healthy aging: march 2016

HEALTHY AGINGmArch 2016

A PublicAtion from monmouth medical center, southern campus

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WElcomE lEttEr

Welcome to our newest edi-

tion of Healthy Aging! I don’t

know about all of you, but I

can’t wait for springtime—

it’s my favorite season. And

it’s a great time to think

about coming out of our

homes, enjoying the out-

doors and getting more

active.

Exercise has been a big fo-

cus as we move forward with our plans for the

Geriatrics Institute here at Monmouth Medi-

cal Center, Southern Campus. We have been

busy designing foor plans and programs with

the most up-to-date and innovative rehabilita-

tion medicine equipment. Our rehabilitation

services will be an important partner in the

outpatient geriatrics services we are planning,

as these services will not only be located to-

gether in the institute, but will work together

as interdisciplinary members of each patient’s

care team. This is a very exciting new program

for us!

And while we are on the topic of exercise,

did you know that walking outside on a beauti-

ful day is not just good for you from a physical

perspective? It’s good for you emotionally, too.

It’s well known that walking outdoors can help

to relieve stress. Physical activity increases en-

dorphin levels in the brain, boosting our mood

and self-esteem as a result. I’m planning on

taking advantage of the nicer weather, and I

challenge you to do the same. Ocean County is

home to many beautiful places to enjoy a picnic,

bird-watch, visit an outdoor farmer’s market or

take a nature walk. The National Institutes of

Health recommends that you consider replac-

ing a Sunday drive with a Sunday walk. Or just

go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.

Personally, I like their suggestion to make a

weekend morning walk a family habit.

I invite you to share with me your creative

ideas for getting more active this spring and

any great pictures you snap while you are

outside. You can email me at jisrael@

barnabashealth.org.

Sincerely,

Jessica l. Israel, m.D.

Regional Director for Geriatrics and Palliative Care,

Monmouth Medical Center and

Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus

2

Seniors are rightly afraid of falling. Every year, more

than 1.6 million older U.S. adults go to emergency

departments for fall-related injuries. Among older adults,

falls are the number-one cause of fractures, hospital admis-

sions for trauma, loss of independence and injury deaths.

To help ease that fear, Monmouth Medical Center, South-

ern Campus’ Center for Healthy Aging is offering “A Matter

of Balance.” This nationally recognized, evidence-based

program is designed to help older adults improve balance

and reduce the risk of a fall. It will be offered at area senior

centers, free of charge, over the next several months.

The program, funded by a grant from the State of New

Jersey, consists of eight weekly two-hour classes run by

“coaches” Kathleen Holahan and Kelly DeLeon. It includes

classroom discussion on how to make one’s home safer

followed by 30 minutes of exercise, which can be done

standing or sitting, to increase strength and balance.

“One risk factor in falling is the fear of falling, which can

lead people to decrease activity,” DeLeon says. “That ac-

tually puts them more at risk. We want to help seniors set

small goals to increase their activity and teach them how

to do it.”

to learn more, call the Better Health Program at

888.726.2362.

HELPING SENIORS AVOID a fall


3

Mental well-being is as important as physical

health for everyone, including seniors. That is

one reason why the Better Health Senior Membership

Program offers social programs to enrich the lives of

seniors in neighboring communities. The programs

are presented free of charge to members who live in

the senior communities that are located in the service

area of Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus.

“Socializing, health education and the arts and

entertainment are all part of keeping our seniors

healthy and happy,” says Judy Zocchi, producer of

the Better Health social programs.

In December, members of the Better Health

Program were invited to a Victorian Christmas

Luncheon at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood.

The day consisted of a health fair, a buffet lunch

and a dramatic reading, by two professional ac-

tors, of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Special

guest Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, the great writer’s

great-great-great-granddaughter and an author

and speaker herself, was on hand. She spoke about

Dickens and his infuence on Christmas, sat for a

question-and-answer session and signed copies of her

newest book, Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter:

A Biography of Princess Louise.

About 100 seniors from nine area senior commu-

nities attended the Victorian Christmas Luncheon.

There are three more large events being planned

for 2016, including a Spring Tea and a Summer Bash

with a Swing Band.

To attend these events, seniors can sign up for the

Better Health Program by calling 888.726.2362.

Members enjoy a

Victorian Christmas luncheon A descendAnt of chArles dickens

discusses the writer’s influence.


4

a dietitian shares 6 ideas for healthy eating.

Like everyone else, seniors are well

served by eating healthy, nutri-

tious food. According to the National

Institutes of Health, studies show that

a good diet in your later years reduces

the risk of osteoporosis, high blood

pressure, heart disease and certain

cancers. You might need less energy

and fewer calories as you age, but you

still require just as many of the nutri-

ents in food.

Dietitian and New Jersey native

Diane Henderiks understands the

importance of making informed food

choices and developing sound eat-

ing and physical activity habits. With

March designated National Nutrition

Month, she offers the following tips:

Don’t skip meals. “Seniors tend to skip meals, but

should eat throughout the day to keep

their energy up,” says Henderiks.

Choose a variety of healthy foods. “Focus on fruits and veggies in a wide

variety of colors,” she says. “Each

color is associated with different

nutrients and antioxidants.”

Avoid empty calories. Foods such as chips, cookies, soda

and alcohol have lots of calories but

few nutrients. “Make every bite count

nutritionally,” she says.

Choose foods that will keep you full. “Pick lean protein

sources such as eggs, cheese, fsh and

beans,” says Henderiks. “Don’t think

in terms of red meat all the time.”

Stay hydrated. “Keep a glass of water out on a table

to remind yourself to drink often,” the

dietitian suggests.

Add favors. Seniors’ sense of taste can diminish,

so season foods with non-salt herbs,

spices and citrus to increase favors.

Diane Henderiks’ recipe for Pista-

chio Pesto Crab Cakes with Avocado

“Cream” Sauce, on the facing page,

exemplifes these tips. There are nuts

and crabmeat for low-fat protein, pesto

with favorful garlic and herbs, avoca-

do for healthy fats and nonfat yogurt

for calcium. “It hits all the macronutri-

ents for full nutrition and has tons of

favor enhancers,” she says. “And it’s

simple and freezes great too.”

Food for thought


5

Pistachio pesto

3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons pistachio nuts (shelled)

1 clove garlic (crushed)

1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

(freshly grated)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Crab cakes

8 oz. jumbo lump crabmeat (picked over)

1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley (fnely chopped)

½ teaspoon dried mustard

¼ teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 egg white (beaten)

1 tablespoon whole wheat four

1 tablespoon olive oil

Avocado

1 whole ripe avocado (cut into chunks)

2 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Diane henDeriks’

PistAChio Pesto CrAb CAkes with AvoCAdo ‘CreAm’

ingredients:

make the pesto

1. Combine frst 4 ingredients in

food processor and process to

paste-like consistency.

2. scrape down the sides and

with blade running, drizzle in

olive oil.

3. remove from food processor,

stir and set aside.

make the crab cakes

4. in mixing bowl, gently com-

bine frst 5 ingredients

(crabmeat through paprika).

5. Whisk yogurt and egg white

together and gently combine

with crabmeat mixture.

6. shape into 4 cakes (about

3 inches in diameter and about

¼-inch thick).

7. Place on paper towel-lined

plate, cover and refrigerate

for 1 hour.

make the avocado “cream”

8. Place all ingredients in food pro-

cessor and process until smooth.

Cook the crab cakes

9. Preheat oven to 400°F.

10. remove crab cakes from paper

towel-lined plate and gently

spread 1 tablespoon of pesto

on top of each crab cake.

11. Dust both sides of cakes

with four.

12. heat olive oil in cast-iron pan

over high heat. Gently place

crab cakes, pesto side down,

into pan.

13. sear for 1 minute, fip gently

and remove pan from heat.

14. Place pan in oven and bake for

5–10 minutes or until heated

through and browned.

15. serve with avocado cream.

16. enjoy!

step-by-step directions:


6

Save

your viSionMarch is a good

tiMe to see

your eye doctor.

Every March, the American Op-

tometric Association reminds

Americans of the importance of reg-

ular, comprehensive eye care from a

vision specialist by observing Save

Your Vision Month. Better vision is

critical for health and independence,

says Edward Hedaya, M.D., an oph-

thalmologist at Monmouth Medical

Center, Southern Campus.

“Remember that just because

vision is good doesn’t mean it isn’t

being threatened,” he adds. “Even if

you have no symptoms, there can be

disease processes under way that

can lead to irreversible visual loss.”

The three most common eye

diseases in seniors are glaucoma,

macular degeneration and diabetic

damage to the retina. “Most people

can be treated before symptoms de-

velop to prevent visual loss,” he says.

Regular screenings are the key. Those

who are generally healthy should see

a vision care specialist at least yearly.

Those with risk factors, such as dia-

betes, high blood pressure or a family

history of eye disease, most likely

need more frequent examinations.

People are often amazed at the

new technologies available to diag-

nose and treat vision problems, Dr.

Hedaya says. “We now have devices

that can see far more anatomical

detail than we can with the naked

eye, and with much greater ease,”

he says. “We can see details we

couldn’t get before, and we can do

it in seconds now, which cuts exam

times down dramatically.”

Treatments are better, quicker

and safer too. Dr. Hedaya recently

corrected the vision of a 93-year-old

patient to the point that he no lon-

ger needed glasses. “His children,

who were in their 60s, were amazed

their father had better vision than

they did,” he says. “And that is not

an unusual story these days.”

If you haven’t seen a vision

specialist in a while, make an ap-

pointment by calling Monmouth

Medical Center, Southern Campus,

at 732.363.1900. It may “Save Your

Vision.”


7

Helping older adults

breathe easypulmonary rehabilitation can make

the most of your lung power.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which

includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchi-

ectasis and many other breathing problems, is a progressive

disease for which there is no cure. But there are treatments.

One of the most important is pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmo-

nary Rehabilitation Week, observed this year from March 13

to 19, focuses national attention on pulmonary rehabilitation’s

contribution to helping people with COPD.

Pulmonary rehab (PR) helps COPD patients maintain and

improve the quality of their lives. By combining early inter-

vention and individually planned and designed education,

therapy, exercise, motivation and lifestyle adjustment pro-

grams, PR can help patients function better in their daily

activities, increase the ability to exercise, decrease the symp-

toms and reduce anxiety and depression. PR doesn’t improve

your lung function, but it allows you to make the most of the

limited lung function you have.

Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus’ rehab cen-

ter features state-of-the-art ftness equipment, including

treadmills, arm ergometers, rowing machines and station-

ary bicycles. It offers patients an educational and supportive

program monitored by licensed respiratory care profession-

als who are dedicated to improving quality of life through

better breathing. They work with your care team, including

your doctors, nurses and specialists such as physical and

occupational therapists, dietitians or nutritionists, and psy-

chologists or social workers. The rehab team will create an

individualized plan based on your abilities and needs.

to learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation, call

732.886.4428.

your gift through

the legacy society

can be a big help to the

patients of the future.

The caring and compassionate staff of

Monmouth Medical Center, Southern

Campus (MMCSC), will be here when you

need them—are you willing to remember the

hospital in your future plans? Did you ever

dream of leaving something behind to show

future generations how much you cared?

We have a special program to help philan-

thropic dreams come true and honor those

who dare to dream. It is called the Mon-

mouth Medical Center, Southern Campus

Legacy Society.

Naming MMCSC as a benefciary of your

estate or qualifed retirement plan can beneft

you and the hospital and make you a member

of this very special group of visionaries. Leave

a lasting legacy that honors those whose life’s

work has been to care for others by giving a

gift that extends into the next generation.

In an effort to expand these efforts and

invite more visionary members to our Leg-

acy Society, we’ve recently welcomed Anne

DeMesa, vice president of Gift Planning for

Barnabas Health Foundation, to our team.

Anne comes to us with many years of ex-

perience in making legacy gifts a reality for

generous individuals and families.

If you are interested in achieving your

charitable goals and creating a legacy gift for

MMCSC, Anne can help you fnd a strategy

that meets your needs and happily welcome

you as the newest member of the Legacy

Society. Find out more by calling June Lynch

at 732.886.4148.

MAke A diFFerence


DoctorAsk the

should you get the

shingles vaccine?

I n a word, yes. Zostavax is the

shingles vaccine approved by

the FDA for adults 50 and older to

help reduce the risk of shingles.

The vaccine cuts chances of de-

veloping shingles by 61 percent.

Shingles is a viral infection

that results in a painful rash, of-

ten appearing in a single stripe

of blisters. Some people also ex-

perience fever, headache, light

sensitivity and fatigue. The

condition cannot be passed by

coughing or casual contact. It typ-

ically occurs in patients who have

had chicken pox—however, those

who have never had chicken pox

can get shingles if they have di-

rect contact with the blisters.

Zostavax helps your immune

system protect you from getting

shingles by providing a weakened

live chicken pox virus, resulting in a

boost to the body’s immune system.

The same virus that causes chicken

pox can cause shingles. If you have

had chicken pox, the shingles vi-

rus remains dormant in your body;

however, as you age the immune

system weakens, increasing your

chances of developing shingles. The

vaccine does not protect everyone,

as some people who are vaccinat-

ed will still get shingles, though

they may have a milder course.

The CDC recommends the vac-

cine for adults age 60 and older.

Even someone who has had shin-

gles can still get the vaccine.

Those who are unsure whether

or not they have had chicken pox

can also be immunized.

A single-dose vaccine is given

at your doctor’s offce or phar-

macy. To learn more, ask your

primary care provider. For a refer-

ral to a primary care physician,

call 888.724.7123.

A question for evA MehtA, D.o., An internist At MonMouth MeDicAl center, southern cAMpus.

Wholehearted health: recipes

For a healthy liFestyle

Tuesday, March 8

12:45 p.m.

Jackson Twp. Senior Center,

45 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson

don’t Miss a Beat

Wednesday, March 9

11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Boscov’s Conference Room,

Ocean County Mall, Toms River

Register with SCAN at 732.542.1326.

alzheiMer’s disease For the

caregiver: late stages

Tuesdays, March 15 & 22

2–4 p.m.

Center for Healthy Living

Register with Kelly DeLeon at

732.597.6075.

audiology prograM With

dr. Boyer

Wednesday, March 16

10 a.m.

Monmouth County Parks System,

Manasquan Reservoir,

331 Georgia Tavern Rd., Howell

Register with the Parks System at

732.842.4000, ext. 1.

Meditation and relaxation

Wednesday, March 16

1–2 p.m.




Build your Brain

Wednesday, March 23

11 a.m.–12 p.m.




coMMunity calendarHere are some upcoming events that will be of interest to seniors.

March

8


healthy aging: march 2016

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