ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS: A PHARMACIST'S PERSPECTIVE

GUEST:  Alan Lukazewski, Director of Pharmacy at Oakwood Village, Geriatric Pharmacist

Geriatric Pharmacist, Alan Lukazewski, discusses one of the major reasons seniors lose independence - Adverse Drug Events.  While prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications treat and manage illnesses and save and extend lives, there are also potential negative consequences.

Unintended effects of drugs can lead to falls, memory loss, hospitalization, and in extreme cases, death. On this program, Alan Lukazewski describes the risks and how they can be countered.

ORCHID LOVERS AND THEIR ORCHIDS: A SPECIAL BOND

Guests: Tom Mirenda, Orchid Collection Specialist, Smithsonian Institution
Judy Stevenson, Heidi Whetmore-Maenner, Jill Hynum, Orchid Growers' Guild of Madison

Have you ever looked at an orchid and seen the characteristics of a face? Try it, and you will better understand one of the theories behind why people have such passion for orchids. This is just one of the theories expressed by Tom Mirenda who is the keynote speaker at Orchid Quest 2013, February 2-3 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Orchid Quest is now in its 26th year and is the largest orchid show in the Midwest.

This program is a preview of what to expect at Orchid Quest as orchid lovers and admirers at all levels of interest gather together for a "mini vacation to the tropics." Presentations range from The Mysteries of Orchid Pollination, Diversity, and Conservation to The Smithsonian Orchid Collection.

For more information about Orchid Quest and the care of orchids, visit www.orchidguild.org.

IMPROVING HEALTH IS MORE THAN IMPROVING HEALTHCARE

 

Guest: Karen Timberlake, Director, Population Health Institute at UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

What do nutrition, transportation, employment, poverty, adult education, housing, and physical activity have to do with health? Everything, says Karen Timberlake, who leads the UW Population Health Institute in advancing public health and health policy decisions that improve health. In ranking the United States versus six other countries in the industrialized world, the U.S. spends 2-3 times more on healthcare than the other countries and is last on the list of its citizens leading long, health, productive lives.

On this program, Karen Timberlake talks about the scientific data the Institute gathers to rank counties across the country on their level of health and the need for communities to come together to improve those areas which hinder healthy living. The Affordable Care Act can help, she says, by providing more affordable health insurance coverage for more people, by moving healthcare delivery and payment from volume toward value, and by requiring greater collaboration between healthcare providers and the wider community. But it is not the entire solution. Many factors influence health. It is important that all of us take action to improve our health and the health of our community.

More information on Wisconsin health trends and county rankings can be found on the Population Health Institute website, uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu.

THREE-TIME PARALYMPIAN, KELLY UNDERKOFLER

Guest: Kelly Underkofler

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What does it mean to be born with one hand? Kelly Underkofler describes her remarkable life which took her to the pinnacle of athletic competition as a member of the U.S. Team at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Born missing the lower half of her left arm did not deter Kelly from gymnastics, soccer, Nordic skiing and biathalon. "Growing up, I never heard the word 'disabled,'" Kelly said. "It was never a part of my vocabulary. It's not how I live my life."

Recently retired from competition, Kelly is passionate today about changing the way Americans think about their bodies. "In the U.S., fitness is not a way of life," Kelly says. It is something we squeeze in, or dread, or simply ignore. Exercise and eating right need to become a natural part of our lives so that we can simply be healthy instead of working so hard to become healthy."

CELEBRATE CHILDREN: RON DAYNE SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT

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GUESTS: Jim Leonhart, President, Celebrate Children Foundation
             Ron Dayne, Celebrate Children Spokesperson/Supporter

The Celebrate Children Foundation is helping build the best child care programs for children from birth to age five in communities across Wisconsin.

"Almost three quarters of Wisconsin kids attend child care centers and preschools while their parents work," states Jim Leonhart, Foundation President. "Research shows brain development is so rapid during the preschool years that high quality child care and education can be tied directly to kindergarten readiness, better high school graduation rates and ultimately, the quality of our future workforce and economy."

Jim Leonhart is joined by former Badger and Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, 2012 Champion for Children, who also shares his thoughts about the Rose Bowl! To learn more about becoming a Champion for Children, go to www.celebrate-children.org.

DEPRESSION: NOT TO BE IGNORED

 

Guest:  Jerry Halverson, MD, adult psychiatrist and Medical Director for Adult Services, Rogers Memorial Hospital

Are your sadness, anger, fatigue, negative feelings just moments we all go through at one time or another, or are they symptoms of depression? Depression can change or distort the way you see yourself, your life, and those around you. It is also a disease that can be treated and should not be ignored.

Dr. Jerry Halverson shines new light on depression, what the causes are, and how people with depression and/or anxiety orders can overcome this debilitating disease and live full, productive lives.

For more information on depression and the Adult Partial Program for Depression and Anxiety Disorders at Rogers Memorial Hospital, go to www.rogershospital.org.

PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY STORIES: A HOLIDAY GIFT

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GUEST: Sarah White - author, writing coach President of the National Personal Historians Association

Stories are a wonderful way to bond with family members. Nurture your family ties, and build your memories as a gift to share over the holidays.

Sarah White gives tips for helping families and extended families connect across time and space. Depending on age, cultural differences, or separation, everyone has the opportunity to personalize their family stories and have fun together over the holidays.

Ideas range from playing Family History Detective, telling "Behind the Stuff" stories, creating a Photobook, making a Video Story or a Family Time Capsule, or learning about the family person you were named after.

For more information, contact Sarah at www.firstpersonprod.com.

UW RESEARCH ON AGING BRAIN AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

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GUEST: Sanjay Asthana, MD, Director, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

It is estimated that as many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Finding effective treatment and prevention strategies and eventually finding a cure is a challenge that scientists around the world are confronting - including at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

The NIH-funded Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center is one of the nation's leading research centers providing scientific research, resources and expertise in Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. Dr. Sanjay Asthana, director of the Wisconsin ADRC shares highlights from their Annual Public Lecture: Your Aging Brain and Alzheimer's Disease: What's Normal and What to Worry About.

More information is available at adrc.wisc.edu. If you are interested in participating in research or have questions, contact the Wisconsin ADRC at (608) 263-2582 or email: adrc@medicine.wisc.edu.

CONSUMER REPORTS SPEAKS OUT ON HEALTH REFORM

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GUEST: Nancy Metcalf, Senior Program Editor - Health, Consumer Reports

On this program, Nancy Metcalf unravels the confusion surrounding health reform and how it affects our families. She answers questions on access to health care through the health insurance exchanges, Medicare, and insurance requirements for small and large businesses.

Consumer Reports has followed the journey of health reform from the consumer's perspective and lays it out in consumer-friendly language in two free guides.

To download these free guides: Health Reform: Seven Things You Need to Know and Medicare: Six Things You Need to Know Now, go to www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org/freeguides.

THE CANDIDATE: WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN - AND HOLD - THE WHITE HOUSE

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GUEST:  Samuel L. Popkin, Author - Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego

Superior, Wisconsin native, Samuel Popkin, and author of The Candidate: What It Takes to Win - and Hold - the White House explains the behind the scenes intricacies of what goes on inside a campaign, and what makes one succeed while another fails.

Samuel Popkin served as a consultant to the Carter, McGovern, Clinton '92, and Gore Campaigns.  He was also a consultant to the CBS News Election Units from 1983 to 1990.

Reflecting on his own experience of playing the role of Ronald Reagan in Jimmy Carter's reelection campaign, he talks about the 2012 debates and the different strategic approaches between incumbents, challengers and successors.  This program is peppered with personal tales including the importance of having "the Nancy influence" at play in every Presidency.