CHH Offers Free Prostate Screening Program

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is offering a free prostate cancer screening for men ages 40 and older to promote awareness and early detection of this prevalent yet survivable disease. This free program features screenings, refreshments, and counseling about colorectal health risks and options will take place on Thursday, September 25, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, 540 Litchfield Street, Torrington.

Pre-registration is required for the screenings, which include a physical digital exam and a simple blood test (PSA). A stool sample is taken for the colorectal screening. The screenings will be conducted by physicians from Adult & Pediatric Urology of Northwest Connecticut, P.C. To schedule a free prostate screening, please call 860-496-6519.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men and more than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with the disease this year. With more annual cases of prostate cancer than that of breast cancer among women, it is imperative that men get checked annually just as their female counterparts do. There are many factors that play into a man's risk for prostate cancer, including age, family history, race, and diet.

The good news is that prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent survivable if caught early. “Since prostate cancer presents few visible symptoms in its early stages, screenings are imperative for early detection. We encourage all men over the age of 40 to call and make an appointment today,” says Janet Hooper, RN, BSN, the Oncology Case Manager at CHH.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

Free Depression Screenings Offered at CHH

In conjunction with National Depression Screening Day, The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) is conducting a free information session and depression screening on Thursday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Hospital’s Memorial Building Conference Hall, 540 Litchfield Street, Torrington. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call CHH Behavioral Health Department at 496-6350.

“Depression is a major health concern, affecting over 19 million Americans each year and occurs in men and women of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups” says Tom Narducci, Administrative Director of Behavioral Health Services at CHH. “If you or someone you love are suffering from what may be depression, I urge you to attend this important, free program.” he added.

Common symptoms of depression include a persistent sad or anxious mood, fatigue, changes in sleeping patterns and appetite, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death or suicide. Individuals experiencing five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks should attend the screening program or consult a doctor or mental health professional.

National Depression Screening Day, held each year during Mental Illness Awareness Week, is designed to call attention to the illnesses of depression, manic-depression, and anxiety, and to educate the public about symptoms and effective treatments, as well as to offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for the disorders, and to connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.

CHH Bereavement Council To Hold Service of Remembrance

The Bereavement Council and the Spiritual Care Department of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital will be holding a Service of Remembrance on Sunday, October 12, 2008, at 3:00 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 837 Charles Street, Torrington.

The service is an opportunity for people to honor the major losses in their lives and find comfort and peace. It is an interfaith service allowing people of all faiths, even those not currently practicing a faith tradition, to support one another and pray together.

"We have all suffered losses in our lives. By remembering and honoring our losses, we can find renewed strength and purpose. We can grieve and through our grieving find new life." Said Reverend Richard Burgess, MDiv., the hospital’s Spiritual Care Coordinator.

Special prayers will be offered for persons who have died in the last year. The names of deceased persons submitted in advance will be read during the service. Those persons being honored need not have been patients at the hospital. Prayers will also be offered for the loss of jobs, health, and pets.

There will be a reception following the service. Please submit names by calling 860-496-6543 or e-mailing rburgess@hungerford.org.

The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut.