The hustle and bustle of the holidays can get a bit stressful.  Pressing pause from the constant fast forward is a welcome break, especially if it’s time spent with family and friends.  Here are a couple of events and activities in and around Los Angeles to get even the grouchiest person into the holiday spirit.  Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, ETC:

Sherman Oaks Lights on Display: Emmy Award winning video producer/editor Mike Ziemkowski’s “Lights on Display” was named one of the three top light displays in the nation by “Good Morning America.” It’s one dazzling show at his Sherman Oaks home, complete with videos, an animatronic DJ spinning elf, a singing Frosty the Snowman, and more, from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. daily through New Years Day. 3901 Longview Valley Rd., Sherman Oaks.

Candy Cane Lane: This Woodland Hills neighborhood has been a community tradition since 1952 — and a very crowded one at that. Candy Cane Lane is a group of homeowners at Lubao and Oxnard Streets in Woodland Hills who decide each year to put on an incredible holiday display of lights and decorations. Residents ask that visitors drive by no later than 10pm on weeknights, 11pm on weekends through December 31 (starting December 8). Exit off the 101 Fwy at Winnetka and go north.

Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza in Torrance: This neighborhood has a brilliant assortment of houses with festive lights. Many of the homeowners can be found outside with hot chocolate, kettle corn and other goodies. Check the Facebook page for the exact location.

Riverside Festival of Lights :There are more than three and a half million twinkling lights in a one block area at the 20h annual Festival of Lights in Riversides. Presented by Duane and Kelly Roberts, owners of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, and coordinated by The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and the Festival of Lights Committee. Visit before Christmas Eve for photos with Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop. Don’t forget to check the outdoor ice skating rink and shopping.

Christmas Tree Lane in Oxnard: Visit this neighborhood with a ten block loop of homes fully decorated to the hilt through December 26. Trolley rides are available for $10 until Thursday or park your car and walk. The lights are on 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. daily thru December 26. F & G Streets between 5th and Palm, Oxnard

Christmas Tree Lane Altadena: Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane has been a tradition since 1920 where one quarter mile of cedar trees are strung with lights. It’s said to be the oldest Christmas tree lighting spectacle in the United States and is designated as a California Historical Monument. Not to miss in the area is the Balian House, a 1922 mansion with 10,000 lights on the walkway alone. The lighting of the tree will start on December 8 at 6 p.m., but the day will begin at 2 p.m.with an Arts and Crafts Festival in the Altadena Library Parking lot. Christmas Tree Lane will provide complimentary spiced hot cider, coffee and cocoa.Through January 7, dusk until 10 p.m. 1960 Mendocino Lane, Altadena, CA. Santa Rosa Ave. between Woodbury Ave. and Altadena Dr.

Marina Del Rey Boat Parade: This community is celebrating their 50th holiday boat parade on December 8 with fireworks shooting off at 5:55 p.m. and the parade beginning a 6 p.m. The Grand Marshall is three-time Beach Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. Burton Chace Park is one of the most popular outdoor viewing spots! There will be music, plus live commentary about each boat from announcers Lisa Osborn, a newscaster on radio KFWB-AM and Mickey Laszlo, a cartoon voiceover actor and former traffic reporter on KABC-TV. Want to see the parade closer up? Consider taking a cocktail cruise on a Hornblower boat.

Venice Canal Boat Parade: The annual parade is home grown with residents uniquely decorating boats. Boats begin to assemble on December 16 at 4 p.m. and the parade starts at 4:30pm at the corner of Eastern and Sherman Canals and goes around the entire canal. Park on side streets or on Ocean, Venice or Washington and take a stroll. Don’t miss the house at the corner of Carroll Ct. and Eastern Ct. with fully moving displays and tons of sparkling lights. Lights on through New Years Day.

Naples Long Beach: The houses around Naples Island shine bright. Park in the Mothers’ Beach lot off of Appian Way, or in the marine lots east of Davis Bridge, Marine Stadium, and 54th & Bayshore. Stroll around the island and enjoy the seasonal light display. Make a reservation for a gondola ride and pretend you are in Italy— or take a holiday waterfront Tour of Lights on a double decker bus.

Newport Beach: Christmas Boat Parade: It’s “Surf, Sand and Santa!” when this tony town continues its 104 year tradition starting December 19 and ending December 23. The parade starts off Bay Island at 6:30 p.m. and finishes at the same site at approximately 9 p.m. each evening when a fireworks display will ring in the finale. Watch as an array of multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats light up the harbor with dazzling holiday lights and the sounds of music fill the air. Homeowners join in on the excitement with beautifully decorated homes as well. Don’t miss the Zimmerman House with its computerized light show.

Little Stars Family Art Event: Cella Gallery in North Hollywood is presenting a very special art show based on Peter Pan for kids of all ages who believe in magic and fairies and never growing old. Featuring new work by Wendy Crabb, Thea and Daniel Saks and introducing original works by children’s author and illustrator Johanna Wright (Bandits, The Secret Circus). The opening reception is Saturday, December 1 from 2 p.m. -5 pm. Free story readings for Peter Pan, unique arts & crafts, touchable art, paintings, sculpture and tea & cookies. The exhibit runs through December 15. 11135 Weddington St. #112, North Hollywood.

HOLIDAY THEATRE

Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash! at the El Portal: Broadway performers Jason Graae, Heather Lee and Beth Malone along with Sinatra-like crooner Luca Ellis to serve up cool versions of Sinatra mainstays. Joined by a swingin’ live band, they sing Sinatra Christmas hits like “Mistletoe and Holly,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” So, get set for a fresh, energetic groovy Sinatra Christmas, with 40 classic hits perfect for the holidays. Opens December 13 and runs though New Years Eve (with a special celebration).

Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS at the Falcon Theatre: It’s another hilarious production by the Troubadour Theater Company when our favorite reindeer meets up with the music of The Doors. Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS, directed by Matt Walker, the third production of its 2012-2013 Subscription Season. Celebrate the Season with the Ovation Award-winning Troubies as they give a wild, stripped-down, bare bones, rock re-telling of the classic holiday tale of Rudolph, with a sexy, sultry, scary soundtrack of DOORS style music – and snow.

A Christmas Carol at the Grove Theatre: Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Marley’s Ghost, Scrooge and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future all make their appearance as three actors guides the audience through the story – sometimes as narrators, sometimes as storytellers, and sometimes as characters, but always using the actual words of Charles Dickens. The show runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission and is perfect for all ages from 12 to 102! Runs through December 16 Thu, Fri & Sat at 8 pm; Sun at 3 pm. Save $10 per ticket with discount code “Dickens” when ordering.

OUTDOOR ICE SKATING

Woodland Hills Ice: This outdoor ice rink next to Westfield Topanga features over 7000 square feet of real ice, offering daily recreational ice skating along with special events, skating exhibitions and shows, birthday parties, holiday activities, skating lessons, date nights and more throughout the holiday season thorough January 27. Open Monday – Thursday (non holiday): 1 p.m-10 p.m.,Fridays (non holiday): 1p.m.-Midnight, Saturdays and Holidays: 9am-Midnight, Sundays: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Children (3 & under) FREE; Children (4-12) $7 per session Helmets are required for all children 12 & under unless parent signs a helmet waiver. Students/Seniors/Military (with ID) $8 per session. Adults $10 per session ALL DAY, ALL AGE SKATE PASS $12. Skate Rental $5 (skate rental is charged on a daily basis). Unlimited passes and family passes available. 6100 Topanga Cyn. Blvd. Woodland Hills (310) 854-4151 www.woodlandhillsice.com

Holiday Ice Rink in Culver City   This new ice rink is located in the middle of Culver City’s primary shopping, dining and entertainment district close to the infamous Culver Hotel (from Wizard of Oz lore). The 50′x90′ rink is the perfect escape for lunch breaks, date nights, play dates, and holiday family “stay-cations” for all ages. Admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are $6. Skate rental is $4. Group and party rates are available. Open daily through January 7. Hours vary so click here for info.

ICE in Downtown Santa Monica  Surf meets the ice at the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue in Santa Monica. Now in its sixth year, the 8,000 square ft. rink by the beach offers residents and visitors a Winter Wonderland by the beach. Mon-Thurs: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday: 2 p.m. – Midnight, Saturday: 10 a.m. – Midnight, Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Admission and Skate Rental: $12, Season Pass: $150 (weekdays only until 5pm), Locker Rental: $10 (with $5 refund upon key return). Open through January 21. Party Packages available. There’s even private cabanas! www.iceatsantamonica.com

CHILL at The W Hotel Westwood  Only in L.A.! Here’s a date night for you…or a holiday magic stay-cation. Cozy cabanas, creative cocktails, eclectic cuisine and ice skating — it’s a chill fest in Westwood. The W Westwood, the swanky hotel on Hilgard Avenue, has turned its backyard pool, WET, into CHILL, a 1600 hundred square foot hybrid, environmentally friendly ice skating rink. Specialty cocktails and warm comfort food at The Ice Bar Ice skate performances by StudioSK8, Saturdays at 8 p.m.Children can decorate gingerbread cookies, weekends 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Open to the public and available for private events. Open daily through January 3, but closed on select days for private parties. $10 admittance (per hour) includes skate rentals.W Hotel. Through January 1, 2012 The W Hotel 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood.

Pershing Square Downtown  Celebrating its 15th season, Downtown on Ice is the closest thing Los Angeles has to Rockefeller Center. Surrounded by looming skyscrapers, there’s no better way to have fun in the city and a cool way to do it at a low cost. Admission is $6 (+skate rental $2). FREE events, including the “12 Nights of Christmas Music Series,” the Winter Holiday Festival with Santa, his “live” reindeer and tons of real snow, Lunch & Munch concerts, Menorah Lighting and Kwanzaa celebrations, championship skating exhibitions, charity broomball games, and more. Check schedule for exact times. Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90014 Phone: (213) 847-4970. http://laparks.org/pershingsquare/. Through January 21.

LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE Yes, there’s more downtown skating and its right across from The Staples Center. This is the fourth year L.A. Live has opened its skating rink, so rink hop to this 70 by 50 foot wonderland with room for up to 200 skaters. $12 includes skates. Festive holiday lights are displayed along the streets throughout the L.A. LIVE district featuring 75,000 lights that adorn 50 ten-foot angels along with over 265,000 snowfall LED lights covering 150 trees. Check schedule for exact times. Closes January 3. Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE 800 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles.

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks Ice Rink It’s a winter wonderland filled with holiday décor at this shopping center in Ventura County. Fun for all ages, the ice rink is open daily. $9 admission and $4 skate rentals. Lessons and private party options are also available. Now through January 21, take a break from shopping and skate at this 60×60 ice rink. $9 admission with $4 skate rental. Private parties available. Check for exact schedule times. 2200 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks/

For more family fun in the Los Angeles and Orange County area, check out the Moms LA website  http://momsla.com/los-angeles-holiday-events-2012-momslas-guide-to-family-fun.

We can also give the gift of time to the less fortunate through these volunteer opportunities, visit The Big Sunday Holiday List 2012 at http://bigsunday.org/get-involved/holiday-list-2012.

Emergencies and disasters may arise at any time, any place.  Being prepared for such an eventuality is highly recommended, especially with households who have babies/young children and elderly adults.  To help us prepare, the NOAA/National Weather Service suggests each household must have an emergency kit/pack containing the following items:

Disaster Supply Checklist:

• Water (at least 1 gallon per person for 3 to 7 days).
• Food:  At least enough for 3 to 7 days, Non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices, Foods for infants or the elderly
• Snack foods
• Non-electric can opener
• Cooking tools/fuel
• Paper plates and utensils
• Blankets/Pillows
• Clothing (seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes)
• First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescription Drugs
• Special Items for babies and the elderly
• Toiletries/Hygiene items/Moisture Wipes
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery Operated Radio and NOAA weather radio
• Telephones (fully charged cell phone and a traditional, non-cordless telephone set
• Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards (Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods)
• Keys
• Toys, Books, Games
• Important documents in a waterproof container or watertight re-sealable plastic bag (insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc).
• Tools (Keep a set with you during the storm)
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Pet Care Items (if you own one)

Commercial disaster preparedness kits are often available for purchase at any store.   However, it’s better to create one tailored to your family’s needs.  In addition to this supply list, it is also advisable to device an emergency family plan: a meeting place in case you get separated, a list of contact numbers for emergency services, etc.

Among adults 70 years and older, fall statistics are as follows:

• 3 in 10 fall each year
• 2 in 10 who need home health care after a hospital admission will fall during the first month after coming home.
• 1 in 10 suffer a serious fall injury such as a broken bone or head injury
• 5 in 10 have problems getting up without help after they have fallen
• Falls cause over 90% of broken hips.  Only half of those who break their hip will get around like they did prior to the broken hip.
• In the United States, 16 percent of all ER visits and almost 7 percent of all hospitalizations are fall-related injuries.

The chances of a fall can be decreased or prevented by taking certain precautions and ensuring that the home is fall proof.  The checklist below can give you an idea of how to prevent falls.

General Precautions:

• Flashlights in several locations around the home.
• Emergency plan in case you have a fall and can’t get up (e.g. cell phone kept in pocket, emergency response system such as TeleHealth, key given to a relative/neighbor).
• Do not rush and think about how you can do things more safely.
• Watch where you are stepping and pay attention to your surroundings (clutter  on the floor, uneven surfaces, pet under foot).
• Wear sturdy footwear that provides both comfort and support.  Avoid sandals and flip flops.
• Light up your house, garage, and yard brightly.

Kitchen:

• Make sure floor surfaces are non-slip.
• Wipe away spills immediately.
• Use a reaching device to get light weight items from the high shelves.
• Only use step stools made with sturdy grab rails and check distance from floor before stepping down.
• Avoid using rolling chairs.
• Place frequently used items on easy to reach shelves.

Interior Doors, Stairs, Halls

• All rugs, carpets, and flooring MUST be attached securely to the floor.
• Light switches are installed at the top and bottom of the stairs as well as all entry points.
• Identify all flooring and level changes with the use of fluorescent tape.
• Install sturdy hand rails on all stairways.

Living Room, Dining Room, and Bedroom

• All furniture must allow for safe sit and stand, and sized appropriately for each room, allowing for ample walking space.
• Light switch easily accessible from bed and or chair.
• All cords, both electrical and telephone, are put away safely and cleared from walking paths.
• Use mobility aids such as canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, as needed to help you get around safely.

Bathroom:

• Toilet height allows for safe sit and stand.
• Grab bars are installed both in and outside of the tub and on the side of the toilet.
• Make sure that flooring is non-slip and non-slip mats are in use.
• Non-slip mats/adhesives must be used in the tub/shower.
• Install a bath seat or bench in tub or shower.

For first time family caregiver, it’s difficult to know where to begin when it comes to caring for the elderly.  Aging is often multifaceted and complex, made more of a challenge when caring for a loved one.  It is often difficult to accept that someone you love, who was once self-sufficient, now needs your assistance in their daily activities, especially if the situation is created by a sudden change in health or other unforeseen circumstances.

When faced with this eventuality, it’s a good idea to take stock your resources: from people to services who can and will help you care for your loved one.  The earlier you find and establish a support system, the better it will be for you and your loved one.  Preparation is always the key in facing any new challenge.  To help you take on your role as a family caregiver, here are a couple of helpful tips:

Step 1:  Know the diagnosis. 

It’s easier to face and overcome a challenge when you know what you’re up against.  If your loved one starts becoming excessively forgetful, or exhibits noticeable personality changes, take him or her to a neurologist or diagnostic clinic.  A thorough evaluation will rule out any reversible causes of dementia symptoms such as depression, nutritional deficiencies, and reaction to medication or infection.  An early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia can assist your loved one in keeping or maximizing his or her independence.  Also, knowing your loved one’s diagnosis can help you learn more about their diagnosis and help with planning for their care realistically.

Step2:  Have the ‘talk’.

Talk with your loved one about their finances and their healthcare wishes.  If they are able to complete a Durable Power of Attorney for finances and healthcare, assist her or him with an elder law specialist to draw up these documents.  Financial planning can relieve your immediate anxiety and make you better prepared for the future.  If your loved one doesn’t have the capacity to execute any financial countermeasures, you will need further legal advice to learn about your options.

Step3: Discuss your loved one’s care with family and close friends.

Remember to include your loved one in this meeting.  Let everyone discuss their concerns as well as what kind of help each person can over.  Make a list of tasks that need to be accomplished then divide them.  As the primary caregiver, it’s best for you to focus on accepting what assistance your family and friends are offering , even if it’s not what you had originally planned for.  Some help is better than none.

Step4:  Resources, resources, resources.

Research community resources available to you such as Meals on Wheels or adult day care and take advantage of them.  You can also see if there are caregiver classes and workshops offered in your community through the Caregiver Resource Center.  Search the internet for information on your local resource center.

Step5:  This is also important: Find support for yourself.

Suddenly becoming the primary caregiver for your loved one is a sudden change of lifestyle.  Caregivers often feel isolated as they take on more responsibilities, and their social lives take the backseat.  Attending a support group is a good place to meet other family caregivers who have “been there”.  They can offer you advice and make you feel that you are not facing this alone.  Also, make sure that you give yourself the occasional break to re-charge.  Have a friend or family member or a trusted individual to take over your loved one’s care for a couple hours or so.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  -Melody Beattie

From our family to yours,

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Solving Medication Management
A Team-Based Approach to Nullifying Non-adherence
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
2:00-3:30 p.m. (EDT)

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines patient adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior—taking a medication, following a diet, and/or executing lifestyle changes—corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” Medication adherence is a complex behavioral process related to patients’ knowledge and beliefs regarding their illnesses, motivation and confidence in their ability to engage in management behaviors, expectations regarding treatment outcomes, and consequences of poor adherence.

The WHO has determined the following five distinct categories (termed dimensions) to describe the interplay of factors reported to affect adherence:

1. social      and economic factors (eg, low health literacy, medication cost, unstable      living conditions);
2. healthcare      system factors (eg, provider-patient relationship, provider communication      skills, no care continuity);
3. condition-related      factors (eg, chronic conditions, lack of symptoms, psychiatric disorders);
4. therapy-related      factors (eg, complexity of medication regimen, duration of therapy, medications      with social stigma attached to use); and
5. patient-related      factors (eg, visual impairment, cognitive impairment, psychosocial stress,      anxiety, anger).

To date, measurement of patient medication adherence and use of interventions to improve adherence are rare in routine clinical practice. For this reason, medication adherence has been called the “next frontier in quality improvement”.

Join us on November 13, 2012 as our faculty discusses ideas that will stimulate you and your team to focus on strategies that will improve adherence in your patients.

Who Should Attend

• Behavioral      Health Counselors
• Case/Care      Managers
• Discharge      Planners
• Clinical      Nurses
• Disability      management specialist
• Nurse      Practitioners
• Managed      Care Directors
• Medical      Assistance
• Pharmacists
• Patient      Advocates
• Physician      Assistances
• Practice      Management Professionals
• Patient      Centered Medical Home Consultant

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.dorlandhealth.com/webinars/medication_management/

Proposed Settlement May Extend Coverage to More Medicare Home Health Patients

Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.

Office: 877-871-4062

Fax: 877-871-9739

E-mail: ElizabethHogueElizabethHoguenet  (ElizabethHogueElizabethHoguenet)  

Twitter: @HogueHomeCare

     A proposed settlement in a nationwide class-action lawsuit may provide coverage for skilled nursing care and therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries who do not show a likelihood of medical or functional improvement.  The lead plaintiff in the case is Rosalie Glenda R. Jimmo of Bristol, Vermont.  She has been blind since childhood and her right leg was amputated due to complications of diabetes.  She is in a wheelchair.  Ms. Jimmo is joined in the lawsuit by another plaintiff, Ms. Rosalie J. Berkowitz of Stamford, Connecticut.  Ms. Berkowitz has multiple sclerosis.  The Medicare Program denied coverage for skilled nursing and physical therapy on the grounds that she showed no improvement as a result of these services.

The proposed settlement means that CMS will rewrite the Medicare coverage manual to allow for payment for services if they are needed to maintain the patient’s current condition, or to prevent or slow further deterioration, even if patients’ conditions are not expected to improve.  This significant change in coverage may mean that many more patients may be eligible for the Medicare home health benefit.  The proposed settlement was negotiated with attorneys from both the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The proposed settlement has been submitted to the judge in the case in the Federal District Court in Vermont and is now awaiting approval.  If approved, the changes in coverage will apply to both fee for service Medicare and Medicare Advantage Care patients.

If the proposed settlement is approved by the Court, the Court will certify a nationwide class of more than 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries.  The members of this class’ claims for services under the Medicare Program were denied before January 18, 2011, when the lawsuit was filed.  The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that statutes and regulations governing the Medicare Program do not require beneficiaries to show that their conditions are likely to improve.  Provisions of the Medicare manual and other guidelines of the Medicare program used by Medicare contractors to process and pay claims erroneously establish more restrictive standards that were never intended.

If finalized, this change in policy is likely to be welcomed by home health agencies.  Over a period of many years, agencies have been stymied in their efforts to provide services to patients like the plaintiffs and similar patients across the country.  The historic lack of coverage for services to such patients has caused home health agencies to confront difficult legal, economic, and ethical dilemmas.  Even if agencies could afford to continue to provide substantial free services to such patients, it appeared that the provision of free services violated applicable prohibitions of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of HHS regarding the provision of free services to patients that exceed $10.00 at a time or $50.00 in the aggregate during a calendar year.  Agencies would welcome relief from difficult dilemmas and an opportunity to provide care to as many patients as possible.

Stay tuned for news about whether this proposed settlement is finalized and resulting changes in coverage!

©2012 Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.  All rights reserved.

No portion of this material may be reproduced in any form without the advance written permission of the author.

*Based on information found on www.kp.org.

Donating a pint of blood can go a long way.  Some examples of blood use are as follows:

Car Accident: 50 units of blood

Bone Marrow Transplant: 120 units of platelets/20 units of blood

Organ Transplant:  40 units of blood/30 units of platelets/20 bags of cryoprecipitate/25 units of fresh frozen plasma

Heart Surgery: 6 units of blood/6 units of platelets

Burn Vicitims: 20 units of platelets

All interested parties can donate blood at Woodland Hills Blood Donor Center at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills (located at Entrance 4 Lower Level).  Walk-ins are available every Monday through Friday  from 8am-4pm.  Call 818.719.4329 for more information.

BLOOD DONOR REQUIREMENTS: (basic)

• Be in general good health and feeling well.
• Be at least 17 years of age. (16 year olds can donate with written permission from a parent or legal guardian and must be approved by a Kaiser BDC MD or a Kaiser BDC RN)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds (45kg).
• No tatto for the last 12 months.
• Not taking antibiotics for an infection.
• Must have a valid identification (driver’s license, passport, picture ID, etc.)

*Travel to certain countries or certain health conditions may restrict your ability to donate.

DONATION FREQUENCY: (Contact the Donor Center at the number above if you have any questions.)

• Whole blood donors may donate every 56 days.
• Platelet donors may donate a maximum of 24 times per year.
• Double red blood cells may donate every 4 months (224 days).

HEALTH BENEFITS FOR DONATING BLOOD:

REDUCE HEART ATTACK RISK:  IMPROVE YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH OVERALL BY DONATING BLOOD. FLORIDA BLOOD SERVICES REPORTS THAT REGULAR BLOOD DONORS WHO DONATE REGULARLY OVER YEARS HAVE AN 88 PERCENT LOWER RISK OF HEART ATTACKS AND A 33 PERCENT LOWER RISK OF ANY SEVERE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENT, SUCH AS A STROKE.

 REDUCE CANCER RISK:  GIVE BLOOD TO HELP LOWER YOUR RISK OF CANCER. ACCORDING TO THE MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER, CONSISTENT BLOOD DONATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWERED RISKS FOR CANCERS INCLUDING LIVER, LUNG, COLON, STOMACH AND THROAT CANCERS. RISK LEVELS DROPPED IN CORRELATION WITH HOW OFTEN PARTICIPANTS DONATED BLOOD.

LOWER IRON LEVELS:  LOWER THE IRON LEVELS IN YOUR BODY EVERY TIME YOU GIVE BLOOD, WHICH CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE. ACCORDING TO CNN, HIGH BLOOD IRON LEVELS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE BECAUSE IRON ACCELERATES THE OXIDATION PROCESS OF CHOLESTEROL IN THE BODY, WHICH DAMAGES ARTERIES. IRON LEVELS AREN’T THE ONLY FACTOR THAT PLAYS A ROLE IN A PERSON’S RISK OF HEART DISEASE, BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY NO DOWNSIDES TO LOWERING BLOOD IRON LEVELS BY DONATING BLOOD REGULARLY.

REPLENISH BLOOD:  HELP YOUR BODY FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY BY ALLOWING IT TO REPLENISH YOUR BLOOD SUPPLY REGULARLY. MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER REPORTS THAT WHEN YOU DONATE BLOOD, YOUR BODY REPLACES THE BLOOD VOLUME WITHIN 48 HOURS OF DONATION, AND ALL OF THE RED BLOOD CELLS YOU LOSE DURING DONATION ARE COMPLETELY REPLACED WITHIN FOUR TO EIGHT WEEKS. THIS PROCESS OF REPLENISHMENT CAN HELP YOUR BODY STAY HEALTHY AND WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/96891-health-benefits-donating-blood/#ixzz1luFN2Omc

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

LET’S SPREAD THE LOVE & HELP FEED FAMILES IN OUR COMMUNITIES…

FOOD DRIVE DONATIONS ACCEPTED BETWEEN:

OCTOBER 29^TH - NOVEMBER 13^TH

• nonperishable foods please!

Items most needed are: Canned Chicken / Turkey, Powdered Milk, Canned Tuna, Saltine Crackers, Soups, Juices, White Rice, Jarred or Canned Spaghetti Sauce, Grape Jelly, Canned Vegetables, Breakfast Cereals, Pork & Beans, Peanut Butter,Macaroni & Cheese