veterans' wellness 2017 calendar

32 Pages·2016·3.79 MB·English

Stay
S T RO N G !
V E T E R A N S ’
W E L L N E S S
2 0 1 7 C A L E N D A R
A guide to healthy living for Veterans
www.visn2.va.gov
Veterans Wellness EDITORIAL BOARD Need an Easier
Joan E. McInerney, MD, MBA, MA, FACEP, Way to Refill
Network Director
A MESSAGE VA Prescriptions?
Darlene A. DeLancey, M.S., Deputy Network
Director
Kathleen Hider, Network 2 Public Affairs and FROM THE NETWORK DIRECTOR
Web Content Manager
Ruth Harvie, Network 2 Public Affairs Specialist
Greetings,
VA Health Upstate New York ADVISORY BOARD
Bob Balick, Veteran We hope you enjoy the 2017 Veterans’
Mary Ann Blake, VISN 2 Health System Specialist Wellness calendar. Use it as a reminder to “stay My HealtheVet makes it easier to
strong” this coming year by taking care of your manage your medicines. Members
Tim Cleveland, VSO Tioga County
health using your VA health care benefits. registered in My HealtheVet can:
Derek M. Davey, VSO Lewis County
• Refill VA prescriptions (Rx) online.
Ron Fairbanks, Veteran Last year, the upstate VA health care network
You may also view a list of your
James A. Haggerty, Veteran merged with the VA health care network
past VA prescribed medications.
Dawn Smith, Network 2 Lead for Transition and downstate as part of the VA Secretary’s
Care Management To use Rx Refill, you need a
reorganization to enhance customer service.
Jennie A. Lynch, Pharm.D., Network 2 We are now the NY/NJ VA Health Care prescription written by a VA doctor
Pharmacoeconomist that has previously been filled at a
Network. Our upstate and downstate clinical
Maureen Martin, M.S., R.N., V.H.A.-C.M., VA pharmacy.
and administrative staff are working together
Network 2 Lead for Women’s Health, Geriatrics
and Extended Care and Palliative Care to apply best practices from across the Dr. Joan McInerney, • Track delivery of VA prescriptions.
Adam McMahon, Veterans Benefits Network. Our goal is to improve access and Network Director You can track any VA prescription
Administration, Buffalo Regional Office provide a consistent high-quality level of health care. mailed in the last 30 days and
Denis E. Oliver, VSO Steuben County check when it should arrive. View
On behalf of the VA staff, I want to thank you for your
Stacy Papachrisanthou, Director of Marketing, details about tracking information
Veterans Canteen Service service to our country and for your continued confidence for each prescription.
Betty Perkins-Carpenter, Ph.D., Veteran in us to provide you the very best in health care services.
• Get VA prescription shipment
Jonathan P. Pollack, L.C.S.W.-R., M.P.A.,
Sincerely, notifications to your email.
Behavioral Health Care Line
Joan E. McInerney, MD, MBA, MA, FACEP
Nithin K. Rao, D.D.S., Dental Service, VA Western • Create medication lists. Keep track
VISN 2 Network Director
New York Healthcare System of all your medications, including
Norbert J. Rappl, Veteran over-the-counter medicines and
Tammy Roman, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, St. John herbals/supplements.
Fisher College Malaria Pills May Cause Health Problems
John Strachan, Veteran Some military personnel have reported serious side effects after taking
Need help? Call the Help Desk
William Wilkinson, Veterans’ Advocate mefloquine for protection against malaria. These include anxiety, paranoia,
directly at [phone] or
Peter Ziarnowski, Ph.D., Team Leader, Rochester depression, mood changes, hallucinations, agitation, and unusual behavior.
Vet Center [phone] (TTY),
Some symptoms may mimic PTSD symptoms.
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
ON THE COVER: If you are concerned about any long-term side effects from taking mefloquine, Or, visit Myhealth.va.gov
Veteran Adam Buchner kayaks during a special talk to your VA health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.
Army Corps of Engineers trip to Cowanesque
Learn more at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/mefloquine-lariam.asp.
Lake, Pennsylvania. Photo by Adam Lyon, Visual
Information Specialist, Bath VA Medical Center
Keep Away from Convenience Foods
When you’re on the go, it can be easy to choose foods that are fast and tasty, but
hardly healthy. More than that, these foods may contain ingredients that are
actually harmful to your health. Do you know what you’re eating?
Burgers French Fries Ketchup Donuts Soda
Fast food hamburger often Although fries really only Ketchup has 4 grams of Like many fried foods, Dyes and food coloring are
contains sodium nitrite. It’s a need three ingredients – sugar per tablespoon donuts are cooked in oil among the many dangers
coloring agent used to make potatoes, oil and salt – most – more than in a at very high temperatures. in today’s fountain drinks.
old meat look red and fresh. fast food restaurants list typical chocolate-chip When food is cooked Caramel coloring, found in
Studies have found sodium more than 15 ingredients. cookie! In fact, excess this way, it causes most colas, has been linked
nitrite may increase risks for One unknown, but relatively sugar is found in most carcinogenic substances, to thyroid, liver and lung
pancreatic cancer. common, ingredient is processed foods, and like acrylamide, to form. cancer as well as leukemia.
TBHQ. This petroleum- especially fast food. This common chemical Common food dyes like red
The breads used in fast food
derived chemical increases byproduct of frying may 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6,
often contain an amino acid
food’s shelf life. It may cause cause cancer and have are linked to issues ranging
called l-cysteine that makes
vision problems. other toxic effects on from hyperactivity in
the dough more pliable. It
nerve tissue. children to brain cancer.
may be toxic to humans if
eaten too much.
Desserts Fast Food Packaging
Fast food restaurants often include carrageenan in their Much of today’s fast food packaging contains
desserts. This thickening agent is made from red seaweed. phthalates. These chemicals may cause birth
Eating too much of this may lead to rheumatoid arthritis, defects, childhood behavioral problems and
arteriosclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. childhood chronic illnesses, such as asthma.
It’s Never Too Late
to Do Great Things
Today’s technology is helping people of all ages
and skill levels achieve their health goals.
• Fitness trackers, social media and mobile apps
all make it easy today to plan out your healthy
living goals and achieve them.
• Researchers have found that sharing your
goals and successes with other people, either
in person or online, greatly increases your
chances for success.
• A research study, published in Translational
Behavioral Medicine, found that people who
shared their weight loss progress on Twitter
lost more weight than those who kept their
progress to themselves.
Time for a career change? Visit www.vets.gov/
employment/job-seekers! It’s easy to use and puts
you in touch with employers committed to hiring
Veterans and military spouses. Get where you want
to go faster!
January
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
MANAGE YOUR
HEALTH WITH
New Year’s Day
My HealtheVet
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
My HealtheVet, the one-
stop-shop for managing
your VA health information,
appointments, secure
messaging, and more,
has just gotten better.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Updates include:
• Popular features, like
Appointments, are more
front and center
• Easier to read and use
Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day • Better for using on your
phone or tablet
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 DECEMBER 2016 FEBRUARY 2017 Be Strong!
S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S It’s Cervical Health
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 Awareness Month!
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Learn how to fight it
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 at nccc-online.org
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28
Cherish The Ones
Who Make Life Good
Want to let someone know you care? Send a text!
• On average, people send 32 messages a day –
that includes people from every generation.
• Research shows that nearly half of mobile
phone users in the U.S. have sent “I love you”
text messages.
• Those who text positive, affirming messages
throughout the day often have greater
satisfaction in their relationships. This is truer
for those who send the texts than those who
receive them.
Attention Women Veterans! You deserve the best
health care from a provider trained in women’s
health. Visit www.visn2.va.gov/visn2/vet/women/
index.asp to learn about primary, reproductive,
mental health and other health care services
available to you.
February
FITNESS
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 3 4 KING
JANUARY 2017 MARCH 2017
S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 MEET
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
FITNESS KING
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 National Freedom
Day Groundhog Day HERMAN
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 HOLLSTEIN
90-year-old Army Veteran
Herman Hollstein is
fit and sharp. He added
jogging and bicycling to
his exercise routine 12
years ago after a heart
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
issue. Thanks to the
support he receives from
his health care team at
the cardiopulmonary
Valentine’s Day
rehabilitation center at the
National Donor Buffalo VA Medical Center,
Lincoln’s Birthday Day he’s going strong today!
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Washington’s
Presidents Day Birthday
26 27 28
Beat for You!
It’s American Heart
Month. Learn how
to love your heart
at heart.org.
Find Joy in Life’s
Little Pleasures
It’s often the little things in life that cost us nothing
that end up bringing us the most pleasure. Here
are simple things that bring joy to life:
• Giving a hug to a close friend or family member.
• Your first cup of coffee of the day.
• Finding a moment of peace and quiet after a
hectic day.
• A good laugh over something funny.
• Getting a good night’s sleep.
• Waking up to a beautiful sunrise.
Take care! Go to www.caregiver.va.gov to find
self-care tips and support on a variety of topics
for caregivers.
March
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 20 17 APR IL 2017 1 2 3 4 HELP A
S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S
FELLOW VET!
1 2 3 4 1
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Make a difference in the
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
26 27 28 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Read Across life of another Veteran!
30 America Day Consider volunteering or
making a monetary or gift
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
in kind donation to your
local VA medical center.
For more ideas visit
www.visn2.va.gov/VISN2/
giving/index.asp to find
your local VA medical
center’s voluntary services
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 web page.
Daylight Saving
Time Begins St. Patrick’s Day
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
First day of spring
26 27 28 29 30 31
Protect Yourself.
Adults over
50 need to
get screened
for colorectal
cancer. Visit
preventcancer.org.
Look Forward to that
Next Candle on Your
Birthday Cake
Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean it’s
all downhill from here.
• People in their 40s and 50s often have better
vocabulary, spatial orientation, verbal memory,
and problem-solving skills than they did in
their 20s.
• People over 60 report greater sexual satisfaction
than when they were in their 40s.
• Having an “experienced” immune system means
people over 50 usually get fewer colds than
those in their 20s.
• A 2016 study found that some people in their
60s and 70s, considered “super-agers,” could
remember as well as people in their 20s.
Studying people like this might help doctors
find future treatments for memory loss.
Root for Your Fellow Vets! Plan to attend
the next Golden Age Games, May 7-11, in
Biloxi, Mississippi. Visit www.va.gov/opa/
speceven/gag to learn more!