Denton County Living Well Magazine March-April 2021

THE BUYING POWER OF WOMEN STEPS TO UNIFY YOUR FAMILY

Preserving the Backbone of Life

Comprehensive Back, Neck & Spine Program

Back and neck pain happen for a number of reasons. Muscular weakness, herniated discs, damaged vertebrae or more severe spinal conditions can all make pain severe and debilitating.

At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, our dedicated team of spinal physicians, therapists and practitioners are skilled at treating back and neck pain and spinal disorders.

Advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques are used to e ciently and e ectively treat conditions, address pain and get you back to doing what you love.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 469-929-9497 or visit the Program’s website at https://www.texashealthflowermound.com/back-neck-and-spine-center/

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound is a joint venture owned by Texas Health Resources and physicians dedicated to the community and meets the definition under federal law of a physician-owned hospital. Doctors on the medical sta practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. Model in photo is not an actual patient.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

WOMAN POWER

Trial attorney turned journalist Megyn Kelly is facing the future with a devil may care attitude. Before a career as a news anchor, Kelly was well on her way to making partner at a prestigious fim. Instead, Kelly ditched the courtroom for the newsroom and became a formidable journalist who wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions.

Now Kelly is taking the next step. Last year she launched her own media company, Devil May Care Media, which produces her unfiltered podcast The Megyn Kelly Show. Billed as “your home for open, honest, and provocative conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal, and cultural figues today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear,” it’s Kelly’s way of setting a fresh course with unlimited potential and freedom from corporate agendas. Learn more about her compelling venture on page 8.

Based on these talented, motivated women, it’s no surprise to learn that women are shaping the economy and business world. We explore this evolution in the article “ The Buying Power of Women,” by examining the impact females are making as America’s biggest consumers. Statistics reveal the crucial role women play in the economy and businesses are fially taking notice.

Meanwhile, if you’ve noticed that getting a solid night’s sleep is hard to come by these days, we have your solution. Check out the 15 tricks you can employ to train your mind and body to fall asleep more quickly and improve your sleep quality on page 30.

There’s more to keep you in the loop, so take a deep dive into this issue.

Be well!

Living Well Well

MARCH/APRIL 2021

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SONDRA BARR

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Advanced Heart & Vascular Care

Advanced Heart & Vascular Care

Your heart is uniquely yours. At Texas Health Physicians Group, your heart and vascular care begins with a plan that’s customized for you. And with locations across North Texas, our care is close by. Schedule an appointment today, either in-person or via virtual visit, and discover our compassionate, comprehensive approach. From proactive prevention and diagnostics to advanced bypass and valve surgery and more, we’ll get you started with a plan for your heart health. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety. To learn more, go to TexasHealth.org/THPG-Safe.

Your heart is uniquely yours. At Texas Health Physicians Group, your heart and vascular care begins with a plan that’s customized for you. And with locations across North Texas, our care is close by. Schedule an appointment today, either in-person or via virtual visit, and discover our compassionate, comprehensive approach. From proactive prevention and diagnostics to advanced bypass and valve surgery and more, we’ll get you started with a plan for your heart health. And, as always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety. To learn more, go to TexasHealth.org/THPG-Safe.

Find your specialist today. 866-922-1076 | THPG.org/Heart

Find your specialist today. 866-922-1076 | THPG.org/Heart

Mitchel Kruger, MD | Mary Youssef, MD

Mitchel Kruger, MD | Mary Youssef, MD

Dr. Jason Tinley, MD is a minimally invasive, board certified, orthopedic spine surgeon. He specializes in spine surgery, including spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, minimally invasive cervical and lumbar spine surgery, cervical artificial disc replacement, and microdiscectomy.

Dr. Jason C. Tinley is committed to excellence by pledging to provide the highest quality spine care possible. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, he strives to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all treatment plans with the goal of alleviating possible future difficulties. Dr. Tinley has become a leader in instruction and research in disc replacement and has a passion for optimizing spine surgery outcomes through development and utilization of new techniques, research and materials.

“Dr Tinley is a leader in the field of spinal surgery. His technique is excellent, but he does not rush to pursue surgery. Very good at explaining your condition and allowing you to decide a course of treatment.”

—RANDALL W.

“My experience with DFW Center for Spinal Disorders was excellent. Dr. Tinley and his staff are attentive and compassionate. My surgery went better than I could have ever expected, and I am now pain free!”

—BARBARA K.

Dr. Jason C. Tinley

Board Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Trial attorney turned journalist Megyn Kelly faces the future with a devil may care attitude.

By SONDRA BARR

MK filtered Un

Before her stint as a news anchor, Megyn Kelly was a trial lawyer at a prestigious fim on her way to making partner. A rigid career path with a predetermined conclusion, she realized it lefther woefully unfulfilled. Now the lawyer turned journalist is breaking free of legacy media. Setting a fresh course with unlimited potential and freedom from corporate agendas, she’s fially serving up the news––her way.

For 50-year-old Kelly, podcasting is the natural progression from years spent anchoring news shows across multiple networks. Last year she launched her own media company, Devil May Care Media, which produces her unfiltered podcast The Megyn Kelly Show

Since launching her podcast, the show has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the news commentary category on Apple and Spotify. Billed as “your home for open, honest, and provocative conversations with

the most interesting and important political, legal, and cultural figues today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear,” guests have included Alan Dershowitz, Mark Cuban, Candace Owens, and Glenn Greenwald.

“I wanted something that would tip the hat to where I am in the media spectrum. The whole saying is ‘ The devil may care, but I do not.’ What I’m trying to telegraph is nobody’s going to tell me what to say anymore because I don’t care. If you don’t like it, I don’t really care. You don’t have to listen. Go fid another podcast,” she explained to writer Nate Eaton last year.

The veteran journalist’s reason for entering the podcasting fray after departing NBC in 2019 is simple, “Legacy media is dying a very slow death,” she told the Daily Caller’s Shelby Talcott. “ These are all money-making engines. They’re not there as a public service.”

K

I had this little voice in me saying,‘I am more interesting than this. I am more interested than this.’

“ The media gets paid to get eyeballs, right? To get you viewing them. And the way you do that is to stoke outrage. That’s why whenever you turn offthe television from cable news, you feel pissed off. You may not even know they’re doing it to you, but that’s what they’re doing to you. It’s one of the reasons I wound up leaving.”

It’s not the fist time Kelly has turned her back on something that she didn’t perceive as fulfilling and transparent. After graduation from Albany Law School, where she was a member of the student senate and edited the law review, she embarked on a career in corporate law. By age 33, Kelly was representing high-profile clients including credit bureau Experian for the international law fim of Jones Day. On track to becoming partner, Kelly excelled in the fild but wasn’t inspired.

“I had this little voice in me saying, ‘I am more interesting than this. I am more interested than this,’” Kelly told Vanity Fair’s Evgenia Peretz for a 2016 cover story.

Armed with gumption, charisma, and the doggedness that would come to defie her as a journalist, the experienced trial attorney turned her sights on becoming a newscaster. While still practicing law, Kelly took a reporting class and completed an internship at a local Chicago station. She then put together a sample reel with a friend to present to television stations in the hopes of securing a newscaster spot.

As they say, one thing led to another and her tape landed in the hands of Fox News Washington-bureau chief Kim Hume, wife of Fox News anchor Brit Hume. From there, it eventually hit the desk of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes. He recognized her star power. Kelly’s career ascent was fast and furious.

“I could have kept doing [law], and I think I was in what my sister-in-law calls my ‘zone of excellence,’” Kelly explained to Peretz. “But I chose a different path, and I made a big fiancial sacrificewhen I fist started, and wound up getting into what she calls my ‘zone of genius.’”

Her years as a trial attorney served Kelly well as a news anchor. Quick on her feet, her verbal sparring skills are fiely honed. Kelly regularly took guests to task on her popular live evening news show on Fox, The Kelly File, and elsewhere. She also wasn’t (and isn’t) afraid to ask tough questions, as well documented when she served as a moderator for the 2015 Republican presidential debate.

“She takes no prisoners and takes no BS,” veteran newswoman Katie Couric has said of Kelly. “And I’ve noticed that she’s a really good listener. Sometimes the tendency is to go down a laundry list of questions and to not say, ‘Wait a minute.’ It requires you to think on your feet and to take the conversation in a totally different direction.”

Campbell Brown, a former CNN prime-time host, said this about Kelly: “She doesn’t talk down to her audience. There is none of the sanctimonious, condescending attitude. And, frankly, none of the hate. I think people are sick of these primetime chest thumpers characterizing the other side as evil.”

The No. 1 thing I wanted to do was control my own editorial.

To not be doing anyone else’s bidding…

It’s the chest thumping that Kelly avoids in her podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show. “ The No. 1 thing I wanted to do was control my own editorial,” Kelly told Th Journal. “To not be doing anyone else’s bidding, not having the pressure of corporate overlords over me, that means one has to be entrepreneurial.”

Kelly’s careers, both as a lawyer and news anchor have created a strong desire to fially be able to control the discussion. Freely exploring a wide range of topics without the pressure of someone else’s editorial agenda is something that Kelly has long wanted to fully embrace.

“ There’s no way, when people sort of understand what’s happening in the digital world and how forward-looking it is and how much more meaningful and substantive it is, and how much more honest you can be here, that they would choose the other model [cable news],” Kelly told the Daily Caller, adding “younger viewers are leaving” traditional media “in droves.”

As to why people should tune into her podcast, she said to Eaton, “I think I have a unique approach to delivering the news. I understand how to do it so that it’s informative but also entertaining. The listener is having fun, learning and walking away knowing what’s happening in the country but not having to work too hard for it. I also think what’s different with me now versus the past several years is I’m unbridled. I don’t have to answer to anyone other than myself, my conscience, and my audience. That’s enabled me to go places where I otherwise couldn’t go. I own the show.”

MEGAN WITH HUSBAND DOUG BRUNT.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK @MEGYNKELLY

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Foot & Ankle Needs

feet and ankles

Damien Dauphinée*†

DPM, FACFAS, FAENS, FACCWS, CWS-P

American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and in Wound Management by the American Board of Wound Management, Dr. Dauphinée is esteemed as a trusted expert within the medical community. He lectures nationally and internationally, trains surgeons to treat a variety of peripheral nerve pathologies, and serves as faculty for multiple surgical workshops.

He has been the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards, which have gained him respect from his peers and have provided unique opportunities to further study and successfully perform innovative procedures. He is the author of Saving Limbs Saving Lives: Advanced Treatments to Prevent Amputations in Diabetic Populations.

Raafae Hussain DPM

Dr Hussain ascribes to the simple philosophy that each patient is unique and deserving of individualized, attentive, and personable care.

Dr. Hussain received his formal education and training from some of the nation’s most distinguished podiatric surgeons, and is a contributing author to clinical research and medical textbook publications Highly knowledgeable and skilled in advanced treatment options, he demonstrates exemplary expertise both in podiatric medicine and in his exceptional and compassionate care for patients.

* Certified - Board Foot Surgery, Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery † Board - Wound Management

Unify Steps to Your Family

By GEORGIA SMITH-LYLE, MA, LPC-S

In today’s world, we are facing so many changes! There are changes in the way children are educated, job related changes for a mom or dad, changes in the way we approach doctor visits, changes in our economic and political system, and changes how we gather together just to name a few. I have had the opportunity to counsel families for approximately twenty years now. Ths past year, I have observed and counseled families that have had an “extreme” shiftin the way they function together inside and outside the home. Ths is not new “news” to any of us reading this article. The question I’ve been asking myself for these families, adolescents, children and couples is “how can I help them to stay connected, feeling safe and secure in their home, continuing to experience a depth of unity that encourages emotional growth and optimum personal development and fulfillment.” There is a need to unify the family in such a way that brings the best out of each member of the family. I would like to suggest the following concepts and ideas. They are not new concepts… there are the same ones that have existed since man was created, however we are fiding the need to implement these concepts more than we have ever before.

CONCEPT NO. 1

When a family works together as a “team” there is unity. When there are changes in the family and outside the family that cannot be controlled, fear, depression and anxiety can occur. A family that works together as a team will fid time for each other to communicate with each other openly, respectfully and willingly. When children feel important and have a place other than their friends to speak to, they feel safe and understood. Parents who have developed the team concept that brings unity from the beginning (which starts with relationship between mom and dad) are already ahead of the game of family unity. If you have not done as much as you would like or need more help, it is not too late to begin. Start with family time together. Start with open conversations on what everyone is thinking and feeling about the world of their own family and the world outside the home.

When a family works together as a “team” there is unity.

Communicate respectfully, validating a thought or feeling even if you do not agree, and make time to have fun together. Be creative in spending time together and as a team unit.

CONCEPT NO. 2

Decide what your value systems are as a family and even openly discuss them. Even though you are each an individual, mom and dad or single parents have been given the opportunity to be responsible for the core moral development for the family and each child. The child will eventually decide for themself what they will implement in their own families when they leave home, but at least parent(s) have given them a baseline to begin with. Is your baseline core value system positive and foster unity, caring for others or is it selfish, rude and abusive? Good parent(s) will ask themselves this question and always want to improve for the sake of the team (family).

CONCEPT NO. 3

The family will learn from each other and more by actions than by what is said. If you believe something to be true to a core moral value, but your actions are contrary to that belief, the team (family)

will not feel as secure and will have trouble believing the family is truly a secure place to grow and be yourself. In other words, the actions go against what the core moral value system is therefore, may be based on untruth. Ths concept is not about being perfect in all actions towards self or others in the family…it’s about being honest with heart of humility, willing to change and bend for the betterment of the team (family).

If these three concepts are implemented, I truly believe what we are experiencing in todays world (in family and outside family) will foster more peace, security and love in the family. Ths in turn will have a positive effect upon our society. The whole of society is only as good as the parts (the family and each individual in family). There are no guarantees as we each have choices to make, however not trying to implement positive core values and safe interactions in the family will be like starting on shaky ground and sinking sand in my professional and personal opinion.

Georgia Smith-Lyle is in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas providing counseling for children, adolescents, adults, marriage and family. She has authored two books and is a public speaker. Georgia may be reached at 469-855-0256 or via email gpsmith7@aol.com. www.counselingbygeorgia.com.

Dr. Alicia Gustafson is a board-certified Family and Sports Medicine physician who has been practicing since 2016. She treats patients ages 10 and up. Schedule an appointment today for:

• Routine health care maintenance and sports physicals

• Care for acute and chronic health problems

• Management of nonsurgical orthopedic conditions with a special interest in ultrasoundguided joint injections

• Management of acute injuries and concussions As always, we have protocols in place designed around your safety.

In-person and virtual visits available. To schedule, call 682-708-9879. 1976 Texan Drive | Justin, TX 76247

Alicia Gustafson, D.O.

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2020 Livingwell

DAIN B. BROOKS, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Dain B. Brooks, M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist, demonstrating that he has met the rigorous standards established by the American Board of Ophthalmology. You can trust him with every aspect of your eye care, from cataract surgery and premium lens implants, refractive surgery (including LASIK, PRK and ICL) to longterm eye disease management and dry eye treatment.

After graduating with honors (Alpha Omega Alpha) from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 2002, Dr. Brooks went on to complete his ophthalmology training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During his training and at subsequent Army medical centers, he had the honor of treating eye injuries suffered by soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Dr. Brooks was selected as Faculty Member of the Year in 2009 by the San Antonio Military Ophthalmology Residency Program. In addition to his numerous awards and recognitions, Dr. Brooks’ work has been published in several national and international clinical journals.

As part of his commitment to staying on top of the latest developments in ophthalmology, Dr. Brooks is a member of the following professional organizations: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Texas Ophthalmological Association.

Dr. Brooks is married with four children and enjoys traveling with his family, biking, tennis, and community service in his spare time. He also frequently participates in international cataract surgery medical missions and is fluent in Spanish. Whenever possible, Dr. Brooks enjoys participating in cataract surgery medical

missions to meet the needs of people without direct access to advanced eye care in other countries. He teams with several Faith-Based and humanitarian organizations to provide care in an effort to preserve and restore sight for individuals in underserved nations and communities at home and abroad.

Dr. Brooks is truly honored to provide his surgical skills on these mission trips and looks forward to future opportunities to provide needed services to those in need throughout the world. His missions have included trips to Honduras, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, India and The Cornerstone Assistance Network providing care to underprivileged patients throughout North Texas.

Dr. Brooks has been in private practice in North Dallas and Plano since 2010. He has made it his mission to provide patients at Brooks Eye Associates with a premium experience delivering the highest quality medical and surgical eye care.

Brooks Eye Associates utilizes the latest in technology and techniques from the initial exam all the way to the patient surgical experience in their own onsite two-room ambulatory surgery center. They focus on treatment and prevention.

“We know that monitoring your eye health through comprehensive exams is the best way to ensure your vision

is protected well into the future. If you are suffering from an eye disease, our caring staff optometrists will carefully diagnose your condition to determine the best approach for treatment. If you have a refractive disorder, we can provide an effective solution to restore your vision,” says Dr. Brooks. At Brooks Eye Associates we strive to make patients’ visits as comfortable as possible, welcoming each individual into a caring, secure and attentive environment. Brooks Eye Associates works collaboratively with a network of caring and dedicated clinicians with the central goal of providing the quality and compassionate eye care that our patients deserve. We strive to consistently improve our ability to serve our patients and surpass each of their expectations. Within the past four years patients have made it known they feel Brooks Eye Associates has accomplished this mission by nominating Dr. Brooks as best

Ophthalmologist in the area in many patient poll platforms. Having the experience, skill, and technology necessary to provide exceptional eye care is one thing. Giving patients the individualized attention they deserve is another. The entire medical care team at Brooks Eye Associates is committed to providing you with the best patient experience and vision outcome possible. During each visit, you can rest assured that we will spend quality time with you to make sure all of your questions and concerns are addressed so that you fully understand the next step in your vision care process. If you live in Plano, Frisco, or the Dallas area and are looking for an experienced ophthalmologist and medical care team you can trust, please contact Brooks Eye Associates today at (214) 758-7941 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and working with you to restore your vision!

Heroes Among Us

Mandy Searcy quietly saves lives during the COVID pandemic.

By SONDRA BARR

Quiet heroes are toiling behind the scenes in times like these. As an unprecedented pandemic rages across the globe, the afflted and their families are fiding solace in the efforts of countless unsung medical professionals.

COVID has proven to be a test, beyond just that of negative or positive; it’s also a measure of the extent of human compassion, particularly when it comes to frontline healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses. And, while there’s no denying that the medical community has stepped up to the plate in the fiht against COVID, there are extraordinary standouts whose passion to serve truly sets them apart.

As the patients of Bent Tree Family Physicians attest, certifid medical assistant Mandy Searcy belongs in that rarefid group. The praise bestowed upon Searcy also comes from the medical professionals she works with daily.

“Quiet management of COVID behind the scenes is what this story is. Most of the COVID care and most of the people who are reassured—and many that were saved—was from Mandy’s direct intervention,” explains Dr. Guy Culpepper, founder of Bent Tree Family Physicians. With 16 providers and dozens of employees, Bent Tree’s legacy providing exceptional care is well documented in the area.

“To me, Mandy represents all those officnurses across the country who’re quietly saving lives,” says Culpepper, who’s been in family medicine for 33 years. For the past 18 years, he’s witnessed Mandy’s dedication to her job, which has only intensifid in the face of COVID.

In early March of last year, when whisperings of a deadly virus rapidly evolved into full blown headline news, Culpepper and the staffat Bent Tree realized COVID would be an enormous local concern. At the time, some Bent Tree patients were already exhibiting signs that would soon be recognized as signature COVID symptoms.

“Mandy took testing on as her mantle,” explains Culpepper. Between the two of them, they researched COVID tests, including how to perform them, where to purchase them, and the labs best qualifid to analyze the tests.

While some members of the Bent Tree team were understandably uneasy about swabbing patients for the test, Searcy was unfazed and volunteered to take on testing efforts.

“ Those early weeks, we saw a lot of sick patients before we knew how serious it is,” says Searcy. “Some would be so sick they’d literally be laying in their back seat with their spouse driving them.”

“In the early days of testing, we had no PPE because we’re a family practice offi. We just had surgical masks,” says Culpepper. Gloves were also in short supply.

The solution: “Mandy went to a farm goods store and bought elbow length gloves for birthing calves because they were the only gloves we could get,” continues Culpepper.

While they’ve since secured the proper PPE, in the early days of the pandemic, from the parking lot of Bent Tree’s Frisco offi, you’d fid Searcy testing people in all sorts of weather wearing gloves, a raincoat, surgical mask, hairnet, and goggles purchased from Lowe’s.

“I watched her go outside in 104 degrees, in the rain, in the cold, day in and day out, so that people could count on her,” says Culpepper.

“ That kind of energy early in a process is astounding and remarkable, but then the stamina to keep it up Saturdays and Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, that’s extraordinary.”

After being tested by Searcy, Randy Hayslip has this to say: “Mandy was very comforting and proactive, while exceeding my expectations for COVID care. She exhibited a professional charisma that promoted an understanding and care for the patient. Her responsiveness and instructions during the COVID test were as amazing as her follow up.”

At the end of each day, Searcy rushes samples to FedEx to get them overnight shipped to a lab. Meanwhile, her nights are spent calling patients with the results.

“You don’t get back a positive COVID and then just sit on it during the weekend and wait to call the patient back Monday like with high cholesterol,” says Culpepper.

Unlike most testing centers, Searcy doesn’t just call a person, confim a positive result, and hang up. “Mandy has without doubt saved lives by listening to their breathing patterns on the phone and instructing which ones to go to the ER, which ones to come to the officfor oxygen or chest x-rays, or we’re able to intervene early with steroids or antibiotics for secondary infections that wouldn’t have been treated,” says Culpepper.

“She is what I call a super nurse with Nordstrom-class customer service,” says Jill Kempa, whose 42-year-old son had COVID symptoms in March. “I called Dr. Culpepper’s offi, talked to Mandy, and she said, ‘I have three tests left, I ill save one for him.’”

Searcy called back Sunday at midnight to inform Kempa that her son tested positive. From there, Searcy called Kempa’s son daily for the next two weeks to monitor his breathing. The third week, she recommended he go to the emergency room for a chest x-ray that uncovered pneumonia. After he pulled through, Kempa went to Bent Tree to personally thank Searcy for saving her son’s life.

“She goes above and beyond for all her patients, not just my son,” exclaims Kempa.

Ths sentiment is echoed by numerous Bent Tree patients, including Denise Delashaw, who says, “Mandy is a selfles medical angel and is the most caring, authentic person I have ever met at any doctor’s offi. She always goes above and beyond and actually checks up on you after any issue you may have. Love her! She was taking care of a huge line of patients in the 100-degree heat, dripping wet, and still had a smile on her face!”

Meanwhile, Debbie Brandenburg says, “Mandy is so caring and kindhearted to everyone. Since COVID, she has only worked harder and dedicated herself to helping us and others. She has put her own life on the line to serve others in testing for COVID and provided sincere empathy during very stressful times. Mandy is the prime example of putting others before self.”

More than 10,000 people have been tested by Searcy. Over 1,500 have tested positive. Ths has amounted to over 30,000 phone calls, including many that serve as stark reminders of the severity of the virus.

“One of our beloved patients was one of the fist ones Mandy tested,” explains Culpepper. At the time test results were taking five days and while the patient was waiting on his positive test, Searcy insisted he go to the hospital after listening to his labored breathing and distinct cough. Two emergency rooms refused to admit him. The man, whose wife was also in a hospital suffering from COVID never got the chance to answer Searcy’s last text to confim he was admitted. She found out later that he was intubated soon after and a week later he died in the ICU.

“I could have been the last person he talked to. It was heartbreaking,” says Searcy, who admits that getting praise is hard to accept for a job she feels called to do.

To schedule COVID or antibody testing at Bent Tree Family Physicians’ Frisco location at 3550 Parkwood Blvd, Ste 600, Frisco, Texas, visit www.benttreemd.com or call (972) 377-8800.

“To me, Mandy represents all those office nurses across the country who’re quietly saving lives.”

—DR. GUY CULPEPPER

“She is what I call a super nurse with Nordstromclass customer service.”

—JILL KEMPA

“She was taking care of a huge line of patients in the 100-degree heat, dripping wet, and still had a smile on her face!”

—DENISE DELASHAW

Residents

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The Buddy System

Courtesy DANNEL FUNERAL HOME

How many of us remember as little children being told “hold my hand while we cross the street” or “don’t go out there all alone”? These words of advice will stay with us our entire lifetime. I see husbands reach for the hand of their wife when crossing a street, not so much for safety but for the purpose of subliminally suggesting “you will be fie because I am right here”. As a Boy Scout, while working on our swimming merit badge we were told if you ever go out into open water always follow the buddy system. There should always be someone nearby in case you get in trouble.

As we grow and mature something mysteriously happens to us though. For some reason a large number of us feel as if we no longer need help (or at least are not supposed to ask for it). Society has somehow caused women to feel as if they should be independent and strong willed. As men, we develop the idea that we are never supposed to ask for directions or read instructions. I can personally attest to the fact that this is not accurate as I can easily become lost in a shopping mall and have the most difficult of times assembling even simple items. When something bad happens in our lives we naturally tend to want to shut down and isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. Ths is your mind’s defense system kicking into action. It is similar to an ostrich burying its’ head in the sand to hide. Everyone sees the ostrich, but since he cannot see them they must not exist. We all know how offbase that theory is, but believe if we hide our grief and sorrow; no one will know we hurt. Ths is terribly unhealthy as grief shared is grief diminished. Grief not acknowledged will only grow and ultimately lead to depression which will in turn manifest into a number of other unhealthy conditions.

When we learn of another person’s loss, we instinctively feel the need to do something to help ease their pain. The problem with grief is that most people feel awkward and unprepared in how to go about

helping. The worst thing we can do is to avoid that person because of our own lack of confidece. Ths causes the person who is grieving to believe something is wrong with them for feeling sad. Ths feeling tends to cause the grieving person to want to rush through any type of memorial for the one who has died. Some people will try to avoid any acknowledgement that death has occurred at all in an attempt to get their life back to normal as quickly as possible. That never happens because the grieving person’s life cannot be the same again as there will always be a void where the person who died previously occupied. A healthy end result for a grieving person is the fial phase of grief; reconciliation. When the grieving person can accept that their life will be different because of the loss, but that different life will be ok, they have truly healed. Ths cannot be reached alone.

It is important to be the buddy for someone who has lost someone they love. Just telling that person you are sorry for their loss can open a door for conversation. The one thing every person who has lost someone wants to talk about is the person who has died. Allow them to tell the story of that person. In a way, this is allowing them to openly acknowledge that the person is no longer here and this will gently move them through the denial phase of their grief. Help that person fid others who can relate to their loss. Maybe you have a friend who lost their spouse that can be introduced to the one who has just lost their spouse and they can share common feelings and listen to one another’s story. Grief support groups are also great ways to help a person move through the grieving process. The common thread to healthy recovery is being around other people. If you have lost someone close to you please do not shut down and attempt to fid healing from within. If you know someone who is hurting from the loss of a loved one, be their buddy. The buddy system worked well for us all in our early phases of life. It will serve us all well in the end.

Not Getting Enough

Try These 15 Tricks.

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

For many, getting a solid night’s sleep is as elusive as winning the lottery. Getting too little sleep is so common that it’s become almost a badge of honor to get through each day with sleep deprivation. Even if you feel like you can function on little sleep, it’s actually debilitating, if not dangerous, to a person’s health and mental faculties.

Not getting enough sleep increases the risk of obesity, memory impairment, illness, and even hallucinations or death. Falling asleep is a common problem. But sleep quality is also crucial for optimum brain function and recovery. Fortunately, there are many ways to train your body and mind to fall asleep more quickly and improve your sleep quality.

Zzzzs?

Create a relaxing nighttime ritual. Starting a routine to wind down every night creates an association between nighttime habits and sleep, preparing your body to relax and fall asleep more quickly. Try drinking a soothing tea like chamomile. Or use aromatherapy with scents such as lavender that promote relaxation.

Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. This gets your body into a regular sleep-wake pattern, which regulates your circadian rhythm and makes falling and staying asleep easier. It may be tempting to sleep in on the weekends to make up for lost sleep. But this may actually hurt you in the long term.

Avoid alcohol at night. Though it may help you fall asleep, drinking alcohol before bed significantly reduces your sleep quality.

Be careful with naps. A long afternoon nap can make it more difficult to fall asleep at night. So keep naps short and as early in the day as possible.

Track your sleep. Different technologies are available to track your sleeping patterns, including restlessness, awake and sleep times, and even how long you’re in each part of the sleep cycle. This can help you find how many hours you individually need for optimal function.

Practice meditation and mindfulness. Regularly practicing these can help calm your mind and body. Progressive relaxation is one technique. Through it, you slowly focus on each part of your body, moving from head to feet, while releasing tension and consciously relaxing your muscles.

Avoid screens an hour before bed. Looking at the bright light is stimulating. Likewise, so is much of the content on the screens. If you use screens at night, glasses are available to filter out the blue light to prevent eye strain.

Use breathing techniques. One popular method to fall asleep is known as 4-7-8. First, breathe in through your nose for a count of four. Then hold your breath for 7, and exhale out your mouth for 8.

Listen to soothing white noise, music, or podcasts. Many of these audio productions are designed to help put you to sleep.

Stop drinking caffeine after midday. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can affect your mind and body hours after consumption.

Make sure your room is dark for sleep and that you get natural light during the day. This regulates your circadian rhythm and provides external cues for your body.

Exercise in the morning. Being physically active, especially early in the day, is associated with better sleep.

Journal or keep paper by your bed. Do you have a hard time falling asleep because your mind is racing? Writing down your thoughts can help to keep them from swirling incessantly through your brain so you can relax.

Use your bed and bedroom for sleep only. This creates a specific association, so your body and mind know it’s time to rest. Also, keep electronics out of the bedroom.

Try a natural supplement. Melatonin, magnesium, and CBD are some of the options touted as supporting relaxation and sleep. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any supplements to ensure you do so safely.

If behavioral changes aren’t working, discuss your sleep concerns with your doctor. You may have an undiagnosed sleeping disorder that requires medical intervention. Depending on your doctor’s fidings, medications and breathing treatments may help improve your sleep.

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 or text 469-747-0382.

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Dallas, Texas 75208

METHODIST CHARLTON MEDICAL CENTER

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How Prevalent is Hearing Loss in America?

By ELIZABETH BRASSINE, AU.D.

How prevalent is hearing loss in America? You may be surprised! Nearly a fih of all Americans 12 years or older have enough hearing loss to make communication difficult, according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Nov. 14 Archives of Internal Medicine.

The fidings, thought to be the fist nationally representative estimate of hearing loss, suggest that many more people than previously thought are affected by this condition. The study was led by Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

This gives us the real scope of the problem for the first time and shows us how big of a problem hearing loss really is,” Lin says. The moral of the story is that it’s a good idea to have your hearing tested throughout your life. See an audiologist today and stay connected.

Using the World Health Organization’s defintion for hearing loss (not being able to hear sounds of 25 decibels or less in the speech frequencies), the researchers found that overall, about 30 million Americans, or 12.7% of the population, had hearing loss in both ears. That number jumps to about 48 million, or 20.3%, for people who have hearing loss in at least one ear. These numbers far surpass previous estimates of 21 to 29 million.

Hearing loss prevalence nearly doubled with every age decade, with women and blacks being signifiantly less likely to have hearing loss at any age. Lin and his colleagues aren’t sure why these groups appear to be protected. However, he notes that the female hormone estrogen, as well as the melanin pigment in darker skin, could have a protective effect on the inner ear.

In the meantime, Lin says, the new numbers greatly impact the work he and other researchers are doing on hearing loss and its consequences, which, according to previous studies, include cognitive decline, dementia, and poor physical functioning. Lin’s research also looked at a link between hearing loss and the risk of falling in middle aged-adults and the elderly. They found that hearing loss triples the risk!

Another link that exists is between diabetes and hearing loss. According to the American Diabetes Association, it’s estimated that 25.8

million Americans (children and adults) have diabetes—that’s 8.3% of the population. There are certainly many complications from diabetes that are well known such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, stroke, high blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy. However, one of the most common and yet least understood and diagnosed complication of diabetes is hearing loss. In a 2008 study, it was found that diabetics have approximately a 30% higher incidence of hearing loss than patients with normal blood sugar. Over 50% of those participating in the study showed a high frequency hearing loss, which is one of the most common types of hearing loss and the type effectively treated with hearing aids. The study also showed a correlate between pre-diabetes and hearing loss.

Diabetes can lead to nerve damage. Neuropathy occurs when high blood sugars cause chemical changes in nerves that impair their ability to transmit signals. Hearing also depends on nerves of the peripheral auditory mechanism. It’s believed that over time high blood glucose levels damage these nerves diminishing the ability to hear. High blood sugar is also known to damage vascular systems. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the ear similar to the retina. The structures of the ear have a delicate blood supply, which is susceptible to disruption due to diabetes. Ths interruption can result in damage to the sensory structures of the ear, therefore causing or contributing to hearing loss.

Finally the study looked at the link between how long someone has lived with diabetes and the severity of their hearing loss. Specifially it was found that 75% of individuals who had diabetes for more than eight years experienced a moderate to severe hearing loss.

So, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes or is classifid as pre-diabetic, it’s important to have your hearing screened. If a hearing loss is suspected, a full hearing test would be recommended. Contact your audiologist today.

PHOT0 BY LECREUSOIS

Dear Olivia,

My grandmother has been referred to hospice, but she does not seem to be in the dying process. She has long-standing health issues that have gotten worse over time, and she needs help with most activities such as dressing, bathing and meals, but we feel that everyone is giving up on her. How does the doctor know when someone is “ready” for hospice? We know she is getting older, but we don’t want to rush into a decision like this.

~Not Ready to Give Up

Dear Not Ready to Give Up,

We at VNA get this question quite a bit because the doctor’s decision to make a referral to hospice is not always a clear one, and often times may be confusing for the family. What Medicare (who launched the hospice benefit in the United States) says qualifies a patient for hospice is a prognosis of six months or less. There are many diagnoses that may qualify a patient for hospice, but the six-month prognosis must also be present. Based on the patient’s

Hospice & Palliative Care

Haven

OLIVIA ROGERS

Olivia is a leading voice in health care and senior services and the Chief Nursing Officer of VNA Texas.

history, diagnosis, contributing health problems, recent hospitalizations, recent changes in level of assistance needed and various other factors, the physician will determine if a patient could benefit from hospice support. Surprisingly, hospice is best when started before a patient is transitioning or actively dying. This is because hospice is made up of a team of providers including the hospice doctor, RN case manager, social worker, chaplain, home health aide and therapy providers. If there is adequate time (perhaps months rather than days), the best plan of care can be established and comprehensive care delivered. Hospice is not intended to manage crises only, but also to help manage all of the complex decisions and stressors that accompany a loved one’s illness. Once the doctor determines the patient’s overall condition is appropriate for a hospice referral, then the family will be presented with this option and would choose a hospice provider. VNA has been delivering hospice care since the program started, and we can help answer any other questions you may have.

~Olivia

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.

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.

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The PODdoctors are Dr. Damien Dauphinée, double board certified in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and wound management, and his partner Dr. Raafae Hussain, fellowship trained podiatric surgeon. Each week The PODdoctors will discuss aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery to educate listeners on common foot and ankle problems and the latest treatment options available.

Podcast listeners can gain rare insights into the mind of a podiatric surgeon, as Doctors Dauphinée and Hussain discuss topics such as:

• Typical issues presented at patient office visits.

• Causes, prevention methods, and treatment options of common foot and ankle issues such as bunions, heel pain, diabetic foot problems, and ankle sprains.

• Common treatments to decelerate the progression of symptoms or issues.

• Different types of treatments, surgeries, and recovery periods.

• Determining when surgery is needed.

We are really having fun with the podcast discussing foot and ankle surgery and mixing in interviews with colleagues in other specialties that can provide additional perspective on our patient population. Our secondary focus is to educate folks about the medical mission project we are involved in through the Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation which provides care to indigent patients. We started a Go Fund Me campaign for the Foundation through the podcast website and encourage our listeners to donate.

Dr. Damien Dauphinée and Dr. Raafae Hussain co-own and operate Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas, a podiatric practice in Denton, TX. Their podcast, “The PODdoctors” is available on most streaming platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, Google, Amazon Podcasts. iHeartRadio, and more.

MANAGE YOUR PAIN DIFFERENTLY

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (low bone density) and have also tried treatments like rest and oral medication for more than a few days and still have sharp back pain, you may have a spinal fracture, also known as a vertebral compression fracture (VCF).

Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a treatment for spinal fractures due to osteoporosis, non-cancerous tumors, and cancer. BKP has been shown in clinical studies to alleviate pain and reduce prescription opioids, compared to patients treated with non-surgical management, such as bracing and bed rest.1-3

While not all treatments have the same benefits for everyone, talk to your doctor about your options and whether BKP may be an option for you.

Although the complication rate for balloon kyphoplasty is low, as with most surgical procedures, serious adverse events, some of which can be fatal, can occur, including heart attack, cardiac arrest (heart stops beating), stroke, and embolism (blood, fat, or cement that migrates to the lungs or heart). Other risks include infection; leakage of bone cement into the muscle and tissue surrounding the spinal cord, and nerve injury that can, in rare instances, cause paralysis; leakage of bone cement into the blood vessels resulting in damage to the blood vessels, lungs, and/or heart.

of

2011;26(7):1627-1637.

with non-surgical care for

3.

(FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-1024.

. 2013;38(12):971–983.

1. Boonen S, Van Meirhaeghe J, Bastian L, et al. Balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment

acute vertebral compression fractures: 2-year results from a randomized trial. J Bone Miner Res.

2. Wardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared

vertebral compression fracture

Van Meirhaeghe JV, Bastian L, Boonen S, et al. A Randomized trial of balloon kyphoplasty and nonsurgical management for treating acute vertebral compression fractures. Spine

Finding Relief From Excruciating Spine Fractures Thanks to Balloons and Cement

Sharon fist noticed the pain in her back one day. “I thought I had a sprain, you know, ‘It’ll go away,’” says the 72 year old grandmother from Fort Worth. Then one night she rolled over in bed and felt a pop. “I waited a while. I just thought the pain would go away, and it didn’t.”

Sharon eventually went to the emergency room at Harris Methodist Hospital, and doctors did some tests that found the cause of her pain: multiple myeloma, a type cancer that attacks the bone marrow. She had pathological fractures in two of the vertebral bodies of her spine—in other words, a broken back. Sharon was treated for her cancer with chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, and she took opiod pain medication for the lingering pain in her back.

“I still had the pain. It just didn’t go away,” she recalls. “ There was a lot I couldn’t do. Just bending or rolling over in bed was a major ordeal.” Once Sharon was in remission, doctors referred Sharon to Dr. Irfan Ali in Flower Mound. Ali recommended a minimally invasive surgical procedure called Balloon Kyphoplasty to repair her damaged spine and relieve her pain.

Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of spinal fractures due to osteoporosis, cancer, or non-cancerous tumors. Guided by live imaging, Ali created two tiny openings in Sharon’s back at each fractured level and used a needle to insert a tiny balloon into the damaged vertebra. He then inflated the balloon to restore the original height of the vertebrae. Finally, he injected acrylic bone cement into the cavity leftby the balloon, creating an internal cast to repair the fractures.

After the procedure, which takes typically less than an hour, Sharon was able to leave the hospital and go home the same day. “She’s doing great,” Ali says. Sharon says she no longer takes pain medication for her back. “By the next day, where the fracture was, I could tell a difference there. It was just a true blessing.” She was even able to attend her grandson’s junior high football game the night of the procedure.

“I asked Dr. Ali, and he said if I felt like it, I could,” Sharon says. “So I went home and changed my clothes and went to the football game that night. As a matter of fact, I usually would try to fid a place down low in the stadium so I wouldn’t have to climb steps, but this time I went all the way up and sat halfway up in the bleachers, so that was really nice!”

Medtronic developed balloon kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that reduces and stabilizes VCF related to osteoporosis, cancer or non-cancerous tumors. Since the initial technology launched in 1998, Medtronic has developed better balloons, an improved cement delivery system and added access tools shown to reduce hand radiation exposure for the surgeon. Over the years, studies comparing balloon kyphoplasty to non-surgical management have shown balloon kyphop lasty produced better pain relief and quality of life for patients with acute VCF compared to patients treated with non-surgical management.

Although the complication rate for BKP is low, as with most surgical procedures, seri ous adverse events, some of which can be fatal, can occur, including heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and embolism. Other risks include infection; leakage of bone cement into the muscle and tissue surrounding the spinal cord and nerve injury that can, in rare instances, cause paralysis; leakage of bone cement into the blood vessels resulting in damage to the blood vessels, lungs, and/or heart.

Talk to your doctor about both benefits and risks of this procedure. A prescription is required. Results may vary. For more information, please call Medtronic at 763-505-5000 and/or consult Medtronic’s website at www.medtronic.com or spine-facts.com.

The following testimonial contains the opinions of and personal surgical techniques practiced by Irfan Ali, M.D. The opinions and techniques presented herein are for information purposes only and the decision of which techniques to use in a particular surgical application should be made by the surgeon based on the individual facts and circumstances of the patient and previous surgical experience.

Fractured Vertebra

Normal Vertebra

Kyphoplasty Balloons

faking it

By RICK FERRI, CFA

Rick Ferri, CFA, is the CEO of Ferri Investment Solutions, an as-needed hourly fee investment adviser. He has 30 years of experience in the investment industry as a financial consultant and portfolio manager. Visit www.RickFerri.com for information or listen to his podcast at www.bogleheads.podbean.com.

Real investment advisers are rare. These are lone fiuciaries who earn a living by providing fiancial advice for an hourly or fied-fee and have no conflits of interest with how they are paid. The rest of the industry is faking it. These are people who encourage you to buy the products they’re paid a commission to sell and encourage you to hire their fim to manage your portfolio, while you pay them an ongoing asset under management (AUM) fee.

There are over one million people in the US who call themselves investment advisers, but strikingly few are paid solely for advice. Brokers from large Wall Street fims say they are advising you, yet that’s only within the realm of the products their company offers for commissions and fees. Many fiancial planners have a certificate hanging in their officethat says they plan for your future, but their actual job is to sell insurance, mutual funds, and portfolio management services for the companies they work for.

It’s hard to fid an adviser who only advises and is paid only for the advice they give. If you don’t count all the people selling something, and only count those who are paid to provide information and recommendations with no conflit of interest, the number of fiuciary advisers drops to a tiny fraction of the industry. In fact, I doubt there are more than a couple of advice-only advisers within 100 miles of your home.

Why is this the case? Simple. It’s much more lucrative to advisers to sell products and AUM-based portfolio management services than to get paid an hourly fee for providing unbiased advice. I know this because I have 33 years in the adviser industry on three different sides.

My fist 10 years was as a broker for two different Wall Street fims. Brokers take home a percentage of their production, which is how much money they take in from product sales. The size officethey’re assigned is also a factor in their production, as is the title they’re allowed to use. Sell more, get more.

That didn’t suit me, so I founded a low-fee investment management company in 1999 that I ran for nearly two decades. Clients put their money under management with my fim and paid ongoing AUM fees. Ths eliminated commission sales but didn’t eliminate my recommendation to hire our company and pay me each quarter.

Now I’m paid to give advice—only advice—and it’s a different world. I don’t have to sell anything or bring in assets under management. I can advise people based on my experience and knowledge without being encumbered with conflits of interest. I’m paid like you would pay your CPA or attorney.

It’s an odd change because I found myself telling clients not to do many things I may have said to do in the past. It’s not that I was dishonest in the past, but it became crystal clear that getting paid commissions and AUM fees absolutely influenced what I said. Most advisers selling products and AUM services will deny it, but it’s true for them also. There is no way around this human bias. Where do you fid an hourly adviser? Here are a few ideas. Try the Garrett Planning Network, www.garrettplanningnetwork.com. It’s a small organization of advisers who do advice-only work. You could also try NAPFA, www.napfa.org, but you’ll have to search hard because there are a lot of AUM advisers there. Lastly, visit XY Planning Network, www.xyplanningnetwork.com. Again, you’ll have to search hard because a lot of those advisers want other than advice fees.

What is “Elder Law?”

By LEU & PEIRCE ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS

“Elder Law” is a relatively new area of focus within the legal community. Attorneys who practice Elder Law have committed themselves to helping seniors plan for the issues they will face as they age. In recent years, the demand for attorneys focused on this area of the law has only increased. With 10,000 people turning 65 every day, and advancements in medical technology allowing people to live longer than ever before, access to long-term health care is becoming increasingly more complicated and expensive.

Attorneys who primarily work with seniors appreciate the complex fiancial, social, and health-related decisions their clients face. Elder Law attorneys bring to their practice a knowledge of their client base that allows them to ignore the myths related to aging, while empathizing with the true physical and mental difficulties that often accompany the aging process. Moreover, Elder Law attorneys are normally tied into a community of support agencies and organizations, such as geriatric care managers, psychologists, and other professionals who may be of assistance to seniors and their families.

Elder Law encompasses many different filds of law, including the following:

ESTATE PLANNING. Everyone should plan for the future, regardless of their income or asset level. Books and websites with pre-printed forms are not always up to date, and documents available from these sources may not work in your state or meet your goals. Elder Law attorneys have special training and expertise in estate and disability planning, and are sensitive to the special needs of seniors and their families. A comprehensive estate plan includes several documents that work together to ensure your wishes are followed and trusted individuals are in place to assist you if you are no longer able to act for yourself:

• A Will declares your intentions regarding the distribution of your property after you die

• A Durable Power of Attorney appoints an agent to act on your behalf regarding fiancial and legal matters.

• A Medical Power of Attorney appoints an agent to make health care decisions for you, if you are unable to do so yourself.

• A HIPAA Release and Authorization names individuals who may access your health information.

• A Directive to Physicians (Living Will) provides direction to your agent under the medical power of attorney regarding your desires about life-sustaining treatment.

• A Declaration of Guardian names individuals you trust to be appointed your guardian, if necessary, as well as individuals who should never be appointed.

(MEDICAID/ VA). Available healthcare choices depend on your specificsituation and needs.  Elder Law attorneys can help ensure the proper level of care, and explore payment options and eligibility for public benefits.

GUARDIANSHIP. If you become unable to make important decisions for yourself, or are subject to exploitation by unscrupulous people, it may be necessary for a court to appoint a guardian.  Elder Law attorneys can help you determine if a guardianship over your loved ones is necessary or whether other alternatives are available.

PROBATE/ESTATE ADMINISTRATION. After the death of a loved one, the legalities involved in distributing the estate can seem overwhelming. If title to assets needs to be transferred, a probate proceeding will usually be required. The type of proceeding depends on whether a valid Will exists, the details of its terms, the existence of debts, and the value of the estate.  Elder Law attorneys can help you understand and evaluate your options.

Elder Law attorneys specialize in helping seniors and their families address the often-complicated legal issues related to fiancial and medical care Because of their concentration in this area, attorneys whose sole focus is Elder Law are more likely to have the legal tools and techniques necessary to meet the objectives of an older client. The Elder Law attorneys at Leu & Peirce, PLLC believe that education is one of the greatest benefits we can provide our clients and their families. Arming our clients with knowledge about options available to meet their care needs allows them to move through the aging process with confidece. If you or someone you love needs to visit with an Elder Law attorney, local agencies and support programs, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, State or local Bar organizations, or the website for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (www.naela.org), are good places to look for a referral.

Lori A. Leu, Erin W. Peirce, Lauren E. Olson, and Brandi Binkley are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC in Plano, Texas.  For more information, call 972-996-2540 or visit www.leulawfim.com.

Diane S. Litke, MD Diplomate American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Litke is a passionate artist, both in her spare time and as an orthopaedic surgeon. At L&W Orthopaedics, she approaches every orthopaedic problem with an eye toward restoration of function and mobility. With a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the body’s most active and important joints, Dr. Litke is able to repair most hip, knee, and shoulder problems, giving her patients the freedom to move again. Assisting her skilled hands, she uses the latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment for accuracy and precision, delivering a powerful combination of experience and technology to all of her patients.

Dr. Litke earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She went on to complete her orthopaedic residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina. She is certi ed by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and is a Fellow of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Litke is a liated with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center, where she is the director of the joint program. When she’s not working, Dr. Litke enjoys photography and ceramics.

Please call 972.498.4791 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Diane S. Litke, MD

The

How Women Shape the Economy and Business World

Buying Power Women of

By KIMBERLY BLAKER

Women today account for or influence 70 to 80% of all buying decisions. The ‘female economy’ was estimated by Forbes in 2017 to be worth $18 trillion, and continues to grow. These statistics reveal the crucial role women play in keeping the economy aflat— in good times and in bad.

As a result, many businesses have taken heed. Still, plenty of industries and companies remain behind the times when it comes to treating women as major consumers. They fail to see the power this segment possesses.

For example, most women can attest to occasions when their gender has negatively affected the service and attention they received. Additionally, women are still taken advantage of because of their lack of or perceived lack of knowledge in certain industries.

Women, however, have become increasingly educated consumers, and businesses that don’t recognize this are learning the hard way. Many women, offended by these biases, walk away from a purchase and go elsewhere, demanding to be treated with respect.

Advertising and marketing specialists are

also catching on. Advertising that stereotypes women and marketing explicitly geared to male audiences don’t sit well in the minds of women today. Stereotyping and the absence of recognizing women as potential consumers for traditionally male products are off-arget, offensive, and fail to give these large consumers the information they need.

HOUSE AND HOME

Women today account for well over half of the spending on household goods and personal items. That’s because they take more interest in shopping for these items, especially non-essentials. Women control most of the expenditure not only on décor, linens, and kitchen gadgets, but furniture, cabinetry, carpeting,

lighting, and more.

Furthermore, women play a signifiant role in the purchase of real estate, the biggest investment most families make. According to a report by Lending Tree, in analyzing data from the 2017 American Community Survey, about 22% of single women are homeowners, as opposed to only 13% of single men being homeowners.

Married women also markedly influence real estate decisions. According to David Powers Homes of Houston, Texas, couples ultimately agree on the purchase together. Yet research conducted by the company found women make almost 80% of the home-buying decisions in the company’s $180,000 to $500,000 price range.

When buying a home, men and women

each look for certain features. Women are most concerned with flor plan and design and how these factors will accommodate their lifestyles. Specificfeatures of importance to women include large closets, kitchen space and design, space needs, and overall comfort. Men focus mainly on technology, energy-efficicy, and garage functionality.

Probably one of the most under-recognized areas of women’s buying power, however, is in the tool and home improvement industry. With the surge in do-it-yourself remodeling, women have fast become one of the big spenders in tool departments and home improvement aisles. Kimberly Stevens, a staffreporter for The Wall Street Journal, explains, “We’re talking buzz saws, routers and power sanders.”

The growth of female tool shoppers isn’t minimal, Stevens points out. A survey by the Home Improvement Research Institute, found women have been outpacing men in their involvement in do-it-yourself projects since at least 2000. According to a female industrial designer at Porter-Cable of Jackson, Tennessee, as reported by Daily Gist, “Women are using these tools on a regular basis.”

What’s also increasing female tool sales is the signifiant increase in women working in the construction fild, which has nearly doubled over the last 15 years.

HEALTHCARE

Women’s voices are gaining prominence in the healthcare industry, as well. Women make at least two-thirds of the healthcare decisions in US households, according to Amy Ertel Bellcourt, vice president of corporate communications for MVP Health Plan. So healthcare systems are paying particular attention by improving maternity wards and focusing a portion of their marketing on services affecting women.

TRAVEL

Women are equally important to the travel market. They now make 70% of all travel decisions. They’re the larger clientele of adventure travel. But business travel has also seen marked growth by females. Women make up nearly half of all business travel, according to research by Judi Brownell, Ph.D., professor of Cornell University’s Management & Organizational Behavior Program.

Over 75% of women traveling on business are college-educated and abler than men to articulate their needs. They participate in more leisure activities while traveling on business. They’re also much more likely to order room service while traveling alone. For these reasons, they have a signifiant impact on this industry.

INVESTMENT

While the percentage of women who own stocks still lags behind men, ample research has found women make better investors. In 2017, Fidelity Investments reported after analyzing more than 8 million clients that when it comes to the return on investments, women outperform men.

AUTOMOTIVE

Another area where women play a crucial role is in the automotive industry. “Women,” according to a report by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence, “are not only becoming more influential in deciding what car to buy, they are also taking over the traditionally male-dominated responsibility of maintenance and repair.” Women make up between 65 to 80% of auto repair and service shop customers. Women are also responsible for almost half of new car sales and slightly over half of the used-car sales, according to Art Spinella, of CNW Research. Women influence 80% of all transactions. Not to mention, says Ford Motor Marketing, 95% of women have the power to “veto” an automobile purchase.

What women want from this industry, experts say, is not to be treated differently. They want to be treated with respect. “Women ask more questions, inquire about details, and are more willing to look under the hood, or check out parts,” says Diane Hohman, an automotive aftermarket consultant in Herndon, Virginia. So they’re beginning to get the respect they deserve in this market.

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Women are not only spending increasing amounts on clothing but on entertainment and electronics.

Furthermore, the women’s sports apparel market is valued at $26.8 billion, nearly a third of the total sports apparel market of $80.1 billion as of 2018, according to the Euromonitor International. In fact, an unexpected 45% of NFL fans are now women according to the NFL’s 2017 estimate.

What this all boils down to is two-fold. Being America’s biggest consumers, women not only keep the economy from becoming stagnant during times of stability. They keep it from collapsing during a recession. Ths means women are gaining the upper hand in the way the business industry treats them. Women aren’t demanding preferential treatment, but they do expect equal treatment and respect.

With the surge in do-it-yourself remodeling, women have fast become one of the big spenders in tool departments and home improvement aisles.