Patient Centered Care

11/27/2025

Hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Full of time with loved ones & full bellies.

11/11/2025

10/28/2025

.Holiday Stress & Healthy Boundaries
Reduce holiday stress by setting healthy boundaries
Learn to say "no" without guilt
It's okay to say "no" to invitations or to skip an event depending on your energy level
You don't need to apologize or over-explain your decision to decline an invitation or request
Create a realistic schedule that includes downtime and self-care
A balanced holiday schedule will include intentional time for rest, self-care, and activities you enjoy
Identify how much time you can realistically spend with others, and what activities you can manage
Schedule downtime:
Take breaks to recharge your batteries
Engage in relaxing activities, even if it's just for a few minutes

10/26/2025

🧠 Mental Health
Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness (SAD)
SAD is a form of depression triggered by shifts in the seasons, affecting your mood and energy levels
Most often, symptoms appear in the fall and winter months, but less commonly they can occur in the spring and summer
Common Symptoms:
Feeling sad or down most of the day
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Low energy and feeling sluggish
Oversleeping and daytime drowsiness
Change in appetite including cravings and over eating
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling helpless or worthless

Coping Strategies:
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
Stay physically active
Get as much natural daylight as possible
Connect with friends/family to fight social withdrawal
Talk to your Provider about therapies available including medication

10/24/2025

🧣 Safety & Environment
Home Safety Reminders (heaters, CO detectors)
Distance from Flammables: Keep portable heaters at least three feet from anything combustible such as furniture, curtains, and bedding
Never Leave Unattended: Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed to prevent accidents

Use Proper Surfaces: Place heaters on a level, stable surface
One Device per Outlet: Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as a heater
Do Not Use for Other Purposes: Never use an oven, stovetop, or charcoal grill to heat your home, as this can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide

Maintain Appliances: Inspect the flame of natural gas appliances; a blue flame indicates proper operation, while a lazy yellow or white flame is a warning sign.

Install CO alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to ensure you're alerted in an emergency.

Test your CO alarms monthly and change batteries at least every six months to ensure they work.

10/20/2025

Asthma & COPD Triggers in Winter
Winter asthma and COPD triggers include
cold, dry air
indoor allergens like dust mites
respiratory infections such as the flu
indoor air pollutants from heating systems and fireplaces
fragrances from holiday decorations
To avoid triggers,
wear a scarf over your mouth and nose
ensure vaccinations are up-to-date
maintain indoor humidity with a humidifier
keep a clean home
avoid exposure to smoke and artificial scents
stay hydrated

10/20/2025

SUPPORT OUR VETERANS
via New Hanover County Government:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – New Hanover County is once again encouraging the community to join Operation Green Light, an annual, national initiative from the National Association of Counties (NACo), designed to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans by using green lighting as a symbol of appreciation.

The event, which runs November 4-11, asks residents to place a green light in a window or use a green bulb in an exterior light to show support for veterans throughout the community. For the fourth straight year, the exterior of the New Hanover County Health and Human Services building (1650 Greenfield Street) will feature green lighting, along with lights at the Senior Resource Center (2222 South College Road). This year, the front lawn of the Government Center will also feature green lighting in recognition of local veterans.

“Since joining this national initiative, we have seen local participation in Operation Green Light grow as our community shines a literal light of support for those who have served our nation,” said Veteran Services Director Betsy Graham. “This is a great way for residents and businesses to display support for veterans in our community, letting them know how much we appreciate all they bring to our county.”

10/18/2025

Chronic Disease & Vulnerable Populations
❤️ Heart Health in Cold Weather
Cold weather poses risks to heart health because it causes blood vessels to constrict
When blood vessels constrict, blood pressure increases making the heart work harder
This can also thicken blood, increasing clotting risk and making existing heart conditions worse
To stay safe, dress in layers, keep warm, stay hydrated, and continue healthy lifestyle habits.
Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, as cold weather can mask these symptoms

ColdWeatherTips

10/16/2025

Infection Prevention
😷 Mask & Respiratory Etiquette Tips – "Cover, Protect, Respect"
Always cover coughs/sneezes with a tissue or elbow
Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands right after
Wear a mask if:
You’re sick but need to be around others
You’re visiting healthcare facilities or crowded spaces in flu season
You have weakened immunity or live with someone who does

10/14/2025

Infection Prevention
🧴 Hand Hygiene Challenge – "20 Seconds That Save Lives"
Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of colds, flu, and other germs
Use warm water + soap, scrub front/back of hands, between fingers, under nails, and rinse well
Be sure to thoroughly dry hands
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren't available.
Times to wash hands include
before and after eating or preparing food
after using the toilet
after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
after touching garbage or animals

10/12/2025

Infection Prevention
💉 Flu & COVID-19 Vaccine Reminders – importance, timing, FAQs.
Importance: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines reduce risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and spreading illness to vulnerable groups.
Timing: Best taken in early fall (October), but still beneficial later in the season.
FAQs:
“Can I get the flu and COVID shots together?” → Yes, they can be co-administered.
“Do I still need the flu shot if I’m healthy?” → Yes, healthy adults still get and spread flu.
“Does the flu shot give me the flu?” → No, it’s an inactivated vaccine.

10/10/2025

🌙 Daylight Saving & Sleep Health – tips for adjusting your body clock.
In November, we “fall back” 1 hour! So, why do we observe Daylight Saving time
The general idea is that this allows us all to use natural daylight better:
moving the clocks forward 1 hour in the spring provides us more daylight during summer evenings
moving clocks back 1 hour in the fall provides us more daylight during winter mornings.
Most the United States observe Daylight Saving Time disrupting sleep pattern over 300 million people
Scientific evidence has shown the time change is associated with
high risk of mood disturbance
an increase in hospital admissions
elevated inflammatory markers in response to stress
Minimize the negative effects of Daylight Saving Time (DST)
gradually adjust your sleep schedule by shifting your bedtime by 15-30 minutes each day a few days before – this year DST will be Sunday, November 2nd
keep a consistent sleep routine, get natural light exposures in the mornings to help reset your internal body clock