Tag: IDD

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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April 6, 2022

David O’Conner, Ready, Set, Go!

I had the pleasure of meeting David O’Conner and hearing, first hand, about his experience with Special Olympics.  David proudly told me that he lost 25 pounds while getting ready to run the 15K.  He also spoke about how his increased activity has helped manage depression.  David also shared that he has had ups and downs in his life but...

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March 30, 2022

Celebrating People with a Little Something Extra

World Down Syndrome Day was March 21st, 2022. Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder that occurs when there is an extra copy, either full or partial, of chromosome 21. This occurs in about 1 in 800 births. Because Down syndrome occurs genetically, people who have this diagnosis typically share some common traits or characteristics. These include low...

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