2015 heartbeat of health care

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HEARTBEAT of HEALTHCARE Introducing Well3 Pikes Peak Prevent trips, slips and falls YMCA LIVESTRONG gets cancer survivors back on their feet What do you need to know about long-term care? SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE GAZETTE gazette.com/heartbeat

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Page 1: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

HEARTBEATofHEALTHCARE

Introducing Well3 Pikes Peak

Prevent trips, slips and falls

YMCA LIVESTRONG gets cancer survivors back on their feet

What do you need to know about long-term care?

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE GAZETTE

gazette.com/heartbeat

Page 2: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

HE 2 I THE GAZETTE I SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015

Allergy season is almost upon us and whatever your allergic condition — from hives to eczema to asthma to hay fever — there is no reason to continue suffering. A board-certified allergist can provide a per-sonal evaluation and treatment plan that can help you control any allergy.

In the management of asthma, several new medications are being studied that decrease allergic inflammation in the lung. These have shown great promise for our asthmatic patients. Standard inhalers can also control shortness of breath and wheeze, allowing people to compete in sports as well as better tolerate visits to a home full of cats. New forms of the medi-cations traditionally given in allergy shots are becoming available for dosing under the tongue, thus saving painful pricks and repeated visits to the office. These ‘sublin-gual’ drops can help with nasal allergies to grasses and weeds.

Sinus infections can be easily diagnosed

in the office with low-dose CAT scanners. For chronic hives, the FDA has approved a once-monthly shot to control these itchy, skin lesions — meaning no more sleep-less nights due to endless scratching. For those suffering from chronic cough, we can locate your trigger and allow you to at-tend church or the theater without receiv-ing scornful glares from those around you.

Do you suffer from recurrent infec-tions? A simple visit and blood test can help us decide whether your four pneu-monias are related to a low immune sys-tem. New techniques in treating food al-lergies are also becoming available and we can help with school forms and emer-gency action plans.

Visit www.stormsallergy.com for more informa-tion or to schedule an appointment with an allergist.

According to Forbes Magazine and CBS Evening News, concierge medicine is a growing national trend that leads to improved family medicine practices — saving families time and money — and it is thriving in the Pikes Peak region.

Concierge medicine’s appeal includes working with a dedicated physician who can team up with families to provide same-day, 30-plus minute visits and 24/7 access via text, phone, or video chat. This direct patient-to-physician relationship allows for superior preventative and acute health care at substantial savings. No more extended wait periods in a germy waiting room or not getting enough time

with the doctor!In the concierge model,

physicians charge a fixed fee to a limited

number of patients. In exchange, the physician can

practice patient-focused medicine without the burden of today’s dysfunctional insurance model in which increased premiums, co-pays and unobtainable deductibles are the standard.

Flying Horse Medical Center (FHMC) works on the concierge medicine model. Dr. Aaron Fraser, DO, at FHMC, has reduced his patient load from over 3,000 to around 300, and his visits with patients have gone from seven minutes to over 30 minutes. Dr. Fraser can now see patients of all ages the same day, verses making them wait seven to ten days, and each patient is charged a fixed fee of $69 – $99 a month. Since insurance is not driving the encounters, there are no co-pays, per-visit charges, waiting periods, or deductibles.

Call Flying Horse Medical Center at 719-633-5255, or visit www.FHMedCenter.com for more information.

LIVESTRONG is a research-based physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holis-tic health needs.

Started with a small grant through Y-USA and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region launched the first program at the Briargate Family Center in Fall 2014. The Downtown YMCA began its first LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program on February 3, and Tri Lakes YMCA will begin February 17. A minimum of three additional programs will run throughout the year at various locations. The program is made available through donations from individuals and organiza-tions in our community.

This 12-week, twice-a-week class is available at no charge to its participants. There is an initial interview process to ensure that this program is right for each person and to establish the important re-

lationship necessary to ensure that support is avail-able based on individual needs. LIVESTRONG is for survivors starting on the day of diagnosis until well after treatment is completed. Specially-trained and cer-tified LIVESTRONG at the YMCA instructors work with each participant to develop a customized plan to meet their needs.

“We believe so strongly in filling this need in our community,” said Boyd Wil-liams, CEO of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. “We know that having a place to be a family and participate in our many, many programs and events is part of the healing process during a time when things like normalcy, financial struggles and physical challenges can become overwhelming.”

For more information, visit ppymca.org, email [email protected] or call 719-329-7295.

If your experience when you visit a dentist

has not changed in the last few years, it is quite possible you are not getting the most up-to-date dental care. Laser technology continues to find expanded use in today’s modern dental office. The most modern dentists are utilizing laser technology to assist in diagnosis of dental problems, allowing them to provide more comfortable treatment in a less time-consuming manner than ever before, and can even be used to enhance the whiteness of your teeth.

Colorado Laser Dentistry recently introduced a new camera in the office that utilizes laser technology to scan the surfaces of teeth for tooth decay and bacteria that cause periodontal disease. This allows us to detect potential dental issues in the earliest

stages. Combine this technology with the Waterlase iPlus, an all-tissue dental laser, and many times the patient can have tooth decay removed painlessly. The Waterlase iPlus also allows for same-day tooth repair and has the patient walking out the door without the familiar numb lip and/or tongue typically accustomed with a normal dental visit.

In addition, a digital laser scanner can also replace the familiar goopy dental impression material that used to be necessary when making a crown for a tooth. With laser technology, it is now possible to fabricate a permanent crown for a patient in about one hour with no numbness and no impression material.

Visit www.coloradolaserdentistry.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The latest in medicine and technology in southern Colorado

Advances in allergy treatments can relieve your symptomsBy Matthew Bowdish, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, William Storms Allergy Clinic

YMCA program strengthens local cancer survivors Courtesy of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

Laser technology leads to less painful, invasive dentistry

By Dr. Jeffrey Harrison, DDS, Colorado Laser Dentistry

Concierge approach puts ‘family’ back in family medicineCourtesy of Flying Horse Medical Center

WHAT’S NEW?

Page 3: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015 I THE GAZETTE I HE 3

Care and coverage together makes life easier.

Kaiser Permanente is here to meet the health care needs of Southern Colorado at our Briargate and Parkside Medical Offi ces.

Our members in Southern Colorado have a lot of choice when it comes to selecting a doctor: they can receive care from a network physician in their plan or visit a Kaiser Permanente medical offi ce. This approach combines choice, convenience, and assurance of quality, patient-centered care.

Our Kaiser Permanente Briargate and Parkside Medical Offi ces offer primary care, pharmacy, laboratory, medical imaging, and more under one roof.

Visit kp.org to learn more about our Kaiser Permanente Medical Offi ces.

Educational Theatre Programs

Kaiser Permanente Briargate Medical Offi ces Located across from Memorial Hospital North4105 Briargate Parkway, Suite 125Colorado Springs, CO 80920719-282-2533

Now open: Kaiser Permanente Parkside Medical Offi ces Centrally located near Memorial Park215 Parkside Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80910 719-327-6540

Megan D. Hiles, MDInternal Medicine

Theodore R. Stefani, MDFamily Medicine

Parkside Medical Offi ces

Luz-Estefana (Stephanie) Garcia, MD

Internal Medicine

Robert J. Ochsner, MDFamily Medicine

Audrey M. Hall, MDPediatrics

Briargate Medical Offi ces

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Page 4: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

HE 4 I THE GAZETTE I SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015

When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) launched in fall 2013, consumers were inundated with inflammatory and often inaccurate information about the future of American healthcare, not to mention a lack of helpful information on Colorado’s guidelines.

This need for a community focus led to the formation of Well3 Pikes Peak, an alliance of seven local healthcare stakeholders committed to ensuring access to accurate and relevant information for families and individuals in the Pikes Peak region.

“What consumers didn’t see was that we in the industry — hospitals, providers, insurers, non-profits and so forth — had already implemented changes to make their healthcare experience better and more consistent,” said Chris Valentine, director of marketing and communications for Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, a Well3 Pikes Peak partner.

“Physicians in our community are concerned about their patients and want to give them what they need to navigate the changes in healthcare, get better healthcare, and be well,” said Mike Ware, Chief Executive Officer for El Paso County Medical Society. “It’s the ‘why, what, and how’ of what El Paso County Medical Society does and led us to join the Well3 alliance with other organizations invested in the well-being of our area.”

The Well3 Pikes Peak collaboration has expanded its mission to empower people to proactively manage their

health and wellness, whether it be healthy lifestyle choices, efficiently accessing health care, or making financially smart health care decisions. “With everything currently happening in health care, it’s important for our community to have a voice delivering the message that there are some innovative, proactive initiatives taking place right here, right now, to the benefit of all of us,” said Debbie Chandler, CEO of Colorado Springs Health Partners, PC.

The cooperative is reaching out in an effort to engage the community, seeking to empower people of all ages to make educated health care decisions. Consumers are invited to visit Well3 Pikes Peak campaign website and check out a variety of timely resources or submit health care questions. Well3 team members are committed to answering all questions posed on the site within 24 hours. Well3 Pikes Peak has also gone social; via Facebook and Twitter accounts, the team is able to quickly connect consumers to local health care resources. Well3 Pikes Peak team members are also engaging face to face, through presentations for local groups like the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Luncheon. Groups interested in hosting a presentation can request a date at www.well3pp.com.

To take Well3 Pikes Peak with you on the go, download its free wellness mobile application. The app is available in both an Apple and Android version

and shares daily health tips that can be easily implemented yet help make a drastic change in overall wellness and healthcare expenses. “We hope that consumers will interact with the app on a daily basis, follow the daily tip and become more aware of their personal wellness,” said Kayleen Jackson, director of program development for Well3 Pikes Peak partner Colorado Choice Health Plans. Tips include suggestions to volunteer, try yoga, or swap one sugary drink a day with a glass of water.

“It is often the simple things that have the most impact,” said Deb Lemke, area administrator of Patient Care Services for Kaiser Permanente. “If people would just move more, or improve their diet just a bit, we could

see a decrease in the number of new Type 2 diabetes cases in our region. Obesity is a major contributing factor to chronic disease, including diabetes. It also is a significant driver of rising health care costs.”

This alliance would not be possible without the resources of Pikes Peak regional healthcare and wellness providers that are committed to ensuring wellness in the local community. “Colorado Choice is committed to sharing information regarding all of the recent changes in healthcare coverage,” Jackson said. Cory Arcarese, CEO of Value Care Health Clinic agreed. “Well3 is a perfect example of community partners supporting the effort to educate our community. This is a good thing.”

New co-op seeks to help local consumers understand complexities of health care

“ Well3 is a perfect example of community partners supporting the effort to educate our community.”

– Cory Arcarese, CEO, Value Care Health Clinic

Well3 Pikes Peak:

By Hannah Blick, [email protected]

Page 5: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015 I THE GAZETTE I HE 5

COLORADO SPRINGS HEALTH PARTNERS, PC

Colorado Springs Health Partners, PC is the largest, physician-owned, multi-specialty practice in Colorado. CSHP is proud to offer quality health care our region through 125-plus providers in 10 practice locations. Committed to an integrated care system, CSHP is Patient Centered Medical Home certified and participates in several local initiatives including the CMS’s Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative, the Community Health Partnership Regional Collaborative Care Organization, Colorado Business Group on Health’s Health Improvement Project and Connect for Health Colorado as a plan provider. In addition to primary care, CSHP offers full service diagnostics, ambulatory surgery, urgent care, health management, and more than 20 medical specialties.

PENROSE-ST. FRANCIS HEALTH SERVICES

At Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, our mission is to care for those who are ill and to nurture the health of the people in our community. We believe you can inspire the people you care about to live healthier lives by encouraging them to do the little things that can make a big difference. Penrose-St. Francis was named one of “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” seven years in a row, 2008 – 2014, by HealthGrades, the only recipient in Colorado.

HUMANAAt Humana, our primary goal is to help

you achieve your best possible health. We not only work to inspire you to take an active role in your overall well-being, but we also partner with you to create experiences that lead to better health outcomes and a chance for a more fulfilling life. We are committed to creating solutions that result in better outcomes and lower costs with an overall goal to help you achieve life-long well-being.

KAISER PERMANENTEKaiser Permanente Colorado is the

state’s largest nonprofit health plan, proudly working to improve the lives and health of Colorado residents for 45 years. We offer comprehensive health care services to more than 624,000 members along the Front Range, including more than 61,000 members in Southern Colorado through two Kaiser Permanente medical offices and strong partnerships with local network providers. And we are

part of the Southern Colorado community with local medical staff, administration staff, and sales team. Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving community health and has invested more than $2 million in Southern Colorado community programs over the past three years.

COLORADO CHOICEColorado Choice Health Plan partners

with physicians and hospitals to promote healthy lifestyles and effective patient care plans.

Offering flexible and preventive focused insurance plans, access to care is easy and geared toward patient and physician working together to assist patients toward optimal health.

Providing tools to help patients self-monitor care concerns such as diabetes, blood pressure and weight, Colorado Choice partners with the physician and the patient in creating their best well-being.

EL PASO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

In America, seven of our ten leading causes of death come from chronic, and often preventable, diseases. And of the $2 trillion we spend on health care every year, only 1 – 3 percent goes to public health or prevention. The El Paso County Medical Society, as the organization representing all physicians in the Pikes Peak region, is committed to improving the health of our community. It’s at the center of what we do. As we all know, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

VALUE CARE HEALTH CLINICAt Value Care Health Clinic, our staff

of experienced physicians and family practice nurse practitioners base the success of our primary care clinic on our patients’ good health. We believe in personalized care based on health needs. We believe that everyone should have access to quality care at an affordable price. We gladly accept most insurances, Medicaid/Medicare, Tricare and also offer an affordable monthly membership health plan for those who do not qualify for any other type of health care coverage. At Value Care Health Clinic you can rest assured that your family will be taken care of by experienced health professionals at a fair price. We also offer small business plans for health care coverage and pre -employment drug testing. ✚

Well3 Pikes Peak is supported by the following:

FEBRUARY 18Women and Heart Disease Seminar 9 – 10 a.m. at the Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock AvenueCall 719-387-6000 to register. csseniorcenter.com

Black Chamber Event featuring Well3 Pikes Peak 6 p.m. at the South YMCA, 2190 Jet Wing Drive www.csblackchamber.org

Well3 Pikes Peak will present the latest information on accessing and proactively managing healthcare. Contact 719-487-9176 or [email protected] for more information.

FEBRUARY 19Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Lecture9 – 11 a.m. at Flying Horse Medical Center, 1615 Silversmith RoadCall 719-633-5255 to RSVP. Only 15 spots available.

Are you having questions about energy loss, weight gain, decreased libido, testosterone replacement, or going through the change of life? Dr. Aaron Fraser, DO, is offering a free guided discussion on the benefits and risk in hormone therapy for both men and women.

FEBRUARY 28 Life Vessel of Colorado Open House1 – 5 p.m. at Life Vessel of Colorado, 5745 Industrial Place

Come and feel the healing powers of Life Vessel! Call 719-201-4701 to RSVP or book your first Life Vessel treatment; sessions are by-appointment-only. For more information, visit www.lifevesselofcolorado.com.

32nd Annual Colorado Springs Heart Ball6 – 11 p.m. at The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Avenuewww.coloradospringsheartball.ahaevents.org

A celebration of the heart, the ball will highlight the work, mission, donors, and volunteers of the American Heart Association. Black tie, parking will be available in the garage. Call 719-635-7688 to make a reservation.

MARCH 12Seminar: “Be Prepared: Learn the A, B, Cs of Long term Care”6 – 7:30 p.m. at Penrose Carnegie Reading Room, Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Avenue

Following his military career, Gordon Edgin, JD, provided nearly 400 policies of Long Term Care insurance (LTCi) during a very successful 2nd career as a financial planner.

Call 719-299-0733 to RSVP or visit www.LTCIsolutionsUSA.com for more information.

APRIL 25Grand Opening: Kaiser Permanente Parkside Medical Office Buildings 1 – 3 p.m.215 Parkside Drive (near Memorial Park) www.kp.org/parkside

Join us for an opening celebration at our new Kaiser Permanente Parkside Medical Offices! We’ll have refreshments, activities for the whole family, giveaways, and more. Parkside offers primary care for all ages, a full service pharmacy, laboratory, medical imaging services, and more.

HEALTHCARE EVENTS

Page 6: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

HE 6 I THE GAZETTE I SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015

With a few more months of wintery weather in the forecast, Coloradans are at risk of slipping, tripping or falling. However, falls tend to be more serious and costlier for older adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults ages 65 and older falls each year. Unfortunately, 90 percent of hip fractures result from falls, and one out of five hip fracture patients die within one year of the injury. Here are a few tips to help protect yourself and your loved ones:

1. WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR. • Weather appropriate footwear should

be worn at all times. This means slip resistant soles on smooth and wet surfaces. On snowy, icy and rainy days, wear boots outside. Always wear shoes with good support, rather than walking around barefoot. Avoid high heels.

• Clean footwear of mud or snow before entering a building.

2. KEEP FLOORS CLEAN AND DRY. • Clean up spills immediately. Display

warning signs around any wet areas at home or the office.

• Use no-skid waxes on surfaces coated with grit to create non-slip areas in bathrooms. Use kitty litter or salt outside on your driveway and on any sidewalks.

3. ELIMINATE CLUTTER.• Make sure there are no obstructions

along walkways that could create

hazards. Don’t run power cords across the floor and remove area rugs, which have a tendency to cause trips and falls.

• Keep access to exits clear at all times.• Use nightlights in hallways and

bathrooms and keep a phone and flashlight by the bed.

4. TAKE PROPER STEPS TO STAY HEALTHY. • Exercise regularly to increase leg

and core strength and improve balance. Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, walking and swimming are all good options to consider.

• Schedule vision and hearing checks annually or when noticeable changes occur.

• Ask for help with getting out of bed or the bathtub when feeling dizzy or weak. Using a cane or walker is another option.

• Read the labels on all medications. Sometimes combinations of medicines can cause dizziness or sleepiness when they interact with each other.

If you do find yourself falling, there is a “right” way to fall in order to prevent serious injury:• Falling forward: Place your hands and

palms flat down. Try to land on your forearms.

• Falling backward: Bend your knees and squat, hands and palms flat out. Try to land on your forearms while tucking your chin and neck.

• Falling sideways: Place your hands and palms flat down. Try to land on your forearms. ✚

For more tips, visit http://bit.ly/NoFallsTips.

Prevent slips, trips and falls inside, outside this winter By Dr. Theodore Stefani, Kaiser Permanente

Theodore Stefani, M.D

Percy Mendoza, PT, DPT, believes she has discovered a healthcare miracle — and she decided to bring it to southern Colorado. Life Vessel of Colorado Advanced Wellness, LLC, 5745 Industrial Place, Suite B, has been called the “ultimate weapon against stress.”

Life Vessel is an FDA-cleared medical device that uses frequency, vibration, infrared light and sound to stimulate healing and detoxification in the body by facilitating an increase in blood circulation and oxygen levels to the body’s cells. The user lies flat on his or her back on a foam mat for one hour and listens to a specifically curated piece of music that coincides with vibrations. Users can help toxins flush by drinking plenty of water for several weeks post treatment.

Mendoza first discovered Life Vessel while on her own quest for healing. Struggling with food allergies and myofascial pain syndrome, Mendoza attended a medical conference in Denver where she met a chiropractor who recommended the Life Vessel. The first time she tried it, she immediately felt her

body detoxing and decided to have her whole family try the treatment.

Dr. James M. Cusick, MD, FACEP, is an emergency room physician at the First Choice ER clinics in Denver and regularly visits Mendoza’s office for Life Vessel treatments. “I’m healthier; I’ve not been sick since I’ve done this,” he said. “It’s so relaxing, and anything you can do to relax and get stress levels down is a plus.”

While Life Vessel does not cure disease, Mendoza has heard many stories of it facilitating health and healing for those with autoimmune disorders like Lyme’s disease and fibromyalgia, autistic children, soldiers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even those who are fighting a cold.

Mendoza is offering discounted treatments at $50 per session, including a free trial session. Mendoza will host an open house on February 28; call 719-201-4701 to RSVP or book your first Life Vessel treatment; sessions are by-appointment-only. Mendoza also offers physical therapy services on weekends. For more information, visit www.lifevesselofcolorado.com. ✚

Life Vessel reduces stress, speeds detox processBy Hannah Blick, [email protected]

Percy Mendoza, PT, DPT, sits in the Life Vessel device that has helped her family begin healing from food allergies and autoimmune diseases. To schedule a consultation or appointment with Life Vessel, call 719-201-4701. Photo by Hannah Blick, The Gazette

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The William STormS allergy CliniCServing Our Community Since 1975

Treating Adults and ChildrenBoard Certified in Allergy/Immunology

William W. Storms, MD

(719) 955-6000 1625 Medical Center Point, Suite 190

www.stormsallergy.com Matthew S. Bowdish, MD

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The William STormS allergy CliniCServing Our Community Since 1975

Treating Adults and ChildrenBoard Certified in Allergy/Immunology

William W. Storms, MD

(719) 955-6000 1625 Medical Center Point, Suite 190

www.stormsallergy.com Matthew S. Bowdish, MD

Approved with changes indicated:Approved as is:

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Ad Name: Sales Rep.:000211010r1 Jordan Vaughan

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Nov 30 2012 07:21AM

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Size: Sara SimonConnie Rasor

4.00 x 2.00Please check this proof immediately for approval or cor-rection. If this proof is correct as submitted, it should be signed, dated and sent back. If corrections are necessary they should be clearly indicated and sent back.

The William STormS allergy CliniCServing Our Community Since 1975

Treating Adults and ChildrenBoard Certified in Allergy/Immunology

William W. Storms, MD

(719) 955-6000 1625 Medical Center Point, Suite 190

www.stormsallergy.com Matthew S. Bowdish, MD

Approved with changes indicated:Approved as is:

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Ad Name: Sales Rep.:000211010r1 Jordan Vaughan

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4.00 x 2.00Please check this proof immediately for approval or cor-rection. If this proof is correct as submitted, it should be signed, dated and sent back. If corrections are necessary they should be clearly indicated and sent back.

The William STormS allergy CliniCServing Our Community Since 1975

Treating Adults and ChildrenBoard Certified in Allergy/Immunology

William W. Storms, MD

(719) 955-6000 1625 Medical Center Point, Suite 190

www.stormsallergy.com Matthew S. Bowdish, MD

The William STormSallergy CliniC

Serving Our Community Since 1975

1625 Medical Center Point,Suite 190

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Page 7: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015 I THE GAZETTE I HE 7

It might seem like a distant reality, but it’s never to early to start planning for end-of-life care, or long term care (LTC). If you struggle to continue normal activities of daily living (ADL), then it might be time for LTC. As the body ages, it is inclined to develop chronic diseases. Seniors may suffer an illness or injury like fractures or a stroke, or experience cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s or dementia.

LTC is often referred to as custodial care. It is not medical care, but typically non-skilled care, designed to help you to perform your ADLs, which include help with toileting, incontinence, eating, dressing, bathing and moving around your space. A caregiver is required to assist you in maintaining as much of your normal, independent, lifestyle as possible. With Alzheimer’s and dementia, the role of your care provider is to help promote your safety while helping to preserve your dignity.

If you are uncertain about your LTC options, you are not alone. We’d like to help you find answers to frequently asked questions:

WHERE CAN YOU RECEIVE LONG TERM CARE?

You can receive LTC at home, in an assisted living facility (ALF), nursing home, 24-hour skilled nursing home, or hospice. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 11 million Americans are currently in LTC, yet only 1.4 million actually reside in nursing homes.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD YOU WILL NEED LONG TERM CARE?

Once you reach age 65, you have a 70 percent probability that you will need LTC at some time over the remainder of your life.

WHAT IS THE COST OF LONG TERM CARE?

The average annual cost for home care is $49,467. The average annual cost for a

semi-private room in a nursing home on the Front Range is $87,235.

WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE YOU LIKELY TO INCUR?

The cost of LTC is the leading destroyer of estates among senior citizens. The human cost is not as simple to calculate. Consider your desire to not burden your children with the cost of your care or having to administer your care themselves. This can burden their budgets and adversely impact their economic, social, and emotional welfare. All of this is connected to your desire for dignity, control over where you will reside, and who will be your care provider.

HOW CAN YOU PAY FOR LONG TERM CARE?

Medical insurance does not cover LTC. Medicaid is a government program, which covers LTC for those who have very low income and few financial assets. Medicare might cover up to a maximum of 100 days of skilled nursing home care, and then only a portion of such expense.

It is not a plan for LTC. Individual Insurance policies are available. ✚

Gordon Edgin has helped hundreds of people obtain LTC Insurance policies. For more information visit, www.LTCIsolutionsUSA.com or call 719-299-0733.

Questions about long term care? We have answersBy Gordon Edgin, JD, Long Term Care Insurance Solutions, LLC

Gordon Edgin, JD

We make it easy for our residents to maintain a healthy and vibrant lifestyle. We offer innovative exercise programs and

a broad menu featuring fresh, home-cooked meals.

“The Inn and The Bridge at Colorado Springs keep me active and feeling refreshed.”

Call today to schedule a complimentary lunch visit!

2520 International Circle Colorado Springs, CO 80910www.innatgardenplaza.com

(719) 630-11552494 International Circle

Colorado Springs, CO 80910www.thebridgeatcoloradosprings.com

(719) 630-3330

Page 8: 2015 Heartbeat of Health Care

HE 8 I THE GAZETTE I SUNDAY, FEB 15, 2015

We are part of the Centura Health Heart and Vascular Network, the region’s leading provider of cardiovascular care.Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2015

Follow your heart to the best cardiac carein Colorado.Since 1974, Colorado Springs Cardiology, a Centura Health Clinic, has provided state-of-the-art cardiac care for all of southern Colorado. Our expert physicians are dedicated to the preventi on and treatment of coronary disease, and we’re closely aligned with Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, the only Colorado hospital to be named one of Healthgrades “America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care” in 2015. So you know your heart is in the right place.

Learn more at penrosestf rancis.org/heart.

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