May 15, 2008 – The Texas Society of the Virgin Islands and Merchants Market have donated a new platform scale to the Sea View Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. The Texas Society's annual fundraiser is the Chili Cook-off, which will benefit the Queen Louise Home for the Aged, VI Chapter of American Red Cross, VI Alliance for the Mentally Ill, VI Institute of Performing Arts, St. Thomas Rescue and Dial-A-Ride.
This year Sea View requested and received a new platform scale to help ease the residents and staff with tracking weights. The new platform scale can accommodate residents in wheelchairs, Geri-chairs (recliner on wheels) or standing without a big step up. It eliminates the need for using a sling type bed scale, which is uncomfortable for residents and hard to use for staff.
"All residents are weighed weekly or monthly depending on need–it is not so much how much someone weighs that we are tracking but how much weight is gained or lost in 30 or 180 days," said Marleen Dykhuis, registered dietitian. "If a resident gains weight too fast, it could be fluid weight; if a resident loses weight too fast, they may need to eat more or need a supplement, or may be at risk of malnutrition. By tracking the change in weight, we can make a plan for improvement."
Sea View thanks the Texas Society of the V.I. and Merchants Market for the donation. The next Chili Cook-off fundraiser event will be Sunday Aug. 17, at John Brewer's Bay. For Chili Cook-off information, entry forms, rules and newsletters, visit www.thevirginpod.org
