Financial Review

Hundreds of local residents accessed important health and wellness screenings at Ministry Our Lady of Victory Hospital (MOLVH) in Stanley during its fourth annual Senior Week, November 3-7, 2008.

Nearly 800 people received flu/pneumovax vaccines; 727 people got their vaccines during Senior Week. Another 44 received their vaccines at the Ministry Victory Medical Group clinic in Owen, and 25 at the Thorp clinic.

“Seniors are such a vital part of our community,” said Cindy Eichman, president of MOLVH. “We’re pleased at how this event has grown and expanded in the last four years. We’re already planning what we’d like to do in 2009.”

OLVH offered the following screenings to community members with no insurance or high deductible insurance:

• Women’s Health Screening for women 50 and older who have not had a pap/pelvic exam in the last 4 years.
• Men’s Prostate Cancer Screening for men 50 and older who have not had a PSA lab test in the last 4 years.
• Lung Function Screening for men or women age 50 and older at risk for lung problems – farmers, asthmatics, smokers, ex-smokers or industrial workers.
• Carotid Ultrasound Screening for patients 55 and older with known coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease, or patients 60 and older with risks of smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia or hypertension/high blood pressure.
• Balance and Fall Prevention Screening
• Blood Pressure Screening
• Glucose Screening
• Medication List Screening and Patient Record Preparation - free medication list preparation and copies with individual folder were provided.

The hospital also offered a Wellness Education program during Senior Week. The topic, “Planning for Alternative Living Options in Retirement,” was presented by Sue Hebert from the Chippewa County Aging & Disability Resource Center. Hebert discussed how and when to downsize a household, future living options to consider as a person ages, and talking to one’s children about planning.