Please check back frequently for links to current news stories, events and announcements, and general health information.

In The News

Events and Announcements

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccincations

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association offers H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccinations. H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine available for all ages – general public. CLICK HERE for more information or call the flu hotline at 970-871-7684.

Hospice Daffodils on Sale March 9, 2010

Bring color and cheer into your life and the lives of those you love with daffodils from Hospice! On Tuesday, March 9, daffodils will be on sale for $5.00 a bunch at City Market, Safeway and the VNA offices in Steamboat and Craig. They will also be available at Alpine Floral, the Clark Store, and the Hayden Mercantile. Your support is needed to provide Hospice care for terminally ill patients in the Yampa Valley.  If you need more information, or if you would like to volunteer to wrap, sell or deliver daffodils please call Laura at the VNA at 871-7638.

Drop in Adolescent Immunization Clinics in Steamboat Springs

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will offer drop in immunization clinics for adolescents on Thursdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 in Steamboat Springs. VNA charges a sliding scale of $0-$14/shot for children under age 19 years old. For more information call 879-1632.

Drop in Children's Immunization Clinics in Craig

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will offer a drop in catch-up school immunization clinic for children in kindergarten though 5th grade Wednesday, March 3 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm at Sunset Elementary School in Craig. Immunizations include Varicella, MMR and DTAP. Parents should bring their child’s immunization record to the clinic. A Spanish interpreter will be available. VNA charges a sliding scale of $0-$14/shot for children under age 19 years old. For more information call 824-8233.

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will offer a drop in immunization clinic for adolescents in Middle and High School Wednesday, March 24 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm at Moffat County High School in Craig. Immunizations include Tdap and Menactra. Parents should bring their child’s immunization record to the clinic and must be present if their child is under 18. VNA charges a sliding scale of $0-$14/shot for children under age 19 years old. For more information call 824-8233.

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will offer a drop in immunization clinic for adolescents in Middle and High School Thursday, April 8 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm at Moffat County High School in Craig. Immunizations include Tdap and Menactra. Parents should bring their child’s immunization record to the clinic and must be present if their child is under 18. VNA charges a sliding scale of $0-$14/shot for children under age 19 years old. For more information call 824-8233.

FREE HPV Vaccinations!

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus and is important because it can cause cervical cancer in women. VNA provides the vaccine for FREE to eligible low income, uninsured women age 19-26 years old. Please call the VNA for more information in Steamboat at 879-1632, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 or in Craig at 824-8233, 745 Russell Street.

NEW Healthier Living Colorado™ DIABETES class starts March 23 in Steamboat Springs

Aging Well, a program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, is holding a new Healthier Living Colorado™ DIABETES class.  This class provides positive strategies for managing symptoms of diabetes.  Information is geared for people with diabetes and for those who love and care for them.  Class is scheduled for 6 weeks, starting Tuesday, March 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Yampa Valley Medical Center.   Class is FREE and includes books and materials.  Space is limited, call Aging Well for information or to sign up for class: 871-7676.

Aging Well Calendar Journal is now available

The Aging Well Calendar Journal is now available for a $15 donation to the VNA’s non profit Aging Well Program at VNA offices in Steamboat Springs at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 and Craig at 745 Russell Street and at The Haven at 300 South Shelton Lane in Hayden. The Calendar Journal features local personalities and images contributed by local photographers. Please bring a check made out to VNA or exact cash. For more information call Aging Well at 871-7676.

Drop-in Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics the FIRST MONDAY of every month!

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will hold drop in STD clinics the first Monday of every month from 9:00 am to Noon at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 in Steamboat Springs. Free to low cost confidential Sexually Transmitted Disease screenings will be offered (based on income).  Immunizations will also be available for Hepatitis - $0-$14 for adults with risk factors and FREE HPV for Uninsured, low income females ages 19-26 years. No office visit charge and no appointments necessary. For more information please call 879-1632.

Tobacco Free Quit kits available!

FREE nicotine patches or gum available ONLY by calling the CO Quitline @ 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669).  Pick up your free Quit Kits (no patches or gum included) @ the Steamboat VNA(940 Central Park Dr, Suite 101, phone (875- 1882) or Craig VNA (745 Russell St, phone 871-7691).

FREE  breathing screenings

Northwest Colorado VNA is offering FREE  breathing screenings for patients who have breathing problems or  asthma in Routt, Moffat and Jackson counties.  Spirometry testing, pulmonary functions studies, prescription medications,  asthma management and education are available.  For more information or to schedule a screening contact Victoria Barron, RN, AE-C, Community Health Educator at (970) 875-1883. 

Wellness Day on Wednesdays in Hayden and Craig and Mondays in Oak Creek

Wellness Day is held every Wednesday in Hayden at the new Haven Community Center! Join friends for a full day of fun starting with exercise at 11:00 AM.  The Arthritis Foundation Exercise class will be ongoing each week and offers gentle fitness routines aimed at improving muscle strength and flexibility while relieving or preventing arthritic pain. Next enjoy a nutritious lunch for only $2.50 while listening to an informative guest speaker with a new topic each week.  Lunch Punch Cards are available for $25, with the 11th lunch free. Finish the day from 2:00 – 4:00 pm with a VNA registered nurse for a free wellness check that includes blood pressure and answers to all your general health questions.  Foot care will also be available from 2:00 – 4:00 pm (by appointment only). To schedule your appointment for Foot Care, call 970-875-1884. 

Wellness Wednesday is held every Wednesday at the American Legion building (Shadow Mountain Clubhouse). The entire day is FREE of charge and offers activities from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. (Aging Well and CSU Extension classes are free. CNCC classes are free to Moffat County residents age 62 and older. Some material costs may apply.) There is a small fee for open swim. For more information contact the Aging Well hotline at 871-7676.

Aging Well, a program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, hosts Wellness Day at the South Routt Community Center in Oak Creek every Monday.  Enjoy exercise starting at 10:45, followed by lunch sponsored by the Routt County Council on Aging.  A different guest speaker will present interesting topics each week, and Senior Wellness Checks and Foot Care take place on selected days throughout the month.  Call Aging Well for more information: 871-7676. 

CLICK HERE for more information.

VNA OFFERS PRENATAL PROGRAM

Are you pregnant and looking for answers to your questions about having a healthy pregnancy and raising a healthy baby? Call Hope Cook, RN at 871-7622 to find out if you qualify for the prenatal plus program. Learn about nutrition, general health, pregnancy, labor and delivery, caring for your baby, and community resources.

Baby and Me Tobacco Free offers FREE DIAPERS

Baby and Me Tobacco Free offers FREE diapers for one year for any pregnant woman who is looking to quit smoking or who has recently quit. For more information, call Hope Cook at the Visiting Nurse Association at 871-7622.

The program recently recognized Hope Cook, RN for her astonishing cessation rates, with close to 100 percent of her clients quitting tobacco and staying quit postpartum. The program is designed to motivate women to quit smoking during and after pregnancy. As of the end of January she had seven women graduate from the program. She is the only person in Routt County seeing Baby & Me clients, although she has plans to train more facilitators. As Prenatal Coordinator, Hope connects with every pregnant woman who comes to the VNA. She helps women get insurance, find a provider, connect with state funded programs such as WIC or NFP, and get connected with Baby & Me if they are a smoker.

Sign up for Child Health Plan Plus

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) provides full healthcare coverage for uninsured Colorado children and youth (up to age 18). This program lets you take control of your family’s healthcare. It’s low cost and you don’t have to worry about monthly fees. You can have it! Call Carol Sharp at the VNA for information about enrollment, 871-7657.

Healthier Living workshop

Put Life back In Your Life!  Call now to sign up for a Healthier Living workshop designed for adults age 50 and older who want to take charge of their ongoing health problems and get relief from their pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.  A free six-week program is available.  To receive more information, call Aging Well at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association at 871-7676.

Protect yourself from Rabies

Rabies is spread through an animal’s saliva, usually from a bite or scratch. Protect yourself from rabies by: keeping your pets’ rabies vaccinations current, teaching children to stay away from wild or dead animals, contacting your veterinarian if your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal and educating yourself about bat proofing techniques if you have bats roosting in

Medical Reserve Corp Seeks Members

The Northwest Colorado Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is seeking new members. Founded in 2002 after the 9/11 attacks, MRC is a community based way to organize and utilize volunteers, medical professionals and others who want to donate their time and expertise to promote emergency preparedness.  Basic training is required and included free for volunteers in the areas of First Aid and Incident Command with minimal time commitment. Interested?  Sign up with Jim Johnsen, Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator for Northwest Colorado VNA at 871-7632 or 734-8844.

WHAT VACCINES DO YOU NEED?

Did you know that certain vaccines are recommended for adults and adolescents?* Take this quiz to find out which vaccines YOU may need. * This quiz provides information for people age 11 years and older. CLICK HERE!

HEPATITIS VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE

Hepatitis Vaccinations are available from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health at a reduced cost to adult clients with certain risk factors, such as multiple sex partners, recent sexually transmitted disease, a birthplace in an endemic area, or other qualifying factors. Completing the vaccination series will provide lifelong protection against the most common types of hepatitis. The cost of the vaccinations will be on a sliding fee scale of $0-$14.VNA office is located at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 and 745 Russell Street in Craig. Call the VNA at 824-8233 or 879-1632 to receive vaccination protection against hepatitis.

Meningitis Vaccination Recommendations

It is now recommended that all adolescents age 11-18 receive the Menactra vaccine, to protect against Meningitis, at the earliest possible health care visit. Previously, this vaccine was only recommended specific age groups within this range. The incidence of meningococcal disease increases during adolescence. College freshman living in dormitories are at increased risk for meningococcal disease and should be vaccinated with Menactra before college entry if they have not been vaccinated previously. For more information call the VNA at 879-1632 in Steamboat and 824-8233 in Craig.

Zostavax, The Shingles Vaccine, is now available

Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, is now available at Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) for adults age 60 and over. The vaccine helps to prevent shingles and can also reduce the pain associated with shingles. VNA will offer the vaccination for $190 per shot. The shot is not covered by Medicare at this time. In some cases, VNA can provide the vaccine free of charge to uninsured, low income adults through Merck's Patient Assistance Program. For more information call the VNA is Steamboat Springs, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 at 879-1632 or in Craig, 745 Russell Street at 824-8233.

VNA Seeks Volunteers

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, a non profit agency, is seeking volunteers to assist with general office duties. Hours are flexible. Please contact Laura for more information at 879-1632. VNA is located at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101. Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

Growth and Development Charts NOW AVAILABLE

Everyday, useful information Free to families--Growth and Development cards from the Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment.  The cards give information in English and Spanish on topics including development, nutrition, health, safety, parenting, and state-wide information phone numbers.  The cards cover developmental stages from birth through 18 yrs of age.  Families are welcome to view and/or download the information at http://www.nwcovna.info/growth_and_development.html or call Beth at VNA (# 871-7619) to request a hardcopy be mailed to you.  These Growth and Development cards are also available at the Newborn Network, phone # 879-0977.  Remember to stay on track with well-child check ups.  Your child’s physician may also have these Growth and Development cards available for you.

Looking for Information on Hantavirus? CLICK HERE

Looking for Information on West Nile Virus? CLICK HERE

Support Group for Caregiver’s of People with Neurological Disorders

Anyone interested in joining a support group for caregiver’s of people with Neurological Disorders is asked to call Carol Gordon of Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association at 870-3232.

Free Pap Tests and Mammograms

Two simple tests could save your life. Colorado women’s cancer control initiative offers free pap tests and mammograms at the VNA for women who are income qualified, between 40 to 64 years of age, have not had an exam in 5 years or longer, and have no insurance or are underinsured. Now you have no excuses. Call the VNA now for your free pap test and mammogram. Space is limited. Call the Craig VNA at 824-8233or call the steamboat VNA at 879-1632.