It's time to get serious about health and wellness

Health and wellness has never been on the minds of people so much as with the Covid-19 virus and its varied forms wreaking havoc in the United States.

It was also on the minds of many at last Saturday’s Clark Fork Valley Hospital’s annual Health and Harvest Fair at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains.

Event organizer Janie Hom, the hospital’s Community Health Improvement Specialist, said there were 21 vendors at this year’s fair.

“It’s a way for people to find out what is available in the community for health needs and hopefully, it’ll grow,” Hom said. “We also hope to do some smaller events this fall and it’d be great to do one in Hot Springs, too.”

Hom also spoke about the Montana Journey to Wellness program.

“We help people make changes with whatever they want to do. It’s their choice,” she said.

Hom said the three-month program, which originally costs $300, but is being offered for $25 now, gives participants three months of coaching and programming.

According to information about it, the program offers pre- and post-health screenings, tailored exercise training, a personal wellness coach, nutrition coaching as well as motivational emails and calls.

There are programs for relaxation and sleep, finances, environment, healthy thoughts, relationships, spirituality, physical activity, career/education, recreation and nutrition.

“If people recognize they need to have a personal investment in it, they’ll be more likely to benefit from it,” Hom said.

Hom said a new group would begin later this month, probably in the last two weeks of October.

For more information, she can be reached at 406-826-4669 or by email at jhom@cfvh.org.

Lisa Eberhardt, the Chief Nursing Officer at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, was there to talk about the importance of flu shots as well as advocate for coronavirus vaccines.

“The flu is still out there and it can still be deadly,” Eberhardt said. “So we urge people to get their flu shots and to consider covid vaccinations at the minimum.”

Eberhardt said the pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges the hospital has faced in its 50-year history.

“I just want people to realize how difficult it’s been,” Eberhardt said. “A year ago nurses were heroes and now some consider them villians. Some of our people have been spit on. But I still think many people are appreciative of our efforts.”

Eberhardt expressed her appreciation for the team effort at the hospital.

“The weekend before last, hospital staff members who work in other capacities outside of patient care made homemade meals for everyone,” she said. “It was really amazing and very thoughtful and helpful.”

Other vendors provided information about diabetes education and blood glucose testing, mental health first aid, disaster preparedness as well as SNAP, which helps provide nutrition assistance, and WIC, which provides access to healthy food, nutrition education and breastfeeding guidance.

For other health tips and information, go to the hospital's web page at www.cfvh.org. or its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sanderscountyhospital/.