|
|
|
|
Summer Break Offers New Opportunities for Hands-On Learning, Offline Time for Children
With a Difficult School Year in the Rear-View Mirror, NRMC Expert Offers Families Tips for Skill-Building at Home This Better Hearing & Speech Month
After a challenging year of virtual, hybrid, and modified in-person learning, Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is offering advice and encouragement to families on low-stress ways they can support their children’s language, literacy, and learning skills at home this summer. Her message is a timely one, as May is celebrated nationally as Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).
“Many parents have been understandably concerned about their child’s academic progress this school year, given all of the changes necessitated by the pandemic,” explained Wydick. “This may be especially so for families whose children receive support services in schools, such as speech and language therapy. These services may have looked a little different this year than they typically do, and they may to some degree next year as well. I want to encourage families to use the summer season as a much-needed reset—and to rest assured that there are many ways you can support your child’s learning at home, without workbooks, learning apps, and other programs and purchases that add to the family’s stress level.”
Wydick is providing advice on what most children—especially those with speech, language and social communication disorders—need more of this summer. She notes that so-called “down time” is actually time well spent when it comes to building communication and learning skills. This is true for children of all ages.
Activities Children Need More of This Summer
Wydick encourages families to prioritize these activities:
Wydick is also providing some recommendations for activities to take a break from, including these:
If you’d like to learn more, contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790.
###
About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
April marked a record number of ultrasounds performed at NRMC with a total of 329 exams. Diagnostic Imaging at NRMC involves many different types of imaging machines and exams. Ultrasounds are used by physicians to study soft tissue structures, such as the gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, and bladder.
Ultrasounds can also measure the flow of blood in the arteries to detect blockages. It is most commonly understood for its use in studying the developing fetus during pregnancy.
“Being non-invasive, ultrasound is a strong alternative for certain imaging exams while providing no ionizing radiation exposure to the patient, says Todd Fine, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at NRMC. “The number of ultrasounds performed in April reinforces the decision to beef up our ultrasound imaging department to meet the needs of the area providers.”
With the addition of new providers, NRMC has seen the need for ultrasounds grow steadily and has begun to invest in expanding its capabilities and staffing accordingly.
###
About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has opened a public comment period beginning today through July 7 to allow Evergy customers the opportunity to weigh in on the company’s proposed Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP). The plan, approved by Evergy’s Board of Directors in August, is designed to cut operating and maintenance expenses while increasing capital expenditures.
To protect the interest of Kansas ratepayers, the Commission opened a General Investigation on August 27 to provide KCC staff, stakeholders, and Evergy an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the plan.
As part of the investigation, a series of workshops were scheduled and broadcast for the public on the KCC’s YouTube channel. The final workshop is scheduled for May 24 at 10 a.m. At that time, Evergy will present an updated STP plan incorporating feedback from earlier workshops and answer questions from intervenors and Commissioners.
Recordings of the three previous workshops are available on YouTube for anyone who missed them. Topics covered include grid modernization investments and related benefits, operational efficiencies, and enhanced customer experience.
Additional information is available in Docket No. 21-EKME-088-GIE on the KCC’s website . The Commission has requested all participants in the docket file background information explaining the proceeding and their respective positions.
Public comments can be submitted online via the KCC website, through email ([email protected]) or in a letter to the agency’s Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1500 SW Arrowhead, Topeka, KS 66614. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 7 and will be included in the case record.
|
Continue reading Evergy Announces 2021 First Quarter Results
Safehouse Crisis Center is continuing to accept victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Human Trafficking into our shelter.
If you are working with or know anyone in need of shelter, please contact 620-231-8251.
If you are working with or know anyone who does not want shelter but would like outreach services, please contact 620-231-8692.
Some of our outreach services include protection order assistance, Court accompaniment, safety planning, support groups, individual counseling, therapy, information on victim rights/victimization, helping navigate through the systems, etc.
If you have any questions about our services or would like more information, call our office number at 620-231-8692.
All of our services are completely free, and are ready to assist anyone 24/7.
—
Submitted by Megan Rogers
Victim Advocate
Safehouse Crisis Center
1-620-231-8692
Cognition and Swallowing Among the Common Challenges Persisting for Many Americans After COVID-19
Speech-Language Pathologists Can Help Patients Regain Health and Quality of Life, NRMC Expert Stresses During Better Hearing & Speech Month
With an estimated 10 to 30% of COVID-19 survivors experiencing “long-haul” symptoms including brain fog and swallowing difficulties, Nevada Regional Medical Center speech-language pathologist Andrea Wydick is encouraging the public to seek care from qualified experts who can help them regain their functioning and quality of life. Wydick is sharing this message in recognition of May being national Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).
“The pandemic has posed so many challenges to us all as a society, but one of the persisting and most vexing ones right now is the daunting set of difficulties many people are having for months after contracting COVID-19,” said Wydick. “From brain fog, to difficulty eating and drinking, to speech and language problems, these can affect return to work, the ability to take care of one’s family, and overall recovery. Many people don’t know about the services of speech-language pathologists—professionals trained in these areas who can make a huge difference for these people. This is an important time for us to spread the word: Help is available.”
How They Help
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with, or recovering from, COVID-19 who are having short- and longer-term difficulties in the following areas:
• Cognition
Many COVID-19 “long-haulers” are reporting persistent brain fog as a debilitating symptom after their bout with the virus. This can prevent a return to work and impact their ability to tend to family responsibilities. SLPs can work with individuals to improve their memory, attention, organization and planning, problem solving, learning, and social communication—such as re-learning conversational rules or understanding the intent behind a message or behind nonverbal cues. The focus is on the person’s specific challenges as well as regaining the skills that are most important to their daily life and priorities.
• Swallowing
People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience swallowing problems that can put them at risk for choking or aspirating, which is when food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. This may be the result of time spent on a ventilator, or it may be another side effect of the virus. SLPs use different types of tests to determine what happens when a person swallows and how the related muscles are working—helping a patient’s medical team, including the SLP, decide on the best course of action with the patient and their family. SLPs may recommend modified textures of food and drink for patients; therapy exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and muscles in the mouth and throat; and strategies to make eating and drinking safer, such as modifying the pace of chewing/eating, size of food, and more.
• Communication
People diagnosed with COVID-19 are also experiencing speech and language difficulties. Some, such as those who spent a significant amount of time on a ventilator or experienced low oxygen to the brain, may have muscle weakness or reduced coordination in the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and throat—making it difficult to talk. Others, particularly those who experienced a COVID-related stroke, may experience a language disorder called aphasia—which makes it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or write. SLPs work with patients through targeted therapy to improve their communication and understanding.
People who have severe speech and/or language difficulties may need to find other ways to answer questions or tell people what they want, such as through gesturing with their hands, pointing to letters or pictures on a paper or board, or using a computer. These are all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). SLPs help find the appropriate AAC method to meet an individual’s needs.
Where to Find Care
SLPs work in settings that include hospitals, long- and short-term care facilities, private practices, and patients’ homes. Many SLPs are also providing their services via telehealth at this time. If you or a loved one are experiencing communication challenges, Wydick recommends letting your doctor know.
For more information, Vernon County and area residents can contact NRMC Performance Therapy at 417-448-3790, or visit www.asha.org/public.
###
About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, orthopedics, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in oncology, pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPEKA, Kan., Apr. 22, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $615,000 through a grant to increase American ethanol and biodiesel availability. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
“Investments made through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program help both our agriculture and energy sectors,” said Fischer. “Today’s investments help to expand infrastructure that will encourage the use of biofuels – increasing the possibility of energy security for years to come. Investments in higher blends infrastructure also helps provide stability for rural feedstock producers. USDA is dedicated to the economic prosperity of rural America; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Background:
USDA is investing $18.4 million in 20 states through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to build infrastructure to help expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels. The HBIIP program helps give consumers more environmentally-friendly fuel choices when they fill-up at the pump.
This specific USDA grant will be used to create infrastructure to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels. This project will add and replace 33 dispensers and 4 storage tanks at four Triplett fueling stations located in Colby, Russell, Hays, and Goodland. This project will increase the amount of ethanol sold by over 7 million gallons per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist owners of transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biofuel.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page. Follow us on Twitter at @RurDev_Kansas.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
###
As with all COVID-19 vaccines, there is no out-of-pocket costs to vaccine recipients.
Drug take-back day designed to counter pill abuse, environmental contamination
[Bourbon County, Kansas] – Local agencies are partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the 20th annual Drug Take Back Day. The event is designed to prevent pill abuse and environmental contamination by ridding homes of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
Prescription drug abuse and disposal are both a public and environmental health threat. Improper disposal of medications via sewers or landfills leads to surface water contamination. Returning unused or unwanted medications to a pharmacy, or bringing them to a law enforcement agency are reliable methods for keeping these substances from entering the water supply.
Bourbon County residents are encouraged to bring unwanted drugs to these area locations for disposal:
Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
421 W Main St, Chanute, KS 66720
Nevada Police Department
120 South Ash St., Nevada, MO 64772
Pittsburg Police Department
201 N. Pine St., Pittsburg, KS 66762
Sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Collection sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
With funding from the USDA, the K-State Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI) is offering education and outreach sessions to various communities in Kansas and Missouri with a focus on rural access to safe drug and sharps disposal. If your organization or community would like to learn more about safe disposal as a way to prevent drug abuse and keep toxic waste out of landfills, contact PPI by calling 800-578-8898.
For more information about proper disposal of prescription drugs or the Take Back Day event, visit www.sbeap.org/safe-disposal.
# # #