Salem Health >> Improving the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. August/September 2012

‘You wouldn’t believe the difference’Sleep experts put Rich Beebe’s apnea to rest

‘The tide has turned’West Valley Hospital patient hopes you’ll take another look at services in Dallas

Contentsi n S i D E T H i S i S S U E

4 A mother’s legacyFamily, friends and volunteers team up to ‘Play for a Cure’

6 Sleep studiesWhen is it time to see a doctor?

8

10 Voyage to EuropeGive your meals some Mediterranean fl avor

11Rehab weekJoin us for special classes in September

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The health information provided in this newsletter is not intended as medical advice and should not replace the advice of a physician.

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24-hour careHospitalists are there when your doctor can’t be

When WVH began renovation, this patient’s insight showed the wayWhen Marie Beers experienced symptoms that led to gallbladder surgery, her friends’ recommendations pointed her to general surgeon Alison Smith, MD, at West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic.

“I began to experience a steady pain on my right side under the upper abdomen—a sharp pain, similar to indigestion, that didn’t go away,” Marie said. She had her symptoms checked by her physician, who recommended surgery. Marie requested a referral to Dr. Smith.

Gallbladder removal surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in the U.S. Dr. Smith scheduled Marie to have hers done as a convenient, minimally invasive procedure at West Valley Hospital. In fact, Marie checked into the hospital on a Monday morning and was back home by noon the same day. She said she felt “good to go” the very next day, but decided to wait for a postsurgery checkup the following Monday before she resumed her active lifestyle.

“The care I received at West Valley Hospital was excellent,” Marie said.

That introduction two years ago to Dr. Smith and West Valley Hospital led to an invitation to participate as a patient advisor in the hospital’s planning for its $6.2 million surgical suite remodel and expansion. Marie

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hospitalMrs. Beers goes to the

provided a patient’s perspective at fi ve full-day planning sessions with West Valley Hospital administrators and staff—including Dr. Smith, operating room nurses, and representatives from various hospital services such as the lab and physical therapy.

These sessions included architects and provided the opportunity for all groups to give input to ensure a design that would provide the best results for patients, staff and families who use the hospital. Divided into three teams, each designed actual miniature models of the ideal surgical suite, and the three best options were incorporated into a single design.

“The architects captured the best of each team’s design in their fi nal design,” Marie said. “They took our suggestions seriously, and among the top priorities incorporated into the fi nal plan were patient privacy, a private waiting room for patients and families to wait before and during surgery, and also a separate conference room for doctors to meet with their patient’s spouse and family.”

Additional input highlighted the need for improved patient rooms and more space to accommodate the hospital’s latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Marie has been back to preview areas under construction and looks forward to the upcoming opening celebration.

“I hope people show up for the tour of the new surgical suite because they will see that West Valley Hospital is truly an excellent hospital with many big improvements,” Marie said. “Too many people remember the old and often negative stories, but the tide has turned. West Valley Hospital has made so many tremendous improvements and brought so many wonderful services to Dallas.”

“When I moved to Dallas six years ago, there were few local doctors taking new patients,” Marie said. “When I needed surgery, I wanted to be close to home, and am so glad my friends referred me to Dr. Smith and West Valley Hospital. Since my surgery, I’ve recommended her to friends who are also extremely happy. Now we have cardiologists and other specialists right here in Dallas. I hope more people know to ask their doctors to refer them to West Valley Hospital’s specialists in Dallas.”

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“

hospitalYou’re invited! Tour our new surgical suite Saturday, Sept. 29, 1 to 4 p.m.

When you are sedated for your surgery, you most likely don’t remember the operati ng room you are in, the medical equipment used or the actual surgery itself. Now is your chance!On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. you

and your family can join Marie Beers and hospital staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of the new surgical suite. Check out the recepti on area, pati ent preparati on area, operati ng room, nurse call stati on and pati ent recovery area. See where pati ents’ families can meet with physicians and comfort their

loved ones. Learn about the technology and equipment that enable the latest surgical techniques. Talk with surgery staff and understand the incredible scope of services available to you locally when you need them.While the expansion and remodeling are sti ll in progress, this is your opportunity to see what this $6.2 million investment means for the health of the Polk County community. Join us!

I hope people show up for the tour of the new surgical suite, because they will see that West Valley Hospital is truly an excellent hospital with many big improvements.” —Marie Beers

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Tournament organizer Kris Knox

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Cancer didn’t play by the rules, and that made Kris Knox angry.

Kris’s mom, Linda Vladyka, had lived up to her side of the bargain: She didn’t smoke, she didn’t drink, she stayed active. And still, breast cancer found her.

The unfairness of the situation only compounded as Kris looked for ways to contribute to finding a cure. “What was really frustrating and disappointing for me at that time was finding that all these events were walks and runs that my mom wasn’t well enough to participate in herself,” she said.

But the frustration sparked an idea. “I had played softball since I was 8 or 9 years old, and I could probably count on one hand the number of games she had missed,” Kris said. “And I started to think that a softball tournament would be a place that would accommodate people regardless of age or where they were in their treatment.”

Thus, through the creation of the Linda L. Vladyka Breast Wellness Foundation, Play for a Cure Oregon was born in 2002, just months after breast cancer took Linda’s life. Today, thanks to the tireless dedication of family members and volunteers, this event has become the largest adult slow-pitch softball tournament in the state.

“The first year, we had 15 teams,” Kris said. “This year, we had 19 teams register in the first 24 hours after registration opened.”

Kris said that the tournament allows a total of 40 teams, and typically ends up with a dozen or so more on a waiting list.

“The growth has been phenomenal,” she said. “Part of the fundraiser is that you can sponsor a game ball in honor or in memory of a survivor. The first year, we had 12 dozen. We thought that was a lot. Last year we had 42 dozen!”

All of that growth translates into more funds to help fight cancer in Marion and Polk counties. More than half the proceeds are distributed as grants to low-income and uninsured patients who need help paying for screenings or making ends meet during treatment.

“One of the few times I ever saw my mom cry, she was telling me about how hard it was to see the sacrifices some patients had to make because money was tight,” Kris said. “They were choosing between paying the bills and continuing their chemo. We want to make it so

Striking out

Daughter’s devotion sparks statewide softball phenomenon

breast cancer

Cancer care navigators at Salem Cancer Institute guide patients and families through the physical, emotional and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. Call 503-562-4321 to find out more today.

Tournament organizer Kris Knox

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Play for a Cure has also had a remarkable effect on Kris’s life. In 2009, three weeks before the tournament was set to begin, Kris found a lump. She was soon diagnosed with stage II breast cancer.

“The cancer didn’t show on a mammogram,” said Kris. “I was only 41. Had I not traveled that journey with my mom, and made this my cause, I may not have given a thought to breast cancer. I wouldn’t have been doing self-exams—I wouldn’t have been paying attention yet.”

In some ways, Kris considers this her mother’s final gift to her. “She did what good moms do,” said Kris. “She taught me a lot that she didn’t know she was teaching me. I feel like she went ahead of me to make my path safe.”

“I don’t miss my mom any less, but I am a lot less angry about it. I’m appreciative of what her life meant and how in this very, very significant way, it saved mine.”

people don’t have to ask the question, ‘Do I want to have food on the table, or do I want to get well?’”

This is where the Salem Hospital Foundation comes in. Play for a Cure Oregon has given a large portion of its proceeds (more than $18,000 in the past year alone) to the Salem Hospital Foundation with

specific instructions that it should help patients cover expenses like transportation to appointments and prescription medications that aren’t fully covered by insurance.

“We have a great relationship with the Salem Hospital Foundation and Salem Cancer Institute,” Kris said. “When we began our relationship with Salem Cancer Institute and they became our presenting sponsor, we never imagined how supportive they would be.”

The 10th anniversary Play for a Cure Oregon was especially important for the relationship between the tournament and Salem Hospital. “In 2011, we were able to establish the Linda L. Vladyka Memorial Endowment through the Hospital Foundation,” Kris said. “The interest earned from that endowment will be added to an emergency fund for breast cancer patients at Salem Hospital. So if a patient says ‘I’ve got to pay my electric bill next week, and I’m supposed to have chemo, and I can’t afford my copay and my light bill,’ they can apply to get financial aid to pay for that and keep their treatment on schedule.”

Play ball! This year’s Play for a Cure Oregon will be held Aug. 17 to 19 at the

Wallace Marine Park sports complex in Salem. You can sponsor a game ball or sign up to be an honorary pitcher by visiting playforacureoregon.org or calling The Linda L. Vladyka Breast Wellness Foundation at 503-363-8892. This year’s tournament will benefit the Salem Hospital Foundation, the Oregon and Southwest Washington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Salem YWCA screening program, which provides free and low-cost mammograms for high-risk women who couldn’t otherwise afford them.

The ball field was a sea of pink during the 2011 Play for a Cure survivor ceremony.

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Everyone deserves a fighting chance. The Linda L. Vladyka Memorial Endowment provides emergency financial aid to cancer patients in need. To contribute to the fund, call the Salem Hospital Foundation at 503-561-5576 or visit us online at salemhealth.org/foundation/gift.php.

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Everyone can relate to an occasional restless or sleepless night, but imagine never getting more than two to four hours of sleep every night for years on end. Welcome to Rich Beebe’s life.

At 58, Rich says he has not been able to sleep soundly since he entered ninth grade. “Even though I have lived with this most of my life, I felt like I was getting more and more tired,” he said. According to Rich’s wife, he kept her awake by snoring all night and gasping for air.

Being awake and alert is imperative to Rich’s job as a bus driver. Afraid he might doze off while driving, he sought the help of his physician. Rich was referred to the Salem Hospital Sleep Center, where he participated in an overnight sleep study and was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a disorder marked by abnormal pauses in breathing when the airway becomes partially blocked. Sleep apnea is a very common cause of daytime sleepiness.

According to the Salem Hospital Sleep Center’s Thye Schuyler, MD, “There are various theories why sleep apnea makes people feel sleepy the following day. It is probably a combination of low oxygen during sleep,

Sleepless in

Bus driver Rich Beebe puts sleepless nights to bed

Sleepless in

Salem? the ‘fi ght or fl ight’ response being repetitively activated from airway closure, and the brain waking up extra times—when it should be sleeping—to reopen the airway. This process can go on all night and make people feel just as tired in the morning as they felt when they went to bed.”

Options for reliefThe Sleep Center recommended continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a breathing machine, and a sleeping pill to help Rich get a better night’s sleep.

“The sleeping pill helps me fall asleep, which has always been a problem,” Rich said. “With the CPAP, I can get up to four or fi ve hours of sleep—sometimes more—because I am breathing better and getting more oxygen.”

Rather than waking up every 20 or 30 minutes all night, Rich gets high-quality, sound sleep when he uses the CPAP.

I always look forward to seeing Mr. Beebe because he is healthier every time I see him.” —Thye Schuyler, MD,

Salem Hospital Sleep Center

“

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“You wouldn’t believe the difference in how refreshed and energized I feel,” Rich said. “The nights I don’t use the CPAP, I am tired after one hour of working.”

“CPAP is a safe, effective therapy that works by providing a constant gentle pressure that keeps the upper airway open—like an air splint,” Dr. Schuyler said. “This allows the brain to sleep more and keeps the oxygen from dropping too low during the night.”

Dr. Schuyler asked Rich to begin monitoring his sleep more closely by keeping a sleep log. The log tracks naps, caffeine consumption, exercise, how many hours Rich is in bed, and how many hours of sleep he gets over 24 hours.

“By tracking his sleep, Mr. Beebe and I realized he was going to bed too late and was not getting enough hours of sleep per night,” said Dr. Schuyler. “He would then drink extra soda during the day to help fi ght the sleepiness.”

Another treatment worth consideringIn addition to the CPAP machine, Dr. Schuyler recommended Rich lose a little weight. “I’ve been told to lose weight before, but with little sympathy,” said Rich. “Dr. Schuyler and his team are so positive and uplifting; they made me want to follow their instructions.”

According to Dr. Schuyler, Rich has already started to lose weight. “He was able to decrease soda intake during the day because he didn’t need it anymore to stay awake,” Dr. Schuyler said. “He has also started to exercise more. His story is very encouraging to all of us who treat patients with multiple sleep problems.”

Rich knows he is in good hands. Dr. Schuyler was trained at Dartmouth Medical Center, an Ivy League medical center in New Hampshire. He was taught by the former president of the American Academy of Sleep and is the only fellowship-trained sleep medicine physician in the Salem community.

Now, Rich sleeps like a baby, has more energy, and no longer worries about dozing off at work. Rich will follow up with Dr. Schuyler in the near future to track his progress.

“I always look forward to seeing Mr. Beebe because he is healthier every time I see him,” Dr. Schuyler said.

Do i really need a sleep study?

Sleep apnea aff ects all ages and can result in poor performance

in everyday acti viti es, traffi c accidents, and trouble at work and school. Common risk factors for sleep apnea include:

• Being male.

• Being overweight.

• Being over the age of forty.

• Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women).

• Having large tonsils, a large tongue or a small jaw bone.

• Having a family history of sleep apnea.

• Gastroesophageal refl ux disease (GERD).

• Nasal obstructi on due to a deviated septum, allergies or sinus problems.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can result in various health problems, including:

• High blood pressure.

• Stroke.

• Heart failure, irregular heartbeats and heart att acks.

• Diabetes.

• Depression.

• Worsening of ADHD.

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There is an easy self-assessment quiz on our website that can help you decide if your tiredness might have a medical cause. You can even print out the results and bring them to your appointment. Go to salemhealth.org/tired to get started.

If you regularly experience sleepless or restless nights, contact your physician and request a referral to the Salem Hospital Sleep Center, or call 503-561-5170.

Briefn E W S F R O M S A l E M H E A l T H

School is just around the corner and fall sports practices are starting, yet summer weather is still going strong! By brushing up on your knowledge of heat-related illnesses, which range from heat cramps (mild) to heat exhaustion (moderate) to heat stroke (severe), you can help keep your child safe outdoors.

Heat exhaustion shares the symptoms of heat cramps (sweating a lot, muscle spasms, feeling weak or dizzy) but also includes clammy skin, and headache or nausea. If your child seems to be suffering from heat exhaustion, cool him down and call the emergency department to get medical advice. He

Convenient sports physicalsA sports physical that includes a check of vital signs and refl exes can help identify medical and musculoskeletal conditions that might affect your child’s participation in sports. Physicians screen for previously undetected health problems and help ensure that any old injuries have had the proper treatment so that the athlete is not at risk for further injury. Take extra care to accurately fi ll out the medical history section of the sports physical form with your child.

If the school does not provide a form, you can print one by visiting osaa.org/publications/#forms and clicking on the “Physical Examination” form.

Willamette Health Partners will be holding four sports physical events this August:

• Tuesday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, North Salem High School

• Thursday, Aug. 9, 1 to 4 p.m., South Salem High School

• Tuesday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m. to noon, West Salem High School

• Thursday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to noon, McNary High School

The physical exams are $10 per child, paid by cash or check. No registration required. Call the CHEC at 503-814-2432

or visit salemhealth.org/chec.

What is a hospitalist?If you or someone you know has been to Salem Hospital lately, you may have been visited by a type of doctor you’ve never heard of before: a hospitalist.

“A hospitalist is a physician who provides 24-hour care during your stay at Salem Hospital,” says Mark Walker, DO. “Hospitalists are usually internal or family medicine physicians who work closely with your primary care physician while you’re in the hospital.”

Your primary care physician can provide information about your past health history to the hospitalist, and the two doctors can discuss any signifi cant fi ndings or events. When you are discharged from the hospital, the hospitalist prepares a detailed report that is sent to your primary care physician.

The advantages of being cared for by a hospitalist are many. For one, they work on-site at the hospital at all times, including times when your primary physician is not available. Also, because they care exclusively for hospitalized patients, they have extensive experience with serious illnesses that your regular doctor would rarely see in an offi ce setting.

Parents: Take heat illness seriouslyor she will need fl uids, which might have to be dispensed from an IV.

Heat stroke victims will stop sweating, have deep, rapid breathing, headache, nausea, irregular pulse, dizziness, fainting, and/or convulsions. If your child is showing symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 or take him or her to the emergency department immediately. Heat stroke can cause serious brain damage or rapid death.

You can prevent these issues by giving your children plenty of fl uids and keeping them cool by spritzing them with cool water if the weather is very hot. Have

them take breaks indoors or in the shade when exercising or playing.

Visit the Community Health Education Center’s health library for more information on heat related illnesses. Go

to salemhealth.org/chec.

Mark Walker, DO

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New pet policy puts safety fi rstYou depend on hospitals to be as safe and infection-free as possible. So while we understand the strong bonds between our patients and their companion animals, starting Aug. 1, Salem Hospital and its outpatient clinics on campus will no longer allow pet visits. This policy does not apply to service animals and certifi ed pet therapy animals.

This decision is strictly based on maintaining a safe, healthy environment and to respect patients, visitors and staff who have allergies and respiratory challenges.

Service animals provide assistance to people with disabilities and are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Therapy pets and handlers need to be certifi ed in animal-assisted therapy and be part of a patient’s care plan.

Exceptions will be considered (for example, at the request of a terminally ill patient). A 30-minute visit may be allowed, provided that:

• A handler is with the pet at all times.

• Approval has been given by the nurse manager in the patient’s unit.

• The animal has been checked in with our security department.

Exceptions will be considered (for example, at the request of a terminally ill patient). A

nurse manager in the patient’s unit.

• The animal has been checked in with our

Our diverse Language Access team helps make health care understandable for all patients. From left: Samuel Pino, Andrea Flores, Rosa Barraza, Sergey Boynetskiy, Maria del Carmen Villa, Carla Eastes and Oralia Mares.

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We speak your languageHablamos su idiomaМы говорим на Вашем языкеIf you or someone you care about speaks a language other than English at home, we have great news: Salem Hospital is the fi rst hospital in Oregon—and one of the few in the nation—to have the majority of its interpreters nationally certifi ed.

Spanish- and Russian-speaking interpreters work with patients face-to-face in the hospital. For patients who speak other languages, we have 24-hour access to a phone service with interpreters who speak more than 140 different languages.

We want to be sure that our patients understand the care they receive, regardless of which language they speak, so our interpreters are highly trained in language skills and interpreting techniques.

“Having interpreters available for limited English profi ciency patients affords these individuals equal access to health care,” said Samuel Pino, Language Access Department supervisor. “It

allows our organization to offer higher quality care, reduce costs and improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.”

Interpreter services are free for all patients in the hospital. You can request a translator when you make an appointment, or ask your doctor or nurse after you arrive.

Setting the stage: West

Valley Hospital

recently earned the HIMSS

Stage 6 Award, which

recognizes hospitals that

use technology (such as

electronic medical records)

to improve patient safety

and quality of care.

Only about 5 percent of

hospitals in the United

States have reached

stage 6—both West

Valley Hospital and Salem

Hospital are part of that

elite group!

RecipeGreek saladThis recipe, packed with vitamins A and C, plus calcium, is a great way to use the abundant tomatoes and cucumbers you fi nd in your garden or at the farmers market. Any variety of tomato, olive, onion or cucumber may be used. For a great side salad, omit the romaine. For a lovely salad entrée, toss all ingredients with the dressing.

ingredients

1 bag romaine hearts (3 heads, 18 oz), wash, dry, chop1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 1/2 red onion, cut into wedges1 oz whole black olives3 oz feta cheese 1 cucumber, sliced

Dressing

Pour into blender: 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp oregano, 1/3 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 Tbsp salt, black pepper to taste. Blend. While blender is running, slowly drizzle in 2 Tbsp olive oil.

Nutrition FactsMakes six servings. Amount per serving (with romaine): calories, 121; fat, 8g; saturated fat, 3g; cholesterol, 12mg; carbohydrate, 9g; fi ber, 3g; protein, 4g; sodium, 606mg.

A sea of healthy fl avorsMediterranean-style diet fi ghts diseases of agingThe Willamette Valley may be thousands of miles from the sunny Mediterranean, but bringing home a taste of Europe can be a boon for your health. Mediterranean-style diets are scientifi cally proven to be good for your heart—and now it looks like they may be good for your brain too.

Researchers found that people who followed these diets had fewer markers of blood vessel damage in the brain. Blood vessel damage is a risk factor for stroke and dementia.

A Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. It uses olive oil instead of butter, and limits red meat to only a few times a month.

Start with simple substitutionsChanging your eating habits can seem like a tall order. Fortunately, you don’t have to change everything at once. Here are some choices you can make today for a taste of Greece and Italy:

• Eat more plants. Find ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts in your usual meals and snacks. The average Greek person eats upwards of nine servings of veggies every day!

• Make olive oil your main source of fat. Try it in foods where you’d normally use butter, or combine with vinegar for a healthier salad dressing.

• Use herbs and spices instead of salt to fl avor foods. For example, garlic adds a meaty, savory fl avor to food without adding sodium.

• Eat less red meat. When you do eat it, look for lean cuts and control your portion size.

• Still need protein? Fish is the food of choice on the Mediterranean Sea. Lean poultry is also fi ne if you don’t care for seafood.

• Have a glass of wine. Red wine contains antioxidants that work against many of the common diseases of aging.

Eating a Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk for obesity, coronary heart disease, stroke, and thought and memory disorders.

learn More: For more healthy recipes, visit the Gehlar Wellness Kitchen online at salemhealth.org or call 503-814-2432.

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Health CalendarA U G U S T – S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2

Classes

The Community Health Education Center (CHEC) offers a variety of health education classes. For more information on these and other classes, or to register, visit salemhealth.org/chec or call 503-814-CHEC (2432).

C A n C E R

Cancer Caregiver Support GroupFirst and third Thursday, 4 to 5 p.m. SH/C.

C A R E G i v E R

Caregivers Support GroupSecond Tuesday of every month, 2 to 3 p.m. WVH Conference Room.

M E n T A l H E A l T H

Men’s Support GroupSecond and fourth Sunday of every month, 5 to 6:30 p.m. (except on holidays) SH/D.

O T H E R

neuropathy Support GroupFourth Monday of every month, 6:30 to 8 p.m. SH/D.

Recovery internationalMeets every Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. SH/D.

SH/A - Salem Hospital Campus, Bldg. A, 890 Oak St. SE, Salem

SH/B - Salem Hospital Campus, Bldg. B, 890 Oak St. SE, Salem

SH/C - Salem Hospital Campus, Bldg. C, 890 Oak St. SE, Salem

SH/D - Salem Hospital Campus, Bldg. D, 890 Oak St. SE, Salem

RRC - Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center, 2561 Center St. NE, Salem

WvH - West Valley Hospital, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas

lOCA

TiO

n K

EY

n C O O K i n G F O R H E A l T H

Creative Cooking: Summer FruitsAnne Theis, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Salem Health, will put her “day job” aside for the evening as she teaches you new ways to use fresh summer fruits. $20. Aug. 29, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

n G E n E R A l H E A l T H

Heartsaver First Aid and CPR/AEDHeartsaver CPR with AED and Basic First Aid is intended for those who have a duty to respond to an emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements. The class is in two parts: CPR/AED in the morning and Basic First Aid in the afternoon. $85. Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Freedom From Smoking® Quitting smoking is the single most important step a smoker can take to improve the length and quality of his or her life, and this program from the American Lung Association is considered the “gold standard” for helping adult smokers quit. The program teaches skills and techniques that have been proven to help you quit. $120. Scholarships available. Wednesdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 24, 3 to 5 p.m.

Healthy Back Good posture, body mechanics and exercise are essential to maintaining a healthy back. Learn how to keep your back strong and decrease risk of injury. This class is offered by the Salem Spine Center and is taught by a physical therapist. $5. Sept. 21, 1 to 2 p.m.

n S E n i O R S

A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About FallsManaging Concerns About Falls is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. $15. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 30, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

A sea of healthy flavorsMediterranean-style diet fights diseases of aging Support

GroupsSupport groups can be a source of strength during a difficult time. Here are a few of the groups that meet in our facilities. For a full list of support groups, visit salemhealth.org/chec or call 503-814-CHEC (2432). You can participate free of charge.

n F i T n E S S

Tai Chi: Moving for Better BalanceThis 16-session class is perfect for those who’ve never tried Tai Chi or for those who are looking for a class that moves at a slower pace. You’ll learn the research-tested 8 Form program of Tai Chi specifically designed to improve balance and prevent falls in older adults. $48. Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 10 to Oct. 31, 3 to 4 p.m. RRC.

n C l A S S E S AT W E S T vA l l E Y H O S P i TA l

Building Better BonesThis comprehensive one-session workshop offers the latest research on maintaining bone health. You’ll learn about osteoporosis/osteopenia and how nutrition and exercise play crucial roles in reversing and slowing the disease progression. $5. Sept. 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m. WVH.

Freedom From Smoking® See description under “General Health.” Thursdays, Sept. 13 through Oct. 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. WVH.

n R E H A B W E E K C l A S S E S

Join us for a week of free classes taught by our rehabilitation experts.

Self Compassion: Tending Kindly to OneselfTaught by psychologist Ruth Leibowitz, this class is for anyone who might benefit from treating his or herself with greater kindness related to life changes and imperfections, and who would like to soften the voice of the “inner critic.” Monday, Sept. 24, 3 to 5:30 p.m., CHEC Support Group Room

Safe Driving: Assessments, Strategies and TrainingAre you concerned about you or your loved ones driving abilities? Come join occupational therapist Cathy Wilson as she discusses safe driving skills and adaptive driving equipment. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 4 to 5:30 p.m. RRC.

Cooking Healthy with a DisabilityWhether you are experiencing weakness, forgetfulness, painful joints, or have limited use of your arms and legs, you can still cook healthy food. Join therapists Steve Paysinger and Laura Aspinwall as they demonstrate strategies and equipment that will help you regain or maintain cooking independence. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. CHEC Wellness Kitchen.

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890 Oak Street SEP.O. Box 14001Salem, Oregon 97309-5014

salemhealth.org

Beat the heatWhen temps soar, know the signs of heat illness (P. 8)

No English? No problem!Nationally certifi ed interpreters at Salem Hospital speak your language (P. 9)

And…Learn how to quiet down your inner critic (P. 11)

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSALEM OR

PERMIT NO. 67

With his life hanging in the balance, John Stumbo struggledwith his mind, body and soul to survive a mysterious and dramatic illness. The former Salem pastor and marathon runner faced unimaginable medical uncertainty and personal challenges—eventually cheating death and beating the odds.

A survivor whoA survivor who

John and his wife Joanna are the authors of “An Honest Look at a Mysterious Journey,” which tells the story of John’s illness.

From standing for the fi rst time after six weeks of being bedridden to re-learning how to dress, drive and eat, John will discuss his very personal medical and spiritual journey in a presentation titled “Rehabilitation: A Transforming Experience.” This free event is sponsored by the Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center as part of Rehabilitation Week.

To reserve seats, visit salemhealth.org/chec or call 503-814-CHEC (503-814-2432).

Rehabilitation: A Transforming ExperienceThursday, Sept. 27Chemeketa Community College Salem Auditorium• Presentation—7 p.m.• Dialogue/Q&A—8 p.m. • Book signing—8:30 p.m.

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