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October 2019                                         View this email in your browser

Community Health Centre: Healthy People, Vibrant Communities

October 2019 Newsletter
Program Highlights & Upcoming Events
  • CHC CLOSED OCTOBER 14th: Please note all CHC locations will be closed on Monday, October 14th for Thanksgiving and there will be no programs running. 
  • Nutrition for Pregnancy and Infancy: Join Dietitian Melissa for two sessions: Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy on October 24th 12:00-1:00pm and Introduction to Solid Foods October 31st 12:00-1:00pm. All are welcome to attend whether you are expecting, planning pregnancy in the future or if you have infant(s) at home. Lunch will be provided! To register please contact Madison Wickens at Madison.wickens@segchc.ca or 519-986-2222 ext 6349. 
  • Cowtown Lunch Bunch: occurs on the first Wednesday of the month at 12 noon at the Egremont Optimist Centre 392137 Grey Rd. 109, Holstein. Join us for lunch and a time to socialize. There is no cost and donations are accepted. All are welcome! Mark Your Calendar: Wed., Nov. 6th and , Wed., Dec. 4th. If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Calder 519-334-3632 or bcalder053@gmail.com
  • Welcome to Marcie Wilkinson from YMCA Employment who will be working out of the Erskine site at 90 Artemesia Street South in Dundalk every Tuesday. Marcie works in the Employment Advisor role which prepares people for employment.
Chili Night for Brianna Bauman
You are invited to the CHC's Chili Night Thursday, October 24th 4:00-6:30pm! Dinner will include meat or veggie chili and house baked garlic and cheddar buns catered by the Flying Chestnut.  We will also have salads and desserts! Dine in or pick up options available.
 
Click the link below to purchase tickets, or tickets will be sold at the CHC site in Markdale. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.  
 
Funds raised will go towards Brianna Bauman & family. Click here to learn more about Brianna and her battle with Cancer.
 
If you would like to support by donating a raffle item, please call 519-986-2222 ext. 6384 or email Joanna.juszczak@segchc.ca
 
SEGCHC would like to congratulate Larry Mann, Lyn Mann, Wilda Sewell and Grace Lanktree on receiving their 5 year Volunteer Service Awards.  Both Larry and Lyn are dedicated to the Osprey Pickleball Program. Larry is member of the SEGCHC Board of Directors since 2017 and our current Vice Chair and Treasurer. Wilda is always willing to help with our programs, and help with anything we need. Grace is always busy helping us keep our book shelves tidy, and assisting with any program support we need. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Madison Wickens, Recreation and Volunteer Coordinator at 519-986-2222 ext. 6349 or email Madison.wickens@segchc.ca
Keady Market Bus Trip: On October 1st sixteen community members enjoyed the beautiful weather at the Keady Market. We all came home with fresh vegetables, fruit, and preserves. Thank you to all that came! 
INFLUENZA: NO LAUGHING MATTER
By Penny Pedlar, Clinical Director & Nurse Practitioner
Flu season is soon upon us.  And while we laugh at our men when they get sick, it is actually no laughing matter.  Influenza or flu is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. The flu virus is highly contagious: When an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, respiratory droplets are generated and transmitted into the air, and can then can be inhaled by anyone nearby.

Additionally, a person who touches something with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, eyes or nose can become infected.

Flu outbreaks happen every year and vary in severity, depending in part on what type of virus is spreading. Influenza is a different virus, as it changes its proteins so that your body does not recognize it when you are subjected to it. 
Young children, people over age 65, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease, face a higher risk of flu-related complications, including pneumonia, ear and sinus infections and bronchitis.  In Canada each year, 12,200 people are hospitalized and 3,500 die due to influenza and its complications.  Most people will recover with on 7-10 days.  Some people are at greater risk of complications, which include pneumonia, ear infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Prevention
  • Flu Vaccine: Flu vaccine is the best way to present the flu. It prevents illness, clinic visits and hospitalizations.  You need to get it every year, as strains change and immunity from the previous year wears off.
  • Wash Hands Frequently: Avoid touching your face with unclean hands; cover your mount when you cough and sneeze and stay away from people who are sick when possible. Stay home when you are sick.
Self Care
  • Stay home and get plenty of rest
  • Drink lots of fluids
    • Consider over the counter medications that can help to relieve pain or fever (DO NOT GIVE ASA (ASPIRIN) TO PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18)
  • Have a warm baths
  • Gargle for sore throats
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco
  • Call your NP or  Doc FIRST for unrelenting fever, difficulty breathing,
    • Avoid the Emergency Department if possible! There are people there who may be compromised with Cancer, infants/Children that you may infect.
This years flu vaccine will be available at the Clinic end of October or Early November.  The first people to get their flu shots should be high risk patients.  The pharmacy may also be giving flu shots in your area.  Please call the clinic to assure that we have vaccine and to give a time to come in.
 
PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS- GET THE FLU VACCINE!
FLU VACCINE FAST FACTS
  • YOU CANNOT get the flu from the vaccine - it is NOT live virus.
  • It takes 12-14 days post vaccination to be protected.
  • You will likely have redness, swelling, aching muscles at the injection site, you may feel feverish or unwell for a couple of days.  THIS IS THE VACCINE WORKING, teaching your body to fight off subsequent attacks of these particular viral strains.
  • It is possible that you MAY still get the virus, it may be a less serious illness or it could be a different strain than what was in the vaccine.
  • If 70% of the people in Grey Bruce were immunized, chances of anyone getting the virus will be much less.  This is called “HERD IMMUNTY” (a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of a population has become immune to an infection)
DID YOU KNOW THAT SOUTH EAST GREY CHC
By Penny Pedlar, Clinical Director & Nurse Practitioner
Did you know that South East Grey Community Health Centre: 
  • Has URGENT CARE spots every day?
    • This may or may not be with your own provider
    • Urgent care appointments are for issues like earaches, colds and flu, Urinary Tract Infections, fever, constipation and medication renewals.
    • Issues such as chest pain, trauma (falls and accidents), serious cuts and lacerations should go to the EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT at the hospital.
  • Providers have at least one same day appointment?
  • Provides services in Dundalk, Markdale and Chatsworth as well as a clinic at Grey Highlands Secondary School?
  • Provides home visiting with Nurse Practitioners and Nursing?  This is helpful for frail seniors, those who are ill, anyone with transportation issues, and moms with new babies.
  • Has a Lactation Consultant on staff?
  • Provides Palliative care for our patients?
  • Has staff specialized in assisting you and your family to navigate through tough times?
    • We have a short-term food emergency cupboard available at the CHC. We also work closely with community Food Banks and other Partners.
    • We can help with getting prescriptions if you can’t afford them.
    • We offer seasonal clothing for adults and children who need them.
  • Has a SKATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM for those that need them?
  • Has a supply of MEDICAL EQUIPMENT for your use at home such as walkers, occasional wheelchairs, commodes, raised toilet seats, and bath chairs to name a few?
  • Has a number of PROGRAMS for varying degrees of fitness from Chair fitness, to Yoga and Tai Chi, to Pickle Ball and everything in between? 
    • Please review our monthly calendar for times and sessions.
  • Has a free INCOME TAX PROGRAM?
  • Provides support for LGBTQ2 clients?
  • Closes the clinic when Highway #10 is closed for inclement weather?
    • It will be announced on the Radio and on our website. 
    • This protects our patients and our staff.
    • All programs are canceled if the clinic is closed.
    • The school clinic is closed if school is closed.
    • We may close early for worsening weather conditions- patients with appointments that day will be notified by phone.
    • If the clinic does not open in the am due to weather, patients with appointments that day will be called by phone.
  • Has an open, free gym available to anyone?
    • Please check the gym times on the calendar on our website.
    • Hard copies of our calendar are available at all sites at reception as well.
 

Seniors Corner - Every Senior Matters. 
By Tanya Shute, Manager of Allied Health Services 

October 21, 2019 will be the day Canadians go to the polls in the next federal election. For many seniors, voting is a way to show support for what matters to them. In fact, voters aged 65 to 74 are more likely to vote than other age groups, with a 79% turnout rate in the 2015 federal election (Elections Canada, 2016).
The Community Health Centre celebrated National Seniors Day with many activities across Grey Highlands, Southgate and Chatsworth.  CHC staff, Tanya Shute, facilitated a key note address on social isolation and community belonging entitled WHERE YOU BELONG – CONNECTED OLDER ADULTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES for the Hanover Active Aging Expo | Catch the Wave. 
Seniors’ Summit 2019 – A Success!
Thank-you to everyone who attended and contributed to the Seniors’ Summit 2019-Aging Well in Grey & Bruce.  Over 400 participants attended the 2-day event which built awareness of how age-friendly communities can support the health and well-being of older adults across Grey and Bruce counties. 

Dr. Brian Goldman, host of the CBC’s award-winning radio show White Coat, Black Art delivered the Keynote addresses that highlighted seniors care, community health and wellbeing and the Power of Kindness.  Panel sessions on: system navigation and seniors housing provided new information and insight.  Participants also chose from 9 different breakout sessions, including: Transportation, Fraud/Scams, Living on a Low-Income, Health & Wellness, Building Age-Friendly Communities and “How to talk to your Doctor”.

Thank-you again to Council on Aging Grey Bruce, Grey Bruce Health Unit, Home & Community Support Services, VON Grey-Bruce and Grey County for your partnership in making this event a huge success.  A full report is now available on the event, including community success stories, gaps, evaluation/feedback and next steps.
CHC Newsletter
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