Herald Inside LI hosts Health + Wealth webinar

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In an effort to connect Long Islanders with health and wealth advocates, Herald Inside LI held a free webinar called the 50+ Health+Wealth Virtual Event on March 25.

Sponsored by DōTerra, Emerge Nursing and Rehabilitation at Glen Cove, Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, United Healthcare and Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP, the webinar welcomed five panelists to discuss topics such as brain and heart health, breathing and core exercises, Medicare and Medicaid planning, and the use of essential oils for wellness, beauty, and health practices.

Cheryl Paris, an independent wellness advocate for DoTerra, who has been involved in fitness and health for over thirty years, shared her past experiences of how essential oils gave her relief from health complications that she faced. Using Breathe, a calming oil made by DōTerra, Paris shared that she found relief from heart palpitations, which she has as a result of a mitral valve prolapse, a condition she was diagnosed with at age 11 which involves improper closure of the value the heart's upper and lower left chambers.

“One or two drops of an essential oil in a diffuser that runs all throughout the day gets the job done. We have a diffuser in every one of our rooms in our home, for various reasons.” said Paris. 

The senior coordinator for the Cardiopulmonary Program at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Ken Shah added that breathing techniques can aid in better heart health. Among many breathing techniques that Shah shared with the audience to help with heart health, he also focused on explaining the breathing exercise called “four, seven, eight breathing,” which involves the practice of breathing in for four seconds, holding in that breath for seven seconds and then breathing out for eight seconds.

“For patients that have pulmonary heart issues, we help them by educating them about their conditions and helping them to breathe better,” he said, referring to the Cardiopulmonary Program at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. “The four, seven, eight breathing exercise and many other breathing exercises can help increase fatigue--which helps people with falling asleep at night and breathing exercises can also help decrease anxiety.”

Eight to 11 minutes of mindful meditation in combination with breathing exercises, Shah added, can also help with heartbeat and breathing. He said that more people should spend more time learning and educating themselves on ways to be active in their health and wellness.

“My patients have had significant changes in their lives by just adding breathing exercises and mindful meditation to their routines in combination with pulmonary rehabilitation and we also have free support groups over Zoom for people going through cardio pulmonary programs,” Shah said. “We also have harmonica lessons, which help with inner respiratory strengthening. Anywhere from five to eight mins a day of playing a harmonica--that anyone can buy from a toy supply store--can make a huge difference in inner respiratory strengthening.” 

The administrative program manager of Neurological Services Emerge Nursing and Rehabilitation at Glen Cove, Wendell Miller, who also works as a social worker and physical therapist, said that he aids in helping people who have had traumatic brain injuries and strokes through the neurological program in Glen Cove, which offers physical, occupational and other forms of interdisciplinary therapy. Miller said the program not only aims to help support those who have suffered from brain injuries, but it also aims to support their families by striving to inform them that they are not alone.

“It’s important to breathe and use essential oils through a holistic approach … It can be great for you,” he said. “Even in the work I do, oftentimes we use lavender essential oils, which can change the way someone feels and it makes some patients even smile.”

Attendees were invited to submit questions before and during the webinar for the panelists to answer live. Many questions were about planning for healthcare later in life.

“Many times people become sick and vulnerable unexpectedly, but that is why they should plan ahead to have people that they trust like a health care proxy to make decisions for them in the event that they are too sick to make decisions on their own,” said Constantina Papageorgiou, partner at Vishnick McGovern Milizio, LLP. “A health care proxy and a living will are things that people should have in place, so that they can be well taken care of in the event that they need it.” Papageorgiou’s work focuses on trust and estate planning and elder law.

The regional sales manager for Long Island and Queens at United Healthcare, Johnny Espinal added that he strives to end stigmas about Medicaid.

“There is a stigma that if you are on Medicaid you should be embarrassed because you are getting a hand out or pulling a fast one on the government, and it’s not just the people living in the inner cities and in the Projects that are on Medicaid,” he said. “There are people that are on Medicaid that have been paying taxes and working hard too and just because they are on Medicaid doesn’t mean they should be ashamed.”

To watch the recording of this webinar, visit www.liherald.com/recordings and to register for future webinars, visit www.liherald.com/insideli.