Is Your Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Service "Safe?"

Digital what?  Footprint?  You may be thinking thats what you leave behind at the beach.  While that may be correct, it is also what you leave behind every time you provide your email, set up a new online account, or allow your data to be tracked.  Your digital footprint is the trail you leave behind with Location services on your phone.  It is the data you leave behind when commenting on Aunt Sallys Facebook page, sharing your familys vacation pictures on Instagram, or traipsing around the internet to various sites looking for that cute Lladro figurine your mother wanted for Christmas.  All of it tells something about you whether you realized it was happening or not.Most of the time, the sharing of your data what you do, how you do it, etc. may not be a big deal.  Or is it?  The reality is that your data supports big business every day.  It is collected, bought and sold (mostly without your knowledge) by data brokers (i.e., Acxiom, Epsilon), credit and identity bureaus (i.e., Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), and Big Tech Companies (i.e., Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Apple) that share your data with their partners and ad networks.The danger to you is when there is a data breach at one of the many sites that has your data and your data is captured and posted on the dark web.  This enables nefarious characters to better target you for scams and potentially steal your identity.  Call Lily in the Details today 941-237-0157 and schedule Understanding Your Digital Footprint, Navigating the Online World Safely and Wisely for your community.

Giving up driving can make a familiar trip to the grocery store or a medical office feel complicated. For some riders, the hardest part is getting from the front door to the vehicle. For others, its finding a ride that can accommodate a wheelchair or getting home after an appointment that might run late. The details of the trip can help you choose the right transportation service. What Accessible Transportation OffersAccessible transportation helps people who face barriers to using other travel options. Paratransit often uses accessible vehicles and shared rides. Programs differ in who qualifies, where they travel, and how much assistance drivers provide. Ask how a service would handle your particular trip, including boarding and reaching the entrance at your destination. Via Mobility ServicesPhone: 303-444-3043 Via Paratransit serves older adults and people with disabilities. Via describes a shared-ride service in which drivers assist riders between doors and help them board and exit the vehicle. Via says a family member or caregiver can complete the interview and request rides for you.  What to Know Before Requesting a RideVia says registered riders can request rides by phone or online. Its published scheduling window is one to seven days ahead, with some same-day rides potentially available. Ask whether your trip can be confirmed, what pickup window to expect, and how to arrange the return leg.  Why This Matters in BoulderShare the exact pickup and drop-off addresses, since service availability depends on location. For a trip to a large Boulder clinic, also give the building name and entrance. If you already use RTD Access-a-Ride, check which program applies to the trip youre planning. RTD publishes its own eligibility and service-area rules.  How to Get Started1. Describe the Whole TripCall 303-444-3043 with the destination, appointment time, and any mobility equipment you use. Mention steps, building access instructions, and whether someone will travel with you.2. Confirm Pickup and Return ArrangementsAsk where to wait, how early to be ready, and what to do if your appointment ends earlier or later than expected. Keep the ride number handy on the day of travel. Related Seniors Blue Book Categories Area Agencies on Aging Senior Organizations & Services Non-Medical Home Care

By Dr. David RiceSouthwest Florida is home to more than 100,000 veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.They own homes, manage businesses and pay taxes here. They volunteer at local nonprofits and donate to local causes. They are the core of our community.Nearly every day, at least one veteran walks into Advocate Radiation Oncology for treatment. Cancer impacts people from every background, including veterans. Even the most hardened veterans struggle with a cancer diagnosis, which is understandable; no one is invincible and cancer generates a wave of emotions shock, anxiety, frustration, fear and stress.Over the years, veterans in Charlotte and Sarasota counties have found an ally inside the treatment room Dr. Brian Lawenda. A board-certified, Harvard-trained physician who completed medical school at Temple University, Lawenda has all the credentials to help a patient feel confident that they're in good hands, medically speaking. Then they find out something else about their physician. He is a veteran, too, having served this country 13 years with the U.S. Navy and attaining the rank of commander."When I enlisted, I took an oath to serve this country and uphold the U.S. Constitution," Lawenda said. "When I became a doctor, I pledged to dedicate my practice to patients and the community I serve, and it's especially gratifying when those patients are fellow veterans."The best doctors don't just treat symptoms; they connect with patients, usually through shared experiences they're from the same state, cheer for the same sports team or attended the same university. Lawenda's military experience helps create an instant doctor-patient bond that continues during treatment and beyond. In fact, Lawenda has become the region's go-to radiation oncologist for veterans, not just Navy veterans, but those who have admirably served across all six branches of the military."When he told me he served in the Navy, it gave me comfort," said Ret. Command Master Chief Scott Fusco, a North Port resident who recently completed prostate cancer treatments at Advocate. "I had absolute trust in him from that point on."Lawenda wasn't the only veteran on Fusco's care team, either. His urologist also served in the Navy and referred Fusco to Dr. Lawenda for treatment."We served at different times and places, but we're all part of the same team," Fusco said. "They've been there, done that, just like me. There is instant respect, instant trust."Lawenda, who sees patients at Advocate's cancer treatment centers in Port Charlotte and Venice, specializes in the treatment of prostate, lung, breast, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone, cervical and other types of cancers. Although Lawenda doesn't technically specialize in the treatment of veterans, he is especially proud to support patients like Fusco on their cancer journey."A veteran may retire or end their military service, but he or she will never stop serving this country and their community," Lawenda said. "Being able to help local veterans beat cancer is extremely gratifying and certainly rewarding. The military is a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I'll continue fighting for my brothers and sisters."About the AuthorDr. David Rice is a board-certified radiation oncologist who sees patients through Advocate Radiation Oncologys cancer treatment centers in Port Charlotte and Venice. Visit AdvocateRO.com for more information.