Healthy Connections
PrintA guide to better health from Backus
August 2010 – CALENDAR
Your Guide to Good Health
Education Programs, Events and Screenings
American Heart Association Annual Heart Walk
The American Heart Association Heart Walk allows people to get exercise while also raising aware- ness and money for research. The event includes a health fair, free screenings from the Backus Mobile Health Resource Center, free lunch and entertainment. Participants can choose between a 2-mile or a 5-kilometer walking route.
• Sunday, Oct.3
• 10a.m.-1p.m.
• Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic
To join the Backus team or donate, contact Shawn Mawhiney, 860-889-8331, ext. 2312 or smawhiney@wwbh.org. To learn more, visit rockyneckheartwalk.org
Baltic Community Health Program
The Backus Hospital Mobile Health Resource Center will be at the former Baltic United Methodist Church for a blood pressure screening and an informative pro- gram on preventing head trauma
• Wednesday, Aug. 4
• 4-7p.m. • West Main Street, Baltic Program free; no registration required.
Call 860-889-8331, ext. 2495 for more information.
Bariatric Surgery Information Session
The Backus Weight Loss Center will hold several community education events outlining its new bariatric surgery program which combines surgery, nutrition education, psychiatric screenings and support groups to tackle obesity
• Aug.10,31,Sept.14,23
• 6-7p.m.
• Backus Outpatient Care Center conference rooms, 111 Salem Tpk., Norwich.
Call 860-425-8740 for more infor- mation or to register.
Breast Health Patient Navigator Program
Free to women who experience a suspicious mammogram and / or ultrasound reading. The Patient Navigator helps guide the patient from the suspicious reading to a definitive diagnosis in the shortest amount of time possible to facilitate more efficient access and guidance to breast health care services and information. Services include assistance with referrals to local resources and social support; assistance with appointments; educational support; and, one-on-one meetings to increase satisfaction with their breast health care experience.
Call Joyce Kuusela, RN, at 860-425-3870, or Theresa Thackston at 860-425-3809 for more information.
CHI Volunteer Therapist Open House
Backus Hospital’s Center for Healthcare Integration (CHI) is seeking to expand the current number of therapists who volunteer. CHI provides complimentary therapies to inpatients such as Healing Touch, Massage, Reflexology and Reiki. An informational gathering has been scheduled for any therapist interested in becoming part of the program.
• Thursday, Sept. 16
• 6-7:30p.m.
• Backus Hospital entry-level conference rooms
If you are interested in attending, please call CHI Coordinator Amy Dunion, RN, LMT, at 860-425-3877 or Healing Touch and Integrative Care Clinical Coordinator Paula Novak, RN, at 860-889-8331, ext. 2163.
Community Blood Pressure Screenings
Free blood pressure screening on the third Wednesday of each month.
•Wednesday, Aug. 18
• 1 - 2 p.m.
• Backus entry-level conference rooms 1-3
Program free; no registration required.
Diabetes Outpatient Self-Management Program
Gain a greater understanding of the components of diabetes self-care management. This program includes an initial assessment by Certified Diabetes Educators, a Registered Nurse and a Clinical Dietitian. Provider referral required.
Program free but registration required. Call the Diabetes Center at 860-892-6906 and select the Patient Education Classes prompt for more information.
Enjoy LIFE: Take A Walk with Us
To encourage incorporating walking into daily routines, the Enjoy LIFE series, a collaboration between Backus and the Plainfield Recreation Department, is hosting a hike in July. The event is open to the public, as well as the teams participating in the Enjoy LIFE Active Challenge. The hike will be about a mile-and-a-half long on walking trails around Plainfield High School. Sarah Hospod will be on the Backus Mobile Health Resource Center van to offer “coaching and counseling” on healthy dieting. This is the final day for adult and family teams to sign up for the yearlong program. For more information about the Enjoy LIFE project, visit: backushospital.org/enjoylife
• Thursday, Aug 12
• 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Plainfield High School, 105 Putnam Road
Program free but registration required. Call 860-889-8331 ext. 2495 for more information.
Learn How To Cook To Achieve Your Health Goals
Cooking classes for health benefits and weight loss are being held at the Dalice Elizabeth Winery in Preston. Mary Lee Wilcox, gourmet caterer and owner of the Dalice Elizabeth Winery, and Pam Oliver, biologist/science nutritionist, president of Body Transformers and author of “Weight Loss with Humor,” will offer instruction on food combinations that work best to increase your metabolism and help get rid of belly fat.
• Thursdays, Aug. 5, 12, 18, 26
• 6:30–8:30p.m.
• Dalice Elizabeth Winery, 6 Amos Road, Preston
Program is $125 per class; registra- tion is required. Call 860-889-WINE for more information or visit www.daliceelizabeth.com. The Backus Stroke program will receive 10% of proceeds from this program.
Multicultural Health Fair
Backus will be hosting a multicultural health fair on Sept. 30. Representatives from more than 20 cultures will be on hand with information on health care customs and issues, music, and more. Anyone wishing to represent their culture is invited to call Alice Facente at 860-889-8331, ext. 2405.
• Thursday, Sept. 30
• 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Backus Hospital entry-level conference rooms
Program free; no registration required.
National Night Out in Groton
The Backus Trauma Center, with its mascot Traumaroo, the Crash Dummies and Egg Head will be on hand as part of this community event to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and promote emergency and disaster preparedness.
• Tuesday, Aug. 3
• 5 - 8 p.m.
• Poquonnock Plains Park, Hill Road, Groton
Contact Youth Officer Kelly Crandall at 860-441-6704 or kcrandall@town.groton.ct.us for more information.
National Night Out in Norwich
The Backus Mobile Health Resource Center van will be at Shop-Rite for the Norwich Night Out Event, sponsored by the Norwich Police Department. A nurse will be on the van with info on the Backus ”Smoking Stinks” campaign. Kids are invited to take the pledge not to smoke — ever. • Tuesday, Aug. 3
• 6-9p.m.
• Shop-Rite parking lot in Norwich
Program free; no registration required. Call 860-889-8331, ext. 2495 for more information.
Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster for patients having surgery at Backus Hospital
Using Guided Imagery and relaxation has been shown to help people feel calmer before surgery, have less pain after surgery and recover more quickly. The tech- niques are also helpful for many other procedures to help lessen anxiety. The patient will receive a book, CD and a 90-minute instructional class. Ideally the class is taken 1-3 weeks prior to surgery. Classes are offered each Monday and Wednesday. A friend or family member may accom- pany the patient. Instructor: Paula Novak, RN, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner.
• Mondays, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• 5 - 6:30 p.m.
• Backus Hospital Same Day Surgery Family Lounge
• Wednesdays, Aug. 4, 11, 18
• 2 - 3:30 p.m.
• Backus Outpatient Care Center, 111 Salem Turnpike, Norwich
There is a $35 (CD and book) fee for this program and registration is required. Call CHI at 860-425-3877 to register or for more information.
Psychiatric Department Lectures
Monthly lectures on psychiatric trends and topics. Usually held on the fourth Thursday of every month.
• Thursday, Aug. 26
• 3 - 4:30 p.m.
• Backus entry-level conference rooms 1-2
Program free; no registration required.
Sail Through Surgery
A pre-op program for children, ages 18 and under, and their parents, to help prepare for an upcoming surgery.
• Friday, Aug. 6
• 4:30 p.m.
• Backus Hospital Same Day Surgery waiting area
• Saturday, Aug. 21
• 10 a.m.
• Backus Hospital Same Day Surgery waiting area
Program free but registration required. Call 860-823-6328 for more information.
Total Care Program (joint replacement)
A pre-op program for children, ages 18 and under, and their parents, to help prepare for an upcoming surgery.
• Wednesdays, Aug 4, 11, 18, 25
• 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Backus Outpatient Care Center, 111 Salem Turnpike, Norwich.
Program free but registration required. Call 860-823-6533 for more information.
Total Care Program (spinal fusion)
Backus patients scheduled for surgery can learn what to expect from spinal fusion surgery - preparatory measures,the procedure, rehabilitation, and other issues
• Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18, 25
• 9 - 11 a.m.
• Backus Outpatient Care Center, 111 Salem Turnpike, Norwich.
Program free but registration required. Call 860-823-6533 for more information.