Collier Edition

By Ulla-Undine Merritt (Dee) National Producer Number (NPN) 8853366 Medicare Beneficiaries who currently have Medicare Advantage Plan and Part D (Prescription Drug Plans) should have received their “Notice of Change” documents in September. These notices compare any plan changes from your current 2018 plan to your new 2019 plan. You will be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan if you do …

By Greg Pascucci According to an AARP report, “Caregiving in the U.S.”, approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the prior 12 months. November is Family Caregivers Month, designed to honor the dedicated and compassionate individuals who provide care for a disabled child, an aging spouse or a parent with a …

Good news; improved diagnosis and advances in treatment for breast cancer have resulted in a growing number of survivors who are living longer. Bad news; forward progress in battling the disease isn’t always linear and can have some major drawbacks impacting long term survival. A scientific statement published by the American Heart Association in their Feb. 20, 2018 issue of Circulation …

Regardless of age, race or family history, all women – and about 1 percent of men – have some level of risk for breast cancer. Primary risk factors include age and gender, along with a number of other factors such as obesity and alcohol use, which can be moderated through healthy lifestyle choices. Can Breast Cancer Be Inherited? Certain types …

By Joseph Gauta, MD, FACOG A new procedure that is proving to be beneficial on many levels is called eCoin. It is currently in the clinical trial phase, but you still have time to get into the study if you meet the criteria. • Do you experience urge incontinence (the accidental loss of urine caused by a sudden and unstoppable …

Michael J. Petrocelli, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., C.W.S.P. Board Certified Ankle and Foot Surgeon and Board Certified Wound Care Specialist Because we have the most beautiful weather all year long, in our sunshine state, older individuals are golfing, playing tennis, pickleball, kayaking, swimming, and the list goes on and on; but with all of this healthy activity, adults are more susceptible to …

By Debra K. Brinker, RN Research shows that stem cells accelerate and enhance bone and cartilage repair in osteoarthritic joints. Since surgery comes with many disadvantages, stem cell injections to restore cartilage and alleviate pain provide an exciting alternative. Stem cell therapy has become a popular out of network treatment when patients have tried and failed the limited symptom control-only treatments …

Wendy Taylor, CTC, STE, Leisure Division Leader with Preferred Travel of Naples, recently took a 20-day cruise from Dublin, Ireland to Oslo, Norway. She landed in Dublin from Miami and was able to spend two incredible nights at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in the heart of Irish city. This downtown location has breathtaking architecture, great walking, Irish pubs, galleries, and International clientele. …

By Caroline Cederquist, M.D. In September, the State of Obesity 2018 Report was released which showed that the rates of medically significant overweight (also known as obesity) continue to climb in all states. The report found that from 2015 to 2106, almost forty percent (39.4%) of adults in the United States met the criteria for obesity. Many people have issues …

Help a Diabetic Child Foundation (HADC) partnering with the National Wellness Institute and Core Health Partners bring you the 4th Annual von Arx Family Foundation SWFL Diabetes & Wellness Conference. The Cost of Diabetes in the United States: The American Diabetes Association released new research on March 22, 2018, estimating the total costs of diagnosed diabetes had risen to $327 …