Wellness Words December 2014 Posted on December 15, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorGive Of Yourself This Holiday SeasonTake a look around at all that you have. You might think that you have “nothing” or “not that much.” Stop and take a second look, and you will recognize all of the blessings that you do have, and how fortunate you really are. This is important to keep in mind, when often times the focus at this time of year is materialistic things and who is going to give the best gift. When you really think about it, the best gift that you can give someone is YOU! Your time or a random act of kindness just because.Just as in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – when the Grinch stole all of the gifts from everyone in Whoville, the Who’s still celebrated the holiday. “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, and bags.” The Who’s knew that the holiday meant something greater than the giving and receiving of material things, and they were happy to have each other. You can put this kind of spirit into your holiday as well, by giving of yourself this year.VOLUNTEER FOR A GOOD CAUSEThere are so many local organizations that would love to have some volunteers! Some organizations are run solely on volunteers, and they are usually looking for people with fresh ideas and special skill sets. Great volunteer opportunities may include, but are not limited to: soup kitchens, museums, theaters, libraries, recreation departments, hospitals, senior centers, animal shelters, community colleges, support groups, hiking trails or hiking organizations, after-school programs, or sports programs. Why not offer to donate a few hours each week or each month to one of your favorite organizations?According to research by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), not only will you feel satisfaction, accomplishment, and pride in your work, you will also be establishing connections with others in your community, helping to solve problems, improve lives, and strengthening your community. In addition, the CNCS has also discovered some health benefits of volunteering as well, such as living longer, lower rates of depression, and overall improved physical and mental health.PAY IT FORWARDDid you know that some local businesses accept monetary donations that they put towards goods and services for people in need who would otherwise go without? It is also a nice surprise when someone finds out that they do not have to pay their bill because someone ‘paid it forward.’ You never know how an act of kindness, big or small, can impact the lives of others.According to the Huffington Post, the parents of Alyssa Josephine O’Neil had no idea what kind of difference a simple random act of kindness could make. The Pennsylvania family had a daughter who struggled with epilepsy. One September evening, Alyssa asked her parents to take her to Starbucks for a pumpkin-spiced latte the next morning. Unfortunately she did not make that trip the next day as she succumbed to her illness. After her passing, her parents decided that since Alyssa could not enjoy her latte, they would buy 40 pumpkin-spiced lattes in her memory at Starbucks. They asked the baristas to give them away with the Alyssa’s initials AJO written on each cup.Starbucks staff were so moved, they bought another 50 lattes to give away. This small gesture was enough to get attention on the internet, and people all over the world began offering random acts of kindness for others at cafes, restaurants, salons, stores, etc., and posted pictures of bills and receipts with ‘AJO pay it forward’ written on them. Because of the overwhelming response from people, the O’Neil’s decided to start the AJO Forever Fund, which helps families pay for medical bills related to epilepsy and also serves as a scholarship fund for aspiring nurses. This movement has gained global recognition.How can you pay it forward? How about leaving coupons you aren’t going to use on community message boards, buy a bowl of soup for someone in need, donate food and clothing to a church or food pantry, offer to run errands for a neighbor, when shopping leave some money with the cashier to help pay for the goods and services of the person next in line.A CALL TO ACTIONPracticing volunteerism or paying it forward can help improve your physical and mental health, and can make the season less stressful and a bit more cheerful, no matter what holiday you and your family observe. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, etc., instead of buying and sending presents this year, be present, send your love, wrap someone in a hug, give the gift of your time, and surprise someone with a random act of kindness. You will be happy that you did!Also, remember that when the Grinch thought he had stolen Christmas, he expected the Who’s to be sad but he was shocked when he heard that, “every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, were singing without any presents at all!” The Grinch was confused but then “he thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas does not come from a store? What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more.”For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Littauer announces Nicole Cleary, the latest Goodwill Award recipient Posted on November 26, 2014 by Dakota PikeGLOVERSVILLE – Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home has announced Nicole Cleary, a Registration Representative in Littauer’s Patient Registration is the recipient of the Goodwill Employee for the third quarter of 2014. Nicole’s positive attitude, genuine smile, along with her friendly and outgoing personality with patients, and co-workers made her an obvious choice for the honor. “Her willingness to go above-and-beyond her job details has created a total success story here at Littauer” said Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly. “Employees like Nicole allow us to do here at Littauer what we do best. Work sometimes behind the scenes is critical to our patient success, and allows us to strive with better programs and equipment for the community.” “This is pretty special” said Cleary. “It’s nice to be recognized for something you love to do.” Cleary went on to explain about a patient who was not feeling well and was understandably miserable. “He wasn’t responding to my questions, so I sang them to him. By the end of his visit he jokingly wanted to marry me!”The NLH Goodwill award is given out quarterly and once annually to an employee, recognizing goodwill and promoting “people caring for people.” Nicole received a plaque on the NLH Hall of Fame, a monetary award, and a preferred parking space. Recipients for the award are nominated by NLH employees, providers or patients, and submitted to the Goodwill Committee, where in a blind format they are selected. Quarterly employees are among other nominations for the NLH Goodwill Employee of the Year. PHOTO CAPTION:Littauer President and CEO Laurence Kelly with NLH third quarter Goodwill Award honoree Nicole Cleary
Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosts annual Card/Game Party Fundraiser Posted on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by Dakota PikeNathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home Auxiliary hosted its annual Card/Game Party fundraiser Wednesday, Oct. 29 at The Holiday Inn in Johnstown.Approximately fifty men and women attended, playing cards and board games, and enjoyed a delicious luncheon. The event raised $2500 to benefit the hospital. Anita Beck and Jeanne Wilkinson co-hosted the event and Suzanne Herrick, Patron Chairman also assisted in fundraiser. Gifts and gift certificates were donated by Laurence Kelly, NLH & NH Gift Shop, Longfellows and Olde Bryan Inn, Wine & Roses Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Union Hall Inn, Sam’s Steak & Seafood, Travers Family Restaurant,The Pizza Joint, Bowman’s Market, Mary Kay Gift Bag by Carl Sleezer, Handmade handbags by Eileen Wrightsman and Gladys Meola, Stained-Glass Butterfly by Mountain Valley Hospice. Winners were Carol Brookins, Barbara Cohen, Katherine Cozzolino, Carol Visconti, Carolyn Kovarik, Betty Burchell, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Barbara Warner, Ruth Vlock, Sheila Sammons, Eileen Wadsworth, Anne Campos.Prizes and gift certificates were also donated by Pecks Flowers, Al’s Pizzeria, Applebees, Embrees Wine & Spirits, Forget Me Knots, Harold’s Restaurant, Mendetta’s Pizzeria, and the Wine Barrel.The Auxillary would like to thank the patron’s who continue to generously support the Auxiliary’s Card/Game Party: Teresa Beck, Ann Lee Clough, Charlene Ellingwood, Nan Ferguson, Cheryl Horowitz, Elaine Hoye, Monica Kiernan, Nancy Larner, Robert & Carol Maider, Mrs. Paul E. Smith, Lois Widdermer, Ellen Wood, Mrs. Alexander Yvars, Jeanne Wilkinson. Special thanks to Ann Adore, NLH & NH Engineering Department, and thanks to committee members, Mona Capasso, Carolyn Kovarik, Gladys Meola, Nancy Rodenmacher, Antoinette Tropia, Pat Walker, Susan McNeil. Proceeds continue to benefit projects underwritten by the Auxiliary and the Reflection Garden.PHOTO CAPTION:Barbara Warner, left, Nancy Krawczeski, Belinda Germain are having fun playing Mahjong at NLH & NH Auxiliary’s annual Card/Game Party
Wellness Words November 2014 Posted on November 18, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorGet Screened For Diabetes Every Year Starting At Age 45According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, then you are at risk for developing diabetes. Other risk factors are age, race, inactivity, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol.While this may be bad news, on the bright side, it is never too late to make changes in your life that can help reduce your risk of, or even prevent, diabetes. The Mayo Clinic recommends five easy steps that are as simple as eating right, moving more, and shedding a few pounds.STEP ONE: INCREASE YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITYResearch shows that an exercise regimen of both aerobic and resistance training worked best in regards to preventing diabetes. What can you do to increase your activity level? How about joining walking groups, using a stationary bike, trying a workout video, playing a sport with friends, or taking a class?Are you tech savvy? How about downloading a pedometer app to your smart phone or IPhone? According to the research conducted by the National Institute of Health, these types of apps do increase physical activity and help people enjoy exercise more.STEP TWO: GET PLENTY OF FIBER A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds can pack a big punch when consumed on a regular basis. Not only can fiber help maintain blood sugar levels, fiber can also help you lose weight by making you feel full, and lowering your risk of heart disease.So how can you add more fiber to your diet? According to WebMD, it is easier than you think! Start your day with a high fiber cereal, eat your daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, add beans to your diet a few times a week, and try adding a tablespoon of flaxseed into your smoothies, soups, or other dishes like casseroles. Remember that the difference between fiber and whole grains is that fiber is a component of the food we eat, where whole grains are ingredients.STEP THREE: CHOOSE WHOLE GRAINS ‘Make half your grains whole’ is a new slogan created by the US Department of Agriculture to teach people of the importance of consuming whole grain foods, how to spot a whole grain food from an imposter, and simple substitutions that we can make each day to increase consumption of whole grains.While shopping for whole grains, remember it is not the color of the food item, but rather the ingredients that count. In order for a product to be considered whole grain, ingredients such as whole wheat, brown rice, bulgur, buckwheat, oatmeal, whole grain cornmeal, whole oats, whole rye, or wild rice must be listed first. Otherwise, it is not a whole grain product. Products labeled as multi-grain, stone-ground, 100% wheat, cracked wheat, seven-grain, or bran are usually not 100% whole-grain products, and may not contain any whole grain at all, so be sure to read labels.STEP FOUR: LOSE WEIGHT The good news is, if you are following steps one through three, you should lose weight without any additional effort! Every pound you lose decreases your chances of getting diabetes. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, losing just seven percent of your body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes by up to 60%!STEP FIVE: MAKE HEALTHY CHOICESIf you are following steps one through four, you are well on your way to making healthy choices. There are many other things you can do as well!Make sure you talk to your health care provider about getting screened for diabetes.Take advantage of screenings being offered in your community. HealthLink offers free or low cost screenings on a regular basis.Skip fad diets, as they typically don’t work. Visit MyPlate.gov to get a personalized diet and other suggestions to help you stay on track with making healthy choices.Try adding more fish to your diet. Not a fan of that ‘fishy’ taste? Jamie Oliver, Ted Talks Award winner and author of Food Revolution, says if you buy the right kind of fish, it will not be fishy at all. Talk to the seafood department where you shop to find out what days their fish is delivered so you can buy the freshest fish possible. Also, try seasoning your fish not only with lemon juice, but with lemon zest and garlic. If you are adventurous, try lime or orange juice and zest as well.For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
2013 Annual Report Video Posted on November 17, 2014February 28, 2025 by Dakota PikeYou may have seen our 2013 Report to the Community distributed in local papers, watch here to see the video!
