Health Promotion Clinics

Health Promotion Clinics are held monthly in 14 senior rent-subsidized high-rise buildings in the Denver Metro area. Volunteer nurses and pharmacists provide wellness assessments and ongoing monitoring of residents’ health, blood pressure and weight checks, counseling, health information and referrals to health care resources. The clinics are organized around a model of social interaction and a focus on wellness rather than illness. Our goal is to assist individuals in maintaining their physical and emotional health. This helps them remain independent reach their highest potential quality of life. We coach clients in prevention strategies as well as providing education on the self-management of chronic illnesses to reach this goal. Clients can come to a clinic each month without charge. They also can call the staff RN between clinics for advice and counsel.

Download the latest Clinic Schedule (, 28 KB) and Map/Location (, 1.3 MB).

 

Specific Services:

Blood pressure screening and private consultation with an RN

According to the American Heart Association, one in four US adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of them don’t know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer."

In May 2003, the NIH Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure issued new recommendations for tighter control of high blood pressure. A blood pressure of 120-139 over 80 to 89 is now considered “pre-hypertension.”  A blood pressure of 140-159 over 90 to 99 is considered stage one hypertension. Anything over 160 over 100 is stage-two hypertension. Damage to arteries can begin at fairly low blood pressure levels, even as low as 115/75. By screening and educating our clients, we are helping prevent further cardiovascular damage and potential disability.

Weight Checks

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in the US. It is associated with many illnesses including diabetes, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, liver and gallbladder disease, Osseo-arthritis, some cancers, and respiratory disease. Obesity related medical conditions are the second leading cause of death in the US. The estimated annual health care costs due to obesity in the US is $70 billion. By monitoring our clients’ weight and providing nutritional education appropriate for their age and medical conditions, we are assisting them in achieving and maintaining healthy weight.

Consultation With a Pharmacist

Most seniors are prescribed multiple medications for their health conditions. Often there is confusion on actions and side effects as well as compatibility with each other or over-the-counter preparations. By having a pharmacist attend a clinic at last once a year, clients have the opportunity for one-on-one consultation. Pharmacists often make recommendations and offer education to prevent problems with medications or to seek physician advice.

Health Education

A well-informed senior is more capable of making healthy choices about diet, exercise, and life style. Our education program focuses on wellness and when to seek appropriate health care. Health S.E.T. maintains a library of educational materials in a variety of topics that are of interest to seniors. Often we provide handouts on timely topics such as heat stroke, West Nile virus, etc. Our RNs often coach clients in what questions they could ask their doctors in order to understand their care.

Referrals to Community Agencies

Health S.E.T. partners with dozens of agencies within the Denver metropolitan area that provides services (e.g., transportation, financial assistance, insurance advice, dental care) for seniors. In our clinics, we assess the senior’s needs and help them access the appropriate agency to meet those needs. We help seniors obtain thousands of dollars in material aid (e.g., hearing aides, dentures) each year.

Partnership With Academic Centers

The Health Promotion Clinic program has partnered with the University of Colorado School of Nursing for a clinical rotation of senior nursing students studying community health. These students provide individual client consultation onsite as well as investigating community resources that may be helpful to the clients.

We have also partnered with Colorado State University Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition for a graduate student in nutrition internship experience. The interns provide classes, demonstrations, and individual consultation to clients at the clinic as well as by appointment.

Free Flu Shots Each Fall

Health S.E.T. Health Promotion Clinic Program partners with St. Anthony’s Hospital Central’s Pastoral Nurse to provide free flu shots each fall to our low income seniors. We believe this contributes to their ability to maintain their health during the flu season without incurring additional expense.

 

For additional information, please contact (303) 595-6642.