August 2014 Health, Wellness, and Nutrition Supplement

MENTAL HEALTH & STRESS IN OUR COMMUNITY

PRESENTED BY DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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AUGUST 2014

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In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday.

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PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF Denise W. Barnes, Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director Lafayette Barnes, IV, Assistant Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor Brian Young, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Mickey Thompson, Social Sightings columnist Stacey Palmer, Social Media Specialist Angie Johnson, Circulation REPORTERS Stacy Brown, Sam P.K. Collins, Eve Ferguson, Elton Hayes, Kevin D. McNeir, Dorothy Rowley, Barrington Salmon, James Wright

PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, Roy Lewis, Nancy Shia INTERNS Roger Brown-Perryman; Capricia Galloway

Medicine for the Mind Oprah Winfrey is one of hundreds of respected opinion leaders best known for her wealth but also for her motivational and inspirational expressions. She uses words to lift you up when you are down, and strives to help you through the tough times with simple yet positive idioms such as, “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.”

It is true. The power of positive thinking works. It is more than the title of the renowned guide written by minister and author Norman Vincent Peale, whose book by the same title has encouraged generations to overcome worry, fear and negative thoughts by employing positive and spiritual techniques. Positive thinking is also made possible through religious worship, singing uplifting songs, associating with positive people and repeating daily mantras that teach you to love yourself even when the world seems to be fighting against you.

But what happens when the brain just won’t comprehend; when the mind not only says, “I won’t” but it concludes, “I can’t!”?

I know a gentleman who just turned 90 years old. All of his life, his friends and associates admired him for being young at heart. He was a dapper dresser, still is. And he’s meticulous when it comes to grooming. But just a few short months ago, he decided that he could no longer walk. The physical therapist has advised his family that there is nothing physically wrong with him, but he argues that no one – including his doctor and therapist – knows what he is capable of doing. Only he knows. He says his mind is gone and that his body is quickly catching up with it. He has made it perfectly clear to his family and health care providers, “I am just tired.”

I also knew a woman who lived a relatively good life. She was married to a supportive man; they had one child – a handsome and talented son – and she was embarking on a promising legal career.

But depression got the best of her and her physician prescribed antidepressants to manage, not cure, her psychological disorder. When faced with a divorce and the loss of her son, she spiraled deeper. Her friends who tried to intervene felt powerless in helping her to overcome her mental health battle. For a period of time she became homeless and spent many days riding Metro and evenings in the emergency rooms at hospitals across the city. It was painful to watch.

Readers of this month’s supplement, dedicated to mental health, can most likely point to dozens of friends, family members and associates, of all ages, that are facing their own mental health battles. The issue is widespread, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness which reports that one in four adults−approximately 61.5 million Americans−experiences mental illness in a given year. One in 17−about 13.6 million−live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder and that mood disorders such as depression are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults ages 18 to 44.

There is no get well quick approach to mental illness nor will mere words turn someone’s life around who has lost all sense of direction. The worse thing that can happen is to ignore the problem or perpetuate it by mislabeling it. And try not to exacerbate it by attaching a stigma to it.

Help is available, beginning with the resources provided here. Get help for those who need it, including you.

Denise Rolark Barnes Publisher

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Stress a Key Factor in Mental Health

By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Stress wreaks havoc on the mind and body.

Until now, it hasn’t been clear exactly how stress impacts health and promotes disease, but researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh said they have found that chronic psychological stress is associated with the body losing its ability to regulate the inflammatory response.

“Prolonged stress alters the effectiveness of cortisol, which regulates the inflammatory response because it decreases tissue sensitivity to the hormone,” said Sheldon Cohen, a professor of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Cortisol counts as a steroid hormone that’s activated in the body when there’s a prevalence of stress. “Inflammation is partly regulated by the cortisol and when cortisol isn’t allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control,” Cohen said.

Health officials said when it comes to stress; no group has more anxiety than African Americans.

Now, more than ever, blacks are facing a reduction in income, a lack of adequate employment, housing discrimination and other issues that can trigger mental health problems.

Also, those in African American and other minority commu-

nities are less likely to access care for mental health issues because of the stigma that surrounds depression, a lack of self-esteem and other problems, said Sophie Clark, the executive director of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in Southeast.

Researchers said major depression has been discovered to be the single largest cause of disability in the world and, despite that fact, it routinely goes unrecognized, undiagnosed and untreated.

“Mental health issues are more [common] than most people realize,” Clark said.

“The stigma surrounding mental health issues affect everyone, but it has a greater impact in communities of color.”

At least 10,000 District of Columbia residents suffer from mental health issues, according to figures obtained from NAMI. Officials said African Americans shouldn’t wait for assistance and they must also take the initiative in letting their physicians and loved ones know if they’re experiencing mental health problems.

Dr. Kisha Davis, director of community outreach for the Casey Health Institute, an integrative medicine center in Gaithersburg, Maryland, said blacks tend to rely on family, religious and social communities for emotional support rather than turning to health care professionals.

“The care providers they seek may not be aware of an important aspect of the person’s life,”

Davis said.

In a study produced in July by the medical journal, General Hospital Psychiatry, researchers found that blacks with depression and another chronic medical condition, often don’t receive the proper mental health treatment.

Those who do seek treatment for depression are likely to receive medications from a primary care provider and are less likely to get care from specialized mental health providers, said the study authors at Carnegie Mellon.

Consequently, those patients rarely receive the standard mental health care that’s recommended in the guidelines provided by the American Psychiatric Association.

“People who have depression are more likely to develop other diseases and vice versa,” said Amma A. Agvemang, one of the study’s authors.

“We found depression treatment below par for minorities, even those with co-morbid diabetes or hypertension. Having a mental illness makes both more complex to treat, and the rate of obtaining depression treatment remains low for this population,” Agvemang said.

Health care experts also remain adamant that many of the problems associated with mental illness can be traced to stress.

Regardless of race or background, all would do well to avoid stress.

“The immune system’s ability

Major depression has been discovered to be the single largest cause of disability in the world, despite that fact, it routinely goes unrecognized, undiagnosed and untreated. /Photo courtesy of BET

to regulate inflammation predicts who will develop a cold, but more importantly it provides an explanation of how stress can promote disease,” Cohen said.

“When under stress, cells of the immune system are unable to respond to hormonal control, and

consequently, produce levels of inflammation that promote disease. Knowing this is important for identifying which diseases may be influenced by stress and for preventing disease in chronically stressed people.”WI

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There is Power in the Breath™ Health officials agree when it comes to stress; no group has more anxiety than African Americans. /Photo courtesy of BET

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Against the Odds:

Bright Futures for Pregnant Teens Submitted by AmeriHealth District of Columbia Being a teen is not always easy. Being a pregnant teen adds new worries, changes and challenges. Pregnant teens have more on their minds and more health risks than teens that are not pregnant. It can be scary.

During and after pregnancy, it can be hard to finish school or find a job. But there are ways to help beat the odds. Pregnant teens have the power to have a healthy baby and make a bright future for themselves and their children.

Prenatal Care Many teens try to hide their pregnancy until they begin showing. But hiding a pregnancy is not safe. Teens hiding a pregnancy may not get the prenatal (pre-nay-tol) care they need. It’s very important to get prenatal care during the first trimester (try-mess-ter). Since pregnancies can last 40 weeks, a trimester is 13 weeks long.

So, before women are 13 weeks pregnant, they need to see their doctors. Their primary care provider (PCP) may suggest seeing a midwife or an OB/ GYN for prenatal care.

“Getting care early is the best thing pregnant teens can do to care for themselves and their babies,” says Dr. Mark Fracasso, AmeriHealth DC medical director. “Prenatal care

is so important. Prenatal visits to the doctor should begin as soon as the teen thinks she is pregnant.”

At the first prenatal visit, a doctor will test for health concerns. There will also be a lot of questions. Some questions may different from a usual well visit or make the teen feel uneasy. It is important to be honest with the doctor. PCPs may ask about abuse, drinking, and drug use. Being honest will help the doctor make the right decisions for the pregnant teen and baby. Teens and their caregivers should use this visit to ask questions.

Prenatal care should start as soon as the teen knows she is pregnant. It’s important to keep all appointments. This can help avoid health problems.

Staying Healthy for the Baby During pregnancy, a woman’s health should be the number 1 concern. Healthy moms mean healthy babies. That’s because the mom’s health can directly affect the child. Staying healthy will lower the risk for birth problems and infant mortality (more-ta-li-tee, this means death or sickness). Along with prenatal appointments, here are some ways pregnant women can keep their babies healthy: Ta k e p r e n a t a l v i t a m i n s .

Prenatal vitamins have more folic acid (fo-lick as-id) and iron than most other vitamins.

How often a pregnant woman should get prenatal care 0–28 weeks Once a month 28–36 weeks Every 2 weeks 36 weeks – birth Every week

Folic acid helps protect the baby’s brain and spinal cord.

Iron supports growth and development. Take prenatal vitamins as directed.

Maintain a healthy weight.

A healthy diet is important to pregnant teens and their babies.

Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables throughout pregnancy. Pregnant teens are eating for two, but that doesn’t mean to eat double.

It means to eat healthy for the baby, and to get enough vitamins and nutrients to help the baby grow. Most pregnant women only need to eat 200 more calories a day. That is equal to a couple servings of fruit or a piece of whole grain toast with low fat peanut butter.

Those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 are at a higher risk for problems during pregnancy. Pregnant teens should keep a healthy weight. A doctor will be able to give them tips if they are overweight or underweight.

Don’t drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This may cause birth defects, mental and learning disorders, vision damage and behavioral problems. FASD is preventable if pregnant women don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy. Even a little bit of alcohol can harm a baby.

Don’t smoke. Smoking during pregnancy can be very bad for the baby. Just being around smoke is harmful. It limits the baby’s oxygen and speeds up the baby’s heart rate.

Smoking can cause low birth weight, birth defects and even loss of the baby. After birth, first- and second-hand smoke can increase the risk of many harmful diseases including asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It’s never too late to quit. Call 1-800-QuitNow for help.

Only take prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs if the doctor says it is okay. Medicines pregnant teens took before they were pregnant may hurt the baby. Pregnant women should talk to their doctors before taking any medicines while pregnant.

Practice safe sex. Pregnant women can still get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if they have unprotected sex.

If they have an STD or get one while pregnant, it can be passed to their babies. Safe sex is important for everyone – pregnant or not.

Get a Bright Start.

AmeriHealth DC’s Bright Start® program helps momsto-be make healthy choices and control risk factors during pregnancy. Bright Start is free for AmeriHealth DC members.

The Bright Start program can

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be reached at 1-877-759-6883.

Staying Educated Pregnant teens deserve all the good things that come with getting an education — and so do their children. It can be hard for teens to focus on school when they are pregnant.

Many pregnant teens drop out of school. And it can be hard to go back after the child is born. But continuing education is important. It is very hard to find a job without a high school diploma or GED. Teens that drop out of school make less money over their lifetime.

And children of parents who do not finish high school are more likely to not graduate themselves. “People who don’t have a high school diploma are more likely to have poor health” says Dr. Fracasso. Finishing high school can better the future for pregnant teens and their babies.

It may be hard to return to school, but there are many resources to help make it easier to go back. Support from family and friends can help. Family and friends may be able to babysit so the teenager can have time to focus on his or her studies.

A teen’s support group can be great motivation and a major factor in continuing his or her education. Finishing school can

See ODDS on Page 5

ODDS continued from Page 4 make a positive difference for teen and her family’s health, job prospects and income.

Finding Support Graduating is just one of many challenges pregnant teens face. Their bodies are changing and they may feel extra sensitive or stressed. Too much stress can cause trouble sleeping, headaches and other issues. It can be overwhelming at times. But there are steps to help them get through it.

Eating well and trying to relax can help. It’s also important to find emotional support.

Teens need to have someone they trust to talk to. That person can be a close family member, friend or health care professional. The teen’s doctor should know about different resources in the community.

Support can also come from church or a local group.

AmeriHealth DC members can also take advantage of their care management team. The team will walk members through their pregnancy, provide oneon-one help and assist members with understanding their medicines.

Support for the Fathers It’s important to be supportive of new fathers too. This includes support during the pregnancy and after the baby arrives. We know that a father’s involvement can have a positive impact on the baby. Teen dads might need extra guidance on how to be an involved parent.

Here are some ways to support fathers before the baby is born: • Talk about the pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a learning experience for both m o t h e r a n d f a t h e r.

There are a lot of ups and downs. Open communication can help.

• Encourage him to go to prenatal appointments.

Seeing the ultrasound pictures is an amazing experience. At each appointment, the father can see his baby grow and develop.

• Include him in activities with the baby’s mother.

Invite him to the baby shower. Help the parentsto-be find childbirth or parenting classes they can go to together.

•

Urge him to be in the delivery room for the birth. Childbirth is a lifechanging experience that both parents can share.

Here are some ways the father can bond with the baby after the birth. These will support the mom, too.

• Hug, hold and play with the baby. Physical and emotional care benefits the baby. But be gentle!

Newborns are fragile and are still developing.

• Help clean and change t h e b a b y. I t d o e s n ’t sound fun, but this is an important job of being a father. Keeping the baby clean and changing diapers is important. It will help keep the baby from getting sick.

• Buy important things for the baby. Babies can be expensive. The baby will need diapers, clothes and food. Helping with the basics is important.

• Read to the baby. Babies’ brains are like sponges.

Use the local library for free check-outs.

“Many teens try to hide their pregnancy until they begin showing. But hiding a pregnancy is not safe.”

Pipeline to Prevention AmeriHealth DC has partnered with DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (DC Campaign) and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for Pipeline to Prevention, a program that will train D.C. parents to help their teenagers make a decision about the best time to get pregnant.

DC Campaign helps educate teenagers and parents across the District. “Pipeline to Prevention is bridging the gap in health and sex education,” says Dr. Fracasso. “An OB/GYN will be there to start the conversation and answer questions. This hands-on approach will help dismiss myths and give up-todate information about different birth control methods.” This program offers parents and teenagers the tools they need to help avoid teen pregnancy.

For more information, training and workshops, visit www. dccampaign.org.

Sources: Child Trends, March of Dimes, Mayo Clinic and Scientific American HS All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-5

Reducing Stress through Diet, Exercise Adequate Rest is also Essential to Improved Physical Health

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer Americans today can expect to live longer than their parents and their grandparents due to new breakthroughs in medicine and technology.

But in order to avoid life-threatening conditions that include diabetes, obesity and certain forms of cancer, all of which can shorten one’s life or have detrimental effects, a proper diet, exercise and plenty of sleep must be part of everyone’s daily routine.

“The three-pronged approach to physical fitness is a quality workout [exercise], optimum nutrition and adequate rest,” said John Young, a New York City resident and fitness trainer certified by the Aerobics Fitness Association of America [AFAA] and the American Council on Exercise [ACE].

“The daily allowance of sleep for the average [person] is between eight and 10 hours per

night – most people don’t even come close. If you’re not eating right, exercising and resting, it’s certain that you will feel more irritable, fatigued and find it more difficult to focus even on simple tasks,” said Young, 52.

With more gyms and fitness centers popping up across the country, one would expect that Americans would be healthier.

But sometimes it takes a little education in order to know what workout plan is best for you.

One Howard University graduate, who attended college on a track scholarship, said he decided to make exercise a lifelong commitment. And in order to learn more about nutrition and health, he began to use the Internet to gather information and to share it with others.

“I teamed up with several certified trainers and nutritionists who were knowledgeable about exercise which makes you feel better, eating balanced meals that increase your energy and doing simple things to add

years to your life – like walking and drinking plenty of water,” said Sydney “Flex” Porter, a resident of Los Angeles, California.

“Many people skip breakfast because they’re in a hurry but because it replenishes your body after a night’s rest, it’s the most important meal of the day,” said Porter, 52, whose Facebook page, bodyboyzunited, has more than 20,000 members exchanging information on health and nutrition.

One certified trainer from Suitland, Maryland, said exercise does wonders for relieving stress.

“Personal trainers are required to learn the fundamentals of human anatomy and nutrition and I know that when you exercise regularly, you are helping your body to prevent disease and lowering the need for medication,” said Steven Plater, 29.

“In terms of diet, blacks tend to eat what their parents [enjoyed]: fried foods, collard greens, milk, butter and high levels of sugar.

I chose to begin eating differently and it wasn’t hard to adopt a healthier diet,” said Plater, an ACE certified trainer.

One former vegetarian who has since become a vegan said the way we eat not only reduces stress but also keeps the number of visits to the doctor at a minimum.

“As a vegan I follow a plantbased nutrition program and eat as much raw and organic foods as possible,” said Jarid Manos, an AFAA certified trainer. “We all have stress in our lives so it makes sense to watch what you eat so that the immune and digestive systems are stronger. I feel more unbreakable and that has transcended to spiritual health as well,” said Manos, 40, who currently commutes between Miami and Houston.

Glenn Miller, who calls himself a health freak, said watching his older brother and Navy veteran workout, prompted him to develop his own routine.

“I wake up every morning

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Sydney “Flex” Porter, a former track standout at Howard University, has made exercise and nutrition a lifelong mission. /Photo courtesy of Tommy Wu

with great energy and I believe it comes from exercising and eating the right kinds of food,” said Miller, 28. “We may be living longer but I wanted to live longer and really enjoy life. Lifting weights and revising my diet have eliminated stress and given me energy that I never knew was possible,” said the Little Rock, Arkansas resident. HS

...because I keep my prenatal appointments.

My name is Brittney and I’m 6 months pregnant. I keep all my prenatal appointments to help make sure I have a healthy pregnancy. When I’m healthy, my baby is healthy!

AmeriHealth District of Columbia supports healthy lifestyles and pregnant women like Brittney who get prenatal care to help make sure they have healthy babies.

Here are some ways you can care for your baby: • Eat healthy

• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol

• See your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant

• Talk to your doctor about the medicines you should avoid

To see the I am healthySM series and get more tips on ways to stay healthy, visit www.amerihealthdc.com/iamhealthy.

This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-7

5400-ACDC-1422-06 2014 ADC Ad Campaign_Washington Informer_Full Page.indd 13

7/31/14 4:45 PM

MAKING THE CONNECTION: Unity Health Care Outreach and Enrollment Specialists “Assisters” Connect Our Community with Health Care and Hope!

Submitted by Unity Health Care On the anniversary of Emancipation Day in 1985, Unity Health Care (then named Health Care for the Homeless Project) saw their first patients. One of whom was Mr. McCleod, a relative of Mary McCleod Bethune, the founder of the National Organization of Negro Women and an advisor to four presidents on African American issues. This powerful symbolism is never felt more deeply than

now. Unity Health Care’s staff of Outreach Enrollment Specialists “Assisters” advise, guide and ultimately enroll patients into health insurance - putting into practice the law legislated by our country’s first African American President.

Recently, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation published a Survey of Health Insurance Marketplace Assister Programs documenting that “. . . programs sponsored by federal health centers funded by grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration

(HRSA) together account for . . . more than 60% of people who received help.” Further, the report mentioned, “Many consumers in search of health insurance sought a more human touch to find their way through the enrollment process.” This community need was also recognized by the team at Unity Health Care leading to the development of their Assisters Program.

On the front lines in the effort in D.C. is Jorhan Santana an Assister at Unity Health Care’s Upper Cardozo Health Center

UNITY HEALTH CARE’S DC HEALTH LINK WHAT IS “OBAMACARE”?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (known as Obamacare) requires that nearly all Americans have health insurance by January 1, 2014.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE THROUGH THE DC HEALTH EXCHANGE? Qualified residents are American citizens or permanent residents who earn above 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

WHAT IS DC HEALTH LINK ?

It is the District’s Health Insurance Exchange which allows eligible individuals, families and small businesses to purchase low-cost health insurance.

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Online:

http://www.dchealthlink.com

By phone:

1-855-532-5465

By email:

DCHealthlink@unityhealthcare.org

SIGN UP TODAY!!

To schedule an appointment at a Unity Health Center please call us at 202-469-4699

Unity Health Care Outreach and Enrollment Specialist “Assister” (Jorhan Santana) answers questions from newly insured client (Jubinca Martinez).

since November 2012. With open enrollment ending, Jorhan sees fewer clients but now has the chance to personally address each consumer’s questions and concerns. In fact, according to the Kaiser Survey, ninety percent (90%) of Assister Programs have already been re-contacted by consumers with post-enrollment questions. Jorhan says, “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I am providing access to care which makes health care a human right rather than a luxury only for those who can afford it.”

One of Jorhan’s clients, Jubinca Martinez, could not agree more! Jubinca was born in Silver Spring, Maryland but when life in the United States became too much of a challenge, her mother moved the family back to El Salvador. Jubinca moved back to the U.S. on her own ten years ago, when she was only 16 years old. She is now expecting her first baby and credits Jorhan for doing a “great job” getting her connected to health insurance during a frightening time in her pregnancy. Recently, Jubinca came to Unity Health Care’s Upper Cardozo Health Centers as a walk-in patient. At eight months into her pregnancy, her baby had stopped moving. Jubinca was immediately directed to a local emergency room where she underwent testing which showed that the baby’s lack of movement was the result of allergy medication she had taken. Jubinca was grateful to have insurance THEN, which calmed her fears and allowed her to make sure her baby was doing well; and she is grateful to have insurance NOW, for pre-natal appointments that keep her and her baby healthy!

The Kaiser Survey revealed further that Assister Programs (such as the one at Unity Health

HS-8 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Care) will play a key role in insurance enrollment growth in 2015 and the public’s limited understanding of the Affordable Care Act may become a more pronounced issue of concern. To address this concern, both the quality and character of those in the role of Assisters will become of vital importance in the coming year. This sentiment is shared by Ramona Griffith, born and raised in Washington, DC, and an Assister at Unity Health Care since September 2013.

“The program could use more of us,” says Ramona, “We need more people who can “walk in the shoes” of those we serve. I love knowing that I helped to keep someone healthy for another day.” HS According to Vincent Keane, President and CEO of Unity Health Care, “The twin purpose of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to lower health care costs, and to improve health outcomes. A critical step in achieving these two goals is to provide health insurance to as many people as possible, either through public programs such as Medicaid, or through private insurance under the Health Insurance Exchanges (HIX). The District of Columbia has been on the forefront by conducting aggressive outreach and enrollment efforts to all District residents. Unity Health Care is a proud partner with the District in an effort to maximize coverage for all uninsured residents. Through a grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Unity has been able to hire five (5) Assisters to conduct these outreach efforts, they have been phenomenally successful in their work, in the first six (6) months they have enabled over 1,407 patients to be enrolled in either Medicaid, or private insurance. We look forward to even greater success in the future”.

CONGRESS HEIGHTS HEALTH CENTER IS RELOCATING OUR SERVICES! CONGRESS HEIGHTS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WILL BE MOVING TO THE UNITY HEALTH CARE SITES LISTED BELOW !!

UNITY HEALTH CARE’S ANACOSTIA HEALTH CENTER 1500 Galen St., SE HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY - FRIDAY (8:15 AM TO 8:00 PM) SATURDAY (8:00 AM TO 12:00 NOON) UNITY HEALTH CARE’S STANTON ROAD HEALTH CENTER 3240 Stanton Road, SE CURRENT HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY - FRIDAY (8:15 AM TO 4:45 PM) EXTENDED HOURS OF OPERATION (STARTING SOON): MONDAY - FRIDAY (7:15 AM TO 7:30 PM) SATURDAYS (8:00 AM TO 12:00 NOON)

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL US AT

(202) 469-4699

STAY CONNECTED TO UNITY’S

OR VISIT WWW.UNITYHEALTHCARE.ORG

QUALITY AND COMPASSIONATE

CARE!

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, AmeriHealth, MedStar Family Choice, Trusted Health Plan and private insurance.

For additional health care options, please visit www.unityhealthcare.org or the Department of Health’s online map at http://doh.dc.gov/DCHealthSearch.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-9

Sound the Alarm: Hazardous Homes in the District of Columbia

By John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging According to the Mayo Clinic, “hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them.”

Hoarding is referred to as compulsive hoarding syndrome and may be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Individuals who hoard do not perceive that they have a problem with collecting unnecessary items; therefore, loved ones intervening experience challenges of trying to clean their homes.

Visit our Senior Wellness Centers

Ward 1 Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center 3531 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 727-0338

Let me clarify, a hoarder differs from a collector. A collector is a person who accumulates items, such as model trains and stamps, and deliberately searches for specific collector items of value and proudly displays them.

A hoarder’s home is cluttered with random items such as newspapers, magazines, junk mail, greeting cards and other items stacked on the countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, floors, tables, chairs, and other furniture. A hoarder’s rationale for keeping all of these items is because it is of value and may be useful in the future. A hoarder

OFFICE HOURS MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 9 AM TO 5 PM

CONNECT WITH US 500 K STREET, NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20002 PHONE: (202) 724-5622 FAX: (202) 724-4979 TTY: (202) 724-8925 ALTERNATE NUMBER: (202) 724-5626 EMAIL:DCOA@DC.GOV also has difficulty with organizing items and may move items from one stack to another, but refuses to discard any items.

Such individuals have excessive attachment to possessions and are uncomfortable when others

Information Technology TODAY! Solutions REGISTER D.C. OFFICE ON AGING IS OFFERING FREE FALLS RISK ASSESSMENTS 

Through the D.C. Office on Aging’s new Falls Prevention initiative, the agency will dispatch an Occupational Therapist to a senior’s home to conduct a falls assessment.

Ward 4 Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center 324 Kennedy Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 291-6170 Ward 5 Model Cities Senior Wellness Center 1901 Evarts Street, NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 635-1900 Ward 6 Hayes Senior Wellness Center 500 K Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 727-0357 Ward 7 Washington Seniors Wellness Center 3001 Alabama Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 581-9355 Ward 8 Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center 3500 MLK Jr. Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20032 (202) 563-7725

touch or borrow their belongings.

In a study conducted by researchers Steketee, Frost, and Kim (2001), clutter significantly prevented many seniors from functioning effectively at home.

For example, hoarders were unable to sleep in their beds because their beds were covered with random items; therefore, they slept in a chair or couch.

In some cases, some seniors had so much clutter in their homes that they were climbing over these items just to get to another room. This is very dangerous as seniors could fall and break a hip or arm while climbing over these items. Beyond clutter posing a fall hazard, it is also a fire hazard. Many collected items such as newspapers, magazines, and junk mail could quickly fuel a fire and can make it very difficult for the seniors to safely

exit the home and for firefighters to enter the home to extinguish the fire. Lastly, those who hoard are reluctant to allow people into their homes, which could lead to increased social isolation.

If you know of someone who is a hoarder, I encourage you to talk with a doctor as soon as possible. This is an opportunity for a medical professional to intervene and assist the senior with coping with compulsive hoarding syndrome. I also encourage you to contact the D.C. Office on Aging to learn about available resources for assisting seniors with organizing their homes into a safe and productive environment. For more information, call 202-724-5626 or visit our website at www.dcoa. dc.gov. HS

8 SIGNS OF COMPULSIVE HOARDING • DIFFICULTY GETTING RID OF ITEMS 

Did you know that for adults 65 years or older statistics show that 60 percent of fatal falls happen at home, 30 percent in public places and 10 percent in health care institutions?

• A LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER IN THE OFFICE, AT HOME, IN THE CAR, OR IN OTHER SPACES (I.E. STORAGE UNITS) THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO USE FURNITURE OR APPLIANCES OR MOVE AROUND EASILY • LOSING IMPORTANT ITEMS LIKE MONEY OR BILLS IN THE CLUTTER • FEELING OVERWHELMED BY THE VOLUME OF POSSESSIONS THAT HAVE ‘TAKEN OVER’ THE HOUSE OR WORKSPACE

CALL OUR OFFICE TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE FALLS ASSESSMENT For more information on this program and how you can schedule a falls prevention assessment, please call 202-724-5626 or visit us at www.dcoa.dc.gov.

• BEING UNABLE TO STOP TAKING FREE ITEMS, SUCH AS ADVERTISING FLYERS OR SUGAR PACKETS FROM RESTAURANTS • BUYING THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE A “BARGAIN” OR TO “STOCK UP” • NOT INVITING FAMILY OR FRIENDS INTO THE HOME DUE TO SHAME OR EMBARRASSMENT • REFUSING TO LET PEOPLE INTO THE HOME TO MAKE REPAIRS SOURCE: OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE FOUNDATION (WWW.OCFOUNDATION.ORG)

HS-10 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Men Should Make Their Health a Priority

By John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are 5%10% more likely to have heart disease and be morbidly obese as compared to women. Men with such chronic diseases must closely monitor their health and make a concerted effort to change their lifestyles to prevent further health complications. Unfortunately, the failure to make these changes could lead to greater chances of hospitalizations, premature nursing home admissions, and even death. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), men have a higher death rate for the following diseases: heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, pneumonia/flu, and HIV infection.

Consequently, the staggering death statistics result in a shorter life expectancy for men as compared to women.

CDC reports that black males have a life expectancy of 71.4 years compared to 77.7 years for black females; white males have a life expectancy of 76.4 years compared to 81.1 years for white females; and Hispanic males have a life expectancy of 78.5 years

compared to 83.8 years for Hispanic females. According to the Men’s Health Network, the gap of life expectancy between men and women is resulting in more women experiencing poverty.

Poverty among widowed women stems from the loss of the husband’s income after death, expenses involving the care of the husband, and funeral expenses. Men’s Health Network reports that widowed women are 3 to 4 times more likely to live in poverty compared to married women of the same age. In another statistic, the U.S. Administration on Aging reports that over one-half of elderly widows now living in poverty were not poor before the deaths of their husband.

In viewing the startling statistics, I hope that you are motivated in joining me to make positive changes in the District. It will take a village of committed family members to ensure that our men are making every effort to get their annual checkups, to see their doctors when they experience physical abnormalities, to eat healthy, and to adopt active lifestyles including physical fitness. The government offers support to ensure access to quality resources that help the District’s men. For example, through the Affordable Care Act, men on Medicare can receive their free annual

71.4 LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR BLACK MALES COMPARED TO 77.7 YEARS FOR BLACK FEMALES. 76.4 LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR WHITE MALES, COMPARED TO 81.1 YEARS FOR WHITE FEMALES. 78.5 LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR HISPANIC MALES COMPARED TO 83.3 YEARS FOR HISPANIC FEMALES. SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)

wellness visits, as well as preventive screenings for a number of chronic diseases. Let me also add that men 60 years of age and older can take advantage of the District’s six senior wellness centers, which

offer free health and wellness programs such as chair aerobics, Tai Chi, hand dancing, strength training exercises, nutritional counseling, nutritious meals, social engagement, and educational offerings, among

other activities.

Men, I hope to see you at one of our six senior wellness centers! Please call us at 202-724-5626 if you need information about the senior wellness centers. HS

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Eligible seniors receive 30 lbs of free, healthy groceries each month! In summer seniors also receive produce vouchers redeemable at participating farmers markets.

To qualify you must be income eligible

· a DC resident · age 60+

To register you must bring one or two official documents showing current

income · address · age

To learn more about the program or to enroll, call (202) 644-9880.

Sites are located throughout the city. We will find one that is convenient for you.

You may also register at centers located in Southeast DC. Please remember to bring the required documents. The centers are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm.

East Capitol Street 5601 East Capitol Street SE Washington, DC 20019 (202) 645-6087

Congress Heights 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC 20032 (202) 715-7695

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Together we can solve hunger

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-11

‘The Silent Scourge’ Officials Say Alzheimer’s, Dementia Prevalent in Blacks

By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Frances Jennings insisted on answering the telephone on July 29.

The 84-year-old Southeast widow and grandmother of 11 couldn’t help but wonder whether the phone call meant she’d receive another unexpected congratulatory message.

“Are you calling to say happy birthday, too? I’m pleased,” said Jennings, who lives with her daughter, Wanda Monroe, a retired licensed practical nurse.

Monroe said her mother had already been surprised when several of her children, grandchil-

dren and friends stopped by to acknowledge her birthday.

“She just couldn’t remember that it was her birthday,” said Monroe, 60. “It’s only some of what Alzheimer’s has stolen from her.”

Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia, counts as a scourge that grows in public awareness as the population ages and more people suffer from its debilitating effects.

More than 5 million people in America currently live with Alzheimer’s disease and approximately 44 million worldwide have dementia, said officials from the Alzheimer’s Association in Frederick, Maryland.

Blacks have a higher rate of vascular dementia than whites and, what alarms health officials is the fact that screening and assessment tools and clinical trials aren’t designed to address the unique presentation of Alzheimer’s disease in blacks. /Courtesy Photo

Officials said they expect those numbers to skyrocket by the middle of the century to as many as 16 million and 135 million, respectively.

Also, health experts said Alzheimer’s disease affects African Americans the most, with esti-

mates ranging from 14 percent to nearly 100 percent higher than the disease’s prevalence among whites.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a silent epidemic that has slowly invaded the black community before most of us were even aware of its symptoms and its impact,” Orien Reid, chair of the board of directors at the Alzheimer’s Association, said in a previous interview.

“Now, the epidemic has reached crisis proportions. We must mobilize all of the resources we can find to get it under control before it overwhelms us,” Reid said.

At $214 billion, Alzheimer’s remain the most expensive mental health condition in the United States. The cost will also increase to more than $1.2 trillion by 2050 unless health officials find a way to prevent, treat or delay the disease in the very near future.

“Accelerating research is one of the five goals in our strategic plan. As a leader in the global fight for a world without Alzheimer’s, we have been involved in every major advancement in Alzheimer’s and related dementia research since the 1980s,” said Susan Kudla Finn, the president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Capital Area Chapter. “We are the experts leading the fight to end Alzheimer’s, a disease that remains one of the most critical public health issues in America. Advancing public policy, another of our goals, is vital to our quest of making Alzheimer’s a national priority.”

Health officials define dementia as a term for anything that can cause issues with brain functions such as confusion, memory loss, or loss of problem solving ability.

HS-12 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Alzheimer’s disease is a silent epidemic that has slowly invaded the black community before most of us were even aware of its symptoms and its impact.

– Orien Reid Chairman of the Board Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org

While Alzheimer’s disease stands as the most common form of dementia in older persons, there are many more varieties, including Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, or frontal lobe dementia, said officials at the Home Instead Senior Care, a network of facilities headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, that provide support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“It’s important to know the type of dementia being diagnosed because different dementias have different characteristics, and family members need to know what to expect,” said

See ALZHEIMERS on Page 5

ALZHEIMERS continued from Page4 David Troxel, a dementia expert who worked with Home Instead Senior Care to develop its “Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Training Programs.”

Troxel said individuals with frontal lobe dementia, for example, often undergo profound personality changes and can get very dis-inhibited and outrageous. Those with Lewy body dementia may have profound visual hallucinations, including talking to “little people” in the room or seeing animals that are not really present.

“It can be very helpful and reassuring for families to know that a particular behavior is part of the disease process, not just bad behavior,” Troxel said.

Also, different dementias may require different medicines.

Individuals with pure frontal lobe dementia often don’t do well on the typical memory medications like Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne, but they may respond to an antidepressant, said Troxel, who added that those with Lewy body dementia appear very sensitive to mood-altering medications like anti-psychotics.

For African Americans, officials at the Alzheimer’s Association said vascular disease may be a particularly powerful factor in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s among blacks.

“For my mom, it started out with small things. She’d forget where she had put bills, or she would misplace money,” Monroe said. “Sometimes all of us forget, so you don’t think too much of it at first. But, as it turns out, we were all in denial because my mom had declined gradually until we realized that she couldn’t take care of herself alone.”

Monroe said Jennings had a history of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol tends to run in her family. Alzheimer’s Association officials said studies have indicated that those with such a history have been found twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease.

Those with both risk factors are four times as likely to have dementia.

Also, 65 percent of blacks who receive Medicare benefits reportedly have hypertension, compared to 51 percent of white beneficiaries.

Blacks are also at higher risk of stroke and a 60 percent higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, a con

Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia, considered a scourge among Americans continues to gain the attention of the public as the population ages and more individuals suffer from its debilitating effects. /Courtesy Photo

dition that contributes directly to vascular disease, health officials said.

Further, African Americans have a higher rate of vascular dementia than whites and, alarmingly, health officials said screening and assessment tools and clinical trials are not designed to address the unique presentation of Alzheimer’s disease in blacks.

They said while African Americans who are evaluated have a much higher rate of false-positive results, there’s substantial evidence of underreporting of dementia among blacks. In other words, when blacks report experiencing dementia, they’re routinely misdiagnosed.

As a matter of public policy, Congress should sufficiently fund research at a level commensurate to its growing threat, said Francis Collins, the director at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

“I think we are not at the moment limited by ideas. We’re not limited by scientific opportunities, we’re not limited by talent,” said Collins, who noted that funding for Alzheimer’s research has been, at minimum, poor and that just one out of every six scientists with a promising research idea will actually receive money for it.

“Unfortunately, we’re limited by resources to move this enterprise forward at the pace that it could take,” he said. HS

Exceptional Care by Exceptional People.

Our Patients Come First...

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Our Emergency Department (or “ER”) is opened 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and is continuously staffed by highly trained physicians who have extensive training and experience in emergency medicine. Our dedicated staff of providers cares for over 53,000 patients annually.

Our ED is divided into two sections The Emergency Department Core and the Fast Track to care for patients with both major and minor medical conditions and emergencies.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CORE In UMC’s Emergency Department Core, our skillful physicians, nurses, and technicians are trained to care for patients with major medical conditions including cardiac diseases, stroke, respiratory distress, trauma, diabetes and other acute life-threatening illnesses. Should patients require higher levels of care or further trauma care, patients are stabilized first and then transferred to one of our affiliated major medical centers. Our staff will coordinate the transfer with the receiving hospital.

FAST TRACK In Fast Track, emergency medicine providers will treat a patient’s minor illnesses and injuries. Our Fast Track, like our emergency department, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days yearly.

LIST OF HOSPITAL SERVICES » Cancer Screening » Cardiology » Diabetes » Emergency Medicine » Family Practice » GI » Infectious Disease » Intensive Care » Internal Medicine » Interventional Radiology

» Minimally Invasive Vascular Surgery » Neurology » Obstetrics-Gynecology » Orthopedics » Pathology » Plastic Surgery » Psychiatric Services for Adults » Pulmonology

» Radiology » Rehabilitation Services » Renal Dialysis » Rheumatology » Skilled Nursing » Surgery » Telemetry » Urology » Wound Care

PRIMARY CARE CENTER At the UMC Primary Care Center, we want to be your first choice “your lifelong home” for all of your health care. Our staff of board-certified doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses can take care of all of your medical, prevention, and wellness needs: » Physical exams such as regular check-ups, annual physicals, and sports and camp physicals » Pediatrics and Well-baby » Women’s Health, including Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) and breast health » Acute conditions such as flu, strep throat, gastrointestinal upset, sinus conditions, seasonal allergies, etc.. » Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension or high cholesterol, including diagnosis, treatment and on-going disease management » Laboratory Services and Testing

General Hours of Operation Monday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Our Location United Medical Center Medical Office Building (next to the hospital) 1328 Southern Ave, SE, Suite 302 Washington, DC 20032 For specific hours of operation for each department or to schedule an appointment, please call (202) 574-6141.

Not-For-Profit Hospital Corporation | 1310 Southern Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20032 P 202.574.6000 | www.united-medicalcenter.com

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-13

Types of ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE • Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most well-known and common type of dementia with symptoms including memory loss, confusion, difficulty communicating, anxiousness and paranoia.

The mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease aren’t well understood and there are competing hypothesis, but the most distinguishing feature of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. It’s widely believed that these brain changes are behind the disease.

• There are many therapies, both pharmaceutical and non-chemical which can temporarily increase functioning and improve the spirits of the person with Alzheimer’s disease, but no treatment has proven to be effective.

Officials at the Alzheimer’s Association in Frederick, Maryland, said at this time there’s no treatment to cure, delay or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

• The U.S. government has made Alzheimer’s research a top priority and set the optimistic goal of finding a cure by 2025. Vigorous research continues and numerous possible treatments are being investigated.

• Vascular dementia is also known as multi-infarct dementia or “post-stroke dementia” and is the second most common cause of dementia with symptoms that include memory loss, impaired judgment, decreased ability to plan and the loss of motivation.

• Vascular dementia can cause bleeding within the brain which leads to stroke, a cause of brain damage.

• Vascular dementia cannot be cured, but people who have the ailment are treated to prevent further brain injury from the underlying cause of the ailment. Like Alzheimer’s disease, numerous medications and therapies may be used to help manage the symptoms.

• Lewy body dementia is the third most common cause of dementia, and is also called “cortical Lewy body disease” or “diffuse Lewy body

• •

•

•

disease.” The primary symptoms include sleep problems, memory loss, hallucinations, and frequent swings in alertness.

Lewy body contains abnormal proteins that somehow appear in nerve cells and impair functioning within the brain, which causes this type of dementia.

There is no known treatment to reverse Lewy body dementia or address its underlying cellular cause, but as with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, a wide array of therapies and treatment are used to improve the patient’s quality of life and temporarily alleviate symptoms.

Frontotemporal dementia is fairly rare, but believed to be the fourth most common type of dementia. Unlike the types of dementia discussed previously, frontotemporal dementia is marked more by behavioral and emotional changes than by cognitive impairment. In fact, memory is preserved in people with frontotemporal dementia.

• The primary symptoms include a decreased inhibition (frequently leading to inappropriate behavior), apathy and loss of motivation, decreased empathy, repetitiveness of compulsive behaviors, and anxiety and depression.

• Frontotemporal dementia occurs when the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain are damaged or shrink. It cannot be cured or reversed, but doctors will use medicines to treat uncomfortable or problematic symptoms.

Just about any condition that causes damage to the brain or nerve cells can cause dementia. For example, people with Parkinson’s disease will often exhibit dementia in the later stages of their illness. Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and alcoholism can all lead to irreversible cognitive impairment.

Source: National Institute on Aging.

True or False:

Only children need vaccinations False!

Everyone—from babies to older adults—needs vaccines to protect them from serious diseases like measles, flu and hepatitis A and B. Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need.

Find out the recommended adult and child immunizations at www.carefirst.com/prevention.

Building a Healthier Community carefirstcommitment.com

HS-14 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-15

Challenges Facing Caregivers

Tough for Those Entrusted with Welfare of Loved Ones

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer By the year 2030, all baby boomers will have turned 65 and according to Pew Research Center population projections, 18 percent of the nation’s population will be at least that age.

That means that not only will America have more senior citizens than ever before but some of those men and women will

require assistance with their daily living. However, the role of a caregiver can be arduous.

“It’s very important for caregivers to do self-care as it can become very stressful caring for others,” said Dr. John P. James, a Maryland-based psychologist and educator. “Take a break for yourself to rest and breathe and seek help from other family members or professionals for counseling. Praying is great

When illness strikes many seniors worry about who will help them in their time of need. /Courtesy Photo

but you need the extra step of talking things out as well.”

Since 1965, D.C.’s older adults, (60 years and above), individuals

FSC First Provides Financing for Healthcare Providers!

The SBA 504 Loan Program is available to business owners who

desire to purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate or equipment.

FSC First is a Certified Development Company (CDC) designated by the U. S. Small Business Administration to market, process, close and service SBA 504 loans throughout the State of Maryland.

Examples of Financing Provided by FSC First to Health, Wellness, and Nutrition businesses: Arthritis and Pain Associates of Prince George’s County

provides compassionate care for patients with various rheumatologic conditions. With the SBA 504 loan program, the owners were able to relocate their growing practice to Greenbelt, MD. The total project cost of $2,400,000 included the purchase of the 7,000 sq. ft. facility and renovations to the property.

Women’s Wellness Center

provides women the ability to receive screenings that focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and health maintenance. FSC First provided financing of $270,000 to start a Women’s Wellness Center in Prince George’s County in order to purchase a building, equipment and fixtures.

Hair Fantasy, LLC

specializes in installing and styling hair replacement units for women and men suffering from permanent hair loss from Alopecia, Lupus, Chemical Damage, side effects from medication and Chemotherapy. FSC First provided financing of $103,000 to assist in the purchase of inventory and furniture, website design, and marketing.

Shelly M. Gross-Wade President & CEO

1801 McCormick Drive | Suite 300 | Largo, MD 20774 301-883-6900 (office) | 301-883-6160 (fax) www.fscfirst.com

with disabilities (18 to 59) and their caregivers have had access to information, counseling and services through the District of Columbia Office on Aging. And it’s needed because caregiving results in significant changes in a family unit as physical, emotional, social and financial issues often arise.

A recent report published in AARP The Magazine said that more than one-in-five workers ages 45 to 64 serves as a caregiver, typically for a parent. In 2009, roughly 42 million unpaid caregivers provided an estimated $450 billion worth of care – a number equivalent to Wal-Mart’s annual sales that year.

“My mother is 95 and is being cared for in an assisted living facility but she’d rather be home,” said Edward Stewart, a resident of Southwest. “She has adequate insurance but what concerned my family most was finding a place in which she’d be comfortable. You have to choose a place carefully because some are nothing more than babysitting services,” said Stewart, 72.

One son from New York City said seeing his mother’s frustration level rise has been hard to handle.

“My mother was very active at one time and now she doesn’t have the independence she enjoyed for so many years,” said Dr. John Young. “Luckily my older brother now lives with her and while she’s insured the copays add up quickly.”

According to a recent study conducted on behalf of the Home Instead Senior Care Network, a national resource organization, 31 percent of family caregivers admit they’d like more help while 25 percent actually resent other family members who don’t help out more.

A certified senior advisor and

HS-16 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

owner of an in-home companion service agency said families often fail to plan for the time when a loved one will need care.

“Many times the caregiver becomes the advocate and spokesperson for the receiver, spending hours trying to navigate the maze of the health care delivery system, along with handling personal, financial and legal matters,” said Harvey E. Chambers, a resident of Richmond, Virginia and owner of Seniors Helping Seniors RVA. “Even more tragic, studies show that 30 percent of caregivers die before the person they care for – for those caring for dementia patients with Alzheimer’s, the caregiver death rates are even higher,” said Chambers, 54.

One longtime director of an assisted living facility in Williamsburg, Virginia, said that sometimes families find it difficult to agree on the best form of care.

“It’s important for someone to have power of attorney so that there’s one person calling the shots,” said Helena Jones.

“You’d be surprised at how families argue and are even torn apart because they can’t come to terms on what’s best for their mother or father.”

Edna Baker, 86, recently lost her 92-year-old husband and said her challenge came when she had to accept his imminent death.

“Despite our ages, I thought we had a lot more time,” Baker said. “Even when [Jim] got sick I always thought he’d be coming back home. I couldn’t care for him like he needed so an assisted living facility was the answer.

But getting the insurance company to pay me back was a real battle.” HS

WE BELIEVE YOU DESERVE THE BEST CARE. WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT IT.

That’s why we give our members access to quality care that’s always close at hand.

Kaiser Permanente gives you fast, easy access, often the same day or next, to your personal doctor and a vast array of specialists, with many services under one roof. Plus premier hospital partners: Virginia Hospital Center, Reston Hospital Center, Washington Hospital Center, and others.

When you’re sick, you want care fast and nearby. We offer ten urgent care centers, with five open 24/7.1 See a doctor and get prescriptions in one place. And in emergencies, members can ALWAYS go to the nearest hospital, with no change in cost share.

Care’s as close as your PC, tablet, or mobile device. Use our free app for appointments, emailing your doctor’s office, ordering most refills, and more.2 Talk to an advice nurse or video chat with an ER doctor. No leaving home and no copay.

1 Urgent care locations in Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. Doctors, pharmacy, lab, and imaging services are at each location.

2 Available when you receive care at Kaiser Permanente facilities.

3 Ranked #1 in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. among private health insurance plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Plan Rankings 2013-2014.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., 2101 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852

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Find out how affordable the #1 ranked health plan in VA, DC, and MD can be.

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WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-17

Born in ’88? You’ll Want to Read This

By: Marlon Marshall and Jen Mishory

If you’re turning 26 this year, then you know that 1988 was more than just the year the movie Big premiered or that Michael Jackson sang Man in the Mirror—it’s the year you were born!

But your birth year is significant now for one more reason: being born in ’88 means that you may be aging off a parent’s insurance plan and have the option of new, low-cost health insurance as you strike out on your own.

Here’s the deal: you can start shopping for health coverage 60 days before you turn 26. If you choose a health plan before your 26th birthday, your coverage can begin as soon as first day of the month that you get dropped from a parent’s plan. But, if you wait until the last minute and you age off your parent’s plan, you still have 60 days after your birthday to get covered. And when you shop on healthcare.gov, you’ll find that you may qualify for tax credits and other cost savings to reduce your monthly insurance costs. Those credits are based on

a life-changing event, such as a move, a marriage, a divorce, or the birth of a newborn, you might also qualify to select a new plan ahead of November.

The bottom line: if you’re on your parent’s plan, protect yourself from an unexpected injury

your income.

If you miss both of those windows, you’ll probably have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period, which begins on November 15. There’s one exception: if you (or anyone else, not just 26 year-olds) experience

and financial burden by signing up for a new health plan as you near your 26th birthday. You’re part of an age group that ends up in the emergency room more than most adults -- at a rate that’s second only to seniors -and the price tag of a hospital

visit is hefty.

We encourage you to visit HealthCare.gov, or to call 1-800318-2596, to learn more. And if you want to hear from some-

See BORN IN 88 on Page 19

Even newbies can enroll.

Visit healthcare.gov to find out if you are eligible.

The Office of Minority Health is connecting you to affordable health care coverage.

Office of Minority Health | 800-444-6472 | www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov | info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov Washington_Informer_Ad_2014.indd 1

HS-18 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

7/31/2014 11:09:02 AM

BORN IN 88 continued from Page 18 one who has already successfully found themselves coverage after aging off a parent’s insurance, check out Amanda’s story. Or even better, when you’re done getting yourself covered, share your own story!

About the authors:

founding partner at 270 Strategies. Before that, he was the Deputy National Field Director for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, where he helped lead its national voter registration and get-out-the-vote programs.

As National Field Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Marlon oversaw the team that designed and implemented field plans for targeted congressional races across the country. He as was appointed as the DCCC’s Deputy Executive Director before his departure to the 2012 Obama campaign.

Marlon Marshall Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Director of Public Engagement The White House Marlon Marshall serves as Principal Deputy Director of Public Engagement.

Most recently, Marlon was a

Jen Mishory Executive Director Young Invincibles

Jen Mishory is the Executive Director and a founding staff member of Young Invincibles.

Jen has conducted extensive research and authored numerous reports on health, higher education, and economic issues facing the Millennial generation. She has testified before Congress in both the House and Senate on the issue of financial aid and student loans, and serves as a member of the inaugural Consumer Advisory Board of the CFPB. She also served as the consumer advocacy negotiator for the Department of Education’s 2012 negotiated rulemaking around student loans, and previously served as a consumer representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, where she worked with Insurance Commissioners around the country to ensure strong consumer protections in the health care industry for young people. HS

“If you’re on your parent’s plan, protect yourself from an unexpected injury and financial burden by signing up for a new health plan as you near your 26th birthday.”

The Office of Minority Health Resource Center is your source for: Online Library Services Technical Assistance and Training Referrals to Local Health Care Clinics and Services Funding Searches for Nonprofits

800-444-6472 | www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov | info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov Washington_Informer_Ad_2014_omhrc_only.indd 1

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WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-19

Going Beyond Medication to Treat Chronic Pain (StatePoint) Nearly 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain -- that’s more than the number of people living with heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined.

Often experienced as pain that lasts over three to six months, chronic pain is a serious and debilitating condition that, if

left unmanaged, can negatively impact nearly every aspect of your life.

Chronic pain is the leading cause of long-term disability in U.S. and is a significant burden to the health care economy and society as a whole.

It costs as much as $635 million annually in direct medical

treatment costs and low productivity, according to government statistics. Surprisingly, 40 percent of work absences are due to back pain, second only to the common cold.

Zac Cover, a former fire fighter and triathlete, knows the devastating impact of chronic pain. In 2006, the Floridian was hit by a car while cycling and suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a badly injured leg, fractured arm and severed nerve in his broken collarbone.

He underwent seven operations and was bedridden for nearly six months. While the surgeries corrected the physical damage to his body, Cover was left with excruciating pain that lasted for years. His doctor prescribed medication that helped ease the pain but left him foggy-headed, with a poor memory and unable to enjoy activities he loved.

After months of trying other unsuccessful treatments, Cover’s doctor recommended

Greater Washington Urban League

neurostimulation, also known as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) -- an advanced therapy option used to manage chronic pain in the arms, legs and trunk, and pain caused by failed back surgery. SCS involves implanting a small device (the size of a silver dollar) along the spinal cord where it emits low intensity electrical pulses that intercept the body’s pain signals before they reach the brain, replacing feelings of pain with a more pleasant tingling sensation.

Dr. Timothy Deer, president-elect of the International Neuromodulation Society, says he has seen an increase in the number of people receiving SCS. “Spinal cord stimulation is an important therapy option for patients who have not been able to alleviate their chronic pain through traditional methods, such as back surgery or pharmacological options,” Deer said. “Studies have shown SCS can reduce pain by 50 percent or more,

and patients have the option to try a temporary implant to see if they’re comfortable with the therapy.”

Over time, Cover was able to resume almost all his normal activities -- like biking, swimming and running -- because he can now better manage his pain. In fact, he was able to draw from this experience and began working as a clinical specialist at St. Jude Medical, the company that manufactured his device. He now works with patients also suffering from chronic pain who have or are about to receive SCS systems.

Cover urges others suffering from chronic pain to talk to their doctor about the best treatment option for them.

“Spinal cord stimulation has given me back a life I didn’t think I would have again,” he said. “My pain level is much lower and I’ve been able to stop taking pain medication.

It’s dramatically transformed my quality of life.”

in partnership with

Back to SchoolAugustFestival 16, 2014, 11am-5pm Live nces performa

2901 14th Street, NW (Harvard & 14th NW) Two Blocks South of Columbia Heights Metro on Green or Yellow Line

a n o D a be'l STOS A B E D O OCH DDIM I & I RI

free backpacks and school supplies!

food, arts, crafts, free prizes, music and entertainment!

free health screenings and fresh produce!

Home buyers workshops and financial literacy workshops!

For more information call the League at (202) 265-8200 ext. 290, or visit www.gwul.org HS-20 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

August is ‘Kids Eat Right’ Month: Nutrition Tips for Families (StatePoint) With childhood obesity on the rise, making sure kids eat right and get plenty of exercise is vital.

Parents and caregivers can play a big role in children’s nutrition and health, teaching kids about healthy foods, being a good role model and making sure physical activity is incorporated into each day.

August, which is Kids Eat Right Month, is a great time for families to focus on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging families to take the following steps: • Shop Smart. To encourage a healthy lifestyle, get your children involved in selecting the food that will appear at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table.

• Cook Healthy. Involve your child in the cutting, mixing and preparation of meals. They will learn about food and may even be enticed to try new foods they helped prepare.

• Eat Right. Sit down together as a family to enjoy a wonderful meal and the opportunity to share the day’s experiences with one another.

Research indicates that those families who eat together have a stronger bond, and children have higher selfconfidence and perform better in school.

• Healthy Habits. You can help kids form great, healthy habits by setting a good example. Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, choose lowersodium options, and make at least

half the grains your family eats whole grains. For beverages, choose water over sugary drinks, and opt for fat-free or low-fat milk.

• Get Moving. Aside from being a great way to spend time together, regular physical activity is vital to strengthen muscle and bones, promote a healthy body weight, support learning, develop social skills and build self-esteem. Kids are encouraged to be active for 60 minutes per day.

Getting kids to eat right can sometimes be a challenge, particularly if they are picky eaters. But experts say that a conversation can help.

“Talk to your children. Learn the foods they like. Teach them about the foods they need for their growing bodies. Find ways together to make sure they have the knowledge and ability to eat healthy and tasty foods at every meal,” says Angela Lemond, registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson.

It may help to consult a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area to ensure your family is getting the nutrients it needs with a meal plan tailored to your lifestyle and busy schedule.

For more healthful eating tips, recipes, videos and to learn more about Kids Eat Right Month, visit www.

KidsEatRight.org.

DC Free Summer Meals Program

June 23 through August 22, 2014

at select DC Parks and Recreation Camp Sites and June 23 through August 15, 2014 at Non-DPR Summer Meals Program Sites

To find a site near you: Call 311 or TEXT food to 202.6565.EAT

onecityyouth.dc.gov

3 2 8

Children, ages 18 and younger, do not need to show registration, documentation, or ID to receive their meals.

DPR

DC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-21

Back-to-School Health: Finding Your Child a Medical Home

By Dr. Shayla Graham-Brock This August, families are preparing for a new school year. For many parents like me, that means going to the doctor to get our kids their required check-ups. A yearly well-child visit is a great first step in keeping our children healthy, but is it enough?

Children deserve the best healthcare they can get. This begins with having a “medical home,” a place where your doctor knows your whole health story. I have been a primary care doctor in DC’s Wards 7 and 8 since 2010, now working at Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center.

Every day I see why every family should have a medical home.

When you have a medical home, you have a relationship with a trusted doctor who knows you. They know your history and keep track of your conditions and medications. People of all ages can benefit from having a medical home, especially children.

In a medical home, your doctor can get to know the big pic-

ture of your family’s health. For example, if I am helping a mom manage her diabetes, I know to look for signs of it in her kids.

If one child has asthma, I will watch the brothers and sisters for symptoms as well.

Medical homes also help guide you through the complex healthcare system. Does your family have many doctors who provide dialysis, physical therapy or other specialty care? It can be a lot to manage. A medical home can help you keep track of it all.

A medical home also encourages you to keep coming back to the same doctor over time. Here at Community of Hope, we have some adult patients who have been seeing us since they were children. Some are now bringing their kids to see us, too. In fact, we now have a baby whose mother and grandmother have been our patients too. Those long-term relationships make it easier to give and receive great care.

Sadly, less than half of DC children have a medical home, according to the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Ini-

“Children deserve the best healthcare they can get. This begins with having a ‘medical home,’ a place where your doctor knows your name and your story.”

Dr. Shayla Graham-Brock

tiative. Of children whose family income is below the federal poverty line, only 38% are getting the complete care they deserve.

What’s the alternative? For families who don’t have a regular doctor, parents may take their children to the emergency room when a problem comes up. In the case of asthma, a good doctor might have spotted symp-

toms and offered care before it became an emergency.

So as you schedule those back-to-school check-ups, maybe now is the time to find your kids a medical home. As a mom and a doctor, I urge you to find a provider who will take the time to get to know your family.

Community health centers like Community of Hope are a great

HS-22 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT | AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

place to start. We can get you scheduled within just a few days.

While you’re here, check out our dentistry and other services. We are accepting new patients of all ages, and hope you will come visit us.

Dr. Shayla Graham-Brock is the Medical Director at Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center, located in Bellevue. HS

ECO City Grows Great Food, Farms and Farmers

by Caroline Selle, Managing Editor of the Hyattsville Life & Times Special to the Informer When ECO City Farms was launched in 2009, the nonprofit was located on a small two acre patch of land in Edmonston, Md, about a mile outside of Washington, D.C. Since then, the organization has expanded to a second site in Bladensburg, increased its programming, and grown its staff.

The nonprofit’s success is a testament to its ability to fill an underserved niche. Until the recent passage of a special piece of legislation, Prince George’s County didn’t technically allow urban farming in residential areas. And yet, this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) labeled several parts of the county as “food deserts” -- areas where residents have limited access to grocery stores and fresh produce.

“Although everyone eats, not everyone has equal access to healthy nutrient rich fruit and

vegetables and far too many people in our County are offered only highly processed fatand salt-laden choices,” said Margaret Morgan-Hubbard, the CEO and founder of ECO City Farms.

The nonprofit’s Bladensburg location addresses the problem of food deserts and food justice head on. Located on 3.5 acres next to the Autumn Woods Apartments complex in one of the areas highlighted by the USDA, the Bladensburg farm is already producing an abundance of fresh vegetables.

Kale, swiss chard, tomatoes, basil, and squash grow in gently trailing rows, while down the hill farmers and volunteers have constructed and will be expanding a “food forest,” a sustainable natural landscape made up of berry bushes and edible fruiting trees.

The Bladensburg site incorporates the principles of permaculture, a type of ecological and environmental design modeled after natural ecosystems. Such sites are designed to be regenerative and

self-sustaining, though annuals like most of the vegetables will have to be reseeded and planted each year.

“ECO is a Certified Naturally Grown farm. This designation goes beyond USDA’s organic certification, and is bestowed on farms by other sustainable farmers world-wide. We try to create an oasis of health in our little piece of the world,” says Deborah Wren, a birthright farmer and Edmonston’s Farm Manager.

Another of ECO City Farms’ initiatives is the SEED2FEED Summer Youth Program, a four week long six hour-a-day intensive camp for high school students. This year, over 22 youth worked together to learn about food and the food system through mediums that including cooking, bee-keeping, nutrition education, collage-making and spoken word poetry. Part of each day was spent growing food and harvesting at the Bladensburg farm. In addition, each week youth were given a bag of produce to take home and

cook for their families.

Many of the students come from immigrant families and brought with them knowledge of their ancestral cuisine. Others had never before seen a growing vegetable, never mind one on an organic farm.

“It’s difficult, but rewarding, to witness the young people discovering new ways of being,” observed Viviana Lindo, ECO City Farms’ director of community education.

“We are in this movement to make change.”

She said the students appreciate the effort.

“One youth joined the program because she wanted to connect with her mother through gardening.” Another wanted to help his father in his struggle with diabetes.

This year, SEED2FEED included cooking lessons from Zenful Bites, a Washington, D.C. based catering and education LLC. Youth learned how to turn the food on the farm into mouth-watering meals.

“All year-long young people sit in one classroom after

another and try to grasp ideas through their intellect. At our very experiential learning farm, they get to turn ideas into action and learn with their entire bodies, collaboratively by doing, reflecting, tasting and creating,” said Margaret Morgan-Hubbard. “We trust that this kind of learning in community will endure and encourage lifelong healthy practices.”

ECO City Farms seeks to enhance food security, safety and access, to improve nutrition and health, to preserve cultural and ecological diversity, and to accelerate the transition to an economy based on preservation, recycling and restoration.

We amplify community voice and engagement to reinvigorate the Chesapeake foodshed with sustainable ways of making food and money. For more information visit: www.ecocityfarms.org HS

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM | AUGUST 2014 | HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT HS-23

...because I know my doctor and she knows me.

My name is Kyra and I visit my doctor every year before school starts.

I like going to the doctor because she gives me the shots I need to be healthy throughout the school year.

AmeriHealth District of Columbia supports healthy lifestyles and kids like Kyra who get vaccinated to protect herself and her classmates.

Here are some ways you can get to know your doctor: • See the same doctor every visit • Ask questions about your health • Ask about the shots you may have to get To see the I am healthySM series and get more tips on ways to stay healthy, visit www.amerihealthdc.com/iamhealthy.

This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.

5400-ACDC-1422-06 2014 WELLNESS ADC Ad Campaign_Washington Informer_Full Page.indd 6| AUGUST 2014 | WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM HS-24 HEALTH & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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