Wellness Center

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Give wellness

Community wellness has always been a priority for Hill Country Memorial, going back to 1992 when it established one of the first hospitalaffiliated wellness centers in the nation.

Since that time, the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center has been so successful that it has reached and gone beyond peak membership class capacity, even with later expansions.

This reflects the growth of the Texas Hill Country, and the increased awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Now underway is an extensive upgrading of the Wellness Center that will help serve more constituents and keep the community even healthier.

The upgrades include increases both in size and amenities:

Larger facility

Total size will increase more than 60% to 31,830 square feet.

Added locker rooms

The two men’s locker rooms will be updated, and a new women’s locker room added, along with a new family locker room.

More educational space

The center will now have three classrooms, up from one.

This will allow the center to accommodate up to 80 hours of weekly class time.

Larger workout areas

Circuit Training will increase from 1,300 to 2,500 square feet.

Cardio Room will add 400 square feet.

Aerobic/Exercise Classrooms will go from one small room to three flexible rooms with modern sound control systems.

This will allow them to offer 125 classes per week.

Addition of an indoor track, and outdoor activity area.

New community space

For the first time, the public will be able to enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces dedicated to community gatherings, including juice and snack bars.

Increased community outreach

Doubling the number of Community Outreach programs from 10 to 20.

Assisting and encouraging active lifestyles means an increase in the overall health of the community, resulting in fewer hospital stays and quicker recovery times from major procedures.

The Wellness Center Revitalization is one more way HCM can fulfill its mission to “Give Wellness.”

The floor plan shows the revitalization project underway at the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center. — Submitted photo

This article was prepared for the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post by Hill Country Memorial.

We would like to thank

Hill Country Memorial as well as the specialists and dentists who help us help the uninsured in our community. You are the living embodiment of the Good Samaritan.

Virus spread

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person.

“Given the increases of community spread, all individuals are at some risk of exposure,” a spokesman said. “Everyone should monitor themselves for symptoms, practice social distancing and stay at home if they are sick, except to seek medical care.”

The CDC states that the virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza but less efficiently than measles, another highly contagious disease.

Some people who show no symptoms are able to spread the virus.

Because of this, the CDC recommends when coming in close contact with others, to stay six feet apart.

It is likely spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets land in the mouth or on noses of others who are nearby and can be inhaled through the lungs.

The virus can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the face,

How to prevent spread

The CDC recommends the following ways to prevent the spread of COVID19:

“Practicing social distancing and good personal hygiene remain our best tools in this fight,” Partin said.

Persons who have had symptoms, but been isolated for 14 days and had additional time being asymptomatic are now considered negative.

He said the makeup of the virus can remain after it is inactive, resulting in a positive test, even if the person is considered recovered.

Symptoms

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe symptoms. Older adults and those with underlying health conditions like lung disease, heart disease or diabetes are at higher risk of developing complications.

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

“We all need to be careful,” Partin said. “We can catch it from people with mild symptoms, even two days before they show symptoms.”

Those include:

Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Hill Country Memorial offer various self-check tools to evaluate symptoms for testing. Most tests are offered through prescription only or on recommendation from a doctor.

Providing Medical Equipment to the Texas Hill Country

Lift Chairs CPAP and Supplies Inogen and Portable Oxygen

CPAP Supplies • Oxygen Services • Wheelchairs and Scooters • Lift Chairs • Electric Homcare Beds Aids for Daily Living • And much more in our large retail showroom open!