prime december 2015

WINTER - DEC. 2015

PG. 8 what you can do to make sure you don’t suffer from the holiday blues.

PG. 18 what you can do tohelp those whose injuriesaren’t physical.

PG. 10 a doctor discusses the main causes of sleep disorders and what you can do about them.

tiPs forselectinGyour MedicarecoveraGe

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PRIME \\ DEC. 2015 3

A GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING

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features

Hurting for a normal lifeA Greeley awoman is dealing with the kind of pain that can cause to stay in bed crying for days. But her disease is so rare there’s no cure, and people often can’t believe it’s as bas as she says it is.

’Tis the season for germsHoliday travel means plenty of opportunities to come into contact with the kind of unwanted guests that can make you sick. Here’s what you can do to stay healthy.

PG.12

PG 4Kids who cutHere’s why some engage in thisself-destructive behavior and what you can do about it.

PG 6The clock is tickingIt’s not too late to make decisions about your Medicare coverage, but you’ve got to act fast.

PG 8It’s (not always) a wonderful lifeHere’s what you can do to make sure you don’t suffer from the holiday blues.

PG 10Can’t sleep? You’re not alone. A doctor discusses the main causes of sleep disorders and what you can do about them.

PG 17A top priority?Despite what you may think, caring for the elderly may not always be a national concern.

PG 18Mental-health first-aidHere’s what you can do to help those whose injuries aren’t physical.

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December 2015, Volume 1, Issue 6.Published by: Greeley Publishing Co., publisher of The Greeley Tribune,

Windsor Now, the Fence Post, Tri-State Livestock News, and Energy Pipeline

PUBLISHERBart Smith

EDITORRandy Bangert

GENERAL MANAGERBryce Jacobson

CREATIVE MANAGERKyle Knoop

BUSINESS MANAGERMike Campbell

MANAGING EDITOR Nate A. Miller

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSAllison D. Bluemel

Nikki Work

SALES MANAGERSStephanie Mighell

Bruce Dennis

SALES STAffCristin Peratt

Mollie LeeShane Fanning

Constance Marx

CREATIVE SUPERVISOR/DESIGNAlan Karnitz

PG. 11 The 12 sites of Social Security | PG. 19 December’s health events | PG. 20 Prime medical directory

PG.14

4 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

it’s hard to understand how hurting yourself can make you feel better, but that’s

how it is with cutting. If you’ve noticed cuts on your teen or pre-teen’s arms, are finding bloody tissues in the trash, bloody clothing in his or her room or no-ticing blood spots in the shower, it may be time to explore if your teen is cutting. “Kids cut because they feel awful with all capital letters, and it gives them some temporary relief,” said Craig McFadden, a licensed behavioral health specialist with University of Colorado Health’s Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center in Fort Collins. According to reputable studies, 12-37 percent of middle school teens cut and 12-20 percent of older teens cut in the U.S. Interest-ingly, 25 percent try it just once. The good news is nearly half (40 percent) stop within a year, but it can become a coping mechanism that teens bring into their adult lives. As far as self-injury behaviors go, cutting is the most common, fol-lowed by scratching. Some kids also

burn themselves, bang their heads or punch themselves. Kids cut their arms, thighs and hips (easy to hide) and sometimes other areas like their necks and backs. More girls cut than boys. Why kids cut “Cutting is a very secretive behavior, and teens cut for many different reasons. Kids who cut have huge, overwhelming feelings, and they don’t have the words to express them. Maybe they are being abused or bullied or feeling anxious or depressed. Maybe they suffer from extreme perfection-ism and it gives them a sense of control. Or it could be a mental health issue like bipolar setting in where they can’t sleep, feel agitated and their thoughts are going fast. It also can be a way of punishing themselves. Cutting brings relief and momentary calm,” McFadden added. For those who try it once, it might be that a friend suggested it or they heard about it and felt stressed so they thought they’d give it a try. Then they found out they didn’t like it and it didn’t help. But for those who get the 5- to 30-min-ute relief it brings, it feels worth it. If you suspect your child is cutting there are things you can do to help. McFadden offers sound advice for

parents who are faced with this stressful parenting challenge. Don’t freak out “First, don’t freak out. Be concerned, not worried. To me, worried is fearful as in ‘Oh my God! Why are you doing that!’ and concerned is alert and thoughtful as in, ‘Tell me more about that.’ That’s what you want your teen to see. Kids do a quick radar sweep to see if you are OK, and if you freak out, they decide it’s better to hide their feelings,” McFadden said. He goes on to say kids tend to personalize everything. If they sense they caused you stress they see it as their fault and they think they did something wrong. Once that happens, they will start denying it’s a problem and simply learn to hide it better. That’s why taking on a curious yet concerned demeanor works best when dealing with cutting or any concerning behavior. Be in it with your kid The message you want to send is, “I’m here for you, and you can count on me.” You might reveal that you don’t like the cutting but you don’t want them to feel ashamed. Send the message that you are open and ready to listen. Do this by asking open-ended ques-tions and letting your teen guide

the conversation. McFadden often starts by asking, “What does it do for you?” and showing understanding. He recommends that parents could say, “What I know about cut-ting is you are having big feelings that you don’t know what to do with, so what’s going on?” “Get them talking about what they see as the next step. You may be 10 steps ahead of them but you need to start where they are at. Ask them questions about what they think might help or what has helped before, or what other activities make them feel better,” he suggested. As tempting as it is, don’t believe promises that they will quit or help keep it a secret from others. Cutting needs to be taken seriously and addressed before it becomes a go-to coping technique, compulsion or they hurt them-selves. Seek help “Nobody wants to admit their kid needs help or that they need help helping their kid, but usually individual therapy and parent-teen therapy are needed,” McFadden said. It may be tempting to minimize cutting or write it off as teens being teens, but it’s best to seek help from

By James redmond and allison dyer Bluemel For Prime

survey seesstate residents without health insurance decrease, but faces hurdles oninsurance educationBy James Redmond and Allison Dyer Bluemel For Prime

why and what you can do aBout it

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a trained therapist who can get to the crux of the issue and provide your teen with alternative coping skills. “If someone who feels awful has something that makes them feel better, they are not going to give it up easily. Cutting isn’t normal teen stuff, neither is large mood swings, isolating greatly or struggling in

more than one sphere of their lives, like school, home or friends. Even if you think it’s a phase, get them evaluated so you know for sure,” McFadden said.

Lyn U. Nichols is a freelance writer. She wrote this on behalf of University of Colorado Health.

siGns of cuttinG•Unexplainedcuts,scratchesusuallyonarmsandlegs.• Coveringupwithlongsleevesevenwhenit’swarmout.• Skippinggymorthepooltoavoidexposure.• Findingrazorbladesorknivesintheirroom.• Seeingbloodyrags,clothingortissuesintheirroomortrash.• Findingbloodsplattersinthesinkorshower. “Generally,ifyouseeevidenceofbloodaround,askaboutitandseehowitfeelswhentheyanswer.Isitplausible?Ifnot,considercutting,”saidCraigMcFaddenwithMountainCrest.

hiGh-risk Behaviorsfor cuttinG• Isolatingandantisocialbehavior, angry outbursts.•Droppinggrades,losingfriends.• Perfectionism–HavetogetA'sorthey are a failure.• Fatigue,poorsleep,appetiteswings.• Anxiety,depression.• Abuse,bullying,substanceabuse.•Mentalhealthdiagnosissuchasdepression, anxiety,bipolar,psychosis,conductdisorder.• Asensethatsomethingis“off.”

when your teen needs helP MountainCrestBehavioralHealthCenter,adivisionofUCHealthinFortCollins,offersafullrangeofbehavioralhealthtreatmentprograms,includingprogramsdesignedforteens.Thecenterofferstwooutpatientprograms:intensive outpatient program for teens Runssixweeks;meetsthreetimesaweekforthreehoursaday.Participantssharetheirstrugglesandlearnskillstohelpthem work through difficult times. Teens ages 13 to 18 learn effectivecopingskills,usingDBT(dialecticalbehavioraltherapy).individual outpatient therapy for teens Childandadolescentpsychologists,licensedpsychotherapistsandpsychiatristsofferindividualpsychotherapy,familytherapyandpsychologicaltesting.

for More inforMation,call Mountain crest at 970.207.4857.

6 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

ifyouhaveMedicarebuthaven’tselectedaMedicareAdvantageorprescriptiondrugplanfor2016,youstillhavetime

before the Dec. 7 deadline. This checklist canhelpyoufindthebestMedicareplanforyou. Know your medical cost history. Review your records to see how much you spent on health care during the past year. Then, determine if the past year was typical, and try to estimate costs for the year ahead. Know your resources. With your prior medi-cal spending in mind, research the costs, benefits and network of doctors and hospitals associated with each Medicare plan. The government’s Medi-care website, www.medicare.gov, can help you make a choice, as can www.Humana-Medicare.com. Know your options. You will want a plan that provides the coverage you need and makes the most of your health care dollars. In general, your options include:• Original Medicare, or Medicare Parts A and B, with basic coverage for hospital and medical expenses but no coverage for deductibles, coinsur-ance, or prescription drugs. (You typically must pay a premium for Part B coverage.)• Medicare Advantage, which provides all of the same coverage as original Medicare but also gener-ally includes extra benefits and services, including prescription drug coverage (You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium and may or may not pay an additional premium.) These plans frequently include dental and vision coverage, a nurse advice line and even a fitness club member-ship.• Medicare Supplement plans, often called Me-digap plans that pay some of the costs that original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as deductibles and co-insurance. (You must pay an additional premium.)• A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), or Medicare Part D, provides prescription drug cover-age and most often helps lower your prescription drug expenses, though you must pay an additional premium. Research the quality of the plans you are considering. The Medicare agency assigns a one- to five-star rating to each Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, with five stars awarded to the highest quality plans.

THe CloCKIS TICKIng:Quick tips for selecting your Medicare coverageBy Mark iorioHumana

Mark Iorio is market vice president for Medicare products for Humana’s Central West Region, which includes Colorado and New Mexico. Please contact Mark at [email protected].

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By lesley wright Banner Health

OvERCOMING THE

PressureOF THE HOlIDAYS

it’stimeforsparklinglights,family reunions and, for many, a heightened sense of

lonelinessandfinancialanxiety.Life seldom reflects holiday moviesandfewthingsthrowthatinto stark relief more than the shortdaysandsocialpressureofThanksgiving,ChristmasandNew Year’s celebrations. Every happy childhood holiday recalled can make people feel more deeply the anxiety of their current situation — being alone, facing financial problems or grieving the loss of loved ones. “There is a lot of pressure on people to have the perfect holiday, which brings up stress and anxi-ety,” said Dr. Patricia Al-Adsani, a psychiatrist who practices at Banner Health clinics in Loveland, Greeley, Fort Collins and Wind-sor. “Holidays bring up losses and people we miss and people we can’t have with us.”

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tiPs to avoid holiday Blues:1. Plan ahead and stick to a schedule2. Createtraditionsthatacknowledgethepast3. Recognizepainfulfeelingsandplanaroundthem4. Ifstressbecomesoverwhelming,visityourmentalhealthprovider

By planning ahead and employing a few psychologi-cal techniques, Al-Adsani said people can anticipate the sea-son with excitement instead of stress. Sometimes it’s just a matter of updating the cast of charac-ters in family traditions. Al-Adsani’s father, for ex-ample, always made the stuffing and pretended to be Santa Claus when she was growing up. Today, the doctor’s older brother fills that role, preserv-ing but updating the tradition. “It brings up those memories in a positive way,” she said. For single people, the holidays can bring jealousy and sadness, to the point where they avoid invitations to holiday

parties. But Al-Adsani said that strong mental effort can turn that around. Generally, you pick up the mood of those around you, she said. If you force yourself to at-tend a party, others might cheer you up. You can also volunteer to help the host or hostess in the kitchen and use your cre-ative skills. Along with the social pres-sure, dealing with the economic demands of Christmas is one of the most difficult challenges. “That is a very painful issue for a lot of people,” Al-Adsani said. “One way to manage the holiday is to make sure you do the most with what you have.” That could mean being one of the first 50 people in line for

Black Friday sales. But it also means resisting depression when you see other shoppers who can afford more than you. If you can’t buy the latest video games, then have your children make decorations for older neighbors or fill the empty spot under the tree with games the family can play on Christmas morning. “It depends on what you want Christmas to be all about,” she said. “It’s laughter and it’s joy and it’s memories you create. It’s tough not to be able to give kids what they want, but you can teach your child a life lesson.” Most importantly, start problem-solving early and de-cide how to face the emotional

challenges head-on. “Make sure you get your ex-ercise, eat well and make sure you are socializing,” Al-Adsani said. “Don’t get into a dark place. Commit to an absolute plan and don’t leave any wiggle-room — it gives you an out and you can end up wallowing in your house.” As hard as it can be when you are feeling blue, any connection with others can give you a sense of self-worth. “Feeling connected is really important,” she said. “One person who smiles at you will improve your day.”

Lesley Wright is a freelance writer. She wrote this on behalf of Banner Health.

10 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

let’s take a few minutes to talk about one of the most under-diagnosed

conditionsinourcountry:Sleepdisorders.Asinnocentand harmless as they may seem,sleepdisorderscanbeverytaxingonapersonbothphysicallyandemotionally.Studiesshowthattheaverageadultrequires7-8hoursofsleepanight,whichincludesreachingdeepsleepandREMsleepstages. A good night’s sleep helps the mind and body in many ways, including avoiding excessive daytime fatigue and strengthening your immune system, whereas a lack of good sleep can pack a host of consequences including negatively impacting decision making and memory retention abilities, decreasing reaction time, irritability (and if prolonged — depression), weight gain, and physical stress on the body, which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

I have found that there are usually four different types of patients who visit me about sleep disorders:-The ones who tell me they are tired all of the time, but they are sleeping.-The ones who know they snore, and have a partner who can’t sleep as a result.-The ones who tell me that they cannot sleep.-And patients who are overweight or

obese and tell me that they cannot lose the weight despite sincere efforts to do so.

First, I let them know that in general there are some behaviors that can help you get a better night’s sleep such as: -Get into a bedtime routine that occurs at the same time every day. Your body will automatically begin to “get sleepy” if you go to bed at the same time every night. -Avoid activities before bed that make falling asleep more difficult like exercise, eating a big meal or excessive fluid intake that will wake you up at night to urinate.-Avoid stimulants like smoking or drinking coffee within five or six hours from when you want to go to bed. Contrary to what you might think, alcohol can disrupt sleep as well. While it may cause you to fall asleep initially, it doesn’t allow for the more restful phases of sleep, not to mention that you may also have to get up in the night to use the bathroom. Create a meditative and relaxing environment in your bedroom that is quiet and dark, and use the time getting ready for bed to calm your mind. This means that it is best to not have a television in the room. Also

pick another room to charge your cell phone at night such as the kitchen or living room If they have already tried these tips, and still aren’t getting restful deep sleep at night, the cause may be more severe. Such is the case with people who suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the body has one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while asleep. This can repeat multiple times each hour throughout the night and prohibits achieving quality sleep. If I suspect this condition, I will recommend an in-home sleep study. A sleep study records what the body does at night while a person is sleeping. The studies involve using a device the patient attaches to the front of his or her chest and also to his or her finger. It locks around the mid-section. The machine tracks and monitors blood oxygen while the patient is sleeping, is generally administered at home, and usually takes one night to complete. We get better results with the home sleep study because it is so much easier and more relaxing for patients to participate in the comfort of their own home rather than in a sleep laboratory. Once the results are recorded, the patient will usually

follow up with a pulmonologist to review them. Once diagnosed, the typical treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). So with this easy in-home testing, you might be asking why sleep disorders are underdiagnosed. I find that it is usually because people don’t want to be told that they have to use the CPAP machines. Patients may have fears of physical discomfort using the CPAP, or often times I hear about concerns that the use of the CPAP will decrease intimacy between a patient and their partner. These are reasonable concerns, especially if the patient has ever used or known someone who used earlier CPAP devices, but what is important to understand is that these are no longer the big loud CPAP machines of 10 years ago. Today’s machines are light and quiet. And I believe that once tried, patients will find that they are more rested and energetic, and experience a better quality of life… as do their partners. So whether you are struggling with sleep, weight or overall feeling tired during the day, talk to your physician about ways they can help you achieve a more happy and healthy life.

By lindsey GerdesKaiser Permanente

dr. lindsey Gerdes

Dr. Lindsey Gerdes is a family medicinephysicianpracticingat Kaiser Permanente’s Greeley Medical Offices

why can’t i Get enouGh sleeP?

PRIME \\ DEC. 2015 11

a social security carol for the seasonBy Monica ochoaSocial Security Administration

Familiarcarolsareapartoftheseason.Thissongissopopularthatholidayrevelersclamoredforitagain.It’s“TheTwelveSitesofSocialSecurity,”inspiredbythepopulartraditionalholidaysong,“TheTwelveDaysofChristmas,”—aholidayfavoritesince1780. for the first site of social security, we give to you: ourhomepage,www.socialsecurity.gov.It’stheplacetogoforallthingsSocialSecurity.Everythingyoucouldwant—fromonlineservicesandbenefitscreeningtoolstopublicationsandfrequentlyaskedquestions—youcanfind easily on this site. for the second site of social security, we give to you: answerstoallofyourSocialSecurity-relatedquestionsatourFrequentlyAskedQuestionspageatwww.socialsecurity.gov/faq. for the third site of social security, we give to you: an easywaytolearnhowtoreplaceyourSocialSecuritycardatwww.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. for the fourth site of social security, we give to you: anonlineapplicationforretirementbenefitsthatyoucancompleteandsubmitinaslittleas15minutesatwww.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. for the fifth site of social security, we give to you: fiveestimatesofyourfutureSocialSecuritybenefits.Or as many estimates as you would like, using different scenarios.Getinstant,personalizedestimatesofyourfuturebenefitsatwww.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

for the sixth site of social security, we give to you: a convenientwaytoapplyfordisabilitybenefitsatwww.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability. for the seventh site of social security, we give to you: anonlineapplicationforMedicarethatyoucancompleteinas little as 10 minutes, atwww.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly. for the eighth site of social security, we give to you: extrahelpwithMedicareprescriptiondrugplancosts.Youcanlearnmoreandapplyonlineatwww.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. for the ninth site of social security, we give to you: our convenientpublicationlibrarywithonlinebookletsandpamphletsonnumeroussubjects,atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. for the 10th site of social security, we give to you: servicesforpeoplewhoarecurrentlyreceivingbenefits,suchastheabilitytoreplaceyourMedicarecard,getorchangeapassword,requestaproofofincomeletter,orcheckyourSocialSecurityinformationorbenefits.Youcando these and other things atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/getservices-change.htm. for the 11th site of social security, we give to you: a waytogetyourSocialSecurityformsonline,atwww.socialsecurity.gov/forms. on the 12th site of social security (and we saved the best for last):openyourownpersonal“MySocialSecurity”account,whichwillenableyoutoverifyyourearnings,getfuturebenefitestimates,obtainbenefitverificationletters,updateyourSocialSecurityinformation,andmoreatwww.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.Andapartridgeinapeartree.Finditall(exceptthepartridgeandpeartree)atwww.socialsecurity.gov. Monica Ochoa is a public relations specialistfor the Social Security Administration.

12 PRIME \\ DEC. 201512 PRIME \\ OCT. 2015

’TIS THe SeASonFoR HolIDAy CHeeR…

and GerMsBy allison d. Bluemel

Photos provided by denver international airportFor Prime

“There are

some people who wouldn’t

be here today if that partnership wasn’t there

” -Dr. Christopher Doll

East Morgan County Hospital

LEFT:MedEvacPilotIsaiahDionne,preparesfortakeoffearlierthismonth at East Morgan County HospitalinBrush.InemergenciespilotswillmaketheflightfromBrush to Greeley in roughly 24 minutes.

BELOW:TheMedEvachelicopterhoversforalandingoverJacksonFieldduringadrilllastmonthinGreeley.

while the holidays and winter travelyieldgiftexchangesand time with friends and

family,theincreasedexposuretolargecrowdsandmorepeoplecanincrease chances of getting sick. Illness can be prevented by taking the correct measures, such as vaccinations and hygiene, avoid those who are sick, avoiding travel when ill and staying aware of the changing environments involved in traveling. “There’s a lot of people getting together for the holidays and being in large groups, and it’s easier to spread illnesses when there’s more people around,” said Dr. Kevin vlahovich, a physician in the North Colorado Medical Center Occupational Health Department. Time in airports, train stations and at family reunions contribute to the increased rate of sickness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Airports can be especially busy during the holiday season with travelers flying home to see loved ones. This often involves close contact in crowded surroundings, which may lead to illness or injury that can ruin your trip,” said Capt. Gary Brunette, Branch Chief for Travelers’ Health at the National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, in a release from the CDC. “Talk with your doctor about how to stay healthy and safe before, during, and after your trip.” University of Colorado Health Infection Preventionist Paul Poduska said travelers should try to avoid crowds as much as possible. If crowded areas are a must, frequent hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer is the best way to fight the spread of germs, he said. “It’s pretty important because you don’t want to take a good week off of work and then end up coming back with something,” Poduska said. “Stay out of crowds if you can and stay away from sick people.” In addition to avoiding crowds and engaging in frequent hand washing, the CDC recommends travelers focus on staying warm, decreasing stress, traveling safe with often hazardous travel conditions, avoid smoking, stay up to date on vaccinations, keep an eye on kids, avoid injury and pay attention to safe food preparation. To stay warm, the agency recommends dressing in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing and paying special attention to children, the elderly and pets during the colder months. vlahovich also noted that the increased time indoors due to cold weather can create an environment where germs are more easily spread.

“People are spending more times indoors, and people are in closer contact with each other for longer periods of time,” he said. While both Poduska and vlahovich said there isn’t a major correlation between stress levels and sickness, the CDC advises people to keep stress in check, as it can prevent people from getting enough sleep. One of the biggest pieces of advice both doctors and the CDC recommend is making sure vaccinations are up to date. In particular, vlahovich recommended getting the Pertussis vaccine, which should be at done at least once every 10 years. “That’s important if you’re going to be around small children because they may not have gotten vaccination and adults can carry it,” he said. “If anything is going to happen it’ll probably happen to them,” Poduska said. “It’s just on those things that’s a give, more or less.” Staying up to date on vaccines helps protect those adults who haven’t been vaccinated as well. That, combined with avoiding travel while sick and washing hands and surfaces frequently when ill, can help prevent the spread of illness in public areas. “If you are coming down with something, you might want to reconsider you travel,” Poduska said. “If that’s not possible, make sure that you follow your hygiene routine as much as possible.” To prevent the spread of illnesses, cover coughing with tissues or the inside of the arm. Those expressing symptoms such as congestions and headaches can use over-the-counter medication, such as Ibuprofen and Sudafed, vlahovich said. “Colds go away on their own in a week or two, but you can manage the symptoms in the mean time,” he said. However, both vlahovich and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise against use of cold or cough medicine with children. “They’re not proven to be helpful in small children, and there is a danger of overdose,” he said. In addition to a regular hygiene routine — that includes showering and hand washing— vlahovich recommended carrying hand sanitizer, which can be purchased in most airports, and carrying a supply of needed medication for any chronic diseases. While it may seem like enough to just plan for the days gone, Poduska recommends carrying an extra two or three days of supplies in case of delay or other unforeseen circumstances. “More or less, just expect the unexpected,” Poduska said.

stayinG healthytips for staying healthy from the centers for disease control and prevention:

-Washyourhandsoften:washhandswithsoapand clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Ifwaterandsoapisnotavailable,useanalcohol-basedproduct.

-Staywarm:staydryanddresswarmlyinseverallayersofloose-fitting,tightlywovenclothing.Checkonchildren,theelderlyandpets.

-Managestress:keepacheckonover-spendingandovercommitment.

-Travelsafely:don’tdrinkanddrive,wearaseatbelteverytimewhendrivingandgetvaccinationsiftravelingoutofthecountry.

-Besmokefree:avoidsmokingandbreathingotherpeople’ssmoke.Forthoselookingtoquitsmoking,call1-800-QUIT-NOWortalktoahealthcareprovider.

-Getcheckupsandvaccinations:askwhatvaccinationstogetbasedonage,lifestyle,travelplans,medicalhistoryandfamilyhealthhistory.

-Watchthekids:childrenareathighriskforinjuriesandparentsshouldkeepaneyeonpotentiallydangeroustoys,food,drinks,householditemsandchokinghazardswhiletraveling.

-Preventinjuries:Usestepstoolsinsteadoffurniturewhenhangingdecorationsandleavefireworkstotheprofessionals.Mostresidentialfires occur during the winter months, so use cautionwithcandlesandneverleaveopenflamesunattended.

-Handleandpreparefoodsafely:avoidcrosscontaminationbykeepingrawmeat,poultry,seafood and eggs away from ready to eat foods. Cookfoodstotheirpropertemperatures,refrigeratepromptlyanddon’tleaveperishablefood out for more than two hours.

-Eathealthyandbeactive:chosemorevegetablesandfruitandselectjustoneortwoofyourfavoritesfromholidayspreads.Aimtobeactiveforatleast2.5hoursaweek.

-Prepareatravelhealthkit:includeitemsinthekitthatcanbehelpfulincaseofillness,suchastissuesandanalcoholbasedsanitizer.

-Travelonlywhenyoufeelwell:travelonlywellfeelingwellandtakeanyprescribedmedicationsthat can make illness seem shorter, milder and reducethechanceofcomplications.

on the roadtips for travel from the centers for disease control and prevention:

-Avoidclosecontactwithsickpeople

-Remembertotravelonlywhenyoufeelwell

-Coveryourcoughsorsneezeswithatissueorintoyoursleeveifatissueisn’tavailable

-Washyourhandsoftenwithsoapandwateroruseanalcohol-basedsanitizer

Avoidtouchingyoureyes,noseandmouthPRIME \\ DEC. 2015 13

14 PRIME \\ OCT. 2015

hurtinG for a norMal life:GREElEY WOMAN DEAlS WITHDISEASE THAT CAUSES CHRONIC PAIN

By nikki work \\ Photos By kelsey BrunnerFor Prime

Denisse Pike sits on her bed in her room holding her cross on Wednesday at her house in West Greeley. Denisse fights Fibromyalgiaandwhenshehas"flareups"shewillstayinbedforfourorfivedayssleepingoffthefatigueandfitsofjointpain.

PRIME \\ DEC. 2015 15

denissePike,51,keepsatiny,silvercrossonhernightstand.It’ssimple,

decoratedonlybythephrase“GodLovesYou.” When her body is wracked with pain, and she cries in bed for days, she holds the cross in the palm of her hand. The Greeley woman may not be able to find any physical relief from her crippling pain, but at least the small token soothes her soul. Pike has fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by widespread, chronic pain. With the pain comes fatigue and sleep issues, along with other symptoms that can vary from person to person, according to John Stephen Thompson, a rheumatologist at UCHealth Rheumatology. That wide variance in pathology also means a wide variation in treatment. Because fibromyalgia is different for every person, one medication or treatment does not fit all, and there is currently no cure for the disease. Thompson said some researchers believe there may be an autoimmune link to fibromyalgia, but others don’t. Doctors haven’t been able to find a clear cause for the disease. His specialty, rheumatology, isn’t even really the best to be dealing with the disease, he said, but he often does because many patients and referring doctors confuse the symptoms with those of musculoskeletal disorders. At first, that’s what Pike thought was going on. It was March last year when she first started experiencing symptoms. The pain began on a trip to Florida to see her two daughters. Her feet and ankles were sore, swollen and started to bruise. In the year and a half since, that pain gradually spread up through her body all the way to her shoulders. She said thankfully, her neck and skull don’t hurt yet. Her smile was sad when she emphasized the word “yet.” About once a month, Pike has a flare-up worse than her daily pain. During these flare-ups, she can’t get out of bed. Sometimes, she sleeps for days. Others, she can’t rest at all. She lays still, gripping her cross as

she prays for a change, wondering if she should go to the emergency room, or if the doctors there will look at her like she is crazy. That’s a constant worry for her, she said. Since so many people don’t understand fibromyalgia, she’s afraid people think she’s exaggerating her condition or her struggle is all in her head. Despite the love of her husband, Doug, and support of her family and doctors, she said she can’t help but feel alone. “I feel like I’m the only person that has it,” she said. “It’s frustrating.” But Pike isn’t the only one. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, about 5 million adults in the United States suffer from fibromyalgia. Nearly all of them are women, though men and children can have it, as well. The hardest thing for her isn’t even the pain, the loneliness or the hopelessness of wondering if it will ever get better. It’s calling her two grandchildren who live nearby, a 6-year-old boy who plays football and a 3-year-old girl in her first year of dance classes, and telling them she can’t make it to their events because she’s having a bad day. It’s that her son and daughter-in-law don’t tell their children about plans with grandma anymore because that’s easier than disappointing them when she gets too sick to take them for ice cream. “I just feel like I miss out on life,” she said through tears. Of course, she would love it if researchers could find a cure for fibromyalgia. But if she could just feel better enough to live again, that would be enough. Some days are better than others. On these days, she can also help be a caregiver for the elderly, something she loved to do before she got sick. In fact, before the fibromyalgia, that was her job — helping take care of her elderly mother, her parents’ friends and other people she knows. On the really good days, she can help these people go to the store or to doctor’s appointments. On those days, no matter how long it took her to get dressed, she almost feels normal again.

fiBroMyalGia suPPort GrouP TheNorthernColoradoFibromyalgiaCenter,basedoutofFortCollinsandrunbyDr.GregBondofBondChiropractic&Rehabilitation,isasupportgroupspecificallyforthosesufferingwithfibromyalgia.ThegroupmeetsmonthlyatBondChiropractic&Rehabilitation,2629RedwingRoad,Suite110inFortCollins.Formoreinformationonthesupportgroup,contactBond’sofficeat(970)[email protected].

the group also has meetup and facebook pages: www.meetup.com/NoCo-Fibromyalgia-Centerwww.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=306229128643

tiPs for feelinG Betterwith fiBroMyalGia Get enough sleep:TheNationalInstituteofArthritisandMusculoskeletalandSkinDiseasesrecommendsgettingenoughandtherightkindofsleepasagoodfirstdefenseagainstfibromyalgiapain.Tipsfordoingthisincludekeepingregularsleephabits,avoidingcaffieneoralcoholbeforebed,avoidingexercisetooclosetobed,avoidingnappingduringtheday,avoidingdoingactivitiesotherthansleepinginbed,keepingthebedroomquiet,darkandcool,andavoidingspicyfoodormanyliquidsbeforebed.Anothertipistotakesometimetorelaxandunwindbeforebed.Ifyou’rehavingsleepproblems,discussthemwith your doctor, who can make further recommendations. Exercise:Eventhoughpaincanmakeitevenhardertokeepupphysicalactivity,stayingactiveisimportanttohelptreatfibromyalgia,accordingtotheNationalInstituteofArthritisandMusculoskeletalandSkinDiseases.Evenwalkingorgentle,lowimpactexercisecanbebeneficial.Startslowly,andbuildfromthere. make changes at work:Sincetheseverepainoffibromyalgiacanbedebilitating,itmayrequirebigchangesatwork.Cuttinghours,switchingtoalessdemandingjoboradaptingcurrentjobdutiesmaybegoodoptions.Consultwithanoccupationaltherapistforworkstationdesigntips. eat well: Thoughtherehavebeennospecificdietaryfindingslinkedtotreatingfibromyalgia,theNationalInstituteofArthritisandMusculoskeletalandSkinDiseasesemphasizesthatahealthy,balanceddietisimportanttohelpingmakeanyonefeelgenerallybetter.Plus,itcanhelpincreaseenergyandavoidotherhealth issues.

source: national institute of arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin diseases

DenissePiketouchesuphermakeupinthebathroommirroratherhomeinWestGreeley.DenissebeganhavingsymptomsofFibromyalgiainMarchoflastyearandthemorningsarethemostdifficultpartofthedayforher;sometimesitistoodifficulttoevenputmakeupon.

The Newest in Hearing Technology IS NOT a Hearing Aid!

Miller, a co-researcher at Michigan, that the noise-induced hearing loss prevention concoction could be available within two years.

In another study funded by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation,researchers Dr. Robert Floyd and retired Army surgeon, Dr. Richard Kopke, M.D., discovered a combination of two compounds stopped damage to the inner ear caused by acute acoustic trauma – something like an IED exploding. Although they did not indicate what the compounds were they felt that,“This is a very exciting finding,” said Dr. Floyd, who holds the Merrick Foundation Chair in Aging Research at OMRF. “The research is still at a pre-clinical stage, but we’re hopeful that we soon can begin testing in humans.

More recently, Dr. Kathryn Campbell's work at Southern Illinois University involves the use of an antioxidant called D-methionine, a component of fermented protein

that is found in yogurt and cheese. The antioxidant, in concentrated doses, has been found to improve some forms of hearing loss and even prevent hearing loss before the exposure to noise. "We've been able to show in animal studies that if we give it before and after noise exposure, that we can get pretty full protection from noise-induced hearing loss," Campbell said. According to Campbell and her colleagues will continue their studies by looking at the effects of varying dosages of D-methionine on animal subjects exposed to different noises. They have already found that the drug can be given up to seven hours after the noise is experienced and still be effective. "It doesn't mean it's going to work for long-standing hearing loss, but it does mean that in the early stages, you could intervene and keep it from becoming permanent," she said. The research will then move into determining if even more time can elapse before the drug is given and the hearing loss becomes permanent. In a discussion in November 2012 Dr. Campbell stated that the human clinical trials with the U.S. Army are in the early planning stages, Campbell said.

So, with AuraQuell in field tests to defend against noise-induced hearing loss, the D-methionine possibilities also in clinical trial, and the ongoing stem cell research reported by Hearing International (www.hearinghealthmatters.org) last fall, a "morning after" pill for that tinnitus and noise induced hearing loss created the night before may soon be a simple swallow away.

Robert M. Traynor is the CEO and practicing audiologist at Audiology Associates, Inc., Greeley, Colorado with particular emphasis in amplification and operative monitoring. Dr. Traynor holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (BA, 1972, MA 1973, Ed.D., 1975), the University of Phoenix (MBA, 2006) as well as Post-Doctoral Study at Northwestern University (1984). He taught Audiology at the University of Northern Colorado (1973-1982), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (1976-77) and Colorado State University (1982-1993). Dr. Traynor is a retired Lt. Colonel from the US Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Audiology at the University of Florida, the University of Colorado, and the University of Northern Colorado. For 17 years he was an Audiology Consultant to major hearing instrument and equipment manufacturers providing academic and product orientation for their domestic and international distributors. A clinician and practice manager for over 35 years, Dr. Traynor has lectured on most aspects of Audiology in over forty countries.

Author’s Bio:Robert M. Traynor,

Ed.D., MBA, FAAA

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People with hearing loss are not alone. They are among 32 million Americans with hearing loss and 360 Million hearing impaired individuals worldwide. On the average these people wait 5 to 7 years after they know there is a problem before they will obtain assistance with hearing aids. Roughly 1/3 of individuals over age 65 have a significant hearing im-pairment, making hearing loss the

third most common chronic condition among older Americans.

Hearing loss isn’t just a burden on hearing. It’s an obstacle directly im-pacting quality of life for the person as well as their family. Having the ability to experience a world filled with sound, music, and conversations helps us connect to one another and find happiness in our lives. When you hear better, you are able to process information more effectively, commu-nicate better with family and friends, and live an overall healthier life.

Seeking treatment means hearing better, understanding one another more clearly – even rediscovering movie night with your loved ones.

Spouses, friends, co-workers and family are also affected by the conse-quences of a hearing loss. For exam-ple, in home entertainment environ-ments, if you find yourself increasing the volume on the TV in order to hear programs or movies, your family and friends with normal hearing will likely find the volume loud and uncomfort-able. As a result, watching television with your loved ones may become a constant, frustrating battle. If you are struggling to hear the television and finding that you more frustrated, isolated or depressed as a result, you should consider getting your hearing tested by a hearing healthcare pro-fessional.

There is also huge group of individu-als that have a very mild hearing loss. These people have some difficulty in understanding certain people and in some environments, but mostly have issues listening to the television too loud. They are constantly turning the TV louder than anyone else in the house, but due to costs, benefit, or the minimal hearing loss do not feel the necessity to use hearing aids. The television difficulties arise if there is

a lot of music that covers the dialog or accents that make understanding even more difficult. For those not ready for hearing devices, the Hyper-sound could be the answer.

What Is Hypersound?

This technology is not from the hearing aid industry, it is a product of physics within the aerospace in-dustry. It is NOT a hearing aid, but a patent pending speaker system that beams ultrasonic high quality sound directly to the listeners. It beams sound only to the person that needs it while the others in the room simply have the television turned to a level that is comfortable for them. Basi-cally, it is well known that traditional speakers diffuse sound much like how

a bare light bulb diffuses light. As a result, sound from traditional speak-ers can be heard no matter where the listener is positioned within the room but to some listeners it is often not very high quality. Traditional speak-ers cause the sound to bounce around the room, hitting multiple surfaces, until it finally makes it to the person’s ear. A combination of harmonics, re-flection and competing ambient noise make listening to audio signals from traditional speakers challenging, es-pecially for those with a mild hearing loss. The physical limitation of tradi-tional loudspeakers leads to poor in-telligibility of the sound.

Hypersound speakers emit sound in a highly controlled, narrow beam – much like how a flashlight or a spotlight beams light. Sound stays confined within that narrow beam,

and as a result travels directly to the listener without bouncing around the room. Hypersound speakers use ultra-sound to create sound in the air itself. Proprietary electronics, digital signal

processing, and unique emitter design are combined to deliver crystal clear sound creating a highly-immersive lis-tening experience, similar to wearing headphones, but without the fuss and frustration of headphones. This rev-olutionary new method of sound de-livery allows a person to hear better sound where they want it, dialog with accents, and in the presence of music without increasing the television vol-ume that affects others in the room.

The Benefits

The benefits are especially noticed by those not ready for hearing aids (nor the costs of hearing aids) and include the following:

• Improves sound clarity and speech intelligibility without the need to wear hearing aids or headphones.• If there is a mild hearing loss the device can be programmed by our audiologists for a particular patient’s hearing difficulty. It can also be used with hearing aids.• Operated by intuitive control panel or a convenient remote control.• May be used with existing TV speak-ers, soundbars, or surround sound systems so that everyone can enjoy great sound at normal volumes

How Do I know If I Am having Enough Difficulty for Hypersound?

If you are not sure as to if you have enough hearing difficulty to benefit from Hypersound consider the follow-ing checklist:

• Turning up the TV or radio to vol-ume levels others find too loud.

• Focusing on reading lips to under-standing dialog in movies or the eve-ning news.• Having trouble understanding TV when there is background noise.• Relying on the captioning (subtitles) to understand what you are watch-ing.• Frustrated or depressed when watching TV.• Having difficulty hearing the TV unless you are facing the speaker or soundbar.

This is Hypersound Month at Audiol-ogy Associates. As the only audiolo-

gy clinic in Greeley and northeastern Colorado that offers this outstanding and relatively inexpensive technology we are conducting free demonstra-tions of the sound and its benefits. Just another example of science and technology in audiology that makes things better for the hearing im-paired. Another first at Audiology Associates! The system is even set up for you and connected to your home TV by a professional Hypersound set up specialist.

Call us 352-2881 for your Free Demonstration of the Hypersound technology.

During a recent trip to Copenhagen, I squeezed in a visit with city officials to learn more about the Danish health system, particularly the country’s arrangements for long-term care, a topic that draws endless complaints from American families, including many readers of this column. Coincidentally, the day I returned home, I learned the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs both programs, had just released star ratings for the country’s home care agencies that provide services to nearly 5 million Americans. The home health industry did not shine brightly. Only three-quarters of the agencies gave the government enough data for a rating. Nearly 50 percent of those that did provide data earned a mediocre three stars out of five. Twenty-eight percent earned two stars or below while fewer than 3 percent got five stars. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services official Kate Goodrich spun the news this way, “A large portion of home health agencies are performing reasonably well.” Is that good enough? Industry representatives complained agencies, which didn’t get high scores, might go out of business because hospitals won’t refer patients to them. That’s the point. Families can now use the ratings to identify bad agencies. I put all this in the context of my visit with Danish officials who told me satisfaction with elder services in Denmark has been consistently high over the years, hovering around 90 percent for both nursing facility and home care including personal and practical help like shopping and doing laundry. Funding comes from both the

national and municipal governments, but municipalities pay most of the bills and can adjust services to fit the needs of their communities. And, yes, Danes do pay high taxes for their health services. But families do not have to spend their assets and income to become poor enough that Medicaid will pay their bills. Nor do they have to fret about losing the family farm as some readers told me they have done. “By being a citizen, you have rights to quite good care not based on how much money you have,” says Anders Jakobsen, a former official in the Danish Ministry of Health. “You pay your share of taxes during your working life and the money is there when you need it.” In Copenhagen, personal care and practical help such as house cleaning and shopping are free to those who need them. So are in-home nursing services; assistive devices and technologies that make it possible for people to stay in their homes; and care in nursing or residential homes. Danes do pay nominal amounts for some things such as help with laundry and food delivered to their homes, which run about $7 for the daily big meal. Jakobsen says there appears to be no waiting lists for municipal food services. Waiting lists for home-delivered meals are common in the U.S. because of funding shortages. While care in a nursing home is free, Danes do contribute an amount considered rent on the assumption they would have to pay to live somewhere. That contribution is low. For most people it’s about 10 percent

of their income. Do differences in payment systems allow for more humane care at the end of life — that holy grail Americans say they want? I can’t say based on my short visit, but I did detect an attitude about elders not always found in the U.S. “A nursing home is not a hospital or a semi-hospital. It’s the old person’s home,” Helle Schnedler, chief of elder care, explained. In the U.S. where the annual tab for nursing-home care can be $100,000 or more, too often we think of nursing facilities as old-age warehouses. And we know from many media investigations care can be substandard. ProPublica, the nonprofit newsroom, reported in July more than 100 nursing home residents have died or been injured over the past few years because staff failed to adequately adjust their doses of Coumadin, a potentially dangerous

drug if not dosed correctly. Despite the well-known dangers, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inspectors have paid little attention. It all comes down to funding priorities and which groups have the most claims on the public purse. Dr. Joanne lynn, a well-known expert in end-of-life care, told me funding is not always available for substitute caregivers when someone breaks a wrist or needs meals right after a hospital stay. “I can order up a $100,000 prescription for a cancer drug for my most demented patient in a nursing home, but can’t get a nurse therapist to make a person smile.” The Rural Health News Service is funded by a grant from The Commonwealth Fund and distributed through the Nebraska Press Association Foundation, the Colorado Press Association, the South Dakota Newspaper Association and the Hoosier (Indiana) State Press Association.

thinkinGaBout health:TAKING CARE OF AMERICA’S ELDERLY MAY NOT BE A TOP PRIORITY

By trudy liebermanRural Health News Service

18 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

i decided I wanted to change the world, so I packedupmybags,and

leftSt.Louisforthewest…thebigunknown.IsigneduptovolunteerwithAmeriCorpsto become a mental health first-aid trainer. What was I thinking?Andwhatismentalhealthfirst-aid?ThisisthequestionIfoundmyselfasking as I began my first day of a weeklong youth mental health first-aid instructor training held in downtown DenverinlateSeptember.By

the end of the week’s training and in the aftermath of yet another mass shooting, I find theanswertothequestion“Why not mental health first-aid?” Simply put, our communities (educators, nurses, first responders, faith-leaders, and parents) need mental health first-aid training, not as an action plan to prevent every tragedy, but as a way to recognize the signs of mental health. Mental health first aid is an international program proven to be effective. Peer-reviewed studies published in Australia, where the program originated, show that individuals trained in the program: •Grow their knowledge of signs, symptoms, and risk factors of men-tal illnesses, and addictions. •Can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction. •Increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress.

•Show increased mental wellness themselves. This eight-hour class does not address every issue that plagues America. Yet, it is not a Band-Aid either. The class is formatted under the first-aid CPR model. It is fun and engaging. It brings students together to discuss hard topics and to presents solutions. Youth mental health first-aid confronts the big elephant in the room that everyone is too afraid to talk about: mental health. It addresses our stigma and misconceptions about mental health illnesses and disorders. It forces us to look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “How I can help?” Before you can know how to help, you need to know when to help, and this is mental health literacy — or a basic understanding of what different mental illnesses and addictions are, how they can affect a person’s daily life. In the class you will learn about: •Depression and mood disorders. •Anxiety disorders. •Trauma. •Psychosis. •Substance Use disorders.

Mental health first-aid teaches about recovery and resiliency — the belief that individuals experienc-ing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well. The program encourages appropriate professional help and self-help and other support strate-gies. Sign-up for a youth mental health first-aid class and become a lifeline and support for the countless youth who need someone to listen and understand. It won’t give you super-powers and a cape. You won’t be able to solve every problem and stop every tragedy. However, you might be able to reach out to a youth and make a difference in his or her life. As an AmeriCorps volunteer, I am happy to serve the northern Colorado communities by providing these classes. Classes are free or low cost.

John Bayer is the youth mental health educator for the Centennial Area Health Education Center.

TosignuportolearnaboutMentalHealthFirstAidTrainingclassesreachouttoCentennialAreaHealthEducationCenterat(970)330-3608orgotowww.cahec.org,andwewillbehappytoscheduleaclassforyou.

Mental health

first-aid can Make an

iMPortant difference

By John BayerCentennial Area Health Education Center

health Events Calendarfamily yoga story time, 10:30a.m.,TuesdayandDec.15atRiversideLibrary,110037thSt.,Evans.

Bright by Three infant group,noon-1p.m.,Tuesdayand Dec. 10. Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 RockyMountainAve.,Loveland.Freeclassprovidesparentsandcaregiverswitheducationaltools,booksandgamestomakethemostoftheveryimportantdevelopmentalyears.Toregisterorformoreinformation,callJenniferSalvadorat(970)495-7500.

CT heart score,1p.m.and2p.m.TuesdaysandThursdays at North Colorado Medical Center. Theheartscoreprogramincludesa10-minuteconsultationwithawellnessspecialist.Call(970)810-6070toscheduleanappointment,costis$199.

Childbirth preparation class(three-weekcourse),6-9p.m.,Wednesday,Dec.9and16.UCHealth’sGreeleyMedicalClinic,190016thSt.Classincludesoverviewoflaboranddelivery,hospitalroutines,copingtechniques,medications,medicalinterventionsandcesareanbirth.RegisterforhospitaltourandBreastfeedingBasicsclassseparately.Cost:$65.Toregisterorformoreinformation,call(970)495-7500.

All stressed up and nowhere to go,doorsopenat5p.m.,ThursdayatZoe’sCafé,71110thSt.Expertswillexplainhowunrelievedstresscontributestophysicaland mental challenges.

free Medicare enrollment,6p.m.,Thursday,HudsonFireDepartment,702CedarSt.

Natural childbirth, 6-9p.m.Thursday,Dec.10andDec. 17 at Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 RockyMountainAve.,Loveland.Thisclasswillteachexpectantmothersandtheirbirthpartnertechniquesandcopingstrategiesforanon-medicatedchildbirth.Cost:$65.Toregisterorformoreinformation,call(970)495-7500.

CPR class,6-8p.m.,Thursday,WindsorRecreationCenter,25011thSt.Registerbycalling(970)674-3500.Registration closes at noon two days before the class. Costis$48.

Cooking class,6-7:30p.m.Dec.8,atNorthColoradoMedical Center in the Cardiac Rehab Kitchen Winter SquashFrombutternut,acornandspaghettitopumpkin,thesehardywintervegetablesprovideaburstofcolorandnutrition.Cost$10.

Blood tests, 7-8:45a.m.andbyappointment,Dec.9and23atNorthColoradoMedicalCenter,180116thSt.Toscheduleanappointment,call(970)810-6633.Paymentisdueattimeofservice.

Emergency! Now what?9:30-11a.m.Dec.9atGreeleySeniorCenter,10106thSt.,Greeley.Thisfreeclasswillgiveyouacompletelookattheanatomyofa911call,includingwhenyoushouldcall,dispatch,firedepartment,paramedicsandallthewaythroughdeliveryatacarecenter.Toregisterorformoreinformation,call(970)495-8560.

Childbirth breastfeeding basics,6:30-8:30p.m.Dec.

10and16atUCHealth’sGreeleyMedicalClinic,190016thSt.Learnaboutthebenefitsofbreastfeeding,establishingandmaintainingagoodmilksupplyandsolutions to common breastfeeding challenges. Cost is$20.Toregisterorformoreinformation,call(970)495-7500.

Alzheimer’s caregivers support group, 10:30a.m.,Dec.11atJohnstownSeniorCenter,101CharlotteSt.

CPR for health care providers, 5-8:30p.m.,Dec.14,NorthColoradoMedicalCenter.Costis$55.Call(970)810-6633toregister.

Peripheral Vascular Disease screening, 1-3p.m.,Dec.15atSummitViewMedicalCommons,200170thAve.Screeningprogramofferstheeducationandpreventiontohelpfightvasculardiseaseandstroke.Call(970)810-6070toscheduleanappointment,costis$100.

Body check, by appointment,Dec.15atSummitViewMedicalCommons,200170thAve.Thishead-to-toehealthassessmentgivesyouacomprehensivesetofpreventivehealthscreenings.Costis$175.

Blood tests,7-8:45a.m.andbyappointment,Dec.16BannerHealthClinic,222JohnstownCenterDrive.Toscheduleanappointment,call(970)810-6633.Paymentisdueattimeofservice.

Kid’s yoga and cooking class,9-11a.m.,NorthColoradoMedicalCenter,180116thSt.

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I don’t Need Hearing Aids, I Just need the TV Louder than you!

CALL FOR A COMPLIMENTARY DEMONSTRATIONExpires 12/30/2015

970.352.28814675 West 20th Street Rd, Greeley, CO;

www. hearingtime.com | www.facebook.com/hearingtime

Colorado’s Oldest Audiology/Hearing Aid Practice – Since 1972

If you are not ready for hearing devices but have issues with others while watching television, this is the device for you! If you have

difficulty with accents on movies, or hearing the News, especially from female speakers….Then Hypersound was designed for you! Its not a

hearing aid, but a spotlight for sound going directly to the person that needs the TV louder than everyone else. With Hypersound, everyone else hears TV as usual at a comfortable level for them while sound is

specifically directed to you! Programmed for your hearing loss, if any, and FREE professional installation in your home.

20 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

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heart failure clinic (ncMc)(970) 350-6953www.bannerhealth.com

dentistryascent faMily dentalScott Williams, DMD3535 W. 12th Street, Suite BGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)351-6095www.dentalgreeley.com

ralPh r. reynolds, d.M.d., M.d.Oral Surgery7251 W. 20th St.Building P,Greeley, CO 80634(970) 663-6878www.reynoldsoralfacial.com

endocrinoloGyendocrinoloGy clinic (ncMc)1801 15th Street, Ste 200Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4676Fax: (970)-378-4315www.bannerhealth.com

faMily Practice MedicineBanner health clinic1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550Phone: 970-686-5646Fax: 970-686-5118www.bannerhealth.com

Banner health clinic100 S. Cherry Ave., Suite 1Eaton, CO 80615Phone: (970)454-3838www.bannerhealthc.om

Banner health clinic222 Johnstown Center DriveJohnstown, CO 80534Phone: (970)587-4974www.bannerhealth.com

Banner health clinic5623 W. 19th Street,Greeley, CO 80634 Phone: (970) 353-9011Fax: (970) 353-9135www.bannerhealth.com

faMily Physicians of Greeley,llP-central2520 W. 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80634(970) 356-2520Fax: (970) 356-6928

faMily Physicians of Greeley,llP-cottonwood2420 W 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80634(970) 353-7668Fax:970-353-2801

PriMe Medical Directory 2015

PRIME \\ DEC. 2015 21

faMily Physicians ofGreeley, llP-west6801 W. 20th St., Suite 101Greeley, CO 80634(970) 378-8000Fax: (970) 378-8088

kenneth M. olds6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 208Greeley ,CO 80634Phone: (970)330-9061

GastroenteroloGy

dowGin, thoMas a., Md.centers for GastroenteroloGy7251 W. 20th St., Bldg J,Greeley, CO Phone: (970)207-9773

3702 Timberline, Ft. Collins, COPhone: (970)207-9773

2555 E. 13th Street, Suite 220, Loveland, COPhone: (970)669-5432www.digestive-health.net

north colorado GastroenteroloGy (ncMc)2010 16th Street, Ste. AGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4475Fax: (970)378-4429www.bannerhealth.com

health and fitnesswork out westHealth & Recreation Campus5701 W. 20th Street,Greeley, CO 80634Phone: 970-330-9691www.workoutwest.com

hoMe health carecarinG hearts hoMe healthcare6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 207Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-1409BlooM at hoMe1455 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550Phone: (970) 460-9200www.columbinehealth.com/bloom

rehaBilitation and visitinG nurse association2105 Clubhouse DriveGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 330-5655Fax: (970) 330-7146www.rvna.infoPROFESSIONALS:Lori Follett, CEO

touchstone hoMe health5312 W. 9th St. Dr., Suite 120Greeley, Co. 80634Phone: 970-356-3922www.touchstonehomehealth.com

indePendent assisted livinG

Grace Pointe1919 68th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919www.gracepointegreeley.com

indePendent assistedlivinG w/services

foX run senior livinG1720 60th AvenueGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)353-7773Fax: (970)330-9708www.good-sam.com

infectious diseaseBreen, John f., Md (ncMc)1801 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-6071Fax: (970)350-6702

internal MedicineBanner health clinic2010 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-5660www.bannerhealth.com

Medical equiPMent& suPPlies

Banner hoMe Medical equiPMent (ncMc)Phone: (970)506-6420www.bannerhealth.com

Mental health services

Banner Behavioral healthDr. Patricia Al-Adsani, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry5890 W. 13th Street #114Greeley, CO 80634(970) 392-5454Shawn Crawford, LPCBanner Health Clinic222 Johnstown Center Dr., Johnstown, CO 80534

Stephanie Carroll, LCSW, CACIIIBanner Health Clinic1300 Main Street,Windsor, CO 80550Banner Health Clinic - Fossil Creek303 Colland DrFort Collins, CO 80525

Elise Fair, LPC 5890 W. 13th Street #114,Greeley CO 80634

Susan Garvin, LCSWBanner Health Clinic-Loveland PediatricsLoveland Pediatrics, Loveland COBanner Health Clinic - Windsor1300 Main StreetWindsor, CO 80550

Renee Rogers, LMFTBanner Health Clinic1300 Main Street,Windsor, CO 80550Banner Health Clinic - Fossil Creek303 Colland DrFort Collins, CO 80525

nePhroloGyGreeley Medical clinic

1900 16th Street, Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 350-2438PROFESSIONALS:Donal Rademacher, MD

neuroloGy

AdultMental Health & Addiction Services1260 H Street • Greeley, CO 80631970.347.2120

Child, Youth, & FamilyMental Health & Addiction Services1300 N. 17th Avenue • Greeley, CO 80631970.347.2120

Counseling Center at West GreeleyChildren, Adult, & Family Counseling7251 W. 20th Street, Building CGreeley, CO 80634970.347.2123

Crisis SupportCrisis Intervention, Care, and Detox Services928 12th Street • Greeley, CO 80631970.347.2120

Suicide Education & Support ServicesPrevention, Education, & Grief Support2350 3rd Street Road • Greeley, CO 80631970.347.2120 or 970.313.1089

Additional Weld County Locations

www.NorthRange.org

22 PRIME \\ DEC. 2015

neuroloGy clinic (ncMc)1800 15th Street, Suite 100BGreeley, CO 80631Phone: (970) 350-5612 Fax: (970) 350-5619www.bannerhealth.com

neuro-surGeryBrain & sPine

Banner healthneurosurGery clinic1800 15th St., Suite 130Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)350-5996www.bannerhealth.com

nursinG hoMerehaBilitation

centennial health care center1637 29th Ave. PlaceGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-8181Fax: (970) 356-3278

oBstetrics & GynecoloGyBanner health Gyn consultants1800 15th St., Suite 130Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)353-1335www.bannerhealth.com

Banner health oB/Gyn clinic2410 W. 16th StreetGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)352-6353www.bannerhealth.com

Banner health clinic5623 W. 19th StreetGreeley, CO Phone: (970) 353-9011Fax: (970) 353-9135www.bannerhealth.com

oncoloGy & heMatoloGycancer institute (ncMc)1800 15th Street,Greeley, CO 80631 Phone: (970) 350-6680Toll Free (866) 357-9276Fax: (970)350-6610www.bannerhealth.com

orthodonticsorthodontic associatesof Greeley, PcPROFESSIONALS:Bradford N. Edgren, DDS, MS3400 W. 16thSt., Bldg 4-VGreeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 356-5900www.drbradsmiles.com

richter orthodontics1813 61st Avenue Suite 100Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 392-1733www.richterorthodontics.com

orthoPedicsMountain vista orthoPaedics 5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 101Greeley, COPhone: (970)348-0020Fax: (970)348-0044www.bannerhealth.com

PediatricsBanner health clinic6801 W. 20th Street, Suite 201Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)350-5828www.bannerhealth.com

Pediatric rehaBilitationBanner rehaBilitation center1801 16th Street, Greeley, COPhone: (970)350-6160Fax: (970)378-3858www.bannerhealth.com

PersonalresPonse service

Banner life line (ncMc)2010 16th Street, Suite C,Greeley, CO 80631Phone: 1-877-493-8109(970) 378-4743www.bannerhealth.com

Physical theraPyfront ranGe theraPy1475 Main Street,Windsor, CO 80550Phone: (970) 492-6238www.columbinehealth.com

hoPe theraPy center(Formerly North Colorado Therapy Center)2780 28th Avenue,Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)339-0011www.GCIinc.orgPROFESSIONALS: Jeanne Rabe, PT;Jennifer Branson, PTKryste Haas, OT; Molly Wuethrich, PTAMoni Kohlhoff, PT

northern coloradorehaBilitation hosPital 4401 Union Street,Johnstown, CO 80534Phone: (970) [email protected]

PulMonary/critical carenorth coloradoPulMonary (ncMc)1801 16th Street,Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)392-2026www.bannerhealth.com

Prosthetics & orthoticshanGer Prosthetics& orthotics7251 West 20th Street, Building M, Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)330-9449Fax: (970)330-42172500 Rocky MountainAvenue, Suite 2100

North Medical Office Building, Loveland CO 80538Phone: (970) 619-6585Fax (970) 619-6591www.hanger.comPROFESSINAL: Ben Struzenberg, CPOMichelle West, Mastectomy Fitter

rehaBilitationascent at life care center 4800 25th Street, Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)330-6400Website: www.lcca.comProfessionals: Annie BennettLeslie Vail

Banner rehaBilitation center1801 16th Street, Greeley, COPhone: (970)350-6160www.bannerhealth.com

front ranGe theraPy1475 Main Street,Windsor, CO 80550Phone: (970) 492-6238www.columbinehealth.com


Peakview Medical center5881 W. 16th St.,Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)313-2775Fax: (970)313-2777

skilled care/rehaBGrace Pointe1919 68th Avenue,Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970) 304-1919www.gracepointegreeley.com

sPorts MedicineMountain vista orthoPaedics 5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 101, Greeley, COPhone: (970)348-0020Fax: (970)348-0044www.bannerhealth.com

north coloradosPorts Medicine1801 16th Street, Greeley, COPhone: (970)392-2496

sPeech lanGuaGePatholoGy

Banner rehaBilitation center1801 16th Street, Greeley, COPhone: (970)350-6160Fax: (970)378-3858www.bannerhealth.com


unc sPeech lanGuaGe PatholoGy clinicGunter Hall, Room 0330,Greeley, CO 80639Phone: (970)351-2012/TTYFax: (970)351-1601www.unco.edu/NHS/asls/clinic.htmPROFESSIONALS:Lynne Jackowiak, M.S., CCC-SLPJulie Hanks, Ed.DPatty Walton, M.A., CCC-SLP

surGery General & trauMa

Banner health surGical associates (ncMc)1800 15th St. Suite 210, Greeley, CO Phone: (970)352-8216Toll Free: 1-888-842-4141www.bannerhealth.com

urGent caresuMMitview urGent care (ncMc)2001 70th Avenue,Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-4155Fax: (970)378-4151www.bannerhealth.com

neXtcare - urGent care2928 W. 10th St. Greeley, CO(970) 351-8282nextcare.com

uroloGyBanner health clinic (ncMc)5890 W. 13th Street, Suite 106, Greeley, CO 80634Phone: (970)378-1000www.bannerhealth.com

veinsvein clinic (ncMc)1800 15th Street, Suite 340,Greeley, CO 80631Phone: (970)378-4593Fax: (970)378-4591www.bannerhealth.com

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Make an appointment for a free PAD screening (970) 810.0900www.BannerHealth.com/CVI

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prime december 2015

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