Wellness Words November 2019 Posted on November 6, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Vestibular Rehabilitation TherapyDid you know that roughly 69 million Americans age 40 or older are affected by vestibular or inner ear dysfunction? According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 40% of Americans suffer from dizziness or balance problems due to inner ear disorders. Depending on the type of disorder, dizziness and balance problems may be improved through vestibular rehabilitation therapy.What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy?The Vestibular Disorders Association defines vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), as a specialized form of therapy aimed at relieving both primary and secondary problems that result from inner ear disorders and diminish a person’s quality of life. People with vestibular problems often experience dizziness or vertigo, trouble with vision, and balance problems that are usually worse with movement.As a result, many people limit their activity and adopt sedentary lifestyles to avoid triggering such problems. This can lead to further health concerns including decreased muscle strength, poor cardiovascular fitness and other chronic conditions. VRT can aid in combatting these secondary problems, too.Types Of Vestibular Rehabilitation TherapyVRT is an exercise–based program that allows patients to adapt to inner ear disturbances by using other senses, such as vision and somatosensory or body sense, to compensate. Exercise plans are customized to fit each patient, depending on the type of vestibular problem and the symptoms that occur. The three main types of VRT include habituation exercises, gaze stabilization and balance training.Habituation is used to treat people who experience dizziness from motion or visual stimuli in the environment. Through repeated exposure to certain movements or stimuli, the brain learns to ignore signals from the inner ear that cause the dizziness. Over time, continued VRT helps reduce feelings of dizziness.Gaze stabilization is used for people who have trouble seeing clearly and often feel as if their vision bounces around. In gaze stabilization, a person fixates their vision on an object and then moves their head around in different directions while keeping the object in sight.The last form of VRT, balance training, helps to improve balance and steadiness to aid in performing daily activities such as cooking meals or taking a shower. Balance training incorporates different body positioning and movements, as well as visual cues to improve standing, bending, reaching, turning and walking. After establishing an exercise regimen specific to fit your needs, your audiologist or VRT therapist will also determine an exercise regimen to continue at home.RecoveryThere are many factors that can affect a person’s recovery during vestibular rehab therapy. According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, factors include:The type of vestibular disorder, such as whether it affects one ear or both ears.A sedentary lifestyle which can cause other health problems.Pain which contributes to limited activity, as well as overall imbalance and an increased risk for falls.Medications that may cause side effects including dizziness, weakness, muscle fatigue and sedation.Emotional concerns such as anxiety or depression which affect a person’s ability to manage their symptoms.Vestibular dysfunction can affect a person both physically and mentally. Taking steps to manage symptoms to better cope with the disorder will help you stay independent and improve your quality of life.If you would like to learn more about VRT, attend a special program entitled ‘Exercise Your Ears’ presented by Dr. Mark Caffrey, Audiologist of Littauer’s Primary/Specialty Care Services, on November 13 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend the luncheon, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org by November 11. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
AHI Presents Littauer’s Third Winner of The Rural Health Champion Award Posted on October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home staff member, Margaret “Maggie” Rowley, care coordination manager, was awarded the prestigious “Rural Health Champion of the Year Award” October 24. The award was presented by Executive Director of Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) and the Fulton Population Health Network (FPN), Nancy Gildersleeve, and Littauer’s Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoff Peck.Executive Director of DSRIP at Adirondack Health Institute, Nancy Gildersleeve (left), Littauer’s Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation, Geoff Peck (right), present the Rural Health Champion Award to Care Coordination Manager of Littauer, Maggie Rowley (middle)“I am honored and humbled,” Maggie reflects. “The credit for the award not only goes to me, but to all Nathan Littauer staff. It is a collective effort.”To qualify for the Rural Health Champion of the Year Award, recipients must demonstrate a great amount of dedication and exceptional healthcare service to the community. Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home is proud to have distinguished three Rural Health Champions. Maggie has been an employee of Littauer for nearly three years.“Together as a hospital, we’ve really embraced the needs of the community,” Maggie continues. “My family and friends come to Littauer. It’s very personal, and we want the community to know that we’re here to help. We work very closely with other organizations and providers in the community and our joint efforts are paramount in making a better experience for the patient.”“Maggie has done an outstanding job by leading a team of discharge planners, community navigators, and others to reduce overutilization of the emergency room and hospital services by a challenged population,” says Dr. Frederick Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer of Littauer. “She is highly deserving of this award. These patients are among the most vulnerable that we serve. These patients struggle with navigating the healthcare system to manage their illnesses. Maggie leads by example by actively listening to the struggles and concerns of these patients with sincere empathy. Thanks to Maggie’s leadership and the efforts of her team; utilization of our emergency room by this population has been reduced by over 30 percent over the past two years.”“She has played a crucial role in community-based care navigation and direct patient intervention,” agrees Geoff Peck, Vice President of Population Health and Executive Director of Nathan Littauer’s Foundation. “We’re very proud to have her as part of our staff.”# # # About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Meeting with Flare Posted on October 28, 2019 by Dakota PikeOctober 10, 2019, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home invited The Albany Medical Center (AMC) to state and review perinatal quality improvement processes and initiatives. Every year, the auditorium is decorated very lavishly in preparation of AMC’s arrival, as tradition. Deborah “Debbie” Fredriksen, one of Littauer’s Maternity RN’s, had gone above and beyond to make AMC’s site visit more special. She was working the night prior and spent many hours decorating the auditorium the night before the meeting. Employees and Staff of Littauer were in complete awe at how beautifully decorated the auditorium was.“Debbie always does a fantastic job when she decorates,” said Nancy Quinlin, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant. “It is absolutely amazing what she has done. It really adds a touch of home when Albany comes to visit.”“It is generally a very formal meeting,” says Deborah Fredriksen, RN, and Maternity Nurse. “I try to make everyone feel comfortable and right at home.” Maternity’s Debbie Fredriksen with Maureen Mosher.
NLH on a Roll! Posted on October 16, 2019 by Dakota PikeBabies to BenefitGLOVERSVILLE, NY – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home was recently recognized for the considerable vaccine rate for Hepatitis B vaccines of newborns. The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) included Littauer on their honor roll for a reported coverage rate of over 90 percent from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.“We educate new parents on the importance of vaccinating their children,” says Krista Sheils, MPH, RN-C, and Assistant Manager of Maternal Child Health. “We all work very hard and we’re glad to provide the best care possible for our babies.”From left: Maternal Child Health Manager, Maureen Mosher, and Assistant Child Health Managers, Krista Sheils, and Amy Smith with honor roll certificate.July 16, 2013, the IAC launched the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll program. The program helps recognize birthing centers and hospitals that have achieved high coverage rates for administering Hepatitis B vaccines to newborns.The Honor Roll is a key part of IAC’s major initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give Birth to the End of Hep B. The initiative urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online.To be included in the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, a birthing institution must have: (1) reported a coverage rate of 90 percent or greater, over a 12-month period, for administering hepatitis B vaccine before hospital discharge to all newborns, including those whose parents refuse vaccination, and (2) implemented specific written policies, procedures, and protocols to protect all newborns from hepatitis B virus infection prior to hospital discharge.Honorees are also awarded an 8.5″ x 11″ color certificate suitable for framing and their acceptance is announced to IAC Express’s approximately 51,000 readers. For any questions regarding vaccinations of newborns, please contact Krista M. Sheils at: (518) 775-4061 or via email: ksheils@nlh.org“This award not only represents how much we care for our babies, but vaccinations put our babies’ best feet forward – even if they’re being carried,” says Cheryl McGrattan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. XXX About Nathan LittauerNathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve. More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words October 2019 Posted on October 14, 2019 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Alicia DeRuscio, B.S.Community Education Assistant Planning For End-Of-Life CareAlthough we may not want to think about it, at some point all of us will face end-of-life experiences. These experiences may occur as a result of chronic diseases, old age or even an unexpected medical crisis. However, in order to ensure your wishes for end-of-life care are met at any age, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared. There are many things to consider when planning ahead, but the main focus should fall on the amount and type of care you’d like to receive.The National Institute on Aging (NIH) discusses several types of emergency treatments used for medical care in times of crisis including:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If your heart stops beating or your breathing stops, healthcare professionals use CPR to restart the heart and lungs. This requires pushing on the chest with a lot of force, blowing air into the lungs and use of electric shock, also called defibrillation. According to the NIH, CPR can result in broken ribs or collapsed lungs, and is often not successful for fragile, older adults with several chronic conditions. If you decide you do not want CPR as part of your medical care, you must have a DNR or ‘do not resuscitate’ order on your medical file.Ventilator Use (breathing machines): If you are unable to breathe on your own, a ventilator, or breathing machine can be used to push air into your lungs to help you breathe. Breathing machines can be very useful in short-term emergency situations, but may only make the dying process longer for those nearing end-of-life. If you decide you do not want ventilator use as part of your medical care, you must have a DNI or ‘do not intubate’ order on your medical file.Gastric or Nasogastric Tubes (feeding tubes): A feeding tube may be used to provide your body with nutrients if you are unable to eat or drink on your own. A gastric tube is inserted into the stomach while a nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose.Comfort Care: Comfort care, or hospice care, is medical care provided during near-death circumstances in order to relieve pain and suffering.When considering such treatments, it’s important to think about your own personal values. Do you wish to get the most days out of life or would you rather focus on quality of life? It’s also important to take into consideration your overall health. If an emergency was to occur, are you relatively healthy or do you have several physical ailments? If you are getting older, what do you picture as a “good death?” Once you have thought about the type of care you’d like to receive in either emergency or near-death situations, it’s important to write out your wishes in an advanced directive.The National Institute on Aging defines an advanced directive as a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences and only goes into effect if you are debilitated and unable to speak for yourself. Advanced directives are not set in stone and can be changed at any time.There are two main parts to an advanced directive including a living will and a health care proxy. A living will lets healthcare professionals know your decisions for care and how you wish to be treated in emergency situations. A health care proxy is a legal document that names someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. A healthcare proxy can be anyone, such as a family member or friend, but this person should be aware of your wishes.One way to ensure your family and friends carry out your wishes is to talk to them. Though it may not be an easy topic of discussion, making your wishes known can provide you with peace of mind and take some stress off of your loved ones.If you would like to learn more, attend a special program on ‘Advance Directives’ presented by Rev. Bonnie Orth, Littauer’s Pastoral Care Coordinator on October 23 in Littauer’s Auditorium.You are invited to join us for a buffet-style luncheon at 11:30 for $6 or attend the presentation only at 12 noon at no charge. To attend, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120 or email healthlink@nlh.org. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
