New program offers extra help for
patients with developmental disabilities

Whiteside County Health Department has started a new way to encourage people to come to the doctor, dentist or see a behavioral health counselor.

A two-year grant from the Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities has provided Whiteside County Health Department the ability to interact with people with developmental disabilities on a personal basis. The main purpose of the grant is to provide education to patients related to their health issues in a manner they can understand.

Deb Brady, RN, is Whiteside County Health Department’s Developmental Disability Case Manager. Brady is meeting with WCHD clients who have developmental disabilities following their appointments and going over the directions they were given by their doctor.

This direct talk can help someone better understand the medicines they need to take and what time of day, and also knowing when they should return to see the doctor for a follow-up appointment. Also if patients are given new medication, Brady discusses if they need to stop taking one pill and start another.

Each client is given their own workbook to record their medication and mark down times they take it, and other information.

Whiteside County Health Department works with coordinators at both Self Help Enterprises, of Sterling, and Kreider Services, of Dixon, two agencies that provide assistance to people with developmental disabilities in the Sauk Valley area.

For more information, please contact Brady at Whiteside County Health Department, 1300 W. 2nd St., Rock Falls, Ill., at (815) 626-2230.