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August is National Immunization Awareness Month
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We all need shots (also called vaccinations or immunizations) to help protect us from serious diseases. To help keep our community safe,
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley
is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month. Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them. Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages. Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need.
Flu season usually peaks between December and February, but activity can last as late as May. Early immunization is the most effective, but it is not too late to get the vaccine in January or beyond. To learn more, click here.
VNLV's Flu Clinics will start in the Fall. Check our website in September for the schedule.
If you'd like to schedule a flu shot clinic for your organization, call us at 860-767-0186.
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Meet Sarah Foley, RN, BSN: Transitional Care Manager
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Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley is committed to making the transition from hospital to home as smooth as possible for you or your loved one. As Transitional Care Manager, Sarah works with area hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to assist individuals in making a smooth transition back home, with a focus on ensuring the coordination and continuity of health care. The goal of Transition Care is to increase access to healthcare resources, facilitate communication between all healthcare providers, increase adherence to medication regimens, reduce unnecessary readmissions, and improve each patient’s satisfaction with their experience of care. Sarah will help you every step of the way!
To learn more, call us at
860-767-0186.
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Introducing the Our New Website
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We did it!
Learn more about the services we offer, the territory we cover, what clinics are coming up, find links to useful healthcare resources and much more on our newly re-designed
website
!
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Topic of the Month: Melanoma
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Know Your Facts about Melanoma!
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. These cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Melanomas often resemble moles; some develop from moles. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white.
Did You Know?
- One American dies from melanoma every hour.
- Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old.
- Second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.
- Melanoma kills an estimated 10,130 people in the US annually.
For more facts,
click here.
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Learn the ABC...Ds! Signs of melanoma include new spots on the skin, or a change in size, shape or color of an existing mole. The ABCD rule is another way to recognize abnormal growths that may be melanoma skin cancer:
- A is for Asymmetry: A mole that has an irregular shape, or two different looking halves.
- B is for Border: Irregular, blurred, rough or notched edges may be signs of melanoma.
- C is for Color: Most moles are an even color – brown, black, tan or even pink – but changes in the shade or distribution of color throughout the mole can signal melanoma.
- D is for Diameter: Moles larger than ¼ inch (6 mm, the size of a pencil eraser) across may be suspect, although some melanoma cancers may be smaller than this.
For more symptoms,
click here.
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Round out your Recovery
Let our full service agency complete your circle of care. Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley provides top-quality in-home nursing services. Our sister company, Lower Valley Care Advocates provides the private-duty services like housekeeping, errands, and bathing. They’ll even take you to the hairdresser so you’ll look good while you feel better. Call them today to round out your recovery at (860) 767-2695.
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