Hospital District News
FROM THE DESK OF
DR. ANTHONY BROCATO:
Prioritize Your Crew: Simple Ways to Kickstart Family Fitness This September
September recognizes National Family Health and Fitness Day on Saturday, September 26, 2026, making it the perfect time to reset your household's daily habits. With summer winding down and school routines just around the corner, finding ways to stay active together strengthens both your bodies and your family bonds. You do not need expensive gym membership or hours of free time to make a difference. Here are four practical ways to weave health and fitness into your family's daily routine.
Turn Movement into an Adventure
Children and adults alike respond better to movement when it feels like playing rather than a chore.
Explore local trails: Turn a weekend walk into a nature scavenger hunt.
Host a living room dance party: Let a different family member pick the playlist each night.
Gamify your chores: Set a timer and see who can clear the dinner table or gather laundry the fastest.
Master the "Micro-Workout"
A common barrier to fitness is a lack of time. Instead of looking for a full hour to exercise, break activities down into small, manageable chunks throughout the day.
Commercial break challenges: Do jumping jacks or stretches during TV advertisements.
Post-meal strolls: Commit to a swift 10-minute walk around the block after dinner.
Active commutes: Walk or bike to nearby parks or stores instead of driving.
Cook and Create Together
Nutrition is the foundation of family health, and children are far more likely to eat nutritious meals if they help prepare them.
Let kids choose: Allow children to pick one new fruit or vegetable to try at the grocery store each week.
Assign age-appropriate kitchen tasks: Younger kids can wash produce or stir ingredients, while older kids can chop vegetables.
Build a balanced plate: Focus on filling half the family dinner plate with colorful vegetables and fruits.
Protect Your Rest
True fitness requires proper recovery. Consistent sleep schedules improve mood, boost immune function, and provide the energy needed to stay active.
Set a digital curfew: Turn off all screens at least one hour before bed.
Establish a winding-down ritual: Read a book together or practice deep breathing as a family to signal that it is time to sleep.
For personalized advice on nutrition or introducing new exercise routines to your household, schedule a check-up with one of our family medicine providers today.
Please join us in congratulating Kidryn Hicks, our Marketing Coordinator and Outpatient Registration Clerk, on being named Southeast Colorado Hospital District’s September Employee of the Month! ????
Kidryn plays an important role in our organization, helping connect our hospital with the community while also providing support and care to our patients through outpatient registration.
We are grateful for all that Kidryn brings to our team and are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations, Kidryn! We appreciate you!
Southeast Colorado Hospital LTC Earns CMS Five-Star Rating
SPRINGFIELD, COLO. — Southeast Colorado Hospital Long-Term Care (LTC) has earned an overall five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), recognizing the facility among the top-performing nursing facilities in the region.
The 56-bed nonprofit intermediate nursing facility received five stars overall, along with five stars for staffing and four stars for health inspections. The rating reflects the facility’s strong workforce, regulatory compliance, and commitment to resident care.
Southeast Colorado Hospital LTC reports nursing staffing levels above both state and national averages, including strong registered nurse and certified nursing assistant coverage, along with excellent employee retention and no reported RN turnover.
The facility also maintains a strong regulatory record, with no staffing-related citations, fines, or abuse findings and no designation as a Special Focus Facility.
In addition, the CMS rating highlights positive resident outcomes in areas such as falls with major injury, pressure ulcers, and flu and pneumonia vaccinations, where the facility performs better than the Colorado average.
While the facility earned a two-star Quality Measures rating, leadership continues to focus on improving key clinical outcomes, including infection prevention, mobility, nutrition, and reducing avoidable emergency department visits.
A review of 15 nursing facilities within approximately 100 miles found an average CMS rating of 3.4 stars. Only four facilities earned a five-star overall rating, placing Southeast Colorado Hospital LTC among the region's best performers.
The CMS five-star designation reflects the dedication of Southeast Colorado Hospital LTC employees and their ongoing commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for residents across Southeast Colorado.