To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
May is National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
According to the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, there are over one million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year, outnumbering all other cancers combined. While skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it is also highly treatable if detected early. In addition to getting yearly skin screenings by a dermatologist, people should also regularly scan their body (use a mirror to check hard-to-see areas) to check for any growth that looks unusual.
Melanoma is particularly important to find early because once it spreads, it can be deadly. Guidelines from The Academy of Dermatology can help you determine if you should get a mole checked out by a physician:
Asymme
try—One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.
Border irregularity—The borders of a melanoma may be uneven or notched.
Color—Melanomas may have several colors.
Diameter—Melanoma are often larger than ¼ of an inch (the size of the pencil eraser).
For those who are uninsured and underinsured, MidState Medical Center is offer two free skin screenings on Tuesday, May 19, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM with Dana Correale, MD and Monday, June 8, 3:00 PM– 5:00 PM with Paula Bevilacqua, MD. Please call (203) 694-8353 to register for a spot. Screenings are located in the Radiation Oncology Waiting Area at MidState Medical Center.
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May is National Stroke Awareness Month: What You Know Can Make a Difference
May is National Stroke Awareness Month! Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country, but if you know what puts you at risk, you can do things to decrease your chances of having a stroke. What puts you at greater risk?
·Being over age 55
·African American descent
·Being male
·Strong family history
·Prior stroke, TIA or heart attack
·High blood pressure
·High blood cholesterol
·Smoking
·Diabetes
·Obesity
In honor of Stroke Month, MidState Medical Center is sponsoring two free stroke risk assessments that will include a cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and pulse check, a review of your personal and family medical history, a review of the risk factors and distribution of education materials. Assessments are being conducted on Tuesday, May 5, from 8 AM - 12 PM, and Thursday, May 7, from 12 PM - 4 PM. Please call 203-694-8354 to register. Accommodations for the first 70 people.
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Wallingford Family YMCA Offers Award-Winning
Healthways SilverSneakers Program for Older Adults
You May be Eligible for Free Classes
The Wallingford Family YMCA in Wallingford, CT is recognizing the unique needs of the older adults in the community. By partnering with the nationally recognized Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, the Wallingford Family YMCA is able to offer older adults a way to increase their levels of physical activity while motivating them to remain active. SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults and is available at NO additional COST beyond the monthly premium to eligible Medicare health plan and group retiree members.
“Research points to the significant health benefits of regular exercise for older adults,” says Mary Cardinale, Healthways SilverSneakers Account Manager. “In addition to helping our members stay physically healthy, SilverSneakers also offers a great way for them to socialize, meet new friends and have fun.”
SilverSneakers members at the Wallingford Family YMCA receive complementary access, which includes amenities such as treadmills, elipticals, recumbent cycles, selectorized equipment, free weights and a wide variety of fitness classes (Yoga, Pilates and Abs, just to name a few), including the signature SilverSneakers Muscular Strength and Range of Movement class. SilverSneakers classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:15 - 10:15a.m. starting April 13th.
To find out if you are eligible for SilverSneakers, please contact your health plan provider or visit the Wallingford Family YMCA at 81 Elm Street. For more information regarding the SilverSneakers Fitness Program visit www.silversneakers.com or call the Wallingford YMCA at 203-269-4497. A designated staff member is available to help you get started.
About the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program
The SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is offered by Healthways, an industry leader providing specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to help people maintain or improve their health. SilverSneakers was founded in 1992 and is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults, offering an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially-oriented programming. The unique program is available at no additional cost (other than any medical plan premium) to eligible Medicare members and group retirees at more than 9,000 participating fitness and wellness centers, YMCAs, and Curves® locations in all 50 states. For more information on SilverSneakers, call 888-423-4632 or visit www.silversneakers.com.
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The Wallingford Family YMCA and the CDC presents tips for a safe swimming summer
This summer, swimming pools will be filled with millions of people having fun and staying cool.
But did you know that germs can contaminate swimming water even if it is treated with chlorine? Learning about recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are spread by swimming in contaminated recreational waters such as swimming pools, waterparks, lakes, and the ocean, can protect you from illness.
RWIs are caused by germs like “Crypto” (KRIP-toe, short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia (gee-ARE-dee-uh), E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella (Shi-GE-luh) and are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. How does a pool get contaminated? You share the water with everyone in the pool. If someone with diarrhea contaminates the water, swallowing the water can make you sick.
The great news is that germs causing RWIs are killed by chlorine. However, chlorine doesn’t work right away. It takes time to kill germs and some germs like “Crypto” are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. That is why even the best maintained pools can spread illness. Therefore, Healthy Swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and your kids from RWIs and will help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place. Here are six “PLEAs” that promote Healthy Swimming:
PLEASE don’t swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
PLEASE don’t swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water your mouth.
PLEASE practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
PLEASE take your kids on bathroom breaks or change diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.
PLEASE change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.
PLEASE wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that ends up in the pool.
Want to learn more about recreational water illnesses (RWIs)? Why you shouldn’t swim when ill with diarrhea? How some germs that cause RWIs can live for days in even the best-maintained pools? Go to www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming for more information.
The Wallingford Family YMCA offers swim lessons for all ages along with water exercise classes and basic rescue classes. We also teach American Red Cross lifeguarding and CPR. Check our web site for more details.
http://www.wallingfordymca.org/
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
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Meriden Health Department - Keeping You Healthy in May
Women’s Total Cholesterol Screening
Free total cholesterol screenings are available to women who live in Meriden. Screenings will be held on May 12, from 9:30-11:30am, and on May 28 from 1:30-3:30pm. Screenings are held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street.
Appointments for the screening are required, and are first come, first serve. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. Screenings are funded by a women’s healthy heart grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Stroke: What You Need to Know
Do you know the signs of stroke? What would you do if a friend or family member became suddenly ill? Learn this and more at a community presentation called Stroke: What You Need to Know, to be held on May 5 from 6-7pm at the Meriden Public Library. Pat Giannelli, APRN, Coordinator of MidState Medical Center’s Stroke Program, will be the presenter. A light dinner will be served. This program is free and open to the public, but RSVP’s are required. Please call Lea at the Meriden Health Department, 630-4238, to RSVP.
Stroke Awareness Screenings
In recognition of Stroke Awareness Week, the Meriden Health Department will be hosting 2 stroke awareness screenings for Meriden residents. The screenings will be held on May 21 and 27, from 9:30-11:30am, at the Meriden Health Department (165 Miller Street). The screening includes total cholesterol, blood pressure, and a family health history.
The screening is free, but appointments are required. Please call the Meriden Health Department’s Clinic office at 630-4234 to make your appointment.
Join Us for Coffee & Conversation
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring the next Coffee and Conversation on Monday, May 18 from 1:00 to 2:00pm at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main Street.
This month’s program will feature a program on Elderhostel. Elderhostel is a leading provider of educational travel opportunities for adults age 55 and over. Ellie and Ed Kepler, Elderhostel Ambassadors, will be the presenters.
This program is part of a monthly coffee and conversation series that will be held at the Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public, and of course, coffee and refreshments will be served. Please call Jackie at 237-0300 or Rita at 630-4222 for more information.
Just in Time for Spring - New DVD's at Meriden Library
The Meriden Health Department, as part of a healthy heart grant, has donated a variety of exercise DVDs and books to the Meriden Library for residents to take out. The books and videos are on display by the reference desk. DVD's include the Biggest Loser yoga, boot camp, cardio sculpt, and aerobic workouts, and the Leslie Sansone indoor walking series. Books include a Betty Crocker healthy heart cook book and the Eat This Not That restaurant, supermarket, and kid food editions. In the photo is Lea Crown, Community Health Educator, and Karen Roesler, Director of the Meriden Public Library.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to
http://www.peoplespressnews.com/
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The Cancer Center at MidState Medical Center invites you to:
Art Therapy Gallery Show April 23, 2009 6 PM - 8 PMat The SandMan Gallery and Frame Shoppe 41 West Main Street, MeridenFeaturing artwork from our Art Therapist, Carolyn Burgess, patients and caregivers. Carolyn will be on hand to answer questions about the process of art therapy. People can come to learn about art therapy in general, its applications and how you don't have to be artistic to benefit from the therapy.There will be refreshments and music as well.
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Gaylord Hospital Volunteers: Giving Back to Make a Difference
Organizations throughout the country will take time throughout the year to recognize the people who give of themselves, their talents and their time. Gaylord Hospital is one such organization that salutes the hard work and dedication of its volunteers.
According to Lyn Crispino, Director of Library Services and Volunteers, people come to volunteer at Gaylord for many reasons such as gaining experiences, learning new skills, making new friendships and being part of a team. “There are over one hundred volunteers working at Gaylord. They work in patient care areas, support departments, the gift shop, at the information desk, and some come in for special events.”
Volunteers at Gaylord Hospital have their own reasons for investing their time and efforts, but all agree that the good feelings they have gained by helping others is a welcome bonus that comes with the job.
Donna Dunham, a 48-year-old Wallingford resident, has made special friendships throughout her five years volunteering at Gaylord. As a person with disability, Dunham is comfortable working in the Gaylord environment. There is no judging, rather acceptance and appreciation for all the good work she has done as a volunteer. An avid swimmer at Gaylord’s aquatic therapy pool, she decided that she wanted to do more than just swim. She wanted to make a difference. Today, she volunteers once a week in the gift shop as a cashier.
“The experience I have gained here is similar to the experiences people may get while working for a business, but here I am making a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “When people first come here, they are often bewildered. That’s where I try to help out. I’m someone they can count on to help.”
Ed Boucher, 73, of Meriden is retired from General Motors but likes to keep busy giving back to the community. Boucher is a familiar face in the hallways of the hospital where he makes sure patients arrive safely from their room to one of the many destinations in the hospital such as physical therapy. He had tried volunteering at other places before Gaylord but felt that the organization and the structure he found here suited him best.
‘I have met some good people here and some famous ones too. I have had to cut back on the days I volunteer, but I still like to put in at least seven hours on the days that I do come in,” he said.
Jane Loder, a 73-year-old retired elementary school teacher of Cheshire, enjoys visiting with patients and their families at Gaylord. Like fellow volunteer Donna Dunham, she spends her time as a cashier in the gift shop.
“You don’t realize how much you are doing or the difference you are making, but people keep telling you how much your help means to them,” she said. My happiest memory is that of a young man who was going home after being at Gaylord for a while. He had to come in to the gift shop to tell me his good news. I was thrilled for him, and so happy that he had chosen me to confide in.”
Michael Carocari, a resident of North Haven, volunteers at the hospital four days a week, taking time to speak with each of the patients he helps to transport to various places in the hospital. Carocari can empathize with those patients because he, too, was a patient at Gaylord where he recovered from a traumatic brain injury.
“What I get back from working at Gaylord is phenomenal; patients open up to me. I can’t stop doing this,” he said. “I am addicted to helping these people. There is hope for all of them.”
Crispino sums up what all of the volunteers mean to Gaylord. “Volunteers are just special. They enrich my life and my work experience just by doing what they do. Volunteers Rock!”
No matter what your area of expertise, skills or talent, Gaylord Hospital can use you as a member of the volunteer team. To be eligible to volunteer, you need only be 14 years of age or older, dependable and willing to learn. For more information, please contact Lyn Crispino, Director of Library Services and Volunteers at (203) 284-2800, extension 3328.
Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation needs, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit
http://www.gaylord.org/ or call (203) 284-2829 for more information.
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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
Wallingford Family YMCA to Offer May Lifeguard Certification Course
Register now for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course. This course provides training and certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR/FPR, and AED. Course fee for Wallingford YMCA members is $250 and $280 for nonmembers. Participants must be at least 15 years old and able to swim 300 yards to participate. Course dates and times are as follows:
5/14/09 7:00pm
5/15/09 5:00-8:00pm
5/16/09 8:00-6:00pm
5/17/09 8:00-6:00pm
Class lengths are subject to change based on class size. For additional information and to register, call (203) 269-4497 ext. 20 and ask for Pam VanderWeele.
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Why Using Exterior Paint Inside Isn't a Good Idea
by Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom
Using exterior paint for a bathroom may sound like a good idea, but your body may not think so. Read why using this paint may do more harm than good for your well being.
Exterior paint has many wonderful benefits. It is durable enough to withstand the elements of the seasons. It is washable enough to remove mold and mildew from its surface and can hold its color from the sun. There is no doubt that exterior paint is great for the outside, but is it a good solution for your interior needs?
Some home improvement do-it yourselfers like to use exterior paint in their interior bathrooms because it is so durable and that may sound like a good solution for a moisture prone area, but it can actually do more harm than good for your well being in the home.
There is much talk today about certain buzz words like VOC's (Volital Organic Compounds), going green, and sick building syndrome. VOC's are harmful odors released into the air from certain everyday products. These VOC's can cause "sick building syndrome", a term used for people who react to the odors in a building negatively. Negative reactions can include nausea, lightheadedness, and headaches to name a few. Many people want to reduce these VOC's to make air quality better which is what going green is all about.
One product that is a major culprit to air quality in the home is paint. Manufacturers of paint are becoming more sensitive to this and are putting low-odor or fume-free paint on the market to reduce the amount of VOC's inside the home.
Exterior paint has a different viscosity or "recipe" than an interior paint so it can withstand the elements. And this means that there are a few more chemicals in an exterior paint than there are in an interior. And this boils down to one thing for the consumer, it means that exterior paint has more fumes than an interior paint does.
Putting an exterior paint inside the bathroom can be harmful because the fumes from the paint can take days, weeks, or in some cases, months to go away. Most people that I've known who have tried to use exterior paint for a bathroom have redone it because they just couldn't stand the fumes.
So what's the best solution for a moisture-prone room like a bathroom? A paint that is specially made for kitchens and bathrooms will work, or you can also use a regular semi-gloss interior paint. Either one will give you durability, an easy surface to wash and wipe down, and, if you choose a good quality paint, a three to five year mildew resistance.
Another way to eliminate some of the excess moisture buildup in your bathroom is to use the fan for both during and after your shower. Moisture and mold problems can be prevented if you leave the fan on for at least 30 minutes after your shower. The same can be done if you have a window in your bathroom.
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Quinnipiac Chamber's Health and Wellness Council Introduces Expert Panel on Starting Employee-Based Wellness Programs
The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce has established the Health and Wellness Council to benefit area businesses. Worksite wellness is a natural extension in trying to reduce companies' health care costs. According to Dr. Don R. Powell of the American Institute for Preventative Medicine, research has shown that companies with comprehensive wellness programs can achieve as much as a 5:1 return on investment. In 2008, the average per employee cost for health care was $9,144, up 8% from 2007. To put the numbers in perspective, a doctor visit costs $121, an emergency room visit is $586, and the average brand name prescription costs approximately $135. In fact, about 44% of a company's benefit costs are due to health care and they will continue to escalate if we don't begin to change how we look at and approach staying or becoming healthier.In response to this issue, the Quinnipiac Chamber's Health and Wellness Council is hosting its first expert panel entitled, "Reduce Your Healthcare Costs by Implementing a Wellness Plan," on Wednesday, May 13, 8am to 10am, at Ashlar Village in Wallingford. The panelists will include a variety of experts from diverse sectors to demonstrate that worksite wellness can be achieved by all:" Jim Augur - Regional Vice President, Anthem" Curt Beerman - Nucor Steel CT, Operations Manager" Betsy Bell, Manager of Health & Wellness Programs, Covidien" Vivien Bergl, LCSW, CEAP, Solutions EAP" Bill Maulke, Partner, Ovations Benefits" Ernest St. Amant, Director of Environmental Health & Safety and Risk Management,Thermo Spas" Theresa Crisci, Massage Therapist, Total Balance Life ChoiceThe Wellness Council of the Quinnipiac Chamber has comprised a panel of experts to inform, educate, inspire and support you in creating your plan for implementing a wellness program that works for your individual company. Our panelists will outline simple steps you can begin to take to prepare and implement your programs as well as share their own challenges and successes in creating their own worksite wellness programs."Our goal for this program is to show companies and employees that wellness programs are not costly endeavors nor are they difficult to implement. Our panelists will share the many benefits to both the employer and employee," said Krista Polinsky, Chair of the Health and Wellness Council, and Certified Feng Shui & Energy Medicine Practitioner with Soul Intent LLCThe Quinnipiac Chamber Health & Wellness Council is committed to improving the health and overall wellness of its Chamber members and their families- body, mind and spirit. Please join us for this dynamic business event Cost of attendance is $5 for Chamber members, and $10 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served.
Please register by calling Kelly at the Chamber at 203-269-9891.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to
http://www.peoplespressnews.com/
_
try—One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.
Border irregularity—The borders of a melanoma may be uneven or notched.
Color—Melanomas may have several colors.
Diameter—Melanoma are often larger than ¼ of an inch (the size of the pencil eraser).
For those who are uninsured and underinsured, MidState Medical Center is offer two free skin screenings on Tuesday, May 19, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM with Dana Correale, MD and Monday, June 8, 3:00 PM– 5:00 PM with Paula Bevilacqua, MD. Please call (203) 694-8353 to register for a spot. Screenings are located in the Radiation Oncology Waiting Area at MidState Medical Center.
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May is National Stroke Awareness Month: What You Know Can Make a Difference
May is National Stroke Awareness Month! Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country, but if you know what puts you at risk, you can do things to decrease your chances of having a stroke. What puts you at greater risk?
·Being over age 55
·African American descent
·Being male
·Strong family history
·Prior stroke, TIA or heart attack
·High blood pressure
·High blood cholesterol
·Smoking
·Diabetes
·Obesity
In honor of Stroke Month, MidState Medical Center is sponsoring two free stroke risk assessments that will include a cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and pulse check, a review of your personal and family medical history, a review of the risk factors and distribution of education materials. Assessments are being conducted on Tuesday, May 5, from 8 AM - 12 PM, and Thursday, May 7, from 12 PM - 4 PM. Please call 203-694-8354 to register. Accommodations for the first 70 people.
__________________________________________________________________
Wallingford Family YMCA Offers Award-Winning
Healthways SilverSneakers Program for Older Adults
You May be Eligible for Free Classes
The Wallingford Family YMCA in Wallingford, CT is recognizing the unique needs of the older adults in the community. By partnering with the nationally recognized Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, the Wallingford Family YMCA is able to offer older adults a way to increase their levels of physical activity while motivating them to remain active. SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults and is available at NO additional COST beyond the monthly premium to eligible Medicare health plan and group retiree members.
“Research points to the significant health benefits of regular exercise for older adults,” says Mary Cardinale, Healthways SilverSneakers Account Manager. “In addition to helping our members stay physically healthy, SilverSneakers also offers a great way for them to socialize, meet new friends and have fun.”
SilverSneakers members at the Wallingford Family YMCA receive complementary access, which includes amenities such as treadmills, elipticals, recumbent cycles, selectorized equipment, free weights and a wide variety of fitness classes (Yoga, Pilates and Abs, just to name a few), including the signature SilverSneakers Muscular Strength and Range of Movement class. SilverSneakers classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:15 - 10:15a.m. starting April 13th.
To find out if you are eligible for SilverSneakers, please contact your health plan provider or visit the Wallingford Family YMCA at 81 Elm Street. For more information regarding the SilverSneakers Fitness Program visit www.silversneakers.com or call the Wallingford YMCA at 203-269-4497. A designated staff member is available to help you get started.
About the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program
The SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is offered by Healthways, an industry leader providing specialized, comprehensive Health and Care SupportSM solutions to help people maintain or improve their health. SilverSneakers was founded in 1992 and is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults, offering an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially-oriented programming. The unique program is available at no additional cost (other than any medical plan premium) to eligible Medicare members and group retirees at more than 9,000 participating fitness and wellness centers, YMCAs, and Curves® locations in all 50 states. For more information on SilverSneakers, call 888-423-4632 or visit www.silversneakers.com.
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The Wallingford Family YMCA and the CDC presents tips for a safe swimming summer
This summer, swimming pools will be filled with millions of people having fun and staying cool.
But did you know that germs can contaminate swimming water even if it is treated with chlorine? Learning about recreational water illnesses (RWIs), which are spread by swimming in contaminated recreational waters such as swimming pools, waterparks, lakes, and the ocean, can protect you from illness.
RWIs are caused by germs like “Crypto” (KRIP-toe, short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia (gee-ARE-dee-uh), E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella (Shi-GE-luh) and are spread by accidentally swallowing water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. How does a pool get contaminated? You share the water with everyone in the pool. If someone with diarrhea contaminates the water, swallowing the water can make you sick.
The great news is that germs causing RWIs are killed by chlorine. However, chlorine doesn’t work right away. It takes time to kill germs and some germs like “Crypto” are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. That is why even the best maintained pools can spread illness. Therefore, Healthy Swimming behaviors are needed to protect you and your kids from RWIs and will help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place. Here are six “PLEAs” that promote Healthy Swimming:
PLEASE don’t swim when you have diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
PLEASE don’t swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water your mouth.
PLEASE practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
PLEASE take your kids on bathroom breaks or change diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.
PLEASE change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.
PLEASE wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that ends up in the pool.
Want to learn more about recreational water illnesses (RWIs)? Why you shouldn’t swim when ill with diarrhea? How some germs that cause RWIs can live for days in even the best-maintained pools? Go to www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming for more information.
The Wallingford Family YMCA offers swim lessons for all ages along with water exercise classes and basic rescue classes. We also teach American Red Cross lifeguarding and CPR. Check our web site for more details. http://www.wallingfordymca.org/
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
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Meriden Health Department - Keeping You Healthy in May
Women’s Total Cholesterol Screening
Free total cholesterol screenings are available to women who live in Meriden. Screenings will be held on May 12, from 9:30-11:30am, and on May 28 from 1:30-3:30pm. Screenings are held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street.
Appointments for the screening are required, and are first come, first serve. Call 630-4234 to make your appointment. Screenings are funded by a women’s healthy heart grant through the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Stroke: What You Need to Know
Do you know the signs of stroke? What would you do if a friend or family member became suddenly ill? Learn this and more at a community presentation called Stroke: What You Need to Know, to be held on May 5 from 6-7pm at the Meriden Public Library. Pat Giannelli, APRN, Coordinator of MidState Medical Center’s Stroke Program, will be the presenter. A light dinner will be served. This program is free and open to the public, but RSVP’s are required. Please call Lea at the Meriden Health Department, 630-4238, to RSVP.
Stroke Awareness Screenings
In recognition of Stroke Awareness Week, the Meriden Health Department will be hosting 2 stroke awareness screenings for Meriden residents. The screenings will be held on May 21 and 27, from 9:30-11:30am, at the Meriden Health Department (165 Miller Street). The screening includes total cholesterol, blood pressure, and a family health history.
The screening is free, but appointments are required. Please call the Meriden Health Department’s Clinic office at 630-4234 to make your appointment.
Join Us for Coffee & Conversation
The Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic will be jointly sponsoring the next Coffee and Conversation on Monday, May 18 from 1:00 to 2:00pm at the Meriden Senior Center, 22 West Main Street.
This month’s program will feature a program on Elderhostel. Elderhostel is a leading provider of educational travel opportunities for adults age 55 and over. Ellie and Ed Kepler, Elderhostel Ambassadors, will be the presenters.
This program is part of a monthly coffee and conversation series that will be held at the Senior Center. Programs are free and open to the public, and of course, coffee and refreshments will be served. Please call Jackie at 237-0300 or Rita at 630-4222 for more information.
Just in Time for Spring - New DVD's at Meriden Library
The Meriden Health Department, as part of a healthy heart grant, has donated a variety of exercise DVDs and books to the Meriden Library for residents to take out. The books and videos are on display by the reference desk. DVD's include the Biggest Loser yoga, boot camp, cardio sculpt, and aerobic workouts, and the Leslie Sansone indoor walking series. Books include a Betty Crocker healthy heart cook book and the Eat This Not That restaurant, supermarket, and kid food editions. In the photo is Lea Crown, Community Health Educator, and Karen Roesler, Director of the Meriden Public Library.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/
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The Cancer Center at MidState Medical Center invites you to:
Art Therapy Gallery Show April 23, 2009 6 PM - 8 PMat The SandMan Gallery and Frame Shoppe 41 West Main Street, MeridenFeaturing artwork from our Art Therapist, Carolyn Burgess, patients and caregivers. Carolyn will be on hand to answer questions about the process of art therapy. People can come to learn about art therapy in general, its applications and how you don't have to be artistic to benefit from the therapy.There will be refreshments and music as well.
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Gaylord Hospital Volunteers: Giving Back to Make a Difference
Organizations throughout the country will take time throughout the year to recognize the people who give of themselves, their talents and their time. Gaylord Hospital is one such organization that salutes the hard work and dedication of its volunteers.
According to Lyn Crispino, Director of Library Services and Volunteers, people come to volunteer at Gaylord for many reasons such as gaining experiences, learning new skills, making new friendships and being part of a team. “There are over one hundred volunteers working at Gaylord. They work in patient care areas, support departments, the gift shop, at the information desk, and some come in for special events.”
Volunteers at Gaylord Hospital have their own reasons for investing their time and efforts, but all agree that the good feelings they have gained by helping others is a welcome bonus that comes with the job.
Donna Dunham, a 48-year-old Wallingford resident, has made special friendships throughout her five years volunteering at Gaylord. As a person with disability, Dunham is comfortable working in the Gaylord environment. There is no judging, rather acceptance and appreciation for all the good work she has done as a volunteer. An avid swimmer at Gaylord’s aquatic therapy pool, she decided that she wanted to do more than just swim. She wanted to make a difference. Today, she volunteers once a week in the gift shop as a cashier.
“The experience I have gained here is similar to the experiences people may get while working for a business, but here I am making a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “When people first come here, they are often bewildered. That’s where I try to help out. I’m someone they can count on to help.”
Ed Boucher, 73, of Meriden is retired from General Motors but likes to keep busy giving back to the community. Boucher is a familiar face in the hallways of the hospital where he makes sure patients arrive safely from their room to one of the many destinations in the hospital such as physical therapy. He had tried volunteering at other places before Gaylord but felt that the organization and the structure he found here suited him best.
‘I have met some good people here and some famous ones too. I have had to cut back on the days I volunteer, but I still like to put in at least seven hours on the days that I do come in,” he said.
Jane Loder, a 73-year-old retired elementary school teacher of Cheshire, enjoys visiting with patients and their families at Gaylord. Like fellow volunteer Donna Dunham, she spends her time as a cashier in the gift shop.
“You don’t realize how much you are doing or the difference you are making, but people keep telling you how much your help means to them,” she said. My happiest memory is that of a young man who was going home after being at Gaylord for a while. He had to come in to the gift shop to tell me his good news. I was thrilled for him, and so happy that he had chosen me to confide in.”
Michael Carocari, a resident of North Haven, volunteers at the hospital four days a week, taking time to speak with each of the patients he helps to transport to various places in the hospital. Carocari can empathize with those patients because he, too, was a patient at Gaylord where he recovered from a traumatic brain injury.
“What I get back from working at Gaylord is phenomenal; patients open up to me. I can’t stop doing this,” he said. “I am addicted to helping these people. There is hope for all of them.”
Crispino sums up what all of the volunteers mean to Gaylord. “Volunteers are just special. They enrich my life and my work experience just by doing what they do. Volunteers Rock!”
No matter what your area of expertise, skills or talent, Gaylord Hospital can use you as a member of the volunteer team. To be eligible to volunteer, you need only be 14 years of age or older, dependable and willing to learn. For more information, please contact Lyn Crispino, Director of Library Services and Volunteers at (203) 284-2800, extension 3328.
Gaylord Hospital is a not-for-profit, long-term acute care hospital based in Wallingford, CT. The hospital specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and rehabilitation needs, outpatient services and sleep medicine. Visit http://www.gaylord.org/ or call (203) 284-2829 for more information.
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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com
Wallingford Family YMCA to Offer May Lifeguard Certification Course
Register now for the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course. This course provides training and certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR/FPR, and AED. Course fee for Wallingford YMCA members is $250 and $280 for nonmembers. Participants must be at least 15 years old and able to swim 300 yards to participate. Course dates and times are as follows:
5/14/09 7:00pm
5/15/09 5:00-8:00pm
5/16/09 8:00-6:00pm
5/17/09 8:00-6:00pm
Class lengths are subject to change based on class size. For additional information and to register, call (203) 269-4497 ext. 20 and ask for Pam VanderWeele.
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Why Using Exterior Paint Inside Isn't a Good Idea
by Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom
Using exterior paint for a bathroom may sound like a good idea, but your body may not think so. Read why using this paint may do more harm than good for your well being.
Exterior paint has many wonderful benefits. It is durable enough to withstand the elements of the seasons. It is washable enough to remove mold and mildew from its surface and can hold its color from the sun. There is no doubt that exterior paint is great for the outside, but is it a good solution for your interior needs?
Some home improvement do-it yourselfers like to use exterior paint in their interior bathrooms because it is so durable and that may sound like a good solution for a moisture prone area, but it can actually do more harm than good for your well being in the home.
There is much talk today about certain buzz words like VOC's (Volital Organic Compounds), going green, and sick building syndrome. VOC's are harmful odors released into the air from certain everyday products. These VOC's can cause "sick building syndrome", a term used for people who react to the odors in a building negatively. Negative reactions can include nausea, lightheadedness, and headaches to name a few. Many people want to reduce these VOC's to make air quality better which is what going green is all about.
One product that is a major culprit to air quality in the home is paint. Manufacturers of paint are becoming more sensitive to this and are putting low-odor or fume-free paint on the market to reduce the amount of VOC's inside the home.
Exterior paint has a different viscosity or "recipe" than an interior paint so it can withstand the elements. And this means that there are a few more chemicals in an exterior paint than there are in an interior. And this boils down to one thing for the consumer, it means that exterior paint has more fumes than an interior paint does.
Putting an exterior paint inside the bathroom can be harmful because the fumes from the paint can take days, weeks, or in some cases, months to go away. Most people that I've known who have tried to use exterior paint for a bathroom have redone it because they just couldn't stand the fumes.
So what's the best solution for a moisture-prone room like a bathroom? A paint that is specially made for kitchens and bathrooms will work, or you can also use a regular semi-gloss interior paint. Either one will give you durability, an easy surface to wash and wipe down, and, if you choose a good quality paint, a three to five year mildew resistance.
Another way to eliminate some of the excess moisture buildup in your bathroom is to use the fan for both during and after your shower. Moisture and mold problems can be prevented if you leave the fan on for at least 30 minutes after your shower. The same can be done if you have a window in your bathroom.
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Quinnipiac Chamber's Health and Wellness Council Introduces Expert Panel on Starting Employee-Based Wellness Programs
The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce has established the Health and Wellness Council to benefit area businesses. Worksite wellness is a natural extension in trying to reduce companies' health care costs. According to Dr. Don R. Powell of the American Institute for Preventative Medicine, research has shown that companies with comprehensive wellness programs can achieve as much as a 5:1 return on investment. In 2008, the average per employee cost for health care was $9,144, up 8% from 2007. To put the numbers in perspective, a doctor visit costs $121, an emergency room visit is $586, and the average brand name prescription costs approximately $135. In fact, about 44% of a company's benefit costs are due to health care and they will continue to escalate if we don't begin to change how we look at and approach staying or becoming healthier.In response to this issue, the Quinnipiac Chamber's Health and Wellness Council is hosting its first expert panel entitled, "Reduce Your Healthcare Costs by Implementing a Wellness Plan," on Wednesday, May 13, 8am to 10am, at Ashlar Village in Wallingford. The panelists will include a variety of experts from diverse sectors to demonstrate that worksite wellness can be achieved by all:" Jim Augur - Regional Vice President, Anthem" Curt Beerman - Nucor Steel CT, Operations Manager" Betsy Bell, Manager of Health & Wellness Programs, Covidien" Vivien Bergl, LCSW, CEAP, Solutions EAP" Bill Maulke, Partner, Ovations Benefits" Ernest St. Amant, Director of Environmental Health & Safety and Risk Management,Thermo Spas" Theresa Crisci, Massage Therapist, Total Balance Life ChoiceThe Wellness Council of the Quinnipiac Chamber has comprised a panel of experts to inform, educate, inspire and support you in creating your plan for implementing a wellness program that works for your individual company. Our panelists will outline simple steps you can begin to take to prepare and implement your programs as well as share their own challenges and successes in creating their own worksite wellness programs."Our goal for this program is to show companies and employees that wellness programs are not costly endeavors nor are they difficult to implement. Our panelists will share the many benefits to both the employer and employee," said Krista Polinsky, Chair of the Health and Wellness Council, and Certified Feng Shui & Energy Medicine Practitioner with Soul Intent LLCThe Quinnipiac Chamber Health & Wellness Council is committed to improving the health and overall wellness of its Chamber members and their families- body, mind and spirit. Please join us for this dynamic business event Cost of attendance is $5 for Chamber members, and $10 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served. 
Please register by calling Kelly at the Chamber at 203-269-9891.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s NewsMagazine, in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/
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