Open Arms Free Clinic is kicking off its fifth year of serving the community with free community wellness opportunities open to the public.
OAFC is the first and only free medical and supportive care in Walworth County serving low-income and uninsured residents with primary medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical assistance.
Created in December 2011, and expanded in April 2015, Open Arms is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization with a mission to better understand and serve with compassion the health and wellness needs of the uninsured, low income, and underserved residents of Walworth County.
A free wellness walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. OAFC is partnering with the Elkhorn Area High School H.O.S.A. group to encourage patients, neighbors and friends to get off the couch and start moving. Executive Director, Sara Nichols, will lead an easy 1-mile walk to begin at the OAFC parking lot and stay within the Commerce Court block. There is no registration fee and participants are encouraged to just show up.
Why is it important? Exercise can reduce heart disease, reduce diabetes, and improve mental health. As mental health is such a hot-button issue nowadays, health and wellness clinics/facilities are trying to do what they can to make sure people are feeling good within themselves and promoting a healthy lifestyle for physical and emotional health. This can be tackled in many ways but the natural route has been applauded a lot with people combining gentle exercise with natural remedies like herbal supplements and cannabis-based products, which also includes looking into shrooms online canada services for those who need additional help. This, of course, is something that should be discussed with a doctor but nowadays there is a lot of talk over how these treatments have helped many people. Over 2000 patients have received care at the clinic since December 6, 2012.
Currently, there are approximately 700 active patients, and 370 new patients in 2016. There were over 3,500 patient visits this year, averaging 75 visits a week. Patients come from 17 different countries of origin, and currently reside in 20 different towns in Walworth County with the greatest number from Lake Geneva, Delavan, and Elkhorn. The average patient is 41 years old, (which is young for the chronic conditions we are seeing).
Out of the 700 active patients, 22 percent have hypertension; 19 percent have diabetes (double the national average); 20 percent have depression and/or anxiety; 20 percent have medication concerns – meaning they require close monitoring for side effects and effectiveness. A fifth of the patients had visited the emergency room in the 12 months prior to enrolling at the clinic.
Open Arms Free Clinic is at 205 E. Commerce Court, Elkhorn. For more information call (262) 379 1401, send an email to info@openarmsfreeclinic.org, like Open Arms Free Clinic on Facebook or visit www.openarmsfreeclinic.org
The clinic derives all its operating income solely from private donations, foundations, grants, and fundraising events. In spite of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA/”Obamacare) there are still well over 8,000 people living in Walworth County who do not have any form of health insurance coverage. Open Arms Free Clinic is well aware the need continues and will remain Walworth County’s first “safety net” healthcare provider dispensing services with compassion, advocacy, and understanding.
