excellence in health & human services 2012

A supplement to Eagle NewspapersFebruary 1, 2012

2012excellenceExcellencein Health & Human Services

According to its website, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, PC (SOS) “is a group of specialty trained and focused orthopedic surgeons and mid-level providers [of] customized care to patients at our seven conveniently located offices in and around the

Syracuse area.”Those locations include Camillus, Cicero, Liverpool, DeWitt,

Baldwinsville and Fayetteville along with a Specialists One-Day Surgery Center.

Begun in 1999 with the merging of three major orthopedic prac-tices, SOS started with 15 doctors on staff and has grown to 28 physi-cians, who diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Its orthopedic surgeons specialize in arthroscopic surgery, spine surgery, sports medicine, hip replacement, knee replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, fracture care and surgery and foot and ankle surgery, which is provided by the only Fellowship Trained Foot and Ankle surgeon in private practice in Upstate New York.

C. Perry Cooke, M.D., president of S.O.S., was one of those first physicians at SOS. He started or-thopedic surgery in 1979 was part of a three-doctor practice at Crouse – with Robert Lockwood and Joseph Smith. The group gradually “got bigger, then merged with others that got bigger,” Cooke said.

He said it made sense to have the orthopedic physicians join together in a larger practice.“In the old days, one doctor would take care of orthopedics for all ages – from club feet to sports

injuries to hip fractures – one guy did it all,” Cooke said. “Nowadays a generalist really can’t keep up with it all. [At SOS] each one of us has areas of expertise – when it comes to the spine – there’s one doctor who is a expert – for joint replacements – there is another.”

SOS’s diagnostic tools, include open and closed MRI scanners, digital X-ray, nuclear medicine, nerve conduction studies and electromyography.

SOS also offers SOS plus, an after-hours walk-in orthopedic medical service that allows patients of all ages with acute orthopedic conditions needing immediate attention to be diagnosed and treated

Upstate Orthopedics is affiliated with Upstate Medical University and University Hospital and is located at the Bone and Joint Center, a 100,000

square foot center at 6620 Fly Road in East Syracuse.With a lineup of 19 physicians on staff, each with expertise in one

or more of the major sub-specialties of orthopedic surgery, patients treated at Upstate Orthopedics “can be confident that we have the right surgeon with the highest level of knowledge and surgical skills to successfully treat their problem,” said Lisa DaRin, Upstate Orthope-dics administrative director. “We offer consultations, evaluations, and treatment for the full spectrum of orthopedic conditions, including: sports medicine, pediatric orthopedics, hand and upper extremity, or-thopedic oncology, adult and pediatric spine reconstruction, foot and ankle, joint replacement/reconstruction and orthopedic trauma.”

According to DaRin, there are no downsides to having a larger practice, as opposed to the traditional, one-doctor practice of the past.

“In fact, our expertise in orthopedics is strengthened by the large number of surgeons we have within our practice,” DaRin said. “When patients come to our practice, our goal is to better understand their clinical complaint and then align them with the surgeon best suited to treat the patient based on the surgeon’s expertise. We even have the flexibility to combine surgeon expertise when patients present with multiple orthopedic conditions crossing into several orthopedic sub-specialties to make sure that they receive the best care available for all of their conditions.”

DaRin said the center has “enriched the partnership of our clinical practice with SUNY Upstate Medical University (UMU) and University Hospital, and has contributed significantly to the educational experience of the medical students, allied health professionals and residents from UMU.”

She said this partnership has benefits for patients as well.“Since our physicians are also professors of medicine at Upstate Medical University and University

Hospital, this affiliation results in not only more focused time spent with each patient, but a consistent, proven, hands-on experience to allow us to produce the next generation of orthopedic surgeons from

Do supersized practices mean

Super service?

Two CNY orthopedic groups discuss the

changing face of care in their field

Dr. Brian Harley, Upstate Orthopedics

Dr. C. Perry Cooke, Syracuse Orthopedic Speciallists

Upstate Orthopedics

Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists

Upstate Bone and Joint Center in East Syra-cuse. Above, the Widwaters Parkway office of Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists.

See SOS on page 3See Upstate Orthopedics on page 3

mileStone: HOA will celebrate its 30th year in Central New York this July.

rated 5 stars by 2011

1538

1

“Cancer care has come a long way in 30 years but what has not changed is the practice’s dedication and commitment to their patients, employees and our community.”

go red: Circle of Red member shares her battle with heart disease.

To read more see page 2. To read more see page 5.

“Recently, during a conversation with my oldest daughter Chloe, I explained that when I was a teenager I had dreams for my life that echoed hers.”

lookingahead: On Feb. 8 get tips on home decor, maintenance and leaders in the Central New York home industry in Excellence in Home, Garden & Energy.

2 Feb. 1, 2012 2012excellence

Jane Hudson, MD is located at our Manlius office and is now accepting new patients.

Naile Barzaga, MD is located at our Syracuse office and is now accepting new patients.

Most Major Insurance Plans Accepted Full Ser vice In-House Laborator y & Radiolog y Ser vices

Ser ving The Syracuse Area For More Than 50 Years

Providing Quality Internal Medicine &Related Services To Our Patients

Internist Associates of Central New York is pleased to announce

Jane Hudson, MD and Naile Barzaga, MD have joined our practice.

1684

0

Manlius Office: 102 W. Seneca St. • Manlius • 682-6600Syracuse Office: 739 Irving Ave. • Syracuse • 479-5070

WWW.IACNY.COM

Jane Hudson, MD Naile Barzaga, MD

Internist Associates of CNY provides the highest quality patient care

By Jennifer WingFor more than 40 years, the central mis-

sion of the Internist Associates of Central New York has been to provide quality internal medicine and related services to their patients in a courteous, professional and efficient manner. Highly personalized care

IACNY offers adult primary care (in-ternal medicine) and other specialties including podiatry, pulmonology and en-docrinology. In-house services include dia-betes education, geriatric care, laboratory, osteoporosis center, radiology, research and sleep services. IACNY’s staff of more than 120 works to serve more than 30,000 patients a year.

Although that may seem like a large number of patients, the level of service received at IACNY’s Syracuse and Manlius locations is second to none, according to IACNY Practice Manager Kimberly Sullivan-Dec, MPH.

“Many times, at other practices, patients wait for a long time and end up only spend-ing a few minutes with their physician,” Sullivan-Dec said. “That doesn’t happen here. Our patients receive highly individu-alized care with a very distinct focus on the relationship between the physician, the patient and their family.”

the 15 primary care physicians, along with the three specialists and five nurse practitioners, at the two locations are “some of the best in the community,” Sullivan-Dec said.

“They are a very stable group of primary care physicians that, with the exception of our two newest hires, have been with the

practice for 10 years or more,” she said. “Some of them have been [at IACNY] since its inception.”Two physicians join the team

The two newest primary care physi-cians, Dr. Naile Barzaga Hazrati and Dr. Jane Hudson, bring extensive experience to IACNY.

Dr. Barzaga Hazrati worked at Finger Lakes Medical Associates in Geneva and most recently in private practice in New Jersey. She formerly served as diabetes care coordinator for Northeast Valley Health Corp. in Los Angeles. Dr. Barzaga Hazrati practices out of IACNY’s Syracuse location.

Dr. Hudson most recently served as a hematology/oncology attending physician at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, and was an assistant professor in the SUNY Upstate Department of Medicine. Dr. Hudson prac-tices out of IACNY’s Manlius location.

“There have been a number of studies that show there is a shortage of primary care physicians in this community,” Sullivan-Dec said. “We are fortunate that we are able to attract and retain such talented physicians.”Award-winning service

In December 2011, IACNY achieved the National Committee for Quality As-surance’s Patient-Centered Medical Home Level 3 recognition for both its Syracuse and Manlius locations. This is the high-est level of recognition available to prac-tices. To achieve this status, IACNY went through a rigorous application process.

According to NCQA, the program fos-See Internist Associates on page 5

Crouse navigators chart course for breast healthMany women dread having a mammogram. For some, it’s the anticipation of any discomfort

during the exam. For others, it’s the fear of what the procedure may reveal.Dedicated breast health navigators

To lessen the apprehension of having routine mammograms and other diagnostic imaging or procedures, the Crouse Breast Health Center now offers women the services of three dedicated breast health navigators: Margaret Bottino, RN; Mary Butler, RN; and Laura Rose, RN.

These navigators wear many hats, but have one primary focus: to provide the best in patient care. They come with special credentials — and years of practice at Crouse and in the area of breast health. While they’ve provided navigation services for many years, the three have completed the certification process to each become a breast imaging navigator, breast cancer navigator and clinical breast examiner.Comfort and support are standard

When visiting the Crouse Breast Health Center, patients get much more than a mammogram. The navigators promote breast health by providing free clinical breast exams and showing women how to do self-breast exams. They also provide clinical assistance during various pro-cedures in the center, as well as individualized comfort and support. What’s more, they serve as a liaison between patients and other departments within the hospital that may be involved with a woman’s breast care and treatment, such as surgical and oncology services. Crouse’s navigators also go beyond serving the clinical needs of their patients. They provide dedicated, individualized comfort, compassion and emotional support to those having regularly scheduled mammograms and those requiring additional testing.

“Our team combines outstanding clinical care with empathy and compassion,” says Mam-mography Supervisor Kim Kiefl. “Our navigators wear many hats, but have one primary focus: to provide the best in patient care.”

Visit crouse.org/breast-health to watch “Preparing for Your Mammogram” video with Mam-mography Supervisor Kim Kiefl.

Circle of Red member shares her battle with heart diseaseLeisha Tedford talks about why she chose to ‘Go Red’

By Farah F. JadranFebruary is National Heart Month and

Friday, Feb. 3, marks National Wear Red Day. In a nutshell, having heart disease and health awareness should be at the forefront of our minds every day, not just during the month of February.

In an effort to keep awareness fresh every day of the year, Central New Yorker Leisha Tedford, a member of the Syracuse Go Red For Women’s Circle of Red, is sharing her personal experience with heart disease. In this way, community members will better understand the importance of staying heart healthy and being mindful of a disease that is the No. 1 cause of death in women.

Together the women of Go Red are bring-ing a voice to this silent killer to help save lives. A part of the campaign’s initiative is to encour-age women to listen to what their hearts are telling them, talk to their doctors, and spread the word to friends and the community about making the right choices and taking action.

Recently Tedford shared her experiences with Syracuse Woman Magazine, the exclusive print media sponsor for the Go Red For Wom-en campaign in Syracuse. Tedford, without a doubt, was the right woman to write a piece for the magazine’s anniversary edition released in early January.

Far from a wanted coincidence, Tedford was admitted to the ER less than two weeks before the magazine went to press in mid-December of 2011. She underwent a quadruple bypass

and was in a fight for her life once again.

Because she had just submitted her article at the time, she and the staff at SWM discussed the situation and how this further reiterated the importance of being conscious of one’s heart health. Tedford is making progress every day and will continue making appearances at Go Red events in CNY.

The following are excerpts from her piece featured in the “In Her Own Words” section of Syracuse Woman Magazine:

Recently, during a conversation with my oldest daughter Chloe, I explained that when I was a teenager I had dreams for my life that echoed hers. I dreamed about my fairy tale that included a happy marriage, children, and a fulfilling career. I didn’t imagine a life that included divorce, bankruptcy, business failure, single-motherhood, depression, online dating, unemployment and health issues. I have found that life can be unfair and rewarding all at the same time. It’s all about perspective. My experi-ences were either lessons or blessings, or both. I am now thankful for every one of them.

With all those life lessons behind me, I was ready for change. I was excited for my future. Turning 40 came with much anticipation and I was ready to author a new chapter in my life. I didn’t know that my most challenging life lesson was lurking around the next corner. Three years

See Go Red on page 3

Pictured are Crouse Breast Health Center’s team of breast health navigators Laura Rose, RN, Mary Butler, RN, and Margaret Bottino, RN.

Feb. 1, 2012 32012excellence

1683

8

the Syracuse area,” DaRin said. She added that many of the surgeons “also maintain privileges at Crouse Hospital and Community General Hospital in order to provide orthopedic care at multiple convenient sites around Syracuse.”

Upstate Orthopedics also offers a walk-in, early morning sports clinic for patients with acute sports injuries from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday with no appointment needed and after hours appointments through OrthoNOW!, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. OrthoNOW! has an in-house digital x-ray and access to CT and MRI services and can provide immediate care for sprains, breaks, dislocations and sports injuries with

no appointment necessary. Dr. Brian Harley, an orthopedic

hand surgeon at Upstate Orthope-dics, said his experience there has been great. He formerly was located at the practice at Harrison Center, by Upstate University Hospital, for 20 years.

“Although our practice was near the hospital, patients couldn’t walk there anyway – they’d have to drive to another parking lot anyway,” Dr. Harley said. “This location [at Upstate Bone and Joint Center] is much more convenient for the patient.”

Dr. Harley said the more special-ized and focused treatment is a benefit for patients as well.

“[At Harrison Center] there was an outpatient surgery center there but

it wasn’t strictly orthopedic and there was no physical therapy. The radiology there was general we weren’t able to be in control of it. They weren’t as sensitive to the specific needs of the patients – they had to get undressed and go to another office. Here it’s right there. The care we are provid-ing is all in one spot – including prosthetic and orthodontic care. All around, it’s better – more streamlined, patient-friendly and convenient.”

Another benefit, Dr. Harley said, “is that parking is free, which it isn’t downtown. Also, anything inpatient can be done here – a lot of patients want to avoid a hospital stay – and in the last 10 years what can be done

as an outpatient has been expanded and pain management has developed where we can give them pain relief for home.”

He said the center is of benefit to Upstate University Hospital as well.

“From the hospital point of view,

University was focused on the center of Syracuse – with not much expo-sure outside of the city – but now it is out into the community, reminding people that there is a great hospital downtown.”

right away avoiding costly and unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Hours are 5 to 8:30 p.m. every night of the week and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday.

Devoted exclusively for the treatment of orthope-dic, non-emergency injuries such as closed fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations, recently painful, swollen, injured joints, work related or athletic injuries, SOS Plus is equipped with x-ray and MRI technology and staffed by certified physician assistants and nurse practitioners who specialize in orthopedic injuries and will work with a SOS Board Certified Physician available for any needed consultations. SOS Plus’s entrance is located at the back of SOS’s main office at 5719 Widwaters Parkway.

SOS surgeons have serviced three private hospitals in Syracuse: St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Crouse Hospital and Community General Hospital, but that will be changed starting this month, with physicians no longer operating at Community General Hospital. Instead, they will begin scheduling cases at St. Joseph’s Hospital. SOS physicians will continue to have a prescence in Community General’s emergency room, however, and some of its physi-cians will also continue to operate at Crouse Hospital.

“The reason why it makes sense to be partnered with

a hospital is that it has been shown that hospitals can produce increased volume of service and get better at it,” Cooke said. “There is a resultant better quality and efficiency. Now St. Joe’s will be able to offer first quality care, higher efficiency, higher patient satisfaction and a shorter patient stay.”

He said the partnership benefits the physicians as well. “Doctors can communicate,” Cooke said. “There is always the opportunity to show one of the partners an X-ray to get a second, third, fourth opinion. The quality of care would only improve.”

“This new relationship allows both the hospital and doctors to coordinate the services before a proceedure, the hospital stay and the post-op services, such as if there is physical therapy needed, or a visiting nurse is required or if there is a special diet or antibiotics needed,” Cooke added. “We are hoping that the large group of doctors and hospital will develop an improved quality of care, economic responsibility and high patient, doctor and hospital staff satisfaction.”

In addition, SOS has opened its Specialists One Day Surgery Center to serve orthopedic patients that do not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists ServicesArthroscopic Surgery; Spine Sur-gery; Sports Medicine; Hip Replace-ment; Knee Replacement; Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery; Fracture care and Surgery; Independent Medical Exams; Foot and Ankle Surgery; X-ray and MRI diagnostic imaging servicesLocations:5000 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, 492-3636 ; 4888 West Taft Road, Liver-pool, 453-4567 ; 5100 West Taft Road, North Medical Health Center, Liver-pool, 452-2120 ; 5586 Legionnaire Drive, Cicero, 698-7740 ; 5700 West Genesee Street, Camillus, 487-4876; 5719 Widewaters Parkway, Dewitt, 251-3100; 4115 Medical Center Drive, Fayetteville, 329-7600 ; Radisson Health Center, 8276 Willett Parkway Suite 102, Baldwinsville, 883-4915; Specialists One Day Surgery Center, 190 Intrepid Ln., Syracuse, 498-6200SOS PlusAfter-hours walk-in orthopedic medi-cal service. Provides treatment of patients of all ages with acute ortho-pedic conditions. Hours are 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday.ContactWebsite: sosbones.com

Upstate OrthopedicsServicesSpecialized orthopedic clinical care including: Spine, elbow and shoulder, wrist and hand, hip, foot and ankle, pediatrics, trauma, oncology and joint reconstruction/replacement; Upstate Orthopedics; Ambula-tory Surgery Center ; Physical Therapy; Hand Therapy; Com-plete Diagnostic Imaging Services - X-ray, MRI and CT; Pain Management; Custom Orthotics and Prosthetics Bone & Joint Center Opened in November 2009, 100,000 square foot building located at 6620 Fly Road, East SyracuseOrthoNOW!After hours walk-in clinic at the Upstate Bone & Joint Center. Provides immediate care for sprains, breaks, dislocations and sports injuries with an in-house digital x-ray and access to CT and MRI services.Hours of opera-tion are 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. SaturdayContactFor appointments call 464-8600Website: upstateorthopedics.com

How do they stack up?

Upstate Orthopedics From page 1

SOS From page 1

ago I had a heart attack. My symptoms were minor, atypical, and easily explained away. What other work-ing mom isn’t fatigued? And my nausea was obviously some “bug” I caught from my kids. I delayed seeking treatment and I am lucky to be alive. My only option for survival was an emergency open-heart surgery. I was terrified. I believed I was going to die. The thought of never seeing my children again was devastating to me and I was filled with regret. Waking up on life support in an ICU after surgery left me feeling deeply humbled and grateful. I was given a second chance in life.

I believe that my heart attack and experience with heart disease makes my journey very similar to your story. Heart disease is part of every woman’s story whether she knows it or not. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of all women in the United States and it kills more women than all forms of cancer combined includ-ing breast cancer. It’s a silent killer and typically the first symptom of a heart attack is death. Let my heart attack be your first symptom to share an experience and motivate you to become proactive with your own heart health. My heart is filled with gratitude for a second chance and I am passionate about educating women about heart disease and teaching them to live intentionally making each heartbeat count.

Several local businesses are hosting fundraisers for the Go Red For Women campaign in honor of Heart Month. Visit the Savvy Wine Cellar in Camil-lus during the evening Feb. 2 and 3, and Saturday afternoon Saturday, Feb. 4, for wine tastings that will benefit Go Red For Women. Also benefiting Go Red is the second annual Blowin’ Red event which will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Snake Oil Glassworks Inc. in Skaneateles.

For the Leisha’s full story, grab a print copy of the SWM anniversary January/February edition (featuring Mary Ellen Clausen on the cover) at Tops, Café at 407, Freedom of Espresso or Wegmans or visit syracusewomanmag.com/swm to view a digital version of the magazine. View the Nov/Dec edition on the website under the “Issues” selection on the homepage to see a story on the Circle of Red. Learn more about the Go Red For Women campaign at heart.org/goredsyracuse.

Go Red From page 2


Dr. Suzanne Shapero

1650

9

“Camillus Ridge Terrace...A Lifestyle of Wellness

A Tradition of Excellence”

Camillus Ridge Terrace2453 West Genesee Turnpike (Rte. 5)

Camillus, NY 13031Phone: (315) 672-3790

Fax: (315) 672-5607Email: [email protected]: camillusridgeterrace.com

Dr Suzanne Shapero, DMD, MBA, PCFamily & Cosmetic Dentistry“Don’t be afraid of the dentist, Dr Shapero is not only a dentist, but a good friend. Thanks to everyone there for making the trip to the dentist a painless and friendly experience.” - Phillip E., patient

1690

4

By Tami S. ScottCamillus Ridge Terrace has offered a

safe, cheerful environment for older adults to reside for the past six years. The assisted living community provides its residents with long-term dedicated staff, 24-hour su-pervision, all-inclusive services and social activities in which to participate.

“[Our] staff sets the tone for what we do,” said administrator Jason Santiago, who includes himself in the interview process when hiring new help. “We want to hire the right people.”

What makes a candidate the right fit? Santiago lists a stable work background,

The Dental office of Dr. Suzanne Shapero, has made several changes over the last year in order to better serve the Central New York community.

“ The state-of-the-art equipment is important,” said Dr. Shapero. “Equally important is making the trip to the dentist a good experience for our patients. Our patients tell us we’re succeeding in doing that!”

As for new equipment, Dr. Shapero has installed digital x-ray equipment, an intraoral camera, computer screens in every room, and interactive patient educa-tion software.

“This update has been fantastic” said Dr. Shapero. “We can show patients ac-tual pictures of the inside of their mouths, right there on the screen in front of them. The new digital x-ray

system works off the same screen, so they can really see what is going on and ask questions.” She further explained that the amount of radiation is significantly reduced using a digital ver-sus a film based system.

The education system contains animated still pic-

tures and movies on a wide range dental procedures and topics. Patients can take a printed version of any of these subjects home with them for further review.

Dr. Shapero and her staff regularly update their skills through continuing educa-tion classes accredited by the American Dental As-sociation. Notably, their emphasis has been on the most recent research link-ing periodontal disease to heart attacks, strokes, and reduction of the body’s ability to control blood sugar. “My staff and I are committed to showing pa-tients how dental health is an important part of their total healthcare package,” said Dr. Shapero.

And here’s news you can’t ignore about oral cancer.

Did you know that ev-er y hour of ever y day, one American dies of oral cancer? Did you also know that 70 percent of oral can-cers are detected in the late stages, and that 43 percent of these late stage diagnosed patients die within f ive years?

These statistics from the American Cancer So-ciety are alarming. If those were not enough, here are a few more from the same report:

The death rate for oral cancer in the United States is higher than the following types of cancers: Hodgekin’s Disease, cervical, brain, liver, kidney, ovarian and testicular. Over the past 40 years, overall death rates from all types of cancers has decreased, however, not so for oral cancers. The inci-dence of oral cancer has in-creased by 5.5 percent and the death rate has increased by 1.1 percent.

The good news is that oral cancer is 90 percent curable when found in the early stages.

Dr. Shapero has just be-come certified to perform the only FDA approved in office test for early stage oral cancer detection.

The test takes less than five minutes, doesn’t hurt, and can be done during a regular dental visit. This test costs $50 and is cov-ered by some insurance providers.

Dr. Shapero encourages

Dr. Suzanne Shapero: Family and cosmetic dentistry

“Don’t be afraid of the dentist. Dr. Shapero is not

only a dentist, but a good friend. Thanks to everyone there for

making the trip to the dentist a painless

and friendly experience.”-Phillip E.,

patient

See Dr. Shapero on page 5

See Camillus Ridge Terrace on page 5

Camillus Ridge Terrace: A safe, cheerful home

Camillus Ridge Terrace provides its residents with long-term dedicated staff, 24-hour supervision, all-inclusive services and social activities in which to participate.


“I had cancer. Cancer never had me.”

CANCERBEWARE

Yesterday, I got out my fishing rod. I couldn’t help thinking of everyone at HOA. It was last spring when I found out. I was overwhelmed, dis-traught – and scared. I thought my fishing days were over. �en I went to HOA. My medical team all said, “We have the technology to fight this thing!” and showed me the CyberKnife. It sounded scary, but when I learned how it worked and how safe it was, I had hope for the first time. Your attitude really inspired me, your staff always encouraged me and your plan of action worked. I may have had cancer, but cancer never had me. Today, my kids and I are heading up to the lake.

™

Centers for Cancer Care and Blood DisordersOnondaga Hill

SyracuseE Chestnut St

RomeW. Genesee St

CamillusBrittonfield Parkway

East SyracuseW. Taft RdLiverpool

“I had cancer. Cancer never had me.”

CANCERBEWARE

Yesterday, I got out my fishing rod. I couldn’t help thinking of everyone at HOA. It was last spring when I found out. I was overwhelmed, dis-traught – and scared. I thought my fishing days were over. �en I went to HOA. My medical team all said, “We have the technology to fight this thing!” and showed me the CyberKnife. It sounded scary, but when I learned how it worked and how safe it was, I had hope for the first time. Your attitude really inspired me, your staff always encouraged me and your plan of action worked. I may have had cancer, but cancer never had me. Today, my kids and I are heading up to the lake.

™

Centers for Cancer Care and Blood DisordersOnondaga Hill

SyracuseE Chestnut St

RomeW. Genesee St

CamillusBrittonfield Parkway

East SyracuseW. Taft RdLiverpool

WWW.HOACNY.COM 1690

5

every one to get tested, and to ask your dentist specifi-cally for a VizLite oral cancer screening. She feels that it is especially important, for those patients in a high-risk category. This includes, any type of tobacco use, especially smokeless tobacco. The risk goes up significantly when combined with alcohol consumption.

Make an appointment today. It’s easy, painless and can save your life.

In October of 2008, the office became certified for In-visalaign invisible braces, an adult orthodontic system used for minor tooth corrections. This system allows patients to wear tight fitting arch trays, similar to clear retainers, without the inconvenience of wires and brackets.

In order to be more available, the office is now open until 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

They are also a par provider for Delta Dental PPO, Delta Dental Premier and DeCare. Local employers include Weg-mans, Anheuser-Busch, AARP, Erie Insurance, Lockheed Martin Corp., M&T Bank, New York Power Authority, Clifton Springs Cavalier Transportation and others.

The practice of Dr. Suzanne Shapero is located at 1 Charlotte St. in the heart of Baldwinsville. Call 635-6643.

experience with elder care and a positive personality as three top qualifications.

“I want someone who’s upbeat. Someone, when in the interview, is smiling,” Santiago said. “One of the things I always tell the staff is it’s a trickle down effect. If we’re not upbeat, that will trickle down to the residents … For the residents who don’t get out, we’re their family, we’re their entertainment, and if they see us sulking and not in good moods and upset, they’re going to follow suit.

“[Our] staff is very dedicated,” Santiago said, remarking on its low turnover. And sounding more than satisfied, he added, “I haven’t worked with staff like this anywhere else.”

Camillus Ridge Terrace provides all-inclusive services, from personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, medica-tion monitoring, etc.) to daily recreation programs. Resi-dents also have round-the-clock access to the staff, which include licensed nurses, as well as a 24-hour emergency call system in every apartment.

A full social program, run by activities director Amanda Bates, keeps residents from feeling isolated. The schedule includes community outings to malls, movies and local theater, as well as holding special events such as the annual Christmas party. Family members are invited to accompany their loved ones on these occasions. Other forms of activity include in-house religious services, an exercise program, weekly ice cream socials in a parlor designed to remind them of their early years, happy hours with entertainment, current events discussions, baking, arts and crafts and sing-alongs. There are also similar group activities for people with early stages of dementia who live in the dedicated memory care wing.

“[Amanda’s] job is to integrate everybody into the Camillus Ridge community by keeping them active [and] getting to know each other,” Santiago said. Naturally, social events are optional, but residents are required to eat their meals in the dining area per regulation, unless otherwise ill. “[Residents] do need some socialization,” Santiago said.

While there is no minimum age requirement, applicants must be screened and admission is based on ability. The average age of men and women living at Camillus Ridge Terrace is in their mid to late 80s.

For more information, call 672-3790 or visit camillus-ridgeterrace.com.

hematology-oncology associates of CnY, a national leader in cancer careCelebrating its 30th anniversary in July

Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, a national leader in cancer care, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this July. Cancer care has come a long way in 30 years but what has not changed is the practice’s dedication and commitment to their pa-tients, employees and our community.

In 2003, the practice built its first comprehensive cancer center in East Syracuse and developed the first Integra-tive/Complementary Therapy program in Central New York. This 65,000 square foot cancer center remains home to the best and brightest physicians and staff, leading edge drug therapies and technologies, state of the art equipment, an Integrative/Wellness program and holistic services and programs to meet the nutritional and emotional needs of patients, their caregiv-ers and families. The cancer center also has a lovely boutique, comprehensive imaging center and donates space that is home to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation. The practice also op-erates a comprehensive cancer facility on Onondaga Hill in Syracuse and has satel-lite offices in Rome and at North Medical Center in Liverpool. A new satellite office, complete with infusion and supportive ser-vices will open in Auburn in April of 2012. Located in Camillus, HOA also provides the only physician sponsored Healing & Wellness Center in New York State.

Winner of the national 2009 HOPE Award for Clinical Best Practice and Out-standing Leadership, the skill and spirit of the people is what separates HOA from any other cancer center. This is supported

by a 99 percent patient satisfaction rate. One of the best kept secrets of HOA is its Clinical Cancer Research division. HOA will also celebrate its 25th year of partici-pation with the National Cancer Institute as Central New York’s only Community Clinical Oncology Program. This presti-gious affiliation allows cancer patients in our community to access clinical research trials and collaborate with major cancer centers across the nation. In 2008, HOA was nationally recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology by receiving its annual, prestigious, “Clinical Trials Award.” The practice’s accruals to clinical cancer trials and research are the highest in Central New York. Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY has been recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical On-cology. The QOPI Certification Program provides a three-year certification for

outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet the highest standards for quality cancer care. HOA is the only cancer prac-tice in CNY to achieve this status.

HOA has always been committed to high-tech treatments for cancer care. In November of 2007, it became the first and only provider of CyberKnife services in Central New York and it continues to have the only CyberKnife® in town. The avail-ability of this technology has dramatically affected the array of treatment options for brain, spine, lung, kidney, pancreatic, liver and now prostate cancers with ground-breaking results.

HOA maintains the deepest apprecia-tion to the patients who allow it the privi-lege to serve. The mission of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit of patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.

The mission of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit or patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.

Dr. Shapero From page 4

Camillus Ridge Terrace From page 4

ters “relationships between primary care providers, their patients and patients’ families, and promotes…goals [including] improving the patient experience, recognizing clinicians for their efforts and providing confidence for purchasers that their dollars are spent on quality care. Ultimately, patients receive care when and where they need it, in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. This increasingly popular deliv-ery system innovation leads to safer, higher quality of care, more empowered patients and a renewal of the patient-provider relationship.”

“This is truly an incredible accomplishment for the practice,” Sullivan-Dec said.

Additionally, the Syracuse office has been rec-ognized by NCQA’s Diabetes Recognition Program, designed to recognize physicians and other clinicians who use evidence-based measures and provide excel-lent care to their patients with diabetes.

Internist Associates of Central New York has two loca-tions: 739 Irving Ave., Suite 200, Syracuse, 479-5070; and 102 West Seneca St., Suite 100, Manlius, 682-6600. For more information call the office or visit iacny.com.

Internist Associates From page 2


Bayberry UniformBayberry UniformComplete Line of:• Lab Coats• Scrubs• Shoes• Stethoscopes• Medical Accessories• Scrub Jackets

2 Locations! Liverpool + SU Hill

Gift Certificates

Available

• Chef Coats• Pants• Aprons• Vests• Shoes• Hats

FullLine

of ChefApparel

Website: www.bayberryscrubs.com • or • www.bayberryuniformscherokee.com

SCRUB OUTLET WITHINLow, Low Prices for Every Budget

Discounted Styles, Colors, Prints!

Rt. 57 Bayberry PlazaLiverpool, NY(315) 652-9255

742 S. Crouse Ave.Syracuse, NY(315) 478-1611

1680

5

Largest Medical Uniform Retailer In The Northeast!

“I didn’t need to be

in a nursing home, I just

needed a little help.”

Park Terrace At Radisson

(315) 638-9207

1634

6

A personalized assisted living facilityPark Terrace at Radisson family owned – not a corporation

Many features set Park Ter-race at Radisson, an assisted living community, apart from other assisted living facili-ties.

“We are family owned and are not a corporation, which makes a big difference in many respects,” said admin-istrator Jennifer Zacharek. “Our philosophy is carried out daily. We take care of our employees so that they in turn take excellent care of our residents. We have many longtime employees. Dee Iozzia, our food service and housekeeping director and home health aid Donna Mc-Keen have both been with us since we opened in 2002.”

Park Terrace promotes a family-like atmosphere. With many years of experience caring for older adults, the management of Park Terrace

fully understands the needs, preferences and expecta-tions of residents and their families.

Licensed by the state, Park Terrace offers its residents a wellness program specifically designed to meet their indi-vidual needs. Services include assistance with medication management and activities of daily living, such as bath-ing, dressing and grooming as well as housekeeping and laundry, three meals a day in their beautiful dining rooms plus snacks and a large variety of activity programs. Park Terrace also provides care for those that are memory im-paired in a small, specialized 13-bed neighborhood unlike any other in the area.

Park Terrace at Radisson has all the amenities that the Radisson community has to offer including access to all walking trails and a beauti-ful neighborhood setting. In addition to the environment that is bright with lots of natu-ral light, there is a cheerful feeling when you enter.

Park Terrace offers an abundance of daily activities as well as a variety of special events annually where family members and friends are en-couraged to attend. Two such special events include the traditional Thanksgiving feast the day before Thanksgiving as well as the prime rib dinner at Christmas time.

“All of our employees are involved with and provide

care for the social needs as well as the physical safety of our residents,” Zacharek said. “In fact, our employees are trained not only upon hire, but also throughout the year on a variety of topics that help maintain our residents’ emotional and physical health and well being and activities are a big part of this training every month. This year these activities ranged from plant-ing flowers in the spring to singing Christmas carols with one of our employee’s entire family during the holidays. Being happy helps our resi-dents stay healthier.”

“Park Terrace is a beauti-ful building, but it’s the staff, residents and family members inside that make it an inviting place to live and work,” said Zacharek. “It starts with the Vitale family’ philosophy of personalized family-friendly care. This is what I liked about Park Terrace and why I came to work here.”

Rates are all inclusive. Park Terrace is a 65-bed as-sisted living community with both private and semi-private apartments, all equipped with full bathrooms and kitchen-ettes. Zacharek invites anyone interested in learning more about the home-like town square atmosphere of Park Terrace and the services they provide to call 638-9207 to schedule a tour.

Park Terrace at Radisson will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this spring.

Bayberry Uniform & Shoe moves to larger homeBy Tami S. Scott

Bayberry Uniform & Shoe doubled in size after it relocated Nov. 7 from one end of Bayberry Plaza to the other. It now fills the 12,000 square-foot space that Kinney Drugs formerly oc-cupied, expanding its inventory approximately $100,000.

“We have a much better [in-store] selection now,” said owner Frank Gigliotti, adding the new spot now has room to display everything it carries.

Eighty percent of the busi-ness caters to the medical in-dustry, selling items that range from colorful stethoscopes to in-house custom-embroidered clothing. Chef, corporate and industrial wear are also avail-able, from shirts and pants to shoes and sneakers. And when customers can’t find what they’re looking for in the aisles, all they need to do is ask for help.

“We do free special orders,” Gigliotti said. “A lot of times when [people] order off the In-ternet, they have to pay to return it. We don’t charge [our custom-ers] anything with a special or-

der. They don’t even have to buy the items. They can try them on before they even leave the store. If it’s not what they thought, they don’t have to buy it. We’re willing to take the chance that you want it. If not, we can afford to put it in stock.

“I think that’s what has really made us grow,” he added.

In 2008, the second Bayberry Uniform store, located on South Crouse Avenue in Syracuse, also doubled in size to 1,700 square feet. It remains in its original lo-cation. Gigliotti, who purchased both stores in 2004, said he even-

Bayberry Uniform & Shoe

7608 Oswego Road #2, Liverpool

Phone: 652-9255Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mondays through Thurs-days, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon

to 4 p.m. Sundays742 South Crouse Ave.,

SyracusePhone: 478-1611

Hours: 10 am. To 4 p.m. Mon-days through Fridays, closed

Saturdays and Sundays

Bayberry Uniform & Shoe relocated Nov. 7 in Bayberry Plaza.

Park Terrace offers its residents a wellness program specifically designed to meet their individual needs.

See Bayberry Uniform on page 7


1683

9

w w w . m a c k e n z i e h u g h e s . c o m

101 S O U T H S A L I N A S T R E E T S Y R A C U S E , N E W Y O R K 13 2 0 2 315 - 474 -7 571

WE APPROACH EACH CASE

L IKE WE DO THE BENCH.At Mackenzie Hughes, we bring care and respect to all your legal needs—from business and litigation to estate planning. With a depth of knowledge and experience, our attorneys bring more than their expertise to the table; they bring an ability to effectively counsel in a way you can understand. We pride ourselves on working with you to create solutions—forging a partnership based on mutual respect by speaking with you in plain terms so that with our help you can make better business, personal planning, and legal decisions.

64141_Mack_CorpAd_Eagle_4C.indd 1 1/28/11 9:12 AM











Join us if you have:• Diabetes• High Blood Pressure• Or a family history of these conditions or kidney disease

Thursday, March 8, 201210 am - 2:00 pm

To register, contact Laura Squadritoat 315.476.0311 or e-mail

[email protected] James Street, Suite 200 • Syracuse, NY 13203 1684

3

Walk-ins are welcome,but prior registration

is encouraged.Must be 18 years

of age or over.

Screening Location:731 James Street, Syracuse

Multiple Sclerosis Resources Presents:

Mission Steps® Walks& MS Awareness DaySyracuse - Carousel Center • March 6 , 2011

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall • March 27, 2011Utica - Sangertown Square • April 10, 2011

For All Walk SitesCheck in: 9:30am • Walk starts at 10:00am

Distance 3 or 6 lapsAll walkers will receive a food coupon redeemable at

one of the participating Food Court Vendors.Call 438-4790 or go to www.msresources.org

Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central NY, Inc.® is dedicated to creating awareness and providing resources to improve the lives of individuals with multiple sclerosis and their families.MSR of CNY is the only locally run agency that raises funds, which are entirely spent on local MS clients. 16

841

Multiple Sclerosis Resources Presents:

Mission Steps® Walks& MS Awareness DaySyracuse - Carousel Center • March 6 , 2011

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall • March 27, 2011Utica - Sangertown Square • April 10, 2011

For All Walk SitesCheck in: 9:30am • Walk starts at 10:00am


one of the participating Food Court Vendors.Call 438-4790 or go to www.msresources.org

Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central NY, Inc.® is dedicated to creating awareness and providing resources to improve the lives of individuals with multiple sclerosis and their families.MSR of CNY is the only locally run agency that raises funds, which are entirely spent on local MS clients.

For All Walk SitesCheck in: 9:30 am • Walk starts at 10:00 am


one of the participating Food Court Vendors.

Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central NY, Inc ® is dedicated to creating awareness and providing resources to improve the lives of individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.

MSR of CNY is the only locally run agency that raises funds, which are entirely spent on local MS clients.

Syracuse - Carousel Center • March 4, 2012Watertown - Salmon Run Mall • March 25, 2012

Utica - Sangertown Square • April 15, 2012

Call 438-4790 or go to www.msresources.org

tually hopes to have a third, fourth and fifth location. Customers who prefer to shop online can choose from two

separate websites. Bayberryscrubs.com offers brand names including Landau, Peaches and White Swan while bayberryuniforms-cherokee.com sells only Cherokee merchandise.

“[Customer service] is what we’re built on,” Gigliotti said. “If we serve [customers] right, they should leave happy with their purchase or with our service. I think we do a great job.”

Proposed Medicaid recovery regulations change the definition of ‘estate’

By Ami Setright Longstreet, Trusts and Estates and Elder Law Attorney, Mackenzie Hughes LLP

In an effort to seek further reimbursement for Medicaid ex-penses incurred during a recipi-ent’s lifetime, New York passed a law in the 2011 budget regarding estate recovery from Medicaid recipients.

Emergency regulations im-plementing the law were adopted on September 8, 2011. By their nature, those regulations expired ninety (90) days after their is-suance.

However, new regulations have been proposed by the New York State Department of Health, which if adopted, will affect es-tates of persons dying on or after July 1, 2012. These regulations completely redefine the mean-ing of “estate” by expanding the number and types of assets from which New York State can collect after the death of a Medicaid recipient, and reducing what the appointed beneficiaries are eligible to receive.Before the law

In New York State since 1994, only the Medicaid recipient’s pro-bate or intestate estate was subject to recovery by Medicaid.

A probate estate consists of assets passing by virtue of a valid will.

An intestate estate differs in that the owner of the estate dies owning a property without hav-ing made a valid will. In such cases, state law determines who receives the assets and property.What is proposed to be changed

Under proposed regulations, the term “estate” for Medicaid recovery purposes now encom-passes: jointly owned bank ac-counts, jointly owned real prop-erty, interests in a trust, life estates of the individual and/or the individual’s spouse, retirement accounts and annuities.

With the inclusion of life estates in the proposed regula-tions, interests in real property would be sought for recovery by Medicaid.

The value of one’s life estate would be determined immedi-ately before the recipient’s death based on the actuarial life ex-

pectancy of the recipient or the recipient’s spouse.

Those Medicaid recipients or their spouses who have turned over their property through a deed with retained life use to spec-ified beneficiaries, including their children, would likely be affected by the proposed regulations.

Along with the changes for recoveries against life estates, the proposed regulations would allow recovery from interests in revocable and irrevocable trusts.

While the grantor of a re-vocable trust may modify or terminate the trust at any time, the grantor of an irrevocable trust ef-fectively forfeits ownership of the property and assets transferred to the trust.

Under the proposed regula-tions, assets and accrued income in a revocable trust would be recovered at death by Medicaid.

Any trust income placed in an irrevocable trust rather than dis-tributed to the Medicaid recipient during his or her lifetime would also be eligible for recovery if that income was directed to be paid to the recipient pursuant to the terms of the trust.

Additionally, the proposed regulations provide for recovery from the recipient’s retirement accounts and annuities.

The proposed regulations would apply to those Medicaid recipients who die on or after July 1, 2012.

Any recovery for property transfers, joint property, trusts, retirement accounts, annuities or deeds with retained life use will be governed by the new regulation if passed as currently proposed.

It should also be noted that Senator Kemp Hannon has in-troduced legislation to fully repeal the expanded estate recovery provisions enacted in the 2011 state budget. If this proposed legislation passes, the regulations described above would not be adopted.Other proposed changes to consider

Governor Cuomo, in reveal-ing his recent 2012 budget has proposed eliminating spousal

refusal. Currently the spouse of a

Medicaid applicant can refuse to make his or her assets and/or income available to the Med-icaid applicant. Under those circumstances, the Medicaid applicant continues to be eligible for Medicaid.

If Governor Cuomo’s budget bill passes, this would no longer be the case.

Ami Setright Longstreet is a trusts and estates and elder law attorney, and partner at the law firm of Mackenzie Hughes LLP in Syracuse, New York. She can be reached at 315-233-8263 or at [email protected].

Longstreet

National Kidney Foundation screenings help reduce risk of kidney diseaseThe National Kidney Foun-

dation of CNY, Inc. has screened thousands of individuals since it started 28 years ago. They are to conduct their 95th free Kidney Early Evaluation Pro-gram (KEEP) health screening on Thursday, March 8 ,at their offices at 731 James St. from 10-2. It is a comprehensive preventative screening program that takes approximately of 45 minutes. KEEP includes blood pressure, blood glucose, serum creatinine, serum hemoglobin, full lipid panel, and urine test for protein. These tests identify the risk factors for kidney disease.

A physician will advise you on the results at the conclusion of the program

Their screening efforts in the last ten years are testimony to their mission to reduce the risks of kidney disease through early detection, education and medical management. The Kidney Early Evaluation Pro-gram outcomes for 2011 are impressive:

- 7.7 percent learned for the first time they may have diabetes

- 10.6 percent learned for the first time they may be hy-pertensive

- 21.3 percent learned for the first time they may have kidney disease

- 16.5 percent learned for the first time they may have abnormal cholesterol levels

- More than 80 percent of the participants screened stated they had insurance and visited their primary care physician in the last year

This free screening is valued at more than $800 per person. The value to the individual is immeasurable when for the first time they learn they have high blood pressure and some simple behavior changes can

give them years of healthy living. Additional value is added with

the comprehensive education offered by our clinicians.

Call 476-0311 for an ap-pointment.

Bayberry Uniform From page 6


1685

7

The three words I never thought I would hear my mom say….

315-638-2525 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, New York 13027, www.syracusehomeassn.org

I can’t remember.

When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, I didn’t know where to begin. I was so fortunate to find Sage Court Memory Care Program at McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living. Sage Court provides a beautiful, secure home for her with a daily activities schedule that stimu-lates her mind and makes every moment count. The staff focuses on small successes and follows a philosophy that the present moment is the most important moment of all. I highly recommend Sage Court for anyone whose loved one is experiencing memory loss.

—a premier memory care program especially designed for your loved one...

1691

3

The three words I never thought I would hear my mom say....

Sage Court Memory Care enriches livesStrong Women, Strong Hearts event Feb. 4 is free and focuses on women and heart disease One Sunday morning, 75-year-

old Laura Zimmerman got lost while driving to church. It was the same route she’d taken for the past 50 years. Another day, she forgot to add sugar to her famous lemon pie recipe. As time went on, her family noticed a change in her personality, too.

“She would get confused when asked a simple question like, ‘Would you like sugar in your tea?’ We were so worried about her,” said her daugh-ter, Kara Johnson.

After a confirmed diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer’s disease, Laura’s family started researching memory care programs in Central New York.

“Without a doubt, Sage Court Memory Care Program at McHarrie Pointe in Baldwinsville was our #1 choice,” said Johnson. “We were impressed with the daily path of activities and the structure of the program. My mother was able to enjoy her favorite music, help prepare home-cooked meals, take daily walks, participate in mind-stimulating activities and enjoy each present moment in her life,” said Johnson.

Sage Court memory care program offers a warm, secure home-like environment for those in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease or memory impairment. A wide array of therapeutic programs and daily social activities are specially designed to promote both the physical and mental well being of residents.

“We take time to learn about each resident’s past life experiences, favorite activities and daily routine. This enables us to encourage indepen-dence, support their strengths and capabilities, and assist them with their needs. Most impor-tantly, we encourage our residents to participate in everyday activities they did at home--such as baking, cooking, folding laundry, gardening and visiting with friends and family,” said Maggie Reap, director of residential services at McHarrie Pointe.

Sage Court offers a state-of-the-art program

with individualized, innovative care plans and ac-tivities based on each resident’s level of need. The goal of the program is to help individuals maintain the optimum level of functioning and the highest quality of life possible.

“Our program also focuses on subliminal cues such as the scent of lavender, soft lighting and the creation of a specially designed Snoezelen room--a multi-sensory stimulating therapy room that uses lights, sound, aroma, taste and things to touch to help residents reconnect with their environment. Studies have found that this therapy promotes improved physical health, mood, atten-tion and memory,” said Reap.

Spacious common areas, cozy gathering areas and enclosed patios offer residents and their families comfortable areas to visit and engage in their favorite activities. Fireplaces add warmth and comfort on cool days and warm breezy patios are the mainstay for families during the summer months. “We are so very happy with the care my mother receives at Sage Court. The nurses treat her like family. She is thriving here,” said Johnson.

Sage Court Memory Care at McHarrie Pointe is part of the Syracuse Home campus - a not-for-profit organization that offers a continuum of healthcare programs and services for older adults including; independent retirement living at

Jessie Smart, HHA at Sage Court (center) leads a daily exercise class for Sage Court residents.

Alicia Taylor, RN, left, and Patricia Richardson, RN, discuss plans for Strong Women, Strong Hearts.

When it comes to matters of the heart, women tend to put their own needs aside to care for the needs of their loved ones. That’s great for the loved ones, but it could prove deadly for the woman whose own heart needs tending and mending.

To emphasize the need for women to be heart-healthy and -wise, the cardiovascular nursing staff at Upstate Univer-sity Hospital has planned a free, public event, “Strong Women, Strong Hearts,” a day of educa-tion, entertainment and indul-gence Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at HealthLink OASIS Learning Center, 6333 Rt. 298 in East Syracuse (next to DoubleTree Hotel off Carrier Circle).

“Heart disease is still the number one killer of women,” said Alicia Taylor, RN, a cardiovas-cular nurse at Upstate, who along with Patricia Richardson, RN, spearheaded the first annual program. “Strong Women, Strong Hearts” gives women the opportunity to take time for them-selves to learn more about heart disease and its prevention in an environment that is fun, unde-manding and a little indulgent.”

“Strong Women, Strong Hearts” offers a full gamut of events, including presentations by Upstate cardiologist Luna Bhatta, MD, who will discuss women and heart disease; Lorraine Langdon, RN, BSN, CCRN-CSC, Upstate’s con-gestive heart failure coordinator, who will speak about uncontrolled hypertension in women and its effects on the heart; and a 46-year-old survivor of a heart attack.

Attendees will learn what questions to ask their doctor about heart disease, the opportuni-ties available to them to quit smoking, and about insurance options if uninsured or underinsured. A pharmacy representative and a nutritionist will

be available for questions. CPR demonstrations will be offered, and attendees will be invited to join in on demonstrations of Zumba, Tai Chi, yoga, and belly dancing. Reiki therapy sessions are available by appointment only.

The event also includes free blood pressure and BMI (body mass index) screenings, and heart-healthy foods. A silent auction featuring a Stickley clock, Adirondack furniture and other items will also be featured. There will be booths with jewelry, furniture and spa treatments as well.

Studies have shown that heart disease affects women differently than men, most notably in its symptoms. While doctors still consider chest pain as an important symptom of heart attack, chest pain is not necessarily a symptom in women.

Women of all ages are encouraged to attend “Strong Women, Strong Hearts” to learn more about their heart but they must register by calling Upstate Connect at (315) 464-8668.

Directions: The HealthLink OASIS Learn-ing Center is located at 6333 Rt. 298 in East Syracuse, next to DoubleTree Hotel off Carrier Circle. Enter the parking lot via the DoubleTree entry road and turn right. There is plenty of free parking. See Sage Court on page 10


dr. laska offering laser therapy, surgery alternative

By Farah F. JadranWhen either chronic or acute condi-

tions or post-surgical pain and inflammation become a constant issue in your life, it’s difficult too ignore. Because more pain can result from further surgery, LiteCure laser therapy has become a viable alternative to surgery.

Laser therapy accelerates the body’s natural healing process through photo-bio-modulation. Laser therapy provides tangible benefits to patients. The laser is used for spi-nal stenosis, herniated discs, acute sciatica, migraines, simple sprains and strains, plantar fascitis and many other conditions, according to D. Kate Laska, DC, of Laska Chiropractic in Mattydale.

“Laser therapy is especially good with scar tissue and post surgical issues dealing with the spine and extremities when they are spinal related,” Laska said. “I have been using cold lasers since 2006.”

The class IV laser has been in the office for close to two years. Chiropractic and the class IV cold laser are great companion therapies.

“Quite often people come in with shoulder area problems with attendant neck issues from long-term overuse or from long-term use of a computer,” Laska said. “Muscles in such cases respond to the class IV laser faster than any other modality.”

Because Laska has been practicing more than 30 years, she has witnessed the many benefits of both chiropractic and laser treatment through her patients’ healing and progress.

“I use advanced cra-nial pelvic technique with others, and use low force adjusting,” she said.

Among the benefits of laser treatment, Laska says the fact that it’s a form of non-pharmacological pain relief makes it a pop-

ular option for patients.The treatments also are short, simple, com-

fortable and non-invasive. LiteCure combines physics, laser science

and engineering. It is a leading medical device manufacturing company bringing advanced laser technology and innovative solutions to the health care industry. LiteCure is the parent company of Companion Therapy and LiteCure Medical.

Clinical studies and real-world use over several decades have proven that laser therapy alleviates pain and inflammation, reduces swell-ing and stimulates nerve regeneration and cells involved in tissue repair.

Laska says laser therapy has become an excellent alternative to surgery and invasive procedures, and that she recommends people learn more about the treatment and whether or not it is right for them.

Laska Chiropractic is located at 3506 Brewerton Road in Mattydale. Call 445-2333 for more information, or visit litcure.com to learn about more benefits of laser therapy.

Improved patient outcomes:Deep, soothing laser therapy provides a drug-free option

for enhanced patient care.Effective relief of pain, inflammation, and swelling

No known side effectsMay decrease the need for surgery and medications

Reduces healing time

Seneca Family Dental: Serving CNY for 30 years

See Seneca Dental on page 10

Seneca Family Dental is celebrat-ing its 30th year of providing dental health care in Central New York. The office, which was originally 500 square feet, has grown to 2,200 square feet.

“Some of our office highlights our excellent dental health care with the latest equipment such as digital X-rays, which cuts radiation exposure by almost 90-percent,” said Dr. Dabir. “We have an excellent hygiene depart-ment. We provide total dental health care for our patients including white fillings, bleaching, dentures, root canal treatments, gum treatments, minor orthodontic treatment, crowns, bridges, implants and extractions as well as major and minor surgical pro-cedures. Prompt emergency dental care is also provided.”

In his suite of offices, Dabir addresses life-long dental needs, explaining that good dental health care begins at age 2.

“By 2 years of age,” Dabir said, “baby teeth are all in, and that’s time to get a child used to the dentist’s office.”

Dabir enjoys working with children, and his special way with youngsters is “to talk with them in their language, to calm and reassure them.”

“I give them a small mirror,” Dabir said, “so they can watch and see that there are no hidden secrets.”

Contrary to what some young parents believe, the toddler state is not too early to begin a six-month checkup schedule.

“They chew, they eat, they can get tooth decay,” Dabir said. “But, don’t wait until a tooth hurts and it is too late to do a simple procedure.”

Dabir explains to parents that regular check-ups can catch small cavities when they are easier to treat.

Baby bottle syndrome, according to Dabir, is a common cause of baby tooth decay.

“This happens,” Dabir explained. “When a baby

goes to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk held in his mouth. Both juice and milk have sugar. I tell young mothers to remove the bottle and wipe the teeth with a wet gauze pad. Or, replace the milk or juice in the feeding bottle with water, at least while bedtime feeding.”

Sipping or drinking too much soda like Coke, Pepsi, Gatorade or similar drinks causes tooth decay and Dabir warns that these kinds of drinks are very acidic in nature and they harm the tooth enamel, making the enamel week and hence the tooth is decayed.

In the Baldwinsville area, the addition of fluo-ride to the drinking water supply should help to form a tough enamel layer, making teeth stronger and considerably more resistant to decay. Teeth are one part of the body that do not heal themselves. Teeth, once decayed, have to be treated with fill-ing materials like composite (white filling), which bonds to the remaining tooth and blends in. Dabir does not advocate removal of good silver fillings to do composite white fillings.

Dabir completed six months of intensive train-ing in the treatment of gum disease at the Albert

CLOCKWISE FROM FRONT LEFT: Seneca Family Dental’s Dr. Dabir, Harini Dabir, Donna Konsp, Mary Schiavone and Bela Patel are ready to meet your dental needs.

There is no discomfort during treatment, simply a deep gentle warmth as your body’s cells respond to the light. There are no known side

effects; it is a noninvasive therapy with long lasting results.

Drug-Free • Surgery-Free • Pain-Free

Dr. Kate Laska D.C.CHIROPRACTOR

Advanced Pain Relief is Now Available with Deep

Tissue Laser TherapyOur practice is among the first in the

area to invest in the LCT-100:Deep Tissue Therapy Laser® from LiteCure, LLCTM

L C T - 1 0 0 0Deep Tissue Laser Therapy®

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy can dramatically reducethe pain associated with the following:

Amazing & Affordable

Affordable ReliefWe Have Helped People From High School Age To People In Their 90’s

Reducing Pain, Restoring Function, Improving Lives.

2506 Route 11Mattydale, NY

Call now for special pricing!

(315) 455-2333

15493

Even More Affordable With This Ad!

Our 30th Year Serving CNY

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

SENECAFAMILY DENTAL P.C.

--- Dr. Ravi C. Dabir , DDS ---Dental Health Care for

Children & AdultsMost Insurance Plans Accepted

SA

I-DARSH

AN 3-5-7 Lock Street, Baldwinsville

Call 638-0276

Full Comprehensive Dental Health Care• Bonding• Extractions• Crowns & Bridges• Routine Cleaning• Gum Treatment• Cosmetic Dentistry• Root Canal Therapy• Digital X-Ray• Bleaching• White Fillings• Dentures• Implants

1692

9


1538

0

‘It’s almost immeasurable. It’s wonderful.’

Einstein School of Medicine in the Bronx. Gum disease, Dabir said, is a concern most prevalent in middle-aged people. Gum disease can cause bad breath and bleeding while brushing. Gum disease is now linked to enhance some systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and low birth weight babies if pregnant mothers have gum disease. Regular cleaning and checkups for gum disease are advised. Dabir offers specific treatment to control gum disease.

Dabir completed an intensive course in implant placement treatment at New York University Dental School.

“We do offer our patients implants for single tooth replacements and multiple implants to stabilize full dentures. We urge you to call our office for a free consultation if your old full dentures are loose and hurting you,” he said.

Dabir reminds people that dentures don’t need to hurt.“As we age,” Dabir said, “we lose bone. We don’t have the same physiology. There is wear and

tear on the body and that includes the jawbone structures and gums. The dentures people were fitted for in their 60s may not be the same fit they need when they’re 65 or 70 years old.”

People often suffer through denture discomfort, assuming that where dentures are concerned, pain is to be expected. But, they don’t have to hurt.

“When the denture becomes loose because of shrinking tissue and begins to loosen, the unwanted movement can cause sore spots on the gums. When this occurs, it is time to see a dentist,” Dabir said.

Dabir earned his bachelor’s degree in India and completed his graduate studies at St. Chris-topher’s Hospital for children, Temple University in Philadelphia, specializing in children’s den-tistry. Before coming to Baldwinsville to start his private practice, he was an associate professor at New York University of Dentistry in the Children’s Dentistry Department.

Dabir and his family consider themselves very fortunate to live in the Baldwinsville area. Dabir is very thankful to be able to serve the dental needs of the local community.

The economic times are not good these days, people have lost jobs and their dental insurances, don’t worry we are going to be developing a program to offer basic dentistry at very nominal cost, Dabir said, adding for those who cannot afford fees, we will waive the charges. Look for more information in this paper coming in the future editions.

Seneca Family Dental, P.C. is located at 5 Lock St., Baldwinsville. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. New patients are welcome. Call 638-0276 for an appointment. Many Insurance plans are accepted; Visa and MasterCard are also accepted.

McHarrie Towne, assisted living at McHarrie Pointe, respite care, a state-of-the-art short-term rehabili-tation program and a 120-bed skilled nursing care facility. All programs and services are conveniently located on a beautiful 140-acre campus at 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville.

To learn more about the healthcare programs and services of Sage Court at McHarrie Pointe, please contact Director of Resident Services Maggie Reap at 638-2525.

Seneca Dental From page 9

Sage Court From page 8

Those are the words Eileen uses to describe Embracing Age. In its fourth month of existence, the elder life concierge business (part of the Franciscan Companies family) has given Eileen’s father new purpose in life.

“It’s exactly what we needed for dad,” Eileen said. She and her siblings, including her sister Jane, live outside of Central New York. Since their mother’s passing in October, their father Larry has been living alone. “It’s been wonderfully helpful because we all live out of town and it’s hard to leave him there.”

Embracing Age connected Larry with an Elder Life Specialist, Mary Gualtieri. She acts as a personal assistant of sorts. “She’s a real exceptional lady. She’s very pleasant and she knows her business,” he said.

Gualtieri performed an assessment of Larry’s home, looking for hidden safety issues and other factors that affect the elder population. She works with Larry and his daughters to coordinate services and create a person-centered plan that meets his unique needs.

“Embracing Age is a proactive program,” Gualtieri says. “People can become members when they are active and healthy. The services will evolve with them over time, providing the support they need as they age.”

One such need is medication management.

SUbmiTTeD phOTO

Larry, a member of Embracing Age, enjoys a game of chess with a friend at St. Francis Social Adult Day Care.

embracing age

See St. Francis on page 12

Upstate makes health records digital, accessible

In a first for the region, Upstate University Hospital outpatients will be able to access their own health records, request medical appointments and help to manage their own care from their home computer or smartphone through a new, confidential electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management system. The program launches today in the Family Medicine practice and will expand incrementally to cover all Upstate ambulatory patients by the end of the year.

An EMR is a paperless, digital system that integrates all of a patient’s records across all components of Upstate Medical University and can be accessed through Upstate MyChart. “Launching Upstate MyChart, our patient-driven EMR access platform, creates convenience for patients, but also promotes consistency for healthcare providers,” explains Neal Seidberg, M.D., Upstate University Hospital chief medical information officer. “The EMR creates one standardized record of all of that patient’s information. For instance, when determining a prescription a physician can see any other medications that patient may be taking, allergies or related complaints without having to access additional files.”

To access records, patients can choose to create a free account with Upstate MyChart. This secure, password protected account will be accessible exclusively to the patient, around the clock. The information in MyChart is encrypted, meaning that it can only be unscrambled and displayed when the proper username and password have been entered. MyChart is not intended for urgent medical issues or to resolve health-related issues. A patient should contact their provider directly with these concerns.

John McCabe, M.D., senior vice president for hospital affairs, Upstate University Hospital, recognizes this program as a natural addition to the Upstate offering. “Upstate is committed to embracing opportunities like this that further empower our patients and help to build them a personal network of health information. This is directly in line with our focus on quality and patient safety,” he said. The implementation of this program involved a dedicated team of 30 and an investment of $20 million.

Upstate MyChart, enabled by Epic Systems and implemented through a partnership with University Medical Associates of Syracuse, Upstate’s faculty practice plan, can change the way that patients and practices manage health care situations. Immediate benefits include:

Security. The Web portal and smartphone applications of this software have been developed by Epic to meet stringent security standards, which protect patient data at all times.

Access. All of a patient’s medicines, immunizations and flu vaccines and medical history, as well as any physician’s notes from recent medical appointments, are accessible within the EMR for secure reference. Notes can include recommendations for preventative care and other information discussed in the medical appointment.

Convenience. Patients can make appointments or submit messages to their physician’s office directly from the Web portal or smartphone applications.

Access for parents. Parents will be able to access immunization records needed for school children directly through the portal. An additional visit to the physician’s office or fax forms will no longer be necessary.

Prescription help. Physicians will send e-prescriptions directly to the pharmacy at the con-clusion of a visit. Patients can request refills from their physician using the portal as needed.

Lab work access. Any on-site lab work will be made available as part of the patient’s EMR after 72 hours. Patients should continue to discuss lab results with their physician as a matter of course.

Upstate MyChart implementation will be rolled out within ambulatory care first, and fol-lowed by inpatient care. Family Medicine, a practice group under the Upstate umbrella, is online and ready for patients today. In March, the Department of Pediatrics will be online, increasing the EMR program’s reach to thousands of patients. By the end of the year, this platform will be offered to all outpatients.


1562

3

Identity theft prevention and awareness is key

Bryant & Stratton College launches new bachelor’s program

Some people want to join the growing healthcare industry as administrators. Some people already working as healthcare professionals want to move into management. For both groups, the best way to achieve their objective is Bryant & Stratton College’s new bachelor’s degree program in Health Services Administration.

Like any business, healthcare needs good management to help keep it running smoothly and cost-efficiently, while ensuring quality services. Health services administrators typically help plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of healthcare, which includes oversee-ing staff, budgets and operations. Changes in the healthcare industry’s structure and financing have created a strong demand for such managers who can help organize and run everything from specific departments to entire facilities.

According to Heather Macknik, Bryant & Stratton College’s director of admissions, “Our new Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level and assistant management positions in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing care facilities, doctors’ offices, and insurance companies, to name just a few.”

“The curriculum of this new program is based on the insights and recommendations of both local and national employers who keep us up-to-date on the latest technical skills and profes-sional competencies they want in employees,” Macknik added. “The program will give students a comprehensive education in health-related topics and concepts as well as the management of health services and facilities – focusing on finance, legal aspects in healthcare, disaster planning and management, long-term-care management and information systems.”

Classes for Bryant & Stratton College’s bachelor’s degree program in Health Services Ad-ministration will be taught by highly credentialed and experienced healthcare professionals who have practiced what they teach. The college will also offer students special research op-portunities and field experiences so they can apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world – helping them gain valuable insights and experience when they transition into a health services administration position.

Even if you don’t have an associate’s degree, you may be able to complete Bryant & Stratton College’s bachelor’s program in four years or less of full-time consecutive study. If you’ve already earned your Associate’s degree in a healthcare or administrative field, you may have credits that will transfer into the program so you can complete your degree in even less time.

In addition to opening up new opportunities and earning potential as a manager, the program can also prepare you for graduate school study. Plus, the college’s career services department will help you find the position you want when you graduate.

To find out more about Bryant & Stratton College’s new bachelor’s degree program in Health Services Administration, or any of their other degree programs in high-demand fields, call or stop by one of their local campuses today: in Liverpool off Route 31 652-6500), and in Syracuse on James Street 472-6603. You can also visit bryantstratton.edu or like them on facebook at facebook.com/BSCNorth or facebook.com/BSCSyracuse.

“When it comes to identity theft, most people assume that it won’t happen to them, but you can never be sure,” said Mike Flaherty, VP-Information Technology at Seneca Federal Savings and Loan Association. He continued, “This crime is a growing problem and it is time to get educated about it.”

What exactly is identity theft? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, So-cial Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The FTC estimates that as many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft as the crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record while plans to purchase a new home or car are put on hold. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

“Many people think they could not fall victim to this type of crime but what they re-ally need to consider is how thieves steal an identity,” said Flaherty. Identity thieves often start with the misuse of your personally identi-fying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold. A variety of methods are used to get hold of your most precious information, including dump-ster diving where trash is rummaged through while looking for bills or other papers with

your personal information on it, skimming where they steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card, phishing where they pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal informa-tion, changing your address where they divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form unbe-knownst to you, good old-fashioned stealing of wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit of-

fers; and new checks or tax in-formation, or even ‘pretexting’ where they use false pretenses to obtain your personal infor-mation from financial institu-tions, telephone companies, and other sources.

“Once thieves have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways and it can be devastating,” warned Flaherty. They may open new credit card accounts

in your name. When they use the cards and don’t pay the bills, the delinquent accounts ap-pear on your credit report. They may change

Mike Flaherty

See Seneca Federal on page 12

SENEC A F ED ER A L .COM

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN:BALDWINSVILLE

NORTH SYRACUSE

LIVERPOOL

No monthly minimum balance service charge

Line of credit available with Free Checking upon approval

This is a non-interest bearing account

Online banking included

FDIC’s Temporary Account Guarantee Program provides unlimited insurance coverage on this account through December 31, 2012.

USE MORE OF YOUR MONEY

with free checking.

Call 315-638-0233 or visit senecafederal.com to fi nd out more about free checking, and start using more of the money you work hard to earn.

1691

4


Retirement Living for Independent Seniors

An Affiliate of Oswego HealthSpringside at Seneca Hill

Apply Now! Your new home awaits.Tours and Info 315-343-5658, Call Today!

Make New Memories at Springside

APARTMENTS DUPLEXES COTTAGES

1690

2

1536

4

Sight is Precious Please Don’tTake Yours For Granted

Tucker

Eye CareFree Parking • Most Insurances Accepted

WILLIAM M. TUCKER MDEye Physician & Surgeon

Board CertifiedNew Patients Welcome - All Ages

Complete Eye Exams• Diabetes• Glaucoma• Cataract• Macular Degeneration


Tucker





New Location Northeast Medical • Suite 2074000 Medical Center Dr.Fayetteville

637-1010www.tuckereyecare.com


Tucker






Tucker





1548

9

1507

2

Tafts move to Springside Submitted by Marion Ciciarelli

After deciding it was time to downsize to a smaller home, Dr. Garo and Sue Taft found that Springside was the perfect solution.

“We no longer wanted to worry about win-ters, or lawn care,” said Dr. Taft, a retired pediatri-cian, who practiced locally for 35 years. “Now we can watch the snow and we don’t have to move it. We also have the freedom to go away and not be hostage to the house.”

The Tafts had lived for 37 years in a large three-story home on Route 48 just outside Fulton with eight acres that included a pool and tennis court before their first downsize move eight years ago to a 2,700 square-foot ranch home in the town of Volney. “At the end of last winter, I decided another change had to be made,” Sue said. She no longer wanted to worry about re-moving snow from the roof, or the home’s two large decks.

After reading information about Springside at Seneca Hill online, she made an appointment to learn more about the retirement commu-nity that offers maintenance-free one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as duplexes and cottage homes. At the time of her visit, a cottage home was available that the couple would later purchase.

Teresa Ferlito, Oswego Health Vice President and Springside’s Chief Operating Officer, made the move go smoothly, Sue said. Teresa arranged

for the Tafts to stop by and eat lunch with a group of residents before their move and assisted with all the necessary paperwork. “Teresa was abso-lutely wonderful to work with,” Sue said. “If there was anything she could do for us, she did it.”

The Tafts were pleased that minor modifica-tions could be made to the home and that they could upgrade some of the appliances before they moved in July.

As the couple settles into their new home, they find it’s conveniently located and that there are activities offered that they can take part in, if they wish. “We both have doctors and friends in the area and this was just where we want to be.”

“This is exactly what Springside is here for, to make life simpler and much more enjoy-able for its residents,” said Teresa. “We’re very happy to welcome the Tafts to the Springside community.”

Marion Ciciarelli is public relations manager for Oswego Health.

Springside met Dr. Garo and Sue Taft’s needs.

the billing address on your credit card so that you no lon-ger receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. Because your bills are now sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there’s a problem.

They may open a new phone or wireless account in your name, or run up charges on your existing account, use your name to get utility ser-vices like electricity, heating, or cable TV, create counterfeit checks using your name or account number, open a bank account in your name and write bad checks, clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals in your name, draining your accounts or even take out a loan in your

name. The best way to prevent or

determine if you are a victim of identity theft is to monitor your accounts and bank state-ments each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you check your credit report regularly, you may be able to limit the damage caused by identity theft.

Unfortunately, many con-sumers learn that their iden-tity has been stolen after some damage has been done. You may find out when bill col-lection agencies contact you for overdue debts you never incurred, when you apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn that problems with your credit history are holding up the loan, or when you get some-thing in the mail about an apartment you never rented, a house you never bought, or a job you never held. Flaherty urges, “Don’t ignore these signs and disregard them as mistakes as something bigger could be happening. Be dili-gent and aware.”

If your identity is stolen the first thing you should do is file a police report, check your

credit reports, notify creditors, and dispute any unauthorized transactions immediately to restore your good name. To help fight identity theft a great deal can be done. Awareness is an effective weapon against many forms of identity theft. Be aware of how information is stolen and what you can do to protect yours, monitor your personal information to uncover any problems quickly, and know what to do when you suspect your identity has been stolen.

Armed with the knowledge of how to protect yourself and take action, you can make identity thieves’ jobs much more difficult. You can also help fight identity theft by edu-cating your friends, family, and members of your community. Flaherty informs anyone who asks that the FTC has prepared a collection of easy-to-use materials to enable anyone re-gardless of existing knowledge about identity theft to inform others about this serious crime and hopefully curb its growth. Also, he invited everyone to visit SenecaFederal.com for more information.

“Jane and I were coming up on weekends and filling up pill boxes,” Eileen recalled.

But Larry would still sometimes miss a dose or take the incorrect amount. Gualtieri arranged for a Philips medication dispenser, offered by Franciscan.

“The medication dispenser has been a life-saver. It frees us up so we can visit with dad instead of primarily focusing on handling his medication,” Eileen said.

“It’s great,” Jane added. “I didn’t think it would be so seamless. He’s on a more regular schedule with eating and his medications and I think it’s having a better affect on him; I think the medication is working better.”

Gualtieri is arranging for a contractor to install railings along the stairs, add new light-ing, bathroom fixtures and grab bars. Several portable phones were also added as a safety measure.

“These features have helped increase Larry’s independence and ability to stay in his home for as long as possible,” Gualtieri said. “It’s rewarding to see improvements in Larry’s daily functioning, thanks to the supports Em-bracing Age helped to place in his home.”

Socialization is an important part of Embracing Age. Gualtieri brought Larry for a lunch visit to St. Francis’ day program for seniors. He now attends five days a week.

“It’s just me and my cat,” Larry says. “Al-though my cat likes me very much…I’m the

man who gives her food,” he said, “I enjoy going to St. Francis. I make friends with ev-erybody. It’s quid pro quo. You’re friendly to them and they’re friendly to you.”

In fact, as soon as Larry arrives at the center on Court Street he heads to the gentleman’s table, sits down and starts talking. “As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, he’s a world traveler and has great experiences to share. He’s a wonderful conversationalist but he is also a great listener,” said program administrator Sister Barbara Jean Donovan.

“They’re helpful and the program gives me a sense of purpose,” Larry adds.

“The social aspects of it cannot be overval-ued,” Jane says. “It’s getting him up and moving out the door. It’s an internal driver and seems to lift his spirits. He hasn’t said to me – why should I get out of bed today? He used to say that in November and December,” Jane said.

Larry’s quality of life has improved. He is living at home safely and independently. That’s what Embracing Age is all about.

“The family is so grateful for finding this service. It’s irreplaceable and wonderful,” Eileen said.

For more information on Embracing Age, call toll-free 1-855-MY-HELP-2 or visit Em-bracingAge.org. Set up a free Guest Day at St. Francis Social Adult Day Care by calling (315) 424-1003 or by visiting StFrancisADC.com.

Seneca Federal From page 11

St. Francis From page 10

excellence in health & human services 2012

Documents

orthopedic physicians

ankle surgery

spine surgery

orthopedic trauma

upstate orthopedics

arthroscopic surgery

doctor practice

focused orthopedic surgeons