RiverStone Health refocusing on community-based Hospice services
As RiverStone Health works to sustain high-quality services for the community with an increasingly tight budget, the difficult decision has been made to cease operations at our inpatient Hospice Home. The Hospice Home has long operated at a financial loss that has grown larger in recent years. This decision allows RiverStone Health to continue and expand our community Hospice that serves patients in their own homes – regardless of their ability to pay.
Compare hospices before choosing your care
During National Home Care and Hospice Month in November, hospice providers across the country make extra efforts to inform our communities about the compassionate end-of-life care we provide. We also celebrate our generous volunteers and dedicated professional staff — the nurses, physicians, physician assistants, chaplains, social workers and hospice nursing assistants — who provide patients with comfort, dignity and respect.
It’s way past time to take this message to heart.
COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death in the U.S. Nationally, nearly 1,000 children have died of COVID-19 related illness. While COVID-19 pediatric deaths are rare, tragically, they do happen. Three Billings pediatrician write to encourage parents to protect their children with safe, effective vaccinations against severe COVID-19 illness.
It’s past time to take this message to heart: Get vaccinated.
Only about 51 percent of age-eligible Yellowstone County residents have been vaccinated. There seems to be a disconnect about the seriousness of the current uptick in cases across the county, state and country.
Masked or not, students deserve kindness
“Regardless of whether a student is wearing a mask or not, each deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. There must be no tolerance for bullying due to masking or not masking.”
There’s nothing but your sleeve between you and getting vaccinated
Thanks to The Billings Gazette editorial board for encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments at free, fast Yellowstone County community clinics are available at mtreadyclinic.org
Cowboy up, Montana — and mask up
Thank you to the Billings Gazette for the editorial on the work public health is doing to protect our communities. Please remember the 3 W’s – Wash Your Hands, Watch Your Distance, and Wear a Mask/Face Covering.
Rumors Fly about COVID-19
The risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is dependent on exposure, and right now, that risk in Montana is low. But the virus has produced a disturbing amount of misinformation, rumors and gossip spread as fact.
Public Health Protects Against Disease Outbreaks
The risk of a Billings resident contracting the new Coronavirus is unlikely, but not impossible. That’s why Public Health Services at RiverStone Health has been preparing since mid-January in cooperation with local hospitals, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
PAX Game Helps Children Regulate Behavior
Our director of Health Promotion was instrumental in introducing this approach in Billings Public Schools. A federal grant has expanded PAX across the state to train about 1,100 elementary school teachers.
