Healthy Aging: January 2017

A PublicAtion from monmouth medical center, southern campus

HEALTHY AGING JANuAry 2017

BACK IN ACTION WITH REHAB AN OPEN HOUSE MAKES HISTORY LET THE LAB COME TO YOU

MAKING CARE

CONVENIENT TRACKING ThE hEArT’s sECRETs HealthyAging.0116.6.indd 1

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WElcomE lEttEr

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s we embrace winter, I start to think of the respiratory illnesses that come upon us during this season. It may be interesting for you to know that at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, every employee must be vaccinated each year against the influenza virus. It’s a policy our administration takes very seriously, and it’s an important public health issue as well.

In my own private practice, I am surprised by the number of patients who refuse the flu vaccination each year. Why? The most common responses include: n “I’ve never had the vaccine before and I’ve never gotten the flu, so why start now?” n “I just don’t want it. I never get it.”

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 69.1 percent of adults over age 65 in our country are currently vaccinated.

It’s important to arm ourselves with the facts as we make decisions to protect ourselves. Vaccinations have been proven to reduce a person’s likelihood of getting the flu. And the truth is anyone can get the flu, even healthy people. However, those 65 and older are at the highest risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick, especially if they have diabetes, heart disease or any chronic lung disease.

Our Better Health team has been visiting many communities to administer flu shots. To date they have given approximately 753 vaccinations! I urge you to protect yourself this winter and seek out the vaccine in your community or from your primary care physician.

As always, I’m available for any questions or comments. Please feel free to email me at Jessica.Israel@rwjbh.org.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2017!

Sincerely,

Jessica L. Israel, M.D. Regional Director for Geriatrics and Palliative Care Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus

meet melanie Vernacchia, A.P.N.

This dedicaTed nurse pracTiTioner believes a paTienT’s role shouldn’T be jusT a passive one.

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ealth care gets more advanced and complex every day, but to nurse practitioner Melanie Vernacchia, A.P.N., it’s still personal—as is the attention she devotes to each person she cares for. “The patientprovider relationship should be one of mutual respect and collaboration,” she says. “Through this relationship, patients should be empowered to take an active role in the planning and decision-making for their care.”

Originally from Hamden, Conn., Vernacchia was pointed toward a career in health care by a severe autoimmune disease she had as a child. “It was a long struggle, but I am here today because of the perseverance of nurses,” she says. “Being in a hospital bed and feeling powerless is difficult. I carry the

“Being in a hospital bed and feeling powerless is difficult. I carry the memories with me every day, and I can relate to patients in a way not many can.” memories with me every day, and I can relate to patients in a way not many can.” She specializes in geriatrics, palliative care and oncology at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah and went on to work in the inpatient oncology unit at Monmouth Medical Center’s main campus in Long Branch for nine years. During that time she cared for a wide range of patients and their families.

Vernacchia then earned her Master of Science degree in nursing at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. She holds a national board certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and she is currently assigned to the newly named James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute (see facing page).

Says Vernacchia: “I believe in treating each person as a unique individual with specific health care needs.”

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THE GERIATRICS INSTITUTE

GeTS a naMe

Thanks in parT To a $1 million gifT, a new faciliTy offers comprehensive, mulTidisciplinary care To area seniors.

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ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 30 marked the official naming of the new James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC).

The moniker reflects the generosity of the Maidas of Newtown, Pa., whose $1 million gift helped the institute get started.

But the institute is the work of many hands, including the varied clinical professionals at the medical center who are pioneering a new model of seamless care for the area’s growing senior population—inpatients and outpatients alike.

“The James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute is the centerpiece of our plan to address the growing health care needs of our area’s older adults,” says Frank J. Vozos, M.D., FACS, executive vice president, RWJBarnabas Health and chief executive, MMCSC. “This state-of-the-art program will give older adults greater access to vital care.

We are grateful to the Maidas for helping to make our vision a reality.”

The only center of its kind in the region, the nearly 5,000-square-foot institute will enhance MMCSC’s interdisciplinary approach to caring for the community’s growing senior population.

“We are proud to make a gift that will have a profound impact on the health and well-being of area seniors,” says James Maida, president and CEO of Gaming Labo-

ratories International LLC, chairman of the hospital’s foundation and a member of its board of trustees.

Located on the hospital’s third floor, the institute features clinical exam rooms, administrative offices, a conference space for transitions-in-care meetings and private space for caregivers and families. Patients and families will benefit from the convenience of having one location for a wide range of services: inpatient, outpatient and community aspects of geriatric medicine.

Therapeutic services—including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and hearing services—are also provided on the same floor.

“Our mission in establishing the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute is to meet the many diverse needs and complex health issues of these [aging] patients and their families,” says Jessica L. Israel, M.D., regional director, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Monmouth Medical Center and MMCSC. The new institute includes the Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) unit, an emergency facility specially geared to seniors’ needs, and the inpatient Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit, comprising single rooms in which the focus is on interdisciplinary, patient-centered care.

For more information on the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute, call 732.886.4700.

From left: Frank J. Vozos, M.D., FACS, executive vice president, RWJBarnabas Health, and chief executive, Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC); Amy Mansue, president of Southern Region, RWJBarnabas Health; Joan Wills, regional assistant vice president of Geriatrics, MMC & MMCSC; Jessica L. Israel, M.D., regional director for Geriatrics and Palliative Care, MMC & MMCSC; Denice Gaffney, vice president of Development, MMCSC Foundation; Sharon and James Maida.

TIPS Use the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute in either of two ways: Make it your medical home for primary care and specialty care, or seek out the professionals there as consultants to work with your current primary care doctor.

Either way, keep your primary care physician informed about all of the medications you’re taking to guard against wasteful duplications or—worse—dangerous interactions.

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A lab that comes to you

Blood testing is more convenient tHAnKs to tHe trAveling moBile lAB FAcilitY.

TIPS “Don’t forget to follow your doctor’s instructions about fasting, usually for eight to 10 hours, before your blood test,” says MMCSC’s Christopher Ramirez. (But drinking water is OK—in fact, it can be helpful.)

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s having blood drawn one of your favorite experiences? We didn’t think so. But a blood test is often necessary, whether it’s for a routine physical exam or as follow-up care for a chronic condition. And Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC) removes much of the bother by sparing you a trip to the hospital to have your sample taken. Instead, MUPS comes to you.

What’s MUPS, you ask? The initials stand for Mobile Unit Phlebotomy Services, and for almost a decade this traveling lab facility has been going around Ocean County to take blood or urine samples from residents and return them to the lab for analysis. MMCSC employs experienced phlebotomists— professionals trained to draw blood—who visit local residential communities.

“To avoid a wait it’s better if you schedule an appointment by calling RWJBarnabas Health at 888.724.7123,” says Christopher Ramirez, M.L.S. (ASCP), lab supervisor. “But we accept walk-ins too.”

Calling ahead allows patients to pre-register and select an appointment time and date at their residential facility. You can have a blood or urine test performed on your physician’s written request. Says Ramirez: “The service is especially valuable to those who don’t drive, have mobility limitations or don’t have time to get to our main outpatient laboratory facility at MMCSC for blood work.”

If you do come to the outpatient laboratory, located in the hospital, you can get a blood or urine test there Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. But if you’d like to save a trip, check out this schedule of MUPS’ regular visits to area residential communities:

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The Fairways at Lake Ridge, 7–9 a.m., first and third Mondays of the month.

Lake Ridge, 8–10 a.m., second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Leisure Knolls, 8–10 a.m., second and fourth Fridays of the month.

The Renaissance at Manchester, 7:30–10 a.m., every Wednesday.

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Leisure Village West, 7:30–11 a.m., every Tuesday. n Leisure Village East, 8–10 a.m., second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. n Four Seasons, 8–10 a.m., first and third Thursdays of the month. n Greenbriar Woodlands, 7–10 a.m., first and third Fridays of the month.

Bring a healthy snack to consume after your blood test.

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A hospital transformed

Improvements claImed center stage at mmcsc’s recent Fall open House and receptIon.

1,400 members, while a growing partnership with Bikur hange has been in the air at Monmouth Medical Cholim has enabled us to provide free shuttle services Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC), and the recent for patients, visitors and guests between our facility and Fall Open House and Reception celebrated its completion.

Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.”

After a three-phase renovation and upgrade, the facility Open to the community, the Fall Open House featured now offers local residents greater access to advanced tours of the upgraded portions of the facility, including health care services and programs. the newly updated main lobby, the Geriatric Emergency “These projects began with a full revamp of our Medicine (GEM) Unit, the Jacqueline M. main lobby, continued when we converted Wilentz Breast Center, the Acute Care for to all private rooms and came to fruition Elders (ACE) Unit and its private rooms, and the today with the unveiling of The River Avenue James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute.

Pavilion,” said Frank J. Vozos, M.D., FACS, If you’re being admitted, The one-of-a-kind institute, which opened executive vice president, RWJBarnabas bring along your insurance in mid-November, provides integrated Health and chief executive, MMCSC. card, a photo ID and a copy inpatient and outpatient geriatric services The work began in early 2015, shortly of your advance directive, for patients 65 and older. The third floor of after Kimball Medical Center merged with if you have one.

MMCSC houses inpatient, outpatient and Monmouth Medical Center to become community education services for seniors in MMCSC. Besides the main-lobby update it one location. Physical therapists, occupational included renovating the grounds, parking Visiting hours are therapists, speech therapists and audiologists areas and fa ade on the Route 9 side of the 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. No more are also located on this floor to accommodate building. The conversion of all patient rooms than two patients should patients as they make the transition from to private rooms made the hospital the only visit at once (children one in the region to exclusively offer single under 12 at the discretion inpatient to outpatient care. of the charge nurse), and The GEM Unit was created to meet rooms for overnight stays. The River Avenue please limit your visit to a seniors’ special emergency-care needs and Pavilion is a new hospital entrance for patients few minutes. the ACE Unit serves inpatients with an arriving for outpatient infusion, wound care or interdisciplinary approach. cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services.

The Open House tour also highlighted improvements to “We’ve also made several other enhancements, all with the Breast Center. With the recent addition of fellowshipthe goal of providing superior service to Lakewood and trained breast surgeon Manpreet Kohli, M.D., this the surrounding region,” said Dr. Vozos. “The creation center now offers services that include breast screening of the Better Health Senior Membership Program, which mammography, diagnostic mammography, breast surgery allows seniors in our area to socialize and learn while consultation and high-risk cancer assessment. staying active and healthy, now boasts more than

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TIPS

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What rehab includes Below are some of the rehabilitation services provided for inpatients and outpatients at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus.

Getting you back

in action

Using a team approach, rehab professionals provide information, gUidance—and a gentle nUdge.

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hen you pass 65, being in good physical shape takes on new meaning. It’s no longer just about playing-field prowess or drawing a wink from the opposite gender—though these may still apply. It’s now the key to vitality and independence. That’s why, when illness or a surgical procedure brings temporary incapacitation, wise seniors work hard at rehabilitation to get back in shape— and in action.

Fortunately, rehab professionals at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC)—working with the James and Sharon Maida Geriatrics Institute next door— use an efficient team approach, collaborating to find the way forward to renewed vitality and mobility that is best suited to the patient.

Physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, case managers and nurses join in developing an individual care plan that seamlessly connects a hospital stay with outpatient follow-up, explains David Terlizzi, P.T., D.P.T., supervisor of rehabilitation. “We all discuss the patient’s case, what’s best for the person as an inpatient and where he or she should go upon discharge.”

Terlizzi estimates that 15 percent of MMCSC’s rehab patients seek the service following knee or hip replacement surgery, while 35 percent have been weakened by arthritis. The center’s outpatient facility features special exercise equipment you won’t find in ordinary gyms, such as arm exercise bikes to build up arm strength and stairway simulators to prepare the body for climbing stairs.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 732.942.5921.

TIPS

To speed recovery from a planned knee or hip replacement, try exercising before your procedure, suggests MMCSC’s Dave Terlizzi: “There is equipment you can use that won’t aggravate your knee or hip.”

To improve your balance, core strength and coordination, try tai chi, says Terlizzi, adding that yoga is great for flexibility. (Find out about classes at 888.724.7123.)

OutpatIent:

InpatIent:

Audiology

Occupational therapy helps people regain independence with selfcare and activities of daily living, as well as teaching skills that can improve their quality of life. Through the use of functional activities, treatments by occupational therapists may focus on:

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auditory brainstem assessment for neurodiagnostic and threshold assessment complete audiological evaluation services (hearing tests) computerized balance testing; electronystagmography computerized posturography evaluation otoacoustic emission testing (oae) ototoxicity monitoring

Occupational therapy n n n n

adapting to the home environment training in daily activities treatment for wrist and hand sprains upper-body strengthening

Physical therapy n n n n n n n n n

arthritis treatment treatment for balance disorders treatment for back and neck dysfunctions treatment for gait disorders geriatric strengthening program joint replacement rehabilitation treatment for motor vehicle injuries shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears sports medicine rehabilitation

Speech-language pathology n n n n n

auditory training dysphagia therapy individual speechlanguage therapy oral motor/myofunctional therapy video swallow studies

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adapting to the home environment compensation for memory loss compensation for visual impairments dressing, grooming and hygiene tasks upper-body strengthening

Physical therapy assists in the recovery of those with health problems resulting from injury or disease. It helps them to relieve their pain, regain use of a weak limb or relearn activities such as standing and walking. Physical therapists may perform the following: n n n n

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balance training functional training to stand or walk movement re-education therapeutic exercises to strengthen muscles or regain use of an injured limb training in the use of artificial limbs and assistive devices

Speech-language pathology n n n n n

auditory training dysphagia therapy individual speechlanguage therapy oral motor/myofunctional therapy video swallow studies

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Doctor

Ask the

Should I have an IMpLANTABLE LOOp RECORDER (IRL)?

A question for rAjesh MohAn, M.D., interventionAl cArDiologist, MonMouth MeDicAl center, southern cAMpus.

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n implantable loop recorder (IRL) is a small device that is placed beneath the skin in the chest and records heart activity for up to three years. The IRL records electrical activity of the heart in two ways: n It is activated by the heart rate ranges set on the device by the patient’s physician: If the patient’s heart rate drops below the lowest value set—or above the highest—the IRL will start to record. n The patient can also trigger a recording by pushing the “patient activator” button on the IRL. This is normally used when there are symptoms such as skipped heartbeats, lightheadedness or dizziness.

These recordings are stored in the IRL, and the patient’s physician can view both the automatic and triggered events during routine visits. Ask your doctor about an IRL if you experience:

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fainting seizures n recurrent palpitations n lightheadedness n dizziness Patients who experience these serious symptoms regularly but not often enough to be captured by a 24-hour or 30-day external monitor are the best candidates for an IRL. Because an IRL Rajesh Mohan, M.D. can be inserted for up to three years, patients can undergo extended and constant monitoring, which gives the physician plenty of opportunities to capture any abnormal heart rhythms.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohan, call 888.724.7123. n

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Check out these upcoming events of interest to seniors: SELF-DEFENSE FOR OLDER ADULTS

(New day and time!)

Thursdays, January 19 3:15–4:15 p.m.

Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood A black-belt instructor shows how to ward off assaults and attacks using leverage. $15 for five 1-hour classes.

Space is limited and registration is required; call RWJBarnabas Health, 888.724.7123.

STICKING TO YOUR RESOLUTIONS

Monday, January 16 2–3 p.m.

3rd Floor Conference Room, 600 River Ave., Lakewood Free. Does your list of resolutions for 2017 look oddly similar to ones you made for 2016 and 2015? We discuss setting and achieving realistic health goals and staying motivated

throughout the year. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited and registration is required; call RWJBarnabas Health, 888.724.7123.

Silver Behavioral Health, program facilitator for the Cancer Support Community at Monmouth Medical Center. Registration is required; call Maryellen Herrera at 732.818.4781.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

Monday, January 23 4:30–6:30 p.m.

HealthSouth Rehabilitation of Toms River, 14 Hospital Drive, Toms River Free. Learn to cope with stress, pain and illness using moment-tomoment awareness. Introduced

by Todd J. Cooperman, M.D., FAAPMR, medical director, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, and section chief, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Monmouth Medical Center. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn will be presented

by Anita Pfisterer, L.C.S.W., Little

TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS

(Better Health members ONLY) Thursdays, February 2–March 23 1–2 p.m.

Free. Tai chi, known for improving balance and coordination, and strengthening the lower body, will be offered for eight consecutive weeks. Participants will learn moves from both standing and sitting positions. All members are invited, regardless of medical condition— instruction will be altered based on each class’s needs. Class size is limited and registration is required; call RWJBarnabasHealth at 888.726.2362.

JOIN THE BETTER HEALTH pROGRAM Better Health is a FREE membership program for men and women 55 and older who want to improve their health and well-being. Benefits are designed to help you take charge of your health and wellness, with VIP access to social programs, health education and preventive screenings. To learn more, visit barnabashealth.org/betterhealth or call 888.726.2362.

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Healthy Communities are Stronger Communities.

Your gift of any amount has

IMPACT

20 GIFTS OF

$10

40 DONORS OF

$50

32 DONORS OF

$25

=1

FUNDS AN 8 WEEK EXERCISE SERIES offered to residents and employees to promote better health

1 GIFT OF

$100

=1

MAMMOGRAM

promoting early detection and prevention of breast cancer for women in Ocean County

on the health of your communities.

HOSPITAL-SPONSORED COMMUNITY RECEPTION

fostering a sense of community and healthy socialization

FUNDS THE CARE CART which is used daily in the hospital to provide small necessities and comfort items for our patients

On the surface it may seem that your gift of $25 or $50 can’t make a difference but there‘s strength in numbers. When your gift is pooled together with thousands of other generous contributions, it can make a profound impact on our patients.

Give now.

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To support Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus give online at www.monmouthsouthgiving.org or contact June Lynch at 732.886.4148 or june.lynch@rwjbh.org

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