When the Sisters of Mercy came to Toledo 102 years ago, in the midst of the Spanish Flu pandemic and countless challenges, they recognized the importance of preparing healthcare providers and began the Mercy School of Nursing while simultaneously starting a hospital. At that time, the demand for healthcare workers was as apparent as it is today. Mercy College of Ohio has been meeting this need for over 100 years.

With technology increasing every day and the use of smartphones becoming more prevalent, remote health, or telehealth, is becoming more useful and easier than ever. Especially in the age of social distancing, telehealth is very much in need. The American Academy of Audiology reports that 77 million people in the United States live in a designated health-professional-shortage area, with 62 percent in rural areas and 31 percent in non-rural areas (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2019). Shortages in healthcare professionals prevent access to timely care. Access limits are further exacerbated by a lack of basic insurance coverage (Institute of Medicine, 2009).

Q: I need some help with my mom’s cell phone. She is having trouble hearing using the cell phone, and she now wears hearing aids along with a mask to protect her from the pandemic. She doesn’t have a smartphone, so we aren’t able to be wireless. I was told by the audiologist what we could do, and, honestly, I was overwhelmed with trying to keep her safe. Could you please review cell phone use with hearing aids for those who don’t want a smartphone?

Though we already have enough on our plates with the COVID-19 pandemic, peak tornado season is underway in our area, so we need to be alert to weather forecasts and familiarize ourselves with the terminology meteorologists use, such as “tornado watch” and “tornado warning.”

Frontline healthcare workers are among the many heroes of the coronavirus pandemic, and these selfless people are more than worthy of our praise and gratitude. However, as we rightly honor these altruistic individuals, it’s important to remember that hospital doctors and nurses aren’t the only healthcare heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic. Also among them are the medical professionals who provide care for the population most vulnerable to this disease—the seniors residing in long-term-care facilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a paradox for older adults. On the one hand, because the disease is known to take a heavier toll on older individuals than on the young, we must implement measures to limit their risk of exposure to the virus, including maintaining safe social distancing. On the other hand, ample research has shown that social isolation and loneliness can contribute to a wide range of physical, emotional, and mental-health problems in older adults. So, the steps we take to protect seniors from one threat can actually make them more vulnerable to others.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), each year one in five US adults experiences mental illness, yet less than half of those diagnosed actually receive proper treatment for their condition. Among the many different factors contributing to this treatment shortfall is the reality that there simply aren’t enough qualified psychiatrists to meet community need.

The social restrictions imposed to help flatten the COVID-19 curve are tough on everyone. But for residents of long-term-care facilities, who gain so much from regular contact and interaction with family and friends, the inability to have visitors can be especially challenging. Recognizing that social interaction is vital to emotional health, The Laurels of Toledo has implemented a wide variety of measures to ensure the facility’s long-term guests stay connected with loved ones during the ongoing pandemic.

During the past few months, the COVID-19 virus has dominated the lives and livelihood of everyone around the world. We’re all probably tired of hearing about it, but COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 has been declared a public health emergency worldwide, and countries went into lockdown in March and April 2020 in order to prevent and control the disease due to its seriousness and the mortality rate among those who catch it. Although the quarantine is being phased out in Ohio, recommended measures to prevent infection are still in place, including hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and avoiding touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.

Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio® takes the health and safety of breast cancer patients and our supporters, volunteers, and staff very seriously. After careful consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Komen Northwest Ohio leadership remains optimistic that the 2020 Race for the Cure events will take place as scheduled on Saturday, September 26 in Findlay and on Sunday, September 27 in Toledo. We will continue to consult with national and local health experts throughout the coming months and provide updates if changes arise.