Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute

11/11/2021

Thank you to all the men and woman who have served and continue to serve. We send a special thank you out to our own provider, Jon Hennings. Thank you for your service!

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 19 May – Find a Healthcare Provider Focusing on Bone Health

Few healthcare providers focus primarily on Bone Health. Many of those of us who do are members of the NOF Professional Partners Network. Go to https://www.nof.org/find-a-professional/ to access the NOF-PPN listings.

We treat osteoporosis, but we prefer to prevent osteoporosis. Prevention starts early with nutrition and lifestyle to optimize bone health. Measures improving bone health often also improve overall health including preventing or controlling diabetes, hypertension, and other metabolic conditions.

Imaging helps assess metabolic conditions such as diabetes . Body Composition by DXA differentiates “bad fat” Visceral Adipose Tissue from “good fat” under the skin. After identifying my personal dangerous amount of VAT, I have worked with my healthcare providers and improved control of my (familial) diabetes and hypertension. Better nutrition and better lifestyle have resulted in fewer medications.

Consider a complete bone health evaluation and Body Composition by DXA. Then act to take control of your own health.

Jay Ginther, MD

NOF offers the Professional Partners Network® (PPN) Directory as a public service to help you find healthcare providers in your area who offer osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment services. The healthcare providers listed in the directory pay an annual fee to be a member of the PPN D...

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 22 May – Donate

NOF relies on donations for most of its budget. Find out how you can be a volunteer, donor, or fundraiser at https://charity.gofundme.com/nationalosteoporosis

Tell your friends about bone health information sources like www.nof.org or www.BoneDocBlog.com or Facebook/Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute.

Jay Ginther, MD

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 21 May – Benefits Check Up

The National Council on Aging keeps track of over 2,500 benefits programs across the country. Benefits programs vary greatly from one location to another. Go to https://www.benefitscheckup.org/ to find out what is available in your area.

Beware of scammers calling you and asking for money or personal information. Especially during the Covid19 crisis, scammers are claiming to represent government programs. Go to https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center if you suspect a scam.

Look for local benefits programs, but be smart about who you give information to.

Jay Ginther, MD

Answers to frequently asked questions about Economic Impact Payments (coronavirus stimulus checks). These questions and answers will be updated periodically.

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 26 May – Join a Support Group

NOF encourages you to join a local support group and lists those currently registered at https://www.nof.org/patients/patient-support/nof-support-groups/ .

NOF will also assist those wanting to start a local group who fill out the NOF Online Support Group Application found on the same webpage.

Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute of Iowa will be starting a support group in Waterloo – Cedar Falls, IA, if there is enough interest, after social distancing becomes less stringent.

Jay Ginther, MD

Building Strength Together® Find an Osteoporosis Support Group Support groups are a great way to learn more about osteoporosis and how to live with the disease directly from those in similar situations. Use our directory below to find a support group in your area. If we don’t have a support group...

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 25 May – Join NOF Online Community “Inspire”

NOF has multiple online communities for information or support or discussion. Explore and/or join by computer. Go to https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/. Once you have joined, you can join one of multiple discussion groups.

The “Inspire” App is also available for smartphones at the Apple store.

Jay Ginther, MD

An osteoporosis support and discussion forum for patients and caregivers to share information about bone density, fractures, osteopenia, and more.

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 24 May – Share Your Story

NOF is collecting the experiences of patients and caregivers in story form. These stories could inspire others helping them to live “bone strong”.

To tell your personal story go to: http://secure.nof.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=1404. You are also given the option to sign up for email updates.

Jay Ginther, MD

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 28 May – Ambassadors Leadership Council

The NOF Ambassadors Leadership Council includes individuals who identify specific areas in which they can help others within the limits of their expertise and time. I recognize many of the names. Medical expertise, business acumen, philanthropic ties, evangelism about bone health are all needed.

Go to https://www.nof.org/news-events/advocacy/ambassadors-leadership-council/ for a state by state list of current members. In Iowa 2 of 4 are also founding members of the Iowa Bone Club.

Jay Ginther, MD

An NOF Ambassador is a well-informed, passionate, and often persuasive individual who cares deeply about those who suffer from osteoporosis. Ambassadors are adept at making an impact and sparking positive change in their field, sector or community. The role of an Ambassador is to advise NOF leadersh...

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 27 May – Choose or Be a Health Care Proxy

All of us will die some day. Many of us will not be able to fully express our wishes in our last days. How do we want to spend our last days? How do our parents want to spend their last days if they cannot speak for themselves at that time?

NOF has a brief video about deciding ahead of time who will speak for you if you cannot. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTxv-20ULwQ&feature=youtu.be .

Much better is the next video – a TED talk by Ellen Goodman at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbWcLYOniWU about The Conversation Project. Talk about end of life care. What YOU want to happen.

Given our medical backgrounds, my wife and I clearly know what we do not want and have made it clear to our kids. Most people never have The Conversation because it is too early – until it is too late.

Take control. Decide how you would like to spend your last days. Choose a health care proxy. Talk about it. Do the necessary paperwork.

Jay Ginther, MD

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. A good death — or a hard one? Let’s talk. The Conversation Project ...

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 31 May – Provide Educational Materials to 31 Patients

NOF is being cute by suggesting you help specifically 31 patients. The practical message is clear. You can help others by directing them to: https://www.nof.org/national-osteoporosis-month-may-2020/ orhttps://cdn.nof.org/wp-content/uploads/NOM-Digital-Calendar.pdf

Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute of Iowa has additional handouts, as do most bone health practices. www.BoneDocBlog.com has over 475 posts on various bone health topics.

Take Control of Your Future.

Jay Ginther, MD

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 30 May – Listen to Perspectives on Caregiving

Most of us are caregivers during our lifetime for children, parents, other family members, or friends.

NOF has recorded an interview with Amy Goyer, author of “Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving”. Amy is the AARP family and caregiving expert consultant and speaker. Go to: https://www.bonetalk.org/podcast-episodes/2019/perspectives-on-caregiving .

Jay Ginther, MD

At one time or another, the role of caregiver will enter our lives — sometimes unexpectedly and without preparation. It may come in the form of providing care for an aging parent, for a loved one who has fallen ill or is recovering from surgery, or for a dear friend. Or we might require care ourse...

06/08/2020

NOF Tip for 29 May – Learn What Medicare Covers

Medicare covers DXA under most circumstances. To learn specifically how to qualify under Medicare guidelines go to: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/bone-mass-measurements

Most private insurance also covers DXA/VFA. Citing the correct qualifications is more complicated and varies from company to company, but most individuals do qualify if the DXA facility works hard enough.

At Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute of Iowa, we take responsibility for obtaining insurance coverage for DXA/VFA provided the patient has valid health insurance coverage and has not had a previous DXA within 2 years. Even if both hose criteria are not met, we can often find coverage for the cost of DXA/VFA.

Jay Ginther, MD