Health

 
Since its inception more than 40 years ago, Earth Day has become an important reminder of the human impact on the ecosystem. Euclid Hospital proudly celebrated this special day as a way to remember that everyone can contribute to a healthy environment. On April 20, over 100 people stopped by the cafeteria to learn more about saving energy and reducing waste at both home and work. Hosted by the hospital's Green Team, the event also featured a light bulb giveaway, coloring contest and other educational activities.

Because managing your money is not easy, Primerica wants to help women of all income levels get a better understanding of how their dollars can work for or against them. Sarit Zamir and Melanie Johnson,  independent representatives of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI), will host a seminar called "Financial Fitness for Today's Woman" on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 5:30-6:30 pm at Shore Cultural Centre in Community Room 152, 291 E. 222nd Street. Primerica is the largest independent financial services marketing company in North America.

Mary Baird, Coordinator of Atma Center's Yog@Work program, will be the guest speaker at the May meeting of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group. Mary has been practicing yoga for thirty years. She teaches a class called Yoga for Healthy Aging at the Atma House and also gives private lessons covering many aspects of yoga. She believes yoga is important for anyone seeking to maintain balance, inner strength, and sanity in today's world. Mary has filled her life with a wide variety of teaching experiences and volunteer activities. She is also the co-founder of Hard-Hatted Women.

Did you ever leave a doctor’s office and realize that you had forgotten to ask him a question or mention some important information? It can happen to anyone.

Your doctor is probably under a lot of pressure to see more and more patients. To do this he limits his time with you. To get the most benefit from a visit with your doctor, you need to be prepared. You need to know what to bring to the doctor’s office. You need to know what questions to ask. And you need to be able to understand the significance of the numbers that result from testing.

On Monday, April 23rd., at 7 p.m. Dan Finkenthal, RN, from the Diabetes Partnership will give an informative presentation about getting ready for your next visit to a doctor’s office. Dan will speak at the Euclid Diabetes Support Group’s meeting at the Euclid Public Library. He will help you to prepare for your next session with your doctor. Although this meeting is presented for people with diabetes, anyone with a chronic medical condition may find it helpful. This meeting is free and open to the public.

The Euclid Diabetes Support Group’s purpose is to help people with the diabetes live a healthier lifestyle. Members socialize and get the latest information at their monthly meetings at the Euclid Public Library. Phone calls and emails remind members to attend the next meeting. New members or guests are always welcome.

                                         

"Our Community is Better Together"  is the theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2012.  Rose-Mary Center and other related organizations celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month this month,  and invite you to consider the true meaning of this year’s theme, “Our Community is Better Together.” Statewide, and across the nation, organizations devoted to serving individuals with developmental disabilities are planning special events in March to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability.

“Our Community is Better Together” encourages people to understand that when people with disabilities are welcomed into local neighborhoods, workplaces, houses of worship, and schools everyone wins. "This is a time when our organization focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve," said Patricia A. Colombo, Executive Director of Rose-Mary Center. “During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we encourage people to learn more about the  people in this community who have developmental disabilities and to recognize that all of us have talents and abilities that we can offer to make this a better place to live. ‘Together’ we can accomplish more.”

During March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, get acquainted with someone who has a developmental disability. You’ll learn that everyone has something to offer and that and when we are all together our communities are stronger, we accomplish more, and everyone wins!

Got questions about eating turkey? No, it’s not Thanksgiving. At the next meeting of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group you can get your questions answered.  Dan Finkenthal, R.N. of the Diabetes Partnership will present “Lets Talk Turkey.” The meeting will be on Monday, March 19th, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Euclid Public Library.

Dan will tell us all about turkey bacon, sausage and hot dogs and compare them to their all-beef or pork counterparts. He’ll supply tips on how to cook a turkey and suggestions about how to use the entire turkey for everyday meals. In addition he’ll compare the cost of home cooked turkey with the cost of deli turkey.  Learn all you ever wanted to know about turkey at this informative meeting. 

Other items on the agenda include a discussion of the March chapter of the Happiness Project and voluntary A1C and blood pressure screenings by a researcher from Case Western Reserve University.

The Euclid Diabetes Support Group is free and open to the public. Its purpose is to help members live a healthier lifestyle. Please join us.

                                               

If you are a person with diabetes or have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, consider joining the Euclid Diabetes Support Group. The EDSG started more than 12 years ago to encourage people with diabetes to manage their disease and live a healthy lifestyle. New members are always welcome.

Dan Finkenthal, R.N., facilitates the meeting each month. He is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker who brings the latest information available from the Diabetes Partnership. The meetings are informal and informative. Monthly topics have included managing stress, carb counting, foot care, handling holiday meals, exercise, medication, neuropathy, and the complications of diabetes. The January 23rd meeting was a question and answer session so that members could get immediate information about questions they have.

Once a month on Monday evenings the members meet at the Euclid Public Library at 7 p.m. Meetings are scheduled for January 23, February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21, and June18, 2012. All meetings are free and open to the public. Flyers with the month’s topic are usually available at the library.

Members can socialize before and after the meetings. Twice a year members share potluck dinners featuring healthy foods. In July they meet for a picnic and in December for a holiday celebration. Start a healthy new year by joining the EDSG.

 

If you are unable to perform some of the tasks required for daily living, Department of Veterans Affairs offers a generous pension program for veterans and their surviving spouse. This benefit provides significant support for those in need of ongoing care. It is called Aid and Attendance.

To qualify, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active service, one day of which was during a wartime period.

Benefits are also available to a surviving spouse who is 65 or older, or is permanently and totally disabled, and total family income is below annual limit set by law. Most medical or care expenses including nursing homes, assisted living, enhanced independent living  or home care will substantially reduce countable income if you qualify medically.

continued.

 

I hope that everyone had a nice summer. It’s that time of year when we’ll start using our fireplaces and furnaces. These two necessities provide warmth and comfort to our homes during the winter months. However, if used incorrectly, or not properly maintained, these two heat sources can bring carbon monoxide, or CO, into our homes. This article will help you understand what CO is, how it comes into our homes, and how to protect yourself and your family from suffering CO poisoning.  

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is toxic to humans and animals at high levels. It poisons us when we unknowingly inhale it in an enclosed area, such as in our homes when our windows and doors are closed. After we unknowingly inhale CO, the gas removes the oxygen from our blood. The severity of poisoning will depend on how much we’re exposed to and for how long. Carbon monoxide poisoning will mimic flu symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue.  

continued.

Ask any emergency room nurse or doctor and I’m sure they’ll say that Friday nights can be interesting. An early September evening provided evidence of this phenomenon. Dr. Marita Volk was the doctor on duty one night when a family of four came to Euclid Hospital with flu-like symptoms. She and her staff wisely chose to test the family for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning; all four tests came back positive. But now a larger, more dangerous problem presented itself. The family of four lived in a six-story apartment complex on Euclid Avenue, and if this family had CO poisoning, then perhaps dozens, or perhaps hundreds, of occupants could be suffering the same problem. Dr. Volk immediately called the Euclid Fire Department to alert them to a potential mass-casualty incident.

continued.

Keeping healthy during the holidays is a challenge for everyone. American traditions include food—lots of food. Food loaded with fats, sugar and calories. For most people gaining weight during the holidays is another holiday tradition. 

As the days get shorter and darker, it is so easy to curl up in a cozy throw, sip hot chocolate, eat your aunt’s cookies and watch TV. Who wants to go for a brisk walk in the dark?

This time of year poses a special challenge for people with diabetes. They are told to limit the amount of carbohydrates they eat. Easier said than done. Most of our holiday foods are loaded with carbs. Keeping the pounds off becomes even harder when you are surrounded by food.

continued.

Vaccinations are available for adult and pediatric patients. Location, time, appointments and fees may vary by location. Cash only (no checks). Medicare and some insurance plans are accepted.  

Euclid Hospital
18901 Lakeshore Boulevard, Euclid
Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Willoughby Hills Family Health Center
2570 SOM Center Road, Willoughby Hills
Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

Signs and symptoms of seasonal flu include:
• Moderate-to-high fever (starting at 100–100.5 °F)
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (usually more common in children)

For most people, the illness can last a week or longer. In some people, however, influenza can lead to life-threatening conditions.

How can you stay healthy?
• Cover your cough/sneeze
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after coughing or sneezing
• If you’re sick, stay home
• Get vaccinated against the flu. The vaccine is safe, even for pregnant women. You cannot get influenza from the flu shot This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider.

Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.  

 

Minor foot injuries in people with diabetes often lead to major amputations. To prevent such drastic treatment people with diabetes must take extra care to keep their feet healthy. Dan Finkenthal, RN, of the Diabetes Partnership will describe the routines and procedures for keeping feet healthy at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group. His talk will be especially helpful for people diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Euclid Public Library and is free and open to the public.

The purpose of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group is to help people with diabetes live a healthy lifestyle. Monthly meetings help people socialize, ask questions, and learn to live better with diabetes.

 

This fall's open enrollment period for 2012 Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage has been moved up more than a month. It will begin Oct. 15 and end Dec. 7. This is a major change from prior years when open enrollment occurred between mid-November and December 31.

The open enrollment window is the period when those on Medicare advantage plans or Medicare prescription plans can join, drop or switch to a different plan. For those who have Medicare supplements with a prescription drug plan, this is the time when they can move to an advantage plan. Comparing plans during the open enrollment is critical because plans may change their coverage and costs from year to year.

“We want to make sure that everyone knows that these dates have been moved up. Many people are accustomed to delaying their decisions until the last week of the year. We’re also asking people to make sure that their friends and family members are aware of these new dates as well,” said Laura Mutsko of Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC.  

 

Euclid Hospital participates in disaster drill 

Euclid Hospital was among many hospitals and medical centers across Northeast Ohio to participate in a five-county wide Emergency Management Drill in mid-July.

The Euclid YMCA held a special fitness center “grand-reopening” ceremony Aug. 20, to celebrate the installation of new exercise equipment in the first-floor fitness center, as well as the group exercise and free-weight rooms on the lower level. Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and then tried out one of the new Precor elliptical training machines.

Are you diabetic?  Have you been told that you are prediabetic? Millions of Americans are just like you. If you need some motivation to change your lifestyle and your eating habits, come join the Euclid Diabetes Support Group at our September meeting Sept. 19. Our meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Euclid Public Library. 

Dan Finkenthal, RN, will present “Complications of Diabetes, a Detailed Overview.” Dan is a nurse educator for the Diabetes Partnership, formerly known as the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland. He is an informative and entertaining speaker. If you have any questions pertaining to diabetes, he is the man to answer them for you.

The purpose of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group is to help people with that disease live a healthy lifestyle by providing information and support to its members. Our meetings are free and open to the public. All are welcome to join us.

The June meeting of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group will meet at the Euclid Public Library on June 20. Sign in and socializing will begin at 6:45 p.m. The actual meeting will start at 7 p.m.

Members will welcome their new leader, Dan Finkenthal R.N, a nurse educator from the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, and develop topics for future meetings.

Members will also discuss plans for the annual picnic at North Chagrin Metropark, pre-ordering bison burgers or hamburgers for grilling at the picnic. There will be sign-ups to prepare a healthy salad, side dish or dessert to share at the potluck dinner.

The Euclid Diabetes Support Group exists to encourage people with diabetes to live a healthy lifestyle. All meetings are free and open to the public.

 

A dietician from the Diabetes Association will speak at the May meeting of the Euclid Diabetes Support Group at the Euclid Public Library, May 16 at 6:45 p.m. The topic will be Tips for Healthy Eating. The public is welcome to attend this free presentation.

The Euclid Diabetes Support Group meets monthly at Euclid Public Library to discuss living with diabetes. Monthly activities include speakers, videos, and discussions to share information about living a healthier lifestyle. They also share healthy potluck meals at annual picnics and its Christmas party.

Members include people and family members of people living with this chronic disease. All meetings are free and open to anyone who is interested.

On Saturday, April 30, from 10-2, the Euclid Hospital Medical Building is collecting unused or expired medications and drugs...drive behind the hospital, past the emergency department, and without getting out of your car hand the meds to an officer...be sure to remove any prescription labels that may be on the medication.

Learn how to live a healthier lifestyle at this free program

The holidays can be a difficult time for those facing serious illness. Once welcomed gatherings and special events may seem overwhelming, loved ones might not know how to help and children might not understand why this holiday is different than those of years past.

We are in the mist of the holiday season. The endless store commercials, Christmas songs, parades, and all the fuss. After all the hustle and bustle, right before the New Year begins, we begin to think about clearing clutter and cleaning our homes. The superstition goes if you go into the New Year with an unclean house and clutter that is how the rest of the year will be. Did you ever think that our minds might be the same way? If you go into the New Year with an unclean mind and clutter in our minds, that how the rest of the year will be. Just as we clean and clear our homes this time of the year, we need to also clear and clean our minds.

Happy Hollerdays! Oh yes, for many, it’s the time of year for stomach tension, extra stress and ninja-like emotional high wire acts that can go very, very wrong. For many people holiday “traditions” include seasonal aggression, heartburn associated with unspoken irritation, alcohol soaked relatives, and visions of credit card payments that dance in your head. Well…even if your holiday isn’t as dramatic as that, you can still reduce your stress and have more fun. I have found a remarkable (and simple) solution that reduces the vast majority of holiday stress in the twinkling of an eye-quicker than reindeer fly!

Manor Care Euclid Beach was recently the subject of an intensive quality indicator survey.

Lisa Fleming, director of OneTree Yoga, shares her thoughts on yoga, and why here and why now.

 

OneTree Yoga is a small, yet enveloping studio space that just feels warm and inviting all year long. We offer hatha and vinyasa style classes, along with meditation and special workshops. Our schedule has something for everyone from basic beginners to more advanced practitioners, yet the schedule is simplistic. There’s nothing fancy; we’re there to teach and practice yoga, traditional styles of yoga, and meditation. We use a sign-in sheet and cards, and open the 10-foot windows for a fresh natural breeze off Lake Erie.

This time of the year can have different meanings for each one of us. Traditionally, this is categorized as a time for family gatherings and finding the perfect gift. For others this may be a time of sorrow and may mean a period of unresolved pain, loneliness, family friction, reminders of loss, or not being able to provide during this difficult financial period.

 

Count your blessings and give thanks for being able to enjoy the company of loved ones and feast on a good meal. If your family gatherings are drama-free and a source of joy and fulfillment, experience and appreciate them fully.

The Euclid Family YMCA offers a number of aquatics programs for adults of all ages, ranging from “do your own thing” open swims to structured aqua aerobics classes. This fall, adult open swim sessions are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. There is also an 8 a.m. early bird open swim on Saturday mornings.

The soft lighting, no-skid floors and overall atmosphere of calm are among the first indications that this division of Huron Hospital is geared to the unique needs of a unique population.

Indeed, elderly members of the community are the focus of care in this new Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit. The fourth floor unit, which provides specialized and individualized care, began accepting its first patients in August 2010.

“This unit is in keeping with our tradition of providing quality care to the elderly,” says Keyvan Ravakhah, M.D., chairman, Department of Medicine, Huron Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital. “Now, instead of being in different sections of the hospital for different services, we’ll be able to give them comprehensive medical and rehabilitative care in one location.”

May 14, 2009 is a day that Tara Kuchenbecker can remember as vividly as if it were a television show she had recorded on her DVR, because she can remember it at any time. It was a Thursday evening. Tara and her husband Ken were relaxing at home after work. Ken headed to the back yard to chop wood for their fire pit. Tara picked up the phone to call her mother to talk.

Suddenly, Tara felt sick to her stomach. She abruptly ended the conversation telling her mother that she had to go because she did not feel well. Her mother sensed something was wrong and told her to tell Ken. Tara knew there wasn’t time and ran to the bathroom.

Ken found Tara passed out and having a seizure. He called 9-1-1 and the paramedics soon arrived. “It was surreal,” Tara recalls. “I could hear the paramedics, but I couldn’t see them. I was picturing them and what they were doing, but I couldn’t answer them. Then I blacked out.”

Medicare keeps getting more complex every year. It can be overwhelming for anyone approaching retirement or using Medicare for the first time. Those who are tackling this subject for the first time will find it helpful to attend an informational workshop called Getting Started with Medicare, Sep. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Shore Cultural Centre. The class offers those approaching retirement or enrolling in Medicare for the first time a chance to gain a basic understanding of how Medicare works.

One of the most common sickness experienced by people is headaches. In the United States alone, one out of every six Americans suffers chronic headaches each year. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some headaches cause debilitating pain and nausea.

Murphy’s Law for owning a pet: If there is something that you don’t want your pet to get into, chances are your Fido will be the first to find it. In most instances, pet owners find this is just an occasional inconvenience. However, there are many common, everyday things that can be dangerous and even deadly if our pets get a hold of them, and sadly, these hazardous items are not always out of their reach. On the long list of easily accessible dangers to our pets are house and garden plants. Although there are a number of plants that are fairly harmless and may just cause your dog or cat mild discomfort and sickness if eaten, there are many plant that are toxic.

Lately there has been frequent media coverage of “medication mistakes.” The stories that get media attention usually cover mistakes that have caused significant harm or death to a patient. These stories are still somewhat rare, but are starting to increase in occurrence. 

Recently the Cuyahoga County Sherriff’s Department co-sponsored Operation Medicine Cabinet for senior citizens. The program encouraged senior citizens to drop off medications at several local facilities for safe disposal. The emphasis was on safety; to avoid accidental over dosing by children and grandchildren, teenagers from experimenting with prescription medication, and people from breaking into homes to obtain certain medications they think they can use for various purposes. This collection also helps prevent the contamination of our water supply.

In an effort to help promote better health, a Collinwood High School graduate recently opened up a local fitness center called TMAB Fitness. Tracey M. Brown, a 2000 grad, is the person behind the new business.

TMAB Fitness services are based on three tiers of training: intergrated, core and private personal training. Brown was born and raised on the east side of Cleveland. She is an alumna of Collinwood High, known for the infamous Lady Railroaders, where she was a proud participant. She moved away after graduation and acquired a number of skills while traveling. Being an athlete at heart, Brown stuck with the habitual state of working out six days a week.

Chiropractic medicine is a health care discipline and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractic care is safe and natural.

According to several scientific opinion polls, most Americans know what they want at the end of life. People report they do not want to be alone, in pain or afraid. Nor do they wish for their dying process to be prolonged if there is little or no hope for recovery. Moreover, they want to die at home. Although, these wishes are reflected in over 90 percent of our population, more than 75 percent currently die in institutional settings. Furthermore, polls indicate people believe their loved ones will make sure their wishes are met, although fewer than 15 percent have discussed their requests with anyone.

The HELP Foundation, a nonprofit provider of housing and support services for people with developmental disabilities, opened a very popular Adult Day Support Program on Euclid's Shore Center Drive this past November. 

The program provides a daytime, community-based program for adults that encourages fellowship, improving individual skills, and expanding personal horizons. Participants in the program enjoy numerous activities; outings, classes, and crafts. There is  a new focus on personal health and exercise. 

Forbes magazine called us here in Cleveland, 2010's Most Miserable City in America! If you refuse to be miserable in 2010, join me in exercising for a cause this year.