Camp Aims to Help Kids, Families Manage Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects a person's lungs and is one of the most common long-term diseases of children.

Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. The disease can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack.

As part of a project to help families better control asthma in children, the Marion County Public Health Department is hosting Indy Asthma Camp on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Avondale Meadows YMCA. Lunch and a snack are provided at no charge for those who participate.

This one-day camp is designed for children with poorly-controlled asthma, as shown through emergency department visits and unplanned health care provider visits, whose families live on a limited income.

The project is limited to 20 families, who must also commit to a home assessment within two weeks following camp, and complete a follow-up survey three months afterwards.

Objectives of Indy Asthma Camp are to:

Increase understanding and awareness among children with asthma regarding their condition, triggers and management.

Increase understanding and awareness among caregivers of affected children.

Increase caregiver's knowledge of resources to support the child's understanding and management of their asthma.

Identify and lower the number of triggers in the home environment.

Present information in a way that is engaging and fun.

A credentialed Healthy Homes Specialist will conduct the home assessments using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Asthma Home Environment Checklist in addition to the Marion County Public Health Department's Healthy Homes Checklist.

The results of the home assessment will help families make positive, healthy changes to the home that will benefit their child with asthma.

The plan may include suggestions such as using trash cans with lids, traps and bait for pests, mattress and pillow coverings, vacuums with HEPA filters, and instructions and ingredients to make green, do-it-yourself cleaning products. These action items will be presented following the home assessment.

Families who take part in the camp and the assessment will receive a $20 gift card at the follow-up survey visit.

"We hope to learn more about children in Marion County who are having trouble managing their asthma," said Karla Johnson, administrator of the health department's Healthy Homes, Environmental Consumer Management & Senior Care Department. "The home assessments and surveys will help us determine how successful we were at educating families and lowering asthma trigger items around the home, and what barriers exist in creating healthier living environments."

To learn more or to express interest in participating, please contact the Healthy Homes, Environmental Consumer Management & Senior Care Department at 317-221-2211.

Project partners include the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Healthy Homes Alliance, Improving Kids Environment, Anthem, Ball State University School of Nursing, The Hoover Company/TTI Floor Care, The Hot Room Indianapolis, and the Avondale Meadows YMCA.

Safe Sitter Class in October

Give teenagers the tools they need to babysit, stay home alone, or take care of younger siblings. Safe Sitter is an instructor-led class filled with games and role-playing exercises. Students learn skills for child care, safety, first aid and rescue, and life and business.

The Marion County Public Health Department will offer Safe Sitter on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Frank Johnson, Jr. M.D. Memorial Building, 3901 Meadows Dr. The cost is $20 and students should bring a sack lunch.

The deadline to register is Sept. 28. Please call 317-221-5729 or e-mail dmilner@marionhealth.org.