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Health briefs: VNA offers tetanus vaccinations

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin (poison) made by bacteria that’s commonly found in soil. Tetanus does not spread from person to person. The bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin — usually cuts or puncture wounds.

Tetanus vaccination is recommended for everyone and should be repeated every 10 years. Immunizations including Tdap and other routine recommended vaccinations are covered by insurance.

If you are uninsured, the cost is $21.50 per shot. Call the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig at 970-824-8233 or in Steamboat Springs at 970-879-1632 to make your appointment.



Bonfils in need of blood donations

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 through Aug. 2 will receive a small red cooler bag (while supplies last).

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 http://www.bonfils.org or call 303-363-2300 or 800-365-0006.

Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program offered through VNA

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.

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 the 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.

Casey’s Pond Senior Living in need of bingo prizes

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 should be careful around wildlife that could have rabies

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association reminds residents that 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 http://www.cdc.gov/rabies.

Support group for parents grieving loss of an infant offered

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.

Kids support group is Wednesdays at Rollingstone Respite

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 every Wednesday

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

• The Steamboat Meditation Recovery Group meets Sundays at 5:30 p.m. at the Buddhist Center of Steamboat Springs, 2250 Copper Frontage Road, No. 202, or at the Yampa River Botanic Park on the third Sunday of the month, weather permitting. 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.


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