Community Resources

Flood preparedness checklist for businesses

Foodborne illness videos for patients and health care providers

IDPH, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) and the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL), has created three videos to assist the public and health care providers in identifying and testing for foodborne illnesses:

·         What Should I Do If I Think I Have A Foodborne Illness? Describes what the public should do if they suspect they have a foodborne illness (food poisoning).

·         How Healthcare Providers Can Help Detect Foodborne Illness.  Steps healthcare providers should take if their patient may have a food borne illness.

·         How to Collect a Stool Sample. To assist patients to correctly collect a stool sample and send for testing.

To view the videos, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/Foodborne.aspx, and look under video resources at the bottom of the page. Health care providers can request free DVD copies of the videos for patients to view during office visits and for staff by calling 800-362-2736.

Iowa hospital facts website

The Iowa Hospital Association has announced the launch of a new website aimed at providing Iowans with information about hospitals and health care in the state. The Iowa Hospital Facts website is a portal to state and national health care websites where Iowans can connect to data and information about the cost, quality, safety and value of their hospitals. The web portal links to information about quality and patient safety data, hospital economic impact data, community benefit information, job listings for Iowa hospitals, and other pertinent information.

www.medlineplus.gov/Iowa is hosted by the University of Iowa Library and contains a lot of information about medical services available in each county in Iowa. You can search by location or service topic easily. 

At http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/, visitors can sign up to receive a free information packet on asbestos exposure. There is also a phone number available for them to call, where they can talk to a real person to find out more about asbestos-related diseases.

Check out the directory of health and human services for Calhoun County. 

Calhoun County Public Health is a Supporter of the Physical Activity Guidelines for America.  The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are first –ever comprehensive guidelines published by the federal government.  Being physically active is one of the most important things we can do to improve our health.  Physical activity is linked with many positive health benefits, including lowering risk of early death & a number of chronic diseases & conditions.  Some physical activity is better than none!  Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.  For substantial health benefits adults should do at least 150 minutes/week of moderate or 75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity.  Physical activity does not have to be hard.  Pick activities that you like to do.  Team up with a friend to stay motivated and be more fun.  Get Started and Be Active Your Way! www.health.gov/paguidelines

New statewide prescription drug disposal program

to protect Iowans and the environment

NOVEMBER 9, 2009:  Iowa is the first in the nation to launch TakeAway™ a statewide prescription drug disposal program. TakeAway Environmental Return System allows consumers to safely dispose of unused or expired medications through the convenience of drop off boxes in their community pharmacies.

“We care about patient safety and protecting our environment,” said Kate Gainer, Vice President of the Iowa Pharmacy Association. “This easy-to-use consumer take back program will reduce contamination in our waterways and help prevent prescription drug abuse.”

TakeAway is a new solution to an old, yet urgent problem. “Every day patients ask their pharmacists what to do with expired drugs,” said Gainer who is also a pharmacist.  “Before TakeAway, we did not have an easy or practical solution.”

When unused drugs get in the wrong hands, the potential for danger is significant. The Office of National Drug Control reports that prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12- and 13-year olds, while one third of all new abusers of prescription drugs are between the ages of 12 and 17.  People who throw away or flush unused drugs are also creating dangerous situations by polluting water supplies and landfills. Plus, prescription medicines thrown in the trash may be picked up by children or pets. 

“As members of the community, pharmacists are in a prime position to ensure the safe and proper handling of medications, from dispensing to disposal,” said Gainer. “By working together, pharmacists across the state of Iowa hope to make a difference for the environment and their communities through TakeAway.”

Visit www.iarx.org/takeaway/ to locate a participating pharmacy in your community and please review the list of acceptable and unacceptable items. Harris Drug in Lake City is currently the only participating pharmacy.

The Iowa Pharmacy Association is the state society representing the profession of pharmacy, united for the purpose of advancing public health, particularly the pharmaceutical care of all Iowans.

Community Resources

Mental Retardation Waiver (MR)

The MR Waiver provides support to children and adults with a mental retardation diagnosis. These services assist individuals to remain in their home communities, without institutionalization.

Services provided:

• Consumer Directed Attendant Care
• Nursing
• Home Health Aide  
• Respite
• Supported Community Living
• Home and Vehicle Modification 
• Interim Medical Monitoring and Treatment                                                 
• Elderly Waiver

The Elderly Waiver provides assistance to persons 65 and older who require a level of care in a medical institution, but can remain at home with additional supports.  

Services Provided:

• Chore Service
• Nursing
• Case Management
• Consumer Directed Attendant Care
• Respite
• Homemaker
• Home Health Aide
• Home and Vehicle Modification                            

Ill and Handicapped Waiver

The Ill and Handicapped Waiver provides individualized support to people who are ill or handicapped, enabling them to remain in their home or return to their home or return to their community from an institution.

Services Provided:

• Consumer Directed Attendant Care
• Homemaker
• Nursing
• Home Health Aide
• Respite
• Home and Vehicle Modification
• Counseling Services
• Interim Medical Monitoring and Treatment

Brain Injured (BI) Waiver

The Brain Injured Waiver provides individualized care to persons with specific brain injuries; ages one month to 64 years. This allows individuals to remain at home who would otherwise require care in a medical institution.

Services Provided:

• Consumer Directed Attendant Care
• Respite
• Supported Community Living
• Home and Vehicle Modification

AIDS/HIV Waiver

The AIDS/HIV Waiver provides assistance to persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enabling them to remain at home, rather than in a medical institution.

Services Provided:

• Consumer Directed Attendant Care                    
• Homemaker                     
• Respite
• Home Health Aide
• Nursing  

The Physical Disability Waiver provides individualized supports to maintain eligible persons in their own homes or communities who would otherwise require care in a medical institution.

Services Provided:

• Consumer Directed Attendant Care                                
• Home and Vehicle Modification  
• Specialized Medical Equipment

Helpful Links

http://www.ime.state.ia.us/HCBS/help_ownhome.html This website lists information packets for each type of waiver.  

Who is Eligible?

Special needs individuals meeting qualifying criteria determined by the Department of Human Services.

What is the fee?

Each Waiver is allotted designated amounts of funds to purchase services.

For more information contact Barb Riley.