Special Section to: The Stratford Star I The Milford Mirror I The Trumbull Times I The Huntington Herald I The Monroe Courier I The Easton Courier

FALL 2015 HAN NETWORKHealth&Fitness

A soft touchVolunteer finds a spot in health care

Mary Ann Sopoliga has only been a volun-teer at Griffin Hospital for a few months, but she's already made her presence felt through-out the hospital.

She joined the hospital in June driven by a need to remain active after retirement and directed by a desire interact with and help people. As a soft touch volunteer, Sopoliga not only fulfilled her search, but found a new passion.

“It just clicked,” Sopoliga said of her experi-ence in learning and practicing soft touch. “I knew I wanted to be with people as a volun-teer, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Providing soft touch massages to patients met all my needs.”

Soft touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle rub to the hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital trains volunteers in basic level soft touch massage to help relieve patients' anxi-ety and stress. The free service is part of the hospital's Planetree patient-center care phi-losophy which works to meet patient and visitor needs to create an exceptional patient experience.

An employee of a long-term care facility for more than 30 years, Sopoliga was experi-enced in patient care, but was nervous about her ability to give a massage at first. She was “shadowed” by Planetree Services Supervisor Laura Murphy - a licensed massage therapist - for support and to answer any questions. Sopoliga quickly discovered that she had a knack for making people feel comfortable which made the massage even more effective.

“I was concerned because I wanted to be precise and follow all the steps perfectly,” she said. “But Laura told me to not worry about the technique so much and focus on provid-ing relaxation. It became innate after that. I just tapped into my resources as someone who enjoys talking to people and before I knew it, I was giving the massages like it was second nature.”

Despite just starting out with soft touch, Sopoliga has already become a star on the hospital's inpatient floors, Murphy said.

“Patients tell us all the time that she is just

great because she provides such a calming experience,” Murphy said. “The nursing staff really values Mary Ann and all our soft touch volunteers because they relax the patients and allow them to open up more about how they feel. Soft touch can also ease some of the anxiety patients feel when the nurses have to take vital signs or with the hustle and bustle during change of shift.”

In addition to training volunteers about soft touch, Griffin Hospital offers free training to the community at free, seasonal workshops.

Soft touch massage is just one of many volunteer opportunities at Griffin Hospital. Volunteers are also needed to serve as hos-pitality greeters/receptionists, arts and crafts helpers (sewing, knitting, crocheting), room service providers, clerical support, and pro-

viders of Reiki as well as assist in a variety of areas of the hospital including, Distribution, Dining Services, Medical Records, and the Community Health Education Resource Center.

For more information about the volunteer opportunities at Griffin Hospital or its upcom-ing complementary healing workshops, call Tricia Brister at 203-732-7555.

Mary Ann Sopoliga, is one of several soft touch volunteers at Griffin Hospital, helping relieve the anxiety of patients and caregivers at the hospital.

When to Take the LeapHe or she may always be your baby – but

sooner or later your child will be all grown up and too big for the pediatrician’s office. Some teens can’t wait to flex their adult muscles, but when it comes to leaving the familiarity and friendly faces of the pediatric staff, it can be give pause to both patient and parent. Are we really ready for this?

As a parent, you know your young person best. So until he or she is of legal age, the choice of when to make that switch, and to which doctor, is yours. It is important, how-ever, to open it up for discussion. Respecting

your child’s input on his or her healthcare isn’t only fair, it’s wise. Soon they will be adults responsible for themselves, and this will have been excellent training.

A giant step toward adulthood“Usually, we suggest young people make the

change to adult healthcare around age 17 or 18,” said George M. Goldfarb, M.D., F.A.C.P., internal medicine physician at St. Vincent’s. “If they are entering college, it can coincide with their preparation for that. Admission requirements include childhood immuniza-tions, so it’s a perfect time for them to bring their records in and meet the new doctor.”

Most young patients come in by them-selves, the doctor said. “Others arrive with a parent or family member, but some who are under 18 ask if they can be seen alone. I have to explain that it’s not my decision. Even though I am now their physician, their parent or guardian has to sign consent.”

For young adults eager to try their wings, the opportunity to ask questions and discuss very personal concerns with a medical profes-sional who hasn’t known them from infancy can be freeing. “Pediatricians are expert in working with the young and are very sensitive to their feelings,” Dr. Goldfarb said. “But with a new physician, there’s no need to worry

about long-term memories of embarrassing childhood moments.”

Almost ThereBy the later teenage years, young men and

women have gone through virtually all their physiological changes, the doctor explained. There may be additional growth in height and development, but adolescence is complete. “An exception is what’s occurring in the brain,” said Dr. Goldfarb, referring to studies over the last several years that show the brain continues to mature well into the 20s. “We need to be cog-

Diapers to Diplomas

Making the switch from pediatric to primary care

Continued on page 3

1

SURGICAL SPECIALISTS, P.C.FCB

NEW! FDA APPROVED!FAIRFIELD COUNTY

BARIATRICSIS OFFERING THE

ORBERA GASTRIC BALLOON,A NON-SURGICAL SOLUTION TO

LOSING AND MAINTAINING WEIGHT

Faireld County Bariatrics & Surgical Specialists,P.CNORWALK • SHELTON • STAMFORD • NEW LONDON

To learn more and find out if youare a candidate please call877-659-0011

®

������������������������������������

���������������

���������������������

�������������������������

�������������������������

���������������������

�����������������������

��������������������

�������������

1

������������������������������������������������

������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������

����������������

�������������������

��������

• 2 • • Health & Fitness • HAN Network • • September 24, 2015 •

Norwalk and surrounding residents seek-ing quick, high-quality medical care will be able to find the help they need at the newly-opened AFC/Doctors Express Urgent Care on Main Avenue, Norwalk.

The Norwalk location is the sixth AFC/Doctors Express Urgent Care Center in the state, with other centers in Stamford, Bridgeport, West Hartford and two in Danbury. It is the 146th to open nationwide. The center is open seven days a week with extended hours and a physician is on site at all times.

“The combination of the high quality staff of doctors, the-state-of-the-art facility and the range of services we provide I think separates us from the competition,” said owner Ken Goldberg.

The medical staff is overseen by Dr. Mark Wasserman and is made up of board certi-fied or board eligible physicians, supported licensed X-ray technologists, LPNs and medi-cal assistants. The center has its own on-site laboratory and X-ray equipment and will be able to provide a wide range of services, including treating illnesses and injuries, flu testing, sports physicals, pre-employment testing, drug testing, pre-surgical physicals and vaccinations.

Urgent care facilities are becoming more prevalent throughout the country because of the quality of the care provided, as well as the fact that more people have insurance and don’t need to go to an emergency room.

“I think for lots of injuries and other medi-cal issues, it is more appropriate to come here because the severity won’t necessitate you going to the ER and you’re going to be able to get in and out in less than an hour, and it’s going to be less expensive in a lot of cases,”

said Goldberg.Main Ave in Norwalk is a convenient loca-

tion in Fairfield County for the center, and said that surrounding businesses have been very welcoming and supportive.

“Norwalk’s is a great place. It’s a combina-tion of a great family community and an

attractive city for business. When I saw this location I was really convinced that I was going to have a successful business and do a lot of great things for Norwalk and the sur-rounding towns,” said Goldberg.

The center accepts most insurance carriers including Medicaid and Medicare, as well as

many of the Affordable Care Act insurance plans, and has cash and credit card rates for self-pay patients. AFC/Doctors Express is located in the Center 7 Shopping Center at 607 Main Ave. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week-ends.

A different take on express emergency care

If you are like two thirds of Americans, you have struggled with weight loss. Trying to lose more than 20 pounds is difficult because our body senses the weight loss and takes measures to increase our hunger and slow our metabolism, making it more difficult to continue to lose weight. Most people become frustrated and stop their diets, looking to the next diet.

There are now 1.4 billion overweight and obese people in the world as the obesity epi-demic continues to become more severe. Most people are seeking a solution to their weight problem but have found little success.

Weight loss procedures and operations can counteract the mechanisms that halt weight loss from dieting alone as they promote con-tinued weight loss. Surgery is the best option to lose weight and improve health. Procedures such as the Lap-Band, the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass have resulted in sus-tained weight loss and resolved many medical problems for patients. Many patients take three to five years to decide upon having bariatric surgery and are hesitant to do so.

In this past month the FDA approved the Orbera balloon, a non-surgical, endoscopic placed device that is temporary and revers-

ible. It works by reducing hunger and causing weight loss. Market research has shown that four times as many patients would be willing to undergo the balloon procedure for weight loss than surgery. In the world, 1.2 billion people are candidates for the balloon.

The device is placed under anesthesia in an outpatient endoscopy center and takes about 15 minutes. Patients go home the same day. In the first week, patients need to adapt to nausea and may have vomiting, abdominal discomfort and reflux.

Patients start the first two weeks on a liq-uid diet and then advance to soft foods for the next week and to regular food as toler-ated. Physically, most patients can work after-wards but some may want to take off time to adapt to stomach symptoms or eating behavior changes.

The balloon is a temporary device and is removed at six months at which time patients have lost an average of 40% of their excess body weight. The balloon can be placed again. During the treatment period, patients work with a nutritionist to adapt to a healthier eating style, which will help with continued weight loss.

Currently Dr. Neil Floch and Dr. Abraham Fridman are the only surgeons in Fairfield County certified to perform the procedure. It is performed at the Surgical Center of Connecticut in Bridgeport Connecticut. Prior

to the procedure patients must meet with the surgeon, their doctor and a nutritionist. Follow up after the procedure continues with weekly, then monthly phone calls and monthly visits with the nutritionist. Proponents of the pro-cedure see it filling the need between medical weight loss and surgery.

For more information, contact Dr. Neil Floch, director of minimally invasive and bariatric sur-gery at Norwalk Hospital and of Fairfield County Bariatrics and Surgical Specialists, P.C., 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, 203-899-0744.

A new option to weight loss surgery

The Orbera balloon, a non-surgical, endoscopic placed device that is temporary and reversible. It works by reducing your appetite, causing weight loss.

by Allison B. Spitzer

Our children know us deeply. The younger the child, the more he or she absorbs the stress, anger, or sadness we feel. When our home life and schedules are chaotic, over-crowded, or unpredictable, how can our middle schoolers believe that the routine of homework, reasonable bedtimes and other boundaries matter? If we “need a break,” are short tempered or passive-aggressive, but say “Oh, everything’s fine” to our teenagers, why would or should they share their deepest truths with us, or ask for guidance?

To serve as our child’s unconditional advo-cate, to provide a home that is a soothing, safe zone and retreat, and to encourage kids to do and be the best they can this year in school, there are many surprisingly simple and doable strategies.

Put on your own oxygen mask, as an indi-vidual, and as a couple if you are in a rela-tionship. Clear out your own lingering issues — if not for yourself then for your children’s well-being. It’s tough for your child to focus on school challenges when his or her fun-damental concern is really you. If you need help, face it and deal with it.

Next, be proactive and specific in talking with your kids and establishing a balanced, reliable and breathable home life. Before school starts, ask them directly whether they have concerns, what they look forward to — and what they need from you. Respond by letting them know what your hopes are for them, and your plans (expectations) to help things go smoothly.

Family meetings (I’m a huge fan!) should go beyond scheduling logistics. Everyone

has the chance to air grievances, boast, make requests, and get equal air time, at least once a week, reliably. Mom or Dad runs the meet-ing; families are not democracies.

The world is a hot fudge sundae — deli-cious and brimming with goodness. Too much, though, and families grow ill. The pressure on performance, whether academic, musical, athletic or social, has simply made our families miserable, exhausted and hope-less.

Instead, focus on each person’s ability to do their best and be happy within the framework of a larger organism — the family unit. There are only so many hours to work, drive carpool and help with homework and only so much disposable income for leotards or cleats. The greater good of cooperation and mutual benefit for families, even when everyone gives up a bit, in the long term, is smarter.

Scheduled downtime, each week, adult pri-vate time (date nights), unstructured quality time with your kids develops bonds far more potent than cheering when a goal’s made, preceded by the yelling to finish homework, get in the uniform, get in the car, and bring-ing along a sibling who resents it. Passions matter. In all families, large and small, there has to be a realistic appraisal of the time and resources that can be given to each family member, including the adults.

Allison B. Spitzer is a Trumbull based coach-therapist. Her practice, Periwinkle Health, provides children and adults short-term, creative, pragmatic and alternative strategies for stress management and life challenges. Reach her at 203-218-2200 or periwinklehealth.com.

Parental mental health and school performance

2

������������������������������������

���������������

Receive a Complimentary

Cosmetic Consultation

at Sensitive Care, Milford’s

state-of-the-art esthetic

dental practice, offering:

• 1 Hour Teeth Whitening

• Porcelain Veneers

• Composite White Fillings

• 1-Visit Cerec Crowns

• Invisalign Teeth Straightening

• Esthetic Bonding

Mitchell I. Quintner • Alex Quintner • Kristin Helms •

Michael Wiener • Durgesh Kudchadkar • DMDs

��������������������������������������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������������������

���

2

• September 24, 2015 • • Health & Fitness • HAN Network • • 3 •

Health &

FitnessSEPTEMBER 24, 2015

1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton CT 06484203-926-2080

Robin Walluck, editor Ian Murren, designer

Martin V. Hersam, publisher

For advertising information, call 203-926-2080

Copyright 2015, HAN Network, LLC

The annual Senior Health & Wellness Fair is set for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 9-12 p.m. at the Shelton Senior Center.

Residents from Shelton and sur-rounding communities are invited to attend.

State and local organizations will be on site to provide health screenings and information about programs and services available to seniors.

The event is hosted by Shelton Reps. Jason Perillo and Ben McGorty, as well as Sen. Kevin Kelly at the center, 81 Wheeler Street.

CancerCare is set to host its annual Walk/Run for Hope at Jennings Beach, 880 South Benson Road in Fairfield, on Sunday, Oct. 4. The Walk/Run for Hope is a series of family-friendly 5K events that raise funds to support CancerCare’s free services provided to anyone affected by cancer.

Walkers and runners of all levels and ages are welcome to participate. Registration and check in begin at 7:45 a.m. Fairfield Selectman Sheila Marmion will officially start the 5K at 9 a.m. A children’s half mile Fun Run will follow at 10:15 a.m. Both individuals and teams can register in advance at commu-nity.cancercare.org/walkct. The 5K course is USATF-sanctioned.

“This event helps support people in so many ways, from financial assistance for cancer victims to grief counseling for fami-lies,” said James Hunt of Norwalk, co-chair of the event along with his wife, Erin. After his mother, Rosemary Hunt, lost her battle to cancer, James said he has been grateful for CancerCare’s help during a difficult time of grief and loss. For the fourth year, he will form a team at the Walk/Run for Hope with family, friends and colleagues in memory of his mother to support CancerCare’s services.

This community-based event brings together friends and families to walk or run in memory of those they have lost to cancer, honor survivors and support those

who are currently facing a cancer diagnosis. Registration fees are a $40 minimum dona-tion per adult (13 and older); $20 minimum donation per child (12 and under); or $10 for the Fun Run only. All participants will receive a commemorative Walk/Run for Hope T-shirt. Awards will be presented to the top male and female participants in both the overall race and age-based categories. The event will be held rain or shine and parking is free.

Those who can’t make the Walk/Run for

Hope can purchase a star in honor or memory of a loved one or add a message of hope for others. The stars will be part of the Stars of Hope Constellation displayed at the event. A star with text is $35; one with an image and text is $50.

CancerCare serves all of Connecticut and maintains an office in Norwalk. “CancerCare gives support in a variety of ways but the emotional support is extremely important in the outcome,” said breast cancer survivor

Dian Vince of Trumbull. The CancerCare sup-port group she joined became an invaluable part of her journey and nine years later, she still maintains friendships with the members, she said. This year will be her eighth Walk/Run for Hope, which she will dedicate to a colleague lost to cancer and a friend newly diagnosed.

For more event information, call 888-814-WALK or contact Corey Cenatiempo, CancerCare’s Regional Special Events Manager at ccenatiempo@cancercare.org.

About CancerCareFounded in 1944, CancerCare is a national

organization providing free, professional sup-port services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. CancerCare’s compre-hensive services include counseling and sup-port groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance.

All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. Headquartered in New York, NY, CancerCare maintains three additional locations in Norwalk, Conn., Ridgewood, NJ and Syosset, NY.

To learn more, visit cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

CancerCare Walk/Run for Hope coming

Participants at the annual Walk/Run for Hope in Fairfield.

by Dr. Robert F. Weiss

A large majority of all athletes go through the overuse syndrome of injury during their career.

Many injuries occur when an individual is fatigued or his glycogen is depleted. Ten very common athletic injuries are as follows:• Shin splints: Inflammation of the muscle.

The most common areas are the front and inside muscles of the leg, tendon (tendon-itis) or bone covering the lower leg (peri-ostis), where the muscle attaches to the bone.

• Achilles Tendonitis: An inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the lower leg.

• Pronated Flat Feet: This is an inherited foot type, a mechanical weakness that can lead

to ankle, knee, hip and lower back pains.• Pain ball of feet: Most common location of

pain is under the head of the second meta-tarsal bone behind the second toe area, and under the first metatarsal head (sesamoid or accessory bone area) just behind the bot-tom surface of the big toe.

• Stress fractures: These can occur elsewhere other than the long bones of the foot.

• Ankle problems: Generalized swelling and sprains are most common.

• Knee problems: The majority of knee prob-lems are due to dynamic imbalances in the foot and weakness in muscles such as the quadriceps muscles.

• Heel Spurs: This spur is formed by tis-sue pulling the bones as the foot pronates (inward rotation).

• General foot problems: Bunions and ham-mertoes. Bunions can occur either on the outside of the big toe joint or outside of the little toe joint. Hammertoes, contracted or claw-like toes, usually occur as a result of imbalances of bone structures or muscles making the toe stick up higher than nor-mal.

Dr. Robert F. Weiss is a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle surgery, He was a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Marathon Trials. Weiss is a veteran of 35 marathons and has a practice in Darien; The Foot & Ankle Institute of Darien. For info visit his website therunningdoctor.net.

Promoting senior

wellnessCommon athletic injuries

St. Vincent’s Health Services is hosting its third annual Southern Connecticut Women’s Expo Sept. 26-27, from 11-5, at Webster Bank Arena, 600 Main Street, Bridgeport.

The family-friendly event will feature more than 200 exhibitors, celebrity guest appear-ances, free samples, unique shopping, fitness, fashion, and more.

Heather Thomson, of BRAVO TV’s Real Housewives of New York and Yummie fash-ion, will be signing autographs on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. John J. York, who plays

Mac Scorpio on General Hospital, will be meeting fans and signing autographs on Sunday, from noon to 3.

St. Vincent’s will offer free health screenings both days, including cholesterol (while sup-plies last), blood pressure, body fat analysis, and hydration levels.

Admission $10; kids 12 & under free. Parking is $5.

For information, visit ctexpos.com/south-ern-connecticut-womens-expo/2015/.

St. Vincent’s hosts Women’s Expo

nizant of that. But voice changes, the growth of hair, the start of menstruating – generally, these types of changes already have occurred.”

Getting to Know YouAccording to the doctor, the patient’s first

visit is likely to be lengthy. “We try to make them comfortable. We communicate and encourage them to talk and ask questions so they can get to know us and we can get to know them.”

This approach allows for trust to develop. Without lecturing, but sometimes with a bit of humor, the physician can convey impor-tant information that otherwise might fall on youthfully deaf ears. “For example, I tell them I’m only half joking when I say that for some in their age group the biggest health risk is stupidity,” Dr. Goldfarb said. “Meaning the ‘I am invincible, I can drive as fast and drink as much as I want’ attitude they’ve probably seen in certain friends.”

Being “Self” ConsciousIn detailing the health issues he covers

with his young-adult patients, the doctor was

clear that his purpose is not to raise scary warnings, but simply to inform and prepare. Among these topics are:• Smoking and tobacco use• Obesity and lack of exercise• Effects of drug and alcohol abuse• Dating; identifying abusive relationships• Living alone or in a dormitory; time man-

agement• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)• Testicular and bone cancers (most often

seen in males from teens to late 20s) “Young people sometimes feel they already

know all about everything, but too often they are misinformed,” the doctor said. “I remind them that they are now expected to take responsibility for themselves. My part in that is giving them accurate information so they can.”

Immunization matters“For anyone uncertain of their vaccination

history for measles and some other diseases,” Dr. Goldfarb said, “there are blood tests that can show whether they have the necessary immunity. Unvaccinated individuals who wish to receive shots for the first time should speak with their healthcare provider for guidance on this.”

To find a primary care doctor in your town, visit info.stvincents.org/physician-guide..

St. Vincent’sContinued from page one

3

���������������������������������������������������������������������������

�����������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

������������

3

• 4 • • Health & Fitness • HAN Network • • September 24, 2015 •

4

�����������������������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������

4