Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Spring 2019

citizensmemorial.com 11 TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR A primary care provider is your best guide for cancer screenings. Don’t have a provider? Call the CMH Information Center at 417-328-6010 to make an appointment with one. Do you have some spare time today? Why not spend it doing something that just might save your life: making an appointment with your health care provider to talk about cancer screenings. Getting screened is crucial—for yourself and your loved ones. EARLY DETECTION + PREVENTION Cancer is often easier to treat before it causes signs or symptoms, like a lump or a new pain. Certain tests and exams help detect some types of cancer—such as breast, colon, cervical and lung cancers—early, before you might notice anything is wrong. A few screenings can even help prevent cancer. For instance, a Pap test can detect precancerous cell changes in the cervix, which can be treated before they become cancerous. And during a colonoscopy, a doctor can find and remove growths (polyps) that often cause cancer. Here’s another potential bonus of cancer screenings: Your test may even help protect your loved ones from cancer. How? If a test detects cancer in you, it could mean your family is also at risk and needs to be screened. Which screenings you need and when depends on your age and other factors. Your provider can determine what’s best for you. Sources: American Cancer Society; American Society of Clinical Oncology Do it now: Get screened for cancer Participants have reported several benefits of using the CMH Senior Health Center. Pool says that the biggest benefits include weight control, increased mobility, less pain, lower blood pressure, improved mood, better blood sugar, and more strength and stamina. Call 417-777-7171 to schedule a tour. LONG-TERMAND RESIDENTIAL CAREACTIVITIES Residents in CMH’s long-term care and residential care facilities stay active—both in mind and body—and can participate in daily activities. Dedicated staff members at each location encourage residents to be active, and it makes a difference. “We offer everything from Bible study to bingo to arts and crafts and outings,” says Jackie Piercy, Administrator of Colonial Springs Healthcare Center in Buffalo. “Our residents love activities—it gives them purpose and makes them happy.” Piercy says last fall, the residents created colorful owls from flower pots and entered their crafts in the annual Golden Age Games. Sponsored by the Missouri Healthcare Association, the annual Golden Age Games is a chance for residents of area long-term care and assisted living/ residential care facilities to compete in games and crafts for a chance to win trophies. “We won second place for the owls, and our residents came back home and were bragging about how great it was,” says Piercy. “They did such a great job, and it brought them so much joy.” Colonial Springs residents enjoy frequent outings such as ice cream runs to Sonic and viewing Christmas lights in December, says Piercy. Programs in other CMH long-term care and residential care facilities include activities such as bocce ball, fishing adventures, storytelling, bus trips to see baby calves, sing- alongs and more. CMH facilities also offer a Music & Memory program that uses personalized music playlists delivered on digital devices for those diagnosed with dementia. Research has shown that music may have the ability to help dementia patients recall memories and to assist them with conversation and socialization. CMH operates six long-term care facilities and one residential care center in Cedar, Dallas, Greene and Polk counties. To learn more about CMH long-term care or residential care facilities, call 417-399-1818 . INCREASEYOUR ACTIVITY This spring, go on walks, put together a puzzle, drink some coffee and take a deep breath. Clean up your inactive routine—let activity take root and feel the change in your life. ➜ ➜ ➜