Maine Centers for Disease Control is already reporting that influenza in Maine is widespread and peak season is not until February, but there is still time to get your flu shot. Belfast Public Health Nursing Association is offering a flu clinic Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The cost per flu shot is $20, with cash and checks accepted.

The shots will be given in the Education Center, the small white building to the left of the hospital.

Individuals interested in attending the clinics do not need to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, call Shannon Robbins RN, Belfast Public Health Nurse, at 338-3368.

Peak Month of Flu Activity
1982-83 through 2011-12

*Flu activity peaked twice during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, once in the Spring following the 2008-09 season when the 2009 H1N1 virus first emerged, and again in October 2009, when the country went through its regular 2009-10 flu season. CDC is considering October to be the peak of the 2009-2010 season because the April peak occurred outside the regular flu season (after the 2008-2009 flu season had ended).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Belfast Public Health Nursing Association’s mission is to promote and strengthen individual, family and community health through health education and services, prevention, early intervention, referral and collaboration within the Belfast community.

In anticipation of The Great American Smoke-out on Thursday, Nov. 15, Waldo County General Hospital is offering two educational sessions to help tobacco users who want to quit. 

By quitting, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in theUnited States.

Quitting is difficult, but chances for success are increased by getting help. On Monday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., WCGH pharmacist Nancy Nystrom will discuss medication options for quitting while Barbara CrowleyRN will talk about coming up with a quit plan and will offer some quit tips.

The Nov. 5 session will be held in the Education Center, beside the hospital, while the Nov. 8 workshop will be in the hospital’s classroom on the bottom floor.

For more information, call Barbara Crowley at 930-2650.

To celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month, Waldo County General Hospital will be offering free cholesterol and glucose screenings from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5; Tuesdays, Nov. 6 and 13; Wednesdays, Nov. 7 and 14; and Thursday, Nov. 15.

The screening provides a full lipid profile and glucose level and requires fasting (with only water allowed). The screening cannot be done if you have not fasted for 10 hours.

Following the finger stick screening, your results will be explained to you and can be sent to your doctor if you request.

The screening take approximately 10 minutes each so pre-registration is required. Call Barbara Crowley at 930-2650 to pre-register.

The screenings will take place in Conference Room 125, which is located on the second floor of the new building across the street from the hospital.

One of the most common reasons people fail to reach their exercise goals is they try to do too much too quickly. For example, when you start running, it’s not realistic to run five miles the first day. A more reasonable plan would be to start out walking and gradually add short intervals of running as you develop more stamina. If you start out running, you may end up getting injured or become so sore you won’t want to exercise again.

Hold yourself accountable

Read more…

You know you want to begin a fitness program, but don’t know where to start. It’s easy! Walking is one of the easiest and most profitable forms of exercise. All you need is a good pair of shoes, comfortable clothing, and desire.

How to start: First of all, start out slow and easy. Just walk out the door. For most people this means head out the door, walk for 10 minutes, and walk back. That’s it? Yes, that’s it. Do this every day for a week. If this was easy for you, add five minutes to your walks next week (total walking time 25 minutes). Keep adding 5 minutes until you are walking as long as desired. Read more…

There are 79 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. If you are one of them or fear you might be, you should consider attending “Investing in a Future without Diabetes.”

Learn what you need to know and actions you can take to reduce your odds of developing diabetes from two Certified Diabetes Educators.

Sue Maxwell, RN, CDE, will discuss what pre-diabetes and diabetes are and the tests used to determine if you have one or the other. She will also talk about setting goals to improve your health, including developing a walking or exercise program to follow.

Phyllis Havens, MS, RD, LCSW, CDE, will discuss diet changes that can help. She will also be talking about stress management and weight loss as self-care strategies.

There will be multiple opportunities to interact, including small group sessions, a handout table and an interactive game.

“Investing in a Future without Diabetes” will be held Wednesday, May 16, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Waldo County General Hospital Education Center. This is a repeat of the workshop that was so well received last fall.

The presentation is free but pre-registration is requested by calling Barbara Crowley, Learning Resource Coordinator, 930-2650, or emailing her at bcrowley@wcgh.org.  

Light refreshments along with coffee and tea will be served.