CNA-SS-9-28-2016

FALL ISSUE 2016

A Special Supplement to

Vital resources available for local historians, genealogists

By BAILEY POOLMAN

CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com

F

or some people, local history fills their time. For others, it’s the interest of personal history

in the form of ancestral bloodlines. For these people, there are many resources available, such as Gibson Memorial Library and Union County Genealogical Society.

Terry Madison, a librarian at Gibson Memorial who specializes in genealogy, is a guide to the historical resources offered at

the library.

“People do genealogy, and they have to have resources to find that information. I have a lot of good sources,” Madison said. “If they want to find out about why Grandpa died in a certain era, it could have been there was GENEALOGY | 8c

CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN

This is an April photo of Prairie Lawn Cemetery, a perpetual-care cemetery along Green Valley Road north of Creston. Prairie Lawn and other cemeteries provide genealogical lines for local historians, as well as other resources available in places such as Gibson Memorial Library.

living Is home care right for you?

By Linda Clauson, business development and communication director

HCI-VNS Care Services in West Des Moines

Access to locally based in-home care services is growing in Creston and surrounding areas, thanks in part to providers like VNS Home Care and ExtraCare Services, which recently opened an office in Creston.

VNS Home Care and ExtraCare Services offers a wide range of home health care and support services to help people live in their homes as independently as possible. VNS Home Care offers skilled nursing and rehabilitative services to help people recover from illness or injury or get support for chronic conditions.

ExtraCare Services provides private duty, in-home support with visits from nurses and aides who offer help with medications, meal

prep, homemaking services and much more.

“One of the most common questions we hear is, ‘How do I know what type of in-home care is right for me or a loved one?’” said Tyra Stull, team director for VNS Home Care in Creston.

“The individual’s specific healthcare needs, goals and living situation all help determine the options, which might include home health care, private-duty nursing, hospice care or a longterm living facility.”

To determine the best fit, Stull advises people to ask questions, listen and observe what’s happening in the home.

“OUR GOAL is to help people remain in their homes and remain as independent as possible.”

__

STEPHANIE BISHOP

team director for ExtraCare Services

Common cues that inhome care might be appropriate include recent hospitalization or surgery; a new diagnosis for an illness, condition or disease; recent changes in medications; the need for physical, occupational or speech therapy services or a greater risk for falls or other safety concerns in the home.

Sometimes, the need for home care doesn’t seem as clear-cut. Stephanie Bishop, team director for ExtraCare Services, notes many of her clients simply need more help with the activities of daily living, or their family caregivers need more help in caring for their loved one.

“Our goal is to help people remain in their homes and remain as independent as possible,” Bishop said. “If you notice that it’s getting harder to care for your aging parent or spouse, or you’re concerned they need extra help with getting ready in CARE | 2c

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Wednesday, September 28, 2016

CARE: CONT. FROM | 1c

the morning, preparing meals, doing laundry or taking care of housework, that’s when it’s time to pick up the phone and ask for help.”

Bishop noted people often stall in the process of asking for help because they’re not sure which type of in-care would best suit their needs.

“You don’t have to know all the answers,” Bishop said. “You just need to call and start asking questions.

We’ll point you in the right direction.”

To learn about the different types of home-care services, call VNS Home Care at 641-782-6620.

ExtraCare Services and VNS Home Care are nonprofit programs and are

“YOU DON’T have to know all the answers. You just need to call and start asking questions.

We’ll point you in the right direction.”

__

STEPHANIE BISHOP

team director for ExtraCare Services

part of the HCI Care Services and Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa family of services, a nonprofit organization which provides health care and support services in 44 Iowa counties. The organization also offers HCI Hospice Care Services, which serves area residents from its locations in Mount Ayr, Winterset, Osceola and Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston.

A Visiting Nurses Services home-care nurse discusses medication with a patient.

Contributed photo

The uplifting truth about end-of-life care (BPT) – When a loved one is critically ill, hearing that it’s time for hospice care can be devastating news. On top of the emotional upheaval of coping with a terminal illness, you may be unsure what hospice care really is - and believe it’s just an indication your loved one will likely pass away.

Yet the time your loved one spends in hospice care doesn’t have to be sad - for anyone. In fact, says Toni Norman, the senior director of hospice operations for Brookdale Senior Living, hospice can be a deeply rewarding time of great comfort for patients and their families.

“Hospice care is not about waiting for someone to die, and that’s unfortunately a very common misconception,” Norman says. “The

goal of hospice is to provide to a patient, who has a life-limiting illness, the physical comfort and medical care they need to stay in their home for as long as possible, while at the same time supporting their caregivers. The hospice team helps families by educating, supporting and identifying any needs they have, ranging from chaplain support to finding mortuaries and veteran benefits.”

The decision to begin hospice care is a communal one, with the patient, caregivers, loved ones and medical professionals contributing to the dialogue. “A terminal diagnosis from a doctor usually begins the process of seeking hospice care,” Norman says.

“Also, as a family member’s health begins to decline due to illness, conversations about end-of-life care are

proactive and compassionate.”

Brookdale Senior Living’s hospice care providers often encounter common misconceptions about hospice care.

Norman offers the truth be-

hind some mistaken beliefs: • Hospice is for the last few weeks of life. The hospice Medicare benefit is for the last six months, if the disease follows its normal course. “Most people who

enter hospice have done so because they’ve received a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness,” Norman says. “But people who enter hospice often live longer, and with a better quality of life, than

terminally ill people who do not go into hospice. Many are even able to come off hospice service if their condition improves.”

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TRUTH: CONT. FROM | 2c

• Hospice means giving up. Hospice is actually a commitment to a high level of care for a loved one. “It means making them as comfortable and safe as possible so they may enjoy time with their loved ones for as long as possible,” Norman says.

• Patients are heavily medicated. Patients receive medication under strict physician guidelines, and caregivers closely monitor comfort care protocols so each patient’s pain and symptoms are uniquely managed.

• Hospice patients can no longer see their doctors.

Patients can continue to see any of their previous doctors.

Rather than taking anything away, hospice adds a layer of medical support.

• Hospice care ends when a patient dies. Because hos-

pice cares for the patient’s caregivers and loved ones as well as the patient, hospice team members continue their support for 13 months after the patient passes away.

The hospice team provides grief support for the families and will continue to work with them to address any lingering questions, and to help identify their needs.

“The hospice team is comprised of the assigned physician and nurses to provide the direct medical care to the patient, while a chaplain, social worker and bereavement counselor provide additional support and education to families and caregivers,” Norman says.

Hospice ideally occurs in a patient’s home, whether that’s a personal residence or assisted living community.

It is a Medicare-reimbursed Contributed photo benefit, and most private insurance providers do also just about taking pain med- “It helps people gain emo- ing the quality of life. The remaining moment as comications to relieve symptoms tional strength and carry on goal is to help patients and fortable and enriching as cover some hospice costs.

“End-of-life care isn’t until death,” Norman says. with daily life, while improv- their families make every possible.”

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Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Seniors: 5 simple secrets for overcoming gym intimidation (BPT) – No one really relishes the idea of growing older and experiencing the health issues that can accompany aging. If there was one thing you could do to significantly improve your chances of staying mentally sharp, physically healthy and independent throughout your golden years, wouldn’t you do it?

Exercise has health benefits for people of all ages, and it’s especially important for seniors. Regular exercise can allow people 65 and older to live independently, reduce their risks of falling and breaking bones, and lower their chances of developing serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, joint issues, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet only about 40 percent of Americans between 65 and 74 meet physical activity guidelines, and activity levels decrease even more as people grow older, the CDC says.

“Everyone wants to discover the fountain of youth, that medicine or treatment

or face cream that will keep them looking and feeling great well into old age,” says Brian Zehetner, director of health and fitness for Planet Fitness and co-author of “Working Out Sucks (And Why It Doesn’t Have To).”

“But that secret has already been discovered. It’s exercise, and it works just as well for senior citizens as it does for people of any age group.”

If you’ve never really exercised before, or want to increase your current exercise level, you may have thought about joining a gym. You may have even walked into one intending to join - and walked right back out when you saw it was crowded with young, fit people. Your experience wouldn’t be unique; a Planet Fitness survey of seniors who don’t go to the gym found more than a third say they find the gym intimidating, and more than half of those who are intimidated say they fear being judged by other members.

“We call that ‘gym-timidation,’” Zehetner says. “It’s that feeling that others in the gym will judge you for being

less than perfect, and it can keep people of all ages, including seniors, from getting the exercise they need. But it doesn’t have to.”

People older than 60 who exercise on a weekly basis feel 12.3 years younger than their real age, the Planet Fitness survey found. In comparison, those who don’t exercise claim to feel only 5.6 years younger than their actual age. Gym-going seniors say they go to feel better physically (91 percent), live a longer life (70 percent), feel better mentally (64 percent) and socialize (37 percent).

Zehetner offers some advice for seniors to overcome gym-timidation: • Start slowly. Whether you’re new to exercise in general or just new to a gym environment, everyone has limitations. It’s important to know and respect yours. It’s frustrating to injure yourself while trying to improve your health, and as you get older it takes longer to recover from injuries. Be safe and smart by going slowly, and establishing a foundation that encompasses cardiovas-

cular conditioning, strength training and flexibility.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. New and unfamiliar exercise equipment can be intimidating, but it’s important to work out safely.

Your gym’s trainers and staff are there to help ensure you know how to use the equipment safely and effectively.

• Don’t be too distressed or discouraged by discomfort. People of all ages can experience stiff joints, muscle soreness and other minor discomforts when they begin to exercise. These are all signs your body is aware of the stress you’re putting

it through and is responding and adapting - it’s part of the process of getting more fit.

Exercise will become easier over time, and it won’t take you as long to recover from discomfort.

• Find a workout buddy.

Having a friend along can be motivational when you try something new. Even better, working out side-byside with a buddy can help you measure the intensity of your workout. If you can carry on a conversation while working out, you’re getting a moderate level of activity. If you can’t talk without pausing for breath

every few words, you’re getting a more vigorous workout.

• Take advantage of special promotions to try out a gym to see if it’s the right one for you. In honor of National Senior Citizens Day on Sunday, Aug. 21, anyone 60 and older can work out at a Planet Fitness location for free between Sunday, Aug. 21 and Wednesday, Aug. 31.

If you decide to join a participating location, you can take advantage of a promotional pre-paid rate of just $99 for the whole year. Visit www.planetfitness.com to learn more.

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How technology is simplifying relief of chronic pain (BPT) – Doctors hate seeing patients suffering from chronic pain, and not just because their instinct is immediately to want to help their patients to feel better. One of the primary challenges doctors confront is that even though chronic pain is common, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose and treat. The condition can be debilitating for patients and frustrating for the doctors trying to help them.

“Chronic pain is a multi-faceted condition,” says Dr. Ahmed Raslan, assistant professor of Neurological Surgery at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland. “The causes are varied, and each person experiences chronic pain differently. The sheer number of variables in play can make effective treatment extremely complex. It’s not unusual for doctors and patients to try multiple types and combinations of treatment before finding something that provides at least partial relief, and that process can take months and even years.”

More than 11 percent of American adults suffer from chronic pain, according to a recent National Institutes of Health study. People who live with chronic pain report numerous negative effects on their lives, including damage to personal relationships, decreased productivity at work, disruption of their daily routine and even depression. The Institute of Medicine has estimated the medical costs and lost productivity associated with chronic pain could cost as much as $635 billion per year.

“Many chronic pain patients face barriers to effective treatment, including the need for continual doctor visits to adjust aspects of their treatment, and difficulty traveling to meet with their physicians,” Dr. Raslan says. “Conditions such as intractable back pain, nerve injury, neck pain, pain after hernia operations, spinal cord injury pain, post herpetic

neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and pain after failed back surgery can force patients to try multiple treatments. Once they’ve tried a number of options and still have not achieved the desired comfort they may become a candidate for spinal cord stimulation therapy.”

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy treats chronic pain by interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. According to Dr. Raslan, the therapy works by “flooding the gates of the spinal cord so it cannot allow unpleasant pain signals to pass through the gates. Depending on how fast and regular the therapy is being delivered, patients may feel a slight tingling sensation in the area of the body associated with their pain, and in most cases patients report that sensation replaces the feeling of pain, which corresponds to pain relief.”

Though SCS has been around for years, recent advances from St. Jude Medical have made the proven effective treatment simpler for patients and doctors to use successfully. St. Jude Medical recently launched the Proclaim Elite SCS System, which is the most advanced SCS system the company has ever developed, and which includes a new, innovative platform that enables patients to adjust therapy with an Apple iPod Touch mobile device. The application is easy to use which the company hopes will enhance patient experience and delivery optimal results for patients.

The company does note that implantation of a spinal cord stimulation system can involve risk, such as painful stimulation, loss of pain relief and surgical risks, such as paralysis, during the implantation procedure. Patients should talk to their physician to determine if spinal cord stimulation therapy is right for them and their particular pain condition.

For many patients the thera-

py can deliver pain relief leading to dramatic improvement in quality of life. “Before I tried SCS, managing my chronic pain was very difficult,” says Ronald Seeling, 50, of Warren, Oregon, a patient of Dr. Raslan. “For many years, I was taking a lot of pain medication and my quality of life was diminished. I could barely walk and couldn’t do things around the house or visit with my grandkids.”

Seeling says SCS has provided him with more predictable and consistent chronic pain relief.

“Best of all, I was able to ‘test drive’ the treatment before I committed to it,” Seeling says. “Just a few months later, my pain is under control and I’m able to attend the grandkids’ ball games and birthday parties and even help with the dishes.”

“I’m encouraged by the convenience and freedom that my patients experience with this cutting-edge treatment,” Dr.

Contributed photo

Raslan says. “It has helped people like Ronald take control of their chronic pain and experience a better quality of life.”

Raslan cautions that SCS may not be right for everyone,

so talk to your doctor about treatment options for your chronic pain. For more information, visit www.PowerOv-

erYourPain.com, a site provided by St. Jude Medical, a leader in technologies to treat chronic pain.

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Please don’t hesitate to ask about any special arrangements you or your loved ones require. We’re here for you in your time of need.

Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Wednesday, September 28, 2016

What you need to know about atrial fibrillation and stroke (BPT) – Each year, millions of people in the U.S. have an irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia, according to the American Heart Association. Heart arrhythmias are common and can be harmless. However, certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), may produce pooling and clotting of the blood which can then travel to other parts of the body, damaging the brain, lungs and other organs if not treated appropriately. “Heart arrhythmias are difficult to diagnose and may lead to serious health complications such as stroke,� says Dr. Richard Chang, a cardiologist at John Muir Medical Center in Northern California. “A patient who is experiencing symptoms like palpitations or faintness should see a physician immediately. It is important to remember that prevention is key.

Early detection of AFib is important to reduce unnecessary medical visits.�

According to a recent presentation at the Heart Rhythm Society’s Annual Scientific Sessions, the longer a person is in AFib, the higher their risk of experiencing a blood clot and subsequent stroke, if not taking blood thinner. To diagnose AFib, a physician will typically conduct a physical examination, including heart-monitoring tests. Traditional methods include an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the timing and duration of each electrical signal of the heart. Holter monitors are portable ECG devices that are generally prescribed for a day or two to record heart activity. However, Holter

monitors are restricted in their ability to identify AFib because they are difficult to wear and capture only limited heartbeat information.

More advanced technologies, such as continuous cardiac monitors, provide long-term recording and

storage of the heart’s electrical activity. This is essential for detecting and documenting potential AFib, which can sometimes occur infrequently and without symptoms. These devices, such as the Zio system by iRhythm, records and stores beat-to-beat heart

rhythm data in its entirety, including AFib burden, which can provide a more complete picture to a health care provider. Analysis of the beat-to-beat data allows for a faster, more accurate diagnosis by physicians and treatment for the patient. Additional-

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Meaningful, doable ways to support veterans, members of the military and their families (BPT) – At the airport, you take a moment to thank a solider in uniform who is returning home. On Veterans Day, you hold up a sign at your town’s parade to let those who have served know how much you care. Throughout the year, whenever you encounter veterans or someone currently serving in the armed forces, you show your appreciation for their service.

Most Americans truly feel grateful to U.S. service personnel and take steps to express that gratitude.

But what do you do for the families of veterans and active-duty, guard and reserve personnel? In many ways, these families sacrifice as much as their loved ones in service to the country.

It’s just as important to support military and veteran families; they are the reason their loved ones fight and their inspiration for returning home safely. Many military families cope with the emotional and physical injuries their loved ones in the service come home with. A stable, loving family can help a veteran make the difficult transition from active duty to civilian life, or help an active-duty person return home after deployment.

These families face significant hardships in support of their loved ones in military service. Forty-three percent of military families have moved three or more times in the past 10 years, according to a survey of military families, conducted by Vet Tix. These frequent moves cause difficulties for children adjust-

ing to new schools, spouses finding jobs, and making new friends.

Everyone can make a difference for veterans, members of the military and their families. Here are ideas for meaningful ways to show your support:

Help them make memories Veterans’ and military families often face financial challenges that can make it difficult to afford simple luxuries other Americans take for granted, such as attending a concert, show or sporting event. The ticket price for a game can easily exceed $200 for a family of four. In fact, the Vet Tix survey found cost was the main reason military and veteran families were unable to participate in entertainment opportunities.

You can help a military or veteran family make special memories and attend the show or event of their dreams by donating tickets or funds to Vet Tix. The organization provides tickets for sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities to verified members of all branches of currently serving military and veterans. The impact of the donation often goes far beyond a single day of fun.

For example, a Vietnam veteran living in Florida used tickets from Vet Tix to help rebuild ties with his wife and children. After he successfully reconnected with his family and community, the man’s doctor wrote a letter to the organization thanking them for helping lower the veteran’s

PTSD-related anxiety.

“Many veterans face financial challenges while making the transition from military to civilian life,” says Joel DeLand, a U.S. Army veteran from Chicago. “Long-lasting psychological effects from military service can cause veterans to isolate themselves from others when they return home. I’ve personally used Vet-Tix-provided tickets to reconnect with friends by attending local events together.”

Visit www.vettix.org to learn more and to make a donation.

Help care for their best friends When military service people deploy overseas, some will have to leave behind a beloved pet. Not everyone will have a family member or friend who is able and willing to take in the service person’s pet for an extended period of time.

You can help by donating to an organization that fosters pets for active-duty military, such as Dogs on Deployment or Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet. You can also volunteer to foster a pet. These national organizations work to match members of the military who need foster care for their pets with families around the country willing to care for them. If you live near a military base, you can also

Contributed photo

contact the base’s command organizations and ask about dren, or gifts during the holto see if they have a local adopting a military family. idays.

“Adoption” can be as simple program in place.

For a super-easy way to as writing personal emails or help, simply log on to OperHelp care for the letters of support, or offer- ation Homefront’s Amazon whole family ing financial help for specific page where you can purchase Every member of a milneeds, such as buying school and donate a backpack for a itary or veteran family can clothes and supplies for chil- child in a military family. benefit from support. You can help discharged veterans and military spouses by volunteering to be a career mentor. Contact the Armed Services YMCA to see if you can volunteer as a teacher’s aide for preschools and after-school programs that Regular exercise helps you feel well and be able to do everything you want to do.

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Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Wednesday, September 28, 2016

GENEALOGY: CONT. FROM | 1c

in that era. I mean, history and genealogy go hand-in-hand.”

At the library, resources cover a wide range of space and time. There are cemetery, birth and death records, Iowa and other state histories, passenger lists, census records and other miscellaneous sources.

The genealogy room, located on the second floor of the library, also boasts a new microfilm machine capable of capturing images of certain news articles for email or printing purposes.

“A lot of people come for these resources from all over the country, all over the state,” Madison said.

Madison, whose favorite online resource is Ancestry. com, is commended by Gibson Memorial Library Director David Hargrove as being

an excellent source of information for those interested.

Hargrove also commented on the importance of historical sources for a community like Creston.

“A lot of folks, as they get older, they become interested in their genealogy and these are the kinds of resources that very often you cannot find on the internet,” Hargrove said.

“In the future, I believe archiving local history and preserving local history sources, things like city directories or high school yearbooks, will be a significant mission of public libraries.”

The connection history gives residents to the area, Hargrove said, could only be found in places like the library.

For example, the library holds a complete collection of Creston News Advertiser newspapers from 1921 to the present, and an incomplete collection of newspapers from Creston, Afton and Corning

dating back to the 1880s. The microfilm readers can assist local genealogists and historians with these old pieces of writing.

“As it stands, our genealogical resources, including Ancestry, are, well, they’re certainly by far the best,” Hargrove said. “I think they’re probably the strongest in southwest Iowa, and I would stress the ability of Terry Madison as a very strong tutor and very strong guide to those resources.”

Genealogy From a more specific point of view, Roger Nurnberg and his fellow Union County Genealogical Society members look at genealogy as their historical interest.

Genealogy is the study of families by tracing lineages and histories, and the group meets 6 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month at the library, located at 200 W. Howard St. in Creston.

“Basically, the best way to get involved is to join the society and come to the meetings,” Nurnberg said. “Usually there’s some sort of a program that we do at every meeting, and we also tackle different questions at those meetings and work on them as a group.”

The genealogical society compiles various records, such as cemetery and obituary records, for the use of other genealogists. The members are also putting together a website for better access to information.

“I think the website would really be a big deal,” Nurnberg said. “We’re coming to a project, a fall project, in updating all the cemetery records in the county, which involves quite an undertaking.”

This project will take quite a bit of time but will allow even more access for people interested in local history or genealogy by looking at cemetery records digitally, or

CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN

These are just some of the books available as resources at Gibson Memorial Library’s genealogy and history section located on the second floor in the genealogy room of the library. The room provides two microfilm machines and a series of resource books that include local, state, national and international histories, birth and death records and other valuable resources.

without going to the cemetery physically.

“One of the main reasons history and genealogy are important is the hereditary aspect of different traits and diseases and that kind of thing,” Nurnberg said. “The other is

common interest. It’s a case of knowing where you come from, and that’s the most popular part of it.”

For more information, contact Gibson Memorial Library at 641-782-2277 or Nurnberg at 641-202-0016.

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Get your laundry done so soone sooner. oner. r.

Quick wash and dry in on only ly 45 minutes. *2

Whiter whites, brighter er col colors colors, ors, and nd fewer allergens with advanc advanced anced ed rinse cycle technology y that hat us uses fresh water.

oyd Appliance Center Inc.

220 N. Pine • Uptown Creston, IA • (641) 782-2163

Selling Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Speed Queen and Traeger Grills

Servicing most makes and models ~ Locally owned and operated Weekdays: 8:30-5:30 • Saturdays: 9:00-12:00 www.boydappliance.net

FFLE 3911QW 1 Based upon an estimated 5 lbs. of laundry per day for a family of three. Actual load weight may vary with a maximum of 15 lbs. per load.

2 Based on AHAM standard for 8 lb. load for various load compositions when Quick cycle is selected.