After a long, cold winter in Bucks County, we are all ready for the warmth and sunshine of summer. As much as most of us love the summer and the opportunity to relax outside and go on vacation, we need to remain cautious of possible hazards that can compromise our health. Dehydration It’s important to remain hydrated in the summer, whether you are outside or inside, whether you are in the sun or in the shade. This is especially critical…
It can be difficult to bring up the topic of suicide, but in our current environment, it is important to discuss it, especially with young people. Unfortunately, suicide is on the rise among young people and is one of the leading causes of death in teens. Awareness is critical. If you have teens, you may want to discuss it with them so that they are aware of the symptoms, in case they themselves or any friends show any signs. If…
As you make important decisions about vaccines for your children and yourself, do your research and talk to your doctor. The ultimate decision is yours, but certain vaccines, which have been around for decades, have demonstrated great efficacy and have saved the lives of many children, which is a factor that should weigh heavily in their favor. Childhood vaccine schedule There are many vaccines suggested by the CDC for your children, but certain vaccines are required by the first day…
According to a 2022 CDC report, nearly 29 million Americans smoke, and most of them want to quit. Approximately one-half have tried to quit, with a success rate of less than 10%. Of those half, fewer than 40% used support groups or approved medical treatments to help them quit. That’s the bad news. The good news is that if you’re trying to quit smoking, support groups like our Quit Smoking Program, combined with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for those who…
February is a great month to recognize caregivers. Our caregivers support every aspect of our healthcare system, keeping it running smoothly and providing assistance to medical professionals, patients, and families. February 21 is National Caregivers Day. Since 2015, the third Friday of February has been recognized as a national appreciation day for caregivers, both professional and non-professional. It includes all those who provide help and support to those with health needs. Caregivers are critical partners in every facet of the…
Our team here at BCHIP cares deeply about the mental health of all Bucks County residents and we know that long days impacted by bad weather and/or slow schedules can be hard. Seasonal Affective Disorder, known appropriately as SAD, is a form of seasonally-induced depression that lasts for 4-5 months. Most SAD is associated with winter, however, summer-related SAD also exists. The exact biological triggers that cause SAD are not yet well known, but some theories are being tested and…
The New Year is a great time to look at your health and your healthcare plans and make some resolutions for the future. We all start the new year with high hopes and great plans, but most of us struggle with the follow-through. The key is to prioritize and to have strong motivations – a “Why” – to help us continue until we fulfill our goals. Sometimes we also need a little help. At BCHIP, we can help you reach…
Community is critical for all of us, regardless of our age or mental/physical conditions. As the poet John Donne wrote centuries ago, “No man is an island.” We all need others in order to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. Many of us have the ability to connect with others, either through school or work, a strong supportive family, or extra-curricular activities. Surprisingly, many of these people still struggle with emotional feelings of isolation because of excessive…
Our Bucks County hospitals are among the best in the Philadelphia region, and some are rated among the best in the country. These top-notch healthcare facilities are part of the BCHIP partnership, collaborating with us and other healthcare and advocacy groups in our area to continually improve access to the best health services for the residents of Bucks County. Grand View Hospital was Bucks County’s very first hospital, founded in 1913 by local doctors who were concerned about the future…
BCHIP is focused on ensuring that our Bucks County seniors receive the highest-quality healthcare available so they can live their lives to the fullest. We are not only making sure that our current seniors have the care they need but are also focused on expanding our services to meet the needs of our growing senior population in the decades to come. Advanced care planning Advanced care planning is often referred to as a living will. In this document, you indicate…
Bucks County hospitals are critical partners in BCHIP’s goal to create a community in which all our citizens experience the highest quality healthcare services. Hospitals play an important part in most of our initiatives and programs and they work with BCHIP to continually develop a coordinated approach to address challenges and fill in gaps in healthcare services. BCARES (Bucks County Connect. Assess. Refer. Engage. Support), is a warm handoff collaboration with the six Bucks County hospitals and an assigned Certified…
Substance abuse is a very serious issue throughout the United States, and BCHIP and its partners are committed to combatting it in Bucks County through enhanced health services, recovery services, and prevention education. BCDAC: The mission of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission (BCDAC) is to eliminate the use of illegal drugs, reduce the use of tobacco, and end the abuse of, misuse of, and addiction to alcohol and other drugs throughout Bucks County. To fulfill its mission, BCDAC…
If you’ve been thinking about quitting the nicotine habit, the Great American Smokeout is a great day to begin. Quitting isn’t easy. Nicotine is not the only physically addictive chemical in cigarettes—tobacco contains a range of addictive chemical compounds, and depending on your brand, there could be other additives that are adding to your addiction. But besides the physical addiction, there are also emotional and behavioral habits that need to be addressed in order to successfully overcome an addiction to…
If you have a family member in crisis, whether that be a mental health issue, an addiction problem, housing, abuse, or any other crisis, Bucks County and the wider community have resources to help. Neither you nor your loved one has to go it alone. We will support you and help your loved one through the crisis. Mental health crises Mental and emotional health problems are unfortunately on the rise; however, this has had at least one positive effect in…
The job market is tightening and many people are finding it difficult to find a job in their current career. Maybe it’s time for a career pivot. BCHIP has secured a Direct Care Worker Grant to help those already in healthcare and those new to the field receive the training they need. BCHIP was one of only eight healthcare organizations chosen out of the many who applied to secure a Direct Care Worker Grant from the state. This grant supplies…
