INSIDE Every second counts page 3
Saving lives at HDH’s Wetzell Family Emergency Department
Affordable dental care page 4
Program for low income youth is expanding
Biology of love page 9
West County Centers offer personal care and loving attention
Taking Charge of Your Health Who’s on your team when you’re sick? Perhaps even more important, who’s in charge of your staying healthy when you feel great? These days many doctors are the captain of a team that may include a nurse, medical assistant, nutritionist, psychologist, dentist, licensed clinical social worker and the most important member of the team: You! The doctor is there when you need him or her. But the rest of the time, stay on a healthy road with good eating and physical activity habits. You Are What You Eat A healthy variety of foods is important for good health. Sure, we all like burgers and pizza. Just eat smaller amounts and balance them with other foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Where you eat is important, too. At the table we concentrate on the meal. In front of the TV, laptop or iPod, we concentrate on the show and lose track of how much we are eating. Tip:.If you want to snack while watching TV take a small handful of pretzels or a couple of cookies—Not the whole bag! Why you eat is important, too. Most people eat at a regular time of day when they are hungry and the food looks tempting. Eating from boredom, frustration, nervousness or sadness can pack on the pounds. Tip: If you catch
photo provided HEALTHY HIKING — Joe Dellaquilla, Candi Bialon, Carolyn Marcinkowski (in back) and Tim
McDonald hit one of the trails along Rockpile Road high above Lake Sonoma. yourself eating when not hungry do something else—exercise, call a friend, work on a craft, go for a walk. Looking Good, Feeling Good “Whenever I’m feeling down, I get out and go for a walk or bike ride,” says Maria Alvarez, PhD, at Alexander Valley Healthcare serving Geyserville
and Cloverdale. “I always feel better after some exercise, even mild exercise, and you will, too,” she added. Then do it every day for 20-30 minutes. In just a couple of weeks, you’ll feel better and start to look better with toned muscles.
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Federal reforms mean expansion at local clinics Federal healthcare reform, known as the Affordable Care Act, or sometimes Obamacare, is coming to a health system near you in the coming months, and community health centers are gearing up for growth. Alliance Medical Center, with clinics in Healdsburg and Windsor, is expecting at least 1,000 new patients, perhaps as many as 3,000, as new regulations and eligibility requirements are implemented. “More people are going to qualify for public health insurance
programs, like Medi-Cal,” explained Beatrice Bostick, CEO of Alliance. “The eligibility standards will change.” According to Bostick, currently most families that qualify for MediCal have dependent children at home. The new rules will allow single adults and families with adult children to apply for benefits. “Not everyone will qualify, but we will be able to help you find out if you do.” According to the American Public Health Association, in California
anyone whose family income is 138 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for public health benefits. In 2012, that figure was $15,415 for an individual or $26,344 for a family of three. There are other reasons why an individual or family may not qualify, such as immigration or residency status. Alliance is currently in the process of doubling its staff of Certified Application Assisters, to deal with a large demand when
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© Sonoma West Publishers | July 25, 2013