FOR YOUR HEALTH: How to treat a poison ivy rash

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You generally won’t need to see your doctor to be diagnosed with a poison ivy rash. If you go to a clinic, your doctor will likely diagnose your rash by looking at it. You usually won’t need further testing.

Treatment

Poison ivy treatments usually involve self-care methods at home. And the rash typically goes away on its own in two to three weeks.

If the rash is widespread or causes many blisters, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, to reduce swelling. If a bacterial infection has developed at the rash site, your doctor might prescribe an oral antibiotic.

Lifestyle and home remedies

A poison ivy rash will eventually go away on its own. But the itching can be hard to deal with and make it difficult to sleep. If you scratch your blisters, they may become infected. Here are some steps you can take to help control the itching:

Apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream or ointment (Cortizone 10) for the first few days.

Apply calamine lotion or creams containing menthol.

Take oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which may also help you sleep better. An over-the-counter antihistamine that won’t make you so drowsy is loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others).

Soak the affected area in a cool-water bath that has about a half cup (100 grams) of baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath product (Aveeno) in it.

Place cool, wet compresses on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.

You probably won’t need medical treatment for a poison ivy rash unless it spreads widely, persists for more than a few weeks or becomes infected. If you’re concerned, you’ll probably first see your primary care doctor. He or she might refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist).

How long will this rash last?

Is it contagious?

Is it OK to scratch?

Will scratching spread the rash?

Will popping the blisters spread the rash?

What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?

What can I do to help control the itching?

If the rash doesn’t go away or gets worse, when do you think I need to make another appointment with you?

How can I prevent this in the future?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

When did you begin experiencing symptoms?

Have you had a similar rash in the past?

Have you spent time outdoors recently?

What treatment steps have you already tried?

SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Expand your garden beds without chemicals

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When creating large garden beds, rent a power edger to make the job easier.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com

by Melinda Myers

There never seems to be enough room for all the plants you want to grow. If space allows, create new garden beds to expand your planting space and increase the beauty of your landscape.

Start by evaluating your current landscape design and plantings. Perhaps, expanding an existing garden bed or connecting two smaller beds is a better option than creating a whole new garden.

No matter the option selected, start by laying out the planned expansion or new bed. Always start by calling 811 or filing online at least three business days before you begin digging with any equipment or tool, including hand tools, that disturb the soil. This is a free service that helps protect people from injury and repair costs that may occur if they strike or damage a buried utility line.

To help us all remember, August 11th has been declared 811 Day. If this is old news, please share this important information with others. We want everyone to create beautiful gardens safely.

Begin your project by using a rope or hose to outline the area. Avoid tight corners or creating narrow grass borders that will be difficult to mow or require hand trimming. Adjust your garden layout to avoid underground utilities whenever possible. If not, only use hand tools when digging within 18″ of any underground utility.

Once satisfied with the layout, take a soil test to find out how much and what type of fertilizer you will need for the plants you are growing. Testing now means you’ll have the information before it’s time to fertilize in spring.

Next, edge the bed. Use a shovel to dig a V-shaped trench around the garden’s border. Or rent or borrow a power edger to make larger jobs easier.

Once the edging is complete, remove healthy grass with a sod cutter and use it to fill bare spots in the lawn. Otherwise, create a planting berm or add it to the compost pile. Place the green side down and wait for it to decompose.

Another method is to edge the garden, cut the grass as short as possible, and then cover the area with cardboard or several layers of newspaper. Top this with several inches of organic mulch and wait for the grass and cardboard to decompose and plant in the spring. Or for immediate planting, push back the mulch and cut through the cardboard or newspaper.

Covering the new planting area with black plastic for at least four to six weeks and clear plastic for four to six of the hottest and sunniest weeks are also effective methods. Both should kill the existing grass and weeds.

If you killed or removed the grass, now is the time to improve the soil if needed. Add two to four inches of organic matter like aged manure or compost to the top 8 to 12 inches of soil. These materials improve the drainage in heavy clay soil and increase the water-holding ability in fast-draining sandy or rocky soils.

After you mix in the organic matter and rake the garden level and smooth, your garden is ready to plant. Or cover the soil with shredded leaves or other organic mulch to suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion for planting next spring.

Whether you plant now or wait for next spring, always select the right plants for the growing conditions. And always call 811 before you dig.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Lately, I’ve been getting a “rash” of questions about poison ivy

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poison ivy leaves

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

For some reason, this summer, I am getting more and more questions about poison ivy. Where is it? What does it look like? What do you do about it and how do you treat it?

All very legitimate questions.

As we all know, poison ivy and other members of its family can cause a lot of misery to humans should they make contact with the toxic plant.

Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, is a member of the cashew family. It usually grows as a vine twining on tree trunks or crawls along the ground. It is generally found in all states in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and southern Canada, specifically Québec, Ontario and Manitoba.

It may grow as a forest understory plant, although it is only somewhat shade tolerant. The plant is extremely common in suburban areas of New England. It can grow in many types of soil, and is not sensitive to soil moisture, although it does not grow in arid conditions.

The leaves of the poison ivy are red in the spring, turning to a shiny green later. Come fall, they turn yellow, red or orange. Each leaf is made up of three leaflets more or less notched at the edges. However, don’t let that be the determining factor. Some leaves have smooth edges. Two of the leaves appear opposite each other on the stem while the third one stands alone at the tip. Later in the season, clusters of poisonous, whitish, waxy looking berries will form.

Many people have difficulty identifying the plants because it can look like other plants, while, sometimes, other plants are mistaken as poison ivy.

Obviously, contact with the plant should be avoided. You can become infected simply by walking through the bush, taking off your shoes, and making contact with your skin.

Poison ivy in the U.S. is more common now than when Europeans first arrived in North America. The development of real estate adjacent to wild, undeveloped land caused the plant to spread into vast, lush colonies in these areas. Also, birds will eat the berries and transplant them on new areas along with their droppings. It’s also spread by other animals as the seeds remain viable after passing through the digestive system.

A study by researchers at the University of Georgia found poison ivy is particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide levels, increasing in numbers due to a higher concentration in the atmosphere. Poison ivy’s growth has doubled since the 1960s, and could possibly double again as the carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.

What do you do once you’ve made contact and develop a skin rash. There is some hope. Efforts to destroy these plants by uprooting or by spraying chemicals have been somewhat ineffective. Caution: whatever you do, do not burn the plant. Its toxins will filter into the air, and if breathed, can cause irritation in the lungs. Not a very pleasant experience.

The oil on the leaves is known as urushiol. The urushiol compound in poison ivy is not meant as a defensive measure, but rather helps the plant retain water. It is frequently eaten by animals such as deer and bears. Statistically, about 15 percent to 30 percent of people have no allergic reaction to the urushiol. Fortunately, I fall in that category.

Once contact has been made, it takes some time for it to penetrate the skin and do damage. Before this happens, it is wise to wash the skin completely several times with plenty of soap and water. Some experts say that washing within the first hour may help limit the rash. Care should be taken not to touch any other parts of the body, for even tiny amounts of the oil will cause irritation. Also, wash the clothing immediately. If poisoning develops, the blisters and red, itching skin may be treated with dressings of calamine lotion, Epsom salts, or bicarbonate of soda. Dermatologists recommend a simple oatmeal bath and baking soda as a possible remedy. Scientists have developed a vaccine that can be injected or swallowed. But this is effective only if taken before exposure.

So, now we know a little more about poison ivy. But, always remember this: “Leaves of three, let it be.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Have the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs ever met in a World Series?

Answer
Yes, in 1918.

VETERANS CORNER: Flat feet are common and have many causes

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by Gary Kennedy

First I will apologize to our readers as I had promised to continue my VA series but for some reason I have misplaced two articles. I will start today by briefly defining some of the questions asked of me and then elaborate on a particular issue. We can do this each week. Thousands of subscribers read this column so I am very sure we are bound to eventually cross paths with your question.

It’s no problem jumping out of context now and then. One of the questions on my list is Pes Planes. Pes Planus is a Latin word for simply, flat feet. Why medical words have to be so difficult is beyond me. You would think something this important would be made easy for lay people such as us. Anyway, flat feet are extremely common and have many possible causations. This disorder can occur in children and adults. Here we are primarily concerned with military connotation and applications. With flat feet the interior arch of the foot/feet touches the floor. There are several types of flat feet but in all cases you will derive the same arch dysfunction.

In all actuality flat feet are not allowed in the military. I believe most are overlooked. Flat feet are for the most part an inherited condition. The fear of acceptance of individuals in the military is the possible and most likely progression of the problem over time. Pes Planus is like the growth of a tree. The growth is obviously upward and outward, and so is the nature of the problem. If you are very athletic in the military and you have this problem it is bound to climb the trunk and affect the limbs as well.

In my many years of being around the V.A. and having been a medical specialist in the Army I have seen many foot problems which have affected the entire body eventually. So never say that a zero percent Pes Planus can’t lead to a 100 percent total body. It all depends on how hard and long your body has been abused. Flat Feet (Pes Planus) can be a disability that can limit mobility and cause chronic pain. The pain and discomfort associated with flat feet can make it difficult to live a normal life, potentially leading to other physical disabilities. In this case disability can be literally one step at a time.

Bilateral acquired flat feet if severe with deformity and pain, swelling and callosities can carry a possible rating of 30-50 percent disability, on its own. Also, there are many addendums that could be connected to this scenario. A married veteran with 30 percent rated disability would receive approximately $586.31 and $1,179.16 for 50 percent. The 100 percent rating amount currently is approximately $ 3,946.25.

The problem that began with a veteran’s feet can evolve over time to include his/her entire spine due to many other adjunct factors. That is just one example so it is smart to speak with someone who knows how to follow your career’s paper trail. I have only given you one possible way to reach the 100 percent over time using a simple, but possible example. Of course, most veterans with the high percentages start with much more severe trauma. However, most of what I have told you is a pathway to increased percentages. Many veterans go through life believing they don’t deserve any compensation for injuries. That is totally up to you.

Uncle Sam entered into an agreement with you when you enlisted. He promised to take care of you and yours if anything were to happen to you, that includes physical, emotional and death. Don’t go it alone. Be truthful and explain all your pain. The service officer will help you carry the ball from there. There is always on appeal process.

God bless you and yours and have a good safe weekend.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: When Planning International Travel, Measles Vaccination is Peace of Mind for the Whole Family

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Before you travel with kids, it’s a good idea to make sure they’ve been vaccinated against measles.

by Dr. David Sugerman

(NAPSI)—As a parent, I know that preparing for international travel with kids is more than just packing a suitcase. Whether we are visiting relatives we haven’t seen for a long time or helping our children see the world, we all can agree that protecting our family’s health is the top priority. As a doctor, I know that beyond sorting out missing socks and packing suitcases, there is another important step to prepare for international travel: measles vaccination. Your whole family needs to be protected by measles vaccination, including babies as young as six months old.

While the risk for measles in the U.S. remains thankfully low due to high rates of immunization, measles can occur anywhere in the world, and you can be exposed during international travel. Every year, U.S. residents who are unvaccinated get measles while traveling internationally and get sick after they come home, often spreading it to others. Measles is more than just a little rash; it’s a serious disease that can cause severe complications, especially in young children. Measles is also highly contagious. If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people nearby can become infected if they are not vaccinated.

The good news is that two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide safe, long-lasting protection against measles. While most children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine around one year old, babies as young as six months old who are traveling overseas should get an early dose to help protect them when they are the most vulnerable. And while most children get their second dose after the age of four, children between one and four years of age should get a second dose before traveling internationally to provide the best protection.

Why risk being exposed away from home when you can protect the whole family by vaccination? It takes about two weeks to develop protection from the vaccine, so now is the time to plan before you take a trip. If your trip is less than two weeks away, you can still get a dose of MMR vaccine. As a reminder, college kids or young adults traveling might need a dose, too, if they didn’t get all of them as a children. As a doctor, I hope you will talk with your own doctor, nurse, or clinic about measles vaccination to protect the whole family. As a dad, I might never find that missing sock – but I’ll have peace of mind knowing my family is protected from disease by vaccination.

You can learn more about measles vaccination and how to plan for travel here at: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/travel/index.html.

Dr. David Sugerman is a medical officer in the Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Poet: Roberta Chester

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Roberta Chester

Still living in her 80s, poet Roberta Chester has written articles for different newspapers in Maine and taught English at UMO, College of the Atlantic and in Israel.

With respect to the Pine Tree State, she wrote the following in the 1989 Maine Speaks anthology:

“Now that I live in Maine, the intense beauty of the Maine landscape has been a constant inspiration. I can’t think of a better place to be a poet than Maine, where each of the seasons arrives with so much passion that all of our senses are awakened. If we’re poets we have to respond.”

One poem of Ms. Chester that is included in the above-mentioned anthology, Succoth (Bangor 1982), alludes to an episode of antisemitism, although where and when remains unclear.

But first a little context.

Succoth is a harvest holiday celebration directly following Rosh Hashanah and the Yom Kippur day of fasting in an outdoor hut in which people are feasting and living. The shofar or ram’s horn is blown to announce beginning of the fast on Yom Kippur in which sins are atoned and resolutions made with hope that each individual remains in the Book of Life for the coming year.

The shul is another name for synagogue.

Now the poem:

“After the last blast of the shofar
and the hard fast, the promises
and prayers for a good year,
it takes us by surprise
when we are in the season
of apples and honey cakes
and wine, when we eat in huts
open as birds to the stars,

it takes us by surprise
to see a swastika
drawn on the wall of the shul,
painted red and razor sharp
the women whisper,
there can be no mistake.
They know the sign.

It makes me think
we have been found out
although we’ve been here
for years, our candles shining
at the windows, the smell of challah,
the bittersweet sounds of Shabbas songs
escaping from out the windows and doors
and into the streets between the bridge
and the old brick church.

It takes us by surprise
and yet the trouble is so old
it echoes in my blood
with the sound of my grandfather
climbing the stairs of a building
on the lower east side
and pressed against the wall
by someone with a knife
who held the blade
against his neck and said,
‘Swear, swear you are not a Jew,
and I will let you free!’

And from my grandfather who refused
just as they were both surprised
by an angel in disguise who opened a door
in that long, dark hall,
I learned never to be too much in love
with a roof over my head,
that houses are made of sticks and glass,
that they break like the works of our hands,
and that we should be ready to fly
up into the night with parcels and children
and scrolls under our arms
on the back of the wind.”

Disney anthology

In 1976, Ronco released an LP anthology, The Greatest Hits of Walt Disney, featuring 24 original soundtrack recordings and also including song lyrics and eight cutouts of Disney characters (Ronco R-2100). Like other anthologies from the label, it was heavily promoted on television. The selections include Bare Necessities, Whistle While You Work, A Spoonful of Sugar, Ballad of Davy Crockett, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, etc.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart

I recently rewatched for the 50th time the classic Humphrey Bogart 1946 film classic The Big Sleep via a nicely mastered DVD. Bogart as detective Philip Marlowe, his fourth and last wife Lauren Bacall as the “spoiled, exacting, ruthless Vivian Sternwood who falls in love with Marlowe and, among the distinguished cast, cowboy star Bob Steele and character actor Trevor Bardette, as two cold-blooded killers contributed vividly to its infinitely rewatchable qualities, with Henry Hawks directing and Mississippi novelist William Faulkner providing the script.

 

 

 

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CRITTER CHATTER: A new chapter at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center

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by Jayne Winters

As noted in last month’s article, rehabber Don Cote at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center was hospitalized for a week in late May. I’m relieved and happy to report that his recovery at home is going well and as we expected, it didn’t take long before he started taking calls about orphaned and injured critters. In fact, we recently purchased a new answering machine with a volume enhancer so he doesn’t miss any!

Although he isn’t admitting wildlife for extended care, he will continue to answer questions, provide advice and make referrals to other wildlife rehabbers. Duck Pond is now serving primarily as a drop-off site for folks to bring in the small injured or abandoned wildlife they’ve found, with other rehabbers coming by almost daily to transport the animals to their own facilities for additional treatment and care. Duck Pond prefers not to accept fawns, but Don can help people connect with and/or coordinate transfer with nearby rehabbers.

Currently, there are two fox kits in an outside pen that will be released together later this summer. A gray squirrel that had come into contact with a ‘hot’ CMP wire seemed to be improving, but sadly suffered a couple of seizures and did not survive. On a happier note, a young woodchuck (uninjured, but apparently orphaned and raiding a garden) that had been housed in an open tote in Don’s kitchen made great progress this past week, moving on from syringed electrolytes and proteins to solid foods, including fresh dandelion greens and clover. “Woody” was just released and will be busy tasting other items on Mother Nature’s menu!

I think I can safely say that as he nears his 87th birthday, Don is now semi-retired. Being a wildlife rehabber has been a way of life for him for over 50 years and his commitment to care for critters will never go away. Taking care of even a couple of squirrels or chipmunks is part of his daily routine and gives him a sense of purpose, which we all need, no matter our age.

Don has been working primarily with the following wildlife rehabbers: Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (207-212-1039; FYI, Jen accepts bats and mice), Wilderness Miracles, in Bowdoin (207-720-0074), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). Mid-coast Maine has a newly-licensed turtle rehabber! Pam Meier relocated from Connecticut and can be reached at The Turtle’s Back (203-903-2708). As you can imagine, wildlife rehabbers are inundated with their own rescue calls at this time of year, especially for young animals that require extra feedings and care, and Don greatly appreciates their assistance with Duck Pond rescues. Please remember to check these websites for someone close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

– Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What’s the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This may not have anything to do with nature, but I think it qualifies.

Nothing is more irritating, to me, at least, than walking into a cobweb as I’m exiting the house or camp. So, that prompted the question, what is the difference between a cobweb and a spider web?

The term “spider web” is typically used to refer to a web that is apparently still in use (i.e., clean), whereas “cobweb” refers to a seemingly abandoned (i.e., dusty) web. However, the word “cobweb” is also used by biologists to describe the tangled three-dimensional web of some spiders of the family Theridiidae.

File this one under “T ”, for “Today I Learned….” Despite emitting from the same arachnid derrière, spider webs and cobwebs are not the same thing. Spider webs are the sticky traps spiders set to capture their supper; cobwebs are but a shadow of their former spider web self.

Typically, a cobweb is an abandoned spider web. The sticky silk of a spider web is excellent at catching insects, so naturally, it’s great at collecting dust. This is especially possible in hard-to-reach areas, like ceiling corners, that are infrequently dusted.

Cobwebs are tangled and irregularly designed webs. Spider webs are more elegant and sophistically designed. Cobwebs are also comprised of a different type of silk than the spider web.

Unlike spider webs, which spiders use to catch and trap their prey, cobwebs are vacant “homes” spiders have abandoned to move on to greener pastures – in this case, usually just a new area of your house. The stray spider silk left behind is incredibly sticky and a magnet for pollen, dust particles, and other debris. This is why, when you discover cobwebs, they appear dirty and loose, instead of elastic and tight as a new spider web.

While they may not pose any real danger, these sticky nuisances certainly don’t add to the aesthetics. Moreover, they tend to accumulate dust, making your space feel less inviting. If your house is starting to resemble a spooky Halloween scene with cobwebs adorning every corner, it’s time to take action. Dust and clean your home regularly. This doesn’t allow a spider to build a web. Dusting regularly doesn’t just keep the webs away, but also ensures other insects attracting elements are cleaned from your house, keeping the prey away, also.

If you’re seeing a lot of spiderwebs in and around your home, it’s likely you’ve incurred a pretty sizeable spider infestation. Spiders typically hide until they have no choice but to come out into the open, so there could be a lot more than you think.

Ways to spider-proof your house:

– Lemon peels. Spiders hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. …
– Peppermint Oil. This makes a surprisingly great, natural bug repellent. …
– Keep your house clutter-free.
– Close windows at night. …
– White vinegar. …
– Limit lights.

Now, this may sound strange, and it might even be directed at some of our friends, since my wife strongly believes Vicks VapoRub can be used for many cures.

Because of this, Vicks VapoRub is the perfect deterrent – it uses eucalyptus and menthol to open your nasal passages, which is much too strong of a scent for an arachnid. In addition to peppermint, which was mentioned earlier, you can try using essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus, as spiders tend to dislike these scents. You can create a homemade spider-repellent spray by mixing a few drops of these essential oils with water and applying it to spider-prone areas.

The smell of cinnamon also repels these arachnids. Spiders prefer to maintain a fair distance away from them. Ultimately, cinnamon oil will also fight other insects and keep them away, so it’s not for spiders only. Mix cinnamon oil with water, dip a cotton ball in, then wipe the mixture in spider-prone areas.

How about moth balls? My wife and I use them liberally when closing up camp in the fall to discourage mice from entering the shelter. Contrary to what many believe, these moth balls really work. So…

As the mothball disintegrates, the chemical is released into the air. The foul scent that is released becomes a spider repellent and gets rid of spiders. They are repelled by this naturally occurring scent. With that being said, spiders will avoid mothballs at all costs.

Will dryer sheets work? Dryer sheets are rumored to protect against much more than static cling. But there is no scientific research to back up these claims.

Finally, my wife and I use small electronic devices to discourage spiders from entering our camp. You can buy them at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Agway and Aubuchon Hardware. They are small plug-ins that have a small blinking red light, and the sound of a “tick” every few seconds. They work very well.

So, we’ve learned quite a bit about spiders, their webs and repellants today. Now, if you’re not a fan of spiders, like I, get to work.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What “curse” prevented the Red Sox winning the World Series for 85 years?.

Answer
Curse of the Bambino. (A supposed curse placed on the Red Sox when they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.)

MERIT: If we build it, will they save?

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by André Chassé
Volunteer State President,
AARP Maine

When Maine set out to develop a way to make retirement savings accessible to more workers, it was somewhat of a “field of dreams” moment for all those who had advocated for the Work & Save program including AARP Maine. We knew that access to an employer-based retirement plan would be critical for building financial security. In addition, with roughly 40% of Maine’s private sector employees having no way to save for retirement on the job, we believed a solution was needed to our state’s retirement savings crisis. However, as we entered the final stages of implementation, we found ourselves asking: if we build it, will they save?

The answer is a resounding “yes.” I am delighted to share that more Mainers have started building a secure financial future for themselves by saving for retirement, thanks to the notable success of the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT). In a landmark achievement, MERIT recently announced that Maine employees have collectively saved an impressive one million dollars for their retirement within just six months of its statewide launch in January of this year. This milestone reflects the commitment and hard work of both the program and the participants as they strive to build a stable financial future for themselves and their families.

MERIT was created in 2021 by the Work and Save Bill, sponsored by Senator Eloise Vitelli, to improve access to retirement savings programs. The public-private retirement savings option was established to provide an efficient and transparent retirement savings option for the over 200,000 workers in Maine who do not have access to a workplace retirement savings plan.

The initiative has proven to be a critical step toward promoting responsibility and long-term planning for Maine workers. By providing a streamlined enrollment process, MERIT enables employers to offer a valuable tool that significantly enhances employee satisfaction and financial security. MERIT allows workers to set their own contribution percentage. There is no cost or match requirement for employers. Funds are invested in a Roth IRA that employees can take with them from job to job. Through the MERIT portal at meritsaves.com, employees can change their contribution percentage, view and change investment options and identify their beneficiaries.

MERIT addresses a vital need for Maine residents who face uncertainty about their retirement savings. Retirement savings options that help workers become savers are needed now more than ever. According to an AARP survey conducted earlier this year, one in five Americans 50-plus have no retirement savings, and over half worry that their savings won’t last in retirement.

Until now, too many workers in Maine have not had access to a retirement savings account at work, leaving them unprepared for the future. But with the recently met MERIT savings benchmark, we have a million reasons to believe that together, we can bridge this gap and ensure a more secure future for Maine’s workers.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: The Time Thief Affecting More Than Half of Americans: Poor Mental Health

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Courtney Nugent struggled with anxiety so debilitating it led to multiple hospitalizations.

(NAPSI)—The latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor survey shows that nearly half of Americans feel they have lost time in their lives due to poor mental health.

Courtney Nugent suffered a decade-long struggle with anxiety. At first, medication helped manage her anxiety. However, after a surgery, she found her medication was no longer keeping her anxiety in check. She began a trial-and-error journey of seven different medications to try to get back to “normal.”

“I had to call off my wedding to focus on my mental health,” said Nugent. “My mental health crisis was six months on paper, but for every second of every day, I was fighting to stay alive. That’s time I can’t get back.”

Of those diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression, 50 percent said they have lost years of their lifetime because of poor mental health—and 12 percent said they’ve lost decades.

About a third of those with anxiety and/or depression said they’ve missed significant events due to ineffective mental health treatments. The “treatment as usual” approach to mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, is often associated with medication trial-and-error, which can also add to lost time. The GeneSight test is a tool clinicians can use to inform mental health medication treatment plans and may help shorten their patients’ road to wellness.

“Patients who have lost time due to depressive episodes or periods of anxiety often feel a sense of loss, which further complicates their mental health situation,” said Sharon Philbin, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

A person’s genes may play a role in their outcomes to certain mental health medications. Practitioners like Philbin order the GeneSight test (a simple cheek swab) to help patients understand how they may metabolize or respond to several mental health medications based on their individual genetics.

“GeneSight has been one of the tools I’ve used to help my patients feel better and take control of lost time so that those living with anxiety and depression can enjoy their lives,” said Philbin.
Courtney was prescribed a new medication based partly on her GeneSight test results and began to feel like herself again. “I have a new job and a new lease on life. I do not think I would be alive without the GeneSight test,” said Courtney.

It wasn’t until her clinician personalized her mental health medication treatment with the help of the GeneSight test that she got back on track. Learn more at https://genesight.com/mental-health-monitor/.