Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

June 15, 2022

Monkeypox: What You Should Know

You may have been hearing information regarding a rare disease called monkeypox. This, however, is not a new virus. In fact, it was first discovered in 1958, when a pox-like disease began to appear in colonies of monkeys that were being contained for research. Monkeypox was first detected and recorded in a human in 1970 in Africa. It is in...

Community/General

June 8, 2022

“It’s Cool to Fly American Airlines” Program Returns to Assist Passengers with Disabilities

With Covid restrictions easing many are making travel plans for vacations or to visit with family. While many know and understand the process of flying to their destination, for people with Autism and other disabilities, the experience can cause anxiety, fear, or discomfort. This can create challenges that may cause someone with disabilities to refuse to fly. In 2014, American...

Community/General/Resources

June 1, 2022

Summer Fun Done Safely

Summer is just around the corner! it’s my favorite time of the year! It’s when I can get outdoors and connect with nature more, whether it’s through a day at the park or just getting some summer projects started. There are so many fun activities that can be created, even in your own backyard… How about welcoming hummingbirds with a...

Community/General/Resources

May 25, 2022

Hospice Help

Do you remember everything you hear and read? If you are like me, often times it goes in one ear and out the other! We have many programs here at the HCQU to help during difficult times. One of the most difficult times we experience in our lives is the passing of a person in our care. Did you know...

General/Resources

May 18, 2022

Changes in the DSM-5

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual is a handbook utilized by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose people with mental health disorders. The handbook lists the specific criteria to be given a specific diagnosis. The DSM-5 was released in 2013. The DSM-5-TR (text revision) was released in March 2022. Two changes are significant to our system. These include those related to intellectual disability...

General/Resources

May 11, 2022

“Lettuce” Help with Dinner

Be-Leaf it or not, North Country Brewery Growing Together Aquaponics and Milestone HCQU West partnered together to mix up the dinner menu – with salad mix, that is. “Lettuce Help With Dinner” kicked off Wednesday, April 13, 2022 when 29 bags were delivered to 87 participants. Pre-registered homes received healthy greens and a six-step recipe card to make a delicious, nutritious...

Community/General

May 4, 2022

Lyme Disease: Learning from ID Connect

On April 20th, 2022 the nurses from Health Care Quality Units (HCQU’s) across the state of Pennsylvania (PA) had the opportunity to participate in a live webinar given by ID Connect physician, Dr. Antoine Auguste, MD, MPH, on Lyme Disease. Living in Western PA, I am sure that you or someone you know has been bitten by a tick. Lyme...

Community/General

April 27, 2022

William “Billy” Erwin

The following piece was written by Aly Delp, April 14, 2021 and originally published on explorevenango.com. William “Billy” Erwin, 72, of Clarion, passed away late Monday evening, April 12, 2021, at the Grove City Hospital. He was born in 1948 into some challenging circumstances, but he never asked why me or wept for what could be. The odds, you might...

General

April 20, 2022

Put a Little Spring in Your Step with the Adapted Fitness Program at the Butler YMCA

The Butler YMCA began running a series of fitness classes March 14, 2022. These classes are listed as being ideal for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Caregivers and support staff can attend free of charge. The program was developed by Corrado Bello who has worked at the Butler Y for almost 3 years in membership and as a personal...

Community/General/Resources

April 13, 2022

Evusheld Authorized: New COVID-19 Treatment

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca’s Evusheld™. Evusheld is a new COVID-19 treatment designed to prevent COVID-19 infection in vulnerable and immunocompromised individuals who may not have an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. In immunocompromised patients, a vaccination may not generate enough immunity so they are still able to have a severe infection. Evusheld gives...

General/Resources