Limits on visitors
at local hospitals
To protect mothers, their newborns and the pediatric patients from flu viruses circulating in the region, all Samaritan Health Services hospitals, including Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, are limiting visitors in birthing centers and pediatric units.
The restrictions began Monday, Dec. 30.
Samaritan’s Infection Prevention team monitors state surveillance data to determine when influenza-like illness has reached a high threshold in Samaritan’s service area of Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties.
Visitor restrictions will include the following:
n No visitors under the age of 12, unless they are well siblings of the infant/child;
n No visitors who are ill; and
n Limit of five visitors when the patient is in active labor.
All visitors need to be free of flu symptoms and carefully follow infection control guidelines, such as hand washing.
Children and pregnant women are among those in high-risk categories for complications from influenza-like illnesses, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. Limiting visitors to hospital birthing centers reduces the potential for exposure for this vulnerable population.
The best defense against flu viruses, both at hospitals and in the community, is to avoid exposure through the following basic hygiene and infection control measures:
n Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve;
n Wash hands with soap and water frequently and regularly, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available;
n Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
n Get a seasonal flu shot. The vaccine remains the best way to prevent influenza illness for ourselves, our families, and our patients (subject to availability);
n If sick, stay home.
For basic information about the flu, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services’ flu prevention website at flu.oregon.gov.
Democratic chair
to speak locally
Carla “KC” Hanson, chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, will be the featured speaker Thursday, Jan. 2, during the monthly general meeting of the Linn County Democrats at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.
A social time with light refreshments begins at 6 p.m. The meeting starts at 6:30.
Hanson, who lives in Gresham, was elected party chair last March.
From 2008-13, she served as chair of the Multnomah County Democrats. Since then, Hanson consulted on various political campaigns and continued her activism with both the Multnomah Democrats and the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO).
Hanson moved to Oregon from Lawrence, Kansas, in 1989. She traveled around the state in 1992 and ’94 on behalf of the LGBT community, campaigning against two antigay ballot measures. Both measures were defeated.
She has spent 24 years as a small business owner, specializing in minor automotive paint repair.
“Individuals don’t win elections nor do they create policy,” Hanson said in a statement on the DPO website. “Campaigns are won, and good policy is effected because teams of folks – sometimes with divergent opinions – work together for the common good. We are a huge Democratic team, and there are no roster limitations!”
For more information about the meeting and the Linn County Democrats, contact Linn Dems Chair Jerred Taylor at [email protected].
New art exhibition
at Albany gallery
Mary Ridler will be the featured artist Jan. 3-25 at Gallery Calapooia, 222 First Ave. W in downtown Albany.
The First Friday Reception, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, from will feature Ridler’s new work. Wine, beer and snacks will be served.
Ridler was inspired by the diverse architectural styles she photographed on a recent tour of Germany. She works in both acrylic and oils as she brings a whimsical view of small details and re-imagines everyday items. Ridler, an Albany resident, has designed and painted some of the carnival games that the Albany carousel uses each year for their annual fundraiser and contributes to the ongoing carousel painting project.
For more information, call (541) 971-5701 or see the gallery’s website, http://www.gallerycalapooia.com.
Smoking cessation
classes offered
Samaritan Health Services is offering a free, seven-week tobacco cessation workshop designed by the American Lung Association called Freedom from Smoking.
Participants will meet eight times over a seven-week period, including a group quit day during week four. Workshops will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 6 through Feb. 17, at Samaritan Albany General Hospital, 1046 Sixth Ave. SW, Albany; or from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Jan. 7 through Feb. 18, at Samaritan Family Medicine Resident Clinic, 3517 NW Samaritan Drive, Corvallis.
Participants will learn:
n How to design a personal action plan;
n Coping skills;
n How to decrease cravings;
n How to create your new self-image;
n Behavior modification skills;
n Weight and stress management;
n How medications can help; and
n How to stay smoke-free for good.
Registration is required, as space is limited. For more information or to register, call (866) 243-7747 or visit samhealth.org/FreedomFromSmoking.
Holistic health
skills for caregivers
Samaritan Evergreen Hospice has partnered with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, offering a safe and empowering Mind-Body Medicine skills group this winter especially for caregivers.
The group will meet on Tuesday afternoons from noon to 2 p.m., beginning Jan. 7 to Feb. 25 at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House, 4600 Evergreen Place SE, Albany.
The series is open to anyone involved in caring for a loved one. Each session will focus on a proven self-care technique to reduce tensions and fatigue and increase resilience, calmness and joy. Participants will discover a variety of ways to decrease feelings of hopelessness, depression and anxiety and to increase well-being, control and joy.
All discussions will be confidential, open and respectful with times to work on restoring energy. Through a supportive group of others who know well the demands of caregiving, participants will practice ways to relax and cope with the demands of life.
Each group will start with a basic breathing meditation and a check-in. There is a short lesson, followed by time to practice together and share about everyone’s experiences. Caregivers will be able to participate at their own pace and comfort level.
The self-care model taught during this series was developed by James Gordon, MD, the founder of The Center for Mind Body Medicine. J. Anna Looney is a certified Center for Mind Body Medicine facilitator and founder of Insight Journeys, LLC. She combines her training in social interaction and facilitation with a lifelong passion for communications, holistic health and humanism to share mind/body techniques for stress reduction and self-care.
Registration is required, but there is no charge to participate. Register by contacting Looney at (609) 468-2270 or by email at [email protected].
Women’s dinner, program Jan. 14
After 5 Connection for women will hold a “New Year, New You” dinner and special program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at The Lobby, 661 S. Main St., in Lebanon.
All women are invited.
MB Bradshaw-Vogt of Monmouth will offer customized advice on skin care, and introduce participants to Powerhouse Skin Care, a 98 percent natural, stay-put makeup.
Guest speaker Janyce Ripley, of Milwaukie, is a hairstylist but her real passion is restoring homes. Through this love of restoration she found out the secret to restoring a life.
Note: The program may be subject to change, based on availability.
Cost is $10, which includes dinner; reservations are required. Credit cards cannot be accepted.
For reservations contact Sherri at (541) 258-6414 or Nancy at (541) 259-1396, or by email at [email protected].
If unable to attend, cancel your reservation.
Meals on Wheels
weekly menu
Meals on Wheels offers lunch at the Sweet Home Community Center to seniors over 60 at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Senior Center serves a separate lunch on Wednesdays.
First-time diners are invited to come in and have a free lunch to give it a try.
Suggested donation is $3.50. All meals are served with milk, coffee or tea upon request and diabetic desserts are available on request.
The menu on Friday, Jan. 3, is chicken spaghetti or country beef stew, mixed vegetables, tossed salad, whole wheat roll and lemon pudding.
The menu on Monday, Jan. 6, is chicken tetrazzini or beef and black bean chili, glazed carrots, marinated broccoli salad, dinner roll and rice pudding.
The menu on Tuesday, Jan. 7, is cowboy campfire stew or turkey pot pie, green beans, spinach romaine salad, biscuit and butterscotch bar.
For more information, contact Norene at (541) 367-8843.