Wellness Words May 2017 Posted on May 15, 2017 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorCan You Spot The Symptoms Of Stroke?According to the National Stroke Association, every 40 seconds someone has a stroke. Sadly, only about 30% recognize the symptoms and get to a hospital in time to prevent disability. In fact, stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults. Together let’s change that…read on!You lose approximately 2 million brain cells a minute during a stroke. Therefore, it is important that everyone become aware of stroke signs and be able to get help quickly.BE FASTYou may have seen the FAST acronym from the American Heart Association. FAST stands for:F=FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?A=ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift down?S=SPEECH Ask the person to say a simple sentence such as, “The sky is blue.” Do the words sound slurred or incomprehensible?T=TIME If you observe any of these signs, it is time to call 911!Do not allow anyone, especially the person with stroke signs, to drive to the hospital. Ambulance personnel are equipped to recognize stroke symptoms and relay them to the hospital immediately. Care will be faster and the emergency department will be ready to work with the patient when they arrive.The National Stroke Association has also added BE to the acronym.B=BALANCE Some stroke victims don’t have weakness but they do have severe balance difficulties. Do they stand with difficulty or appear to walk with difficulty?E=EYES Some people present with vision loss in one or both eyes, or parts of the visual field are missing. Ask them to read a few words.Once in the hospital, there are a number of possible new interventions that could reverse symptoms and/or limit further brain damage. However, these interventions are severely time limited. So recognition and quick action are the key to good outcomes.Should a stroke survivor be left with disability, there are plenty of services available help to reduce and/or compensate for any deficits the stroke survivor has. A team approach is usually the treatment of choice. The patient may have physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or recreational therapy depending on the needs identified. Once again, the sooner therapy is started the better the outcomes.A stroke affects not only the stroke survivor, but also family members and other caregivers. Rehabilitation cannot reverse brain damage, but it can help the brain learn new ways of doing things so that people can achieve the best possible long-term outcomes.Nathan Littauer Hospital has a full complement of therapies. Research has shown that patients who receive occupational therapy interventions are significantly less likely to deteriorate and more likely to be independent in their ability to perform activities of daily living at the end of therapy.To learn more, attend this month’s Vitality Plus luncheon featuring a presentation on “Occupational Therapy” on May 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Littauer’s Auditorium. Shelly Coffin O.T. will discuss how occupational therapy can assist with decreases in strength, flexibility and movement. Reservations for the buffet-style luncheon are requested by calling HealthLink at 736-1120. There is a $6 fee payable at the door.
Yellow Dot Program provides first responders with critical information Posted on April 26, 2017 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (April 25, 2017) –Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home and the Fulton County Sheriffs’ Office have announced a partnership to bring the New York State Sheriffs’ Association’s Yellow Dot Program to Fulton County.Yellow Dot is a free program designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during the first “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency.The Yellow Dot kit contains a medical information card and a Yellow Dot decal. Participants complete the card, attach a recent photo, place it in the glove compartment of their vehicle and place the Yellow Dot decal on the rear driver’s side window, and at their home’s main entry door. First responders arriving at the scene of an emergency will be alerted by the Yellow Dot decal to look for the medical information card in the glove compartment, or in the home’s freezer.“If an individual is involved in an accident or medical emergency, first responders will see the yellow dot and locate the medical packet in either the glove box or freezer in the home,’ said Fulton County Sheriff Richard C. Giardino. “While the freezer seems unusual, the program uses one set location to insure all individual’s information can be found quickly, rather than people leaving the medical packet anywhere they want.”Yellow Dot kits will be distributed through Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing upon discharge.“The Nathan Littauer Foundation, the charitable arm of Nathan Littauer Hospital, supports this project to increase patient’s safety in their homes and vehicles,” added Geoffrey Peck, Vice President, Executive Director/Nathan Littauer Foundation.Funded by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, the Yellow Dot Program is a free service available to individuals of all ages. In Fulton County, Yellow Dot kits will be available through the Fulton County Sheriffs’ Office. For information about the Yellow Dot Program, or to schedule a community presentation, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 518-736-2100. Additional information is available at http://nysheriffs.org/yellowdot.
Littauer job fair; We’re looking for a few good eggs Posted on April 13, 2017 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK (April 12, 2017) – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, 99 E. State St., Gloversville is hosting a job fair Monday, April 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the hospital’s auditorium.“We’re looking for a few good eggs” is the theme and Littauer offers competitive salaries along with “egg”cellent benefits. There will be refreshments and giveaways for applicants. Applicants are encouraged to stop in and bring a resume. Onsite interviews will be available, and tours will be given upon request. In order to save time, you may apply online at www.nlh.org.Current open positions include: RNs, LPNs, CNAs, ward clerks, certified surgical techs, and medical receptionists. Additional positions are available in the lab, pharmacy, repertory, environmental aides, nutritional aides, nursing supervisors and site managers.For further information on employment at Littauer, contact human resources at (518) 725-8621 or refer to www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words April 2017 Posted on April 11, 2017 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Maintaining Cognitive FlexibilityAccording to the National Council on Aging, one of the greatest fears for seniors is the loss of independence. This has been greatly enhanced by the reports of the levels of Alzheimer’s and other dementias that are among the top causes of reducing senior’s ability to enjoy life. While we cannot control how old we are or our genetic makeup, we can greatly enhance our chances for staying independent by increasing or at least maintaining our mental flexibility.Cognitive (thought processes) flexibility is a sign of healthy brain function – an indication that many parts of the brain are working in concert. It is the ability to shift your thinking from one area to another smoothly. The quicker you can transition the greater your flexibility. Another aspect of this flexibility is the ability to break down a complex thought into smaller chunks in order to find its meaning.Cognitive flexibility can also mean adapting quickly to new information or ideas even if the information challenges long-held attitudes and beliefs. Unfortunately, according to research it is common as we age to develop repetitive behaviors and thought processes that get our brain stuck in unhealthy patterns. Our crystallized knowledge remains intact but the ability to think fluidly declines.How can we boost this important brain function? As in many other areas, your lifestyle choices make the most significant differences. Studies by the American Psychological Association have shown some of the following maintain or improve brain plasticity. Move: Make time for exercise! Exercise makes our brains work better and improves our memory, thinking and learning. It also prompts the release of an element known as BDNF, which is essentially “Miracle Grow” for the brain. You don’t have to go to a gym or have equipment – regular walks will do just as well. You can try some of the many community exercise programs such as HealthLink’s gentle yoga, chair yoga or tai chi. You can also try line dancing or water exercises at local venues.Nourish: Food high in saturated fats like cheese and meats should be reduced to once or twice a week. Research has shown that foods high in saturated fat can actually cause cognitive decline. Instead try healthy foods rich in monounsaturated fats like olive oil and avocados which may actually be protective.Connect: Regularly getting together with family and friends can improve brain plasticity and preserve cognitive abilities, and even regular phone conversations can help.Relax: Did you know laughing can provide the kind of ‘relaxation’ your brain needs to stay healthy? Research has shown that a good belly laugh increases oxygen intake, relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure and releases natural pain killers. You can even relax and experience mindfulness meditation while participating in a craft class.Discover: Staying curious, trying new things, or going new places positively impacts brain health and function. So try something new or do something old in a new way.Cognitive flexibility often decreases the older we become. However, the good news is that making healthy lifestyle choices can greatly influence how well our brain performs and how we enjoy life!For more information, call HealthLink Littauer at 518-736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
A Patient’s Story: The New Gloversville Dialysis Center Posted on April 5, 2017April 5, 2017 by Dakota PikeHear from our first patient at the New Gloversville Dialysis Center
