McGee's Catering

Banking on Our Future (BOOF) Instructors Training

On Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 6:00 pm at the Community Service Building in Room 6, the Education & Youth committee will host an Instructors Training for the Banking on Our Future program.

All volunteers that are interested in being a BOOF instructor in their churches, school, and community are encouraged to attend this event.

The mission of the Banking on Our Future (BOOF) program is to execute a global delivery system for financial education for youth ages 9-18 at no cost to school districts, with a focus on urban, under-served communities. The program consists of four modules:

1. Basics of Banking and Financial Services
2. Checking & Savings Accounts
3. The Power of Credit
4. Basic Investments

Body Wellness - Vision Care

Most people lose a lot of valuable time reflecting on the past instead of dealing with what’s really important, staying well! With the high cost of health care, not only should you watch your weight and incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, but your hair, skin, eyes, teeth, and feet need proper attention also. Keeping healthy can be challenging, but the rewards are great for keeping your body in the best condition possible. A few newsletters ago, I mentioned that I would be interviewing doctors and other health professionals about various health and wellness issues. So today, we’ll focus on Vision Care.

For this article, I interviewed Dr. Richard L. Sherry, M.D., F.A.C.S. Brandywine Eye Center, P.A. - Wilmington, DE (302) 475-6500.

Q. What eye problems are most prevalent among African Americans?
A. Two real critical problems are diabetes and glaucoma. These conditions in the early stages have no symptoms i.e., no blurred vision. Sometimes, if a person hasn't had an eye exam in about 10 years, and has advanced disease, the condition may be impossible to treat or reverse. There may be a genetic propensity to be more susceptible to these disorders.

Q. What is Glaucoma? Can it be prevented?
A. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which is the wire that connects the eye to the brain. You can’t screen just by checking eye pressure, if you do you’ll miss one-third of the people with the disease. We know of nothing that can prevent glaucoma. The best we can hope for with our current understanding of the disease is to detect it early and provide initial treatment to stabilize and prevent it from getting to the point where it has impacted or affected the vision.

Q. How often should someone 40 years or older have an eye exam?
A. Eye conditions are different in different ethnic populations. African Americans 40 or older should have a yearly eye exam with at least a screening for glaucoma, that is, in the absence of any kind of symptoms. Glaucoma is prevalent in African Americans over 65 and the incident rate can be as high as 10% (1 out of 10), a fairly frightening statistic.

Q. How does diet affect eyesight?
A. Certain aging eye conditions can be influenced by diet. It seems that people who don’t have a balanced diet or get proper nutrition may have a higher instance of both cataracts and macular degeneration. Smoking is also a big risk factor in both of those conditions.

Q: What are the two factors that may keep people from seeing an eye doctor?
A. 1) Fear - but testing is painless; and 2) Coverage - whether they have to pay for an examination.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Insurance Coverage Confusion: There is a difference between eye coverage (glasses, contact lenses, basic vision care) and medical conditions of the eye. Suspicion of Glaucoma (a medical condition) is covered under health insurance, rather than under vision insurance (eye coverage).

Insurance Changes: Medicare has changed its guidelines and will now pay for yearly screening exams for high-risk populations.

Joy
Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition and Wellness Adviser
Send questions or comments to:
Exercise with Joy
P.O. Box 11964
Wilmington, DE 19850
joyedwards4@comcast.net

Disclaimer: The information and opinion provided in the above article is believed to be accurate and presented for informational purpose only and is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any illness or condition. The author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed by the author for damages resulting from the use of or the information contained herein. Information presented in this article should never take the place of consultation with your personal physician.

Upcoming Events

 10-19  Black Youth Empowerment Tour II - Community Event

 10-26  Shiloh Baptist Church Joy Night Service - Church

 10-27  Adults Halloween Party - Party 21+

 11-02  Delawareblack.com Happy Hour - Happy Hour

 11-03  The Tears of a Teenage Mother - Theatre/Arts

 11-03  Delawareblack.com Bowl Night II - Special Event

 11-23  Black Friday Shopping Trip - Community Event

 2-15  Ski Week-End Get-Away - Special Event

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Delawareblack.com Bowl Night II (Nov. 3rd)