Alzheimer Association’s virtual Caregiver Support Group meetings

Alzheimer Association’s virtual Caregiver Support Group meets the second Friday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. now through Feb. 9, 2024

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment or community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They also educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.

The Alzheimer Association also offers periodic in-person meetings and programs.

To register for the virtual sessions or for additional information, call the Alzheimer Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

SalusCare offering walk-in psychiatric appointments

SalusCare’s Outpatient Psychiatry team has opened walk-in times for children and adults interested in psychiatric services at its Evans Avenue Campus, 3763 Evans Ave., Fort Myers. Individuals coming during walk-in times can expect to receive a no-cost screening by a qualified staff member. If services are needed, an appointment will be made with a provider.

Child, adolescent and adult patients who are new to SalusCare or have not received SalusCare services in the last calendar year can come to the Evans Campus anytime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. New patients unable to come during walk-in hours may call 239-275-3222 for an appointment for telehealth.

“It has been challenging for our community and even for SalusCare after the hurricane,” said Stacey Cook, CEO of SalusCare. “We have been repairing damage at our facilities as quickly as possible and look forward to offering services to our community again, as we know the need is great and people are overwhelmed.”

Walk-ins are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. On days with high demand, walk-in capacity may be reached early in the day. If this happens, SalusCare will assist in scheduling an appointment. For information, visit saluscareflorida.org or call 239-275-3222.

SalusCare is a Fort Myers-based, not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services to ultimately improve care for children and adults by utilizing one seamless system of care. SalusCare has six locations with more than 350 employees throughout Southwest Florida, bringing hope and recovery to nearly 16,000 adults and children each year. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. For information, visit saluscareflorida.org or call 239-275-3222.

The Preserve receives critical donation from American Medical Group following Hurricane Ian

The Preserve received a critical donation from Miami-based American Medical Group following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian on southwest Florida.

Post hurricane, proper durable medical equipment ordering proved to be very difficult for the senior living community. Local medical equipment providers were not able to communicate for days to weeks following the storm, which made it difficult for The Preserve to source needed medical items in order to discharge short-term rehab residents to their homes.

On Oct. 7, a large van with dozens of walkers, wheelchairs and bedside commodes arrived at The Preserve to be donated to residents preparing for discharge. Rob Vega from American Medical Group drove from Miami to deliver medical supplies and serve those affected by the hurricane free of charge.

Through the community partnership with The Roads Home Health Care, The Preserve connected with American Medical Group, a medical equipment company based out of Miami. The company carries all the DME needed by The Preserve and wanted to make an impact to help those affected by the storm in any way they could.

The Preserve is a Volunteers of America National Services community offering a continuum of care with its intimate assisted living and memory care neighborhoods, short-term rehabilitation services and long-term care nursing community.

Located at 14750 Hope Center Loop, at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Plantation Road, The Preserve offers 75 private skilled nursing suites for senior residents with specialized or advanced health care needs, as well as 21 boutique assisted living apartments and 17 memory support suites. The community serves as a critical resource for post-acute care, offering high-quality medical services, rehabilitative care and social programs. Highly trained staff members and licensed professionals provide continuous medical support and foster a culture of caring and hospitality, creating specialized programs focused on rehabilitative and restorative care.

For additional information, please visit www.thepreservevoa.org/

Lee Health earns top marks for high-tech implementation

Lee Health is among the best health care systems in the country when it comes to implementing the latest in patient care technology, according to a recent national recognition.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives announced that Lee Health has earned 2022 CHIME Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certified level 8.

Among the more than 38,000 organizations surveyed by CHIME, Lee Health ranked above peers in categories like analytics and data management, population health, infrastructure, and patient engagement. The survey assessed the adoption, integration and impact of technologies in health care organizations at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading.

The CHIME Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey to assess how effectively health care organizations apply core and advanced technologies into their clinical and business programs to improve health and care in their communities. The purpose of the Most Wired program is to elevate the health and health care of communities around the world through the optimal use of information technology. The annual survey is designed to identify and recognize health care organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of technology.

Each participating organization received a customized benchmarking report, an overall score and scores for individual levels in eight segments: infrastructure; security; business/disaster recovery; administrative/supply chain; analytics/data management; interoperability/population health; patient engagement; and clinical quality/safety. Participants received certification based on their overall performance, with level 10 being the highest.

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. The system features four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care.

Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.

Hope Healthcare offers guide for advanced lung care patients, caregivers

Hope Healthcare has released a new guide that may improve the quality of life for people living with advanced lung disease. Produced in collaboration with the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation and the American Lung Association, the “Advanced Lung Care Patient and Caregiver Guide” is a helpful resource available to families at no cost.

The publication contains the collective input of more than 90 advanced illness and hospice care organizations, including tips for symptom management, self-care, medications, diet and advance care planning. It serves as a valuable resource for people experiencing severe symptoms from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension or lung cancer.

Lung disease often represents an outsized burden on strained healthcare systems. In 2016, there were more than 2 million emergency department visits and more than 650,000 hospitalizations related to COPD alone. Using the best practices outlined in Hope’s guide, patients may be able to manage some respiratory symptoms, reduce or prevent unnecessary medical visits and continue to receive comforting support at home.

The guide is available for download online at HopeHCS.org/Guides.

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit healthcare organization, Hope Healthcare is dedicated to providing care and comfort for people in life’s closing chapter. A compassionate team of staff and volunteers offers practical, spiritual, and emotional support for the entire family. For more information about Hope Healthcare, visit HopeHCS.org

Prendiville featured presenter at recent global symposium

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stephen Prendiville was a featured presenter at the 5th Annual Global Aesthetics Conference in Miami Beach Nov. 3-6.

The educational conference brings together nationally recognized physicians and educators in the fields of facial plastic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology and oculoplastic surgery. The Global Aesthetics Conference is the largest event of its kind in the world, according to its founder Dr. S. Randolph Waldman.

Prendiville spoke on the topic of facial rejuvenation for men on the upper third of the face.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 45,806 men underwent eyelid surgery in 2020 (the most recent data available), making it one of the top five cosmetic surgery procedures for men. A total of 7,207 men obtained a brow lift in 2020, according to the same report.

Dr. Prendiville is the only Fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Fort Myers who is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. He has performed more than 4,500 surgical procedures during his 15 years of practice in Fort Myers.

He is recognized nationally as a facelift expert and is named as a Top Doctor again this year by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. for the fifth consecutive year.

For more information about Dr. Prendiville, please visit his website at www.drprendiville.com.