- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNovember is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the love and dedication that go into caring for others. With the holidays approaching, it’s also a wonderful time to connect with older friends and family to ensure they’re feeling well and supported. According to the latest census, that’s more important than ever since Maryland’s population of older adults is growing faster than most of the country. And many people, including your older loved ones, need additional assistance to manage their health. Here’s what you should know to keep them — and yourself — healthy, should you become a caregiver. Recognizing when it’s time to help It can be difficult to tell if your loved one is struggling. Watch for these common signs: Changes at home: Is their space clean and safe? Are they eating well taking and taking medications as prescribed? Memory problems: Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but regular confusion or poor decision-making may signal a larger issue. Mental health concerns: Look for signs of depression, anxiety, or hopelessness—and seek help promptly if needed. Other health concerns: Difficulty walking, falling, poor hygiene or significant weight changes can all indicate the need for more support. Isolation is another red flag. Supporting their health and independence If you take on a caregiver role, be specific about how you can help. Offer to drive them to appointments, cook together on weekends, or plan regular social activities. You can also strengthen their care by: Being their advocate: Help communicate their needs to their healthcare providers. Coordinate appointments: Schedule and provide transportation to medical visits. Tracking health information: Keep a list of medications, health changes, and care plans. Manage medications: Use a pill organizer and create a schedule to prevent missed doses. Taking care of yourself Caring for an older loved one can be deeply rewarding, but also demanding. To avoid burnout, focus on the 4Ms of caregiving: What Matters: Identify the goals that are most important to both of you. Share them with health care providers and set aside time for yourself. Mobility: Encourage your loved one to stay active, and make time for your own exercise and well-being. Mentation: Report cognitive changes to their provider, and protect your own mental health by connecting with friends or joining a support group. Medication: Review prescriptions with their care team and ensure both of you eat well and stay hydrated. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Making those requests — even for small tasks — can help you avoid caregiver burnout. Additionally, be sure you get enough sleep and practice stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga. How we can help Luminis Health is proud to be a national leader in age-friendly care. In fact, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement recognized two of our hospitals for excellence in older-adult services. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis was named one of five Age-Friendly Health System Pioneers nationwide. In addition, Luminis Health Doctor Community Medical Center in Lantham — and our primary care practices — earned the Age-Friendly Healthy System Level 2-Commited to Care Excellence designation. With this widespread expertise, we’re ready to walk with you every step of your caregiver journey. Visit our caregivers page for additional caregiving resources. Authors Lillian Banchero, MSN RN, is the program coordinator for Luminis Health’s Institute of Healthy Aging.0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt may not feel that way, but 60% of your body weight is water. Proper hydration is vital, particularly during the hot summer, to help maintain your health and wellness. Here are just some of the reasons you should be sure to maintain hydration: Water helps regulate body temperature through sweating. Hydration is crucial for the digestive system. It boosts the body’s ability to break down food and absorb essential nutrients. Proper hydration helps your kidneys filter your blood and excrete waste products and toxins through your urine. Proper hydration can enhance your mood and prevent headaches. Mild dehydration can impair cognitive function and affect concentration, alertness, and short-term memory. Hydration helps your body maintain a robust immune system. Water is the most significant component in synovial fluid, reducing joint friction. Staying hydrated is key to optimal performance by athletes and those who engage in physical activity. Water helps maintain skin elasticity and moisture to give it a healthy and youthful appearance. Drinking water can help weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness. Be sure to drink water regularly. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty; thirst is a sign you are already dehydrated. Carry a reusable water bottle so you can drink at any time. Eat fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as cucumbers, oranges, and watermelon. Finally, you can use phone apps or set alarms to remind you to drink water regularly. Be careful what you drink Not all liquids are the same in terms of hydration. Many beverages that claim to be hydrating contain sugar and salt, which can cause dehydration. Here are a few common culprits: Sugary sports drinks may say they replenish electrolytes after intense physical activity, but some contain large amounts of sugar. That can lead to weight gain and increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Soft drinks and fruit juices may temporarily quench your thirst, but their high sugar content can lead to quick spikes and crashes in your blood sugar levels. These drinks can also contribute to obesity and other metabolic disorders. Flavored waters may seem like a healthy alternative, but they can be high in sugar and contain artificial additives. Be sure to read nutritional labels carefully to make sure the flavored water you’re about to drink does not contain almost as much sugar as a can of soda. Alcoholic beverages can make you urinate more frequently and cause your body to lose more water than it takes in. That can lead to dehydration, particularly in hot weather. An ice-cold beer might seem refreshing, but it’s not the best choice for hydrating yourself. Here are some healthy choices that can help you stay hydrated: Plain water is the best and most natural way to stay hydrated. It has no calories or sugar, and it’s readily available. Herbal teas, hot or iced, are excellent for hydration because they typically contain no caffeine, sugar, or calories and are available in many flavors. Unsweetened coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. That makes it an excellent choice for hydration, particularly after exercise. Infused water can be a refreshing alternative to plain water. Add slices of fruits like strawberries, oranges, or watermelon, and herbs like basil or rosemary to a water pitcher. Let it sit for a few hours in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend. Diluted fruit juices let you enjoy the flavor without the high sugar content. Mix one part juice with two or three parts water to reduce the sugar content. Electrolyte tablets that dissolve in water will let you replenish electrolytes after intense workouts. The tablets typically contain less sugar than sports drinks and can be a convenient way to stay hydrated. Watermelon has a high water content, making it a delicious and hydrating snack, perfect for hot days. Making intelligent choices about what you drink is essential for staying hydrated and maintaining overall health. Remember, the best hydration comes from natural low-calorie options that support your body’s needs without adding unnecessary sugars or salts. Stay smart, stay hydrated, and enjoy the benefits of better beverage choices. Author Waseem Hussain, MD, is Associate Regional Director of Primary Care at Luminis Health who has expertise in all areas of family medicine including intense management of neurologic, pulmonary and cardiac diseases as well as diabetes and gynecologic care.0
- Why Rely on Us to Treat Your Vestibular Disorder?When a vestibular disorder throws your life off balance, we're committed to getting you back on an even keel. Additional reasons why you should trust us for your care include:We have experienced, certified therapists. The physical therapists in our vestibular disorders program don't just concentrate on treating these conditions — they've taken advanced training to become certified vestibular therapists. And we work hard to keep up with the latest research in the field.We partner with other health professionals. Our specialized physical therapists often work with speech language pathologists to treat related issues. For example, say you started experiencing dizziness and thinking problems due to a concussion. We have speech therapists who are specially trained to teach you techniques for coping with thinking and memory issues.We'll personalize your treatment plan. No two people with vestibular disorders are exactly alike, even if they have an identical diagnosis. Our vestibular therapists carry out specific assessments that pinpoint areas of impairment. With this information, we can tailor a treatment plan to meet your individual needs.We make it convenient to come see us. We have satellite clinics, so you can choose the location closest to your home or workplace.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe treat all types of disorders of the vestibular (balance) system. We can help improve symptoms like dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation.What You Should Know About Vestibular DisordersTiny structures in your inner ear that detect head position and movement make up your vestibular system. It also includes the nerve connecting your inner ear to the brain, and part of the brain itself.This network helps keep you upright and enables you to sense where you are in space and see clearly when you're moving.Some diseases and injuries can throw a wrench into your vestibular system. And the underlying problem often can't be fixed with medication or surgery.We have physical therapists who are specially trained to help tame the debilitating effects of vestibular disorders. This means you can go back to dancing, playing tennis, attending classes or whatever else nurtures your body and soul. Symptoms of vestibular disordersPeople with vestibular disorders can experience:Dizziness.Difficulty walking.Sensitivity to motion.Trouble balancing.Vertigo.Bouts of any of these symptoms can seriously disrupt your life. Activities from driving to simply standing in place can become much more difficult — even dangerous.Staying upright may require so much physical and mental energy that you're exhausted after doing even the simplest tasks. You might also stop doing most physical activities for fear of triggering or exacerbating symptoms.All these things can lead to loss of muscle strength and fitness as well as emotional distress.Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy that can minimize these issues. It includes individualized techniques that train the brain to use other senses to take over for your impaired vestibular system.0
- TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe know how hard it is to live with hip or back pain, especially when it hurts to walk or lie down. That’s why we offer sacroiliac (SI) fusion, to help you find the relief you need to get back to the life you love. What is SI Fusion? Like any joint, the SI joint (where your spine and pelvis meet) can break down over time or because of an injury. The result is often a sore lower back, hip or groin. SI fusion, a minimally invasive procedure designed to stabilize the SI joint, can stop ongoing pain in its tracks. Using a small incision and implant system, we can fuse the SI joint and help you recover faster. Why Luminis Health? Luminis Health has more experience with SI fusion than any other health system in the region. Neurosurgeon Christopher Taleghani, MD, has performed more than 500 SI fusion surgeries. He has also taught courses for other surgeons and providers and has been an invited speaker at national conferences on the subject.0
- Graduate Medical EducationGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is practically a branch on Liz Hahn’s family tree. Her grandfather, Richard N. Peeler, M.D., F.A.C.P., joined the medical staff of what was then called Anne Arundel General Hospital in 1957. He served the Annapolis community for over 45 years as an internal medicine specialist with an emphasis on infectious diseases. In addition, her uncle—Dr. Mark Peeler, a vascular surgeon—and aunt—Dr. Susan Peeler, OB/GYN—are both current practitioners at LHAAMC. “I remember being at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the big hospital opening with my grandfather and my family,” Liz says. “And I remember growing up, how patients’ family members would stop my grandfather on the street and say, ‘You treated my mom and helped her — thank you.’” For Liz, these interactions with grateful patients were what first garnered her interested in medicine: “I started to really want to be part of the medical community in Annapolis—specifically, serving the people who I grew up with, the families that I knew,” she recalls. “It is such a tight knit community and being part of that community is so special.” One of the first steps in her journey toward a career in healthcare came in 2010 when the Annapolis High School sophomore began shadowing LHAAMC’s Dr. Savitha Chengappa, infectious disease specialist. Then, in 2011, Liz’s junior year of high school, she began volunteering as a research intern at LHAAMC’s Outpatient Infusion Center under the supervision of Lynn Graze, RN. The summer after her senior year of high school, Liz participated in a summer internship program at LHAAMC for high school students who were considering careers in medicine. It was through this program that she became acquainted with Dr. Barry Meisenberg, LHAAMC’s Department of Medicine chair who later became an important mentor to her. After graduating from Clemson University in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Language and International Health, Liz returned to LHAAMC to take a job in the Health Outcomes Research Division where she researched ways to improve medical care for the populations served. She worked in this position for a year before enrolling in Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she graduated in May 2019 with a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in global disease epidemiology and control. After receiving her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins, Liz made the decision to apply to medical school. She was accepted at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville and started in the fall of 2019. The problem? Knowing what area to specialize in! It was difficult to choose an area of specialty after having been influenced by so many talented mentors who each practiced in distinctly different areas of medicine. Ultimately, she settled on surgery. “It’s such a privilege that each surgical patient puts their life in your hands,” Liz says. “There is no greater honor than to have someone put that level of trust in you; it’s something that is very dear to me and important to remember in patient care.” Liz’s grandfather played an important role in this viewpoint. When he graduated from medical school at Johns Hopkins University in 1951, one of the speakers at his graduation ceremony spoke about how patients bare their souls to their doctors, putting trust in them each day. The young Dr. Richard Peeler was so moved by these words that he asked the speaker to send him the speech, which he kept with him his entire career. “When my uncle graduated from medical school, my grandfather printed and framed copies of the speech for him and his closest medical school friends,” Liz shares. “In turn, my uncle gave it to me when I was accepted to medical school. It has been on my desk for the last four years—a reminder every day when I’m studying that each patient’s trust and vulnerability is a privilege that I’m earning.” Liz felt a true sense of homecoming when she found out that she matched with LHAAMC for her surgical residency. She will be the third generation of her family to practice medicine at LHAAMC. On May 5, 2023, Liz graduated with a degree in medicine from the University of South Carolina, and on June 19 she will officially start her first year of residency beside some of the same people at LHAAMC who have played such integral roles in shaping her future. “I will be learning how to remove gallbladders in the same place where I had mine removed when I was 23!” Liz reflects. “What better way for me to give back to the community that has made me the person who I am today than to come back and someday be the mentor for a future high school student who is interested in a career in medicine.”0
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