CARDIAC SURGEON’S LIFE STORY SETS THE STAGE FORAN INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE TO UNLEASHING PEOPLE’S FULL POTENTIAL
In HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Brian Lima Challenges Readers To Strive For Greatness And Never Settle For Second Best College, medical school, and then ten years of grueling surgical training, that’s what it took for Brian Lima to become a leading heart transplant surgeon – literally able to breathe new life into critical ill patients. Not only has Lima never shied away from a challenge, he has spent his life actively seeking them in pursuit of seemingly near-impossible goals. In his insightful new book, HEART TO BEAT: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity—The Heart Way (Clovercroft Publishing/February 18, 2020), Dr. Lima shares his story, giving everyone – not just aspiring physicians – the tools and encouragement needed to be their best selves.“We all have free will, and we all have a choice,” he writes. “You can choose to live aimlessly, halfheartedly going with the flow and suppressing that inner voice, the one beckoning you to unleash your full potential and to grab the world by storm. Or you can achieve success by committing to hard work and unceasing effort.”In HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Lima candidly shares, often with a wry sense of humor, how this approach enabled him to reach the pinnacle of success in all of his undertakings – whether it was building the strength and skill to become a varsity football player, becoming valedictorian of his high school class, earning a scholarship to Cornell University, or winning coveted residency opportunities as he trained to become a heart surgeon.“You don’t have to be the smartest or most talented person in the room to get ahead, just the one who wants it the most,” he writes. Indeed, Dr. Lima credits his own achievements purely to his intense effort. In his eminently readable, down-to-earth book, he breaks down the keys to advancing beyond your comfort zone and perceived limitations to unleash your full potential. Dr. Lima’s powerful lessons include:Heart Over Matter – “You, and you alone, are responsible for how much or how little you achieve in this life,” he writes. Only when you realize that you are master of your own destiny, and refuse to allow insecurities, past experiences, and fears to limit your potential, will you realize your dreams.Heart Of War – Complacency is your biggest adversary. You must never cease working and bettering yourself – if you do, you will surely slide off the top of your game. “The minute you rest on your laurels and kick your feet up, you’ve settled for defeat,” says Dr. Lima.Kickstart My Heart – Dr. Lima explains that the “propulsive power of ambition” has been one of the most impactful forces of his life. “Your eagerness to move ahead contributes more to your success than natural talent or being born with a silver spoon.” Ambition is what enables people to overcome the primary hurdle to success: self-doubt.Till Death With My Heart – If something is truly your calling – meaningful, bigger than you, and well-intended – it is likely not going to be easy to achieve, says Dr. Lima. For him, the rule must be “it’s all in or no win.” Being “well-rounded” is incompatible with true excellence, he contends.Not For the Faint of Heart – Fear of failure can disrupt the pursuit of any goal, and overcoming this fear is a monumental task that requires you to meet it head-on again and again, until you’re desensitized to its paralyzing influence. Dr. Lima urges readers to see every moment as just that – a moment – whether they’re going for a buzzer beater in basketball or performing heart surgery. This is what gives people the courage to take their shot at every opportunity.The Heart Sell on Entrepreneurship – “One way or another, you have to get the word out about how great your ‘brand’ is – in other words, how great you are,” says Dr. Lima, contending that the sales mantra “always be closing” is critical to success. He points to such key fundamentals as avoiding pigeonholes and being open to opportunities; never second-guessing yourself; continuing to invest in yourself; and using your time wisely.In addition to the author’s compelling personal story, HEART TO BEAT also includes a fascinating look at the current technologies and medical care available to treat heart disease, along with the basics about living a heart-healthy life – straight from the mouth of one of the country’s leading heart transplant surgeons.“There are those who choose to chase victory and to live life on their own terms, and there are those who don’t,” declares Dr. Lima. HEART TO BEAT will help you choose the path to victory, giving you the motivation you need to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.# # #ABOUT THE AUTHORDr. Brian Lima is a cardiac surgeon, associate professor of surgery, and recognized authority in advanced heart failure. He has published nearly 80 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at numerous national and international medical conferences. As the surgical director of heart transplantation at North Shore University Hospital, Dr. Lima helped launch the first and only heart transplant program on Long Island. Dr. Lima completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and was awarded a Dean’s Full Tuition scholarship to attend Duke University School of Medicine. During medical school, Dr. Lima spent a year at Harvard Medical School’s Transplantation Biology Research Center as a Stanley Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellow. He then completed his general surgery residency training at Duke University Medical Center, and subsequent heart surgery training at The Cleveland Clinic, where he was awarded the prestigious Dr. Charles H. Bryan Annual Clinical Excellence Award in Cardiovascular Surgery.
Temporary Isolation Can Be TheOpportunity To Permanently Transform Your Weight And Health
Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 2020 ̶ Not sure how to eat and stay healthy this quarantine season without resorting to your familiar diet of spaghetti, bread, pizza, and sugar? Candice Rosen, R.N., MSW, and author of the upcoming book Forget Dieting: It’s All About Data-Driven Fueling! encourages "trophology," or "food combining," which is one of the foundations of Rosen's Data-Driven Fueling Plan. As you combine foods, Rosen adds that "monitoring blood glucose is the key to weight gain vs. weight loss; good health vs. poor health."
1. Make Wednesdays and Fridays Vegan Days. According to Rosen, avoid dairy! Try vegan yogurts, cheeses, and milks. Dairy is inflammatory and will deplete your bones of calcium (it’s true!). There are unsweetened milks of almond, hemp, cashew, etc., and all are available in grocery stores. A low blood glucose breakfast idea would be a sprouted grain English muffin, spread with a tofu or nut-based cream cheese, some sliced tomatoes, and topped off with sea salt or Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.
2. Eat fruits that are high in fiber. Apples, bananas, oranges, berries ̶ the list goes on! You will still want to avoid sugary fruit juices, as well as very sweet fruits like pineapples and mangos while trying to lose weight. Fruit is always eaten alone with two exceptions: they can be added to a vegan smoothie and they can be eaten with a nut or seed butter. These healthy fats reduce the chance of a blood glucose spike.
3. Nothing white. To lower blood glucose, do not eat or combine animal proteins with any white potatoes, bread, rice, or pasta… EVER. Sorry!
4. Eat More Sweet Potatoes. Think wholesome, nutritious, responsibly grown, pancreatic-friendly foods (food that doesn’t raise your blood glucose) like sweet potatoes and yams, which are an incredibly nutritious carbohydrate that are low in sugar levels and provide fiber. They’re best consumed baked or steamed, but can also be cooked in a variety of other ways. A great lunch or dinner option (and it is inexpensive) is a baked sweet potato, split down the middle with a large spoonful of black beans, a tablespoon of tomatillo salsa, and a side salad. To lower blood sugar, eat them with veggies and plant-based protein together… NOT MEAT!
5. Try Fish. Give your body a break from animal protein. Red meats increase inflammation and provide poor sources of fat. However, if you crave protein, try fish! For those who aren’t allergic, fish is a fantastic source of protein that’s low in carbohydrates and contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the few consumable healthy fats! If consuming fish raw, remember only sashimi-style – no white rice! To lower blood sugar, combine fish with veggies, not starches or fruit.
About the author:
Candice P. Rosen, RN, MSW, CHC, is a registered nurse based in Los Angeles, CA. As the founding member of Gilda’s Club Chicago and its first executive director and program director, she created and coordinated a diverse array of wellness-related programs. She was appointed by Mayor Richard Daley to serve as Chair of Healthcare Initiatives for Chicago’s Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP). CSCIP provided an opportunity to advocate for preventive medicine, improve maternal and infant healthcare, stress disability access, promote nourishing diets, and bring awareness to the obesity and diabetes epidemics that now affect populations on a global level. She is married and the mother of four adult children and grandmother to a precious granddaughter. For more information on Candice, please visit https://candicerosenrn.com.
“STRONGER THAN YOU THINK” PROGRAM FOR TEENS TO LIVE STREAM MAY 27-29
The Stronger Than You Thinkthree-day livestream will combine candid conversations with celebrities, musical performances, and advice from mental health professionals to broaden the conversation and erase the stigma of mental health issues for teens and young adults. The program brings a great conclusion to Mental Health Awareness Month.
The livestream takes place Wednesday, May 27 through Friday, May 29, from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm PDT each day. It will be distributed across multiple digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and TikTok. Further details to follow.
The ever-growing list of celebrities involved includes hosts Laurie Hernandez, Kelly Osbourne, Jordin Sparks and Jeannie Mai, with guests Adam Lambert, Alesso and Liam Payne, Becky G, Carli Lloyd, Carly Pearce, Charli D’Amelio, CNCO, Dove Cameron, Elohim, Emily Kinney, Emma Chamberlain, G. Herbo, Grace VanderWaal, Haley Kiyoko, Howie Mandel, Hunter Hayes, Jack Gilinsky, Jameela Jamil, K Camp, Karina Smirnoff, Kate Nash, Kesha, Lauren Jauregui, Lauv, Lil Yachty, Lindsay Ell, Lydia Knight, Madison Bailey, Madison Beer, Margaret Cho, Maurice Benard, Noah Cyrus, Quinn XCII, Ross Szabo, Sharon Osbourne, Tammin Sursok, Taraji P. Henson, Tyler Glenn, Yara Shahidi and Zhavia as well as Brandon Coleman, Chris Hubbard, Dominique Easley, Oday Aboushi and Zach Moore of the NFL.
The show will provide encouragement and resources for a wide range of mental health struggles experienced by teens including anxiety, depression and stress – compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a 40% increase in requests for support and assistance weekly since the quarantine began
There will be an opportunity for students and/or their parents to pose questions to the talent and the experts. They can send their questions in advance to info@styt.org.
The Stronger Than You Think initiative was developed by the creators of the Teen Choice Awards, along with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s leading grassroots organization providing mental health support, advocacy, and education for youth and everyone.
Stronger Than You Think is produced in association with mental health nonprofit One Mind, which focuses on research and the science of mental and brain health.
“With the increase in mental health issues facing young people today, there is a tremendous need for a program such as Stronger Than You Think. NAMI is excited to provide the much-needed information teens and parents desire, and through Stronger Than You Think, we know we can make a difference,” said NAMI Director of Partnerships Katrina Gay.
“One Mind is proud to be able to help bring Stronger Than You Think to audiences worldwide and shed light on the important issues of brain health. We need community now more than ever and we are so grateful for the voices sharing their stories and being able to drive the conversation forward,” said One Mind President Brandon Staglin, who will share his personal experience of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager during the livestream.
This is the farthest-reaching national media program to address the mental health challenges facing our teens. Stronger Than You Think will now reach teens where they live – online. The producers are working with school systems across the U.S. to create awareness of this livestream to their students since the necessity is widely recognized.
One in six young people experience a mental health condition each year -- nearly 60 million Americans. Once the coronavirus crisis is over and it is safe to interact, Stronger Than You Think will continue to utilize celebrities and experts to talk with students about mental health.
Monies raised during the livestream will benefit the ongoing work of NAMI. All donations from Stronger Than You Think will be made using technology provided by Tiltify, the most popular charity fundraising platform for content creators and livestreams. Tiltify enables streamers to get involved and donate on whichever platform they use most frequently to connect with their audiences.
NAMI HelpLine:For support, information and referral, contact the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-6264 or visit NAMI.org. If you are in a crisis, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘N-A-M-I” to 7417414.
About ONE MIND:
One Mind is a leading international mental health non-profit that accelerates collaborative research and advocacy to enable all individuals with brain health conditions to build healthy, productive lives. By working from science to patients to society, One Mind advances a three-pronged strategy of accelerating discoveries, improving services and transforming societal culture.
MedZone Releases, Face Balm, The First All-Natural Face Balm to Help Reduce Chafing & Rubbing Associated With Wearing Masks
The Sports Medicine, Skin Care & Hand Sanitizer Company Delivers A Unique Skin Care Product For First Responders, Medical Personnel and Active People Wearing Masks
(LENEXA, Kan.) May 18, 2020 - MedZone, an industry leader in sports medicine, skin care, anti-chafe products and hand sanitizers, announces the release of Face Balm, an all-natural facial skin friction reducing product designed to help prevent the rubbing, friction and irritation created by wearing medical masks, industrial masks and CPAP masks. On the heels of the successful launch of a line of high-quality hand sanitizers available at MedZone.net, the brand moved quickly to bring this much needed product to the market forfirst responders and medical professionals. "Last month we had customers asking us if our other chafe prevention products for athletes could work on their face due to skin irritations and rubbing from medical masks. Once we heard that our team went to work to create a premium solution to our customers problems to use on the face." Said Joe Freeman, CEO of MedZone. Repeatedly wearing masks of any type can cause skin irritation, bruising and scars. Face Balm by MedZone was created to be a gentle balm on the face to help reduce the effects of rubbing and chapped skin from wearing the mask. MedZone used its years of expertise to create an easy-to-apply formula of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, aloe extract, avocado, jojoba and olive oil, making it great for all skin types. "Once we had the formulation finalized, we knew we needed to package it in an easy to carry and easy to use container so we chose a sleek pocket size stick container that is convenientto carry and perfect for on-the-go use. The small size lets the user apply it in small areas without the mess of a larger container. "Our team saw the need in the marketplace for an effective, natural product that can help those who are wearing masks for long periods of time. We knew we needed to take our skin care expertise and produce a product for anyone who wears a mask. The team worked tirelessly to rapidly create and produce a new unique product line that is needed with the increasing demand of PPE." MedZone will be donating product to various hospitals around the country to help medical and first responders during this chaotic time. Plans are being made to contribute a portion of sales to charitable organizations making an impact to first responders and medical workers around the country. Previously the company had social responsibility programs like this for its hand sanitizer products. Face Balm is now available for $11.97 for a 3 pack at MedZone.net and at major retailers soon. About MedZoneThe mission of MedZone® is to make EveryBODY Feel Better. MedZone products work to prevent, treat and manage aches, pains, discomforts, wounds, hand hygiene and skin-chafing issues for individuals in sports, industrial settings and recreational activities. Our products were initially designed in 2001 based on requests from medical professionals, athletes and U.S. Military. Over the years the products have been adapted to work for athletes, active people, law enforcement, military and for certain healthcare needs. With the increase in market need for sanitizers and hand hygiene products, Medzone has created a new line of products including hand sanitizing gel, hand sanitizing spray and foaming hand sanitizers in addition to Face Balm. The company is currently donating $0.10 per unit of hand sanitizer unit sold to the World Health Organization. The company is growing its Hygiene and Health Product category due to the increased need in the marketplace. Additional new products in this category are planned through the Summer 2020.
University of Bradford begins making ‘thousands of face shields’ as part of Covid-19 responseUniversity teams up with local companies to help fulfil vital NHS order for PPE
16 May 2020 Engineers from the University of Bradford have started the mass production of face shields for the NHS in response to the coronavirus pandemic.The project is being carried out at the University of Bradford’s Faculty of Engineering & Informatics in partnership with two local companies, Leeds-based additive manufacturer ActiveCell Technologies and Teconnex from Keighley.Academics are using high tech 3D printing and polymer injection moulding machines, capable of turning out thousands of pieces of protective face shield components a day.Mould sets ordered from Germany and designed and machined in Bradford mean the university has the capacity to produce in excess of 5,000 units per day if needed.Head of the Department of Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineering, Professor Tim Gough said the work was in response to an order for the equipment from the NHS, adding it had taken a number of weeks to get to the point of manufacture.“These are not the facemasks which you now see many people wearing in public but face shields, which have a clear plastic visor. A lot of transmission [of coronavirus] is coming from patient coughing and that can infect the carer through respiratory transmission. We are manufacturing headbands and headpieces to go around the head, which you can then attach a visor to.“It has taken us some time to get to this stage because everything has to comply with strict cleanliness standards, so we have had to deep clean everything, even the injection screws and screw barrels, to create a ‘clean room environment’.”He added the initial NHS order was for 10,000 units, with a further 5,000 ordered by Bradford Council.Prof Gough, who has worked at the university for 23 years and has ongoing projects with a number of companies, including vacuum manufacturer Dyson, is one of a team of six who are carrying out the work on campus. They are using 3D printers to create prototypes and then polymer injection moulding machines to create products. The headbands have even been made so that acetate sheets used in overhead projectors can be attached as visors as a last resort.They are also working on two other designs, one called an ‘ear saver’ to stop chafing caused by prolonged mask wearing in a medical setting and an alternative face shield design for use in care homes.He added: “In practical terms, this is what we do. Yes, there’s a level of complexity to it but we are used to making products and we have done this kind of thing for years.”Tim is part of a six-strong team, which also includes Professor of Precision Manufacturing Ben Whiteside, research engineer Michael Hebda, technical services manager David Barker and engineers John Hornby and Glen Thompson.Prof Whiteside, who leads the Polymer Micro and Nano Technology Research Centre said: “The challenge has been to review the problem, finalise designs and manufacture tooling at time scales that are far quicker than industry norms, while also offering significant benefits over existing solutions for our NHS staff.”ActiveCell Technologies managing director Chris Wray said he was happy to be able to help in a time of need, adding: “We managed to scale our print farm up quickly to keep up with demand, working with the university is a pleasure and to help create a design that is not only fit for purpose but helps protect the frontline workers in the NHS, private sector and care homes makes us extremely proud.”Teconnex production engineer Paul Shepherd, from Teconnex, which is helping with manufacture of the headbands and laser-cutting of visors, said: “It’s important to help out at this time. We have also said we will help provide local care homes if we can.” Additional informationThe University of Bradford has already donated its stocks of PPE and ethanol to local hospitals. Earlier this month, more than 400 nurses, including 2nd and 3rd year students, began working in the NHS. In April, front-end web developers from the university created an ‘extranet’ to help hospitals cope with the influx of new staff.
Understanding the Importance of Protecting Your Joints When Starting a New Workout Routine
Each year people get motivated to begin new exercise routines for health purposes, as well as, other goals. Those that are already-fit have to be realistic when developing these routines. It is easy to overdo workouts, which can lead to injuries. In some cases, individuals with different conditions experience pain and discomfort related to how they exercise or workout.
Foot injuries or conditions may make it necessary to visit a podiatrist. These specialists will assist you in addressing pain and help you to prevent injuries. One thing that needs to be considered when exercising is how to protect your joints. The type of fitness routine can have a negative impact on existing joint problems. Finding the best approaches for arm and leg movements will be useful in protecting your joints.
Shed Unwanted Pounds
Men’s Journal encourages those starting new exercise routines to prepare to prevent accidents and injuries. This can be done through proper care, as well as by balancing low and high-impact activities. Most people adopt these workouts so that they can shed unwanted pounds. Having balance involves also avoiding stiff joints, which sometimes leads to painful experiences. Stretching before working out is one way to protect the joints.
Improve Flexibility & Strength
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve suffered injuries in the past. The process of improving flexibility and strength can be challenging. Exercise and sports activities should be done correctly with joint protection in mind. In the beginning, it may be difficult to achieve the flexibility that you want. Over time these activities become more apparent and productive. Cardio, weight lifting, and even dance routines are good options for these goals. No matter what the routine joint health is essential.
Reduce Stress Levels
Stress can have an impact on not simply a person’s health alone. Studies have shown that stress may lead to physical and emotional problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise improves moods, as well. This is another reason why these routines are important to do either on a daily or weekly schedule. Wearing the right shoes and having the correct posture while exercising is critical. These are just some things that can be done to keep joints healthy and protected.
Listening to your body and being in touch with how you feel is one of the best ways to prevent injury or damage to the joints. If you are feeling some sensitivity or even inflammation, it may be better to rest these areas. This doesn’t mean avoiding physical activity but simply modifying the routine. Practicing safe options to maintain health is just as important as exercise.
Prime Minister Announces $450M Fund to Support Health Researchers in Canada
Vital funds will save thousands of world-class researchers from having to walk away from Canada and their lifesaving work on COVID-19, cancer and other diseases and help them ramp up their labs after the pandemic
TORONTO, May 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced a $450M support package for medical researchers across Canada who are working on a cure and treatment for COVID-19 and other diseases.
The money will enable important research projects that were suspended because of the pandemic to begin again, with Canadian researchers redoubling their efforts to find cures and treatments for the country's most pressing health concerns, including COVID-19.
"Science and research is our door to a brighter future and that has never been clearer," the Prime Minister said today in his daily address. "But because of the pandemic, many labs have closed or are at risk of imminently closing. (So) today we are announcing $450M to help researchers and research institutions bridge to better times."
That "bridge to better times" includes start-up fees to help Canada's research institutions ramp back up to full operation once physical distancing measures are lifted. The money will also provide wage supports to universities and health research institutes, up to 75% per worker, with a maximum of $847 per week.
Research hospital foundation CEOs across Canada laud the new funding as a lifesaver, not only for the researchers and patient populations, but for the Canadian medical research sector.
"Without the subsidy, tens of thousands of world-class researchers across the country were at risk of being laid off, starting next week. Without them, the medical research infrastructure was in real danger of collapse. We are talking about the people in Canada who are working on COVID-19. They're also working on cures and treatments for nearly all of the most serious diseases we face: cancer, diabetes and heart disease," says Michael Burns, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Researchers typically go where they will best be able to do their research; where it will be funded, where they will get resources and where they will be supported. Canada has been able to attract and retain the most talented minds in the world, and has built up a world-class brain trust.
"We're lucky, because Canadian researchers are among the best in the world. Every day they make discoveries that help us to stay healthy and safe. And we have to support them," the prime minister said, speaking in French through a translator.
"It has taken decades of careful recruiting and vetting, and billions of dollars, to get Canada to the point where our biomedical research community is one of the best in the world. And the pandemic was threatening to dismantle all that in one fell swoop," said Bram Freedman, President and CEO of Montreal's Jewish General Hospital Foundation.
The new fund will allow medical research institutes to retain researchers. Those institutes receive limited or no direct funding from their provincial governments; their funding is pieced together from hospital foundations, external charities, federal and provincial government granting agencies and pharmaceutical industry partners. That money has largely dried up or been redirected to COVID-19 during the pandemic.
"Families across Canada depend on research to find effective solutions for serious health issues. Federal support is critical to protect the vital research infrastructure that saves lives," said Sarah Roth, President and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation.
Supporting medical researchers through this fund will not only help in the immediate race for a cure for COVID-19 and keep cancer researchers working, it will allow the medical research enterprise in Canada to more easily rebound after the pandemic. It will also keep pharmaceutical industry partners engaged, to continue to develop the life-saving treatments, diagnoses and vaccines that will be vital in the wake of COVID-19.
"We applaud the federal government for this critical fund," said Burns. "They acted quickly, understanding the immense impact Canada's medical research professionals have, and the importance of the research enterprise as a whole."
SOURCE Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
OMA urges increased public health measures to avert COVID-19 surge as province emerges from lockdown
"There is going to be a new normal in the health-care system as well as the world at large," says OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "The OMA is committed to working collaboratively with the government and other partners to ensure that the health system's recovery in the post-pandemic environment is managed in the most efficient and effective manner for patients and providers alike."
Among measures that need to be taken at least until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 are developed, the OMA is recommending:
1. Continuing personal protective measures, including wearing masks, physical distancing, influenza vaccination and hygiene practices.
People should wear masks in public spaces to protect themselves – not just protect others. Those who can, should continue to work from home. Employers should stagger shifts, be flexible and provide separate workspaces for staff who need to return to a physical workplace.
2. Continuing necessary testing with investment in and uptake of innovative testing solutions, as well as serology testing (antibody testing) and immunity research.
Ontario must have sufficient fast and accessible testing capacity for all COVID cases, close contacts, essential workers and vulnerable people, and this capacity must be sustainable. The province should also explore innovative solutions such as point-of-care testing, drive-through testing and test pooling.
3. Creating capacity to trace all case contacts, and enforce and support contact isolation.
Thorough and sustainable contact tracing must be feasible for all cases, which may require hiring more contact tracers. Ontario should use innovative technology solutions such as Bluetooth applications to support existing time-consuming interviews and identify unknown contacts. The benefits of digital contact tracing must be balanced with protecting people's privacy.
4. Protecting all populations -- targeted approaches to protecting children and vulnerable populations.
Decision-makers need to take a nuanced approach to decisions about reopening schools and childcare facilities considering the unique needs of children, particularly their social and emotional development during prolonged isolation. Vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with existing medical conditions, will need to move through transition phases slower than the general public.
5. Balancing public trust in and public compliance with the other public health pillars to safely reopen Ontario.
Education and communication to the public will be key to ensure continued compliance with public health measures and that the public has confidence and trust that it is safe to return.
Ontario has managed to successfully flatten the peak of its pandemic curve over the past several weeks through an unprecedented shutdown and rigorous physical distancing measures to decrease exposure. However, without a vaccine or treatment, the risk of a surge remains ever-present.
"What we have learnt, from the experiences of other countries, and historically from other viruses and pandemics is that we should not rush," says OMA President Dr. Samantha Hill. "Reopening the province needs to occur in a phased and gradual manner to safely balance the need to restart the economy and ramp up deferred services, while continuing to protect everyone from the risk of exposure and preserving system capacity to respond to another outbreak or surge in cases."
This is the first of a series of white papers that the OMA intends to release over the coming year on important health topics.
"The OMA and its members have an important role to play in using our expertise to provide thought leadership on issues that impact our health-care system," adds Dr. Hill, "I hope that this paper will help the government and businesses reopen safely."
About the OMA The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Dementia under lockdown: the moving accounts of those striving to be heardUniversity of Bradford helps give voice to people living with dementia during the coronavirus pandemic
15 May 2020 Moving accounts of how life under lockdown has affected people living with dementia have been penned by those living with dementia and carersThe online archive - part of the University of Bradford’s Centre for Applied Dementia Studies - was viewed thousands of times in April alone.For some, the ability to blog has become a lifeline. For others, the outpourings offer hope and comfort and the catharsis which comes through shared experience.Wendy Mitchell’s emotive blog Which Me Am I Today? sums up the emptiness felt by many living with dementia during lockdown.“Before we entered this strange world we find ourselves in, I was used to travelling about, meeting new people in new environments, chatting to people all day long,” she says. “It was my sudoku, keeping dementia at bay, giving me something to fight it with but now that social interaction has disappeared.“Talking to others is now a luxury. No longer am I starting off my day chatting to my taxi driver, chatting to fellow commuters, chatting to people at events and then all the way home in reverse. Sadly, this isn’t working in my favour as I’ve found myself having to concentrate so much when I do talk; have more problems word finding; find myself stuttering and grappling with words, my speech slowing down… a strange unexpected consequence I’d never considered.”Wendy, who holds an honorary doctorate from the university and is an ‘Expert by Experience’, continues: “I suppose it can be compared to when I gave up typing for two weeks one Christmas and when I next opened my iPad I couldn’t remember what to do. I’ve never stopped typing since. Now I just find creeping signs of the same thing happening with talking.”Mother-of-two Wendy, 58, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in July 2014 and was at the time working in the NHS. She adds: “I’m hoping I can convey that, although we've been diagnosed, people like me still have a substantial contribution to make. We still have a sense of humour. We still have feelings. I’m hoping to show the reality of trying to cope on a day to day basis with the ever-changing environment that dementia throws at those diagnosed with the condition. What I want is not sympathy. What I want is simply to raise awareness.”Another who well understands those frustrations is former long-distance lorry driver Michael Andrews, 60, who was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (a rare form of dementia which affects his eyesight, visual perception and memory) in 2017.Michael works closely with the University of Bradford as an ‘Expert by Experience’. A former soldier in the British Army, his life is now dominated by routines, but lockdown has changed everything.Read his blog here.“A big part of my life was going out of the house,” he explains. “When I was first diagnosed, some things would confuse me and then what I call ‘the fog’ would descend. It means you can’t remember where you are or what you’re doing. Having routines helps to combat that. When I was in the Army, they used to say there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome. So, I’d go see people, have appointments, go for coffee and so on. But coronavirus has brought all that to an end.”Thankfully, he is finding new activities to combat ‘the fog’. “I’m cooking a lot more, playing the flute and accordion and I’ve just started learning the alto saxophone, I also play chess. The lockdown has been confusing for everyone but for anyone with dementia, it’s even more difficult.”Asked about his work with the university, he said: “The University has been a great help and I’m happy to be involved in the research. You can read all the books you like but you cannot ask a book question, so sometimes it’s better to hear it from a person.”The University of Bradford recently partnered with Exeter University to publish a leaflet offering advice for people living with dementia during lockdown. It also launched a study to highlight the need to reopen dementia services as quickly as possible after lockdown ends.Dementia care trainer in the Faculty of Health Studies Clare Mason, says the blogs help bring people together. “It’s another way of reaching people, a way of sharing experiences and that can help in terms of improving people’s well-being and other people’s understanding of dementia.”Dr Ana Barbosa, interim programme leader on the MSc Advanced Dementia Studies Programme, says: “The blogs have been going for four years, usually with one every month but since Covid we have made a point of trying to do two a week. It’s a way to share what we do at the Centre. Bradford is well known around the world for its work on dementia.“Since the outbreak people are more active on social media, so blogs are more important than ever. It’s a way to reach a lot of people and get immediate feedback.”The University of Bradford’s Centre for Applied Dementia Studies is world renowned, thanks in part to the pioneering work done by the late Prof Thomas Kitwood (1937-1998), who developed the ‘person centred’ approach to care and ‘dementia care mapping’, which are recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and are widely used across in the UK.
4 Must-Have Mindfulness Tips for the Pandemic
“When we go through times of crisis,” says Julie, “it can feel like we just have to push our way through in order to make it out the other side. It’s exhausting! In times like these, yes, we need stamina… but we also need coping strategies that help to soothe us right here, right now. Mindfulness is a highly effective tool that is easy for anyone to learn and use. It has saved my life in the past when I navigated hardship and chaos, and it has proven to be an invaluable resource during this pandemic.”
Julie shares four mindfulness tips anyone can use right now to help reduce feelings of depression, fear, panic, and overwhelm and increase feelings of calm and peacefulness.
Name it to tame it: Sometimes we’re so busy fighting with how we feel that we don’t pause long enough to actually acknowledge our feelings. Call out your emotion for what it is: “Oh, that’s anger. That’s resentment. That’s worry.” This simple step begins to calm your brain down and give you some space around your feelings.
Feel the emotion in your body: When we feel things intensely, we often feel them in more than our emotional reality. Strong feelings also manifest physically for most people. Can you feel where the emotion is in your body? Do you feel it in your stomach? In your jaw? In your neck? Where do you feel tension or discomfort?
Use gentle touch: Place your hands over the location where you feel the emotion in your body. Imagine warm oil or a warm compress opening up the constricted area. If that doesn’t work, you can place your hands anywhere on your body that you find comforting, such as over your heart, on your belly, cradling your face, around your shoulders in a hug, etc. When you give yourself this soothing touch, you are loving yourself. This takes you out of reactivity mode and into a more loving, calm space. You are releasing the nurturing effects of oxytocin and endorphins, which calm your system.
Change the channel: If this had been step one, you might have checked out of this practice then and there! Changing the channel can be quite a challenge when we’re in the heat of intense feelings. That’s why it’s worth your time to take the other steps here first. Give yourself some distance from the intensity before you try to change the channel. Then, when you’re ready, pull up a wonderful memory and marinate in those feelings. Install the goodness in your body and mind, pushing the mental state into a neural trait so the happy bridge gets reinforced in your brain.
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