Join us at thie FREE Event!

Siouxland’s Largest Health & Leisure Expo in the Tri-State Area. FRIDAY,AUGUST 20 ▪ 8AM - 12PM South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront

385 East 4th Street ▪ South Sioux City, NE

Advertising Supplement of the Sioux City Journal 2 | AUGUST 2021 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM

Siouxland’s Largest Health & Leisure Expo in the Tri-State Area. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 8AM - 12PM • FREE! South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront 385 East 4th Street • South Sioux City, NE

2021 EVENT SPEAKER SCHEDULE: ROOM A ROOM B: 8am: Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention 8am: Personalizing Care: Getting the most out of your Sunu Philip, MD, UnityPoint Clinic General & doctor’s appointment Colorectal Surgery Melissa Levering, FNP-BC, NP-C, MercyOne 9am: Siouxland PACE, A Program of All-Inclusive Care Singing Hills Family Medicine for the Elderly 9am: Balance and Fall Risk in Older Adults Randy Ehlers, Executive Director, Siouxland PACE Sarah Sitzmann-Ruehle, PT, DPT, Fyzical Therapy 10am: Emergency Care Reimagined: Your trip to the ER & Balance Centers Steve Warrington, MD, Emergency Department Medical Director, MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center 10am: LOVE Your Life with Improved Pelvic Health Hannah Moos, PTA, Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers 11am: Congestive Heart Failure: What you need to know. Michelle Hardie, PA-C, UnityPoint 11am: Hearing Health in Adults Health – St. Luke’s Cardiology Services & Adrian Aylor, Au.D., CCC-A, Ear, Nose, & Throat Cardiovascular Associates Consultants ATTEND THE SPEAKER SESSIONS AND REGISTER TO WIN GREAT PRIZES!

THANK YOU TO THESE GREAT SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE: SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 2021 | 3

Living at Home Your Goal, Our Priority

• Operated by UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, this Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is the only program of its kind in the area. • Want to talk to an enrollment coordinator? Call (712) 224-7223 today. 4 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM

he notion of your heart skipping a beat has been romanticized over the T years to be associated with every- thing from young love to the type of excitement that takes your breath away. An altered heart rhythm, however, could be the sign of a serious condition. At UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, the team in the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab performs studies and delivers corrective procedures to address an array of abnormal Getting heart rhythms or arrhythmias. Untreated, these irregular heartbeats can lead to heart disease, fatigue, stroke and congestive heart failure. “Patients who have arrhythmia dis- orders or arrhythmia illnesses typically back in suff er from a variety of symptoms like skipping beats, racing heart beats, faint- ing, fatigue and shortness of breath,” says Roque Arteaga, M.D., FACC. Dr. Arteaga is a Board-Certifi ed EP specialist. The heart’s rhythm (“beat cycle” or rhythm “contraction cycle”) is controlled by a natural pacemaker called the sino-atrial node (SA node). The SA node, located in the right atrium, creates an electrical impulse that travels fi rst through the right and left St. Luke’s Electrophysiology atria, and then to the right and left ven- tricles, causing the heart to beat. team helps patients address Electrical pulses usually travel in a regu- lar pattern through a cardiovascular sys- cardiac arrhythmia disorders tem. Heart attacks, aging and high blood pressure may cause damage to the heart tis- sue and lead to an irregular pattern. These arrhythmias can be too slow (Bradycardia), too fast (Tachycardia), or irregular. Defi nitive diagnosis of an arrhythmia is made during an EP study, where catheters are inserted into blood vessels in vari- ous locations, and advanced to the heart. Once an arrhythmia has been initiated, “In these patients, the heart is normal brain trying to do his best. So, I like that Through these wires, electrical impulses it is assessed and analyzed to determine its they just have a small over-active area that about the cardiology group. We all strive to are both delivered to and received from the origin and pathway of conduction. Once is causing the rhythm to be too fast,” he put our heads together, especially when it heart, assessing both normal and abnormal determined, a decision is made on best says. “We can eff ectively treat this with an comes to tackling complex cases and trying conditions. cause of treatment, which may include ablation, and they leave the EP Lab cured.” to get the best results.” “Before we take the patient to the EP Lab, medications, ablation with radiofrequency EP studies are typically provided on an Both specialists say they love their work. we have clinical data and documentation or even device treatment where a Pace- outpatient basis with light sedation and “When patients tell me they feel better that provides an idea of the areas of con- maker or an Implantable Cardiac Defi bril- local anesthetic. Following the study and or when they tell me that life is improved, cern. This allows us to put a plan in place,” lator (ICD) may be implanted. At the end of any treatment, patients typically are held it is very rewarding,” Dr. Pham says. says Board-Certifi ed EP specialist Thong the procedure the catheters are removed, for four to six hours to ensure the catheter “I always had a fascination for arrhyth- Pham, M.D., FACC. Drs. Pham and Arteaga and pressure is placed on the puncture site insertion sites seal and they aren’t experi- mia management, arrhythmia treatment, are members of UnityPoint Health - St. to prevent bleeding. encing any chest pain, palpitations, short- and particularly the ability to be able to cure Luke’s Cardiology Services and Cardio- “We mainly provide ablation treatment ness of breath or lightheadedness. While patients from their arrhythmic disorder,” vascular Associates. The electrophysiolo- for a fast abnormal heart rate in the upper patients are counseled to limit activity im- Dr. Arteaga says. “Providing interventions gists at St. Luke’s perform more ablation or lower chambers.” says Dr. Pham. “A slow mediately after their procedure, Dr. Pham that cure a patient and improve their life is and electrophysiology procedures than rhythm can be treated with a pacemaker says most can return to normal activity— the best part of my job.” any other provider in the Siouxland area. which delivers electrical impulses to acti- apart from heavy lifting—the day after their If you are experiencing an abnormal “When we get into the EP Lab, we can then vate either the upper or lower chamber of treatment. rhythm or are experiencing unexplained confi rm the diagnosis with the EP study the heart. Those procedures usually occur Dr. Arteaga says the team-focused ap- fatigue, chest pain or shortness of breath, and proceed with the intervention.” in the older population.” proach in the St. Luke’s EP Lab is of great you should see your primary care provider During the procedure, 3D images of the While people with otherwise healthy benefi t to patients. to learn more about whether you are a can- heart are gathered, and an attempt is made hearts can develop an arrhythmia, it is rare. “We all strive to provide the best care didate for an EP study. to duplicate the patient’s clinical arrhyth- The most common occurrences of these that we can to help our patients fi nd relief,” To learn more about comprehensive mia by pacing the heart from diff erent loca- rare arrhythmias are in younger patients, he says. “I like the idea that multiple brains cardiology care at UnityPoint Health – tions and at diff erent rates. according to Dr. Pham. working together are better than a single St. Luke’s, visit unitypoint.org. SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 5 Person to Person: Finding common ground strengthens relationships JUDI LIGHT HOPSON, my brother, it was amazing how many core able must be in place. I’m tired of watching EMMA H. HOPSON AND TED HAGEN values we share.” money disappear rapidly in our area with Tribune News Service Paul and his brother differ on how to nothing to show. We now have a commu- re you fighting with friends who sup- obtain certain goals. But in the past few nity watchdog program in place for officials Aport a different political party from weeks, they’ve tried to define what they governing expenditures.” you? Are you angry with your sister do agree on. Barbara’s husband, Andy, said he believes because she just got some flamboyant tat- “We both worry about homeless people, great change comes from leaders listening toos? people with no access to good health care, intently to people who are not leaders. “Av- Differences can tear any two people and young people who are struggling to erage citizens are brilliant at describing apart. However, finding common ground stay in school,” says Paul. “We decided to what needs changing in our community,” can bond you in ways you never expected. DREAMSTIME/TNS start a nonprofit together, so we can men- says Andy. It takes good communication and careful tor local citizens who are 15 and over. We’re “When my wife’s uncle sat down with thought, but we all need to build common food, a social life, and enough money to hoping to get a grant from two local busi- factory workers at a company he owns, ground with opponents. Our viewpoints cover expenses. nesses to drive our efforts.” he learned so much,” Andy explains. “The need to change somewhat, in fact, or we “People in all foreign countries are basi- As Paul and his brother keep defining biggest complaint was these folks had no are failing to grow. cally just like us,” says a psychologist we’ll goals, they see that great leadership is college fund for their kids. Uncle Jack got “When I was younger, I was a feminist to call Deborah. “They are not our enemies in the best tool for every community. With- busy with the company accountant to build the core,” says a 69-year-old woman we’ll terms of key beliefs in life.” out leaders who care, neighborhoods and savings accounts for workers’ kids. When call Tina. “My friends and I would ague Every person alive wants to have good towns will crumble. workers are creating a nice savings account about topics like abortion. Now, strangely feelings and solid control over life. We all A town commissioner in a small Arkan- for their families, with the company adding enough, our views have flipped. We all want self-esteem, respect from others and sas community says electing moral leaders to it, they want to come to work. Working take the opposite side from the days of our rules that benefit as many people in our who love people is one of the most powerful on this common goal is building loyalty.” youth!” circle of life as possible. tools on the planet. We’ll call this official Any two people, regardless of current be- “My brother is a Republican, and I’m a Barbara. Judi Light Hopson is the Executive Director liefs or core values, can find more reasons Democrat,” says a history professor we’ll “Politics might mean our approaches are of the stress management website USA Well- to agree than disagree. All over the world, call Paul. “I worked hard to put myself different,” says Barbara. “But let’s agree ness Café at usawellnesscafe.com. Emma people basically want the same things: a through college and I still worry about that watching over resources, guarding all Hopson is an author and a nurse educator. loving family, safety and security, healthy money a lot. When I sat down to talk with budgets and holding ourselves account- Ted Hagen is a family psychologist. EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND SALES

Stair Lift Ramp

Scooter Lift Chair

214 W. 7th Sioux City, IA (712) 277-2273 (800) 217-2275 6 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM 5 stair exercises to do from your home

BY CYNTHIA WEISS „ Tighten your core and place your left Mayo Clinic News Network foot flat on the step while keeping your EAR MAYO CLINIC: Like many spine straight. Dpeople, I am now working at home. „ Shift your weight onto the left foot. Unfortunately, with my schedule, I „ Breathe out, press through the left have not been able to work out regularly, heel and move your body up onto the step. outside of running downstairs for a quick „ Place the right foot entirely on the snack between meetings. What can I do at step. Breathe in, and then slowly lower home for exercise? your left foot to the floor. ANSWER: You don’t need fancy gym „ Return the right foot to the floor to equipment to get a good workout. You cer- return to your standing position. tainly do not even need to leave your home. „ Continue leading with the left leg un- Squeeze some quick exercise into your day til you’ve completed your goal number of by simply stepping onto your stairs. repetitions, then repeat on the opposite Research shows that stair-climbing side. helps strengthen and tone your leg mus- „ Want a bigger challenge? Hold a cles. It keeps your leg arteries flexible, al- dumbbell or weighted object in the oppo- lowing blood to move more easily. Better site hand of the stepping leg. blood flow in your legs equals a healthier heart and body. 5. Side step Taking a three-minute stroll up and „ Stand with your feet parallel, or side- down the stairs after a meal also may help ways, to the stairs. The right side of your you control your blood sugar. Skimp on body should be closest to the stairs. sleep last night? If you’re a young woman, „ Using your stomach muscles, bend stair-climbing may wake you up better your knees and hips slightly. than a small cup of coffee. „ Step the right foot onto the first step, A simple stroll up and down the stairs followed by the left. gives you an aerobic workout. But you can „ Continue this stepping motion until get an even greater health boost by add- you’ve reached the top of the stairs. ing in a few resistance and balance-related „ Always lead with the high foot. Don’t moves. let your feet cross while climbing up the Step up your daily exercise routine with stairs. these five simple stair exercises: „ Walk back down the stairs and repeat the sequence with the left leg leading. 1. Stair pushup „ Alternatively, you can stay on one step „ Firmly place your hands on a step. going up with the right leg and then down Your hands should be directly under your to the starting position. shoulders. „ Push your toes into the floor and ex- Stair safety tend your legs into a plank position. You Good balance is a must for any stair should feel your core, or stomach, muscles PÉTER GUDELLA/DREAMSTIME/TNS activity. Before starting any type of stair working. Research shows that stair-climbing helps strengthen and tone your leg muscles. exercise, make sure you are steady on your „ Inhale and bend your elbows. Lower feet. If you cannot stand on one leg for 45 your body until your chest is just above seconds without holding onto something, the stairs. resting on the ground. on a step. you may not be able to safely perform some „ Exhale while straightening your arms „ Slowly raise up to your toes, lifting „ Inhale, bend your right knee, and of these exercises. If you aren’t sure if you and raising your body back to the starting both knees off the floor. lower your body. should give them a try, ask your health care position. „ Keep your back in a neutral position. „ Exhale and extend your legs, then re- provider if stair exercises are safe for you. „ Keep your neck and back in a neutral „ Begin crawling up the steps by moving turn to a standing position. And, last, put your phone down. Scroll- position during this exercise. Don’t let your opposite arm and leg forward at the „ Your front knee should be over the ing through social media, or answering a your hips drop. same time to the next step. center of your front foot. Don’t let the knee text or call during a stair exercise, could „ If you can’t lower your body to the „ Alternate this cross-body pattern for bend beyond your toes. lead to a dangerous misstep and fall. — Dr. stairs, use the next higher step. the desired number of stairs you wish to „ Repeat for the desired number of rep- Thomas Rizzo Jr., Physical Medicine and climb. etitions before switching to put the right Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, 2. Stair crawl foot on a step. Florida „ Begin at the bottom of the stairs, on 3. Stair lunge your arms and legs. „ Facing away from the stairs, stand tall 4. Step up ©2021 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit „ Your arms should be under your with your feet shoulder-distance apart. „ Stand tall with feet shoulder-distance newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by shoulders, knees below your hips, and feet „ Move your left leg backward to rest apart in front of a step. Tribune Content Agency, LLC. SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 7 SCHC offers one-stop shop for patient care

or 30 years, Siouxland Community Health Center (SCHC) has proudly Fserved the Siouxland area, provid- Siouxland Community Health Center, your ing healthcare services that keep patient-centered medical home, is located patient needs first. at 1021 Nebraska St. in Sioux City and Often called a “one-stop shop,” SCHC 3410 Futures Drive in South Sioux City, Neb. serves people of all ages regardless of in- come or insurance status. When visitors walk through the doors of SCHC for the first time, they are surprised to see that so many services are available in one place. When you become a patient at SCHC, you establish a relationship with your provider/s. Teams of healthcare profes- sionals work closely with their patients in setting and meeting their goals, whether it is managing their diabetes or keeping their blood pressure down. For minor illnesses or injury, the convenience of a walk-in clinic is also available. Siouxland Community Health Center has an on-site lab and x-ray department, pharmacy, dental clinic and behavioral health services. In addition, SCHC offers prenatal services, which makes it easy for expecting mothers to receive their care and choose a provider for their baby. It is also worth mentioning that SCHC virtually from their home, and prescrip- also has on-site language interpreters tion home delivery services were added. and financial counselors that work with In its 30-year history, what started as patients to help them determine their a small medical clinic of 12 staff has be- eligibility and enroll in a health insurance come a multiservice hub with a workforce coverage plan such as Medicaid or plans of more than 300 people at its Sioux City through the marketplace. and South Sioux City locations. Through the pandemic, SCHC was there Siouxland Community Health Center is to ensure these services remained acces- proud to serve the Siouxland region and is sible to patients. Telehealth visits became here to be your first choice when selecting available for patients to see their provider a provider for all your healthcare needs. 8 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Sunrise Retirement Cooling Stress Tips Community gives residents choices t Sunrise Retirement Community works best for him or her. Awe strive daily to meet our mission With a large variety of living options of Caring deeply. Connecting daily. which include independent living, as- Leading boldly. Serving faithfully. sisted living, memory care assisted living, Forward-thinking and person-cen- skilled nursing care, long-term nursing tered, Sunrise Retirement Community care and long-term nursing memory care, will be recognized as Siouxland’s highest residents have the opportunity to tran- quality, most active and comprehensive sition to higher levels of care on campus senior living community of choice. with priority admission. At Sunrise Retirement Community, we Sunrise is the only community-based are proud of our resident-centered care not-for-profit retirement community in philosophy. It is an approach that ze- Sioux City. Located on the growing east roes in on individual needs and ensures side of Sioux City, our dynamic 35-acre “freedom of choice” for our residents. We campus is an active community where strive to be more inviting and less insti- there is always something to do! tutional in today’s senior care. We urge To learn more about our community, residents to enjoy more independence, give us a call at (712) 276-3821 or visit privacy and flexibility in their daily lives our website at www.sunriseretirement. – and we provide each resident with what com. Use 30 seconds to tidy up your home JUDI LIGHT HOPSON Diane says in less than a minute, you Tribune News Service can do these kinds of chores: throw in a ave you been working too much over- load of clothes, clean the clutter around a Htime? Or have you been caring for bathroom sink, hang up a few clothes, tie Assisted Living at Sunrise aging parents? Dealing with a family up the kitchen garbage bag, or neaten a pile illness? of reading materials on your nightstand. To add to your pain, you might have A cleaning service owner we’ll call Tracey kids struggling with schoolwork or budget says her own house was a mess. While she ACT NOW! problems that are driving you mad. Before did a professional job with her crew for cli- Move in by you climb out of bed in the morning, your ents around town, Tracey says her house Sept. 15th & get mind is racing with all the troubles you have was looking like a dump. to deal with. “When I decided I’d face any mess in $1000 off each If you’re living with such stress, it’s likely front of me, clean it up, and pat myself on month your first your house will reflect it. We’ve all been the back, things started to change,” she 2 months! there. Everywhere you look, there is clut- laughs. ter. On top of this, you can’t remember the “Now, this 30-seconds-to-a-minute last time you cleaned thoroughly. plan isn’t perfect, but you’ll be amazed at Call today for Having too much to do guarantees we’ll how much neater your house will be.” all be stretched for time to keep our homes Tracey says cleaning is easy. But cleaning more information! clean and neat. Housework is one of those around clutter is almost impossible. So she obligations we can let slide. advises us to get those shoes out from un- So what is the answer? der the bed, unload the dishwasher without A mix of independence This approach can help: Realize the taking 10 minutes and haul those newspa- power of using just 30 seconds. Imple- pers off the coffee table to the car trunk for with ongoing access to mented often throughout the day, this tiny recycling. supportive services. time investment will add up. “I swear, this becomes a fun game after “It’s amazing what you can accomplish about three days of this,” laughs Tracey. in random 30-second time frames,” says a “When you see your piled-up rooms look- nurse who has two children and two elderly ing neater, you’ll start to hunt for spaces to 712-276-3821 relatives living with her. We’ll call her Di- tidy up. Don’t expect a miracle at first, but 5501 Gordon Drive • Sioux City, Iowa ane. after a week, you’ll see that letting things www.sunriseretirement.com “I have no spare hours,” she says, “So I’ve slide got you buried under clutter in the recently tried kicking in 30 seconds to get my house looking a little better.” Please see STRESS, Page 9 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 9 Stress From 8

first place.” Working on your home clutter means sticking with it. Don’t use this approach for other things, such as calling friends or finding websites to read. If you do, you’ll still be in a housekeeping mess. “Once you feel you’re on top of your house mess, you’ll know the real truth,” says a home cleaning service owner we’ll call Rachel. “You buried yourself with clut- ter by putting off making decisions. You chose not to hang your sweater. You chose not to put away your golf clubs. Clutter represents decisions you’ve put off mak- ing.” Rachel insists that any family’s mental health will improve in a neat environment. “A clean and neat home makes you feel in control,” she says. “You’ll also realize how valuable a tiny bit of time is. Most of us waste a lot of time every single day.”

Judi Light Hopson is author of the stress management book, “Cooling Stress Tips.” She is also executive director of USA Wellness Cafe at www.usawellnesscafe.org. Living Better Our goal is simple: to help you remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING.

4000/4002 Teton Trace, Sioux City, IA 51104 Office: 712-239-9400 | www.heritage-communities.com 10 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Restoring a sense of belonging

The unsung importance of casual relationships for older adults SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 11

BY JUDITH GRAHAM sity of Essex in England. ogy at the University of Texas-Austin. As before the pandemic. “It’d be 20 seconds KAISER HEALTH NEWS (TNS) Sandstrom’s research has found that pandemic restrictions lift, “the key is to of chitchat and just dance” before all those n May, Vincent Keenan traveled from people who talk to more acquaintances get out in daily life again” and reengage events were canceled, she said. Chicago to Charlottesville, Va., for a daily tend to be happier than people who with a variety of people and activities, she In the past several months, however, the wedding — his first trip out of town have fewer of these interactions. Even recommended. swing-dance community in and around Isince the start of the pandemic. talking to strangers makes people feel less Helen Bartos, 69, a retired clinical psy- Los Angeles has split, with some events “Hi there!” he called out to cus- lonely and more trusting, she has discov- chologist, lives in a condominium com- requiring proof of vaccination and others tomers at a gas station where he’d stopped ered. munity in Rochester, N.Y. “With COVID, open to everyone. on his way to the airport. “How’s your day Claire Lomax, 76, of Oakland, Calif., a whole group of us started getting to- “Before, everyone danced with every- going?” he said he asked the Transporta- who’s unmarried, has made a practice of gether outside,” she told me. “We’d bring one, without really thinking about it. Now, tion Security Administration agent who chatting with strangers all her life. Among out chairs and drinks, wear masks, and sit I don’t know if it’s going to be like that. checked his ID. “Isn’t this wonderful?” he her greatest pleasures in recent years was around and talk. It was very bonding. All I’m not sure how much mixing is going to exclaimed to guests at the wedding, most volunteering at the Oakland Police De- of these people are neighbors; now I would happen,” Beemer said. “And that sense of of whom were strangers. partment, where she would ask patrol call some of them friends.” shared humanity, which is so meaningful “I was striking up conversations with officers about their families or what was Ellie Mixter-Keller, 66, of Milwaukee, to all of us, may be harder to find.” people I didn’t know everywhere I went,” happening at the station. turned to social gatherings sponsored by We’re eager to hear from readers about said Keenan, 65, who retired in Decem- “I never wanted a man of my own, but the activity group Meetup six years ago af- questions you’d like answered, problems ber as chief executive officer of the Illi- I like to be around them,” she explained. ter a divorce disrupted her life. “It was my you’ve been having with your care and ad- nois Academy of Family Physicians. “Even “So, I got to have my guy buzz without salvation. It exposed me to a bunch of new vice you need in dealing with the health if they just grunted at me, it was a great any complications, and I felt recognized people who I didn’t have to date or have care system. Visit khn.org/columnists to day.” and appreciated,” Lomax told me. Since to dinner,” she said. Now that she’s fully submit your requests or tips. It wasn’t only close friends Keenan becoming fully vaccinated, she’s volun- vaccinated, she’s busy almost every night missed seeing during 15 months of stay- teering in person at the police stations of the week attending Meetup events and KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national ing home and trying to avoid COVID-19. again — a deep source of satisfaction. informal get-togethers arranged by people newsroom that produces in-depth journal- It was also dozens of casual acquaintances Even people who describe themselves as she’s met. ism about health issues. Together with Pol- and people he ran into at social events, introverts enjoy the positivity that casual In some cases, varying views of CO- icy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the restaurants, church and other venues. interactions can engender. VID vaccines have made casual interac- three major operating programs at KFF (Kai- These relationships with people we “In fact, people are more likely to have tions more difficult. Patty Beemer, 61, of ser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed hardly know or know only superficially are purely positive experiences with weak Hermosa Beach, California, used to go nonprofit organization providing informa- called “weak ties” — a broad and amor- ties” because emotional complications are swing-dancing two or three times a week tion on health issues to the nation. phous group that can include anyone absent, said Katherine Fiori, a prominent from your neighbors or your pharmacist researcher and chair of the psychology de- to members of your book group or fellow partment at Adelphi University in Garden volunteers at a school. City, New York. Like Keenan, who admitted he’s an un- Lynn Eggers, 75, a retired psychologist in abashed extrovert, many older adults are Minneapolis, loved going to coffee shops renewing these connections with pleasure and the gym before COVID hit. “In both after losing touch during the pandemic. places, you can be in a group and alone,” Casual relationships have several ben- she told me. “You can choose to talk to efits, according to researchers who’ve someone or not. But you feel you’re part studied them. These ties can cultivate a of the community.” sense of belonging, provide bursts of posi- At a light-rail station, Eggers would tive energy, motivate us to engage in ac- strike up conversations with strangers: tivities, and expose us to new information two police officers who told her about and opportunities — all without the emo- growing up in Somalia, a working-class tional challenges that often attend close Texan whose daughter won a scholarship relationships with family and friends. to Harvard, a young Vietnamese woman Multiple studies have found that older whose parents worried she was abandon- adults with a broad array of “weak” as well ing her culture. as “close” ties enjoy better physical and When Eggers stopped taking public psychological well-being and live longer transportation for fear of COVID, she than people with narrower, less diverse missed “getting these glimpses into other social networks. Also, older adults with ways of seeing the world.” Instead, she broad, diverse social networks have more started chatting with neighbors in daily opportunities to develop new relation- walks around her neighborhood — another ships when cherished friends or family way to feel connected. members move away or die. Many people may have found that “Feeling connected to other people, not neighbors, mail carriers and delivery just the people who are closest to you, people became more important during turns out to be incredibly important,” said the pandemic — simply because they were Gillian Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in the around when others were not, said Karen department of psychology at the Univer- Fingerman, a professor of human ecol- 12 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD and other lung conditions

BY CYNTHIA WEISS Mayo Clinic News Network EAR MAYO CLINIC: My father Dhas had COPD for years, but he was hospitalized for worsening symp- toms related to his condition. His health care provider advised that he should begin a pulmonary rehabilitation program. He is hesitant and unsure of what to expect. What are the benefits of pulmonary reha- bilitation in people with COPD? Do you recommend it for people with other lung conditions? ANSWER: Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that includes structured exercise training, health education, behavior modification, nutritional counseling and the learning of breathing techniques for people who have certain chronic respiratory diseases or lung problems due to other conditions. Pulmonary rehabilitation seeks to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease, and educate these people on how to es- tablish and maintain behaviors that will Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program benefit their health for years to come. that includes structured exercise training, health education, Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial behavior modification, nutritional counseling and the learning for people with chronic obstructive pul- of breathing techniques for people who have certain chronic monary disease, or COPD. It has been respiratory diseases or lung problems due to other conditions. shown to reduce symptoms of breath- DREAMSTIME/TNS lessness, improve physical function and enhance overall quality of life. Research has shown that people who start pulmo- nary rehabilitation within three months of exercise physiologists. The pulmonary „ Establish specific goals to be achieved working to establish home-based pro- hospitalization for COPD-related issues rehabilitation team also may include ex- in each person undergoing the program. grams. are at significantly lower risk of death af- perts from nursing, physical medicine and Using this information, a specialized Exercise training is central to pulmo- ter one year, compared to those who start rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology and care plan is designed to best suit the needs nary rehabilitation. An individualized ex- pulmonary rehabilitation later or those psychiatry, and sleep medicine, depending of every person. ercise training plan, or exercise prescrip- who do not take part in pulmonary re- on a person’s needs. Although pulmonary rehabilitation is tion, often is based on the information habilitation. More evidence is emerging Typically, pulmonary rehabilitation is traditionally performed in a clinic or hos- gathered from exercise tests performed that pulmonary rehabilitation improves provided in an outpatient clinic or in a pital setting under direct medical super- before starting the program, and such a symptoms, exercise capacity and quality hospital rehabilitation center, and it nor- vision, increasing evidence suggests that plan is developed for each participant. Ex- of life in people with conditions such as mally involves one to three supervised home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, ercise training, which combines aerobic interstitial lung disease, asthma, pulmo- sessions per week for six to 10 weeks. particularly home-based exercise train- exercise, such as treadmill walking or rid- nary hypertension and cystic fibrosis, as Before starting pulmonary rehabilita- ing, is safe and possibly just as effective. ing a bike; strength training; and exercises well as in people before and after surgery tion with patients, the health care team Such home-based rehabilitation may be that improve balance and flexibility, is de- for lung cancer, lung volume reduction or will: more convenient for participants. In ad- signed to improve strength and stamina, a lung transplant. „ Measure exercise capacity and lung dition, home-based rehabilitation may and reduce breathlessness, fatigue and Care related to pulmonary rehabilita- function. be a good alternative for people who are tiredness in people who take part in pul- tion is provided by a team of health care „ Review medical history and current unable to regularly attend a rehabilitation monary rehabilitation. The rehabilitation professionals from a range of specialty treatments. center due to factors such as work com- team may recommend using medication areas and backgrounds, including pul- „ Ask about current levels of physical mitments and travel restrictions. Many monologists, respiratory therapists and activity, mental health and diet. pulmonary rehabilitation centers are Please see LUNG, Page 13 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 13 Facts about hospice care everyone should know

ospice isn’t a place. It’s a type of focus on the family caregivers, not just ease the burden of this diffi cult time by cal, emotional and spiritual needs of Hcare that focuses on living…living the individual. The quality of life is em- working closely with family members those facing life limiting illness for as fully as possible, up until the phasized, not its duration. and caregivers to respect the wishes and themselves and their families. end of life. Hospice brings comfort, love Care Initiatives Hospice is committed needs of our patients and their loved „ We off er bereavement services for and respect to the patients and families to providing dignifi ed and compassion- ones. With the support network of Care the family and friends of those who pass they care for. ate care for Iowans in their fi nal days. Initiatives, the state’s largest not-for- away under our care. Considered to be the model for high- „ Friendly, effi cient intake process profi t transitional care provider, we are „ We serve 67 counties in Iowa via quality, compassionate care at the end with one-hour response time. uniquely qualifi ed to attend to the hos- our six central locations — Des Moines, of life, hospice care involves a team-ori- „ Dignifi ed, Respectful and Compas- pice needs of patients in the fi nal stages Cedar Rapids, Greenfi eld, Albia, Water- ented approach to care that includes ex- sionate Care. of life. loo and Sioux City. pert medical care, pain-and-symptom „ Patients receive a customized care „ A caregiver will respond to your Our Sioux City location covers the management, and emotional and spiri- plan according to needs. call within one hour, either by phone counties of Woodbury, Plymouth, tual support. All care is expressly tai- „ We off er therapies such as mas- or in person, and we will come to ad- Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, O’Brien, Chero- lored to the patient’s needs and wishes. sage, music and healing touch. minister care where you need it. kee, Buena Vista, Ida, Sac, Monona, Hospice off ers the services and sup- „ We attend every death and help the „ We work with the family and cur- Crawford and Harrison in Iowa, and port that Americans want when coping family through bereavement. rent caregivers to provide care in a Union County in South Dakota. with a serious or life-limiting illness. „ We strive to increase quality of life home, hospital, nursing facility, as- For more information, contact our The goal of this type of care is to treat for each patient. sisted living center or other location. Sioux City offi ce at 712-239-1226, or the person instead of the disease, and Care Initiatives Hospice strives to „ Our approach addresses the physi- visit www.careinitiveshospice.org.

pacity, compared to exercise training alone Lung in some people with respiratory disease. From 12 Education and counseling are also key parts of pulmonary rehabilitation. Par- to open up the airways before exercise or ticipants may receive education on how teach people how to adjust their regular to more eff ectively take their medicines oxygen therapy during exercise to maxi- and manage their disease; develop a plan mize the benefi ts gained. As pulmonary to quit smoking, if applicable; and discuss rehabilitation participants become more how routine daily tasks can be modifi ed to familiar with their exercise program and minimize breathlessness or avoid becom- confi dent in performing regular exercise, ing breathless. In addition, many pulmo- they are encouraged to exercise indepen- nary rehabilitation programs off er indi- dently at home or in another setting, such vidual or group-based support on how to as a fi tness center, in addition to the su- best manage and alleviate depression and Providing Comfort and Support to pervised sessions. anxiety, and how to alter diet and prepare Participants also may learn specifi c meals for long-term health benefi ts. patients and families in Sioux City and the breathing techniques such as diaphrag- Overall, participation in pulmonary matic breathing, pursed lip breathing or rehabilitation is a critical component in surrounding area since 2009. yoga breathing. These techniques can help managing COPD. I encourage you to talk people with lung conditions better control with your father and his health care pro- Expert, Compassionate Up to 13 months of their breathing, and help them better cope vider about the value of pulmonary reha- Care at end of life bereavement services with stressful situations and avoid feeling bilitation. I believe it is eff ective in helping out of breath, especially during exercise. people with lung conditions better man- We provide care where 24hr/7day Availability In some situations, the rehabilitation team age their symptoms, improve their fi tness you reside & Admissions also may have a participant take part in and ability to perform routine daily tasks, specifi c training of their breathing mus- and enhance their overall health and well- 1-Hour (or less) response cles. This training is designed to increase being as much as possible. the strength of the breathing muscles. And (712) 239-1226 when done in combination with exercise ©2021 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit training, it has been shown to reduce newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by www.careinitiativeshospice.org breathlessness and improve exercise ca- Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 14 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Discovering pain relief for arthritis sufferers rthritis pain, swelling and stiffness two years. It’s a healing technique that The concentration of platelets in PRP al- and injected in the joint where there is pain. Acan greatly affect your quality of life. uses a concentration of platelets created lows your body to recognize the injury as a Stem Cell Therapy uses your body’s own Traditional methods of arthritis from your own blood, stem cells or bone priority augments what your body can do stem cells to treat orthopaedic injuries and pain management include anti-inflamma- marrow. itself. joint disease. Bone Marrow Concentrate tories, physical therapy, cortisone injec- “PRP will stimulate the cells to prevent Here’s how it works: is extracted from the patient’s body and tions and surgery, but some patients don’t them from throwing destructive enzymes „ A blood sample is drawn from the pa- placed at the treatment site with ultra- want to endure surgery or deal with the into your joint. They’ll provide lubrication tient and spun in a machine called a cen- sound guidance. It jump-starts the healing side effects of medication. Recent stud- and they’ll also nourish the remaining car- trifuge that separates red blood cells from process at the cellular level by stimulating ies have shown that a less invasive alter- tilage,” said Dr. Raymond Sherman, CNOS plasma. the body to repair and replace damaged tis- native treatment method of injections of Orthopaedic Surgeon. „ The cells pulled from the plasma layer sue in the joints. Stem Cell Therapy may Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or Stem Cell As people age the cartilage that regu- contain platelets which have more proteins slow and we hope in some cases reverse Therapy can be used to manage arthritis larly regrows naturally between joints and growth factors that help stimulate a re- cartilage and joint damage. of the joints. stops growing for some people. This lack generative process. “If other pain relief strategies aren’t Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell of growth affects smooth joint movement „ Using ultrasound guidance, the PRP providing relief, PRP is an option with low Therapy are fairly new regenerative med- and results in pain. PRP is placed where is injected directly into the damaged tis- risk,” Dr. Sherman said. “It’s a less inva- icine techniques being used to treat pain the cartilage has been depleted and often sue/joint. sive option than surgery. PRP and Stem Cell caused by arthritis and to slow its progres- relieves pain for patients. „ For Stem Cell Therapy, blood is col- Therapy are decreasing pain and improving sion. Doctors at CNOS have been using Platelets release proteins that attract lected from a patient’s blood marrow. From function in arthritis patients compared to these methods of treatment for the past your body’s healing cells to the injured area. the blood a type of stem cell is separated the ones that didn’t have it.” Barriers to care: Black Americans at higher risk for Alzheimer’s JESSE BUNCH 65 and older, Black participants were found Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to have a 1.9 times higher risk of developing PITTSBURGH — Diane Powell under- Alzheimer’s. stands what it’s like to watch a friend slip The study, in which 64% of the partici- away. pants were Black and 36% white, looked Tina, a close friend whose last name she at cognitive function decline and both did not reveal, died from Alzheimer’s disease prevalent and developing dementias. After in her early 70s, just two years after its onset. an initial clinical evaluation, it was deter- Powell says her decline was rapid, radical and mined that 19.9% of Black participants had disturbing. By the time the progressive brain a weighted prevalence of Alzheimer’s com- disease fully took hold, a woman renowned pared to 8.2% of white participants. for her cooking skills could barely remember According to the study, educational at- how to make a pot of coffee. tainment plays a role. The study mentions “We could see the fear in her own eyes racial disparities in educational achievement that she realized at certain points that her in the United States as a contributing factor, conversation was disjointed and no longer with socioeconomic circumstances such as made sense,” Powell said. “She went from poverty and poor-quality schools widening being a very vivacious, educated, profes- the gap between Black and white Americans. sional woman who was very talkative and “There is a reasonable body of evidence to connected with the community to becom- suggest there may be cognitive health dis- ing very, very quiet and going into a shell.” parities disproportionally impacting Afri- Powell, of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, can Americans,” said Dr. Jennifer H. Lingler, is chair of the Pittsburgh chapter of Black NATE GUIDRY/PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE-TNS a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Women for Positive Change, which advo- Jacqueline Winsett, left, of North Point Breeze, poses for a portrait at her home with her who serves on the executive committee of cates for education, affordable health care daughter Jacqueline Winsett Ruple Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Winsett’s the Alzheimer Disease Research Center. and anti-violence in the Black community. husband, Joseph, has suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and she and her daughter have Research suggests that making five life- This was her first experience with Alzheim- taken care of him. style adjustments — including playing men- er’s disease. tally stimulating games like chess — will Multiple studies have revealed widening mid-century, that demographic is expected Racial disparities decrease your chance of Alzheimer’s by 60 disparities between Black Americans and to reach 22%. A 2018 study conducted by the Chicago percent. white Americans in the prevalence and treat- That’s why Powell and the Alzheimer’s Health and Aging Project suggested that She said it is difficult to draw conclusions ment of Alzheimer’s at a time when more Association have decided to team up for a Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to from the data because racial disparities are people are at risk. According to the Census campaign to connect local Black residents develop Alzheimer’s compared with white not just prevalent in Alzheimer’s diagnoses, Bureau, 16.5% of the U.S. population is 65 with the tools to seek treatment and support Americans, and that the disease is under- but in research studies, too. A 2020 study years or older, the age when symptoms of for the disease — before it’s too late. reported within the Black community. In Alzheimer’s typically begin to appear. By an 18-year study of 10,802 individuals age Please see ALZHEIMER’S, Page 22 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 2021 | 15

Pain Relief for Arthritis Sufferers

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment and Stem Cell Therapy may help reduce joint pain and inflammation.

NATURAL PROCESS | FEWER RISKS | FASTER HEALING

Schedule an appointment today. CNOS.NET | 605-217-2667 16 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Philly’s freestyle ballroom scene is still swinging CASSIE OWENS “A lot of older guys like to get out there The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) and dance. A lot of younger guys like to PHILADELPHIA — In the first moments stand on the wall, drink in their hand,” Mar- of a song at the Stardust Ballroom, you can tin said. “We don’t got time for all that. We see guests scurrying to get to the dance come to have a good time. We don’t come floor. The popular numbers make people to grandstand.” cut conversation at their tables. If it’s a “They put on their glad rags, and they song for couples, as many of the songs at come to get down,” added Martin, who’s the Stardust are, you can see dancers rush worked in events and entertainment for 26 to find a partner or maybe even just reach years. out their hand to the person right in front Before the pandemic, the event would of them. pull around 400 to 500 guests, Martin ex- Rita D. Redfern-Powell is one of the par- plained, but coronavirus restrictions cap tygoers who’s listening for what the DJ will attendance at 200. For July, they sold out. play. In her words, “it’s a feeling, you have The Stardust Ballroom opened first to other to feel it.” audiences in April, when restrictions lim- It’s after midnight — oldies and R&B ited their events to 75. Martin reopened the night at the Stardust goes til 1 a.m. She just oldies and R&B nights in June, explaining turned 62 that week, and she chose a black, that their affairs needed bigger crowds to crepe silk gown with gold trim to wear for operate. her birthday weekend. Outside, a storm had Before the Stardust reopened, the couple been raging, but you’d never tell that from danced outdoors last year in the parking lot seeing the dancers inside. Marc Anthony’s of Treasures Banquet Hall in Germantown, “Need to Know” came through the speak- ELIZABETH ROBERTSON/THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/TNS but those events met their sunset by Oc- ers. She and her husband, Tony Demarko Tony Powell and his wife Rita Redfern-Powell dance the night away at the Stardust Ballroom tober due to the cold. As restrictions kept Powell, 72, were going to have to cha-cha in Bellmawr, New Jersey on July 17, 2021. The Powells are from Philadelphia. them inside, they danced more at home in to that. Eastwick than they ever had. Being back out there was “heavenly,” ever you like, whether that’s busting your These days the dances they used to do at “You fill the gap by looking forward to it,” Powell said later. In their community of old- own move or incorporating more than one the speakeasies and the blue-light base- Powell said. “Knowing it will come again.” ies aficionados, many of them Black dancers style of dance. ment parties have evolved. They cha-cha, “Later in the evening, put on some mu- above the age of 45, they’ve lost friends who Third Saturdays at South Jersey’s Star- bop, strand, and two-step at select venues sic on YouTube,” explained Redfern-Powell, were like family to COVID-19. dust are the freestyle ballroom night. So on select nights that include line dancing, who works as an administrative assistant “Even though they’re not there in per- when Powell does the Philly bop, he might too. Powell has been going to the Stardust at Motivation High School. “Listen to dif- son,” Powell explained, “they’re there in pause, back up, then slide his slippers across since he was 20, first going to its former lo- ferent things like the Whispers, whatever. spirit. We still think of them, know where the floor to perform the slop, a dance he cation in Pennsauken and now to Bellmawr, Maybe dancing around a couple of times, they sat and how they moved.” learned from his parents. Or as Redfern- New Jersey. or whatever. But it’s nothing like being out.” While impacted by COVID-19, Philly’s Powell bops, she might pull in turns and “Our circle has been around since 1965,” The couple first met during springtime freestyle ballroom scene has kept swing- kicks from swing. Powell, a retired fashion designer, said. in 1992. Powell noticed her passing by in ing. Powell, Redfern-Powell, and their dear “I’ve danced for a long time, probably “The same people that I danced with when front of his house at Seventh and South friend Kimberly Alston are stalwarts in a since I was about 10 or 11. I guess it’s just in I was 20, I dance with them now, all that streets. Powell liked her from the way she scene of smooth-stepping dancers in the my soul,” she said. are still living.” moved. He followed her into a card store, city who have kept a uniquely Philadelphian Powell and Redfern-Powell have been approached her, but she curved him and ballroom approach alive. In their oldies and together for 29 years, husband and wife for ‘They come to get down’ wouldn’t tell him her name. Months later, R&B culture, dancers maintain tight com- 26, and dancing partners for 22. In Bellmawr, the Stardust Ballroom sits they met again, at Starr Garden Playground, munity and lifelong friendships. When they’re out dancing with Alston, inside a strip mall. The entrance leads to a where Redfern-Powell was out with her For the couple, who often dance twice a Powell might be spinning them both at the hallway where workers ask ticket holders daughter, Avrielle Jones, and she said hello. week, and sometimes, three or four times a same time. As a team, the trio have been for their IDs and their vaccination cards. At They’ve been together since that day. The week, it’s a passion that allows them to time booked to dance and teach at events, like the end of the hallway is the entrance to the couple have children from previous mar- travel in a way, pulling in moves and trends fashion shows, private parties, and wed- actual ballroom, which can fit 600. riages and relationships: Jones and Powell’s not simply from their eras, but also from dings across the region. At this oldies and R&B night, it’s BYOB three children, Jamie Mitchell, Tony Woods, across the eras their world has survived. “Back in my period, it was mandatory to and bring your own food. No jeans, no and Tony Sutton. Both Tonys gave Powell Freestyle ballroom — their favorite itera- dance. If you didn’t dance, you got no girl- tees, no sneakers are permitted, so guests grandsons named Tony, so they’ve got five tion of ballroom dance — allows for that. friend,” Powell explained. sat around their spreads of snacks, sodas, Tonys. Powell and Redfern-Powell also attend In the late 1950s and ’60s, when Powell drinks, and catering trays wearing cocktail “It’s like a George Foreman family,” nights for more mainstream, competitive was a kid, social clubs were very popular dresses, ball gowns, suits, and linen sets quipped Redfern-Powell. approaches to, say, tango or rumba, but in Philly, especially in North Philadelphia, with boaters. Even in July, some guests Redfern-Powell, being younger than her those styles, as Powell explained, are far where he grew up. Powell joined the Yock’s, opted for full suits, many in all white. husband, came up in a different nightlife more regimented. Freestyle ballroom wel- a club that required dressing to the nines, at Will Martin, manager of oldies and R&B generation. In the ’70s and ’80s, she used comes social dances shared among Black all times. The social clubs would often do at the Stardust Ballroom, said their regulars to do the hustle at the iconic Paradise Philadelphians since at least the 1950s, if frequent dances together, at block parties, have different attitudes from the younger not earlier. It also welcomes dancing how- Barber’s Hall, Town Hall, and so on. set. Please see BALLROOM, Page 17 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 17

of her generation. “Most of us began to Ballroom have children, I would say, in the ’80s and From the Bickford Family to Yours From 16 ’90s. Those children are millennials now, and the world is different. They have more he Bickford family began their quest the transition is as easy and comfortable Garage in New York. She had learned older hip-hop, and they have more freestyle, Tinto senior living for their beloved as possible. They realize that assistance dances from her big sister and mother at and they have more other types of styles mother, Mary Bickford, whose needs is very personal and when accompanied home, however. When she heard about the of dance that are specific to them that they became too great for them to manage. As by a desire to enhance someone’s life, it oldies and R&B scene at her 40th birthday want to do, so the interest is not there.” they researched senior living options, they moves beyond meeting a need —it creates party, she went back to her mother for a The Donaldsons have been working to were shocked at what they found. The op- a memory. While many provide similar refresher, and the couple started bopping teach younger generations but know what tions offered too much or too little – none services and amenities, they are fulfilled together all the time. Alston’s talking about. met her needs and nothing felt like home. to accommodate each individual’s personal “Audrey and I thought about going to Since they couldn’t find what they wanted, preferences. They labor diligently to create A long-held Philly tradition their parties, because we can dance to they decided to create what she needed. a relationship with each person that allows On Third Saturday at the Stardust, their music and they need to get a little bit Her life and her disease exposed them to all them to enrich their experiences and offer under purple, green and blue bejeweled of exposure,” June Donaldson said. “As I’m the other “Mary’s” out there, people with them an opportunity of genuine happiness. lights, Alston, Redfern-Powell, and Pow- talking to young people, I say, ‘You know, amazing stories, with their own personal Bickford of Sioux City offers Assisted ell did the Philly bop to Luther Vandross’ one day, you’re gonna want this dance, so history, homes and family who need ex- Living and Memory Care services through “You Really Started Something.” Alston you might as well learn it now.’ We pro- actly the same thing Mary needed. Personalized Care, Medication and Mobil- explained why they impress as a trio: mote it as much as we can. But again, From the very beginning, trusted care- ity Assistance, Memory Care, Healthcare Sometimes Powell may lead them into the young folks are a lot different. But we’re givers were chosen to care for Mary the way Coordination, Dining Experience, So- same move or different moves, while they trying. And we’re not going to stop.” her own family would. Still today, Bickford cialization, Apartment Living and Main- all maintain the same beat. When Redfern-Powell and her husband caregivers remain devoted to that desire, tenance Free. Additional services include “You have to have some musicality,” consider the culture’s survival, they see it striving to care for residents just as they Companion Care and Short-Term Stay. Alston said. differently. Powell believes firmly that the would for their own loved ones because Bickford Senior Living was founded in Their bop is a Philly special, a regional old trends come back. each and every resident is someone’s cher- 1991 and currently operates 64 Bickford tradition, that can vary depending on In the 1995 book “From Hucklebuck ished family member. communities in 10 states. where you grew up, said Alston, who’s to Hip Hop: Social Dance in the African- The Bickford family understands that To learn more about the Bickford family from Mount Airy. American Community in Philadelphia,” selecting a senior living community for and their passion to enrich the happiness A lot of the songs played by DJ Butch dancers gave responses in line with Pow- you or your loved one is one of the tough- in their residents’ lives, please visit their Thomas hail from the ’60s (by artists like ell’s thinking today. John W. Roberts, the est decisions that you will ever face. website at: www.bickfordseniorliving. the Elgins) or the ’70s (like Teddy Pen- book’s author, wrote that many Black They will work with you to ensure that com. dergrass in his heyday), but sprinkled in Philadelphians weren’t versed in other are more recent staples from artists like generations’ dances; at the same time, Tamia. many Black Philadelphians were still Dance educators (and wife-and-hus- learning many dances at home, from el- band team) Audrey and June Donaldson ders. Experience are Philly bop experts, or to use their term, “Everything revolves,” Powell said. “Ev- bopologists. According to the Donaldsons, erything revolves back to what once was. the the dance traces back the rise of the Lindy Everything.” Hop, which, Audrey Donaldson explained, He figures a lot will live on through the emerged in the 1920s after another pan- music: “ ‘Leave the Door Open’ is a strand Bickford demic had subsided. record.” “The Lindy Hop traveled across the Redfern-Powell, however, like Alston, Difference! country. [It] became the Jitterbug, and remains concerned. She sees how few in Philly, it became the bop,” said Audrey millennials and Gen Zers there are at the Donaldson, who coauthored the book functions. They’ve noticed that the young Accepting new Residents for “Philly Bop: A Six Count Dance” with her people are often there with older relatives, Assisted Living & Memory Care. Walk-In husband. not coming to dances with friends their Tours The Philly bop can be compared to simi- age. Available! lar dances seen in places like Detroit and “If the older generation doesn’t respect, Personalized Care Dining Experience the Carolinas, she continued. However, or teach, or share or pass on these dances Medication Management Socialization the comparable nightlife scenes else- to the younger generation or the millen- where often keep to one primary dance nials, I think it won’t [carry on,]” she ex- Mobility Assistance Maintenance Free — like Chicago stepping, or hand danc- plained. Memory Care Long Term Care ing in Baltimore or Washington. Philly’s “Certain dances might not last.” Red- Health Care Coordination Insurance Accepted community mixes it up among a number fern-Powell cautioned. “They need to be of styles. taught.” “There are some towns that are one- “All the dances that I’ve done through Call Abbie today for a tour dance towns,” she said. “We do everything the years,” she said. “I feel like that’s in Philly.” something that I want to pass on to my 712-301-8165 Alston is concerned that the dance cul- loved ones.” Assisted Living and Memory Care ture they’ve preserved over time could 4020 Indian Hills Dr. Sioux City ASSISTED LIVING fade away. ©2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit in- 712-239-2065 & MEMORY CARE “We still had similarities to our parents quirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content bickfordseniorliving.com/siouxcity and to our grandparents,” Alston, 60, said Agency, LLC. 18 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM Understanding fall risk ccording to the National Council on How Will Physical Therapy Help Me? AAging, falls are the leading cause of Your physical therapist will assess your both fatal and non-fatal injuries for medical history to determine how many older Americans. In fact, more than one risk factors toward falling you may have. out of four older people falls each year, but They will educate you on what these fac- less than half tell their doctor. In addition, tors mean, as well as steps you can take falling once doubles your chances of fall- to decrease your risk. After this, they will ing again. perform a thorough physical evaluation to The U.S. Centers for Disease Control figure out what the best treatment plan for and Prevention reports that every 11 sec- you will be. onds, an older adult is treated in the emer- Your initial physical therapy evaluation gency room for a fall and every 19 minutes, may consist of several parts to better de- an old adult dies from a fall. Thus, falls termine what your most problematic fac- significantly threaten safety and indepen- tors are. These may include vision tests, dence and generate enormous economic thinking tests, resting heart rate checks, and personal costs. active heart rate checks, and evaluations There are many risk factors that con- of your gait, balance, range of motion and tribute to falling including weakness, vi- strength. tamin deficiency, generalized imbalance, Based on the results of this evaluation, vestibular deficits, vertigo, some medica- your physical therapist will design a treat- tions, vision problems and joint pain. ment plan around your specific needs. The risk of falling is serious, especially These plans are aimed first and foremost as people age and begin to lose their bal- at reducing your risk of falling, but they ance. However, it is something that isn’t will also aid you in improving balance, talked about enough and is not an inevita- strength, flexibility, endurance and over- ble result of aging. At FYZICAL Therapy & all movement. Balance Centers of Dakota Dunes, we want Some common forms of treatment in- you to understand the importance of fall clude: risks, and how we can help you prevent „ Walking and moving programs. them. We are dedicated to reducing dizzi- This part of your treatment plan is aimed ness and falls through specialized therapy at getting you back to your normal physi- programs and education on practical life- cal function when walking and/or mov- style adjustments. ing. Your physical therapist may ask you to Things to ask yourself to assess your fall perform certain activities, such as walking risk: in a circle, completing an obstacle course, „ Have I fallen in the past year? or dancing. „ Do I use or have I been advised to use „ Balance training. Balance is a large a cane or walker? part of fall prevention, as lack of stability „ Do I sometimes lose my balance when is one of the main reasons falls occur. Your walking? physical therapist will design a balance „ Do I worry about falling? training plan for you as part of your treat- „ Do I use my arms to push myself up ment, and may ask you to perform certain from a chair? balance-based activities, such as standing „ Do I sometimes have trouble stepping on one leg or holding your balance while up onto a curb? performing a mentally-stimulating task „ Does my body sway when standing (such as reciting the alphabet or reading stationary? a page from a book). you with an aerobic exercise program, treatment program may benefit you, don’t „ Do I take short, narrow steps? „ Strength training. Strength train- such as walking, and will slowly add on hesitate to give our office a call today (605- „ Do I stumble often or look at the ing is typically paired with your balance time to those exercises, as your endur- 217-4330). Don’t live in fear that you may ground when I walk? training. Your physical therapist will ance improves. For example, your endur- take a harsh fall - instead, let FYZICAL „ Do I frequently have to rush to the design a strength training plan for you, ance training may begin at 10-minute ses- help you get back on your feet! toilet? which will focus on specific muscle groups sions and then may progress to 30-minute „ Have I lost some feeling in one or both in need of improvement. The goal of this sessions. Sources: of my feet? will be to improve your standing and walk- „ Pain management. Your physical • https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Symp- „ Does my medication makes me feel ing balance, as well as your ability to re- therapist will want to make sure that your tomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=85726fb6- light-headed or sleepy? cover from a loss of balance. treatment is as comfortable as possible, so 14c4-4c16-9a4c-3736dceac9f0 If you answered yes to four or more, you „ Endurance training. Endurance you will work together on relieving pain. • http://www.apta.org/Media/Releases/Con- are at risk for falls and should see a health- training is all about working up to more Fall prevention is extremely important sumer/2011/9/23/ care professional as soon as possible to see advanced levels of the same form of treat- for those who are at risk of experiencing • http://www.apta.org/BalanceFalls/ what you can do to minimize your risk. ment. Your physical therapist may provide falls. If you believe our fall prevention SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 2021 | 19 20 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM A day at a St. Louis County walk-in clinic shows why some vaccine holdouts are changing their minds MICHELE MUNZ and people of color. Some say the shots are St. Louis Post-Dispatch too new or they are worried about the side ef- BERKELEY, Mo. — Charlotta Brooks had fects. Others don’t trust government or don’t gone to four funerals in the past three weeks think they need it. Smaller numbers are wor- for loved ones who died from COVID-19. She ried about missing work or having to pay for lost her 81-year-old grandma as well as two the vaccine, even though it’s free to everyone. cousins and her son’s godmother, all in their Those filing through the doors last 40s. Wednesday at John C. Murphy, the county’s “Right around my age,” said Brooks, 43. busiest walk-in site, provided a glimpse into Last Wednesday, Brooks walked four what finally convinces the holdouts to decide blocks from her home in Berkeley to the walk- to get vaccinated. in vaccination clinic at the John C. Murphy Some said they were nudged by friends Health Center, headquarters for the St. Louis who work in medical fields or their church County Department of Health, and got her clergy. They saw others around them do fine first dose. after their doses. They were finally able to do She had been afraid to get the vaccine, their own research into the vaccine myths having heard claims it was risky and that circulating on social media and in backyard she could end up in an emergency room. But get-togethers. after seeing family members sickened from Some got sick from COVID-19 and don’t COVID-19, she sought information from want to get that sick again. Others had to her church leaders and friends who work in meet travel or work requirements that they CHRISTIAN GOODEN/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH/TNS nursing homes and dentist offices. They en- get vaccinated. Many were frightened by the Dante Wiggins pushes his 7-year-old daughter, Alexandria on the swings on Thursday, couraged her. increasing hospitalizations — even among July 22, 2021, at Spanish Lake Park in St. Louis County. Wiggins, 45, just got vaccinated on “If they got it, I should go ahead and get it, younger adults. Wednesday. He said Alexandria is the main reason he decided to get vaccinated in order to too, to prevent getting COVID-19 or giving it After getting her dose, Brooks took a seat protect her. to someone else,” Brooks said. in the room full of empty chairs where peo- Convincing people to get vaccinated has ple wait during their 15-minute observation “Plus,” he said excitedly, “I got a free base- don’t do it, and they sound dumb,” Wiggins proven a challenge for public health and hos- period. The stress of working hectic, short- ball ticket.” said. “I don’t want to be that guy, especially pital leaders, even as Missouri became an epi- staffed night shifts at Wendy’s along with with all this stuff going on.” center for the spread of the infectious delta losing family had weighed her down. The To keep others safe The surge in cases made him finally pull variant now taking hold in the U.S. Despite shot helped a bit. Tameka Anderson, 31, of Breckenridge into the health clinic instead of driving past rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, “I feel relieved,” she said. “I feel much bet- Hills, was getting her second dose but admit- and get his first shot, with his smiling, snug- vaccination rates remained stagnant, state ter.” ted, “Even now, I’m still on the fence about gly 7-year-old daughter in tow. data shows. Just 47% of Missourians have it.” “It’s mainly for her. I don’t want anything initiated vaccination. ‘I have five kids’ From coffee to eggs to red wine, what’s to happen to her,” Wiggins said, because Health officials are trying everything they Jesse Williams, 67, is lean and strong. He been found to be healthy later turns out not those younger than 12 aren’t yet eligible for can to change the course: mobile vaccination still works, rehabbing homes on his own. He to be, she said. While the vaccines are effec- the vaccine. He’s also a school bus driver. teams, free rides to clinics, virtual question- and his friends had not been worried about tive now, she worries that will change as new “At this point, we should be done” with the and-answer sessions, enlisting residents to their chances of dying from COVID-19. variants emerge. pandemic, he said. “We are still dealing with share their vaccine stories and making shots They didn’t bother getting the vaccine, “Science changes,” Anderson said. this, and I need to do my part.” available at baseball games, churches, librar- Williams said, thinking they were going to Before getting vaccinated, she looked up ies, breweries and job fairs. die of something anyway. information on the websites of the Centers Trusted advice Last Wednesday, Gov. Mike Parson’s ad- In the past two months, however, he lost for Disease Control and Prevention and If it wasn’t for her daughter, a pharmacist, ministration launched an incentive program three friends to COVID-19. He’s watched the the National Institutes of Health. She read telling her about the safety of the vaccines, that will award prizes of $10,000 to 900 news about hospitals filling up with unvac- studies in medical journals. She talked to her Linda Govan, 65, says she would never have people who received the shot. cinated patients. He realized his odds were mentor at church. She talked to her dad. gotten a shot. The scattershot approach shows the chal- getting worse. She and her dad eventually decided to get “I was concerned about how quickly they lenge in overcoming the various reasons peo- “I have five kids, all in their late 30s,” he vaccinated around the same time. came out,” said Govan, of St. Louis. The tech- ple have not gotten vaccinated yet. said. “It’s time to watch out for them. They “It’s mainly to keep people around me safe. nology behind the vaccines has been in the “It’s the only way forward. We have to meet are just beginning life. My life is set. I don’t want to risk giving it to them,” Ander- works for decades, her daughter explained, people where they are,” said Christopher Ave, “I want to see my daughter walk down the son said. “Even if it doesn’t make a difference and they still underwent large and rigorous county health department spokesman. “It aisle.” for me, it makes the people I love feel better.” studies. takes supreme effort.” Last Wednesday, Williams got his second Now with two doses done, Govan said A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey shot of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. He got ‘Do my part’ she feels safer being around her grandchil- of unvaccinated individuals shows the most his first a few weeks before at a pop-up clinic Dante Wiggins, 45, of Spanish Lake, was dren given her age and being a recent breast wary come from a range of demographics: at Busch Stadium, which he happened to see never against getting vaccinated. Republicans, rural residents, younger people while working on a home nearby. “I was listening to people’s reasons they Please see VACCINE, Page 21 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 21 Did you know that advanced medical research is being done here in Sioux City? ince July 2020, hundreds of people Why Join a Clinical Trial? asked some questions (likely over the its to the clinic. You may be eligible Sin the Siouxland area have contrib- Many people find joining a clinical phone) to determine if the study is right to receive payment or reimbursement uted to the research and development trial to be a rewarding experience. The for you. If you pass the phone screen- for your time and travel for each visit. of COVID-19 vaccines, including those benefits go well beyond helping people ing, you may visit a clinic for a physical Any required follow-up visits would be that have been granted Emergency Use live longer, healthier lives. Clinical tri- screening. detailed in the informed consent pro- Authorization. They did so by joining a als offer more care options for people Each study is different, but the in- cess so you’re never surprised by what clinical trial at Meridian. suffering from common or rare health formed consent process ensures you a study entails. Without clinical trials, it would be conditions. The doctors involved in understand what will happen. You’ll impossible to develop new medicines, clinical trials are often specialists in learn about the product being studied, Learn about current studies treatments and cures. Clinical trials the condition(s) being studied. Many your role in the trial, potential side ef- in Sioux City help researchers determine if medicines, studies also offer payment for time and fects and the visits required. After you medical devices and tests are safe and travel. fully understand your role in the study, Participating in a study is an impor- effective. you may sign an informed consent form. tant decision — Meridian’s experts are There are clinical trial opportunities Finding a Clinical Trial You will receive a physical exam that here to help before, during, and after for healthy people and for people with Your doctor may tell you about a will vary depending on the study. As an studies. the condition(s) being studied. Age, study, or you may find one by searching added benefit, you may also get specific For more information about the clini- gender, medical record and treatment online — you can find Meridian studies exams or tests (results will be shared cal research process, and to find a Merid- history may affect your ability to join a by visiting mcrmed.com/find-study. with you). ian study near you, visit mcrmed.com/ study. After you apply for a study, you will be Some studies require several vis- find-study.

Vaccine same way ... that’s his choice,” she said. From 20 ‘So much further to go’ A total of 51 people got doses last Wednes- cancer survivor. day at the health center. Thirty-four were She feels better protected doing her job getting their first dose, and most were walk- in custodial work for the county health ins. department and hopes to get rehired at Site supervisor Lawanda Crayton said Mercy, where she worked as a patient benefit that’s a switch from just a couple of weeks adviser before getting laid off last summer. ago, when most were appointments for their Mercy employees are required to get vacci- second doses and less than a dozen people nated. were getting vaccinated in a day. Numbers were increasing, she said. Life-or-death issue “They are saying, ‘I have a family member Pam Bryant, 64, of St. Charles, got her in the hospital,’ or, ‘I have someone close to first dose despite being adamantly against it. me get sick,’” Crayton said. By joining a study at Meridian She resisted, she said, because of a history in The county health department has data medicine marred by racial injustices, such as tabulated for doses it has given out only Clinical Research, you can help involuntary medical experimentation, forced through July 15. It has mirrored the statewide sterilizations and unequal access to care. trajectory. advance medicine, get study-related “They’ve done so much to us. You don’t After giving more than 18,000 shots a week know what’s in these shots really,” Bryan said. in mid-April, that number dropped to just “I’m just skeptical of government and what about 500 a week in June and the first half exams at no cost, and get paid for has transpired in the past.” of July. But she sees unvaccinated people filling State data shows 51% of county residents participating (amounts differ). up hospitals. She is older and has high blood have initiated vaccination, with the lowest pressure, placing her at higher risk. percentages in northern ZIP codes where a “It’s a life-or-death issue now, as far as I’m large percentage of Black residents live. MCRMED.COM concerned,” she said. But the ZIP codes are starting to show Visit Her husband, however, is refusing to get some of the biggest increase in percentages, (712) 639-6200 vaccinated, and she’s not trying to convince said Ave, of the county health department. or call him. They could be signs that outreach efforts are “I respect his decision because I feel the working. 22 | AUGUST 2021 HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM

Take a holistic approach to Alzheimer’s white caregivers, over half were concerned that “providers or staff do not listen to what From 14 they are saying because of their race, color health with CBD products or ethnicity.” published by Lingler and members of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center noted Daughter to caregiver OUR CBD STORE IN SIOUXLAND is Organics for all that Black Americans make up just 5% of Jacqueline Winsett Ruple, a retired nurse Ythe seventh location for owners Mi- Years of meticulous process refinement participants in clinical trials and autopsies practitioner who lives in Point Breeze, at- chael and Chelle TenHaken. Michael have resulted in the USDA-Certified Or- related to the disease. tended the virtual forum in May not just as knew he had to share this holistic approach ganic line of products. From growing the “Our perspective in Pittsburgh is that a professional but as a caregiver. She has a to HEALTH after his amazing experience hemp plants to harvest, extraction and for- much of the research is flawed because doctorate in health administration. with CBD and his fibromyalgia. We are mulation, every step follows rigorous USDA African Americans have been so underrep- “I’ve worked in this area, but I never had thrilled to be sharing this “Health without organic guidelines to offer Your CBD Store resented in clinical research,” Lingler said, to be on the other end,” she said in a phone the High approach to becoming your very customers the most planet-conscious prod- “especially clinical research in Alzheimer’s interview. best you” with the Siouxland area! ucts that exceed qualification standards. disease.” Her father, Joseph Winsett, developed Beyond CBD: A variety of products Transparency first The study also found that Black Ameri- symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease when Dr. Anthony Ferrari is the Chief Science Transparent product information, backed cans are often diagnosed with Alzheimer’s he was 82 years old. The retired pastor of Officer at SUNMED, creating and analyzing by third-party laboratory testing and eas- later, receive treatment later than people of Ebenezer Baptist Church started to forget a line of CBD-related health products. An ily-accessible lab results for every product, other races, and pay more out of pocket for events that had just happened and began to industrial chemist who earned his Ph.D. in make SUNMED and Your CBD Store a re- dementia-related medical care. make inappropriate comments about oth- Analytical Chemistry at Florida State Uni- ers in social situations. His wife, Jacqueline freshing new standard in the CBD space. A lack of trust versity, Dr. Ferrari is the creator of a number An empowering store experience Winsett, would find him wandering aim- of award-winning CBD products. In May, Black Women for Positive lessly around their house at night. While most companies focus purely on At Your CBD Store, customers enter a Change and the Alzheimer’s Association For a year, his condition was known only CBD itself, SUNMED and Dr. Ferrari focus safe, comfortable and inviting environment Greater Pennsylvania Chapter held a vir- to Winsett Ruple and her mother. Winsett on the entire profile of the hemp plant and where guests can learn about CBD, try sam- tual forum of over 30 health care providers, Ruple was still working at the time, often its more-than-100 individual cannabinoids. ples, and feel confident making an informed faith leaders, researchers and community until 8 p.m., and remembers coming home Research and development is conducted decision on the best cannabinoid formula- members. Stories were shared, connections to immediately begin her next shift — the for SUNMED products that highlight both tion option for them. Your CBD Store con- were made and solutions were discussed — nightlong care of her father. CBD and other select cannabinoids found tinues to offer the most sophisticated hemp all with hopes of reducing these racial dis- “Because I’ve taken care of patients who in hemp without THC. products on the market. parities. have been through this and I’ve counseled A key takeaway from the forum was that people, I thought I was ready. But I was not Black Pennsylvanians were reluctant to ready. All my knowledge that I had obtained report symptoms and seek treatment for does not really prepare you to deal with your Your Alzheimer’s due to a lack of trust in the family member and with your parent,” she health care system after generations of said. discrimination. “I wasn’t ready to give up my role as his “Wholesome & “Not just here in Pittsburgh, but nation- daughter,” she added. wide Black Americans lack that trust in re- search and clinical trials, and half of them Family strain Wholehearted” doubt that Alzheimer’s treatments will be Winsett Ruple’s mother initially made shared with them,” said Sara Murphy, vice excuses for her husband, though she even- president of programs at the Alzheimer’s tually came to terms with his disease. One Store. Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. day, she followed his car and found him “In combination with that, it’s true, un- driving through red lights and stop signs. Go Green with our USDA Certified fortunately, that discrimination is a barrier His license was revoked and the battery Organic Whole Plant Tinctures. Grown to Alzheimer’s care, and that about half of removed from his car. Black Americans report that they’ve expe- Winsett Ruple said her brother and sister and handled to meet rigorous standards rienced some type of health care discrimi- had a hard time accepting that their father and formulated with an extraction nation,” she added. had Alzheimer’s, even when she pointed out process that retains more of the hemp In an October 2020 poll conducted by his inappropriate comments. TM the Kaiser Family Foundation of 777 Black “My sister would say, ‘Well, he’s just plant, this SunMed collection is as Americans, 70% said the health care sys- joking.’ But I said, ‘That’s not something “Whole” as it gets. tem treats people unfairly based on race to joke about.’ So they were thinking that “very often” and just over half of respon- I was overexaggerating, that I’m always Find Yours at SunFlora.org dents said they had trust in local hospitals. looking and analyzing things too much. It A 2021 Facts and Figures report from the became a very tense situation with me and Alzheimer’s Association included a survey my siblings.” of 2,491 U.S. adults — 515 of them Black — Her brother now lives out of state, and and found that 36% of Black respondents her sister recently began to help with their believed discrimination would be a barrier father’s care, Winsett Ruple said. to receiving treatment for Alzheimer’s. Eventually, Winsett Ruple was able to Powell said wariness extends beyond Al- convince both of her parents to sign up for zheimer’s patients to their family members. an Alzheimer’s research study at UPMC 3417 Singing Hills Blvd. (across from Walmart) 712.271.2237 The report concluded that among non- Presbyterian. SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM HEALTH & LEISURE EXPO AUGUST 2021 | 23 MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center reimagines emergency care in Sioux City

loved the Fast Track option be- cause it was exactly that. Fast for “Imy family,” Renee, a recent patient commented. “When you go to the emergency room in the past, who knows how long you will be there. Fast Track took care of our needs and got us out of there in a timely fashion.” MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center de- buted its Fast Track inside a newly reno- vated emergency department in June. The first of its kind in the Siouxland area, Fast Track cares for patients with less-severe illnesses and injuries inside a private area within the emergency room daily from 3 – 11 p.m. Whether it’s a fever, ear infection or cut, you’ll find a nurse practitioner or physician assistant and a registered nurse dedicated to the Fast Track experience, ensuring patient rapid access to the right experts in 90 minutes or less. “Our newly-renovated space creates so many new options, not only for our pa- tients, but our colleagues, as well,” said emergency care director Chris Hawkins. “Fast Track is the most exciting change. We know time is essential in an emergency and this experience will give our patients with less severe emergencies the chance to get personalized care quickly and efficiently, in a more private setting.” In addition to the expanded care options, the renovations are just as impressive. If you have visited the emergency room at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in the past, you likely won’t recognize the new surroundings as you enter the building situated at the corner of 6th and Jennings land Medical Center. But now, having an Streets in Downtown Sioux City. What was emergency department that is clean, wel- a cramped registration area and waiting coming and modern, to provide that care, room has been completely transformed. is a luxury for Sioux City. It’s just one of Patients are now greeted with modern and the many reasons I chose to take this op- inviting furniture and amenities in an open portunity as chair of emergency medicine.” space that also offers enhanced privacy. MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center’s There is a separate entrance for the most reimagined emergency department also in- serious emergencies, to ensure the most cludes additional private patient rooms and rapid and highest-level of trauma care, enhanced provider coverage. Additional whether patients arrive by ambulance or security has been added, with 24/7 sup- helicopter. port, in addition to expanded valet hours, “It is vital that we have an emergency de- making it easy for patients to pull-in and partment that is able to provide appropriate check-in, without navigating parking. care to anyone that needs it,” said Dr. Steve To see inside the renovated emergency Warrington. “That’s something we’ve been department, visit MercyOne.org/Sioux- doing for years here at MercyOne Sioux- land. 24 | AUGUST 2021 SIOUXCITYJOURNAL.COM

mergencyge cy c careare

Introducing our new emergency experience at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center.

Coordinated care upon arrival with a new Fast Track option for rapid access to the right experts in a newly renovated space. From the moment you need us, our MercyOne team creates a personalized care experience.

Your best life. Our one purpose.