Newsletter Summer 09.pub

Rocking Horse
Community
Health Center
651 South Limestone
Springfield, OH 45505
324-1111
and
1 E. Pleasant St.
Springfield, OH 45506
324-1111
Raising Healthy
Families in a
Caring Community!
Rocking Horse Center opened in 1999
with the goal of
providing comprehensive health care
to 1,500 patients
regardless of their insurance status
or ability to pay for
enhanced medical services. Now, in 2009
, Rocking Horse has
become the medical home for more than
11,000 children and
3,000 Adults.. With programs like Heal
thy Steps, CHAMPS
(Coordinating Habilitation And Maxi
mizing Potential), Reach
Out & Read, Child and Family Therapy,
Chronic Healthcare
Management, Prescription Assistanc
e and our ability to
coordinate and refer, our patients rece
ive the most
comprehensive care available under one
roof! In January of
2009 Rocking Horse received Federally
Qualified Health
Center status (FQHC) We continue
to grow!
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WIN FREE MOVIE TICKETS!!
Put your suggestions in the box at
the front desk for a chance to win
FREE PASSES to Chakeres Cinema 5
and Cinema 10!
Volume 2, Issue 1
Summer 2009
In This Issue!
In Your
Own
Backyard
In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy (& Toto too) learn the valuable
lesson that when looking for their heart’s desire they need not go
any further than their own backyard. This summer follow their
lead down the yellow brick road and make the most of that patch
of ground in your hometown!
Backyard Camping – set up a tent, tie a rope between 2 trees and
throw over a tarp or just lay in your sleeping bag in the grass. Roast
marshmallows over your grill, use a flashlight or lantern to play cards, tell
ghost stories!
Backyard Stargazing - with a nice supply of starburst candy & a basic
astronomy book your family can search for constellations and even pick
out and name your own stars.
Backyard Water Park - break out the squirt guns, water balloons,
kiddie pool and hose. Use existing structures to make an obstacle course
where contestants must pass through and get bombarded!
Backyard Explorers - pass out the magnifying glasses and notebooks &
let the family get a close-up view of nature. Draw the bugs, plants and
other things you see and have a contest on who can find what you drew!
Read for the
fun of it!
2
Don’t text
AND Drive
3
Secrets of
Summer Safety
4
H1N1— What you
need to Know
6
Fill out our
quick survey
8
• Happy year two of
Horse Sense—the
newsletter designed
with you in mind!
• Please take the
time to share with
us your thoughts
and ideas! What’s
important to you?
What do you want
to read about?
• Fill out the form on
the last page and
let us know what
your interests are!
Why do some kids think reading is boring?
Is it because they have never played
“Super Amazing Book Scavenger Hunt”.
“Writers Block” or had a
“Most Disgusting Recipe”
contest? What? Neither
have you? Well here’s how:
Super Amazing Book Scavenger HuntPick up a book from the library and while
you are reading, write down several
interesting words. Invite your friends to
read your book and give them a list of
words to find. Whoever finds the words
the fastest wins!
Writers Block- Have a friend start a
story and write one block of text. You get
the story and add your own block. Pass it
on and watch how the story changes.
Most Disgusting Recipe Contest -Pretty
simple, read some cookbooks for hints and
write your own icky recipe based on what
you have read. Have mom be the judge!
Page 2
Summer Reading Pledge Twenty minutes ago you
It’s time for me to get into
reading gear,
Because summertime is very near.
Reading is always very fun,
Whether I do it in the shade or in the sun!
It is very groovy to sit and read,
And 30 minutes each day is all I need!
The library is where I can borrow for free,
And I will find one that is just near me.
I will learn a new word each day,
And reading will become a way to play.
I will read a book to my family and a friend,
Before the summer comes to an end.
And when it is time to go back to school,
I will already know that books are cool!
Sign Here:
Volume 2, Issue 1
had your car keys in your
hand. Since then, you’ve
answered the phone, made
a grocery list and let the
dog out… and at some
point put down your keys.
The question is, where did
you put them — and more
importantly, why can’t you
remember?
Since you were in your
mid twenties, your brain
has been losing cells a few
at a time and also making
less of the chemicals the
cells need to work. In the
normal aging process, a
Volume 2, Issue 1
slight decline in memory
is bound to happen.
Remembering specific
episodes, like where
you parked your car,
or what you were
supposed to get at the
grocery store or
where you set down
your keys, are part of
“recent memory” which
is shown to be not as easy
to access as you age. The
information is in your
brain, it just takes a while
longer to retrieve it.
Don’t assume that these
small memory lapses
means you have dementia.
Keeping positive on all
aspects of your life as you
age can improve memory
performance. Your brain
has the ability to learn
and retain new facts and
skills throughout your life.
The key to good memory
at any age is to keep
active both mentally and
physically. Exercise
both your body and your
brain by walking and
reading everyday.
Participation in social
activities and eating well
are also shown to keep
brain functions crisp.
Here are some other
tips for sharp memory:
⇒ Keep to do lists–
writing things down
and checking them
off as they are
completed is an easy
way to remember!
⇒ Follow a routine—
doing tasks at the
same time everyday
makes it more likely
that you will
remember to do
them!
⇒ Repeat names—
something as simple
as repeating
someone's name
after you are
introduced can help
you to remember it!
Page 7
What you need to know
about the H1N1 flu
Texting while driving is deadly
No doubt you have been hearing about the new
strain of flu that first caused illness in Mexico and
the United States in March and April. H1N1 or
Swine Flu is spread from person to person in the
same way seasonal flu is spread through
respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.
Sixteen-year-old Chelsea
Ann Brag was killed in a
roll-over crash after
texting while driving her
car. Ashley D. Miller, 18
died instantly when she
veered into oncoming
traffic while texting. Her
accident also took the
life a 40-year-old mother
she hit head on. Five
days after graduating
from high school, 17
year-old Bailey Goodman
swerved into oncoming
traffic, hit a tractortrailer and her SUV
burst into flames. She
and four of her classmates were killed. Two
minutes before the
crash, Bailey’s phone was
used to send a text
Reading Symptoms of H1N1 Flu are similar to those of seasonal flu including
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache,
chills and fatigue. There have been some reports of vomiting and
diarrhea as well.
Protecting yourself from H1N1 is the same as protecting yourself from
seasonal flu. Wash your hands thoroughly and often, avoid touching
your eyes, nose and mouth, remind your loved ones to cover their
mouths when coughing and to throw away
the
If you do
And 30tissues
minutes in
each
daytrash.
is all I need!
get sick, call your doctor to see if an office visit is needed. Follow your
doctor’s advice on how long to stay home,
getfind
plenty
of rest
And I will
one that
is justand
near drink
me.
clear fluids.
By all means, keep informed of the flu news in your community, and ask
your doctor if you have any concerns, but don’t panic!
Regular seasonal flu and its complications is estimated to be responsible
for an average of 36,000 deaths each year according to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . In comparison, as of mid July,
there have been 37,246 reported cases of H1N1 Flu and 211 deaths in the
United States, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Practice healthful habits to avoid catching any flu!
Page 6
Volume 2, Issue 1
Volume 2, Issue 1
Motor vehicle accidents are
the leading cause of death
for people between the age
of 16 and 20 according to the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Teens are
four times more likely than
older drivers to be involved
in a crash. Add cell phone use
and texting to the mix and
you have a recipe for
disaster! Fourteen states
have already banned driving
while texting (DWT), but still
nearly 50% of teens admit to
doing it. DWT is now being
compared to Drunk Driving or
Driving Under the Influence
(DUI) in terms of how it
impairs the driver’s ability to
handle a two-ton vehicle.
People who DWT change
speeds rapidly for no reason
and weave in and out of lanes.
The American Automobile
Association concludes that
the rise of a car accident
increases by 50% for people
who text message while
driving and the National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration reports that
distracted drivers account
for 80% of all crashes.
Lots of statistics, lots of
lives lost. Think of Chelsea,
Ashley and Bailey… is it
worth it?
Page 3
Poison Plants
Leaves of three, let
them be! Over 85%
of people have an
allergy to poison ivy. The oil
from the leaves, called
urushiol, causes itchy rashes
and blisters that can last one
to three weeks. Keep a keen
eye out for the plant and if
you know you’ve come in
contact, wash your skin in
cool water as soon as
possible. If you do get the
rash, oatmeal baths and
calamine lotion can dry up
blisters and bring relief from
itching. See your doctor for a
prescription of corticosteroids
or antihistamines.
Stings
Perfumes, Hairsprays and
Lotions attract bees and
wasps. Brightly colored and
floral patterned clothing, as
well as open soda cans can
also bring bees too close!
Page 4
Teach children if a bee comes
near not to panic! Don’t swat
at or run from the bee, try
gently blowing on it or slowly
brushing it away. If you do
get stung, pull the stinger
out, wash the area with soap
and water and treat as soon
as possible with an ice pack.
Watch for signs other than
discomfort and swelling at
the sting sight which might
include shortness of breath,
tightness in throat or chest or
hives. Call 911 if you suspect
someone is having an allergic
reaction.
Sun & Heat
Besides being
extremely painful, sunburn is
dangerous! One blistering
sunburn actually doubles the
likelihood of developing skin
cancer. Protect babies under
6 months by avoiding sun
exposure. Dress them in
lightweight long pants, long
sleeved shirts and brimmed
hats. Apply sunscreen to older
children at least 30 minutes
before going out into the sun
and reapply every two hours.
Use water resistant sunscreen
with a minimum SPF of 30.
preferably 50. Protect against
heat stress by drinking fluids
regularly, wearing light weight
clothing, and doing strenuous
activities only during morning
& evening hours.
Water
Never ever leave
children unattended by a pool
or any body of water including
hot tubs! The pump in a pool
or spa creates powerful
suction at the drain which can
trap a swimmer under water.
Teach children to stay away
from drains, gates and filters.
Whenever infants or toddlers
are in or around water, an
adult should be within arms
length. Use only approved life
savers and teach your kids to
Volume 2, Issue 1
swim early. Have your family
and child care providers learn
first aid and CPR.
Backyard
Barbecue
Burns from grills,
fireworks and illness from
bacteria in food has ruined
many a family picnic! Always
keep any kind of grill at least 10
feet away from your home or
any building. Keep an eye on
children and pets and never
ever leave a grill unattended.
Check propane grill hoses for
cracking, holes or leaks. This
time of year many people suffer
from food borne illness or “food
poisoning” from cookouts and
picnics. Bacteria grow faster in
the summer, especially in high
humidity. Make sure meats are
cooked through and make sure
to refrigerate items quickly after
the meal. Always wash hands
and keep different kinds of food
separate from each other.
Volume 2, Issue 1
Bites
Ward off summertime
pests with insect
repellant, especially at night.
Rocking Horse recommends
sprays or lotions to use on skin
and clothing that contain no
more than 10– 30% DEET for
children over age 2. For
infants, use sparingly only on
children 2 months or older. Do
not apply on the eyes, mouth,
open cuts or hands of small
children. Check your family
regularly for ticks when out in
tall grasses or woody areas. Be
mindful but not worried of
mosquito bites and chiggers.
Mother Nature
Lightning can strike
more than 10 miles
from a current storm. Lightning
causes thunder, so if you hear
a rumble you know the bolt is
right around the corner. Never
wait for it to start raining
before your family seeks
shelter from the storm. If
you are caught outside, stay
away from tall trees & metal
poles and try to get as low
to the ground as possible.
Activities
According to the
National Safe Kids
Campaign, more than
300,000 children under age
14 were hospitalized for
injuries sustained while bike
riding. And nearly half of
those kids had what are
considered to be serious
head injuries. One of the
best ways to stay safe this
summer is to wear a
helmet and other safety
gear when biking, skating
and skateboarding, and
when riding scooters, allterrain vehicles, and horses.
Studies on bike helmets
have shown they can reduce the risk of head injury
by as much as 85 percent.
Page 5