Flu vaccines available for veterans
The Butler Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center will offer flu vaccine clinics to veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Friday at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Auditorium Building 1.
The clinics will be conducted on a “walk in” basis to all veterans who meet the CDC guideline criteria of persons 50 years of age or older or persons with a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, kidney diseases, chronic lung, heart or metabolic diseases, blood disorders (sickle cell anemia) and weakened immune systems including persons with HIV/AIDS.
Veterans not currently registered or seeing a physician at the facility or who have not received the flu vaccine from the VA in previous years, must take a copy of their DD 214 as verification. Veterans will not have an out of pocket cost for the vaccine.
The Visiting Nurses Association will provide vaccines to veterans' spouses at the cost of $20 payable that same day in cash or check. However, spouses who have Medicare B or Security Blue as their primary insurance will not incur an out of pocket cost. Spouses who have Medicare B or Security Blue must be prepared to show proper insurance identification.
Extra blood drive held
An extra holiday blood drive was sponsored by St. Mary's Ukrainian Church in Ford City on Jan. 3. Twelve productive pints of blood were collected. The additional drive was held due to the shortage of blood received during the holiday season.
A family couple donating were Paul and Dorothy Watson. Reed Schaeffer earned a one gallon pin; Richard Cribbs earned a three-gallon pin; and Dorothy Watson earned a four gallon pin.
Bloodmobile workers were Kate Smerick, greeter; Betty Pechan, records; and Gert Benigni, walker.
The ladies of St. Mary's Church and men of the Holy Name Society prepared the lunch for nurses and volunteers and sandwiches and refreshments for the blood donors. A special thank you is extended to the Rev. John Izral, pastor for the use of the facility.
Association for Blind opens office
There is a new office for the Armstrong County Satellite of the Butler County Association for the Blind located at 318 Market St., Kittanning. The office hours are 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or stop in. The services are free to the visually qualified customers and they include transportation; home visits; talking books; social activities; and life skill classes.
To discuss any vision problems contact Megan Grenek toll free at 1-866-382-4232.
Chicora to open alzheimer's unit
The Chicora Medical Center, located at 160 Medical Center Road, Chicora celebrates the grand opening of Memory Lane, the facility's new 18-bed skilled nursing-level Alzheimer's Unit from 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 21.
The secured unit is designed to specifically accommodate the needs of Alzheimer's and other dementia residents. The unit features a newly renovated dining and recreation area as well as new wallpaper, paint and carpet throughout.
Specialized activities and individual programming are planned for each dementia resident. Chicora Medical Center employee Nicole Northime, LPN has been named the director of Memory Lane.
Refreshments and tours will be provided.
For information or for directions call 724-445-2000.
Red Cross classes, drives
The American Red Cross classes offered for January at 433 Butler Road, Kittanning are: Jan. 18, First Aid Recertification, 6 to 10 p.m.; Jan. 25 and 26, Workplace Training, 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 724- 543-1392.
Lifeguard Management Class — upon request; baby-sitting classes — upon re-quest; adult child; and infant automated external defibrillation — upon request. To make arrangements call the Arm-strong County Chapter of the American Red Cross at the above number.
The blood drives for January are: Jan. 18, former Holy Trinity School, 1008 Sixth Ave., Ford City, 1 to 7 p.m.
Blood pressure readings scheduled
The monthly free blood pressure readings, scheduled by the Visiting Nurses Association are listed as follows:
Jan. 18, Garden Towers Hi-Rise, 280 S. McKean St., Kittanning and VNA Office Ford City, 1410 Fifth Ave., Ford City; 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 19, Millwood Arms Apartments, 301 13th St., Ford City, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 20, East Brady Hi-Rise, Broad Street, East Brady, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 25, No. 1 Hi-Rise Armstrong Court, 100 N. Grant Ave., Kittanning, 11 to 11:30 a.m. and Freedom Apartments, 1001 Fifth Ave., Ford City, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 26, The Salvation Army Building, 205 S. Jefferson, Kittanning, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Rural Valley fire hall, Rural Valley; 1 to 1:30 p.m.; Dayton fire hall, Dayton 2 to 2:30 p.m.
CPR/First Aid certifications
The Health Care Career Awareness Program offers 15 to 18 year-olds a chance to get certified in CPR/First Aid, take field trips, participate in job shadowing activities and make a DVD.
To find out who qualifies for this program call Lori Harris at 724-548-8000, ext. 8109.
Nightingale Award nominations sought
Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit foundation created to recognize and retain nurses in Pennsylvania, announces the availability of scholarship funds for individuals pursu-ing an education in nursing.
The scholarships will be awarded in March 2005 and are available to be used for tuition, books and/or educational fees for that spring semester of 2005.
To qualify, an applicant must be a resident of Pennsylvania, be admitted to a nur-sing school in Pennsylvania which prepares the student to become a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse or working toward an advanced degree in nursing to practice in a new, advanced role in nursing, have a current min-imum grade point average of “B” according to the school's standards, have completed or are currently enrolled in at least one course designated as “Nursing” and have not previously received a Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their academic achievement, leadership potential as evidenced by special honors and/or special recognition, community service and personal commitment to the profession of nursing. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31.
For information or to re-ceive an application, view the NAP Web site www.nightingaleawards.org or contact: Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, 2090 Linglestown Road, Suite 107, Harrisburg, Pa. 17110.
VNA seeks more volunteers
VNA Hospice of Western Pennsylvania is seeking people willing to give the gift of their time.
They must be at least 18 years of age. Required training and materials are provided free of charge to anyone in the community wishing to support individuals with terminal illness and their families as a volunteer. Attendance in all classes in mandatory in order to become a certified hospice volunteer.
Questions may be directed to Cassie Naron at 724-431-3502 or 1-800-245-3042 ext. 502 or e-mail cnaron@vna.com.
Grief support group to meet
“Weathering Grief” an on going monthly grief support group is held every third Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Armstrong County Health Center, 265 S. McKean St., Kittanning. The next meeting is tomorrow.
These meetings are open to the community for anyone who has lost a loved one and are sponsored by the VNA Hospice, Western Pennsylvania and there is no fee.
Senior driving course set at two locations
Seniors for Safe Driving and St. Andrews Village and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital will sponsor a highway safety education program for seniors 55 years of age and older.
The program presented was developed by Seniors for Safe Driving. This is an opportunity for senior citizens to become safer drivers and at the same time lower their automobile insurance premiums. Pennsylvania State Law mandates that all drivers 55 years of age and older receive a minimum 5 percent discount on their automobile insurance premiums.
This seven hour class is divided into two 3 1/2 hour sessions and features audio and visual aids with special night vision testing. There is no written exam or behind the wheel testing.
The class sizes are limited, register early.
The class locations, dates and times are: from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 13 and 14 and Feb. 24 and 25 at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, One Nolte Drive, Kittanning and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and 21 and Feb. 10 and 11at St. Andrews Village, 1155 Indian Springs Road, Indiana.
For information and to register call 800-559-4880.
Child Check visits area
Lifesteps' Child Check, a Butler County Early Intervention “Child Find” activity, is a free screening service for all children, from birth to age 5. The screening measures development in playing, talking, seeing, hearing, moving and thinking. A Child Check visit takes 25 minutes to complete with results discussed immediately with parents.
Parents are urged to have their children screened so that any developmental problems can be detected at the earliest stage. Appointments are recommended, but not required. The Child Check screening will be in the local area on the following date: Thursday at Apollo United Presbyterian Church, 401 First St., 9 to noon.
Lifesteps is a local, independent human services agency that helps individuals and families with life's changing needs. Lifesteps is an United Way member agency in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler and Indiana counties. For information and to schedule an appointments, call Lifesteps at 724-283-2154, ext. 313 or 1-800-225-2010.
Fire safety course offered
Did you know that fire can double in size within seconds and smoke from many burning fabrics and plastics can be fatal⢠We all need to know how to prevent and escape housefires. To increase fire awareness among our elderly population, Sugar Creek Rest is offering a free publication to area senior citizens.
The free pamphlet entitled “Fire Safety for Seniors,” explains how to keep your home safe from fire. The publication also describes how to plan a fire escape and how to get out alive if fire should strike your home.
For a copy write to: “Fire Safety for Seniors,” c/o Sugar Creek Rest, 120 Lakeside Drive, Worthington, Pa. 16262 or call toll-free 1-888-353-2126 and leave a voice message.
