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Health briefs: Health screenings available for local miners

Representatives from the Miners Clinic from National Jewish Health in Denver will be in Craig on Thursday and Friday to provide free, confidential screenings to current and former miners. This service will be available at The Memorial Hospital Medical Clinic, 785 Russell St.

Information from the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program, which helps people harmed by atmospheric nuclear testing and employment in the uranium mining industry from 1942 to 1972, also will be available.

During last year’s screenings in Craig, a number of those screened were shown to have lung function and X-ray abnormalities. Early awareness of any health concerns can help in determining necessary treatments.



Appointments are required and space is limited. For more information, call 877-255-LUNG (5864).

Celebration of Life Golf Tournament and Dinner is Monday

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will hold its Hospice Celebration of Life Golf Tournament and Dinner event Monday.



The day kicks off with the golf tournament at 8 a.m. at the 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.

There will be no parking at Hospice Celebration of Life Dinner. A shuttle will be provided from the Haymaker Golf Course starting at 5:30 p.m. The shuttle will run continuously through the event.

VNA’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program enables patients with a life expectancy of 6 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 more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kendall Yeager at 970-871-7607 or kyeager@nwcovna.org or visit http://www.nwcovna.org/hospicecelebration.php.

Community forum to be held Thursday

Northwest Colorado Center for Independence, Routt County Council on Aging and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation are holding a Routt County Community Forum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

The purpose of the forum is to inform the public about organizations in the community. Agencies and programs such as the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Bridges Out of Poverty, Horizons Specialized Services, Mind Springs Health and Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports will speak at the forum and will host resource tables.

All are welcome to attend. Call Jerry Van Voorst, with Northwest Colorado Center for Independence, at 970-620-3897.

Northwest Colorado VNA offers Tdap vaccine

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.

Community blood drive is Thursday

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

Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program offered

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association is offering the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program.

This free program offers four prenatal smoking cessations sessions. Expectant moms that quit smoking, stay quit during their pregnancy and stay smoke free 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.

CDC recommends travelers, children and college students get MMR vaccination

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

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.

Support group to be started for parents grieving loss of an infant

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.

Parkinson’s exercise classes offered 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 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 Parkinson’s support group meets at 4 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church of Steamboat Springs, 736 Oak St. For more information, call 970-875-1088.

• 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.

• Children’s support group for kids ages 12 to 15 who are grieving the death of a loved one is from 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rollingstone Respite House. This group is free, but donations are accepted. Call Katy Thiel at 970-871-7628 for more information and to sign up.

• A cancer support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at Yampa Valley Medical Center’s Integrated Health, 3001 S. Lincoln Ave. The group is for those with cancer to learn techniques to manage stress and create a holiday plan. For more information, call Sara Ross at 970-875-2731.

• 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.


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