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Ready to start your garden? Get started with these easy-to-follow tips from local expert, Liza Detomasi, Workman Farms. Gardening is in my family. We started Workman Farms in Fallon in 1964 and I started working here when I was 14. I have always had a love for food and enjoy gardening and cooking. Gardening can be great for your health. It has been known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, put you in a good mood and you benefit from the flavorful fresh produce. If you are interested in starting a garden here is a short intro into gardening in northern Nevada. Step One: Location, Location, Location For the beginners be sure to choose a location in your yard that receives 10 hours of sunlight, it doesn't have to be continuous but a total of at least 10 hours is best. Prepare the ground before you plant with nutrient soil and compost from your local nursery. Step Two: Choose the right plants Northern Nevada can be a bit tricky to grow a successful garden. With our low yearly rain totals and summer heat there are some plants that just don't like it here. But there are many that thrive. Those that do are grouped into two categories – cool weather and warm weather. Cool Weather Veggies Plant in early spring Carrots Beets Celery Broccoli Cauliflower Lettuce Radishes Onions Potatoes Snow peas Strawberries Kale Cilantro Warm Weather Veggies Plant in early May to late spring Tomatoes Peppers Squash Green beans Cucumbers Pumpkin Tarragon Basil Parsley Rosemary Thyme Oregano   Step Three: Enjoy! Always have fun and get creative! Start with a hamburger garden (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickling cucumbers), Salsa garden (tomatoes, peppers, onion, cilantro, tomatillos) or a stir fry garden (snow peas, carrots, broccoli, scallions). Never be afraid to ask your local nursery questions. Easy Plants for Desert Yards The Spruce provides a comprehensive list of nurseries in the Reno area to get you started. Happy planting!

Read More About How Does Your Garden Grow (In Northern Nevada)?

Not all memory loss is inevitable — there are several things you can do to keep your brain nimble at any age. Find out how brain exercises, a healthy diet and daily movement can improve your brain’s focus. A modest decline in memory is to be expected as we get older. We forget someone’s name but recall it later. We find the need to make lists to remember things more pressing. Manageable? Yes. But frustrating nonetheless. The good news is we don’t have to sit back and succumb to age-related memory loss. There are concrete things we can do at any age to keep our brains sharp, nimble and engaged. Five Simple Brain Exercises 1. Volunteer or participate in meaningful activities outside of work. This engages your brain and emotions in a healthy, positive way. 2. Engage in moderate, regular exercise to tone body and mind. Overall good health is critical to brain health. Even casual daily walking can boost your mental abilities. 3. Eat the rainbow. Choose to include plenty of colorful fruits and veggies and ease up on processed foods in your daily diet. The proper nutrients can improve circulation to your brain, which will amp up your cognitive abilities. Consult your doctor for the best diet and supplement choices for your specific health needs 4. Get a blood test to determine your body’s hormonal and nutrient levels. Specific hormones and nutrients can affect cognition. Be mindful of your cholesterol levels, and if you take cholesterol medications, such as statin drugs, be aware they can also affect your mental faculties. 5. Engage in brain activities like reading, crossword puzzles, Sudoku and Trivial Pursuit. These types of activities can improve your brain’s focus and concentration and — most important — test your memory and general knowledge. You derive more benefit by engaging in these activities consistently for short amounts of time, so make a weekly appointment with yourself to build brainpower.

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Award given to Truckee Meadows Health Communities, Renown Health & Washoe County Health District. Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities (TMHC), Renown Health and the Washoe County Health District received the BUILD Health Challenge® award, a $250,000 grant to support Caring For Reno’s Elders (C.A.R.E.) program. The award comes as a collaborative result of more than 30 local organizations submitting a proposal for the funding. Renown Health announced that the organization is matching the grant alongside other pledged funding from the community, bringing the current C.A.R.E. support to $580,000. Together the entities will focus on senior loneliness and the health issues it creates. The partners are honored that Truckee Meadows was selected as one of 18 communities to receive funding from BUILD in the 2019-2021 term. “C.A.R.E will be a community approach to enhance life quality for elders by reducing social isolation and loneliness, issues that seriously impact senior health,” said co-team leader Kindle Craig, Sr. Director Renown Institutes. “Loneliness is the root cause of many issues including suicide1 , chronic disease2 and a reduction in lifespan3 . Washoe County senior suicide rates are two and four times the national rate for those aged 65 and 85 years, respectively4 . That is unacceptable.” Sharon Zadra, TMHC executive director and co-team leader, said this project will tackle barriers to socialization such as access to affordable housing, transportation and healthcare.  “We’ll bring the entire community on-board, long-term, to increase social connectedness and reduce health and mortality issues associated with loneliness by starting a cross generational ‘Kindness Epidemic,’” Zadra said. The BUILD Health Challenge is a national program focused on bold, upstream, integrated, local and data driven projects that can improve community health. The award provides funding, capacity building support and access to a national peer-learning network to enhance collaborative partnerships locally to address our community’s most pressing health challenges. The C.A.R.E team expresses special thanks to the BUILD Health Challenge for its support of this initiative. “Loneliness and isolation in our senior population leads to declines in both mental and physical health, and increased mortality,” said Kevin Dick, Washoe County District Health Officer. “We are incredibly honored to join the BUILD cohort, teaming with TMHC and Renown Health to bring long-term solutions by building a cohesive social network to improve the health of our elders.”  The BUILD Health Challenge® is made possible with the support of: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Blue Shield of California Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, de Beaumont Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., New Jersey Health Initiatives, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. TMHC, Renown Health and WCHD have worked united for the last five years, rallying diverse partners and community leaders to influence and advocate for the region’s capacity to ensure a healthy community.

Read More About Local Organization Receive $250K Build Health Challenge Award

Clinical research provides agency for our patients navigating a scary diagnosis, and the field has never been stronger in northern Nevada. This strength is thanks in part to the Affiliate Clinical Research Office (ACRO) formed by the 2021 affiliation between Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Since its creation, the ACRO team has been busy ensuring that community members have access to the latest care options and exceptional experiences as participants in both research and their healthcare. Here are just a few things that set this office apart from the rest. 1. A focus on engagement In 2022, the ARCO team focused on promoting a research culture with patients, clinicians, residents and students by intentionally engaging with healthcare providers, department administrators, internal research team members and leadership. They educated the community with learning materials that emphasized the importance of doing research. This team also worked with front-line staff to raise awareness and excitement about the clinical research options available for Renown Health patients. 2. Meaningful partnerships The most impactful partnership to date is between Renown Health and UNR Med. By identifying opportunities and leveraging resources across institutions, we have maximized our impact and built a solid and sustainable foundation. This gives the people of northern Nevada greater access to new interventions or novel treatments. This team is also investing in the community and national partnerships to provide training opportunities for our research staff and learning opportunities for our medical students. 3. Novel treatments across many disease areas Our research study offerings must reflect the healthcare needs of our community and the expertise of practicing clinicians. The department has over 80 active studies in neurology, pulmonology, oncology, cardiology, pediatrics and disease prevention. The ARCRO team strives to expand care opportunities to allow our community members to stay close to home when seeking care. This year, they will continue exploring our community's unmet healthcare needs by bringing new treatment options to the greater Reno area.

Read More About Keeping Research Close to Northern Nevada

In February, we think about hearts not just in honor of Valentine’s Day but because it is American Heart Association Month. This is a great reminder to focus on our personal cardiovascular health. Renown Health helps patients think about their heart health with our world-class providers and cutting-edge treatments through our Cardiovascular Clinical Trials. “Research serves a vital role in the future care of cardiovascular diseases. Being involved in research will help our medical community to further discover new treatment plans in our quest for life preservation and extension,” Dr. Thomas To, Cardiologist and Researcher at Renown Health. For example, let’s talk about atherosclerosis. When our hearts are healthy, they are a strong muscle that pumps our oxygen-rich blood through our coronary arteries. Over time, cholesterol and fats can build up in our arteries. This is a condition known as atherosclerosis. This type of plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to a heart attack or stroke if not properly managed. If you are experiencing chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or pain in areas of the upper body, these can be the warning signs of a heart attack, and you should call 911. One contributing factor to atherosclerosis is elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, which increases the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke. Lipoprotein(a) is tested separately from the standard panel that is completed for cholesterol management, and while your total cholesterol levels may be in a healthy range, lipoprotein(a) levels can still be elevated. "Increasingly we are realizing that lipoprotein(a) levels can be used as an important assessment in more carefully delineating an individual's risk of future cardiovascular events and treatment targets" said Dr. Michael Bloch, Lipid Specialist and Researcher at Renown Institute for Heart and Vascular Health. While it is clear that elevated lipoprotein(a) contributes to atherosclerosis, there are currently no approved medications for reducing cardiovascular disease risk through reducing lipoprotein(a) levels. This is why Renown Health’s Research Office is proud to offer a phase III clinical trial, called the OCEAN(a) study, to our patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels as a care option for management of their heart disease risk. Our teams of expert providers and researchers are here to support you on your healthcare journey. “I am thrilled to be able to be part of this study and bring opportunities like this to our patients. The highlight of my day is getting to hear life stories from my patients during our study visits,” Lisa Preciado, Primary Clinical Research Coordinator for the OCEAN(a) study said. Join us in raising awareness around American Heart Month by talking to your provider about lipoprotein(a) at your next appointment. At Renown Health, our goal is to make it easy for patients to access clinical research as a care opportunity where patients can access a variety of standard care treatment options for their health condition or choose to participate in a clinical trial. For more information about clinical trial opportunities available to you or to ask any questions, contact the Renown Research Office at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.

Read More About Getting to the HEART of Research

Bicycling is a great way to get the whole family moving. We’ve reviewed some family-friendly bike trails that’ll get everyone outdoors for some good, old-fashioned fun on two wheels. During the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it is important to practice physical distancing and wear a mask when it’s impossible to stay six feet away from others. 1. Damonte Ranch Wetland Loop in Reno Duration: 3.1 mile loop. Skill Level: Easy. This paved loop trail is easy to access and has ample wildlife viewing opportunities with plenty of birds and wildflowers in the wetland.  Parking and Trail Access: Start at Damonte Ranch Park and follow the paved trail around the wetland loop. 2. Tahoe East Shore Trail Duration: 5.2 miles out and back. Skill Level: Easy. The Tahoe East Shore Trail closely hugs the shore of Lake Tahoe. The paved trail has mild inclines that make it the perfect adventure for all ages and skill levels.  Parking and Trail Access: Park along State Route 28 in Incline Village near Ponderosa Ranch Road for direct access to the trail.  3. Caughlin Ranch Trails in Reno Duration: 3.5 miles out and back Skill Level: Easy.  This paved trail wanders through the Caughlin Ranch neighborhood and features creeks, wildlife and shade.  Parking and Trail Access: Park along Caughlin Ranch Parkway for easy trail access. 4. Sagehen Creek Trail in Truckee Duration: 6 miles out and back. Skill Level: Intermediate. This dirt loop trail is a short drive from Reno and ends at Stampede Reservoir.  Parking and Trail Access: Park at the marked trailhead off of North Highway 89. 5. Truckee River Trail in West Tahoe Duration: 7.5 miles one way. Skill Level: Intermediate. Looking for a longer trail? This point-to-point trail meanders along the Truckee River through the scenic Olympic Valley.  Parking and Trail Access: Park at the Squaw Valley Village or in Tahoe City. Coordinate with two cars to make the trip one way. What family-friendly bike routes does your family enjoy? We’d love to know!

Read More About Family-Friendly Bike Trails in Our Region

While there used to be three basic treatment options for cancer -- surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, or a combination of the three -- there's a fourth option: clinical trials. Here, a Renown patient shares her successful battle with ovarian cancer, aided by a clinical trial. Shari Flamm's battle with ovarian cancer began in 2011. She was experiencing prolonged bleeding, irregular thyroid levels and anemia and was scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy. Before the surgery, her gynecologist ran routine tests to check for cancer as a precautionary measure. All tests were negative for cancer, expect her CA 125 test. A CA 125 test measures the amount of the protein CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) in the blood. In some cases, a CA 125 test may be used to look for early signs of ovarian cancer in women with a very high risk of the disease. In most laboratories, the normal level is 0 to 35 units/ml. Flamm's CA 125 level was 121. As Flamm can attest, early diagnosis played a key role in her battle with ovarian cancer. September is Gynecologic Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – an important time to learn the signs, symptoms and risk factors of this type of cancer so your doctor can diagnosis the disease as early as possible. Ovarian Cancer: Round One Despite the elevated CA 125 results, her doctor recommended they move forward with the hysterectomy. But when surgery began, doctors discovered a mass. She had stage 4 cancer. The procedure was halted, the mass was biopsied and she was immediately seen by Dr. Peter Lim of the The Center of Hope. Following diagnosis, Flamm underwent surgery with Dr. Lim to remove the cancer, which had spread to part of diaphragm, spleen, colon and other organs. Three months after surgery, Flamm had recovered enough to start six rounds of chemotherapy in her hometown of Carson City. She continued working at a doctor's office during her treatment, and was grateful for Dr. Lim’s ability to co-manage her care so she could stay close to work and family. “To me, chemo was the scariest part because I didn’t like feeling sick,” Flamm says. Thankfully, her body responded well to the treatments and she was back to the things she loved. “I stated working out at the gym, even if it was only for 10 minutes,” she says. She also stayed positive by spending time with her grandchildren, attending a San Jose Sharks hockey game, going for walks and enjoying concerts. Ovarian Cancer: Round Two In November 2014, Flamm had a cancer check-up. That’s when doctors discovered three cancerous tumors. For this round, Flamm choose another treatment option -- clinical trials at Renown Institute for Cancer. Clinical trials are the studies that test whether drugs work, and inform doctors' decisions about how to treat their patients. Flamm participated in a clinical trial that featured oral-targeted therapy stronger than IV chemotherapy. The hope was for the drug to shrink her tumors, however the result was stabilization -- meaning the lumps weren’t growing or spreading. The best part of the clinical trial, Flamm says, was the constant monitoring. Between the CT scans every six weeks, a heart scan every three months and monthly doctor visits, she was confident that if the cancer started growing or spreading, her healthcare team would catch it right away. For Flamm, the benefits of the clinical trial included less hair loss, less fatigue and more time to focus on what’s important in her life -- her family. “I decided I wasn’t going to be that sick grandma on the couch with cancer,” Flamm says. After taking the oral medication for one year, Flamm developed a rash and discontinued treatment due to discomfort. Clinical Trials, Setbacks and Survival In June 2016, two of the three tumors began to grow and had to be surgically removed. Despite the setback, Flamm was determined to maintain a positive outlook. "You have to stay positive because cancer feeds off anger, depression and stress," Flamm says. Flamm was released to go home with clear margins, meaning the tumors were removed and are surrounded by a rim of normal tissue that does not have cancerous cells. Flamm says her outlook on life has changed drastically since her first cancer diagnosis. “Your whole mentality changes when cancer disturbs your life," Flann says. "The things that weren’t important, are now ever so important. I’m a lot calmer now,” Flamm says.

Read More About Ovarian Cancer Survivor Shares Decision to Try Clinical Trial

If you are approaching age 65, you may be starting to think about the government benefits you will soon qualify for. For example, your healthcare option to elect between Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. What’s the difference? Original Medicare comes in two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A covers a portion of hospitalization expenses, and Part B applies to doctor visits and medical expenses, such as lab tests and some preventative screenings. A Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Part C, is an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. These “bundled” plans include the benefits of Part A, Part B and Part D (prescription drugs). Some people choose a Medicare Advantage Plans over Original Medicare because these plans offer coverage like vision, hearing, dental and more. Saves You Money First and foremost, Medicare Advantage Plans save Medicare members money –and not just a little bit of money, but a lot of money. Original Medicare only pays 80% of the cost of medical care – the Medicare beneficiary is responsible for the other 20%. A Medicare Advantage Plan is different. The Medicare Beneficiary is only responsible for a small copay, typically less than 20% of a doctor visit or procedure. More importantly, Medicare Advantage Plans have a maximum out-of-pocket amount, meaning that once you reach the limit, the Plan pays 100% of all medical services. That alone can save thousands of dollars per year – particularly if there is a hospitalization involved. Dental, Vision and Hearing Coverage What sets Medicare Advantage plans apart is the additional benefits provided that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. These benefits include dental coverage, vision coverage, hearing exams and hearing aid coverage. None of these important health care benefits are included in Original Medicare. Also, most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional cost, while individuals with Original Medicare need to sign-up and pay extra for Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare and they help members save on their health care costs. Focus on Accessibility, Wellness and Preventative Health Accessible healthcare coverage is key to staying on top of your health. To join a Medicare Advantage Plan you must have Part A and Part B coverage and live in the plan’s service area. It is important to remember that Original Medicare is only valid in the United States. Fortunately, many Medicare Advantage Plans offer worldwide emergency coverage. Another important healthcare consideration to keep in mind is Medicare Advantage Plans focus on your overall well-being. They offer preventative and wellness-related benefits at no cost to you. This includes important benefits like free over-the-counter medicines and free gym memberships. You won’t find those types of benefits with Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) Some people confuse a Medicare Supplement Plan, also known as a Medigap Plan, with Medicare Advantage Plans. They are different and the biggest difference is Medicare Supplement plans come with ever-increasing premiums because they are based on your age. This means the cost of these plans increase every year. Plus, they don’t offer any supplemental benefit coverage like vision, dental or hearing. That’s not the case with a Medicare Advantage Plan. In many cases, there is no monthly premium and you receive all manner of supplemental benefits. These benefit-rich, zero-dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans are enticing people to say goodbye to pricy Medicare supplement plans and hello to Medicare Advantage Plans. Don’t worry, if you join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time and you aren’t happy with the plan, you’ll have special rights under federal law to buy a Medigap policy and a Medicare drug plan if you return to Original Medicare within 12 months of joining the Medicare Advantage Plan. The Flexibility to Change Your Mind A common misconception about Medicare Advantage Plans is that when you join, you are still on Medicare and are not giving up your Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are considered “Medicare Part C.” This means they combine your Medicare Part A (hospital coverage), Part B (doctor’s coverage) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) into one convenient package that costs less and provides more. You can only join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan during the enrollment periods: Initial Enrollment Period: When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. For many, this is the seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. General Enrollment Period: If you have Part A coverage and you get Part B for the first time during this period (between January 1 - March 31 each year), you can also join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Your coverage may not start until July 1. Annual Election Period: Between October 15 and December 7, anyone with Medicare can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan receives your request by December 7). Medicare Advantage Plans have been around for more than 25 years and continue to grow in popularity. In some parts of the country, more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Only 40% are enrolled here in Nevada, but that number is growing every year.

Read More About 5 Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans

Did you know that members of Senior Care Plus, the largest Medicare Advantage Plan in northern Nevada, have access to an exclusive, senior-focused Renown Health primary care office right here in Reno? The facility – and the Medicare plan itself – are both designed with seniors in mind; this includes specialty staff, longer appointment times, on-site services, supportive furniture and more. 4 Benefits of an Exclusive Senior Care Plus Facility Centrally Located with Senior-Focused Staff The Senior Care Plus facility, located on Del Monte Lane, is only open to members of Senior Care Plus. This exclusive access means that the bilingual staff – including doctors, medical assistants, nurses and personal assistants – works daily with aging health needs. On-Site Services and Enrollment Specialists The Senior Care Plus providers understand that seniors often require complex care management and geriatric-focused services. That is why this location offers on-site lab draws, saving travel time and stress. Another essential service this location offers is longer appointment times, ensuring members don’t feel rushed when discussing their health needs with providers. Another perk of the Del Monte location – on-site enrollment specialists. Members, and potential members, can stop by this location on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to have their SCP-related questions answered. Furniture Designed with Seniors in Mind Senior Care Plus makes a doctor visit as stress-free as possible. The office has furniture that makes each visit more comfortable for members. All of the office chairs have armrests, so seniors can easily get in and out of them. Also helpful are the exam room chairs with remote controls for reclining the chair and lifting the patient’s legs. This makes exams, such as a diabetic foot exam, less of a strain. Community Rooms Social connections are an important part of health. That is why the Del Monte Lane office has community rooms used for informative seminars and as a gathering place for members to mingle. The seminars focus on many interesting topics for older adults, such as diabetes, COPD, asthma, weight loss, nutrition, yoga and chair exercises.

Read More About A Facility Designed with Seniors in Mind

Millions suffer from urinary incontinence (urine leakage). Often people feel as if their bladders control their lives. But this doesn't have to be your story. Bladder control issues are treatable and you can take steps to help control your bladder. What is urinary incontinence? Men and women of all ages can have difficulty controlling their bladders. Urinary incontinence occurs when the muscles in the bladder that control the flow of urine contract or relax involuntarily. Is there more than one type of urinary incontinence? Yes, there are three main types: Stress incontinence is when the bladder leaks small amounts of urine as a result of physical stress or pressure on the muscles supporting the bladder caused by coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or any sudden physical exercise such as running or jumping. Urge incontinence is the inability to control a strong urge to go without advance warning, limiting the time needed to get to the bathroom. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty properly. As a result, over time, large quantities of urine are stored, causing the bladder to overflow (this is more common in men and is often the result of an enlarged prostate blocking the bladder opening). Are there any tests that can determine the cause and type of incontinence? Your doctor may have you track your fluid intake and output in a Bladder Diary. A urinalysis can be checked for infection, traces of blood, or other abnormalities. Blood tests can look for chemicals or substances that may relate to contributing causes. Other testing may be an ultrasound, cystogram or post voiding residual measurement. How is urinary incontinence treated? Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles or restrain the bladder to hold on for longer. Medication can relieve and control the troublesome symptoms. If there is an infection an antibiotic is used. Surgery can repair weakened muscles or remove blockage. Special products such as pants, pads, collection devices, and chair and bed protection may be needed if the problem cannot be controlled. How do you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles? To make your pelvic floor muscles stronger, alternate between squeezing and relaxing them. Following the steps below may help: Squeeze your muscles for one second and hold. Relax your muscles for two seconds. Each time you squeeze and relax, it counts as one set. Complete five sets. When you can do the exercises easily, increase to doing them 10 times per day. When that gets easy, try to squeeze and hold the muscles for three seconds and then relax the muscles for three seconds. As your pelvic muscles get stronger, you can progress to longer squeezes for about 10 seconds. Be sure to relax between squeezes so that your muscles can rest before squeezing again. You should do these exercises in three different positions. Do 10 sets lying down, 10 sitting and 10 standing. It is important that you develop the habit of doing the exercises every day. You may want to exercise just after you get up in the morning and right before you go to bed at night. What can I do to help control incontinence? Watch your weight, practice pelvic floor muscle exercises, eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and fiber to prevent constipation. Most importantly, talk to your doctor regarding incontinence issues, don’t be embarrassed!

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of four adults aged 65 or older, fall each year. But less than half of those who fall talk to their healthcare provider about it. What’s more, among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. Senior Care Plus, a Medicare Advantage Plan by Hometown Health, and Renown Health Nurse Educator, Nicholas Mannering, worked together to provide a list with simple tips to help you prevent falls.  1. Exercise Exercise strengthens both your muscles and bones and improves balance which is a key factor to preventing falls. The stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall. And, if you do fall, you are less likely to be injured.   2. Vision Check Vision is an import part of fall prevention, have your eyes check by an eye doctor at least once a year. Update your vision prescription and replace your eyeglasses as needed.   3. Install Safety Equipment in Your Bathroom Installing grab bars in your home bathroom provides a way for you to help yourself in and out of challenging situations. It also provides support if you suddenly feel week or unstable. Having a grab bar to lean on or hold onto when you feel yourself falling or slipping can help prevent falls. Rubber mats eliminate slick surfaces that increase your risk of falling.   4. Helpful Items in Your Bedroom A light within reaching distance is an important item to have in your bedroom. One reason adults fall is because they wander through a dark room, often to get to the bathroom at night, and can’t see where they are walking. Having a light within reach that is quick and easy to turn on before walking around a room can make it safer and decrease your risk of falling. Having a bedroom that is organized and furnished in a way that is easy to navigate is also important. If your bedroom is cluttered and hard to walk around without tripping or running into things, it might be worth reorganizing the area to define a clear walking path.   5. Helpful Items in Your Living Room Similar to your bedroom, your living room should have a light that is easily accessible. Sofas with armrests are helpful for support when getting up and sitting down. Avoiding clutter in your walkways, rugs that are not secured down and unstable furniture are important to consider when preventing falls.   6. Actions to Avoid in Your Home There are other ways to fall besides slipping or tripping while walking. Never stand on chairs, boxes or other unstable items in your home. Walkways should be tidy and free of objects that you could trip on. Spills should be cleaned up right away to prevent slipping.   7. Wear Appropriate Footwear Wearing shoes with non-slip soles and closed toes can help prevent you from falling.  Having shoes that fit properly, are made from hard rubber (like tennis shoes) and provide good support help prevent tripping and falling. Shoes with a collar that support the ankle and a well-padded tongue for the top of your foot can also help prevent injury to your feet.   8. Review Your Health & Medications at your Annual Health Check-Up It is important to review your health and medications with your healthcare provider so they can assess if you are at risk for falls. You should discuss your vision, heart health and blood pressure at your annual health check-up. These things can play a role in the risk of falling. Reviewing your current medications is also important. If medications are making you dizzy, talk to your provider about adjusting the dosage so you can feel more stable and balanced. When talking to your doctor about medications be sure to include your vitamins and supplements. Finally, Have your healthcare provider check your feet and discuss proper footwear yearly.   9. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Balance is important in preventing falls. Alcohol consumption negatively affects balance and increases your risk for falls and fractures. It also increases your risk for cancer, liver damage, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and strokes. Smoking is connected to frailty in older adults. It prevents the development of muscle tissue and breaks down healthy muscle tissue due to the lack of oxygen in your body.

Read More About Your 9-Step Guide to Prevent Falls

Renown Health is proud to embrace the Reno-Sparks culture that makes our community stand out, which is why we sponsor the Reno Rodeo, an early summer staple with roots in the community as deep as our own. One of our many ties with the Reno Rodeo includes Renown Regional’s own emergency room nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada 2022, Gabby Szachara. A Reno native, Gabby developed a love for the Reno Rodeo at a very young age. “I loved watching the girls on the Reno Rodeo Flag Team when I was little and knew I wanted to be part of the Reno Rodeo someday,” said Gabby. “As I got older, I started to make connections and build relationships with some people in the rodeo scene, and they generously lent me their horses so I could participate in the Reno Rodeo Flag Team.” Gabby was on the flag team for three years before being crowned Miss Rodeo Nevada 2022 last year.  Before joining the Reno Rodeo Flag Team, Gabby was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a member of the women’s volleyball team. In December 2017, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health. At first, Gabby was interested in a career in sports medicine – it made sense with her background in athletics. But, after working in the medical field as a certified nurse assistant and an emergency medical technician, she grew passionate about patient care and decided she wanted to become a nurse. “I’ve always loved teamwork and helping others,” said Gabby. “It’s important to me to be there for others, especially when it might be their worst day.”  In December 2021, Gabby graduated from Truckee Meadows Community College with a nursing degree and joined Renown Health this February. “I love Renown for various reasons. Everyone here is so nice and welcoming, and there is a great team dynamic,” said Gabby. “And I love that Renown’s main color is purple because that is my favorite!” When Gabby isn’t in her scrubs and caring for patients, she is in western wear and carrying out her duties as Miss Rodeo Nevada. “I do a lot of traveling across the country to attend other rodeos,” said Gabby. “I enjoy meeting so many wonderful people and experiencing the culture of different states.” Gabby’s main goals as Miss Rodeo Nevada are to promote the western way of life, agriculture, rodeo and community benefit. In addition, she visits local schools to talk with kids about how they can get involved in these areas and inspires them to turn their dreams into reality.  Gabby has a special place in her heart for the Reno Rodeo. “Reno is my home, and the Reno Rodeo is the heart and soul of summer in northern Nevada. Everyone comes together and dusts off their boots to have fun and also contribute money to important causes in our community,” said Gabby. “I love the comradery, the friendly and healthy competition and the great people.”  If you’re going to the Reno Rodeo this weekend, watch for Gabby and her horse, “Torque.”  And if you see Gabby in the halls at Renown Regional, give her a high-five for all her hard work as a nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada!

Read More About Meet Gabby, Renown Regional ER Nurse and Miss Rodeo Nevada