Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits Nov. 25

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FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, Nov. 25, 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.

All participants in this drive will have a chance to win a movie ticket package.

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.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit NCBB.org/iDonate

Big Blue Test Coming to Burkley Fitness Center

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Learn how exercise affects your blood sugar

FAIRBURY – How does exercise affect your blood sugar? Find out on Nov. 15 with the Big Blue Test at Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center.

JCH&L Diabetes Educator Bekah Kimberlin, PharmD, will be at the fitness center on Nov. 15 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to take blood sugars pre- and post-exercise. Between blood sugar checks, participants are encouraged to exercise for 14-30 minutes, doing the workout of their choice, or a suggested workout.

“Exercise is one of the many factors which affect your blood sugar. This is an opportunity to see how exercise affects yours – with no cost and no obligation,” said Kimberlin.

It is not necessary to be a fitness center member to participate – just check in with the front desk when you arrive and tell them you would like a complimentary pass to participate in the Big Blue Test.

Diabetes risk tests are available all month at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.

“Knowing your risk for diabetes is important. We want those who are at risk to know there are ways to prevent diabetes,” Kimberlin said.

November is National Diabetes Month, and it’s a great time to learn more about diabetes. JCH&L offers diabetes self-management classes for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, and Smart Moves lifestyle change program for those who have pre-diabetes or are at risk for pre-diabetes. For more information, contact Kimberlin at 402-729-3351.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet Oct. 28

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be videos exploring “Alzheimer’s Disease: How to Create a Financial Plan of Attack,” by the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.

Easiest access will be by parking 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 Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association which typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life. It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855

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.

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