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RIN

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multicare.org

Allenmore Hospital ~ Good Samaritan Hospital ~ Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center ~ Tacoma General Hospital ~ MultiCare Clinics

a Multicare publication

grown-upBeing a

is hard work!

6 Parenting in the 21st centuryYou can’t just say no all the time. Explain your point of view.

‘The talk’The key to talking to your kids about sex is to foster an open environment of communication throughout their lives.

New parents askFind answers to some of the most common questions new parents have about their babies.

8

9

Parenting your parentPlan while your parent is still able to help with making decisions about his or her future care.

13

What’s inside

spotlight

a message from the cEO

Adulthood has always come with challenges. Jobs, families, houses and bills are just some of the many responsibilities shouldered by generations past and present.

But sometimes it can feel as if being an adult in the modern age is more complex than ever before. Our children are more sophisticated. Our parents are living longer. Jobs are more challenging. The list of things we “need” to live our lives—cars, houses, televisions, computers, smart-phones—grows ever longer. We are more connected to the global community, but often less connected to the fl esh-and-blood people in our neighborhoods.

It’s enough to make us long for those mythical “good old days” of years gone by.

This issue of Healthy Living can’t trans-port you back to a simpler time—if such a time ever existed. But it can help guide you

through some of the challenges of being a “21st-century grown-up.” Topics in this issue include some modern day parenting dilem-mas on page 6, and how to discuss sex with your children on page 8.

On the other end of the spectrum, page 13 offers tips on parenting your aging parents. The issue also includes health advice for men (page 10), answers to questions for new moms (page 9), and, fi nally, ways to relieve the stress that comes with shoulder-ing all your grown-up responsibilities (page 12).

Being a grown-up can certainly be hard work. But the rewards for that work—a successful career, a happy, healthy family, a balanced life—can be immeasurable.

Have a safe and relaxing spring.

Yours in health,Diane Cecchettini, RNPresident and CEOMultiCare Health System

MultiCare Health System is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and

urgent care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profi t organization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at dozens of locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Learn more at multicare.org.

HEALTHY LIVING is published as a community service for the friends and patients of MultiCare Health System, a not-for-profi t community organization, P.O. Box 5299, Tacoma, WA 98415-0299. 800.342.9919, multicare.org.

For comments or suggestions about HEALTHY LIVING, please write to us at hleditor@multicare.org. Information in HEALTHY LIVING comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specifi c content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Copyright © 2012 Coffey Communications, Inc. CUN27710

2 • Healthy Living

spotlight

Transfusion-Free program now offering web consultations The Transfusion-Free Program at MultiCare provides patients with the option of re-ceiving medical and surgical care without blood transfusions. To meet patient demand, the program recently launched a telemedicine program to do web consultations.

Patients interested in the Transfusion-Free Program can now attend a one-on-one consultation via the web. Patients can also view educational information online and preview consent forms.

MultiCare is excited to continue to expand the ways in which we use technology to provide quality, better-connected care. To learn more about MultiCare’s

Transfusion-Free Program, contact Paul Brimhall at 253.697.2721 or email paul.brimhall@multicare.org.

MultiCare news

Make a wish: Tacoma General celebrates 130 years On April 29, 2012, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital turns 130! To celebrate the long history of community service by Tacoma’s fi rst hospital, an exhibit will be on display starting in late April in the Tacoma General lobby featuring historic stories, photos and videos. We encourage you to share your stories over the years as a patient, family member of a patient, or employee on the Tacoma General Facebook page at facebook.com/tacomageneral. Of course, “TG” would not have reached this milestone without the continued support of the South Sound community, so thank you for growing with us over the years!

Connect with us online

‘Like’ our page facebook.com/multicarehealthsystem

Follow us twitter.com/multicarehealth

Subscribe to health multicare.org/health-newsletter

Stay with usmulticare.org

Go mobile m.multicare.org

Vitals: A MultiCare blog multicare.org/vitals

Check your vitals: MultiCare’s new blog creates an online health community Vitals, MultiCare’s new system-wide blog, brings you local stories, health care news and commentary. Share your own stories, connect to videos and other

online health resources, and be a part of this local health community.Vitals, at multicare.org/vitals, is also the home for Healthy Living blog content, so be

sure to check each issue for links to supplemental articles and information.

MyChart goes mobileMyChart, a free service for MultiCare patients, gives you secure, online access to your personal health information, plus easy-to-use tools that make managing your health care simple and convenient.

Now we’ve made MyChart more convenient by creating the MyChart app. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android platforms, this free app makes it easier than ever to review your health information, request prescription refi lls, get test results and more.

To download the app, visit multicare.org/mychart.

multicare.org • 3

MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital’s Dally Tower is the first inpatient hospital facility in Washington state to receive the Green Building Certification Insti-tute’s LEED Gold award, based on the standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED Gold status was awarded based on many green elements, including water- and power-saving features, two green roofs, rain gardens, and the con-struction methods and materials used throughout the project. The certification signifies that Good Samaritan reduces waste and harmful greenhouse gas emissions and conserves energy. Gold is one of the highest recognitions offered

by the U.S. Green Building Council.Read more about Good Samaritan Hospital at multicare.org/goodsam.

‘Green’ Dally Tower is first hospital in state to earn LEED Gold

This issue of Healthy Living focuses on being a grown-up, which we all know can be a challenge. We hope that this issue helps make your grown-up lives a little bit easier, and then we want to hear from you.

What words of grown-up wisdom do you live by? What is the best advice you ever got about being a grown-up or a parent? Email your thoughts to hleditor@multicare.org (use the subject line “Grown-Up Advice”) between now and May 15. Each week we will draw one random winner from the responses (four weekly winners in all). That weekly winner will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card and be entered into a drawing for the grand prize—your kids on the cover of an upcoming

issue of Healthy Living!Visit multicare.org/grownup-advice for all the details.

MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has been working hard to keep kids in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit safe from infections. That work was recognized recently when our hospi-tal received the highest rating of any pediatric hospital in Washington in a Consumer Reports story about preventing infections in the Pediat-ric Intensive Care Unit.

Mary Bridge received a score of 4 out of 5 (with 5 being the best) for the low number of central-line infections in the Intensive Care Unit. Only five of the 92 hospitals examined across the country received a better score. A central line delivers medication and nutrition to critically ill patients through a catheter.

You can read the full Consumer Reports story at consumerreports.org/cro/health/pediatric-intensive-care.html.

Mary Bridge recognized for low infection rate

MultiCare news

Wanted: Your grown-up wisdom

4 • Healthy Living

MultiCare news

Get cookingOur WinTEr HealtHy living HEaLTHY rEcipE cOnTEsT WinnEr

Congratulations to Michaela Rosenthal of Woodland Hills, Calif., for submitting the win-ning recipe in our Healthy Recipe contest this winter. Check out her recipe below, and thanks to everyone who submitted.

Orange grilled salmon with lime-scented scallion riceIngredients:12 ounces fresh wild salmonJuice of 2 medium oranges (plus extra orange wedges for serving/garnish)1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar2 tablespoons grape-seed oil2 fat cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning1½ cups whole-grain rice1 teaspoon butter made with canola oil (in dairy section)1 teaspoon lime juice, plus zest (plus extra lime wedges for serving/garnish) 4 scallions (green onions), sliced thin

Directions:• Place salmon skin side down in a glass dish; set aside. • In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, grape-seed oil, garlic, parsley and seasoning.• Pour over salmon and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.• Prepare rice according to package directions (omitting any oil or butter); remove from heat and stir in canola oil butter and lime zest.• Remove fish from marinade (discard) and grill or broil for 15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.• Transfer (divide fish into 4 equal portions) and place on heated plates. • Add a scoop of rice to each plate and scatter with scallion circles. • Garnish each plate with orange and lime wedges.

For added color and nutrition on your plate, MultiCare Dietitian Claire Kjeld, who served as our recipe judge, suggests serving this dish with grilled veggies such as zucchini, purple onions and red bell peppers.

The new Emergency Department (ED) at MultiCare Covington Clinic opened for patient care on Tuesday, April 3, helping to meet the health care needs of the grow-ing South King County community, and adding to the range of primary and spe-cialty care services already available on the campus.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the new 24,000-square-foot ED is here to treat your medical emergencies close to home, with features that include: • 19 treatment rooms—four specialized for children, with a separate child-friendly waiting area.• Advanced imaging services in the ED, including digital x-ray, computed tomogra-phy and ultrasound, which allow for faster diagnostic procedures.• An ambulance bay that can accommo-date four ambulances at a time.• A warm and soothing environment with a modern, Northwest theme and plenty of natural light.

And because the new ED is part of MultiCare Health System, it is linked to MultiCare’s four South Sound hospitals and dozens of clinics by our systemwide electronic health record. That means wherever you’re treated in the MultiCare system, your caregivers will have secure instant access to your electronic health record, including your health history and vital information such as your aller-gies or any prescription medications you take.

Visit covingtonmedicalcenter.org for more information.

now in your neighborhood: 24/7 emergency care

multicare.org • 5

Dealing with 21st-century parenting dilemmas

Kids todayKids

todayTheRe’s a LOT about parenting that hasn’t changed for genera-tions: persuading your kids to eat their vegetables; making sure they’ve done their homework; teaching them to say “please” and “thank you.”

Parents today also have to wrangle with a host of dilemmas their moms and dads never had to deal with: “When should my child start using email?”; “should i make my child ‘friend’ me on Facebook?”; “Will my children be failures in school if they don’t get their own laptops?”

“Technology is so pervasive now,” says Bruce Oriel, MD, a pe-diatrician with Multicare Mary Bridge Pediatrics – auburn. “We can’t change the fact that that’s the direction we’re moving in. it’s become part of our culture.”

Read on for some advice about dealing with some of these 21st-century dilemmas.

My second-grader wants her own mobile phoneit’s no longer uncommon to see young kids with their

own mobile phone. But is it really necessary?“a child that age should really be supervised by

an adult at all times,” says Lily Koblenz, MD, a pediatrician with Multicare Mary Bridge’s community Medical care for children (cMcc). “if your children need to make a phone call, it is better if they use your phone.”

“i ask parents to ask themselves what possible need their young child has for a cellphone,” says Dr. Oriel, “aside from the ‘neatness’ factor. Th ere are still a lot of unanswered questions about the health eff ects cellphone use can have on a child.”

children have thinner skulls than adults, as well as actively developing brains, and no long-term studies exist on how the small amount of radiation emitted from mobile phones may aff ect them as they grow.

When it comes

right down to it,

solving these

21st-century

“dilemmas”

isn’t really

much different

than dealing

with homework,

vegetables or

manners.

health considerations aside, parents should also ask themselves how likely their child is to take care of that pricey piece of technology.

“Most kids truly cannot understand the concept of ‘value,’” says Dr. Oriel, “because they’ve never had to grasp the concept of earn-ing money. even some teens don’t understand value.”

My fourth-grader insists that ‘all his friends’ are playing the latest super-violent video game

Kids and video games go together like peanut butter and choco-late. But not all video games are kid-friendly.

“Th e realistic portrayal of violence can have an impact on chil-dren,” says Dr. Oriel, who observes that aggressive behavior and anxiety among children seem to be on the rise.

Th at doesn’t mean you need to chuck the video game system in the trash.

“i wouldn’t ban video games altogether,” says Dr. Koblenz.instead, what she and Dr. Oriel recommend is learning about

the games your children want to play. Use re-sources such as the Media awareness network (media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm) and the games rating system to determine if the level of action is age-appropriate for your child. Play—or at least watch—the game yourself, so that you can judge if it veers into dangerous territory.

and if you do decide a game is off -limits, explain to your child why.

“You can’t just say no all the time,” says Dr. Koblenz. “explain your point of view.”

My teenager stays up until 3am chatting on Facebook

Teens need 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. and a lot of them aren’t getting it.

6 • Healthy Living

instead they’re surfi ng the web, playing video games, watching TV, and sending text messages to their friends.

“a number of kids in my practice say they get texts throughout the night,” says Dr. Oriel.

“sleep is really important for children,” says Dr. Koblenz. “if they don’t get enough sleep, they’re not going to be able to func-tion well the next day.”

Lack of sleep can impact a teen’s ability to do well in school, do their best in sports—it can even worsen aDhD symptoms.

getting the television, computer and other internet-linked devices out of their rooms is a good start to solving this dilemma. Th is also eliminates unsupervised at-home screen time.

“it’s harder for families to be involved in kids’ online life if it’s sequestered away,” says Dr. Oriel.

setting a regular bedtime, even for teens, and turning off all media devices 20 to 30 minutes before then can help too. and if your teen just can’t stop from responding to those texts at 1am? Ban the phone from their room at night.

I can’t get my kids away from their screensit’s common knowledge that there’s a childhood obesity

epidemic in this country. a big contributor to that is the amount of time kids spend sitting in front of one screen or another.

“Th ere’s a lot of data that correlates sedentary media time and obesity,” says Dr. Oriel.

“Your children need other activities in their lives,” says Koblenz, “such as sports, clubs, outdoor play, reading, doing things with their parents. Th eir non-school time does not need to be domi-nated by sedentary, screen-related activities.”

getting your kids involved in sports or other activities isn’t just good for their physical health.

“i think it’s important to look at kids in terms of social growth,” says Dr. Oriel. “ask yourself if you’ve provided your children with enough opportunities for real-world socialization.”

Kids’ non-school-related screen time should be limited to two hours or less a day, and the sooner you start setting these limits, the easier it will be to enforce as your child gets older.

Parents can also help by practicing the habits they wish their children to have.

“if parents model a physically active lifestyle,” says Dr. Koblenz, “children are more likely to adopt those behaviors.”

When it comes right down to it, solving these 21st-century “di-lemmas” isn’t really much diff erent than dealing with homework, vegetables or manners.

“Technology is good, but it’s not everything,” says Dr. Koblenz. “as a parent you have to decide what your household rules are and stick with them.”

multicare.org • 7

children’s health

as a gROWn-UP, you know that it’s part of your job to talk to your children about sex and reproduction. in other words, to have “the talk.” You know you’re supposed to. But you sure don’t want to.

To help take some of the sting out of this diffi cult parenting task, we turned to stephen Reville, MD, a pediatrician with Multicare Mary Bridge children’s hospital, and Danielle Barczak-henderson, DO, an OB-gYn at Multicare Women’s center – sunrise for their expertise and advice.

The birds and the beestalking to your kids about sex

Think talking, rather than ‘the talk’

Both doctors agree that the key to talk-ing to your children about sex is to foster an open environment of communication throughout their lives.

“i think the conversation starts as soon as your kids are curious about sex or their bodies,” says Dr. Reville.

“Th ere is not an exact age or a perfect time,” says Dr. Barczak-henderson. “if a child grows up having an open relationship

discussing these matters with parents, they will ask appropriate questions in a comfort-able open environment and will learn over a span of time.”

With younger children, a good start is to answer their questions in an age-appropriate way, using the correct names for body parts so that they learn to be comfortable with those terms as they get older.

“cute terms don’t serve you well in the future,” says Dr. Reville.

as children enter their teen years, they begin to make the connection between the physical and the emotional.

“Once kids approach puberty the discus-sion will lengthen and become more in-depth,” says Dr. Barczak-henderson.

It’s not a lecture; it’s a dialogue“Th e best way to get adolescents to listen

to you is to listen to them,” says Dr. Reville. “ask a question. it’s not about talking to them; it’s about dialogue.”

“ask your children what they already know or may have preconceptions about,” says Dr. Barczak-henderson, “and use it as a bridge to discuss.”

Knowledge is power, and so is good decision making

Th e fact of the matter is most teens’ fi rst sexual encounters happen between the ages of 15 and 18. Th e earlier you open the lines of communication with your children about sex, the more factual information they will be armed with as they grow older.

But, while knowledge is important, it’s not always enough.

“Pregnancies and sTis do not always come from knowledge defi cit,” says Dr. Reville. “Parents who want to protect their teens need to teach—and model—good decision making.”

Get answers to your questions. Visit multicare.org/sexualdevelopment.

8 • Healthy Living8 • Healthy Living

parenting

is that nOrMaL?

Get the support you need at MulticareWe offer classes and support groups for new moms and dads. See page 17 of this issue for a full listing.

BecOMing a PaRenT for the fi rst time is a whole new life expe-rience. With nothing else to compare it to, it’s only natural for you to wonder if what’s going on with your baby, or yourself, is normal.

Read on for advice on some common questions new parents have from Multicare experts Janet Dill, certifi ed childbirth edu-cator, who facilitates Multicare good samaritan hospital’s Mom and Baby support group; and Victor Obregon, MD, an OB-gYn at Multicare Women’s center – Bonney Lake.

Should he be sleeping so much/so little? a “normal” amount of sleep for a newborn varies widely.“some babies sleep most of the time,” says Dill, “and some

babies seem to have not gotten the ‘i need sleep’ gene.”if your newborn wants to sleep, let him. But be sure to wake

him up to eat every two to three hours around the clock until your baby’s doctor tells you he can go longer between feedings.

Should she be crying so much?as with sleeping, there can be a huge variation in how much a

newborn baby cries.“crying is normal, newborn behavior,” says Dill. “some babies

are just chill, but some are more ‘high-need’ babies. Just know they all grow out of it.”

it’s not uncommon for newborns’ crying to get more persistent between the ages of 6 weeks and 2 months. But usually, by about

When you feel frustratedIs your baby’s crying PURPLE? Learn about the Period of PURPLE Crying at www.purplecrying.org.

advice for new moms (and dads)

3 to 4 months of age, this tends to taper off . if your baby cries persistently, though, especially after feedings, it’s a good idea to have your baby’s doctor evaluate her for conditions such as infant acid refl ux.

Am I making enough milk?if you’re breastfeeding, which in most cases is the preferred feeding

method for your baby, your body normally produces enough milk to keep your baby well-fed. if your baby seems to be hungry all the time, he or she may be going through a growth spurt, which happens periodi-cally as your baby grows. it usually takes around 72 hours for your milk production to respond to a growing baby’s increased demand for milk.

if your baby is not gaining weight well, with six to eight wet diapers and several bowel movements a day, it is possible you are not making enough milk, and you should talk to your doctor about that possibility.

“if that’s the case,” says Dill, “a lactation consultant can be a great help resolving this issue.”

Should I still have this much ‘baby weight?’Th ose lingering postpartum pounds can be frustrating and it’s

tempting to try to take them off as soon as you can. Dr. Obregon advises caution, however.

“Postpartum isn’t necessarily the time to try and lose weight quickly,” says Dr. Obregon. “You still need to have a healthy, well-balanced diet similar to the diet you followed during pregnancy.”

Women who breastfeed do tend to lose their pregnancy weight a little faster, but it’s by no means a magic bullet. and, as soon as your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you should get moving.

“Moms need some type of regular activity or exercise, building up slowly over time,” says Dr. Obregon.

Why am I still feeling so run down?“a certain amount of feeling ‘the blues’ is not uncommon after a

woman gives birth,” says Dr. Obregon. “it’s not until it’s a recurrent problem, or begins aff ecting her lifestyle, diet or weight that it’s a warning sign there’s a more serious problem.”

hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and stress can all contribute to the postpartum blues. Making sure that you have a good support system to help you with the baby—whether that is your spouse, signifi cant other, or other friend or family member—will often help reduce those feelings. and don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned.

multicare.org • 9

“With cancer, early diagnosis matters in terms

of cure. You can’t make an early diagnosis if you

don’t look. You can’t look if the patient doesn’t

come in.” —Jack Keech, DO, oncologist with MultiCare.

for men’s health for 5 Gimme

We aLL KnOW the stereotypes about men and doctors. even physicians joke about them.“We often say that men only go to the doctor because their spouses force them to, they have a limb falling off or something doesn’t work anymore,” says Jack Keech, DO, an oncologist with Multicare.

however, Dr. Keech and other physi-cians at Multicare want men to make a habit of taking care of their health, including making regular visits to the doctor. “We would much rather see you in our offi ces and help you prevent a problem than meet you for the fi rst time in the hospital,” says John Vaccaro, MD,

urological surgeon with Multicare.To motivate men to make that fi rst

primary care appointment, doctors at Multi-care off er up these fi ve reasons real men

should go to the doctor:

1 Because maintenance matters. You protect your home and car by staying on

top of maintenance issues. Th at’s because you know keeping things in good shape now prevents

serious and costly problems down the road. Your body works the same way. Taking good care of it

by visiting the doctor annually can help you sidestep problems both large and small.

“We know that certain medical interventions and screenings, made at an appropriate age, can prevent or

delay the onset of illness,” says carl Trott, DO, an internist

are you a real man? Then…

10 • Healthy Living

with Multicare’s gig harbor Medical Park. “and that helps to maintain both the qual-ity and quantity of your life.”

2 Because you can’t judge a book by its cover. even if your car seems to be

purring along just fi ne, you still look under the hood every once in a while. it’s a way to guard against a breakdown.

it’s the same way with your body: just because you look and feel fi ne doesn’t mean that nothing is amiss inside. For example, some conditions, such as heart disease and colon cancer, show no symptoms early on. But if you want to uncover problems before they become serious issues, you have to let the doctor check.

“Men need to see their doctors on a regular basis to have their blood pressure and cholesterol tested,” says Daniel guerra, MD, a cardiologist with cardiac study center and the medical director of Multi-care’s cardiac catheterization laboratories. “it’s important for men to know their risk factors for heart disease.”

Once you know your risk factors, you can make lifestyle changes to help avoid a heart attack. Th is applies to colon health as well.

“You can feel great and still have pre-cancerous polyps growing in your colon,” says Joshua Levin, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon with Multicare. “You need to have a colonoscopy if you want to fi nd and remove those polyps before they become cancerous.”

3 Because the thighbone is connected to the knee bone. When a light burns

out, you hope it’s just the bulb. But you know the problem could be deeper—in the socket, or even in a circuit.

Likewise, when most men experience a health problem, they hope it can be easily resolved, but that’s not always the case. seemingly minor health problems can indicate other, more serious issues. and only a doctor can systematically sift through your symptoms and health history to connect the dots. For example, impo-tence is a common problem among men and may have a simple cause, such as low self-esteem. however, impotence can also be associated with cardiovascular disease.

“When men come in with impotence, we need to make sure their hearts are OK,” Dr. Vaccaro says. “Th en we can off er the proper treatment, not just something to clear up the obvious problem.”

similarly, depression and anxiety can have many roots. For aging men, they could be connected to testosterone defi -ciency. in turn, such a shortfall may also aff ect bodily functions related to heart disease and diabetes.

“Keeping men’s testosterone at a healthy level can decrease anxiety,” says Judith Rubin, MD, a family practitioner with Multicare’s gig harbor Medical Park who specializes in anti-aging medicine. “But it can also improve cardiac functions and blood sugar levels.”

4 Because problems have solutions. if your smartphone battery runs down

before you think it should, you don’t just ignore it. You fi nd out if something is wrong with the device. Th e same is true for the human body. as a man’s body ages, some things will naturally start to slow down or misfi re. But that doesn’t mean you have to operate at half-strength. Many problems have solutions, and you may feel better simply by asking questions.

consider prostate enlargement. it hap-pens to 80 percent of men as they age, says Victor Kiesling Jr., MD, a urologist with Multicare. it can lead to serious issues in the bladder and kidneys, but its most com-mon symptom is diffi culty passing urine.

5 health issues that affect real men1 Cardiovascular disease. About 30 percent of men’s deaths in the United States are

from heart disease or stroke. This makes cardiovascular disease the No. 1 killer for men.

2 Cancer. Prostate, lung and colon cancer are the top three cancers that occur in men. All are potentially curable if diagnosed at an early stage.

3Diabetes. With obesity at seemingly epidemic proportions, the incidence of diabe-tes has grown in the entire population. However, men are 32 percent more likely than

women to be hospitalized for complications of diabetes.

4Pneumonia. Men are more likely than women to end up in the hospital with pneumo-nia. This disease can often be prevented through immunization.

5Suicide. It’s the seventh-leading cause of death among men. It does not have to happen if a man reaches out for help.

Learn more by visiting healthwise.net/multicare and searching on “Men’s Health.”

5 tips for signifi cant others

1Nag. In some cases this may work, but you have other choices. Instead of

nagging…

2 Voice concerns. Ask questions, notice changes.

3 Become a role model. It’s easier for your partner to have healthy habits if you

maintain healthy habits yourself.

4 Consider sharing your doctor. Your partner may be more comfortable see-

ing a doctor that you already know.

5 Pick up the phone. You may need to make that initial appointment for him

just to get the ball rolling.

for men’s health

and that’s not fun to live with.“it aff ects your quality of life if you’re

always looking for a toilet,” Dr. Kiesling says. “But for the majority of men, these symptoms can be addressed and improved with medication.”

5 Because your family and friends love and rely upon you. You might

buy life insurance, or maybe you put away a little each month to safeguard your family and their fi nancial future. Visiting the doctor is another way to provide for your loved ones. For their sakes, it’s up to you to learn about your health risks and preventive measures.

multicare.org • 11

stress

It’s a well-known formula: Stress + exercise = less stress! So even if you spend hours each day sitting in a cubicle, try to squeeze in some of these stress-busting moves.Neck: Tilt your head toward one shoulder and hold for 15 seconds. Relax. Do this three times on each side.Shoulders: Lock your hands behind your head and stretch your elbows back. Take a deep breath and hold the stretch several seconds. Relax as you exhale.Arms: As you sit on a stable chair (one without wheels), grasp the armrests with both hands. Use your triceps to raise yourself up.Belly: Do chair crunches by pulling your chest down as you pull your navel in and up.Thighs: Keeping your back straight, squat as if you were about to sit on your chair. Stop before you meet the seat, and stand up.Ankles: Raise one leg and rotate your foot three times in each direction. Repeat with the other foot.

We’ll get the kinks out. Visit healthyrefl ections.org to learn about all the de-stressing options we can provide.Sources: Federal Occupational Health, national institutes of Health

Being a grown-up is hard work

“Yell as loudly as you need to about everything you’re upset about,” says allen. if you feel uncomfortable hearing yourself shout your anger, turn up the radio to drown out the sound.

“Th is may seem silly, but some of us need to say what’s on our mind without it creating damage to our jobs, co-workers or loved ones,” she adds. “Th is can be very freeing and decompressing. it’s okay to yell!”

5 Breathe it away. Looking for a quieter release? simple deep breathing can help.

“Place your arms at your sides and close your eyes,” gainey says. “Take a deep breath in and let your rib cage expand. as you exhale, let your shoulders come down in a relaxed, slow movement.”

although you can’t just breathe away the hard work of adult life, a few fi ve-minute stress-busters might make the burdens seem lighter.

5 tips for releasing stress fast

Desk-ercise for stress demise

2 Take � ve with tea. sit with your eyes closed, your cup of tea in hand. slowly

inhale its scent.“count how many seconds it takes to

breathe in fully, through your nose, and how many seconds it takes to breathe out slowly,” says allen. “You’d be surprised how this clears your mind.”

gainey agrees. “Th e smell, warmth and relaxation of drinking tea are great stress relievers.”

3 High-� ve for exercise. gainey also points to a fi ve-minute walk as a

wonderful release. if fl exibility isn’t an issue, allen recommends chest stretches: stretch your arms behind your back and lace your fi ngers together to open the chest. hold for 5 to 30 seconds. You can do several at your desk or even in line at the bank.

4 Shout it out. Take fi ve minutes in your car (preferably parked) to give

stress a voice.

iF BaLancing The many responsibili-ties of adult life is stressing you out, you’re not alone. according to the american Psy-chological association (aPa), most ameri-cans report feeling moderate to high levels of stress. and though we know too much stress isn’t good for us, we have trouble fi nding time to reduce it. says the aPa, “Th e most common reason…is being too busy or not having enough time.”

still, while being a grown-up is hard work, there are ways to release some of the stress—in fi ve minutes or less. Justine allen, LMP, Massage Th erapist and es-thetician, and Lisa gainey, LMP, Massage Th erapist, both with Multicare healthy Refl ections Medical & Day spa, share fi ve quick stress-busting tips.

1 Steam it o� . Boost your shower’s stress-relieving power with aromatherapy.

gainey suggests using your favorite essential oil for a quick spa-like experience every day.

12 • Healthy Living

aging

When your parent needs parenting

You have optionsIf you’re caring for an aging parent, there are resources that can make each day easier—for you and your parent. MultiCare offers these services:

Adult day health. Seniors who use this service can maintain their abilities and stay independent as long as possible. According to Brenda Kressler, Adult Day Health Program Manager with MultiCare, adult day health gives participants a sense of security and confi-dence. It also provides a respite for caregivers at home. Call 253.459.7222 to find out more.

Home health. Professionals such as nurses, physical therapists and home health aides deliver care in the home. Call 253.301.6400.

Hospice. This helps people in the final stages of a terminal illness live as fully and comfortably as possible. Call 253.301.6400.

The signs can start slowly. Your aging parent may gradually become withdrawn or need more and more help with everyday ac-tivities. Or changes can happen suddenly—with an injury from a fall, for example.

The result is that your parent needs help. and according to Laura Woods, MsW, LicsW, a clinical social worker with Multi-care, the key to making it work is commu-nication. “Talking can help clarify what kind of care your parent wants,” Woods says.

Personalized careYour discussions can help you tailor

care as closely as possible to your parent’s preferences, says David Beech, a medical social worker with Multicare. “it could be as simple as supplying an emergency transponder to alert someone if your parent needs help,” Beech says.

Other options range from home health aides to skilled nursing facilities, which provide a high level of personal or medical care or both. Others include independent living and assisted living facilities.

some older people, such as those with

alzheimer’s disease, may eventually need specialized care. according to Dale Over-field, MD, a neurologist with Multicare, older people with memory problems should be evaluated by their doctors. Forgetfulness is usually part of normal aging, but it may also signal dementia.

“Medicines can help avoid nursing home placement for up to two years,” Dr. Over-field says.

Taking chargeDr. Overfield also points out that dementia makes it important to obtain power of at-torney for aging parents while they are still able to grant it—and when it is inexpen-sive. You’ll need it when your parent is no longer able to handle his or her affairs.

Coming homeBringing your aging parent into your

home can sometimes be stressful. Beech advises that you first consider how much time you can spare and how comfortable you are with the role of caretaker. “Be realistic about what you can do,” he advises. however, many people who care for their parents find that it’s also very rewarding, Beech says.

Plan aheadLosing independence can be difficult for

aging parents, Woods says. it can be difficult for their children too. But opening up the lines of communication and making a plan before your parent needs extra help or care can make it easier on everyone, even if it’s a hard conversation to have. “if possible,” says Woods, “start the conversation while your parent is still healthy and active.”

multicare.org • 13

ms a r tfor a healthy life

Unless otherwise noted, visit multicare.org/class or call 800.342.9919 for information or to register.

May to August

Take control Education and support for managing your health and safety

Heart Healthy Eating Class

Perfect for anyone with a personal or family history of heart disease or high cholesterol.

Learn how fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates and salt aff ect heart health, plus how to look out for your heart at the grocery store and in restaurants. Fee: $30/person; $45/coupleMultiCare South Hill Clinic253.697.8141

Diabetes Education

a variety of education programs, including insulin pump instruction, and individual appointments are available. Program costs may be covered by your insurance plan. Doctor referral needed.•  Tacoma, Gig Harbor: 253.403.1726•  South King County: 253.372.7010•  East Pierce County: 253.697.2801

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

classes for adults with chronic lung conditions. cost may be covered by insurance.MultiCare Allenmore Hospital253.459.6623

The Power of Nutrition

Monthly nutrition class off ered for before, during and after cancer.

Third Wednesday of the month, 2:30 to 3:30pmDr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan253.697.4899

Aquatic Therapy Rehabilitation

Multicare Rehabilitation specialists.253.459.6999

Staying Safe: First Aid

Understand standard fi rst aid and adult cPR. certifi cation requires written and skills exams.American Red Cross, Tacomarainier-redcross.org

Monthly nutrition class off ered for before, free

Quit Smart on the Web

need help quitting tobacco? Join Multicare’s four-week web-based tobacco cessation series. each one-hour online class will be structured to provide behavior change skills and support group interaction. Behavior change skills include creating a quit plan, nutrition, physical activity and stress management.

Th is program will be ongoing, cycling through the topics every four weeks. Participants can start the program at any time in the series. Fee: $10 Mondays, noon and 5:30pm800.485.0205

Cardiac Health & Rehabilitation Program

Medically monitored exercise therapy and lifestyle education about risk-factor reduction, medications, nutrition and stress reduction for patients who have had a heart attack, cardiac bypass surgery, angioplasty/stents, heart valve surgery or angina. Doctor referral needed.• MultiCare Tacoma  General Hospital253.403.1058• MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park253.403.1058• MultiCare South Hill Clinic253.697.8141

Lymphedema Networking Group

Do you have swelling in your arm(s), hand(s), leg(s), feet or other part of your body? have you had lymph nodes removed? if you answered yes to both of those questions, you may have a condition known as “lymphedema.” Meet other people with lymphedema and share information and your own stories.Every second Thursday, 7pmGood Samaritan Cancer Center, Conference Room 400, 15th Ave., SE, fi rst fl oor253.697.4899

Eight-week session, Tuesdays, 9 to 10amDr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan 253.697.4899

Stretch and Strength for Cancer Survivors

Healthy Steps—Moving You to Better Health with the Lebed Method

a therapeutic exercise and movement program to help regain range of motion and balance both physically and emotionally, reduce swelling from lymphedema, and improve overall health. avail-able to those with breast cancer and other cancers, chronic illness, and lymphedema.Every Wednesday (except holidays), 6:30 to 7:30pmGood Samaritan Children’s Therapy Unit Classroom, 402 15th Ave. SE253.697.4899

Gentle Chair/Mat Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Eight-week session, Thursdays, 10 to 11amDr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan 253.697.4899

Gentle Pilates for Cancer Survivors

Eight-week session, Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30pmEight-week session, Fridays, 8:30 to 9:30amDr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan253.697.4899

Customized Exercise freeDesigned for cancer survivors, during treatment and beyond. simple exercises are done with a stability ball, weights, bands and other methods, followed by gentle stretching.Tuesdays, 9amDr. Richard C. Ostenson Cancer Center at Good Samaritan 253.697.4899

Look Good, Feel Better

american cancer society program for patients going through chemotherapy.•  Every fourth Wednesday, 1 to 3pmMultiCare Regional Cancer Center, Katterhagen Room•  Every second Tuesday, 2 to 4pmMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical ParkCall 800.227.2345 to reserve your spot.

free

free

Do you have swelling in your arm(s), hand(s), leg(s),

free

14 • Healthy Living

Breast Health and Bone Density Screenings

Th e following locations off er comprehensive DXa screening for osteoporosis as well as every-thing you need for breast health: mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, clinical breast exams and education. • MultiCare Auburn Clinic: 253.876.8190• MultiCare Covington Clinic: 253.372.7240• MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park (DXA screening and breast health screening only): 253.792.6220 •  Carol Milgard Breast Center in Tacoma: 253.759.2622 •  Diagnostic Imaging Northwest – Puyallup Imaging Center: 253.841.4353•  Diagnostic Imaging Northwest – Sunrise Imaging Center: 253.841.4353•  Diagnostic Imaging Northwest – Bonney Lake Imaging Center: 253.841.4353

Check your healthScreenings to help you stay healthy

Our healthy communityPrograms and activities to help build a healthier community

MultiCare Center for Healthy Living

education and programs for community members and corporations. We promote health and wellness with exercise, nutrition, weight loss, life balance and tobacco cessation. Th is community resource is made possible by generous gifts donated through the Multicare health Foundation.253.697.2825

Healthy@Work

Boost productivity and reduce absenteeism with this work-site wellness program. Program off erings include health screenings, health education programs and classes, all taught on-site for both large and small companies.253.403.1503

Sports Nutrition

• Sport-specifi c nutrition counseling• Body fat testing using the Bod Pod

• Resting metabolic rate testingFor more information and pricing, visit multicare.org/sports-nutrition-tacoma.

WIC Nutrition Program

Federal nutrition program for low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children up to age 5. MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and other locations253.403.1349

MultiCare Mobile Health Services

health screenings and immuniza-tions for adults and children.253.697.4010 multicare.org/mobile-health-services

Weight Management

• Body Composition Testingcheck your body fat percentage and lean mass percentage, and set a goal for your weight.• Resting Metabolic Rate Screeningget the exact measure ments you need to successfully lose weight. Th e comprehensive target calorie report will show you how to eat the maximum amount of food and still lose weight.

• Nutrition Counselingnutrition counseling

sessions, off ered by Multicare dietitians and tailored to meet your individual needs.For more information about these services and pricing, visit multicare.org/nutrition.

Heart Check Screening

a personalized consultation with a cardiac prevention specialist, a heart disease risk analysis and basic lab tests.Fee: Starts at $55• MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital • MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park: 253.403.1726• MultiCare South Hill Clinic: 253.697.8141

Power Shopper

Develop your cart-smart skills by joining a tour of

your local supermarket, led by a Multicare dietitian. save time and money as you learn the top deci-sion points to make better choices.253.403.1503

Knit for Life

Th is program enables patients and caregivers to come together and share experiences and concerns in a relaxed and supportive environ-ment. no registration required.•  Every Tuesday, 10:30am to 12:30pmMultiCare Regional Cancer Center Medical Oncology Clinic, Auburn •  Every Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30pmMultiCare Regional Cancer Center Medical Oncology Clinic, Tacoma General Hospital•  Every other Wednesday, 10:30am to 12:30pmMultiCare Regional Cancer Center Medical Oncology Clinic, Gig HarborCall 800.227.2345 to reserve your spot.

Open Cancer Support Group

Th is group is open to all people touched by cancer who are in need of additional informa-tion, an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns, and a place to receive encouragement in a relaxed and supportive setting. Please feel free to call Betsy allen, MsW, LicsW, (253.403.3169) if you have questions or would like additional information. no registration required.•  Every Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30pm

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients

253.403.1677

MultiCare Women’s Health Expo

Here’s to Your Health...At All Stages of LifeThursday, April 26, 5:30 to 8pmMultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Health, 311 S. L St. West Wing, Tacoma

Enjoy a free girls’ night out with health benefi ts.We’ll be hosting short presentations by our experts with time for your ques-tions. You’ll also have a chance to gather information about heart health, nutri-tion, cancer prevention, fi tness, robotics surgery, women and stroke, and more.• Free blood pressure screening• Health Fair• Medical Spa demonstrations • Giveaways• Presentations

Register online or call 800.342.9919. Space is limited, so reserve your place today!

free

Family health and safetyClasses and resources to help keep your kids safe and healthy

PowerCook: A Month of Healthy

Meals

Looking for a way to save time and make healthy family meals on a budget? Learn to Powercook! Fix and freeze 30 nutritious meals, and sample a few fi nished products. Taught by a registered dietitian and certifi ed diabetes educator from Multicare health system.Fee: $35; $20 for YMCA members and MultiCare employees• Wednesday, May 16, 6 to 9pm, Puyallup piercecounty getsfi t.org

Shapedown

Ten-week weight management groups for children and teens ages 6 to 17 and their families. Referral and assessment required. For more information, call Peggy Norman, MS, RD, CDE, at 253.403.1256.

Kids in the Kitchen Cooking

Class

Kids in grades four through

seven will enjoy learn-ing about nutrition while cooking up some wonderful, delicious, kid-friendly recipes designed to add a bit of health to their bodies. Th e class includes recipes, an apron and prizes! space is limited, so sign up today!Fee: $25“Mexican Party”Thursday, April 264:30 to 6:30pmMultiCare Covington Clinic, Conference Room 3800.342.9919multicare.org/class

Children’s Asthma

Education

education for children with asthma and their families.Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center253.792.6630

free

Life JacketLoans

Free life jacket loaners available year-round. Loaned for up to one week. Limited quanti-ties. Wearer must be present.Available in Tacoma by appointment.253.403.1234multicare.org/childhoodsafety

Mary Bridge Mobile Immunization

Clinic

For children from birth to 18 years old in southwest Washington.Available at various locations.253.403.1767 or 800.552.1419, ext. 1767multicare.org/immunizationclinic

free

Mary Bridge Mobile Immunization

free

Asthma study openMultiCare Pulmonary Research

Department is seeking volunteers 18 years or older for its bronchial thermoplasty asthma study. Call

253.301.6855 for details.

Car Seat Inspections

Car seat inspections and phone consultations by certifi ed technicians.

Tuesdays, 9 to 10:30amMary Bridge Center for Childhood Safety Safe and Sound Building, 1112 S. Fifth St., Tacoma

Third Wednesday of the month, by appointmentGood Samaritan Hospital, PuyallupCall 253.403.1417 to schedule an appointment.

Other upcoming inspection dates:• Thursday, May 10, 11am to 1pmDupont Fire Station1780 Civic Drive, DuPont• Saturday, May 19, 10am to 2pmFircrest City Hall115 Ramsdell St., FircrestFor more details, call 253.403.KIDS.

Other inspection locations and dates available by appointment. Call for schedule, 253.403.1417.multicare.org/childhoodsafety.

Children’s Diabetes Education

and Clinic

individual education for children newly diagnosed with diabe-tes and their families. By appointment for those who need further education or review. classes, camps and support groups also available.Mary Bridge Chil-dren’s Hospital & Health Center253.792.6630

Custom-Fit Helmets

Bring in your helmet, and have our trained staff custom-fi t it. Wearer must be present.•  Tacoma (fi ttings only, by appointment)253.403.1234 multicare.org/ childhoodsafety• Puyallup (sales and fi ttings—call for prices and times)253.697.7385

Ready, Set, Go! 5210A community-based, Pierce County initiative to promote healthy life-style choices for children, youth and families.

Made possible by a partner-ship between MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, ACHIEVE and multiple community partners.

5-2-1-0 means that every day you should aim for:• 5 servings of fruits and vegetables• 2 hours or less of recreational screen time • 1 hour or more of physical activity• 0 sugary drinks

Visit letsgo.org for additional resources. Or visit multicare.org/5210. (The Ready, Set, Go! 5210 program is adapted from the Let’s Go! program in Portland, Maine.)

free

16 • Healthy Living

Five-Week Childbirth Series

a comprehensive class covering everything from pregnancy, birth, comfort techniques, medications for birth and cesarean birth to postpartum, breast-feeding and newborn care. Meet other expectant par-ents, tour our Birth center with your educator and have plenty of time to get your questions answered. if you are hoping to avoid the use of pain medication for childbirth, this class off ers the most practice with nonmedication pain relief techniques. Per class: 2½ hours; total series time: 12½ hours.Fee: $90 or ProviderOne card

Childbirth: Two-Day Class

all the information of a fi ve-week series, but moves much more quickly over two weekend days. coping and support techniques for labor will be practiced both days. Tour of our Birth center included. each class day is 6½ hours with a lunch break.Fee: $90 or ProviderOne card

Childbirth: One-Day Class

Just the basics for those too busy to attend the longer classes or who desire a class that moves quickly. While all subjects are touched on, the primary focus of this class is to prepare you and your birth partner for the birth itself. eight-hour class with a lunch break.Fee: $80 or ProviderOne card

Childbirth: Online Class

Th is online class off ers prepared childbirth instruc-tion in an easy-to-navigate, self-paced and conve-nient format. Topics covered are pregnancy, labor, birth stories, comfort techniques, medical proce-dures, cesarean birth, newborn care and postpartum. Th is class off ers information in text, animation, vid-eos and 11 printable handouts. Total average viewing time is four to six hours.Fee: $45 (not ProviderOne-eligible)

Online Plus One-Night Class

Th is package includes the online class plus a one-night class with the opportunity to meet with a child-birth instructor to practice breathing, relaxation and hands-on labor support techniques and get questions answered. a tour may be provided if time permits. 2½ hours for one-night class.Fee: $70 includes both online and one-night class(not ProviderOne-eligible)

Just for You

if you prefer a private childbirth class, this 4½-hour private class covers the prenatal education topics you select. Time and subjects are arranged with the instructor. Fee: $175 (not ProviderOne-eligible)

Newborn Basics

Th is one-night class off ers an in-depth preparation on what to expect from your newborn and how best to care for him or her when you get home from the hospital. sleeping, feeding, diapering, bathing and safety issues will be covered with extra time for your questions or concerns. Th ree hours.Fee: $30 (not ProviderOne-eligible)

Big Brother/Big Sister

a fun 1½-hour class for 3- to 7-year-olds that helps prepare children to become older brothers or sisters. class includes activities, safety issues and a Birth center tour. Parents attend with their children. Fee: $15 per family (not ProviderOne-eligible)

Mom and Baby Support Group at Good Samaritan

Th is support group off ers informative speakers; discussion of sleep, feeding and adjustment issues; baby weight checks; and encouragement and sup-port. no need to sign up. Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30am (for infants from birth to 6 months) and 11:30am to 12:30pm (for infants from 6 to 12 months)Birth Center Classroom, Good Samaritan Hospital

free

MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital are here to help you and your family better understand and prepare for the arrival of your baby. Our classes and experienced educators help you have a more satisfying birth experience.

For a current schedule or to sign up for classes, visit multicare.org/childbirthclasses.To sign up over the phone, call 800.342.9919.For other questions, or to use your ProviderOne card, call 253.697.5300.

Childbirth and family education MultiCare Family Birth Centers

Birth Center Tours

View the private birthing suites, and get your ques-tions answered about giving birth at good samaritan and Tacoma general hospitals. information about registration, arrival at the hospital and what to expect during your stay will be included. •  Good Samaritan Hospital (30-minute tour)Saturdays, 1pmFamily Birth Center lobby; no need to sign up •  Tacoma General Hospital (45-minute tour) Three times monthly (see class schedule online)

Mom and Baby Breastfeeding Support Group at Tacoma

General Hospital

Th is support group off ers professional support for breastfeeding; baby weight checks; and discussion of sleep, feeding and adjustment issues. no need to sign up.Tuesdays, 10:30am to noonFamily Education Center, Rainier Pavilion, third fl oor, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital

Boot Camp for Dads

a “dads-only” class taught by an experienced father to help expectant dads prepare for their new role. Veteran dads bring their babies to class to help off er a realistic, hands-on learning opportunity for the rookies. Th ree hours.Fee: $25 (not ProviderOne-eligible)

View the private birthing suites, and get your ques-free

free

Th is one-night class off ers information on the ben-efi ts and the “how to” of breastfeeding. suggestions for overcoming diffi culties and strategies for working and breastfeeding will also be covered. Fee: $30

Breastfeeding

Stay healthy

Home Health Resources

comprehensive in-home services provide nursing, therapy, social work and aide care to help people manage their illness and recovery at home.253.301.6400 or 888.516.4504

Resources to help adults stay active

The Y is for everyone“Whether it’s training for my next race, preparing a presentation

for work or keeping up with my two boys, I am always on the go. The Y helps me balance my life with state-of-the-art wellness facilities and running groups to help me achieve my goals. Also, the family-friendly atmosphere and youth programs, such as the Y’s nursery and kids’ swimming classes, help my family learn, grow and have fun together.”

—Cheryl, YMCA member

The YMCA is for everyone

Kids have fun with classes and activities that keep them fi t. From swimming to sports, drop-in gym, and arts and crafts, kids of all ages develop new skills and enjoy unique experiences while learning the core character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Classes include swimming lessons, sports, dance, gymnastics, martial arts and more. Most classes are included in your YMCA membership with registration.

Teens become civically engaged and develop leadership skills through our Youth and Government Program or get fi t and healthy with our Teen Fitness Program. All teens ages 15 to 18 are invited to come to the Y every Saturday night from 9pm to midnight for our Teen Late Nite Program. No membership required.

Adults build a healthy spirit, mind and body with group exercise classes, state-of-the-art cardio equipment, our 12-week Personal Fitness Program, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics and more. Small group activities, including nutri-tion classes, self-help groups, book clubs, knitting, dog walking, games, bridge clubs, running groups and more, provide adults the chance to socialize and get involved in the community.

Activities vary by location.

MultiCare Celebrate Seniority

Th is senior member-ship program for people 55+ consists of people like you who are interested in main-taining good health and vitality through-out life, regardless of age. Th is program pro-vides access to health education, informa-tion, discounts, social-izing and volunteer opportunities. 253.697.7385

Adult Day Health

Promoting indepen-dence for older (and disabled younger) adults in Tacoma.253.459.7222

Exercise for Seniority

Thursdays, 11am to noonLifeCare Center of Puyallup511 10th Ave. SE, PuyallupCall Daisha Cruz at 253.845.7566

Exercise for Parkinson’s

Thursdays, 11am to noonLifeCare Center of Puyallup511 10th Ave. SE, PuyallupCall Daisha Cruz at 253.845.7566

Join the Y today

Visit ymcapkc.org, or check out the location nearest you:• Gig Harbor Family YMCA: 253.853.9622• Mel Korum Family YMCA: 253.841.9622 (Puyallup)• Morgan Family YMCA: 253.564.9622 (Pearl Street, Tacoma)• Lakewood Family YMCA: 253.584.9622• Tacoma Center YMCA: 253.597.6444 (Downtown Tacoma)• Bremerton Family YMCA: 360.377.3741• Haselwood Family YMCA: 360.698.9622 (Silverdale)

Healthy Kids Day

On Saturday, April 28, we’re encouraging all kids and parents in our community to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It’s all part of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day—the nation’s largest health day for families. The free event will take place at all of our YMCA facilities and will include games and prizes, nutrition and exercise information, food, and more! Mark your calendars now to join in on the fun!

18 • Healthy Living

Groups and services to give you the support you needGet support

Alzheimer’s Support Group

a support group for people who are caring for a loved one with dementia. Third Tuesday of each month, 5 to 6:30pmGood Samaritan Behavioral Health, 325 E Pioneer Ave., Puyallup253.697.8400

Cancer Care Support at Good

Samaritan

a wide range of cancer support services.253.697.4899

Pediatric Epilepsy

and Seizure Support Group

For parents and care-givers of children and adolescents who have seizures or epilepsy.Last Wednesday of the month, 6 to 8pmMary Bridge Chil-dren’s Hospital & Health Center, large boardroom, fi rst fl oor, East Wing253.792.6630

Caregiver Support Group

Open to anyone in the community who is providing physical or emotional care or fi nancial assistance to an older or disabled person. Second Monday of each month, 1:30 to 3pmGood Samaritan Behavioral Health, room C113,325 E Pioneer Ave., Puyallup Facilitator: Shannon Tait shannon.tait@multicare.org253.697.8533

Living Well With Chronic Conditions

This six-week work-shop, offered through Multi Care’s chronic disease manage-ment program, was developed at Stanford University and helps patients with chronic diseases learn self-management skills. Topics covered include eating well, managing medications, setting goals, working with your health care team and more.

• MultiCare Covington ClinicWednesdays, May 16 to June 20, 2 to 4:30pm• MultiCare Good Samaritan HospitalFridays, May 18 to

June 22, 9 to 11:30amCall 253.792.6710 to

register.

Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group

Facilitated by trained volunteers who have recovered from prostate cancer. First Wednesday of each month, 7 to 9pmDr. Richard C. Osten-son Cancer Center at Good SamaritanCall Weldon Plett at 253.691.2267.

Hospice Bereavement

Services

One-on-one support, groups and community referrals through MultiCare • Good samaritan home health and hospice. 253.301.6400 or 888.516.4504

Tacoma Prostate Cancer Support

Group

For the newly diag-nosed as well as those with recurring disease. Family members, friends and medicalprofessionals are welcome. Second Thursday and fourth Tuesday of each month, 6pmUniversity Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th St. W, University Place tpcsg.info

Discoveries Support Groups

For families with children 4 to 18 years old who are coping with a family member’s serious diagnosis. concurrent groups for parents and children.Mary Bridge Chil-dren’s Hospital & Health Center253.272.8266

Parkinson’s Support Group

For people who have been diagnosed withParkinson’s disease and their support partners.Third Thursday of each month, noon to 1:30pmLifeCare Center of Puyallup,511 10th Ave. SE, PuyallupFacilitator: Karen Williamskaren_williams@lcca.com253.845.7566

BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving

Children

grief support groups for families with chil-dren 4 to 18 years old who have experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. concurrent groups for parents and children. Mary Bridge Chil-dren’s Hospital & Health Center253.272.8266

Puyallup Cancer Support Group

For patients, caregivers, adult family members and friends. First Thursday of each month, 1 to 3pmDr. Richard C. Osten-son Cancer Center at Good Samaritan 253.697.4899

Covington Women’s Cancer Support Group

For women who are currently battling can-cer or who are survivors.Second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 to 8pm MultiCare Covington Clinic, Conference Room 2253.372.7293

Food Allergy and Asthma Support

Group

Knowledge, ideas and expertise with families handling a child’s aller-gies, food allergies and asthma.253.792.6630

Good Samaritan Mom & Baby Group

support, education and information regardingcommunity resources. Tuesdays•  10:30 to 11:30am: birth to 6 months old•  11:30am to 12:30pm: 6 to 12 months old253.697.5366

Roman Meal Sound to NarrowsSaturday, June 9Vassault Park, TacomaCelebrating 40 years!Always the second Saturday in June, this popular Tacoma tradition offers something for everyone:• 12K run/walk• 5K run/walk• 2K Junior Shuffl e• 20-yard Diaper Dash for the wee ones• 5K run for teens 12 to 18 years

Proceeds from Sound to Narrows support MultiCare’s Center for Healthy Living’s mission to build healthy children and families in our community.

Visit soundtonarrows.org for more information and to register.

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

MultiCare Health SystemP.O. Box 5299Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

“Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/HealthyRefl ections.

MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park4545 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW | 253.530.8005

MultiCare Covington Clinic17700 SE 272nd St. | 253.372.7008

healthyrefl ections.org

Join us for Customer Appreciation Week, April 23 to 28, for give-aways and discounts.• Huge savings on ser-vice packages!

• 20 percent off products in the spa and boutique• Opportunities to win fun spa products and services with every purchase!

See page 12 to get to know some of our staff and learn some impor-tant points about well-ness and stress.

Spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate and renew, and Healthy Refl ections Medical & Day Spa and Boutique has the perfect blend of expert knowledge, clinical treat-ments, and professional products to help you meet your wellness and beauty goals.

New esthetics professional in Gig Harbor

Come in and meet Judith Rubin, MD, the new esthetics profes-sional at our Gig Harbor location.

Banish fi ne lines and wrinkles with SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 and 1.0• Stimulate cell regeneration and build collagen • Diminish the appearance of fi ne lines, wrinkles and age spots• Minimize the appearance of pore size • Correct blemishes and blotchiness Stop in or give us a call to learn more about which SkinCeuticals Retinol is best for you.

20% off and more!

Changing season, changing skin care

Real men go to the doctor!See page 10.