The Delaware County Weekly

Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!

—— September 6, 2024 (137th edition) ——

Delaware County Council has declared September 8-14 as Veteran Suicide Prevention Week in Delaware County, raising awareness about the struggles Veterans face after serving our country. 

County Council, in coordination with the County’s Military and Veteran’s Affairs Department under the leadership of COL. Arthur L. Jenkins and in partnership with the County’s Department of Human Services, strives to assist Veterans in the county who may be struggling with mental health issues.

Many Veterans cope with issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which can lead to thoughts of suicide.

A recent report from the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that the suicide rate among Veterans is 1.5 times higher than the non-Veteran population, with over 6,000 Veterans dying by suicide annually. Despite being just 7.9% of the population, Veterans account for 13.5% of all U.S. suicide deaths.

During Veteran Suicide Prevention Week, communities, organizations, and individuals across the county engage in various activities such as educational seminars, outreach programs, and fundraising events to support veteran mental health initiatives. Together, we can send a powerful message: No veteran should ever feel alone or without hope.

Veterans in crisis, and those concerned about one, can reach the 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 (press 1). Delaware County Veterans can also contact the Military and Veterans Affairs Department for assistance at DelcoPA.Gov/VetAffairs or by calling (610) 891-4646.

Additionally, Veterans are invited to a suicide prevention training event on Tues., Sep. 10, at American Legion 338 in Havertown. Details are listed below.

Delaware County is recognizing September 6 as National Food Bank Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role food banks play in fighting hunger.

According to the national organization Feeding America, 9.7% of Delaware County residents are food insecure and don’t know where their next meal may come from, or struggle to find the resources to purchase food. National Food Bank Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of local food banks while drawing attention to the ongoing issue of hunger in our community.

This day also reminds us how essential it is to support these vital organizations that offer a lifeline to families facing food insecurity. Food banks in Delaware County and across the country serve as a critical safety net, offering nutritious food to individuals and families in need. And, food banks work to bridge the gap for those who struggle with hunger, while also reducing food waste by rescuing surplus food from farms, grocery stores, and restaurants.

Share—the largest hunger-relief organization in the region—became Delaware County’s lead agency for state and federal food distribution in July 2021. Through partnerships with local pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, Share ensures that vulnerable residents across Delaware County have access to healthy and nutritious food.

Residents who are in need of food assistance or are interested in donating funds or food items to a local food bank are urged to visit the Share Food Program website, and click on either the green “Find Food” button or the orange “Give Now” button.

Assistance for Food Banks

DCHD is currently accepting applications from local non-profit organizations interested in purchasing cold storage equipment for food pantries as part of the latest initiative to alleviate food insecurity in Delaware County. This initiative is funded through DCHD’s grant with the Health Resources and Services Administration. Applications will be accepted while funds last.

Cold storage of perishable food is crucial for feeding people in areas with limited access to supermarkets, known as food deserts. Delaware County’s food pantries are pivotal in reducing barriers to fresh and healthy foods. By helping Delaware County communities secure cold storage equipment, DCHD can help prevent spoilage and extend the availability of healthy food to residents.

To be considered for this program, organizations must demonstrate they meet criteria related to vulnerability, community engagement, infrastructure, sustainability, cost, and tax-exempt status.

Details for cold storage equipment award criteria and how to apply can be found on the DCHD website.

Delaware County was proud to be showcased on the TODAY Show this week!

The TODAY Show featured our 911 Center’s new live video emergency response platform, Prepared. 

With Prepared, AI software enables residents to use their cell phones to send live video of emergencies directly to 911 dispatchers, allowing the dispatchers to see and hear what is happening on the other end of an emergency call in real time. 

While 911 calls have traditionally been audio-only, people can now use their cell phones to send live video of emergencies directly to dispatchers. Click to watch the story on NBC's TODAY Show.

Reminder! Delaware County’s annual September 11th Day of Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by Delaware County Council and the District Attorney’s Office, will take place on Wednesday, September 11, at 11:30 a.m. at Rose Tree Park, located at 1671 N. Providence Road in Media, PA.

The ceremony will be held in the rear section of the park, at the memorial site dedicated to law enforcement, fire, EMS, and 911 personnel who have sacrificed their lives in service.

This year, we will once again come together at the 911 Memorial in Rose Tree Park to reflect on and remember the heroes who perished as a result of the devastating attacks on September 11th. We will also honor Delaware County’s brave First Responders who have died in the line of duty, while also expressing our gratitude to those who continue to protect and serve our community every day.

We invite members of the public to join us for this solemn occasion. This ceremony is an opportunity for us to come together as a community, to honor the memory of those we have lost, and to show our appreciation for the ongoing dedication of our First Responders.

Your presence and participation are meaningful contributions to ensuring that the legacy of these heroes lives on.

DCHD guidance on utilization of urgent care facilities for non-emergency medical needs

The Delaware County Health Department wants to ensure residents are well-informed about the importance of utilizing urgent care facilities for non-emergency medical needs. Emergency rooms and urgent care centers both offer immediate medical attention but differ in the severity of the conditions they treat. 

By choosing urgent care centers for non-emergency health issues, you can help reduce the burden on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and first responders, ensuring their time and resources are directed toward those in critical need, ultimately benefiting the health of the entire community.

Visiting an Emergency Room

Emergency rooms are hospital departments where medical professionals treat sudden severe illnesses or injuries at any time. Emergency rooms are open around the clock. They have quick access to the resources of the hospital in which they are located, which means that at many hospitals they can quickly get an ER patient needed surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and specialist evaluations. This allows them to quickly assess and treat conditions like strokes, heart attacks, or serious injuries, providing immediate and critical care.

Visiting an Urgent Care Center

Urgent care centers are for people who have an immediate, but not life-threatening, health issue that requires prompt treatment. Urgent care centers are not replacements for primary care doctors, but they can help people who need immediate medical attention and cannot get an appointment. Those with primary care doctors and non-life-threatening issues should seek an appointment with them when office hours permit.

Urgent care centers typically do not require appointments and are open for longer hours than most primary care doctors’ offices including evenings and weekends. Patients often experience shorter wait times compared to emergency rooms and receive timely treatment without the extended delays experienced in ERs. 

Most urgent care facilities treat a wide variety of serious but non-emergent illnesses and injuries, offer testing, and have X-ray machines and laboratories to analyze blood or urine samples. Medical professionals at urgent care centers can also often stitch up small wounds, place casts on fractured bones, provide intravenous fluids, and give immunizations. If you aren’t certain what treatments are offered at a local urgent care facility, you can call ahead and inquire or, in some cases, check their website.

Costs

Urgent care centers are usually cheaper than emergency rooms, but the cost you pay will depend on your insurance coverage. 

Emergency rooms must evaluate and stabilize every patient regardless of their ability to pay, which means that even if you have no insurance, you will receive treatment for serious medical conditions at an emergency room. If you don’t have insurance, however, the hospital will bill you directly after you receive stabilizing treatment, and that cost may be high. 

Urgent care centers, on the other hand, can require immediate payment from patients, and may turn away those who cannot pay.

For more information, including a listing of Urgent Care Centers in Delaware County, check out the Emergency Room Or Urgent Care: Know When to Go Where guide on the DCHD website.

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) and Keystone First are excited to wrap up the summer’s “Mindfulness Monday” yoga series with two free yoga classes at the Wellness Center in Yeadon on Monday, September 9.

These classes, part of DCHD’s ongoing efforts to support the mental health needs of our community, aim to provide individuals with valuable tools to improve health, build strength, add flexibility, and promote mindfulness.

Practicing mindfulness means taking time for activities that improve overall well-being, positively impacting both body and mind. Yoga has long been recognized for its positive impact on mental health, promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Simple lifestyle changes—like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active—can have a profound effect on your health and happiness.

These classes will be held at the Wellness Center at Yeadon, located at 125 Chester Ave., in Yeadon. The morning session will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the afternoon session will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Both sessions are free and open to individuals of all ages and experience levels.

When:

Monday, September 9, 2024

Morning session: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Afternoon session: 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.

Where:

DCHD Wellness Center at Yeadon 

125 Chester Ave., 

Yeadon, PA 19050

Registration is required. To register, contact the DCHD Wellness Line by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.

Can’t make it this month? Check back for future mindfulness events on DCHD’s community event and clinic calendar at DelcoPA.Gov/Health and follow DCHD on social media for more opportunities to cultivate mindfulness.

Reminder: COSA celebrating National Falls Prevention Awareness Week and National Concussion Awareness Day with Free In-Person and Virtual Programs for Seniors

COSA collaborating with PA Department of Aging, Main Line Health, and Crozer Health to prevent falls and keep seniors healthy and active

In recognition of National Falls Prevention Awareness Week (September 23-27) and National Concussion Awareness Day (September 20), the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) is collaborating with the PA Department of Aging, Main Line Health, and Crozer Health to provide free access to a variety of in-person and Zoom-based fall prevention programs—with an emphasis on injury prevention and strength building.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention findings indicate that every 20 minutes an older adult in the U.S. dies from a fall and that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 32,000 deaths.

The National Council on Aging notes that falling is not a part of normal aging. Seniors, and others with balance issues, can significantly reduce falls by doing the right exercises, making safety adjustments to the home, getting regular health checkups, and more.

Residents aged 60 and over are urged to sign-up for one of COSA’s evidence-based fall prevention programs that use proven approaches to help prevent falls. Registration is required for all programs. Registration details are listed below.

Healthy Steps Program

Participants in this in-person program will reduce their risk of falls and address fears of falling while educating and equipping themselves with the right tools to make a difference in their lives. Research has found that adults who completed the Healthy Steps workshop lower their risk of a fall significantly by 18%. 

Program costs are covered so the program is FREE, however class size is limited, and registration is required—see details below. 

Healthy Steps - Crozer Health Sessions (Held at Marple Public Library)

Marple Library, 2599 Sproul Rd., Broomall, PA 19008

Wed., Sept. 11 (Physical Skills Assessment is by appointment only)

Thurs., Sept. 12, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 13, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Register for the Marple Public Library session online at www.marplelibrary.org or contact Bridgette Crockett at (610) 356-1510.

Healthy Steps – Riddle Hospital Sessions (Held at Riddle)

Riddle Hospital, 118 W. Baltimore Pike, Health Center 4, Suite 101

Community Health Outreach Conference Room, Media, PA 19063

Tues., Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Register for the Riddle Hospital session by calling (484) 337-5212 or emailing kanem@mlhs.org.

Arthritis Walk with Ease Program (Sep. 18 - Oct. 23)

Participants will receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk with Ease Guidebook and will walk once a week as a group and at least 2 other times a week on their own using the program’s 5-Step Walking Plan in this self-directed version of the program. Each walker will begin walking at their own level and will set their own goals and rewards. Participants share and receive support, encouragement, information, and direction at weekly online group meetings and through weekly e-mails.   

Wallingford Presbyterian Church

110 E. Brookhaven Rd. Wallingford, PA 19086

Free 6-session in-person program

Wednesdays, Sep. 18 - Oct. 23 (second week will be held on Fri., Sep. 27)

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

Registration required. To register, contact Ellen Williams by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937. Please provide your name, address, phone number and email address.  

Power Over Pain: Chronic Pain Self-Management (Sep. 16 - Oct. 21)

This free, evidence-based Zoom program for residents ages 60 and over, provides residents with self-care tools and strategies to effectively manage chronic pain or chronic disease.

Topics include dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; learning exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance; using medications effectively; communication; nutrition; and evaluation of new treatments.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program

Mondays, September 16 through October 21

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

To register, contact Ellen Williams, COSA’s Health and Wellness Program Manager, by email at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (610) 499-1937 and provide your name, address, phone number and email address.

CDC’s “Falls Free CheckUp”

Seniors can also take the CDC’s Falls Free CheckUp on the National Council on Aging’s website at www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-checkup to identify their risks for falling. This digital tool provides a personalized overview of falls risk factors and ways to address them. 

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