NEW AHEC Website now active

Idaho AHEC has developed a brand new website with a whole new look, more resources,  and faster page loads.  Check us out at http://www.idahoahec.org/

Snow Shoeing near Donnely, ID  (Valley County)  Photo by Chris Murphy

The Idaho Nurses Association (INA) is the only professional organization representing all registered nurses in Idaho. The INA advances the nursing profession by promoting professional development of nurses, fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the safety and well-being of nurses in the workplace, and by advocating on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.  For additional information or to join, please visit  their website at http://idahonurses.org, or call 888-721-8904.

Student at Health Fair in Mountain Home, ID

FREE WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS -
Today, Idahoans with Alzheimer’s disease could fill the Boise State Bronco Stadium, and that number is expected to double in just 14 years.  Most persons with Alzheimer’s disease are cared for by informal or family caregivers who perform a variety of important tasks—bathing, cooking, administering medications, monitoring symptoms, and others. Over time, these responsibilities can become overwhelming and exhausting, and can even compromise the caregiver’s health.

As reported in the National Alzheimer’s Association’s 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (accessible at http://www.alz.org/downloads/Facts_Figures_2011.pdf ), there are 73,230 caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s in Idaho providing 83,393,999 hours of unpaid care annually. The Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) is sponsoring free online Building Better Caregivers (BBC) workshops through 2012. Caregivers who care for people with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia have a chance to enhance their caregiving skills, improve their emotional well-being, and take greater control of their own health, through participation in a workshop.

To access the free online workshop, go to: www.caregivers.selfmanage.org

The easy-to-follow workshop format, which you access on your own schedule, can help you:

• Find practical ways to manage your own fatigue and stress.
• Discover how to manage difficult care partner behaviors and feelings.
• Make good decisions and future plans for you and your loved ones.
• Learn what you need to do to improve your sleep, eat better, and stay active.

“ Providing caregivers access to  self-management support programs like BBC needs to become an integral part of our health care system if we are going to improve health and reduce costs,” says Richard Birkel, PhD, National Council on Aging (NCOA) Vice President for Self Management and former Director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.  An Administration on Aging grant enables ICOA to partner with the NCOA to host this promising online self-management workshop, originally developed by Stanford University.

Living in Idaho -
Idaho is an incredibly diverse state in terms of topography.  "It’s been said if you flatten all the mountains in Idaho, the state would be the size of Texas. Rivers, mountains and farmland dominate the state’s landscape. The panhandle has emerald green hillsides, timbered mountains and pristine lakes. Central Idaho is covered with jagged peaks. The Snake River Plain, with its wide open vistas, irrigated farm lands and vibrant cities forms the character of Southern Idaho."  (Idaho Department of Commerce).


While there is much wilderness and open land throughout the state, there are also wonderful communities of varying size and character.  There are eight state colleges and universities and a dozen private colleges and universities.  (see list HERE) 


While people here highly value the towns and cities in which they live, many also appreciate the vast range of wilderness and recreation available. For some that means hunting and fishing.  For others it is skiing,  mountain biking,  white water raft trips, or simply a good game of golf.


There are a number of fairs and festivals worth exploring, or for the more adventurous, a trip to one of the many natural hot springs may be in order.


In the summer months many communities throughout Idaho have terrific Farmer's Markets where people gather to purchase locally grown foods.  There is also a growing number of Idaho  wineries.

Most of Idaho is designated as medically underserved area and/or health professional shortage area which means there is a critical need for more doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals in positions throughout Idaho, particularly in our rural areas.

If you are looking for a rewarding career in a drop dead gorgeous place to live, consider entering the primary care workforce in Idaho.  


Take some time to explore the links to learn more about Idaho.  Or, better yet, come see it for yourself.  Whether it is a thriving city or a quiet farming town you are looking for, it's all here in the gem state.


Official Website of the State of Idaho
Idaho Department of Commerce
Idaho Fish & Game
Idaho Golf Courses
White Water Rafting
Ski resorts in Idaho

Clark Fork River in Bonner County - Photo by Molly Fay

 
The Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP) continues to be one of the most important experiences for students in the WWAMI Medical Education Program. R/UOP provides an exciting and challenging four-week, elective immersion experience for students between their first and second years of medical school. R/UOP placements are scheduled between May and August. Each student works sideby-side with a physician in a rural or urban underserved community found throughout Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI), and spends approximately 40 – 50 hours a week in the field with their preceptor. During their time away from their preceptor, they are busy developing a community research project.

In the coming weeks we will spotlight some of the physician preceptors throughout Idaho who have made this program such a success.