Gloversville Lions Club donates to Littauer Posted on February 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – The Gloversville Lions Club donated two park benches to Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home. A formal presentation was made Thursday, Sept. 24, to Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly, and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck on the hospital’s walking track. Gloversville Lions Club President David J. Miller and Vice President Linda Rhinehart represented the organization. The Gloversville Lions Club supports many projects in the community. Two other benches are being donated to the City of Gloversville. The benches were purchased locally from Runnings.Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly, Gloversville Lions Club VP Linda Rhinehart, Gloversville Lions Club President David J. Miller and Littauer Foundation Executive Director Geoffrey Peck on the Littauer walking track with donation
Nathan Littauer to offer “Concussion Discussion” Posted on January 15, 2016 by Dakota PikeAs part of Nathan Littauer’s ongoing mission to keep children safe and in the game, Littauer’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Team will be presenting a unique program to the community: A Concussion Discussion. The Hospital is hosting the movie “Concussion” at the Johnstown Movieplex to be followed by a round table discussion with medical and athletic experts. The entire event will take place in a theater the hospital has rented out for the evening. “While the movie does focus on the NFL, it is a good conversation starter for any athlete, parent or coach,” explained Cheryl McGrattan, Nathan Littauer Hospital, Vice President of Community Relations.The event will start at 6pm, Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the MoviePlex in Johnstown. Attendees will be treated to the full length movie “Concussion” starring Will Smith followed immediately by a roundtable discussion. The speakers for the evening are: Dr. Richard Solby, Pediatrician at Littauer and William Oates, Director of Rehab and Sports Medicine, also for Littauer. James Robare, Director of Athletics for Johnstown High School will also be presenting.The event is free. RSVPs are required to for admission. Anyone interested in attending the event, is asked to please RSVP to 736-1120 or by emailing: stopsportsinjuries@nlh.org by January 18, 2016.McGrattan continued, “We also will simulate an on-field concussion “event” complete with proper and immediate evaluation.”According to the CDC, “If left undiagnosed, a concussion may place an athlete at risk of developing second impact syndrome—a potentially fatal injury that occurs when an athlete sustains a second head injury before a previous head injury has completely heal.”The hospital is also reminding the community that the program is appropriate for any high-impact sport, including soccer, snowmobiling, football, hockey, lacrosse and motocross. The event is open to coaches for any age group, parents, athletes, Athletic Directors, trainers and healthcare professionals.According to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey recently found that reports of concussions are up 60 percent over the past decade in hospital emergency rooms. And the increase isn’t a result of more injuries; it’s because people now understand the seriousness of sports injuries, and are taking preventive measures.
Wellness Words January 2016 Posted on January 13, 2016 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator4 Ways Exercise Helps ArthritisAccording to the Arthritis Foundation, physical activity is the best non-drug treatment for improving pain and function for people with osteoarthritis. The good news is that you don’t have to run a marathon or become an Olympic competitor to help reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Even gentle exercise can help maintain joint function, relieve stiffness and reduce pain.Along with your current arthritis treatment program, exercise can:Strengthen the muscles around your jointsHelp you maintain bone strengthGive you more energy to get through your dayMake it easier to get a good night’s sleepHelp to control your weightImprove your sense of well-beingIf you have arthritis, you want to be sure your exercise routine has these goals in mind:Better Range Of Motion (improved joint mobility and flexibility): These exercises involve moving your joints gently through their normal range of movement, such as raising your arms over your head or rolling your shoulders forward and backward.Stronger Muscles (through resistance training and strengthening exercises): Fancy equipment is not necessary, but you should ask your doctor or physical therapist to recommend exercises to give you the most benefit with the least aggravation to your joints.Better Endurance: Aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming and bicycling strengthens your heart and lungs and thereby increases your endurance and overall health. Stick to activities that don’t jar your joints, and avoid high-impact activities such as jogging.Better Balance: Improving your balance is the key to preventing injuries from falls. According to CDC research, Tai Chi for arthritis is one of the most effective fall prevention activities. Movements are slow, relatively simple and joint sparing. They are designed to strengthen your core, improve balance and even memory.Start slowly to ease your joints into exercise if you haven’t been active for a while. Move joints gently at first to warm up. For example, you might begin with range of motion exercises before moving on to strengthening or aerobic exercise.Remember – arthritis doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying life. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the bottom line is that mild to moderate exercise is beneficial for people with osteoarthritis. However, everyone’s circumstances are different, so having a discussion with your doctor is important. Together with your doctor and/or physical therapist, you can design an exercise program that is right for you.HealthLink has certified Tai Chi For Arthritis instructors and offers ongoing classes. For more information on these, call 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW 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.
NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL PROJECTS AWARDED STATE SUPPORT THROUGH MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Posted on December 21, 2015 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home’s goal of delivering dialysis care and expanding their primary care footprint is getting closer to becoming a reality. On Dec. 10, when Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the 2015 Regional Economic Development Council Awards, several important projects for Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home (NLH) were awarded critical support from New York State. The hospital is slated to receive $740,000 from Empire State Development (ESD) to expand its primary care services and to contribute towards the cost of building a dialysis care facility. The funds will help offset the significant investment the hospital is making to bring the projects to fruition.The hospital submitted Consolidated Funding Applications (CFA) to the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council and ESD earlier this year with two goals in mind: to expand primary care and to provide comprehensive renal health care at Nathan Littauer’s Hospital campus. In addition to the dialysis center, two applications were submitted in response to the burgeoning demand for Littauer’s primary care.Laurence E. Kelly, Nathan Littauer’s CEO and President stated, “Primary care is vital to our population health goals. We have a hugely successful primary care practice spanning almost 50 miles. It is a formula we would like to replicate for underserved communities.” One such goal is to build a new Primary and Specialty Care Center in the village of Fonda.“The Certificate of Need for our Fonda project was approved on Dec. 12,” explained Kelly. He added, “We had a lot of good news this month.”The renal dialysis care center, when completed, will provide critical access to dialysis care in Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties and the surrounding rural communities. “With the prevalence of kidney disease in our area the center will fill an important need,” said Kelly.Geoff Peck, Vice President and Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation stated, “Traveling long distances to receive primary care and in particular, dialysis care is not only a financial burden it is also an emotional and physical burden on our patients and their families. Kidney failure disproportionally afflicts minorities and the disposed.” He concluded, “So this project is wonderful for the community because it will drastically improve the quality of life of our neighbors.”In August, Littauer announced a relationship with a national provider of outpatient dialysis services and nephrology care and two local physicians Hani Shahata, M.D. and Soo Gil Lee, M.D. The new center will be one of the few dialysis centers with direct access to a nursing home and a hospital. New York State approved the Certificate of Need for the project this fall.“It is exciting to think of the lives that will improve with these projects,” said Kelly. “Thursday’s announcement by the Governor is a wonderful endorsement of that vision.”“Nathan Littauer is grateful to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Empire State Development, Mohawk Regional Economic Development Council and the Fulton County Planning Department,” said Kelly.More information about the announcement can be found at: https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/REDCAwardsBooklet2015.pdfXXXAbout Nathan Littauer Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74 bed acute care hospital with an 84 bed skilled nursing home. For 121 years, 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 to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.
Wellness Words December 2015 Posted on December 8, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health EducatorIt’s Your Life. Live It Well!Getting ready to make your New Year’s resolutions? According to the National Health Institute, by mid- February, 67% of these promises we make will no longer be a part of our daily lives. It’s not that we are weak willed – but more likely that we set ourselves up for failure by promising more than we can do.Research has shown the key to good health is what experts call “lifestyle medicine.” It is about making changes you can live with. It is much easier to ask your mind to accept and act on small modifications, rather than try to make giant leaps in changing our behavior.What is one area you would like to improve? You just need to pick one that is important to you. Here are some healthy lifestyle choices you may want to consider:Move MoreDon’t let limited or low level mobility stop you from making realistic goals. Get up and move when commercials come on, go for a walk, or take an exercise class for seniors. Many classes are gentle seated exercises designed to help with balance and prevent falls, as well as help you meet your exercise goals. Always check with your physician before starting anything new.Eat HealthySay ‘no’ to dieting. Instead, resolve to eat a more colorful diet. Aim for 3-5 servings of veggies each day. Sound like a lot? Try the “5 Meal Deal.” According to NIH, eating 5 smaller meals a day can help you to stay healthy and energized, and is more likely to include more servings of fruits and vegetables. Need more fiber? Try making a small change such as substituting whole grain for white bread to start.Drink More WaterIt is important to stay hydrated. Often we confuse fatigue and hunger with thirst. As we age, the sensation of thirst declines but the need to stay hydrated remains. Try keeping a small bottle of water with you wherever you are. Take frequent sips.Get a Good Night’s SleepSleep is essential to health. If you have trouble sleeping, try one or more of these small changes. Don’t eat a large meal within 3 hours of going to bed. Set a routine time for going to sleep and waking each day. Stay away from TV, phone and computers for at least a half-hour before going to bed. Try different relaxation techniques such as deep even breathing. Count your blessings instead of sheep.YOU hold the key to a healthier life! To make the changes you want remember to start small, be specific, and check yourself regularly to see if any changes need to be made to keep you going toward your goal.Remember: It’s Your Life. Live it Well!If you need help getting started or continuing on toward your goal, call HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW 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.
