Denton County Living Well Magazine May-June 2019

DENTON COUNTY MAY/JUNE 2019

Plus:

Caring for the Caregiver

Do You Need a Trust?

Avoiding Injuries

Crossfit Training

Leonardo DiCaprio

THE

ENIGMA: LIVES BY HIS OWN SET OF RULES

Healthy Changes Start at Flower Mound

Weight Loss Center at Texas Health Flower Mound

Texas Health Flower Mound Weight Loss Center o ers comprehensive weight loss programs complete with diagnostic, surgical and non-surgical options designed to promote a full and healthy life.

Our bariatric team consists of board certified bariatric surgeons, experienced bariatric practitioners, nurses, dietitians and coordinators.

A dedicated weight loss specialist will be with you each step of your experience - from your initial appointment, through diagnosis, treatment, after care and follow-up maintenance appointments.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 469-322-7073 or visit the Center’s website at TexasHealthFlowerMound.com/weight-loss-center

Charles Toulson, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon Premier Surgeon for Hip and Knee Replacement

Dr. Charles Toulson is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in adult reconstruction. Dr. Toulson earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has extensive experience that began with his training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the highest ranked hospital in the United States. He then completed his sub-specialty training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, which has the top orthopedic program in the country. Dr. Toulson has been voted among D Magazine’s Best Doctors, Living Magazine’s Best of McKinney/Allen, and he was featured on CBS 11 News!

Dr. Toulson is a pioneer in direct anterior hip replacement surgery. Using only a three-to-four-inch incision, anterior hip replacement surgery allows for a faster recovery, less pain, and alleviates the need for postoperative hip range of motion restrictions. As a result of its muscle-sparing approach, it is most attractive to patients. This minimally invasive technique is so effective that patients are often walking the same or next day without a walker, cane, or crutches.

Dr. Toulson is considered a leader in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Robotic-Assisted hip and knee replacement and has performed more robotic joint replacements than any other surgeon in the area. He was the first surgeon in the area to perform a direct anterior hip replacement with robotic assistance. Most recently, Dr. Toulson completed the first ever, total knee replacement for both of a patient’s knees bilaterally (simultaneously) using the MAKO™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology.

Dr. Toulson’s education and training are only outmatched by his warm smile and kind-hearted nature.

LABOR OF LOVE

When it rains, it pours. And while we rejoice in some much needed moisture, the hail this precipitation’s been “gifting” the area is not particularly welcome. Our part of Texas has been pummeled with hail and the ensuing damage is going to take many months to repair.

In the meantime, we invite you to sit back and read our latest issue. Delve into our cover story on actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who’s made his mark in diverse films highlighting his deft skills in front of the camera. It’s hard to believe DiCaprio is now 44 years old. Equal parts fabled Dorian Gray and Jay Gatsby, the perennial bachelor was named after Leonardo Da Vinci. DiCaprio has done his namesake proud––both on and off screen.

In recent years, DiCaprio has turned his sights on bringing attention to the health of our planet. It’s an issue dear to DiCaprio’s heart. Not only has he given his time and resources to environmental causes, he also devoted his Oscar winning speech to the topic. Read how he’s making a difference and get an inside look at his latest role starring opposite Brad Pitt in this summer’s most anticipated movie, Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Next, we turn our attention to what many consider a labor of love. Caregiving can pose some extreme challenges. It doesn’t matter if you’re an individual working as a professional caregiver for an agency or by yourself, caring for another can take a toll and result in burnout and depression. According to Dr. Julie Alvira, a caregiver gives their love and time with compassion and empathy but needs to learn how to connect to self. Dr. Alvira offers her tips on how to avoid exhaustion stemming from caring for a loved one, along with other useful information, in her quarterly article for LIVING WELL.

Meanwhile, we also turn toward professional Elder Law attorneys from Leu & Peirce, PLLC, to answer a question that weighs heavily on the minds of most mature adults––do I need a trust? Their answer will surprise you. Not surprisingly, there are many complexities to trusts and their deep knowledge of the topic is an excellent place to start when considering purchasing a trust plan. Don’t miss their article to get an overview of the trust options available.

There’s a lot more inside worthy of your attention, so dig in.

Sincerely,

Sam & Spring Houston

PRESIDENT & CEO

Sam Houston

VICE PRESIDENT & CFO

Spring Houston

FEATURE WRITER, COPY EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Sondra Barr

ART DIRECTOR, LAYOUT, PRODUCTION & WEBSITE DESIGN

Lewis Schucart

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT

Jennifer Beavers

ADVERTISING/SALES

Texas | Denton County, Dallas County, Collin County

Texas & Oklahoma | Texoma

WRITE TO US. Tell us who you would like to see featured on the cover, or what subjects you would like covered in upcoming editions of LIVING WELL Magazine at spring@livingwellmag.com

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LIVING WELL Magazine is a source for quality educational articles on living a healthy, vibrant life. Our focus is on connecting our readers with the latest information on a host of topics relevant to their evolving life. From cutting edge medical news and procedures to top-tier financial, legal and lifestyle information. Connecting readers to leading medical and business professionals in their community in Texas and Oklahoma. ‘LIKE US' FACEBOOK.COM/LIVINGWELLMAG 'FOLLOW US' @LIVINGWELLMAGS

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Katina Butler, Practice Administrator

Founded by board certified podiatrists in 2014, The Nail Treatment Center has served podiatry patients and the Greater Denton community by holding to 3 core values:

EXPERTISE PAMPERING

SAFETY

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Stephen P. Courtney, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Stephen Courtney is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and the founder of the Advanced Spine Center in Plano, TX. Dr. Courtney has been practicing medicine and providing exceptional patient care in Plano since 1995 and has worked tirelessly to develop superior operative techniques to treat neck and back disorders.

Dr. Courtney is a respected orthopedic spine surgeon who focuses on disorders of the neck and back. His work ethic, outstanding outcomes, and personable approach to patient care have earned him a reputation as one of the best spine surgeons in Texas. He has expanded his reach and has improved the quality of life for patients across the country. Dr. Courtney has developed 9 product lines, and has obtained 9 patents and 14 trademarks on its spine related products. He has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions.

Dr. Courtney is dedicated to educating not just himself and his colleagues but his patients as well. He is known for his straight-forward, honest approach which puts his patients at ease, trusting him to perform highly technical operations that will help them restore their quality of life. He knows the single most important person in the treatment process is the patient.

When Dr. Courtney is not with his patients you can find him enjoying time with his wife and five children, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, or perfecting his Cajun cooking.

THE ENIGMA

Leonardo

DiCaprio

lives by his own set of rules.

By Sondra Barr

It’s hard to believe Leonardo DiCaprio is 44 years old. The Hollywood native, who grew up in a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles bullied and belittled only to become one of its brightest denizens, is equal parts fabled Dorian Gray and Jay Gatsby. Ironically, the latter character being a role the dashing actor seamlessly slipped into for the much anticipated 2013 film The Great Gatsby .

Ageless, yet conveying a wisdom beyond his years, the perennial bachelor who was named Leonardo because his German mother, Irmelin, first felt him kick while gazing upon a Da Vinci painting in Florence, has done his namesake proud.

“He’s like a silent-film actor,” says director Martin Scorsese. “He can flash half a dozen emotions in a matter of seconds, simply by using his eyes.”

DiCaprio first worked with the notable director on Gangs of New York and they’ve since partnered on four further films, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Next up, the duo is partnering with Hulu to adapt Erik Larson’s book The Devil in the White City for their sixth collaboration.

“Marty is the great director of our time, who has taught me two crucial things. One, it takes a long time and a lot of patience to make a good movie; and two, film is as valid an art form as painting or sculpture. Ultimately, like any artist, I want to make lasting pieces of art; movies that people will look at and appreciate in 50 years’ time,” DiCaprio told Chloe Fox of The Telegraph.

Acting is a craft that DiCaprio was drawn to in his formative years. “Very early on, I was always impersonating different characters, imitating people who came by. I loved doing that and getting the amazing experience of seeing people’s reactions. You see your parents laughing. It’s a communal family experience, and you share that love, you know?” he said an interview with Parade

ACTING ALWAYS REPRESENTED A WAY OUT FOR ME. I SAW MANY THINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE I GREW UP THAT WERE PRETTY TERRIFYING.

Acting provided a ready escape to young DiCaprio while growing up in an area rife with prostitutes, addicts, and drug dealers. “Acting always represented a way out for me. I saw many things in the neighborhoods where I grew up that were pretty terrifying. Acting takes you away from reality. Being able to escape was important. Movies do that for me. Two hours inside of a theater can transport you into a completely other universe. To me, that’s the beauty of movies.”

In front of an audience is where DiCaprio flourishes, something that didn’t go unnoticed by his parents. Although his mother and father amicably divorced soon after Leo was born, they supported their son unconditionally. “They listened to their kid saying, ‘This is what I want to do,” described DiCaprio to The Telegraph. “They made me feel that all my dreams were within reach.”

Continued, next page

From previous page

“Leo is an enigma,” said his Revenant co-star Tom Hardy during press for the film that would earn DiCaprio his first Academy Award after four previous unsuccessful nominations. “There’s something kind of magic about him.”

That special something was readily apparent in 1994 when DiCaprio portrayed Arnie Grape, a child with learning difficulties in the film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, which earned him his first Oscar nomination (best supporting actor).

He’s since gone on to give groundbreaking performances that have one thing in common, they’re all unequivocally different: charming Jack Dawson (Titanic), prevaricator Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can), eccentric Howard Hughes (The Aviator), fraudster Jordan Belfort (The Wolf of Wall Street)––just to name a few.

His riveting role as Hugh Glass, a man dominating nature, in Revenant may have scored DiCaprio his first

Oscar, but it also provided him an opportunity to talk about his other passion: environmentalism. It’s an issue dear to DiCaprio’s heart. Not only has he given his time and resources to environmental causes, he also devoted his Oscar winning speech to the topic.

He founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) in 1998 to bring attention to the plight of our planet. According to the foundation’s website, “LDF has been on a mission to protect the Earth’s last wild places, implementing solutions that restore balance to threatened ecosystems, and ensure the long-term health and wellbeing of all its inhabitants.” Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $15 million to the protection of species including tigers in Asia, elephants in Africa, and sharks in California.

“Historically, we always look back at cultures that have been self-destructive and we talk about the ignorant way they treated the natural world, and we pass judgment on them,” explained DiCaprio to writer Dotson Rader. “But the truth is that what we’re now doing to the natural world is thousand times more destructive than it’s ever been before. We’re literally going through an extinction right now. We’re changing our climates irreparably, and climate change lasts tens of thousands, if not millions, of years. We don’t seem to be learning lessons from the past.”

DiCaprio is so passionate about the subject that he also produced a documentary, Before the Flood, presented by National Geographic, where he served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, traveling to five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand.

Leonardo as Jordan Belford in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) who takes some rather bland people and turns them into one of the biggest scams that the FBI ever saw.

Paramount Pictures

Leonardo and Kate Winslet as a pair back in 1997, in Titanic. Now, 20 years later, their friendship is still one of the strongest in Hollywood.

“You realize how lucky we are, and how destructive we’ve been, and what little regard we have for the natural world,” DiCaprio said to Parade.

“I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems. I believe mankind has looked at climate change in the same way, as if it were a fiction. But I think we know better than that.”

While DiCaprio enjoys being immersed in nature and wild places, he’s faced the danger that comes with outdoor adventures. In an interview with Wired, DiCaprio detailed the time he was nearly killed in a shark incident. “A great white jumped into my cage when I was diving in South Africa. Half its body was in the cage, and it was snapping at me,” detailed DiCaprio. “I sort of fell down to the bottom and tried to lie flat. The great white took about five or six snaps an arm’s length away from my head. The guys there said that has never happened in the 30 years they’d been doing it.”

Then there was the time when he was tandem skydiving and both the primary and secondary chutes knotted up. As they were plummeting toward the earth, the instructor DiCaprio was tethered to was finally able to unravel the secondary shoot in midair, ensuring the survival of Hollywood’s most bankable star.

Living on the edge is apparently not unusual for the Oscar winner. “My friends have named me the person they least want to do extreme adventures with, because I always seem to be very close to being part of a disaster.”

One thing that is guaranteed not to be a disaster is DiCaprio’s upcoming movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, slated for a July release. In director Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature film, DiCaprio plays TV actor Rick Dalton and neighbor to Sharon Tate. Brad Pitt plays his friend and stunt double Cliff Booth and centers on the duo as they navigate Hollywood. No doubt, DiCaprio will be drawing from firsthand experience.

Filming The Great Gatsby (2013) with Carey Mulligan.

© Warner Bros.

Staring alongside Brad Pitt in this year’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Rakesh Gupta, MD Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Rick Gupta, MD and his nurse Kerri Miner, RN have been providing OB/GYN care in the Lewisville/Flower Mound area since 1994. Together they have enjoyed caring for their many patients over the last 25 years. Their commitment to providing care as a team o ers their patients a uniquely individualized experience.

Dr. Gupta has been practicing medicine in North Texas since 1990. A near life-long resident of Dallas, Dr. Gupta graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University in 1979. He attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and in 1982 graduated as the youngest American medical school graduate at the age of 22. During his residency at UTMB Galveston, he was 1987 Resident of the Year.

Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Gupta enjoys gol ng and spending time with his wife of 31 years and his three children. He married his college sweetheart, Kelly, and together they have raised three bright and successful children. His daughter Katie, 29, is a stock broker for Merrill Lynch in Manhattan. His son Alex, 28, is a resident in general surgery at UC San Francisco. His son Ryan, 23, has completed his masters in Mechanical Engineering at SMU and is working on his PhD.

BRADLEY AXLINE, M.D. WELLNESS FOR WOMEN & MEN

2560 Central Park Avenue, Suite 340 Flower Mound, Texas 75028

972-538-2100

www.draxline.com

Too often we gaze into others’ lives with rose-colored glasses. We peruse the picture perfect Facebook and Instagram images believing the stories they tell. But there is always more to the story…

Stephen Lambdin (born in Rockwall, TX) competed with Team USA in taekwondo at the 2016 Olympics. His mother, Naomi Lambdin (we know her as “Noni”) is a long-time family friend. While HBO and other primetime networks have featured Stephen and shared his story, I’m telling a different story—one of a woman who came from less than nothing and produced an Olympian.

Noni was born in October of 1956 to parents who were hardened criminals. Dregs of society, they committed incest, polygamy, forgeries, thefts, and drug related crimes. They abused alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and their children. They seemed to lack even basic human decency; in fact, animals take better care of their young than her parents did of her and her siblings. The children suffered immeasurable abuse, going days without meals, and frequently being sold to pedophiles for money.

Noni’s childhood was heinous and horrifying, cruel and unimaginable even in today’s iniquitous culture. She was beaten, had a swastika carved into her young skin, and locked in a burning room to die, among other wicked acts. Often, her parents would leave her at a church or with a group of people promising they’d send money to take care of her. They never did and eventually Noni would be sent to the

BEHIND THE OLYMPIAN

By Lisa Jenkins-Moore

streets. She’d re-unite with her parents only to endure the cruelty again.

Noni believes God gave her an incredible imagination, one she used to escape the reality of the pain being inflicted upon her. She explained, “I was blessed with a vivid imagination, and I would simply spend my day walking around the city with my mind off in some fantasy. I would imagine that I lived in a big fancy house and I was swimming in my own pool, or traveling around Europe. To this day I believe that imagination was a gift from God, a coping mechanism that was necessary for my survival.”

As Noni entered her teens, her parents began running scams on churches. They’d enter as a needy family, stay long enough to get financial assistance, and then move on to the next church. Then they came to a church in Dallas— here, Noni found a real family, a church family. Though her parents threatened to kick her out of the house, she continued to attend because she had never known kindness and friendship like she experienced within the walls of the Dallas church. Two of the women who impacted her life were my now departed grandmother and great-grandmother, Barbara Jenkins, and her mother Clara. They embraced her and were genuinely interested in her life. Noni shared, “I had never experienced anyone asking how I was, and this was truly amazing to me. I would spend my day in school looking forward to seeing these people again. I can honestly say that this was the first time in my life I had experienced friends and felt loved.”

Noni also met Maurice Hart, who in a sense fathered her. She described, “He became “Uncle Reese” to me, and he would spend hours talking to me about what I could do with my life, and how to get an education, a job, a car. He taught me how to save money to buy a car, what a work ethic is, and the importance of that. He taught me that the most important thing beyond our relationship with God is people and treating them with respect and honor. He taught me that an attitude of service is more valuable than any possession. Dr. Hart stayed in contact for the remainder of his life, providing me with counsel, help applying to school and first jobs, and most of all, his absolute love and acceptance. Before his influence, it had never occurred to me that I would one day have a college education, own a home, or even own a piece of furniture, but God put these extraordinary people in my life to give me a dream. From that dream God has allowed me to build a life.”

Noni acquired her first job at 15 and climbed the corporate ladder, becoming a successful business woman. Until recently, she was a high-ranking executive at a huge corporation. She travelled extensively, staying in the finest hotels, dining in the nicest restaurants, and enjoying the scenery of some of the most beautiful places in the world. She married a successful architect; they’ve been married for over thirty years and have shared an incredible life together. Noni and Wayne parented two sons together—one an Olympian, and the other a success in his own field.

Noni attributes her amazing life to the grace and goodness of God. She states, “I see the incredible kindness of God that I have been blessed to do just about everything I had daydreamed of during those [childhood] years. Joel 2:25 says, ‘And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.’ I live this scripture every day.”

the Olympics, and he holds to that promise without wavering. One news anchor in a recent interview with Stephen said, “I’ve never seen such integrity and faith.”

I have. I’ve seen it in the life of his mother, Naomi Lambdin. A woman from a horrific childhood, statistically predicted to fail, has lived a prosperous life as a wife, mother, and business woman, and is an inspiration to so many. While she is currently fighting the battle of a lifetime struggling to win the war against stage 3 carcinoid cancer, she maintains her faith in God, knowing He is good, in spite of her circumstances.

As you witness the pictures and videos of her son, Stephen the Olympian, don’t just imagine the glory of such prestige; think of her, what she’s overcome, and where she still needs a victory. Thank God for sparing her life and turning ashes

Though her son, Stephen Lambdin did not win the Olympics in 2016, he plans to return in 2020 to bring home the gold. A strong Christian, Stephen knew as a child he’d win

to beauty, and celebrate her healing and future testimony. And please remember, things aren’t always as they seem. You never know the impact your smile, your kindness, your genuine concern will have on someone you encounter. She might just be the mother of a future Olympian.

To connect with Lisa or follow her blog, visit LisaJenkinsMoore.com or Facebook.com/ljenkinsmoore/ or Instagram @ljmooreauthor

Courtesy Key-Whitman Eye Center

Spring in North Texas can be especially brutal for allergy sufferers. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Dallas ranks 19thin the nation for the most challenging places to live with spring allergies, although this year’s ranking is an improvement from last year’s no. 7 rank.

Spring allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion, as well as dry, red, itchy, burning or even swollen eyes. These symptoms are more than irritating; they can be downright painful.

How allergies affect your eyes

When the conjunctiva (mucous membrane covering the whites of the eyes and lining the eyelids) comes into contact with allergens such as pollen from grasses, trees and weeds, the immune system senses a threat and antibodies are developed that release histamine, causing watery, itchy, red eyes.

In addition to seasonal allergies, many people suffer from perennial allergies, which may be caused by dust, mold, pet dander, air pollution, cosmetics, perfume, medication or smoke. If you aren’t certain of the cause of your eye allergies, ask your doctor for an allergy test to determine the source of your discomfort.

Common types of allergic eye conditions

Allergic conjunctivitis or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: This is the most common allergic eye condition, and it is typically associated with seasonal allergies or hay fever. The release of histamine can cause common eye allergy symptoms, including itchy, red, burning, watery or swollen eyes. Topical antihistamine drops, decongestants and mast-cell stabilizers are common treatments for allergic conjunctivitis.

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis: Primarily affecting adolescent

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH SPRING ALLERGIES

boys, this condition involves inflammation in the conjunctiva and the cornea. Symptoms include itchy, red patches on the eyelids, scaly or crusty skin on the eyelids, heavy discharge or sensitivity to light. If not properly managed, this condition could lead to permanent scarring of the cornea from rubbing and scratching.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis: Though less common, this spring eye allergy condition causes the eyes to become itchy, sensitive to light and can even cause eyelids to feel heavy or droopy. Improper treatment may lead to impaired vision. A short-term, low-dose prescription of topical steroids has shown to be the most effective treatment for this condition.

Eye care tips for dealing with seasonal allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, follow these eye care tips for relief from your symptoms:

• Apply a cold compress. If your eyes are puffy or swollen from allergies, a cold compress can provide temporary relief.

• Stay inside and keep your windows closed on high pollen count days. Local weather services provide daily pollen counts. When pollen is high, avoid being outside as much as possible. Typically, pollen counts tend to be higher mid-morning and early evening.

• Wear eyeglasses or sunglasses to block pollen from your eyes. When you do go outside, eyeglasses or sunglasses can provide an extra shield to protect your eyes from allergens that may be in the air.

• Practice proper contact lens care. Contact lens wearers may experience more allergy symptoms due to allergens becoming trapped behind the contact lens. Lenses should be cleaned thoroughly and changed regularly. Do not share contact lenses or cases with others.

• Wash your hands and hair frequently. In the same way your hands can spread germs, they can also spread allergens, and if you spend much time outside during the spring, pollen and other allergens may become trapped in your hair.

• Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes. Consistently rubbing or scratching your eyes may lead to more serious eye problems or a damaged cornea. Purchase over-the-counter eye drops, or ask your doctor for prescription eye drops to help relieve dry or itchy eyes.

• Change your bedding frequently. Allergens can stick to your bedding, further irritating your eyes.

• Remember that some eye conditions—dry eyes or pinkeye, to name a few—are not caused by allergies, but may be confused with allergies.

• If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of eye allergies, only your doctor will be able to tell you if your symptoms are in fact caused by an allergic reaction. Schedule an eye exam today to ensure your symptoms are not caused by an infection or more serious problem.

Dear Katherine,

My mother is 85 years old and suffers from Alzheimer’s. She lives in an assisted living facility. Her doctor says it may be time to start considering hospice. How do we know when it’s time? She doesn’t seem to be “near the end” to me.

~When is it time?

Dear When is it time, Alzheimer’s disease has such a slow, sometimes unpredictable decline, making it hard to determine how far in the disease process one is. It also makes the disease so difficult to cope with; some call it “the long goodbye”. It can be very taxing on families and difficult to grieve at the same time. Hospice and palliative physicians are experts in determining disease trajectory to see if the patient is nearing the last six months of life. There are many factors to consider in decline including weight loss, frequent infections, recent ER or hospital admissions, decline in level of independence (walking, dressing oneself, bathing, etc.) and speaking few words. These indicators signal someone is ready for hospice. If your mother’s physician indicates it may be time, or if you believe it might be time for hospice, you can request a consultation with the hospice team for evaluation.

~Katherine

Katherine is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the President and CEO of VNA Texas.

Dear Katherine,

Several of my friends and I are interested in volunteering our time. How can we get involved?

Dear Wants to Volunteer,

~Wants to Volunteer

At VNA there are many opportunities to give the invaluable gift of time and we are always looking for volunteers! We are always grateful for volunteers who deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors in Dallas County whether you deliver once or regularly. You can brighten the day of a senior neighbor on your lunch break—sign up at www.volunteer.vnatexas.org.

Another great way to get involved is to help patients and caregivers in our hospice program. Volunteers may provide companionship and sit with patients giving family caregivers time to go to the store or an appointment. Volunteers also facilitate group activities in one location, such as a memory care unit. Depending on the need, the time frames for volunteering with hospice may vary and the help is always needed—especially for office assistance! Lastly, hospice offers many unique needs, so special skills are also welcome such as pet therapy, hair cutting—whatever your gift, we can use it at VNA!

~Katherine

VNA Hospice Care

VNA Hospice Care focuses on living life to its fullest and treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve. As a nonprofit, our bottom line is patient support and care provided by our highly qualified staff.

vnatexas.org

VNA Care Choices

Following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, patients and their loved ones have many questions about the best course of action. VNA Care Choices provides supportive care services in the home while continuing treatment with your current physician.

To schedule your free in-home informational visit please call (214) 689-0000 or email gethelp@vnatexas.org For volunteer opportunities please call (214) 689-3222 or email volunteer@vnatexas.org

KATHERINE KRAUSE

Andrew Chambers, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Chambers is an orthopaedic surgeon at Dallas Orthopaedic Joint Institute who specializes in joint replacement surgery. He received extensive training in joint replacement surgery during his fellowship at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital, which was voted as the top hospital in the United States. Dr. Chambers has implemented the techniques learned at Harvard Medical School into his own practice and offers minimally invasive total hip / knee replacement, partial knee replacement, revision surgery for malfunctioning, loose, and infected joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery of the hip and knee, and revision of failed and recalled metal-on-metal total hip replacement implants. Dr. Chambers focuses special attention on surgical techniques for rapid recovery after total joint replacement which allow his patients a more predictable and earlier return to home and an active lifestyle.

Dr. Chambers is pleased to offer the MAKOplasty Robotic-Arm Assisted partial/total knee and hip replacement. The MAKOplasty procedure is changing the way joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and unique anatomy using a CT-based 3D modeling. The robotic arm technology allows for extremely precise placement of hip/knee components with potentially less soft tissue injury than traditional joint replacement.

Dr. Chambers is a Texas native and grew up in Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and completed residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Dr. Chambers enjoys traveling with his wife, Christine, and spending time with friends and family. He is an avid sailor and enjoys participating in sailing races on the local lakes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Dr. Chambers practices at Methodist Dallas, Charlton, and Richardson Hospitals. To schedule an appointment please call 214-947-3248.

221 W. Colorado Blvd., Pav II, Suite 431

Dallas, Texas 75208 METHODIST

3430 W. Wheatland Rd., POB 1, Suite 216

Dallas, Texas 75237

• Onsite Diabetic Shoe Store with Dynamic Arc Balance Assessment to help pinpoint the specific area(s) of functional balance lost.

• Onsite Nail Treatment Center with full spa services and open to the public.

• We have podiatric specialists that treat chronic pain and peripheral nerve problems that affect the foot and ankle.

• MLS Laser Therapy for pain and inflammation and the Hyperion 1530 laser for treatment of fungal nails.

Achilles Tendon

Ankle Instability

Ankle Sprains

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Arthritic Foot & Ankle Care

Athletes Foot

Bunions

Calluses

Children’s Feet Corns Crush Injuries

Diabetic Foot Care Flat Feet

Fungal Toenails

Geriatric Foot Care

Hammertoes

Heel Spurs

Ingrown Toenails Injuries

Neuroma Plantar Fasciitis

Warts Wounds

CHECK PAIN MANAGEMENT

OFF YOUR LIST OF FOOT SURGERY WORRIES

Courtesy Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas

With any surgery come reasonable concerns. Depending on the person, your mind could start racing anywhere from the seriousness of your condition, to the procedure itself, to out-of-pocket costs or the required downtime. However, when it comes to foot and ankle surgery, there is the inevitable question: How bad will it hurt afterward?

Even if you have a high tolerance for pain, the unfortunate truth is that pain can accompany the healing process following any surgery. “But, with the proper care, healing after foot and ankle surgery can be more comfortable than people might expect, according to North Texas based foot and ankle surgeon and American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon Fellow Member, Damien M. Dauphinée DPM, FACFAS, CWS-P.

“With the availability of such a large variety of highly effective pain medications, fear of pain should be the last deterrent keeping patients from having foot or ankle surgery. Patients can take comfort in knowing that as surgeons, we have an equally vested interest in keeping them comfortable, so their surgical experience is positive and they have a speedy recovery,” said Dr. Dauphinée.

Dr. Dauphinée explains that patients can receive a local, long-lasting anesthetic immediately following surgery, which significantly decreases pain. Also, in today’s healthcare climate where efforts to reduce prescription drug addiction are at an all-time high, there are stronger anti-inflammatory medications available, which can eliminate or diminish the need for pain relievers containing narcotics.

Of course, not all pain being created equal, there are other options for patients to manage their comfort levels following surgery. Depending on the expected degree of pain, patients can take home a pain pump, which allows them to self-administer pain medication intravenously, allowing for a faster and more potent delivery.

“Ultimately, if a patient needs to undergo surgery, it clearly means something is wrong and requires medical correction or extraction. That in mind, we want to help patients feel good about their surgery and think about how better they will feel afterward, versus the pain during healing,” reasons Dr. Dauphinée.

Pain Management after Foot Surgery

In addition to medication, a tried and true method in controlling pain following foot or ankle surgery is to apply rest,

ice, compression and elevation (RICE). “Using the RICE method reduces swelling in the surgical area. By reducing the swelling, inflammation is minimized, which in large part lowers pain,” added Dr. Dauphinée.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons recommends patients talk to their foot and ankle surgeon before their procedure to determine how much pain they can expect and the plan of action for managing their pain after surgery.

For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Dauphinée and Complete Foot and Ankle Care at 940-300-3054, or go to their website www.completefootandanklecare.com

Gregory D. Roberts, M.D.

The“Scarless”Face Lift

By Pamela Hammonds

Eating right and exercising are great ways to stave off the inevitable signs of aging.

But even if you’re devoted to wellness, over time your skin loses elasticity, bone and tissue deteriorate and hereditary factors become more pronounced.

North Texas residents can count themselves fortunate that nationally-known facial plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory D. Roberts is a short drive away. He’s refined a face lift technique, known as the “scarless” face lift, which allows patients to recover from surgery with virtually no visible scarring. The “scarless” face lift involves a series of surgical methods and meticulous precision that can help restore more natural, youthful facial features with virtually imperceptible signs of surgical intervention.

“My one guiding principle is that your cosmetic surgery looks natural,” said Dr. Roberts. “You should look refreshed and wellrested, never pulled.” Dr. Roberts takes the time necessary to meticulously place and close incisions,

ensuring that his patients’ incisions are virtually invisible, as well as helping to minimize bruising and quicken the healing process. Dr. Roberts and his staff are thorough and attentive before and after surgery, making sure each patient understands the procedure and recovery time.

Many of Dr. Roberts’ patients also find pleasing results with a non-surgical face lift alternative known as a Liquid Face Lift. Revolumizing the face with a Liquid Face Lift can be done alone or in conjunction with a face lift to restore natural, youthful volume and contours. Dr. Roberts appreciates that each patient is a unique individual with specific needs and expectations. “I like to spend time with each patient discussing options and determining what will produce the best and most consistent results to fit the patient’s goals and desires,” he said.

If your goal is smoother, clearer skin tone and texture, skin resurfacing with advanced lasers such as D.O.T. or Fraxel® can be a tremendous help, as well. For patients seeking more comprehensive facial

rejuvenation, Dr. Roberts might recommend an R-Lift, which integrates a “scarless” face lift (or other cosmetic surgery), as well as a liquid face lift and fractional laser resurfacing. “An R-Lift essentially blends the three R’s of facial rejuvenation,” said Dr. Roberts, “Repositioning (drooping skin), Revolumizing (flattened facial features) and Repairing (sun damaged skin).”

“There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction that comes along with my work,” he said. “Seeing patients get positive results from their procedure, as well as seeing their renewed confidence, and then hearing the reaction of others in their lives is very fulfilling.”

Dr. Roberts’ procedures are performed at an AAAASF certified facility near George Bush Tollway and Preston in Plano, Texas. Read more here about what his patients say about him. View more beforeand-after photos and review additional information at RobertsCosmeticSurgery.com.

To schedule a free consultation, call 972-608-0000.

Meet Gregory D. Roberts, M.D.

At Roberts Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Roberts specializes in facial cosmetic medical procedures, including the “scarless” face lift, endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, chin and lip implants. For over 14 years, Dr. Roberts has focused his surgical specialty on the face, but he also performs laser liposuction procedures with the dual wavelength Slimlipo®, as well as other minimally invasive cosmetic medical procedures, such as BOTOX® and dermal filler procedures. Dr. Roberts is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology | Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Roberts personally performs all surgical procedures, liposuction procedures, BOTOX® and filler procedures. Laser and resurfacing procedures at Roberts Cosmetic Surgery are performed by a certified and licensed anesthetician, while his support staff endeavors to provide optimal patient care.

Save 25% OFF Mini Face Lift

Book your Mini Face Lift with Dr. Roberts before May 31, 2019, and save 25 percent. (Have your procedure anytime in 2019.) Natural results, hidden incisions and limited downtime— why not call 972-608-0000 to book your free consultation today?

* Incl. Free O.R. ($1,600 value); Excl. Anesthesia

Dr. Roberts’ patients love their results! KM didn’t fully embrace the aging process and sought help to improve her appearance. During her consultation Dr. Roberts recommended upper and lower blepharoplasty (eye lifts) as well as a mini face lift. “I inherited drooping eyes from my dad, sagging jowls from my mother. But Dr. Roberts has completely changed that for me. Now I get comments even from strangers about how good my skin looks. Only my close friends know what I’ve had done, but I feel dramatically different. It’s helped my confidence and I’m definitely more comfortable when I’m face-to-face with people.”

At 51, JT worked to stay in shape but couldn’t stop the natural signs of aging. The sagging in her neck and jowl area started to bother her so much she no longer wore her hair off her face. “I feel young and wanted to look more youthful,” she said. After a mini face lift, she’s thrilled with the results. “Not one person has said, ‘Did you have a face lift?’” she said. “But people do tell me how pretty my skin is. I didn’t want to overdo it or become obsessed with vanity, and what Dr. Roberts did is perfect. Everyone in his office was attentive, helpful and supportive. I’d definitely do it again.”

JR, 52, had a face lift, endoscopic brow lift and lower blepharoplasty performed in one procedure. “Before the surgery I looked tired and my jowl area and the skin around my mouth sagged,” she said. “Dr. Roberts spent a lot of time explaining everything and answering my questions. During my consultation, I saw a woman who’d had a face lift the day before, and you couldn’t see the incisions since they were in her hairline. After surgery, I was wearing a ponytail two weeks later and attended a work conference a week after that. No one could tell I’d just had surgery! To me, it’s so natural. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Roberts and his staff.”

by May 31, 2019

After 8 Weeks, “Scarless”

Actual Roberts Patient

Actual Roberts Patients

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER

By Julie Alvira, MD MBA

Caregiving is a labor of love but can pose some extreme challenges, both physically and emotionally. It does not matter if you’re an individual working as a professional caregiver for an agency or by yourself. Caregiving can create family pressures, impact financial well being, and contribute to social isolation.

Stress can take a toll and result in burnout. Professional burnout, which often is the result of stress manifested in the form of emotional and physical exhaustion, has become a national health crisis among healthcare professionals. It can result in poor sleep, mounting pressure, skipping exercise, bowing out of social events, poor eating, feeling not good enough, depression, an inability to accomplish obligations out of the healthcare setting, not having quality time with loved ones, and a decrease in the sense of personal accomplishments.

This doctor was having symptoms of anxiety. With the help of a therapist, he learned how to recognized these symptoms and take control. Also, he learned to listen with more patience and practice compassion with his own patients. As one can see, a caregiver gives their love and time with compassion and em-

orities. Yes, you feel compassion for your loved one, client or patient, but in order to help that person you have to help yourself first. This is not selfish or self-centered, it’s part of caring for your well being and having a balanced lifestyle to prevent the manifestations of stress.

According to Chopra Wellness Center, there are six areas of self-care that we should work on including:

• Physical: adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical movement to raise your energy levels.

• Emotional: “feel your feelings” and talk about them. Get in touch with your thoughts.

• Mental: instead of getting caught in stagnation, try a new challenge or project.

A physician and caregiver for his wife with breast cancer (Finkelstein, 2013) points out, “I compartmentalized my fears about what might happen, and I pushed forward––exactly as I would do with my patients at work, as I was trained to do. But while this strategy works effectively with the strangers that I care for in the operating room, it proved to be less successful at home. I started to have trouble sleeping, and I noticed many odd new physical symptoms––muscle fatigue and weakness, numbness and tingling in my fingers and arms, and palpitations.”

pathy but needs to learn how to connect to self. The idea of “feeling your feelings” by becoming aware of them is important. Take control, have emotional support, and know when to ask for help. One great thing that I have learned as a caregiver to my mom, who’s a widow and recently had a hip replacement, is to practice self-care.

Remember, you might not be able to do anything about the person’s disability, but you can do something about the way your life is impacted. Whether you are in the healthcare industry or are a professional caregiver or caring for a loved one, if you let stress and emotions lead to exhaustion, you might become vulnerable to many problems.

Self-Care

Self compassion and self care are pri-

• Spiritual: connect with the self by practicing yoga, tai chi, meditation, relaxation techniques or trying solitude. Remember that solitude is not isolation. It is a time to connect with yourself and recharge. Sometimes it is called “me time.” Some people walk in nature while others read a book. Your type of solitude time is special and it is your own. If the feeling of loneliness kicks in, be aware of where it’s coming from and come back to the present moment. Mindfulness helps when our fears and emotional wounds from the past show up and try to take over.

• Social: cultivate connection with people.

• Practical: pay attention to other areas of your life that are part of your chores and routines such as financial, projects, etc.

It’s important to know that you are not alone. It’s not easy, but in order to become a compassionate caregiver, love with a whole heart.

Julie Alvira, MD, MBA. www.coachdrjulie.com. Dr. Julie is a Certified Life Coach for men and women but has a passion for Women Recovering from Addictions. Creator of Your Recovery Gal program for women, she is a Nationally Certified Addictions Professional. julie@coachdrjulie.com. Bilingual virtual or in-office sessions.

THE EVOLUTION OF DR. STEPHEN P. COURTNEY

From hospital orderly to hospital owner.

For board-certified, fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon

Dr. Stephen P. Courtney, patients come first. It’s an ethos that developed early on in his life and one that has helped guide him in his journey to earn a distinguished reputation among his professional colleagues, medical peers and, most importantly, his patients.

Dr. Courtney began his medicine career from the ground up. While a teenager, he spent summers working in a rural north Louisiana hospital. As an orderly, he was an integral part of the hospital environment. While not a glorified job, cleaning bed pans, changing bed sheets, cleaning patient rooms, helping medical practitioners, and assisting patients, offered him an invaluable glimpse into the hard work and dedication necessary to succeed in the medical field. The job also served as the catalyst for his decision to pursue medical school.

Inspired by the patients he’d cared for there, Dr. Courtney made education a priority. He was salutatorian of his high school class and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Northeast Louisiana University. While at Louisiana State University Medical School, he utilized his summer to perform spine biomechanical tests on human spine cadavers utilizing pedicle screws. Considered cutting edge biomechanics and technology at that time, most spine surgeons didn’t even know they existed yet. However, Dr. Courtney performed one of the first biomechanical tests on those implants. It was a feat that earned him the Howmedica Biomechanic Award and the Louisiana Orthopedic Association Award. He also placed fourth in the World Congress for Student Research Competition.

Dr. Courtney’s residency at Texas A&M University Medical Center and further specialty training through a fellowship at Florida Neck & Back Institute in Gainesville, Florida, additionally cemented his strong medical foundation. From there, he continued to gain more knowledge and insight on how to help his patients with useful spine implants, while recognizing there was room for much improvement in the tools at hand.

This realization inspired Dr. Courtney to design, develop, biomechanically test, complete FDA testing and oversee quality control and validation on a host of tools he created. To date, Dr. Courtney has developed nine spinal product lines and obtained nine patents and 14 trademarks on spine related products.

When he’s not traveling the country training other physicians on how to utilize his products, Dr. Courtney dedicates himself to the patients of his own medical practice, Advanced Spine Center. Dedicated to developing superior operative techniques to treat neck and back disorders, Dr. Courtney leads a skilled team to care for patients with neck and back pain using a wide array of the most state-of-the-art

Continued, next page

From previous page

tools and techniques––from conservative physical therapy and injection therapy––to advanced pain management, as well as surgical intervention.

“We employ the latest in minimally-invasive spine surgeries, in addition to cutting-edge replacement technology, incorporating both high tech and high touch,” says Dr. Courtney.

Dr. Courtney recently added another accomplishment to the lengthy list when he opened Eminent Medical Center. An in-network specialty hospital focusing on patient care, the center’s state-of-the-art technology focuses on utilizing minimally invasive techniques including the “Rosa” total joint robot. The only one in Texas, it’s the latest technology medicine has to offer and delivers spine care excellence utilizing dual digital c-arms and spine robotics during surgery.

The medical field is not the only arena in which Dr. Courtney excels. He approaches fitness with the same dedication and vigor he applies to medicine. In 2005, Dr. Courtney was in the top 10 of his age group in mountain biking in Texas. He also completed one of the largest cycling events in the country multiple times: the “Hotter’N Hell” race. Always up for a new challenge, from there, he began training to compete in triathlons.

“Swimming added a whole new challenge for me and really pushed me,” says Dr. Court-

ney of training for triathlons, where participants are required to swim, bike, and run. “I like to set goals, as it gives me more incentive to stay focused and helps me determine what I want to accomplish and work toward. Accomplishing my goal and finishing something I didn’t think I could do helps me push through.”

Dr. Courtney trains for triathlons with the same focus he uses as a surgeon. Waking up at 4 a.m. six days per week to work out in his home gym, he never waivers from the goal at hand––exceeding his personal best. After successfully completing multiple triathlons, Dr. Courtney shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to train and looks forward to competing in many more triathlons.

“I think if you can survive a triathlon you are absolutely living well,” he says.

Paying attention to fitness is something he encourages his patients to consider, too. “People don’t have to be a

Dr. Courtney is known for his straight-forward, honest approach which puts his patients at ease, trusting him to perform highly technical operations that will help them restore their quality of life.

Dr. Courtney enjoys training for his next triathlons. He enjoys living a healthy life as it keeps his stress down and keeps him focused.

tri-athlete to be healthy. I like to tell people you need to start small. Do something to be active. It can even be yard work––that’s a great workout too. As you get older especially, you need to be in tune with your body, monitor your calorie intake and be active. I encourage people to change slowly, start small,

It’s a sentiment that his patients echo. “You don’t want to trust (your back) to just somebody that has his name on a door. You have to go to people that you trust. I talked to people and everybody trusted Dr. Stephen Courtney and I do too and I’d highly recommend him,” says Judy Jones, a lumbar fusion patient of Dr. Courtney’s.

“Above all, I believe in treating each and every patient I have with honesty, dignity, and respect. My patients come away from our shared interactions feeling confident, assured that they are truly in the best hands,” says Dr. Courtney, who always brings his A-game.

and find out what you like to do,” he says. Sharing his wellness journey is part of the straight-forward, honest approach that puts his patients at ease and creates a trusting bond, an important element for the highly technical operations Dr. Courtney performs to help restore patients’ quality of life. As he learned early on, the single most important person in the treatment process is the patient and well-informed patients are more successful in following through on their rehabilitation and have better outcomes.

For appointment contact clinic at 972.499.5457.

Stephen P. Courtney, M.D.

Area of Practice Orthopedic Spinal Surgery

Specialties

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Spine pain

• Disc Replacement

• Microdiscectomy

• Spinal Fusion

Certifications & Degrees

• Neck Surgery

• Back Surgery

• Spine Surgery

• EMG

• Steroid Injections

• Physical Therapy

• Board-Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

• Northeast Louisiana University

• Louisiana State University Medical School

• Residency at Texas A&M Medical Center

• Fellowship at Florida Neck & Back Institute ADVANCED SPINE CENTER 1705 Ohio Drive, Suite 300 Plano, TX 75093 www.courtneymd.com www.advancedspinecenters.com

SLEEP YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH

By Brandon Allen, PharmD

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, upwards of 30% of Americans don’t get enough sleep.

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, but the average American sleeps only 6.8 hours per night, according to a recent poll. Lack of sleep can lead to health problems, cognitive issues, and just makes us all a little crabby.

Why We Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Our current lifestyle factors into this a lot. Little or no exercise, high stress levels and poor nutrition can all wreck our sleep.

Just 10 minutes a day of low-intensity walking can help promote healthy sleep, but unfortunately, most Americans get very little exercise and spend most of their time sitting at a desk or at home.

When your body is under stress, we create a hormone called cortisol. This

hormone pumps more glucose into our blood so that we can have quick energy. It ramps up our heart rate and gets our muscles ready to fight or run. This is great when a bear is chasing us, not so great when we have worked eight to 10 hours and are trying to go to sleep that night.

Poor nutrition can lead to sleep problems. Too much sugar and caffeine can make sleep very difficult. Typically, these foods and beverages are not high in nutrients we need to maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

Other factors can be at play here too, but these are the main culprits.

What Happens When We Don’t Sleep

A lack of sleep can lead to low energy, lack of concentration, poor memory, weight gain, and overall poor cellular health.

Getting an appropriate amount of sleep can help improve our memories. Sleep protects new memories from dis-

ruption and sleep consolidates memories according to their relative importance and the learner’s expectations for remembering.

It might seem obvious, but the biggest factor affecting concentration is rest. If you aren’t well-rested your mind will be scattered and lethargic.

Adequate sleep can also lead to better muscle and tissue health. Your tissues require additional sleep and recovery time after illness, injury or surgery. In addition, muscular recovery is required after intense exercise, particularly strength and endurance training.

The amount of rest you get each night affects your metabolism. Sleep-deprived individuals have a decreased ability to manage blood sugar levels and also may find themselves hungrier (particularly for high carbohydrate foods).

What You Can Do About It

There are a number of things that you can do to help improve your sleep.

Here are a few tips you can try:

• Stick to a schedule, go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time every day.

• Keep your bedroom reserved for sleep and sex, no TV!

• Make sure your bedroom is dark and cool

• Cut out caffeine after noon (look for ways it might sneak in there, tea or soda being the biggest culprits)

Also, at Allen Pharmacy, we compound a great topical product that we just call Sleep Gel. This is an all-natural sleep supplement that helps improve sleep. It contains magnesium and B vitamins that have been shown to improve sleep.

This is a great alternative to prescription sleep aids, with no side effects and no worry of addiction or dependence.

Contact our pharmacy at 940-484-0100 to find out more about our Sleep Gel compound that can help you get more restful sleep and improve your health.

Allen Pharmacy is your full-service neighborhood pharmacy. We’re a family owned and operated independent pharmacy based out of Denton, TX. Our mission is to provide the best pharmacy experience possible. At Allen Pharmacy, our staff understands the value of relationships and getting to know you and your needs. Come in and see!

of Allen Pharmacy’s services include:

Custom Compounding

Immunizations

EZ Meds • Hormone Counseling • Part D Plan Finder • FREE Delivery

Hours Monday – Friday 8:30am – 6:00pm Saturday 8:30am – 1:00pm

Sta ed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology

Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs

Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions

• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings

Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids

Hearing Evaluations For All Ages

Battery Purchase Programs

Custom Ear Protection

Assistive Devices

29 Years of Experience

“Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs” . – Terry G. Box, Retired Collin County Sheri

WHOSE JOB IS IT, ANYWAY?

By Rick Allen

Iam becoming more and more supportive of the concept of cutting out the middle man. Often this can make a product or service more affordable. It also seems like we are getting less and less service from service providers these days, so you wonder just what are we paying for when a third party is involved?

Here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, there is a television commercial for an insurance agent who takes great pride in being a “middle-man”. He claims that in his case, as a middle man, he can save you time, money and get you the best value for your money spent. I have used this agent in the past and I will attest that as a middle man, he does a great job delivering what he promises.

Funeral homes, however, have done a pretty poor job in the recent times identifying their value to consumers and a trend has begun that cuts them out of funeral services because some of the public view them as unnecessary middle men. The Texas Funeral Service Commission has published a brochure in which the subject of do-ityourself funerals is discussed. While it is not recommended, it is actually possible for a family to bury their own, completely on their own.

Self-sufficiency is not a bad idea, but where funerals are concerned, a growing number of people are confusing self-sufficiency with getting something for nothing. The bad part about this is, the entity being asked to provide something for nothing is not the funeral home, but rather the place where people go to church.

Several people have told me that when they die they want to just be buried or cremated, and then if their family wants a service, they can work it out with their church. I have yet to hear of a church refusing to do this directly with a family, but when you get right down to what is right and what isn’t, is it really the responsibility of the church to act as funeral directors?

In my opinion, taking this article is actually a denial of reality. One reason people claim to have a lack of interest in their own service is the concept that “I’m not going to be there or know anything about it anyway.” I, too, believe this is true, but what about your spouse, your children, siblings, friends, or maybe even your parent or parents? How are they going to find an appropriate way in which to accept the fact that a death has occurred, and how will they be able to say good-bye?

The Frank Capra Film “It’s a Wonderful Life” beautifully illustrates how one man failed to recognize the manner in which his life impacted so many others. Little did the character of George Bailey realize how his actions, no matter how small or insignificant to him, endeared him to so many others in very powerful ways. It’s far easier to assume that no one cares or that you yourself don’t care than to face the fact that you

will be missed and people will want to honor you when your time here is done.

Putting this responsibility on the doorstep of your church is an easy way around a tough subject, but a far cry from the appropriate thing to do. Our funeral home has been asked on many occasions to come in and put together the loose ends. At other times we simply hear the tales from church volunteers of how unstructured things seemed when the funeral home was not involved in a service. Things get overlooked in the planning stage and unfortunately are discovered absent when it’s too late. Other things that could have made a huge impact on the service as a whole are left out completely because no one knew they could be done. Simply put, a good funeral director and a thorough funeral home staff are worth every penny you may pay to them. They plan memorial tributes every day, and those that are really worth something are constantly searching for ways to innovate and contemporize the way people say good-bye.

Does value exist at all funeral homes? No. That is why I encourage you to discuss your plans with more than one funeral home. See the difference for yourself and then make a decision on which one you think will do the best job at helping you and your family create something that is meaningful, appropriate and affordable.

Rick Allen has been the owner of Allen Family Funeral Options for over 35 years and may be reached at 972-596-8200, or you may visit their website at www.AFFOplano.com.

A PASSION FOR INNOVATION

CTL Medical is a forward thinking medical device design, development and manufacturing company that creates exemplary surgical products and services specifially for spinal disorders. CTL Medical’s in-house Research and Development team works closely with surgeons to imagine and construct multifaceted implants and instruments that become works of art. Join us as we share our story and products like our

10 TIPS TO AVOID INJURIES FROM CROSSFIT TRAINING

By Dr. Peter Derman Texas Back Institute

CrossFit participants are intense in their pursuit of this training regimen and sometimes this can lead to back injuries. Judging by the number of participants, CrossFit is possibly the largest fitness trend in the world, with more than 13,000 affiliated gyms, over half of which are in the United States. Because of its rigorous exercises, CrossFit can also be dangerous to the spine health of participants. However, it doesn’t have to be.

One of the newer members of the Texas Back Institute team of spine surgeons is Dr. Peter Derman and in his undergraduate days at Stanford University he was on another team. He was the captain of the Stanford gymnastics team and a world-class athlete. With his athletic background and medical training in spine surgery, he is an excellent source of information on how CrossFit athletes can build strength and stamina without incurring injuries to their spine.

“Despite its popularity, there has been increasing recognition of the potential risks of CrossFit participation,” Dr. Derman said. “Adrenaline, competitiveness, and exhaustion sometimes combine to produce injuries – most commonly of the lumbar spine.”

By adhering to these 10 tips, CrossFitters can maximize their fun and fitness while reducing the chance of spinal injury.

Find the right “box”.

“Finding the right CrossFit gym or ‘box’ which is challenging without being potentially dangerous is a critical first step,” Dr. Derman said. “I suggest that participants spend some time researching – with personal visits and interviews – a box with a philosophy of fitness and wellness. Coaches and fellow gym goers should be focused on progressive skill and strength acquisition rather than simply a no pain, no gain mentality, which can result in burnout and injury.

Check your ego at the door.

“One of the great aspects of CrossFit training is its communal environment that motivates athletes to push their limits,” Dr. Derman said. “This can produce remarkable results when harnessed appropriately. However, don’t get so carried away that you put your health at risk. Remember the reason you started CrossFit in the first place – to get fit and have fun doing

it. Work gradually toward your goals because taking shortcuts and sustaining injuries will only set you back.”

The core is key.

“A strong core is essential for stabilizing the spine and pelvis,” he said. “Strengthening these muscles can offload the spine itself and reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and disc herniations. However, a ‘6-pack’ is only part of the equation. The paraspinal and other trunk muscles are just as important and should not be neglected.”

Having the proper form is critical.

“In a CrossFit workout program, more injuries are caused by improper form than any other factor,” Dr. Derman said. “This cannot be overstated. Poor form places the spine in a compromised position and radically increases the forces imparted across it. Having a well-trained instructor, who is observant and involved with every participant, can dramatically help here.

“Deadlifts and other Olympic lifts can be particularly hard on the spine. Never compromise form, even as you fatigue and reach the point of exhaustion. This requires focus and is why CrossFit is as much a mental as a physical sport.”

The effect of cold and hot weather on CrossFit injuries.

“It is important to adequately warm up before workouts to prevent muscle, tendon and ligament injuries,” he said. “This is especially relevant in the winter months when cold temperatures cause peripheral blood vessels to constrict. Doing some light aerobic activity before jumping into the intense workout helps increase circulation and helps reduce the chance of injury to your back and elsewhere.

“On the flip side, warm weather can take a toll as well. Heat stroke, a dangerous elevation in body temperature, is most common in the summer months. Symptoms include confusion, nausea, vomiting, flushed skin, headache, and rapid breathing. If someone at the gym exhibits these warning signs, immediately get them to a cool, shaded environment and call 911. Even if it doesn’t produce heat stroke, overheating in the setting of dehydration and physical exertion can lead to severe muscle breakdown and possible damage to kidneys. Adequate hydration, appropriate attire and attention to your body’s cues can help prevent these scenarios.”

The importance of pre-workout and post-workout stretching.

“The scientific literature on stretching is somewhat limited,” he said. “There is some evidence to suggest that stretching before a workout can reduce the risk of muscle strains but has no impact on the development of overuse injuries. Aggressively stretching muscles while still ‘cold’ may actually cause muscle strains. It is therefore advisable to structure your workout session as follows (1) warm up (2) stretch (3) WOD (workout of the day) (4) stretch.

“The post-workout stretch is a great way to boost overall flexibility while your muscles are warm and pliable. Prone extensions, cat-camels, bridges, and seated twists can help keep your spine mobile and nimble. Attention to hamstring flexibility is also key to maintaining a healthy back as tightness in these muscles may transfer more stress to the lumbar spine during bending and lifting activities.”

Take time for recovery.

“Most CrossFit athletes are highly competitive,” Dr. Derman said. “And this overtraining can sometimes lead to decreased performance and elevated risk of injury. Your muscles sustain minor damage during routine workouts and respond by rebuilding in stronger configurations and increased size. However, this process takes time.

“The exact amount of rest needed between workouts depends on many factors, including baseline fitness level, age, workout duration, and exercise intensity. Ice, heat, massage, and appropriate nutrition may help speed recovery. Again, this is where a trained instructor can help. If an injury is sustained, don’t make matters worse by ‘training through it.’ Rest and seek a medical opinion if your symptoms are severe or persistent.”

The difference between injury and muscle fatigue.

“Muscle fatigue during a tough workout builds with increasing reps and can resemble a burning sensation,” Dr. Derman said. “Once you stop exerting that muscle group, the burn should resolve within minutes. However, sudden and sharp pain while exercising is cause for concern, and you should rest until symptoms resolve. Ice, heat and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

medications can be helpful for persistent aches and pains. However, consult with a doctor before taking medications if you have any underlying health issues. If symptoms are severe or if they don’t steadily improve with time, it is best to seek the opinion of a medical professional.

“Debilitating back pain with sciatica may represent a disc herniation and is something that should prompt more rapid medical attention, especially if you are experiencing weakness in your legs. If you develop numbness about your genitals, inability to urinate, or loss of bladder control in the setting of back and/or leg symptoms, this could represent critical nerve compression and necessitates an immediate trip to the emergency room to reduce the chance of permanent nerve damage.”

CrossFit and kids.

“Some parents worry about the weight-training aspect of CrossFit,” Dr. Derman said. “Research suggests that it is safe for children to participate in light weightlifting after age eight. Rather than stack on the plates and aim for full muscle fatigue, kids should use relatively light weights with high reps – they should be able to perform 8-15 at a given weight without significant struggle. Parents and trainers should reinforce the importance of form above all else.”

Don’t forget about foods and beverages for quicker recovery.

“Post-exercise nutrition is key to speeding recovery and maximizing the benefits of your workout,” Dr. Derman said. Because powering through ‘Fran’ or ‘Murph’ can result in depletion of your body’s glycogen stores and even break down muscle proteins, eating the right nutrients afterward can help your body recover more rapidly.

“I recommend that the CrossFit athlete consume 0.14 – 0.23 grams of protein and 0.5 – 0.7 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight (1:3 ratio) within 45 minutes of completing your workout. This allows you to take advantage of your body’s enhanced ability to rebuild glycogen and protein immediately after exertion. Plus, don’t forget to hydrate. Water is sufficient after a typical workout, but a sodium-containing beverage is advisable to maintain proper electrolyte balance when exercising indoors for more than two hours or in the heat for over an hour.”

DO YOU REALLY NEED A TRUST?

By Leu & Peirce, PLLC

As Elder Law attorneys, one question we hear often from our clients is: Do I need a trust? And, ordinarily, the answer is: It depends. In its most basic form, a trust is a document setting forth an intent that assets be held and managed for the benefit of certain persons. The person making the trust is the Grantor (also Settlor or Trustor). The Trustee is the person administering the trust. Sometimes the Grantor and Trustee are the same person. The Beneficiary is the individual who will receive the benefit of the trust assets. The Trustee has a fiduciary duty to manage the assets in the trust for the benefit of the Beneficiary. Trusts can be revocable, such as a Revocable Living Trust, or irrevocable, such as an Asset Protection Trust or Testamentary Trust.

Revocable Living Trust

from the policy are not included in the grantor’s taxable estate upon their death. The insured individual is the grantor of the trust. The grantor cannot retain any economic interest or control in the policy, or it remains subject to estate taxation.

Also known as Inter Vivos Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts are trusts that you set up during your lifetime to hold assets. If you have a Revocable Living Trust in place upon your death, it is possible that your loved ones may avoid the probate of your estate. During your lifetime, although your assets are titled in the name of the Revocable Living Trust, you always have the right to revoke the trust or amend its provisions. Therefore, ownership of the assets will be attributed to you for income tax, bankruptcy, creditor, and public benefits purposes. Revocable Living Trusts can be helpful for people who own property in states other than Texas, or where a grantor is expecting disputes amongst family members after his or her death. However, Revocable Living Trusts are not a one-size fits all solution. For example, a Revocable Living Trust is not an appropriate planning tool for someone who may need public benefits in the future.

Irrevocable Trust

By contrast, an Irrevocable Trust cannot be revoked or amended after it is signed, and the transfer of assets into an Irrevocable Trust is considered a completed gift.

Common types of Irrevocable Trusts include the following:

Irrevocable

Life Insurance Trust

Also known as an ILIT, this type of trust is created to assume ownership of a life insurance policy, so that the proceeds

Asset Protection Trust

This type of trust is sometimes used as a long-term planning tool to prepare for qualification for future public benefits, such as Medicaid and Veteran’s Benefits. Because a transfer into an Asset Protection Trust is considered a transfer of assets for public benefits purposes, a transfer penalty will apply if done within five years of applying for Medicaid and three years of applying for Veteran’s Benefits.

Supplemental Needs Trust

A Supplemental Needs Trust (“SNT”) is used to hold funds for a person who is receiving needsbased public benefits. The Trustee of the SNT makes distributions to the beneficiary for the purpose of enhancing the beneficiary’s quality of life, not for basic support, such as food or shelter. Particular care should be taken in the creation and maintenance of SNTs. Specific rules apply to SNTs based on whether the SNT is created by the beneficiary or a third party. And, distributions from SNTs must be handled carefully to avoid disqualifying the beneficiary from eligibility for public benefits.

Testamentary Trust

A Testamentary Trust is a trust created through the terms of a Will. Testamentary Trusts can be a helpful for protecting incapacitated or minor beneficiaries, or to allow the testator some control over the future use of assets.

Despite all the buzz about avoiding probate, probate in Texas is relatively quick and inexpensive. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into purchasing a complicated trust plan under the logic that the probate process is something to be feared and avoided. Further, even if you have a Revocable Living Trust in place, you still need current ancillary documents, including a Statutory Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, HIPAA Release and Authorization, and a Living Will (Advanced Directive), among other documents. Visit an Elder Law attorney to discuss the estate planning options that are available and advisable for you.

Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, Lauren Olson, Laura Chavero, and Zachary Stubblefield are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, located in the North Dallas area. They can be reached at 972-996-2540

COOKING CLASSY IN A CINCH....

Harold and Miriam Moore

Miriam and Harold Moore, from Rockwall, Texas, have been married for 30 years, and have four children and four grandchildren. Harold, a plumber by trade, enjoys making fabulous dinners for Miriam, playing guitar, wearing kilts, fly fishing and craft beer. Miriam enjoys singing with Harold and quilt making. After Miriam was diagnosed with diabetes in 2011, she and Harold have strived to avoid eating processed foods, and have discovered a real love for fresh vegetables, natural and whole foods.

Lobster Tail Cilantro Lime Salad

• One lobster tail per person

• Asparagus

• Radishes

• Tomatoes

• Green onion tops

• Avocado

• Salad greens

Vinaigrette

• 1/4 avocado

• Juice of one large lemon

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/8 cup red wine vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/2 clove garlic

• White portion of green onion

• Handful cilantro

Process ingredients of vinaigrette in food processor until smooth. Set aside.

Set oven to broil on high. Cut a V-shaped wedge from the center of the lobster tail. Add small amount of butter to exposed lobster meat after you remove the “V” shaped wedge. Broil for 7 minutes.

Plate salad greens, steamed asparagus, avocado slices, tomatoes radishes, cilantro and green onion to taste. Using tongs place the lobster on top and serve with vinaigrette.

Salmon Salad

• 2 cups flaked wild caught sockeye salmon grilled

• 2 hard boiled eggs

• 1/2 cup diced celery

• 1/4 cup raisins

• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

Dressing

• 1/2 olive oil mayo

• 1 tablespoon fresh dill

• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

• 1 clove minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all and serve with bread, crackers or on salad greens.

WORTHWHILE RELATIONSHIPS FOR KIDS

By Don Simpson

Achild’s time with their grandparent provides a lot more than free babysitting. These intergenerational relationships provide a lot of benefits beyond just having strong family bonds and warm memories.

Spending time with the grandparents provides many lessons about emotional and social intelligence. The ability to be aware of and express feelings is a trait your children will be watching and learning their entire lives. During the time spent with their grandparents, they will learn how people they trust, other than their parents, share and express their emotions. If they accidentally break something and see that their grandmother doesn’t throw a fit, your child will learn how to handle their feelings when upset. If they hear their grandfather talk about how much he appreciates their grand -

mother, they’ll learn how to love and care for others.

Emotionally intelligent kids are able to better maneuver relationships through social intelligence. The home of their grandparents is a great place to begin showing your children that they are loved, safe and secure in other homes. It’s great for your kids to witness how other families work, see other successful relationships and practice having their own relationships. It helps them

to relate to people other than you. It also helps them learn how to be nice, caring, and how to act when you are not around. They learn how to follow rules that might be a little different than the rules in your home.

If your children are unable to spend time with their grandparents, they can still establish beneficial intergenerational relationships with other older adults at church, in your neighborhood or by visiting local adult living facilities. My daughters have a nurturing and loving relationship with our older neighbor. She has been a wonderful example to my daughters’ lives and we are grateful for her stepping in as a grandmother figure.

Grandparents or other older mentors in your children’s lives are valuable, so you may want to consider adding more grandparent time into your kids’ schedules.

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