Learn about the health benefits of juicing and making smoothies during an event from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Yampa Valley Medical Center in the conference rooms.
The event will be presented by Dr. Charlie Petersen and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Cara Marrs and Laura Stout.
RSVP at www.yvmc.org or by calling 970-875-2731.
Summer community blood drives set
Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy all the activities the season has to offer, but unfortunately it’s often a difficult time of year and Bonfils Blood Center experiences up to a 20 percent decline in donations because of travel and other warm weather plans.
This year, make a positive impact in your life and the lives of others and help ensure the community blood supply remains stable. All donors who give blood June 1 through Aug. 2 will receive a small red cooler bag (while supplies last).
The next community blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6 p.m. June 12 at Yampa Valley Medical Center inside the conference rooms.
Bonfils Blood Center provides blood and blood products to nearly 100 hospitals and health care facilities throughout Colorado and beyond. Bonfils needs nearly 3,000 people to donate blood every week to meet the needs of the community and be prepared for any unforeseen events.
For more information about Bonfils Blood Center, visit www.bonfils.org or call 303-363-2300 or 800-365-0006.
Baby and Me Tobacco Free program available
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program.
This free program offers four prenatal smoking cessation sessions. Expectant moms who quit smoking and stay smoke free during their pregnancy and after their baby is born will receive a monthly voucher for free diapers, for as many as 12 months.
For more information, call Hope Cook, RN, at 970-871-7622.
VNA to host Hospice Celebration of Life Golf Tournament
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will hold its Hospice Celebration of Life Golf Tournament and Dinner Event on June 9.
The day kicks off with the golf tournament at 8 a.m. at Catamount Ranch & Club followed by a lively dinner event that same evening featuring an upscale barbecue menu, music by Jon Gibbs and Randy Kelley, drinks and festivities at The Larson Barn starting at 6:30 p.m.
There is limited parking, and carpooling is encouraged.
VNA’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program enables patients with a life expectancy of six months or less to approach the end of life with dignity and comfort in their own community. Dinner tickets are $60 each, and sponsorships are available from $100 and up.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kendall Yeager at 970-871-7607 or kyeager@nwcovna.org, or visit www.nwcovna.org/hospicecelebration.php.
Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets Sundays
Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group explores recovery through meditation, book study and open discussion. The group currently is reading "One Breath at a Time” by Kevin Griffin.
Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions and are free, but donations are appreciated.
The group meets at 5:30 p.m. Sundays at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2550 Copper Frontage Road, No. 201. For more information, call 720-670-8642.
High number of measles cases reported in US
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States is experiencing a high number of reported measles cases, many of which were acquired during international travel.
A total of 129 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. in 2014, the highest number reported since 1996.
Of these cases, 34 were imported from other countries, such as the Philippines.
The Philippines has been experiencing an explosive outbreak of measles, with approximately 20,000 confirmed or suspected cases reported during January and February, including 69 deaths.
Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. After an infected person leaves a location, the virus remains contagious for as many as two hours on surfaces and in the air. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death.
CDC recommends international travelers, school age children and college students receive two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. Children between ages 1 and 3 years old should receive one dose of MMR, but two doses if they are traveling internationally.
For more information on getting vaccinated against measles, call Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632 or contact your health care provider.
Donations needed for bingo prizes at Casey's Pond Senior Living
Donations now are being accepted for jewelry, small stuffed animals or similar items to be used as bingo prizes at the Doak Walker House at Casey’s Pond Senior Living in Steamboat Springs.
Drop them off at the concierge desk or call Celia with questions at 970-457-4883.
Residents reminded to be careful when spring cleaning
Hantavirus is a serious respiratory disease carried by deer mice (brown on top and white underneath with large ears). Steamboat residents should be careful when doing spring cleaning and before opening up cabins, buildings, sheds and barns. People can become infected when you inhale dirt and dust contaminated with deer mice droppings.
To help prevent this, air out rodent-infested buildings or areas at least 30 minutes before cleaning. Use a solution of household bleach (one cup of bleach per gallon of water) to spray materials you have used for cleaning mouse droppings. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/hantavirus.
Residents reminded to be careful around wildlife
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association reminds residents to be careful with small animals that can have rabies. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bats and other types of wildlife can have rabies and never should be touched.
Other information about rabies:
• Rabies is a deadly disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually from bites.
• Not all bats have rabies, but most human cases in the U.S. are caused by bats.
• Bat bites leave a small wound but require urgent medical attention. If bitten, wash the wound with soap and water and call your doctor.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/rabies.
Parents grieving loss of infant can join support group
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is starting a support group for parents grieving the loss of an infant.
This group will meet weekly and offer support to any parent who has experienced the premature loss of an infant through miscarriage or other circumstances.
Call Katy Thiel at 970-871-7628 to register for this group. A date and location have not yet been determined.
Support group for children ages 12 to 15 meets Wednesdays
Poogie’s Place/Cole’s Cowboy Corner, a program of Hospice, will be starting a children’s support group for kids ages 12 to 15 who are grieving the death of a loved one.
This group will use art as a means of learning about and finding ways to cope with a death. During the children’s group a subsequent parent’s group will be offered for parents to explore ways to deal with your own grief and to learn ways to help your children deal with their grief.
The group will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rollingstone Respite House. The start date will be determined at time of registration.
This group is free, but donations are accepted. Call Katy Thiel at 970-871-7628 for more information and to sign up.
Parkinson's exercise class is Wednesdays
A Parkinson’s exercise will start for people with Parkinson's disease or those who would like to improve balance. The class includes seated warm up, standing exercises for balance, strength and agility, and group camaraderie.
The classes will run from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Wednesdays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs at Eighth and Oak streets. Use the alley entrance.
Costs are $10 for drop in or $80 for a 10-punch card, and care partners are free.
Contact Jacqueline Teuscher at 303-829-2869 or jacqueline.teuscher@gmail.com or Eva Gibbon at 970-846-9887 for more information.
VNA offers birth control, STD screenings
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Community Health Center is offering low-cost birth control, STD screenings (for men and women), pap smears, breast exams and general women’s health care based on income. All income levels are welcome. Make an appointment in Steamboat by calling 970-879-1632 or in Craig by calling 970-824-8233.
LiveWell program to help families with healthy eating
LiveWell Northwest Colorado is helping families be healthy by working to improve eating habits and to be more physically active through the “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” program. The program sets the goal each day of eating five or more fruits and vegetables, watching two or fewer hours of TV, getting an hour or more of physical activity and drinking zero sugary drinks. For more information about the program, visit www.nwcovna.org/livewell.php or call LiveWell Northwest Colorado Community Coordinator Barb Parnell at 970-819-4110.
Planned Parenthood can help with annual exam costs
Planned Parenthood can cover the cost of an annual exam for women who are uninsured or underinsured, according to a news release. Call 970-879-2212 for information or to make an appointment or stop by the health center on 11th Street between Lincoln Avenue and Oak Street.
Northwest Colorado VNA offers options to help quit tobacco
The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association offers options for those looking to quite smoking. The VNA has counseling available to help tobacco users of all ages to quit using cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Quitting tobacco usually takes multiple attempts, but studies show cessation support can significantly improve a person’s chance for success. Counseling helps tobacco users set quit goals in a judgment-free environment. Participants also may receive support for weight management, nutrition, heart health and stress control. There is no fee for this service. It is available in English and Spanish. To be connected with a Cessation Counselor in Steamboat Springs or Craig, call 970-871-7634.
Other programs the VNA offer include:
• The Colorado QuitLine, which offers free personalized cessation phone support for smokers. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• SmokefreeTXT program provides free personalized text message support. Text the word QUIT to IQUIT (47848).
Support groups to meet this week
• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Rollingstone Respite House. The group is open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Call 970-871-7628 prior to attending your first meeting.
• A domestic violence support group for women is from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. Call Diane at 970-879-2034 before attending.
• A Heartbeat Suicide Survivor support group meeting is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health campus, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for survivors to learn skills to help manage grief. Enroll by calling 970-846-8182.
• A depression, anxiety and bipolar support group meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room 2 at Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive. The group provides support, education and tools to help with everyday life. Family and friends are welcome. Call 970-819-2232 for more information.
• A Parkinson's care partners meeting for those who care for people with Parkinson's disease is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. For the meeting location, contact 970-879-0518 or sherilu1@gmail.com.
• Heartbeat of Steamboat support group meetings Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rollingstone Respite House, 480 Rollingstone Drive. The group is for those who have lost a loved one or friend.
• A cancer support group to help cancer patients deal with pain, nausea, fatigue and side effects is from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays at the Integrative Health Center, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave., Suite A. For more information, call 970-846-4717.
• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meetings Sundays at 5:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group will explore recovery through meditation, book study and all open discussion. Meetings are open to all faiths and addictions. For more information, call 720-670-8642.
To submit a health brief, email happenings@SteamboatToday.com.