Since the start of the pandemic, patients of Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice have witnessed first-hand how the dedication of Home Care nurses, therapists, aides, and social workers face challenges with inspiration and resolve.

To maximize safety, the Home Care and Hospice team has continued to adapt to changing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local authorities to protect themselves and their patients. Despite a new “norm” that requires more time and attention to screenings, protective equipment, and sanitation, the Home Care and Hospice team continues the Redeemer tradition—to Care, Comfort, and Heal—with great flexibility, discipline, and commitment.

In fact, many members of the Home Care and Hospice team point out how they remain more determined than ever to help patients and families cope during these challenging times. “One key issue we see is dealing with transportation challenges and obtaining medications when usual caregivers cannot be in physical contact due to COVID-19 precautions,” says Amanda Hiner, an RN who has worked with Home Care patients for almost two decades.

Alicia Campbell, who directs Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice Mercer County, reinforces Amanda’s observation. “Many patients view us as a lifeline because family members and other caregivers are not able to attend to their needs due to visitation restrictions,” she says.

It is exactly this devotion to patients that, during the height of the pandemic, enabled Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice to continue services for new and existing patients—including those coping with COVID-19—when other care options began to narrow.

Even more, the Home Care team devised a new protocol, called the Pulse Ox Program, to promote early detection of COVID-19 complications. The program actively monitors a patient’s symptoms through a combination of home visits, symptom monitoring, and phone calls. Additionally, the Home Care nurse can arrange for additional medical intervention if it is needed.

“Having an in-home monitoring program supports our care initiatives by alerting us early to changes in a patient’s health status,” says Alicia.

Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice continues to strictly follow Safe Care protocols. Every day, team members are carefully screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Those who present with possible symptoms are further evaluated by Holy Redeemer’s Occupational Health Department and quarantined as needed. Additionally, our Home Care and Hospice team uses appropriate personal protective equipment as recommended by the CDC, while being sure to dispose of materials and disinfect between cases. Additionally, every team member maintains physical distancing when possible and always practices good hand sanitation.

If you would like more information about Holy Redeemer Home Care and Hospice, please call 1-888-678-8678 or visit www.holyredeemer.com/homecare.

In our current world, stress seems an inevitable part of life. But the mind–body connection is strong and if you don’t find ways to relieve stress your physical health will suffer, including your heart health. Stress can increase blood pressure and can increase the chance of the blood forming clots which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. It can also have harmful effects on the immune system. You might even find yourself vulnerable to developing first-time cardiovascular disease, recurrent heart conditions or heart attacks.

“There’s more to heart attack and stroke prevention than medications, exercise, and diet. Chronic stress has been linked to the progression of coronary artery disease. Although elimination of stress is never completely possible, stress reduction and a healthier approach to managing stress should be an important part of any cardiovascular health regimen,” said Dr. Kevin Lax, a Holy Redeemer cardiologist.

Increasingly, mindfulness is being recognized as beneficial in reducing stress. The concept sounds simple – remaining in the present by paying attention to moment-by-moment experiences. Recent studies point to promising results using meditation. Research shows that people who meditate are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Simple breathing exercises help reduce stress by slowing the breath, helping you breathe more deeply and ultimately lowering the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Once it’s become a habit, mindfulness can provide greater awareness and perspective, helping to cope with stress.

If you’re curious, check out apps like Calm or Headspace, which make meditation much easier by guiding you through the entire process. Commit to at least 10 minutes a day to reap the full physiological benefits.

Some other stress reduction ideas:

• Change what you can, while accepting that some things are beyond your control.
• Allow yourself to say "no" to requests that will add more stress to your life.
• Schedule time to relax – read, listen to music or a podcast.
• Do yoga or tai chi.

Mindfulness activities are a great way to manage stress, sleep well and feel better, but shouldn’t replace eating healthier, managing your weight, and getting regular physical activity as a part of stress reduction and heart health. It’s also not a substitute for any medication or medical treatment your doctor may have prescribed.

Stress is a part of life, but taking steps to reduce or manage it can improve your health and happiness.

To learn more about mindfulness and how to develop strategies to reduce stress you may consider working with a Life Coach. To learn more about the Life Coaching program at Holy Redeemer, call 1-800-818-4747 or email info@holyredeemer.com.

Back pain. Stiff neck. Rashes. Shoulder aches. These are symptoms of “macromastia,” or excessively large breast size. Macromastia can interfere with a woman’s life. Sports, exercise, sleeping, and even everyday movements can be a problem because the musculoskeletal system is in chronic pain.

The solution for many women is breast reduction surgery. “Most patients who have breast reduction surgery do so because of the significant daily pain they suffer,” says Stacey DonFrancesco, DO, a plastic surgeon at Restorative Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a Holy Redeemer physician practice.

“Women may feel self-conscious about their appearance and struggle to find clothing that fits properly. This can create emotional and social distress”, adds Dr. DonFrancesco, “which are additional reasons women decide to have this surgery.”

Breast reduction surgery, known as reduction mammaplasty, involves the removal of excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to help alleviate pain and achieve a breast size that the patient is comfortable with. Although less common than breast augmentation surgery, breast reduction surgery increased by 11% in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Medically Necessary Surgery

You can have breast reduction surgery at any age, even as a teenager. However, most young women wait until their breasts are fully developed, to avoid a possible second surgery later in life.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you are a candidate for breast reduction surgery if you have symptoms of macromastia, such as:

• Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain requiring pain medication
• Breast pain
• Nerve pain, including numbness in the little fingers
• Rash or skin irritation beneath the breasts
• Shoulder indentations from bra straps
• Restricted activity
• Poor self-image related to large breasts
• Difficulty fitting into bras and clothing

Some women may have symptoms of macromastia but have other conditions, like diabetes, heart problems, smoking, or extreme obesity, where the surgery may not be recommended for them.

Insurance Coverage

Breast reduction surgery is usually covered by insurance when it is considered medically necessary due to symptoms of macromastia. Coverage requirements can vary and may not be covered by all insurance plans. The procedure can also be performed as an elective cosmetic surgery for a fee not reimbursed by insurance.

It is important to note that insurance companies vary widely. Some require a referral from a primary care physician or gynecologist who can assess your need for the surgery. In addition, some insurance companies may require 6 to 12 months of documentation and treatment by either a physical therapist, chiropractor, dermatologist, or orthopedic doctor before proceeding to surgery. If you believe you are a candidate for breast reduction surgery, it is never too soon to let your primary care physician or your gynecologist know about your symptoms of macromastia. If you are considering surgery, you should contact your health insurance carrier and have them provide you with the criteria for coverage.

Outcomes

Breast reduction surgery addresses both functional and aesthetic concerns. “Many of my patients say this surgery has had a profound impact on their quality of life.” says Dr. DonFrancesco.

Are you considering breast reduction surgery? Contact Restorative Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. DonFrancesco. To learn more about the breast reduction and other services available at the practice, please visit the practice page or call the office at 215-447-8054.

With the warm weather just a few months away we will all soon be enjoying the outside and being more active. Whether you participate in a spring sport or just increase your activity, now is the time to prepare for a more active lifestyle!

Before you begin or resume a sport or an activity it is important to start with conditioning. A regular dynamic warm up routine with moderate exercise and stretching will help your muscles to build flexibility and strength prior to the start of the season. A warm up routine increases blood flow to the muscles; this will decrease the risk of injury or strain as you intensify your training and practice. A warm up and cool down should be part of your routine prior and during the season.

In addition to flexibility and strength, you should look for activities that will increase your stamina, which is the strength and energy that allows you to sustain your physical and mental effort for longer periods of time. Increasing your stamina helps you play longer and smarter. It also reduces fatigue and exhaustion. Building stamina requires not just physical exercise, but also mindfulness, good sleep patterns and a healthy diet.

“Preparation is the key to a successful season,” said Lisa Kaplin, DO, Orthopedic Surgeon with Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Associates. “I have worked with many athletes and the lack of proper preparation can lead to injuries or the individual can be delayed in reaching their full potential at the start of the season.”

Here are some suggestions to ensure success:

• Always warm up and cool down before doing any exercise leading up to or during the season. Include stretching in your routine. It’s now recommended to stretch as part of a dynamic warm up rather than stretching before you’ve started to move.
• Pace yourself. Don’t just go back to the same level of activity if you have been dormant for a while, especially if you are recovering from an injury.
• Cross train for conditioning and to develop your overall muscle mass. Switch it up. Repetition and overuse can cause injuries!
• Engage in stamina-building exercises like hiking, jogging, yoga, and circuit weight training.
• See an orthopedic specialist if you have any weakness or ongoing issues that could put you at risk for injuries prior to starting your spring activities.

Once the season has started, remember to keep your body healthy throughout the season and make sure to get rest after hard training sessions, practices, and games. Make sure you properly treat any injuries; don’t work out if you are in pain.

If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, you should see your doctor or consider an evaluation by a sports medicine physician, orthopedist, or physical therapist. Call 800-818-4747 to find an orthopedic specialist near you.

Youth athletic programs are a great way for kids to develop self-esteem and important social skills while trying out a variety of sports. But in the last ten years, many organized sports for young people have turned into highly competitive leagues that compete all year round. Of the sixty million kids who participate in some form of organized sports annually, many focus on only one. Doctors, rehab professionals, and well-informed coaches have long argued that sports specialization (when an athlete participates exclusively in one sport for greater than 8 months of the year) can increase the risk of injury and burnout.

“Participation in youth sports has many benefits, but the emphasis on competition can put immense strain on the human body, particularly one that’s still learning strength and coordination” said Emily Abramson-Chen, MD, a sports medicine physician with Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Associates. “Not all kids have the physical or mental development to handle this, which can lead to overuse injuries and burnout.” The risk of overuse injuries can depend on the specific movements required by a given sport. Athletes who participate in more technical, repetitive, or impactful sports are at a greater risk compared with sports with a more varied movement profile.

One benefit of playing multiple sports over multiple seasons is that it varies the stress patterns placed on the body. Like rotating a car’s tires, changing the wear pattern increases the likelihood of staying healthy. It also allows an athlete to develop new skills and coordination-- playing multiple sports can actually make you better at your primary sport!

Many professional organizations have made recommendations to minimize injury and burnout. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM.org) recommends that for young athletes:

• Participation in multiple sports should be encouraged at younger ages.
• Delay specialization as long as possible.
• Limit weekly and yearly participation time.
• Limit sport-specific repetitive movements.
• Schedule rest periods after every season.
• Be particularly careful during the adolescent growth spurts.
• Be prepared! Some athletes are at higher risk of overuse injuries than others, and a good pre-participation screening can help assess this.

If you or your young athlete is experiencing new or repeat injuries, weakness or pain, you may benefit from an evaluation by a sports medicine physician, orthopedist, or physical therapist. Call 800-818-4747 to find an orthopedic specialist near you.

Reference: DiFiori JP, Benjamin HJ, Brenner JS, et alOveruse injuries and burnout in youth sports: a position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports MedicineBritish Journal of Sports Medicine 2014;48:287-288.

You want to eat better, make less of an environmental footprint, maybe even lose some weight. Article after article suggests you try a plant-based diet, citing major health benefits. And they are major. For starters, a primarily plant-based diet is the only eating plan that not only prevents, but can actually reverse advanced-stage cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of certain cancers, assists with the prevention and treatment of hypertension, lower cholesterol and makes weight management easier. All of these factors can contribute to a longer, healthier life. It’s a big incentive to make a switch.

But figuring out exactly what “plant-based” means can be challenging. Will you have to ban all animal protein forever? Does plant-based mean vegan? Not necessarily. A whole-food, plant-based diet is more of a lifestyle choice than an actual diet. “Plant-based” is a broad term that includes a wide spectrum of eaters, including omnivores, who eat primarily plants with some animal products, vegans, who refrain from consuming any animals or animal products, as well as vegetarians, who also don’t eat meat but include eggs and dairy in their diets. Within this category are also fruitarians, raw vegans, ovo-lacto vegetarians, pescatarians and anyone following a macrobiotic diet. That is to say, a plant-based diet is flexible – FYI, you can also become a flexitarian - and can vary greatly depending on your comfort level.

David Rambo, Founder and CEO of Simplex Health, a functional medicine nutrition therapy practice, recommends a combined approach. “The goal is to recalibrate what you eat by focusing primarily on plant-based options and including and the appropriate amount of sustainability sourced high-quality animal products. Most of your plate should be plant-based with a small amount of animal protein. You should think of animal products as a condiment, meaning, it is a nice addition but not the focus on the dish.”

The basic principles of a healthy diet are:

• Eating primarily vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts.
• Choose grass-fed, pasture-raised organic meats and consume it like a side dish or a condiment.
• Cutting out refined foods, such as added sugars, white flour and processed oils.
• Focusing on whole, minimally processed foods, preferably locally sourced/organic products.

As with any lifestyle change, start slowly rather than going cold turkey. Pick a few plant-based meals to try. Add a large portion of salad or some healthy fats to your daily meals. Gradually work on reducing animal-based ingredients and increase your consumption of plant-based options. Read labels – processed food can contain many mystery ingredients – and eventually, stop buying foods that have labels.

Once you start feeling better and more energetic, it will be easier to continue. Remember, any transition takes time. Find out what works and what doesn’t as you find your own rhythm, and be gentle with yourself as you enter the wonderful world of plant-based foods.

If you are looking to live a healthier lifestyle, changing your diet is a good place to start. You may want to consider working with a nutrition specialist. Holy Redeemer has partnered with Simplex Health, a company that provides medically supervised nutrition therapy. You can meet with a licensed dietitian and together you can develop a plan that will work for you. To learn more visit simplexhealth.com or call 1-877-842-2425.

Meadowbrook, PA – December 2, 2019 - Holy Redeemer Health System announced that it has partnered with Health Network Laboratories (HNL Lab Medicine) to enhance its laboratory services and technology for patients and doctors, effective October 24, 2019.

Under the agreement, HNL Lab Medicine will manage Holy Redeemer’s laboratory operations located at 1648 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook, PA. In addition to providing management services, HNL Lab Medicine intends to provide substantial investment and resources to expand the laboratory infrastructure.

“We are extremely pleased to announce our new partnership with Health Network Laboratories,” said Cass Egan, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Holy Redeemer Hospital. “Through working closely with HNL Lab Medicine, we will be able to advance our existing high-quality laboratory services while remaining focused on providing our patients with the best care possible.”

This partnership will allow Holy Redeemer to offer new diagnostic services, including the potential for in-home phlebotomy services for patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Additionally, it will help expand the laboratory’s IT capabilities through comprehensive software service upgrades and full integration to HNL’s 24/7 call center.

” HNL is excited about the strategic partnership formed that focuses on our common goal of providing quality laboratory services,” said Matt Sorrentino, President and CEO of HNL Lab Medicine. “HNL partners with organizations that share and respect each other’s values. We understand the importance of fully supporting the hospital services and the needs of the medical staff and patients.

About Health Network Laboratories (HNL Lab Medicine)

Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., Health Network Laboratories (HNL) is a leading, full-service medical laboratory providing testing and related services to physician offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, employers and industrial accounts. HNL has more than 60 Patient Service Centers located throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey and generates more than 60 million clinical and anatomic pathology results for approximately 3 million patients and 12,000 healthcare providers each year. Its staff of over 1,000 employees includes 35 board-certified pathologists and scientific directors and more than 400 certified lab scientists and phlebotomists working together to provide high-quality, diagnostic testing. In 2018, HNL celebrated its 20th year serving the community. Learn more at HNL.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and LinkedIn.

About Holy Redeemer Health System

With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Holy Redeemer Health System remains true to the mission to care, comfort and heal that its sponsors, the Sisters of the Redeemer, began in our region in 1924 – to provide high quality, compassionate care. Today, Holy Redeemer offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children. With corporate offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA, Holy Redeemer Health System is a Catholic healthcare provider, serving southeastern Pennsylvania and 12 counties in New Jersey, from Union County south to Cape May County.

Coping with a life-limiting prognosis can be overwhelming for the entire family

At some point, it may not be possible to cure a serious illness, or a patient may choose not to receive certain treatments. Hospice care brings together a team of people with special skills—among them nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, personal care aides and trained volunteers. Everyone works together with the person who is dying, the caregiver, and/or the family to provide the medical, emotional, and spiritual support needed.

Some people automatically assume the suggestion to consider hospice means the end is very near, and choose to delay starting hospice care and do not take full advantage of the support it can offer. “Eligibility” means that the person’s doctor thinks he or she has less than 6 months to live should the disease take its usual course. The patient beginning hospice care understands that his or her illness is not responding to treatment aimed at curing or slowing the disease's progress and makes the decision to elect comfort directed care. This does not mean discontinuing all treatment. For example, if an older person with cancer is not responding to chemotherapy and chooses to enter into hospice care, the chemotherapy will stop, but other medical care, say, for high blood pressure, may continue as long as it is helpful. Hospice brings together a team of people with special skills to coordinate care, durable medical equipment, counseling, companionship, and bereavement services. Hospice is 100% covered by Medicare for all eligible patients, and is covered by most Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.

Because hospice is an approach to care, it’s not tied to a specific place. Generally services are rendered in the home but it can also be offered in a facility such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, or even in a separate hospice center. A member of the hospice team visits regularly, and a nurse is always available by phone—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Doctors may have a hard time predicting how long a person with serious illness will live. Health often declines slowly, and some people might need a lot of help with daily living for more than 6 months before they die. What happens if someone under hospice care lives longer than 6 months? If the doctor continues to certify that that person is still declining or close to dying, Medicare can continue to pay for hospice services. It’s also possible to leave hospice care for a while and then return if the healthcare provider still believes that the patient has less than 6 months to live.

Talk to your doctor if you think a hospice program might be helpful. They can help you decide what is best for you or your loved one. If you would like more information about Holy Redeemer’s Home Care and Hospice program please visit Hospice Care or call 888-678-8678.

Bob McGuirl, 72, sat on the exam table at his primary care physician’s office. As his doctor tried to gently pull McGuirl’s knees apart, they wouldn’t budge. One X-ray later, McGuirl was diagnosed with arthritis in his hip. His physician offered medication as treatment but McGuirl refused.

“I didn’t want to take anything even though putting my shoes and socks on and getting in and out of the car was starting to be a challenge,” McGuirl said.

A year later, McGuirl returned for his next physical. This time, he agreed to take medication to assist with pain management. He enjoyed going for daily walks with his wife, Marie, and his arthritis was making that hobby difficult. The new medication changed everything.

“I’d take the pill on Monday and it really relieved the pain. I’d be pain free until about Wednesday,” McGuirl said.

Around the same time, McGuirl received an e-mail from Holy Redeemer Health System advertising an upcoming joint pain seminar in Feasterville. McGuirl decided to attend. The seminar featured an orthopedic surgeon and Linda Beck, Total Joint Care Program Manager as well as what to expect during joint replacement surgery and a question and answer period.

“It was great. I learned a lot,” McGuirl said, “But I had not stayed in a hospital since the day I was born. I still didn’t want surgery.”

Despite the medication, McGuirl’s pain returned. At his next doctor’s appointment, he received troubling news. His liver function was in jeopardy and he was taken off the “magic” pill. Now McGuirl had to use over-the-counter options to manage his pain or consider surgery. McGuirl’s neighbor recommended Dr. Robert Mannherz of Suburban Orthopedic Specialists. 

Hoping to cure his pain with a shot, McGuirl scheduled a consultation with Dr. Mannherz. An X-Ray showed extreme arthritis on both hips. McGuirl’s left hip was almost bone on bone.

He reluctantly looked at his calendar to determine the best time for hip replacement surgery. McGuirl didn’t want to miss out on summer vacations or autumn walks. He was fearful he’d “hobble around” during Christmas. As 2018 came to a close, McGuirl knew he had to do something and fast.

“I went from not wanting surgery to being willing to go in that day if they called me,” McGuirl said.

McGuirl was scheduled for surgery on January 2, 2019. As he showered the morning of the surgery, his hip clicked every time he shifted his weight. McGuirl feared it would fall out of the socket before he made it to the operating room.

Marie dropped him off at Holy Redeemer Hospital at 5:50am. By 7:10am he was taken to the operating room. McGuirl woke up at 9:35am in the recovery room, completely pain free. At 2:30pm, his nurses and physical therapist had him get out of bed and take a few steps with a walker. He took two steps and didn’t hear the clicking.

Two weeks after surgery, McGuirl’s physical therapist, Amy Dickson had him walking with a cane.

“I learned the cane goes on the opposite side of the injury. I was like a duck taking to water! I had no confidence,” McGuirl said.

Dickson worked with him and in due time, McGuirl was able to walk around his block again. He did his physical therapy exercises diligently and is pain free. Marie is thrilled the pair can go on walks again.

“It was an excellent procedure. My God, I should have gotten it done sooner,” McGuirl said

Learn more about Comprehensive Knee & Hip Care at Redeemer Health.

Palliative and hospice care are specialized care choices for people with chronic or terminal illnesses. With a focus on personal goals and quality of life, both types of care center around comfort care. But palliative care can begin at diagnosis, and at the same time as treatment, whereas hospice care begins once treatment of the disease has stopped and it’s clear the person will not survive.

Palliative Care

The goal of palliative care is to help people with serious illnesses feel better and improve quality of life for both patient and family. With the help of a multidisciplinary team, palliative care prevents or treats symptoms and side effects of disease and treatment. In palliative care, you do not have to give up treatment that might cure a serious illness. The palliative team can assist with medication management, care coordination, and any emotional, social, practical, and spiritual problems that illnesses can bring up. A palliative care consultation team is made of doctors and nurses, and includes others such as social workers, nutritionists, and chaplains.

Palliative care usually takes place at the facility where a patient will receive treatment. It can be administered in the home, but it’s most common to receive this type of care at the hospital, extended care facility, or nursing home associated with the palliative care team.

If the doctor or the palliative care team believes ongoing treatment is no longer helping, there are two possibilities - a transition to hospice care if the doctor believes the person will die within 6 months, or, the palliative care team’s effort continues, with increasing emphasis on comfort care.

Hospice Care

Hospice care includes palliative care and is reserved for terminally ill patients during the last 6 months of life, assuming their disease takes its normal course. As with palliative care, hospice provides comprehensive comfort care as well as support for the family, but attempts to cure the person's illness are stopped.

Hospice care is most often provided in a patient’s home – regardless of whether it’s a house, apartment, nursing home, assisted living facility or other setting. It also brings together a team of people with special skills working together with the person who is dying, the caregiver, and/or the family to provide medical, emotional, and spiritual support. The hospice team can coordinate care, durable medical equipment, counseling, companionship and bereavement services. This kind of care can help with such daily activities as administering medications, bathing, and dressing, but does not provide full time caregivers. Although a hospice nurse will visit frequently and help is available by phone 24/7, hospice requires that a willing, able and available caregiver be in the home unless alternate arrangements are made.

Accessing Care

If you think palliative care or hospice may be appropriate for you or a loved one, discuss the options with your physician. Both palliative and hospice care are usually covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare.

For more information regarding the palliative care or hospice programs through Holy Redeemer please contact Holy Redeemer Home Care at 888-678-8678.