Letter from the CEO

Krystin Albert; RN, BSN

Is it a coincidence that Heart Health Month and Valentines Day are both celebrated in February? It is kind of ironic that the color “red” is significant for both. On Valentines Day you focus on those that you love and Heart Health month is focused on loving your heart and keeping it healthy. In relationships you must love and nurture and treat one another with respect and kindness if the relationship is to grow and flourish year after year. Relationships that are unhealthy tend to fizzle out or end before they have had a chance to see what the future may hold. Our heart is unique, and like a relationship, needs to be treated with respect and be nurtured. How do we do that? Let’s take a moment and discuss what our heart needs in recognition of Heart Health Month.

Many people over the course of their life may develop a heart condition such as Coronary Artery Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Congestive Heart Failure, and Hypertension. These conditions all lead to an increased risk for a Heart attack or Stroke. Taking care of your heart should start at a young age, encouraging healthy meal choices, eating plenty of vegetables and lean meat, and drinking plenty of water. Maintaining a healthy weight and developing an exercise routine are excellent for the heart and help to alleviate stress in a healthy way. Participate in activities that bring you a sense of happiness and are good for your soul. Get enough restful sleep, usually about 7-8 hours daily to allow your body to rest and reset. Lastly, see your doctor for preventative care which includes a yearly physical exam and lab work. Take all prescribed medications as ordered by your physician. Educate yourself on how to manage your cardiac disease.

Over time the heart can be impacted by excessive alcohol use, stress, unhealthy food choices, lack of exercise, and smoking. Try to avoid these unhealthy habits. Limit your salt and fat intake and keep moving. Avoid secondhand smoke as well as environmental hazards that could affect your heart. A sedentary lifestyle at home or at work can increase your risk of obesity, which will eventually lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Any change, big or small, will help make a positive impact on your cardiac health. If you or someone you love experiences any of the following symptoms you need to seek treatment from your doctor or call 911: edema/swelling of hand, legs, abdomen or face, headache, elevated blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, numbness and tingling of extremities, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sharp or dull aching pain, and/or weakness to one side or the other.

If you have a hospitalization, or a procedure done and you require more assistance at home we are here to assists you. Franklin VNA and Hospice has a team of professionals that can meet your needs and make recovery time successful. You have a choice, choose Franklin VNA And Hospice for all your Home health and Hospice needs.

Franklin VNA and Hospice is always here to help you and your loved one with any of your healthcare needs.

Franklin VNA and Hospice: You do have a choice. Choose Franklin VNA and Hospice

Germ of the Month

The Shingles Varicella-Zoster Virus

Shingles virus is caused by varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The most common symptom of shingles is a rash that appears unilaterally (on one side of the body) that is painful, itchy, or tingles. Shingles is seen in adults who have already had the chickenpox virus.

Those at risk are people with lower immune systems or have directly been exposed to an active shingles rash. The rash typically begins as a painful reddened area and progresses into a blister like form and eventually crusts over with scabbing.

Complications from shingles include scarring, nerve pain, and even vision loss. The easiest way to protect yourself from becoming infected with the shingles virus is receiving the shingles vaccine. Contact your PCP today to see if you qualify for the vaccine.

To learn more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/

What's Happening in February?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. The risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) increases with age. If you are 75 or older, your risk is 1 in 3. AMD is considered an incurable eye disease.

The origins of AMD are unknown. science has uncovered many of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its development, along with the body’s malfunctioning mechanisms that cause the deterioration of macula—the tissue that lines the inside back layer of the eye, the central portion of the retina.

Having AMD affects the center visual field, which takes away the ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces, perceive color and contrast and see fine details. AMD can also affect your mobility, your independence, your ability to perform household activities like cooking and maintaining your finances, relationships with others, and your sense of self. This is why AMD awareness is so important.

There are two basic types of Macular Degeneration:

“dry” and “wet”. The difference between the two is the severity. The dry is more common and is less serious. In the wet stage of macular degeneration, new blood vessels begin to form underneath the retina. Unfortunately, these new blood vessels often lead to blood or fluid leakage in the retina where vision can become distorted. In this stage, consulting a doctor is crucial.

Stages of Macular Degeneration

• Sub-clinical AMD- people lose ability to adapt to dark surroundings.
• Early AMD- Early AMD is diagnosed by the presence of medium-sized drusen (yellow deposits beneath the retina).
• Intermediate AMD- at this stage, there may be some vision loss (wavy or blurred vision), but may not be noticeable symptoms. A comprehensive eye exam with specific tests will look for larger drusen/or pigment changes in the retina.
• Late AMD- At this stage, vision loss has become noticeable.

Risk Factors

• Genetics- Those with a Family history of AMD are at higher risk.
• Race- Caucasians are more likely to develop the disease.
• Smoking- Smoking doubles the risk of AMD, and recent studies have found that living in air-polluted environment also increase the risk.
• Diet- A poor diet, high in saturated fats and cholesterol and low antioxidants, can increase risk for AMD and accelerate its progression.

Treatment

There is currently no known cure for Macular Degeneration, but treatments are available for the “wet” form of late AMD. Treatments for “dry” form AMD are in clinical trials, but are not yet available to patients.

Ways to Reduce your Risk and possibly slow down the progression

• Avoid smoking
• Eat a AMD-healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain recommended body weight
• Maintain recommended blood pressure
• Protect your eyes from ultraviolet light

ttps://www.macular.org/amdawarenessmonth2024

World Cancer Day

We have all been Affected by cancer in one way or another, either personally or know someone who has.

Cancer is a collection of diseases, in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably. This can happen anywhere in a body.

February 4th is World Cancer Day, an initiative of the

Union for International Cancer Control that aims to significantly

reduce illness and death caused by cancer by raising awareness and encouraging prevention, detection, and treatment.

How do we find Cancer?

The best way is through screenings. Cancer Screenings are tests that look for cancer before any symptoms appear. They can help find cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Cervical screens are done using pap-smears, breast cancer screens using mammography, skin cancer screenings are done with a dermatologist, colon cancer with a colonoscopy, prostate cancer using Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, Lung cancer through CT scans, and many more.

Prevention and detection is crucial. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better chance at survival as cancer is unfortunately the second-leading cause of death across the world.

Being informed about symptoms, and seeing your doctor regularly with any concerns you have is very important.

https://www.uicc.org/news-and-updates/events/world-cancer-day-2025

https://knowledge-action-portal.com/en/content/world-cancer-day-2025-campaign

Employee Recognition

Current Fundraisers

With a donation of $50 you receive a custom brick in the memory of a lost loved one. The brick will be honored in the Teuscher-Wilson Hospice Garden, which is pictured at the top left. Bricks are on sale all year round and dedicated in a ceremony once a year.

 Other opportunities are open for larger donations as Diamond, Opal, and Amethyst sponsors. Please click on the link below for more information.

Clinics and Free Support Groups

Our Drop-In Grief Support Group

no registration needed

Employment Opportunities