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Health briefs: Middle school’s photo gallery to highlight healthy living campaign

— Steamboat Springs Middle School will host an art gallery featuring photos chosen from the Bettermeyv youth healthy living campaign. The gallery opening will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 8 in the middle school Arcade. Everyone is welcome. Bettermeyv is a social media campaign that encourages local middle- and high-school students to share photos of themselves and their friends being active and setting a positive example in their communities. Students post their photos to Instagram using the hashtag #bettermeyv. The project is a joint effort of Grand Futures Prevention Coalition and the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association. Steamboat Springs Middle will host the gallery through mid-June. For more information about Bettermeyv, go to bettermeyv.com or call Megan McCord, with Grand Futures, at 970-879-6188.

VNA reminds residents to protect themselves from Hantavirus

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association advises precautions when cleaning areas inhabited by rodents. Hantavirus is a serious, potentially fatal respiratory illness carried primarily by deer mice. People can be infected by breathing in dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse urine and feces. Most cases occur in the spring and summer. The illness can begin one to six weeks after exposure. Early symptoms are fatigue, fever and muscle aches and may also include headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. If a person experiences these symptoms and has potentially been exposed to rodents, they should seek medical attention immediately. Hantavirus can be prevented by cleaning up possible rodent food sources and nesting sites around the home, work area or campsite. For information about saftely cleaning rodent areas, go to http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/.



Support groups this week:

• A bereavement support group meets from 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays 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.

• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202. The group also has a recovery-based yoga beforehand at 4:30 p.m. 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.

• A Caregiver Cancer Support Group is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays in the community room at Natural Grocers, 355 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 970-846-4717.

Baby and Me program helps pregnant women be smoke-free

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Baby and Me Tobacco Free program helps expectant moms quit tobacco with four prenatal smoking cessation sessions and incentives. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of miscarriage, premature birth, birth defects and infant death. Program participants who quit smoking and remain smoke free throughout their pregnancy and after their baby is born receive monthly vouchers for free diapers, for up to a year. For more information, call Hope Cook at 970-871-7622.

Parkinson’s exercise class held Fridays

The Parkinson’s exercise class consists of exercises developed by neuroscientist Becky Farley (http://www.pwr4life.org) and Gary Sobol (who has Parkinson’s and is the founder of GZ Sobol’s Parkinson’s Network: http://www.parkinsonsnetwork.org) to specifically address Parkinson’s symptoms (e.g., dexterity, rigidity, balance, bradykinesia, voice softness). The class participants warm up their muscles, focus on big, powerful movements and loud voices, and work together as a group to encourage one another, share tips and revel in good humor.

The classes are from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Fridays at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, 736 Oak St. Use the alley entrance. Occasionally, the classes will be held at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp.

The first class is free, and after that, it’s $10 for drop-ins and $80 for a 10-punch card. Care partners are free of charge. Contact Jacqueline Teuscher at 303-829-2869 or jacqueline.teuscher@gmail.com or Eva Gibbon at 970-846-9887.

VNA offers birth control, STD screenings

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Community Health Center offers low-cost birth control, STD screenings for both men and women, Pap tests, breast exams and general women’s health care based on income. Women ages 40 to 64 may qualify for free Pap tests and breast exams. For more information or to make an appointment, call 970-879-1632.

Tai chi classes offered through Aging Well program

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Aging Well program is offering a tai chi class at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Tai chi helps strengthen bones and muscles, improves balance and confidence, reduces stress and encourages relaxation. Tai Chi for Health: Practice the Art is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays with Nancy Smith. The classes are free, but a $3 donation is suggested. For more information, call 970-871-7676.

To submit a health brief, email happenings@SteamboatToday.com.


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