Wednesday, February 20, 2019

AGING IN PLACE TO HOST PRESENTATION FOR SENIORS

Aging in Place, an initiative of the Livingston County Health Center, is hosting an event on Wednesday, February 27th at 10 a.m. in the Health Center classroom, to educate area residents about things they can do to help improve their own outcome in emergency situations.

Jonathon Nolan, Firefighter/Paramedic at the Chillicothe Fire Department, will be presenting a program about Stroke and STEMI Awareness.  STEMI, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction, refers to a serious and deadly form of heart attack in which a coronary artery is completely blocked and a large part of the heart muscle is unable to receive blood.  Medical personnel are literally on the clock to get the artery opened to save the patient’s life. 

Emergency responders encourage everyone to call 9-1-1 if they suspect any type of heart attack.

Lucy Sweiger, Director of Health Information at Hedrick Medical Center, will speak about the importance of electronic health records in emergency situations, and how you can make sure your records are available electronically.

Those attending the presentation will also learn about Knox boxes, known officially as the KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry System.  A Knox Box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys for fire departments, emergency medical services, and sometimes police to retrieve in emergency situations.    

Attendees can also find out more about ordering a 911 Rural Location sign through the Health Center, which helps identify a specific property so emergency services can find it quickly.

There will be light refreshments and beverages at the event, which should last roughly an hour.   The public is welcomed to attend.


Monday, January 14, 2019

PROJECT TO IMPROVE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE

AGING IN PLACE LIVINGSTON COUNTY LEADS PROJECT
 TO IMPROVE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE


Livingston County Health Center would like to announce that their office, located at 800 Adam Drive, will be the site to purchase 911 Rural Location Signs through an initiative of its Aging in Place Coalition.

The coalition met with Livingston County Commissioners, County Clerk Sherry Parks, Chillicothe Fire Chief Darrell Wright and volunteer fire chiefs, Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox, Chillicothe Police Department and MODOT Engineer Austin Hibler after identifying the need for senior citizens living in rural areas to be located in a timely matter in emergency situations.  The group came up with a set of specifications for uniform signage easily recognized by emergency services including fire, ambulance and law enforcement. 

The signs are 18”x 6” blue prismatic highly reflective double-sided aluminum with four-inch white numbering.   The recommendation is to display the sign either near the driveway entrance of the property, or on the mailbox of the residence.  The preference would be for the sign to be placed on the same side of the road as the home and beyond the MODOT right of way, which is 15 feet from the center of the road on both sides.

Applications for signage are available at the Health Center, located at 800 Adam Drive, or on their website www.livcohealthcenter.com .  Two mounting options are available, with hardware included.  Residents can choose mailbox mount with nuts and bolts or post mount, which includes a bracket. Six foot perforated u-channel posts that meet MODOT guidelines will also be available for purchase. Cash, check or money order will be accepted as payment.

Missouri Vocational Enterprises will be creating the signs and Grand River Multipurpose Center will be the point of distribution when they arrive.   Volunteers are still being recruited if you would like to assist in the project. 

County residents of any age who live outside city limits are encouraged to purchase signage to mark their properties for their own personal safety.   The more locations marked out in county will help emergency services provide the best level of care.

There is no county ordinance or deadline attached to this initiative, but the benefit to the homeowner and occupants can’t be overstated.  The City of Chillicothe has an existing ordinance for house numbering to encourage residents to mark their properties for quick response as well.

Models of both types of signage available are installed at the health center for viewing. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Livingston County Health Center is again sponsoring its annual “Mitten Tree


Residents Encouraged to Donate New or Clean Used Hats, 
Gloves and Scarves for Those Who Can’t Afford




The Livingston County Health Center is again sponsoring its annual “Mitten Tree.” The Mitten Tree project provides mittens, gloves, hats and scarves to community residents who cannot afford to purchase the items themselves.

This annual project would not be possible without generous donations each year from churches, service organizations and individuals.

The health center is especially in need of gloves for boys and men, including work gloves or casual wear and items for small children ages 0-5.  New or clean used gloves, mittens and hats to fit any size or gender are welcomed as well.

Donations can be dropped off at the health center, located at 800 Adam Drive, during normal business hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If transportation is a problem, health center staff can arrange to pick up your items.  Call 646-5506 to find out more.

Individuals are also encouraged to refer residents in need to the health center Mitten Tree.


All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Health center offering free & reduced fee services for diabetics in November







Chillicothe, MO, November 14, 2018— Livingston County Health Center is offering free and reduced free screenings for those living with diabetes during Diabetes Awareness Month.

Free blood glucose testing is available on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and reduced fee Hemoglobin A1C tests for the first 50 who request it will be offered on Wednesday, November 28th at the adult blood draw clinic from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Anita Perry, Certified Diabetes Educator, also offers free individual diabetes counseling by appointment. 

The Health Center hopes offering these services will help those living with diabetes to better manage their condition.   Call 646-5506 for more information.

Monday, November 5, 2018

No woman should die of cervical cancer - Show Me Health


No woman should die of cervical cancer. You can help prevent cervical cancer by getting screened regularly, starting at age 21.

Cervical cancer is highly preventable with regular screening tests and appropriate follow-up care. It also can be cured when found early and treated.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Vaccines are available to protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer.

HPV is very common in the United States and is passed from one person to another during sex. It is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives, but few women will get cervical cancer. Talk to your health care provider about getting the HPV test.

Screening Tests -Two tests help prevent cervical cancer or find it early

The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

The Pap test is recommended for women between ages 21 and 65, and can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic. Women should start getting Pap tests regularly at age 21. If your Pap test results are normal, your doctor may say you can wait three years until your next Pap test. If you are 30 years old or older, you may choose to have an HPV test along with the Pap test. Your doctor can perform both the Pap and HPV tests at the same time. If your test results are normal, your chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very low. Your doctor may then say you can wait as long as five years for your next screening.

Thousands of women living in northern Missouri rely on the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri for their health-care needs. CAPNCM Women’s Health Services clinics are open to everyone, regardless of financial or age restrictions. Fees for the strictly confidential services are charged on a sliding scale based on the patient’s income. Private insurance and Medicaid are accepted, as well as donations from patients and the public. Clinic staff includes a nurse practitioner and educators specifically trained in family planning services.

Reproductive health services provided through the clinics include: complete examination of the female reproductive system, Pap Smear tests to check for early signs of cancer, breast examinations, diagnosis and treatment of minor gynecological problems and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease. Staff can also provide education on birth control methods and on natural family planning. Birth control supplies are also available at the clinics.

CAPNCM Women’s Health Services conducts a monthly clinic in Chillicothe. For information or to schedule an appointment, call the CAPNCM office at 660-359-2855 or toll-free 1-877-611-7600.

HPV Vaccine
Get the HPV vaccine if you are in the age group for which it’s recommended. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. HPV can also cause cancers of the penis in men, and anal and head and neck cancers in both men and women.

The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens (both boys and girls) aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given as early as age 9 and until age 26.

Make an appointment today at the Livingston County Health Center for your or your child’s vaccination by calling 646-5506.  We offer three monthly clinics, all on Thursdays.  If you don’t have insurance, or your insurance does not cover vaccines, CDC’s Vaccines for Children program may be able to help.

Source: CDC

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Health Center WIC Program Receives Loving Support Award of Excellence




Livingston County Health Center’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is the recipient of a “Loving Support Award of Excellence” from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The award program was established to recognize local agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. 

Of a total of 90 WIC local agencies recognized across the country, sixteen are located in the Mountain Plains Region.  The four local agencies in Missouri awarded the Gold level are: Andrew County WIC, Dunklin County WIC, Livingston County WIC and Taney County WIC.

Only local agencies that have operated a peer counseling program for at least one year, as well as met the required core components related to breastfeeding, peer counseling and community partnerships were eligible.  

Peer counselors are mothers who have personal experience with breastfeeding and are trained to provide basic breastfeeding information and support to other mothers interested in breastfeeding.  They undergo training to provide mother-to-mother support in group settings and one-to-one counseling through telephone calls, texts or visits in the home, clinic or hospital.  Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are also available afterhours to support breastfeeding moms.   The Health Center’s WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is Amanda Kline.  She provides education through prenatal breastfeeding classes; support through a monthly group for moms; calls and texts to breastfeeding parents; rents breast pumps to moms going back to work; and encourages pregnant moms who want to try breastfeeding.

Peer Counselors have worked in the community to create Breastfeeding Friendly Workplaces, many equipped with a pump and private room for nursing, held Normalizing Nursing in Public events at the Courthouse, hosted a Baby Shower for pregnant moms interested in breastfeeding and recruit moms for an annual breastfeeding support billboard on Washington Street.

The Health Center also employs an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Anita Perry, RN.   She is also available to assist families in their breastfeeding journey.   To reach either Amanda or Anita, call the Health Center at 646-5506.


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Health Center to Host "Medicare 101" Presentation




Do you know everything you need to about Medicare? If you’re turning 65 and ready to start Medicare or know someone who is, please attend “Medicare 101,” a program presented by Missouri CLAIM on Wednesday, September 19th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Health Center Classroom, located at 800 Adam Drive in Chillicothe.

CLAIM stands for Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri, our State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

CLAIM provides free, non-biased information to help Medicare beneficiaries make informed decisions about their health care benefits.

Topics will include: 

             Basic Medicare
             Part A & Part B
             Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
             Supplemental and Medigap Insurance Options
             Public Assistance Programs
             CLAIM Program services

The Health Center will also be offering a follow-up Medicare Enrollment event on Tuesday, October 16th where certified CLAIM counselors will sit down with you one-on-one to help you get the most from your health benefits.  Appointments will be made through Missouri CLAIM beginning in early October. 

CLAIM does not sell or promote any insurance company or its products.   There is registration for this presentation, we invite the public to attend and to spread the word to others who could benefit.

If you would like to know more, check out the CLAIM website https://missouriclaim.org