Fall 2012Volume 3, Issue 3

In this issue:1 Greetings from Wendell Oman1 Grace Notes2 Advocate Christ Medical Center’s

Bone and Joint Institute

3 Hospice Corner 4 Helping those with chronic illness

Office for Mission &Spiritual Care

The Office for Mission & Spiritual Care provides spiritual care for patients, their families and associates 24 hours a day every day of the year. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To contact us, call 708.684.5175. Evenings and weekends, ask for the paging operator and request #2296 for the house chaplain or #2299 for the emergency department chaplain.

Advocate Christ Medical CenterHope Children’s Hospital

O!ce for Mission and Spiritual Care

Bridges to Our Faith Communities

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.

Johannes A. Gaertner

A sports injury. Lupus.Hip replacement.

Problems with our bones and chronic illness are aspects of life many of us must face at some time. This issue of Connections focuses on them by giving you detailed information about Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Bone and Joint Institute and a special feature on chronic illness.

But you may be addressing these challenges from a different vantage point – as someone who helps the person facing such challenges. For that reason, as always, we provide

resources geared specifically for the needs of those who minister to others

– books, websites, articles, tips and more.

September is a transition month. It bridges summer and winter, and it also offers ample opportunities for both wellness and injury/illness. The 2012 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar for the month of September emphasizes that point by

highlighting several activities that apply to bones, joints and chronic illnesses.

As the summer winds down and autumn takes hold, may God bless you and those you tend. May you experience a safe and healthy season, knowing all the while that we at Christ Medical Center are here for you if help and support are needed.

Rev. Wendell Oman, Vice PresidentOffice for Mission & Spiritual Care

Connections

This angel sculpture is part of the newest addition to Advocate Christ Medical Center – a baptismal that was a gift from St. Philippus United Church of Christ in Chicago. It represents our faith-based mission at Advocate Christ Medical Centerand can be found near the hospital’s Mission and Spiritual Care Office.

Grace Notes are readings, poems or quotes from a variety of faith traditions and writers. Each reflection tries to touch on the heart of being human in this world. To receive Grace Notes five or

seven days a week, please click here or contact AHC-gracenotes@advocatehealth.com .

Grace Notes

In this issue:

Bone & Joint

Institute

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so we can see life with

a clearer view again.

 Alex Tan

Grace Notes are readings, poems or quotes from a variety of faith traditions and writers. Each reflection tries to touch on the heart of being human in this world. To receive Grace Notes five or seven

days a week, please click here or contact AHC-gracenotes@advocatehealth.com .

Grace Notes

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Fall 2012 - Page 2

General resources for bone and joint health

Arthritis Foundation: The Arthritis Foundation offers comprehensive information on arthritis, its prevention and treatment as well as resources for caregivers. [arthritis.org]

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association: Information and resources on spinal cord injuries. [spinalcord.org]

Caregiver resources

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Caregivers: Numerous resources for caregivers, including first person stories, a directory of other organizations that support caregivers of those who have spinal cord injuries as well as information on caregiver respite and self-care. [christopherreeve.org]

Today’s Caregiver, Mobility Channel: Resources and information for caregivers of individuals with impaired mobility. [caregiver.com/channels/mobility/index.htm]

Spiritual and pastoral resources

Faith Ability: A listing of online resources on faith and disability issues. [faithability.org/]

ReliJournal: “Handicapped Methodist Clergy Eager to Prove Their Worth” [relijournal.com/christianity/handicapped-methodist-clergy-eager-to-prove-their-worth/]

Surgeons at the Institute are experts in performing both routine and complex orthopedic surgeries and have access to one of the few computer-assisted navigation surgical suites in Chicago. In addition to joint replacement, joint repair and cartilage restoration surgeries,

surgeons at our Bone and Joint

Institute perform over 250 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries each year, as well as spinal surgeries such as disc replacement, disc fusion and spinal reconstruction.

In addition to trauma and surgical care, patients at the Bone and Joint Institute can receive treatment for many other conditions:

❖ The Institute coordinates the care of bone cancer patients with the specialists at Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Cancer Institute.

❖ Those with sports-related injuries receive care from physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers so that they can return to training and competing.

❖ Individuals living with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, receive ongoing care from the Institute’s medical specialists.

The orthopedic surgeons at Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Bone and Joint Institute perform over 5,000 surgeries each year, giving them experience

virtually unmatched at other hospitals across the state. BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois has designated the Institute as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery® and a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement®. These credentials are a testimony to the high level of care available to bone and joint patients at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Services available

Credentials

The Bone and Joint Institute at Advocate Christ Medical Center provides comprehensive orthopedic care to its patients. As a Level I trauma center, Advocate Christ Medical Center has extensive experience in treating acute bone and joint injuries, but it also provides ongoing care and rehabilitation services to individuals living with conditions such as arthritis and cancer.

Established in 2011, the Bone and Joint Institute represents the medical center’s fourth such organization. The campus established three other institutes – Cancer, Heart and Vascular and Neurosciences – in 2007.

Resources for clergy

Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Bone and Joint Institute

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Fall 2012 - Page 3

Staff Chaplains:Refat Abukhdeir, Moslem MinistriesCathy Arsenault, MennoniteFr. Bill Browne, Roman CatholicMary Anne Cannon, Roman CatholicP.V. Chandy, QuakerFr. Casimir Eke, Roman CatholicChristy Howard-Steele, Christian Richard James, Southern BaptistStacey Jutila, Evangelical Lutheran ChurchMarjorie Kooy, Christian ReformedEliza Leatherberry, United Church of ChristSr. Peggy Nau, Roman CatholicDavid Safeblade, United Church of ChristTyron Smith, Baptist

Clinical Pastoral Education SupervisorsAngie Keith, Pentecostal ACPE Supervisory Candidate/ChaplainJanet MacLean, United Church of Christ

ACPE Supervisory Candidate/ChaplainPhyllis Toback, Jewish ACPE Supervisor/Chaplain

Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain ResidentsPaschalis Agu, Roman CatholicKathryn Cook, Baptist

Carla Powell, Evangelical Lutheran ChurchKifah Shukair, Muslim

Secretarial StaffKaren Darr, 708.684.4189

CPE, Ethics Committee, Office of Vice PresidentFran Genender, 708.684.5175

Eucharistic Ministers, the Department, Office of Manager of Spiritual Services

Administrative StaffCorky DeBoer, Christian Reformed

Manager of Spiritual Services, ACPE SupervisorWendell Oman, Evangelical Free Church of America

Vice-President, Mission & Spiritual Care

To subscribe to Connections, call 708.684.5175 or email Christ-Mission-SpiritualCare@advocatehealth.com with your name and email address. You’ll receive an electronic edition of Connections every three months.

To continue receiving Connections, your email address must be current. Please inform us of any changes of email address or other contact information. Email Christ-Mission-SpiritualCare@advocatehealth.com or call 708.684.5175.

Daybreak Bereavement ProgramsAdvocate Hospice

1441 Branding Lane #220 • Downers Grove, IL 60515

Widow to Widow Ongoing support groupMeets 3rd Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 12 noonWomen who have lost a partner are welcome to attend this monthly support group, held in the Advocate Hospice Downers Grove office. In addition to sharing healthy self-care and coping skills, attendees will learn about the grief process and discover ways to adjust and reinvest in life. There is no charge, but registration is required. Call Penelope Gabriele at 630.829.1753.

Additional programs and support groupsThe Daybreak Bereavement Program offered by Advocate Hospice offers programs and workshops for those dealing with the loss of a loved one. Second Year Grief Workshop; seasonal workshops, such as Thanksgiving Grief Workshop and Christmas Grief Workshop; special movies followed by discussion – these are some of the offerings. Call Penelope Gabriele at 630.829.1753.

Service of RemembranceSiemers Chapel

Advocate Christ Medical Center

Special Memorial Service for Recently BereavedSun., Nov. 18, 4 p.m.A special memorial service will be held for the hospice and patient families of Christ Medical Center and Hope Children’s Hospital who have recently lost a loved one. Christ Mission & Spiritual Care and Advocate Hospice join together in leading this service of prayers and readings as a comfort for the families they serve. For more information, contact Penelope Gabriele at 630.829.1753.

Hospice Corner

Advocate Christ Medical Center • Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital4440 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 708.684.8000

ACMC/s Neurosciences Institute

Grief at all ages In the Winter 2012 Issue

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Fall 2012 - Page 4

Chronic illness disrupts lives. It’s more than having frequent pain or being tired all the time. Life plans change. Ordinary decisions require new considerations. Abilities, appearance, independence – all may be altered. Furthermore, anger, fear, stress, anxiety and depression often compound an already difficult situation.

Today nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million) suffer from a chronic condition. The most common are heart disease, cancer, stroke, COPD and diabetes – which together cause more than two-thirds of all deaths. When hypertension, asthma and kidney disease are included, 21% of Americans in the 45- to 64-year age group have two or more chronic conditions.

Chronic illnesses know few bounds, certainly none dictated by age. While 90% of seniors have at least one chronic illness, 60% of those suffering with daily pain or illness are between the ages of 18 and 64. For children, chronic illnesses can be especially frightening, – they may not understand why this is happening to them.

Not surprisingly, there are consequences beyond the physical:

✦ The divorce rate is 75% when one or both partners are chronically ill.

✦ Depression is 15 to 20% higher for the chronically ill.

✦ Physical illness and uncontrollable physical pain are major factors in up to 70% of suicides.

Those dealing with chronic illness often turn to their faith leaders for comfort and hope. This is wise. Those who rely on their religious faith to cope are significantly less depressed, even when taking into account the severity of their physical illness. In fact, those with severe physical disability showed the strongest benefit from faith-based coping, and patients with a deep, internalized faith recover faster from the depression, even when their physical condition isn’t improving.

A relentlessly ailing body can lead to a broken spirit. But finding understanding from family and experiencing support from a faith community often result in a greater feeling of gratitude and hope – even for the chronically ill.

Helping those with chronic illness

Living Well with Chronic Pain by Jude Willhoff

Why Can’t I Make People Understand? by Lisa Copen

How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the

Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard and Sylvia Boorstein

In the Shadow of Illness by Myra Bluebond-Langner (for parents with children with fatal chronic illnesses)

When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada

Those who turn to their religious faith to cope are significantly

less depressed . . .

Books for those with chronic illnessand their families:

Chronic illness takes many forms:- Addison’s disease- AIDS- Anemia- Ankylosing Spondylitis- Asthma- Cancer- Celiac disease- Chronic fatigue and

immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS)

- Coronary heart disease- Crohn’s disease- Cystic fibrosis- Diabetes- Ehlers-Danlos

Syndrome- Fibromyalgia- Grave’s disease- Guillain Barre

Syndrome- Hashimoto's Syndrome- Headache- Interstitial cystitis- Lupus- Lyme disease- Ménière's disease- Multiple sclerosis- Muscular dystrophy- Myasthenia Gravis- Osteoarthritis- Parkinson’s disease- Reflex sympathetic

dystrophy syndrome (RSD)

- Rheumatoid arthritis- Scleroderma- Sjogren’s syndrome- Tay-Sachs and allied

diseases- Ulcerative colitis

Make Me Brave for Life

God, make me brave for life;oh, braver than this.

Let me straighten after pain As a tree straightens after the rain, Shining and lovely again.

God, make me brave for life;much braver than this.

As the blown grass lifts, let me riseFrom sorrow with quiet eyes, Knowing Thy way is wise.

God, make me brave;life brings such blinding things.

Help me to keep my sight;Help me to see aright That out of dark comes light.

– Author Unknown

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care Fall 2012 - Page 5

Resources for faith leaders

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Site provides resources on several chronic illnesses. cdc.gov/chronicdisease

Psych Central: 5 Rules for Living with Chronic Illness and Depression: An Interview with Elvira Aletta. This therapist, who also has a chronic illness, provides excellent advice for individuals striving to care for themselves and their families while dealing with health challenges. psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/06/16/5-rules-for-living-with-chronic-illness-and-depression-an-interview-with-elivra-aletta

TeensHealth: Dealing With a Health Condition. Site provides help and information for teenagers. kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/deal_chronic_illness.html

HelpStartsHere.org: Living With Illness Tip Sheet – Living With Chronic Illness. Tips, support and opportunities that a “life changing” illness can bring. helpstartshere.org/health-wellness/living-with-a-chronic-illness.html

Advocate Health CareAdvocate Health Care Facilities:

Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak LawnAdvocate Condell Medical Center, LibertyvilleAdvocate Eureka Hospital, EurekaAdvocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers GroveAdvocate Good Shepherd Hospital, BarringtonAdvocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, ChicagoAdvocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park RidgeAdvocate South Suburban Hospital, Hazel CrestAdvocate Trinity Hospital, Chicago

Children’s hospitals:Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, Oak LawnAdvocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge

Share the news! This publication may be copied for use by others if printed acknowledgment of source is included.

Looking for a previous issue? To read back issues of Connections, please go to: advocatehealth.com/newsletters

Faith leaders who regularly put the needs of others ahead of their own may find it takes a toll on their health, and chronic health problems may result.

When examining data from eighty-eight clergy in North Carolina, Duke University researchers found they had increased rates of obesity (40% compared to the average of 29%) and higher rates of diabetes, asthma, arthritis and hypertension. The study also found that clergy members show signs of depression at nearly double the national average (10.5% versus 5.5%).

Ironically, clergy perceive themselves to be healthier than they are, don’t recognize that they need help and believe their health doesn’t affect their ability to serve others.

Perhaps they equate self-care with selfishness. Whatever the reason, a solution needs to address the barriers to wellness for faith leaders: health care costs, unpredictable work schedules and the fear of the stigma associated with mental health issues. When faith leaders accept the link between physical and mental and spiritual health, they are likely to take better care of themselves and, in turn, members of their congregations.

For further reading, go to nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_127087.html.

How faith leaders can help those with chronic illness

❖ Offer prayers with or for someone with chronic illness.❖ As much as you are able, listen whenever and

wherever your comfort is sought.❖ Comfort their families.❖ While talk may center around loss and uncertainty,

elicit comments about what is satisfying and joyful in their lives.

❖ Celebrate even the smallest of victories.❖ Acknowledge and affirm their statements of gratitude.❖ Strive to tailor your responses to the particular

emotional and spiritual needs of each person; avoid platitudes, overworked phrases and generalizations.

❖ Ask how you can serve them better.❖ Offer CDs or tapes of services in order to strength their

faith even if they are unable to attend worship.❖ Ask what they wish people knew about their illness.❖ Provide helpful pamphlets and website listings.❖ Find opportunities for them to serve others.❖ Reprint topical articles in your newsletters; post them

on a bulletin board.❖ Hold classes on chronic illness and depression.❖ Initiate support groups.❖ Deliver sermons that normalize chronic illness.❖ Invite speakers to discuss illness or tell their personal

stories of living with chronic illness.

❖ Give special attention to the elderly and caregivers, two groups more vulnerable to depression.

❖ Learn about the parish nurse program, and consider it for your congregation.

Clergy are not exempt

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ts?

4.W

hy d

o I n

eed

this

trea

tmen

t?5.

Are

ther

e an

y al

tern

ativ

es?

6.W

hat a

re th

e po

ssib

le c

ompl

icat

ions

?7.

Whi

ch h

ospi

tal i

s be

st fo

r m

y ne

eds?

8.H

ow d

o yo

u sp

ell t

he n

ame

of th

at d

rug?

9.A

re th

ere

any

side

effe

cts?

10.W

ill th

is m

edic

ine

inte

ract

with

thos

e I'm

alr

eady

taki

ng?

Purc

hase

a n

oteb

ook

dedi

cate

d to

you

r m

edic

al n

eeds

(or

the

need

s of

a lo

ved

one

you

are

tend

ing)

. At

each

doct

or’s

visi

t,

wri

te th

e da

te a

nd ta

ke n

otes

of a

ll im

port

ant c

omm

ents

from

yo

ur d

octo

r. B

etw

een v

isits,

jot d

own

ques

tions

for

your

nex

t vi

sit o

r ob

serv

atio

ns y

ou h

ave

betw

een

visi

ts. A

t th

e en

d o

f ea

ch

visi

t, a

sk y

our

doct

or if

ther

e is

per

tinen

t wri

tten

info

rmat

ion

you

can

take

hom

e.

* Th

e A

genc

y fo

r H

ealth

care

Res

earc

h an

d Q

ualit

y's

(AH

RQ

) mis

sion

is to

im

prov

e th

e qu

ality

, saf

ety,

effi

cien

cy a

nd e

ffect

iven

ess

of h

ealth

car

e fo

r al

l A

mer

ican

s. A

s 1

of 1

2 ag

enci

es w

ithin

the

Dep

artm

ent o

f Hea

lth a

nd H

uman

Se

rvic

es, A

HR

Q s

uppo

rts

rese

arch

that

hel

ps p

eopl

e m

ake

mor

e in

form

ed

deci

sion

s an

d im

prov

es th

e qu

ality

of h

ealth

car

e se

rvic

es. A

HR

Q w

as

form

erly

kno

wn

as th

e A

genc

y fo

r H

ealth

Car

e Po

licy

and

Res

earc

h.

Com

ing

in A

ugus

t: H

ow to

talk

with

a m

edic

al p

rofe

ssio

nal.

Take

str

ep t

hro

at s

erio

usl

y!

Stre

p th

roat

is c

ause

d by

a h

ighly

infe

ctio

us

bact

eria

. It i

s pa

ssed

on

whe

n so

meo

ne w

ith th

e di

seas

e co

ughs

or

snee

zes

open

ly

into

the

air

or s

hare

s fo

od. Y

ou c

an e

ven

catc

h it

if yo

u to

uch

an in

fect

ed d

oork

nob

and

then

touc

h yo

ur m

outh

or

nose

.

Sym

ptom

s ar

e us

ually

mor

e se

vere

than

a v

iral

thro

at in

fect

ion

and

may

incl

ude

an e

spec

ially

sor

e th

roat

(ofte

n th

at c

omes

on

very

qui

ckly

), di

fficu

lty s

wal

low

ing,

sw

olle

n to

nsils

or

glan

ds,

whi

te p

atch

es o

n to

nsils

and

red

dot

s in

the

back

of t

he th

roat

. Fe

ver,

head

ache

, fat

igue

and

ras

h m

ay b

e si

gns,

too.

Cal

l you

r do

ctor

for

a so

re th

roat

that

last

s fo

r m

ore

than

48

hour

s or

a

feve

r of

mor

e th

an tw

o da

ys.

Whe

reve

r th

ere

are

grou

ps o

f peo

ple

in c

lose

co

ntac

t, st

rep

flour

ishe

s. W

hile

eve

ryon

e is

sus

-ce

ptib

le a

ll ye

ar lo

ng, c

hild

ren

betw

een

5 an

d 15

ar

e m

ost a

t ris

k, a

nd la

te fa

ll an

d ea

rly

spri

ng a

re

the

times

str

ep is

mos

t pre

vale

nt.

Nev

er t

ake

stre

p lig

htly.

It m

ay le

ad to

com

plic

atio

ns (i

nfec

tion

of to

nsils

, sin

uses

, mid

dle

ear,

skin

, blo

od) o

r se

riou

s ill

ness

es,

such

as

scar

let f

ever

, infl

amed

kid

ney

and

rheu

mat

ic fe

ver

whi

ch c

an a

ffect

the

hear

t, jo

ints

, ski

n an

d ne

rvou

s sy

stem

.

Esta

blis

hing

han

d-w

ashi

ng r

outin

es fo

r ch

ildre

n w

ill lo

wer

thei

r ri

sk o

f get

ting

stre

p. It

’s w

orth

the

effo

rt to

teac

h th

em to

was

h fr

eque

ntly

, tho

roug

hly

and

for

at le

ast 1

5 se

cond

s. (S

ingi

ng

“Hap

py B

irth

day”

twic

e ta

kes

just

that

am

ount

of t

ime!

)

Bei

ng a

goo

d ro

le m

odel

you

rsel

f by

was

hing

you

r ha

nds

freq

uent

ly m

ay p

ay o

ff ha

ndso

mel

y in

few

er tr

ips

to th

e do

ctor

’s of

fice

and

bette

r al

l-ar

ound

goo

d he

alth

for

you

and

your

fam

ily.

7-12

July

Is

Stre

p

Aw

aren

ess

Month

Res

ou

rces

: adv

ocat

ehea

lth.c

om •

mys

trep

thro

atre

med

ies.

org/

stre

p-th

roat

-pic

ture

s/ •

ki

dshe

alth

.org

/Par

ent/I

nfec

tions

> B

acte

rial

and

Vir

al In

fect

ions

> S

trep

• y

outu

be.c

om

> S

earc

h “s

trep

thro

at p

ictu

res”

• c

dc.g

ov/g

etsm

art/a

ntib

iotic

-use

/UR

I/sor

e-th

roat

.htm

l

Pray

er:

Ever

last

ing

God

, hel

p m

e p

ay a

tten

tion t

o m

y b

ody

and

th

e b

od

ies

of m

y ch

ildre

n. W

hen

som

ethin

g is

not

as it

should

be,

re

min

d m

e to

see

k hel

p w

ithout

del

ay. A

men

.

Prac

tica

l Gui

de t

o th

e H

ealt

h C

are

Syst

em:

How

to

talk

to

a do

ctor

Talk

ing

with

a d

octo

r ca

n be

dau

ntin

g –

but i

t doe

sn’t

have

to b

e.

Her

e ar

e a

few

tips

to h

elp

you

feel

mor

e co

mfo

rtab

le a

nd h

ave

a m

ore

prod

uctiv

e co

nver

satio

n w

ith y

our

med

ical

pro

fess

iona

l:

Pre

par

e fo

r yo

ur

visi

t:

•B

uy a

spi

ral n

oteb

ook

dedi

cate

d to

doc

tor

visi

ts, d

ate

all

your

ent

ries

and

alw

ays

brin

g th

e no

tebo

ok w

ith y

ou.

•Pr

ior

to th

e vi

sit,

wri

te d

own

sym

ptom

s, q

uest

ions

or

conc

erns

as

they

occ

ur to

you

.•

Thin

k ah

ead

to w

hat t

he d

octo

r m

ight

wan

t to

know

so

you

have

ans

wer

s re

ady.

•Li

st a

ll yo

ur m

edic

atio

ns, v

itam

ins

and

supp

lem

ents

.•

Prov

ide

the

cont

act i

nfor

mat

ion

of y

our

othe

r he

alth

car

e pr

ofes

sion

als.

Duri

ng

you

r vi

sit,

req

ues

t w

hat

you n

eed

:

•If

you

are

unfa

mili

ar w

ith a

med

ical

term

or

wan

t to

know

ho

w to

spe

ll w

hat i

s be

ing

disc

usse

d, s

impl

y as

k fo

r he

lp.

•If

you

don’

t und

erst

and

a pr

oced

ure

or tr

eatm

ent,

ask

for

a fu

ller

expl

anat

ion.

•If

the

pace

is to

o fa

st o

r yo

u ne

ed ti

me

to p

roce

ss w

hat i

s be

ing

said

, ask

the

doct

or to

slo

w d

own

or s

top

a m

omen

t.•

Req

uest

wri

tten

mat

eria

l you

can

rea

d at

hom

e.

List

en c

aref

ully

as

your

doct

or

spea

ks t

o y

ou:

•M

aint

ain

focu

s on

wha

t is

bein

g sa

id.

•Jo

t dow

n ke

y po

ints

in y

our

note

book

.•

Rep

eat i

nfor

mat

ion

back

to th

e do

ctor

to b

e su

re y

ou

unde

rsta

nd c

orre

ctly

.

Tell

the

truth

:

•Se

t asi

de y

our

ego,

em

barr

assm

ents

and

fear

s.•

Ans

wer

all

ques

tions

as

hone

stly

and

com

plet

ely

as p

ossi

ble.

Com

ing

in S

epte

mbe

r: H

ow to

pre

pare

for

a ho

spita

l sta

y

Upd

ate

on A

lzhe

imer

’s di

seas

eTh

is y

ear,

the

Alz

heim

er’s

Ass

ocia

tion

and

the

Nat

iona

l Ins

titut

e on

Agi

ng jo

intly

issu

ed n

ew g

uide

lines

for A

lzhe

imer

’s di

seas

e (A

D),

repl

acin

g th

ose

issu

ed in

198

4.

Ther

e ar

e th

ree

sign

ifica

nt c

hang

es: T

hese

gui

delin

es p

lace

gr

eate

r fo

cus

on e

arly

det

ectio

n of

this

neu

rolo

gica

l dis

orde

r. Th

e lis

t of s

ympt

oms

now

go

beyo

nd m

emor

y im

pair

men

t to

incl

ude

spat

ial c

ogni

tion

prob

lem

s, im

pair

ed r

easo

ning

and

di

fficu

lty e

xpre

ssin

g on

esel

f with

wor

ds. F

inal

ly, i

nste

ad o

f jus

t on

e, to

day’

s cr

iteri

a of

fer

thre

e ph

ases

of A

lzhe

imer

’s:

✦P

recl

inic

al A

lzhei

mer

’s is

the

new

ly r

ecog

nize

d an

d fir

st s

tage

of

the

dise

ase.

In th

is p

hase

, key

bio

logi

cal c

hang

es a

re

happ

enin

g, b

ut th

e di

seas

e ha

sn’t

yet c

ause

d an

y no

ticea

ble

sym

ptom

s. C

hang

es in

bra

in b

ench

mar

ks (c

alle

d bi

omar

kers

) m

ay o

ccur

yea

rs b

efor

e sy

mpt

oms

can

be d

etec

ted

by a

ffect

ed

indi

vidu

als

or th

eir

doct

ors.

The

se b

iom

arke

rs c

an h

elp

iden

tify

chan

ges

and

pred

ict a

per

son’

s ri

sk o

f dev

elop

ing

AD

.

✦M

ild C

ogn

itiv

e Im

pai

rmen

t is

the

seco

nd s

tage

. Her

e a

pers

on

has

mild

cha

nges

in m

emor

y an

d th

inki

ng a

bilit

ies

that

are

no

ticea

ble

but n

ot s

ever

e en

ough

to d

isru

pt d

ay to

day

life

.

✦D

emen

tia

is th

e st

age

in w

hich

impa

irm

ents

dec

reas

e a

pers

on’s

abili

ty to

func

tion

inde

pend

ently

in e

very

day

life.

Wha

t do

thes

e ne

w g

uide

lines

mea

n to

us?

Per

haps

they

rem

ove

som

e of

the

fear

. With

a b

road

er a

ccep

tanc

e of

the

impo

rtan

ce

of e

arly

det

ectio

n, m

ore

peop

le w

ill b

e he

lped

at e

arlie

r st

ages

, an

d di

sabl

ing

cons

eque

nces

can

be

dela

yed.

Hop

e is

gro

win

g . .

.

8-12

Res

ourc

es: a

dvoc

ateh

ealth

.com

• a

lz.o

rg/a

lzhe

imer

s_di

seas

e_w

hat_

is_a

lzhe

imer

s.as

p •

ahaf

.org

/alz

heim

ers

(Alz

heim

er’s

Dis

ease

Res

earc

h, A

mer

ican

Hea

lth A

ssis

tanc

e Fo

unda

tion)

• a

ct.a

lz.o

rg/c

hica

go20

12 (W

alk

to E

nd A

lzhe

imer

’s, S

unda

y, S

ept.

9,

2012

, Mon

tros

e H

arbo

r, C

hica

go, I

L an

d ot

her

loca

tions

)

Pray

er:

Com

fort

those

who liv

e in

confu

sion a

nd

who c

an

no

longe

r tr

ust

thei

r m

emori

es. B

e w

ith

th

em a

nd

thei

r ca

regi

vers

eac

h a

nd

eve

ry d

ay. A

men

.

Prac

tica

l Gui

de t

o th

e H

ealt

h C

are

Syst

em:

Prep

arin

g fo

r a

hosp

ital

sta

yB

eing

rea

dy fo

r a

plan

ned

hosp

ital s

tay

decr

ease

s an

xiet

y. H

ere

are

impo

rtan

t asp

ects

to h

andl

e in

adv

ance

:

List

all

your

med

icat

ions

. Inc

lude

all

the

over

-the

-cou

nter

dru

gs,

vita

min

s an

d he

rbal

and

die

tary

sup

plem

ents

you

take

. Not

e ho

w lo

ng y

ou h

ave

been

taki

ng e

ach

and

the

dosa

ge. G

ive

your

do

ctor

a c

opy

of th

is li

st, a

nd k

eep

one

for

your

self.

Hav

e a

pre-

surg

ery

talk

wit

h yo

ur d

octo

r. U

nder

stan

d th

e ri

sks

and

bene

fits

of th

e pr

oced

ure

and

any

pert

inen

t tes

t res

ults

. Th

ere

is u

sual

ly a

lot t

o ab

sorb

at o

ne ti

me;

goo

d no

tes

can

real

ly h

elp.

Ask

a fr

iend

or

fam

ily m

embe

r to

acc

ompa

ny y

ou

and

serv

e as

you

r ad

voca

te, a

skin

g qu

estio

ns a

nd ta

king

not

es.

At t

he v

ery

leas

t, br

ing

a no

tebo

ok a

nd ta

ke n

otes

you

rsel

f.

Gat

her

impo

rtan

t pa

pers

. Bri

ng y

our

soci

al s

ecur

ity n

umbe

r, a

phot

o ID

and

you

r in

sura

nce

card

. If y

ou h

ave

adva

nce

dire

c-tiv

es (p

ower

of a

ttorn

ey o

f hea

lth c

are,

livi

ng w

ill),

brin

g co

pies

. Yo

u m

ay w

ant l

ab w

ork

and

X-r

ays

as w

ell.

Pack

per

sona

l nec

essi

ties

. You

may

be

able

to w

ear

your

ow

n pa

jam

as a

nd s

lippe

rs w

hile

in th

e ho

spita

l. B

ring

loos

e-fit

ting

unde

rwea

r an

d so

cks,

too.

A s

wea

ter

can

war

d of

f chi

lls. D

on’t

forg

et y

our

eyeg

lass

es. T

oile

trie

s ar

e a

nice

add

ition

as

is li

p ba

lm. (

Leav

e pe

rfum

es a

nd h

eavi

ly s

cent

ed p

rodu

cts

at h

ome.

)

Incl

ude

som

e pl

easa

nt p

asti

mes

– a

boo

k, a

mag

azin

e, w

ritin

g pa

per,

pen,

sm

all p

hoto

s or

mem

ento

s. B

ring

a s

mal

l am

ount

of

cash

; lea

ve c

redi

t car

ds a

t hom

e. P

rint

out

frie

nds’

pho

ne n

um-

bers

. Che

ck th

e ho

spita

l’s p

olic

y ab

out e

lect

roni

c ite

ms

befo

re

you

pack

you

r la

ptop

or

cell

phon

e. It

ems

like

thes

e ar

e of

ten

disc

oura

ged

or e

ven

forb

idde

n an

d ar

e al

so ta

rget

s fo

r th

eft.

Plan

you

r ab

senc

e fr

om h

ome.

Pay

any

hou

seho

ld b

ills

that

will

co

me

due

duri

ng y

our

stay

, wat

er y

our

plan

ts a

nd a

rran

ge fo

r pe

t car

e w

hile

you

are

gon

e.

Com

ing

in O

ctob

er: P

repa

re fo

r be

ing

disc

harg

ed

The

AB

Cs

of c

hole

ster

olC

hole

ster

ol is

the

soft,

wax

y su

bsta

nce

foun

d in

all

part

s of

the

body

. Whi

le y

our

body

nee

ds s

ome

of it

to w

ork

prop

erly

, too

m

uch

can

clog

you

r ar

teri

es a

nd le

ad to

hea

rt p

robl

ems.

Expe

rts

reco

mm

end

that

you

hav

e a

chol

este

rol t

est s

tart

ing

at

age

twen

ty a

nd r

e-te

st e

very

five

yea

rs. H

igh

chol

este

rol l

evel

s us

ually

don

’t ha

ve s

igns

or

sym

ptom

s, s

o th

is te

st is

a r

eally

im-

port

ant t

ool i

n de

term

inin

g if

you

are

at r

isk

for

hear

t dis

ease

.

A c

ompl

ete

chol

este

rol t

est,

calle

d a

lipid

pan

el

or p

rofil

e, is

a b

lood

test

that

mea

sure

s fa

ts

(lipi

ds) i

n yo

ur b

ody:

✦LD

L (lo

w-d

ensi

ty li

popr

otei

n) –

Too

muc

h of

th

is “

bad

chol

este

rol”

cau

ses

a bu

ildup

of

fatty

dep

osits

(pla

ques

) in

your

art

erie

s th

at r

e-du

ce b

lood

flow

and

mig

ht le

ad to

a h

eart

atta

ck o

r st

roke

. Ta

rget

LD

L nu

mbe

rs v

ary,

dep

endi

ng o

n yo

ur r

isk

of h

eart

dis

-ea

se, b

ut m

ost p

eopl

e sh

ould

aim

for

a le

vel b

elow

130

.

✦H

DL

(hig

h-de

nsity

lipo

prot

ein)

– “

Goo

d ch

oles

tero

l” h

elps

ca

rry

away

LD

L so

blo

od fl

ows

free

ly. 6

0 or

mor

e is

bes

t.

✦Tr

igly

ceri

des

– Yo

ur b

ody

conv

erts

any

cal

orie

s it

does

n’t n

eed

in

to tr

igly

ceri

des

stor

ed in

fat c

ells

. Bel

ow 1

50 is

des

irab

le.

✦To

tal c

hole

ster

ol is

the

sum

of y

our

bloo

d’s

chol

este

rol c

on-

tent

. Bel

ow 2

00 is

des

irab

le.

Cho

lest

erol

is a

n im

port

ant a

spec

t of h

ealth

. Che

ck w

ith y

our

near

est A

dvoc

ate

hosp

ital f

or in

form

atio

n ab

out s

cree

ning

s,

clas

ses

and

educ

atio

n re

late

d to

cho

lest

erol

.

9-12

Res

ourc

es: a

dvoc

ateh

ealth

.com

• h

eart

.org

>C

ondi

tions

>C

hole

ster

ol

>A

bout

Cho

lest

erol

• h

eart

heal

thyw

omen

.org

/am

-i-a

t-ri

sk/h

igh-

chol

este

rol-

a-lip

ids/

wha

t-yo

ur-c

hole

ster

ol-n

umbe

rs-m

ean.

htm

l • w

ww

.nhl

bi.n

ih.g

ov/h

ealth

/pub

lic/h

eart

/ch

ol/w

yntk

.htm

Pray

er:

Dea

r Lo

rd, r

emin

d m

e to

pau

se a

nd ta

ke a

rec

koni

ng

of m

y lif

esty

le a

nd h

ealth

hab

its. H

elp

me

mak

e th

ose

chan

ges

nece

ssar

y to

live

a lo

ng a

nd h

ealth

y lif

e. A

men

.

Sept

embe

r Is

Cho

lest

erol

A

war

enes

s M

onth