Get connected with LiveBetterIdaho.org

On By idhwmediaIn Welfare / Self RelianceLeave a comment

A new website connects Idahoans with health and social services in their communities. The idea is to empower families to discover and quickly access the services they need to help them become strong, secure, and live better. LiveBetterIdaho.org allows people to not only see available services from state agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based and community groups, it is focused on finding services quickly and showing how to immediately access the service by phone, in person, or by email. It is easy to use, and new services are being added every week.

Who should use it?

The site is meant for all Idahoans who are looking for health and social services that match their unique interests and needs. It can also serve as a tool for anyone who works with families, including caseworkers, pastors, nonprofit volunteers and others who need a way to connect them to a service without knowing all the details about where and how the service works. Continue reading “Get connected with LiveBetterIdaho.org” →

New online tool helps Idahoans find the right care for loved ones

On By idhwmediaIn Licensing and CertificationLeave a comment

The Department of Health and Welfare’s Residential Care and Assisted Living Facilities Program has modernized its facility search webpage to better help Idaho adults with one of the most difficult decisions they face: choosing a quality assisted living residence where their parents or loved ones can receive around-the-clock care and supervision.

Leveraging consumer-style web search features such as filters, ratings and location-specific content, the new Facility Licensing and Regulatory Enforcement System (FLARES) webpage makes searching for assisted living facilities in Idaho faster and easier.

It also provides users with important details – whether Medicaid clients are accepted, the tenure of administrators, which facilities have received awards for outstanding compliance, the nature and veracity of any complaints filed and copies of the facility’s most recent DHW licensing inspection surveys. Continue reading “New online tool helps Idahoans find the right care for loved ones” →

Brush up! Oral health is important to your overall health

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health1 Comment

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, so it’s a good time to remind everyone – adults and children alike – that your oral health is important to your overall health. Practicing good oral health habits such as daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits are easy steps toward keeping teeth and gums healthy at every age.

Why is oral health so important?

One of the main focus areas of the Oral Health Program at the Department of Health and Welfare is preventing tooth decay in children by providing oral health prevention programs across the state. These programs include school-based dental sealant clinics and fluoride varnish programs delivered in childcare centers and public health districts. Untreated childhood dental disease can put a significant financial burden on the family, cause poor performance in school, and lead to a lifetime of poor oral health.  Continue reading “Brush up! Oral health is important to your overall health” →

Increase in deaths prompts warning for people to take precautions against the flu 

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Flu deaths are on the rise across Idaho, with this year’s influenza season shaping up to be one of the most severe in recent memory.

“We are aware of 47 influenza-related deaths in Idaho so far this season, which includes 36 verified flu deaths and 11 current reports that are in the process of verification,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, state influenza surveillance coordinator. “This is one of the most severe flu seasons in the state since 2000.”  Continue reading “Increase in deaths prompts warning for people to take precautions against the flu “ →

Don’t dismiss a good night’s rest: Sleep is an important part of your overall health

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

Not getting enough sleep each night is associated with several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even depression. More than a quarter of the population of the United States say they occasionally don’t get enough sleep, while nearly 10 percent say they have chronic insomnia. Sufficient sleep each night is a necessity and should be a priority for everyone.

Why is it a bad idea to consistently not get enough sleep?

Sleeping less than 7 hours a night on a regular basis can affect a person’s ability to make good decisions and increases your chance of getting into a vehicle accident. Sleep deprivation also increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes and several other chronic diseases. It could even cause you to gain weight. And studies show that adults who get less than 7 hours a night increase their risk of dying at a younger age than those who get the recommended amount of sleep. Getting enough sleep is just as important to your overall health as regular exercise and healthy eating. Continue reading “Don’t dismiss a good night’s rest: Sleep is an important part of your overall health” →

Wear Red for Women on Friday to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health1 Comment

 

Friday is Go Red for Women Day. If you feel like supporting awareness about heart disease and stroke for women, wear red to show it. Heart disease and stroke causes 1 in 3 deaths for women each year, which means about one woman dies from the diseases every 80 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

Heart disease is big problem for both men and women, isn’t it?

Nationally, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. In Idaho, it is the second leading cause of death for men and women, after cancer. It’s a close second, though, and the statistics are alarming: 1 in 31 women dies from breast cancer each year, but heart disease kills 1 in 3.  Continue reading “Wear Red for Women on Friday to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke” →

(Updated with links to handouts) DHW to begin budget presentations this morning in JFAC

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Department of Health and Welfare will kick off Health and Human Services Week with its budget presentations at 8 a.m. Monday in the meeting chambers of the Joint Appropriations-Finance Committee (JFAC) in the Idaho Statehouse. DHW leadership will present the governor’s budget recommendations for the department, starting with a department overview from DHW Director Richard Armstrong. Continue reading “(Updated with links to handouts) DHW to begin budget presentations this morning in JFAC” →

Idaho is Committed to Improving Medicaid Transportation

On By idhwmediaIn Uncategorized2 Comments

During the legislative hearing today for the Idaho House and Senate Health and Welfare committees, a number of individuals voiced concerns about the performance of Idaho Medicaid’s contracted non-emergency medical transportation broker, Veyo, and their contracted drivers.

Veyo ensures that transportation is provided for Medicaid participants to medical appointments and other Medicaid benefits.  Veyo centrally coordinates requests for transportation from Medicaid participants and assigns them to a network of transportation providers.  Veyo took over the brokerage contract from American Medical Response in July of 2016.  Medicaid’s responsibility is to monitor this contract and ensure that it is working as intended and with a high level of responsible service.

A change this big is never easy.  Veyo and their provider network initially struggled with the switch.  Medicaid responded by working closely with Veyo, transportation providers and community advocates to identify, target, and address areas for performance improvement.    Continue reading “Idaho is Committed to Improving Medicaid Transportation” →

Nurse staffing levels in nursing homes is not an easy calculation

On By idhwmediaIn Licensing and CertificationLeave a comment

A recent editorial in the Idaho Press-Tribune congratulated Holly Lane Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for the work the facility has done to come back into compliance with federal and state requirements. We are also appreciative of the work the facility has done, and we look forward to continuing to work with the facility to ensure sustained compliance.

The editorial also raised some interesting questions about nurse staffing levels in nursing homes. Determining those levels is not as black and white as you might think. It’s a somewhat complicated process with several variables.

We believe it’s important to first work with facilities to fully understand their staffing challenges and work collaboratively to address them. We have a work group that has been meeting for several years that addresses issues such as quality improvement, including staffing levels, in nursing facilities. The group meets quarterly and includes department staff, representatives from nursing facilities, representatives from the Idaho Health Care Association, the state ombudsman, and representatives from Qualis, the quality improvement contractor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  Continue reading “Nurse staffing levels in nursing homes is not an easy calculation” →

Rotavirus disease can be serious for babies and young children

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health, UncategorizedLeave a comment

As if we don’t have enough to worry about with cold and flu viruses, we also have something called rotavirus disease to consider. It is easily spread among babies and young children, especially now, and it can be quite serious and even result in hospitalization. Western states, including Idaho, are seeing more cases of rotavirus disease right now, so it’s a good time to learn the symptoms and what can be done about it.

What are the symptoms?

It generally takes about two days for symptoms to develop. They include watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. The vomiting and diarrhea can last from three to eight days. Other symptoms can include a loss of appetite and dehydration. And even though now is a common time to become infected, it can be spread at any time of the year. Continue reading “Rotavirus disease can be serious for babies and young children” →