Nathan Littauer Celebrates Hospital Week Posted on May 6, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeGloversville NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital joins other hospitals across the country celebrating National Hospital Week, May 8-14, 2011. Hospital week is a yearly recognition program, spotlighting the individuals who drive the engine of health care. This year’s theme is “Champions of Care”. Nathan Littauer is also celebrating National Nursing Home Week the same week.Nathan Littauer Hospital will be celebrating Hospital Week May 2011At a picnic May 12th employees will be recognized for their dedication to the Littauer Family of Health Services. In celebration the hospital plans the following activities:Monday: Kick off event: Employee Appreciation Cake with background music by volunteer Pat Travis-Doull. 2-4 pm.Tuesday: Hospital employees with be given a sweet surprise by Courtesy Council Members and can receive chair massagesWednesday: Employees will be wearing green to show their pride in the Hospital and Nursing Home. Employees will be able to receive Healing Touch Treatments.Thursday: The Hospital will be putting on a BBQ luncheon with music for all shifts. 11am -1:30 pm.Friday: Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home plans a “Give back” where employees will be bringing in summer fun items for theBOYS and GIRLS CLUB.According to the American Hospital Association, “Hospitals are: Economic Contributors, Gateways to Care, Centers of Innovation. Improving Community Health and Committed to Quality and Safety.”The celebration of National Hospital Week began in 1921 when a magazine editor suggested that more information about hospitals might alleviate public fears about the “shrouded” institutions of the day. From that beginning, Hospital Week expanded to facilities across the nation. Today, National Hospital Week is the largest health care event that celebrates hospitals’ history, technology and dedicated health care professionals.xxx Notes for the press: Members of the press are invited to any of the above events. Press must be escorted to any event. To make arrangements to cover any of the above activities please contact Cheryl McGrattan at 773-5533. Media policy is also posted on www.nlh.org.
Nathan Littauer Nursing Home readies for National Nursing Home Week Posted on May 5, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota Pike“We have an event every day!”Nathan Littauer Nursing Home Celebrates National Nursing Home Week.Nathan Littauer Nursing Home is getting ready for a week long celebration honoring National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Fulfilling the Promise” and is part of the National Nursing Home Week started by The American Health Care Association (AHCA). “We are so proud of the work we do here everyday.” said Leslie Beadle, Vice President and Nursing Home Administrator. “Therefore, we are thrilled to celebrate our nursing home, our wonderful residents and our committed staff.” She added, “We hope this is a community wide celebration.”Nathan Littauer’s Nursing Home will be joining nursing and rehabilitation facilities nationwide, beginning Mother’s Day, May 8, and continuing through May 14, 2011. This year’s theme was selected to honor those who are “Fulfilling the Promise” by serving others, thus adding value to life and helping to overcome many of the infirmities of age and disability.“We want to celebrate those people that make a positive contribution every day. We are also saluting our staff.” Explained Rachel Killips, Littauer’s Recreational Director. She is heading up the festivities at Littauer. She explains, “We have something planned every day to mark the occasion.” For Nursing Home Week, Nathan Littauer is announcing the following activities the week of May 9-14, 2011:Sunday, May 8- In honor of Mother’s Day Nursing Home staff will be passing out corsages to all the ladies and hosting a Tea at 2:15 with a violin player.Monday, May 9– The Nursing Home will be hosting Jackpot Bingo from 2:15-3:15pm for residents and a Sundae Party 2:00-4:00pm for staff.Tuesday, May 10– The Nursing Home will throw a 90’s and over birthday party at 2:15. Staff will be able to enjoy chair massages from 6:00-8:00am and 2:00-4:00pmWednesday, May 11- The Nursing Home will be throwing a “Night in Paris” Dinner Dance from 6-8 pm. with a band and cocktail attire, and we will be having a decorating contest with staff and residents alike participating.Thursday, May 12– Gary Van Slyke will be performing patriotic songs for the residents from 2:15-3:15 pm. Rachel Killips will be teaching a dance class for the staff at 3:30pm.Friday, May 13– Decorating contest winner announced with continental breakfast for residents and staff at 10:30am.Saturday, May 14- Staff and residents will be starting their own mini greenhouse plants to put out in the patio for everyone to enjoy in a few weeks.Nathan Littauer Nursing Home is an 84-bed skilled nursing facility providing short and long-term rehabilitation for people of all ages. They are tireless advocates for quality care and services recognizing each person’s individuality. The Nursing Home’s compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to people in our area. Along with a long-term residence, the center has been instrumental in helping hundreds of people return to their homes through careful rehabilitation. The Nursing Home opened in 1972 and has been recognized by the State for their excellence in care. The Nursing Home currently employs approximately 115 people. XXX Notes for the press: Press are invited to any of the above events. Press must be escorted to any event. To make arrangements to cover any of the above activities please contact Cheryl McGrattan at 773-5533. Media policy is also posted on www.nlh.org.
Littauer’s Dr. Goldberg appears on WAMC Posted on April 25, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDr. Frederick Goldberg is pictured with WAMC’s Alan ChartockOn April 11, 2011 Nathan Littauer’s new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Frederick Goldberg made a highly-anticipated appearance on WAMC’s radio show “Medical Monday”. He spoke for an hour about Patient Safety. “The prestige of this show cannot be underestimated” stated hospital spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. The show is heard on 26 stations spanning seven states. If you did not hear the show you can listen to the Medical Monday archives by pressing here>>
Wellness Words April 2011 Posted on April 6, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Ryan Wille, B.S.Community Health Educator APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH April is National Donate Life Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month and there is no better gift to give than the gift of life! There have been advances in medical technology and donation. However, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donations still vastly exceeds the number of donors. There are currently more than 100,000 men, women and children that need life-saving organ transplant. It is estimated that every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list and an average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.There is a great deal of misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation. The Donate Life America organization has provided several facts that will help individuals better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life and treat you. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.When an individual is on the waiting list for an organ, there are several factors that influence who receives the organ. These include severity of the illness, time spent on waiting list, blood type, and other important medical information. Financial status or celebrity status does not effect waiting time.An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process, the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.In 2006, a new law created the New York State Donate Life Registry. This registry records an individual’s own legal consent to organ, tissue and eye donation upon their death. To ensure that your decision to be a donor is honored, you must enroll in the Donate Life Registry. You can enroll online at http://www.nyhealth.gov/donatelife or through the Department of Motor Vehicles when you apply for or renew your license or non-driver ID.While organ donation is your own personal choice, it is still important to share your desires with your loved ones. This will make it much easier for them to accept and help avoid any issues that may slow down the donation process.For more information, visit the Organ & Tissue Donor Registry website listed above or call 1-866-NYDONOR (693-6667). You may also call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120, e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at www.nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Laughing for Health Posted on March 21, 2011August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeEnjoying humor can have physical, mental benefitsFirst published March 20, 2011 – By RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-HeraldLaughter may be a true rarity; it is contagious and it improves your health.Sue Cridland, director of community education for HealthLink Littauer, said laughter has many health benefits.Sue Cridland, left and Sue McNeil right share some funny wisdom.Laughter affects body chemistry similar to the way working out does, she said. Endorphins are released when people laugh, easing pain and improving mood, she said.As part of her work at HealthLink – the community health and wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital – Cridland has incorporated humor into the many programs the service offers. Getting people to laugh together can make it easier for people to communicate and remember what they learn, she said.“[Laughter] does make a difference,” Cridland said.Susan McNeil has seen the effect humor can have on people firsthand.The Director of Volunteers Services at Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home, McNeil said when programs are put on that include elements to make patients laugh – such as a leash around the neck of an “invisible dog” – they make the volunteers laugh.Communication aidThose moments help make people more talkative and relaxed, she said, aiding the communication that is necessary for work to be done and patients to be helped.The humor does not have to involve incredibly clever punchlines, McNeil said. What is important is people understand a joke, and get it on an emotional level.“It’s about that connection between the brain and the heart,” McNeil said.Dr. Roberto Ochoa, with the Community Mental Health Adult Center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, said laughter has been shown to decrease stress hormones, boost the immune system and lower blood pressure.Ochoa said many muscles are involved in laughing, making it almost like a short burst of exercise. Muscles tend to relax after they have been used, explaining why people described feeling more relaxed after spending time laughing.When it comes to mental health, Ochoa said, laughter not only helps someone’s mood, it also makes it easier for people to cope with difficult things.Karen Britt, western region program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern N.Y., said laughter engages many parts of the body, including the region of the brain initially affected by Alzheimer’s disease.Britt said research has shown people who say they are happy live longer and in better health than those who do not.“In a sad situation, it can be good [for mental health] to laugh through the tears,” she said.In a way, Britt said, laughter can be the key to happiness.Sue Cridland (left) and Sue McNeil share wisdom about laughterCridland said humor can be beneficial anywhere and anytime, provided it is appropriate.“There is no need to insult people to make others laugh,” she said.With tragedies, such as the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, people need to be careful, she said. Humor can lighten the mood, but people need to be cautious about the jokes they tell.McNeil said she has found humor does not have to be crass or vulgar to have an effect on people.“Good, clean, non-offensive humor is more intelligent and clever than the other extreme,” she said.Cridland said there are many ways people can make themselves laugh more. An easy way is to make space for laughter, she said, such as having a place at work to put cartoons or jokes.Attitude can be as important as anything, she said. If people want to laugh more and include more humor in their laugh, Cridland said, they can find a way too.
