Thursday, September 23, 2010
Taking care of people
Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune
Eunice Bakken, left, stands next to Renae Peterson, director of nurses at Good Samaritan Society. Bakken worked with Peterson for many years and through many changes.
Woman retires after 44 years of service at Good Samaritan Society pay for that piano. Bakken started as a nurse’s aide. She said the A worker at Good Samari- facility was an old, brick tan Society in Albert Lea is building when she started finally retiring after more and not as nice as it is than 44 years. Even after currently. She eventually that long time, she won’t be became a coordinator for leaving completely. one of the halls and taught Eunice Bakken, a restorthe new co-workers how to ative nursing assistant, do all the tasks. said she’ll still volunteer Recently, Bakken has her time at Good Samaritan been working in resident Society and that she’d like therapy as a restorative to volunteer at other places nursing assistant. She in the community as well. said she liked working in Bakken was also a resident therapy and helping those for a short time after a surresidents. Bakken stands next to Good Samaritan resident Eugene gery and said it helped her “I really enjoy the therarealize how well people are py,” Bakken said. “They do a Turtness. Bakken said she’ll miss the residents and will be back to visit often. treated by the staff. marvelous job.” “You know how much Bakken grew up and went people helped you,” Bakken to school in Albert Lea. that she can’t remember all maritan Society billboard in said. She completed her trained of them. When she started Albert Lea. She also helped Bakken started working medication aide training there was no air conditionmake an educational video there on July 11, 1966. She in Austin before beginning ing, and it could get quite by acting out parts, and the said it was a convenient work at Good Samaritan warm. Many years ago video went to other homes location near her home, and Society. Her starting wage there were no generators, to help train new workers. she worked part time. She was 95 cents per hour. and if the building lost Bakken said she still sold strawberries that she “I just liked taking care of power she and the other plans on volunteering in the grew and bought a piano people,” Bakken said. workers would use flashchapel at Good Samaritan for her children to learn to Bakken said there have lights to help residents. Society and still does craft play on. She started at Good been so many changes durShe remembers one projects like make bags Samaritan Society to help ing her tenure at the society snow storm that was so that hang on residents’ bad all the workers slept wheelchairs. She has a close there and did their best to relationship with many of make a breakfast the next the residents. morning when the cooks “I hope to be back to couldn’t come in. She also visit them,” Bakken said. “I said it was interesting to worked with many of them see all the new technology for years.” available. She said she just tried Community members to give them the best care might remember seeing she could because it’s their Bakken on a Good Sahome. She said all the residents are special people and deserve the best care. Bakken worked with Renae Peterson, director of nurses, for many years. Peterson said Bakken is attentive to detail. “We take a lot of pride in our work,” Peterson said. Bakken plans to volunteer with her free time and is also actively involved at the Freeborn County Fair. Just this past year she received 67 ribbons for various submissions at the fair. She also enjoys meeting with other caregivers for a Submitted photo coffee hour once a month This plaque was given to where they reminisce about Bakken on her retirement. changes and happenings in It reads: “In grateful recogthe medical field. nition of your 44 years of Bakken’s co-workers and dedicated Christian serfamily attended a retirement party for her on Frivice as a CNA of the Good Samaritan Society — Albert day, Sept. 17. Many of her co-workers gave hugs and Lea. May God richly bless said they’d miss her. Her Submitted photo you in your retirement. In daughters Shari and Cindi Bakken poses for a photo with her cake at her retirement Christ’s Love, Everyone Is also attended the party. part at Good Samaritan Society on Friday, Sept. 17. Someone.” By Kelli Lageson staff writer
New name for Mayo Health shows integration
In the coming months, Mayo Clinic will rename its health system of hospitals and clinics spanning Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mayo Health System will become Mayo Clinic Health System. The new brand more closely aligns with Mayo Clinic and demonstrates the way Mayo Clinic and Mayo Health System work together as a single practice to care for patients in communities across the region. The new, unified brand also will enable the health system and Mayo Clinic to better respond to a changing regional marketplace and evolving health care reform. “Mayo Health System has continually evolved. More than ever, our sites work more closely with each other and Mayo Clinic — providing high-quality care to communities throughout the region,” says Rob Nesse, M.D., CEO, Mayo Health System. “As we work more together, it’s important for our patients to recognize they’re part of an integrated system that cares for them throughout their life.” In addition to a common name, all Mayo Health System sites will share a common logo. The logo includes Mayo Clinic’s three shields, which represent practice, education and research. “We think our new brand represents the evolution of Albert Lea Medical Center and Mayo Health System,” Mark Ciota, M.D., ALMC CEO, says. “Fourteen years ago, our affiliation with Mayo was the start of a collaborative relationship that has given us access to resources, education and best practices for medical care. Becoming one organization can only make us stronger, more efficient and increase the value for our patients.” “This visual symbol is a powerful statement of the health system’s role in extending Mayo Clinic’s quality care throughout the region,” says Dr. Nesse. “This change, along with other actions, will demonstrate a single practice that cares for patients throughout life.” An extensive plan is being developed to fully introduce the new brand to employees, patients and communities. The new brand is scheduled to be implemented starting in May 2011.
How to protect children with autism from bullying Bullying is a headline-grabbing issue these days, one many adults know of first-hand from their own childhood experiences. Fortunately, bullying — once considered a normal and unavoidable part of the schoolyard landscape — is now viewed as a much more serious matter. Parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder may be especially worried about the issue of bullying, fearing their child’s characteristic social deficits make him or her a particularly tempting target. Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Interactive Autism Network, the largest online autism research effort in the world, recently released a report exploring how children with ASD are particularly at risk of becoming victims of bullying.
See Bullying on Page 2 ➧
Page 2 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Thursday, September 23, 2010 A PICTURE OF HEALTH
Don’t let these myths keep you off the massage table
Oil spills, unrest overseas, a global economy that’s just starting to recover and continuing high unemployment here in the U.S. — who couldn’t use a little stress relief these days? Massage is a great way to relieve stress, but some Americans might be missing out on the therapy’s many benefits because of myths and misconceptions about massage. “Massage can help address a wide range of physical and psychological problems, from stress to chronic pain,” says Joann MacMaster, president of Cortiva Institute — Tucson, a massage therapy school in Tucson, Ariz. “If you’ve always been interested in massage therapy, but shied away from having a massage because you thought you would be uncomfortable or that you can’t afford it, now is a great time to learn the truth.” With demand expected to continue rising for health care professionals — including massage therapists — more career changers and other job seekers are pursuing massage therapy careers. There are also new and increasing opportunities for potential clients to experience massage at a
price they can afford. The truth behind the top five myths about massage: Myth No. 1 — Massage is so expensive, only the rich can afford it. Fact: Massage therapy treatments average about $60 per hour. Many therapists, however, may offer better pricing or discounted packages for regular customers. As massage therapy gains wider acceptance in the medical community, you may also find your insurance will pay for certain types of massage. Or, you might look for a great massage therapy school that provides a student clinic, where well-trained, supervised students provide treatments at discounted prices. Myth No. 2 — You have to be undressed to get a massage. Fact: It’s entirely up to you how much (or how little) clothing you want to remove for a massage — although tight-fitting clothing may get in the way of the treatment. Some people prefer to keep their undergarments on during a massage, while others are more comfortable completely undressed. And some treatments such as chair massage, sports,
shiatsu and acupressure are usually practiced with clothes on. Whatever you decide, your therapist will make every effort to ensure you are comfortable and not embarrassed. He or she will leave the room while you disrobe or dress, will knock before entering the treatment room and will use the sheets and draping techniques to ensure you’re properly covered at all times and only the area being worked on is exposed. Myth No. 3 — Massage is a spa luxury and has no real medical benefits. Fact: Far from being confined to the spa, massage is practiced in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics, gyms and sports centers. Massage can be a form of relaxation, but it also offers many significant health benefits, too. Recent research has shown massage can be effective in treating a range of conditions, including cancer-related fatigue and pain, lower back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, post-operative pain, depressed immune system function, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, frequent headache and alcohol withdrawal, according to the American
Massage Therapy Association. Myth No. 4 — Massage has to hurt to be effective. Fact: Massage therapy does not have to be painful. While some people may favor deep tissue massage that can create some discomfort during the massage, usually therapists take great pains to ensure their clients are not uncomfortable. He or she will ask if the pressure is too deep or if the treatment is uncomfortable. And if a therapist doesn’t ask, speak up and tell her what you’re feeling. Myth No. 5 — Anyone can call themselves a “massage therapist.” Fact: In 2009, 42 states and the District of Columbia regulated the massage industry in some way, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The requirements to be a licensed or certified massage therapist vary by state, but typically include a formal training program of 500 hours or more, covering subjects that include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, ethics, business management and hands-on practice. Many students receive more than the minimum required hours of training. “In addition to these top five myths about
massage, you’ve probably heard more, including the idea that massage is only for women, is not widely accepted, or leaves you at the mercy of the therapist,” says MacMaster. “The truth is, massage therapy is for almost everyone, nearly a third of all adult Americans have had a massage in the past five years, and
therapists are trained to help patients determine the therapy that’s best for them.” As massage therapy continues to gain wider acceptance, and more professionals enter the field, more opportunities will arise for both the curious and the convert to experience the many benefits of massage therapy.
Quick and easy ways to fight seasonal fatigue this winter
If it seems like it’s just harder to roll out of bed every morning
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when the temperature drops and sunrise comes later, you’re not imagining things — and you’re not alone. Whether they have chronic fatigue, seasonal affective disorder or an old-fashioned case of the seasonal blues, many people experience fatigue when seasons change and the weather cools. Fatigue is common, with up to 50 percent of adults reporting feeling chronically tired according to several
recent surveys. In fact, at least 20 percent of doctor visits are made by people looking for relief from fatigue, one study reports. The season’s effect on fatigue and depression is wellknown, with the American Academy of Family Physicians reporting six out of every 100 Americans suffer from winter depression or SAD. “Shorter days, darker skies, colder weather, poor sleep habits, and the stresses that come
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with the busy holidays and months at the end of the year can leave many people feeling fatigued and depressed at this time of year,” says Dr. Elin Ritchie, a specialist in family alternative medicine. Even if your case of the seasonal blues is mild, it still makes sense to take steps to help yourself feel better — prolonged fatigue and depression can affect your overall health. Here are some tips for fighting fatigue: ♦♦ Get as much (safe) sun exposure as possible. Open drapes and blinds as soon as you get up to allow sunlight into your home. If you can, take a morning walk. Get as much time outdoors as your schedule and the weather permit. Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D in your body and also benefits your mental health. Remember, though, to use sunscreen, as the sun’s ultraviolet rays can still damage your skin, even in winter. ♦♦ Stick to a reliable sleep schedule as much as possible. Go to bed and rise at the same time every day. And make sure your bedroom is conducive
to sleep — declutter, choose comfortable and comforting linens, and turn off the TV. ♦♦ Choose foods that are high in protein. Fruits and vegetables provide many healthful benefits and definitely belong in your diet. But for long-lasting energy, you’ll get more benefit from lean protein (like chicken and fish) and complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread or beans. Avoid too much sugar, no matter how tempting those holiday treats appear — sugar’s energy rush is usually followed by an energy drop that can leave you feeling more fatigued. ♦♦ Find ways to relax. The cooler seasons can be a very stressful time
and stress can keep you awake at night. To combat natural levels of stress, find activities that relax you, whether it’s container gardening indoors, meditation or aromatherapy. Relieving stress can help improve sleep patterns. It’s also important that you support your immune system, especially during cold and flu season. Fatigue can lead to illness. “New studies show that sleep deprivation has detrimental effects on the immune system,” says Ritchie. “Researchers believe that sleep should be considered a vital part of immune function, as it is clear that sleep and immunity are directly related.”
difficult for a child with ASD to grasp. In some cases, chilContinued from Front Page dren with ASD can also become what is known Children with ASD as a “bully-victim.” As may have trouble correctly interpreting social other children learn to trigger a child’s meltcues, especially in a bullying situation where down, he or she can be provoked into behavior the bully may intentionthat results in punishally mislead the child. ment while the “real” It is not hard for bullies go unnoticed. parents of children on Successful anti-bullythe autism spectrum to ing strategies require a imagine the scenarios: team effort from school their child’s inability to personnel, early child“read” the social signs hood professionals and that someone doesn’t psychologists, students have her best interest involved in bullying as at heart; the eagerness targets or aggressors, to please that can make him easy to manipulate; and child bystanders. Teachers and other staff the tendency to say should be trained on how what he thinks without to respond to bullying, a full understanding while victims and bullies of consequences. Many need training in special children who are bulsocial skills that target lied do not report it to the perceptions, misinterparents or other adults. pretations or interactions In addition to this that contributed to the general tendency not to bullying in the first place. tell, children with ASD Making a child less may be nonverbal, and isolated is one crucial so unable to communipiece of this puzzle, cate that they are being perhaps via inclusion bullied, or they may in an ongoing support have fluent language or social skills group, skills, but be unable to perhaps with other chilinterpret the situation. dren with ASD. Even Many times, children with ASD also may have child bystanders can be provided with a safe trouble distinguishing way to report bullying bullying from goodincidents so they can do natured teasing. When the right thing without all parties are having fearing they will make fun, it’s not bullying, themselves a bully’s a concept that may be
next target. What if efforts made by parents, in partnership with a school, fail? What might a parent do? Suggestions include: ♦♦ Find out exactly what the school’s antibullying policy (if any) contains. ♦♦ Determine if the school is implementing that policy effectively, or at all. Has a lack of tolerance for bullying really been incorporated into the school’s culture? Or is the school only paying lip service to a zero tolerance for bullying? ♦♦ If the policy is not being implemented in an effective way, make an issue of the fact that your child is not able to benefit from his or her education when he or she is being bullied and living in fear. ♦♦ Don’t accept “We didn’t see it happen” and “It’s that kid’s word against his” as excuses for inaction, especially if the conditions remain the same and the same things happen again. If incidents are occurring at the same place and time (during gym, on the playground at recess, in the cafeteria), someone should be assigned to monitor and “catch” the next incident in progress.
♦ Bullying
A PICTURE OF HEALTH
Thursday, September 23, 2010 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Page 3
More than skin deep: Preventing the unseen signs of aging
From wrinkle cream to hair dye and everything in between, some people go to great lengths to disguise the signs of aging. However, despite the wisdom that comes with getting older, we often overlook the less visible signs of age, like everyday activities becoming more difficult, which can have a more significant impact our lives than a few gray hairs. Muscle loss can occur as young as age 40, causing weakness or lack of energy that may force people to give up or cut back on activities they once enjoyed — from golfing to gardening to keeping up with their children or grandchildren. But the good news, according to muscle health experts, is that muscle loss can not only be prevented but even reversed, allowing people to stay
active and vibrant. “Getting older is a fact of life, so we should take action now to protect our muscles so we can stay healthy as we age,” says Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine for adults over age 40. “Strong muscles help people continue doing the things they love. Taking steps today to protect and strengthen our muscles can keep us active and independent, leading to a greater quality of life down the road.” Dr. Wright offers her expert tips on how to take charge of your muscle health: ♦♦ Get a move on: Even if you’re completely new to exercising, daily activity is important and there’s no better time to get active than right now. Start out with the basics, like taking daily
walks around your neighborhood. Once that becomes a habit, switch up your routine with other light activities. Daily exercise can also reduce the risks for diabetes, breast cancer, heart conditions and even depression. ♦♦ Take the muscle test: Test yourself and see just how strong you are. There are many simple, at-home tests you can do to measure the strength of your muscles. For instance, do as many pushups as possible until exhaustion to test your upper body strength. For average 40-somethings, men should be able to complete 21 to 28 pushups and women should complete 18 to 24 modified pushups. ♦♦ Feed your muscles: Regular activity is only one ingredient in a recipe for better muscle health. Make sure you’re eating a balanced
diet that includes protein, fiber and brightly colored fruits and vegetables. ♦♦ Use it or lose it: The old adage is true. Muscles can deteriorate with time if you don’t use them regularly, leaving you feeling weak. But there is good
news: Studies show that muscle atrophy from inactivity is reversible no matter your age, so the more you use your muscles, the stronger they’ll be. While the aging process can’t be stopped, muscle loss can be prevented or even
reversed with exercise and proper nutrition. Everyone, from weekend walkers to after-work athletes, can take simple steps now to build and maintain strong, healthy muscles and continue doing the activities they enjoy for years to come.
Don’t surrender to macular degeneration Age-related Macular Degeneration Week is Sept. 18 to 26; watch for signs of the disease
Aging gracefully can require you to accept certain changes in your body, from gray or thinning hair to skin that’s less firm than it was in your youth. But loss of vision shouldn’t be on your short list of changes that are an inevitable part of growing older. If you’re older than 50, you should know about your eye health and what you can do to prevent or slow vision loss. Age-related macular degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. AMD affects about 10 million people in the U.S., and that number is projected to double by 2020, according to the National Institutes of Health. “AMD is a disease that we can prevent and manage,” says Dr. Alan Cruess, Chairman of AMD Alliance International’s Scientific Advisory Panel. “We have the ability to save the sight of many Americans each year.” AMD is a degenerative disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina (think of it as your eye’s internal projection screen)
responsible for clear central vision. There are two types of AMD — “dry” and “wet.” The dry form affects 85 to 90 percent of people with AMD and causes varying degrees of vision loss, characterized by a collection of deposits in the macula called drusen. Far less common, but much more serious, wet AMD causes severe vision loss, as abnormal blood vessels grow and leak blood and fluid into the eye. If you take certain measures to keep your eyes healthy, you can prevent AMD or slow its progress. AMD Alliance International suggests taking the following three steps to help prevent and manage AMD.
1. Get regular eye exams
Everyone older than 50 should get regular eye exams. Most people believe they receive eye exams as often as they should. However, according to a recent AMD Alliance International study, only 63 percent of those at risk and 56 percent of those at high risk for AMD have their eyes checked annually. Routine exams can help identify AMD and
other eye problems in their early stages, when many diseases are more easily treatable.
2. Understand the risk factors for AMD
By knowing the risk factors, you can take steps to reduce the chance of getting AMD. Age is the greatest risk factor for AMD — if you are 50 or older, you’re at risk of developing the disease. Having a family member with AMD can also increase your risk. While you cannot control your age or genes, there are other risk factors, including smoking, poor diet, obesity, and having high blood pressure, that are controllable. Quitting smoking reduces your risk for AMD. Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who smoke are between two and five and a half times more likely to develop AMD than people who do not smoke. Studies also suggest that AMD is linked to diets high in saturated fat. Reducing saturated fat consumption and eating more fresh fruits and dark green, leafy vegetables — all
foods that are rich in vitamins C and E, selenium and carotenoids — may delay the onset or reduce the severity of AMD. Fish rich in omega-3 fats, like salmon, tuna or mackerel, may also slow the progress of AMD when eaten two to three times a week, according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
3. Ask questions and know your treatment options
If you have been diagnosed with AMD, your ability to ask the right questions and receive accurate information is crucial. Review “Questions to Ask Your Eye
Care Professional” at www.amdalliance.org to help guide the conversation at your next eye exam. Be sure you know your exact diagnosis and all available treatment options. Specially formulated vitamins can reduce the risk of advanced AMD for some patients. Effective, clinically approved treatments are also available for the most severe form of AMD, which may reverse some vision loss. Make sure you ask your doctor about your options and understand what treatment you are receiving. People living with macular disease should be able to fully partici-
pate in choosing their treatment and healthcare options. Know your rights and download the Patient Charter. Also, if you’re diagnosed with AMD, a low vision rehabilitation specialist can help you use your remaining sight to its full potential through special techniques and low vision aids. Age-related macular degeneration and the loss of vision can be prevented and slowed down. By learning about the disease and making healthy lifestyle choices, many Americans will be able to enjoy healthy vision well into their golden years.
What to do if back pain is stalling your weight-loss efforts
Which came first, the back pain or the extra pounds? The question may be academic for millions of obese Americans whose chronic spine and joint pain keeps them from getting the exercise that would help them lose weight. Relieving that pain could be instrumental in getting them to exercise more. The number of states with an adult obesity rate of 30 percent or more has tripled to nine since 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 75 million Americans — about one in four — are now considered obese. Excessive weight is not only associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and some forms of cancer, it also can have damaging effects on the nerves, bones, joints and muscles of the body, exacerbating conditions such as osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain, accord-
ing to the American Chiropractic Association. The association is making healthy weight management the focus of its annual observance, National Chiropractic Health Month, this October. “If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body — the spine, legs, etc. — can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement and degeneration in the joints,” explains Dr. James Powell, a doctor of chiropractic in Canton, Ohio, who serves on ACA’s Wellness Committee. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the lower back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension to your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness and pain.” Muscle tension and stiffness often leads to pain in the back, neck, hips, knees and legs, which causes many
people with weight problems to avoid exercising and to look for easy fixes such as diet pills and extreme diets. “These quick fixes do not offer healthy, longterm solutions,” says Dr. Rick McMichael, ACA president. “Doctors of chiropractic, on the other hand, offer natural approaches such as specific exercise recommendations, dietary advice and hands-on care to help keep people active and able to achieve their weight-loss goals.” Talking to a doctor of chiropractic about weight management might be news to some, but it’s precisely what happens every day in many chiropractic offices. “DCs are experts at helping patients reduce or eliminate pain naturally — helping them become more active and functional,” Dr. McMichael says. “In addition to their expert structural care, doctors of chiropractic often counsel their patients on enhancing wellness through nutrition, ergonomic and lifestyle recommendations — this has been a part of chiropractic training and education from the start.”
A sensible approach to weight loss
Without exercise, the chances of successfully managing weight problems are greatly diminished. Removing painful back, neck and joint pain — obstacles to
exercise — through chiropractic care can be the first step toward winning the battle against being overweight or obese. From there, ACA recommends considering some small but significant ways to become healthier: ♦♦ Start small. If all you can manage is a five-minute walk, do it. Eventually, you’ll be able to work your way up to 30 minutes or more, and you’ll be taking a big step toward maintaining the flexibility and mobility of your joints and burning calories at the same time. ♦♦ For those on a time crunch, take small breaks from work. Simply getting up from your desk and walking around the office or the parking lot, or going up and down the stairs a few times, is enough to get your blood flowing and to trigger feel-good endorphins to get you through the rest of your day. ♦♦ As for your diet, choose foods high in fiber — fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes — as fiber curbs hunger. Also reduce your simple carbohydrates such as candy, pizza, chips, cookies and bread that is not made from whole grains. In some people, simple carbohydrates can trigger overeating, as well as blood-glucose slumps, which can lead to fatigue, headaches, craving sweets, depres-
sion, irritability and a host of other symptoms. ♦♦ Eating well does not have to cost a lot of money. To lower your food expenses, consider buying meats in bulk, buying fruits and vegetables in season and sticking to smaller serving sizes.
♦♦ Keep a good variety of low-calorie snacks available to satisfy cravings. Having carrot sticks, apple slices, whole-grain granola, fruit and raisins on hand can prevent you from running to the snack machine or picking up fast food.
SHOFF CHIROPRACTIC Promoting Health & Wellness Since 1950
For APPOINTMENT CALL 373-7054 Dr. Christopher Shoff
Located in Historic Downtown Albert Lea
901 Luther Place Albert Lea, MN 56007
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www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org
Page 4 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Thursday, September 23, 2010 A PICTURE OF HEALTH
Keeping children with diabetes safe at school School is supposed to be a safe haven for children, a healthy place where they can learn and grow. Every school year, millions of American children go through our school systems safely and securely. But children with diabetes face a unique set of safety challenges in the classroom. Diabetes affects about 200,000 children in the United States. Diabetes management is 24/7 for children and parents dealing with the disease; diabetes doesn’t take a break during school hours. Keeping a child with diabetes safe at school requires a collaborative effort among parents, doctors and other diabetes health care professionals, school nurses, teachers and administrators, the American Diabetes Association (Association) points out in its Safe at School Campaign. There are schools across the country where excellent plans are in place to provide
the care that children with diabetes need to thrive at school. Yet not all schools are easing the way for children with diabetes. For example, in California an appeals court recently ruled that state law prohibits school employees who are not nurses from volunteering to help children with diabetes by administering needed insulin. With only one nurse for every 2,700 students in the state, many children with diabetes will not get insulin when they need it — and their health and academic progress will suffer as a result. “We are very upset with the California ruling because it harms children, and are trying to get it overturned,” says Daniel Kohrman, chair of the Association’s legal advocacy subcommittee. “Diabetes experts from parents to the doctors and nurses who care for children with diabetes to the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention all agree that non-medical school personnel can — and should — be trained to administer insulin.” To address barriers to essential diabetes care at school — such as the one in California — the Association created its Safe at School Campaign. The campaign is dedicated to protecting the rights of children nationwide who face discrimination at school because of their diabetes, and provides parents and educators with guidance on how to help children with diabetes stay medically safe at school. “It’s vital that, as students go back to school, they know they will be in a medically safe environment that affords them the same educational opportunities as other students,” says Dr. Larry Deeb, former Association president and the Safe at School Working Group’s co-chair. The Association works to protect children through a four step
process of education, negotiation, and — when needed — litigation and legislation. For example, a recently enacted law in Florida ended a practice in which students with diabetes in Jacksonville were being segregated into a few schools rather than providing care closer to home, while a new law in New Jersey empowers teachers, coaches and others to provide emergency care to students who are experiencing life-threatening low blood glucose and allows students who are able to do so to selfmanage their disease. Although the Safe at School Campaign has made significant progress, there is still much work to be done. To learn how to get help from the Association, to read more about ADA’s Safe at School Campaign or to join the fight to stop diabetes in your community, go to www.diabetes.org/ safeatschool or call 800-DIABETES.
Fun ways to teach kids good hygiene and hand washing habits
For kids who are eager to run and play, the importance of washing their hands regularly is often lost. But the effects of cleanliness and good hygiene are significant. For example, each year, American children lose 22 million school days to the common cold, according to the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention. While washing hands can seem like a simple act, keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick — or getting somebody else sick — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion. One of the simplest ways to prevent the spread of the common cold, flu and other infectious diseases is to wash your hands regularly and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel. Sometimes it takes more than statistics and instruction to influence kids to do the right thing. That’s why Georgia-Pacific Professional has teamed with Weekly Reader to develop The Art of Washing Hands, a program that makes hand hygiene fun. One important part of this program is an interactive website (www. artofwashinghands. com) that is specifically
aimed at making proper hand washing fun and effective. Teachers, daycare providers and parents may benefit from these suggestions for teaching hand washing at The Art of Washing Hands website: ♦♦ Get musical. Experts recommend scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap. Try teaching children a song about hand washing or another fun song — just be sure it takes 20 seconds to sing. This can be an easy timer for scrubbing those hands, fingers and nails. In fact, two popular choices include singing “Happy Birthday” twice or the ABC’s once.
♦♦ Group activities. Quiz young ones on the proper steps of hand washing by turning the steps into a fun game. When a child gets the answers right, prizes may be offered to keep them interested. For example, ask children to name as many instances as they can about when to wash their hands, such as after playing outside or after a sneeze. ♦♦ Individual activities. The Art of Washing Hands website offers many printable and interactive activities, including a coloring game where students can color germ charac-
ters while they learn how to eliminate them. For another activity, ask children to draw illustrations that represent each step in the hand washing process. More activities and downloadable lessons are available at www. artofwashinghands.com. Before you remind young ones how to wash their hands, here’s a good refresher that includes recommendations from the CDC: ♦♦ Wet your hands with clean water (warm if possible) and apply soap. ♦♦ Lather your hands and be sure to scrub everywhere, including
between fingers and around your nails. ♦♦ Rub your hands together for 20 seconds, or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. ♦♦ Rinse your hands under running water. ♦♦ Dry your hands thoroughly. If available, use a paper towel, and then use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to avoid further interaction with germs. By effectively teaching your children or students the importance of washing their hands regularly, you’ll do your part to keep them healthy and in the classroom.
For deaf, wireless devices and texting a new portal to world
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Quietly over the last decade, phones that make text messaging easy have changed life profoundly for millions of deaf people. Gone are the days of a deaf person driving to someone’s house just to see if they are home. Wives text their deaf husbands in the basement, just as a hearing wife might yell down the stairs. Deaf teens blend in with the mall crowd since they’re constantly texting, like everyone else in high school. Visit the Alabama School for the Deaf, and it’s impossible to miss the signs of a revolution that many hearing people simply never noticed. Most everyone at the school in Talladega has at least one handheld texting device, and some have two. At lunch, deaf diners order burgers and fries by text: Punch in the order and show it at the counter. For the first time, a generation of deaf people can communicate with the world on its terms, using cell phones, BlackBerrys or iPhones, of which some 260 million are in use in the United States. Matt Kochie, who is deaf, has been texting his entire adult life and has a hard time imagining a day without it. “We’d have to go back to pen and paper,” said
Kochie, 29, a teacher at the school. “We’d have to write back and forth to communicate.” Without his handheld, Walter Ripley said he would be back to relying on others for even basic communication. And texting is less work, said Ripley, 54. “I don’t have to depend on hearing people. It makes me a lot more independent. I don’t have to ask people to call for me. Asking for people to call can be very frustrating,” said Ripley, the school’s athletic director. Kochie and Ripley both used sign language and interpreters during interviews, and deaf people still generally favor signing when talking face-to-face. It’s faster and more expressive than pecking out letters on a tiny keyboard. For generations, deaf people communicated mainly by sign language, gesturing, lip-reading and writing. Telephone lines then allowed for TTY machines that deaf people could use to send printed messages electronically. “We had one in our house for all of us when I was a teenager, and we would have a line to use it,” said Ripley, whose parents and siblings were also deaf. Machines linked to landlines are still used, as are services involving operators who
interpret for the deaf during phone conversations, plus e-mail and video phone calls. But advocates for the deaf say life began changing rapidly after 1999, when the first BlackBerry was introduced by Canadian manufacturer Research in Motion. Rann Gordon, 54, got his first handheld texting device about seven years ago. “It has certainly changed my life for the better,” said Gordon, who also works at the school. “I can communicate any time I want to. Texting is very fast and very efficient.” Further advances in technology could make communication even easier. Many deaf people are eager to see if the video chat software on the new iPhone 4 works well for sign-language communication, said Daphne Keith, at a Verizon store near the Alabama School for the Deaf. Similarly, an engineering team at the University of Washington is working on a device to transmit American Sign Language video over cell networks. Meanwhile, deaf people with data-only cell phone plans are already some of Keith’s best customers. Several U.S. cellular companies including Verizon Wireless and AT&T offer the plans that cater
to the deaf. Verizon, the nation’s largest wireless provider, has a text-only plan for $54.99 a month that includes unlimited messaging, web browsing, data usage and e-mail. “Before I started working here I was ignorant to what was going on. I kind of just overlooked it,” said Keith. “But then when I started here I realized ... cell service really is for everybody.” Partly because of the ease of texting for the deaf, a few cities including Cincinnati have adopted texting as a way to accept emergency calls. Deaf and hearing-impaired residents must dial a special number rather than 911, however. Neither deaf advocacy groups nor cell providers are sure exactly how many of the nation’s deaf or hard-of-hearing people use texting. A survey by a Washington-based trade group, CTIA-The Wireless Association, found that there were 257 million data-capable handheld devices in use in the United States last year, up from 228 million just a year earlier. Of those, some 50 million were smart phones or wirelessenabled PDAs. Derek Schmitz, who graduated from the Mississippi School for the Deaf this year and
is beginning Gallaudet University, said texting has made it easier for deaf people to form friendships with hearing people that would have been difficult just a few years ago.
“I do use texting to communicate with hearing people,” said Schmitz, 19. “(Communications) between hearing people and deaf people are improving a lot by texting.”
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