MSA Healthcare

From our family to yours, we wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!! 🍁🦃 We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with blessings and joy! 🍞🍽

It’s National Nurse Practitioner Week! Join us this week as we celebrate the more than 355,000 NPs who are rising to meet the needs of patients nationwide. Did you know that nurse practitioners provide lifesaving care in more than 1 billion patient visits each year? Special thanks to our NP colleagues — and the millions of patients who choose an NP.

At MSA, we want to thank and honor our veterans, not just today, but every day.

National Physical Therapy Month is an opportunity to take time to recognize the outstanding impact physical therapists have on society and health care.
These movement experts improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement.
MSA wants to say THANK YOU, PTs, for all you do!

National Check Your Meds Day is a time to bring your prescription medications and other pills to your pharmacist or physician for a comprehensive review. Many patients have prescriptions from multiple providers and each drug has a different dose and needs to be taken at different times. It can be difficult to keep it all organized.

Specifically, the pharmacist or physician will review the following:
💊 That your prescription drugs are correct
💊 That your dosage is correct
💊 That you are taking the drug correctly
💊 That the medication has not expired
💊 Check your supplements, vitamins, and other over-the-counters
💊 Answer any questions

While National Check Your Meds Day occurs on October 21, you do not have to wait for a national event to have your medications checked. Call your pharmacist or doctor anytime you have questions or need a “brown-bag” medication review.

Today is World Sight Day and this year’s call is for everyone to “Love Your Eyes.”

This observance is meant to increase awareness of vision issues and blindness. Across the world, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed. Vision disorders affect people of all ages, having major and long-lasting effects on a person's livelihood, yet sadly more than a billion people worldwide do not have access to eye care services. This is a global issue and one that starts with us!

October 13th is nationally recognized as the official Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, in an effort to drive awareness that MORE research is needed to find a cure. Only about 5% of overall breast cancer research in the U.S. goes to MBC research. If we can find a cure for MBC, we can end death from breast cancer.
For more information about how you can help support the effort to cure Metastatic Breast Cancer, please visit: https://bit.ly/3TcKY8Z

Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
If you have struggled, or are struggling, with your mental health, you are not alone.

Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice.

Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting 6.7% (more than 16 million) of American adults each year.

Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare.

For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2mnmfVs

Happy ! 365 days a year for patients – this week is a celebration and a “thank you” for all that you do!

Happy Physical Therapy Month to all of the PTs, PTAs, SPTs, and others in the profession who continue to help move us forward!
Every October, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) celebrates to raise awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy.
For more information, please visit: https://www.apta.org/national-physical-therapy-month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month ! One of the most impactful ways you can make a difference is to help spread the word about the importance of early detection, education, and support services to your community.
To kick things off, let’s start with the basics of breast cancer screening and detection. Do you know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? Or how often to schedule a mammogram?
To learn more about how breast cancer can be detected early on, visit https://bit.ly/2nm3HGc

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends, or coworkers. That is why during the first week of October, we are joining with NAMI to focus on raising awareness of mental illnesses, fighting discrimination, and providing support through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).
If you need to speak with someone, please call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 Or text "HelpLine" to 62640

Dementia is not a normal part of aging, so getting a timely diagnosis can help you take control and plan ahead. This , we should all and so we can recognize the symptoms early on.

Today is . According to the WorldHeart Fed heart disease and stroke account for close to 18.6 million deaths each year, making it the leading cause of death worldwide.

For more information, please visit:
https://world-heart-federation.org

A healthy diet, daily exercise, and regular doctor visits are essential for maintaining your health, and that’s true regardless of gender. However, what constitutes a healthy diet, how much exercise, and the type of exercise a person should get can be different for men and women. There are also health issues that are unique to women.

National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is observed on the last Wednesday of September, and it’s a time to promote the importance of health and fitness for women of all ages.

Take a few minutes today to schedule your annual check-up with your doctor!

September is Pain Awareness Month. Throughout September, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) has provided resources to raise awareness around pain research, management, and treatment, while highlighting the work by clinicians and researchers for those living with pain. Please support by following the campaign, sharing resources, and being a part of the conversations.

Enhance your loved one’s comfort. Get exceptional home health support, hospice care, and medical equipment services from MSA.

Should you have a conversation with someone today about how to reduce the risk of falling? Talking about falls prevention is one of the best ways to educate and raise awareness.

September is a perfect time to celebrate Healthy Aging Month since it is a time when many people think about getting started on new tasks after the summer. Drawing on the “back to school” urge embedded in everyone from childhood, the observance month’s activities are designed to encourage people to rejuvenate and get going on positive measures that can impact the areas of physical, social, financial, and mental wellness.

Check out the resource below for ideas on how you can make impactful changes in your life this Healthy Aging Month: https://bit.ly/2MOfNmb

Did you know that there are certain food sensitivities that can affect your entire body and well-being? Celiac disease is one of these sensitivities and September 13th is Celiac Awareness Day. Although Celiac Awareness Month is in May, Celiac Awareness Day falls on September 13th to celebrate the birthday of the first researcher to link celiac disease to diet. Dr. Samuel Gee was born on this day in 1839 and later published a paper in 1888 titled On the Coeliac Affection, which discussed how diet and celiac disease were related.

Currently, the Celiac Foundation estimates that for every 100 people worldwide, 1 of them has celiac disease. They also have found that the disease is hereditary, meaning it can be passed through families. In fact, the Celiac Foundation estimates that 1 out of every 10 immediate family members (child, parent, or sibling) with the disease will also have or develop celiac disease.

To learn more about how you can advocate for those suffering from this lifelong disease, please visit https://celiac.org/ or Celiac Disease Foundation

Are you familiar with the symptoms of sepsis?
Would you recognize these symptoms in a loved one during an emergency?
In honor of World Sepsis Day, spare a moment to check out this infographic from worldsepsisday.org to learn more about this prevalent and deadly medical emergency.

National Immunization Awareness Month is a great time to start thinking about getting vaccinated against the flu 🤧 So, set your reminder today for the upcoming flu season! https://bit.ly/3JfUuEL

It's National Grief Awareness Day. Grief is a complicated process that many respond to differently. Know you are not alone. If you need support, visit the CDC's page on grief and loss to find helpful resources: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/grief-loss/ 🖤

Do you know if you are up to date on vaccines? Fill out this quick adult vaccine assessment to find out which vaccines might be right for you and then talk to a healthcare provider: https://bit.ly/2sXxtyT

Join us today as we celebrate International Day of Medical Transporters. Whether you’re being rushed down the freeway in an ambulance after a tragic accident, or being taken to a doctor's appointment in a van provided by your community –– Medical Transporters save lives every day across the entire world. 🚑 🌎

It's National Immunization Awareness Month! Vaccines protect people of all ages. Make it your goal this month to ensure you and your family are up to date on all recommended vaccines.

It's Annual Medical Check-Up Day! Regular check-ups help discover potential health conditions and diseases early on. This quick detection allows you to get needed treatment ASAP, hopefully preventing any further damage to your health. So, if you haven't already, schedule your yearly check-up today and put it on the calendar! 📆

National Health Center Week (August 7 – 13) is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades.

Let’s come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph.

This National Health Center Week honors those front-line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about local events near you, please visit:
www.chcw.org

This is our last tidbit for July's UV Safety Month! This week, we are summarizing a few of the most important takeaways to protect you and your family from harmful UV rays.

Check out this infographic from The American Cancer Society and for more information follow the link below to learn how to check your skin for problems that may or may not be skin cancer and how to correctly apply sunscreen.



https://bit.ly/3Bdo4c3

Our next bit of in honor of this month's initiative for UV Safety! Visit the link below to learn what factors may put you at a higher risk of skin damage from the sun! 🌞
https://bit.ly/3v0b1qu

A bit of in honor of this month's initiative for UV Safety! Visit the link below to take the American Cancer Society's quiz on safety in the sun! 🌞
https://bit.ly/3z2ql8w

A bit of in honor of this month's initiative for UV Safety! Visit the link below for tips on how to protect you and your family from harmful UV rays this summer!
https://bit.ly/345RQfA

It's International Joke Day!
Share your favorite joke in the comments below! 😜🤣

This month is !
Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to abnormally curve sideways, into an “S” or “C” shape. Although many people have not heard of the condition, it is surprisingly common, impacting infants, adolescents, adults, and the elderly of all races, classes and genders.
To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/3H6lVjk

June is Month. Aphasia can be isolating, but no one needs to navigate it alone. Join and connect with the community: https://bit.ly/aphasiatogether

National Aphasia Association Shirley Ryan AbilityLab AphasiaAccess

Alzheimer's Association 2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

💜💜 June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. 💜💜
Did you know more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and by 2050 that number is projected to rise to almost 13 million? The Alzheimer’s Association is asking people to wear purple, post photos on social media, talk to your friends, family and communities about Alzheimer’s to raise awareness for the disease.
Take a moment to watch the video below for more information on the state of Alzheimer's in 2022.

Alzheimer's Association 2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Our annual Facts and Figures report reveals the burden of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Share the facts and join the fight at https://www.alz.org/facts​.These ar...

A big to Nicholas Chaber, PT, who goes above and beyond for his patients every day! Nick provides excellent care to the patients and families throughout our community. He has a contagious smile that lights up the room and a sense of humor to go along with it. When he's not taking care of his patients, Nick enjoys fishing, playing bass guitar, exercise, and driving his family nuts. Thank you, Nick, for all you do and your dedication to MSA!

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for you all. 💛

Happy to Elisabeth Cowell, RN!

Liz has been an Albemarle Hospice Case Manager for over 3 years. She upholds an excellent standard of care for her patients and is a strong patient advocate. She goes above and beyond to see that her patients get the resources they need physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or psychosocially.

Liz is a true team player, taking on extra assignments to benefit the team as a whole. Her patients, their families, and her fellow hospice team members are all blessed by Liz. We couldn't imagine doing hospice without her. Thank you for all your hard work, Liz!

16 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and as many as 14 million are undiagnosed. Each November, the COPD Foundation focuses on increasing education and awareness for this disease. Smoking is the number one cause. 🚭

There are many support groups that help both the individual diagnosed with COPD and their family. You are not alone. 🧡

Our very own home care specialist, Robin Murray, unfortunately experienced firsthand what COPD can do to a love one. Robin strongly feels the need to educate the importance of caring for your lungs and to quit smoking right away (if you do) to help provide COPD awareness to our community. 👩‍⚕️