Wellness Words November 2015 Posted on November 11, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Healing Power Of GratitudeThis is the time of year that asks us to count our blessings and to help those less fortunate. However, it is also a season which frequently brings high stress with all of the accompanying physical ailments such as headaches, fatigue, colds or even heart attacks. Those with chronic illnesses may even find their condition deteriorating under the pressures of the holidays.There is hope for us to become happier and healthier simply by learning to have an “attitude of gratitude.” Gratitude is not about “looking on the bright side” or denying reality. Gratitude goes much deeper than that, according to recent research in the emerging field of positive psychology. It’s about learning from a situation, taking the good to help deal with life’s challenges.According to research at the Harvard School of Medicine, there is a very real connection between gratitude and good health. An estimated 90% of all doctor’s visits are for stress-related ailments. Evidence suggests that today’s biggest health challenges are heart disease, cancer and diabetes—all conditions that have been liked to chronic stress.Thankfully, stress is not so much a result of what is going on in our lives as it is about how we perceive those things. The good thing is that we have some control over how we look at life’s challenges. Robert Emmons PhD. of the University of California, Davis wrote the first scientific study on gratitude, its causes, and potential impact on physical health. He showed conclusively that gratitude has a positive effect on reducing pain, improving digestion and strengthening the immune system.A related study at the University of Connecticut found that gratitude can have a protective effect against heart attack. They also found that participants who had experienced one heart attack – but who saw benefits and gains from it, such as being more appreciative of life – experience a significantly lower risk of having a second heart attack.To increase your level of gratitude, here are suggestions for getting started.Keep a gratitude journal: Set aside time daily or even weekly to record several things you are grateful for. Typically, people list 3-5 things. This is probably the most effective strategy for improving gratitude by causing you to pay attention to the good things in your life.Change your self-talk: Most of us are unaware of the negative things our mind focuses on each day. The first step is to pay attention to these negative thoughts and realize even if we think we are justified – the only person’s health they are hurting is our own. Try reframing these thoughts by finding a more positive way to look at the situation. Instead of complaining about all the things you can no longer do, try changing that to all the things you can still do.Gratitude will help you to be healthier and happier. It can also improve your relationships and make you feel more in control of your life. Practice being grateful, it is truly good for you!For more information, 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.
Wellness Words October 2015 Posted on October 12, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Fall Risks For Seniors: Myths & RealitiesMany people think falls are a normal part of aging. The truth is they are not! Most falls can be prevented, and YOU have the power to reduce your risk. According to the National Council on Aging, there are a number of myths that prevent many people from being proactive in preventing falls. The following are the most common myths and realities:Myth: “Falling won’t happen to me.”Reality: 1 in 3 older adults fall every yearMyth: Falling is normal as we age.Reality: Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Taking proactive steps to prevent falls can reduce your risk significantly.Myth: Limiting my activity will prevent a fall.Reality: Physical activity will actually improve your strength and range of motion, and help you remain independent.Myth: Staying at home and on one floor reduces my risk of falling.Reality: Over half of all falls take place at home. Ground level falls are the most common. To reduce your risk you should fix such hazards as clutter, loose throw rugs, and poor lighting. Make simple home modifications such as adding grab bars in the bathroom, a second hand rail on stairs, and non-slip treads in tubs and on stairs.Myth: At my age muscle strength and flexibility can’t be regained.Reality: It’s never too late to start exercising. Even if you have been a “couch potato” most of your life, becoming more active now will benefit you in many ways including reducing your risk of falling.Myth: Medications, including over-the-counter medicines, won’t increase fall risk.Reality: Taking any medication can increase fall risk. We all react to medications differently. Be careful when starting any new medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects or interactions for all your meds.Myth: Using a walker or cane will make me more dependent.Reality: Walking aids will assist you to maintain and even improve your mobility. However, to use these devices safely have a therapist fit the device to you and instruct you in use. Do not use someone else’s device.Myth: I don’t need to have my eyes checked annually.Reality: People with vision problems are twice as likely to fall as those who don’t. For those with extremely low vision there are assistive devices that can help. Ask your ophthalmologist for a referral.Fall prevention is everyone’s responsibility! Talk with your doctor, pharmacist or physical therapist about what you can do to reduce your risk of falling. Try one of the many exercise programs for seniors offered by HealthLink, senior centers, and organizations like the YMCA.For more information, 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 on 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.
Littauer earns Nuclear Medicine ACR Accreditation Posted on September 14, 2015 by Dakota PikeLittauer earns Nuclear Medicine ACR AccreditationNathan Littauer Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in nuclear medicine as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Nuclear medicine is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material, ingested by the patient, to diagnose and treat a variety of disease, including many types of cancers, heart disease, and certain other abnormalities within the body.The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services. In addition to nuclear medicine, Littauer is also ACR accredited in mammography, MRI, CT and ultrasound. XXXNathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties in upstate New York with a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital, nine primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded in 1894, has 1,000 employees and regularly hosts ground-breaking spine surgeries. Nathan Littauer continues to offer the latest in diagnostic imaging, including a new MRI suite. For more information, please visit www.nlh.org.
Wellness Words September 2015 Posted on September 8, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Carol Tomlinson, RN BSCommunity Health Educator Do’s & Don’ts Of Medication SafetyAccording to the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices, 40% of adverse drug reactions requiring hospitalization occur in people over age 60. This is, in part, due to the facts that people in this age group use 30% of all prescription drugs and 40% of all over-the-counter (OTC) medication.Don’t gamble with your health! What you don’t know CAN hurt you. Every drug, whether prescribed or OTC, has potential side effects and may interact with other meds or food in a way that may not be safe. For example, antacids can affect blood thinner absorption as well as make some antibiotics ineffective.To keep safe when you are taking medication, you need to follow this simple list of do’s and don’ts to make sure your medication works safely to improve your health.Do’s:Do take each medication exactly as prescribed.Do make sure all of your doctors know about all of your medications.Do tell your doctor(s) about any OTC medications you are taking including vitamins and other supplements.Do use the same pharmacy so they can help you understand how to use all of your drugs safely and identify possible interactions.Do keep medications out of the reach of children and pets.Don’ts:Don’t change your medication dose or schedule unless you talk with your MD.Don’t use medication prescribed for someone else.Don’t crush or break pills unless your doctor or pharmacist advises you to.Don’t store your meds in locations that are humid, too hot or too cold. It is recommended that you don’t store medication in your bathroom, near your stove or in the refrigerator, unless the pharmacist indicates particular temperatures for the drug.Don’t use medication beyond its expiration date.Dispose of Medications SafelyWhen medications have passed their expiration dates, disposing of them safely will protect you and others, including children and pets, and anyone who might find these meds in your trash. Safe disposal of meds also protects the environment from toxic pollutants.The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following disposal guidelines:Remove drugs from their original containers and remove or scratch out identifying information from labels.Do NOT crush pills or capsules.Mix medications with kitty litter, coffee grounds, or another substance that will absorb them or make them undesirable.Put this mixture into a sealable plastic bag or a bottle with screw-on lid and place in trash.Check with your local police department or pharmacy for their drug take back plans.Prescription Drug Disposal DayLocally, the annual drug disposal day will occur at:All County Sheriff Departments & Many Local Police DepartmentsSaturday, September 26, 201510:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.For more information about prescription drug disposal, contact the HFM Prevention Council at 736-8188, check with your local police agency or pharmacy, or 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.
Littauer’s Frederick Goldberg M.D. is featured nationally in medical publication Posted on August 31, 2015 by Dakota PikeThe findings of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home’s Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO Frederick Goldberg, MD, were published in Hospitals & Health Networks Daily, on August 25, 2015. The article “The One Tool You Need to Measure Patient Safety and Quality” is in H&HN Daily, a national publication available to subscribers globally via the online digital version and the website. You can share Dr. Goldberg’s findings at:http://www.hhnmag.com/Daily/2015/August/total-harm-rate-patient-saftey-qualityblog-linden-joshi?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HHN&eid=257868649&bid=1160495Frederick Goldberg, MD – NLH Vice President, Medical Affairs & CMO
