Normal aging vs. Alzheimer’s disease

The infographic shown here is from the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health. It provides a useful guide to differentiating signs consistent with normal aging and those of Alzheimer’s disease. It  is not a diagnostic tool.

Do you make bad decisions once in a while? Or are family members regularly  complaining about your poor judgments?

Do you occasionally forget to do something like pay the bills—or is your family getting frustrated because you forget regularly?

Have you taken your daily walk three times in one day? 

Do you misplace your keys sometimes, or has your family found them in the freezer or microwave? More than once?

Are you worried about the memory of someone in your family? 

Check out this infographic for more information.

Previous Next

• 
• 

Celebrating occupational therapists

HONESDALE, PA — The occupational therapists at Wayne Memorial Health System marked April, with a poster in the main lobby of Wayne Memorial Hospital. 

The poster highlights the skills of occupational therapists and the history of the profession, which focuses on helping people who have suffered an injury, illness or disability regain independence and function at the highest possible level.

Occupational therapy (OT) was officially recognized in the 18th century when “occupational engagement” was shown to clearly benefit people with mental illnesses, soldiers coping with the horrors of war and other situations. 

The poster documents the efforts of people such as Presidents Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy Jr., who helped pass legislation fostering the profession and increasing access to occupational therapy for the people who needed it most. 

“OT creates hope and optimism for so many people,” said rehabilitation services manager Terri Henderson, who is herself an occupational therapist. “We have a great team of therapists and assistants at Wayne Memorial who help our patients live a purposeful life by enhancing their daily living and ability to function as independently as possible. It’s a wonderful profession.”

Mental-health first aid training available

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan 180 will hold a youth mental-health first aid training on Friday, May 19 at Sullivan BOCES; for the time, see contact information below.

Participants must be over age 18.

Youth Mental Health First Aid was created to teach parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers and more how to help an adolescent (aged 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD) and eating disorders.

To schedule a training or to learn more, email cortney@sullivan180.org or call 845/295.2688. 

Garnet Health launches open-heart surgery program

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Garnet Health’s Peter Frommer, MD Heart Center has a new open-heart surgery program in partnership with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

The first program of its kind in Orange County, complex cardiothoracic procedures can now be performed there, so patients to receive heart surgery care without the stress of traveling far from their loved ones.

The program is led by cardiothoracic lead surgeon and medical director Michael Argenziano, M.D., who also serves as associate chief of the division of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

“In my nearly 30 years of being a cardiothoracic surgeon in New York City, I have performed open-heart surgery on many residents living in Orange and Sullivan counties who needed to travel simply because there were no better options nearby,” said Dr. Argenziano. “Now, the same exceptional care you expect and receive in New York City is available right here.”

“Heart disease is a leading cause of death in both counties,” said Rose Baczewski, vice president and COO at Garnet Health and the executive sponsor for the cardiothoracic surgery program. “Adding open-heart surgery services truly elevates our ability to provide comprehensive cardiac care. ”

Cardiothoracic surgery procedures performed include: coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair, thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, maze procedure for atrial fibrillation, left atrial appendage ligation and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Learn more about the open-heart surgery program and watch a video of Patrick Spencer, the first open-heart surgery patient at Garnet Health, by visiting www.GarnetHealth.org/heartsurgery.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — This is a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues. It’s also a time to highlight the ways that mental health illness and substance abuse affects all of us. 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that as many as one in five children and adolescents in the United States have a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder, but only about 20 percent of this population ever receives care from a specialized mental health provider.

Sullivan County has the highest rate of disconnected youth and additional mental health related issues in the region. The statistics are as alarming as they are staggering, said a spokesperson for Sullivan 180.

The group will hold several trainings to help the community support neighbors, family, friends and youth who may be struggling. These workshops can be brought to your neighborhood, church, school, business or civic group. 

Naloxone (NARCAN) training: Learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer the opioid overdose reversal Naloxone. Anyone can be trained in this program.

QPR: Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Anyone can be trained in QPR.

Film screening: “The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope” provides a deeper understanding of adverse childhood experiences and dives into cutting-edge research on toxic stress. 

Youth mental-health first aid: This program was created to teach parents, caregivers, teachers, peers, neighbors and more how to help an adolescent (aged 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.Topics include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD) and eating disorders.

To learn more about training opportunities, email info@sullivan180.org or call 845/295-2680.

Wayne Memorial Laboratory re-accredited 

HONESDALE, PA — Wayne Memorial Hospital’s laboratory has received a two year re-accreditation from the College of American Pathologists. The lab processes close to 800,000 specimens a year and must meet rigorous standards of quality and accuracy to earn the certificate of accreditation.

“I am very proud of our team. We have great tenured clinical leaders and very bright newer techs,” laboratory manager John Romano said.

The lab professionals and pathologists at Wayne Memorial Hospital and its satellite offices are involved in 80 percent of diagnoses physicians make, and play a vital role in healthcare in the communities they serve.

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff was challenged with shortages but carried on. Their commitment, said a spokesperson, is crucial to the diagnosis and treatment of disease.