May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Six Ways to Achieve Your Fitness Goals in May

Did you know that regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, some types of cancer and many other chronic conditions.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, so there is no better time to get moving! The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults:

• Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, like walking fast, dancing, swimming and raking leaves.
• Do muscle-strengthening activities, like lifting weights or using exercise bands – at least 2 days a week.

Here are six ways you can rise to challenge and live a healthier, active life.

1. Register for a Body Composition Analysis Screening

Many of us focus on our weight as a key indicator for a healthy body, but that is only one piece of the puzzle. A full body composition analysis will show you how much of your weight is made up of fat, water, muscle, bone or body mass – and compare it to healthy levels for your age and gender.

During a free body composition analysis, in less than 10 seconds you will receive a print out of your weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, fat mass, fat free mass and hydration level. One of our friendly representatives will help you interpret the data and provide advice for improving or maintaining a healthy composition.

Body composition analyses are open to the public. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to participate. You can walk-in during a scheduled screening time and do not need to make an appointment.

May Walk-In Screening Times

Mulberry Care Center
8877 SE 165th Mulberry Ln.
Tuesday, May 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

To find other classes and learning opportunities, please visit our Learning Center.

Not permitted for those with implanted electric devices (pacemakers, etc) or pregnancy.

2. Register for a free Seminar or Boot Camp

Whether you’re currently a couch potato or a fitness fanatic, the Exercise and Physical Activity seminar will provide you with resources to round out your exercise program and stay focused on your goals.

The Healthy Weight Loss Boot Camp is an intensive two-hour session, learn successful healthy weight loss strategies including exercise, nutrition and healthy eating out.

All of our courses are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or be a resident of The Villages to attend, so please remember to bring a friend.

To register, please visit our Learning Center.

Healthy Weight Loss Boot Camp
In this intensive two-hour session, learn successful healthy weight loss strategies including exercise, nutrition and healthy eating out.

Colony Care Center
Tuesday, May 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Register Now >>

4. Get to Know Our Orthopaedic Team

Living with pain can be frustrating, especially when you are trying to live a healthy, active lifestyle. From sprained ankles to knee replacements, we’ve got you covered head to toe!

We have four highly trained, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons and a skilled team dedicated to heal you quickly so you can enjoy your lifestyle.

We are starting to do a lot of things since my hip surgery. Thee limitations are going away rapidly. I’m able to golf. Now it’s going to be the fun years. Start living life!

Thomas Karpinski, Villager

Learn More >>

5. Prevent Injuries by Exercising Safely

As you get older, your body doesn’t repair as quickly as it used to. That means extensive exercise can be tough on your body.

“I see a lot of patients who jump into their new active lifestyle too quickly and suffer injuries, like tendonitis or fractures,” says Dr. Sullivan, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Villages Health.

Dr. Sullivan recommends easing into a new active routine. “Don’t start with a full schedule right away. Limit hard workouts to 2-3 times per week, and give you’re your body a chance to rest and recover in between.”

6. Get a Bone Density Scan

A bone density scan is a great way to measure the strength of your bones and determine your risk for fractures. These scans are highly recommended for women over the age of 55, especially those with a risk of osteoporosis and for men and women on certain medications or conditions.

Your primary care doctor can determine your need for a bone density scan

If you are an existing patient, please call your care center. If you are a new patient, you can learn more by calling 352-205-4032.

With these six tips you are now empowered to reach your fitness goals! Keep on moving!

Get Moving in May with These FREE Fitness Resources!

Who says getting older means slowing down? The Villages® offers so many opportunities to have fun and stay active, and we want to help you enjoy every minute. May is National Physical Fitness month, so join us for a class on exercise and physical activity.

All resources are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to attend. So don’t forget to invite a friend.

Exercise and Physical Activity
Whether you’re currently a couch potato or a fitness fanatic, this seminar will provide you with resources to round out your exercise program and stay focused on your goals.

Creekside Care Center
Friday, May 18th at 10:00 AM
Register Now >>

Colony Care Center
Tuesday, May 22nd at 8:30 AM
Register Now >>

5 Fitness & Exercise Tips for Active Seniors

How to Prevent Injuries While Living a Healthy, Active Lifestyle

Ease Into Your New Active Lifestyle

When you move to The Villages® and surrounding community it is such an exciting time. There is so much for you to do and explore. Your first reaction might be to jump in full force with new activities.

“I see a lot of patients who jump into their new active lifestyle too quickly and suffer injuries, like tendonitis or fractures,” says Dr. Sullivan, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Villages Health.

Dr. Sullivan recommends easing into a new active routine. “Don’t start with a full schedule right away. Ease into it.”

Limit Hard Workouts to 2-3 Times Per Week

“The active senior should be cautious not to overuse their body parts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “In the past, you might have been able to complete hard workouts 4-6 times per week, but you may need to start limiting them to 2-3 times per week.”

Integrate Moderate to Light Exercises on Off Days

You can integrate lighter workouts on your off days for an active rest. “Tai chi and core exercises are great for keeping your strength and balance,” says Dr. Sullivan.

Those line dances in the square aren’t just for entertainment, they are also great for active recovery.

Don’t Forget to Rest In Between Workouts

As you get older, your body doesn’t repair as quickly as it used to. That means extensive exercise can be tough on your body. “You need to give your body a chance to rest and recover in between workouts,” says Dr. Sullivan. “Listen to your body.”

Talk to Your Doctor About Pain or Injuries

If you experience consistent pain during or after a workout, or suffer from an injury, you may need to consult an orthopaedic specialist.

“We recommend talking to your primary care doctor first, and he or she will recommend next steps,” says Dr. Sullivan.

The orthopaedic specialists at The Villages Health are here to help, from tendinitis to sprains and fractures; we’ve got you covered. If you are interest in learning more about our service, please call 352-205-4032.

You Can Make a Difference for Your Family and Community
It brings tremendous peace of mind to know that your health care wishes will be respected in the event that you can’t speak for yourself.

To help you and your loved ones find that peace, you’re invited to attend our special presentation by Cornerstone Hospice, Five Wishes: Advanced Care Directives.

This hour-long class will teach you about America’s most popular living will, how to structure important care conversations with loved ones, and plan for end-of-life care.

Class Schedule

April 2, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Now >>

April 8, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Now >>

April 25, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Creekside Care Center
Register Now >>

May 3, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Now >>

Ensure that the wishes of you and your loved ones are carried out in times of serious illness.

These resources are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient or a resident of The Villages to attend. So don’t forget to invite a friend.

You can explore more resources by visiting the Learning Center.

Free Resources to Promote Your Brain Health

April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The Association of Parkinson’s is urging everyone to “Start a Conversation” with friends, family, neighbors, health care teams, local businesses and community leaders.

Naturally we thought it would be a great time to start a discussion of our own surrounding brain health. So this month, we have set out to promote brain health and to discuss several ways you can keep your mind sharp and active.

Register for a Memory Screening

Early Detection of Memory Loss is Critical to Long-Term Brain Health

We know that memory loss is a top concern for many of us as we get older. You may be afraid of having difficulty interacting in social situations, or even worse, not recognizing your family members as you get older.

We don’t want you to be afraid of anything. That is why we offer memory screenings to you, and highly encourage these screenings for everyone over the age of 60.

A memory screening is the first step to identify if you have a memory problem. A screening will either reassure you that your memory is in tiptop shape or, if we detect a problem, indicate the need for further treatment to prevent further damage.

Early detection of memory loss is critical since it may indicate much greater issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no cure to this disease, treatments are available to slow the progression of the disease. There is ongoing, active research to find a cure so one day they will be able to enjoy a higher quality of life as long as possible.

If you are concerned about your memory and/or have noticed changes in you memory, we encourage you to have a memory screening. Memory screenings are free to all members of the community. You do not have to be a patient to have a screening. You can schedule a screening by calling 352-674-1779.

Learn About Our Neurology Services

The Diagnosis, Management & Treatment of Neurological Disorders

In the event you experience symptoms, such as excessive headaches, facial pain, memory loss or a stroke – after consulting with one of our Primary Care Physicians, you may need to consult with one of our Board-Certified Neurologists.

Our Neurology team can diagnose brain issues and provide treatment plans that stabilize and/or minimize symptoms while offering relief as quickly as possible. Our team commonly diagnoses, treats, and manages common conditions, but also has the expertise to provide care for complex and rare neurological disorders.

Common Conditions

• Headache and Facial Pain
• Memory Disorders
• Stroke
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Parkinson and Movement Disorder
• Essential Tremor
• Gait Ataxia
• Seizure Disorder
• Neck and Back Pain
• Muscle Disorder, Including ALS, Myasthenia, and Myopathy

For more information about our neurology services, please visit TheVillagesHealth.com/specialty-services/neurology/

3. Attend the Free “Effective Communication and Dementia” Class

Strategies and Tips for Successful Communication with Loved Ones

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, memory loss or any other decline in mental abilities – it is truly a scary time for you and your family.

We want you to know that there is hope and we have resources that will help prepare you for the journey ahead. The Learning Center offers a free course titled, “Effective Communication and Dementia”, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association of North and Central Florida, to provide helpful tips and strategies for successful communication with loved ones suffering from dementia.

All of our courses are free to the entire community. You do not have to be a patient to attend, so please remember to bring a friend.

April Classes

Tuesday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Now >>

Wednesday, April 25 at 3:00 PM
Colony Care Center
Register Now >>

You can view all upcoming courses at TheVillagesHealth.com/learning-center.

Fuel Your Active Lifestyle in The Villages®

Did you know the food choices you make every day impact the way you feel and perform? That’s right. What you eat impacts that golf swing more than you know! In honor of National Nutrition Month, we are offering 12 free courses to help you develop sound eating habits and fuel your active lifestyle here in The Villages®.

Classes include “The Fundamentals of Nutrition,” “Healthy Eating Out,” “Exercise and Physical Activity” and our brand-new class titled “Go Further with Food,” an interactive session that will show you how to meal prep for an entire week using healthy, delicious recipes.

“By preparing foods in advance to enjoy throughout the week, we can ensure that we’re getting the nutrients we need each day to fuel our active lifestyles here in The Villages®,” says Kristen Curtis, MS, RD, LDN, a Registered Dietitian for The Villages Health. “But it’s also a way to make sure we’re making good use of every dollar, and not wasting resources. It makes healthy eating a lot more affordable!”

All of our classes are free for the entire community. You don’t have to be a patient to attend, so remember to register both you and a friend online today.

12 Free Nutrition Courses in March

Go Further with Food
Thursday, March 15th at 1 PM
Pinellas Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, April 3rd at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

Monday, March 12 at 8:30 AM
Mulberry Grove Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, March 20th at 10 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Online >>

Fundamentals of Nutrition

Thursday, March 8 at 3:30 PM
Santa Barbara Care Center
Register Online >>

Tuesday, March 13 at 8:30 AM
Colony Care Center
Register Online >>

Wednesday, March 21 at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

Exercise and Physical Activity
Thursday, March 8 at 2 PM
Santa Barbara Care Center
Register Online >>

Wednesday, March 14 at 1 PM
Brownwood Care Center
Register Online >>

If you are unable to attend a class in March, don’t worry. We offer courses all year long. You can check the most current schedule online at https://thevillageshealth.com/learning-center/.

Do you know the warning signs?

The first Friday of February every year is National Wear Red Day, an event to raise awareness for women’s heart health. This is an important reminder that heart disease is not just prevalent among men, but also among women. In fact, it is the number one cause of death among both men and women in the U.S.

“There has been an increase in awareness recently that heart disease is the #1 cause of death in postmenopausal women,” says Robert Herman, MD, FACP, FACC, a cardiologist at The Villages Health Specialty Care Center. “We have seen an increasing number of women seek care and treatment in our cardiology clinics over the past few years for symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease.”

Here are 11 red flags that could signal a heart attack in women:

1. Breathing Difficulties – Shortness of breath is a common and very frightening precursor to a heart attack if you’re a woman. It may come on suddenly and without warning (i.e., not following physical activity), for no apparent reason. Imagine gasping for air like you’ve just run up a few flights of stairs, but when you’re sitting stationary.
2. Heavy Perspiration – You might break out into a cold-clammy sweat when you have to present at a company meeting. However, many women suffering a heart attack start perspiring without any stressors present. The problem is that women often mistake this as a hot flash or blame it on their menstrual cycle.
3. Disrupted Sleep – Women who’ve suffered a heart attack often recall waking up in the middle of a deep sleep unable to catch their breath. This form of sleep apnea can occur during a heart attack, compressing the upper airway and robbing the heart of essential blood flow.
4. Exhaustion – We all experience exhaustion when we burn the candle at both ends—taking care of everyone else, but ourselves. Heart attacks are sneaky in this regard, zapping women of energy, even when they’ve been getting adequate sleep and eating right.
5. Stomach Cramps – Abdominal pain that is often shrugged off with the statement, “It must be something I ate!” often ends in a heart attack for unsuspecting women. So what you might brush off as heartburn or a nasty intestinal bug (i.e., food poisoning), may actually be a more sinister heart issue.
6. Sharp Upper Body Pain – While men may feel “the weight of an elephant” sitting on their chests—heart attacks for women often cause sharp pains in the upper body. It’s common for women to complain of sharp, shooting pain or dull, gradually mounting pain in the neck, upper arms, or jaw. Regardless, the pain can be so strong that it rouses you from sleep.
7. Jaw Pain – Although it is rare, a red flag for a heart attack is a sore jaw. This is because when there is a problem with our heart, the nerves in that general area react – which is why we feel pain in areas other than the direct area. But because the jaw is not located in the chest, it is often another overlooked symptom for heart-related problems.
8. Rapid Heart Rate – An intensely rushing heartbeat will commonly accompany feelings of intense anxiety and sweating in women suffering a heart attack. You might think you’re having an anxiety attack, because it strikes suddenly, your heart overexerting, during a non-stressful endeavor.
9. Chest Pain – While the crushing chest pain that men experience during a heart attack is less intense for women, chest pain can still occur leading up to and during a heart attack. Although instead of pain, women feel tight discomfort that is commonly described as a full feeling across the entire chest, not solely on the left side of the chest.
10. Nausea – Nausea can happen for many reasons and is not a common symptom or red flag that comes to mind when we think of heart attacks. However, nausea can occur a few days before having a heart attack. And because the heart attack doesn’t happen shortly after, it often just gets chalked up to what we ate.
11. Pain in Either Arm – Many of us have heard that when you are having a heart attack, you might feel a sharp pain in your left arm. Well for women, they can experience this sharp pain in either arm. So whether you feel a strong pain in one arm or the other, you should get it looked at immediately, especially when felt with other heart attack-related symptoms.

“Prevention of disease requires identifying and reducing reversible risk factors that we know contribute to the development of the disease. This means set goals to eliminate smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, check cholesterol levels and treat when abnormal, check blood pressure and treat when abnormal, and perform aerobic exercise several times per week,” says Dr. Herman.

If you experience any of the above symptoms that resolve within a few minutes, immediately call your care center (or medical provider) for assistance to guide you on next steps. If symptoms persist or worsen, immediately call 911.

To learn how to prevent a heart attack and other heart healthy tips, register to attend one of our free heart healthy courses.

As we reflect upon 2017, we are grateful for patients like you and inspired by our physicians and staff. Every year we get one step closer to achieving our vision of becoming America’s Healthiest Hometown® – and we are so thankful you are a part of it.

Realizing that vision is no small task. It takes a team of warm and compassionate people to care deeply for you and provide the life changing services you deserve. To meet your growing needs, we opened the new Brownwood Care Center and welcomed eight new physicians, seven new Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, our fifth Audiologist and our fourth Behavioral Health Therapist. All total, we added 76 new Villages Health team members to our family of over 400 physicians and staff.

We are wholeheartedly committed to living out our mission through service, stewardship, quality and innovation. We are thankful that you consistently give us greater than 98% top box satisfaction ratings. We are also ranked the #1 Physician Group in North and Central Florida by UnitedHealthcare* and perform within the top 1% nationally for Quality Care.

Empowering the entire Villages community to live their healthiest life is our ultimate goal. We are proud to report that our Learning Center provided 2,533 complimentary educational resources to over 11,000 individuals, and our diabetes program added national recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to its list of American Diabetes Association accolades.

In 2018, we will break ground on the Center for Advanced Health care, a 285,000-square-foot, multi-specialty, state-of-the-art facility connected to a 150-room hotel and conference center – scheduled to open in the spring of 2020. This new facility will provide comfort and convenience to specialty care appointments, outpatient surgery and other critical services.

There is no doubt that the steps we make in 2018 will take us even closer to our vision of becoming America’s Healthiest Hometown.

Thank you for being our patient.

**UnitedHealthcare measured the performance of The Villages Health with The Health care Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), a tool developed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) that’s used by more than 90 percent of America’s health plans to measure the level of care and service.