| Greetings!
HealthySV, your Healthy Maine Partnership, located at Sebasticook Valley Hospital is pleased to provide you with resources to better support your valuable work force. |
| About Stroke | A stroke or cerebrovascular accident occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off (an ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (a hemorrhagic stroke). Most strokes are of the ischemic type. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. Death or permanent disability can result. High blood pressure, smoking, and having had a previous stroke or heart attack increase a person's chances of having a stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United Sates. In 2002, stroke killed 162,672 people, accounting for about 1 of every 15 deaths in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year (about 500,000 first attacks and 200,000 recurrent attacks). Four million Americans who have survived a stroke are living with impairments and 15 to 30 percent are permanently disabled. The American Heart Association also estimates that stroke cost about $68 billion in both direct and indirect costs in 2005 in the United States alone.
With timely treatment, the risk of death and disability from stroke can be lowered. It is very important to know the symptoms of a stroke and act in time.
For more Information, visit the following web sites:
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| National Employee Health and Fitness Day - May 19, 2010 |
National Employee Health & Fitness Day, held annually on the third Wednesday in May, is a national health observance created by the National Association for Health and Fitness to raise awareness of the important role worksite health promotion programs play in enhancing the overall health and productivity of an organization. Started in 1989, National Employee Health and Fitness Day has engaged tens of thousands of employees from employers around the world.
Worksite health and fitness programs have a proven record for improving the overall health and productivity of the workforce! We encourage you to checkout Welcoa's free reports. These key reports, studies, and other publications are designed to help you understand some of the key issues involved in worksite health promotion programming.
For ideas for promoting National Employee Health and Fitness Day visit:
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| Healthy Maine Walks | | Walking is one fo the easiest ways to add fitness to your life. Help your employees to find great places to walk.
Healthy Maine Walks is sponsored by a coalition of trail and health agencies and organizations working together to build a healthier Maine. We have joined forces to promote healthier lifestyles by making it easier for Mainers to find and use walking routes in communities all across the state.
Healthy Maine Walks provides a central location for towns and local groups to register walks. Healthy Maine Walks includes descriptions of registered walks for those interested in locating places to walk. Healthy Maine Walks has a logo available to municipalities that designate walking routes to use on signs. Healthy Maine Walks will also provide municipalities with trail route markers.
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Activity Ideas
Any activity that encourages movement, offers a health message, is fun and anyone (no matter what their current physical activity level is) can participate in would be ideal! Here are a few suggestions:
Bike to Work Day: Plan a bike-to-work day and reward employees who participate.
Chair Aerobics: With a leader and music with a strong beat, do a routine that involves their arms and legs. Incorporate fun props or strength bands.
Employee Wellness Walk: Map out a 30-minute walk route for employees. Consider an indoor and outdoor route employees could use even after the event.
Fitness Trail: Set up a "fitness trail" within your office or building. Post signs on elevators encouraging the use of stairs, designate "stretching areas," etc.
Office Stretch/Exercise Class: Invite a local expert to teach a class or give a demonstration how office workers can stretch or exercise at their desk to reduce stress and increase energy levels.
Health Fair: Invite employees and others from the community to participate in exercise demonstrations, health and fitness information booths, health screenings and nutrition counseling.
Obstacle Course: Make a path where players maneuver through a course. Can be judged individually or based on team times.
Additional Suggestions (all have been done in Maine):
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| Wellness Tip - Know the Symptoms of Stroke |
Sudden . . .
- numbness in the face, arm or leg
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- dizziness or loss of balance
- severe headache
At any of of these symptoms, take action immediately
--- Call 9-1-1 |
| Walk for Wishes 2010 - May 20, 2010 | |
This year's walk will take place in Pittsfield on May 20th at 6:00PM. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine grants the wishes of Maine children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.
Sebasticook Valley Hospital, who is responsible for organizing the Pittsfield event, has a goal of $12,000 for the Pittsfield Walk for Wishes. $12,000 will grant two Maine children with a complete wish!
Register your team today! |
| Sebasticook Valley Hospital Offers Heartsaver Infant/Child/Adult CPR and First Aid |
The education department at Sebasticook Valley Hospital (SVH) will offer Heartsaver classes at the SVH Main Street conference room in Pittsfield.
Infant/Child/Adult CPR will be offered on Monday, June 14 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
First Aid will be offered on Wednesday, June 16 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
The cost for each class separately is $30.00 and for the two classes together is $50.00. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 487-3890 extension 2731 for further information and to register. The TTY number is 487-4590.
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For additional resources visit:
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Technical assistance on any of the above issues is provided free by HealthySV, your local Healthy Maine Partnership. Please contact us so we can assist you in supporting your employees.
Sincerely,
Karen Hawkes, Director
Healthy SV
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| Featured Article | | May is National Stroke Awareness Month |
This national campaign is designed to educate Americans about stroke risk factors, symptoms, and prevention.
Why is Stroke Awareness Important in Maine?
- Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in Maine
- Over 3,000 ME residents are hospitalized due to stroke each year, resulting in amlmost 700 deaths in 2005
- In 2005, only 19% of ME residents could correctly identify stroke symptoms and the need to call 911 for stroke
- Early recognition of stroke symptoms by patients and bystanders is vital to timely access to emergency care and lifesaving treatment
- Those aged 65+ are most at risk for suffering stroke, but they are least likely to know stroke symptoms, alarming facts considering the increasing average age of ME residents
- Patient delay remains a major factor in poor survival and quality of life outcomes for stroke occurrences
For more information visit
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| FOLLOW US!!! | |
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HealthySV
 Karen Hawkes
Director
447 Main Street
Pittsfield, ME 04967
(207)487-3890 ext. 2733
www.healthysv.org
Please visit our website for more information and resources including the Healthy Maine Works Worksite Wellness Initiative.
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| National Employee Health and Fitness Day - May 19 | |
Don't forget to promote this to your employees. Plan events today! | |
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