Valleywide health news, April 16-22, 2015
SENIOR SERVICES CENTER OFFERING DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Nevada Senior Services is offering a diabetes self-management workshop titled Healthy Living Up 2 Me and developed by the Stanford University School of Medicine. The free six-week program was scheduled to start April 13 in the large conference room at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.
The workshop will focus on healthy eating, menu planning, managing blood glucose, dealing with frustration and isolation, appropriate exercise and medication use, communicating effectively with family and health professionals, goal setting and problem solving related to chronic conditions. Participants must attend a minimum of four classes to receive a certification. Registrations will be accepted until April 20. Text books will be on loan to all attending class.
Call the library at 702-507-3458 or Ellen Grossman with Nevada Senior Services at 702-648-3425.
DONOR NETWORK ENCOURAGING PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN BLUE AND GREEN DAY
Nevada Donor Network plans to celebrate National Donate Life Blue and Green Day April 17 to raise awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation, highlight how donation saves and enhances lives and honor donors and their families. The network is asking the public to be part of its social media campaign for the day by taking a picture involving the colors blue and green. The subject matter can be anything so long as it is family-friendly and includes the two colors. Send the picture by April 17 to latoya@theferrarogroup.com and raquel@theferrarogroup.com. Include a business name, Twitter or Instagram handle or Facebook link.
IMMUNIZATION SHOTS OFFERED AT NO COST
To help prevent measles, mumps, pertussis and chickenpox, National Infant Immunization Week is set for April 18-25 as an opportunity to remind parents to check their children’s vaccine status. Additionally, the Southern Nevada Health District, Immunize Nevada and the United Way of Southern Nevada have teamed up to present the fourth Passport to Immunizations and Health Fair, set from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the health district’s main public health center, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.
The free event will offer no-cost childhood immunizations, dental and vision screenings for children and family resource information. Parents should bring their children’s immunization records.
Visit snhd.info/niiw/or call 702-759-0850.
APRIL 25 IS STATEWIDE BLOOD DONATION DAY
Gov. Brian Sandoval recently signed a proclamation declaring April 25 as the statewide blood donation day. The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to make a difference in the lives of patients this spring by giving blood April 25. Donated blood is perishable and must be constantly replenished to keep up with the demand. Red blood cells, with a shelf life of only 42 days, are the most frequently transfused blood component and are always needed by hospitals.
Eligible donors can give red cells through either a regular whole blood donation or a double red cell donation, where available. Double red cell donations yield twice the usual amount of red cells in a single appointment and are accepted at select donation locations. Double red cell donors must meet additional eligibility criteria, which will be determined at the donation appointment.
Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with type O negative, A negative and B negative. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, and double red cells may be donated every 112 days, up to three times per year.
Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MEETING SET FOR APRIL 25
An Affordable Care Act enrollment and informational meeting is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. April 25 at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Library.
A certified enroller from Nevada Health Link is set to answer questions about signing up for health insurance.
Visit mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-7252.
APRIL IS STD AWARENESS MONTH
April is STD Awareness Month, and the Southern Nevada Health District encourages valley residents to discuss their sexual health with their health care providers and their partners. Each year, it is estimated that there are 20 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Information, testing and treatment is available at the health district’s Sexual Health Clinic, 400 Shadow Lane, Suite 106.
Call 702-759-0702.
In addition, free weekly screenings are available at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada and the Richard Steele Boxing Facility. Visit snhd.info/sexual-health-clinic.
SOLUTIONS RECOVERY CONTRACT RENEWED
Solutions Recovery Inc., a licensed residential drug and alcohol treatment center, recently announced that the state has renewed its contract to provide rehabilitation and after care to individuals in Nevada who have been diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. Working with Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services and the Community Counseling Center, the three provide help to those who have a serious mental health illness.
Under the renewed contract, Solutions Recovery will continue to provide a group home environment, transportation and health care to the clients. Partnering with the Community Counseling Center, the clients receive group therapy to address their issues with mental illness and chemical dependency.
The contract for the Total Recovery Program includes providing regular education sessions teaching independent living skills to the clients, including money management, communication and interpersonal skills, grooming and hygiene, utilizing community resources, obtaining proper identification and even showing them how to utilize public transportation to become self-reliable.
Call 702-228-8520 or visit solutions-recovery.com.
HOSPITAL HONORED FOR NEWBORN HEPATITIS B PROTECTION METHODS
Spring Valley Hospital has been recognized by the Immunization Action Coalition and the Southern Nevada Health District for achieving the highest reported rate in the state for its work to protect newborns from hepatitis B virus infection during 2014.
The hospital is listed in the coalition’s Birth Dose Honor Roll at immunize.org/honor-roll/birthdose, which recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage levels for administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The hospital immunized 90 percent of its newborns between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2014, and took additional steps to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B.
Visit www.springvalleyhospital.net.
CENTENNIAL HILLS HOSPITAL RECEIVES TOP MARKS FOR INFECTION PREVENTION
Centennial Hills Hospital was one of 37 hospitals nationwide and the only one in Nevada to receive recognition from Consumer Reports magazine for preventing surgical-site infections, bloodstream infections stemming from central lines and infections stemming from the use of urinary catheters during a hospital stay.
BLOOD DRIVES PLANNED ACROSS LAS VEGAS VALLEY
The American Red Cross plans to host blood drives across the Las Vegas Valley. All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.
To schedule a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.
Upcoming donation opportunities are:
Las Vegas
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16 at the College of Southern Nevada’s Charleston campus, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.
From 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17 at Le Cordon Bleu, 1451 Center Crossing Road
From 1 to 5:30 p.m. April 22 at Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N Buffalo Drive
Henderson
From 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. April 16 at Service Master, 7380 Eastgate Road
From 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 18 at Henderson Nevada Green Valley Stake, 410 N. Valle Verde Drive
From noon to 4 p.m. April 19 at Mopar NV, 275 Auto Mall Drive
PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION PLANNING FUNDRAISER
The American Parkinson Disease Association of Southern Nevada, Emeritus at Las Vegas, and Spotlight Senior Services Las Vegas have announced their upcoming fundraiser event, Shake, Rattle, and Roll, set from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 24 at Emeritus at Las Vegas, 3025 E. Russell Road. Tickets are $25 per person and include wine, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment, followed by a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the APDA of Southern Nevada.
Emeritus at Las Vegas is an assisted living and memory care community serving 90 seniors. The Spotlight Program, developed by Customized Marketing Solutions LLC, provides a resource program and support system for professionals who assist senior adults.
Email apdasouthernnevada@gmail.com.
DESERT SPRINGS HOSPITAL PLANNING WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
Desert Springs Hospital is planning a program for people seeking weight-loss options from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25 near the main lobby of the hospital at 2075 E. Flamingo Road.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults (approximately 78.6 million) are overweight. In Nevada, an estimated 25 percent to 29 percent of adults are obese. Other medical conditions related to obesity include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
The event is set to feature three guest speakers throughout the morning: Dr. James Atkinson, from 9:45 to 10:05 a.m. discussing surgical treatments for obesity; Dana Trippi, from 10:05 to 10:25 a.m. discussing medical treatment options for obesity; and Physician Assistant Tammara Beeghly, from 10:25 to 10:45 discussing functional medicine. This option focuses on lifestyle modification and weight management.
Vendors who specialize in weight-loss products will be available to discuss their products before and after the speakers.
RSVPs are limited to the first 200 attendees; call 702-369-7560 to RSVP.
SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN CREATED FOR PEOPLE WITH RENAL DISEASE
VillageHealth, the integrated kidney care division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., and Humana Inc. announced that they are partnering to create a special-needs plan for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease. The program, called Humana Kidney Care, will target end-stage patients in Las Vegas.
HealthCare Partners Nevada practices the Total Care Model, which means primary care providers are supported by an entire network of nurses, specialists, care managers, diagnostic team members and others, all working in sync to help patients. The interdisciplinary care team will coordinate the patient’s total care and help the patient navigate the various care settings such as hospitals and physician offices. Plan members receive their entire Medicare professional and hospital services and their prescription drug benefit through Humana Kidney Care.
Visit humana.com.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER ADDS NEW BEDS
Solutions Recovery, a licensed residential drug and alcohol treatment center, announced that the organization has added 20 new licensed beds to its facility at 2975 S. Rainbow Blvd.
With this addition, Solutions Recovery will offer 80 beds at its treatment center, which provides detox, counseling, residential and intensive outpatient services to patients experiencing chemical dependency.
Visit solutions-recovery.com.
POWER OF LOVE GALA TO BENEFIT KEEP MEMORY ALIVE
Keep Memory Alive’s 19th annual Power of Love Gala is set for June 13 to raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave. The event is set to feature Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and friends and include live auctions, wine and cocktails, and cuisine by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Tickets are on sale at keepmemoryalive.org/pol. Call 702-263-9797 or email events@keepmemoryalive.org.
BETTER BREATHERS CLUB MEETS MONTHLY
The Better Breathers Club is set to meet the second Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. This educational and social support group is for people with lung disease, their loved ones and caregivers. A light lunch and snacks are planned.
Call Henry Clay at 702-835-9898.
STROKE SUPPORT GROUP PLANS MEETINGS
The Stroke Support Group is set to meet from 3 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. It meets in Conference Room B, first floor past the cafeteria.
Call 702-233-7061.
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS TO BE OFFERED FRIDAYS
Free blood pressure checks are set to be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays at the Southern Nevada Health District’s main facility, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.
Visit southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
SOUTHWEST MEDICAL ASSOCIATES TO HOST WEIGHT MANAGEMENT GROUP
The HEW/Weight Management Support Group is planned from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays at the Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. Discuss nutrition and exercise and get tips for weight loss.
To register, call 702-877-5356.
MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS PLANNED FOR STROKE, BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS
Monthly support groups for survivors of stroke and brain injuries are planned at Centennial Hills, Desert Springs, Summerlin and Valley hospitals. The meetings offer education, encouragement and resources from other survivors and are facilitated by the stroke coordinators at each hospital.
Support groups are open to all survivors and their spouses/partners/caregivers. All four hospitals are Primary Stroke Centers and are committed to providing a continuum of care through diagnosis, intervention, treatment, acute rehabilitation and ongoing recovery.
Groups are planned at:
— Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, 6900 N. Durango Drive, from 3 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month in Conference Rooms 1 and 2 on the first floor near the cafeteria. Call 702-629-1309.
— Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center, 2075 E. Flamingo Road, from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of every month in the South Magna Conference Center in the black building south of the main entrance. Park off Bruce Street. Lunch is provided. Call 702-369-7560.
— Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, from 3 to 4 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month in Conference Room B on the first floor past the cafeteria. Call 702-233-7061.
— Valley Hospital Medical Center, 620 Shadow Lane, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month in the fourth-floor acute rehabilitation unit in the dining room. Light refreshments will be served. Call 702-388-8441 or 702-388-4619.
SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL TO HOST STROLLER STRIDES CLASS
A new Stroller Strides Fit4Mom class is planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays on the campus of Summerlin Hospital Medical Center at 653 N. Town Center Drive.
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms do with their babies. Activities include power walking/jogging and intervals of strength and body toning exercise using exercise tubing, a stroller and the environment. The class is taught by certified fitness instructors with specialty training in the pre- and postnatal woman. Instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to engage and entertain the babies.
Registration is required. To enroll, visit lasvegas.fit4mom.com.
