Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

In a time of social distancing, one Kentwood family found a way to share a hug

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https://youtu.be/jqsGUSmFXgM
In making the video, Amy VanDorp said her first goal was to hug her mom and her second goal was to share the love of God. (Hub-Able video)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp made regular visits to her mom’s place, bringing her groceries, dropping off items and just spending time with her.

“I was going over there at least once to a couple of times a week,” VanDorp said.

That was until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early spring and Michigan’s governor announced the Stay Home, Stay Safe order along with social distance guidelines of at least six feet or more between people, encouraging strict enforcement for those who are older and at higher risk of contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill.

So VanDorp’s visit to her mother changed to her and her family standing on the lawn of her mother’s Byron Center home at least six-feet from the porch where VanDorp’s mother stood. There was no contact, not even a hug.

“I realized I was becoming more frustrated because all I could do is look at her,” VanDorp said. “The more I saw her, the more I just wanted to hug her.”

As a social worker, VanDorp recognizes the power of human contact. 

Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp talks about the Hug-Able as her husband, Jeff, puts it up in the background. (Hug-Able video)

“The power of the human touch releases endorphins,” VanDorp said. “It connects us. It decreases depression.”

After a recent visit with her mom, VanDorp recognized that her desire to have that contact — to at least hug her mom — was so strong, she decided to do something about it.

“I figured someone probably had created something,” VanDorp said, adding that she started thinking about science fiction films that always had a scientist using a glove box, a clear box where the scientist could put their hands in gloves to touch an unusual object or conduct an experiment. She also thought of a neonatal incubator for premie babies that has armholes so a parent is able to touch their child.

 

But a search through the internet led to VanDorp discovering nothing that would allow her to give her mom a hug. So she decided to make something herself and began to look around her home for items she could use. She spied a clear plastic drop cloth that could be used as a buffer and clear plastic bags that could be used as sleeves to put a person’s hands and arms in to give a hug.

Enter VanDorp’s husband, Jeff, an engineer, who armed with Duct tape, was able to take VanDorp’s idea of the Hug-Able and make it a reality. 

“We took the plastic sheet and cut it to create armholes and then used the clear plastic bags and taped them to the armholes,” Jeff VanDorp said.

The family went over to the mother’s house, telling her they had a surprised but not to peek. In the family’s video, Jeff VanDorp tapes the Hug-Able to a door in the garage, creating a protective barrier between her and the family but through the plastic sleeves/garbage bags, they were able to hug. 

Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp prepares to give her mom a hug. (Hug-Able video)

In the video, you can see how pleased VanDorp’s mother is to be able to hug her family members, saying things such as “This is awesome.” “This is beautiful.” “Can I keep this going all night?”

“She called me the next day and said she slept wonderful that night,” VanDorp said, adding that she does credit the power of being able to hug.

The family posted a video about their journey to create the Hug-Able as to give other people ideas of what they might be able to do to keep the human connection in these times of social distancing.

“My first goal in making the Hug-Able video was to hug my mom,” VanDorp said. “My second goal was to share the love of God with the people who watched the video.”

If you have questions about the Hug-Able, you can reach the VanDorps at hugable2020@gmai.com.

Aging and loss of independence: How assisted living can help

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living,

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


There are parts of aging that we don’t like to talk about, including the loss of independence that many older people face. It’s difficult to see our senior loved ones struggle with things that used to come easy to them, but it’s even harder for them as they have to face the idea that they can no longer take care of themselves alone.


Helping a loved one accept their new situation often involves a conversation about moving to a place where they can receive aid for the things they can no longer do themselves. With bleak images of nursing homes often popping into mind, this option is incredibly unappealing to many seniors. However, a perfect balance between independence and assistance for your senior loved one can be found in assisted living.

What does loss of independence look like?

Losing independence looks different in each senior as they age, but there are three main ways elderly people begin to notice a loss of independence.

  1. Physical—As seniors age they lose strength and mobility, making housekeeping chores, getting out of bed, walking around their residence, bathing, and dressing difficult to do alone.
  2. Mental—Losing cognitive function makes it difficult for seniors to remember appointments, medication schedules, when they last ate, and other personal care tasks.
  3. Social—When a senior can no longer drive or move easily, they often find themselves isolated and unable to engage socially with others, which can have long-term effects on their mental health. 

As a result of losing independence, seniors can feel depressed, angry, guilty, ashamed, or afraid. Seniors can also become confused about why they are losing their independence and either act out or isolate—neither of which are healthy reactions. 


The most common of these feelings is depression, which can often go unnoticed in seniors. It’s important to get your loved one help if they are showing signs of depression, which include:

  • Loss of interest in socializing and activities that used to interest them
  • Changes in weight & appetite
  • Lack of motivation
  • Neglecting personal care (bathing, dressing, taking medications)
  • Decline in cognitive functions
  • Self-loathing

Another common reaction is extreme guilt or shame. Seniors can feel like their inability to care for themselves is their fault, or they might feel ashamed that they need help in parts of their life that they had control over when they were younger. 


Every senior is going to react differently, so be aware of the different types of feelings that your loved one might exhibit during this difficult period in their life, and work with them to address the negative feelings that they have. 

What can you do?

The best thing you can do for a loved one struggling through the process of accepting their loss of independence is to be patient. Your loved one may not understand their own feelings, so don’t add to their stress with your frustrations. Keeping a level head and remaining calm can go a long way.


Visit with your loved one regularly and encourage them to ask for help when they need it so you can understand what their needs are. Offer rides to get them out of their house or apartment and to places where they can socialize with others. If you are working as a temporary caregiver, remember to take your own health into consideration so you don’t burn out, causing more difficulty. 


Another one of the best things you can do is encourage your loved one to move to a community that can give them both the help they need and encourage their own independence. 

Assisted living and senior independence

Assisted living can be a great solution for seniors who need help in certain areas of their lives, but want to maintain their independence as well. Most communities create a plan with your loved one to provide needed services, but allow independence in the other areas of your family member’s life. Common services include: 

  • Medication management
  • Meals and snacks
  • Help with mobility and movement
  • Bathing, dressing, and personal grooming
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Medical services for different levels of care needs

In addition to assistance with these types of tasks, assisted living communities also provide socialization opportunities that your loved one wouldn’t find with in-home care or a family caregiver. Rather than remain confined to a single room, assisted living communities are designed to get seniors interacting with each other and participating in fun activities. 


Communities like Vista Springs are designed with independence and luxury in mind, and we look forward to giving your senior loved one every opportunity to maintain control over their lives while offering assistance with the things they do need help with. Click the link below to learn more about what makes Vista Springs different, or subscribe to our blog to get the latest information on all things assisted living!


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Just the Facts: Scientists debate how to reopen the world

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Getting Off the Life Raft

“We’ve managed to get to the life raft,” says epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), in a recent AAAS/Science Magazine article. “But I’m really unclear how we will get to the shore.”

The article states that as governments move forward, there are many things officials will have to consider such as health of citizen, freedoms of the population, and economic constraints. Countries will be follow different paths to reopen as there is no controlled experiments to compare the effectiveness of different social distancing measures with one expert noting the comparisons of these paths could be revealing. 

Breaking those habits

As the debate continues on when U.S. states and cities will reopen, one item everyone can agree on is that to beat the pandemic, everyone will need to make a change in their behavior. Throughout the crisis, people have been ordered to seek protection in large and small ways from washing their hands to avoiding almost all physical contact.

According to an AAAS/Science Magazine article, politicians, executives and Facebook and Twitter leaders have consulted with Robb Willer, a sociologist at Stanford University who has recruited more than 40 top behavioral sciences to help determine how to steer people into certain actions.

U.S. Census Delayed

When it comes to the U.S. Census, it appears U.S. leaders are in agreement: data collection is going to be delayed. The Trump administration has requested that Congress give the Census Bureau a four-month extension, until April 30, 2021, to deliver its data to the president and another four months to tell each state how many seats it will hold in the 435-member House. 

The reason for the request, according to an article in AAAS/Science Magazine, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Census Bureau to delay sending out enumerators to track down anyone who hasn’t already completed the 10-question census that became available last month. Field operations are expected to continue until the end of October, making it impossible to meet the current statutory deadlines, which had field work being completed on Aug. 14. 

Start Garden awards more than $300,000 to 68 entrepreneurs experiencing financial strain

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Just 10 days after announcing an aggressive relief effort that pivoted its annual 100 business ideas competition, The Start Garden 100, into a fund for existing entrepreneurs, Start Garden announces it has selected grantees of its 100 Comeback Fund. Launched April 7, entrepreneurs had 100 hours to apply for a grant from a $300,000 fund. Just yesterday, a review committee awarded more than $300,000 to 68 entrepreneurs.

It was a whirlwind experience for the Start Garden team and entrepreneurs, but organizers knew the process needed to be quick as time and money is precious for so many entrepreneurs that are trying to navigate the next 100 days. 

“Each day we talk to entrepreneurs, many say that time is their biggest enemy,” said Jorge Gonzalez, Start Garden co-director. “When their April 1 bills came due, it was a serious blow. We knew they needed money before May 1, so we compressed what’s normally six months of work into three weeks. With so many requests, we wished we could do more. We’re confident we did the best we could as fast as possible.”

The results of the 100 hour application process:

  • 430 applications submitted.
  • $5.6 million in requests.
  • 70% of fund requests were for $10,000 or less.
  • 68 applicants were selected to receive funds.
  • Selections were made & entrepreneurs notified in less than 100 hours.
  • 88% of recipients indicated a household income of less than $60,000.
  • 44% of recipients are female. 56% male.
  • 35% of recipients are African American. 32% are Caucasian. 25% are Hispanic. 4% are Asian. 3% identified as Other.

“New business owners frequently pay everyone else before themselves. Almost instantaneously, their ability to provide for their own families was compromised,” said Start Garden co-director Paul Moore. “These funds targeted eliminating that problem for an entrepreneur as they spend the next few months navigating the daily changing landscape of how to make a comeback.” 

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic reached Michigan, the decision was quickly made to pivot funds to The 100 Comeback as Start Garden leaders knew that new entrepreneurs often defer paying themselves in order to grow their business and they can’t lay themselves off. Almost all federal and state small business relief comes in the form of loans, and many new businesses can’t risk the additional leverage.

“The need for entrepreneur financial support is unlike anything we’ve ever seen right now,” said Start Garden co-director Darel Ross II. “People think a business owner is taking home the biggest check. Most don’t realize they’re investing that money into their people and business. In the small business and tech startup community, the financial impact of the COVID-19 shut down hits employers and employees alike.”

“The decision making process was quite emotional,” adds Start Garden program director Laurie Supinski. “Each entrepreneur has such a unique set of problems, which having the 100 second video in the submission was critical to understanding. Their resilience and creativity is so inspiring, and the heartbreak is very real right now. We remain hopeful that this venture will help keep 68 talented entrepreneurs going instead of folding.”

Learn more about The 100 Comeback: https://100.startgarden.com/

The 68 Recipients: 

5F Ventures, LLC

AgHelp

Any Colour You Like Treats LLC

Arebelo & Associates

Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine

Aztech

Bare All LLC

BattleGR

Blackbird RSVP

Break Room Therapy

Bryan Esler Photo

Chez Olga LLC

CNN Cleaning, LLC

Daddy’s Dough Cookies

Dime & Regal

Edgerow Property Management

El Globo Restaurant

El Granjero Mexican Grill

Emonae Korean BBQ

EverythingAB

Flip Dog Yoga

Germination Labs

Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club

Graped Out

Guelaguetza Designs

Irie Kitchen

Jose Abreu Graphic Studio, antiguamente Koren Graphic Design*

KOKI

La Casa del Pollo Loco

Lawnbot

Life Addicts Studio

Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano

Little Space Studio

Littlebird, That Earlybird, Kingfisher

Love’s Ice Cream & Chocolate

Luxe Artisan Preserves

Matt Everitt Productions

Michigan Clinical & Therapeutic Massage

Michigan House Creative

Mindset Meals

Mosbys Popcorn

Muse GR

New Valley Landscape LLC

Noble Strong Training LLC

Old World Olive Co.

Pack Elephant

PhotoUp

Polished Nail Bar & Spa

Pottery Lane

Rising Grinds Cafe

Rogers Wealth Management Services, LLC

RYE Venue Management LLC DBA The Lit GR

SlothWerks LLC

Soldadera Coffee LLC

Sparkle All The Time

Supreme Focus Ent (Dj Composition)

Sympl.

Tacos el Cunado

The Comedy Project

The G-1:27 Collection

The Hot Spot Metal Studio

The Wisdom Center LLC

United Freedom Painting LLC

VIVE MICHIGAN Magazine

Wallway Technologies & Women in Tech with Ariana Podcast

Wear Your Curls

Wimage, LLC

Wormies 

Want to get fit? You’re never too old

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, ,
In your later years, it matters less what type of movement you choose—it’s all about the fact that you’re up and moving. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By American Heart Association, HealthDay


As people age, physical activity still needs to be part of the game plan for living a healthy, happy life—and experts say it’s never too late to get active and build strength.


“We try to tell people the body can still adapt and it can still improve,” said Barbara Nicklas, a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.


Those who engage in more occupational or leisure time physical activity have a lower risk of disease and death—and the health benefits of movement can extend to all ages, Nicklas explained in an editorial in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.


Nicklas cautions against placing all “older adults” who are age 60 and up into one category. Rather than basing exercise and activity goals on age, they should be geared to one’s “physical functional status.”


“What can the person do?” she said. “Not everybody is the same.”


Whether you’re 65 or 85, or a runner, a tennis player or perhaps someone who has difficulty getting around, one constant remains: the importance of moving.


“Any time you can incorporate more movement throughout the day, it is good,” said Nicklas, who urges “starting where you’re at and doing what you can.”


The U.S. Health and Human Services Department and the American Heart Association recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a combination of both, as well as muscle-strengthening activity.


For those who have been living a sedentary lifestyle, walking is the best way to begin getting physically active, Nicklas said. She suggests going with a friend or enrolling in a walking program like the one her university offers. It adds accountability, a social component and safety, to guard against falls.


Using a “walking tool,” such as a cane or walker, if it’s needed, can help you stay active, Nicklas said.


“Slow and steady—the tortoise pace—is better than the rabbit pace when you’re starting out or starting over,” she said.


Resistance or strength training—through free weights, weight machines, pushups or pull-ups—can help with range of motion around joints and improve muscle mass, muscle strength and bone strength. It can help in the ability to perform everyday activities, improve balance and may reduce the risk of falls.


Fred Bartlit, 87, proves the point that chronological age isn’t the determining factor when it comes to strength and feeling young.


A former U.S. Army ranger, Bartlit always had been physically active. He also was an avid skier and golfer. As he reached his 50s, at the urging of his future wife, he intensified his workouts and began strength training at a gym.


Today, the Colorado attorney and author said he is stronger than when he was in the Army at age 22. In addition to practicing law, he makes it his mission to inform older adults about battling sarcopenia, the loss of muscle with aging.


“Our bodies, they’re crying out for physical activity,” he said. “And now the world is sedentary.”


For someone as active as Bartlit, strength training helps him ski challenging mountains trails with his 58-year-old son and 16-year-old granddaughter.


Multiple scientific studies point out that building strength is important in performing everyday activities and in avoiding or managing chronic disease.


Bartlit suggests working with a trainer at first, if possible, and trying to fit in strength training three times per week.


“You have to create habits,” said Bartlit. “It’s about living a full life. It changes the way you think, the way you feel, your confidence in doing things.”


Boosting physical activity and strength helps aging adults do the things they want to do in daily life—and that can be motivating, Nicklas said. It may be as simple as going to the grocery store on your own or having the energy to take grandchildren to the park or to a soccer game.


Older adults are disproportionately affected by conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, with 80% of people over 65 having at least one of those chronic conditions, according to the National Council on Aging.


But even though some health setbacks may occur with advancing age, they don’t have to completely derail an exercise plan. “This is just reality and it’s going to happen,” Nicklas said.


“Steady improvement” should be the aim, she said. “The body is still capable of adapting.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




WKTV celebrates its volunteers at March banquet

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, WKTV Projects, ,
Right, WKTV Board President Judy Bergsma with her husband Mark Bergsma talk to Ron Schultz and his wife. (Photo by Pat Moll)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

About two weeks before the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect, more than 100 people gathered at the WKTV station, located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW, to celebrate another great year of community programming.

At the annual Volunteer Banquet, which was held at the WKTV station, giving volunteers an opportunity to check out the recently finished construction work that added a new facade to the station’s main control room along with creating a second floor above Studio A. In fact, the new meeting space already has been used for a video shoot in February.

WKTV also added to its offerings with the creation of a new podcast room where about 20 shows are taped and filmed with the video housed on the Whole Picture Podcast Facebook page and the podcasts also can be found on the WKTV Journal website.

As always, the annual banquet is designed to recognize the many amazing contributions of the WKTV volunteers.

From left: Anne Cope with Scott Baisden (Pat Moll)

This year’s Volunteer of the Year, Scott Baisden, has spent plenty of time at the WKTV station, clocking in more than 1,000 volunteer hours while also editing and producing shows. Baisden has done a number of handyman jobs from various construction projects to landscaping. He also has lent his expertise to several WKTV productions and podcasts.

Far right, Mike Moll, with the rest of the WKTV Sports crew Mark Bergsma, Ron Schultz, and Paul Kabelman. (Photo by Pat Moll)

This year’s Community Service Programming recipient also is no stranger to WKTV. Mike Moll has been a WKTV volunteer for nine years and he might be a familiar face to many as he is one of the hosts for the WKTV Sports program. Moll also has written sports articles for the WKTV Journal and served as a host for a number of WKTV projects.

Recognition was given to volunteers for both years of volunteer service as well as hours of service in 2019. Following is a list of those recognized as well as their programs or volunteer areas for those honored for years of service.

  • From the left, Latesha Clay and Bernadine Francis were recognized as new volunteers. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • From left, Cynthia Johnson and Randy Galaszewski received their Five-Year Awards. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • Becci Schumaker received the 10-year-Award. (Photo by Pat Moll)
  • Allen Wegener received the 20-Year Award.

20 Years

Allen Wegener – Variety of shows throughout the years

10 Years

Beccie Schumaker – Sports/Concerts

5 Years

Cynthia Johnson – Sports/Parades

Randy Galaszewski – Anything Goes/Sports/Concerts

New Volunteers

Cynthia Best – Volunteer

Latesha Clay – L.I.P. Street Team

Bernadine Francis – Studio Productions

Dana Knight – Productions Involving Arts and Culture

Riley Zoet – WKTV Sports

Volunteers who contributed 25 or less hours to WKTV. (Photo by Pat Moll)

1 – 25 Hours

Judy Bergsma – WKTV Board Member/ Reading Train

Caleb Butler – Former staff / Remotes /Council meetings 

Paul Chittenden – Indie Filmmaker / Podcasting

Sagar Dangal – WKTV News /Bhutanese Talk Podcast  

Joe DeJong – Infinity & Beyond Podcast

Randy Galaszewski – Anything Goes / Summer Concerts

Cynthia Johnson – Holiday Parades

Phyllis Koslow – Grand Rapids Symphonette

William McKenny – L.I.P. Street Team and Truck Remotes

Pat Moll – Photographer WKTV News

Linda Pacic – Host Parades and Specials 

Les Raebel – WKTV Board

Don Schumaker – Golden Gloves

Laura Szczepanek – The Polish Pod Café Podcast

Andrew Shelest – Construction

Nathan Slauer – WKTV News

Mark Tangen – Metro Cruise

Mike Van Druemel – WKTV Fix it Man

Dick Visser – WKTV Board Member

Pat Williams – Volunteer

Volunteers who contributed between 26-50 hours to WKTV in 2019. (Photo by Pat Moll)

26 -– 50 Hours

Doug Hansen – Sports

Paul Kabelman – WKTV Sports

Romeo Keels – L.I.P. Street Team + Truck Productions

Kyle Misak – Indie Filmmaker

Reid Petro – Indie Filmmaker 

Prakash Rai – WKTV News / Sports

Tom Sibley – Veterans / Sid Lenger Travel Shows

Bob Serulla – Golden Gloves / Metro Cruise

Wayne Thomas – Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Podcasts

Meochia Thompson – New Cooking Show/ WKTV News

These volunteers contributed 51 – 99 hours to WKTV in 2019. (Photo by Pat Moll)

51 – 99 Hours

Carrie Bradstreet –  Anything Goes Podcast / WKTV News Host/ 10

Mark Bergsma – WKTV Sports

Anne Cope – Why Don’t We Have Our Own Podcast

Ron Schultz – WKTV Sports


This year’s 100 Hour Club included a number of dedicated WKTV volunteers. (Photo by Pat Moll)

100 Hour Club

Val Fisher

Gary Vande Velde 

Scott Wiseman

Kyle Cortez 

Allen Wegenar

Monique Keels

Darius Young

Stephanie Norton 

Renee Karadsheh

Becci Schumaker

Bill Rinderkencht

Mike Bacon 

Kathy Norton

Mike Moll

Matt Kavaluskis

Matt Zuby

Michael McCallum

Rose Hammond

Doug Remtema 

Scott Baisden 

Programmed to pack pounds?

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Senior Living, ,
The genetic traits that helped our ancestors battle food scarcity could today be contributing to excess weight and related illnesses. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay


It’s not easy maintaining a healthy weight. Even when you manage to drop a few pounds, they often return.


Why would the body seem to encourage obesity?


New research suggests the answer lies far back in human evolution, with an anti-starvation mechanism that primes the body to store fat.


The key to this mechanism is a protein dubbed “RAGE,” according to New York University scientists working with mice. They believe RAGE evolved to help keep ancient humans from starving when food was scarce.


But today, in times of plenty, there’s a glitch at work: RAGE is produced to combat the cellular stress caused by overeating.


The protein seems to mistake this stress as similar to starvation, and so it switches off the body’s ability to burn fat. The result: fat becomes easy to accumulate, but tough to shed.


Still, there’s a silver lining to all of this, the NYU team said, because the research might lead to anti-obesity drugs.


“Our thinking is that RAGE is targetable. When we put mice with no RAGE expression at all on a high-fat diet, they ate the food but were not becoming obese,” explained study author Dr. Ann Marie Schmidt, from the NYU School of Medicine.


And a lack of RAGE appeared to be safe, at least for mice.


“When you totally delete RAGE in mice, they have normal reproduction and no problems with cognition,” she said.


The researchers hope that because RAGE seems to be active just during times of metabolic stress instead of during everyday functions, taking it away won’t create problems.


But don’t pin your hopes on a RAGE-deleting drug just yet.


Schmidt was quick to note that any such drug is a long way off yet because the research is currently in mice. Findings from animal studies don’t always translate to humans.


Still, Schmidt said the potential is exciting.


In addition to limiting the body’s ability to burn fat, RAGE also may contribute to inflammation throughout the body. So, along with taming obesity, it’s possible that removing the RAGE protein might help with some of the inflammatory consequences of obesity, such as diabetes, cancer, hardening of the arteries and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the researchers.


Dr. Michael Wood, medical director for bariatric surgery at the Detroit Medical Center’s Harper University Hospital, said the study was interesting, although very early.


And, Wood said, “obesity is a very complicated problem, and I think these findings are an oversimplification.”


But Wood noted that it’s possible the RAGE protein plays a role in excess weight. It’s just not likely the only factor in the development of obesity.


“I don’t think there’s one switch or any one thing that can solve this complicated issue. There’s no magic bullet for obesity,” he said.


Right now, if someone wants to lose weight, they have to commit to lifestyle changes, Wood said.


And, that’s true even if someone has weight-loss surgery. He added that the most significant change comes from eating fewer calories. Exercise is a healthy habit, but only a small component of weight loss.


The study was published online recently in the journal Cell Reports. Funding was provided by the American Heart Association, the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Diabetes Association.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Photo of the Week: I’ll be there for you

Citizen Journalism

Before the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, WKTV hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Party on March 7 at the WKTV station located in Wyoming. Pictured are former WKTV employee and now volunteer Caleb Butler and WKTV Production Coordinator Davin Harsila.

While the station is closed to the public right now due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the staff is there and can not wait to hear about all the upcoming projects our volunteers have been planning while at home. Until then, remember to practice social distancing and wash those hands.

Do you have a photo to be considered for Photo of the Week? Send your photos to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma, joanne@wktv.org.

Hospitals put out the call, the community responds

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Coppercraft Distillery deliveries hand sanitizer to Holland Hospital.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

If there is something that staff from West Michigan hospitals have learned during the past couple of weeks, if you ask, the community will rally to help.

As the announcement of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order came out and area hospitals began to see the number of COVID-19 cases rise, hospital officials put out a request for items.

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Public Relations Manager Jamie Allen said Metro Health has received a number of donations from the community. Among those contributing are:

• Amway donated 3,400 bottles of hand sanitizer

• Steelcase donated 1,800 face shields

• Byrne Electric donated 500 face shields

• The Center for Physical Rehabilitation donated an assortment of gloves, wipes, and sanitizer

• Planet Fitness donated hand sanitizer and disinfectant products

• Posh Nail Spa and Girl Cave Nail Salon donated gloves

• Hoekwater Family Dentistry donated masks and gloves

• Home Depot donated make, filters, and gloves

“We are now asking for homemade cloth masks from the community,” Allen said, adding that they have received about 600 handmade masks from individual donors. “These are something we want to provide to our non-clinical staff members.”

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is accepting donations from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items are to be brought to Metro Health’s System Services and Learning Center, 1980 Metro Court, Wyoming. People should enter using the door on the south side of the building, facing M-6. 

Area schools contribute

With public school and college buildings shut down due to the governor’s order, staff at KentISD and several area universities and colleges discovered they had extra personal protection equipment that would not be used for the current school year.

School News Network reported that the Kent Career Tech Center’s Exploring Health Careers program has donated personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, isolation gowns, and cleaning items like hospital-grade wipes and hand sanitizes to Spectrum Health and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. 

According to School News Network, other schools that have donated include Rockford, which donated 5,000 medical gloves and more than 1,000 masks and Grandville High School science department donated 219 pairs of protective eyewear to Metro Health. As well as Grand Rapids Community College, which donated more than 70,000 pieces of medical and personal protection equipment and have had faculty members volunteering time and expertise to Spectrum Health and GRCC’s Nursing Programs loaning thermometers and donated more than 1,500 thermometer probe covers to the Grand Rapid sPolice Department. 

Various departments at Grand Valley State University have donated medical supplies to regional health care systems and facilities. Efforts include donating disposable gloves from science laboratories as well as custom-made masks designed and created by engineering students and faculty, and face shields and respirators donated by occupational safety and health laboratories.

“It seemed like the right thing to do,” said Michele DeWitt, lead lab supervisor with the GVSU Chemistry Department, who led efforts for donating 90,000 disposable gloves to Spectrum Health. “We don’t want the doctors, nurses and other health professionals to get sick. We want them to be able to help us.”

The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing and the applied Medical Device Institute worked to design and create approximately 1,000 face masks, all made by hand from fabric and metal. Because elastic is in short supply, the design incorporates a metal clamp to hold the mask in place comfortably. Those masks will be donated to American Family Care, an urgent care in Grand Rapids that was already in short supply of equipment.

Businesses getting creative

Business leaders have also rolled up their sleeves to help where they can.

Hearing that there was a major shortage of nasal swaps for the COVID-19 test kits at a Grand Rapids hospital, The Right Place staff identities Keystone Solutions Group, a member of its medical device consortium, MiDevice, that had the capabilities to fulfill the request. The company’s team worked to develop the swabs and being production for West Michigan health care systems.

Many have heard of Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery’s efforts to produce hand sanitizer with the company delivering a 1,000 gallons to Holland Hospital before the end of March and another 1,000 gallons to the Detroit Fire Department last week. 

While Coppercraft is focused on area hospitals and other emergency agencies, Three Oaks’ Journeyman Distillery has answered the call of providing hand sanitizer to the community. 

“In the early 1940s, the Warren Featherbone Company supported the war effort by manufacturing raincoats for the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Journeyman founder and self-proclaimed history buff Bill Welter. “Now, almost 80 years later, we’ve converted our production facility in the historic Featherbone factory to make hand sanitizer for front-line healthcare and essential service providers—as well as our community.”

In March, Journeyman had a fundraising bottle sale for its Hourly Employee Fund and from there requests for hand sanitizer started rolling in with the company website taking online orders. 

Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station staff prepares to take snacks to Spectrum Health. (Supplied)

Due to national restrictions, travel has been down especially on the airlines. Southwest Airlines found it had an abundance of snacks it normally serve for on-board flight service and wanted to make sure food items were put to good use. This week, Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station dropped of 30 boxes of snacks to teams at Spectrum Health as a way of saying thanks to all the healthcare employees putting in long hours to battle COVID-19.

Donations are being accepted at many facilities. For a list of items, click here.  

‘Hallelujah’ It’s the weekend!

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,
The Grand Rapids Symphony and Chorus perform “Hallelujah”. Sound mixing done by Jay Round. Video editing by Glen Okonoski and Steve Secor. (Grand Rapids Symphony)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

Though the concert halls are empty, the musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphonyand Symphony Chorus have not been silent.

More than 70 musicians of the orchestra and chorus have banned together to create a virtual performance of the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

The production led by Music Director Marcelo Lehninger debuted Thursday evening. You can see “Hallelujah for Hope: From Our Homes to Yours” here on the Grand Rapids Symphony’s website as well as on its Facebook page and YouTube page.

More than 70 musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus each recorded his or her performance in their own homes, and all of the individual tracks were brought together in the nearly 5-minute performance unveiled on April 9.

“During these extraordinary circumstances, we need music more than ever. Music sustains us and nourishes us. It gives us comfort when we’re troubled and offers hope for renewal,” Lehninger said. “Beethoven said it best: ‘Music can change the world,’ and we agree.”

Grand Rapids Symphony and Chorus members recorded their pieces from home.

The very first performance of Handel’s Messiah was given in April 1742 as a benefit concert to raise money for two hospitals in Dublin. The “Hallelujah” Chorus may be 278 years old, but its message of comfort still rings true, and its promise of hope is just as relevant for us today.

Grand Rapids Symphony selected the most famous chorus from the best-known oratorio in the English language because it’s so well-known and because it uses both orchestra and chorus.

“Because of its message of hope, as well as the importance of expressing joy for the gift of music, we believe this would be a powerful piece of music to share as a gift to our community,” said Mary Tuuk, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony, who also participated in the virtual performance.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Grand Rapids Symphony began cancelling concerts and events on Thursday, March 12. The GRS offices closed as of Monday, March 16 with staff continuing to work from home.

Two weeks later, the Grand Rapids Symphony launched From Our Homes to Yours featuring daily solo performances by musicians throughout the Grand Rapids Symphony family. The series debuted March 27 with a video featuring Principal Cellist Alicia Eppinga and Music Director Marcelo Lehninger on piano.

Through the end of April, you can enjoy a new performance every morning at 9 a.m., seven days a week, on the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Facebook page or YouTube page. You also can view the entire lineup of videos already posted on the Grand Rapids Symphony’s From Our Home to Yours page on YouTube.

“In challenging times, we need music more than ever,” Lehninger said. “So our talented musicians will continue to perform from their homes to yours.”

To maintain operations, the Grand Rapids Symphony has launched a fundraising campaign titled Music More Than Ever: From Our Home to Yours. All donations to the campaign (up to $5,000) will be matched dollar for dollar by generous friends and supporters who have pledged $50,000 in matching funds.

“Although the Grand Rapids Symphony isn’t performing, our musicians and staff still are being paid,” Lehninger said. “You can help us by supporting our Music More Than Ever campaign.”

6 tips for stylish (and healthy) heels

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They’re fun and fashionable, but heed these warnings to save your heels. (Courtesy of Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat staff


Like many women, Marisha Stawiski, DPM, would love to be able to wear a 3-inch heel on a regular basis with no pain.


“But unfortunately, the vast majority of us just cannot withstand this foot position for any prolonged course of time on a regular basis without having detrimental effects on foot health and eliciting pain,” said the Spectrum Health Medical Group Foot & Ankle podiatrist. “As a rule of thumb, the more you can avoid a shoe with a heel over 1.5 inches, the better.


“Yet many of us (myself included) will stray from this rule of thumb for aesthetics and beauty at times,” Dr. Stawiski said. “Some of us more than others.”

Her best advice?

1. Go high quality.

Buy a heel that is as high quality as possible for your budget. Certainly, something with more cushion, width and arch support will feel better than a poorly constructed shoe.

2. Go lower.

The lower the heel, the less you are going to see complications and pain associated with wear. Think a cute kitten or wedge heel.

3. Try it out.

Purchase the shoe only if you can return it. If you wear it around your home only an hour or two (don’t wear outside, stay on carpet), you will know if there is any way the heel will be something you can feasibly wear for an extended period of time and still be modestly comfortable.

4. Keep it real.

If you have certain foot pathology, sadly, you may need to give up the idea of wearing heels at all. Some examples of pathology that may preclude you from being able to wear high heels includes severe bunions or hammertoes, arthritis, hallux rigidus, or Haglund’s deformity.

5. Give your feet a timeout.

Whenever possible, avoid wearing high heels for any extended walking or standing. Bring an alternative pair of shoes with you to the office, and slip off your heels under the desk during the day to put on a more sensible shoe. Slip on your heels when getting up for meetings, but try to avoid staying in them all day long. Take them off for your commute as well.

6. Think special occasions.

Avoid wearing heels on a regular basis or every day. Have alternative wardrobes that go well with a lower heel, wedge or a flat with more support. Your feet really do need a break from wearing a high heel, and high heels should be more of an occasional thing than an everyday occurrence.

Higher risks

Remember, if you choose to wear high heels, you are at a higher risk of developing a variety of conditions, including metatarsal pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon issues, Haglund’s deformity and knee pain.


“There is plenty of data to show that high heels have negative long-term effects on several structures from the toes all the way up the lower extremity,” Dr. Stawiski said.


While some shoemakers market technology such as memory foam and built-in arch support that’s meant to diminish the problems associated with high-heel use, it doesn’t change the position of the foot when it’s stuffed into a heel.


“All high heels are thrusting the foot into a very unnatural position,” Dr. Stawiski said. “You cannot completely counteract the negative affects of walking or standing in heels with new technology.”


Even if considerable padding and arch support are added to a 3-inch-plus heel, the issues with the high heel still exist, she noted.


“Padding and arch support don’t change this abnormal biomechanical position, which creates many of the injuries associated with wearing high heels,” she said. “These added technologies can make the shoe more tolerable for a longer amount of time for certain individuals, but they do not eliminate the root issues inherent to a high heel.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Snapshots: Things to do during the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order

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Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.

Winne-the-Pooh


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Visit Drummond Island or check out Harbor Country

Drummond Island now has a live camera. (WKTV)

Two new Michigan destination spots added live video or virtual tours this week. The West Michigan Tourist Association added a livestream video of Drummond Island to its website, wmta.org. The stream is one of 12 livestreams featuring West Michigan locations such as the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Binder Park Zoo, and the USS Silverside Museum. To learn more, click here.

Also, Harbor Country, which features eight towns, Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, and Sawyer, along the southeast edge of Lake Michigan, announced it has released its annual tour guide of the area digitally. To check it, click here.

Run for the Tulips

Sign up for the Tulip Time 5K virtual run and then start training. Just do the run sometime between May 1 and 10 and you will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal plus a dollar from each registration will go toward the Kids Food Basket. You must register by April 20 to participate in the run. For more information, click here, and remember to follow social distancing guidelines!

Check out the May ballot

Michigan’s Secretary of State’s office has announced that the coming May 5 ballot will “primarily” use a mail-in voting system by expanding the state’s existing absentee ballot process with all registered voters in areas set to vote being sent absentee ballot registrations. There are two school districts that will have items on the ballot, Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights. For more on how the May 5 election will work, click here.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (Wikipedia Commons)

Fun Fact: Lighthouses

Michigan has more than 100 lighthouses, 116 that can be toured. Ever wonder which one is the oldest? Fort Gratiot Lighthouse was established in 1825 and is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Michigan. It help keeps watch over Lake Huron at the St. Clair River.

Lighthouse of Alexandria (Wikipedia Commons)

Bonus Fun Fact

The oldest lighthouse in the world happens to be the first lighthouse, the Pharos of Alexandria, commonly called the Lighthouse of Alexandria. It was built by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Ancient Greece sometime between 280 – 247 BCE

How will COVID-19 impact the nonprofit sector? Johnson Center research offers insights

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Johnson Center for Philanthropy

By Nate Hoekstra
Grand Valley State University

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States and the rest of the world, financial implications on employees and businesses are profound.

Impacts are being felt across the economy, and the nonprofit sector is not immune. Researchers at Grand Valley’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy have analyzed IRS 990 form data and have identified trends in the nonprofit sector that nonprofits can expect to contend with as the pandemic evolves. 

The research was led by Jeff Williams, director of the Johnson Center’s Community Data and Research Lab, and is based on an analysis of the financial vulnerabilities of nonprofit organizations.

Williams said models can help nonprofit leaders make educated decisions about their organizations, especially as it pertains to project management, disaster response and using solid data.

The Community Data and Research Lab identified three trends that leaders can use to inform decision making.

1. Before things get significantly better or worse, leaders can expect to see things ‘get weird.’

Williams said in times of crisis when we are looking for certainty the most — even if it’s bad news — is when events are most likely to be unexpected in terms of magnitude, order and topic. 

“Adopting a mental posture of flexibility is key,” Williams said. “Being open about the impending storm in communications with service beneficiaries, clients and staff is essential for maintaining staff morale, too.”

2. Nonprofits are facing three distinct financial threats at the moment, each of which will impact different nonprofits in different ways. 

As entire segments of the economy falter and the stock market tumbles, different types of nonprofits will see decreases in revenue in three very different ways: decreasing revenue from annual campaigns and gifts, dropping demand for services and/or changes to contracts, and decreasing value in investments and stock market fluctuations. Most nonprofits, for example, receive very little investment income, so stock market fluctuations will not be their primary concern.

Williams said a clear understanding of the different types of revenue declines is important because nonprofits are businesses that pay salaries and rent, and purchase supplies and equipment just like any other. However in the big picture, nonprofits serve a broader public mission. Williams said nonprofits should remember to secure their operations first, much like the instructions given to passengers on airliners about oxygen masks: Always secure your own mask before assisting others.

“While businesses are closing and people are at risk of losing employment, there is likely to be an increase of demand for safety net agency services, many of which will be met by nonprofit organizations and their staff,” Williams said. “But if a nonprofit cannot meet its business obligations, it will not be in a long-term position to assist its community in a time of need.”

The full report from the Community Data and Research Lab explores in depth the different financial problems nonprofits of different sizes and categories may face due to COVID-19. The report is available at JohnsonCenter.org.

3. The process of restoring normalcy isn’t a linear process. Multiple stages of recovery often exist, involving different sectors of the nonprofit world at different times.

Williams said while some disasters are a singular event, like a tornado or tsunami, others happen more slowly and recovery often takes many stages. When society works to recover from the pandemic, the nonprofit sector will see those stages take shape. 

Right now, nonprofits are focused on immediate needs, like health care and direct emergency assistance, especially food. However, over time, as the situation stabilizes, the nonprofit sector will need to shift to education, housing and human services. 

Once the virus is well contained, job training, workforce development and other economic and productivity concerns will come back to the forefront. 

Finally, when people feel confident making longer-term plans to return to normal life, nonprofit operations will also return to a more normal activity level.

Upcoming research

Over the next several weeks, the Johnson Center will use additional IRS data to explore other financial aspects of the nonprofit sector, including cash on hand, changes in revenue sources, and what past economic shocks tell us about nonprofit organization creation and failure rates.

For more information, visit JohnsonCenter.org.

Photo of the Week: Peaceful reflection

Citizen Journalism

This sunset picture was taken by Dorr resident Becky DeYoung just before the snow melted on Lake Michigan. The picture was taken at Holland State Park, which is a public recreation area covering 142 acres in Park Township, Ottawa County, four miles west of the city of Holland.

Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Send it Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

Fragrance, asthma, and indoor quality

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health
https://youtu.be/UMsMLKwFNkQ

Do you have asthma, and have you experienced sneezing, wheezing, or itchy watery eyes when exposed to perfume or room deodorizers? Fragrance sensitivity may be impacting your asthma. When there are a lot of fragrances in an environment, even people without asthma may experience these types of symptoms.

As we spend more time at home, it is very important to protect our lungs by doing our best to reduce exposure to allergens and irritants. One way to improve your home’s air quality is to use fragrance-free products. From lotions, hand soaps, laundry detergent, and skincare products, there are healthier options. This article provides the information needed to promote cleaner air in the home. There are also products to avoid altogether, such as air aerosol fresheners—especially for individuals with asthma or other respiratory medical conditions.

Why Fragrances Might Be Problematic

Many of us connect our favorite scents with fond memories. The smell of Cherry blossoms in spring, the smell of your sweetheart’s favorite cologne, or even the smell of Pine-Sol may remind us of people and places that are dear to us. However, fragrance can be problematic for people with asthma, as many are either allergic or sensitive to fragrance. Fragrance sensitivity is the development of allergy-like symptoms with exposure to a certain fragrance(s). It is not a true allergic reaction but an irritation.

Symptoms

Different people will react in different ways, but fragrances can certainly lead to asthma-like symptoms such as:

  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Fragrances can also lead to symptoms such as:

  • Skin irritation
  • Eye irritation
  • Headache
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Abnormal gait
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Palpitations
  • Chest pain

What You Can Do

Avoidance is generally the best treatment. Avoiding fragrances in the following products may help prevent symptoms:

  • Fabric softeners
  • Home deodorizers
  • Laundry detergent
  • Lotion and other skincare products
  • Scented candles
  • Perfume or cologne
  • Soaps

When buying any cleaners, laundry detergent, lotions, and soaps, look for “Fragrance-Free” on the label.

Air fresheners and scented candles may smell pleasant to some, but they reduce the air quality in your home. Avoidance of fragrances, in general, supports lung health. By removing fragrances from your home environment, you can improve your air quality and stay safe at home.

Article Source: About.com: Fragrance Sensitivity: Making Sense of Scents by Pat Bass, MD

10 things to know about IBD

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With proper treatment or medications, patients can usually get inflammatory bowel disease under control. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Marie Havenga, Spectrum Health Beat


If you are suffering from urgent bowel movements, frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain, you may be a victim of inflammatory bowel disease.


But all is not doom and gloom.


With the right treatment plan, most patients can limit their symptoms and complications, allowing them to live full and active lives, said Andrew Shreiner, MD, PhD, a Spectrum Health Medical Group gastroenterologist.


Dr. Shreiner, who presented an IBD program recently at a digestive disease conference, sat down with Spectrum Health Beat to discuss what patients need to know about the disease.

1. What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

Symptoms of IBD are often related to inflammation in the digestive tract, including frequent diarrhea, blood in the stool, urgency with bowel movements and abdominal pain. Generalized symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss are common. Symptoms related to complications of IBD, including infection or intestinal blockage, are less frequent and include abdominal pain, fever, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Occasionally, symptoms may develop from IBD affecting other body areas, such as skin, joints or eyes.

2. What are the types of IBD?

The main types are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis affects the colon and often causes bloody diarrhea with urgency. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, so symptoms are variable but often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue and weight loss.

3. What causes IBD?

We don’t know what causes IBD, exactly. It is clear that inherited genetic factors are one component, but environmental factors play a large part in the development of IBD, too. Many of the possible environmental factors are thought to be the result of modernized living, such as antibiotic use, exposure or lack thereof to microbes and changes in diet.

4. How do you diagnose it?

In individuals with symptoms that are worrisome for IBD, and not explained by another cause (such as intestinal infection), ulcerative colitis is generally diagnosed with colonoscopy and tissue biopsy, and Crohn’s disease is often diagnosed with a combination of colonoscopy and an imaging test, such as a CT scan.

5. How can IBD affect my daily life?

When IBD is active, it can have a significant impact on daily life. Frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain and fatigue can really limit an individual’s ability to maintain a normal routine. Sometimes, individuals are admitted to the hospital with severe symptoms. When IBD is well-treated and inactive, individuals can function without any significant impairments related to IBD.

6. Is there any preventive care?

Individuals with IBD—particularly those on medications to suppress the immune system—are at increased risk for a number of health problems. Preventive care is important to decrease the risk for developing these health problems. This includes vaccinations to prevent infections, sun protection to prevent skin cancer, routine check-ups to prevent osteoporosis, and a number of other preventive measures.

7. Are there any medications that can help?

Yes, there is a growing list of medications that help treat IBD. The goal of treatment is to induce and then maintain remission from inflammation, so medications work to suppress the inappropriate immune activity that promotes IBD. Various medications differ in the level of potency, so there are various options to treat IBD ranging from mild to severe.

8. How much does diet/lifestyle affect IBD?

We generally recommend a healthy diet and active lifestyle, in addition to not smoking tobacco, to promote overall health. These measures can lessen the symptom burden in IBD and they are an important component of managing the disease. It is important to note that diet and lifestyle habits are not adequate therapies by themselves to treat IBD in the vast majority of individuals.

9. Can surgery help?

There is a role for surgery in the treatment of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In general, surgery is used as the last option for active disease or disease-related complications that cannot be adequately treated with medical therapy or less invasive procedures.

10. Can it ever be cured?

At present, IBD cannot be cured. However, it can be managed in most cases to limit symptoms and complications and to allow individuals to lead full and active lives.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Metro Health president, CEO provides message to the community

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health,

In a videotaped message to the West Michigan community, Dr. Peter Hahn, President and CEO of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, describes the fight against COVID-19 as the defining challenge of our time, one that offers everyone an opportunity to contribute.

Drawing from his experience as an ICU physician and as a healthcare leader, Dr. Hahn notes that the greatest minds in medicine, science, engineering and manufacturing are racing to find vaccines, treatments and innovative solutions.

These experts need time and that is why it is critical for everyone to practice social distancing and other precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. These actions buy precious time. Everyone has a role to play and every step we take here in West Michigan unites us to the global cause.

“The finest medical minds in our community and across the nation are working together on our behalf to develop vaccines and treatments,” Dr. Hahn says. “Brave and tireless healthcareworkers are being joined by an army of civic-minded people from all walks of life – people likeyou, resolved to do their part.”

WKTV features launch of ISS Expedition 63 on Thursday

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At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 63 crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left) and Anatoly Ivanishin (center) and Ivan Vagner of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz trainer during the second day of Soyuz qualification exams March 12. They are scheduled to launch April 9 on the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station. Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

By Kelly Taylor
kelly@wktv.org

On Thursday, April 9, the WKTV Government 26 channel will feature live coverage the launch of the International Space Station Expedition 63/Soyuz MS-16 from the Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Coverage starts at 3 a.m. with the launch scheduled for 4:05 a.m.

Live coverage continues at 9:30 a.m. for the docking of the Soyuz MS-16 to the ISS. The docking is scheduled to take place at 10:16 a.m.

The hatch opening will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m., followed by the welcoming ceremony for the Expedition 63 crew, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.

For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov. NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.

Marriage—a life-extender?

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When you’re married, you’re more likely to have someone looking out for you and reinforcing healthy behaviors. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay


Married folks not only live longer than singles, but the longevity gap between the two groups is growing, U.S. government health statisticians report.


The age-adjusted death rate for the married declined by 7% between 2010 and 2017, according to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


“Not only is the rate for married lower, but it’s declining more than any other group,” said lead author Sally Curtin, an NCHS statistician.


Statistically, death rate is the annual number of deaths for every 100,000 people. It’s adjusted so that a 26-year-old and an 80-year-old married or widowed or divorced are on equal footing.


The new study reported that the death rate for never-marrieds declined only 2%, while that for divorced people hasn’t changed at all.


Worst off were the widowed, for whom the death rate rose 6%. They have the highest death rate of all the categories, researchers said.


Married men in 2017 had an age-adjusted death rate of 943 per 100,000, compared to 2,239 for widowers.


The death rate was 1,735 per 100,000 for lifelong bachelors and 1,773 for divorced men.


Married women had a death rate of 569 per 100,000, two-and-a-half times lower than the 1,482 rate for widows. The death rate was 1,096 for divorcees and 1,166 for never-married women.


Part of the marriage benefit could be explained by the fact that people in good health are more likely to marry, said Katherine Ornstein, an associate professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.


Once you’re in a marriage, there are a host of tangible and intangible benefits that give you a health advantage, experts said.


Married people are more likely to have health insurance, Ornstein said, and therefore, have better access to health care.


Being married also means you have someone looking out for you and reinforcing healthy behaviors, said Michael Rendall, director of the Maryland Population Research Center at the University of Maryland.


“Having somebody there who’s your spouse will tend to promote positive health behaviors—going to the doctor, eating better, getting screened,” he said.


This is particularly true of men, who previous studies have shown derive more health benefits from marriage than women.


“Men tend to have fewer skills than women in terms of looking after themselves,” Rendall said.


Finally, the companionship of marriage staves off health problems associated with loneliness and isolation, Ornstein said.


“Social support and the social engagement that comes with being married is a huge benefit for mental health and physical health,” she said.


All these benefits also explain why widowed people tend to do so badly after the death of their spouse, Ornstein said.


Widows and widowers have to deal with heartache, loneliness and financial stress, she said. They no longer have a partner looking after them, so they are more likely to neglect their health.


The study found some gender differences in trends.


While the death rate for married men and women declined by the same 7%, women’s overall death rate was much lower.


But the death rates among men in all other marital categories remained essentially the same between 2010 and 2017, researchers found.


On the other hand, the death rate for widowed women rose 5%, while the rate for never-married women declined by 3% and remained stable for divorced women.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Top 7 migraine myths

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Migraines might be a mystery for many, yet sufferers have more tools and knowledge available to them today to combat the debilitating headaches. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Jared Pomeroy, MD, MPH


Migraines affect more than 39 million Americans, and about 4 million of them suffer from the chronic form of the disease of 15 or more migraine days a month.


Those who suffer from these debilitating headaches frequently encounter difficulty in getting appropriate treatment when they seek help. The reason? Misunderstanding and the unfortunate fact there is no concrete test for migraines.


To clear up some of the misconceptions, I’ve compiled a short myths quiz so you can test your own knowledge and challenge those around you to do the same.

Myth 1: My headache is not a migraine because I do not have an aura.

Most people with migraines do not experience aura with their headaches. An aura is a sensory disturbance caused by changes in electrical activity in the brain that can precede migraines and is most commonly visual in nature (flashing lights, zig-zag lines) but can also involve numbness, changes in speech or other symptoms. Only about 30 percent of people with migraines experience an aura.

Myth 2: There really is not much I can do to prevent a migraine.

A healthy lifestyle is important in migraine prevention. Adequate exercise and avoidance of tobacco and highly processed foods often goes a long way toward fewer migraines. Sleep is another common factor. Improving your migraine pattern is difficult when you have poor quality or insufficient sleep.

Myth 3: My headache is a tension type headache.

Remember Myth 1. Most people do not get an aura. The International Headache Society has released diagnostic guidelines on migraines that are based on things like duration, severity and associated symptoms. Headaches that are severe enough to discuss with your doctor and also involve nausea or light and sound sensitivity are usually migraines. However, it’s always important to seek medical advice to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Myth 4: Medications don’t work to prevent my migraines.

There are a lot of reasons acute and preventive medications fail for any given person. Preventive agents (things taken every day with a goal to eventually decrease frequency of migraines) typically take months to be effective once you are on an adequate dose. Giving up on a medication too soon or before an effective dosage has been determined by your physician dooms the attempt. Maintaining open and consistent communication with your doctor is important. Also, remember to focus on the lifestyle factors mentioned in Myth 2.

Myth 5: Despite my nausea, if I keep my pill down it may really help my migraine.

Let’s talk about why acute medications (those taken at the start of a headache to get more immediate resolution of pain) fail. If you are nauseated when you take a pill, you aren’t likely to see results quickly. During migraines (especially when nausea is prominent) the gastrointestinal system slows. That pill has to not only make it to your stomach, but also move to the intestines to be absorbed. If you’re just barely able to keep it down, then it’s unlikely to provide much benefit. You might want to explore other options such as intranasal sprays, injectable therapies or suppositories. They tend to be a lot more effective when nausea is present.

Myth 6: It’s just a low-grade migraine. I shouldn’t take anything for it until it gets severe.

Imagine trying to put out a campfire with a bucket of water. Now imagine trying to put it out with that same bucket of water after you’ve let the fire significantly spread. Which scenario is likely to work? Clearly, dampening the fire before it gets out of control is more likely to extinguish it. Migraines work the same way. The earlier you take the medication once you start experiencing pain, the more likely you are to successfully stop the migraine before it gets out of control.

Myth 7: I can take an acute medication every day for my migraine.

Studies have shown that acute medications used for migraines can actually increase the frequency of migraines if taken too frequently. Typically, this happens after two to three days per week of acute medication use. This is akin to daily coffee drinkers waking up one morning with a headache because they slept in and missed their morning cup. The same thing happens with acute medication for migraines, but with even fewer days of use. If you are feeling the need to use your acute migraine medications too frequently, then it’s time to talk to your doctor about preventive measures.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Should we move into assisted living? Insight for aging couples

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Today, more Americans are living longer, meaning that more couples are going through the aging process together. If you and your spouse are considering options for assisted living, here are a few areas to research while planning.

Does the community meet our needs as a couple?

Not all assisted living communities are prepared to support a couple’s needs. In the past, the vast majority of people living in senior communities were single individuals, so it’s necessary to find out how each community has adapted to serving couples. For instance, some facilities offer shared rooms or suites, whereas other living situations might require couples with different medical conditions to live in different wings. Consider your dynamic as a couple and decide what living arrangement is a priority for you.

Does the community meet our needs as individuals?

Often, one partner is less healthy than the other or needs more involved medical care. Perhaps one spouse needs constant help with daily tasks, while the other is able-bodied and interested in an active lifestyle. It’s imperative to find out how the community is suited to these needs. Does the social life of the community appeal to both of you as individuals? Is the more active partner comfortable with leaving their spouse in the care of the medical staff?


Also, look ahead a few years and find out how any future health developments will be handled. You will want to be aware of possible adjustments ahead of time, such as the cost of outside services or requirements for changing facilities. In light of your different medical conditions, consider how the community’s policies may impact you and your spouse. Make educated plans for eventualities such as moving into separate facilities when one partner’s medical conditions change.

What are our financial options?

Assisted living can be expensive, so it’s best to make plans as early as possible. Research which type of assisted living will be best for you and your spouse: continuing care retirement communities offer many phases of senior living in one location, family care homes have a small number of residents in a home setting, and skilled nursing facilities offer specialized care options. Depending on which arrangement you choose, you may have the possibility of tiered pricing packages designed to reflect the differing types of care provided for each person.


Here are three tips to making the transition as a couple a little easier:

  1. Make a downsizing plan. Most living arrangements will be smaller than the homes many couples own together
  2. Prepare to make the new home as welcoming as possible! Creating a comfortable and functional space, including familiar household items, will help ease the transition.
  3. Understand the community’s intimacy policies. Take the time to make arrangements with the community, particularly if one or both partners require memory care or if medical treatment compromises privacy. Maintaining intimacy as a couple is essential, no matter what our age.
  4. Talk to each other about your social plans. If your significant other wants to live in a community with a lot of social activity and you don’t, it’s important to communicate how you will accommodate each of your needs without conflict.

Keep these ideas in mind as you and your partner approach your transition to the next stage of life. While the move to assisted living is a big step, having a plan in place will help everything go smoothly and prevent the need to make huge decisions during a crisis. Keep your needs in mind, both as a couple and as individuals with unique medical needs and social interests. With a plan in place for approaching this critical phase, the transition to assisted living can be an excellent step forward in a couple’s journey together.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Produce from GVSU educational farm will be donated throughout growing season

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By Dottie Barnes
Grand Valley State University

Produce from Grand Valley State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) will be donated to the needy in an effort to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAP, the university’s educational farm, is located just south of the Allendale Campus. 

Youssef Darwich, farm manager and educator, said plans on where to donate the crops are still being finalized. Darwich has been maintaining the farm alone, without student help, in order to practice social distancing. 

“The garden has to keep going. The food system is a really important asset and we want to get it to the people who need it,” he said. “We want to do whatever we can to give back.”

Darwich said, in about a month, radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce and green onions will be harvested.

The typical harvest season is May-October. Darwich said moving forward, he will shift to planting more hearty foods, like peppers, cucumbers, turnips, squash, tomatoes and melons. 

He said farm shares may be available later in the season; share members of the garden are mostly faculty and staff members.

“Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the importance of being healthy and the foundation of health is good food,” said Darwich. “It’s an age-old saying — ‘let food be thy medicine.’ I really encourage everyone to focus on eating healthy to make you as strong as possible.”

Upset tummy? Or something more serious?

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The digestive system is a pretty complex set of organs. When something goes wrong, you usually know about it soon thereafter. Here’s how to tell whether it’s something serious. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Health Beat staff


From top to bottom, digestion is a pretty complicated process. And many digestive disorders can occur at almost any point along the journey from mouth to… well, you know.


Spectrum Health Medical Group gastroenterologist Ben Kieff, MD, shares the seven most common conditions and what to do about them.


The symptoms of many of these digestive diseases resemble each other, as well as other medical conditions or problems, Dr. Kieff noted. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

1. Constipation is the most common digestion-related complaint.

  • Symptoms: Uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movements.
  • Try this: Add fiber in your diet (think “an apple a day”), drink more fluids (go for eight glasses of water a day) and get more exercise (walk around the block).
  • When to get help: If constipation doesn’t go away, or if it seems to come out of nowhere, or if you’re in pain.

2. Lactose intolerance upsets the stomachs of up to 50 million Americans.

  • Symptoms: Nausea, cramps, bloating, abdominal pain, gas or diarrhea after consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice cream. This is caused by the lack of an enzyme you need to digest the sugar in dairy products.
  • Try this: Limit dairy products and try lactase, an over-the counter pill to replace the missing enzyme.
  • When to get help: Now. Symptoms of lactose intolerance may resemble other medical conditions or problems.

3. Reflux (GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease) irritates 14 percent of the population.

  • Symptoms: Heartburn (acid indigestion), and in some cases, a dry cough, asthma symptoms and trouble swallowing. This happens when gastric acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus.
  • Try this: Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms, don’t eat just before bedtime, take antacids and other medications aimed at reducing stomach acid. And if you smoke, quit.
  • When to get help: If problems persist and diet and lifestyle changes don’t do the trick. Over time, GERD can damage your esophagus and can even lead to esophageal cancer.

4. Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) is gut-wrenching for one in 133 people.

  • Symptoms: Chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain and gas, pale foul-smelling stool, anemia and more.
  • Try this: A gluten-free diet is a must. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. This may require a major change in your eating habits.
  • When to get help: Now. Symptoms of celiac disease are similar to those of other digestive diseases and intestinal infections.

5. Inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) attack 25 to 45 million people.

  • Symptoms: Diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue and more. Bowel disease may start if your immune system attacks your gastrointestinal tract.
  • Try this: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but it may help to stop smoking, drink more fluids, exercise and experiment to see what foods you can eat safely. Smaller meals may help, too.
  • When to get help: Now. Find a doctor who won’t dismiss your symptoms and is willing to experiment with you for the best solution.

6. Gallstones are diagnosed one million times a year.

  • Symptoms: You could have gallstones without symptoms. If they grow larger or obstruct bile ducts, however, you may have a “gallstone attack” with pain, nausea and vomiting after a fatty meal, or at night.
  • Try this: If you’re diagnosed with gallstones during an ultrasound test, but you don’t have symptoms, take a wait-and-see approach before jumping into surgery.
  • When to get help: Immediately if you experience pain lasting more than five hours or sweating, chills, low-grade fever, yellowish skin or eyes and clay-colored stools.

7. Diverticular disease will pop up in one out of two seniors.

  • Symptoms: Cramps, bloating or constipation caused by inflammation of diverticula (small pouches) that bulge outward through the wall of the colon.
  • Try this: There may be a link to diet, so make sure yours includes 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day by eating whole grain foods, fruits, veggies and beans.
  • When to get help: Immediately if you experience pain on the left, lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills and cramping, as the diverticula may be infected.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Feel swollen? Blame salt

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Given their notoriously high salt content, packaged snacks may be one of the biggest culprits in your struggles with bloating and gas. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay


If you often feel bloated after a meal, don’t be too quick to blame high-fiber foods. The real culprit might surprise you.


Your gut may be rebelling because you’re eating too much salt, a new study suggests.


“Sodium reduction is an important dietary intervention to reduce bloating symptoms and could be used to enhance compliance with healthful high-fiber diets,” said study researcher Noel Mueller, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.


He and his research colleagues looked at data from a large clinical trial conducted in the late 1990s known as Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Sodium, or DASH-Sodium for short.


Their conclusion: Consuming a lot of salt increases bloating, as does a healthy, high-fiber diet.


Although it’s not clear exactly how salt contributes, Mueller suspects fluid retention may be the key.


Eating more salt can promote water retention and make digestion less efficient, which can lead to gas and bloating, he said.


Studies in mice have shown that dietary salt can alter the makeup of gut bacteria. And that, in turn, can affect gas production in the colon, Mueller said.


“Our study suggests that selecting foods with lower sodium content, such as those that are not ultra-processed, may help relieve bloating in some people,” he said.


Bloating affects as many as a third of Americans, including more than 90% of those with irritable bowel syndrome. It’s a painful buildup of excess gas created as gut bacteria break down fiber during digestion.


For the current study, the researchers used findings from a 1998-1999 trial.


In that trial, the DASH diet—one low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, nuts and veggies—was compared with a low-fiber eating regimen. The trial’s goal was to learn how salt and other factors affected high blood pressure.


The new review found that about 41% on the high-fiber diet reported bloating and men had a bigger problem with it than women. And diets high in salt increased the odds of bloating by 27%.


“We found that in both diets, reducing sodium intake reduced bloating symptoms,” Mueller said.


The upshot is that reducing sodium can be an effective way to prevent gas—and may help people maintain a healthy, high-fiber eating regimen.


Many things can cause bloating—lactose intolerance, celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, infection or other conditions, said Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Langone Health.


“If someone is experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating on an ongoing basis, they should see their health care practitioner to see if the cause can be pinned down,” said Heller, who wasn’t involved with the study. “This way they will know how to manage the issue.”


Occasional bloating is not uncommon, she added.


To help you avoid excess gas and bloating, Heller offered these tips:

  • Increase physical activity.
  • Limit highly processed foods, such as fast food, frozen meals, junk food and fried food.
  • Increase your fluid intake and make peppermint tea part of it. Avoid carbonated beverages.
  • Eat more foods that are rich in fiber, such as vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Increase these slowly and in small portions and be sure to increase your fluid intake at the same time.
  • Have smaller meals.

The report was published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Just the Facts: Scientific information about COVID-19

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In this series, WKTV aims to provide factual information about COVID-19 – which stands for coronavirus disease 19 – by providing information and links to authoritative experts. Click on the blue, underlined words to get to a specific article.

Pets and COVID-19 (Photo by WKTV)

Should you get your pet tested for COVID-19?

As new surfaced that two dogs and a cat have tested positive for COVID-19, many have started to ask the question of if they can get the coronavirus from their pets and if pets should/can be tested? According to the AAAS/Science article, experts, including those at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have stated that dogs and cats pose little risk to people and that there is not enough evidence that pets can spread COVID-19.

What should you do to protect your pets? According to another AAAS/Science article, include your pets in your family’s preparedness planning. If you get sick and are quarantined, make sure you have extra pet food on hand and make sure whoever will take care of the pet are aware of any feeding, walking and medications. Also keep in mind social distancing for your animal and do not pet another animal and make sure to wash your hands.

Masks or no masks? (Wikipedia Commons)

Are masks helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19?

There has been a recent debate about whether masks would help to slowdown the spread of COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, the research to wearing a mask is spotty. AAAS/Science talked to University of Michigan Epidemiologist Arnold Monto, who said that it is believed that COVID-19 is spread through larger droplets and that standard surgical face masks will have a modest effect on transmission.

Even those in favor of masks have stated on a number of news programs and science sites that due to the shortages of masks for hospital workers, they are reluctant right now to promote masking the masses. Experts do agree that social distancing and staying at home as much as possible is the best way to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Looking at human DNA (Pixaby Free)

How much do genes play a factor in COVID-19?


Sciences are currently studying whether your genes may determine how sick you get from COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, sciencists are working to compare the DNA of people who have serious cases of COVID-19 but no underlying disease like diabetes, heart, or lung disease with those who have mild symptons or no disease. Researchers say it is hard to predict what may come out of these gene hunts but in the past the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases did discover a relatively common mutation in another human cell surface protein, CCR5, that makes some people highly resistant to HIV.

According to the AAAS/Science article, sciences hope to discover its first susceptibility genes within a coupe of months. 

KDL Staff Picks: Going Online

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

With week two of the stay-at home order now under way, Kent District Library and WKTV thought we would remind people of the number of free online resources available through the KDL website, kdl.org.

Since I am frequent user of the CloudLibrary, eBooks and audiobooks, and have used Freegal, music, I decided to offer up my own reviews of the different sites. Most offer eBooks and audiobooks with some offering other items as well.

A couple of selections from the CloudLibrary. (WKTV)

CloudLibrary: I started listening to audiobooks, first on tape, in my car to help with long drives. Listening to a good story certainly melted the miles away. I also discovered that listening to audiobooks on my iPhone helped motivate me to walk and I suddenly found walking a couple of miles was pretty easy when you were following Stephanie Plum on one of her wild adventures in the Janet Evanovich detective series or Percy Jackson in Rick Riordan’s popular teen mythological-based series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”.

To be honest, I downloaded CloudLibrary awhile ago and have never looked back. It is easy to search and I have followed the recommendations to discover some new authors such as Deborah Coonts (who is mentioned in last week’s KDL Staff Picks). Follow the prompts to create an account and remember to have your library card available as you will need to type in your number. The nice thing about CloudLibrary is it is available on about anything, Android, iPhone, Chrome, Mac, Windows, Nook, and Kindle.

Home page of Hoopla. (WKTV)

Hoopla: Hoopla offers more than just audiobooks and eBooks but comic books, movies and television programs. In the movies, there is no huge recent blockbusters, but still a lot of goodies such as “Ella Enchanted,” “Frida,” and “Elmo’s Potty Time” for those parents who have decided the stay-at home directive is an excellent time to work on this skill. For music, I was able to find quite a lot including the cast recording of “Hamilton the Musical” and Taylor Swift’s newest release, “Lover.”

Download was simple. I went to the App store and searched for Hoopla. I followed the prompts, putting in my email address, creating a password, selecting Kent District Library as my library and then putting in my library card. Boom, I was in. Hoopla is also available through Google Play and Kindle Fire.

RBdigital: RBdigital would be perfect for those who enjoy flipping through magazines. Along with eBook and audiobooks, the site offers more than 100 magazine selections that include popular titles such as “O, The Oprah Magazine,” “The New Yorker,” and “Vanity Fair.” Looking to start a hobby? The list includes the “Woodworker’s Journal” and the “Yoga Journal.”

To create an account, you have to start at the KDL website and go to the “eBooks and Download” tab on the left side of the page. From there, scroll down to RBdigital to follow the prompts to create an account. Once you have created your account through KDL, you can download the app to your phone and open your account. RBdigitial is available through the App Store, Google Play, and Kindle Fire.

Freegal Music is definitely for music lovers. (WKTV)

Freegal Music: For the music lover, this is the site for them. Actually, I have not open my Freegal Music app in awhile, so I was surprised to discover it now offers a selection of audiobooks. I would be more likely to go to CloudLibrary for audiobooks, but if you are a person who only wants one app and music is more your thing, then Freegal probably would be the better option.

Freegal does not carry every song by every artist. You can search and often you can find older songs by the most popular artists. You also can save up to five songs a week into the “My Music” section. Again, I have not used Freegal in awhile, but when I did and was saving songs, I did lose all of them when the app updated. I do not know if this glitch has been have out or it could be songs may fade off after a certain period of time. Still it is a nice source for music.


Download is just like the others. Look for the app in the App Store, Google Play or Kindle Fire, and follow the prompts to create a login.

The “Wash You Hands” song is on TumbleBooks.

TumbleBooks (Tumble Book Library): This is strictly children’s books with some graphic novels for younger students. They are good about going by topic and one of the first sections is “Health, Hygiene and Everything in Between,” which includes the “Wash Your Hands” song. Parents and children could easily have fun searching the site for stories and songs.

To get into the site, you have to go through KDL. Click on the “eBooks and Download” tab on the left side of the page. Scroll to the bottom for TumbleBooks and click on the link, which will redirect you to the page. You must have your KDL card to enter.

Again, remember to always have your KDL library card available. If you do not have a KDL library card, some of the online sources, such as Hoopla, can help you get one.

Joint replacement myths and facts

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Get the 411 on joint replacement from a doctor who knows. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat


“You’d be shocked at how many patients come in thinking they’re too young for knee or hip replacement surgery,” said C. Christopher Sherry, DO, an orthopedic surgeon and joint replacement specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.


Some patients get this notion from their doctors. Others pick up the idea from friends who remember the conventional wisdom of 30 years ago—that you need to be older than 50 to qualify for joint replacement.


That’s simply not the case anymore, according to Dr. Sherry. It’s one of six common myths about joint replacements that he’d like to see dispelled.

Myth No. 1: If you’re under 50, you’re too young to have a joint replaced.

Fact: Doctors today don’t use a specific age to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for hip or knee replacement surgery. Instead, the decision depends on the levels of disability and pain the patient is experiencing.


“In the 1970s and ’80s, the parts used for joint replacements had limited life spans,” Dr. Sherry said. “Now that technology is advancing, we have better longevity of replacement parts, so we’re much more comfortable putting them in younger patients.”


Patients with severe arthritis, for example, shouldn’t have to suffer through years of debilitating pain just because they’re young, Dr. Sherry said. “Making them wait isn’t in their best interest.”


This first myth is closely related to a second.

Myth No. 2: Replacement joints wear out in 10 years or less.

Fact: Thanks to improvements in materials and surgical techniques, today’s knee and hip replacements can last up to twice as long as comparable replacements did in decades past.


“The components we’re using have improved significantly,” said Dr. Sherry. “We’re seeing an 85 percent success rate at up to 20 years—and as technology improves, we’re hoping to pass that 20-year mark.”


People are often relieved to hear this because they want to stay active as they age.


“Patients’ expectations are changing,” Dr. Sherry said. “They want to be able to do whatever they want to do.”

Myth No. 3: If you have a joint replaced, you’ll be saying goodbye to sports.

Fact: Rather than drastically limiting patients’ activities, joint replacements make it easier for people to be active in low-impact sports.


“The goal of surgery is to get patients back to their normal activities, like playing golf and tennis,” Dr. Sherry said. “Our goal is a painless joint with good functionality.”


It’s the high-impact sports like basketball and long-distance running that patients should avoid, he said, because these activities decrease the life of replacement joints.

Myth No. 4: Joint replacement surgery means a long hospital stay.

Fact: Twenty years ago, it was normal to spend up to 10 days in the hospital after joint replacement surgery, but today the average is two to three days.


“With improvements in technology and patient care, hospital stays are significantly shorter than in the old days,” Dr. Sherry said.


Most of Dr. Sherry’s patients at the Center for Joint Replacement at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital stay less than two days after hip or knee replacements, with a large percentage going home the day after surgery. Some patients return home the same day as surgery.


“We’re getting patients up and walking sooner—even on the day of surgery,” he said. “And we’re getting them home sooner, which is a better environment for recovery.”

Myth No. 5: You should wait as long as possible before having a joint replaced.

Fact: Waiting too long can make things worse.


“If your pain is so great that it’s hindering your ability to walk, then you’re not keeping your muscles and your extremities strong, and you could be hindering the recovery process,” Dr. Sherry said. “Waiting until the last possible moment isn’t good for you.”


Rather than waiting for their mobility and quality of life to decline, Dr. Sherry encourages patients to have their knee or hip replacement sooner. This will likely improve their outcomes.

Myth No. 6: Joint replacement surgery is highly invasive.

Fact: “Some patients think that we remove the entire knee in a knee replacement … but we’re actually taking a minimal amount of bone” before inserting the new parts, Dr. Sherry said. In knee replacement surgery, these parts consist of a metal cap for the femur, a metal base plate on the tibia and a piece of plastic in between, acting as cartilage.


Surgeons today are also using less-invasive techniques and smaller incisions to perform replacements.


So, although joint replacement is major surgery, the scope is limited, Dr. Sherry said. “It’s much less invasive than many patients think.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



KIA opens virtual exhibit Young Artists of Kalamazoo County

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Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has unveiled an online presentation of the annual Young Artists of Kalamazoo County exhibition. (Supplied)

By Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has unveiled an online presentation of the annual Young Artists of Kalamazoo County exhibition.

“A virtual exhibition was our solution to Michigan’s shelter in place directive by Governor Whitmer,” said Michelle Stempien, KIA Director of Museum Education, adding that opening weekend for the annual exhibition would typically draw thousands of visitors.

“We are approaching 40 years for this exhibition, and of course this is the first time we have shared it online. But we weren’t going to miss the opportunity to offer something so positive to the community — and to honor the hundreds of young artists showing work on the walls,” she said.

She added that education curators turned into videographers early this week, after installing the hundreds of artworks in two of the museum’s first floor galleries. Art teachers from more than 50 public and private elementary and middle schools chose and submitted artwork by their K-8th grade students.

“We hope everyone is inspired by the color and expressiveness of these young artists to bring more art into their own lives,” Stempien said, adding her thanks for the exhibition’s lead sponsor The Tyler-Little Family Foundation, and co-sponsor PLAZACORP.

“We always love seeing the student artwork come in each year; it puts a smile on the faces of everyone who is involved in producing this exhibition,” Stempien said, adding “and we look forward to welcoming the community back to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts very soon.”

Visit here for more information on the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

The KIA is planning to present a virtual exhibition for upcoming spring exhibitions as needed. This will likely include the juried West Michigan Area Show (April 10) and High School Area Show (April 24).

New life for an old drug

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Compared to more expensive therapies, aspirin is cheaper and quite effective in treating migraines. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A cheap, century-old drug in most Americans’ medicine cabinets—aspirin—may come to the rescue for people suffering from migraines, a new study finds.


While there are effective prescription medications, many migraine patients in the United States don’t have access to them due to limited access to doctors or good insurance, or high insurance co-pays, said researchers at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton.


Aspirin might often be a viable option for these patients, said the research team, who reviewed 13 studies of migraine treatment involving more than 4,200 patients.


The investigators also looked at data on the prevention of recurrent migraine in tens of thousands of patients.


The results suggest that giving a high dose of aspirin—900 to 1,300 milligrams—when migraine symptoms set in is an effective and safe treatment for acute migraine.


There’s also evidence that daily aspirin doses of 81 to 325 milligrams may be an effective and safe treatment for prevention of recurrent migraine, the team said. The standard “low-dose” aspirin pill, taken by millions of Americans to help lower heart risks, contains 81 milligrams.


The bottom line: “Our review supports the use of high-dose aspirin to treat acute migraine as well as low-dose daily aspirin to prevent recurrent attacks,” senior author Dr. Charles Hennekens, professor and senior academic advisor at the university’s College of Medicine, said in a school news release.


According to review first author Bianca Biglione, a second-year medical student, “Migraine headaches are among the most common and potentially debilitating disorders encountered by primary health care providers.”


Biglione added that, “in fact, about one in 10 primary care patients present with headache and three out of four are migraines. Aspirin is readily available without a prescription, is inexpensive and, based on our review, was shown to be effective in many migraine patients when compared with alternative more expensive therapies.”


About 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, the researchers noted.


Dr. Noah Rosen directs Northwell Health’s Headache Center in Great Neck, N.Y. Reading over the new findings he noted that “aspirin has been in continual use for headaches since its introduction during the industrial revolution of the late 19th century. Clearly, the part that it contributes to pain relief is quite significant and should be considered for primary treatment in an appropriate population.”


But the benefits of taking the drug regularly to prevent headaches need to be balanced against potential risks, especially the risk of bleeding, Rosen said.


“The cost benefit (of aspirin) is a huge component and out-of-pocket expense is quite low,” Rosen said. “But the risk of bleeding with daily use needs to be considered.”


The findings were published online in the American Journal of Medicine.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Signs your loved one is ready for assisted living

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


The prospect of moving out of a comfortable and familiar environment typically isn’t appealing to anyone, no matter their age. But, for aging adults, and the adults taking care of them, it’s often a prospect that must be considered. Before even considering a move, aging adults and their family member will want to make sure it’s necessary. Here are some signs that may indicate it’s time to start considering an assisted living facility.

Frequent falls

Is your parent or loved one falling a lot lately? Even if it’s just small stumbles over the edge of a carpet or a bump against the corner of a coffee table, frequent tumbles can be a sign of a bigger problem. Or, they could be the eventual cause of a larger problem.


According to the CDC, “Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.”


Even if your parent doesn’t tell you they’ve been falling or stumbling, you can keep your eyes open for signs such as unexplained bruises or limp. It’s also important to consider what would happen if they were to fall. How often do they have people over? If they were unable to get up or get to a phone, how long would it take to discover them? Both the falling and the repercussions of the falling are things to consider.

Memory lapses

Observe their behavior when you’re around. Are there small things they seem to be often forgetting, like names or what day it is or the last time they went to the grocery store? While these little things may seem inconsequential, you should consider what else they may forget when you’re not there. Maybe they’ve forgotten to turn the oven off or to lock their doors at night? It’s possible they could forget to put the car in park before getting out or even forget to take their medications. If the small things start adding up, it may be time to consider help, before the big things cause larger issues.

Minimal social life

Even if their social life isn’t what it used to be, how often do they leave the house or have people over? They may not be going to the movies once a week or out every weekend, but do they at least have activities they care about or people they look forward to seeing? Being cooped up at home or not leaving the house may be a sign of depression or might indicate they can no longer travel on their own. Either way, social activities are essential to a healthy lifestyle, and if they can’t attend them on their own, it may be time to move to a facility that can help.

Changes in appearance

Next time you visit your loved one, take a long look at them. What do you notice? When you give them a hug, do they feel thinner? Weight loss could be a sign they aren’t cooking enough or getting the proper nutrition. Alternatively, weight gain could be a sign of turning to easy but unhealthy food options, or that a condition like diabetes is not being treated.


Besides their physical appearance, how do their clothes look? Are the clothes clean and well-kept? Does your love one appear well-groomed and clean? Or, are they still in their night clothes in the afternoon or wearing clothes that seem dirty?


These are all signs that your loved one may not be able to complete everyday tasks such as laundry or showering.

Poor food supply

Check the fridge and cupboards of your loved one, what do you find? Are the shelves bare? Or, is the fridge full but with expired or stale items? Are there multiples of one item but not enough of another? If the weather turned bad and they couldn’t get to the store, would there be enough food to last a few days?

A grimy house

If your loved one can’t keep up with everyday house cleaning, it can create an unsanitary situation, and you’ll start to see signs even if they are good at hiding it. There may be visible signs such as cobwebs and mold in corners, but make sure you check the areas they think you won’t see like their bedroom and bathroom. These are areas they may neglect if they don’t have the energy to clean the whole house.

Frequent medical care

If your loved one is heading to the ER or hospital for one reason or another, chronic illness, frequent falls, respiratory problems or more, they may need more advanced medical care than they can get at home. Ambulance rides can be costly and so can a long stay at a hospital. Making the switch to an assisted living center, while it may be more up front, can provide your loved one access to the care they need without frequent, emergency trips.


One or two of these signs on their own may not indicate it’s time to move your family member out of their home. Maybe they just need some extra house cleaning help or a meal service to relieve the stress of cooking every day. If they want to continue living independently, and they aren’t in immediate danger, some services can help them do that.


But, a combination of these signs can result in a low quality of life and may mean it’s time to start thinking about a move.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


The diverticulitis divide

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Episodes of diverticulitis can entail pain in the lower left abdomen, fever, chills and changes in stool. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Although colonoscopy screens for cancer, it can also uncover a common condition called diverticulosis.


This is when one or more pockets develop in the colon wall, often in the large bowel. These pockets occur over time, possibly from not getting enough fiber in your diet or eating too much red meat.


They’re so common that about 50% of people have them by age 50, according to the American Gastroenterological Association.


Problems can occur if a pocket gets infected, swollen and inflamed, which happens to about 5% of people with diverticulosis.


This condition is called diverticulitis.


“Attacks” of it can come with pain in the lower left abdomen, fever, chills and changes in stool. You may also experience nausea and vomiting.


Treatment for diverticulitis often centers on a short-term low-fiber diet to quiet the digestive tract and possibly antibiotics to get rid of the infection.


Some people get repeated attacks.


There’s also the possibility of developing a serious abscess in a pocket and needing surgery to remove the affected section of intestine if the damage is severe.


But you can take steps to lower the risk for repeated attacks and complications.


After—and only after—the infection clears, slowly reintroduce fiber to your diet by eating more whole grains, legumes (including beans and lentils), vegetables, berries, fruits with edible skins, nuts and even popcorn.


The goal is 25 grams of fiber a day for women, 38 for men. Replace at least some red meat with poultry and fish. Vigorous cardiovascular exercise also offers some protection.


Also, ask your doctor about any medications that might raise your risk of a flare. These could include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen may be safer for you.


These same steps may help prevent diverticulosis or stop it from progressing to diverticulitis.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Snapshots: Things to do at home

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The best music, you can seek some shelter in it momentarily, but it’s essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.

Singer/Songwriter Bruce Springsteen


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Lake Sturgeon are now virtual stars at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (GRPM live stream)

Going Virtual

Adventure is only a click away now that the big four, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the John Ball Zoo are offering live streaming and virtual tours of exhibits, story time, and more. Click on any of the institutions to get to each’s Facebook page. For more information and videos, click here.

SpartanNash to install sneeze guards at all points of sale including cash registers and pharmacy areas. (Supplied)

With the governor’s stay-at home order, several places, including Woodland Mall and Rivertown Crossings, have closed. However, many area restaurants and grocery stories have remained opened. Restaurants are offering takeout and delivery options. Also SpartanNash recently announced it would be installing sneeze guards at all points of sale including cash registers and pharmacies.

Grand Rapids Public Museum donated masks and other personal protective equipment to Spectrum Health this week. (Supplied)

Sharing the Supplies

The Grand Rapids Public Museum was one of the first to donate its extra personal protective equipment and throughout the week there have been numerous reports of people sewing face masks and donating PPE supplies. Both Metro Health and Spectrum Health have set up donation areas. For a list of those areas and items being collected, click here.

The Mastodon skeleton at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (GRPM)

State Fossil: Mastodon Skeletons

Bet you didn’t know that Michigan has a state fossil. One of the most complete mastodon skeletons is showcased at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Below, Grand Rapids Public Museum Science Curator Dr. Cory Redman discusses the preservation of the Moorland Mastodon found in Ravanna, Mich. For more mastodon-related items, visit the grpmcollections.org.

It’s time to energize

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If it’s long-lasting fuel you’re after, steel-cut oats with berries is the ideal way to start your day. (Public Domain)

By Gregory Stacey, Spectrum Health Beat


In today’s sleep-deprived, over-caffeinated, under-exercised society, there is a relentless demand for more energy.


The energy drink sales in the U.S. are evidence of that.


And yet, we’re still tired.


So where do we go from here? Good nutritional intake. That’s right—a healthy diet can help keep you energized all day.


By eating just one or two high-energy foods every two to four hours, you can sustain your energy levels for a much longer period.

Here are the Top 10 foods to fuel long-lasting energy:

1. Old fashioned or steel-cut oats

Oats are a good source of complex carbohydrates, soluble fiber and protein. Eating oatmeal may also improve your cholesterol. Avoid flavored oatmeal packets because they have added sugar or sugar substitutes. Instead, flavor your oatmeal yourself with fruit, berries, cinnamon and nuts.

2. Brown rice

Rice is inexpensive, and it’s versatile in its culinary uses. Whole grains such as brown rice will provide complex carbohydrates for energy while also providing healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein.

3. Potatoes

Potatoes provide complex carbohydrates and are good sources of fiber (keep the skin on) and potassium. Sweet potatoes and yellow-, red- or purple-skinned potatoes are the best choices.


Given that 98 percent of Americans eat a potassium-deficient diet, the importance of potatoes can’t be overstated—they have double the potassium of bananas. So eat those potatoes.

4. Beans

Beans are good sources of complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are one of nature’s perfect foods.

5. Plain Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt provides a lot of protein and simple carbohydrates in the form of lactose. Choose a plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt to avoid sugar substitutes, and add healthy carbohydrates and fats yourself—fruits, berries and nuts.

6. Fresh fruit

Fresh fruits have simple carbohydrates for quick energy, as well as fiber and antioxidants that decrease the glycemic index. Choose fruits as snacks throughout the day, and be sure to eat at least two servings daily.

7. Berries

Berries get their own category because of their unique blend of low caloric, high fiber and high antioxidant content. Try to eat berries every day.

8. Nuts

Nuts provide healthy, unrefined fats, and they’re a good source of protein and fiber. They make easy snacks and have a long shelf life. Nuts are high in calories, so a handful once a day is enough.

9. Leafy greens

A low energy level can sometimes correspond to a lack of important nutrients such as omega-3, iron, B vitamins, zinc and magnesium. Leafy greens are good sources of these nutrients, as well as a source of antioxidants. Have a salad every day, or alternatively, put these greens in your smoothie.

10. Water

Dehydration contributes to poor energy levels. Try to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. That’s about 2 liters. If you’re a large man or you exercise regularly, you may need to drink 3 to 4 liters of water each day.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Metro Health announces two employee programs

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health partners with YMCA to provide daycare for staff. (Supplied)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health last week announced progressive programs that will help ease the burden of child care and financial restraints for valued staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Metro Health Hospital and Metro Health Hospital Foundation have partnered with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to provide free and reliable backup child care services for the children of all employees, employed medical providers and contracted staff. Metro Health will be providing these backup child care services on its campus at the SpartanNash YMCA location, and the care will be provided by qualified child care workers.

“We are proud to partner with Metro Health and do our small part to help the medicalcommunity during this challenging and unprecedented time,” said Scott Lewis, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. “We believe collaborative efforts like these make us all stronger as we lean in together in support of our community.”

The YMCA has agreed to allow Metro Health to lease space in the building and equipment for this limited purpose of providing emergency backup child care. Extreme measures have been taken to prepare and sanitize the classrooms and staff started utilizing the service on March 16.

Additionally, the Metro Health Hospital Foundation has announced a $1 million needs-based assistance fund for employees who encounter COVID-19-related hardships. Examples of a need include bill payment assistance, support for vehicle repairs to ensure transportation to work or offsetting the costs of care for family members who fall ill or need assistance.

“I want to thank and commend the Metro Health Hospital Foundation for helping to establish this program in such a short time,” said Peter Hahn, President and CEO, Metro Health –University of Michigan Health. “We understand COVID-19 has disrupted many lives and this is why we believe it is essential to support our colleagues through resources such as this needs-based fund and free child care.”

Metro Health employees are also being encouraged to donate back unused paid time off hours to support colleagues who may exhaust their hours due to illness or to care for family. Metro Health will continue efforts in the coming weeks in order to keep the Metro Health team healthy, financially stable and ready to serve the community.

Visit www.metrohealth.net for the most up to date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

KDL Staff Picks: A Mixed Bag

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Editor’s Note: Make sure to check out KDL’s online resources that include eBooks, movies and more.

Adult

The Need
By Helen Philips

“This story is sort of a blend of horror, thriller, and musing on the mundane joy of caring for small children. As a parent of a toddler and a baby, I read it at the perfect time because her language and descriptions of parenting ring so true. But even if you aren’t a parent, the tension around the plot is also very compelling and makes it a fascinating, creepy ride.”

– Anna at East Grand Rapids

Wanna Get Lucky?
By Deborah Coonts

“If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich you may enjoy this series by Deborah Coonts. Lucky O’Toole is head of Customer Relations in a casino and gets in plenty of situations.”

– Loretta at Wyoming





Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?
Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death
By Caitlin Doughty

“One of my favorite nonfiction author. Answering questions asked by kids. (adult may not ask but equally wondering about them I’m sure …)”

– Yuko at the KDL Service Center

Children’s

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book
By Alice Kuipers

“Polly loves writing and learning new words, and when she discovers a magic notebook where anything she writes inside instantly comes true, she’s thrilled to use all her favorite words to make some magical things happen. However, Polly’s about to learn that with great magical power comes great responsibility! Charming illustrations and large text make this an awesome new beginning chapter book series.”

– Jenny at East Grand Rapids