• Featured Condtion/Disease: Cerebral Palsy

    We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Cerebral Palsy.

    Definition

    Cerebral palsy is a group of problems that make it difficult for people to control their own physical movement. A child with cerebral palsy can't move muscles normally. Cerebral palsy is caused when the part of the brain that controls muscle movement doesn't work properly. How much control the child has of movements will depend on how much the brain differs from normal.

    In most cases, cerebral palsy doesn't worsen with age. This means children don't usually lose things they have already learned. Most children benefit greatly from treatment and therapy.


    Getting  Help

    If you have a child from the age from birth to three years old, you can have your child screened for cerebral palsy through the Florida Early Steps program.  Click here to see a list of Early Steps offices in your area.


    More Information

    To get more information about Cerebral Palsy, click here.

    *Most of the information provided here is from the Teach More/Love More site, click here to visit their site.

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  • Health Care Reform for Local Employers


    Are you an employer with 25 or less employee offering health care insurance or have question about what the new health care laws mean for your business?  Career Central is offering three seminars in the Pasco/Hernando areas to get more information.  Please RSVP as seats are limited. The dates are below:



    CAREER CENTRAL WEST PASCO
    Thursday, August 5, 2010
    9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
    4440 Grand Blvd.
    New Port Richey, FL 34652

    CAREER CENTRAL SPRING HILL
    Wednesday, August 4, 2010
    9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
    7361 Forest Oaks Blvd.
    Spring Hill, FL 34606

    CAREER CENTRAL EAST PASCO

    Tuesday, August 3, 2010
    9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
    6038 Gall Blvd.
    Zephyrhills, FL 33542

    TO RSVP, contact:

    Ana Segovia
    Business Services Consultant
    (352) 293-1335
    asegovia@CareerCentral.jobs

    Congress recently enacted the Patient Protections and Af­fordable Care Act (PPACA) and Health Care and Education Affordability Recon­ciliation Act (HCEARA).  These two pieces of legislation constitutes a massive overhaul of the United States health care system.

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  • First Time Pasco Student - Health Requirements



    Do you have a child going to a public school for the first time this year in Pasco or Florida? You will need proof that your child's immunization records are up to date and a physical. Both are sometimes referred to as "blue (for immunization) and gold (for physicals) forms". However, not all physicians or health care facilities provide proof on blue or gold forms - the schools will accept either on any color of paper as proof.

    You can get immunizations shots at either your child's physician office, a health care facility, or the Pasco health department. A list of of immunizations by age is available at the Pasco County School Board site. A schedule of Pasco Health Departments is here. Physicals can be performed at your child's physician office or a health care facility.

    more
  • Featured Condtion/Disease: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders


    We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).

    Definition


    Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning.  Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems. 
    Characteristics and Behaviors of Children with FASD
    • Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)
    • Small head size
    • Shorter-than-average height
    • Low body weight
    • Poor coordination
    • Hyperactive behavior
    • Difficulty paying attention
    • Poor memory
    • Difficulty in school (especially with math)
    • Learning disabilities
    • Speech and language delays
    • Intellectual disability or low IQ
    • Poor reasoning and judgment skills
    • Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
    • Vision or hearing problems
    • Problems with the heart, kidney, or bones
    More Information

    To get  more information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, click here.


    *Most of the information provided here is from the CDC site, click here to visit their site.

    more
  • Featured Condtion/Disease: Autism Spectrum Disorder

    We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Autism Spectrum Disorder.

    Definition


    Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of disorders typified by a child's problems with social skills, effective communication and behavior. Autism Spectrum Disorders make a child experience the world differently from the way most other children do. It affects the brain and can make it hard for them to understand social situations and to get along with other people.  Each child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder has different symptoms. Some children may have mild symptoms and other children, more severe symptoms.
    In the diagnostic manual used by professionals, these disorders are called Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Autism (Autistic Disorder), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger's Disorder (or Asperger Syndrome), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett Syndrome are all in this category.

    The different types of Autism Spectrum Disorders can be confusing. Sometimes parents will see different professionals, and their child will receive a different "label" from each one. For example, a neurologist might say the child has PDD-NOS, while the psychologist says the child has autism. In other instances a doctor might say the child has Asperger's, and another doctor could say the child has PDD-NOS or autism.
    Remember that most times the specific label isn't really that important. What is important is that a professional has recognized that your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Then, based on your child's individual strengths and weaknesses, a treatment and educational plan can be developed. A child with a diagnosis of autism may well be qualified for more services.

    Everyone is different, and every person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder has particular strengths and areas of growth. Your encouragement, love and support help your child have a full, happy and independent life.

    Symptons

    • As a baby, he/she does not imitate other children and does not reach out to you.
    • Doesn't look up or respond to his/her name. May seem deaf at times.
    • Does not seek you out for attention or for only social reasons.
    • Does not point or gesture.
    • Voice and facial expressions can be flat, lacking "feeling" and may not match what the child is saying.
    • Difficulty understanding what people around them think and feel.
    • Delay in speaking, or has speech and then loses it.
    • Speaks in great detail about one subject of topic (for example, only wants to talk about dinosaurs).
    • Has difficulty having a conversation (back and forth)
    • Has difficulty talking about abstract ideas or emotions; takes everything at face value.
    • Does not develop age-appropriate peer relationships (does not play well or have friendships with same-age children), and has difficulty mixing with others.
    • Obsessive (must do something the same way each time) or doesn't play in a usual way. (for example, needing to line up toys or spin objects over and over again).
    • Eats only certain foods or only likes clothes that feel a certain way.
    • Has a hard time relating with people around them.
    • Does not handle change well.
    • Problems with motor skills such as tying shoes, buttoning a shirt and handwriting.
    • Upset when normal routines are changed in any way.
    • May smell or lick toys.
    • May react strongly to loud noises such as car horns.
    More Information

    To read more information about  Autism Spectrum Disorder, click here.

    *Most of the information provided here is from the Teach More/Love More site, click here to visit their site

    more
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Welcome to the PCLS Health Care Blog!

This blog was created as part of the E-Government services offered by the Pasco County Library System. Our intent is to provide the citizens of Pasco County, Florida electronic resources and information about Health Care in Pasco County.

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Prescription Drug Help

Health Care Providers

Florida Discount Drug Card Program

If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


$32,490 (for an individual)

$43,710 (for a family of two)

$66,150 (for a family of four)


For general information: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

To enroll go to: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com

Or call 1-866-341-8894 to enroll by telephone


Pasco County Prescription Discount Card


You can pick these up at any library branch or at the health department to receive a discount on your prescriptions.


For information 1-877-321-2652 or visit their website www.caremark.com/naco