When the Diagnosis is Arthritis

Arthritis is the nation’s number one cause of disability limiting the activities and productivity of 21-million working-age adult Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that one out of five Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis, which means, “joint inflammation.” And as the aging population rises, so will those startling statistics. Still, people of all ages can be affected by arthritis, including children, and nearly two-thirds of those affected are under age 65. 

Symptoms of arthritis often manifest in feet often making podiatrists the first line of defense when it comes to treating this debilitating disease. Each foot has 28 bones and more than 30 joints. The most common foot joints affected by arthritis are the joint where the ankle and shinbone meet, the three joints of the foot that involve the heel bone, inner mid-foot bone, and outer mid-foot bone, and the joint of the big toe and foot bone.

In many kinds of arthritis, progressive joint deterioration occurs and the smooth cushioning cartilage in joints is gradually lost. As a result, the bones rub and wear against each other. Soft tissues in the joints also may begin to wear down. Arthritis can be painful and eventually result in limited motion, loss of joint function, and deformities in the joints affected. But early diagnosis and proper medical care can help significantly.

Osteoarthritis, or "wear-and-tear" arthritis, is the most common type, and its onset is usually gradual. Also known as degenerative joint disease or age-related arthritis, osteoarthritis is more likely to develop as people age. Inflammation and injury to the joint cause a breakdown of cartilage tissues, resulting in pain, swelling, and deformity.

Symptoms of foot and ankle osteoarthritis can include:

• Tenderness or pain, muscle weakness or deterioration

• Reduced ability to move, walk, or bear weight

• Stiffness and or swelling in the joint

• Nighttime pain

If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, you may want to consult a podiatrist. Podiatrists treat osteoarthritis in several ways. Nonsurgical methods include:

• Steroid medications injected into the joints

• Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling in the joints

• Pain relievers such as aspirin

• Custom orthotics or specially prescribed shoes

• Canes or braces to support the joints

• Physical therapy and weight control

For further information on arthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org. To find a podiatrist in your community, please visit www.nyspma.org and click on the “Find a Podiatrist” button or call 866-996-4400. The New York State Podiatric Medical Association has over 1,200 members across 13 divisions in New York State.

WNY Resource:
Podiatry Affiliates, PC
3980 Sheridan Drive, Suite 208
Amherst, NY 14226-1727
716-839-3930
www.podiatryaffiliates.com
questions@podiatryaffiliates.com

Need Trees? Order by March 8th!

City of Buffalo and Suburban spring planting volunteer orders needed

The deadline for block clubs and other organizations to order trees for the spring planting has been set for March 8, 2013. Any organization that has an interest in reforesting the public areas of Buffalo and the suburbs hit by the October 12, 2006 storm is urged to get in touch with Re-Tree WNY to place an order as soon as possible.

If the organization wishes to plant in the City of Buffalo, log onto www.re-treewny.org and access the “Calendar” section for the link to request trees. Suburbs should contact their Re-Tree WNY Community Coordinator or e-mail pauldavidmaurer@gmail.com. Nearly one thousand trees are available for the spring planting, which is set for April 13, 2013.

Re-Tree WNY is a program of 501(c)3 charity Keep WNY Beautiful. It was established to reforest the Buffalo metropolitan area as a result of the devastating October 12-13, 2006 surprise snowstorm. Re-Tree WNY has planted a total of 24,991 of their 30,000 tree goal. Their website is www.retreewny.org.

Sanford R. Pleskow MD and Michele Fisher, MS, PA-C Join Invision Health

Invision Health Located at the Brain and Spine Center is pleased to announce the addition of Sanford R. Pleskow, MD and Michele Fisher, MS, PA-C

Sanford R. Pleskow, MD has joined the Primary Care medical staff of Invision Health located at the Brain and Spine Center, 400 International Drive in Williamsville. Dr. Pleskow specializes in Internal Medicine and has been in practice for thirty five years. He completed his Medical degree at the SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Pleskow served his residencies at the E.J. Meyer Memorial Medical Hospital, Buffalo General Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital where he served as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Pleskow will be working alongside our other Invision Health primary care physicians, Dr. Brian Karaszewski, Internal Medicine and Dr. Jean Marcaisse-Cange, Family Practice. 

Michele Fisher, MS, PA-C has joined the Neurosurgery Medical Staff of Invision health, located at the Brain and Spine Center, 400 International Drive in Williamsville, NY. Michele graduated from Daemen College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 1998. During her 15 years as a physician assistant she has worked with a trauma neurosurgery team, a neurology and pain management practice and a vascular radiology group. Michele has gained extensive experience in interventional pain management, intrathecal pump management, surgery, research and patient care. In addition, Michele is an adjunct faculty member in the Physician Assistant departments of both Daemen College and D’Youville College, lecturing in the areas of Neurology, Pain Management and Pharmacology.

Stopping Irritable Bowel Syndrome in its Tracks: A Scientific Way Forward

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by multiple symptoms including abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

You Are Not Alone

If you experience two or more of these symptoms, you may be one of 40 million Americans suffering from IBS. Up to 70% of people who have IBS suffer in silence. The unpleasant nature of their symptoms are embarrassing to patients who are often reluctant to ask their doctors for help. Left untreated, IBS can affect virtually every aspect of life -- from work and travel to recreational activities and relationships with family and friends. Some who do reach out for help are often told to “just learn to live with it.” Many others wait years after their symptoms begin before receiving treatment. To make matters worse, medical treatments often fall short of relieving the full range of IBS, dashing the hopes of escaping its day-to-day burden. It’s not surprising that IBS affects quality of life as much or more than other common diseases such as congestive heart failure or diabetes.

A Real Medical Problem

The nature of IBS symptoms makes diagnosis difficult. IBS symptoms often mimic other diseases, requiring that patients undergo extensive work-ups before being diagnosed. While many diagnostic tests are useful in evaluating specific GI diseases, it may not be necessary to undergo all of them to establish a definitive IBS diagnosis. A correct diagnosis involves recognizing the clinical symptoms of IBS. For some symptoms may involve persistent abdominal pain that is relieved by a bowel movement. Others may notice a change in frequency of bowel movement or the way the stool looks (its form) at onset of pain. 

UB’s Breakthrough IBS Research

Many people with IBS are surprised to learn that there are proven clinical treatments for all types of IBS. Because there is no simple cure – and symptoms may come and go – learning to manage symptoms is important. Effective treatment involves controlling and reducing symptoms before they get out of hand. High quality research shows that even the most severe patients can reduce IBS symptoms.

Some of the most promising IBS work is led by researchers at the Behavioral Medicine Clinic (BMC) in the Department of Medicine at the UB School of Medicine. The BMC has received ongoing support from the National Institutes of Health since 1999 to develop and test non-drug treatments that help patients reduce and control GI symptoms unresponsive to medications or diet changes. By teaching patients to make targeted changes to behavior that aggravate symptoms, these behavioral treatments work much the same way that patients with hypertension learn to lower their blood pressure or patients with diabetes learn to control insulin levels. These treatments appear at least as effective as dietary options or medications – without their side effects.

In a recently published study, UB researchers noted that 75% of IBS patients reported significant improvement in IBS symptoms at the end of treatment. These improvements were accompanied by improved quality of life, increased control over symptoms, and peace of mind. Remarkably, half of the patients achieved enduring benefits after only four clinic visits. The clinical benefits of the behavioral treatments developed at the UB were detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, and identified the UB program as one of the few evidence based treatments available for IBS patients.

WNY Resource:

If you have frequent abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea and/or, constipation and are looking for relief, call 716 898-4458 or e-mail ibsos@buffalo.edu. Learn more at YouTube by entering the keyword IBSOS in the search bar and watch the UB video. Treatment is provided at no cost to eligible participants.

The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center to be Established at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

The Mercy Hospital Foundation received a grant for $375,000 from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to complete a $500,000 renovation of the surgical waiting room at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo to be named The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center.

“The number of patients turning to Mercy for care has steadily increased, not only in the Emergency Department, but in our surgical services as well,” said Mercy Hospital President & CEO CJ Urlaub.

“Whether it’s a joyous occasion, such as the birth of a baby, an elective procedure, a medical emergency or major surgery, when you have a loved one in the operating room, it can be a stressful time. Mercy Hospital’s new surgical waiting room will provide a calm and comfortable environment for our patients’ families. We are grateful to the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation for making this possible.”

The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center will be transformed both physically and technologically. The physical renovations will include comfortable furnishings and a soft color palette to create a peaceful environment to reduce stress and anxiety. The technological renovations will give families the ability to confidentially track a patient’s progress, enabling them to get a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, or stretch their legs without worrying about missing an update from their loved one’s physician. Private consultation rooms will be added to enable doctors and family members to discuss patient care confidentially in an emotionally safe space.

Catholic Health recently announced the creation of a shared Corporate Development Team to raise the profile of philanthropic giving in support of the mission of Catholic Health. This resource will support the fundraising activities of Mercy Hospital Foundation as well as Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation and its St. Joseph Fund; Kenmore Mercy Foundation; and the Continuing & Home Care Foundation.

The entire surgical waiting room project is being funded through donations to the Mercy Hospital Foundation including proceeds from its annual Autumnal charity event. The project will be completed this spring and located on the third floor of the hospital near the Mercy Tree Gift Shop and cafeteria to centralize care amenities at the hospital.

da Vinci® Robot Heads to St. Joseph Campus

With today’s emphasis on minimally invasive surgery, robotic technology is becoming more commonplace in hospital operating rooms. Catholic Health was one of the first area providers to offer this advanced equipment, with the debut of the da Vinci® Surgical System at Mercy Hospital in 2005. Five years later, Sisters Hospital welcomed the newest generation of this technology to its Main Street Campus.

Recently, Catholic Health bolstered its robotic surgery program with the arrival of a da Vinci® System at Sisters Hospital, St. Joseph Campus. For patients, the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery are clear – less pain and scarring, shorter hospital stays, quicker recoveries and fewer complications.

“Our minimally invasive surgery program has grown to the point that we needed a second da Vinci® system,” said Peter U. Bergmann, president & CEO of Sisters Hospital. “By bringing this technology to St. Joseph Campus, we are able to enhance our surgical capabilities at this site and offer this advanced care to more patients throughout our community.”

OB/GYN specialists Ali Ghomi, MD, director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Sisters Hospital, and Pankaj Singhal, MD, and bariatric surgeon, Dang Tuan Pham, MD, are using the da Vinci® system for a number of gynecologic and bariatric procedures. In the coming months, more surgeons will be offering advanced urologic and general surgery procedures at St. Joseph Campus. For more information on robotic surgery at Catholic Health, visit chsbuffalo.org or call (716) 447-6205.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes for People Helping Older Relatives or Friends

A six-week educational program designed to provide caregivers the tools needed for taking care of themselves is now registering for locations in Buffalo, Depew, Williamsville, Orchard Park, Getzville, Amherst and Hamburg.

Class Location	Day	Dates & Times
Lord of Life - 1025 Borden Rd., Depew (free respite for the memory impaired offered at this site)	Tues.	Feb. 26 – April 2, 2013 1 pm – 3:30 pm
**Elim Christian Fellowship 70 Chalmers Ave., Buffalo 14214	Thurs.	March 7 – April 11, 2013 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Elderwood at Heathwood 815 Hopkins Rd., Williamsville 14221	Tues.	April 2 – May 7, 2013 1:30 pm – 4 pm
Orchard Park Sr. Center 70 Linwood Ave., Orchard Park	Tues.	April 9 – May 14, 2013 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Weinberg Campus – The Theater 2700 N. Forest Road,  Getzville 14068 (free respite for the memory impaired offered at this site)	Wed.	May 1 – June 5, 2013 9:30 am – 12 pm
St. Leo the Great RC Church – Rm 111 885 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst (free respite for the memory impaired offered at this site)	Wed.	May 8 – June 12, 2013 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Elderwood at Rosewood 76 Buffalo St., Hamburg 14075	Tues.	May 21 – June 25, 2013 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Amherst Senior Center 370 John James Audubon, Amherst    (free respite for the memory impaired offered at this site)	Wed.	Oct. 16 – Nov. 20, 2013 1 pm – 3:30 pm

Through six 2 1/2 hour sessions held on a weekly basis, caregivers learn to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, and locate helpful resources.  Attendees also learn how to increase their ability to make tough decisions and balance their lives. Pre-Registration is required - Call 858-2177 or e-mailcaregiver@erie.gov for more information about Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes and to register.  

There is a $25 cost for the course (*covered for all Independent Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY health insurance members) which includes The Caregiver Helpbook.    

** At the Elim Christian Fellowship Site in March 2013, course cost is covered in full by CHF Cultural Diversity Grant funding for those that are uninsured.

Additional classes are regularly scheduled and class listing is at www2.erie.gov/seniorservices. For more information or to register, contact: Erie County Department of Senior Services at 858-2177 or e-mail caregiver@erie.gov

18-Hour Dance Marathon to Benefit Alzheimer’s Association

First-of-Its-Kind Event for WNY Chapter

BUFFALO, NY (February 19, 2013) – From the Harlem Shake to the Lindy Hop and all the two-stepping in between, dancers will test their endurance while supporting the mission to End Alzheimer’s during an 18-hour DANCE MARATHON.

The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is planning its first-ever dance marathon, “Step Up and Dance for Alzheimer’s” from 6 pm Friday March 1 through noon on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Sinful Nightclub in downtown Buffalo.

The gracious owners of Sinful, Sue Riggi and Tom Radon, are donating the use of the hip club at 334 Delaware Avenue. “I think it’s important to support the local efforts of this organization because of the outstanding work they do to help not only people with dementia, but their caregivers, too,” said Riggi. “They were extremely helpful when my own family was coping with this devastating disease, and I hope this event will help them raise money and awareness, especially among the younger generation.”

Dancers aged 17 and over must register by Wednesday, February 27 by logging onto the dance website at: stepupforalz.com. The registration fee of $20 includes free “swag bags” loaded with goodies, food and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the event, hourly prize drawings and dance lessons. Highlights include music and dancing through the decades, as well as a send-off from some of the amazing people who are grappling with Alzheimer’s disease by taking part in the various programs and events organized by the Buffalo chapter.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m., opening remarks start at 5:45 p.m. and the dance begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. Chapter staff and volunteers, and club security officials will be in attendance throughout the event.
Contact: Monica Pomeroy, Director of PR and Marketing | 716.626.0600 | mpomeroy@alz.org

Life Saving Devices Donated To Addiction Treatment Facilities

Pictured l-r, Robin Clouden and William Burgin from Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, with Univera Healthcare President Art Wingerter.

Three residential treatment facilities for adults working to break the grip of chemical dependency are better equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies, thanks to a Univera Healthcare donation of three automated external defibrillator units. The three sites are in the city of Buffalo and are associated with Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services Foundation, Inc., more familiar to Western New Yorkers as Kids Escaping Drugs.

“Many of the courageous people who come to these facilities for help and treatment have compromised health conditions due to previous alcohol and drug use,” said Robin A. Clouden, executive director, Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services Foundation. “We’re grateful to Univera Healthcare for this donation, and for the company’s previous donation of two AED units to our Renaissance Campus in West Seneca where young people are treated for chemical addictions,”

“It’s important to have these devices within reach, because the likelihood of resuscitation decreases by about 10 percent with every minute that passes,” said Art Wingerter, Univera Healthcare president. “Immediate use of an AED, in conjunction with CPR, offers a chance at survival.”

The current national survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is less than 5 percent. When a cardiac event happens, every second counts, because permanent brain damage can occur within minutes. According to the American Heart Association, each year an additional 40,000 American lives could be saved with widespread access to defibrillators.

“Univera Healthcare has placed more than 150 AED units into service across upstate New York, including AEDs donated to the Erie, Wyoming and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Departments,” said Wingerter. “In rural areas, a Sheriff is often the first responder to a medical emergency. “
The AED units donated by Univera Healthcare are manufactured by Philips and are about the size of a child’s lunch box. They are fully automated and issue voice commands to coach the user in its operation, including the proper administration of CPR with a metronome beat that helps users count and time CPR chest compressions. If the unit’s chest pads sense a pulse, it will not allow an electrical charge to be administered.

Univera Healthcare Awards Hospitals $26 Million for Quality Improvements

Fifty-four upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $26 million in quality improvement incentive payments from Univera Healthcare and its Rochester-based parent as part of the health insurer’s Hospital Performance Incentive Program. In the past nine years quality performance incentives from Univera Healthcare have exceeded $145 million.

“Our many years of working with our hospital partners to drive improvement in quality of care and patient safety by linking payments to improvements in health outcomes provides a strong foundation for the new models of collaboration anticipated with health care reform." said Carrie Frank, vice president of quality and health informatics at Univera Healthcare.

Participating in this program in 2012 were nineteen Western New York hospitals and health centers, including Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York (2 sites), Catholic Health System (3 hospitals), Chautauqua Integrated Delivery System, Eastern Niagara Health System (2 hospitals), Erie County Medical Center, Kaleida Health (5 hospitals), Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, United Memorial Medical Center and Women’s Christian Association (WCA) Hospital.

“Our team at Mount St. Mary’s has worked hard to meet and surpass the goals of the Hospital Performance Incentive Program to achieve positive outcomes in clinical care through our healing without harm initiative (patient safety), through improving our patients’ experience (patient satisfaction) and in reducing readmissions,” said Judith A. Maness, president and CEO of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center in Lewiston, New York.

“Our Health Ministry continues its close collaboration with Univera Healthcare and in doing so we are providing our patients with the highest quality of care in an effective and efficient manner,” added Maness. “The Hospital Performance Incentive Program continues to be a success for our facility as well as others through Univera’s commitment to continuous quality improvement.”

Launched in 2004, the Hospital Performance Incentive Program evaluates participating hospitals on more than 300 performance measures. In 2012, hospitals achieved 87 percent of all target quality levels. Target outcomes are jointly agreed upon by each hospital and the health insurer using benchmarks established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Leapfrog Group, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and others.

Four areas are targeted for improvement:

Clinical Outcomes – Focused on improvements in heart attack care, heart failure and pneumonia care
Patient Safety – Focused on reductions in hospital-acquired infections, improved medication reconciliation processes, surgical care and National Quality Forum Safe Practices
Patient Perception of Care and Patient Satisfaction – Focused on a hospital’s use of a national survey tool

Efficiency – Focused on generics utilization, length of stay, and readmissions"Univera Healthcare has continued to advance the program whereby hospitals are now required to measure surgical and clinical care composites as hospital contracts open for negotiation,” said Frank. “It is anticipated that this focus will further drive performance improvement to national performance levels in important measures as identified by CMS."The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the US federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

According to the most recent data on hospital-acquired infections available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there were an estimated 24,000 hospital-acquired infections in upstate New York in 2010, and more than 1,000 deaths were likely to have occurred as a result.

 
Interviews with Ms. Maness can be arranged by contacting Fred Caso VP Community Relations Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center, 298-2146, Email fred.caso@MSMH.org

Univera Healthcare is a nonprofit health plan that is part of a family of companies financing and delivering health services for more than 1.8 million upstate New Yorkers. Based in Buffalo, the health plan serves more than 145,000 members across the eight counties that comprise Western New York.

Learn more about Univera Healthcare:
On the Web at http://www.univerahealthcare.com
On Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Univera_WNY
Or YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/Univerahealthcare

Univera Healthcare Donates 280 Blankets to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy

Univera Healthcare delivered a donation of 280 fleece blankets to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy on Buffalo's east side to help keep their residents and others warm during the cold winter weather. St. Luke's Mission of Mercy participates in the "Code Blue" emergency plan established by the City of Buffalo and the Western New York Homeless Coalition. When temperatures drop sufficiently - or the wind chill is especially bitter - Code Blue is announced on local TV and radio stations. St. Luke's and other participating organizations then open their doors even wider to provide shelter for anyone, especially the chronically homeless who often do not want to reside in shelters. 

Pictured (L-R)
From St. Luke's Mission of Mercy: James Rathman, Brenda Fernandez and Gino Grasso

GREENFIELD TERRACE IS OPEN RESIDENTS BEGIN MOVING IN

(LANCASTER, NEW YORK) The first week of February twelve (12) residents moved into their new home and new way of life at GreenField Terrace, the newest addition to The GreenFields Continuing Care Community on Broadway in Lancaster, adding memory care and enhanced assisted living to the list of senior living services provided on campus.

Residents were warmly greeted by their Care Partners, staff, and family members who showed them around, set up their rooms, and introduced them to their new home. It was easy to see they were notably impressed with the ambience at GreenField Terrace, which is especially designed to be just like home, giving residents individual choices, helping them develop caring relationships, and providing nurturing support. When asked how everything was going, one woman exclaimed, “This is so nice! It’s like home.”

GreenField Terrace consists of four separate houses surrounding an inviting enclosed courtyard. In three of the houses, residents requiring memory care receive individualized attention 24 hours a day. In the fourth house, people whose needs fall between traditional assisted living and skilled nursing receive the enhanced assisted living care they need. Residents are able to decide what time they want to get up, when they want to eat, and what activities they want to do each day – just like home. In addition, everyone in the household works together to make decisions concerning the household, such as what the weekly menu should be or whether or not to have a pet become part of their household.

Life at GreenField Terrace includes three home-style meals each day, 24-hour assistance with daily living activities and medication management, housekeeping/laundry services, and scheduled medical transportation, along with social, cultural, educational, spiritual, and recreational programs. Twenty-four hour security and an emergency response system are also provided.

GreenField Terrace is part of The GreenFields Continuing Care Community where each resident has priority access to all the services provided on campus – residential apartment homes, assisted living apartments, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, outpatient therapy and, now, memory care and enhanced assisted living. There is no entrance fee at The GreenFields. 

To learn more contact Lori Hannon, Senior Living Director for The GreenFields, 5953 Broadway, Lancaster NY 14086, (716) 684-8400 or lhannon@niagaralutheran.org or Vivian Cosentino, Marketing Coordinator at (716) 684-8400 / vcosentino@niagaralutheran.org.

The GreenFields Continuing Care Community is located at 5949-5979 Broadway in Lancaster. GreenField Health & RehabilitationCenter opened its doors in 1998. GreenField Manor and GreenField Court opened in 2001. All are affiliates of the Niagara Lutheran Health System, along with the Niagara Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation, which has served the people of Buffalo for 55 years.

Boomers benefit from hearing aids as they stay in the workforce longer

(ARA) - Let’s face it. The Great Recession put a kink in many American’s retirement plans. Combine that financial blow with the general uncertainty regarding Medicare and the future cost of private health insurance. 

As a result, more boomers are staying in the workforce longer. In fact, between 2006 and 2016 the number of older people in the workforce is expected to soar, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Workers between the ages of 55 and 64 are expected to increase by 36.5 percent; the number of workers between 65 and 74 is expected to climb by 83.4 percent, and even the number of workers who are 75 and older is expected to grow by 84.3 percent. By 2016, the BLS says, workers age 65 and over are expected to make up 6.1 percent of the total labor force—a steep jump from their 3.6 percent share in2006.

So what does this mean for individuals? It means people need to do what they can to age productively. It means they need to take charge of their health - including their hearing health - so they can maximize their chances for success on the job. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it’s important that boomers routinely get their hearing checked - and that they address any hearing loss so it doesn’t undermine their efforts on the job or their quality of life.

Gone are the days of ignoring hearing difficulties. There are no more excuses. And given the technological advances of modern hearing aids, and the compelling data that illustrate the downside of leaving hearing loss unaddressed, there’s only one reasonable course of action. Maturing workers should be getting their hearing checked. And if there is hearing loss, they should discuss with their hearing healthcare provider whether or not hearing aids could help.

Consider this: More than 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss - about 11 percent of the U.S. population - and 60 percent of them are below retirement age, according to the Better Hearing Institute (www.betterhearing.org). Research shows that the use of hearing aids reduces the risk of income loss by 90 to 100 percent for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65 to 77 percent for those with severe to moderate hearing loss. Those with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who use hearing aids are twice as likely to be employed as their peers who do not use hearing aids. And three out of four hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life due to wearing hearing aids. The vast majority of people with hearing loss, in fact, could benefit from hearing aids.

More good news: Today’s employers recognize the changing demographics of the modern aging workforce and increasingly are making efforts to hold onto their older workers. Employers value the experience that mature employees bring to the job - along with the strong work ethic and other positive attributes that older workers tend to possess.

More and more companies, in fact, engage in workplace wellness programs to help keep their employees in good health. And hearing health - including hearing checks - is increasingly included in these programs.

“Never before has good hearing been so important - or so attainable,” says Dr. Sergei Kochkin, Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute. “When people with even mild hearing loss use hearing aids, they improve their job performance, increase their earning potential, enhance their communication skills, improve their professional and interpersonal relationships, and stave off depression.

“I urge anyone planning to stay in the workforce longer to take that first, most critical step to optimizing your hearing health and enhancing your chances for career success by taking a confidential, online hearing check at www.hearingcheck.org. It will help you determine if you may need a more thorough hearing test by a hearing health professional,” Kochkin continues. “Your hearing health and continued job success are within your control.”

Source of Article: Better Hearing Institute, September 2012
www.betterhearing.org

Medical 411: Low Testosterone in Men With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Endocrinology Center Conducts Clinical Study
Low Testosterone, Diabetes, Obesity and Erectile Dysfunction

Financial Compensation Available to Qualifying Participants

by Sandeep Dhindsa, M.D.

Testosterone is the principal sex hormone in males. It is important, not only for normal sexual function, but also for maintaining bone and muscle strength, mental and physical energy and overall well-being.

Research conducted at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo) over the last decade shows one-third of men with type 2 diabetes also have low testosterone concentrations. The major determinant of testosterone concentrations in these men is obesity, and an increase in body weight leads to lower testosterone levels. A quarter of obese men without diabetes also have low testosterone. Our most recent study shows that obese boys at end of puberty have 50% lower testosterone concentrations than lean boys.

We have found that the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing among all age groups and a significant number among them are likely to be in their prime reproductive years. The fact that one-third of these men have low testosterone is significant in terms of inadequate sexual function and potential infertility. However, the problem of low testosterone is not confined to just sexual and reproductive function but also to cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in inner lining of arteries, which are precursors of "heart attack").

Inflammation (the process by which the body responds to injury/infection) is believed to play an essential role in the cause of atherosclerosis. Men with low testosterone have more inflammation and heart disease than those with normal testosterone. This means that urgent measures need to be taken to prevent the massive and progressive epidemic of type 2 diabetes which, in its wake, results in hypogonadism (a condition where sex glands produce little or no hormones), resulting in type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Testosterone replacement is indicated in symptomatic men with low testosterone for maintaining secondary sexual characteristics, improving sexual function, sense of well being and bone mineral density, as well as for increasing muscle mass and reducing fat mass. There are different formulations available to replace testosterone: intramuscular injection, gel or patches.

Now the Endocrinology division of SUNY at Buffalo is conducting research studies on the impact of testosterone replacement on body composition, fertility, inflammation and atherosclerosis in men with type 2 diabetes or obesity. To learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate in this important and ongoing research study visit http://diabetes endocrinologycenterofwny.com/index.html or call 716-626-7998. 
About the Author:

Sandeep Dhindsa, MD is an American Diabetes Association-funded researcher from State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Dhindsa and Paresh Dandona, MD were the first researchers to assess the prevalence of hypogonadism in men with diabetes and obesity. Dr. Dhindsa recommends that men with either obesity or diabetes have their testosterone levels tested regularly.

Mammograms Every Two Years May Be OK for Older Women

Yearly test leads to more false positive results, say researchers

Among older women, getting a mammogram every two years was just as beneficial as getting a mammogram annually, and led to significantly fewer false positive results, according to a new study. The national study of more than 140,000 women between the ages of 66 and 89 appears online February 5, 2013, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"Screening every other year, as opposed to every year, does not increase the probability of late-stage breast cancer in older women," said lead author Dejana Braithwaite, PhD, a University of California/San Francisco assistant professor. "Moreover, the presence of other illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease made no difference in the ratio of benefit to harm."

From 1999 to 2006, data were collected on 2,993 older women with breast cancer and 137,949 women without breast cancer – "the largest available screening mammography data set in the United States," according to Braithwaite. The researchers found no difference in rates of late-stage breast cancer between women screened annually and women screened biennially.

However, they found that 48 percent of women between the ages of 66 and 74 who were screened every year had false positive results, while 29 percent of women in the same age range who were screened every two years had false positives.

The researchers said that women aged 66 to 74 years who choose to undergo screening mammography should be screened every two years. They added that these women get no added benefit from annual screening, and face almost twice the false positives and biopsy recommendations, which may cause anxiety and inconvenience.

Braithwaite noted that the study "fills an important information gap, since accountable care organizations do not address screening intervals or screening cessation in women of advanced age or with a significant burden of illness."

She concluded that, taken together, "these results point to a need to consider life expectancy and co-existing illnesses in informing future recommendations about cancer screening in the elderly."

Verbal Aggression: You May Have Picked It Up In the Womb, Says New Study

A new UB study has shown that verbal aggression may have biological causes that can be identified by the ratio of length of a person's ring finger and the length of the index finger.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Research on the communication trait of verbal aggressiveness, which includes behavior like name calling, ridicule, insults, racial epithets and threats, has tended to focus on its social causes.

However, a new study by a team of researchers led by Allison Z. Shaw, PhD, assistant professor of communication at the University at Buffalo, has found that verbal aggression may have biological causes that can be identified by the ratio of length of a person’s ring finger (second digit) to the length of the index finger (fourth digit).

It is the first study to use the 2D:4D ratio – considered a measure of prenatal testosterone exposure – as a determinant of verbal aggression.

The study, “The Effect of Prenatal Sex Hormones on the Development of Verbal Aggression,” was published in the Journal of Communication (Vol. 62 No. 5) and its authors include Michael R. Kotowski, assistant professor of communication, University of Tennessee, and Franklin J. Boster and Timothy R. Levine, both professors of communication at Michigan State University.

Shaw says prior research has suggested that the 2D:4D ratio can be used as a measure of exposure to androgens in utero (testosterone being a type of androgen) and a number of studies have shown a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and various physical and behavioral traits.

The research team hypothesized that if prenatal exposure to testosterone influences the 2D:4D ratio and high levels of prenatal testosterone exposure are linked to verbal aggression, then digital ratio could predict the trait of verbal aggression.

To test this, they first measured the finger length of adult subjects from the point where fingers meet the palm to the tip, then photocopied each hand, palm down and made the same measurements. From these results they calculated each subject’s 2D:4D ratio.

The subjects then filled out the Verbal Aggression Scale and the HEXACO Personality Inventory and the Argumentativeness Scale.

The team found that men and women with smaller 2D:4D ratio reported themselves to be more verbally aggressive.

Shaw points out that, when expressed in limited contexts, verbal aggression can be beneficial to an individual but when expressed injudiciously, may have negative influences by provoking job loss, for example, or making it difficult to maintain close personal relationships.

“These findings have implications for our understanding of the proximal and distal causes of verbal aggression,” Shaw says.

“They suggest,” she says, “that verbally aggressive behavior may be provoked by biologically based differences in people’s attention to potentially threatening stimuli (such as a sigh), their appraisal of the stimuli as threatening and the resulting decision to respond and produce messages that are verbally aggressive.

“This study is the first step in gaining a better understanding of this process,” says Shaw, “and may allow us to develop more sophisticated techniques to inhibit such types of responses.”

Roswell and Catholic Health Collaborate to Bring State of the Art Women's Cancer Care to Sister's Hospital

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and Catholic Health are now providing gynecologic oncology services to women at The M. Steven Piver, MD Center for Women’s Health & Wellness, a department of Sisters of Charity Hospital, with the appointment of Stacey Nicole Akers, MD.

A specialist in gynecologic oncology and a member of RPCI’s Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Dr. Akers will help expand the Piver Center’s work in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. Through this affiliation, she will bring innovative therapies and technology to women receiving gynecologic cancer treatment at Sisters Hospital — therapies that are not yet offered outside of a comprehensive cancer center like Roswell Park.

“We are very fortunate to have a physician with Dr. Akers’ training and expertise join Catholic Health’s network of providers and Sisters of Charity Hospital,” says Dr. Richard Ruh, MD, MBA, senior vice president Service Lines for Catholic Health. “This professional partnership is part of a collaborative effort with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to meet the health needs of women throughout our community.”

Dr. Akers received her medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Louisville. She completed subspecialty fellowship training in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at RPCI and immediately became a member of the Roswell Park practice plan.

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Akers received the Excellence in Clinical Research award, which is presented to 60 obstetrics and gynecology fellows annually. Her work has also been published in several professional journals and presented at a number of medical meetings.

“We are very excited to be able to have this alliance with Catholic Health through the shared appointment of Dr. Akers, who will be splitting her time between Roswell Park and Sisters Hospital,” says Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG, chair of Gynecologic Oncology at RPCI. “Through this affiliation, more women in Western New York will be able to avail themselves of newer therapies that offer a better chance for longer-term survivorship from gynecologic cancers.”

“As a former member of the Roswell Park gynecologic oncology team, I have always made a commitment to the women in my care to provide the best and most innovative care available,” says M. Steven Piver, MD, founder of The Piver Center for Women’s Health & Wellness and chair emeritus of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology RPCI. “Now with this affiliation with Dr. Odunsi and his excellent team, we will be able to provide women at Sisters Hospital with the most advanced therapies.

February brings healthy fun and Beautiful Orchids to the Botanical Gardens!

Buffalo, NY - The month of February means plenty of education and entertainment at the Botanical Gardens! On February 18 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, the gardens will be offering Dollar Day. Members and kids under 3 are free! Starting on February 20 all are welcome for hatha yoga sessions from 5:30 pm-6:45 pm every Wednesday. The Botanical Gardens and Niagara Frontier and Orchid Society will also be holding an Orchid Show on February 23 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and February 24 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Opening day of the show will also include a special feature in the Medicinal Garden to honor National Heart Month.

In the spirit of National Heart Month, the Gardens will offer gentle, relaxing yoga at the gardens for all ages and fitness levels starting on February 20. Imagine gazing up at the dome as you breathe to align your mind, body and spirit! The dates include February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1. This class is free for eligible BlueCross BlueShield members or $100 per 10 week session or $15 each individual class. To register, contact Leanne Oldenbrook at 716.864.1194 or via e-mail at crescmnyoga@yahoo.com.

A special feature recognizing National Hearth Month will take place in the Medicinal Garden on February 23 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Activities include: botanical displays highlighting plant sources for medications used to treat various heart diseases, education regarding the ABCS of the Million Hearts National campaign aiming to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years, and blood pressure education and screenings. The Medicinal Garden was made possible by D’Youville College School of Pharmacy and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Part of Catholic Health.

Whether orchids are your passion or simply just a hobby, the Orchid show gives all guests the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful and award-winning displays from the Buffalo Niagara Region. Garden visitors will have a chance to have all their orchid questions answered while enjoying the gorgeous Botanical Gardens, orchid displays, and various orchid-based programs. Specialty Vendors will also offer a plant sale including merchandise and supplies in addition to this educational and breath-taking show.

Admission tickets are available at the door: $9 adults, $8 seniors (55+), $8 students (13+), $5 children 3-12 and members and children under 3 are free. The Medicinal Garden presentations are included with admission.

The Niagara Frontier Orchid Society’s mission is to seek to promote the culture and enjoyment of orchids, and aims to further every member's orchid related knowledge. They are dedicated to encouraging the protection of orchids and their conservation in natural habitats around the world. For more information on the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society go to www.niagarafrontierorchids.org.

For more information visit us online at www.buffalogardens.com. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing appreciation for and knowledge of plant life and its connection to people and cultures through its documented living plant collection, historic conservatory, education, research and exhibits.

Dr. Michael Cropp Elected Board Chairman of ACHP

Dr. Michael Cropp, president and CEO of Independent Health, was elected board chairman of a national industry group of health insurance companies for a two-year term.

Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) is a national leadership organization of 22 community-based and regional health plans and provider organizations, providing health care to 16 million Americans. ACHP focuses on innovations in affordability and quality of care, including patient care coordination, patient-centered medical homes, accountable health care delivery and use of information technology.

Independent Health has been the highest-ranked health insurance plan in the New York/New Jersey region for the past three years. 

Dr. Cropp is a board-certified family physician, and the founding chairman of the P2 Collaborative of WNY, as well as the founding chairman of Western New York Clinical Information Exchange, (HealtheLink), a consortium of community stakeholders working to provide electronic access to health information.

Dr. Cropp joined Independent Health in 1996 and has served as president and CEO since 2004. With 375,000 members, Independent Health is the second largest health insurer in the eight-county region.