Chilton County Wellness

October 2023

INSIDE

4 Kids growing at The Y

4Hughston Clinic keeping Chilton in the game

4Disc golf putting spin on competition

CHILTON COUNTY

THE Y HELPING SHAPE

CHILTON'S YOUTH

PUBLISHER

Tim Prince EDITORIAL

Carey Reeder, Managing Editor

Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith, Writer

MARKETING

Zack Bates, Marketing Consultant

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Ashlyn Postell

PRESSROOM & MAILROOM

Chris Love, Production Manager

Michael Turner, Assistant Production Manager

Jordan Crumpton

Nathan Carter

Retha Liveoak

Erica Kine

A Healthy Kids After-School Alliance member pictured with a cucumber he grew in the Y’s garden.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY Lori Patterson

A HEALTHY START AT THE Y

STORY BY ELISABETH ALTAMIRANO-SMITH PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY LORI PATTERSON & CHRISTI MITCHELL

Learning healthy habits from an early age is fundamental to a child’s health and wellness. The Y (formerly known as the YMCA) has always offered a safe learning environment and exercise for the community. Currently, The Y’s after-school program, known as the Healthy Kids After-

School Alliance, provides care to 80 schoolaged children from kindergarten to seventh grade. Whereas most after-school programs simply provide a safe atmosphere for children until their guardian can pick them up, The Y has a wide variety of healthy opportunities for each age group.

At the beginning of each afternoon, children are picked up from Chilton County Schools (Clanton, Thorsby and Jemison) by a Y Representative and transported by

CHRISTI MITCHELL | CONTRIBUTED

TOP: The Y activity schedule changes daily and includes art, sign language, archery, gardening, board games, scooters and outdoor recreation such as kick ball and the playground.

ABOVE: Counselor Christi Mitchell pictured beside the school bus as Y students are boarding.

school bus to The Y in Clanton. They immediately begin working on homework, where they have access to tutoring by a Y Counselor.

Christi Mitchell, who works as a counselor at The

Y and has worked with children aged 0-12 for over a decade, said helping with homework helps foster a happier, family-oriented home for children.

“We work on homework, so

that when they are picked up and go home, they can spend that time with their family,” Mitchell said. “I have first and second graders. They all have a spelling test coming up. Yesterday, I gave them

a test and they all failed so I told them, ‘We are going to do it again until we get it right.’”

After homework, children have dinner. Receiving their meal earlier in the afternoon ensures that children (who might not normally have a healthy meal at home) receive nutrition in case they are picked up early. Each meal is sponsored by the USDA and includes a protein, grain, fruit, vegetable

ABOVE: After-school students pictured planting their okra seeds. The Y’s after-school garden allows students to explore the wonders of gardening and harvest the vegetables as snacks.

LEFT: A Healthy Kids After-School Alliance member pictured with a cucumber he grew in the Y’s garden.

LORI PATTERSON | CONTRIBUTED

and milk.

Following dinner, children participate in activities. The Y activity schedule changes daily and includes art, sign language, archery, gardening, board games, scooters and outdoor recreation such as kick ball and the playground. The variety of activities helps foster a healthy sense of pride and encourages children to learn new things.

“Kids feel self-fulfilled in accomplishing these things,” said Mitchell. “We live in a town where sports are so popular and not everyone is

LORI PATTERSON | CONTRIBUTED ABOVE: The variety of activities encourages children to learn new things while making new friends.

CHRISTI MITCHELL | CONTRIBUTED LEFT: While every child may not flourish in athletics, the after-school program offers other activities such as art, allowing every child to feel a sense of accomplishment.

g ood at sports. You can be great at art and not be an athlete. It builds their selfesteem.”

One of the most popular activities at The Y is gardening. This year, after school gardeners, with the help of facilitator, Liz Doonan, planted watermelons, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, kale and radishes in the Y’s

garden. Fruits and vegetables harvested by the children are consumed throughout the afternoon as snacks.

Programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) activities and dance are also offered seasonally.

The Y also offers beforeschool care beginning at 5:30 a.m. which provides

breakfast and stimulating activities such as kickball, art and Bible stories and transports students to Clanton schools.

After-school scholarships are available through Family Guidance.

For more information, contact 205-755-2382. The Y is located at 405 Ollie Avenue, Clanton.

Find the care you need close to home

Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton

From the routine to the unexpected, you can count on compassionate, personalized care from Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton care teams. This includes giving you access to a variety of specialties right in your own neighborhood.

Specialties:

• Gastroenterology

• General surgery

• Emergency care

• Ear, nose and throat

• Nephrology

• Occupational therapy

• Ophthalmology

• Orthopedics

• Pain management

• Podiatry

• Pulmonology

• Sleep medicine

• Urology

• Urogynecology

• Wound care

To find specialty care that is right for you, call 205-289-5581

Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton 2030 Lay Dam Road Clanton, AL 35045 ascension.org/StVincentsChilton

©

One of the most popular activities at The Y is gardening. This year, after school gardeners, with the help of facilitator, Liz Doonan, planted watermelons, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, kale and radishes in the Y’s garden.

THE ROLE OF A FAMILY

CAREGIVER

FROM ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

AARP estimates that as many as 38 million people–or 11.5 percent of the population–in the United States (US) care for a loved one. In Alabama, there are an estimated

700,000 caregivers who make up 13.9 percent of Alabama’s population. Most of them work a fullor part-time job, and another 30 percent live with their child or grandchild. Family caregivers, who perform a variety of duties, are considered the backbone of the long-term care system in the US.

CAREGIVER DUTIES

A caregiver is defined as anyone who cares for another person. The role of the family caretaker will vary depending on a recipient’s needs. It could be as simple as providing companionship or as complex as administering prescribed medication and treatment. Becoming familiar with a loved one’s state of health will help determine what level of care they will need.

Typical caregiving duties include the following:

•Assisting with bath ing or hygiene care

• Performing household chores, including laundry

• Shopping for groceries, clothing, or household items

• Preparing well-balanced meals

• Running errands, such as picking up medication

• Taking a person to medical appointments

• Helping a person in or out of bed

• Give yourself time to adjust to this new and perhaps unexpected role.

CAREGIVER TRAITS

Fulfilling the duties of a caregiver requires patience and compassion or the ability to see life through a care recipient’s eyes. A caregiver must be committed and flexible enough to deal with whatever comes. After all, your loved one depends on you.

Family caregivers are also expected to be trustworthy and supportive. A caregiver may handle the personal affairs of a loved one, including financial transactions, as well as be a source of inspiration when needed.

Another ideal trait is realizing that as a caregiver, you cannot do it alone. Build a support network of friends, family members, and other care profes -

In Alabama, there are an estimated 700,000 caregivers who make up 13.9 percent of Alabama’s population. Most of them work a full- or parttime job, and another 30 percent live with their child or grandchild.

sion als to assist you. It’s also important for family caregivers to be in relatively good health. Being a caregiver requires stamina, so be sure to take good care of your health and remember to have some fun. Find activities for the care recipient to do as well as for yourself.

SAYING NO TO CAREGIVING

Not everyone is capable of or desires to be a caregiver due to physical or mental health, relationship difficulties, finances, or other reasons, such as burnout. Talk to other family members who may not mind taking on that responsibility, particularly if the recipient is a parent. However, before a refusal is made, consider the quality of life a loved one may face and determine how a refusal will affect family relations. A refusal may not be so simple, particularly if you are the only one who lives near the care recipient.

You can also talk to a social worker, doctor, or other service providers to find alternative care solutions, such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, inhome care, or other community resources. Some faith-based organizations may have volunteers who can regularly assist you as well.

CAREGIVING SYNDROME

AARP estimates that family caregivers spend an average of approximately 18 hours or more a week caring for a loved one. Individuals who are caretakers make big sacrifices, including putting their own lives on hold to properly care for someone. What no one readily tells you is that caregiving, especially over a prolonged period, can take its toll on you physically, emotionally, mentally, and even financially.

Caregiving syndrome, also called caregiver burnout or stress, is a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion. A caregiver may experience anger, exhaustion, irritabil -

ity, anxiety, and depression that can lead to poor health. This is why caregivers cannot neglect their own health.

Other symptoms may include the following:

•Lack of energy

•Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

•Losing interest in activities

•Low resistance to illness

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

The best thing to do for caregiving syndrome is to first try to prevent yourself from getting burned out.

•Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes it may seem easier or quicker to do tasks yourself, but it’s OK to ask fam -

ily, friends, or others for help.

•Build a support network. Find people you can talk to about your feelings, whatever they may be, or seek professional help if needed. Sometimes spiritual or inspirational avenues help. In other words, talk to your higher power or creator. You can also consult with other caregivers who understand what you are experiencing and who may offer help.

•Take regular breaks or even a vacation. Getting away for a few days helps clear your head and obtain some much-needed rest.

•Eat healthy meals and exercise to relieve stress.

•Get enough sleep.

•See your doctor regularly. Do not skip appointments and share what you are experiencing as a caregiver. Doctors can also help make your role as a caregiver easier by ordering special equipment or other services.

•Don’t neglect your social life. For example, take time to see a movie, go to a concert, or visit your place of worship.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

There are many facets of family caregiving, and each role is different depending on the needs of the care recipient. Remember, there are community services available to assist you in this role. Do a quick search on your phone or computer using the words caregiver services. Medical doctors, social workers, senior centers, and other geriatric services can also point you in the right direction to help you in your family caregiver role.

Visit www.aces.edu for more information on caregiving.

FOOTBALL TAILGATE

FROM ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Tailgating is a time-honored tradition in the world of sports. No tailgate is complete without an assortment of delectable food offerings. From burgers and wings to cheese dip and chips, there are many delicious options to chow down on while cheering on your team. However, there is something out there that could disrupt your tailgate with unsportsmanlike conduct: foodborne illness.

Without proper food safety measures in place, foodborne illnesses can quickly take your tailgate guests out of the game.

Food Safety Starts at Home

Rebecca Catalena, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System food safety and quality regional agent, said proper food safety starts before you arrive at your tailgate.

“Before heading to a tailgate, you must plan ahead to ensure that your food items are properly handled, prepared and stored,” Catalena said. “Make sure that you have the needed supplies to keep raw and

ready-to-eat foods separate, keep food items at the right temperatures and keep your tailgate clean.”

Avoid Cross Contamination

If you plan to cook raw items are your tailgate, make sure they are kept separate from your other food items. Cross contamination will encourage the growth of harmful bacteria.

“Avoiding cross contamination starts when buying your food at the grocery store,” Catalena said. “Keep your raw food items, especially meat, away from other items in your shopping cart and when bag -

ging the groceries.”

Once you are at the tailgate, always use clean containers and cooking utensils. Never use a container that once held raw meat for foods that are ready to eat.

You’re Hot and You’re Cold

When tailgating away from home, hauling the food and keeping it at the right temperatures can be tricky. Known as the danger zone, refrigerated or heated food should never be between 41 F and 135 F, respectively. One great way to transport food items to the tailgate is to have separate coolers

for both hot and cold foods.

“For cold items, pack them directly from the refrigerator to the cooler,” Catalena said. “Keep cold foods – such as potato salad and dips – on ice until ready to use.”

To keep cold food items below 41 F, you may have to add ad -

ditional ice to the cooler as the day goes on. To keep hot food above 135 F, it is a good idea to have an electric device, such as a slow cooker, on hand. When serving food, Catalena said to avoid leaving it out for more than two hours.

A Clean Tailgate

The best way to keep your tailgate free of harmful bacteria is to wash your hands. To do this properly, lather with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Thoroughly rinse and dry your hands with a single-use paper towel.

“Accessing running water

In the little moments and major milestones of childhood, we are here for our patients and their families – helping, healing, teaching and discovering.

Childrens AL •org

at a tailgate can be a challenge,” Catalena said. “You can create your own hand-washing station by using a cooler with a spout. Fill the cooler with clean water and bring soap, paper towels, a bucket for wastewater and a trashcan or bag.”

Consider Food Allergies

In addition to foodborne illnesses, it is a good idea to consider food allergies when planning a tailgate. Both adults and children can have adverse reactions to certain food items. According to Catalena, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011.

“Food allergens can really put a fumble on your tailgating fun,” Catalena said. “Depending on the person, reactions can be mild or severe. Have a playbook that includes informing guests of food ingredients.”

Label any homemade dishes that contain common allergens such as milk, eggs, wheat, sesame, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and soy. For store-bought items, keep them in their original containers. This allows people to read the ingredient lists and make an informed decision. Catalena also recommends that people ask their guests to notify them of any known food allergies ahead of time.

“I have two children with egg, dairy and peanut allergies,” Catalena said. “I know reading food labels and asking questions are going to help guard my children from having an adverse reaction.”

More Information

For more information on food safety, visit the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu.

HUGHSTON, WORTHEN

BUILDING COMMUNITY

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAREY REEDER

While athletes are putting everything on the line for their schools and teams on the field this fall, James V. Worthen, M.D. and his team at the Hughston Clinic at Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital are there to help them get back to the field of play if an injury were to occur.

AND PEOPLE BACK UP

Worthen has been traveling down from Birmigham to see patients in Clanton for about 10 years, and the Hughston Clinic sees patients full time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays each week. He also performs orthopedic surgeries on Friday mornings before the clinic opens. Worthen is fellowship trained in sports medicine and specializes in knee and shoulder surgeries. After returning from his fellowship, he knew

he would wind up in Alabama and wanted to branch out into communities like Chilton County that did not have a specialized doctor like himself in the area.

“When I came back from my fellowship out west in sports medicine and knee and shoulder surgery, I knew I was going to practice in Birmingham but I wanted to do a travel clinic that did not have much access at that time to sub-specialty care,” Worthen said. “Through different friends and family, I was connected down here, and when the new hospital was built St. Vincent’s approached

The main lobby of the clinic inside Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital.

A patient makes a follow-up appointment with the clinic.

me to do it. I have loved it ever since, and we have built a pretty substantial patient base down here.”

His physical assistant, Kendall F. Roper, works at the clinic at St. Vincent’s Chilton Monday-Thursday serving patients while Worthen is in Birmingham. However, both are in constant communication throughout the week discussing patient treatment for patients in Chilton County.

The clinic at St. Vincent’s Chilton serves all orthopedic injuries from sports, work and just getting older in age. As a knee and shoulder specialist, Worthen works a lot with soft tissue repair in knees and ligament repairs in shoulders. He also does knee replacements and said he has replaced between 400-500 knees in the Chilton County area since he began working there.

Outside of knees and shoulders, Worthen works with other upper extremity injuries to arms and hands as well. If a patient comes in with a hip, foot or ankle injury, Worthen will contact a colleague who specializes in those injuries to get the patient the proper care they need.

“My patients (in Chilton County) are so much more

appreciative in general than a lot of my patients up in Birmingham because they know in Birmingham they have got 400 orthopedic surgeons within a driving distance,” Worthen said. “It is very rewarding for me to do what I do down here, and I think our clinic has really come a long way and the hospital has been wonderful to work with.”

Throughout a patient’s orthopedic process, Worthen and the team at the Hughston Clinic are with them every step

of the way — from the moment they come in with the injury through surgery if needed. The clinic also works with local physical therapists to help patients get back to where they want to be as well.

“We have the ability to see people very quickly and get their assessment done so we can get them back on the field as quickly as possible,” Worthen said. “Unfortunately, if it is a surgical intervention their season did not go the way they planned for it, but we can get

TOP: A diagram that the clinic uses to show stages of arthritis in knees.

ABOVE: James V. Worthen, M.D., left, with physical assistant Kendall F. Roper during clinic at Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital.

A crushing hit between Isabella and Maplesville High School football players.

them on the road to recovery to get them back the following year. It is a busy time, an exciting time and we love working with the community to get people back.”

Worthen and the clinic’s sports injuries dip significantly each summer with no sports happening. However, in the fall when football begins, those patient numbers skyrocket and it is up to Worthen, Roper and their team to get those athletes

back to the field of play as soon as possible.

“When I chose orthopedics, I chose a specialty that I thought I could make a difference in people’s lives in a rapid way, and I could see the results in front of me,” Worthern said. “That is what I love about my job, you can fix something that can get better and restore people’s quality of life. Being able to see the process in front of your eyes is what wakes me up in

the morning and gets me to work. There are other parts of the job that make it daunting, paperwork and all, but for the basis of what I do it is a very rewarding specialty.”

The Hughston Clinic at Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton Hospital is located at 2030 Lay Dam Road, Clanton. The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-4p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. They can be reached at 205-933-7838.

One of the Hughston Clinic’s nurses looks through a patient’s file.

James V. Worthen, M.D., left, and physician assistant Kendall F. Roper look at a patient’s x-ray of their shoulder.

The Clanton City Course is Chilton County’s home course where its residents compete at.

DISC GOLF

TAKING CLANTON, CHILTON COUNTY BY STORM

at any point in their life.

sport of golf.

One of the fastest growing sports in the United States has already made its splash in Chilton County, and it is here to stay. Disc golf, or otherwise known as frisbee golf, is a non-contact, low impact sport for all ages that anyone can take up

The game, which consists of how many throws it takes for competitors to throw a frisbee from a pad to the basket, is played on a 9- or 18hole course that has different yardages and hazards to work around. At the end of the round, the competitor with the lowest score wins the round, which is similar to the popular

In Clanton, a public course called the Clanton City Course was constructed in the late 2010s, and shortly after residents created two yearly tournaments — the Peach City Classic every summer and the Frozen Peach every January. They also put together a Clanton Fall Disc Golf League through the Professional

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAREY REEDER

Disc Golf Association, the highest governing body in disc golf in the world with 255,048 registered players as of April 2023.

One of those registered players, D.J. Hines, is an avid disc golfer and took up the sport in 2019 after needing something to satisfy his competitive edge in his 30s.

“When I moved to Chilton County, I didn’t have any sports to compete in,” Hines said in an article with The Clanton Advertiser in March 2022. “I didn’t even really know what disc golf

A competitor in the Peach City Classic lines put a shot from close range.

was.”

Hines has excelled at the sport by winning multiple tournaments and even earning a PDGA Amateur Worlds invite to compete. Others like him have taken up the sport to cure their need for competition, and it has produced tournaments in Chilton County with over 80 participants.

“Instead of talking about it, we wanted to just do it, and I just fell in love with it,” Hines added in the 2022 article. “It’s a great way to be outside and to do something active. They have tournaments all across the world where you can go and compete, so having a sport in my thirties where I can still compete at a high level gave me that

Disc golfers in Clanton line up their drives off of the tee pad.

competitive fire again.”

Disc golf is a finesse sport and is played with both power and touch. There are multiple discs a player uses throughout a disc golf round that is similar to traditional golf such as drivers, wedges and putters. Businesses in town such as Clanton Outdoors have begun selling the discs in their shops are seeing the emergence of the sport locally first hand.

“Creating a disc golf culture here locally that welcomes beginners and people to play this sport that is fun and exciting is my goal,” Hines said. “Give them something to get away from life and have a good time.”

LEFT & TOP: Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and residents of Chilton County are taking notice.

ABOVE: Disc golf has multiple different discs to use including drivers and putters.