Learn How to Prevent Falls at Griffin

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program on Fri., Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

 

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

 

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

 

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Griffin Hospital to Host Fall Prevention Program

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program on Fri., March 10 from 9 a.m.-noon at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

 

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

 

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

 

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

 

School Nurse Gets Helping Hand

Linda Coppola and Daun Barrett 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program helped Derby students get ready for a healthy new school year recently.

 

The program donated a pulse oximeter and a forehead thermometer to St. Michael-St. Mary School to help the school nurse better care for students. The school’s thermometer was out-of-date and the nurse did not have a pulse oximeter.

 

“We heard the school needed better equipment from one of the members of the new parish nurse program forming at St. Mary the Immaculate Church,” said Daun Barrett, director of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program. “Griffin and the Valley Parish Nurses have a mission to improve the health of our community, so we were more than happy to lend a hand.”

 

Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program serves as the hub of Griffin Hospital’s outreach activities, accounting for more than 40,000 community contacts each year. These contacts include fitting bike helmets, training adults and children in CPR, and providing health education and information at senior centers, shopping centers, neighborhoods, companies, and community events and fairs.

 

The program also conducts more than 7,500 health screenings each year to help individuals identify problems when they are most treatable, resulting in approximately 11,000 referrals for follow-up care.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Learn How to Prevent Falls at Griffin Hospital

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program on Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m.-noon at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

 

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

 

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

 

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Valley United Way supports driver safety program

Pedal carts, seen here at a Children’s Health and Safety Fair, are used to teach teens about distracted and drunk driving and younger children about pedestrian safety. / Contributed photo

DERBY - The Valley United Way is helping Griffin Hospital’s Valley Parish Nurse Program and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley “drive” home the dangers of distracted driving to teenagers.
 

The Valley United Way’s Special Needs Grants Program recently awarded Safe Kids and the Valley Parish Nurses $2,000 to purchase an additional pedal cart and key chains for their Teen Safe Driving Program.

The pedal carts will be used to show teenagers how difficult it is to drive and text at the same time and how blurred vision caused by drinking makes driving extremely dangerous. 
The new pedal cart will also be used for the Safe Kids’ Pedestrian Safety Program to teach younger children how difficult it is for a car to stop at fast speeds, so they know to take precautions when crossing the street.

The flashlight key chains have “Friends don’t let friends drive distracted” imprinted on them and will be given to teenagers as a constant reminder when they get behind the steering wheel.

“The pedal carts help us educate teens and children because it’s interactive,” said Cathi Kellett, Special Programs Coordinator for the VPN. “If you have that hands-on component, they understand more about driving and road safety than just reading a pamphlet.”

The Valley United Way Special Needs Grant program is designed to provide funding for special needs or new programs. Funding for the program comes from donors who have expressed an interest in funding areas of importance to them, including health, education and graduation, income, elder care basic needs, youth and recreation, and housing and shelter.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital nurse recognized for work with families of Alzheimer's patients

Griffin Hospital’s Cary Carpino, RN, of Oakville, second from left, poses with, from left, Maria Tomasetti, CT Alzheimer's Association South Central Regional Director, Diane Betkoski of Griffin Hospital’s Lifeline Service, and Carolyn DeRocco, CT Alzheimer's Association Sr. Director of Education and Programs. Carpino was honored at Alzheimer's Association’s Annual Excellence in Caregiving Luncheon at The Spring Glen Church in Hamden. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Cary Carpino of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program was one of more than 25 area caregivers recently honored by The South Central Regional Office of the Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter.

Carpino, of Oakville, was recognized for her dedication and support to patients, families and friends living with Alzheimer’s disease at the association’s annual Excellence in Caregiving Luncheon in November at the Spring Glen Church in Hamden. 
Carpino leads Griffin Hospital’s Alzheimer’s disease monthly support group.

“Cary’s positive approach to helping families cope with this dreaded disease is inspirational,” said Diane Betkoski of Griffin Hospital’s Lifeline Service. 

“She is professional in her approach and communicates in a friendly manner resulting in a trusting relationship. These qualities make Cary an outstanding support to individuals and families struggling with this disease.
"Cary is a role model for other healthcare professionals who work in this field. Her dedication to helping families is noteworthy for this recognition.”

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

  

Diabetes support group at Griffin adds session

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital is offering an afternoon session to make it easier for members to attend.

In recognition of National Heart Month and the fact that diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease, the group is offering a free presentation on the connection between the two medical conditions from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in Griffin Hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A and from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Meditation and Learning Center. 
Griffin Hospital is at 130 Division St.
Dr. Shilpa Shetty, of Griffin Hospital Primary Care, will be the presenter for the afternoon program and Mary Swansiger, R.N., MPH, of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Parish Nursing program, will present in the evening.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. This group is open to all diabetics and their families, at no charge. 
Free valet parking is available for the afternoon sessions until 4:30 p.m.
No registration is required. For information, call Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This information is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin parish nurses to offer breast health info

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital Community Outreach and Parish Nurses program will host a breast health information table on from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 6 at Liberty Rehab & Patient Aid Center, 49 Pershing Drive.

Registered nurses will provide free handouts and answer questions about breast cancer screening guidelines, how to get a mammogram, and other health issues that affect women.

This information is from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin to provide breast wellness outreach with Komen funding

Daun Barrett (left), Director of Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurses at Griffin Hospital in Derby welcomes Denise Rivera Coladonato, Grants Coordinator at Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut, at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin during a site visit. 
Earlier this year, Griffin received $50,000 from Komen to provide breast wellness outreach and education in the greater Valley area and to provide free screening mammograms to women who otherwise would not be able to afford one.

Talk to focus on spirituality, heart health link

Griffin committee plans annual program Feb. 7 
 
DERBY - The 8th Annual Women and Heart Disease program will feature a talk about connections between spirituality and heart health.

The Reverend Jo Clare Wilson will present “A Heart with Soul is a Healthy Heart” at this annual event hosted by Griffin Hospital’s Women and Heart Disease Committee. 

The dinner will be held Feb. 7 at Grassy Hill Lodge. Registration and a silent auction will start at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by dinner and the program.

An ordained clergy in the Disciples of Christ Church and an ACPE, Inc. Supervisor, Wilson serves as director of Pastoral Care and Education at Griffin Hospital. 
 She began her professional career at a mental health center in Scottsbluff, Neb., working as a therapist for individuals, families and groups as well as supervising Clinical Pastoral Education students at the local hospital. She later worked at healthcare institutions in Michigan, Georgia and South Carolina before coming to Griffin in 2000.

Wilson's focus in pastoral care has been in mental health, addiction and spirituality. She has been particularly invested in the Planetree philosophy of understanding the connection and influence in health and healing between mind, body and spirit.

The event will also feature ceremonies for the Community Caring Heart Award. This year, The Valley Women’s Health Initiative/Women Making a Difference and Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo, will receive the award in recognition of their initiatives that promote and improve the general health and well-being of all.

Tickets are $35 and the event is open to the public. To make a reservation or for more information, call 203-732-1137. Proceeds benefit the Women and Heart Disease Fund. Reservations are due by Jan 31.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease kills nearly twice as many women in the United States than all types of cancer combined, yet fewer than one out of four women think heart disease is a threat to their health. 
In recognition of this fact, Griffin Hospital's Women and Heart Disease Committee - consisting of members of the Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program, nursing and other healthcare professionals, and volunteers from throughout the community - hosts the annual event to better educate women about heart disease.

Daun Barrett and Dee Klingaman are co-chairs of the Women and Heart Disease Committee for 2013. 
Additional committee members include Lisa Bisson, Laura Bracci, JoAnn Brejwo, Luisa Canestri, Laurie Casey, Maureen Coffey, Jeannette Connelly, Dorothy Gandy, Joanne Halstead, RN, Anita Jain, RN, Bev Kondor, RN, Eunice Lisk, Laurene Schultz, Maria Silvestre, RN, and Mary Swansiger, RN.

Program to highlight heart disease awareness, prevention

Annual event slated in February 

DERBY - The Women and Heart Disease Committee of Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurse Program will hold its eighth annual Women and Heart Disease program starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at Grassy Hill Lodge.

Guest speaker will be the Rev. Jo Clare Wilson, chaplain, Griffin Hospital. The topic of her talk is "A Heart with Soul is a Healthy Heart."

The committee will present its fifth annual "Caring Heart" awards. The community award will go to "Valley Women's Health Initiative" Valley Breast Cancer Committee and the individual award will go to Naugatuck Mayor Robert A. Mezzo.

This special award recognizes community and individual initiatives that promote and improve the general health and wellbeing of all.

There will be a dinner and silent auction.
Tickets are $35; RSVP by Jan. 31 to 203-732-1137.

The goal of the Women and Heart Disease Committee is to increase awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure women are provided the means to protect their heart health through education and awareness.

Clinic teaches child safety, distributes car seats

Safe Kids, Valley parish nurses host event

Easton Police Officer Mark Pastore secures Charlize Wallace into her new car seat. / Contributed photo

 

More than 75 children from the Valley will be traveling safer thanks to a car seat clinic Thursday.

 

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley and Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Program hosted the car seat clinic at the Head Start TEAM Early Care and Education Center at 80 Howard Ave., Ansonia. Combining grants from BJ’s Charitable Foundation and Safe Kids USA, they were able to have a complete child safety education program that culminated in the distribution of 76 car seats.

“With the money from BJ’s and Safe Kids, we were able to have an entire educational program for the parents here which included pedestrian safety as well as car safety,” said Cathi Kellett, Coordinator for Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley and Special Programs Coordinator for Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Program. 
“To be eligible for a car seat, parents had to go through all of the classes and complete a post-test on all of the safety information. Today, we are able to give out 76 car seats to families in need.”

Car seat recipient Nicole Souza wasn’t aware her 4-year-old daughter Charlize Wallace still needed to be in a car seat until she was recently pulled over by local police. 

“Thankfully they gave me a warning, and I was able to participate in this program,” Souza said. “[Charlize] hasn’t been in a car seat since she outgrew her old one about a year ago.”

Kellett, along with school staff, gathered information from the parents ahead of time such as the children’s height and weight so they could have the correct seats prepped for installation at the clinic. The seats were installed by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, who undergo continuous training to maintain their title.

“We go through about 40 hours of training and have to recertify every two years,” said Mary Swansiger, Outreach Coordinator for Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Program. “During that two-year period, we have to work at various community events to keep our skills up, and have to practice on all five types of car seats.”


This information is taken from a release from Griffin Hospital. 

Valley coalition to raise awareness of pedestrian safety

Oct. 3 is International Walk to School Day

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley and Griffin Hospital in Derby will join local schoolchildren and FedEx volunteers Wednesday to raise awareness about pedestrian safety on International Walk to School Day.

In the Valley an educational event will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at John C. Mead Elementary School, 75 Ford St., Ansonia.

More than 250,000 children across the United States will participate in the annual event to learn about walking safely and encourage the creation of safe walking environments.

“On International Walk to School Day, parents and caregivers both teach and model safe pedestrian behavior,” said Cathi Kellett, Coordinator, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley. “It is one thing to tell students about pedestrian safety, but by walking with them on International Walk to School Day, we can show them proper behaviors and give them the tools to be safer pedestrians."

This fall, Safe Kids released a report titled “Walking Safely, A Report to the Nation,” a 15-year trend report which examined child pedestrian injuries and deaths in the U.S.
The report revealed that while walking safety has improved overall for children since 1995, there are still a staggering number of children hit by cars.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14.  More than 61 children are injured every day severely enough to seek medical attention and more than 500 children are killed every year.

“International Walk to School Day is a great opportunity for students to learn how to remain injury-free as they walk to and from school,” Kellett added. “No child should be put in danger simply because they are walking to school or around their neighborhood.”

In 1999, Safe Kids Worldwide and program sponsor FedEx created the Safe Kids Walk This Way Program in the United States to teach safe behaviors to motorists and child pedestrians and create safer, more walkable communities. This year will mark the 13th anniversary of the program.
Safe Kids coalitions across the country will work with over 1,000 elementary schools to hold events for children on how to walk safely and recognize pedestrian dangers.
“Safety is one of our company’s core values, and we have been dedicated to improving child pedestrian safety through the Safe Kids Walk This Way program for over a decade,” said Rose Flenorl, Manager of FedEx Global Citizenship.
“Our team members work hand-in-hand with Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley to teach Ansonia children how to stay safer when they walk. Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley does a wonderful job in our community and we look forward to supporting them as they make walking safer for everyone.”

About Safe Kids
Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States.

Its members include local police, fire, EMS, schools, LNV Boys & Girls Clubs, TEAM Headstart, Derby Elks, and Valley Substance Abuse Action Council.

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury.
Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley was founded in 2004 and is led by Griffin Hospital and the Valley Parish Nurses.
For information, visit safekids.org.


The above is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Health fair to cover dehydration dangers in youth sports

Event slated Sept. 16 at club in Shelton

 With many young school athletes working hard this month to prepare for fall sports, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley is encouraging parents and coaches to keep children safe especially from heat-related illnesses.

Nearly 3/4 of U.S. households have at least one child who plays organized sports. Unfortunately, about 3.5 million children receive medical treatment for a sports-related injury each year, and as many as half of these injuries are preventable according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“With scorching high temperatures and vigorous practice sessions underway for school age children, parents and coaches have an even greater role to play in keeping children safe and injury free,” said Cathi Kellett, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coordinator. “It’s vitally important to set realistic expectations for children about sports and understand how to help them prepare properly, prevent injuries and play safely.”

In a nationwide education campaign, supported by its founding sponsor Johnson & Johnson, Safe Kids Worldwide coalitions have hosted more than 150 Youth Sports Safety Clinics for parents and youth coaches since April.
Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital, and the Valley Parish Nurses will be hosting a Sports Safety program at the 11^th Annual Children’s Health & Safety Fair on Sept.16 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club, One Positive Place, Shelton.

Heat stroke danger on the rise

The summer heat has brought particular attention to the dangers of heat stroke, one of the leading causes of sudden death in sports.
 According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the number of heat-related injuries from 1997 to 2006 increased 133 percent. Youth accounted for the largest proportion of heat-related injuries or 47.6 percent.

According to a leading expert on heat stroke, Dr. Douglas Casa, over the past five years, the number of heat stroke deaths from exertion in youth sports is higher than in any five-year period in the past 35 years.

“One of the most powerful protective steps in assuring that athletes stay hydrated is proper time and access to fluids during physical activity,” said Casa, a researcher and professor at the University of Connecticut and chief operating officer at the school's Korey Stringer Institute. “Coaches and parents supervising youth activities in the intense heat must have policies or guidelines in place so that youth athletes can stay cool and properly hydrated during practices and events.”

A national survey commissioned by Safe Kids Worldwide in April 2012, funded by Johnson & Johnson, confirmed parents and coaches need more youth sports safety information.
In fact, when asked in a survey of more than 750 coaches, 73 percent of coaches reported they would like more training in heat illness prevention. Additionally, only 1 percent of young athletes reported having heard about heat illness as a type of sports injury.

Tips to follow
Safe Kids offers these important tips for coaches, parents, and league organizers to prevent heat illness and dehydration:

• Don’t wait for kids to tell you they are thirsty. Making regular water breaks (every 15-20 minutes) a habit will help avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

• We want our young athletes to drink water at least 30 minutes before play and every 15-20 minutes during play.

• For fluid intake during physical activity, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

o   5 oz. for an 88-pound child every 20 minutes

o   9 oz. for a 132-pound adolescent every 20 minutes

o   A child’s gulp equals a ½ ounce of fluid so generally, your child should drink about 10 gulps for every 20 minutes of play

• Use urine color as a guide for hydration status:

o   Light like lemonade then the child is likely hydrated

o   Dark like apple juice then he/she is likely dehydrated

For information on Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley’s sports-safety clinics or sports injury prevention in general,  call Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coordinator, Cathi Kellett, 203-732-1337 or visit www.safekids.org/sports.

This above is taken from a release from Griffin Hospital in Derby.

Ansonia church to host health fair

ANSONIA - Free health screenings and programs on how to stay healthy and safe highlight the 7th Annual Community Health Fair to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, 96 Central St.
Attendees can receive free health screenings for stroke assessments (including cholesterol), blood pressure and diabetic screenings.
In addition, the fair will feature the Child Identification Program (CHIP), health and wellness displays and interactive health education booths.

The event is sponsored by Griffin Hospital’s Valley Parish Nurse Program, Valley NAACP and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants.

The above is a release from Griffin Hospital in Derby.