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

In The News

Events and Announcements

The Bereavement Support Group

The Bereavement Support Group, sponsored by Hospice, will meet every Monday in May except Memorial Day, through June 2nd at 5:30pm at the office of the VNA, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101.This group is open to anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. There is no charge.  Please contact Katy Thiel, 871-7628 to register prior to the first meeting.

Extended hours on the first Monday of each month for children’s vaccination services

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will offer extended hours on the first Monday of each month for children’s vaccination services (ages 2 months through 18 years of age) starting May 5 by appointment until 5:30 PM.  Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent, and the child’s vaccination record should be brought to the clinic. A Spanish interpreter will be available at these clinics.  Children’s vaccinations are offered on a sliding fee scale, $0-$14/shot.  The Steamboat VNA is located at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101. Appointments may be made at 879-1632.

Parents and Community Members - Concerned about underage drinking?

Parents and Community Members - are you concerned about teen access to alcohol in our community? Be a part of the solution! Several Northwest Colorado agencies are working together to create a campaign to prevent underage drinking. This campaign will focus on parent responsibility, community education and youth access to alcohol in our community. We will meet Thursday, May 8 from 5:30-7 pm at Moffat County High School Library.  Refreshments will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, call Diane Miller at the VNA 871-7609.

New Arthritis Class in Yampa 

The Aging Well program is offering a new Tai Chi I for Arthritis class on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30-6:30pm at the Yampa Town Hall.  This 6 week course will teach basic Tai Chi movements that may reduce pain and stiffness from arthritis as well as help strengthen and balance for overall fitness with correct body posture. Call the Aging Well Hotline at 871-7676 for more information and to register for class.

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.

HPV Vaccinations 

HPV vaccinations are available for free to uninsured, low income women ages 19-26 years under the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance program at the VNA.  HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease and can lead to cervical cancer and other diseases. Please call the VNA at 879-1632 or 824-8233 to learn if you qualify.

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!

Tobacco Free Quit kits available!

Tobacco-free quit kits for smokers and chewers are available at the VNA offices in Steamboat at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 and in Craig at 745 Russell Street. The kits promote the Colorado QuitLine and free support from a trained coach who guides and supports individuals through the quitting process.Research shows you are seven times more likely to end your tobacco habit with the QUITLINE than if you are trying to quit on your own. Four weeks of free nicotine patches are available, a $100 value! Nicotine gum is also available. Simply call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). Call the VNA at 871-7664 for further assistance.

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.

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

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.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available through the Colorado Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for VFC eligible females 9-18 years of age. The vaccine protects against four major types of HPV. These include types of HPV that cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association provides vaccinations for children under age 19 years on a sliding scale of 0-$14.00/shot. No child will be refused a vaccine due to an inability to pay. Additionally, VNA can provide the vaccine to eligible low income women age 19-26 years old that have no insurance under 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

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.

Wellness Wednesdays

The Aging Well Program, a division of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, is offering a new all day program, “Wellness Wednesdays”, to be held each Wednesday at American Legion Building (Shadow Mountain Clubhouse) in Craig for adults “50 and Better”. Activities are offered from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm including art, writing, exercise and nutritional classes. Refreshments will be served. Participants are asked to register for activities prior to each Wednesday. For more information contact VNA’s Senior Outreach Coordinator Cathy Vanatta at 871-7676.

General Health Information

Workplace Tobacco Cessation

Do You Want to Help Your Employees Quit Nicotine? Studies show employees who are tobacco dependent have higher health insurance premiums, absenteeism, tardiness and decreased productivity. VNA can assist a human resource or wellness employee to: facilitate an American Cancer Society “You Can Quit” smoking or chewing cessation class, critically review your current health care plan to ensure maximum coverage of cessation resources, refer to the Colorado Quitline (800-QUIT.NOW), order free self-help quit tobacco brochures, posters, etc., discuss current trends in tobacco-free work places and implement effective tobacco-free policies. For more information contact Heather Burchell, VNA’s Tobacco Prevention Coordinator at (970) 871-7664 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

There is no better time to quit tobacco

Tobacco-free quit kits for smokers and chewers are available at the VNA offices in Steamboat at 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 and in Craig at 745 Russell Street. The kits promote the Colorado QuitLine and free support from a trained coach who guides and supports individuals through the quitting process. Research shows you are seven times more likely to end your tobacco habit with the QUITLINE than if you are trying to quit on your own. Four weeks of free nicotine patches are available, a $100 value! Nicotine gum is also available. Simply call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). Call the VNA at 871-7664 for further assistance.

Tobacco continues to be the leading cause of health problems. Medical authorities agree that quitting tobacco is the wisest health decision a person can make. And it’s never too late to do it. A smoker’s risk of developing heart disease drops by 50% within one year of quitting. But smoking or nicotine dependence is also one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. Many attempt to quit, but few succeed without help. Quit kits are available which promote the state program to provide 4 weeks of free nicotine patches.  Call the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association today at 871-7664.

Head Lice

Head lice are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Contact with an already infested person is the most common way to get head lice. Head-to head contact is common during play at school and at home (sports activities, on a playground, slumber parties, at camp). Occasionally, head lice may be acquired from contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as brushes or towels) that belong to an infested person. Preschool and elementary-age children, 3-11, and their families are infested most often. There are three forms of lice: the egg (also called a nit), the nymph, and the adult. They are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Head lice hold on to hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their six legs. An infestation is diagnosed by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults. Signs and symptoms include: Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites, Irritability, and Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected. The most important step in treating a head lice infestation is to treat the person and other family members with head lice with medication to kill the lice. Wash clothing and bedding worn or used by the infested person in the 2-day period just before treatment is essential. If you are not sure if a person has head lice, the diagnosis should be made by your health care provider or school nurse, or a professional from the local health department or agricultural extension service.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. But for women who can get pregnant, it is really important! If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain and spine. These birth defects are neural tube defects or NTDs. Women need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant to help prevent NTDs. CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service urge every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of synthetic folic acid every day. One easy way a woman can be sure she is getting enough folic acid is to take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day. Folic acid pills and most multivitamins sold in the United States have 100% of the daily value (DV) of folic acid; check the label to be sure. Another way to get enough is to eat a serving of breakfast cereal every day that has been enriched with 100% of the daily value of folic acid. Not every cereal has this amount. Check the label on the side of the box, and look for one that has “100%” next to folic acid. These birth defects happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman finds out that she is pregnant. All women should get in the habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant. For folic acid to help, a woman needs to take every day, starting before she becomes pregnant.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

To prevent frostbite and hypothermia:
- Dress children in layers
- Cover the head
- Keep the child dry
- Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play based on how cold it is
-When possible, avoid taking infants and young children outdoors when it is colder than 40 degrees
- When traveling, keep a winter storm survival kit in your car
- If you suspect your child is showing signs of either condition, seek medical help immediately.

 

MRSA – Staph Infections

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. It is spread mainly through person-to-person contact or contact with a contaminated item such as a towel, clothing or athletic equipment. It can first appear as a pimple or boil that becomes red and swollen and is often mistaken for a spider bite. The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is efficient hand washing. Wash thoroughly for 20-30 seconds, and scrub under the nails as well. For more information log onto www.cdc.gov.