A Supplement to the CLARION NEWS and The Midweek

Health andMedicine 2018

CLARION NEWS - Health & Medicine Edition � TUESDAY, February 13, 2018 � Page 3

Flu-fighting tips to keepyou and others healthy

Sniffles, sore throat,fever, and aches andpains may accompany anumber of illnesses,but during the winter-time such symptomsare typically indicativeof influenza.

Throughout muchof North America, fluseason peaks betweenDecember and Febru-ary. But flu season canoccur anywhere fromOctober to March,advises the U.S. Cen-ters for Disease Controland Prevention. The fluis contagious and cansideline people forextended periods oftime. The CDC saysthat each year one infive Americans gets theflu.

Taking steps tofend off the flu can helpmen and women andthe people they rou-tinely come in contactwith.

FoodsFood can be used to

fend of the flu. Com-mon foods that manypeople already have intheir pantries can bepowerful flu-fighters.Garlic, for example,contains compoundsthat have direct antivi-ral effects and mayhelp destroy the flubefore it affects thebody. Raw garlic isbest. In addition to gar-

lic, citrus fruits, ginger,yogurt, and dark leafygreens can boost immu-nity and fight the flu,according to MotherNature's Network. TheBritish Journal ofNutrition notes thatdark chocolate sup-ports T-helper cells,which increase theimmune system's abili-ty to defend againstinfection.

A study publishedin the American Jour-nal of Therapeuticsshowed that carnosine,a compound found inchicken soup, can helpstrengthen the body'simmune system andhelp fight off the flu inits early stages.

Flu shot and medications

Annual flu shotsadministered inadvance of flu seasoncan help protect peopleand their families fromgetting the flu. The U.S.Food and Drug Admin-istration says that, inselect situations,antiviral medications -which are usually pre-scribed to treat the fluand lessen symptoms -can reduce the chanceof illness in peopleexposed to influenza.

Many over-the-counter medicines canalleviate symptoms ofthe flu, but cannot fend

it off.Stop germ prolifer-

ationGerms can be

spread easily betweenpersons through directcontact and indirectcontact with surfacessick individuals havetouched. Doctors rec-ommend staying homefor at least 24 hoursafter a flu-inducedfever has dissipated.Well individuals shouldavoid contact with sickpeople.

Frequent hand-washing with soap andwater can stop germsfrom spreading. Whensoap and water is notavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitizerscan help. People alsoshould avoid touchingtheir eyes, noses andmouths after being inpublic places or aroundsomeone who is ill.

Rest and restoreThose who feel

symptoms coming onshould begin drinkingmore liquids to keepthe respiratory systemhydrated and makemucus less viscous.Remember to get ade-quate sleep, as a tiredbody cannot effectivelyfight the flu virus.

People of all agesshould take steps toprotect themselvesfrom the flu.

The hidden benefits of waterDehydration is a

dangerous conditionthat can cause a host ofcomplications and evenprove fatal in severecases. But as dangerousas dehydration can be,many cases are entirelypreventable.

The best way to pre-vent dehydration is todrink enough water.When the body does nottake in as much wateras it puts out, it canbecome dehydrated.People who live inwarm climates or in ele-vated altitudes maylose more water thanthose who do not. Inaddition, water loss isaccelerated duringstrenuous exercise,highlighting theemphasis men andwomen must place ondrinking enough waterduring their workouts.

But water doesmore for the body thanprevent dehydration.The following are ahandful of lesser knownways that water bene-fits the body.

Water can help peo-ple maintain healthyweights. Dieting fadscome and go, but wateris a mainstay for peoplewho want to controltheir caloric intake inan effort to maintainhealthy weights. Waterhas zero calories, soreaching for a bottle orglass of water instead ofa soda, lemonade oranother caloric bever-

age can help peoplekeep the pounds off. Astudy from researchersat the University ofTexas Health ScienceCenter found that evendiet soda enhancesweight gain by as muchas 41 percent. In addi-tion, soda has beenlinked to conditionssuch as obesity, dia-betes and tooth decay.No such associationexists with water.

Water helps tofight fatigue. Thefatigue-fighting prop-erties of water areanother of its lesserknown benefits. Whenthe body is not ade-quately hydrated, itcan experience musclesoreness. And fitnessenthusiasts who do notdrink enough watermay notice their bod-ies require extensiverecovery time afterworking out. Each ofthose consequencescan be prevented bydrinking enoughwater, and doing socan even improve per-formance, as studieshave shown that just a3 percent loss of bodyweight due to dehydra-tion can cause as muchas a 10 percent drop inperformance level.

Water can improvethe appearance of theskin. Skin that doesnot get enough watercan turn dry and flakyand feel tight. In addi-tion, dry skin is more

likely to wrinkle thanadequately hydratedskin. Getting water tothe skin can be tricky,as the University ofWi s c ons in -Mad i s onSchool of Medicine andPublic Health notesthat water will reachall the other organs ofthe body before itreaches the skin. Butthe school recommendsapplying a hydratingmoisturizer within twominutes of leaving thebath or shower anddrinking at least eightglasses of water a dayto ensure the skin isgetting enough water.

Water helps thegastrointestinal tract.Water can help main-tain normal bowelfunction. When thebody lacks sufficientfluid, the colon willpull water from stoolsin an effort to stayhydrated. That canlead to constipation, acondition in whichpeople experience dif-ficulty emptying theirbowels. By drinkingenough water, peoplecan ensure their colonwill not have to pullwater from stools tostay hydrated, there-by helping them stayregular.

Water helps thebody in myriad ways,many of which mightsurprise peopleunaware of just howvaluable water can beto the body.

Page 4 � CLARION NEWS - Health & Medicine Edition � TUESDAY, February 13, 2018

Personal CareLight HousekeepingMeal PreparationShopping & Transportation

CompanionshipMedication RemindersRespite CareHelp with laundry, reading, bill paying

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Caring Heart Companions, Inc. “Caring Hearts…Helping Hands”Caring Heart Com-

panions is celebratingtheir five year anniver-sary this year. Lori andLes Reed started thecompany in 2012 whenthey saw a need forquality in-home carewhile caring for theiraging parents. The mis-sion of Caring HeartCompanions is to pro-vide compassionate,experienced care for theelderly and disabled sothey may remain safelyin their own home andmake their livesbrighter, safer, andmore enjoyable. Equallyimportant, the companystrives to be an employ-er who shows they val-ue their employees byproviding good wagesand a flexible schedule.For seniors to maintaintheir independence andstay in familiar sur-roundings, it maybecome necessary to getsome outside help. Thisresponsibility oftenfalls to the childrenwho find the addedresponsibility is toomuch and may considermoving parents to anassisted living facilityor nursing home. Anincreasingly popular

alternative is to hire anin-home care agencywhich can provide reli-able care. Personal careis typically provided bya certified nursingassistant (CNA) or per-sonal care aide (PCA)who can assist witheveryday basic tasks.Caring Heart Compan-ions offer these serviceswhile providing thesecurity of knowing thecare givers are experi-enced, have had a crim-inal history check, ref-erence checks, medicalscreening, and a pre-employment drugscreening. Before ser-vice begins, a CaringHeart Companions staffmember goes to aclient’s home to conducta free needs assess-ment. This enables Car-ing Heart Companionsto see what level of careis required and thenumber of hours neededto provide adequatecare. For instance, thesenior may just needsomeone for four hoursa couple of times perweek to do laundry,clean the house, pre-pare some meals forreheating and assistwith a shower or bath.

Others may need dailycare to help in gettingup and dressed for theday as well as help withpreparing meals, med-ication reminders,housekeeping andassistance with ambu-lation. Meeting withthe client also allows usto get an idea of theclient’s personality andthis helps us to choose acompatible aide. Welike to introduce ouraides through a meet-n-greet before servicebegins to help both theclient and the aide tofeel comfortable. Inaddition to paying outof pocket, programs areavailable in Pennsylva-nia to assist with thecost of in home care.Eligibility is deter-mined by income guide-lines and there must bea medical necessity.Persons over 60 maycall their local AreaAgency on Aging todetermine if there ishelp available for thecost of in home care.Call Caring Heart Com-panions at 814-764-5464 for more informa-tion. We look forward toserving you.

Helpmates, Inc. Celebrating 31 Years ofCaring for People at HomeFor thirty one years

Helpmates Inc. HomeCare Agency has spe-cialized in providingnon-medicalservices for people to

live independently andsafely at home. Theagency was one of thefirst inthe area to provide

exclusively the non-medical services thatare necessary for thosein need toremain at home.

Services include, butare not limited to, per-sonal care, householdmanagementservices, and respite

care to name a few. Ser-vices are availablefrom one hour a day to24 hrs. / day; seven

days a week includingholidays. Staff mem-bers are insured, bond-ed andcarefully screened

with criminal back-ground checks complet-ed. All caregivers arethoroughly

trained and receivespecialized ongoingeducation in order toprovide care in a safe,secure andprofessional man-

ner.Helpmates, Inc. is a

certified provider forthe PA Dept. of Agingand work closely withthe AreaAgencies on Aging in

the counties served.The agency also is aprovider for the Veter-ansAdministration (VA)

providing services forour veterans and theirspouses who qualify.AllHelpmates, Inc.

county office locationsare licensed by the PADept. of Health to pro-vide homecare services. Help-

mates, Inc. currentlyhas 18 office locationswhich provide servicesto 38counties throughout

PA.

Helpmates, Inc.and its divisions striveto bring the best ofhome care and person-al care servicesto people of all ages

in the comfort of theirown home. This yearthe agency is celebrat-ing 30years of service to

those in need andremains independentlyowned and operated.For moreinformation on ser-

vices in Clarion Countyplease call the localoffice at 1-855-333-7910.For services in other

counties please call tollfree 1-888-772-6850 forthe office location near-estto you or visit

www.helpmatesinc.comfor a complete list ofoffice locations andother servicesprovided by Help-

mates, Inc. and its divi-sions.

Clarion/Venango1-855-333-7910

Jefferson Co.1-866-733-3418

Indiana Co.1-855-357-4122

Celebrating 31 Years of Caring for People at HomeCertified Provider for the PA Dept. of Aging

www.helpmatesinc.com

How to handle apoisoning emergency

Any family can expe-rience a poisoning situa-tion, but people who livein homes with very youngchildren or the elderlyneed to educate them-selves about the variouspoisonous substanceslurking in plain sight andwhat to do if these sub-stances are ingested.

Although cleaningproducts or chemicalsstored in the garage maybe the most commonlythought of household poi-sons, many other seem-ingly mundane items alsocan be poisonous wheningested in large quanti-ties. The National CapitalPoison Center says thatthese common householditems can poison chil-dren:· laundry products· pain medicine· vitamins· antihistamines· pesticides· cleaning substancesThe NCPC says the

most common poisons foradults include prescrip-tion drugs, alcohol, painmedications, and clean-ing substances.

People may not real-ize the hidden ingredi-ents in products they useevery day. Swallowing alarge quantity of mouth-wash containing alcoholcan poison a child. Vita-mins children mistakenlythink are candy can bedangerous as well. Artifi-cial nail products also canbe poisonous.If poisoning is suspect-

ed, time is of the essence,as is taking the correctsteps.1. If the person is

unconscious, not breath-ing or having convul-sions, then the first stepis to call the local emer-gency responders whereyou live or dial 911 imme-diately.2. Remain calm and

assess the situation if theperson is responsive. Tryto identify the poison bylooking for open contain-ers or the items that mayhave been swallowed ortouched.3. The Mayo Clinic

says poisoning signs andsymptoms can includeburns or redness aroundthe mouth and lips,breath that smells likechemicals, vomiting,drowsiness, confusion,and difficulty breathing.4. Remove any pills or

the substance away fromthe person, and check hisor her mouth for anyremaining pills.5. Do not immediately

induce vomiting, whichmay do more damage.6. Consult with poi-

soning professionals. Inthe United States, callthe American Associationof Poison Control Centersat 800-222-1222. InCanada, call the provin-cial or regional poisoncontrol center, such asthe Ontario Poison Cen-tre, at 800-268-9017.7. Be ready to describe

the person's symptoms,age, weight, and medica-tions, and share any

information about whathas been ingested. Theperson on the line maygive specific instructionsto follow or recommendcontacting emergencypersonnel.

While waiting forhelp to arrive, follow poi-son instructions on prod-uct labels. Depending onthe substance that wasingested, this mayinclude flushing the skin,offering water or anotherfluid, flushing the eyes,or moving the person intofresh air. Avoid activatedcharcoal or syrup ofipecac. Poison centersrarely encourage self-care in poisoning inci-dents.

Unintentional poi-sonings account for hun-dreds of hospital visitsand many deaths peryear. Knowing how torespond to and treat apoisoning emergency cansave lives.

Vision greatly affects driving abilityDriving is a multisen-

sory experience thatrequires careful coordina-tion and mastery of a widearray of skills. Under-standing the rules of theroad and having sufficientpractice are only part ofthe equation. Being able tosee the road and react toobstacles, signage andmore is crucial. Driversshould not downplay theimportance of visual acu-ity when they turn theirignition keys.

Acceptable vision isinvolved in all componentsof driving. Motor vehicleoperators need to haveclear vision to read gaugesand operate the controls ofthe car. Distance visionalso is essential to identi-fying road hazards andseeing other cars on theroad. The health resourceAll About Vision saysaging and visual changesat any age can affect a per-son's ability to see movingobjects while one is inmotion - as is the casewhile driving a car ortruck. In addition, changesin peripheral vision canincrease blind spots whiledriving and affect reactiontime.Aging motoristsThe National High-

way Traffic Safety Admin-istration reports that6,165 people ages 65 andolder were killed in auto-mobile accidents in 2015,representing 18 percent ofall traffic crashes in the

United States, and declin-ing vision may have been afactor in many of thoseaccidents. Older driverscan make certain changesto improve their safety onthe roadways.

Reduce driving atnight. The group AAA saysby age 60 eyes need threetimes as much light to seeas they did at age 20. Overtime pupils get smallerand do not dilate as muchin dark conditions atnight, making it harder tosee. Limit driving at nightas much as possible.

Accommodate forglare. Invest in anti-glarecoatings for glasses tominimize glare from thesun and oncoming head-lights.

Be especially cautiousat intersections. TheInsurance Institute forHighway Safety says 40percent of the fatal colli-sions that occur for peopleage 70 and older takeplace at intersections. Tak-ing more time to assessoncoming traffic and makesure intersections areclear can save lives.

Get frequent visionchecks. Annual eye examsare recommended by theAmerican OptometricAssociation. This can helpolder drivers be aware ofshortcomings in theirvision.Other driversDrivers of any age

with vision issues shouldtake heed of their limita-

tions and make modifica-tions as needed.

Driving with maculardegeneration. Maculardegeneration affects cen-tral vision. It happenswhen deterioration of thecentral portion of the reti-na occurs. The AmericanMacular DegenerationFoundation says MD is theleading cause of visionloss. As MD impactsvision, driving may need tobe reduced or ceased.

Color blindnessimpacts driving. Thosewith color blindness mayneed to use caution whenidentifying traffic signalsor the brake lights of othervehicles. It may take prac-tice and driving withsomeone who sees colors tobecome comfortable.

Cataracts can blurvision. Those withcataracts may have blurryvision and see halosaround lights that canmake driving challenging.Cataracts also may makeit more difficult to seepedestrians against thelandscape, especially atnight. Treating cataractscan improve vision signifi-cantly.

Many motor vehicleagency vision tests do nottake into consideration allof the factors that canimpact vision while dri-ving. Seeking care for visu-al problems and changingdriving habits when neces-sary can help people staysafe on the road.

CLARION NEWS - Health & Medicine Edition � TUESDAY, February 13, 2018 � Page 5

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New Mission, Vision, and Values Guide WRCThe long-term caresystem, and the entirehealth system, arefrequently changing.For over 127 years, WRChas learned to quicklyadapt to these changeswhile remaining focusedon the providing the bestquality of care to theconsumer. In 2017,WRC examined whathas made us successfulfor so many decades andwhat has remainedconstant. Through thisprocess, a new mission,vision, and core valuesevolved. WRC’s newmission is “We Rejoiceand Celebrate Life!” Theupdated vision is: WRCSenior Services, a non-profit organization, isthe premier innovator ofvibrant living options forall ages through life’stransitions guided bythese five pillars:Cherish the journey,Encourage the body,Inspire the mind,Nurture the spirit, anEmpower the future.These actions willprovide peace of mindand promotei n d e p e n d e n c e .

WRC also expanded itshome and communitybased services intoClarion, Elk, Armstrong,Forest and Venangocounties. New andexpanded services werealso added in 2017including pet services,yard work, andextensive housecleaning. These servicesaid people with everyday tasks such ascleaning their house,taking pets for a walk,putting up holidaydecorations, or evenmowing the lawn.

To honor our newmission, WRC’s In HomeSolutions also expandedby educating andinforming consumersand health care

professionals on thebenefits of hospice. WRCwants to fulfill itsmission to rejoice andcelebrate life through alllife’s transitions,including end of life.Often times whensomeone hears the word“Hospice” theyimmediately assume itmeans giving up, losinghope, and that there areno other options.However, hospice is somuch more. Hospice isthe beginning of a newjourney to celebrate andembrace life andmortality with thecaring support from ateam of trainedprofessionals. Hospicefocuses on maintainingor hopefully improvingthe quality of life forsomeone whose illness,disease, or condition isunlikely to be cured.

When your loved one’schronic illness hasprogressed and he/shecan no longer do thethings they once did, itcan be difficult to accept.When you see a decline,it can be paralyzing torealize the world as youknew it is no longer thesame. Families oftenstruggle with thefollowing: Where do weturn to now? How do wemake these decisions?Are we sure this is whattheir loved one wants?WRC’s In HomeSolutions Hospiceindividualizes a holistic,spiritual perspectiveand solicitude for thewhole person and thefamily. Each end of lifeexperience is unique andWRC’s highly-trainedstaff is committed toensuring our hospiceconsumers are providedwith the mostindividualized andethical care possible tomeet their medical,emotional, spiritual, andpractical needs during

the last phases of theirl i v e s .

The dedicated WRC InHome Solutions Hospicestaff understand thedisheartening strugglescaregivers and familiesexperience as their lovedone embraces this nextjourney and they feelleft behind. We believethis next journey shouldbe a synergistic time inone’s life. We willprovide you the insightto look within and walkthis journey with yourloved one withconfidence, integrity,and comfort and neverlose sight of rejoicing inyour loved one’s life.Celebrating their lifeallows you to love andgrieve together, to makememories that leaveremarkable impressionswithin and everlastingfootprints to continuethe journey even whenthey can no longer walkit with you.

No one wants to thinkabout themselves ortheir loved ones needinghospice services, but ifyou are confronted withit, choose WRC’s In-Home Solutions toprovide the best care foryou and your loved ones.One hospice consumer’sfamily stated, “I firmlybelieve in hospice andam so grateful for all thecare given to thepatients by the kind,loving staff at WRC’s InHome Solutions.” We arehere to meet your needsin whatever setting isdesired, whether in afacility or in the comfortof your own home.Please call WRC’s InHome SolutionsHospice Team at (800)W R C - 9 3 6 3 .

WRC is a not-for-profitprovider of agingservices, serving thearea for over 127 years.

Telehealth VNA’s invaluable toolSherri Kapp, VNA’s

telehealth clinician andregistered nurse, beginsher day at her laptopreviewing the generalhealth of over fortypatients in three coun-ties.Telehealth is a home

monitor that is placedin the home of a patientat the request of theirVNA nurse withapproval of thepatient’s doctor. Thesystem checks theirheart rate, blood pres-sure, weight and oxygenlevels and records theinformation and trans-fers the data wirelesslyto Sherri Kapp’s workstation in Clarion. Shereviews the vitals andmakes sure they arewithin the standardsassigned to eachpatient. If there is ared flag, she calls thepatient and has themretest. If the resultsare the same, a nursewill be dispatched tothe resident’s home tobe evaluated. Thenurse coordinates withthe patient’s doctor andfollows instructions tostabilize the patient.“I like to have all the

patients’ informationentered by 11:00 am,”Kapp said. “I won’t letmuch time go by beforeI pick up the phone andcall the home or contacta relative and all emer-gencies are handledaccordingly.”The system also is

designed to ask thepatient pre-set yes or noquestions such as, “Areyou having troublebreathing?” “Do youhave chest pain?” Thecomputer alerts Kappwhen the patient fallsout of those parame-ters. An adjustment ismade to get the patientback on track thus pre-

venting a trip to theER. Sheri explains “Atthe end of each weekthe computer generatesa report that is sent tothe doctor for reviewand instructions will besent to VNA if needed.”At the home of

Charles George or“Don” as he is identifiedby friends, Sherri goesthrough the testingprocess as his wifeobserves. Although Donweighs about 186 lbs,he is using Telehealthto monitor his weight.Due to other healthissues, a change inweight could be a signof other underlying con-cerns. He steps on thescale and his weight isrecorded. He then isinstructed to sit in hischair near the monitoras his blood pressure,heart rate and oxygenlevels are checked.“Looks good,” Sherrisays with a smile. Atthat point, in a voiceonly a computer canhave, it asks Don a cou-ple of questions, whichhe responds yes or noby pushing buttons onthe machine.“Isn’t that some-

thing!” his wife Mildredof 58 years exclaims. “Itcertainly is,” said Don.He then talks abouthow his nurse livesnear by and takes goodcare of him. He has anappointment with theVA Doctor in the morn-ing. With the help ofTelehealth, his doctorwill already have a fewweeks of information toexamine. Don, by theway, is doing quite welland Sherri expects himto be off the monitor ina couple of weeks.

VNA started usingTelehealth in 2001.Since then, Telehealth

it has evolved, startingout using a land andtoday using a wirelesssatellite system. Direc-tor of home health, LisaSteiner details howevery patient is takencare of and lack of tech-nology in the home isnot a barrier.“We service people

with landlines andwireless internet, ifthat’s not available weset them up with anipad and make it possi-ble.”Services like Tele-

health are provided toVNA’s patients at nocost. Clarion ForestVNA is a Medicare cer-tified, communitybased, not profit organi-zation committed tohelping people remainat home. They haveserviced the area foralmost fifty years, con-tinually growing tomeet the community’sneeds. Other servicesinclude Hospice,Extended Care, AdultDaily Living Centerand bereavement campsfor children. You cancontact Clarion ForestVNA or go to their web-site for more informa-tion on these programsand more.

Charles “Don” Georgeuses his telehealth monitorto take his blood pressure.

6 things to share withyour doctorIt is important to be

honest with a doctorabout certain healthhabits, but sometimes itisn't so easy to be forth-coming. Fear of beingjudged or discussingembarrassing situa-tions may prevent somepatients from tellingmedical professionalsthe whole story. Howev-er, the things people donot share could end upcompromising theirtreatment or preventdoctors from discover-ing certain ailments.

Rather than omit-ting information, peopleneed to be frank withtheir doctors. Honestyis important whenspeaking with a physi-cian, even when the dis-cussion turns to the fol-lowing potentiallysensitive topics.

1. Smoking: Even ifyou aren't a daily smok-er, mention if you smokein social situations orgrab a drag once in awhile. Smoking increas-es the risk for many ill-nesses and can compro-mise how effective somemedications can be.

2. Alcohol consump-tion: Be honest abouthow much you drink, asalcohol can interferewith medications.

3. Supplementusage: Over-the-countermedicines, herbs andother supplements canaffect overall health. Adoctor needs to knowthe entire picturebefore prescribing

treatment.4. Exercise habits:

Don't claim to be a gymrat if you're more of acouch potato. An accu-rate idea of theirpatients' fitness levelsand habits is a keydiagnostic tool forphysicians.

5. Unusual issues:Be forthright with anyissues, even those thatoccur in embarrassingareas of the body.Remember, if you'reuncomfortable withyour doctor, you canalways get a referral for

a specialist who treatsthose areas of the bodydaily.

6. Drug use: Pre-scriptions are writtenin dosages for theintended recipient. Tak-ing drugs that are notprescribed to you,whether it's a lovedone's prescription or anillicit drug, affects yourbody. If you have a med-ical issue, consult withyour doctor so you canget your own legal pre-scription or begin work-ing toward addressingyour addiction.

Page 6 � CLARION NEWS - Health & Medicine Edition � TUESDAY, February 13, 2018

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Snyder Memorial Health Care Center Celebrating 30 Years of Caring Traditions

Snyder MemorialHealth Care Center,located in the small com-munity of Marienville,PA, was built in 1987 bythe Masternick Family(Girard, OH). Celebrat-ing 30 years of caringtraditions, there was ajoke among the localswhen the facility wasbuilt that, “the popula-tion grew by ten percent”being the facility canhouse up to 100 resi-dents, some also jokedthat the community hadmore “bears than peo-ple.” Marienvilleremains a small, peace-ful community locatedwithin Forest Countyand surprisingly, thetown continues to dowithout a traffic light!Many claim Marienvilleis the only town in Penn-sylvania that holds thisdistinction. For thosenot familiar with thenursing center, it contin-ues to manage the careof up to 100 residents,including skilled nursingand short-term rehabili-tation care.

Another backdropthat is less known is thehistory of Windsor HouseInc, the company thatowns Snyder MemorialHealth Care Center.John Masternick Sr. wasan attorney with a veryactive practice, but inreading a bible versewhich noted: to help the"least of the little ones",he had the calling toserve others in need.That one verse ignited apassion 1959 that start-ed Windsor House Inc.and carried its flame thewhole way to MarienvillePennsylvania in 1987.Mr. William Snyder wasa local man with his ownconstruction business.He was also county com-missioner for ForestCounty and had connec-tions to the Masternick’s.He was instrumentalwith the Masternickfamily to get a moratori-um approved, allowingthe nursing facility to bebuilt in Forest County,which is still the onlynursing home in theentire county to this day.Snyder Memorial HealthCare Center is one of the

largest employers in thearea, currently employ-ing around 110 individu-als from Forest, Jeffer-son, Elk, and othersurrounding counties.There are even 4employees who haveworked at SnyderMemorial for over 30YEARS!

In addition, SnyderMemorial Health CareCenter offers CertifiedNurse Aide (CNA) class-es. In doing so, SnyderMemorial Health Carepromotes not onlyemployment but alsocareer opportunities andgrowth in our communi-ty. A CNA is an essen-tial part of the health-care team. He or she isthe hands-on careprovider. This is the per-son who has the mostdaily contact with theresident. Job duties ofthe CNA include provid-ing assistance withactivities of daily livingsuch as bathing, eating,toileting, dressing andmobility. The CNA pro-vides valuable input tothe decision makers onthe healthcare teamthrough his or her obser-vation and in workingdirectly with individu-als.

The nursing homeadministrator, SueGanczak, noted that inher 24 years of workingin long term care/shortterm rehab she is excitedto say that SnyderMemorial Health CareCenter has a beauty allits own, both inside andout. Outside, a nice dri-ve through part of theAllegheny National For-est nestles you into thepeaceful country settingthat is Snyder Memori-al. Within the walls ofthe center, you find ahome-town family feel-ing. But rest assured,this team of clinicianshas a combined experi-ence of over 1,000 years!Our clinicians provideexperienced quality ofcare and services ANDour ancillary staff arejust as experienced andpassionate about whatthey do to serve our resi-dents' wholistic needs.Mary Hollis, the center’sMarketing and Admis-sion Director, noted “ourcenter delivers qualitycare and can do it all.”

To find out moreabout the center’s ser-vicesvisit Snyder Memo-rial Health Care Cen-ter’s website atwww.SnyderMemorial.com

Treat Your Taste Buds to a DelectableMeal at Bistro at Water Run(Clarion, PA) – TheBistro at Water Run,now open to the public,delights it’s consumerson a daily basis withhome-cooked, made fromscratch meals andfreshly baked bread anddesserts. Specializing inwholesome, appetizingmeals, Chef DennisSnyder cooks from theheart and uses timetested recipes to makesure you receive a totaldining experience andnot just a meal. TheBistro at Water Run isopen Monday throughSaturday from 11 am to6 pm. All meals on ourregular menu are $7 andcome with your entrée,soup/side, and beverage.The Bistro also offersdaily homemade soupsand specials. If you haven’t tried a

meal from the Bistro,you are in for a treat.Chef Dennis offers ahealthy twist ontraditional favoriteswithout compromisingtaste! The red velvetcupcakes are so moistthey practically melt inyour mouth. Themacaroni and cheesetempts the taste buds ofchildren and adultsalike. What are thesecrets to theseappetizing entrees? ChefDennis Snyder explainshow he utilizes

vegetables and othernatural ingredients toenhance the flavor. Beetpuree is used in the redvelvet cupcakes toreduce the sugarcontent, deepen the redcoloring, and addmoisture. Spinach isincorporated into thebrownies, and lentils arehidden in the bananamuffins. Macaroni andcheese, a favorite dish atthe Bistro, is enhancedwith butternut squash.Chef Dennis continuesto create new dishes andencourages everyone tostop into the Bistro for adelicious, healthy meal.

The Bistro is alsoavailable to host andcater your next luncheonwith a customized menufeaturing homemadefoods and pastries byChef Dennis Snyder. TheBistro also is a licensedtrademark operator ofGenuine 11parties,bridal and babyshowers, other specialevents or as take-out topick up on the way homefrom work.Your event can also be

hosted at our locationwithin the Bistro area orin our privatemultipurpose room. TheBistro is excited toannounce the addition ofan outdoor seating areathat will open in latespring of 2018. Watch

for details. Call theBistro at 814-226-3799to place your order orrequest a catering quote. Water Run Landing isWRC Senior Services’newest senior livingcampus, located at 300Water Run Road inClarion. It includesHighland Oaks at WaterRun personal carecommunity and TheVillas at Water Runresidential community. Highland Oaks at WaterRun hasa c c o m m o d a t i o n savailable now. For moreinformation, callAdministrator FaithO’Brien at 814-226-3799. Residents are alsosettling into The Villasat Water Run asconstruction on the firstsix homes is complete.There is limitedavailability for the nextphase of constructionscheduled to being inApril 2018. For moreinformation aboutpriority reservations orto schedule a tour,contact Director/SalesCounselor, ChristineNichols, at 814-226-3 8 9 8 . WRC Senior Services isnot-for-profit provider ofaging services, servingthe area for over 127years. For moreinformation, please visitonline at www.wrc.org.

The Carpet Barn floors Clarion CountyCLARIONThe Carpet Barn opened

as a collaboration of broth-ers-in-law Tom Shrefflerand Jim Wilshire in 1971.Its first location was a barnon Merle Street.

After two moves, thebusiness finally settled onSouth 5th Avenue. It hasoperated there for the last33 of its 46 years in busi-ness.

Along with store ownerBud Wilshire, there arethree full-time employees toserve area customers, andtwo professional installerswith over 60 years of com-bined experience..

The Carpet Barn offersits customers thousands ofstyles, colors and textures ofcarpet, vinyl, hardwood andlaminate flooring. It alsoprovides free estimates andconsultations, as well asexpert installation. Thebusiness’ Red Carpet Treat-ment assures customersthat whatever needs to bedone to complete an instal-lation will be done — includ-ing complementary vacu-uming upon finishing.

There are even benefitsfor those interested ininstalling their own floor-ing. Free padding is offeredwith Cash and Carry in-stock carpet or remnants.

The Barn consistentlyupdates its stock with itemsfollowing current trends.Again, this year, luxuryvinyl tile and luxury vinylplank continue to be quitepopular. Available in tileand wood visuals, these

products “click” together foradhesive-free installation.

These floors “float,”which allows them to beinstalled over many exist-ing hard surface floors andsubfloors, saving theexpense of costly underlaysand floor prep. Luxury vinylis an excellent Cash andCarry product due to itseasy installation, plus it isalso waterproof.

Bud noted, “We’veincreased inventory signifi-cantly in hard-surfaceLVP/LVT products againthis year.

Last year, The CarpetBarn added a new, highquality, moderately pricedLVP line from Nova, as wellas new laminate productsform local manufacturer,Kronospan.

On the carpet side, Mar-quis Carpet Mills stood outin sales. Marquis offers anattractive line of soft, heavy,textured plushes in tweedcolorations at extremelycompetitive prices, avail-able exclusively at the 5thAve. store.

The Barn strives to pro-vide the best service possi-ble with every transaction.Bud added that the busi-ness enjoyed their bestsales year to date in 2017.

“We were pleasantlysurprised to finish the yearthat well, after strugglingthrough all the road con-struction in 2016.”

The Carpet Barn usual-ly serves customers withina 30-mile radius. Thisincludes Marienville,Brookville, East Brady andSeneca, though installerswill travel farther, if neces-sary.

Discounts are offered forCash and Carry purchases.The Carpet Barn is openMonday, Wednesday andFriday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,and Tuesday and Thursdayfrom 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, call TheCarpet Barn at 226-7332.Or, visit our soon to beupdated website, www.clar-ioncarpetbarn.com.

Let us know if you haveany suggestions.