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Ridge Life / Wellness


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  • Lake Wales Police Partner With Wallet Card Project to Help Protect Those With Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Troy Schulze|Updated Jan 20, 2024

    Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be at special risk as they move about in the community, and the Lake Wales Police Department is reaching out in an effort to encourage individuals with ASD to obtain a free Wallet Card. The Wallet Card Project facilitates effective communication between law enforcement and persons with disabilities to avoid any misunderstandings. In addition to being a valuable resource for residents, the local department will also receive training on...

  • Latest 3D Mammography Unit Added at AdventHealth Lake Wales

    Special to the News|Updated Jan 15, 2024

    A historic decline in breast cancer death rates has been partly attributed to improvements in early detection, Lake Wales area patients seeking the best in care can now rely on local resources after AdventHealth Lake Wales cut the ribbon on a new 3D mammography unit. The new technology is designed to provide potentially lifesaving screenings for women and men and fill a critical need in the community. AdventHealth Lake Wales CEO Royce Brown said this new 3D mammography unit wi...

  • Asbestos Exposure an Ongoing Issue for Navy Veterans

    Cristina Johnson|Updated Dec 11, 2023

    Asbestos was once a celebrated building material, a staple in shipbuilding during the 20th century due to its singular heat resistance and insulating properties. The mineral was a lurking danger, emerging when its microscopic fibers became airborne and were inhaled. It was too often an ignored threat, Every branch of the U.S. Military - including the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy - applied products made with asbestos for decades. However, Navy personnel...

  • Cooking Safety and Fire Prevention Go Hand-in-Hand

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 2, 2023

    According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries (42%) and 20% of reported home fire deaths. State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association have teamed up to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 8 through 15 to educate everyone about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and those around...

  • Medically Vulnerable Residents to Gain Easier Access to Healthcare

    Jeff Foley, Polk Media Relations Officer|Updated Sep 30, 2023

    Polk County's medically vulnerable residents will find healthcare more accessible beginning October 1 after the Citizens Healthcare Oversight Committee approved relaxing income requirements for participation in the Polk HealthCare Plan (PHP) from 168 to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. According to officials, the change is in part a reflection of the minimum wage increase occurring in Florida on September 30. Families may make more money now due to higher pay but, thanks to...

  • Polk County Seeks Stakeholders for Opioid Abatement Effort

    Jeff Foley, Polk County Media Relations|Updated Aug 18, 2023

    Polk County's Health and Human Services Division is hosting "Shaping the Future of Opioid Abatement in Polk County" in collaboration with Polk Vision and the Crescendo Consulting Group. An abatement plan was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now the intent of the division to revisit the work previously advised through a community prioritization event. While the event is open to the public, it is intended to bring community stakeholders together to discuss the...

  • Polk County Seeking Non-Profit Partners to Address Indigent Health Care

    News Staff Reports|Updated Aug 12, 2023

    Polk County's Indigent Health Care program has issued a Request For Applications (RFA) to healthcare-related, non-profit organizations who are interested in receiving Community Partner Grant funding to provide healthcare services to qualified Polk County residents. Applicants who submit an RFA must be able to provide direct healthcare services or coordinate the delivery of those services to county residents with incomes of up to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This R...

  • Maintaining Fitness in Senior Years Achievable Goal

    News Services, NAPS|Updated Jul 19, 2023

    (NAPSI)-One of the greatest joys-but potentially biggest challenges-for many grandparents is time spent with the grandkids. Whether yours are toddlers or teens, keeping them entertained requires a level of fitness that might include everything from lifting a child to chasing them at the playground to competing in a round of golf. For grandparents seeking an enriching and active experience with their grandkids, it's important to engage in everyday fitness routines that can...

  • Avoid Stroke Risks and Identify Stroke Symptoms Fast

    NAPSI|Updated May 12, 2023

    Like many people, you likely work hard to help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. To help, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reminds everyone that stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. About 800,000 people in the country have a stroke each year. The good news is, when treated quickly, survival is possible and damage can be greatly reduced. That's why understanding your risk for stroke, knowing signs...

  • Eye Care Essential for All Adults

    NAPSI|Updated May 9, 2023

    Eye disease affects more than your ability to see the world clearly. People with impaired vision face an increased risk of falls, fractures, injuries, depression, anxiety, cognitive deficits and social isolation. One of the best ways to protect yourself against vision loss from eye disease is to get regular eye exams. Ophthalmologists-physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care-have more tools than ever before to diagnose eye diseases earlier, and to treat them...

  • Polk HealthCare Plan May Be an Option if Medicaid Coverage Ends

    Jeff Foley|Updated Apr 21, 2023

    Some low-income Polk County residents may soon find themselves at a healthcare coverage crossroad due to Medicaid changes, and the Polk HealthCare Plan may be able to help those who no longer qualify for Medicaid. Since the beginning of the COVID 19-related public health emergency, Florida has provided continuous Medicaid coverage and has not disenrolled ineligible recipients. Medicaid eligibility is again being determined through normal processing. Florida will have up to 12...

  • National Nutrition Month Spotlights Oral Health

    Special to the News|Updated Mar 7, 2023

    (NAPSI)-Oral health is linked to whole-body health, which means that not caring for teeth and gums can contribute to other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and more. To help improve health, March is National Nutrition Month, spotlighting nutrition education and focusing attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. On World Oral Health Day, March 20, the world unites to help reduce the burden...

  • New Year, New You: Making Resolutions You Can Keep For A Healthy 2023

    Special to the News, NAPS|Updated Feb 7, 2023

    Many people celebrate the promise and new beginnings of the New Year by making resolutions-often focused on health goals like losing weight, eating healthier, and working out. Getting healthy through small actions­­-baby steps­­-can be a sustainable way to make changes for a healthy new year. Feeling and seeing a small positive change can encourage you to make more changes. Consider the following baby steps to help make 2023 your best year yet: •Sleep. Sleep is a neces...

  • Quit Smoking in 2023, With Help From Your Friends

    Laura Corbin, Tobacco Free Florida|Updated Jan 15, 2023

    (NAPSI)-The ball, the confetti and the 2022 wall calendars have all come down, and our attention turns to the annual tradition of making New Year's resolutions. This can include health goals, such as deciding to have 2023 be the year to finally quit tobacco successfully. Most adult smokers in our state tried to do so at least once in the past year, reports the Florida Department of Health. Quitting for good may take several attempts. With the resolution to quit, every year...

  • AdventHealth Lake Wales Receives "A" Grade from Leapfrog

    Special to the News|Updated Dec 9, 2022

    AdventHealth Lake Wales has received an "A" in patient safety from the prestigious Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog group that delivers grades based on quality metrics such as a hospital's performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Out of 3,000 hospitals evaluated nationwide, only 30% received this top grade and 115 are awarded as a Top Hospital. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization that uses their...

  • Three Ways A Medicare Advantage Fitness Plan Could Help Reduce Your Health Risks

    NAPSI|Updated Nov 12, 2022

    (NAPSI)-Have you heard the saying, "Movement is medicine?" Countless studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce the risks of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, back and neck pain, some types of cancer, and even falls. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults aged 65 and older participate in 150 minutes of physical activity a week. This includes aerobic, strength, and balance activities. If you're...

  • Cancer Patients Benefit From "Cleaning for a Reason"

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 4, 2022

    As Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed in October it draws attention to a treatable disease that remains one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. Facing a diagnosis of cancer and the effects of treatment is a challenge for thousands of Florida residents, including many in the Lake Wales area. The challenge of maintaining a home while undergoing treatment is overwhelming for many, especially for those who live alone, but there is n affordable source...

  • Answering Parents' Most Common Questions About COVID Vaccines For Kids

    Special to the News|Updated May 25, 2022

    (NAPSI)-A dedicated group of moms has deployed across the country to help families with children of all ages figure out how to make important decisions around mitigating the risk of COVID and help answer questions that parents have on vaccination. City Mom Collective, a partner of the We Can Do This Campaign, is working with moms to collect questions from parents in their communities and then set up video interviews that aired on social media with local pediatricians and...

  • AdventHealth Lake Wales Achieves Leapfrog Grade "B" in Patient Safety

    Amber Smith, Senior Specialist of Media Communications|Updated May 15, 2022

    AdventHealth Lake Wales has achieved a "B" patient safety grade by the prestigious Leapfrog Group. The safety grade is awarded based on a hospital's performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, and other harms to patients in their care. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" grade to general hospitals across the country. AdventHealth implemented and enhanced several division-wide pr...

  • Lake Wales Podiatrist Offers Focused Diabetes Care

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Apr 14, 2022

    Lake Wales area residents dealing with foot ailments due to the effects of diabetes should know that it is a serious health problem that demands treatment, according to Dr. Prerna Mall, a podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care along with her regular practice. “Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common complications in patients who have diabetes which is not well controlled. These ulcers are usually caused by poor sugar control, underlying peripheral n...

  • Bone Marrow Gives the Gift of Life

    NAPS, Special to the News|Updated Mar 23, 2022

    Being a hero and helping repair the world may be easier than many people realize. How? Become a blood stem cell or marrow donor, volunteer or a supporter. Every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates that 186,400 people will experience this frightening news just this year. While a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant can serve as a cure for leukemia...

  • Polk Healthcare Plan Now Includes Behavioral Health Coverage

    Joy Johnson, Polk Communications Division|Updated Mar 10, 2022

    Behavioral health services are easier to access for Polk HealthCare Plan members seeking treatment now that it is a covered benefit. The addition, which was approved by the Citizens HealthCare Oversight Committee, began this month and is one of many enhancements that targets Polk's growing vulnerable population. The committee also has revised the plan's eligibility criteria twice in the last year to mirror the growing minimum wage and make the program more accessible to those...

  • Paralysis Research Shows Promise

    Affiliated News Services, NAPSI|Updated Dec 23, 2021

    For decades, medical researchers struggled to solve the mystery of how to reverse paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries. Finally, hope appears to be at hand. Five years ago, Codi Darnell, the daughter-in-law of Dr. Harold Punnett, a co-founder of NervGen, fell and became a complete T-11 paraplegic. Dr. Punnett discovered a revolutionary nerve regeneration technology in Dr. Jerry Silver's work at Case Western Reserve University which resulted in the formation of...

  • A Change of Heart on Vaccines

    Updated Oct 27, 2021

    Stephanie Bramlett of Winder, Georgia, is one of many in the Southeast region who has experienced the effects of COVID-19 firsthand. Earlier this year, when the entrepreneur and mother of three was told she could get vaccinated, she was hesitant. She eats well, exercises regularly and never gets sick with the flu, so she assumed she'd be fine even if she was exposed to the virus. "I didn't want to be first," Bramlett said. "It felt too new." Then her son attended church camp,...

  • Healthcare Heroes Receive Complimentary Admission During October at Bok Tower Gardens

    Erica Smith, Bok Tower Gardens|Updated Sep 30, 2021

    Fueled by the generosity of Wawa, Healthcare Heroes can enjoy the healing power of nature with complimentary admission for themselves and a guest at Bok Tower Gardens from October 1-31. This offer is being extended in gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices Healthcare Heroes have made to keep our communities safe and healthy. The complimentary admission offer is open to all employees of healthcare providers in the US with an employer-issued photo identification badge. To redeem the offer, healthcare heroes must present...

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