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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Is your memory problem a normal part of aging, or a form of dementia?

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Those attending Dr. Andrew E. Budson’s talks at the Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes last week had two key takeaways.

Dr. Andrew Budson (Courtesy of The Roche Associates)

First, if you’re having problems with your memory, go to a doctor who specializes in memory issues. In some cases, the problem may be the result of something that’s completely reversible, and even when it’s not, the sooner treatment begins, the better, said Budson, co-author of the book “Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory.”

The second takeaway was this: If you’re looking for something that’s very likely to help your memory, exercise is the key.

“People often ask me, ‘Dr. Budson, is there a magic pill out there to help improve my memory?’ My answer is, ‘Yes, there is. It’s called exercise.’”

Budson gave two talks on April 6 as part of a program presented by Keystone Place at Terra Bella, a new retirement community that will be opening in Land O’ Lakes, which will offer independent living, assisted living and memory care accommodations.

To get things rolling, Budson asked the audience during the 12:30 p.m. talk to consider whether these common memory issues were a result of normal aging, or something else:

  • You walk into a room to get something and you forget why.
  • You’re having trouble remembering the name of a friend of yours from church, even though you’ve met her a half-a-dozen times.
  • You’re having trouble remembering some of the details of your life, such as your wedding.
  • When you are driving and not paying attention, you take one or more wrong turns, and you end up somewhere you did not intend to be.
  • You spend too much time looking for your keys, glasses, wallet or purse.
  • Your family said you’ve asked that question before.

One of the key things to watch for is a change in behavior, Budson said.

“If you are someone who every morning as you’re getting ready to leave the house you spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes hunting around for keys, glasses, wallet, purse, and now you’re getting a little bit older and you’re still spending 5, 10, 15 minutes hunting around the house for these things, well, that’s probably normal for you.

“But if you are someone who is always very organized, never spend any time hunting around for these things — and now you’re spending 5, 10, 15, maybe 20 minutes, maybe an hour, maybe you never find that wallet, you have to replace the credit cards or you have to replace the cellphone because you couldn’t find it, you know, that would be concerning,” Budson said.

He gave another example.

“Anyone can forget that they’ve already told their best friend that story and start to tell it again, or cannot remember the answer to a question and ask it again. Sure, that can happen once or twice, no big deal.

“But, for somebody that’s telling the same story, again and again and again … every time you meet this individual they tell it, maybe even twice during the same visit, that sounds like rapid forgetting. Rapid forgetting is never normal,” he said.

To help explain how memory works, the doctor used the analogy of a filing system.

“The file clerk is our frontal lobes. It is our frontal lobes’ file clerk’s job to take the information in from the outside world and to put it inside the file cabinet.

“So, when we want to retrieve a memory, you can picture the frontal lobe file clerk pulling open the file drawer, leafing through the files until he finds the memory that he’s looking for,” he said.

As we get older, our file clerk doesn’t hear quite as well as he used to, so information may need to be repeated a couple of times in order for it to be stored in the file cabinet.

It also can take longer to retrieve a memory, and we may need a hint or cue about what a memory was about, he added.

But, the main thing is, if a memory goes into the cabinet — it can be retrieved.

Using the same filing system analogy, he then focused on the file cabinet itself.

“The file cabinet is another part of the brain. It’s actually our hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that stores new memories. It’s located in the temporal lobes.

“The problem with diseases like Alzheimer’s is that it damages the hippocampus, and ultimately, in fact, destroys the hippocampus.

“Imagine if you pull open the drawer of the file cabinet and you look down inside, and you find out there’s a big hole in the bottom of the file drawer.

“You can have the most efficient file clerk in the world, taking information in from the outside world, putting it into the file cabinet. If there’s a big hole there, the memories are going to disappear, never to be retrieved again,” he said.

Diet and exercise can strengthen memory
The doctor also explained the distinction between the terms dementia, Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.

Dementia is a general term that means that someone’s thinking and memory have declined to the point that it interferes with day-to-day function, he said.

It can be caused by things that are easily treatable and actually completely reversible, but also can be caused by serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Mild cognitive impairment means that a person has a confirmed memory loss, but that the individual’s day-to-day function is normal, Budson said.

Over time, about half of the people with mild cognitive impairment go on to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, but the other half don’t, he said.

Once a memory problem has been determined, the next step is treatment, Budson said. There are standard medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he said. Plus, there’s more research underway now than there ever has been during the 110-year history of Alzheimer’s.

Early treatment is crucial, he said.

“They (medications) can turn the clock back by six to 12 months,” he said. “I am much more likely to be able to turn the clock back all of the way to 12 months, all the way to make their memory like it was a year ago, if they come to see me early.”

Research also shows that lifestyle changes can help, he said.

“The Mediterranean diet, and a few variations of it, is really the only diet that study after study after study has been proven to be healthy for the brain and good for the memory,” he said. That diet includes fish, olive oil, avocados, fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans, and whole grains.

Exercise also is good for you, but before increasing your activity, be sure to check with your doctor, he said.

The recommended amount of exercise is at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week, plus two hours a week of things that help with strength and balance, and flexibility.

Besides reducing the risk for stroke and improving your mood, exercise can help you sleep better — which is critically important for the memory, he said.

“Remember we talked about how the new memories are stored in the hippocampus, in our new memory file cabinet? Well, it turns out there’s another memory file cabinet that is storing the older memories. It is during sleep that the memories go from the short-term, temporary store (file) to the long-term permanent store (file),” he said.

Besides exercise and diet, other ways to strengthen the memory including social engagement and learning new things, Budson said.

There is no evidence, however, that doing brain-training games and crossword puzzles will improve the memory, he said.

“What the studies show is that if you spend time doing crossword puzzles, or Suduko or computerized brain training programs, you get better at crossword puzzles, Suduko and computerized brain training programs. It simply does not translate to overall brain function,” he said.

Know the 10 signs

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble with understanding visual images or spatial relationships
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood or personality

For more details on this list and for more information about Alzheimer’s, visit ALZ.org.

Published April 11, 2018

Seeking answers in the opioid battle

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis wants all voices to be heard in the quest to combat the nation’s opioid crisis.

The congressman met with the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) on March 27 to discuss the issue and listen to reactions to proposed federal legislation related to the opioid crisis.

The public meeting, held at the community center at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, attracted dozens of people who are interested in the issue.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis recently met with the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), to discuss and solicit feedback on federal bills related to the opioid crisis. The House Health Subcommittee has heard 26 bills as a starting point related to opioid legislation that will be rolled into one large bill to be passed out of the House by the end of May. (File)

It piggybacked off a similar ASAP meeting in August, where Bilirakis provided an update on federal efforts to combat opioid abuse.

So far, the House Health Subcommittee has heard 26 bills as a starting point related to opioid legislation that will be rolled into one large bill to be passed out of the House by the end of May.

The bipartisan bill, CARA 2.0 Act, builds on the original Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act by providing $4 billion in additional resources for opioid prevention and treatment.

The funding was earmarked as part of President Donald Trump’s $1.3 trillion long-term spending bill, which passed March 23.

Throughout the 90-minute session, ASAP members shared personal stories and presented ideas to help solve the opioid crisis.

Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. An estimated 40 percent of those deaths involved a prescription opioid, the agency says.

Members of ASAP, including Beth Piecora, advocated for additional peer support specialist programs. In this type of program, people who have significant personal experience with struggles pertaining to mental health, psychological trauma or substance abuse provide support to people who are currently struggling with those types of issues.

Piecora, a representative for Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, said federal dollars are needed to train and employ an increased number of those peer specialists.

Peers often can be instrumental in leading someone to pursue treatment, Piecora said.

She also suggested background check screenings be eased when hiring such specialists. “Some folks that have that lived experience sometimes have those certain things on their record,” she explained.

Others mentioned Narcan — a life-saving emergency opioid treatment — should become more readily available for addicts and their families.

The medication is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone, which helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Besides enhancing distribution efforts, ASAP members said Narcan should be subsidized for consumers, particularly those uninsured. Without a prescription, the medication can cost more than $130.

One speaker even suggested requiring doctors to provide Narcan as part of prescribed pain medications.

While grant programs are available to receive free Narcan through nonprofits, barriers still remain in getting quick, easy access, ASAP coordinator Monica Rousseau said.

“You can access Narcan for free, but it usually involves a lot of paperwork…and it’s kind of obscure. It’s also very difficult to get it in a moment when you have people struggling,” she said.

Crisis needs to be attacked on many fronts
Meanwhile, Pasco Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Art Rowand inquired about creating a policy to allow law enforcement to place addicts into treatment, without arrests.

The law enforcement officer said such a measure could help eliminate the cycle of drug abuse, and cut down on overdoses and deaths.

“Basically, the only thing we have to take care of the situation…is to arrest them,” Rowand said.

Some ASAP members stressed that Bilirakis and other policymakers continue to address comprehensive addiction issues, including alcoholism.

“Opioid is now the new kind of thing, and everybody’s aware of it, but I don’t want to leave out treatment for alcoholism,” said Dena Lynch, who spoke on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous.

“It goes hand in hand, and there’s a lot of people using drugs that also drink, so I think you can’t disregard that as far as treatments. A lot of people in all walks of life have alcohol problems, and it’s really easy to focus on opioids.”

Other suggestions included:

  • Additional measures to help juveniles with addiction treatment
  • More impactful opioid and drug education in schools for younger-aged children
  • New educational opportunities for parents of drug addicts
  • Additional ‘sober living’ houses that also are affordable
  • An increased number of child and adolescent psychiatrists
  • Improved access for psychological services and treatment for the LGBTQ community
  • Mandatory needle exchanges
  • Additional faith community nursing programs

Bilirakis said he wants to schedule a discussion next month with a handful of stakeholders, to continue to brainstorm about possible legislation related to fighting addiction.

Addressing the audience, the congressman said, “We can get your voice heard up there and really get these things into law, but we’ve got to find out what works.”

He continued: “You can throw all the money in the world at something, but if you don’t do it right and it’s not effective, then it doesn’t do anybody any good.”

Published April 11, 2018

Health News 04/11/2018

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(Courtesy of Katie Greisch)

Rasmussen launches new program
Rasmussen College, in New Port Richey, hosted a surgical technologist associate degree program launch and open house, in March. Participants were able to tour the surgical suite that allows students to get hands-on experience in a simulation lab, before completing the required practicum in a real-world health care environment. The laparoscopic video tower and laparoscopic simulator was just one piece of equipment in the suite, which looks and feels like an operating room.

Bilirakis receives award
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis was given the Champion Award by the National Association of Community Health Centers, in recognition of exemplary and continuous legislative leadership and advocacy on behalf of 25 million patients who utilize the Community Health Centers throughout the country.

Bilirakis has a long history of championing common-sense health care solutions, and ensuring that the centers remain a viable option in which the insured, uninsured and underinsured can get high-quality primary care, mental health and dental care.

Health care advocates presented the award for his efforts on Capitol Hill on March 15.

(Courtesy of Florida Hospital)

A great day to go for a walk
Florida Hospital celebrated National Walking 2018 at its campuses in Tampa, Carrollwood and at Connerton Long Term Acute Care. The hospital encouraged everyone to get in 10,000 steps.

 

Pasco health drops in rankings

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The 2018 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tools released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, which is available on FLHealthCHARTS.com.

Pasco County ranks 38th in Florida for overall Health Outcomes in the 2018 County Health Rankings.

Mike Napier, health officer, said in a release, “It is disappointing to see Pasco drop three spots in the rankings. However, we are not discouraged, as it takes more than one year to register impacts related to improve access to care, Healthy Start, and the many other areas being worked on in our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).”

The health improvement plan is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community itself.

Through CHIP, Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is working toward implementing healthier concession stands at Pasco County parks, using “Fun Bites” guidelines.

Pasco’s department of health also has launched a “Move More” countywide initiative that aims to increase awareness of and access to physical activities throughout the county.

The county’s Tobacco Prevention Program works with Tobacco Free Florida and other community partners to promote tobacco-free living by using multiple strategies, including education, implementing smoke-free and tobacco-free policies at work places and colleges, and promoting the “Quit Your Way” campaign.

In addition to the aforementioned programs, Pasco also offers the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which gives free or low-cost breast and cervical screenings for eligible women, ages 50 to 64, who reside in Pasco County.

And, the Healthy Start program offers free services to all pregnant women, and children ages 0 to 3 years, to educate new moms in everything from preconception and childbirth to parenting skills.

For information on all programs and services, visit Pasco.floridahealth.gov.

Creating harmony in the hospital

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Florida Orchestra members played several classical selections, including Beethoven, to a crowd of about 200 people at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

The Mallah Garden Atrium at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz, was transformed into a concert hall when The Florida Orchestra gave a free performance on March 16.

Approximately 200 people — patients, staff and visitors — filled the atrium to listen to the classical music presentation. The performance was broadcast to patient rooms for those who could not attend.

Guest conductor Joseph Young led the orchestra through musical pieces from some of history’s greatest composers, giving an overview of each selection’s history.

Conductor Joseph Young acknowledges the audience after leading The Florida Orchestra performance at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. (Mary Rathman)

Compositions included Ludwig Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Symphony No. 1,” Claude Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” and Franz Haydn’s “Symphony No. 82 ‘La Poule’.”

There also was a variety of Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances.

This was the orchestra’s third appearance at the hospital as part of its health and wellness concert series, aimed at bringing comfort and healing through the power of music.

St. Joseph’s also provided free valet parking, and refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.

Published March 28, 2018

Health News 03/28/2018

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(Courtesy of Polly Honor)

‘Breast Friends’ raise money for Moffitt
Caliente Resort and Spa hosted a fundraiser for the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. ‘Breast Friends Forever’ organized the event and donated $41,800 specifically earmarked for breast cancer research and treatment. Participating in the presentation were Kim Norman, Judi Miller, Courtney Ryals of the Moffitt foundation, Polly Honor, Hilda Holt and Sharon Levand.

 

Hospital appointments
Three hospitals have recently announced appointments, promotions and new staff members.

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Carlie Thomas as its new program director for the hospital’s Regional Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine. Thomas comes from Seven Rivers Wound Care Center in Crystal River, and brings with her expertise in sales, marketing and hospital administration.

Oak Hill Hospital welcomed Dr. Richard Chlouber to its medical staff. Chlouber is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and practices at Suncoast OB/GYN and All Women’s Midwifery in Spring Hill. He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Oak Hill has also promoted Robert Linares as vice president of Cardiovascular & Critical Care. Linares previously was administrative director of clinical operations, and has worked in the HCA system for nearly 13 years.

The Medical Center of Trinity appointed Sally Seymour as chief operating officer. Seymour replaces Ken West, who was promoted to chief operating officer at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. Seymour has served as the director of physician relations for several years. For the past two years, she has been COO at Fawcett Hospital.

Crisis Center launches pilot program
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has been awarded a $285,000 grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to launch an innovative new community paramedicine program in Hillsborough County.

The program will focus on frequent users of local EMS and hospital emergency room services by connecting patients to medical and mental health resources. Many of these individuals have both medical and behavioral health needs that require a specialized form of nonemergency care. The pilot program is designed to holistically care for the medical, behavioral and social needs of these patients.

Through its TransCare Medical Transportation division, the Crisis Center will have two community care coordinators, who are paramedics, dedicated to patients after they are discharged from the emergency room due to both a physical and behavioral health need. The coordinators will work with emergency room staff or insurers to identify which patients may benefit most from additional one-on-one assistance.

The Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency, offers a range of programs designed to meet community needs, including:

  • Gateway Contact Center (2-1-1: suicide prevention, crisis counseling, and information and referral services)
  • Corbett Trauma Center (trauma counseling and sexual assault survivor services)
  • TransCare (9-1-1 emergency and mental health ambulance services, medical van transportation)

For information, visit CrisisCenter.com.

Town hall sheds light on opioid overdose prevention

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Cesar Rodriguez spent 17 years of his life as a heroin addict.

He overdosed on five separate occasions, only to be saved by first responders who administered him naloxone, or Narcan, an emergency treatment that counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose.

“If I didn’t have Narcan,” he said, “I wouldn’t be able to sit here and share my experience. I would’ve never had a shot to recover.”

Pasco County Sheriff’s Cpl. Sherry Johnson Tandy demonstrates how to use the Narcan nasal spray to counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose. She said her agency has deployed the medication 60 times, each of which has been successful in preventing an overdose-related death. (Kevin Weiss)

Parent Lisa Conca also has observed the Narcan’s life-saving effects when her son overdosed on heroin.

“I had never even heard of Narcan until that day he overdosed and was taken to the hospital,” Conca said. “Narcan saves lives and gives our kids another chance to help them on the road to recovery.”

These comments came up during a community discussion on opioid overdose prevention on March 8 at North Tampa Behavioral Health, which is located in Wesley Chapel. The event was organized by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

The panel discussion was part of a community-wide effort to provide education about opioid overdose and what individuals can do to save the lives of those suffering with the chronic illness of addiction.

Much of the panel addressed how to access and administer Narcan.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin.

“Often the reason (over-dosers) end up passing is because the brain does not have oxygen. This medication helps alleviate that,” said Szilvia Boos Salmon, a pharmacist with Tampa Poison Control.

Along with the nasal spray, naloxone is available in an injectable form.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is one of a number of growing law enforcement agencies to carry naloxone for possible overdose calls.

Pasco Sheriff Cpl. Sherry Johnson-Tandy said the agency has had over 60 deployments of Narcan. Each deployment was successful in preventing an overdose-related death, she said.

In addition to reversing overdoses, the medication is also for deputies and first responders who may become exposed or have incidental contact to illicit fentanyl or heroin at a particular crime scene.

Johnson-Tandy demonstrated how to safely and effectively administer both the nasal spray and injectable forms of naloxone. Free samples of Narcan were later distributed to the audience.

Johnson-Tandy said it’s onset time is anywhere between 1 minute to 3 minutes.

“It works almost just like an EpiPen,” she said.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin. (Courtesy of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals)

“The best thing about this is, if you give it to someone and they don’t need it, it can’t hurt them,” she said, adding if someone overdosed on cocaine or stopped breathing for another reason, it won’t have adverse effects.

The Narcan medication might be needed more than ever.

Opioid overdoses increased by roughly 30 percent across the U.S., in just 14 months between 2016 and 2017, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC called the data a “wake up call to the fast-moving opioid overdose epidemic.” It recorded 142,000 overdoses in hospital emergency departments across the nation, between July 2016 and September 2017.

Although not all overdoses in the study were fatal, they are part of the unsettling toll of opioids. Nationwide in 2016, illicit and prescription drug overdoses killed 64,000 people.

The problem is growing locally, too, experts say.

Pasco County had the highest rate of hospitalization in the Suncoast Region for opioid overdoses, according to 2016 data from the Agency for Healthcare Administration.

Additionally, Pasco has tied for fifth highest out of the state’s 67 counties for drug overdose mortality rates over the last few years, according to county health rankings.

There were 165 overdoses in Pasco in 2017— matching numbers from the 2010 and 2011 prescription pill crisis, said Capt. Mike Jenkins, who oversees the narcotics unit for the special investigations division at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

There’s also been a gradual rise in fentanyl and heroin use in the county over the past year, he said.

Other topics covered during the session included how to prevent opioid addiction and avenues for long-term treatment of people who are dependent on opioids.

Speakers agreed it starts with education and advocacy.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this issue,” Jenkins said. “It takes comprehensive, strategic partnerships to really move forward.”

“Start in the schools early, and educate kids as to how dangerous mom and dad’s pill bottles are,” said New Port Richey-based attorney James Magazine.

Communities must find ways to effectively integrate recovering addicts back into society after they receive treatment, Magazine said.

Rochelle Zwicharowski, a support specialist with the St. Petersburg-based Recovery Epicenter Foundation, said those who have been rehabilitated need to share their experiences.

“There’s 23 million people in recovery, and how many people do you know? We’re too quiet about it. If you’re in recovery, don’t be afraid to speak out about it because we do have to smash that stigma,” she said.

Revised April 3, 2018

Pasco Sheriff’s Office unveils app to help stress

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Pasco Sgt. Matt Rosenbloom has handled countless distressing calls throughout his 12 years in law enforcement.

“I’ve seen things that people shouldn’t see out there,” he said.

Sometimes it takes several days for him to get past a particular incident. Witnessing the death of a child, for instance, takes a heavy toll.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a ‘hidden secret’ in the law enforcement community. Along with the app, the Sheriff’s Office is working on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, which includes available training regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.
(Kevin Weiss)

It’s something many deputies aren’t mentally prepared for emotionally, the sergeant said.

“We’re trained to deal with the physical dangers and to anticipate knowing that there’s those physical dangers,” Rosenbloom said. “What we are not often aware of are the long-term emotional health dangers that come along with the job.”

To help its members cope with those psychological scars, the law enforcement agency has developed a new smartphone app called Pasco Sheriff’s Office PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress).

The app offers resources, including mental health tools and videos for those who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress.

The app features a stress assessment questionnaire and also provides contact information to those who can provide help, including community partners such as BayCare and the University of South Florida. Other crisis resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the National Law Enforcement Officers Hotline.

The tool was developed in-house with help from some outside contractors, as part of a $150,000 pilot program related to post traumatic stress in law enforcement and ways to address the issue.

The funding was included in last year’s state budget that was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, after Rep. Danny Burgess and Sen. Wilton Simpson submitted a budget request on behalf of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Along with the app, funding has been spent on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, including offering training for its members and their families regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.

At a March 15 media conference, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a “hidden secret” and “never really been spoken about” among law enforcement circles.

He said the disorder has led to broken families, alcoholism and other problems among deputies, because the issue wasn’t addressed head-on.

The current, sometimes volatile climate for law enforcement doesn’t help matters, Nocco said. This year, so far, more than 30 officers nationwide have been killed in the line of duty.

The sheriff elaborated: “For a law enforcement deputy…you’re going from one person’s worst moment of their life, continuous all day long and then you go home. “We’re called upon during people’s worst times, and then what’s going on more and more in society is — no matter what we do, it is never good enough.

“I can tell you that is overwhelmingly stressing our members now that they know no matter what decisions they make, it’s going to be second-guessed the following day,” he said.

Pasco Sheriff PTS is now available through the Google Play store and soon will be in the Apple store.

Rosenbloom said he has already utilized the tool on a few occasions and has found it helpful.

An app that’s easily accessible
“The quick access is great because I would say for some deputies that immediately after the incident that adrenaline dumps, and now all of a sudden they’re experiencing these feelings.

“They could go on the app right then and there, or it may come days later, where they may start reliving that experience and saying, ‘Is this normal?’ and go back on the app,” Rosenbloom said.

Meanwhile, it provides “a good foundation” for deputies unfamiliar with post-traumatic stress and its effects, Rosenbloom added.

“There may be newer officers…who are not sure whether they’re feeling the right thing or whether they should still be feeling what they’re feeling after a critical incident.

“This app breaks it down, asks questions and, in the end, it gives you an assessment of whether what you’re feeling is correct or not,” Rosenbloom explained.

The app is also meant for deputies’ families. Rosenbloom’s wife, Lena, has utilized the app to access support for herself and her children.

“You need just a couple of taps to get you help,” Lena said, noting its user-friendly capabilities.

“When you’re in a crisis, the last thing you want to do is try and find a phone number, pull out a card and (find) the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) number,” she said.

While mainly geared toward law enforcement and their families, the sheriff encourages anyone to use the tool, if he or she needs guidance or help.

The sheriff specifically mentioned the tool’s usefulness for other first responders, such as firefighters, as well as teenagers, parents and teachers.

“We want everybody to go on here and use this,” Nocco said. “We want to make sure they see it’s available, because the intent when we asked this of the Legislature was to say, ‘Look, we’re going to build it, we’ll develop it, but at the same time, it’s not solely for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It’s going to be used for everybody.’”

The Sheriff’s Office will not use the app to collect data or information on users, Nocco said.

The app also will be updated continuously as new strategies come along in dealing with post-traumatic stress.

The goal is to provide assistance in time of need, Nocco said.

“Everybody feels like they’re swimming out at sea, and there’s nobody to help them; here’s another life preserver that we’re throwing out there, to help them get help, to make them feel better and to realize that they’re not alone,” Nocco said.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

Symptoms of PTSD:

  • Reliving the event, or having flashbacks in bad memories or nightmares
  • Avoiding situations that remind you of the traumatic event
  • Having contant negative beliefs and feelings, such as guilt and shame, or feeling the world is dangerous and can’t trust anyone
  • Feeling overly jittery and alert, and always on the lookout for danger

People with PTSD may also experience other problems. These include:

  • Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Drinking or drug problems
  • Physical symptoms or chronic pain
  • Employment problems
  • Relationship problems, including divorce

–Information from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD

Published March 21, 2018

Health News 03/21/2018

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Hospital appointments
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Susan Cooper as director of the SICU and Trauma Stepdown Unit.

Susan Cooper

Cooper returns to Regional Medical from her position as vice president of Cardiac Services at Oak Hill Hospital. She has been with HCA for 18 years and served as a nurse for 25 years.

Cooper has a Master of Science in nursing leadership from Walden University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of South Florida. She is board-certified in cardiovascular nursing.

Sharon D. Hayes

Sharon D. Hayes has been appointed CEO for Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, replacing Shayne George, who has transitioned to another HCA hospital executive role outside of Florida.

Hayes has more than 35 years of experience in numerous health care management settings, including Edward White Hospital in Pinellas County; Chippenham Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia; CJW Medical Center, also in Richmond; and King Fahad Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Hayes’ degrees include a Master of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Tennessee.

Nutrition Month
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County celebrates March as National Nutrition Month, sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme is “Go Further with Food.”

The academy suggests these tips to choose more nutritious food options:

  • Include a variety of healthful foods from all food groups on a regular basis.
  • Consider the foods you have on-hand before buying more.
  • Buy only the amount that can be eaten or frozen within a few days, and plan to use leftovers later in the week.
  • Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that is right for you. Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.
  • Practice food safety.
  • Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
  • Consider consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist.

To learn more about nutrition and National Nutrition month, visit EatRight.org.

 

Spring cleaning: Don’t forget the medicine cabinet

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Gearing up for Spring usually involves a good sprucing up of our homes.

And, it’s a good time to clear out the bathroom medicine cabinet, too.

Many people accrue a collection of leftover drugs —as a result of quick-healing injuries or medications that are no longer needed as new ones have been prescribed in their place.

Most people don’t give their unwanted drugs a second thought, but there are sound reasons to rid the cabinet of medication clutter.

Here are a few of them:

  • Safeguarding children: A curious child could look through the cabinet and wonder why there is colorful “candy” in the bathroom, and may even want to sample a few pieces. This can lead to poisoning and even death.
  • Stopping drug abuse: Someone seeking a ‘high’ may check the cabinet for pain medications or other substances, assuming the owner will not miss pills from a forgotten container.
  • Sharing isn’t caring: Giving unneeded or unused pills to a friend or relative can be harmful, especially when the dosage is higher than intended or the medication has expired.

When disposing of your unwanted drugs, don’t flush them down the toilet because that can contaminate the water supply. Instead, drop them off at a drug-take-back program site. Many counties and municipalities have them, and the process is usually simple.

Each program is different, so consumers should find out whether the plan accepts both prescription and over-the-counter medications, and liquids or syringes.

Also, before disposing of any drugs, be sure to black out or remove all personal information.

In Pasco County, visit the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention at PascoASAP.com. In Hillsborough County, visit the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance at HCSO.tampa.fl.us, and search for “drug take-back.”

Published March 14, 2018