LiveWell Jefferson

LiveWell Jefferson

World Heart Day: September 29

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As the world continues to live with the pandemic, economic crisis and the racial/social justice reckoning, we will have to work through a few major things personally and collectively. During difficult times like this, it is even more important to reflect on how exactly your health and well-being are faring. World Heart Day is an excellent opportunity to take charge of your health.

World Heart Day, founded by the World Heart Federation, takes place every year on September 29 and aims to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association is a founding member of the World Heart Federation and is helping to amplify this year’s #UseHeart to Beat Cardiovascular Disease campaign. 

WHD is about what you can do to get and keep your heart healthy. The American Heart Association prides itself on the extensive work we do to provide the information to get you to optimal heart health. #UseHeart to get involved.

Here are just a few ways the American Heart Association is using heart to do that:

  • The AHA is working to make sure heart and stroke patients understand how COVID-19 could uniquely affect them and are armed with the research and knowledge on how to best protect themselves.
  • We are taking care of our own employees and leading with swift action and innovative collaborations to solve for and ease the pandemic while recognizing heroes on the front lines.
  • The AHA is carrying out its crucial role of convener by working with organizations, volunteers and a vast network of medical professionals around the globe to make sure that we swiftly and accurately share the latest evidence regarding care for people who contract COVID-19 – for the public, patients, caregivers and health care professionals.
  • COVID-19 will also show us the functionality of the U.S. health care system and help us identify what is needed to achieve health equity – accurate health information, access to health care, and optimal public health response regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.

#UseHeart to engage your employees. Employee wellbeing has never been so important and is a key factor in recruitment and retention. #UseHeart to deliver responsibly. Help your corporation deliver against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.” – SDG (Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/) #UseHeart to create reach and impact. Be part of a worldwide initiative and a global campaign that is easy to activate.

#UseHeart to take part. We are living in unprecedented times. We don’t know what course the COVID-19 pandemic will take in the future, but we do know that taking care of our hearts is more important than ever. So, this year on 29 September, help spread the word by visiting the content hub https://www.world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/whd-resources/.

The call to action is to inspire and ask our community, friends, family, to #UseHeart. You can #UseHeart to eat well, drink wisely, get more active and say no to tobacco. We challenge everyone #UseHeart, and share it on social media using #NOLAWHD2020.

Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers, sponsors, advocates, social media ambassadors, and more to help the American Heart Association do the work we do on the local level. We don’t just raise funds to provide for lifesaving research, we are on the ground taking part in so many opportunities to affect change in our community. We’d love anyone who is interested in learning more to contact the local AHA at AHANewOrleans@heart.org or to visit www.heart.org/neworleans. Additionally, you can call our office at (504) 872-3500.

About the New Orleans American Heart Association: The New Orleans American Heart Association fosters collective action through our local programs and partnerships that aim to improve quality of life, increase opportunity, and ensure care for all our neighbors. Every member of our community should be able to achieve well-being supported by the places they live, learn, work, play, pray, and heal.

Written by Coretta Lagarde, Senior Community Impact Director/
American Heart Association

Prioritize Your Mental Health, Now More Than Ever

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Written by Roselle M. Ungar, CFRE, Executive Director
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans

As we face this time of great upheaval, it is essential to prioritize our mental health. Many health experts are concerned that, without our normal schedules and access to mental health professionals compounding unprecedented events, many people are not seeking out the care they need or are accustomed to receiving. They warn us that, alongside the health crisis of coronavirus, a mental health crisis is playing out in our homes. 

According to MentalHealth.gov, our mental health “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” As our country grapples with the stultifying challenges of a global pandemic and nationwide protests, feelings of fear, anger, depression, anxiety, paranoia, sadness, and panic are not unexpected consequences. While our personal reactions to current events may vary, we all need to check in with ourselves and, perhaps, check out a form of counseling. 

Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans is accepting new clients, and we’re currently offering telemental health counseling. In addition to checking in with a mental health professional, our therapists offer some tips to prioritize your mental health.

  • Limit news & media intake.
  • Spend time outside, and be sure to exercise.
  • Maintain good sleep hygiene.
  • Maintain a routine as best you can.
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Take time to relax, whether that be sitting quietly or enjoying a hobby like playing music or meditating.
  • Call family and friends. If you’re not yet able to see family and friends in person, call them. Hearing their voice will provide more feelings of connection than a simple text.

If you’re interested in speaking with a JFS therapist, get in touch with us: (504) 831-8475 or jfs@jfsneworleans.org. Follow our social media channels for more tips: @jfsnola on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings

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Workers in office buildings may be at risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Office building employers, building owners and managers, and building operations specialists can take steps to create a safe and healthy workplace and protect workers and clients.

Last week, the CDC issued new recommendations for office spaces:

  • Inspect ventilation systems to ensure they operate properly
  • Increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible
  • Check for hazards associated with prolonged facility shutdown
  • Conduct a thorough hazard assessment of the workplace to identify potential workplace hazards that could increase risks for COVID-19 transmission.
  • Develop hazard controls using the hierarchy of controls to reduce transmission among workers. 

Click Here For The CDC’S COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings as well as resources, such as:

HR Update: How Will You Protect Your Business from Legal Liabilities in a Post-Pandemic Workplace?

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Tomorrow is the first day of phase one of the Jefferson Back to Business Plan, the official strategy to reopen the Jefferson Parish economy. This plan was developed with medical experts and an industry task force and includes important standards and recommendations, industry guidelines, a vision for a phased reopening, and valuable resources to jumpstart business. Details for phase one are outlined on page 18 with industry-specific guidance, capacity limitations and additional restrictions.

Whether your business operations will resume in phase 1, 2, or 3, preparing return-to-work policies that adhere to all general federal, state, and local standards, as well as industry-specific protocols, is crucial to ensure the safety of your employees and customers.     

Equally as important to protecting your business from the virus, is making sure that you protect your business from legal liabilities and that you are fully compliant with HR policies. Navigating fast-changing policy updates and guidance can be overwhelming, especially for small businesses.

Join us on Thursday, May 21st at 11 a.m. for a LiveWell Jefferson Webinar focusing on policy updates and best practices for managing employee benefits in a post-pandemic workplace. Our expert speakers, E. Fredrick Preis, Jr., Senior Partner with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P., Labor & Employment Law Section and Ryan Rodrigue, Managing Partner with Hollis Companies, Specializing in Employee Benefits, will review guidance for the following:

  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which includes the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
  • The Department of Labor’s new model notices for COBRA and extensions for certain employee benefit plan deadlines
  • EEOC updates for employer guidance on coronavirus and the ADA

Join us on Thursday, May 21st at 11 a.m.

REGISTER HERE

Blood Donations Now: Your Questions, Expert Answers

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An interview with Gerald “Gerry” Cvitanovich, M.D., Coroner of Jefferson Parish and Mickie Wilson-Martin, Donor Recruitment Specialist with Ochsner Blood Bank

As we all try our best to avoid contact with others, the nation’s blood supply is experiencing a severe shortage. During this time of social distancing, the prospect of donating blood may seem risky, but that isn’t the case for everyone.

We interviewed Gerald “Gerry” Cvitanovich, M.D., Coroner of Jefferson Parish, and Mickie Wilson-Martin, Donor Recruitment Specialist for Ochsner Blood Bank, to get the facts straight. Check out our new Q&A, “Blood Donations Now: Your Questions, Expert Answers”, to learn more about the importance of donating blood and how to do so safely. Even if you know you can’t donate, you can still help. Read the interview to find out how!

Q1: Can you share some of the causes for the nation’s shortage of blood donations and supplies at this time?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Some people think that the blood banks are shut down. Other people are afraid to donate because they think they will catch covid-19. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Many locations that host blood drives are closed.  Many potential donors are scared to come out.  Ochsner is not in a blood shortage during this time.  Thanks to the many donors that have donated during the past few weeks, Ochsner has remained to stay out of a blood crisis.

Q2: What are the greatest risks of not having access to enough blood donations? Which types of patients are most affected?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Many patients are affected by short supply. It could be a trauma patient. It could be a woman with complications of childbirth, or someone’s parent after open-heart surgery. ICU patients need plasma and blood. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Without sufficient blood supplies, surgeries could be affected, as well as cancer patients, infants and transplant patients.

Q3: Am I allowed to donate during the stay-at-home mandate and is it safe?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Yes – you can still donate. We have had critical shortages since the COVID-19 crisis started.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Yes, donating blood is considered essential.

Q4: Can I contract COVID-19 by donating?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Very unlikely. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: No, it is completely safe.

Q5: How are blood centers ensuring donor safety?

Dr. Cvitanovich:

  • They are social distancing and doing extensive patient interviews before bringing the patient in.
  • Also, they are sanitizing their donation stations between patients.

Mickie Wilson-Martin:

  • Ochsner Blood Bank is maintaining 6 ft social distancing between donors. 
  • All Staff members are wearing masks. 
  • All Donors are given a mask upon arrival, as well as, a new pen to keep and fill out all paperwork. 
  • The number of donors allowed to donate at one time is limited to maintain social distancing. 
  • All Donors are given a new stress ball to use for donation and to keep. 
  • All donor beds are disinfected between donors.

Q6: Who are the best candidates for blood donors?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Most people are eligible to donate. People with all blood types are eligible. Type O is especially valuable because those people are “universal donors”. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: All healthy people who are 17 years of age and older. O donors are always needed.  Especially O negative.

Q7: Who should not donate blood? Can you elaborate on specifics for typical counter-indications, such as recent travel or antibiotics, as well as new ones that are COVID-19 related?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Some people with chronic diseases or conditions cannot donate. Some examples are Hepatitis, AIDS, Cancer, and Alcoholism. Also, recent hospitalizations or surgery could preclude someone from donating.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: There are so many travel restrictions with times and location it is best to address those on a one on one basis.  If a person is on antibiotics for an infection, they will not be able to donate.  Recent dental work including cleaning will keep you from donating.

Q8: For those of us that fall into the “best potential donors” category, where should we go to donate blood? Do you have any websites that you recommend for more information?

Dr. Cvitanovich: The Blood Center and Ochsner are two accessible locations.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: https://www.ochsner.org/giving/donate There are many ways listed on the website.

Q9: If we cannot donate blood, are there other ways to help by spreading the word, donating financially, donating snacks or supplies, or volunteering?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Those who cannot donate can help by recruiting others to donate. I have personal experience with this. I wanted to donate a few weeks ago, but was told that I couldn’t donate because of a recent knee replacement surgery. I then recruited my wife and daughter to donate. I even drove them there and waited outside the bloodmobile for them. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: https://www.ochsner.org/giving/donate

Q10: If we do decide to donate blood, what should we make sure to do before, during, and after we donate? (Should we wear a mask, eat before or after, etc.)

Dr. Cvitanovich: It’s smart to wear a mask. Practice Social Distancing while waiting. Hydrate yourself well for a few hours before donating. Prepare to feel proud after donating!

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Eating a good meal and hydrating before a donation are always good ideas.

For more information on how to donate, where to donate, and eligibility requirements, please visit the following sites:

Ochsner Blood Bank | The Blood Center If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! Post your comments, questions, tips, and resources in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook and Instagram.

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3421 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 203
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 835-3880
Email: info@jeffersonchamber.org

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