SUNY Sullivan nursing students gain practical insights through on-site experience at New Hope Community

LOCK SHELDRAKE, NY — New Hope Community is forging forward with a collaborative partnership with SUNY Sullivan to provide nursing students with an invaluable clinical rotation involving the provision of healthcare supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The program is an outgrowth of New Hope Community’s partnership with SUNY Sullivan, which has included the establishment and operation of a three-acre organic farm on its campus and enrollment services for individuals with disabilities from New Hope Community in the College for Educational Enrichment Program.

Since signing an agreement in 2019, 65 students have rotated through the clinical rotation program. Students start their day at New Hope Community in a classroom setting with their instructor and are assigned to group residences on the NHC campus where their education continues. The visiting students are encouraged to observe and ask questions of the nursing staff and residential managers, and shadow the one-on-one direct support professionals, who comprise the New Hope Community team.

Wayne County launches new crisis hotline

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — The Wayne County Office of Behavioral and Developmental Programs and Early Intervention launched a new Crisis Line on July 1 in partnership with the Center for Community Resources (CCR).

Through the toll-free number, 1-833/557-3224 (1-833/55REACH), CCR provides mental health crisis intervention services, both telephone and mobile, 24/7. Beginning on July 1, individuals calling Wayne Crisis will reach a live, compassionate and caring crisis counselor. Individuals calling Wayne Crisis can talk to the crisis counselor on the phone or request that the counselor come to see them in the community.

Wayne Crisis provides crisis intervention, risk assessments, supportive crisis counseling and referrals to community resources. Anyone who is struggling with depression, emotional concerns, and/or serious mental health symptoms can reach out for help and support by calling 1-833/55REACH.  CR works with the Wayne County mental health provider network to link individuals to services and treatment helping people live their best lives. 

Beginning, July 1, call 1-833/55REACH or text #63288 if you or someone you know is in crisis.

Sullivan 180 is awarded $100k HRSA Rural Health Network Planning Grant

FERNDALE, NY — Sullivan 180 has been awarded a HRSA Rural Health Network Planning Grant for $100,000. This is a one-year planning grant that runs from Thursday, July 1 to June 30, 2022 and will establish the Sullivan Hands4Health Network. This network intends to address the disproportionate impact of chronic disease on those who are most affected by social determinants of health (SDoH) factors in Sullivan County. NY.

Sullivan 180 is seeking proposals for a qualified and experienced project director with proven leadership and management experience to help with the research to develop the Sullivan Hands4Health Network. This is a consulting position.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for this consulting position, please email Sullivan 180 at info@sullivan180.org for more information or visit www.Sullivan180.org.

Alzheimer’s Association to offer free virtual programs, welcomes FDA approval of aducanumab

ONLINE — On behalf of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association announces it enthusiastically welcomes the recent historic FDA approval of aducanumab (Biogen/Eisai) for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Aducanumab addresses Alzheimer’s in a new way compared to previously approved drugs. This therapy slows progression of the disease, rather than only addressing symptoms. It is the first approved therapy of this type.

For more information on diagnosis or to find a local health care provider, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, or the 24/7 helpline at 800/272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter will host the following free virtual events via Zoom in July. To register for any of these programs, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800/272-3900.

An interactive musical program for people with dementia and their loved ones, “Something for Alz: Musical Mornings” will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Mondays, July 5 and 12 with music therapist Shannon Pelcher.

Music for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, “Memory Café,” featuring Carmine Grillo, will take place on Thursday, July 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Meet new friends while interacting virtually with therapy animals on Tuesday, July 13 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

“Something for Alz: Mindful Movement” a free virtual movement program for people with dementia and their loved ones, led by Taryn Smith, will take place 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays July 15, 22 and 29.

“AlzWell Social Club,” a creative interactive fun for people with dementia and their loved ones, will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, July 17 and 24. 

“Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior” will take place 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21. Learn strategies to respond to typical dementia-related behaviors with Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County. To register, email sullivan@cornell.edu or call 844/292-6180.

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. To learn more, visit www.alz.org/hudsonvalley.

Sullivan 180 announces second annual Coach to 5K walk/run

ONLINE — Sullivan 180 announces the 2nd annual Coach to 5K, a virtual walk/run race and eight-week training program, open to all Sullivan County residents. The Sullivan 180 Coach to 5K program provides all participants with their very own coach and an eight-week 5K training plan for both runners and walkers.

All are welcome to participate. The eight-week training program begins on Sunday, July 4 and, after the training period ends, you will have a full week (August 29 to September 4) to complete your 5K whenever, wherever you’d like. You can register at any time if you choose not to follow the training plan.

Coaches are needed. If you are interested or want more information, Sullivan 180’s Director of Health and Wellness, Meaghan Mullally-Gorr will be hosting weekly information sessions every Wednesday. Email Meaghan at mmullally-gorr@sullivan180.org to join an info session.

To register now, visit www.Sullivan180.org. There is a suggested donation/registration fee and 100 percent of the funds raised will go to Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT). If you cannot afford the suggested donation/registration fee, there is a free option you can choose and still participate.

Heart attack survivor salutes WMH cath lab staff

HONESDALE, PA — “I had a gas bubble in my chest… I wasn’t feeling too good but I thought I could just walk it off,” said Joanne Neville, RN. She shakes her head. “I was lucky I was at Wayne Memorial at the time. I was having a heart attack.”

Neville, a nursing supervisor at the hospital, was in a patient elevator when, according to co-worker Barb Richter, CNA, Neville began feeling chest pain. By the time she got back to her office, fellow RN Barb Piotrowski had to “throw me in a wheelchair and whisk me to the emergency department.” Patricia “Trish” Kuller, RN, and Karen Fulmer, RN, stayed with Neville in the emergency department.

That was back in August of 2020. Neville wound up in the hospital’s heart and vascular center, a cardiac catheterization laboratory celebrating five years this month. She called her husband to come to the hospital immediately. “I felt like maybe I was going to die,” she recalled. Neville had had a type of heart attack called a “non-stemi” or Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction often referred to as a “mild heart attack.” It can still do serious damage, however, and Neville admits she was lucky.

Neville is one of more than 1,500 patients who have been treated in the heart and vascular center since it opened in June of 2016.

For more information, visit www.wmh.org.

HHS launches hotline to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines for people with disabilities

NATION — The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind national hotline to connect people with disabilities to information and services to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is now available to help people with disabilities find vaccination locations in their communities, assist callers with making vaccination appointments and connect callers to local services—such as accessible transportation—to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing and transportation.

DIAL connects callers to information about how to access the COVID-19 vaccine and related supports for people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.acl.gov/dial, call 888/677-1199 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., or email DIAL@n4a.org.