling how you do, when you do, and discover ways to make changes as needed.” It is crucial to be transparent and have an honest look at what is happening with the person in need of care and the caregiver’s overall well-being. John gave a reminder that when you neglect your own self-care, “it can start chiseling into your well-being.”

Here are some suggestions John shared to help caregivers avoid feeling burned out and overwhelmed: • Connect with local resources for support like Valley Area Agency on Aging.

• Network with other caregivers and support groups; connect with people that are in the same boat.

• Find someone to confide in to help get a fresh perspective.

• Be realistic about the details and requirements of taking on the role of a caregiver.

• Build strength to help you endure the journey.

• Being a caregiver can be exhausting; it is vital to find balance and self-care to avoid burnout.

‘‘

It’s OK to feel how you are feeling; one week you might nail it, and the next week you might feel a void. You need to be OK with feeling how you do, when you do, and discover ways to make changes as needed.

‘‘

g n i g a n a M MEDICINE AT HOME John Stewart RN, BSN, MSA, Service Line Administrator, Emergency, Trauma, Bariatrics, Oncology, Stroke, EMS at Hurley Medical Center, Shared These 10 Tips For Managing Medicine At Home:

1 2

Start with a medication reconciliation process; verify there are not duplicate medicines with different generic names.

Define one doctor to be the guidepost for all your medicine.

You may need multiple doctors, from your primary physician to specialists.

Pick one doctor to oversee all medication to ensure there are no overlaps or gaps in the medicine you need.

3

Sometimes medication overlaps can happen when multiple doctors are prescribing medicine.

If your loved one comes out of the hospital or nursing home, reconcile medication again and follow up with the doctor managing your medication to inform them of changes.

4

Pill dispensers can help you manage medication and make sure a dose is not skipped or mistakenly repeated. When multiple people are providing care for a loved one, it can become confusing if a dose of medication was taken or not.

5 6

Regularly check your expiration date on the packaging. Discard any old medication; do not keep it around.

Connect and create a relationship with your local pharmacist to help you continually reconcile medication.

7 8

Make sure your loved one is taking their medication and not spitting it out.

Keep a medical journal to highlight details such as blood pressure, medicine changes, doctors’ appointments, and other important notes.

9

Create a list of all medications and take a photo of the list with your phone. Then, you can quickly access the information to share with medical staff at the doctor’s office or during an unexpected trip to the hospital.

10

Set the alarm on your phone for a daily reminder to take medication.

Caregiving can be overwhelming and filled with unknown obstacles, even for the pros. John Stewart, a health administrator at Hurley Medical Center, shares insight to help along the journey as a caregiver.

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

forSUPERIOR SENIOR CARE

HURLEY RECEIVES RECOGNITION

A

s a leader in clinical care and education, Hurley Medical Center recently received two accreditations for excellent senior care. The American College of Emergency Physicians recognized Hurley as a BronzeStandard, Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department through the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program.

This recognition is a testament to Hurley’s mission of improving patient outcomes by providing standardized approaches to care that address common geriatric issues. It also enhances Hurley’s reputation for providing excellent care to older adults.

The GEDA program is voluntary and includes three levels, similar to trauma center designations. It was developed by leaders in emergency medicine to ensure that older members of communities receive well-coordinated, quality care at the appropriate level at every ED encounter. Specific criteria and goals are provided for emergency clinicians and administrators to target in a process that consists of more than two dozen best practices for geriatric care. A Level 3 emergency department must incorporate many of these best practices, as well as provide interdisciplinary geriatric education and have geriatric-friendly equipment and supplies available.

The Level 3 designation also means that Hurley ensures optimal transitions of care from the ED to other settings, such as inpatient care, home or longterm care.

“Hurley continues to receive award recognition for the many layers of services and medical excellence for our patients 65 and older,” Cathy Metz, Administrator for Geriatrics, boasts. “From admission to discharge, Hurley cares for seniors.”

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That rings true to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and its partners, the John A. Hartford Foundation, American Hospital Association, and Catholic Health Association of the United States, who recently recognized Hurley as an AgeFriendly Health System Committed to Care Excellence. This designation identifies Hurley as an exemplar in the movement to improve the health and health care of older adults. To facilitate such goals, the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is based on a series of practices focused on addressing four essential elements of care for older patients: WHAT MATTERS: Know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences across settings of care.

MEDICATION: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medication that does not interfere with What Matters to the older adult, Mobility or Mentation across settings of care.

MENTATION: Prevent, identify, treat and manage dementia, depression and delirium across settings of care.

INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

MOBILITY: Ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do What Matters.

“Hurley Medical Center has always been on the forefront of patient care, and that’s why we are participating in this vital effort,” explains Metz.

“The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”

Hurley’s commitment to providing optimal care to older adults is evidenced not only by these recent awards, but also by its status as the area’s only Senior Center of Excellence, which means they provide the extra layer of care and safety seniors need—like offering a bone health program and Fast-Track ER for patients 65 and older. In addition, Hurley is the only NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) hospital in the region. NICHE is an international organization out of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU that awards different levels of excellence based on nursing care. Hurley has achieved their highest ranking.

All of this makes it clear: Hurley cares for seniors. If you or someone you love is a senior citizen needing medical care, Hurley Medical Center— an Age-Friendly Health System with a Bronze-Standard, Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department—is the place to go.

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Hurley continues to receive award recognition for the many layers of services and medical excellence for our patients 65 and older.

"

CATHY METZ, ADMINISTRATOR FOR GERIATRICS

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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what you need to know about

UTIs

BY JENNIFER BOICE

IF YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED A URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI), YOU PROBABLY WON’T SOON FORGET IT. THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT ARE LIKE NOTHING YOU’VE FELT BEFORE AND THE FREQUENT TRIPS TO THE BATHROOM ARE BOTHERSOME, TO SAY THE LEAST. A UTI is a bacterial infection in the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters (tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, and urethra (tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). While an infection anywhere in this system constitutes a UTI, they are most commonly found in the urethra and bladder.

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When it comes to UTIs, the sooner you catch them, the better. Because the bacteria enters through the urethra and travels up through the urinary tract, treating the infection before it reaches the bladder, or especially kidneys, is important.

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptom of a UTI is the strong and frequent urge to urinate, even if the bladder is empty. Other symptoms include: • A burning sensation when urinating • Cloudy or bloody urine • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine • Urine with a strong odor Any one of these symptoms can be an indicator of a UTI and having several together is a sure sign to contact a doctor.

That may be easy if it’s your body, but if you are a caregiver, how do you know what to look for to prevent or treat this type of infection? For some professional pointers, I reached out to Stacie Abraham, RN, BC, Geriatric Nurse Navigator at Hurley Medical Center.

In addition to the above listed symptoms, Abraham also added a low-grade fever and complaints of pelvic pain may be present. “One thing to keep in mind is not everyone

"

will show every symptom listed,” she states. “Elderly people often do not get fevers until they are really, really sick. Sometimes when an older person is septic, they may actually have a low body temperature. If caring for an older adult, one cardinal sign to watch for is a sudden change in their behavior or function. This is often a big indication of infection. You know the person you are caring for; if something just does not seem right to you, then it probably isn’t.”

WHO’S AT RISK?

Though UTIs can affect all ages and both sexes, some groups are at a higher risk. Because a female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus, women are at a much higher risk, explains Abraham.

Other risk factors include: • Diabetes • Suppressed immune system • Men with enlarged prostate • Individuals with urinary catheters • Urinary tract abnormalities • Presence of kidney stones • Incontinence If you are a caregiver to an individual with any of these risk factors, Abraham suggests monitoring for changes in urine color and odor, as well as urination pattern and any complaints of pain associated with urination. Any changes should be reported to the doctor as soon as you notice the change.

“Untreated UTI’s could lead to kidney damage, cause recurrent infections or lead up to a serious infection called sepsis,” she explains. “In some cases, sepsis can be life threatening.”

Prevention is a vital part of keeping your loved one healthy and free of infection.

"

TREATMENT

Treatment for a UTI can vary based on the frequency of infections, type of bacteria, and other health factors. Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed based on the results of the urinalysis, but the type of drug and

duration of therapy can vary from patient to patient. For more severe infections, intravenous antibiotics may be required. “However,” states Abraham, “do not be alarmed if your doctor does not prescribe an antibiotic at all. Your doctor will discuss with you the best options for your condition.”

PREVENTION

Prevention is a vital part of keeping your loved one healthy and free of infection. Because they may not always complain of symptoms, it’s important to be proactive and aware of any changes in their condition and report them to a health care professional right away. Additionally, follow these UTI prevention tips: • Drink plenty of water to flush away bacteria • Avoid perfume soaps and bubble baths • Wear cotton underwear • Clean genital area from front to back • Urinate after sexual activity For those caring for an individual who is incontinent of bowel or bladder, Abraham suggested a toileting routine to help decrease incontinent episodes. She also stressed the importance of promptly and properly cleaning your loved one after any incontinence. “If you are noticing frequent urination in small amounts, you should contact a doctor right away,” she says. “Your loved one may be retaining urine, which could lead to a UTI or even kidney damage.”

While cranberry juice and cranberry supplements are a popular over-thecounter remedy for UTIs, Abraham warns against going this route.

Although usually harmless, those with kidney stones are advised against this method of treatment. As with any medication, it is always best to discuss any supplements with your physician.

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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Caregiverces

r u o Res

Every Family Should Know

Advanced Care Planning Advance care planning is about ensuring the healthcare treatment you receive is consistent with your wishes and preferences. yourhealthyourchoice.org (810) 232-2228

Alzheimer’s Association Information and support for Michigan residents living with dementia and their families and caregivers. alz.org/gmc 800.272.3900 Catholic Charities Catholic Charities believes that access to equitable and affordable health care is a basic human right.

Support can include counseling, mental health services, addiction recovery and caregiver support. catholiccharitiesusa.org 703-549-1390 Drug Watch Drug watch provides information on high-risk medical products and health issues, and helps people take legal action if they’ve been injured. drugwatch.com/health/seniors 888-645-1617 Eldercare Locator Eldercare Locator helps connect services for older adults and their families from support services, housing, health, insurance, transportation, and more. eldercare.acl.gov 800-677-1116

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Ele’s Place of Greater Flint and Genesee County Healing center for grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families. elesplace.org 810.232.3040 Family Caregiver Alliance The mission of Family Caregiver Alliance is to improve the quality of the life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. caregiver.org 800.445.8106 Food Bank of Eastern Michigan Fighting hunger by providing consistent access to healthy, nutritious food. fbem.org (810) 239-4441 Hospice Foundation of America Offering programs for healthcare designed to improve care of those with terminal illness and those experiencing the process of grief. hospicefoundation.org 800.854.3402 Hurley Diabetes Center The Hurley Diabetes Center helps you learn how to control your diabetes so you can live a healthy life. hurleymc.com/services/diabetes (810) 262-2310

INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

MTA - Rides to Wellness Rides to Wellness is a comprehensive non-emergency medical transportation program that provides mobility management, door-to-door service, and same day service to riders going to medical or other health and wellness-related appointments. mtaflint.org/rides-to-wellness (810) 780-8946 Senior Health Care at Hurley Medical Center Health care focused on patients age 65 and older, providing access to specialized care from medical professionals trained unique senior needs in mind, including NICHE program (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders.) hurleymc.com/services/senior (810) 262-6468 Social Security ssa.gov 1-800-772-1213 Valley Area Agency on Aging Information and assistance on thousands of services and resources available for older adults (60+), persons with disabilities and family caregivers in Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer Counties valleyareaaging.org (810) 239-7671 Veterans Benefits Administration benefits.va.gov/benefits 1-800-827-1000

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JOINT REPLACING A

A

BY DARYN GREEN

re you having joint pain? Has the idea of getting a joint replacement surgery crossed your mind? Or maybe you’re just curious about knee and hip replacements and want to know how they work? On May 3, Hurley Medical Center hosted a virtual joint pain livestream. Dr. Paul Telehowski, a Boardcertified orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of medical experience, explained how joint surgery works and what you can expect with your joint surgery, and answered live questions from viewers.

One of the main causes of knee and joint pain is arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease and occurs when the cushion between joints breaks down. This causes the bones to scrape against one another and can lead to pain, stiffness and swelling in the joint.

Arthritis can be very painful and only gets worse over time. There are a variety of pain management treatments that can be used;

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

however, if the joint pain is too severe, a replacement surgery is one of the best options in relieving joint pain.

To figure out the best course of treatment for joint pain, a person must consult with an orthopedic surgeon who will test their range of motion and observe how much grinding is going on in the joint.

They may have to go through a series of X-rays and in some cases an MRI to evaluate the ligaments and cartilage in the joint. From there, the doctor will recommend the best course of treatment. Typically, treatment starts with encouraging an increase in physical activity and weight loss, followed by physical therapy. They might prescribe pain medications or injections to help relieve the joint pain. If those options are not the right fit, a joint replacement surgery might be the recommended course of action.

‘‘

Arthritis can be very painful and only gets worse over time.

‘‘

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

27

‘‘

A total joint replacement can make the joint pain go away so the person can go back to their normal activities pain-free.

‘‘

A joint replacement surgery will be recommended if the person experiences severe pain that limits their everyday activity. If a person is living with pain both during activity and while resting, and other conservative treatments have not yet brought relief, a total replacement will be recommended. A total joint replacement can make the joint pain go away so the person can go back to their normal activities pain-free.

If you’ve never looked into total replacement surgery, it can be a little scary. How do they perform it?

What can you expect going into the surgery? What does recovery look like?

Thankfully, Dr. Telehowski outlined the entire process from start to finish.

Dr. Telehowski is currently using the ROSA system to map out the total joint replacement surgery. The ROSA system is a robotic surgical assistant that takes measurements of the individual and uses that data to inform the surgeon of the person’s anatomy.

This method increases precision by allowing surgeons to plan out every detail of the surgery, specific to the person’s anatomy, without having to make a single cut. It uses a camera and a tracker during surgery to ensure that the pre-op plan is carried out as intended. This increases the precision of the surgeon and leads to a higher standard of care.

Before surgery, you can expect to go through a thorough medical evaluation to make sure you are healthy enough for the surgery. Doctors recommend to have any dental or urinary procedures done before the joint replacement, as those types of procedures will not be able to be done until after the patient is recovered. You can also expect to do some home planning, to make sure your home is suitable for the recovery process and they might recommend that you take a joint replacement class, so you know exactly how to take care of yourself before, during and after surgery.

On the day of the surgery, you will be placed under anesthesia for one to two hours while the surgery takes place.

You will then be taken to a recovery room for monitoring and be admitted to the joint floor of the hospital. This floor is set up specifically to treat joint replacement patients. Here, patients will be monitored while they rest and will even get up and walk a little bit.

Most people will be discharged from this floor a day after their surgery, so don’t expect to stay admitted to the hospital for too long.

You will then recover at home, where you will attend follow-up visits with your doctor at the two-week, six-week, and three-month marks after your surgery. In terms of pain medications, less is more during recovery from surgery. Over the course of the next few weeks, expect to attend physical therapy, your follow-up appointments, and to take some time off of work to heal.

Dr. Telehowski then opened the floor for questions, where viewers of the livestream were able to send in questions in real time. After answering the questions, he encouraged all viewers to contact him with any other questions and make an appointment if they are having joint pain or thinking about a knee or hip replacement surgery.

HOW LONG DOES A KNEE REPLACEMENT LAST? This depends on how much the individual uses their joints. For most patients over 60, a joint replacement can last them the rest of their life. A person in their 40s or 50s might outlive

Check out Hurley’s Healthy Living Series, discover options for knee and hip replacement featuring Hurley Medical Center, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paul Telehowski MOBILE DEVICE VIEWER

CLICK LINK TO WATCH VIDEO NOW:

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

a knee replacement and, at that point, they can speak with their doctors about the best course of treatment.

Generally speaking, you can expect for your joint replacement to last 20 to 25 years; however, there is no absolute guarantee on how long the joint replacement will last.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT IF I AM DIABETIC? Yes, as long as the diabetes is well under control. Your surgeon will need to consult with your personal care provider to determine if your diabetes is under control, and, if not, you will need to make some changes to get under control. Typically, doctors want a person’s Hemoglobin A1C levels to be under 7.5, as it has been shown that there is an increased risk of complications of the surgery if above those levels.

WILL TOTAL REPLACEMENT SURGERY MAKE MY PAIN GO AWAY? Replacement surgery is very successful at relieving arthritis pain. Most people who get the replacement surgery get immense pain relief, as well as increased function of the joint that was replaced.

I’VE NOTICED THAT MY REPLACED JOINT CLICKS DURING EXERCISE. IS THAT NORMAL? It is totally normal to have some clicking during moderate activity. For most people, the clicking isn’t painful and nothing to be worried about. If it is painful or you are worried about it, consult with your doctor so they can take an X-ray to make sure nothing is wrong.

WHEN CAN I DRIVE AFTER SURGERY? Most doctors use the guideline of no driving for at least one month.

HOW LONG WILL I BE OUT OF WORK AFTER MY JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY? This answer depends on the type of work. If it is a very sedentary desk job,

you might be out for three weeks to one month if you have someone who can drive you to and from work. If your job is moderately active, you can expect to take about three months off of work. For a very active position, you might need up to four months off. If you have an extremely strenuous job like construction or firefighting, you might not be able to go back to work at all. That should be a conversation you have with your doctor so you can figure out if a total replacement is right for you.

HOW LONG DO I NEED TO GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER SURGERY? Most people need therapy for six to eight weeks after surgery. This number also depends on where the person starts. If they started with more range of motion, they might not need as much physical therapy as someone who started with a limited range.

IS THE ROSA SYSTEM SAFE? Absolutely. The ROSA System is a robotic arm that does not do any cutting; it is more of a measurement tool. It simply helps doctors map out how to align the joint and gives them a clearer image of your unique anatomy. The doctor completes the surgery in full. Dr. Telehowski describes the ROSA System as “adding another level of accuracy to what was already a very good surgery, which is why I have chosen to use it.” Dr. Telehowski averages over 200 joint replacements per year and uses the ROSA system to provide precise measurements for each patient.

IF I HAVE ONE REPLACEMENT SURGERY HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET ANOTHER? Dr. Telehowski will only do one replacement surgery at a time. In his professional opinion, having both done at once is too tough on the patient and is associated with a higher rate for possible infection. In his practice, he will perform one replacement surgery, wait until that joint is recovered and

the patient is out of physical therapy (minimally three months), and then he will start thinking about the other joint.

DOES KNEE REPLACEMENT STRAIGHTEN A LEG THAT HAS TURNED INWARD? Yes, knee replacement surgery straightens out the leg with the help from the ROSA system to see a detailed alignment of the leg. The joint will wear out too quickly if the leg is left crooked.

IS SWELLING NORMAL AFTER MY JOINT REPLACEMENT? Yes, pretty much everybody swells after joint replacement surgery.

AM I TOO OLD FOR A JOINT REPLACEMENT? Age does not stop you from being able to receive a joint replacement surgery, but overall health does. A person’s medical conditions determine if they are able to withstand a joint replacement surgery. If someone is unhealthy or has many medical conditions, they may not be a good candidate for a joint replacement surgery. Any patient that has a heart condition needs to see a cardiologist before they can go through with a joint replacement surgery.

MY JOINT IS FULLY RECOVERED AFTER TWO YEARS AND I STILL GET SOME SWELLING. IS THAT NORMAL? Yes, sometimes swelling can occur on a fully recovered joint. This is similar to the clicking issue. It’s just something that comes with the surgery. If you are having frequent swelling or if the swelling is painful, check in with your doctor to make sure something else isn’t going on.

Information

For more information, a recording of the livestream can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e02iVZPe3DA.

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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D t r a He THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

BY KATHERINE NEGELE

HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE U.S. AND THAT STAT HOLDS TRUE FOR MEN, WOMEN AND MOST RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS.

It’s responsible for more deaths than all cancers combined—about one every 30 seconds. Young people are not immune either; there’s a prevalence of heart disease at all ages. Although all that may sound grim, there is reason for hope. There are many modifiable behaviors you can adopt to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

e s a e s i D will end up in a much better place than those who do not.”

Step one is identifying your Along with more obvious steps like personal risk factors. For quitting smoking, incorporating example, do you smoke, have more exercise into your daily unmanaged diabetes or a family routine and eating healthier foods, history of heart disease? Do you treating high blood pressure will have high blood pressure (also significantly reduce strain on the known as hypertension), high heart and improve outcomes. cholesterol or high stress levels?

About half of American adults Are you overweight? Do you have high blood pressure, which avoid exercising or going to the is commonly referred to as “the doctor? Is your silent killer.” Almost diet unhealthy? Do 1 in 4 men and 1 you get too little in 5 women don’t About half sleep? Each of these know they have characteristics can of American it, and by the increase your risk for adults have time it’s detected, heart disease, but some damage may high blood most are modifiable. already have been

‘‘

pressure, Step two is taking done. Not only which is action. “Prevention can hypertension is key. We do not result in vision loss, commonly want to get to the kidney disease and referred to point where we sexual dysfunction, as “the silent need treatment; but it is also the we want to fix the leading cause of killer. problem before it stroke, heart failure becomes severe,” and coronary M. Luay Alkotob, artery disease MD, Director of Interventional among adults. Dr. Alkotob urges Cardiology at Hurley Medical individuals with asymptomatic high Center, stresses. “It is never too blood pressure to take it seriously. late. Even if patients have already “Don’t kid yourself; it’s not a sense had heart problems or heart of security,” he warns. “It must be attacks, those who work hard at it treated.”

The bottom line is know your numbers. “Measure your blood pressure, know where your numbers should be and institute the extremely important lifestyle changes—which include weight loss and regular exercise—to see if you can naturally lower your blood pressure,” Dr. Alkotob advises.

“Then, if that does not work, please go back to your physician and ask for help.”

Get access to experts in every aspect of coronary heart disease at the Hurley Heart Center, which has convenient locations in Fenton and Flint. Their heart program stands up to rigorous evaluation, as shown by their Corozon accreditation.

With Hurley Medical Center’s coronary care unit, cardiac imaging department, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, and accredited cardiac catheterization lab, you can trust you’re receiving the best care. At Hurley, you’ll know your heart’s in the right place.

Information Hurley Heart Center: (810) 262-7030 Hurley Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: (810) 262-2212

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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‘‘

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS MEN VS. WOMEN

The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain. But women may experience less obvious warning signs.

MEN

WOMEN

Nausea of vomiting Jaw, neck or upper back pain Chest pain, but not always Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen Shortness of breath Fainting Indigestion Extreme fatigue

Nausea of vomiting

Jaw, neck or back pain

Squeezing chest pressure or pain Shortness of breath

High Blood Pressure: Know your numbers.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers.

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If your numbers are

140/90

or higher you probably have high blood pressure.

INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

Have a health professional measure your blood pressure regularly.

CHOOSE YOUR HOSPITAL LIKE YOUR CHILD’S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT

Hurley Children’s Hospital offers the Highest Level of Pediatric Emergency Care in the Region.

HURLEYMC.COM | #HURLEYCARES

I.G.N.I.T.E., INMATE GROWTH NATURALLY AND INTENTIONALLY THROUGH EDUCATION.

DEEP-FRIED os

t i r r u b

BY NICOLE WEDDINGTON

Leon Mize is his name. He is middle-aged with kids, drives an older model G.M. car, and makes a vicious deep-fried burrito.

On the surface, Mize is just like you and me. Except for one small detail—he’s a convicted felon. In total, he’s been locked up for more than a decade, with his last 21 months confined to the Genesee County Jail. He came in hopeless, helpless and hungry, with only one thing to look forward to—his out date.

With little to no lifestyle changes, their behavior remains status quo until they come back to jail.

Not anymore! Under Sheriff Chris Swanson’s leadership, Genesee County Jail has expanded its education program in collaboration with Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools. Now, when inmates come to the Genesee County Jail, they are classified

Mize represents the 70 million Americans currently serving or have served time in our jails and prisons throughout the nation.

In Michigan alone, the Michigan Department of Corrections spends over $2.2 billion on housing inmates in prison, which doesn’t even include the $32.00/day/unaltered we pay in the 83 county jails across the state.

We MUST do better!

And here’s how: I.G.N.I.T.E., Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education.

In the “historical” model, when inmates are in jail, they are classified by their charges, risk factors and length of stay.

From there, they give back to society the only penitence they have—time.

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INSIGHTFUL, MOTIVATIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL

and assessed, and given the opportunity to obtain their high school diplomas or GEDs, or simply to further their education.

1. What’s the highest grade completed?

2. What special skills do they have?

3. How long are they expected to be lodged?

(1-60 days, 60-180 and 180 plus.)

Upon answering these questions, inmates are placed into one of three pillars of the curriculum: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. They are enrolled and now go to school two hours a day, five days per week. The jail is now an educational institution, not just a coral.

Since January 2021, 306 students have enrolled and 446 teaching hours have been completed.

Inmates are showing reading improvements of two grade levels. Subject areas offered include: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Foreign Language (French and Spanish), and Physical Education.

Inmates can also enroll in Career Employability and Job Skill Development courses, as well as Career Pathways courses in Construction, Culinary Arts, Business Management, and much more.

"

We are breaking the chains of generational incarceration through education, making better people, not better inmates.

Through a partnership between Genesee County Sheriff’s Office’s I.G.N.I.T.E. Program and Aramark’s IN2WORK Program, Mize was the first graduate to receive a ServSafe certification, issued through the National Restaurant Association. He was also given a job at GCCARD’s senior nutrition services program when he was released.

"

"We are breaking the chains of generational incarceration through education, making better people, not better inmates," said Sheriff Swanson.

This simple culture change has caught the attention of the Department of Justice and the National Sheriff Association (which represents 3,000 sheriff’s offices across the United States).

If we want reform, we must take BOLD action, and I.G.N.I.T.E. is the answer.

Information

For more information, call 810-257-3084 or visit www.gcsomichigan.com/ignite.

KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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r e m sum

BRING SPRING INSIDE 1 REFRESH THE HOUSE

S

TIPS

FOR YOUR HOME

BY JEANNY RODRÍGUEZ

pring and Summer are the perfect time for new beginnings, and it’s the perfect time to give your home a fresh new update. Leave the dreary feeling of winter behind with these easy changes to refresh your house. You can start today and make the changes. It’s easier than you might think. I believe in you! You will see your home be transformed from feeling cozy to a fresh breath of spring.

Adding a touch of spring to your decor and design doesn’t have to be a complicated task. Small changes can have a bigger impact on your space than you may think.

Here are my five, easy Jeanny-ous ideas for creating the spring home of your dreams.

Bringing fresh flowers and greens into your home is a classic springtime look. This can be as easy as putting a few sprigs of lilac from your garden in a vase or adding a florist’s arrangement to fill a larger space. Don’t overlook adding floral patterns to a room either.

This can be done with curtains, rugs, pillows, or wall art. Botanical prints and designs, especially flowers, are a beautiful way to evoke spring. If you’re looking to give extra love to a certain area, incorporate planters in different heights to add a pop of color and texture.

SWITCH TO 2 LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS

Lighter-weight fabrics all around the house will also signal that spring is here and it’s time for a new season. Switch out dark, heavy curtains for lighter weight choices in sheets, linens and gauzy silks. It will literally let more light into your home, and their floaty weight will make the room look breezier.

Something as simple as swapping dark, thick kitchen and bathroom towels for ones with a light color and weave will give your house a refreshing new spring look.

YOUR 4 LIGHTEN MOOD WITH COLORS

3

STORE AWAY THE WINTER

It’s time to say goodbye to winter. Bring in a lighter, airier feel by putting away heavy, chunky blankets.

Start in your bedrooms, naturally, because you don’t want to sleep in the stifling heat of a blanket that’s too heavy for the season. Look around your house, living room and family room, and put away excess throws and blankets. Keep one blanket or throw out for the back of the couch for when you’re curled up with a book and the air conditioning becomes too much, but pack away the fuzzy, thick lap blanket and replace it with an airy, light colored, lightweight one.

Another way to refresh for spring is to update your colors throughout the house. Just a few small touches can make a huge difference, so don’t think you need to buy an entirely new couch. Buying just a few accessories will do for spring. Start by replacing dark color pillows, throw rugs, bathroom and kitchen towels, comforters and candles with a white or pastel color. Yellow is the color this season, although I love turquoise and whites together.

Using the color white whenever possible brightens the room and makes it feel clean at all times. You will be surprised how people actually are more careful when they are around the color white.

It won’t get as dirty as you think; I promise.

IT’S TIME FOR 5 SPRING CLEANING (SORRY, NOT SORRY) “I LOVE SPRING CLEANING!” SAID NO ONE EVER!!

It may not seem like the most exciting way to welcome the warm weather, but it will be worth every minute of effort. The truth is that most of us spend time dreading this, so block some time off in your schedule today. Don’t wait. Gather all supplies in a fun bucket, so they will be handy and ready to go. Play your favorite music list, and tackle those cleaning tasks you never seem to get to. The payoff is much larger than the effort, and you will be able to enjoy the pleasures of the new season before you know it. Enjoy warmer weather with a newfound sense of satisfaction.

This is a happy time, a hopeful time, and a great time to bring optimism into your home. You don’t have to make huge design changes to feel the difference in your surroundings. So open the windows, breathe in the fresh air, and give yourself the gift of a new spring renewal for your entire house and your loved ones. It’s a wonderful way to truly appreciate the beginning of a new season, hear the birds outside, and create new beauty in your home.

I believe in you!

Until the next time and be blessed.

Check out a special interview with Jeanny Rodríguez shares simple tips to bring a refreshed, upbeat feel for home comfort.

MOBILE DEVICE VIEWER

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KUDOSMAG.COM • VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2

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CAREGIVING FOR THE CAREGIVER

VIDEO

y r a r lib Enjoy this collection of video interviews to help caregivers discover answers to common caregiver questions and concerns. We connected with the pros to answer questions many caregivers face, from safety and wellness to staying active mentally and physically and finding community resources for support.

We hope you enjoy this series and find insight to help you along the journey.

Miracles Happen!! Here is how it happens!

Please take a minute for this feel-good, uplifting interview focused on real miracles happening in our community. There are ways you can get involved to make more miracles happen.

bit.ly/RealMiraclesCMN

Feeling restless, stressed out, and unable to get a good night of sleep are common complaints among caregivers. Kristina Grabnickas shares insight to help caregivers get on track with healthy sleep routines.

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Keeping our loved ones safe is a top priority.

Elderly Law Attorney Amir Abu-Aita provides insight and resources your family should know for protection and prevention.

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Gain knowledge for senior independent living and care. Kathy Felix, Administrator at Abbey Park, shares insight to help families understand options available to help at every stage of senior living and independence.

bit.ly/SeniorCareLiving

Caregivers have many things to be on the lookout for, including scammers. Sheriff Chris Swanson helps viewers gain knowledge to stay secured, along with an honest discussion about struggles many families experience when transitioning to take care of a loved one.

Entertainment for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Matt Mazur is pioneering ways to connect families with education and entertainment in a unique way.

Come take a walk on the fun side!

Access to transportation provides a sense of independence for seniors. Did you know there is help available to get loved ones to doctor's appointments and even trips to the grocery store?

Destress with Culinary Herbs. Finding the simple pleasures in life can lead to a path of healthy, happy living. Erin Caudell, owner of the Local Grocer, shares insights to help start your herb garden for delicious food and a little distress.

Community resources and self-care are essential for caregivers and their loved ones. Marsha Schmit, Breast Cancer Navigator at Hurley Medical Center, shares ways you can get involved to support women battling breast cancer. Along with a vital reminder for all caregivers on the importance of prioritizing self-care.

Let's be honest caregiving can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. Remembering to take time to relax is vital for caregivers' wellness— Mommy Lala shares two fun and easy crafts you can do to relax and unwind.

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bit.ly/GardenHerbsRelax

bit.ly/CraftandRelax

SCAN QR CODE WITH YOUR S MARTPHONE CAMERA. ENJOY THE JOURNEY. #KudosMagazine

Your Journey to

Living Starts Here...

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