׉?4ׁB!בCטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://lo_dtG3aXTjVNplxNRXfl9NiBqD20ZqpcxRV84Jo3Jk<`n׉ 7cassandra://-wEsEd9PrfckaXOcGe-z_lIURcJAFSwPNl4YxB02DlYͭ`׉ 7cassandra://8Qmk_vZSFPcSiKsuRCYwMGpfEJ9C-BF3FbwXhfZKVYo:N`׉ 7cassandra://cGYt4oex6wD5jdlyKQrkpkutXGMehOq_zHgS1FzOongUz͠EaqBy=!^׈EaqBy=!P׉Ez͠EaqCy=!aטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://Sc63V_LSK4iqubBL74GeCmVKCbOfDVDAwHqplw6_Qboj}`n׉ 7cassandra://Z8TDdhwo9pkAyRtkh5gxoVEFuP9M09hGVAZtlsFa4Rs;?`׉ 7cassandra://4eE-5oxp-s_9-awQTUPqBvj2aBtTE0-tRqzlOXpreKA7`׉ 7cassandra://IMl9xJlFInNhTXeJLgMIlNXabWup0kgiCpPwf0nsm_wfX~͠EaqFy=!bנaqGy=!ṇ 9ׁHhttp://www.PinesBristol.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqGy=!mr^9ׁH!http://www.bristolhearingaids.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqGy=!l_b 9ׁHhttp://Ktelderlaw.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqGy=!k]̩9ׁHhttp://www.caregiverstress.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E .INSIDE December The Jerome Home/Arbor Rose breaks ground on expansion PAGE 6 Bel-Air Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 256 New Britain Ave., Newington Ph: 860-666-5689 • belair-manor.net • 31 Spacious Private Rooms • Specialized Cardiac Pulmonary Orthopedic Rehabilitation & W ary • Aquatic Therapy, Urology Clinic, and IV Therapy • Out Patient Therapy nic, “For me, the Aqua Th erapy in the S Pool motivated me to get back to the place I love, the ocean!” FEATURES 3 Daniel O. Tully | 4 Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri 5 Stephen Allaire | 8-9 Healthy Living 10 Datebook Connecicut Prime Time is published monthly by Central Connecticut Communications, LLC, One Liberty Square, P.O. 1090, New Britain 06050. Free copies are distributed throughout Central Connecticut. For a location near you, call 860-225-4608. Prime Time is a free newspaper and is delivered at no cost. Should you choose to receive copies, or have delivery stopped, please call 860-225-4608. Michael E. Schroeder Editor and Publisher mschroeder@centralctcommunications.com 860-225-4601 Erica Drzewiecki Staff Writer edrzewiecki@centralctcommunications.com 860-225-4601 Gary Curran Advertising Director gcurran@centralctcommunications.com 860-225-4601 Eye Center Locations One Lake Street, Building C, New Britain, CT 06052 • 860-826-4460 1345 Farmington Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 • 860-585-0000 1 (800) 889-6008 • www.starlingphysicians.com B2 Connecticut PRIME TIME • December 2021 Short-term Care • Rehabilitation Services • Post-acute and Transitional Care Ryders Health Management Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers www.rydershealth.com Comprehensive medical care for routine eye exams, the treatment of eye disease, and ocular surgery Alan L. Stern, MD Corneal Surgery Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery Laser Vision Correction Patricia A. McDonald, MD Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery External Diseases Edward P. Fitzpatrick, MD Disease & Surgery of the Retina & Vitreous Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Degeneration Martin C. Seremet, MD Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery Glaucoma Therapy & Surgery Sarit M. Patel, MD Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery Christopher J. Russo, MD Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery Dr. Charles R. Robinson, MD Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery Tracey L. Asmus, OD Routine Eye Exams Contact Lens Exams & Fittings ׉ 7cassandra://jMXVMpNIoeHXhPS9vADFewxqIhUZgowP71uEomQMKMg*`aqBy=!R׉E[The caregiver & stress Column As baby boomers age, more of them are providing care for their elderly loved ones. This can range anywhere from simply checking in on a loved one to make sure they are OK; to planning meals and managing their medications; to assisting them with daily activities, such as bathing and dressing. The people who provide this care do so out of love, respect, and a sense of duty. But everyone, care providers and care recipients alike, underestimates the mental stress and physical toll that providing this care can take on the caregiver. It is important that the caregiver be able to recognize the signs of caregiver stress before they become problematic. Strategies should be developed to combat this stress. A burnt-out caregiver helps no one. An AARP study revealed a “caregiver’s wish list.” Three things that caregivers wish they had was: 1. Tax relief in the form of a tax credit for providing care for a loved one; 2. Payment for providing care, such as a minimum wage; 3. Respite in the form of time off or relief by having someone coordinate transportation and medical appointments. If you are in a caregiving relationship, the caregiver. See if family members are willing to work together to divide the responsibilities as much as possible. If there are no other individuals who are willing to help, then be prepared to request assistance through a home health care agency. You should also inform your employer that you are a caregiver. Letting your employer know in advance that you may need to take time off to take care of family responsibilities will allow them to have the chance to work with you to accommodate your schedule rather than leaving your employer in a bad position when caregiving causes problems for you at work. Finally, as a caregiver, it is Daniel O. Tully important to realize that, while many caregivers want to keep their loved ones from entering a nursing home facility, that is not always possible. Eighty percent of all individuals need facility level care at some point in their lives. Nursing home provides 24 hour a day trained medical staffing. Few caregivers have the medical training and level of knowledge of an assisted living or nursing facility. Even if caregivers have that training and level of knowledge, it is impossible for them to be rested and fresh if they are you need to recognize the importance of these items. Many assisted living facilities allow a respite stay, giving the caregiver a short break. The addition of a small amount of in-home care for your loved one can alleviate some of the burden. Often aging family members can pay their caregivers a small wage for the care they provide, as long as the pay is pursuant to a legal agreement. If you are considering starting a caregiving arrangement, contact an Elder Law attorney who will help you come up with a plan to combat these concerns before the caregiving starts. Be aware of available resources such as support groups and web resources including www.caregiverstress.com. The Alzheimer’s Association provides fantastic resources for those caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Try to develop a support system for “on the job” 24 hours a day. The bottom line is that at some point it will likely be necessary for most individuals to need nursing home care. Caregivers should not prevent that from happening because they made a promise that they would never put their loved ones in a facility. Proper planning ahead of time, with an Elder Law attorney who specializes in this area of law, will provide peace of mind for you so that you can concentrate on caring for your loved one. The goal is always to provide care for your loved one and to protect yourself from burnout and potential missteps that could harm your loved one and you in the future. Daniel O. Tully is a partner in the law firm of Kilbourne & Tully, P.C., members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Inc., with offices at 120 Laurel St., Bristol. Contact him at 860-583-1341. ktelderlaw. com. Ktelderlaw.com Joanne Cyr-Callaghan, BC-HIS Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist Because I Wear Hearing Aids Myself, I Understand Hearing Loss. VOTED BEST BEST OF READERS’ POLL 2021 MEDICAID ACCEPTED HEARING SPECIALIST YEAR AFTER YEAR BEST OF READERS’ POLL 2021 860-506-3720 | 72 PINE ST., BRISTOL www.bristolhearingaids.com IF LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE THEN A SMILE IS PART OF THE CURE High Quality Care is not complete without the kindness and compassion of a dedicated staff. At our center, we strive to provide excellence in care with the friendliest of smiles. Our staff is committed to going the extra mile to make your time spent with us a five-star experience. Let our smiles be a part of your road to recovery. Visit us online or call to schedule a personal tour today! • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies • Orthopedic Injuries and Post-Surgical Care • Respite Care 860-589-1682 61 BELLEVUE AVENUE BRISTOL, CT 06010 www.PinesBristol.com MEDICARE 5 Star Rating BEST OF READERS’ POLL 2021 December 2021 • Connecticut PRIME TIME B3 • Cardiac & Pulmonary Recovery Programs • Hospice Services Coordination 90998 96656 ׉ 7cassandra://4eE-5oxp-s_9-awQTUPqBvj2aBtTE0-tRqzlOXpreKA7`aqBy=!SaqBy=!R sבCטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://Rqxo9tBpzVdr8cSESsYBIaw4NCfORJiPu3SbNE1xEjA G`n׉ 7cassandra://UC7T2gDSr7bB31X5nvxzqCV3GRC3OMyItswsUPv9j5Uͧ`׉ 7cassandra://54MrHxc1Z0tksW2vpitVjNjBgMDKlTDYCe4E2KkP9Go/`׉ 7cassandra://jwsEQUmbrc76WJa1fJxVsDuIiNXpx71-PAnb-MJ2wLY72͠EaqGy=!oטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://381qtsqP8vOTNRQrYfIBJtGZgKRjSfDH8MtYPj0u3vQJ`n׉ 7cassandra://6ioD_YlK07UiCYiY8y_kmFdQAj7mi0DliBdcli4rI8Uͻ`׉ 7cassandra://J_RwusXx0qlSJkuqM1-LSD_K-eGoMjwYNy8fWwI1h1A8`׉ 7cassandra://eP_cAp5UQcRRHS0KYKFGoiLLkof9_FLz37SaNjnz2Bw6͠EaqGy=!pנaqGy=!t@̧9ׁHhttp://www.allaireelderlaw.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EColumn How to properly dispose of medications By CZEPIGA DALY POPE & PERRI LLC After a loss, family is often tasked with the responsibility of handling the financial and legal matters associated with administering the estate of the deceased. While this in and of itself can be stressful and overwhelming, perhaps the more emotionally-draining ritual is sorting through personal belongings such as clothing, jewelry, and photos of a loved one. One often overlooked personal item that must be removed when cleaning out after someone has died, are unused prescriptions and over-thecounter (OTC) medications. What do you do with these now unneeded, but potentially dangerous, medications when your loved one is gone? How do you make sure they are safely disposed of and do not fall into the wrong hands? Depending on the medications, their expiration dates, and where you live, you have a couple of options on how to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medicines that may have belonged to someone who has now passed away. Here are the generally recommended ways to properly discard prescription and OTC medications: 1. Drug Take Back Programs: According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the preferred method to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications is through medicine take back options. One such take back program is the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in many communities throughout the country. This program enables the public to bring unused medications anonymously to specific locations where the drugs will be properly disposed of at regulated incinerators. Sometimes, local law trash. However, do not just throw pills in the trash as is; rather, you should follow these guidelines offered by the Connecticut DCP for safe medication disposal: Keep the medication in its original container. Use a permanent marker or duck tape to cross out your personal information, or remove the label. Make medication less appealing. Mix your drugs (liquid or pills) with hot water to dissolve them. Add an undesirable substance, such as salt, ashes, saw dust, used coffee grounds or kitty litter. (Do not crush tablets or capsules.) Contain and seal. Place it inside a Metro News Service enforcement or waste agencies will designate a specific day that offer local drop off sites (limited to residents) as well. Another take back option is the use of authorized collection sites such as drug drop boxes at local police stations, retail pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals. You can find an authorized local drug collection site near you on by: visiting the DEA website calling the DEA Diversion Control Division Registration Call Center at 1-800-882-9539 visiting Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) website checking with your pharmacist. In addition to in-store disposal sites, some pharmacies may also offer a drug mail-back program where you can purchase a medicine disposal envelope. Before bringing medications to a take back drop off site, you should make sure to remove all personal B4 Connecticut PRIME TIME • December 2021 information from medicine bottles and packaging. 2. Flushing: In a few, select cases and for safety reasons, flushing unwanted medications may be a viable option for disposal. However, it is generally not recommended (for example, Connecticut urges consumers not to flush medications down the toilet or sink), and in some places flushing is prohibited, as it can lead to medications getting into local water systems, potentially contaminating rivers, lakes or drinking water. Flushing medications (in a toilet or sink) should only be done if: the medication label instructs as such and a drug take back is not readily available; and 3. Trash Disposal: If the medication does not specifically instruct you to immediately flush or have some other specific disposal instructions (or is not on the “flush list”) you may throw away medication in the household container such as an empty yogurt or margarine tub to ensure that the contents cannot be seen and tape it shut. Throw out the container in your trash can. Do not put the container in your recycling bin. Sorting through medications after a loved one has passed away may seem like the last thing you want to deal with during such a trying time. But it’s essential and important to put at the top of your to-do list. Disposing of unused and/or expired prescriptions and overthe-counter drugs right away and properly can limit safety hazards like accidental exposure, identity theft and misuse and abuse of medications. If you have questions about how, where and which medications and certain medical supplies can be properly disposed of, speak to your local pharmacist, or reach out the Connecticut DCP or DEA for help. Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri is an estate planning, elder care, special needs, litigation and probate law firm with five offices in the state, including Berlin and Simsbury. More information is available at czepigalaw.com ׉ 7cassandra://54MrHxc1Z0tksW2vpitVjNjBgMDKlTDYCe4E2KkP9Go/`aqBy=!T׉EColumn A Christmas gift for your mother Christmas shopping for your mother is never an easy task, but as she grows older, finding a gift that she will enjoy and use is nearly impossible. No more scarves, sweaters, or slippers please! The snuggie from last year still looks fine and those “teas from around the world” have not left her cupboard since the day after Christmas. This year you may want to give your mother a gift she could use and something you know she might not buy for herself. In our Elder Law practice, often the greatest thing we give to our clients and their families is peace of mind. How do we give them that precious peace of mind? We make sure they plan for all the expected and unexpected occurrences that happen in life. So call your sisters and brothers and throw out this idea to them. Why not get together and buy Stephen Allaire decisions when she can no longer make them for herself; second, mom will state her treatment preferences if she has a terminal condition or is in a state of permanent unconsciousness; and third, mom can nominate the person who will be her conservator should she ever need one. In addition, Connecticut law allows her to set forth specific instructions on what she wants done after she passes (cremation/ burial/type of funeral). These documents not only honor mom’s wishes, but they keep potential sibling disagreements to a minimum during these high stress times. The final part of this gift is a mom her estate-planning package for Christmas? At first, it might seem a little strange, but from years of experience I can say how relieved clients are when they finally get around to coming in and doing the planning they had always put off. Not only that, your family won’t have to worry anymore about what to do if something happens to mom or dad and decisions need to be made. Your siblings will want to know what estate planning documents mom will need, but the answer to that is easy. Everyone should have a Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Directives for Healthcare, and a Will or Trust for estate planning. The durable Power of Attorney will allow mom to appoint someone, probably one or more of you, to handle her financial affairs if she no longer can manage by herself. If she can’t handle her financial affairs, you will know who is in charge of mom’s finances. The Advance Directives for Healthcare has three functions: first, mom will appoint someone to make her healthcare Will or Trust to make sure mom’s treasures, whether big or small, are passed on the way she wants. It is important to have an attorney familiar with Elder Law look at your loved one’s estate to determine what type of instrument, either a Will or Trust, or both, is best for the particular circumstances. Here is a clever way to wrap this gift. Put a soft pillow with a pretty pillow case inside a box with a gift certificate taped on the pillow that says, “for a Good Night’s Sleep”, along with the date of the appointment with the attorney. Many mothers may worry about the future, but will never take the initiative to make the appointment for themselves. You can combine your resources into one very valuable joint gift for mom. Attorney Stephen O. Allaire and Attorney Halley C. Allaire are partners in the law firm of Allaire Elder Law, members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., with offices at 271 Farmington Ave., Bristol, 860-259-1500, or on the web at www.allaireelderlaw.com. If you have a question, send a written note to either Attorney Allaire at Allaire Elder Law, LLC, 271 Farmington Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010, and they may use your question in a future column. Nutmeg TV is Doing Film Conversions Now! 8mm Film to DVD or Digital File Starting at just $30.00! Bring Your Memories to Life All Orders Stay in Farmington & All Work is Done in Farmington By Local Folks Like YOU !! Nutmeg TV in Farmington CALL TODAY! 860-321-7405 December 2021 • Connecticut PRIME TIME B5 ׉ 7cassandra://J_RwusXx0qlSJkuqM1-LSD_K-eGoMjwYNy8fWwI1h1A8`aqBy=!UaqBy=!T sבCטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://-HrX2r3SJvUjCFJYBiyt1YMZPB2spmxC3po41m_mf3c`n׉ 7cassandra://BllZhZ0VjrC6_Uxa7kbnT4aNLkq6uEt5Hd1bOQPLDb8ͬ`׉ 7cassandra://EY_Xi9LqjUsDkkV2mgdwKMb-XPDLPkA5pZLXEsNeFtc7I`׉ 7cassandra://86C3QhTvXnCo2B-dUnNxwfynZzn-G-7NOPawxf3URs0^͠EaqGy=!sטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://7-RxKys5w4kTaaYnZv5qFZrrSev19H1Jn2SHiUbqFpQh`n׉ 7cassandra://C31o1dXW-PyECVnWHEcD47y-adID9NJQDzynlNB0pUw͚=`׉ 7cassandra://C2nPHTzMPytZ8iojhr0GNQjcJxdHKMnv8t2dmGZ9_so-R`׉ 7cassandra://kH1jLOCso9WJFPZ2zQTX6c9itKO8nyC2CCdj_HgSvU0~R͠EaqGy=!uנaqGy=!y~T9ׁHhttp://www.medicare.govׁ ׁ ЈנaqGy=!x̝9ׁHhttp://www.mbmanor.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EErica Drzewiecki | Staff A $9 million expansion under construction on the campus of Arbor Rose and Jerome Home in New Britain. Breaking ground Jerome Home/Arbor Rose begin expansion that is estimated at over $11 million By ERICA DRZEWIECKI @DRZEWIECKINBH One of the most sought-after retirement homes in the state is welcoming an expansion to its New Britain campus valued at over $11 million. The Jerome Home/Arbor Rose assisted living community recently broke ground on a 19,000 sq. ft. facility, to include 20 new apartments for memory care residents and a state-of-theart wellness center. The estimated completion date is Oct. 2022. “We hope to start moving located at 975 Corbin Ave., is affiliated with Hartford HealthCare. It offers skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient The Jerome Home/Arbor Rose assisted living community recently broke ground on a 19,000 sq. ft. facility. people in during fall of next year,” Jerome Home/Arbor Rose Executive Director Lori Toombs said. The not-for-profit home, B6 Connecticut PRIME TIME • December 2021 rehabilitation, memory care, residential care, independent and assisted living. There are currently 16 memory care units in Arbor Rose. “We have a waiting list for memory care so it’s great we’re going to be able to offer 20 more units with this expansion,” Toombs pointed out. She was joined by colleagues, the Board of Trustees and the construction team at a recent groundbreaking ceremony outside the facility. Longtime trustee Harry Mazadoorian is looking forward to the future of Jerome Home/ ׉ 7cassandra://EY_Xi9LqjUsDkkV2mgdwKMb-XPDLPkA5pZLXEsNeFtc7I`aqBy=!V׉E Arbor Rose. “We’re very pleased with how it’s going,” he said of the project, which was delayed more than a year due to the covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. News & World Report recognized Jerome Home/Arbor Rose on its Best Nursing Home List based on nationwide ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. “People want to live here; they love living here,” Toombs said. “They know we are one of the best places in the area and that’s why we are able to expand.” The new wellness center will feature services and programs for short-term rehab and outpatient care as well as a GoodLife Fitness program. John Manning, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jerome Home/Arbor Rose, put his stamp of approval on the project. “We started this many years ago and it’s good we’re finally seeing shovels out there moving dirt around,” Manning pointed out. Monsignor Bojnowski Manor Skilled Nursing Facility • 50 Pulaski St., New Britain Call 860-229-0336 or visit www.mbmanor.org A Compassionate Bridge to Wellness • 24-hour skilled Nursing Care • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • End of Life Care • Social & Therapeutic Programming/Activities • Beautiful Surroundings • Discharge Planning • Coordination of Homecare Services for your return home • Respite Care • Pastoral Care • Short-Term Rehabilitation & Recovery Stays • 7 Days a week of Therapy Services December 2021 • Connecticut PRIME TIME B7 The project’s architect is Gerry Frank, founding partner and President of Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects, a firm based in Lexington, Mass. “I have a long history with this place,” said Frank, who was also the architect of Arbor Rose, located on the Jerome Home campus. “This is very exciting for us,” Frank added. “What’s fascinatThe history of Jerome Home dates back to 1932 and was one of the first assisted living facilities for the elderly. ing to me is the way Jerome Home has grown over time. You can see it reflected in the architecture. It’s almost like a college campus now.” The history of Jerome Home dates back to 1932 and was one of the first assisted living facilities for the elderly. In the 1970s a skilled nursing unit was added and the home expanded again in 1990. Arbor Rose was completed in 2008. Jerome Home acquired several homes in deteriorating condition located along Hamilton Street, which were demolished to allow for the expansion. A large parking lot is also being constructed.  5 Star Rating for Overall Quality Care by Nursing Home Compare www.medicare.gov 72960 ׉ 7cassandra://C2nPHTzMPytZ8iojhr0GNQjcJxdHKMnv8t2dmGZ9_so-R`aqBy=!WaqBy=!V sבCטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://usf5QV2V2b2OkzOHvBYFuF9ZiHB_CMwNIbO0iGKGnl0`n׉ 7cassandra://4i4l0z4GsMN8HosaTyztHY2JecPL0eUlTp3liNvmEtU͙{`׉ 7cassandra://43Zo7h2SfWPjDmLy0GiaN8PyvX-uLW1OeX3UfVlvNBU/V`׉ 7cassandra://eXgTLRoIAHHqIeSvzq7pTI6TA8KwjxwlI69OJ2K2ey46͠EaqGy=!zטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://m8UguXXWYBHHdWsOzpMBUM_t7mk7IRojSdAmH7xiyYYx`n׉ 7cassandra://BIpgaRE_MnL7MZAGw8F7z8PhESaDgnMJqzRUyphF6wsͪV`׉ 7cassandra://-WE70E1TL4D7VvVHlqEely8YZlyOqmg85C1_fkqxS480`׉ 7cassandra://LdyQBwG-KBi81Pbvu5RIGU_SDNCwiN6A5n4nXyAzvV0[:͠EaqGy=!{נaqGy=!}̵9ׁHhttp://hartfordhealthcare.org/ׁ ׁ Ј׉E HEALTHY LIVI NG Serving the needs of others HOCC, Hartford HealthCare roll out ‘Stars & Stripes for Service’ Sometimes the smallest gesture in life can have the biggest impact on a person. Bob Samartino, RN, at MidState Medical Center has witnessed this first hand for the last 11 years. Bob’s story began back in 1984 – when he was just 19 years old. He was attending college at Central Connecticut State University when he decided he also wanted to serve his country in some capacity. “I decided to join the Army National Guard, so I enlisted at the infantry unit in Bristol, which is where I am from,” Samartino explained. He served until 1990. Years later, while helping his parents through medical issues, he began to take an interest in healthcare. He decided to go to nursing school and graduated in 2009. That same year, he was hired at MidState Medical Center. It didn’t take long for him to make memorable interactions with patients, which would set off a sequence of events that nobody – including Bob – was expecting. Bob Samartino, RN something for them to help make them feel more at ease,” Samartino said. “So I decided to buy a bunch of small American flags, stashed them in my locker at work, and when I knew one of my patients was a veteran, I’d give them a flag.” This went on for seven years, until it got the attention of colleagues and managers. They liked the idea so much, they, too, began passing out flags to patients who served our country and expanded the program to The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Fast forward to the “I would start talking to men or women I was caring for and learn that they were veterans and I wanted to do fall of 2021, Hartford HealthCare stepped in and decided to standardize this recognition across the system – launching “Stars & Stripes for Service” on Veterans Day – November 11, 2021. Every patient, who served our country, received an American flag on that day, or similar gift of gratitude depending on the care setting – as well as a thank you card. Since it’s important to recognize our veterans beyond just one day, certain Hartford HealthCare locations, such as The Hospital of Central B8 Connecticut PRIME TIME • December 2021 Metro News Service Connecticut, have adopted this program year-round. “We all have immense gratitude for those who have served our country. Stars & Stripes for Service is an example of how Hartford HealthCare continues to go above and beyond to make that interaction with our patients a meaningful one. We are so proud of the fact that this program got its start at MidState and has grown in such a meaningful way,” said Janette Edwards, vice president of operations for The Hospital of Central Connecticut and MidState Medical Center. “It’s just truly incredible. What started out as such a simple idea has grown in a way I never could’ve imagined,” Samartino said. “These flags are making a world of difference. I’ve seen men and women cry when they get a flag – it’s so touching. It means a lot to us, to the patient and to their families.” To learn more about the Stars & Stripes for Service program, visit www. hartfordhealthcare.org/ veterans. ׉ 7cassandra://43Zo7h2SfWPjDmLy0GiaN8PyvX-uLW1OeX3UfVlvNBU/V`aqBy=!X׉EZHEALTHY LIVI NG Getting to the root of the cause A hernia may be causing your mystery chest pain Have you ever been told by your doctor that they do not know what is causing you to have shortness of breath or chest pain when you have a normal chest X-ray and a normal EKG? It could be coming from your stomach. Patients with a herTanya Olszewski, MD nia of their diaphragm, where the stomach and sometimes other organs come up into the chest, frequently experience a whole range of symptoms which can often be very difficult to diagnose. The most common complaints are shortness of breath, chest pain, heartburn, reflux, fullness when eating a meal, gas pains and/or nausea. Many patients, however, have no idea they have a hiatal or paraesophageal hernia. The medical term for having these organs in your chest is either a hiatal hernia, where the stomach itself slides into the chest or a paraesophageal hernia where a large amount of the stomach and sometimes other organs like the colon or small bowel can move into the chest next to your esophagus. In addition to your stomach slipping into your chest, the junction between your esophagus and stomach becomes loose and can contribute to reflux and heartburn. Usually your physician will recommend several tests for work up. The best studies to diagnose these conditions are upper endoscopy, a series of x-rays with contrast called an esophagram, an acid (pH) study and a swallowing evaluation called manometry. Many times they can be seen on a CAT scan as well. Many patients with long standing heartburn and/ or reflux will have changed their diet and their daily and nightly habits substantially. They may use multiple pillows when sleeping, avoid eating before bed, avoid spicy foods, caffeine, red sauces or chocolate or may avoid eating large meals. When these lifestyle changes no longer help, these patients are typically placed on oral medications to help with the excess acid. Without any intervention, they will need to continue these medications for a lifetime and may continue to have the symptoms listed above even with their medications. While there are some procedures that can be done through the mouth for very tiny hernias, most of these hernias require surgery for repair. The surgery is either laparoscopic or robotic, both of which utilize small incisions and a camera with long instruments. The surgeon will carefully move your stomach from your chest back into the abdomen. The hernia is then stitched shut so that the only organ passing through is your esophagus, which will help decrease the chance that the hernia comes back in the future. The junction between your esophagus and your stomach is then reinforced to prevent reflux and heartburn by wrapping a very small portion of your stomach around the esophagus. This is called a fundoplication. Typically, patients only have to stay at the hospital one night after surgery and they can completely discontinue their antacid medications. Additionally, patients with chest pain and shortness of breath usually have immediate relief of these symptoms. After surgery patients will have an altered diet for approximately 3-4 weeks and will have weight lifting restrictions while they are recovering. In very rare cases, these hernias can require emergency surgery. The stomach will actually twist over itself in the chest causing significant chest pain, nausea, inability to eat or drink and possibly shortness of breath. This is a surgical emergency as the stomach can lose blood flow and needs to be immediately untwisted. The repair for this is the same and can usually be performed with laparoscopy as well. In severe situations, a part of the stomach may need to be removed. Metro News Service While the stomach twisting is rare, a patient with a paraesophageal hernia should seek care sooner rather than later to avoid this potentially dangerous complication. Tanya J. Olszewski, MD is a general surgeon with the Bristol Health Medical Group. She completed training in Foregut Surgery at the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, specializing in hiatal and paraesophageal hernias. She additionally performs laparoscopic and robotic general surgery as well as upper and lower endoscopy. If you think you may be suffering from a hiatal or paraesophageal hernia, you can start your journey toward getting answers today by calling 860-582-1220 to make an appointment. December 2021 • Connecticut PRIME TIME B9 ׉ 7cassandra://-WE70E1TL4D7VvVHlqEely8YZlyOqmg85C1_fkqxS480`aqBy=!YaqBy=!X sבCטsu׉׉ 7cassandra://lRu01y_Adm6LEbD8fK0EKl4QrSKU9X5l4Y55IiUYWUkž`n׉ 7cassandra://59yhM7RZvyUv_K_bD2L14qA6gbDiZn48eFePL5BjnHcͺ`׉ 7cassandra://25TX52V-bh04k6AvuZt2a37GX1SV9SHO-iC_PbQSwog28`׉ 7cassandra://I1QOwWy5IT4clwygBUD36jd2owjflD9xGflK4Ksa4NoJ͠EaqGy=!~טsu׉׉ 7cassandra://WDoRcqf3beO2GSV9oq1gNQxJQh310fnnGXQOMKZO0A8A`n׉ 7cassandra://5QqqK-zqzpJgig4AWiCpCnwGTwv9KQEvttnzbsq2_K0͑P`׉ 7cassandra://HinjpUYiapatXyR6NZNg1JLtcNrNEKxg_9Nfdkynq_k5'`׉ 7cassandra://eO6R2T4_JDR6nMa-zX0lL2LFtf4atYU-Euxm-QhM7ysOT͠EaqHy=!נaqHy=!:9ׁHhttp://www.TimsAuctions.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqHy=!ׁ9ׁHhttp://NewBritainHerald.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqHy=!9ׁHhttp://BristolPress.comׁ ׁ ЈנaqHy=!a\9ׁHhttp://bristolct.govׁ ׁ Ј׉EDAT EBOOK Ongoing Quilts that Care December meetings Quilts that Care will meet from 4 to 7 p.m., Mondays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11, 18 at Quilts that Care headquarters, 180 Scott Road, Waterbury. The group will also meet Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Dec. 1 and 15 at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202. Quilts that Care, Inc., a nonprofit organization, makes and donates quilts to cancer patients at 15 Connecticut facilities. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome. Non-sewers are welcome to cut fabric. Fabric, sewing notion and monetary donations are also welcome. The Quilts that Care mission is to “wrap cancer patients and their families in comfort and hope, one quilt at a time.” For information, call Deb at 860-782-1043. Saturday| 4 ‘Soup-er’ Christmas bazaar ‘Soup-er’ Christmas bazaar The Ladies of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host a “SOUP-ER” Christmas Bazaar Saturday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 8 Maple Street, Terryville. The bazaar will feature baked goods, soups-togo, Christmas crafts and Christmas live greenery boxes/sprays. For more info call 860-2834806 or 860-582-0723. Holiday Mini Photo session The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, 255 West St., will hold a mini photo session with families and pets. $20 covers: -10-15 minute sessions -8 x 10 printed photo -Choose photos and variety of holiday packages for order -Pet sessions available from 1 to 2 p.m. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. Call to register at 860-5834734. Holiday Boutique The Bristol Garden Club presents a boutique of hand decorated holiday wreaths, swags, cemetery boxes and centerpieces. A variety of sizes and styles will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit the good works of the Bristol Garden Club. The boutique will take place at the New England Carousel Museum at 95 Riverside Ave., Bristol. Christmas Craft Fair Bristol Historical Society’s Annual Christmas Fair features vendors, a white elephant shop for Christmas items, and a teacup raffle. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The society is loacted at 98 Summer St. B10 Connecticut PRIME TIME • December 2021 Coloring Club for Adults Coloring Club for Adults is taking place at the Bristol Public Library, 1 to 3 p.m., at 5 High St. Friday| 3 Wreath display New Britain Museum of American Art will have a wreath display this holiday season. Visitors will be able to browse and bid on holiday wreaths that have been decorated by local artisit. The event will run from Friday to Sunday. New Britain Museum of American Art is located at 56 Lexington St., New Britain. Sunday| 5 Breakfast for a good cause St. Gregory’s Parish will hold a breakfast that will go to benefit Brian’s Angels and the parish. Thje breakfast is being sponsored by Bristol’s Knights of Columbus Palos Council 35. There will be eggs, home fries, ham, sausage, pancakes, bread, fruit cup, orange juice and coffee being served. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (under 10). Tickets are available at the door or call GK Ken Archambault 860-690-1516 or Bob Jacques 860-5730845 in advance to reserve tickets. The breakfast will be at the St. Gregory CCD Center at 1043 Stafford Ave., Bristol. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon. Tuesday| 7 New Britain Tree Lighting New Britain is set to celebrate their Christmas Holiday Tree Lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday| 12 Free Holiday Concert The Chorale and the Brass and Wind Ensemble will perform a holiday concert at Bristol Central High School, 480 Wolcott St. They will perform traditional Christmas and Hanukkah favorites as well as popular holiday music. There will beno charge for the concert, with a good will offering at the end of the performance. This event will be held at Bristol Central High School Auditorium. Masks will be required. Christmas by candlelight Church of Christ, Congregational, at 1075 Main St., Newingto, will hold a holiday concert. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. Music for the season will be featured. There will also be adult, youth, handbell choirs and soloists. Music of Handel, Rutter, Willcocks, and carols. Saturday| 18 Tuba Christmas Trinity-on-Main will be hosting Tuba Christmas from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 69 Main St., New Britain. Genealogy session An informal genealogy session will welcome participants to share their own genealogical research difficulties and ask a professional for tips. you can attend in-person or online via Zoom. There is no charge. RSVP in the Reference Department, visit bristollib. com, call: 860-584-7787 x 4 or email bristollibraryrefdept@ bristolct.gov. BristolPress.com NewBritainHerald.com STIM IS BUYING! ilver pre-1965 dimes, quarters, & 1/2 dollars, 1934 & before silver dollars, Gold coins, early US currency, Indian head pennies, Buffalo head nickels, foreign coin collections. Stamp collections, albums, & hoards. All gold jewelry, pocket watches, diamonds, sterling silver, flatware sets, candleholders, bowls, & more. 860-459-0964 www.TimsAuctions.com 95488 318 ׉ 7cassandra://25TX52V-bh04k6AvuZt2a37GX1SV9SHO-iC_PbQSwog28`aqBy=!Z׉E W DECEMBER, 2021 CROSSWORD CLUES ACROSS 1. Topsides 7. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 10. A Sultan’s court 12. Maine city 13. Largest living land animal 14. Appetizer 15. Encounters 16. Leader 17. The source of bacon 18. Nuclear near reach weapon (abbr.) 19. Celery (Spanish) 21. Pie _ __ mode 22. Eye disease 27. Hello (slang) 28. Those in their 80s 33. Law enforcement agency (abbr.) 34. Business organizations 36. Mimic 37. For indicating speed of rotation (abbr.) 38. Feeling 39. Visual way to interact with computers (abbr.) 40. “Let It Snow!” songwriter 41. Essential oil used as perfume 44. Norwegian composer 45. Coast 48. __ lang syne, good old days 49. Gland behind the stomach 50. Tooth caregiver 51. King of Camelot CLUES DOWN 1. N. American indigenous people 2. Fascinated by 3. Root of out 4. Patti Hearst’s captors 5. Atomic #50 6. Habitual drunkard 7. Arabic for “peace” 8. Trickery 9. One’s physique (slang) 10. Not quite there 11. Wistfully mournful 12. Popular dance 14. Cut of meat 17. A way to stand 18. “Gunga Din” screenwriter 20. 10th month of the year (abbr.) 23. A way of jumping 24. Utah town 25. Of I 26. Actress de Armas 29. Silver 30. Play a role 31. __ Falls 32. Attaches to 35. Japanese title 36. Expressed pleasure 38. Buckets 40. Dirt 41. Hypnotists’ group (abbr.) 42. Restaurant drive-__ 43. Digs up 44. He voices “Olaf” 45. Relaxing place 46. Body part 47. 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