T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2018

2 DESTINATION HEALTH T.J. Samson Community Hospital will be hosting its annual community health fair on Saturday, June 16, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. in the T.J. Health Pavilion. A basic lab panel that includes calcium and glucose screenings, as well as a lipid panel that includes cholesterol and triglyceride read- ings, will be provided free to the first 500 community members. Men can get a prostate-specific antigen test for free as well. Bone density, height, weight and blood pressure assessments will also be free of charge. FIND OUT YOUR RISKS Three different types of vascular screenings that can identify your risk of a heart attack will be offered for $50 each, or $120 for all three. Only cash or check will be accepted for vascular screenings; no insurance will be filed. Many other T.J. Samson professionals will be available to an- swer questions and provide health- related information. For accurate test results, do not eat or drink the morning of the test. For more information or to register, please visit our website at tjsamson.org . In the summertime, the fun is outside.That’s where you’ll find kids and families riding bikes and cooling off in the water, among other fun activities. But swimming and cycling aren’t just fun—they get kids away from TV and computer screens for some healthy exercise. So this summer, Alisha Risen, APRN, CPNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner at T.J. Health Greensburg and Columbia clinics, wants your youngsters to have fun—but to be safe most of all. She offers these tips for par- ents and other caregivers to start: BE SAFE WITH BIKES Each year, many children are killed or injured in bike accidents, often from brain injuries, Risen says. Bicycle helmets can help prevent most of these tragedies, but only if kids (and parents!) wear one every time they ride. Even tots who ride tricycles need helmets to protect their little heads, Risen says. Do your kids often resist wearing a helmet? Risen offers a simple trick: Let them help choose their own, since they’re more likely to wear one they love. “Nowadays, stores often have cool helmets with sparkly colors and superheroes,” she says. Just make sure any helmet you choose meets safety standards (look for a sticker that says U.S. Consumer Product Safety certified or complies with U.S. CPSC).The helmet should also fit your child’s head. “For instance, it shouldn’t bob up and down on your child’s head or cover your child’s eyes,” Risen says. Also make sure that young cyclists: ●  ● Wear bright colors and have bicycle reflec- tors so it’s easier to be seen. (But of course, that’s no excuse to ride at night!) ●  ● Wear shoes. “Kids can end up tearing the hide off of their feet if they have an accident and don’t have shoes on,” Risen says. ●  ● Obey all road rules, including stopping at stop signs, if they’re old enough to ride on the street. ●  ● Have a bike that is in good working order—check the brakes frequently and replace tires as needed. WATCH THEM AROUND WATER Young children can drown in just an inch of water, Risen reminds parents. And the risk goes up if parents become distracted, such as by a phone call. So it’s especially important to supervise them closely around any pool or body of water. “Things can happen in a matter of seconds,” Risen says. A FEW MORE REMINDERS Wear a life jacket. If your summer plans include boating, make sure everyone wears a life jacket. It’s important even for strong swimmers. Secure the pool. If you have a pool at home, there should be a fence on all sides with a gate that will close and latch by itself. Sign up for swim lessons. Most children are ready to start lessons by the time they turn 4 years old (and sometimes when they’re younger). Make the buddy system non-negotiable. Never let kids swim alone—no matter how well they can swim. GET IN TOUCH These are just some of the safety issues Risen talks with parents and kids about as part of a typical checkup. She can also help answer any questions parents or other caregivers may have. And wellness visits are just one of the primary care services Risen provides to children of all ages at Greensburg (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) and Columbia (Tuesdays and Thursdays). To make an appointment with Risen, call 270-973-5439 ( 270-973-KIDZ ). Alisha Risen, APRN, CPNP, Pediatric Primary Care Wheels and water Teach k i ds s a f e t y th i s summe r Save the date ! T.J. Samson community health fair