Suicide awareness day

Suicide awareness day

Warren

The 17th annual candlelight vigil will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 21, National Suicide Survivors Awareness Day, at Victory Christian Center, Warren Campus, 4257 Tod Ave. N.W.

The vigil is in remembrance of loved ones who died by suicide. Anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide is welcome and encouraged to bring photos or signs.

The candlelight vigil is coordinated by Help Hotline Crisis Center Inc. For information, call 1-800-427-3606.

Medicare solutions

WARREN

Felicia Davis, independent agent specializing in Medicare solutions, is offering a free seminar on how to protect from health care costs and learn more about affordable Medicare Advantage plans that offer choice of low or zero monthly premium.

The annual Medicare enrollment period runs through Dec. 7. For information and to reserve a seat, call 330-395-0200.

Smart-pump IV

KENT

Kent State University’s College of Nursing students have the opportunity to learn the smart-pump IV technology being implemented at hospitals around the country to help prevent medication errors that claim the lives of some 400,000 people a year, according to the “Journal of Patient Safety.”

With funding from a $14,000 grant provided by the Kent State University Foundation Board of Directors, the Olga A. Mural Simulation Lab on the Kent Campus recently purchased four Sigma Spectrum Infusion Pumps.

These computerized devices control and monitor the dose and delivery rates of high-risk IV fluids and medications that have narrow safety margins. Each pump features wireless technology and an extensive onboard drug library that also reduces the likelihood of errors.

Every undergraduate nursing course with a clinical component uses the simulation lab as a teaching resource to prepare students for real-life health care settings.

Healthy eating for kids

LONDON

Independent scientists and nutritionists at the Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH-Intl) have published new guidelines for healthful eating for children.

The guidelines stress the need to help children to shift from burning carbohydrates as their primary energy source to healthy fats, including ones derived from whole-milk products, olive oil, nut and seed oils, coconut oil and intramuscular fats in meat. They also call on dramatic reductions in sugar intake, recent increases in consumption being attributed to misinformed government policies to reduce saturated fats.

Dr. Robert Verkerk, lead author of the ANH-Intl’s Food4Kids guidelines, said that rather than including only four food groups like the present United Kingdom Department of Health guidelines created by the Children’s Food Trust, the Food4Kids guidelines incorporate eight food groups to encourage consumption of healthier food groups, in more appropriate ratios.

The guidelines propose that children derive approximately 55 percent of their energy from healthy fats, 35 percent from carbohydrates, and the remaining 10 percent from protein sources. This compares with the government advice suggesting 50 percent of energy is derived from carbohydrates, with no specific mention of fats.

Dr. Verkerk remarked that; “Proteins and fats help satiate the appetite, and sugars don’t. There is even emerging evidence that sugars may be addictive. It is the regular consumption of sugary snacks and drinks that’s doing so much damage, and pushing kids ever more quickly into metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.”