The four-legged therapists of Bemus Point

In Bemus Point, the National Equine Institute of Growth through Healing, Inc. (N.E.I.G.H.) is providing healing, and better health through our equine and human behavior programs.

According to owner Dawn Samuelson, horses have a unique way of sensing and mimicking human behavior and emotions, Equine Assisted Therapy under the supervision of a certified instructor allows interactions in a non-threatening, non-judgmental atmosphere.

The Constance Project and Beyond the Call are programs offered by N.E.I.G.H. geared toward veterans and first responders, respectively. They are unique in that they use the horse’s reaction to its handler to vividly demonstrate the way participants communicate with one another and how they view themselves.

N.E.I.G.H.’s programs can be used to address many behavioral issues including PTSD, bereavement, anxiety, depression and anger issues.

Go to https://www.theneigh.org for more information or call 716-338-5350

Save the date: Veterans Wellness Day is August 9

The Chautauqua County Veteran Subcommittee is hosting a veterans wellness fair in Jamestown Community College Student Union, Wednesday, August 9 from 10 am-1 pm.

More than 20 veteran-serving community partners, including VA Services, Neigh Equine Therapy and County Health Department representatives will be on site to meet with veterans. Free haircuts, flu vaccines and lunches will be provided.

We'll have more details in the next edition of this newsletter. To sign up to receive this email, click here and add your information.

Virtual program focuses on gun safety and suicide prevention

VA WNY Healthcare System will be holding a virtual Family Firearm Safety workshop Friday, July 14th from 11am – 12noon. The topics are geared toward empowering family members to talk to each other about firearm safety for suicide prevention.

Hosts for this event, VA WNY Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Katie Coric, along with David DiTullio, Owner of Defensor Inc., will discuss the safe storage of firearms, and how to have that conversation with others.

Click here to register: Firearm Safety Through the Lens of Suicide Prevention Tickets, Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

Separately, Chris Ramnauth from the Buffalo VA visit the Dwyer group during coffee hour, 10 am Monday July 31 at Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701 to teach S.A.V.E, a suicide prevention program.

The VA has supplied wire gun locks through several veterans groups in the area. These locks, which are emblazoned with Veteran Crisis Line numbers (988, then press 1), can interrupt a potentially tragic chain of events that lead to self harm.

They are free for the asking from Cindy Reidy or Chris Ramnauth.

WNY Vets ahead of the national curve for PACT Act, still more need to screen

According to the VA of Western New York approximately 2/3 of veterans in the region have been screened for toxic exposure through the PACT Act. This pace puts it ahead as one of the leading regions, but there is still a way to go to complete the mission objective.

Recent analysis of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and healthcare utilization shows that almost half of all eligible veterans seek care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), leaving approximately 10 million seeking care in the community with providers who may not be aware of a patient’s veteran status, much less possible exposures.

Providers are urged to develop care plans based on exposure screening and discuss registering patients with the various exposure registries. This article can help your provider ask the right questions: https://www.myamericannurse.com/hazardous-exposures-and-military-veterans/

Providers themselves should be aware of the VA's mobile application, Exposure Ed, which delivers information on military-related exposures to health care providers that can lead to better-informed discussions with Veterans about their individual exposure-related concerns and potential impacts on their health as well as access information on exposure-related programs and benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (This application should not be used for diagnostic purposes.)

Read more and get the app here https://mobile.va.gov/app/exposure-ed

Available registries include the following:

VA rescinds COVID delay for disability claims

During the pandemic, individuals who had any concerns about COVID-19 and wanted to delay scheduling a claim exam could do so. These claims were held until the claimant was able to attend their scheduled appointment.

Beginning on June 10, VA no longer delays scheduling claim exams or hearings due to general COVID-19 concerns. Claimants will be notified once their claim exam or hearing is scheduled and are encouraged to attend their appointment. Claim exams and hearings are important to the claims process since they can provide additional information in support of a pending claim.

If a claimant does not attend their scheduled claim exam or hearing due to general COVID-19 concerns, the claim will continue to be processed.

Data Corner: Diabetes management and COVID

Managing diabetes is crucial for overall health, particularly when it coexists with a COVID-19 infection.

Diabetes compromises the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and slower to heal. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms, increase the risk of complications, and lengthen recovery time.

Proper diabetes management, including regular monitoring, adherence to medication, a balanced diet, and exercise, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, improves immune function, and reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Vigilant self-care, in conjunction with medical guidance, is essential to mitigate the impact of diabetes on COVID-19 and enhance overall health and well-being.

The figure looks at diabetes mortality rates per 100,000 from 2010 to 2019. The rate for Chautauqua County was consistently higher than New York State excluding New York City, until 2016, when the rates were similar (20.1 and 20.2 respectively).

Chautauqua County has shown an increase from 2016 to 2018 (44.7) but dropped in 2019 to 36.1. The mortality risk for COVID-19 is generally higher in individuals with underlying health conditions, including diabetes, compared to healthy individuals.

It is important to talk to your primary care provider if you have questions about your diabetes control or concerned that you may be undiagnosed.

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