Senior Living

Join the Brookdale Family!

We are excited and proud to say that Brookdale University Park is open to new residents! Brookdale residents enjoy an engaging lifestyle with a selection of care options to meet changing needs. The community conveniently located off Lakeshore Drive offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Call 205-870-0786 to connect with one of our team members who would be delighted to help you plan your personal visit, www.brookdale.com.

Living Well with Low Vision. Low vision is usually caused by eye diseases or health conditions. Some of these include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetes and glaucoma. A low-vision specialist, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist, can help those with low vision make the most of their remaining sight and maintain independence and quality of life. Below are some low-vision activity enhancements and safety awareness tips to use in your surroundings.

Activity Enhancements:

•  Organize work areas
• Develop systems, and use them consistently
• Keep clutter to a minimum
• Practice environmental consistency
• Use the right lighting for the job
• Non-skid materials and rubber bands for built-up handles and contrast

Safety Awareness:

• Focus on fall management
• Avoidance of burns
• Learn to use door and window locks
• Spare keys to your home stored wisely
• Practice personal safety with strangers in home and community
• Consider an emergency call system

You’re invited to Bites & Insights! Join Brookdale on July 21 at 2 p.m. to enjoy delicious food prepared by Brookdale chefs and listen to residents share why they choose to call Brookdale home. Contact Lee Cobb at 205-789-9408, lcobb6@brookdale.com to learn more and reserve your spot!

An Invitation to Experience Brookdale 

Residents of Brookdale University Park enjoy an engaging lifestyle with a selection of care options to meet changing needs. The community conveniently located off Lakeshore Drive offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. 205-870-0786, www.brookdale.com. 

Healthy Living

“Every week, I see obstetrical patients that I delivered who are now having their own babies,” Dr. Carol Swindle of Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, P.C., says. Dr. Swindle has been serving patients in and around Birmingham since 1988. “I enjoy seeing patients through their adolescence, childbearing years, and on into menopause,” she says.

Dr. Swindle has a passion for medicine that started during her high school years. “I had the opportunity to work in a lab. This was my initial exposure to the medical field,” she explains, adding, “This allowed me to take science classes as a freshman and I subsequently pursued a career in medicine.” Dr. Swindle received her medical degree from The University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

“Being an OBGYN is a great blend of medicine and surgery,” Dr. Swindle says. She is excited about the new non-invasive prenatal screening. “This gives us assurance that babies are chromosomally normal, and if there are issues, offers the opportunity to prepare and support the expectant parents,” she explains, adding, “Patients are particularly excited about the ability to learn the baby’s gender as early as seven weeks.”

When Dr. Swindle is not at the office, you can find her spending time with her family and traveling. She and her husband, the late Dr. Mark Swindle, have two grown children. She has also adopted several rescue dogs and the newest furry member of the family is named Henley. 

For more than 30 years, Henderson & Walton Women’s Center has been specializing in women’s health care in Birmingham and surrounding areas. All the OB/GYN physicians, including Dr. Swindle, are board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For patient convenience, HWWC sees patients in Birmingham, Alabaster, Chelsea, Cullman, Rainbow City/Gadsden, Jasper, and Tuscaloosa. To learn more about Dr. Swindle and the team of physicians and staff at Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, P.C., visit www.hwwc.net or call 205-930-1800.

-Melissa Armstrong

Healthy Living 

Brought to you by Community Partner Compact, www.compact2020.com 

What is trauma? Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. However, there is nothing simple about trauma. There are three main types of traumas.

1. Acute Trauma. This type of trauma usually results from a single distressing event, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. The event is extreme enough to threaten the person’s emotional or physical security. If not addressed through medical help, it can affect the way a person thinks or behaves. Acute trauma generally presents itself in the form of excessive anxiety or panic, irritation, confusion, inability to have a restful sleep, and more. Studies show that a third of people involved in critical incidents have serious trauma, a third have moderate trauma, and a third have no trauma. Just because you feel no trauma or more trauma than others does not make your feelings wrong. You simply are coping with it in a different way. 

2. Chronic Trauma. This trauma occurs when a person is exposed to multiple, long term or prolonged traumatic events over an extended period. Several events of acute trauma may progress into chronic trauma. The symptoms of chronic trauma often appear after a long time, even years after the event. Symptoms include unpredictable emotional outbursts, anxiety, extreme anger, flashbacks, fatigue, body aches, headaches, and nausea.

3. Complex Trauma. This type of trauma is a result of varied and multiple traumatic events or experiences. The events are generally in the context of an interpersonal relationship. It may give the person a feeling of being trapped. Complex trauma often has a severe impact on a person’s mind. 

Whatever the type of trauma, if a person finds it difficult to recover from the distressing experiences, they must seek timely psychological help. A qualified phycologist can help the person with a traumatic experience live a fulfilling life. For more tips on trauma, visit www.compact2020.com or Facebook @Compact2020. †

Healthy Living

Brought to you by: Community Partner Compact, compact2020.com

Did you know? Approximately 20% of teens will experience depression before they become adults. 14% of teens have experienced depression in the last 12 months and of those affected by depression, 80% have never received help. 

Causes of Teen Depression. Depression is defined as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Teenage depression can be caused by several things including bullying, relationship problems, academic problems, and poor self-esteem. Signs of depression include a change in appetite, prolonged anger or frustration, withdrawal from activities, and increased thoughts or reference to death or suicide. 

Risks & Signs of Teen Suicide. The risk for teen suicide varies with age, gender, and cultural and social influences. Some factors include one or more mental or substance abuse problems, impulsive behaviors, undesirable life events such as being bullied, or a recent loss such as the death of a parent. Another risk is a family history of mental or substance abuse problems or suicide. Many of the warning signs of suicide are the same for depression. Warning signs include stating “I want to kill myself,” or “I won’t be a problem much longer” as well as giving away important belongings or expressing strange thoughts. 

Ways to Alleviate Teen Depression & Prevent Suicide. Take time to listen to your teenager’s concerns. Remember that just because it’s not a big deal to you doesn’t mean it’s not a concern to them. When disciplining your teen, replace shame and punishment with positive reinforcement for good behavior. By listening to your teen instead of telling them what to do; you may discover the root of the problem. Make sure your child knows you care and will always be there to discuss their problems. Teen depression tends to come and go in episodes. Once a teenager has a bout of depression, they are likely to get depressed again at some point. The consequence of letting teen depression go untreated can lead to extreme and serious consequences that could be deadly. 

Together, we can make sure our teens have the proper tools and ability to beat depression. If your teen is exhibiting signs of depression, call our Parent Talk line at 205-605-1827. If your teen is exhibiting signs of self-harm, call the Crisis Call Center at 1-800-273-8255. Learn more at www.compact2020.com. †

Healthy Living 

The Walk to END EPILEPSY® is set for November 6 at Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham. The annual event brings the community together to affect change through care, advocacy, research and education. This family-friendly walk will help create awareness, share stories, help educate others, and raise funds to support people living with epilepsy. “The pandemic has changed many things, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to our epilepsy community,” said Sara Franklin, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Epilepsy Foundation. “With each step and fundraising dollar, we’re closer to helping people with epilepsy be free from epilepsy and free from fear of the next seizure.”  

Epilepsy can affect anyone. Over a lifetime, one in 10 people will have a seizure, and one in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy receives ten times less the funding than other brain disorders. The 2021 Walk to END EPILEPSY in Birmingham has a goal of raising $100,000. Funds raised from the walk event will go toward supporting Epilepsy Foundation Alabama efforts which include seizure first aid virtual trainings and certifications, monthly support groups, state legislation efforts surrounding seizure safe schools, information and referral services, research and more.

Individuals or small teams of family and friends can register prior to or at 10 a.m. at Railroad Park the day of the walk. There are no mandatory fees to register, and those with epilepsy will receive a free t-shirt. Others that raise $50 or more for the event will also qualify for an event t-shirt. The outdoor event will be held in accordance with CDC, state and local health guidance and regulations. To sign up or for more information about the Walk to END EPILEPSY in Birmingham, visit www.WalktoEndEpilepsy.org/Birmingham. †