Free caregiver event, Frisbie adds outpatient program: Seacoast health news
Cornerstone VNA hosts free virtual caregiver event
ROCHESTER – Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, announced the 6th Annual Caregivers Connect, a special event that focuses on providing support to family caregivers. This free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, May 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and is generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank.
Attendees will hear from funny motivational speaker, Kay Frances. At her energetic, upbeat presentation, family caregivers will be reminded to keep their sense of humor, manage their stress, and take care of themselves. The first 50 registrants will receive a copy of Kay’s book, “The Funny Thing About Stress” after their attendance is confirmed on the day of the event.
“We are incredibly happy to present our annual Caregivers Connect event, which will be virtual again this year to appeal to a wider audience. Our theme of ‘laughter is the best medicine’ will most surely resonate with our local family caregivers,” states Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO, Cornerstone VNA. Janice Howard, Life Care – Private Duty Director at Cornerstone VNA adds, “In addition to the supportive and lively discussion, this event will assist our caregivers to experience a sense of camaraderie. It can be very comforting to know you are not alone in your journey as the caregiver of a loved one.”
To register for this special event or to learn more, call 800-691-1133 x1109 or visit cornerstonevna.org/caregiver22.
Frisbie Memorial Hospital adds new outpatient adult behavioral health program
ROCHESTER — Frisbie Memorial Hospital announced the addition of its new outpatient adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which offers a broad scope of services that will help increase access to, and better meet the demand for, the acute behavioral health needs in the communities it serves.
The Partial Hospitalization Program provides short-term treatment over the course of 12-14 weeks for adults age 18 years and older who are struggling with maintaining daily routines due to symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. The program will maintain group sessions as the core and will also provide opportunities for patients to practice self-sufficiency behaviors.
“Our new program will ensure timely access to behavioral health services to individuals in distress who seek care through the emergency department,” said Justin Looser, NH market administrative director of behavioral health services. “Through the PHP, emergency department physicians can directly refer patients to the Partial Hospitalization Program, which helps reduce overall holding time in the ED and stress associated with lengthy ED stays.”
“This program will enhance the outpatient behavioral health services we provide to adults over the age of 65 by both adding to the range of services and expanding the demographic to meet the behavioral healthcare needs of all adults over age 18 in our community,” said Tim Jones, chief executive officer of Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
In addition to its PHP, Frisbie will be opening a new unit in the emergency department dedicated to treat adults with acute, episodic mental health issues who come in for emergency care. The unit features six private rooms each designed to let in natural light allowing for a more therapeutic space for patients in distress. The new behavioral health pod is scheduled to open this spring.
For more information about Frisbie Memorial Hospital’s outpatient adult Partial Hospitalization Program, call 603-602-5872 or visit frisbiehospital.com.
Dartmouth Health partners with Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital to provide telemedicine neurology care
LEBANON – Dartmouth Health Connected Care is partnering with Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital, an independent, nonprofit critical access hospital and family health clinic in Townshend, Vermont, to provide acute care TeleNeurology services to Grace Cottage patients. Through this partnership, Dartmouth Health TeleNeurology can quickly bring a neurologist to the patient’s bedside to assist the local clinical team with prompt assessment and treatment recommendations via telemedicine. The service began on Monday, April 11.
“Using the latest technology to bring TeleNeurology services to Grace Cottage will ensure the very best care for our patients who experience neurological issues,” said Douglas DiVello, president and CEO of Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital. “This partnership allows us to provide world-class care from one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers to our patients and allows our medical staff to consult with Dartmouth Health neurology specialists, right here in rural southern Vermont.”
Dartmouth Health’s TeleNeurology provides a board-certified neurologist 24 hours a day, seven days per week, to confer with the local bedside team. Through telemedicine, the local healthcare team can quickly connect with the Dartmouth Health’s TeleNeurology team to collaborate and assist with patient evaluation and treatment.
“It is important to us that the Center for Telehealth helps to deliver exceptional care to patients across northern New England, regardless of location,” said Kevin M. Curtis, MD, MS, medical director of Connected Care. “We are pleased to join the healthcare team at Grace Cottage to offer the TeleNeurology services 24/7 and allow patients to get even more care close to home.”
Studies show that early and effective stroke treatment can save lives and prevent long-term disability. The American Heart Association recognizes a telemedicine consultation by a neurologist as a standard of care in bringing the expertise of a stroke center to a patient’s bedside, thus improving outcomes, shortening hospital stays, and lowering costs with a prompt and accurate diagnosis.
Dartmouth Health’s TeleNeurology offerings also contribute to reduced patient transfers by keeping patients closer to home and their loved ones.
To learn more about Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital, visit www.gracecottage.org. For information about Dartmouth Health Connected Care and Center for Telehealth, visit www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/connected-care.
Northeast Delta Dental Foundation awards more than $142,000 in grants to N.H. oral health programs
CONCORD — The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation recently awarded more than $142,000 to 18 oral health programs throughout New Hampshire. The Foundation supports organizations and initiatives in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that provide oral health education and dental care to uninsured and underserved communities.
The Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations to support the dental care of their clients including: $5,000 to Aspire Living and Learning, $5,000 to Brigid’s House of Hope, $10,000 to Dismas Home of New Hampshire, $5,000 to Gateways Community Services, $10,000 to North American Family Institute, and $6,000 to One Sky Community Services.
Grants awarded for oral health programs included $5,000 to Community Action Partnership of Strafford County for oral care kits for infants and children, $15,000 to the Dental Clinic at Concord Hospital’s Family Health Center, $11,200 to Crotched Mountain Foundation for their Community Care program, $20,000 to Dental Lifeline’s Donated Dental Services program in New Hampshire, $10,000 to Easterseals New Hampshire for their program at Gammon Academy, $10,000 to Harbor Care Health and Wellness to support their dental center, and $1,000 to Kiwanis Club of Mt. Washington Valley for student athletic mouthguards and an oral health education program.
Three grants were awarded for dental supplies and/or equipment included $4,600 to Greater Nashua Dental Connection, $10,000 to Sullivan Oral Health Collaborative and $4,137 to White Mountain Community Health.
In support of oral health education and professional development, the Foundation awarded $5,158 to Building Community in New Hampshire and $5,000 to NHTI to support their dental assisting career training program.
The Foundation also awarded $50,000 to support a tri-state program (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) through Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for living expenses stipends of students participating in the Northern New England Mentorship Program.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Free caregiver event, Frisbie adds outpatient program: Seacoast health news
