October Nurse’s Notes

Fall is upon us!! With the beautiful weather we continue to have as I write to you all, and as the days continue to get shorter, please be mindful of our children as they wait for and come on the school buses. Dusk is such a tricky time of day as the sun goes down, and it’s not quite dark yet. We often feel, as pedestrians that there is still enough light for motorists to see us. However, as the driver, this is not the case. So, please be sure to keep those reflective vests handy and be sure our young charges wear them, particularly when out near traffic, during early morning and around dusk. Be extra cautious if you need to be a pedestrian or a cyclist on the road after dark. When headlight meet each other on the road it really impacts the drivers’ ability to see well for those few seconds. It gets tricky at Halloween! Watch for those ghouls and goblins as they threaten a trick or beg for a treat!

In conjunction with the Police, Fire and EMS, the Public Health Nurse will participate in a Public Safety Day on October 7th from 10a-2p at Fire Station #3 @ 104 Pleasant Street, Rehoboth. Please stop by for a lot of fun activities, especially for the youngsters. We’d love to see you all!

My infectious disease monitoring for September continues to see incidence of Lyme Disease occurrence here in Rehoboth, so continue to be mindful as you tackled Fall clean-up. Wear light colored clothing with your socks tucked into your pants while you are outside and do a quick body check when you come inside. If you find a tick, be sure you can pull the entire tick out. If the tick is embedded, or you are concerned you will not be able to pull the entire tick out, please check in with your PCP. I am here Monday-Thursday if you need help but give me a quick call before you head over to 27 Francis Farm Rd. to be sure I am in my office.

We have our first report of a mosquito infected with Eastern Equine Encephalopathy (EEE) here in town, but zero human cases. Continue to be cautious when out and about early in the morning, but especially at dusk, when mosquitos are out looking for victims! Here is a link to mass.gov where you’ll find signs and symptoms and other information about EEE and also West Nile Disease:
https://www.mass.gov/guides/eee-in-massachusetts 

I have begun to provide in-home ‘flu vaccination, with the support of Anawan Pharmacy. Please call 508-962-4558 or e-mail ghamel@rehobothma.gov  to schedule an in-home vaccination. This service is limited to those who are homebound and their primary caregiver. It is our hope that we will be able to offer ‘flu and COVID vaccination clinic at the Senior Center in the near future. Keep an eye out on the town web site under the Public Health Nurse page for more information as it becomes available.

This year a new vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for seniors is available. This severe respiratory virus already has a vaccine against it for small children, however, if you are a senior, please look into getting the vaccine. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/public/older-adults.html 

I continue to hold BP screening clinics on Monday and Wednesday from 11a-1p at the Senior Center. Our Bereavement and Caregiver Support Groups will begin again starting Wednesday, October 4th. The groups will alternate with each other. The Bereavement Support Group will meet October 4th and 18th and the Caregiver Support Group will meet October 11th and 25th. Both groups will meet at the Senior Center building at 27 Francis Farm Rd from 445p-545p. The groups will run through the beginning of December. Please call to sign up at 508-962-4558 or e-mail ghamel@rehobothma.gov  All are welcome.

The podiatrist will visit the Public Health Nurse’s office on Thursday November 2nd. We’re fully booked at this time, but please call to go on our cancellation list, 508-962-4558.

We continue to plan speakers for Wednesdays at the Senior Center from 11a-12n, followed by the Wednesday Luncheon ($3) And you guessed! Please call 508-962-4558 or e-mail ghamel@rehobothma.gov  to sign up. It helps us to have enough food! The schedule for the speakers is in the works for October as I write, so please check the Public Health Nurse’s page on the town web site for more information.

Until November, stay safe and well,
Sincerely,
Geri