Call 716-603-6851 SeanKellyMedicareAdvisor.com When you pick up the phone, so do I!!
Sean Kelly
Ask The Social
Local Medicare Professional Turning 65?, New to Medicare?, Questions about Medicare? Call 716-603-6851 SeanKellyMedicareAdvisor.com
Security Office
When you pick up the phone, So Do I!
Check us out on Facebook
From the Social Security District Office
Beware of Scammers Pretending To Be From Social Security
I Buffalo & WNY Healthcare Newspaper
ADVERTISE PRICELESS
PRICELESS
BFOHEALTH.COM
OCTOBER 2018 • ISSUE 48
Meet Your Doctor
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Physician Liise Kayler talks about the growing kidney transplant program at ECMC and how it’s poised to grow further
Meet Your Doctor Chet Fox, chief medical officer at G-Health Enterprises and a local pioneer in the field of practice-based research in primary care medicine, talks about his organization, career
$169,330
INSIDE
PLUS: Cancer Awareness Month. See stories starting on page 14
Horse Farm in Buffalo
Tonsillectomies
A therapeutic riding center facility just north of Delaware Park makes a difference in the lives of kids with special needs
It turns out that most Tonsillectomies are not needed
That’s the annual average salary for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA). The job growth within the career is projected at 31 percent, nearly twice that of registered nurses
6
HOLIDAYS • This is a great time to put your family’s health history together • Six ways to go heartburn-free this season • How to pick healthful food gifts for college students, parents, seniors
n Sports concussions: Much worse for women n WNY Doulas assists women during pregnancy n Vaginal rejuvenation: FDA cautions about procedure n How food can affect urinary tract infection
Laughter Yoga
December 2018 • ISSUE 50
If the holidays are the most joyous tie of the year, why do so many people get depressed?
SPECIAL ISSUE
People of all ages and abilities gather weekly at Cleveland Hill Methodist Church in Buffalo to do mainly one thing: laugh. They are members of Many Ha Ha’s Laughter Yoga Club
BFOHEALTH.COM
Healthy Sleeping
NY Ranks High in New Cases
Director of the Sleep and Wellness Centers of WNY talks about healthy sleeping
Page 10
Acorn Squash Acorn squash, of all the winter squashes, has many of the most important vitamins we need. See SmartBites inside
Page 13
Handy Tool or Bacteria Haven? Tips on how to sanitize one of the filthiest spots in your home. Yes, the kitchen sponge.
Page 13
Spirit of Giving Buffalonians in general step up in a big way by volunteering, supporting or donating. That’s particularly true at this time of year, as the holidays seem to bring out the “good neighbor” in a big way. So, this year, Buffalo, as you shop ‘til you drop, also consider opening your hearts and wallets and giving back.
Local experts say HIV figures in the state are skewed by the high numbers seen in New York City
Mussels
These scrumptious mollusks possess the most impressive nutritional profile of all shellfish, especially when it comes to vitamin B-12, selenium and manganese
Page xx
Need a Health Coach? They can offer help on nutrition, wellness, stress and a number of other things
Page x
GIVE YOUR practice, YOUR SERVICES or organization A BIG BOOST. ADVERTISE IN WNY’S ONLY HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER. IN GOOD HEALTH. 30,000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY
716-332-0640 EDITOR@BFOHEALTH.COM Serving Western New York A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. Distribution: 32,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high traffic locations in the region In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2018 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 3380 Sheridan Dr., # 251 • P.O. Box 550, Amherst NY 14226 Phone: 716-332-0640 • Fax: 716-332-0779 • Email: editor@bfohealth.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo • Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Jana Eisenberg, Daniel Meyer, Nancy Cardillo Advertising: Anne Westcott, Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.
Page 20
•
n the digital age, frauds and scams are an unfortunate part of doing business online. During the holiday season, Social Security has traditionally seen a spike in phishing scams, and we want to protect you as best we can. We urge you to always be cautious and to avoid providing sensitive information such as your Social Security number (SSN) or bank account information to unknown individuals over the phone or internet. If you receive a call and aren’t expecting one, you must be extra careful. You can always get the caller’s information, hang up, and — if you do need more clarification — contact the official phone number of the business or agency that the caller claims to represent. Never reveal personal data to a stranger who called you. Please take note: there’s a scam going around right now. You might receive a call from someone claiming to be from Social Security or another agency. Calls can even display the 1-800-772-1213, Social Security’s national customer service number, as the incoming number on your caller ID. In some cases, the caller states that Social Security does not have all of your personal information, such as your Social Security number, on file. Other callers claim Social Security needs additional information so the agency can increase your benefit payment or that Social Security will terminate your benefits if they do
Q&A Q: I’m trying to figure out the best time to retire based on my future earnings. How can I calculate my own retirement benefit estimate? A: We suggest you use our retirement estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Our retirement estimator produces estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record, so it’s a personalized, instant picture of your future estimated benefit. Also, you can use it to test different retirement scenarios based on what age you decide to start benefits. For example, you can find out your estimated monthly payments if you retire at age 62, 70, or any age in between. Try it out now at www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Q: How do I know if I meet the eligibility requirements to get Social Security disability benefits? A: To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually 10 years). You must also have a medical condi-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2018
not confirm your information. This appears to be a widespread issue, as reports have come from people across the country. These calls are not from Social Security. Callers sometimes state that your Social Security number is at risk of being deactivated or deleted. The caller then asks you to provide a phone number to resolve the issue. People should be aware the scheme’s details may vary; however, you should avoid engaging with the caller or calling the number provided, as the caller might attempt to acquire personal information. Social Security employees occasionally contact people by telephone for customer-service purposes. In only a few special situations, such as when you have business pending with us, a Social Security employee may request the person confirm personal information over the phone. Social Security employees will never threaten you or promise a Social Security benefit approval or increase in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up. If you receive these calls, please report the information to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report. Remember, only call official phone numbers and use secured websites of the agencies and businesses you know are correct. Protecting your information is an important part of Social Security’s mission to secure today and tomorrow.
tion that meets Social Security’s strict definition of disability. We consider an adult disabled under our rules if he or she has a medical condition, or combination of medical conditions, that are expected to last for at least one year or result in death, and that prevent the performance of any type of work. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. Q: Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits? A: The law states Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been disabled continuously throughout a period of five full calendar months. Social Security disability benefits begin with the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not able to receive benefits for any month during the waiting period. Learn more at our website: www.socialsecurity.gov/ disability.