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Department Spotlight: Surgery & Procedure Scheduling
When it comes to intimidating procedures such as surgery, cardiac catheterization (Cath) or interventional radiology (IR), there can be a lot of unknowns. What can I expect on the big day? What will happen after Iâm all done? Will I have to worry about my orders not being in the system? Who can I call if I have any last-minute questions? Itâs easy for your thoughts to race as you approach your procedure date, but luckily, there is a team who puts your mind at ease. With Renown Healthâs Surgery & Procedure Scheduling department, patients can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that all the nitty-gritty is taken care of before they step foot in the procedure room. This team operates in the mindset of a complex Tetris board â fitting in all the pieces to make sure every patient is set on the path for surgery success. Consistent Contact Our Surgery & Procedure Scheduling team has a unique history. Initially operating as two separate teams, over the last year, our leaders skillfully combined the two teams together under one umbrella. That allows the now singular team to have line of sight across every surgery and Cath or IR procedure plan and be better stewards of the resources they have at their fingertips to provide streamlined, more-connected care for patients. As one might imagine, with the merger of the two teams, the day-in-the-life of each team member is full of a variety of crucial checklist items to cross off â all supporting constant communication from patients to providers. On the surgery scheduling front, these team members are resource rockstars. From working with referring providers to get patients scheduled appropriately to ensuring rooms and equipment are available for every patient, this team makes sure everything and everyone is in place when the time comes to help create a successful procedure and the best possible patient experience.  âIn surgery scheduling, we handle inbound calls for the outside offices to get time scheduled for each patient in the operating room (OR),â said Lydia Sharkey, Senior Scheduler. âWe make sure there are plenty of anesthesia resources and equipment for every surgery, including any important information that we need to schedule patients appropriately and adding all documents to the OR board. If we need to swap rooms or move patients around, we handle that process too.â Over on the IR/Cath scheduling side of things, this team is on the frontlines of patient communication. They are experts in helping patients navigate their procedure from start (seeing their provider and obtaining the proper referrals) to finish (the day of the procedure and post-procedure process). âMy day is a little different than the hospital schedulers; our part of the team handles the outpatient aspect,â said Adrienne White, Senior Scheduler. âWe are in constant contact with patients and the IR and Cath departments. We help them navigate their procedure, including what to expect during and after the procedure. We get them through the process as easily as possible and ease their minds, so they know what is going to happen every step of the way. Itâs all about communication, communication, communication!â This department has a significant overarching role: make sure all documents and ancillary information is set up for all our clinical teams that help with surgeries and procedures. This critical work means that every process is followed, and no important details are left out. âNo one wakes up and says, âI want to have surgery;â our team goes above and beyond to make sure every single detail is taken care of so that when patients arrive, everything is in place,â said Trisha White. âOur team works hard to ensure everything runs as efficiently as possible because we want to use our resources in the best way possible to serve our patients without delays. We make sure we receive all the orders, codes and insurance and that the teams that follow after us â including our pre-admit team and nurses â have all the information they need to do their job seamlessly." With all the work they accomplish daily â not to mention how they wholeheartedly support each other through it all â itâs no question that the entire team has a lot to be proud of. Besides helping make patient care possible, the team puts their departmental merger and the move to fully remote work at the top of the list. âWeâre most proud of merging the surgery scheduling and procedure scheduling teams together and therefore more cohesive,â said Mary Gray, Senior Scheduler. âThe merger has made our team blossom and be able to connect with and rely on one another even more. We arenât afraid to speak up and say something. At the end of the day, weâre here to take care of the patient, but we also help each other out. Our morale has gone up, and everybody is happier. Even though we all work remotely, we are more connected and have a great work-life balance.â âAlong with transitioning the two teams into one big team, the move to being fully remote was huge," added Patricia Cruz-Hernandez, Surgical RN Scheduling Coordinator. âWe worked through all the glitches, and it was a seamless transition to move into a remote setting. Whatâs great is that it did not affect patients at all; everything still gets done exactly as it should.â No matter how busy the days may get, Renownâs surgery and procedure schedulers always remember one thing: they are incredibly grateful for their fellow team members. âWe have a very efficient and hard-working team of women,â said Pam Chapa Valencia, Senior Scheduler. âI could not have handpicked better people for our team,â added Trisha White. âI feel so lucky to have the team that we have.â A Renown âWhyâ Our Surgery and Procedure Scheduling team members all have diverse stories to tell about their road to Renown and why theyâve stayed in the department for as long as they have. Whether theyâve been with us for two years or two decades, they all share the same strong calling to care for their community. âI always wanted to help people, and my grandma was a nurse,â said Pam Chapa Valencia, Senior Scheduler. âI loved hearing her stories, and it made me want to be involved in patient care.â âI have a caring nature, and a hospital nature seemed like the right fit â I've been here for 25 years,â added Mary Gray. Several of our schedulers recognized the influence Renown has within our community and the ability to grow professionally and personally, both of which were a driving factor in their decision to make our health system their long-term career. âIâm originally from southern California, and I moved here about eight years ago; my husband always talked so positively about Renown, especially with how big it is and how it has the only level II trauma center in northern Nevada, so my goal was always to get a job here,â said Lydia Sharkey. âItâs been a great environment to be a part of.â âIâve been with Renown for 17 years, and I chose to come here because of the reputation of the services Renown provided and care they gave,â added Trisha White. âI also knew what opportunities there were for me professionally, and in doing so, we are taking care of our community. Iâve had the chance to grow within my own professional skills and leadership skillset.â A profound feeling of âhomeâ is a common theme among this department. These team members appreciate the sense of community Renown has, the strides weâve made in expanding our reach and how our health system gives healthcare professionals who are new to the field a chance to succeed. âAt the time, Renown was the only hospital that would train nurses, and as a brand-new nurse, I had no experience â Renown took a chance on me,â said Patricia Cruz-Hernandez. âI feel like this is home. Our health system is so community-based and people-first minded, keeping âmission over margin.â Weâre growing, weâre expanding, weâre everywhere!â âI was a part of a transition as the cardiology private practice I worked with became a Renown practice, and it was great,â added Adrienne White. âThis transition enabled us to provide more services and better care to patients. I stay here because I see the leaps and bounds weâve been able to make in terms of procedures, accessibility and patient experience.â As true advocates for both patients and each other, the team is proud to have found their niche â and the ultimate beneficiaries? Everyone undergoing a surgery or procedure at Renown. A Culture of Kindness and Gratitude When you meet the Surgery & Procedure Scheduling team, you are greeted with warm smiles and an enthusiastic âNice to meet you!â You canât help but smile back and feel the infectious kindness they exude. Renown operates with a People-First mindset, a vision that this department especially takes to heart. They emulate the exact definition of our âCollaborationâ cultural commitment. âWeâve built very good relationships and rapport with the OR managers and board runners,â said Lydia Sharkey. âThe communication that we have at all three locations is very solid.â âThe OR leadership is always so willing to help out whenever they can, and the resources theyâve provided have been huge for us,â added Adrienne White. âAll the teams that see the patients after us â especially the surgical pre-admit team and the case managers, are fantastic about collaborating with us and reaching out to solve any issues they may have,â added Trisha White. âWe all work so well together, especially since we all impact patient care.â In any organization, strong and compassionate leadership is key to a thriving team. Luckily for our surgery and procedure schedulers, they have Trisha White on their side. They attribute a lot of their success to having a supportive leader who âgets it.â âTrisha has been a scheduler like us, so she completely understands when weâre having an issue, because sheâs struggled with the same thing and knows where we are coming from,â said Mary Gray. âIt makes us feel like we are not alone â I can always reach out to her, or any of my other coworkers, to ask questions and figure out a solution together.â Despite being a remote-only team that meets in-person only one or two times a month, this group never misses an opportunity to reconnect both online and offline. They frequently shout out their Culture Ambassadors, schedulers Pam Chapa Valencia and Roxanne Abundis, for their teamâs high morale. âEven though we all primarily work remotely, our in-person days are some of my favorite days of the month,â said Trisha White. âWe feel so uplifted, we laugh and we have fun. We love being with each other. Pam and Roxanne are our Culture Ambassadors, and they both have been amazing at planning fun things for our teams. They go above and beyond to make our team feel cohesive and included.â âPam and Roxanne have been leaders in creating a fun environment and supportive culture for us,â added Lydia Sharkey. âWhether itâs creating care packages or making sure we all have a good time when we see each other in person, they deserve a lot of credit.â As this team excels in their roles and foster a culture rooted in kindness and gratitude, we can trust that Renownâs surgeries and procedures will continue to thrive, and patients will continue to benefit from their diligent efforts and commitment to efficiency. âWe make the magic happen!â closes Mary Gray.
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Meet Janelle Wood: Family, Hobbies & Everything In Between
Janelle Woodâs life has been filled with moves across several states, travel, different jobs, multiple hobbies and best of all â her big family. She is very close to and proud of her entire family, including her six children, six grandchildren and extended family members. New Chapters Janelle was born in 1950 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She lived there her entire childhood and attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville where she received her Associate degree in Accounting. She then moved a few different times to various states including Louisiana and Arizona. In 1981, she and her family moved to Reno where she worked for a construction and mining supply company. In 1993, they relocated to a small town in southern Georgia called Thomasville, where Janelle worked for another mining and manufacturing company. âI was ready for a change of scenery and wanted to explore living in a new area,â said Janelle. âI was intrigued by moving to a smaller town to raise my children.â She and her family lived there for about 10 years when she eventually got transferred to Chicago for her job, to work at the companyâs headquarters. âI was once again excited for another change and was happy to experience living in a big city,â said Janelle. âI loved my job and getting to travel as much as I did.â Janelle worked for the company in Chicago until 2014 when she decided to retire and move back to Reno to be closer to her son, daughter and grandchildren. Living to the Fullest Today, Janelle lives in Damonte Ranch in south Reno. She loves spending time outdoors, especially in the mountains and by the water. Her other hobbies include reading, cooking, doing puzzles, playing computer games antique shopping and something very unique â exploring old graveyards. âI love how theyâre full of history and each one is different â I also enjoy reading what the headstones say, and the stories they tell,â said Janelle. âWhen I travel, I like to explore the old cemeteries that are nearby.â Janelleâs son even bought her a book called 129 Cemeteries to Visit Before You Die. Sheâs been to a few of them. As for traveling, Janelleâs favorite destination sheâs been to is Catalina Island â she loves the history there. She also loves Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Canada and Mexico. âIâm always up for going someplace new,â said Janelle . Janelle Wood hiking to Rainbow Falls in Mammoth, CA When Christmas rolls around, Janelle loves to decorate. Her family finds it interesting just how crazy about Christmas she is. âI have 31 totes of Christmas dĂŠcor and a dozen large decorations,â said Janelle. âMy entire storage room is full of Christmas decorations. I start decorating the day after Thanksgiving and it takes me about 2 to 3 days to put everything up.â Janelle said Halloween is her second favorite holiday, which she also loves to decorate for. Family Values Above all else, Janelleâs favorite thing about being retired is having so much free time to spend with her children and grandchildren who live here in Reno. âI love helping my grandkids with their schoolwork and attending their sports and activities,â said Janelle. She has been volunteering at her grandchildrenâs schools here in Reno ever since her now 14-year-old grandson started kindergarten. âFamily is the highlight of my life,â said Janelle. She also makes sure to stay in contact and visit as often as possible with all of her family that lives out of state, including three of her children, one of her grandkids and some of her extended family. âOne of my great nieces, Madison Marsh, was recently crowned Miss America, and another one of my great nieces, Madeline Bohlman, will be competing this summer for the title of Miss USA, as the current Miss Arkansas USA,â said Janelle. âIâm very proud of both of them for using their platforms to further such important issues; pancreatic cancer research and mental health, respectively.â
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Department Spotlight: Special Procedures
Chronic pain can be one of the most distressing feelings someone may encounter â and more likely than not, you know someone who is managing their pain as a part of their healthcare journey. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 U.S. adults have experienced chronic pain in recent years. One of the most common methods of treating pain is through prescription pain medications; however, with the rise of the opioid epidemic across the country, leveraging other interventions to help patients manage their chronic pain has become increasingly more important. What if there was a way to treat pain directly without the automatic need for pain medication? Luckily for patients in northern Nevada, our Special Procedures department at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital specializes in exactly that: interventional pain mitigation sans painkillers. With nearly 95% of their patients who come in with pain-related mobility issues being able to physically walk out of the hospital after their treatment, much-needed relief is clearly in store. Tight-knit and forever-caring, the Special Procedures team knows how to transform the purpose of pain management. A Penchant for Pain Alleviation Renown's Special Procedures team offers a wide variety of pain management solutions that are uniquely tailored to each individual patientâs needs. With the help of a team of 14 attentive nurses, interventional radiology technologists and a surgical technician â plus a dedicated patient access representative ensuring everything goes smoothly behind-the-scenes â these lifechanging interventions include: Epidurals (including steroid epidurals) Nerve blocks Ablations Tenotomies Spinal cord stimulator trials Peripheral nerve stimulator trials The nurses on this specialized team guide patients before, during and after their procedures, making sure they are at ease throughout the entire process. Each nurse emulates both expertise and empathy to help light the path towards healing. âBefore each procedure, we get the patientâs vitals, health history and work with the doctor to answer any questions they may have about what is going to happen in the procedure room,â said Michon Edgington, RN. âAfter theyâre all done, they come back to me, and I make sure they are ready to go home by educating them on their discharge. Our goal is to get them back to their families very quickly.â âIn the actual procedure room, we perform safety checks, do charting, prepare the sterile tray for the doctor and give medication for conscious sedations, all while consistently monitoring the patient and helping the doctor out along the way to help the procedure go well,â added Shannon Boelow, RN. This teamâs dedicated imaging professionals harness expertise that goes beyond capturing images. Their skillful utilization of X-ray technology serves as a guide for doctors administering treatments for pain â and according to our own physicians, our imaging technologists are some of the best in the business. âOur X-ray skills here are specialized,â said Julie Smith, Imaging Lead. âVisually, the doctor needs to see whatâs going on inside the body so they can accurately place needles and steroids. We all work together collectively and work with each doctor to accommodate their preferences, helping the treatments go much faster and minimizing the patientâs exposure to radiation.â Serving as the ideal representation of both precision and support, the surgical technician on this team is an important collaborator in the procedure room, helping to ensure the success of every interventional procedure with a meticulous eye for detail. âAs the Special Procedures surgical technician, I get the room ready with all the necessary instruments, including making sure everything is sterile,â said Carrie Crow, Surgical Technician. âI enjoy keeping the team organized.â Overseeing it all are the physicians, who are eternally grateful for the team for the life-changing interventions they offer every day. âOur physicians are so phenomenal,â said Brittney Summerfield, Manager of Nursing. âThey are very supportive and collaborative, and they always do the right thing. They have total confidence in us.â Seeing patients walk out of the hospital happy and healthy is a driving motivator for this team. Whether they had significant experience in pain management or were ready for a completely new challenge, each team member comes to work every day inspired to move mountains. âI had worked in pain management in other facilities, and I was extremely excited to come here and solely focus on pain,â said Jodi Eldridge, Supervisor of Special Procedures. âI enjoy seeing the patients so happy when they leave no longer in pain. I feel immediate gratification, because you truly feel like youâre doing something big for the patient. Itâs very rewarding.â âI decided to come work here because I worked in the inpatient setting for a long time, and I was ready to see a different side of healthcare and provide a different type of care to our community; plus, my coworkers are the best,â added Lisa Dunnivant, RN. Thereâs no question that the realm of pain management is a delicate one â and there is no team better suited to take on that challenge than Special Procedures, working harmoniously to bring relief and a renewed sense of livelihood for every patient they serve. âSome people believe pain management is just all about pills, and that is simply not true,â said Carrie Crow. âOur procedures are yet another way to help them manage their pain and find relief.â
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Sterling Silver Club Shining Stars: Mark & Dana Combs
Dana and Mark Combs met through mutual friends and had a long friendship before they became a couple in 2009. They were married in 2011 in a private ceremony at a small Reno chapel, and a few months later had a big celebration with their family and friends.  Encouraging Others to Succeed Over the years, the happy couple has spent much of their time volunteering and giving back to others in their community. Twenty-six years ago, Mark became a bilateral lower limb amputee. For the past 10 years, he has been a prosthetic consultant, helping other amputees learn how to cope with various challenges and encouraging them to keep living life to the fullest. âMark is great with helping people,â said Dana.  Dana also does a lot of rewarding work through a Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O). She is an advocate for raising money to help women ages 18 and up gain an education. Dana also enjoys tutoring English as a second language.  Enjoying Quality Time, Hobbies & Travel When Dana and Mark arenât helping others, they are spending time with their family and friends, their dog Mia (a 3-year-old Maltipoo) or enjoying one of their many hobbies. Some of Markâs favorite things to do include playing Solitaire and strumming on his guitar. âI love to garden and play crossword puzzles and word games,â said Dana. âIâm really looking forward to the springtime to spend more time in the garden.â She loves to work out and has a membership at the UFC gym in Reno through her Senior Care Plus gym benefit. Dana also has her own online Etsy store, where she sells homemade jam jars, candle holders and vintage dolls. âLast summer I sold my first edition Barbie that I got when I was 9 years old,â said Dana. âI made quite a profit on it.â
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Patty Warren A Woman of Strength and Resilience
Meet and get to know Patty Warren, our featured Sterling Silver Club member this fall. You may recognize her from the latest Senior Care Plus commercial on television, where she joins a coffee chat discussing the many benefits of being a Senior Care Plus member. Sheâs one of the kindest souls youâll ever meet â and has a positive outlook on life that we should all strive for. Patty's Story Patty was born and raised in a small Kansas town called Baxter Springs, where she grew up with an older brother, an older sister and two younger sisters. She and her siblings all enjoyed playing sports like softball and basketball, in addition to playing instruments. Patty developed a love and passion for music at a young age that carried into her adulthood. âI wanted to be an opera singer,â said Patty. âI decided to go to college at Pittsburg State University in Kansas where I majored in vocal performance.â After college, Patty moved to Manhattan in New York City to audition to be an opera singer, but she soon realized it wasnât what she wanted to do after all. She eventually decided to work in the brokerage industry.  After living and working in New York for three years, Patty moved back to Kansas where she later met the love of her life, Michael. âIn 1992, I had put a dating ad in the local newspaper,â said Patty. âI received over 30 responses, and I went out on quite a few dates.â Then she had her first date with Michael, and the two of them quickly realized how much they liked each other. He asked her to marry him on Valentineâs Day in 1993, and they went on to get married in front of the Justice of the Peace on May 3, just a few months later. âWe had a small wedding so that we could move into our first home together,â said Patty. A few years later in 1999, Patty and Michael moved to Arizona, where they lived for 22 years. Patty worked at Edward Jones Investments for 18 of those 22 years and loved her job and the people that she worked with. She retired in January 2021 during the pandemic, and three days later she and Michael moved to Sparks, Nevada.
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How to Treat a Sprain or Strain
Injuries happen to everyone. They are caused by participating in sports, recreational activities like hiking, and even by accidentally stepping off a curb wrong. If you experience a sprain or strain, the first few days are often the most painful. Renown Sports Medicine physicians Luis Palacio, MD and Brandon Hockenberry, MD walked us through what to do after an injury. Listen to Your Body See a medical professional right away if: You know or suspect that a bone is broken You are having difficulties putting full weight on a joint of the leg Pain or swelling is severe There is a sign of an infection, such as redness and warmth in the joint The First 24-72 Hours Joint sprains tend to swell more than muscle strains. You can use ice as needed for comfort and to relieve any pain, but do not use ice for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. Ice and NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) can help prevent excessive swelling and mask the pain, but they do not speed recovery. Some research shows that overuse of ice actually delays recovery.  During the first 24-72 hours, your injury will go through an inflammation phase. Inflammation is your bodyâs natural way to dispose of dead tissue cells, build new healthy structures, and hopefully heal even stronger than before.
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How to Manage and Prevent Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon in your body is inflamed or irritated. This painful condition can impact your day-to-day activities, but can be managed and prevented. Luis Palacio, MD, shared some insights into how to manage tendonitis. Overuse and Repetitive Motion Tendons are complex tissues in our body that connect muscles to bones, allowing us to move. Unfortunately, sometimes these tendons become inflamed, worn down or injured, a condition called tendonitis. Symptoms of tendonitis include pain or dull ache, tenderness and mild swelling at the site. While tendonitis can be caused by a sudden injury, it is more commonly seen in frequent motions, including: Repetitive motions in exercise, work or other physical activities. Awkward positions in a movement, including poor posture. Forced movements that strain your body. Sudden increase in frequency of movement or level of difficulty, including little to no recover time between new activity. Shoes without proper support or hard surfaces, such as concrete floors. Evaluation is Key If you suspect that you have tendonitis and it does not resolve on its own after a few days, you should get it evaluated by a primary care or sports medicine doctor. They can make recommendations to aid your recovery and refer you to the right sub-specialist if needed. With some intentional actions, you can help reduce the risk of tendonitis with the following suggestions: Add variety: Mixing up the type of exercise you do will help prevent repetitive motions that can result in overuse. Stretch and condition: Make sure the keep up with proper stretching and muscle strengthening to support your physical activities. Do it right: Make sure that the way you are completing exercise or work-related physical activities is correct. Seek out a professional for lessons or guidance if you are unsure.
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A Friend to Veterans, A Friend to Renown
Did you know that 218,000 veterans and their families call Nevada home? That is almost 7% of our total population who served this country and will require quality access to healthcare at some point in their lifetime. When faced with a daunting diagnosis or procedure, such as cancer or surgery, Renown rises to the occasion to provide veterans and their loved ones with the highest caliber of care possible to protect the lives that protected ours. Accessing that care, however, can be a challenge for some. As Renown serves veterans across 100,000 square miles, veterans living in rural communities often must travel long distances â with the costs of overnight lodging standing in the way, making healthcare access out-of-budget, and sometimes, nearly impossible. Thatâs where Veterans Guest House comes in. Veterans Guest House provides veterans and their families with temporary overnight accommodations while receiving medical treatment in the Reno/Sparks area. Founded in 1993 in response to the growing number of veterans sleeping in their cars to access healthcare, the nonprofit embraces veterans and their families who would otherwise not be able to obtain the medical care they need because of inabilities to pay for overnight lodging. A support system for veterans, especially veterans who are senior citizens, is vital to their overall health and well-being â and seniors at Veterans Guest House never have to feel alone in their care journey. Enter Dyana Parks, a senior care assistant working with Veterans Guest House. A friend to Renown Health and the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, Dyana goes the extra mile for seniors staying at Veterans Guest House â she not only helps them navigate the logistics of their care, but she also is one of their biggest mental well-being champions. A Helping Hand for Guests in Need A proud member of a veteran family herself, senior and veteran in-home care is a family affair for Dyana. With a sister experiencing post-accident brain damage, elderly parents â one of whom facing dementia â and a son and daughter-in-law in the same field of work, Dyana has a unique passion for in-home and dementia care and holds several decades of hospice experience. As such, when she was assigned to help the clients at Veterans Guest House in September 2022, it was a natural fit for her, and she immediately jumped into action. Dyana takes special time during her work hours to transport seniors in need to their appointments at Renown (and keeps track of all of them), sits with them through chemotherapy and radiation treatments, ensures patients stay hydrated and nourished after major procedures, picks them up from surgery and always ensures everything goes well with each patientâs care. When patients coming from Veterans Guest House need extra emotional support, Dyana is always there to make sure they are okay and push them to keep going. âI always say to my seniors, ânever give up,ââ said Dyana. âIf a need arises, I am there to help. I love getting to know my clients and helping them go home healthy.â As a âfrequent flierâ at Renown and the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute, many of our team members are thrilled when they see Dyana walking through the doors with her clients, as they know that their patient is going home with one of their strongest advocates. To Dyana, Renown is akin to a family for both herself and her clients. âI love Renown,â said Dyana. âEveryone there makes my clients feel as though they are more than just a patient â they make them feel like family, especially when going through a scary diagnosis like cancer. As someone who has been going there with my own family forever and who now guides veteran seniors through the process, I will always recommend Renown to anyone.â Dyana emulates exactly what it means to make a genuine difference in the health and well-being of our community, all while raising awareness for both Renown and Veterans Guest House. âMore people need to know about Veterans Guest House,â said Dyana. âWhen I came here, I was in awe. They do so much for every guest, making them feel comfortable at home while not having to worry about finances. Almost everyone that comes here, whether it be from the rural surrounding towns or all the way out to Alaska and even the Philippines, needs treatment of some kind, and I know Renown will always give them the best care.â To learn more about Veterans Guest House, visit veteransguesthouse.org.
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What You Need to Know About the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Donât worry, thereâs still time to enroll in a Medicare plan! Youâve probably noticed all the advertisements lately encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to enroll before AEP ends on Dec. 7. But what is AEP, and how can you ensure the best decision for Medicare enrollment? If youâve been asking yourself this same question, youâre in the right place. Here weâll explore some of the most important things you need to know before you choose your Medicare plan for 2023. What is AEP? AEP stands for Annual Enrollment Period, and for Medicare this takes place Oct. 15 â Dec. 7 every year. You might hear people refer to AEP as Open Enrollment or the Fall Enrollment Period. All Medicare beneficiaries can enroll during this time, and their new policy will take effect on Jan. 1 of the following year. If youâre already enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, you can use AEP to enroll in a Medicare Supplemental or Advantage Plan. You can also choose to drop your Supplement or Advantage Plan and revert to traditional Medicare.
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Alzheimer's Safety Tips for Caregivers to Know
November is National Alzheimerâs Disease Awareness Month. At Renown Health, we know that Alzheimer's safety for your loved one is a priority, as the symptoms can sometimes lead to unsafe situations. We asked Dr. Jonathan Artz â a neurology physician with Renown Health and an assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine â for tips on keeping loved ones safe and secure. According to the Alzheimerâs Association, Alzheimerâs disease affects safety in various ways, specifically due to body and brain adjustments. These changes can include: Judgment, including forgetfulness Sense of place â getting lost on the way home Behavior â being suspicious or fearful Body difficulty â losing balance Sensing ability â noticeable sensitivity in hearing, seeing or temperature Dr. Artz gives us four major tips to ensure your loved oneâs safety as you both navigate this disease together. Watch for Wandering Those experiencing Alzheimerâs disease tend to wander and get lost. Try the following tips to reduce the risk of wandering: Get your loved one an ID bracelet and have them wear it at all times. You can also enroll your loved one in âWandering Support.â Install door chimes so you know when exterior doors are open. Ask neighbors to call you if they see your loved one out alone. Go with your loved one when they insist on leaving the house. Donât argue or yell. Instead, use distraction or gentle hints to get them to return home. Discourage Driving Driving can be unsafe for someone with this disease. With this in mind, ask a doctor whether itâs safe for your loved one to drive. For example, on a case-by-case basis, there are certain situations where doctors are required to report individuals with particular cognitive impairments, wherein a form of a driving assessment will be recommended. Limit access to the car. Keep the keys with you or lock them away. Ask an authority figure, such as an insurance agent or a doctor, to tell them not to drive. Adult-Proof Your Abode A simple living space is a safe living space. This means reducing clutter and removing any issues that may pose a safety concern. You may also want to get advice from an occupational therapist (home safety expert). Keep in mind that some changes may not be needed right away. Focus on major safety concerns first. Try the following tips: Add lighting (or glow-in-the-dark tape) to brighten dark areas, including stairways and halls. Use color contrast or texture indicators for dials, knobs and appliance controls. Remind your loved one not to carry items while walking to avoid a fall. Remove sharp objects from drawers and countertops. Avoid using small throw rugs or doormats, as they are easy to trip on. Move frequently used items so that they are easy to reach. Lock away alcohol and tobacco products, as they are not recommended for dementia patients. Install handrails in the shower, tub and near the toilet. Bathroom falls are especially common. Adjust the setting on your hot water heater so water does not scald. Those with Alzheimerâs can lose their sensitivity to temperature. Move and lock up hazardous chemicals and cleaning supplies, such as bleach and insecticides. Disable and remove guns or any weapons. Supervise any medication taken by your loved one. Promote a Positive & Healthy Lifestyle Continually emphasize the strengths of your loved one by promoting participation in meaningful activities, wellness visits and healthy habits to help them improve their well-being. Here are some ways to keep them physically and mentally active:  Maintain regular vision and hearing screenings and make necessary adaptations. Establish a routine for daily activities. Encourage participation in self-care and leisure activities. Work with your loved oneâs doctor to establish a healthy diet. Ensure proper hydration. It may help to set reminders for your loved one to drink fluids. Encourage regular exercise. Exercise delivers oxygen to the brain, improving brain health. Promote good sleep habits. Good quality sleep can increase overall brain health and has been associated with improving memory, attention and concentration. Resources and support are available with the Renown Memory Disorders Program. Providers within this program are specifically dedicated to treating several different memory-related disorders. Memory Disorders Resources & Support.
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3 Reasons to Choose a Senior Care Plus Health Plan
Senior Care Plus was Nevadaâs first Medicare Advantage Plan and is still providing healthcare coverage to qualifying members in Washoe, Carson City, Clark & Nye Counties. Senior Care Plus is administered by Hometown Health, the insurance division of Renown Health. That relationship means Senior Care Plus is the only Medicare Advantage Plan supported and accepted at Renown. This preferred access to Renown is a great benefit for northern Nevadans. When it comes to healthcare coverage, there are three key factors to keep in mind. Hereâs why a Senior Care Plus Medicare Advantage Plan is your best choice. 1. Cost Cost matters when searching for the right insurance plan. Of the four Senior Care Plus plans available to residents of Washoe County and Carson City, three offer a zero-dollar monthly premium and all of them offer zero-dollar primary care office visits. That means no out-of-pocket costs for you. Additionally, all Senior Care Plus plans have an annual out-of-pocket maximum. This means when you reach this amount, thatâs all you will pay. Senior Care Plus pays all other covered medical benefits for the rest of the year. Thatâs the beauty of a Senior Care Plus Medicare Advantage Plan. 2. Size of Provider Network and Accessibility Although saving money is important, itâs more important to be able to see a doctor when and where you need to. Senior Care Plus members enjoy the most comprehensive healthcare provider network in the region. Thousands of providers, including many hard-to-find specialists, are in the Senior Care Plus network. Since Senior Care Plus is part of the Renown Health family, you get priority access to all that Renown has to offer, which you wonât find with any other Medicare Advantage Plan. 3. Coverage Medical coverage needs are personal and unique to every member. Understanding a planâs benefits is essential when picking the best coverage for you. Of course, the important benefits you associate with a healthcare plan are included in all Senior Care Plus plans: urgent care visits, specialistsâ visits, lab services, imaging â all with reasonable copays. What sets Senior Care Plus apart from the rest are the additional benefits for preventive health. For example, Senior Care Plus offers plans with a comprehensive dental benefit with first-dollar coverage, meaning you pay nothing until the benefit limit is reached. Senior Care Plus Medicare Advantage Plans also have a vision benefit allowing you to get a new pair of eyeglasses every year. In addition, these plans offer a fitness benefit, so you can join a local gym because Senior Care Plus wants to keep you healthy. Another interesting benefit is the over-the-counter benefit. If you choose the Renown Preferred Plan, you can select $50 worth of over-the-counter products such as: cold medicine, dental products, diabetic supplies, and digestive aides. Remember, thatâs $50 worth of over-the-counter products four times per year. All on a plan that doesnât cost a thing. Senior Care Plus Medicare Advantage Plans offer many added benefits tailored to Nevadans.
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5 Tips for Healthy Aging
September is National Healthy Aging Month, which is described by Healthy Aging Magazine as a âmonth designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older.â  What does healthy aging mean to you? If you're like most people, you're looking forward to removing the negative from your life â negative energy, thoughts, people and activities that don't contribute to your best life.  While we remain focused on ridding ourselves of the negatives, we can forget about ways to strengthen the positive parts of our lives. Dr. Shruti Basho, a family medicine physician at Renown Healthâs senior-focused medical group, provides us with five positive behaviors to focus on to improve happiness and life satisfaction. Healthy Aging in 5 Easy Steps Connect â Humans are naturally social creatures! Build connections with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. Strong interpersonal connections help enrich your life with new experiences and opportunities. Having a support system to call upon in both times of need and times of celebration is priceless, especially as you age. Forming these bonds helps you stay healthier and happier well into your aging journey. Joining the Sterling Silver Club is a great place to meet more people in the community who want to live a healthy, fulfilled life just like you. Be Active â Regular exercise, particularly as you grow older, is vital to increase and maintain your endurance, strength and balance. But exercise doesnât have to be a chore! Pick a physical activity that you enjoy â whether it be enjoying a nature walk, taking a power weightlifting class or anything in between. Being active will also help you build strong connections with others. If you need a workout buddy in your neighborhood, Nextdoor is a great resource to find people who live right around the block from you and may be looking for their next exercise partner.  Take Notice â Curiosity and mindfulness can be an impactful motivator in positive cognition and behavior as you age. Like a child, see the wonder and beauty of the world. Notice the things around you â the weather, the landscape, the mood and the feelings of people. According to Harvard Medical School, changes in the aging brain "enable us to become better at detecting relationships between diverse sources of information, capturing the big picture, and understanding the global implications of specific issues.â By taking notice, itâs easier to learn to appreciate the things that matter. Keep Learning â Engaging with lifelong learning is one of the best ways to keep your mind active. Keep trying something new! Challenges keep you on your toes and increase your confidence and excitement in your day. Donât know where to start? EPIC (Educational Programs Inspiring the Community) offers a diverse personal enrichment and professional development curriculum at Truckee Meadows Community College ranging from art classes to accelerated training certificate courses. Give â Be generous with your time, your knowledge and your talents by giving to friends, family and the community when you have the capacity. Lending yourself to others doesnât have to be taxing â saying thank you and even just giving someone a smile can change the course of someoneâs day. If youâre looking for a hands-on way to give back, Nevada Volunteers is a great place to find volunteer opportunities near you. Renown Health is also always looking for volunteers who are passionate about making an unforgettable difference to the people and communities we serve.  Practice these five tips to improve happiness and quality of life at any age.