The Wynter Wellness Group

4 medical musts in the for those 50+

New year, healthier you 🙌 ! Try these 4 simple to-dos in 2023.

Guaranteed to help you:

- feel in control of your health

- increase your knowledge of relevant medical terms and documents

- start & maintain healthy habits

1. Create a relationship with your P*P (primary care physician)
Be proactive. Update your medications, ask for relevant referrals (mental health, mammogram, ear nose and throat doctor, cardiologist, etc...), and know your numbers (ideal blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc...).

2. Check for insurance changes that can impact coverage of services, meds, or DME
Many insurance plan changes go into effect on the first of the year. These changes can potentially impact your deductible, services and meds covered, and more!

3. Create a plan for important medical papers: power of attorney, living will, DNR/DNI
People often wait until a hospitalization or life-changing event (like cancer or a dementia diagnosis), before they start thinking of these medical papers. Create a plan now!

4. Begin a weekly physical & mental health routine
Did you know that regular physical activity has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety? Start your routine with just 5 minutes a day to ease into it!

Need a reminder to complete these? Sign up to become a Wynter Wellness Partner and we'll send you quarterly email reminders to follow up with your doctors, check your insurance for changes, stay up-to-date with important medical papers, and maintain a healthy routine!

Subscribe & become a Wellness Partner:
https://mailchi.mp/a949a51be06e/become-a-wellness-partner

For today + over the weekend, I’m sharing a few mental health screenings I’ve used at work & some you may find useful for your own daily clinical practice
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If you’re not familiar with our full scope — you may be wondering how mental health plays a role in the SLP world or if we even provide treatment to patients on hospice or palliative care?
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A majority of the patients we treat are recovering from medical conditions commonly associated with depression & anxiety! And our patients on comfort measures still require caregiver training, environmental modifications and even compensatory strategies to improve their quality of life.
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I always tell my patients, your mental health comes before speech therapy. It affects everything from their sleep, mood, appetite, and even the desire to open the door for our session. Whenever I can, I encourage a social worker consult to discuss what “talk therapy” is like & what community resources are available to them.
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Check these photos for a list of some medical conditions commonly associated with depression and anxiety, and some mental health screenings to incorporate into your practice. 🙌🏾🙌🏾
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**caregivers and advocates, please consult your loved one’s healthcare team and physician if you have concerns for their mental health! 💪🏾 and now you’re armed with a little bit more knowledge

Happy ! This year’s theme is:
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🫱🏾‍🫲🏻 CONNECTING PEOPLE

… and all May we’ll be sharing more about what exactly a speech pathologist (SLP) does and how we are essential to your healthcare journey!

Did you know these SLP facts?…

👴🏽 Not all SLPs work with kids. We work with ages birth - 100+
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👅Having difficulty swallowing after a stroke, years of heartburn, spinal surgery, or head injury...we’ll help improve your swallow function to safely eat and drink the things you love!
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🗣 We can help singers with vocal nodules or help a transgender client achieve their desired voice⠀
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🎲 Little kids struggling with social skills, language, or pronouncing certain sounds can be found on our caseload
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🧠 “Chemo Brain” or feeling foggy throughout your chemo radiation? - we’re trained in memory strategies and techniques to improve your cognition
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😮‍💨 Shortness of breath while talking? Voice feels like it’s shutting off when you speak? An SLP is essential in helping you communicate with ease
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🗣Struggling with work presentations because people can’t understand you? Say hey to our corporate SLPs!
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🏫You can find us pretty much everywhere - in the school, hospital, outpatient, nursing home, assisted living, the home, the office, private practice or even online with teletherapy⠀
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Happy Better Hearing & Speech Month!!!
Which fact was new to you?

We absolutely love our city! Now for the most important question this week Philly fam….

Pat’s or Geno’s?
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It’s no surprise that nutrition is a major factor to successful aging, but why do so many older adults struggle to meet their nutritional needs?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🧬 Genetics⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👨🏽‍🦳 Age ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
👨🏻‍🦼 Lifestyle ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🚬 Smoking ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
😵‍💫 Stress⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
☠️ Environmental contaminants ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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dietary risk factors like consuming high fat foods, low vitamin intake, or high sugar intake can all contribute to your ability to meet your nutritional needs ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Working so closely with the consistency of your diet for ease of swallow and your ability to recall and sequence kitchen tasks, your speech pathologist at actually DOES care about your ability to meet your nutritional needs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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3 tips on maximizing your nutrition — ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1️⃣ Eat foods that meet your unique needs as an older adult (like whole grains, dried fruits, numerous sources of liquids )⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2️⃣ Participate in regular physical activity⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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3️⃣ Sign up for our email list to be the first to know about our senior nutrition coaching program and for meal ideas to help prevent malnutrition AND maximize your quality of life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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*this study did not include institutionalized older adults
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(Slomka J. Withholding nutrition at the end of life: clinical and ethical issues. Cleveland Clin J Med. 2003;70(6)548-552.)