News For and About Passport to Health Members!

PASSPORT HEALTHFall 2016

to

Passport To Health is a program for members ages 50 and better.

This newsletter is published by the Marketing and Outreach Department of Cape Fear Valley Health System for Passport To Health members, physicians, senior centers and community agencies.

The educational information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is not intended to be a substitution for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

office Passport To Health 3522 Village Drive Phone: (910) 615-4600 Fax: (910) 615-5385

Office hours vary.Please call before stopping by.

Editor: Anna Ackerman Passport To Health Manager aackerman@capefearvalley.com

Passport To Health is collecting food in

conjunction with Cape Fear Valley’s employee

food drive. The food will be donated to Fayetteville

Urban Ministry.

Please bring your non-perishable and hygiene

items to Passport To Health by Nov. 30, during

office hours. If the office is temporarily

closed, please leave your donations on

the steps under the carport.

Diapers and baby items

Canned meat (tuna, chicken, ham)

Soups

Dried and canned pasta

Ramen noodles

Pancake mix

Condiments

Boxed cereal and cereal bars

Oatmeal and grits

Macaroni and cheese

Peanut butter

Jelly (in plastic containers only)

Instant potatoes

Canned fruits

Canned vegetables

Bottled water (in individual bottles)

Fruit juice (in individual bottles)

Items needed include:Share The Blessings With Those Less Fortunate

2

WELCOME

anna ackerman, passport to health manager

from anna

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving will soon be upon us, and while the meal may take center stage, Thanksgiving is ultimately a holiday centered on gratitude. Haven’t we got so very much to be thankful for? The smell of fall in the air, our family, our home, our health, our place of worship and so much more.

At a recent Passport To Health luncheon and dinner program, presented by Deon Faillace, M.D., I learned that gratitude has many beneficial components. Gratitude can affect our physical health, psychological wellbeing, and our relationships with others. Gratitude can make us happier; it can help relieve stress, improve our mood and build our self-esteem. It can help us to like people more and it can help people to like us more. It can bring joy and pleasure and encourage us to identify goodness in our life.

As I am now doing, I challenge you to take a moment each day and write down just five things you are grateful for. My goal every day is five, but I surpass it each time. I have found that this has helped me focus my attention on more grateful thinking, which in turn has helped to eliminate ungrateful thoughts. By following this practice, I hope you can transform the way you see everything and everyone around you, including yourself. Look around; we have so much to be grateful for.

Today I am grateful for you!

Our office is closed on Thursdays

to walk-in traffic so that we may

have uninterrupted time to plan

workshops and programs for you.

Thank you for being understanding.

Stop by www.facebook.com/

CFVPassportToHealth and

click on the “Like” button.

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JOINT REPLACEMENT

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More than a million Americans will get new hips or knees this year. Will you be one of them?

Before answering that question, you and your doctor will have to give the issue serious thought – not only if you should have joint replacement surgery but when you should have it and where.

Generally, total joint replacement is extremely successful, and most patients are happy with the results. However, it is major surgery that requires a long recovery and rehabilitation process.

Doctors usually recommend knee or hip replacement when you have had severe pain for a long time that keeps you from walking, climbing stairs and carrying out your normal activities; and you have tried non-surgical measures without success.

Depending on the health of the joint, doctors usually request that you try more conservative measures first. These include:

• Pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

• Topical creams and ointments for temporary relief of pain

• Cortisone shots to fight inflammation

• Hyaluronic Acid injected into the knee joint

• Weight loss

• Exercise and physical therapy to improve joint mobility, reduce stiffness, strengthen muscles and ligaments around the joint, and improve the natural supports of the joint

• Nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Persons with diabetes should ask their doctor as glucosamine may elevate blood sugar levels.

All of these non-surgical treatments are more likely to be effective for knee than for hip joints. And it should be recognized that if osteoarthritis is causing the symptoms, these measures will buy you some pain-free time but will do nothing to treat the underlying disease.

Is Arthritis the Problem?Make sure, though, that you have osteoarthritis or some other condition that is having an irreversible effect on your joints. Pain and stiffness around the joint can be related to muscle, soft tissue or nerve problems and not necessarily to deterioration of the joint.

Weakness of quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh can cause knee pain that is not necessarily a sign of joint damage. Strengthening these muscles can make it easier for you to climb stairs or get up and down from a chair.

A nerve or other problem in the lower back can cause pain in the buttock and hip that will not necessarily go away with hip replacement. If you have pain in the buttock, be sure you get a complete evaluation and try non-surgical approaches first.

Many people with arthritis of the hip also have knee pain. The same nerves that pass through the hip also serve the knee. Inflammation in these nerves will

Joint Replacement:When and Where?

5

YUM!

How To MakeHomemade

Pumpkin Puree

cause pain in the hip and the knee, even though there may be nothing wrong with the knee joint.

Generally, doctors are cautious about recommending joint replacement until imaging studies show that cartilage has pretty much deteriorated. When bone is grinding against bone, the pain is going to have a marked effect on your daily activities – your ability to walk, climb stairs or put on your shoes and socks without assistance. There is little hope for improvement without surgery.

When Should You Do It?At one time, surgery was recommended mainly for people between the ages of 60 and 80. A younger person is likely to outlive the new joint and need a repeat procedure. A person over 80 might not be able to take the trauma of surgery.

Doctors now know that younger persons can do quite well after hip or knee replacement, and the prostheses now available are capable of withstanding long-term stress and strain. As for older patients, overall health and frailty are more important than age.

Pain is a great motivator, but joint replacement is major surgery, and it is neither risk- nor pain-free. You must be prepared for the challenge of rehabilitation and recovery. One study found that patients with higher expectations going into surgery were more likely to be satisfied and have greater improvement in health-related quality of life after surgery.

You should prepare yourself for surgery by making recommended changes in your weight, diet and lifestyle. And you must be sure you have the help you need at home from family and friends in the weeks just after surgery. You will need assistance in dressing, preparing food, changing bandages and moving around.

The recovery process is active rather than passive. Physical therapy starts almost immediately after surgery with one or two sessions a day. These sessions continue even after you have returned home. The sooner you walk, the sooner you will get better.

The procedure itself is associated with mild to

moderate pain, but it can be controlled and is temporary. The incision takes two to three weeks to heal, and most patients are feeling better by six weeks after surgery. About 80 percent of patients are pain free within a year, according to studies.

Many patients suffer pain and stiffness for years before finally deciding to undergo total joint replacement. Eventually, though, mechanical symptoms such as buckling, clicking, grinding and limping can jeopardize safety.

Waiting too long can also jeopardize your chance for a full recovery. Increased damage to the joint and surrounding bones can make surgery more difficult and require a longer recovery and rehabilitation.

Where To Have Surgery?As with any operation it’s important to find a surgeon who is experienced and well trained and a facility that performs numerous procedures each year. Lower complication rates have been found for high-volume surgeons and facilities that do 200 or more procedures a year.

Cape Fear Valley’s award-winning Joint Replacement Club has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for quality in the areas of Total Knee Replacement surgery and Total Hip Replacement surgery since 2010. The Joint Replacement Club is a carefully thought out and rigorous program designed to assist joint replacement patients before, during and after surgery. Patients attend a special class and are given a guidebook with exercises to do at home to help them prepare for surgery and recovery.

Robert Girouard has had two hip replacements and a knee replacement. He regularly speaks to pre-operative patients enrolled in Cape Fear Valley’s Joint Replacement Club.

“I want to alleviate the fear of the unknown,” said Robert. “After 24 years of running in Army boots on hard pavement, I had developed degenerative arthritis. I’m completely pain free.”

Hip or knee replacement surgery can be a life-changing experience. Make sure you are ready for the changes and are ready to benefit from them.

6

YUM!

Surprising Health Benefits of

Pumpkin season is here. There are many tasty reasons to move pumpkins from the porch to the pantry this fall. Pumpkins are widely grown, very low-calorie vegetables that are incredibly rich in vital antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Best known as Fall’s “signature squash,” pumpkins are loaded with vitamin A, which aids vision, particularly in dim light. They are also rich in vitamin C, which helps fight free radicals and improves immunity.

Pumpkins are high in potassium to keep muscles functioning at their best, including the heart muscle. Finally, they are full of fiber, which keeps you feeling full and aids in digestion.

Like other seeds, the pumpkin seeds are naturally rich in phytosterols, which can reduce LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol. These heart-healthy seeds are a great source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

There are many creative ways pumpkin can be incorporated into your diet, including desserts, soups, salads, preserves and even as a substitute for butter. Boil, bake or cook pumpkin in any form you like. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie, pumpkin risotto…the options are endless (and mouthwatering).

Feeling creative? Add pumpkin chunks to a roasted vegetable medley or sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top of your salad. Whether it is the pulp or the seeds, pumpkins are great for your health and can offer some incredible benefits.

This pumpkin season, don’t just carve it…cook it up and eat it!

Pumpkin

Fresh pumpkin puree is delicious and easy to make. Cut the top off the pumpkin near the stem. Then cut the pumpkin in half. Scrape out the seeds and pulp with a spoon, saving the seeds for roasting later. Cut the pumpkin into quarters. Place pumpkin pieces on a baking sheet (face up or face down) and roast in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes until pumpkin is fork-tender. Once roasted, the skin will be easy to peel off from the pumpkin pieces. Discard the skin. You can puree the pumpkin pieces in a food processor or blender. If the pumpkin puree is a little dry, add a little water. If too watery, strain it on cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Puree until smooth. It can be frozen or used immediately in your recipe.

How To MakeHomemade

Pumpkin Puree

7

GRATITUDE

“You will never meet a happy ungrateful

person, or an unhappy grateful person.”

– Zig Ziglar

gratitudeby Deon Faillace, M.D.

Gratitude can change your life in many ways.

Gratitude has two essential parts. First, we realize that goodness exists in the world and that we receive valuable gifts and benefits on a daily basis. Second, we recognize that these gifts come from people (or a higher power) outside of ourselves and that they are given freely (without strings).

Be prepared to be amazed on a daily basis by things we often take for granted.

Every day we experience “Oh, my God” moments if we just open our eyes and our hearts.

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“Be thankful for what you have – you’ll end

up having more. If you concentrate on

what you don’t have, you will never, ever

have enough.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Deon Faillace, M.D., a general surgeon, has recently opened A

Second Look. A personalized patient advocate service, it offers:

• Surgical second opinion

• Cancer survivorship support

• Community health education

• Minor surgical procedures performed in the office

For more information, please call (910) 485-6277

Why are these “O, my God” moments?

“O” because something catches your attention and you have a sense of discovery and surprise. You feel a child-like wonderment and glee.

“my” because it connects with your soul on a personal and internal level and becomes part of you.

“God” because we are inspired and feel the enormity of the universe and our connection to everything that is holy. We feel and understand the wisdom of the ages (spiritual and philosophical). We realize that this is a gift to us.

To start experiencing gratitude today, try two small things:

1. Smile. Make it the first thing you do when you wake up. It can change your attitude as you begin your day. Everyone has a least one happy thought or memory.

2. Stop comparing yourself and your life to anyone else. The best things in life are not things. You are enough and you have been given everything you need.

If gratitude fills your mind and soul, there will be no room for negative emotions.

You cannot be unhappy.

You cannot be angry.

You cannot be fearful.

You cannot feel inferior.

You cannot feel sick or old.

You cannot suffer.

Try these three ways to tune into gratitude and grow it on a daily basis:

1. Write down at least three to five special moments in a gratitude journal. Do it every night without fail.

2. Do a mental subtraction of people and things in your life. Imagine what life would be without whom or what you take for granted. It is often said: “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”

3. Walk outside in nature. Connect to the beauty that surrounds us. Imagine that you are seeing everything for the first time (or maybe the last time).

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upcoming eventsMonthly Luncheon & Dinner ProgramsAll luncheon and dinner programs are held in the Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center Auditorium, located behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Free parking is available in the Employee Parking Lot, located at the corner of Melrose and Walter Reed roads, with shuttle service provided to the door.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m. for the luncheons and 4:45 p.m. for the dinners.

october

preparing for medicare open enrollmentTuesday, October 4 • 5:00 p.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 27.

Monday, October 10 • 11:30 a.m. Registration deadline is Oct. 3.

Speaker: Sam Hutchison, LCSW

Social Worker & Office Manager

Senior Health Services

Sam will help take the mystery out of Medicare Open Enrollment and show you how you can potentially save money.

november

dealing with chronic painTuesday, Nov. 1 • 5:00 p.m. Registration deadline is Oct. 25.

Monday, Nov. 14 • 11:30 a.m. Registration deadline is Nov. 7.

Speaker: Annmarie Munoz, M.D.

Integrated Pain Solutions

Everyone experiences pain from time to time. However, when it becomes persistent and chronic, it can make life difficult. Dr. Munoz will discuss ways to cope and reduce our responses to pain.

november educationalprogram registration form

Member’s Name: ________________________

Spouse’s Name: _________________________

Phone #: ______________________________

Cost: $7.25 per person

___ Dinner Session: November 1 Registration Deadline is Oct. 25, 2016.

___ Luncheon Session: November 14 Registration Deadline is Nov. 7, 2016.

october educational programregistration form

Member’s Name: ________________________

Spouse’s Name: _________________________

Phone #: ______________________________

Cost: $7.25 per person

___ Dinner Session: October 4 Registration Deadline is Sept. 27, 2016.

___ Luncheon Session: October 10 Registration Deadline is Oct. 3, 2016.

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notice: The Passport To Health office closes daily for lunch from Noon to 1 p.m.

Make checks payable to Passport To Health. Mail your registration form and payment to:

Passport To HealthCape Fear Valley Health SystemP.O. Box 2000, Fayetteville, NC 28302-2000

To receive a refund, cancellations must be made by the reservation deadlines.

december

holiday entertainmentTuesday, December 6 • 5:00 p.m. Registration deadline is Nov. 29.

Monday, December 12 • 11:30 a.m. Registration deadline is Dec. 5.

’Tis the season for merriment, good food and good friends. Enjoy a special holiday dinner, door prizes and entertainment. The December luncheon and dinner always fills up quickly. Get your registration in early to avoid disappointment!

december educational programregistration form

Member’s Name: ________________________

Spouse’s Name: _________________________

Phone #: ______________________________

Cost: $7.25 per person

___ Dinner Session: December 6 Registration Deadline is Nov. 29, 2016.

___ Luncheon Session: December 12 Registration Deadline is Dec. 5, 2016.

At times the Passport To Health office may be temporarily closed while the Manager attends meetings and events at other locations.

For this reason, we encourage you to call the office at (910) 615-4600 before visiting. You may also use the After Hours Drop Box.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for understanding.

the passport to health office will be closed oct. 17-21 and nov. 24 & 25.

office closings

pre-registering for workshopsPlease pre-register for all seminars and workshops. If you do not pre-register, you will not receive handouts until all registered participants receive them.

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Seminars & Workshops

what everyone needsto know about alzheimer’s & dementiaand how to reduce your riskThursday, October 279:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center Auditorium A

FREE !

Speaker: Melanie Bunn, RN, MSAlzheimer’s North Carolina

Lunch will be provided courtesy of St. Joseph of the Pines. Please eat breakfast before arriving as there will be no morning refreshments.

Space is limited.Pre-registration is required. Call 615-4600.

dealing with the loss of a loved oneWednesday, November 309:30 a.m. Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation CenterAuditorium B

FREE!

Speaker: Rev. Charles B. Terrell, M.Div., BCCDirector of Pastoral CareCape Fear Valley Health System

Grief is often particularly acute during the holiday season. Chaplain Charlie, as he is called by the Cape Fear Valley staff, will discuss how to deal with your grief in losing a loved one. Please eat breakfast before arriving as there will be no refreshments.

Space is limited.Pre-registration is required. Call 615-4600.

Please Pardon Our Construction

Cape Fear Valley Health is temporarily closing hallways and installing detours on Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s first floor for needed repairs and renovations. The work will continue through March 2017.

Construction crews are replacing flooring, wall coverings, ceilings and lighting. New terrazzo flooring will replace the old carpet and tile. Wallpaper will be replaced by neutral color paint.

New handrails and wall protection will increase patient safety and prevent damage from stretchers and beds transporting patients through the hallways. New lighting will brighten the corridors and save electricity.

The changes are designed to give Cape Fear Valley Medical Center an updated look and reduce maintenance and operational cost.

Here is a timeline for construction:

NovemberThe South Tower staff elevators located across from the cafeteria will be closed.

DecemberThe Melrose Road hospital entrance will close, as well as a part of the hallway leading to Short Stay Surgery. Temporary access will be through an entrance near Cape Fear Valley ExpressCare.

JanuaryThe North Tower elevator lobby will close. Patients, staff and visitors will take the South Tower elevators to access the North Tower.

February through MarchThe back service hallway to the West Wing elevator will close.

We understand the construction will be inconvenient for everyone, but the results will greatly improve our facility’s appearance and functionality.

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keep yoursupport system strong

When Carolyn’s husband passed away, she was 73 and had a strong network of family and friends to help her through the next few years. Her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren lived in a nearby community, and the neighbors in her block were long-time friends who could be called upon for help with minor – or major – tasks around the house.

Ten years later, much has changed. Her daughter’s family has moved to the West Coast, and most of her friends in the neighborhood have either died or moved into assisted living. She herself has slowed down considerably because of osteoarthritis of the knees.

The years between 70 and 85 often present major challenges, particularly for seniors living alone. It’s a time when social support becomes increasingly important and increasingly hard to maintain.

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SUPPORT SYSTEM

Social support is a term that is often used, but not so frequently defined. It means generally any help that is received from others. Experts usually talk of three basic kinds.

Emotional support includes the things that people do that make you feel loved and cared for. This might include listening sympathetically to problems or offering encouragement during times of stress...or simply being around.

Instrumental support refers to more tangible assistance: help with household chores, lawn mowing, snow removal, transportation or money. It’s equally important and it keys into emotional support. When you’re lonely and there is no one around to help with chores, you feel even more deserted.

Informational support includes help with matters of health, finance or everyday problem solving. This may come from professionals rather than family and friends, but the goal is often to buttress emotional and instrumental support from these sources.

Traditionally, family was counted on for nearly all support. When your grandfather could no longer work the farm, his offspring took over, and he lived with one of their families.

One study found that even instrumental aid provided by family was a factor in emotional wellbeing – more satisfying than the same help offered by friends or neighbors.

Generally, though, support follows a hierarchy. The spouse is crucial, but when the spouse is gone, the rest of the family take on increased importance. And when close family members are absent, then friends and neighbors must step up to fill the gap.

Today, families are likely to be spread over several states and areas of the country. And even when

they live nearby, it is common for children to be preoccupied with their own careers, children and family issues.

As for friends and neighbors, some move to a warmer climate; others choose condominium living in order to avoid maintenance chores; others pass away or live in nursing homes. Studies have found that after age 75, American seniors tend to have smaller social networks, less emotional closeness to persons in those networks and a lower volume of contact with members of the network.

And this comes during a period when instrumental needs are increasing. With her arthritis, Carolyn was encountering problems with things she formerly took for granted – opening jars, lifting items from the cupboard and climbing stairs.

Where can she turn for help? Clearly, many seniors in Carolyn’s situation benefit from home health services – not necessarily medical care but personal care and chore services.

Home care agencies are licensed to provide that kind of help. They recruit, train, supervise and pay staff to come into your home. You can also hire someone independently for the same type of services.

For short-term projects or even continuing help, you might also check with your local Senior Center or Senior Services agency. They can put you in touch with volunteers who will do home repair, cleaning and maintenance services at low or no cost.

Visiting your local Senior Center is important, not just to inquire about volunteer services that might be available, but also to learn about activities and make contact with other seniors to expand your network. Services may include exercise classes, journal writing, singing groups, employment assistance, transportation, community action and financial assistance. Or you can simply hang out and talk with others.

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For many seniors, church is a similar focal point – a place for maintaining old friendships and making new ones with persons who share your values. Through her church group, Carolyn helps organize volunteers to serve as mentors and tutors to elementary students in her community.

If you want to expand your horizon even further, you might look into the Road Scholar program (formerly known as Elderhostel). The name was changed to encourage participation by all ages, and intergenerational adventures are offered in all 50 states and more than 150 countries.

Depending on your interests and physical capabilities, you can choose a trip that is physically challenging, intellectually stimulating, or simply easy-paced and fun. For single seniors, or even couples, it’s a way to travel and learn in a social environment. If you make the faintest effort, you will probably come away from a trip with an expanded circle of friends.

Studies have found loneliness associated with a number of negative health effects, including higher systolic blood pressure, less restful sleep and, in some cases, depression.

Arguably the best solution to loneliness is finding a partner. There are many variations on the theme. You might simply want a traveling companion; Sally and Theresa lowered their costs by sharing a room on the road. Rex and Patricia attend wine dinners together and sometimes get together for meals. Some seniors are seeking a friend/confidante relationship or even a late-life romance. And they often find it through activities at their church, Senior Center or online. Be cautious about online romances as it is easy for someone to misrepresent him or herself. And never give banking information or your social security number to an online romance.

Through using resources available to you, you can

maintain a strong and effective social support

network. As studies clearly demonstrate, this kind of

network is associated with better health, happiness, wellbeing and longevity.

Although many seniors are still resistant, the internet offers blogs, Facebook groups, health forums and other groups that provide a certain degree of friendship and support. At the very least, these resources provide informational support – suggestions, advice and information about health or other concerns.

As Carolyn is learning, you can outlive your traditional sources of support. But that does not mean that you are destined to become isolated and lonely. Through using resources available to you, you can maintain a strong and effective social support network. As studies clearly demonstrate, this kind of network is associated with better health, happiness, wellbeing and longevity.

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDFayetteville, N.C.

Permit No. 253

P.O. Box 2000Fayetteville, NC 28302-2000

Cake3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ts. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1-1/2 cups vegetable oil

1/4 cup applesauce

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups peeled and chopped apples, any variety

1 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Mix well. The batter will be thick.Spoon into a greased Bundt pan or 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Depending on your oven, you may need to bake it a little longer.

Icing1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar

1/2 stick butter or margarine

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

(optional)

Bring ingredients to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Set pan in a bowl filled with ice water; beat icing until it reaches a spreading consistency. The longer you beat, the fluffier it will become. Get it to a consistency that you can drizzle on the cake.

Angela’s Fresh Apple Cake

optional , but

gives it more

moistness