VAPAHCS Expands Access with CVS MinuteClinic

Photo: A CVS Minute Clinic

Letter from the VAPAHCS Director:


On Tuesday, May 24, VA Palo Alto Health Care System launched a pilot that will bring even more access to our Veterans with the CVS Minute Clinic.


The unique program is only for Veterans enrolled at VAPAHCS, allowing them to be referred by the Telephone Care Program to a participating CVS Minute Clinic in Northern California. They can receive same-day care for minor illnesses and injuries, even on nights and weekends.


The pilot program allows Veterans enrolled for care with VAPAHCS to receive a broad range of free services at a CVS MinuteClinic. At the moment, there are only 14 participating CVS MinuteClinics within Northern California.
Veterans must be enrolled for care at VAPAHCS and must be referred by an advice nurse for any minor illness or injuries by calling the Telephone Care Line (1-800-455-0057).

What is a MinuteClinic?
MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinic inside select CVS/pharmacy® stores, is the largest provider of retail health care in the United States. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries and skin conditions, the clinics also provide all kinds of wellness services, including vaccinations, physicals, and screenings and monitoring for chronic conditions.

CVS is the only retail health care provider to receive three consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission. Learn more at www.cvs.com/minuteclinic.

How does it work?
Veterans must first call the Telephone Care Line (1-800-455-0057) to have an advice nurse assess their healthcare need. The nurse can refer any care for minor illnesses or injuries and skin conditions to this program. The Veteran can receive a same-day appointment at their nearest participating MinuteClinic and also receive medication.

After the visit, the MinuteClinic provider will send over the records of the visit to VAPAHCS so the Veteran’s primary care provider can follow up, providing continuity of care.

What CVS MinuteClinics are participating?
There are currently 14 participating CVS MinuteClinic locations in Costra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.


The pilot took a lot of hard work to get off the ground and I want to thank everyone involved, especially the champion of the pilot, Dr. Sarah Russell. Without her persistence and expertise, this pilot would not have succeeded - thank you Sarah!


Lisa Freeman
VAPAHCS Director

Healthy Vision Month: Eyes on Health

Photo: A pair of eye glasses resting on an eye chart

By: Shanida Ingalla, O.D., WBRC Optometrist

May is Healthy Vision Month.  People who have already experienced vision loss due to eye disease often ask me “Do I still need to get an annual eye exam?”  In a word, Yes!

A nationwide survey commissioned by Lighthouse International showed that only a small minority of those most at risk get the yearly eye exams that could detect a vision problem and prevent, delay or even reverse its progression. Fully 86 percent of those who already have an eye disease do not get routine exams, the telephone survey of 1,004 adults revealed.

Even after being diagnosed, it is still important to monitor your eye health for changes.  It is also equally vital to continue to be screened for other potential eye diseases.  An annual eye exam is your opportunity to learn from your eye doctor if there have been any recent advances in treatments or rehabilitation that may benefit you.

It is often said that the eyes are the window to the soul.  Certainly the eyes are a window to the body, and a proper eye exam can often alert your doctor to a serious underlying disease like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis.

So if it has been a while since your last eye exam, please call your eye doctor and schedule one today!

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

CLICK HERE to learn more about VIST Services

CLICK HERE to learn more about Healthy Vision Month
 

 

May is Healthy Vision Month

Photo: A closeup of a human eye

May is Healthy Vision Month.   Even after vision loss there are things that people can do to take care of their remaining vision.  Here are some tips from the National Eye Institute:

 

Get a dilated eye exam. Getting a dilated eye exam is the only way to catch eye diseases early, because with many, there are no warning signs.  Even after being diagnosed with vision loss, it is still important to monitor your eye health for changes. It is also equally vital to continue to be screened for other potential eye diseases. An annual eye exam is your opportunity to learn from your eye doctor if there have been any recent advances in treatments or rehabilitation that may benefit you.  Talk to your eye care professional about how often you should have an exam.

 

Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions, and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease and maintain your current level of vision.  If you have diabetes, closely monitor your blood sugar.  Take all of your medications as recommended, including medications for you ocular health.  Talk to your doctor, especially if you notice any changes in your vision.

 

Know your family history. Talk to your family members about eye health history. It’s important for you and them to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease, since many are hereditary. This will help to determine if you or they are at higher risk for developing an eye disease.

 

Use protective eyewear. Protect your eyes when doing chores around the house, playing sports, or on the job to prevent eye injuries from happening. This includes wearing safety glasses, goggles, safety shields, and eye guards that are made of polycarbonate.

 

Wear sunglasses. Make sure your sunglasses block out 99 to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation, so you can keep maintain your vision and eye health.  Be sure to properly care for the lenses as this UV protection is often a coating on the lenses.  Always place sunglasses in a case if you are not wearing them.  If the UV coating is scratched you may be letting UVA and UVB radiation leak through the lenses and damage your vision.  A hat with a brim of at least 3 inches can offer further glare reduction as well.  And remember, if you have been issued a pair of sunglasses from the VA you can contact your VIST Coordinator for repairs and/or replacement as needed.

 

CLICK HERE to visit the National Eye Institute's Healthy Vision Month Website to view the free resources available, including videos, shareable social media content, and more.

 

CLICK HERE to learn more about services through the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center

 

CLICK HERE to lean more about how to locate a VIST Coordinator

 

 

Eyes on Health

By: Shanida Ingalla, O.D., WBRC Optometrist

Photo: A pair of glasses sitting on top of an eye chart

People who have already experienced vision loss due to eye disease often ask me “Do I still need to get an annual eye exam?” In a word, Yes!

A nationwide survey commissioned by Lighthouse International showed that only a small minority of those most at risk get the yearly eye exams that could detect a vision problem and prevent, delay or even reverse its progression. Fully 86 percent of those who already have an eye disease do not get routine exams, the telephone survey of 1,004 adults revealed.

Even after being diagnosed, it is still important to monitor your eye health for changes. It is also equally vital to continue to be screened for other potential eye diseases. An annual eye exam is your opportunity to learn from your eye doctor if there has been any recent advances in treatments or rehabilitation that may benefit you.

It is often said that the eyes are the window to the soul. Certainly the eyes are a window to the body, and a proper eye exam can often alert your doctor to a serious underlying disease like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis.

So if it has been a while since your last eye exam, please call your eye doctor and schedule one today!

Building Resilience After a Disability

Written By:

Jessica Lohnberg, Ph.D., Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow

Laura Peters, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, WBRC

Photo: A windswept tree growing out of a crevice in some rocks.

When people are faced with a disability, such as sight loss, it is common to experience a variety of emotions.  People report feeling shock, depression, anger, and eventually move toward acceptance and coping.   So, why are some people able to bounce back from adversity fairly quickly, while others suffer for extended periods of time and may get stuck?

Resilience means being able to “roll with the punches” and adapt to life’s hardships.  People who are resilient experience the same emotions everyone else does, they are just able to keep functioning and get back to baseline more quickly.  People who are resilient are better able to adjust, adapt, and normalize their lives in spite of the their disability.  Some people even notice positive changes that come from dealing with a disability.  For example, some people report their relationships have become closer and stronger; others report that out of hardship, they have learned what is important in life and may re-prioritize what they are doing; some have developed a stronger sense of spirituality

Here are some tips to increase resiliency:

1.  Get connected with others:  Those with strong positive relationships with others weather adversity better than those who are isolated.

2.  Make every day meaningful:  Find something that gives you a sense of accomplishment and purpose every day.  Set short and long term goals for yourself.

3.  Take care of yourself both physically and emotionally by doing things you enjoy; physical exercise daily; get plenty of sleep and rest; eat healthy foods; find ways to relax through music, deep breathing, meditation or prayer.

4.  Learn from experience:  Think of how you have dealt with difficulties in the past:  What has worked and what hasn’t helped.  Try to rely on the strategies that have worked well for you as you respond to life’s current challenges.

5.  Be proactive:  Those who are resilient don’t avoid their problems, they problem solve, figure out what needs to be done, make a plan and take action.  People who cope actively fare much better than those who avoid.

6.  Maintain a sense of hope:  Remind yourself you cannot change the past, but you can use what you have learned in the past as you look toward the future.  By anticipating changes and planning for them you will be better able to meet the challenge when it comes.