RPS kits help students get well

Cold and flu season are quickly approaching, and with the recent hype of H1N1, Residential Programs and Services has been trying to prepare.

Other than educating students and taking some precautions, RPS has created wellness kits this year.

Sandra Fowler, director of dining services, said there has been a lot of discussion about how to combat the spread of the flu. The kits were made in response to the H1N1 fear, she said.

If someone is confined to their room, the kit allows them to stay in bed and get better, Fowler said. It contains items that are usually given to someone with the flu and all are made to last, she said.

Bob Tegeler, associate director of dining services, said RPS has always offered sick trays, which were made in case students could not leave their room because of illness. However, the trays were not specific to a student’s illness, Tegeler said, adding that the kits are improved versions of the trays.

Bob Weith, director for residential operations, said that when students order the wellness kits their RA will deliver it to them. Some RAs have voiced concerns with this, he said, but they have a responsibility to the residents and don’t have to make direct contact with sick students.

“The wellness kits is a service that we offer, but we hope many are not needed,” Fowler said.

Other preparations

With information about H1N1 constantly changing, it is hard to keep the residents and staff updated, Weith said.

“Keeping good communication is the best we can do,” Weith said.

Pat Connor, RPS executive director, has been serving on a response group for major universities for several months, Weith said. With the information Connor has brought back, RPS has been trying to determine the best ways to educate staff and residents and get information to them, Weith said.

“It has been a challenge to deal with all the rumors that circulate about H1N1,” Weith said.

Weith said he was concerned with students getting over-stressed about the threat of the flu. H1N1 gets so much air time that students tend to overreact about getting sick, he said.

Part of the training RPS staff undergoes is in emergency response, Weith said.

This year special attention was given to responding to the flu. During training a nurse from the health center educated the staff on how to help prevent it from spreading.

Cathlene Hardy Hansen, director of health and wellness education, said the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated. She also said it is important to wash your hands, shield others from your coughing, stay away from those who are ill, get ample sleep and have a healthy diet.

Weith said he doesn’t know how this year will be different from last year. There has always been the flu, H1N1 just seems to target young people, he said.

If there is an outbreak or someone has a serious case and needs to be removed from the dorm, special housing has been made available.

“We set these areas up not knowing what was next with the H1N1 issue,” Weith said.

Wellness Kit Contents

1 pack of oatmeal or cream of wheat
3 cans of soup or broth
4 packs of saltine crackers
2 Jello cups
1 cup of pudding
3 tea bags
3 packs of sugar
1 can of Sprite
1 bottle of apple juice
1 bottle of orange juice
2, 12 oz. bottles of water
Disposable bowl, cups, silverware and napkins