Jefferson Community Health & Life Receives Safety Award

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Each year during the Nebraska Safety Council Conference and Trade Show, the work of organizations that have made a difference in workplace safety, is recognized by the Nebraska Safety Council.

The Workplace Safety Award Program is designed for Nebraska Safety Council member companies that encourage and promote the prevention of occupational injuries and illness in their workplaces and have achieved superior results in the success of their safety programs. Applications are peer-reviewed by industry professionals in a volunteer committee that evaluates various aspects of their programs.

Jefferson Community Health & Life was awarded the Spirit Award for its safety achievements during an Awards Luncheon which was held on October 16, 2019, at the Holthus Convention Center in York, Nebraska. Attending to receive the award for JCH&L were safety committee members: Patrick Hoins; Jasmine Schwisow; Tricia Forney; Julie Dux; Diane Wellsandt; Katie Schoenrock; Sara Nickel; and Sarah Bauer.

The Nebraska Safety Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide leadership and resources to promote a safe and healthy environment in our workplace and community.

The Council is a nonprofit organization and can be contacted at 402-483-2511 or on the web at www.nesafetycouncil.org.

Gardenside, Cedarwood Welcome Trick or Treaters

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Trick or treaters will be welcomed at Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside, 2200 H St., and Cedarwood assisted living, 828 22nd St., from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

“Gardenside residents and Cedarwood tenants enjoy handing out treats and seeing the young trick or treaters in their costumes,” said Deb Sutton RN, administrator at Gardenside and Cedarwood. “Welcoming trick or treaters is a tradition that our residents and tenants look forward to.”

All trick or treaters must be accompanied by adults. Trick or treaters may enter the main entrance of Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside (the covered walkway by the circle drive accessed from H Street) or the main entrance of Cedarwood (accessed from 22nd Street.)

For more information, contact Gardenside at (402) 729-5220 or Cedarwood at (402) 729-6100.

JCH&L Therapy Staff Earn Certification in Women’s Health

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Women have unique health needs – and well-trained physical and occupational therapists can be a great resource to help them. JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services staff earned a certification in Women’s Health in September.

“We learned techniques and interventions to help women reclaim active, satisfying, pain-free lives,” said Amy Martin MPT, director of JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services. “We are excited to be able to provide treatment for some of the specialized health needs of women.”

Strategies, interventions and techniques include methods to assist with:

  • Reducing pelvic pain and managing pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Resolving bladder hyperactivity and incontinence
  • Reducing low back pain related to pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Rebuilding core muscles and stability after childbirth
  • Reducing pain, swelling, range of motion, fatigue and functional impairment in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer
  • Controlling swelling, decreasing fluid buildup and preventing infection in patients with lymphedema
  • Reducing pain and improving strength, flexibility, and stamina in patients with fibromyalgia
  • Decreasing bone loss, protecting the spine, reducing fall risk and increasing mobility in patients with osteoporosis

“These issues are some of the most common issues that women of various ages face,” Martin said. “We encourage women who may be experiencing any of these common health issues to talk to us or their family medicine physician about how therapy might be able to help them.”

Receiving the Certificate in Women’s Health were:
Amy Martin, MPT, director;
Callie Engler, PT, DPT;
Nichole Thorp, PT, DPT;
Cassidy Bentley, MOT, OTR/L

Amy Martin, MPT Nichole Thorp, PT, DPT

New Therapist Joins JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services

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Cassidy Bentley MOT, OTR/L is new Occupational Therapist

New Occupational Therapist Cassidy Bentley is excited to start her career at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services.

Cassidy is a Bruning native, so she is familiar with the area. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a minor in health science from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2017. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Nebraska Methodist College in 2019. She received news she passed her boards on Sept. 18.

Occupational therapy is the profession that helps people of all ages do they things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations.) Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent – or live better with – injury, illness or disability.

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapists have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment or task to fit the person.

She is educated in women’s health, and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Mobile Screening Services to be Offered at JCH&L

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Mobile Screening Services from Bryan Health will be offered at Jefferson Community Health & Life on Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The screenings are available on a private-pay basis only.

Several types of screening are available. Atrial fibrillation screening is available for all ages. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia, affecting 2.7 million Americans. The cost of this screening is $10.

The other three screenings available are available to those who are 65 or older, or age 55 with certain personal risk factors or family history. Please discuss your eligibility with the scheduler when you call to make an appointment. Screenings available based on age or risk include:

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease screening – A painless, non-invasive test called the anklebrachial index (Abi) compares the blood pressure in the ankles to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well the blood is flowing. Cost– $20.
  • Abdonimal Aortic Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects the presence of an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta (four hour fast required.) Cost – $40.
  • Carotid Artery Ultrasound screening – This painless, non-invasive screening detects plaque deposits in the carotid arteries. These plaque deposits are a leading risk factor for stroke. Cost – $40.

Appointments for any of the screenings maybe made by calling JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Oct. 14

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a video “Living with Parkinson’s Disease: A Survivor’s Guide,” by Professor Simon Lewis, MBBCh BSc MRCP FRACP MD.

For easiest access, park in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost. For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402)-729-6855.

Another Session of Kids Cooking Set for Oct. 25 at JHC&L

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Children will have an opportunity to learn about healthy eating and the importance of working together to plan and prepare health meals during a Cooking Class for Kids to be offered Friday, Oct. 25, at Jefferson Community Health & Life. The program is open to kids in grades 3-6 and their adult partners. During each class, participants will prepare a simple healthy meal together and then enjoy the meal as a group. The class is sponsored by Jefferson Community Health & Life and Nebraska Extension – Jefferson County.

The class will be offered from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The registration fee is $15 per team. Pre-registration with payment is required by Friday, Oct. 18.

Aprons will be available for the children to wear during the class, and available for them to purchase after the class if they choose for an additional $5.

For more information or a registration form, call Lisa Edeal, RDN, LMNT, at 402-729-6846.

Influenza Immunization Clinics Scheduled

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Influenza vaccination clinics have been scheduled at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic and JCH&L Plymouth Clinic. Fairbury Clinic will have front lobby flu shot clinic days on Monday, Oct. 14, and Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 11;30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Plymouth Clinic will have font lobby flu shot clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 22, form 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For these clinics, no appointment is necessary. Bring your insurance card if you want the influenza vaccine to be billed to insurance. Most major insurances and Medicare cover the influenza vaccine. The cost of the influenza vaccine if private pay is $45.

Children 18 and under who are covered by Medicaid can’t get their flu vaccines at these clinics. They must use a clinic which participates in the Vaccines for Children program. The Blue Valley Community Action Immunization Clinic which holds clinics twice a month at JCH&L offers Vaccines for Children immunizations.

Influenza vaccines are available any day the clinics are open, or during office visits. Flu shots on days other than the scheduled front lobby days may require a few minutes wait time.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend annual influenza vaccinations for everyone 6 months and older. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent influenza is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

If you have questions about influenza vaccinations, contact JCH&L Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits Sept. 30

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FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the bloodmobile in the JCH&L parking lot (on the H street side of the building.) All types are needed.

Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s bloodbank, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

To make an appointment, call Jean Smith at JCH&L at 402-729-6851, the Nebraska Community Bloodbank at 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.org and use sponsor code JCHC.

Don’t Make a Medicare Part D Mistake

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Letting your Medicare Part D drug insurance automatically roll over from year to year could cost you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in unnecessary costs. Jefferson Community Health & Life is sponsoring “Pick the Right Medicare Drug Plan” on Thursday, October 31, in Fairbury.

Medicare uses competition between insurance companies to reduce the price of prescription drug insurance. Individuals with Medicare can learn how to avoid excessive prescription costs at a free enrollment event by Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Appointments are required.  To schedule an appointment time, call Lori DeBoer at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402) 729-3351.

“Every year Medicare drug plans change prices, drugs covered, even the pharmacies where you get the biggest discount. That is why it is so important for people to compare drug plans every year between October 15 and December 7,” said SHIIP-certified Medicare counselor Lori DeBoer. “With open enrollment just around the corner, it is time for people to start thinking about how to get the best drug coverage at the lowest price.”

SHIIP is part of a national network funded by Medicare, which offers unbiased counseling and information about Medicare. SHIIP does not sell or promote any insurance products. For information about Medicare, contact SHIIP at (800) 234-7119.

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE