Tag Archives: Health

Free Health Screenings

January 5, 2013

Free health screenings including A1C, diabetes finger sticks, blood pressure and foot checks, will be offered from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at Damiansville Elementary School by St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.

“Diabetes, also referred to as high blood sugar, is a growing epidemic,” said Barb Voss, Certified Diabetes Educator at the Breese hospital. “To assist with early detection, the hospital will offer A1C testing quarterly in 2013 beginning with this event at Damiansville School.”

A1C screenings will also be available for a fee at the spring and fall hospital health fairs and at no charge this summer at another event. Times, dates and locations will be announced when finalized.

The time of the screening, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on a Sunday, was selected to be more convenient for anyone attending services at St. Damian’s Catholic Church in Damiansville or other churches in the area. (more…)

Basic Life Support Classes

December 27, 2012

The 2013 schedule of Basic Life Support or BLS classes at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese has been announced.

The first three Heartsaver BLS classes are set for 6 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18, in the Heritage Room; the first Healthcare Provider class will be offered at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, also in the Heritage Room.

Heartsaver is for anyone who needs BLS certification to meet job requirements or for personal interest. Healthcare Provider is for medical professionals including physicians, nurses or nursing students, paramedics and others who care for patients in a variety of venues in or out of the hospital setting.

Cost is $40 per class; fees include the instruction manual.

Seating is limited; please call to confirm dates and class availability. Those registering may be referred to a later session. Groups are welcome.

For details or to register (required), contact 526-5353 or education@sjb.hshs.org.

 

Diabetes Support Group

December 19, 2012

It will be a double helping of information at the Monday, Jan. 7, St. Joseph-Breese Diabetes Support Group meeting as sick day management, food and nutrition will be discussed.

The session is at 6 p.m. in the hospital Heritage Room, off the main hospital lobby. Please note, this is a different location from the December session at the HealthPlex.

Barb Voss, RN, hospital Certified Diabetes Educator and support group coordinator, will present “Sick Day Management.”

“”Even a small illness can be a challenge for anyone with diabetes because it can throw off blood glucose management,” Voss said. “You need to learn how to prepare so minor illnesses don’t become something much more serious.”

Also during the evening, hospital Inpatient Clinical Dietitian Angie Kruse, RDLD, will field food and nutrition questions. Kruse, a long-term member of the hospital staff, holds a master’s degree in foods and nutrition from the University of Illinois at Champaign.

“We’ve just come through the most food-intense time of the year,” Voss said. “Angie will answer your questions and help us get back to a healthier diet.”

Questions may be submitted in advance or presented at the meeting.

All are welcome but registration is encouraged to ensure sufficient hand-outs and seating. Those who register will be notified if the meeting is cancelled—a possibility during the winter.

The St. Joseph-Breese diabetes group generally meets the first Monday of alternating months, except holidays. The next session will be in March with time, date and topic to be announced.

St. Joseph’s in Breese will also offer quarterly A1c screenings in 2013 – at the spring and fall health fairs and two additional locations. The first session, to include blood sugar finger sticks as well as blood pressure, A1c and foot checks, is set from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at Damiansville Elementary School.

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being over 45 years old, obesity, eating habits and inactivity. Symptoms include fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, irritability and vision changes. Anyone with one or more symptoms should contact their health professional.

Some people show no symptoms and must be diagnosed through a physical or blood chemistry work.

For more information, to register for the meeting, be added to the mailing list, receive notices by e-mail (strongly encouraged) or submit a question, contact Voss at 526-5743 or barbara.voss@hshs.org.

 

Lifeline with AutoAlert

December 5, 2012

Home for the holidays! Lights on the tree. Pretty packages. Cookies baking.

But, is mom getting a little shaky? Is dad starting to totter? Maybe your loved ones could use some additional support when the decorations are put away and everyone goes home.

“Seniors are living longer and remaining in their own homes but falls have become epidemic – a problem that jeopardizes their chances of living independently,” said Gerrie Haukap, Social Services Director at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.

Each year, in the United States alone, she said, one out of three people age 65 and over will fall.

“Among seniors, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries, hospital admissions for trauma and injury-related deaths,” she said. “Close to 50 percent of seniors can’t get up from a fall without help and lying on the floor for an extended period can lead to serious complications including pressure ulcers, muscle necrosis, dehydration, hypothermia and pneumonia.”

St. Joseph’s in Breese may have one solution – an enhanced medical alert service such as a Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert. This integrated solution combines the Lifeline medical alert service with automatic fall detection that can automatically call for help.

If a fall is detected, subscribers still have the opportunity to receive quick access to assistance even when they can’t push their help button if, for example, they lose consciousness, become immobilized, forget or won’t push their button because they feel they can manage the situation on their own.

According to an internal laboratory study of simulated falls, Lifeline with AutoAlert detected 95 percent of many types of falls and had a low rate of false alarms.

The system is designed to help reduce the risk of a senior lying on the floor for a long time. Receiving help more quickly may also reduce emotional distress and the potential costs of extended treatment, rehabilitation and supported living.

Just as important, the service can provide added confidence and peace of mind to the 22 million seniors who fear falling and their loved ones.

“One of the greatest threats to seniors’ health is falls and associated injuries,” Haukap said. “Lifeline with AutoAlert can help seniors maintain their independence and provide caregivers with peace of mind.”

For more information, visit the hospital’s website at www.stjoebreese.com, then go to Hospital Services, then Lifeline, or contact 526-5330 or gerrie.haukap@hshs.org.

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