Health Observed October 2025

A Great Smile, No Matter Your Age

INVISALIGN FOR ADULTS:

YOUR TOP QUESTIONS

ANSWERED

Q: Is Invisalign really worth it as an adult?

A: Yes-both for appearance and long-term health. Straighter teeth mean a better bite, easier cleaning, and lower risk of gum disease.

Q: I travel a lot. Can I still do Invisalign?

A: Definitely. With virtual checkins and in-person visits spaced

For many adults who have thought about straightening their teeth-or who were once told they weren’t candidates for Invisalign-options may be more available than they realize.

“You are never too old for Invisalign as long as you have healthy teeth,” says Dr. Karen Varone of Varone Orthodontics, an Invisalign Blue Diamond provider. “We have patients in their 70s and 80s that we treat successfully, and the results are life changing.”

Dr. Varone holds the Blue Diamond distinction, a recognition given to only a small percentage of doctors worldwide. It reflects her experience treating a high number of patients each year and her ability to handle even complex cases. The status also signals ongoing training and use of the latest Invisalign technology, so patients know they’re in skilled hands.

The benefits go well beyond appearance. Patients often describe feeling more confident in photos or FaceTime calls with family, Dr. Varone notes, but the health improvements are equally meaningful. Properly aligned teeth create a stable bite, reduce wear, and lower the risk of gum disease. They’re also easier to keep clean, supporting long-term oral health.

Dr. Karen Varone

FLEXIBLE CARE FOR SEASONAL LIFESTYLES

Fall is often the ideal time for seasonal residents to begin orthodontic treatment before heading north again. With offices in both Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota-and the recent addition of Dr. Emily Katz to the practice-Varone Orthodontics offers even more flexibility and personalized care for patients on the move. That flexibility continues once treatment begins. After patients get

comfortable with their aligners and complete their initial check-ins, progress can continue even while they’re away. Secure virtual visits keep them connected with their doctor, and many return the following season with treatment well underway-or even finished.

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

For adults, Invisalign offers both practicality and comfort. Without the brackets and wires of traditional braces, there’s less irritation, and the clear aligners can be removed for meals and brushing. Most treatments are completed in 8 to 12 months, with in-person visits spaced about every 12 weeks-an easy fit for busy schedules and seasonal lifestyles. Each complimentary consultation includes a 3D scan, X-ray, and a full diagnosis. From there, Dr. Varone

or Dr. Katz present tailored treatment options. “I love seeing the joy on patients’ faces when they finish treatment with a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile,” says Dr. Katz. Ready to explore a healthier, more confident smile? With flexible care, convenient Invisalign treatment, and complimentary consultations, Varone Orthodontics makes it simple to get started at any age.

Do you have tired, achy legs?

Achy Legs Restless Legs Swelling

Fatigue Varicose Veins Discoloration

Cramping Bulging Veins Ulcers

LAKEWOOD RANCH

9114 Town Center Parkway, Suite 101 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Ranch,

Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Fridays: 8:00am - 3:00pm

From Frustrated to Fit

How one holistic program is helping clients shed pounds and feel stronger than ever.

If you’ve ever lost weight, only to see it slowly return, you’re not alone. Many diets focus on the number on the scale, not on how the body works during weight loss or how to maintain results long term.

f you’ve ever lost weight, only to see it slowly return, you’re not alone. Many diets focus on the number on the scale, not on how the body works during weight loss or how to maintain results long term.

Guiding With Confidence: Medicare Made Simple

Navigating Medicare with personalized plans and trusted guidance.

That’s where Danee Barnett takes a different approach. A local acupuncture physician with more than 15 years of experience in healthy weight management, Barnett has helped her clients lose a combined 80,000 pounds. But her real mission goes beyond weight loss. It’s about protecting muscle, shifting habits, and building long-term wellness.

MEDICARE 101: DID YOU KNOW?

WHY MOST DIETS MISS THE MARK

Traditional diets often lead to fast results, but a lot of that initial weight loss comes from water or even muscle. And since muscle plays a major role in metabolism, losing it can make your body burn fewer calories over time.

“Muscle is metabolically active tissue,” Barnett explains. “You might look smaller for a while, but if you lose muscle, your body becomes less efficient. That’s why preserving lean mass is so important.”

DANEE BARNETT WEIGHT LOSS & WELLNESS

You can enroll before 65. Your Medicare enrollment window starts 3 months before your 65th birthday. Medicare isn’t always free. Part A is usually free - but Part B has a monthly premium.

ADDRESS: 330 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

Not all plans cover the same doctors.

PHONE: 941-365-0812

VISIT: DaneeBarnett.com

A SMARTER, MORE PERSONALIZED PLAN

Some plans let you see any Medicare provider. Others limit you to a network. Prescription drug coverage isn’t automatic. If you don’t add a drug plan (Part D), you might pay penalties later. Travel a lot? Plan wisely. Some Medicare plans don’t cover you out of state - or out of the country.

CARLOS HERNANDEZ

PHONE: 941-326-1666

EMAIL: Carlos@PalominoInsurance.com

WEBSITE: www.palominoinsurance.com

Barnett’s four-phase program uses advanced metabolic testing to personalize each plan. At the core is bioimpedance analysis (BIA), a tool that measures body composition including lean mass, fat mass, water levels, and metabolic rate.

“Two people might have the same weight and height but very different body makeups,” she says. “BIA helps us see what’s really changing so we can adjust the plan in real time.”

W“Two people might have the same weight and height but very different body makeups,” she says. “BIA helps us see what’s really changing so we can adjust the plan in real time.”

hen Carlos Hernandez was a child, his father told him you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. He took that advice to heart last year, when he followed in his father’s footsteps as the owner of Palomino Insurance.

How one holistic program is helping clients shed pounds and feel stronger than ever. THE FOUR PHASES OF THE DANEE BARNETT APPROACH

THE FOUR PHASES OF THE DANEE BARNETT APPROACH

Phases 1 & 2: Burn fat, improve body composition

Phase 3: Learn to maintain, not rebound

“I think kindness is the most underused skill in the world,” said Hernandez. It’s the guiding principle he uses as he helps his clients navigate the often-overwhelming world of Medicare plans.

Phase 3: Learn to maintain, not rebound Phase 4: Build real habits for life

Phase 4: Build real habits for life

Why It Works

Why It Works Forget crash diets. This program is built around how your body actually

“It’s scary turning 65,” he said. “You start to feel like you’re getting older and you’re losing your confidence in a lot of different things. I want to flip that script for them. I want them to turn 65 with confidence.”

Forget crash diets. This program is built around how your body actually works -focusing on muscle preservation, metabolic health, and sustainable change.

Hernandez does this in a number of ways, but primarily by listening to each client’s needs, lifestyle and what matters to them.

He starts by looking at the client’s full medical profile, including every single medical provider they’ve seen and all the medications they are taking.

“Then I start to build a comprehensive profile of different plans that offer coverages for certain doctors and certain medications,”

He also considers the client’s travel habits. A plan for a snowbird may not suit a full-time Florida resident, for instance.

“I give them all the best options they have available to them,” Hernandez said. “Then they select the plan for them.”

Palomino Insurance works with all the major providers, and the service doesn’t cost its clients anything. Each provider has its own perks. One might have a relationship with a pharmacy that lowers medication prices for clients, while another might have robust resources. Hernandez can steer his clients to the best fit for them.

However, all insurance providers offer additions to Original Medicare, as well as

You might look smaller for a while, but if you lose muscle, your body becomes less efficient. That’s why preserving lean mass is so important.”

VISIT: DaneeBarnett.com You might look smaller for a while, but if you lose muscle, your body becomes less efficient. That’s why preserving lean mass is so important.”

Danee Barnett

Rather than strict dieting, clients follow a Mediterranean-style eating plan tailored to their unique needs. It strikes a healthy balance of protein, good fats, and carbs, with room for treats as well. For those on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, Barnett offers added support to protect muscle and meet nutritional needs.

MORE THAN JUST A MEAL PLAN

an alternative to it. Palomino Insurance can help its clients select an array of Medicare Supplement Plans, or Medigap, that cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, including copays and deductibles. These plans don’t require referrals, so they’re ideal for people with frequent medical needs. Medicare Advantage Plans are alternatives to Original Medicare and often encompass vision, dental, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. Clients who choose this option typically have to select from a network of providers and may need referrals for specialists. These plans likely cost less in premiums but more in out-of-pocket expenses than the Medicare Supplement Plans.

The program also addresses the emotional side of weight loss. Stress management, lifestyle coaching, and optional addiction acupuncture help clients stay on track and build sustainable routines.

THE TAKEAWAY

Hernandez saw first-hand how invaluable selecting the best plan can be when his father was going through his terminal cancer treatments. After submitting millions of dollars in insurance claims, his father owed only a small sum.

THE TAKEAWAY

Lasting weight loss is not just about eating less. It is about understanding your body, supporting it in the right way, and creating habits you can actually maintain.

Kindness is the most underused skill in the

world.”

Carlos Hernandez

“If you find the right plan that works for you and works for your life situation, you’re usually going to be covered pretty well,” Hernandez said. “It’s inspiring to see that a simple selection like that can really help you and change your entire experience with something like cancer.”

He knows that most people aren’t as wellversed in health insurance and Medicare options as he is and his father was. That’s where Palomino Insurance steps in.

“It can feel really overwhelming,” he said. “I handle everything for my clients, so it gives them peace of mind and they can focus on other things.”

Se habla Español

More Than Medicine: Get Back on Your Feet

When foot or ankle pain slows you down, it doesn’t just hurt; it affects your whole body and the way you move through life. Whether you’re an athlete sidelined by a sprain, a senior struggling with arthritis, or a kid dealing with stub-

born heel pain, just treating symptoms won’t give you long-lasting pain relief. Too often, patients are given temporary fixes that don’t address the underlying problem, explains Dr. Joseph Barak, DPM, who’s been passionate about podiatry since grade school. “My best friend’s dad was a respected podiatrist in Youngstown, Ohio. As I watched him in practice and at home, I saw how he connected with people as patients, friends, and fellow com-

munity members. That inspired me to follow the same path.”

After building a thriving 17-year practice in Youngstown, Dr. Barak and his family were drawn to Sarasota, where his in-laws reside. When the opportunity to purchase Dr. Joan Koewler’s well-respected Clark Road practice arose, everything clicked. “Dr. Koewler has an amazing rapport with her patients. I’m honored to continue that tradition while bringing my own approach to care.”

Patients don’t have to settle for quick fixes.”

Dr. Joseph Barak, DPM

As a foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Barak understands that the body is interconnected. “I take a thorough head-to-toe history and physical to determine what might really be causing the pain and whether the root problem is neurological, vascular, or orthopedic,” he says.

Dr. Barak offers a full spectrum of care, from conservative treatments like plantar fasciitis therapy to advanced, state-of-the-art options: laser treatments for warts and nail fungus, shockwave therapy for chronic pain, and even innovative procedures like foot fillers and Botox for sweaty feet. “Patients don’t have to settle for quick fixes,” he says.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Barak and his wife are embracing Sarasota life with their two children. “Every time I walk outside, it’s warm, green, and people are smiling. It’s a breath of fresh air,” he says. While renovating the office and upgrading equipment, he’s focused on creating a welcoming space where patients of all ages feel cared for.

“I want to leave a mark in this community,” Dr. Barak concludes. “Whether it’s helping a child take their first steps pain-free or getting an athlete back in the game, I’m here to provide time, compassion, and expertise to get everyone back on their feet with confidence.” Learn more at about getting long-lasting relief from foot or ankle pain at completeandgentlefootcare.com.

Your feet support your entire body - when they hurt, everything suffers. Ignoring pain or relying on quick fixes can lead to long-term issues, including:

■ Knee, hip,