ideas & inspiration

Menu

ideas & inspiration

Tillamook County Wellness: A Look Back & What’s in Store for 2024

Tillamook County Wellness: A Look Back & What’s in Store for 2024

by | Jan 16, 2024 | Eat Well, Featured, Move Well, Work Well

Tillamook County Wellness was launched in 2016 as a “Year of Wellness” with a simple goal – to encourage people to make small changes to become healthier. After a successful kick-off year, the Wellness Advisory Committee decided to ride the wave of community support for this grassroots population health improvement initiative and set a ten-year goal to reduce the percentage of people in Tillamook County who were at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. This ambitious goal had one significant challenge. How would we track our efforts to determine if we were having an impact? We can’t measure what doesn’t happen. Or can we?

In 2016, the percentage of adults in Tillamook County living with a diagnosis of diabetes was 12%. In 2023, the same source for this data (County Health Rankings), reported Tillamook County rates at 8%. Another bright spot for comparison is that we began our journey with a health ranking in the bottom third of Oregon counties. Today we boast a #12 county health ranking status out of 35 ranked counties in the state. Anecdotally, we are making progress. More concretely, we have built more trusting relationships, established policies, programs and strengthened partnerships in ways that are making Tillamook County a healthier place to live, work, play, learn and age.

So, who is Tillamook County Wellness and what exactly are we doing to improve health and quality of life in Tillamook County? It’s all of us and it’s everything. This is what collective action looks like. It takes everyone thinking, working and living together intentionally in ways that promote health and well-being.

In 2023, 34 community and government organizations, businesses, schools, healthcare partners and many, many volunteers all worked together to move the dial on health. Grants were written and awarded for building a sustainable healthcare partner network, implementing a health literacy campaign and partnering to hold a bike rodeo where more than 30 bikes were given away to area families. Walking groups, led by volunteers, met weekly throughout the county. Hundreds of vegetable seeds were distributed so our local gardens can “Grow Well.” Free wellness classes were held in English & Spanish for everything from how to prevent and manage chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes to how to manage personal finances. 

Upstream efforts to build more housing, increase the availability and affordability of childcare and expand education pathways for higher income-earning potential are just some examples of how partners are working to create the conditions for a healthier community. Changes to the built environment such as community walking paths, segments of the Salmonberry Trail and a bike pump track are other examples of work being done to make it easier for people to get and stay healthy. Area schools work with Food Roots to teach kids where their food comes from and how to cultivate and cook it. Nutritious recipes with easy-to-find, inexpensive ingredients are being shared and devoured based on the social media stats behind those shares.

The point here is that wellness is more than a number on the scale or a medical record. Wellness starts with people’s ability to have a safe place to live, healthy food to eat, an education that leads to a living wage job, a community that has adequate supports for mental health, addiction, and for families with loved ones experiencing disabilities or different abilities.

Often, when we think about the challenges that negatively impact community health, we wonder, “why isn’t someone doing something about this?” Working in community well-being for a decade, it is clear to me that much is being done and a lot of positive changes are resulting from those efforts. The organizations responsible for much of this work are often constrained by lack of funding, staff or volunteers. You can make a difference by making donations to your favorite charities, getting involved as a volunteer, and advocating for the good work within your family and peer circles. After all, giving back is good for your health. 

Written By Michelle Jenck, M.Ed.,

To learn more, get involved and donate, visit www.tillamookcountywellness.org or email us at info@tillamookcountywellness.org.

Preventing Medical Disasters

Preventing Medical Disasters

by | Nov 8, 2023 | Eat Well, Featured, Move Well

October was Emergency Preparedness Month. It was a reminder that we can be caught off guard at any moment and that negative consequences of the unexpected can be greatly reduced if we take advance action to prevent the worst from happening.

Our most recent emergency was the covid-19 pandemic. As we rebuild after that event, it is important to consider what we learned and to apply that knowledge to avoid further devasting outcomes. What we learned during the covid-19 pandemic is that individuals with chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes were at far greater risk of severe illness and death.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Type 2 Diabetes is occurring with far more frequency than earthquakes or hurricanes. We know what we need to do to prepare for and prevent its onset but we are not taking action in time to prevent it. We can screen for both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. If we identify the condition at the prediabetes stage, there is much a person can do to reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

A simple blood test conducted by your medical provider is all that is needed. An A1C between 5.7 and 6.4 indicates a person is prediabetic. It is at this stage the condition is considered reversible. This blood test is part of an annual exam or well check. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to go in for those yearly checkups. Just like we take our cars in to have the oil changed, tires rotated and balanced, we need to have the same level of care and concern to keep our bodies in good working order. It’s preventive maintenance and it saves us a lot of money and frustration down the road. Just like avoiding maintenance of our car or home, the minor inconvenience of a doctor’s visit is minimal compared to the costs of delayed maintenance.

If we discover we are in that prediabetes range, the course of action is simple but not always easy. Monitoring lifestyle habits like sleep, water intake, nutrition, and physical activity and making small changes (or perhaps large changes) will significantly reduce risk for developing type 2 diabetes. These changes will also reduce risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer. Most importantly, making these changes improves our mood, energy and overall quality of life. Once we begin feeling better, we become more motivated to stick with our new habits.

Read below a recent interview with Karen Patterson who is currently taking National DPP, she tells us how she lost 50 pounds in the first 16 weeks!

Karen Patterson, 36 years old, two daughters, lived in PNW her whole life, moved to the Oregon Coast last year and is getting started on a health and wellness journey. These are her thoughts on our program.

“The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) has made me more aware of Diabetes and has helped me understand my habits and the need to change things for myself.”
“I liked learning from everybody else that was pre-diabetic in class. I thought it was a good way of getting to know people in your community. Everybody struggles, and on the days where I felt like I was struggling the most, and felt bad about it, I didn’t feel alone because it wasn’t just me in class (DPP). I loved getting to know everyone!”
“I loved meeting week after week, and the material was great. The fitness bands and the calorie book were fun things to get out of class. I would definitely recommend this class (DPP) because I think it is a step in getting to know what could be in your future if you are somebody who is pre-diabetic. I think it’s great for anyone to have the opportunity to do it (DPP). I like working out now, and I like eating healthier. It was a great class, I loved it!”

If making these changes feels overwhelming, consider joining the National Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA. If you’d like more information contact Kelly Benson at 503-842-9622 ext. 111 or kbenson@tillamookymca.org.

Tillamook County Wellness Awarded Kiwanis Community Giving Fund

Tillamook County Wellness Awarded Kiwanis Community Giving Fund

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Being Well, Featured, Work Well

To promote the well-being and growth of children, access to regular physical activity is essential. Over the past three years, Tillamook County Wellness’ Health Promotions Committee has been offering fun, physical activity programs designed to introduce families to local outdoor recreational opportunities. Where participants qualify for exciting prize drawings.

Historically, we’ve collaborated with schools, local libraries, the Oregon Food Bank, and various community partners to promote these activities. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve been able to incentivize participation through rewarding prizes.

Tillamook County Wellness would like to encourage more family participation, especially among families with children aged 0-17 years. Since younger children might not have the means or easy access to parks and other physical activity locations on their own, they depend on older family members for transportation and motivation. This realization has led us to develop a more deliberate strategy for engaging families in 2024.

We plan to identify and acquire participation prizes that are specifically appealing to families. The Kiwanis Community Giving Award Funds will play a crucial role in enabling us to achieve this goal.

Tillamook County Wellness extends its heartfelt gratitude to be the recipients of the Kiwanis Community Giving Fund. Their support is invaluable in helping us achieve our mission of promoting health and well-being in our community to young children in Tillamook County.

Picture of: Janeane Krongos of Tillamook Family Counseling Center and Ron Rush of Tillamook Kiwanis Club

Tillamook County Wellness is a community-driven initiative with a primary focus on reducing the risk of chronic diseases by promoting healthy behaviors from an early age. We believe that by making healthy choices more accessible and enjoyable, we can cultivate thriving and vibrant communities.

The Path to Progress

The Path to Progress

by | Dec 23, 2020 | Being Well, Move Well, Work Well

Much love has been poured out in recent months; people supporting local businesses, delivering food boxes and reaching out to others. As we step into a new year, we are reminded that we need to show love to ourselves as well. One way we can do that is by taking steps to care for our own mind, body and spirit at the most fundamental levels.

A friend recently shared a story about her visit with someone who had been struggling mentally, emotionally and physically. When asked to explore what he was really missing and needed more than anything else to get better, it came down to three things: Restoration, Hope and Progress. What this man discovered is truly at the core of what each one of us needs to be well.

Restoration – Our bodies have a built-in mechanism for that. It’s called sleep. If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, it’s amazing to see how clean the park is. Despite thousands of people, including children with ice cream cones, overtaking the park each day, it looks immaculate. For that to happen, a whole crew works all night long to make it look perfect for each new day. Believe it or not, you have a whole Disneyland crew working in your body while you sleep, making necessary repairs, sprucing things up and even helping you retain what you learned during the previous day. We need to give that crew eight hours of quality time each night to get that job done. Setting a regular bedtime, and sticking closely to it on weekends, is important for restoration.

Hope – Remember the TV show, Cheers? Or how about Friends or The Big Bang Theory? What each of these has in common is a sense of belonging among the show’s characters. It sounds cliché but it really is true that sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. That’s because having a sense of connection with others is vital to our well-being. Belonging to a faith community, support group or fitness class is a great way to build connection; as is joining a club with a shared interest, be it quilting, books, dungeons or dragons.  Just getting together regularly with a friend for coffee can fill this need. Even in our current, virtual world, there are ways to gather and share a common experience.

Progress – To move forward. To have a sense of accomplishment is critical for our well-being. The two most important ingredients for making progress are what we eat and how we move. Wait, what? It’s true. Because food and activity are how we derive our energy, these are the two most fundamental things we need to progress toward any goal. Making small steps to our daily habits is progress in and of itself. When we eat healthier foods and exercise regularly, we have more energy, think more clearly, and are more productive.

As you ease into 2021, what small changes will you make to bring Restoration, Hope and Progress into your life?

Help is Here, Now.

Help is Here, Now.

by | Nov 4, 2020 | Being Well

We’ve been sharing ways to cope well during stressful and uncertain times. For the next few weeks, our Wellness Wednesday tributes go out to partner organizations who provide vital services to those struggling to cope. It’s important to reach out and get help even if a person doesn’t think they are “that bad off,” as we so often hear. Just like with other prevention measures, it is better to seek and get help early. This week’s shout out goes to Tillamook Family Counseling Center.

What are some of the more common issues for which people are seeking help right now?

Anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma history, and becoming overwhelmed by family demands.

What are some common warning signs for this condition? 

Warning signs vary. Common warning signs include: struggles with decision making, limited problem solving skills, trouble managing relationships with others, substance use, challenges managing stress, and difficulty managing employment.

Are there statistics that show how common these challenges are?

There are many statistics that illustrate how common these challenges are. According the National Institute of Health 7.1% of adults have at least 1 depressive disorder in the United States. And, according to the National Institute of Health there is an estimated 19.1 percent of the United States population that have had an anxiety disorder in the past year.

What are some of the specific services Tillamook Family Counseling Center provides that help individuals with these concerns?             

  • Individual, family, and group counseling                                                                            
  • Medication management      
  • Peer support services                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
  • Substance use disorder treatment                                                                                                   
  • Crisis services and support
  • Developmental disabilities services and supports
  • Parenting services and supports

For more details visit our website: https://tfcc.org/

What are some common outcomes for people who receive these services?   

People gain the ability to manage anxiety in ways that are not harmful, improvement of depressed mood, improved quality of relationships, improved communication skills, and the improved ability to manage stress.

Are these services covered by insurance and/or do you offer a sliding scale for payment?     

Yes, our organization is recognized by most insurance providers and we are part of the Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization (CPCCO). Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization is the entity that manages health benefits for the Oregon Health Plan. Our organization also has a sliding scale fee system available for individuals without health insurance.

How has COVID-19 impacted services?

The Tillamook Family Counseling Center is continuing to offer services during the pandemic. Most of the visits are being done remotely through telehealth or by phone. In-office services are very limited at this time and primarily targeting individuals with very challenging behavioral health issues. Crisis services are available 24/7 and can be accessed by phone and mobile response.

We’ve been sharing ways to cope well during stressful and uncertain times. For the next few weeks, our Wellness Wednesday tributes go out to partner organizations who provide vital services to those struggling to cope. It’s important to reach out and get help even if a person doesn’t think they are “that bad off,” as we so often hear. Just like with other prevention measures, it is better to seek and get help early. This week’s shout out goes to Tillamook Family Counseling Center. Click on the link below to learn more. (Italics will only appear in the social post teaser)

What are some of the more common issues for which people are seeking help right now?

Anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma history, and becoming overwhelmed by family demands.

What are some common warning signs for this condition? 

Warning signs vary. Common warning signs include: struggles with decision making, limited problem solving skills, trouble managing relationships with others, substance use, challenges managing stress, and difficulty managing employment.

Are there statistics that show how common these challenges are?

There are many statistics that illustrate how common these challenges are. According the National Institute of Health 7.1% of adults have at least 1 depressive disorder in the United States. And, according to the National Institute of Health there is an estimated 19.1 percent of the United States population that have had an anxiety disorder in the past year.

What are some of the specific services Tillamook Family Counseling Center provides that help individuals with these concerns?             

  • Individual, family, and group counseling                                                                            
  • Medication management      
  • Peer support services                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
  • Substance use disorder treatment                                                                                                   
  • Crisis services and support
  • Developmental disabilities services and supports
  • Parenting services and supports

For more details visit our website: https://tfcc.org/

What are some common outcomes for people who receive these services?   

People gain the ability to manage anxiety in ways that are not harmful, improvement of depressed mood, improved quality of relationships, improved communication skills, and the improved ability to manage stress.

Are these services covered by insurance and/or do you offer a sliding scale for payment?     

Yes, our organization is recognized by most insurance providers and we are part of the Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization (CPCCO). Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization is the entity that manages health benefits for the Oregon Health Plan. Our organization also has a sliding scale fee system available for individuals without health insurance.

How has COVID-19 impacted services?

The Tillamook Family Counseling Center is continuing to offer services during the pandemic. Most of the visits are being done remotely through telehealth or by phone. In-office services are very limited at this time and primarily targeting individuals with very challenging behavioral health issues. Crisis services are available 24/7 and can be accessed by phone and mobile response.

If you are interested in services provided by Tillamook Family Counseling Center call (503)842-8201 or (800)962-2851.