Grossmont Healthcare District

August is Oral Health Month. Did you know poor oral health and gum disease is often linked to other chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease? 🦷

This is why it's important for your overall wellbeing to practice good hygiene and schedule regular check-ups. East County community health centers provide specialty services like dental care. Visit one of the following local centers below.

San Ysidro Health, La Maestra Community Health Centers, Southern Indian Health Council, Inc., Neighborhood Healthcare, Family Health Centers of San Diego

There are still a few remaining spots at our next Grossmont Healthcare District's Health & Wellness Library art workshop with ArtReach San Diego on Wednesday, August 21 from 10 AM – 12 PM. Participants will learn about the art of watercolor painting.

Call 619.825.5010, email [email protected], or visit us in person to reserve your spot!

Oral Health Tips for Children Learn how to take care of your children's mouth for a lifetime of good oral health.

Coping with Caregiving - Alzheimer's San Diego Alzheimer's San Diego provides care, support, information, research for individuals and caregivers living with Alzheimer's in San Diego.

Join your local law enforcement and other participating organizations for this nationwide event. We'll be at the Alpine Station at the Alpine Women's Club from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, August 6th!

The Live WoW is on the move! Get FREE health screenings, vaccines, and more, from the County of San Diego and UCSD School of Pharmacy! The upcoming Community Health and Wellness Clinic will be held at the El Cajon Library on August 8 from 3-7pm.

Looking for more community events to visit the Live WoW? Check out the event calendar at LiveWellSD.org/LiveWoW

Stay cool!❄️ Grossmont Healthcare District's Health & Wellness Library is a cozy space with A/C where you can relax, read a book, and escape the summer heat wave. Find other nearby cool zones: https://bit.ly/3YgZAtQ

Yesterday the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors and representing Board Member, Bob Ayres, and other collaborative partners pictured and noted below, broke ground at the site of the new Crisis Stabilization Unit in El Cajon, scheduled to be built by fall of 2025. This addition is a critical need for the East County region, as our nearest emergency department at Sharp Grossmont Hospital needs the extra 24/7 support for those dealing with substance use disorders or a mental health crisis. Read more: https://bit.ly/4cQvDFE

Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Caroline Smith, San Diego County Health & Human Services
Joel Anderson for San Diego County Supervisor, District 2
Chief Deputy San Diego County District Attorney, Rachel Solov
Chief Mike Moulton, El Cajon Police Department
Director, Marko Medved, Department of General Services
Director, Dr. Luke Bergmann, County of San Diego - Government Behavioral Health Services
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gregory Apel, Sharp Grossmont Hospital

July we're emphasizing the importance of eye health. According to the National Eye Institute:

👁️‍🗨️ If your vision is blurry or your eyes are red, swollen, or painful
👁️‍🗨️ If you're not seeing in focus, even when wearing glasses or contacts
👁️‍🗨️ You think you may have a vision problem or eye disease
👁️‍🗨️ Or your doctor says you need a dilated eye exam

It's a good idea to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist to learn about your eye care needs. Use the search tool to find one near you: https://bit.ly/4d22UgA

Finding an Eye Doctor | National Eye Institute Seeing an eye doctor is the best way to take care of your eye health. Find out when to see an eye doctor, what type of eye doctor you need, and how to find one.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month!🏞️ Join our next Walk With A Doc program presented by Sharp Grossmont Hospital on Thursday, July 25. The walk loops through Briercrest Park located adjacent to our Health & Wellness Library. The park features mosaic work from artist James Hubbell designed with "healing and restorative values of green park space in an urban environment.” - a great opportunity to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xCFaAL

This July we're focusing on the topics of vision and hearing. Did you know: our library has listening devices available for use during presentations for those hard of hearing? Additionally, our staff is trained to assist the community with the adaptive technology on our public computers for anyone who needs a little extra assistance navigating. 👀🦻

For more specific vision programs and screenings, there are free resources available through Braille Institute San Diego: https://brailleinstitute.org/sandiego

As we age, our eyesight changes.👓 In recognition of Healthy Vision Month, this July we're highlighting our local health centers that offer vision services.

Learn more about La Maestra Community Health Centers's optometry services: https://bit.ly/3VRdu34, Neighborhood Healthcare's services: https://bit.ly/3zDBmzN & San Ysidro Health's services: https://bit.ly/4cDWoNh

Save the dates for this upcoming summer wellness series presented by the Salvation Army Kroc Center!🌞

On July 18th, the Health & Wellness Library will host George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers, Inc.'s Memory Café program every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:30 AM - 12 PM. These Memory Cafés are a “meet up”, designed to engage attendees in cognitive activities to perk up memory.

Register & learn more: https://bit.ly/3xdknDz

We participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the installation of free sunscreen dispensers at three locations around Santee Lakes, a collaboration with IMPACT Melanoma for its anchor program Practice Safe Skin, with plans for more installations throughout San Diego County. The project was initiated by students Savannah Fakhouri, UCSD School of Medicine, Stephanie Javadi, graduate of UCLA School of Medicine and incoming dermatology resident, and Grace Woodruff, a local scientist and survivor of melanoma. Glad we could join forces with other local partners to provide more access to communities and raise awareness on the dangers of skin cancer.🔆 City of Santee

Alzheimer's San Diego is a local nonprofit that aims to enhance the quality of life of those affected by all dementias in San Diego County through supportive services, education, social connection, and community awareness.

On June 11 from 1-2:30 PM, they are hosting a Dementia 101 at the GHD Conference Center Auditorium discussing an introduction to mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias. Learn information about risk factors, common symptoms, and resources for help. Register: https://bit.ly/3xibmZP

In partnership with City of Santee, IMPACT Melanoma, and other local partners, we've supported the installation of 5 automatic sunscreen dispensers at city facilities in the park system! 🎉🌞

June is Brain Health Awareness Month💡🧠 – a great time to educate yourself on how to keep your brain active and healthy.

Grossmont Healthcare District's Health & Wellness Library has plenty of books and online resources on topics such as neuroscience, the aging brain, caregiver health, dementia prevention, neurodivergence, memory loss, PTSD, brain injuries, and more: ghdhealthlibrary.org

If you live, work, attend school, or access health care services in East County, get a free library card today to access our materials. Also, be sure to attend our upcoming events to advocate for you or someone you care about's brain health: https://bit.ly/3ibAvy1

-Monthly memory screenings (Next one: Monday, June 10th from 11 AM - 2 PM)
-Special Lecture: Dementia, Research and Brain Health (Monday, June 10th from 10-11 AM)
-Music Therapy program for people living with Parkinson's Disease (Next class: Monday, June 10 from 11-12 PM)
-Wellness Wednesday: Maintaining Brain Health through Socialization (June 26th from 10-11 AM)

We recently sponsored Crisis House's Project Homeless Connect — a community health event where San Diego organizations come together to provide needed resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Many services are also now available on wheels including the Live Well San Diego bus which makes stops throughout the week.

Visit our helpful local links to learn about other resources and where the bus will be stopping next: https://bit.ly/3UY1NXJ

This May, we're spotlighting some of our partners supporting mental and behavioral health in East County. Center for Community Solutions (CCS) is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending relationship and sexual violence. They operate the only 24-hour toll-free County-wide crisis line with counselors providing trauma-informed safety planning, emotional support, expert navigation of county resources, and connection to supportive services.

Learn more about their work: https://www.ccssd.org/

Today is National Don't Fry Day! ☀️ The best sunscreen is the sunscreen you’ll use (everyday)! Practice sun safe habits and wear sunscreen every day.

We'll be tabling with our friends IMPACT Melanoma from 5:30-7 PM at Santee's Friday Night Live with information on skin cancer prevention. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dFDQNp