Update on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Update from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as of February 26, 2020

Situation in U.S.
Imported cases of COVID-19 in travelers have been detected in the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan, but at this time, this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.

Illness Severity
Both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV have been known to cause severe illness in people. The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. Learn more about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.

There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

For the latest news from the CDC, click here.
Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu and Other Illnesses

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu. The tips and resources below will help you learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.

  • Get Vaccinated
  • Avoid close contact.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose.
  • Clean your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

To learn more, click here.
March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month
The International Myeloma Foundation declares March, Myeloma Action Month (MAM)!

Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that affects 159,985 people yearly.

For 30 days, we challenge you to take action and make an impact for the entire myeloma community. Explore the site to find out how you can make a difference.

This MAM, the IMF is focusing on re·sil·ience: n. The capacity to adapt to challenges.

Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest organization focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The IMF’s reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure through our four founding principles: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy.

For more information, click here.
To Protect Your Brain,
Take Care of Your Heart
A new report from the AARP-founded Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) — a working group of scientists, health care professionals and policy experts — confirms that heart health and brain health share a direct link. And taking steps to manage cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, no matter how late in life, improves your chances of staying sharp as you age.

To read more, click here.
What’s the Difference Between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis?
What’s in a name? Well, if it’s osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, for starters, a shared prefix. “Osteo” means bone, and that matching descriptor also spells confusion for many seniors, who are disproportionately affected by both conditions.

But from symptoms – or a lack thereof – to how each impacts the body and the ways in which they’re managed, the two conditions are totally different.

Osteoporosis refers to “porous bone,” or a thinning of bone, where the quality and density of bone is decreased, so that it becomes weak and brittle. This puts a person is at higher risk for sustaining a fracture. However, there are typically no other noticeable symptoms before a bone break. “So it’s a silent disease until a fracture occurs,” says Dr. Meryl LeBoff, chief of the calcium and bone section and director of the Skeletal Health and Osteoporosis Center and Bone Density Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Apart from that, there are generally no outward signs that a person may have osteoporosis, which affects about 10 million in the U.S., predominantly women.

By contrast, osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints – like the hips, knees, spine and joints in the hands. Unlike with osteoporosis, this most common form of arthritis can cause a range of symptoms. Those include joint stiffness, declining flexibility, bone spurs and, perhaps most noticeably, pain.

To read the full article, click here.
March Healthy Recipe:
Turkey Veggie Meatloaf Cups
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped zucchini
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onions
  • 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1 pound extra lean ground turkey
  •  1/2 cup uncooked couscous
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, or as needed

Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 20 muffin cups with cooking spray.
  • Place zucchini, onions, and red bell pepper into a food processor, and pulse several times until finely chopped but not liquefied. Place the vegetables into a bowl, and mix in ground turkey, couscous, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until thoroughly combined. Fill each prepared muffin cup about 3/4 full. Top each cup with about 1 teaspoon of barbecue sauce.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until juices run clear, about 25 minutes. Internal temperature of a muffin measured by an instant-read meat thermometer should be at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

To read the full recipe, click here.
We're Hiring!
Weekend On Call RN: Hiring Bonus!
Registered nurse to work every other weekend on-call Saturday 8:00 a.m. – Monday 8:00 a.m. Candidate to triage calls, and make scheduled and unscheduled visits.

BSN preferred. One year of med surg experience required; previous homecare experience and computerized documentation experience required.
RN Per Diem Positions
Registered Nurses to work per diem week days. Must be a graduate of an accredited or approved school of nursing, licensed to practice in the state of CT, have a minimum of one year med-surg clinical experience. Home health care/OASIS experience preferred.


Please submit resumes to info@visitingnurses.org .
Let's Stay Connected!
To learn more about Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, click here .
To learn more about Lower Valley Care Advocates, click here.
  Questions? Call Us! 860-767-0186