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Why should you volunteer?Positive physical and mental health outcomes for volunteer Champion and Ambassadors include improvements in... Self-rated health status Mortality Adoption of healthy lifestyles Quality of life Frequency of hospitalization Abilities to carry our activities of daily life Depression Psychological distress Self-esteem (Cassidy et al 2008)
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What are some creative ideas for a healthy workplace event?Ideas include: COPE 60 seconds – at the beginning or end of team meetings perform a wellness activity or share health advice. Bring in a Chef to teach people an easy cooking recipe. Celebrate Wellness Wednesday – generate ideas from employees. Hold a Health Fair to talk about health, nutrition and wellness – reach out to organizations who will send subject matter experts and include take home hand-outs and items to facilitate learning on the associated topic. Organize blood pressure screenings, flu shots or provide a list of locations near your office offering flu shots on the company bulletin board or social network. Post a note near the elevator reminding people to take the stairs. Organize on-site yoga classes, bike to work day etc. Create a healthy office cookbook – request favorite healthy recipes from colleagues, select the best ones into a collection and share around the office via a downloadable document. Organize a fundraiser competition with proceeds to COPE Angel initiative. Create a high-five board. Create survey to find out what well initiatives is working and what is not. Encourage your employees to volunteer.
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What are some creative ideas for a community neighborhood event?Ideas include: Promote health literacy via lunch & Learn with seniors, parents. Organize a Health Fair, kids health fair or multi purpose event. Create support groups for diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, Alzheimer care givers etc. Organize shared rides to the local farmers market. Organize a social outdoor event eg The Greatest Picnic Ever with food, games, entertainment with proceeds for charity. Adopt a Grand Parent – assist with dog walking, grocery shopping, reading, companionship. Organize a Meal Program Volunteer Group to serve a meal or help with dinner at local organizations supporting the underserved. Volunteer at the COPE Outreach bi-weekly events. Organize classes for parents, parenting and parents to be. Host a Presentation on a selected chronic disease, stroke, diabetes, heart attacks, colorectal cancer, blood sugar elevation. Introduce reduction in prescription costs with downloading GoodRx. Hire a Masseuse for a day – create a sign up sheet. Throw a costume or themed party – Why not a random Wednesday in March – Victorian Tea Party! Offer a Laundry service – free pick up and delivery for the elderly and unwell. Invite a Finance expert to present on Investing 101.
STROKE SMART RESOURCE CENTER
The City of Fredericksburg was proclaimed Stroke Smart by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw at a ceremony hosted at the REMS Council on May 25, 2022. The city has become the first locality in the region to proclaim the designation, meaning it’s encouraging people to learn the signs of stroke so they can identify when one happens and immediately call 911.
One in 6 of us will suffer a Stroke; every 40 seconds someone has a stroke; every 4 minutes someone dies of a stroke. When it comes to strokes, the clock is ticking. Recognizing stroke symptoms early and getting to the hospital quickly are critical to limiting brain damage and improving recovery.
Strokes are the #1 cause of long-term disability in the U.S. and will be suffered by one in six people. Although effective treatment can leave the patient with no lasting effects, fewer than 10% of stroke patients access that treatment in time, often because they don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke.
COPE intends to educate everyone who lives, works, prays, and plays in the City of Fredericksburg to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke and to call 911 when they spot a stroke or are unsure. Symptoms can come and go, may be different for each person depending on the part of the brain affected, and may mimic other healthcare concerns. Sudden onset of dizziness, nausea, balance problems, vision changes, body weakness, and numbness are common stroke symptoms.
Becoming Stroke Smart means answering just three questions correctly!
