Nyack Fall 2020

HealthWorks F AL L 2020

WHY FLU SHOTS ARE VITAL NOW MEDICAL EMERGENCY 5 WARNING SIGNS BREAST SCREENINGS SAVE LIVES

HOW TO MANAGE

STRESS Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 1

8/10/20 1:35 PM

Montefiore Nyack Hospital Updates FROM THE PRESIDENT

T

his year has presented us with a public health challenge unlike any we have previously experienced. We have a new normal that requires wearing masks when out and about, meticulous hand hygiene, social distancing and size-restricted gatherings. Remote work and learning have become more commonplace. We have confronted each of these challenges and demonstrated we are a resilient and adaptive society. We must remain vigilantly focused on our new safety precautions as we approximate resumption of normal life.

At Montefiore Nyack Hospital, we have begun returning to normal operations in an environment safe for all. In June, we opened Phase One of our Transformation Project as we dedicated the first phase of the F.J. Borelli Family Emergency Center. This historic event marked the beginning of a very exciting future for the provision of medical care at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Our new department has private rooms, open floor plans, a trauma center, a separate and self-contained behavioral health unit, and the latest technology in a calming environment. We have also begun work on Phase Two of the project, which should be completed the first half of 2021. This second phase will include a dedicated imaging suite, a dedicated pediatric area and additional private patient rooms. Most importantly, our state-of-the-art Emergency Center is spacious and a safe place to receive exceptional medical care.

As summer winds down, we will begin fall with optimism that advances will continue to be made in the treatment, and if necessary, prevention and/ or containment of COVID-19. We are constantly monitoring the hospital’s inpatient and outpatient populations and have implemented important steps and best practices to keep patients, visitors and staff safe should we experience a return of COVID-19.

This year, it is especially important for everyone to get a flu vaccination to help minimize illness and reduce the need for hospitalization. Flu vaccine will help protect people who are at risk of serious flu illness, such as babies and young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses. Just as wearing masks, meticulous hand hygiene, social distancing and staying home when sick will help us manage COVID-19 should it return, it will also help minimize the spread and impact of influenza.

Together, we can keep our community safe and healthy and make Rockland County the healthiest county in New York State once again!

Best regards,

Mark Geller, MD President and Chief Executive Officer

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES Patient safety is our No. 1 priority. Highland Medical has new safety precautions in place to provide safe care in every practice and location where we see and treat patients. Same-day appointments, virtual or in person, are available with our primary care physicians. Learn more: montefiorenyack.org/highland/news/safe-care.

CALL 1-866-550-HMPC. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIALTIES, VISIT

HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM.

LISTEN FOR BETTER HEALTH We’re pleased to offer two podcast series: “Health Talk” features medical advice and health news from Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s physicians, and “Sound Advice” features timely health and wellness-related topics from Highland Medical’s healthcare providers.

Both podcasts are available free of charge.

Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and other satellite radio apps, or visit each homepage for podcast access: � MONTEFIORENYACK.ORG � HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM

facebook.com/MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack @Montefiore_Nyack LinkedIn.com/MontefioreNyackHospital

2

EDITORIAL STAFF Lauren Malone, Sr. Dir. of PR and Marketing Rose Croke, Marketing Manager Briana Tolve, Marketing Manager Kristen DiBari, Marketing Coordinator Celia Vimont, Contributing Writer

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 2

8/10/20 1:35 PM

IN THIS ISSUE

fall 2020

6

4

5 WARNING SIGNS OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY Seek immediate medical care for any of these symptoms.

6

FLU VACCINE This fall, with a likely resurgence of COVID-19, a flu shot will offer added benefits.

12

14

12

8

BREAST CANCER SCREENING New safety protocols make it safer than ever to get a mammogram.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HIP REPLACEMENT When conservative treatments don’t provide relief, consider a proven surgical solution.

11

HOME CARE DURING COVID-19 A special team brings healthcare services home to patients.

14

DON’T LET STRESS IMPACT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH A psychiatrist shares expert tips for managing the stress of uncertain times.

M

THE F.J. BORELLI FAMILY EMERGENCY CENTER MARKS A NEW ERA IN MEDICAL CARE

ontefiore Nyack Hospital marked a significant milestone during our 125th anniversary year with the Phase One opening of The F.J. Borelli Family Emergency Center in June.

The F.J. Borelli Family Emergency Center provides many amenities, including all private patient rooms complete with TVs and visitor spaces; a dedicated bariatric room with a restroom and shower; a negative pressure room with private bathroom; a patient nourishment area; a new lounge for EMS professionals; a future CAT scan room; a separate behavioral health unit; and three nurses’ stations. Phase Two, scheduled for completion in early 2021, will include additional private rooms, a pediatric area and two imaging suites.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 3

3

8/10/20 1:35 PM

5

WARNING SIGNS OF A

MEDICAL EMERGENCY SEEK IMMEDIATE CARE AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

4

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 4

8/10/20 1:36 PM

W

hen you feel a sudden pain, how do you know whether to wait it out or to seek immediate medical attention?

Jeffrey S. Rabrich, DO, FACEP, FAEMS, Chairman and Medical Director of Emergency Medicine at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, says if the pain is bad enough to make you think about going to the hospital, you should go. “If you have pain and you’re not sure what’s going on, come to the Emergency Department and let us evaluate it,” he says. “We’d rather send someone home after determining it’s indigestion than have them sit at home with a heart attack or other serious problem.”

Delaying needed care often leads to worse outcomes. “The Emergency Department is safe, open and ready to care for any condition,” says Dr. Rabrich.

Below are the most common signs of pain that could signal a serious health problem.

CHEST PAIN. Heart attack pain can feel like pressure in the center of your chest, which may spread to the jaw, neck and arm. Other possible heart attack signs include pain that gets worse when you exert yourself, shortness of breath, nausea and sweatiness.

At the hospital, a person with chest pain will get an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check for problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

SUDDEN, SEVERE HEADACHE. While most headaches aren’t a sign of a severe medical problem, there’s one exception: pain that comes on suddenly, particularly after exertion, and feels like the worst headache of your life. “This could be a sign of an aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain,” Dr. Rabrich says. At the hospital, a person with a sudden, severe headache may have a CT scan or MRI.

ABDOMINAL PAIN. Common causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, gallstones (hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder), pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas) and diverticulitis (when pouches in the wall of the colon get inflamed or infected).

Appendicitis is associated with pain in the right lower section of the abdomen, and is often accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone with these symptoms should go directly to the Emergency Department, Dr. Rabrich advises. Gallstones cause pain in the right upper section of the abdomen, often after eating a fatty meal. The pain can be severe, and is often accompanied by nausea.

BACK PAIN. While most cases of back pain are caused by muscle strain, some types of back pain are a sign of a more serious problem. “Back pain associated with weakness and numbness in the arms and legs, or accompanied by fever, should be evaluated immediately,” Dr. Rabrich says. This type of back pain could be a sign of a spinal cord infection, which should be treated right away to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the spinal cord. Severe upper back pain, whether or not it’s accompanied by chest pain, could be a sign of a heart attack or an aneurysm.

LEG PAIN, WITH SWELLING. If you have leg pain along with swelling of the leg, it could be a sign of a blood clot. The pain caused by a blood clot feels more like throbbing or aching. A blood clot is diagnosed with an ultrasound. “We want to identify and treat a blood clot as quickly as possible, because an untreated clot could get larger, break off and go to the lungs, where it can cause a life-threatening problem,” he warns.

Patients should not hesitate to come to the hospital if they have health concerns about COVID-19. Montefiore Nyack Hospital is taking important steps to keep patients, visitors and staff safe. Anyone entering the hospital is asked about symptoms, including fever and cough. Everyone is given a mask, which they are expected to wear throughout their visit. Anyone who might be infected is treated in a separate area, away from other patients.

Patients undergoing surgery or who are admitted to the hospital are tested for COVID regardless of whether they have symptoms. “We’re constantly monitoring the hospital population,” says Dr. Rabrich.

To learn more about Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s Safe Care procedures and practices, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/safe-care.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 5

5

8/10/20 1:36 PM

FLU VACCINE

MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER WITH A RESURGENCE OF COVID-19 LIKELY IN THE FALL, GETTING A FLU SHOT WILL OFFER ADDED BENEFITS THIS YEAR.

E

very fall, health experts advise almost everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu vaccine. This year, with the possibility of another wave of COVID-19, that advice is more important than ever, according to Azfar Chak, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

“If a second wave of COVID coincides with flu season, it will be a double whammy,” Dr. Chak says. “One concern is that people will be seeking care from doctors and hospitals for both illnesses at the same time, which could place a serious strain on the healthcare system.

We’re also worried that some people may become infected with both viruses at once, which could be especially dangerous.”

While it’s still not known when a COVID vaccine will become available, people can start getting a flu vaccine in late September or early October. “The flu vaccine has proven time and time again to reduce the incidence of flu, and people who have been vaccinated who do get the flu generally have very mild symptoms,” Dr. Chak says.

FLU VACCINE BENEFITS According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2017-18 flu season, the flu vaccine prevented an estimated 6.2 million flu illnesses, 3.2 million flu-associated medical visits, 91,000 flu-associated

6

hospitalizations and 5,700 flu-associated deaths in the United States.

Some people, including those 65 years of age and older, are especially vulnerable to complications from the flu, and flu can make chronic health problems worse.

Flu vaccination can reduce worsening and hospitalization for flurelated chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Flu vaccines also are associated with reduced hospitalizations in people with diabetes.

It’s important to get vaccinated for the flu annually, Dr. Chak says. Flu viruses are constantly changing, so the vaccine is updated every year to protect against the viruses that research suggests may be most common during the upcoming flu season. It takes about two weeks after a person receives a vaccine for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu. That’s why it’s recommended to get the vaccine before flu season gets underway.

“Getting the flu vaccine reduces your own risk of flu, but also helps protect people around you, including people who are at risk of serious flu illness, such as babies, young children,

older adults and people with chronic illnesses,” Dr. Chak says.

PNEUMONIA VACCINE Because many people who are seriously ill with COVID also develop pneumonia, Dr. Chak recommends that anyone over 65 ask their doctor about whether they need a pneumonia vaccine.

The CDC recommends a pneumonia vaccine for all adults 65 years or older. Doctors give a single dose of this vaccine to people who need it. CDC recommends one or two additional doses for people with certain chronic medical conditions.

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 6

8/10/20 1:36 PM

“Getting the flu vaccine reduces your own risk of flu, but also helps protect people around you, including people who are at risk of serious flu illness, such as babies, young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses.”

Azfar Chak, MD Chief of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Nyack Hospital

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 7

7

8/10/20 1:36 PM

BREAST CANCER SCREENING SAVES LIVES NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS MAKE IT SAFER THAN EVER TO GET A SCREENING MAMMOGRAM.

8

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 8

8/10/20 1:36 PM

R

egular breast cancer screening is key to catching breast cancer early, while it’s easier to treat successfully. “Breast cancer screening saves lives,” says Sunny Mitchell, MD, Medical Director of The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

Women at average risk of breast cancer should start annual breast screening at age 40, Dr. Mitchell advises. You’re at average risk if you don’t have a strong family history of breast cancer (a parent, sibling or child who has had the disease), you or your family members don’t have one of the breast cancer genes (BRCA1 or 2), and you have not had a prior biopsy with high-risk findings. “Some women, such as those with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, may be

advised to start screening earlier than age 40,” she says.

Women who are screened at The Breast Center receive a 3-D mammogram, which is more effective than a 2-D mammogram in detecting earlier cancers, and decreases the need for women to get called back for additional mammography. This type of mammogram is very good for women with dense breasts, which can make

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

it harder for a radiologist reading the mammogram to see the cancer.

If a woman is found to have dense breasts on her mammogram, her doctor also may recommend ultrasound screening, which uses sound waves.

This screening provides additional information on masses or lumps in the breast. An MRI may be used in certain cases, such as for women who carry breast cancer genes or have relatives who are gene carriers.

NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS The Breast Center has implemented strict protocols to ensure that breast screenings are done safely and efficiently, with minimal staff contact, Dr. Mitchell notes.

“At the height of the pandemic,

Perform Breast Self-Exams

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Stay Active and Exercise

Eat Fruits and Veggies

Limit Alcohol Consumption

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 9

9

8/10/20 1:36 PM

40%

Since 1990, mammography has helped reduce breast cancer deaths by 40% in the U.S.

98.9%

5-year survival rate for stage I breast cancer

3.5 million BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS IN THE U.S.

1 in 8

U.S. women will have breast cancer in her lifetime

45 YEARS OLD

the age at which women should begin annual mammograms

1 in 6 75%

we held off on breast screenings for several weeks in order to minimize any unnecessary contact, since so little was known about the virus at that time,” Dr. Mitchell says. “But once it became apparent that it was safe to reopen, we did so under a very robust safety protocol for women coming in for mammograms, ultrasound and breast MRIs.” Everyone who enters The Breast Center, both patients and staff, must wear a mask at all times. When patients come in for screening, their temperature is taken. The staff at the reception desk sits behind a plastic barrier. The staff asks patients a series of questions, including whether they’ve recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 or know that they’ve been exposed, or whether they have any symptoms that might suggest they have the virus.

“We’ve also ramped up the frequency and intensity of our cleaning,” Dr. Mitchell says. “All rooms and surfaces are cleaned prior to and after every patient. As always, our equipment is thoroughly cleaned.”

Patient appointments are spaced out to decrease contact with staff and other patients. “We go out of our way to maintain the personalized level of care that we’re known for, but we also aim to optimize speed and efficiency,” she says.

The women who have come in for breast screenings tell Dr. Mitchell they’re happy with the new procedures.

“They say they feel safe and secure, and they’re happy to be able to get a mammogram, which they know is important for their health. It’s one less thing to worry about in this age of uncertainty.”

breast cancers occur in women aged 40–49

of breast cancer patients have no family history of breast cancer

10

For more information about The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, visit montefiorenyack.org/breastcenter.

To make an appointment for a screening, call 845-348-8551.

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 10

8/10/20 1:36 PM

HOME CARE DURING COVID-19 AND BEYOND A SPECIAL TEAM MAKES SURE PATIENTS WHO NEED HEALTHCARE AT HOME RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

W

hen Montefiore Nyack Hospital Home Care staff visited patients at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they noticed some patients and their families didn’t have the basics—groceries, medications or toiletries—because no one in the home was able to shop.

“In many COVID-19 cases, everyone in the house was sick, caregivers were quarantined and basic needs were not being met,” says Jean McIntyre, Director of Patient Services. “Our staff recognized these needs and provided support, sometimes including shopping for those basic items.”

Montefiore Nyack Hospital Home Care provides a range of services for patients who have illnesses or injuries. The Home Care team helps patients return to optimal health and independence in the comfort of their homes. Services provided are skilled nursing, including chest tube drainage, IV/Central Line care and diabetic instruction, physical,

occupational and speech therapy, medical social work, home health aide and wound/ ostomy consultation by a certified Wound, Ostomy Nurse.

Home Care services are generally short-term. A patient’s plan of care is established with their physician and addresses specific goals to help them get back to their normal life. “This can include medication management, creating a home exercise program, and making adjustments to a patient’s home so they can be safe and function better in their home,” says Lorraine King-Reilly, Home Care Administrator.

PROVIDING CARE THROUGHOUT THE CRISIS When the pandemic started, all Home Care staff were trained and certified in using personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff called patients before visiting to find out who in the household had COVID-19. When they visited patients, they found a place to take PPE

on and off safely outside the home. “We never stopped visits,” McIntyre says.

“We relied on phone screening and then made our visits tailored to what was going on with patients and families.”

As the Home Care program once again is largely caring for non-COVID-19 patients, the staff continues to make adjustments in line with guidance from the New York State Department of Health (DOH). “We continue to use DOH guidelines and direction from the Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Montefiore Nyack Hospital for PPE in all homes for optimal safety,” King-Reilly notes. Masks are provided to patients and family members in homes with COVID-19, and Home Care staff teach them how to wear them properly.

“We’re so proud of our staff,” says King-Reilly. ”They rose to the occasion. There was not one moment of hesitation. When our staff goes into a home, they look at the whole situation.

They implemented a new level of care.”

Montefiore Nyack Hospital Home Care is a New York State Medicare-Certified Home Health Agency and is accredited by The Joint Commission. For more information, call 845-638-8700 or visit montefiorenyack.org/home-care.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 11

11

8/10/20 1:36 PM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY WHEN CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS DON’T PROVIDE RELIEF, IT MAY BE TIME TO CONSIDER A PROVEN SURGICAL SOLUTION.

12

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 12

8/10/20 1:36 PM

T

he decision about whether hip pain is severe enough to warrant surgery is a very individual one, says Jordan Simon, MD, Director of the Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Candidates for hip replacement surgery experience chronic joint pain, most often caused by osteoarthritis.

“When a person starts having hip pain from arthritis, we first recommend conservative treatments, such as medication, physical therapy and modifying activities,” says Dr. Simon.

“If after trying these treatments someone still has pain, difficulty walking, sleeping, climbing stars or getting in and out of a chair, and an X-ray shows significant deterioration of the hip joint, then hip replacement surgery might be an option.”

feeling any pain. During the surgery, the worn-out or damaged sections of the hip are replaced with artificial implants.

The surgeon opens up the hip joint and replaces the ends of the thigh bone and hip socket with new, artificial parts made from plastic and metal that generally last between 15 and 20 years.

“Patients get out of bed the same afternoon,” Dr. Simon says. They spend a night or two in the hospital before going home, where they’ll start rehabilitation.

Many patients are able to manage their pain with over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen). If these medications don’t provide enough relief, your doctor will determine if a prescription painkiller is appropriate and will provide a schedule of how much you should take and how often.

WHAT IS HIP REPLACEMENT?

Most patients spend a week or two using a walker or cane, depending on how debilitated they were before they had the surgery. Patients generally have two weeks of physical therapy at home, and then switch over to outpatient PT.

Hip replacement surgery takes about 90 minutes. Most patients receive a spinal anesthetic, which numbs them from the waist down. The patient is able to breathe on their own without

RECOVERING FROM SURGERY

One of the most frequent questions patients ask is when they can resume driving. “When you can get in and out of the car comfortably without assistance, you can drive—usually around two weeks after surgery,” Dr. Simon says.

“Around that time, most patients say they feel much better than they did before surgery,” Dr. Simon continues.

“Almost all patients say they’re happy with their hip replacement. Often, by six months to a year, many patients can’t even remember which side they had the surgery on.”

Earlier this year, The Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hip and Knee Joint Replacement by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in disease-specific care. “It’s fairly rare for a community hospital to receive this honor,” Dr. Simon says. “Our experience and our results are comparable with top academic medical centers around the country.”

RECOVERY TIMELINE After hip replacement surgery, patients generally can:

Go for a walk within a week

Drive a car in about 2 weeks

Ride a stationary bike in 2 to 3 weeks

Take a gentle hike in 3 to 4 weeks

Swim in 3 to 4 weeks

Golf in 4 to 6 weeks

1 WEEK

2 WEEKS

2–3 WEEKS

3–4 WEEKS

3–4 WEEKS

4–6 WEEKS

For more information, visit montefiorenyack.org/joint-replacement. To schedule a consultation, call The Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital at 845-348-2663. Our staff will answer your questions and provide a list of surgeons. Location: The Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, 160 N. Midland Avenue, Nyack, New York.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

13

DON’T LET STRESS IMPACT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

14

HEALTH WORKS | FALL 2020

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 14

8/10/20 1:37 PM

A PSYCHIATRIST SHARES EXPERT TIPS FOR MANAGING THE STRESS OF UNCERTAIN TIMES.

E

veryone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to a crisis can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

However, the stress and anxiety caused by the events of this year, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, has some of the steadiest people feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Michael Levy, MD, a psychiatrist with Highland Medical, P.C., Highland Medical Psychiatry in Nyack, says there are steps you can take to reduce your distress during these challenging and uncertain times.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS YOU’RE HEARING FROM YOUR PATIENTS? Anxiety and sleep disturbances seem to be the biggest concerns. People are frightened. They have a heightened sense of danger. They’re anxious for themselves and their loved ones.

Almost everyone I speak with is having trouble sleeping.

WHAT OTHER STRESSRELATED BEHAVIORS ARE COMMON? Overeating is a big one. If you’re stuck at home or feeling stressed, you may feel there’s not a lot to do except watch TV and eat. Another is increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Eating a healthy diet can help keep your immune system strong and prevent weight gain. It’s important to follow a self-care routine that includes exercise and plenty of rest.

WHAT’S THE MOST HELPFUL THING A PERSON CAN DO TO REDUCE ANXIETY AND SLEEP PROBLEMS DURING TIMES OF UNREST AND UNCERTAINTY? It’s so important to pay attention to your health during times of crisis.

Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories, including social media. Watch something light before going to bed—a cooking show or a comedy. You don’t need to know the latest bad news right before you go to bed. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Try to eat healthy, wellbalanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you’re feeling.

WHEN SHOULD A PERSON SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR ANXIETY? If you’re feeling agitated all the time, are having severe sleep or appetite problems, and your anxiety about the virus or world events is so intrusive that it’s all you can think about, you may want to consider getting professional help. Your primary care doctor may be able to connect you with a counseling professional who can treat you remotely. People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms.

Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row, or call the Mental Health Association of Rockland’s Warm Line at 845-589-0671 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For immediate help, call the 24-hour, toll-free confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS Your children also may be struggling with stress and anxiety. Typical signs include excessive crying or irritability, sadness, unhealthy eating, poor school performance, trouble concentrating, unexplained headaches and avoidance of favorite activities.

You can help ease their fears in the following ways: • Be a resource. Talk with your child about COVID-19.

Answer questions in ways he or she can understand and discuss steps that can be taken to reduce risk of getting the virus.

• Show how you cope with stress. Be a role model. When your child sees you eating well, for instance, he or she will likely do the same. Ask your child to join you for a walk, a game of tag or a movie.

• Create a daily schedule. Set aside time for schoolwork, meals, outdoor play and snacks.

• Arrange virtual hangouts.

Encourage your child to stay connected with friends through video-calling apps, such as FaceTime, Skype and Google Hangouts.

• Restrict media exposure.

The news may worsen your child’s fears and lead to misunderstandings.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 15

15

8/10/20 1:37 PM

160 North Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960

FREE

VASCULAR SCREENINGS The Vascular Institute at Montefiore Nyack Hospital has brought the DARE to C.A.R.E. program, a FREE national vascular screening and disease management program to Rockland County.

Left untreated, vascular disease can lead to: • Stroke • Heart Disease • Aneurysm

You are eligible for a FREE SCREENING if you are: • Age 60 or over • Age 50 or over, with risk factors including: Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol • Age 40 or over, with diabetes

833-324-3278

Call to schedule your FREE vascular screening. No referral necessary.

montefiorenyack.org/vascular

Nyack_Fall20_final.indd 16

8/10/20 1:37 PM