Healthy Aging: March 2016

A PublicAtion from monmouth medical center, southern campus

HEALTHY AGING mArch 2016

AvoId FAlls check those eyes Prevent shingles

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WElcomE lEttEr Welcome to our newest edition of Healthy Aging! I don’t know about all of you, but I can’t wait for springtime— it’s my favorite season. And it’s a great time to think about coming out of our homes, enjoying the outdoors and getting more active.

Exercise has been a big focus as we move forward with our plans for the Geriatrics Institute here at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus. We have been busy designing foor plans and programs with the most up-to-date and innovative rehabilitation medicine equipment. Our rehabilitation services will be an important partner in the outpatient geriatrics services we are planning, as these services will not only be located together in the institute, but will work together as interdisciplinary members of each patient’s care team. This is a very exciting new program for us!

And while we are on the topic of exercise, did you know that walking outside on a beautiful day is not just good for you from a physical perspective? It’s good for you emotionally, too.

It’s well known that walking outdoors can help to relieve stress. Physical activity increases endorphin levels in the brain, boosting our mood and self-esteem as a result. I’m planning on taking advantage of the nicer weather, and I challenge you to do the same. Ocean County is home to many beautiful places to enjoy a picnic, bird-watch, visit an outdoor farmer’s market or take a nature walk. The National Institutes of Health recommends that you consider replacing a Sunday drive with a Sunday walk. Or just go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV. Personally, I like their suggestion to make a weekend morning walk a family habit.

I invite you to share with me your creative ideas for getting more active this spring and any great pictures you snap while you are outside. You can email me at jisrael@ barnabashealth.org.

Sincerely,

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

HELPING SENIORS

S

AVOID a fall

eniors are rightly afraid of falling. Every year, more than 1.6 million older U.S. adults go to emergency departments for fall-related injuries. Among older adults, falls are the number-one cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence and injury deaths.

To help ease that fear, Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus’ Center for Healthy Aging is offering “A Matter of Balance.” This nationally recognized, evidence-based program is designed to help older adults improve balance and reduce the risk of a fall. It will be offered at area senior centers, free of charge, over the next several months.

The program, funded by a grant from the State of New Jersey, consists of eight weekly two-hour classes run by “coaches” Kathleen Holahan and Kelly DeLeon. It includes classroom discussion on how to make one’s home safer followed by 30 minutes of exercise, which can be done standing or sitting, to increase strength and balance.

“One risk factor in falling is the fear of falling, which can lead people to decrease activity,” DeLeon says. “That actually puts them more at risk. We want to help seniors set small goals to increase their activity and teach them how to do it.” to learn more, call the Better Health Program at 888.726.2362.

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Members enjoy a

Victorian Christmas luncheon

A descendAnt of chArles dickens discusses the writer’s influence.

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ental well-being is as important as physical health for everyone, including seniors. That is one reason why the Better Health Senior Membership Program offers social programs to enrich the lives of seniors in neighboring communities. The programs are presented free of charge to members who live in the senior communities that are located in the service area of Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus.

“Socializing, health education and the arts and entertainment are all part of keeping our seniors healthy and happy,” says Judy Zocchi, producer of the Better Health social programs.

In December, members of the Better Health Program were invited to a Victorian Christmas Luncheon at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood.

The day consisted of a health fair, a buffet lunch

and a dramatic reading, by two professional actors, of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Special guest Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, the great writer’s great-great-great-granddaughter and an author and speaker herself, was on hand. She spoke about Dickens and his infuence on Christmas, sat for a question-and-answer session and signed copies of her newest book, Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter: A Biography of Princess Louise.

About 100 seniors from nine area senior communities attended the Victorian Christmas Luncheon.

There are three more large events being planned for 2016, including a Spring Tea and a Summer Bash with a Swing Band.

To attend these events, seniors can sign up for the Better Health Program by calling 888.726.2362.

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Food for thought a dietitian shares 6 ideas for healthy eating.

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ike everyone else, seniors are well served by eating healthy, nutritious food. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies show that a good diet in your later years reduces the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. You might need less energy and fewer calories as you age, but you still require just as many of the nutrients in food.

Dietitian and New Jersey native Diane Henderiks understands the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. With March designated National Nutrition Month, she offers the following tips:

Don’t skip meals.

“Seniors tend to skip meals, but

should eat throughout the day to keep their energy up,” says Henderiks.

Choose a variety of healthy foods.

Stay hydrated.

“Keep a glass of water out on a table to remind yourself to drink often,” the dietitian suggests.

“Focus on fruits and veggies in a wide variety of colors,” she says. “Each color is associated with different nutrients and antioxidants.”

Add favors.

Avoid empty calories.

Diane Henderiks’ recipe for Pistachio Pesto Crab Cakes with Avocado “Cream” Sauce, on the facing page, exemplifes these tips. There are nuts and crabmeat for low-fat protein, pesto with favorful garlic and herbs, avocado for healthy fats and nonfat yogurt for calcium. “It hits all the macronutrients for full nutrition and has tons of favor enhancers,” she says. “And it’s simple and freezes great too.”

Foods such as chips, cookies, soda and alcohol have lots of calories but few nutrients. “Make every bite count nutritionally,” she says.

Choose foods that will keep you full. “Pick lean protein sources such as eggs, cheese, fsh and beans,” says Henderiks. “Don’t think in terms of red meat all the time.”

Seniors’ sense of taste can diminish, so season foods with non-salt herbs, spices and citrus to increase favors.

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Diane henDeriks’

PistAChio Pesto CrAb CAkes with AvoCAdo ‘CreAm’ ingredients:

step-by-step directions:

Pistachio pesto 3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves 2 tablespoons pistachio nuts (shelled) 1 clove garlic (crushed) 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (freshly grated) 1 tablespoon olive oil

make the pesto 1. Combine frst 4 ingredients in food processor and process to paste-like consistency.

2. scrape down the sides and with blade running, drizzle in olive oil.

3. remove from food processor, stir and set aside.

Crab cakes 8 oz. jumbo lump crabmeat (picked over) 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed) 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (fnely chopped) ½ teaspoon dried mustard ¼ teaspoon paprika 1 tablespoon plain nonfat Greek yogurt 1 egg white (beaten) 1 tablespoon whole wheat four 1 tablespoon olive oil Avocado 1 whole ripe avocado (cut into chunks) 2 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

make the crab cakes 4. in mixing bowl, gently combine frst 5 ingredients (crabmeat through paprika).

5. Whisk yogurt and egg white together and gently combine with crabmeat mixture.

6. shape into 4 cakes (about 3 inches in diameter and about ¼-inch thick).

7. Place on paper towel-lined plate, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

make the avocado “cream” 8. Place all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth.

Cook the crab cakes 9. Preheat oven to 400°F. 10. remove crab cakes from paper towel-lined plate and gently spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on top of each crab cake.

11. Dust both sides of cakes with four.

12. heat olive oil in cast-iron pan over high heat. Gently place crab cakes, pesto side down, into pan.

13. sear for 1 minute, fip gently and remove pan from heat.

14. Place pan in oven and bake for 5–10 minutes or until heated through and browned.

15. serve with avocado cream.

16. enjoy!

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Save

your viSion March is a good tiMe to see your eye doctor.

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very March, the American Optometric Association reminds Americans of the importance of regular, comprehensive eye care from a vision specialist by observing Save Your Vision Month. Better vision is critical for health and independence, says Edward Hedaya, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Monmouth Medical

Center, Southern Campus.

“Remember that just because vision is good doesn’t mean it isn’t being threatened,” he adds. “Even if you have no symptoms, there can be disease processes under way that can lead to irreversible visual loss.”

The three most common eye diseases in seniors are glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic damage to the retina. “Most people can be treated before symptoms develop to prevent visual loss,” he says.

Regular screenings are the key. Those who are generally healthy should see a vision care specialist at least yearly.

Those with risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease, most likely need more frequent examinations.

People are often amazed at the new technologies available to diagnose and treat vision problems, Dr.

Hedaya says. “We now have devices that can see far more anatomical detail than we can with the naked eye, and with much greater ease,” he says. “We can see details we couldn’t get before, and we can do it in seconds now, which cuts exam times down dramatically.”

Treatments are better, quicker and safer too. Dr. Hedaya recently corrected the vision of a 93-year-old patient to the point that he no longer needed glasses. “His children, who were in their 60s, were amazed their father had better vision than they did,” he says. “And that is not an unusual story these days.”

If you haven’t seen a vision specialist in a while, make an appointment by calling Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, at 732.363.1900. It may “Save Your Vision.”

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Helping older adults

breathe easy pulmonary rehabilitation can make the most of your lung power.

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hronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis and many other breathing problems, is a progressive disease for which there is no cure. But there are treatments.

One of the most important is pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, observed this year from March 13 to 19, focuses national attention on pulmonary rehabilitation’s contribution to helping people with COPD. Pulmonary rehab (PR) helps COPD patients maintain and improve the quality of their lives. By combining early intervention and individually planned and designed education, therapy, exercise, motivation and lifestyle adjustment programs, PR can help patients function better in their daily activities, increase the ability to exercise, decrease the symptoms and reduce anxiety and depression. PR doesn’t improve your lung function, but it allows you to make the most of the limited lung function you have.

Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus’ rehab center features state-of-the-art ftness equipment, including treadmills, arm ergometers, rowing machines and stationary bicycles. It offers patients an educational and supportive program monitored by licensed respiratory care professionals who are dedicated to improving quality of life through better breathing. They work with your care team, including your doctors, nurses and specialists such as physical and occupational therapists, dietitians or nutritionists, and psychologists or social workers. The rehab team will create an individualized plan based on your abilities and needs. to learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation, call 732.886.4428.

MAke A diFFerence your gift through the legacy society can be a big help to the patients of the future.

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he caring and compassionate staff of Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus (MMCSC), will be here when you need them—are you willing to remember the hospital in your future plans? Did you ever dream of leaving something behind to show future generations how much you cared?

We have a special program to help philanthropic dreams come true and honor those who dare to dream. It is called the Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus Legacy Society.

Naming MMCSC as a benefciary of your estate or qualifed retirement plan can beneft you and the hospital and make you a member of this very special group of visionaries. Leave a lasting legacy that honors those whose life’s work has been to care for others by giving a gift that extends into the next generation.

In an effort to expand these efforts and invite more visionary members to our Legacy Society, we’ve recently welcomed Anne DeMesa, vice president of Gift Planning for Barnabas Health Foundation, to our team.

Anne comes to us with many years of experience in making legacy gifts a reality for generous individuals and families.

If you are interested in achieving your charitable goals and creating a legacy gift for MMCSC, Anne can help you fnd a strategy that meets your needs and happily welcome you as the newest member of the Legacy Society. Find out more by calling June Lynch at 732.886.4148.

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Doctor

Ask the

should you get the shingles vaccine?

A question for evA MehtA, D.o., An internist At MonMouth MeDicAl center, southern cAMpus.

I

n a word, yes. Zostavax is the shingles vaccine approved by the FDA for adults 50 and older to help reduce the risk of shingles.

The vaccine cuts chances of developing shingles by 61 percent.

Shingles is a viral infection that results in a painful rash, often appearing in a single stripe of blisters. Some people also experience fever, headache, light sensitivity and fatigue. The condition cannot be passed by coughing or casual contact. It typically occurs in patients who have had chicken pox—however, those

who have never had chicken pox can get shingles if they have direct contact with the blisters.

Zostavax helps your immune system protect you from getting shingles by providing a weakened live chicken pox virus, resulting in a boost to the body’s immune system.

The same virus that causes chicken pox can cause shingles. If you have had chicken pox, the shingles virus remains dormant in your body; however, as you age the immune system weakens, increasing your chances of developing shingles. The vaccine does not protect everyone,

as some people who are vaccinated will still get shingles, though they may have a milder course.

The CDC recommends the vaccine for adults age 60 and older.

Even someone who has had shingles can still get the vaccine.

Those who are unsure whether or not they have had chicken pox can also be immunized.

A single-dose vaccine is given at your doctor’s offce or pharmacy. To learn more, ask your primary care provider. For a referral to a primary care physician, call 888.724.7123.

coMMunity calendar Here are some upcoming events that will be of interest to seniors.

March Wholehearted health: recipes For a healthy liFestyle

alzheiMer’s disease For the caregiver: late stages

Tuesday, March 8 12:45 p.m.

Jackson Twp. Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson

Tuesdays, March 15 & 22 2–4 p.m.

Center for Healthy Living Register with Kelly DeLeon at 732.597.6075.

don’t Miss a Beat

Wednesday, March 9 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Boscov’s Conference Room, Ocean County Mall, Toms River Register with SCAN at 732.542.1326.

Meditation and relaxation

Wednesday, March 16 1–2 p.m.

Boscov’s Conference Room, Ocean County Mall, Toms River Register with SCAN at 732.542.1326.

Build your Brain

audiology prograM With dr. Boyer

Wednesday, March 16 10 a.m.

Monmouth County Parks System, Manasquan Reservoir, 331 Georgia Tavern Rd., Howell Register with the Parks System at 732.842.4000, ext. 1.

Wednesday, March 23 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Boscov’s Conference Room, Ocean County Mall, Toms River Register with SCAN at 732.542.1326.

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