HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM

PARISH NURSE  --  Louise Gaeddert, RN

HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM 

Bill Scheider, nutrition;                       Nancy Naffziger, psychologist;    

Mary Ess, health aide                       Dan Brown, psychologist      

Debbie Kampff, school RN                Carolyn Butler, ICU RN  

David Felser, dialysis RN                 Charlotte Horstmann, RN

Rev. Kenneth W. Neal, interim pastor  

HEALTH MINISTRY PROGRAMS

Do you want to DEFY DIABETES!?  We want to hold another series of 6 classes for our community over the next few months, thanks to a grant by the NY Health Foundation, to fund these classes in communities of faith.  In case you don't know, WNY has one of the worst records in the US for diabetes.  This program consists of 3 education awareness classes, approximately 1 hour each, which will give the participants information about diabetes, and helps with how to lessen your risk, or control your disease.  The next 3 sessions will be support groups, and more information in general about maintaining wellness, including spiritual wellness.  There is no cost for this program as it has been underwritten by the NYS Health Foundation for Faith-based organizations like our church and FISH of East Aurora.   If you are interested in participating in the next series, let us know when would be good for you.  We can run the program at any time, including evenings and weekends.  Contact the church for more information, and to indicate when is convenient for you.  

Our next big program will be introducing our AED, purchased through the generosity of one of our members for whom this is an important addition to our concern for health and wellness.  We will provide some training and basic information in the new year.  For more information, contact the church office.   

We continue our program of "transition coaching" in conjunction with the Parish Nurse Ministry of NY.  This involves tracking the well-being of people as they "transition" from one type of health care situation to another.  This includes being sent to the hospital and then back home or to rehab or other living arrangements.  It is to help empower patients and their families in this often difficult process.  This will involve anyone of whatever age.   though the formal program is over, if you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital, and could use some assistance in getting through the complex health care system, please contact Pastor acree.  It involves a visit to the person in the hospital, helping them understand what is going on, and then follow-up with visits and/or phone calls once the transition has been made.  For more information about this special program, contact Pastor acree.  Particpation is voluntary.  It is hoped that this program will alleviate a lot of problems that people have in these transitions, and hopefully avoid major problems from developing down the road, leading to repeated admissions. 

Our Blood Pressure screenings are held on the Sundays we have Fellowship Hour, or upon request at any time.  Check the calendar of events for the specific dates coming up, including October 30, our next Fellowship Hour following worship.     We continue our walking club.   We are asking folk to join us to walk twice a month.  At this time, we are walking the 1st & 3rd Thursdays.  (upcoming dates are Nov. 3 & 17). We are walking at various places throughout East Aurora, meeting at the church at 9:30 am.  We encourage walking on your own, but an integral part of this program is the "group walk," which enables us to commit ourselves to a group goal, and encourage one another.  More information is available, and each walker should have received a walking packet, including a pedometer and a stop watch.  This is part of a wider community effort to prevent heart and stroke disease.  WNY has the highest incidence of heart/stroke disease in the US.  The goal is to be active at the target rate for approximately 30 minutes each time.  It also helps in controlling diabetes. 

Also, we hope to find ways to work with the Elders to provide companion services as follow-up to pastoral and parish nurse visits, and looking at both diabetes and nutrition.  If you have a need, please let us know.  Our next Health Ministry Team meeting will be later this spring (tbd), as we continue to plan our AED training dates (led by Team member Debbie Kampff, RN).  If you want to be trained to do this, let us know. 

IMPORTANT HEALTH NUMBERS

Blood pressure---the measurement of the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and relaxes. The goal for most people is 120 /80mm Hg or less. “Borderline high” indicates that the need for changes in lifestyle and more frequent monitoring are needed. “High blood pressure,” 140/90 or above, usually means the presence of heart and/or blood vessel disease, increasing the risk for strokes or a heart attack.

Sometimes losing weight is all that’s needed to bring your blood pressure down to healthier levels. A diet high in fruits and vegetables while lower in “empty” calories and fats usually helps. Exercise is often recommended for at least ˝ hour 5 times a week and makes sustaining the favorable change more likely. Quitting smoking is another good way to lower your blood pressure, as is decreasing stress in your life. If necessary, there are anti-hypertensive drugs, but there are side effects possible.

The other important numbers are your cholesterol levels. “Total cholesterol” includes the amount of all those necessary fats in your blood. The goal for total cholesterol is usually 200mg/dl or less. LDL---low density lipoproteins---should be kept below 130mg/dl because it can clog arteries, increasing the risk for a stroke or heart attack. Lousy!

HDL---high density lipoprotein---should be much higher because it cleans harmful fat deposits from the arteries like a detergent. Happy! So at least 140mg/dl for men and 150mg/dl for women please.

An overabundance of triglycerides can also contribute to narrowing and blockage of the arteries. Try to keep those below 150mg/dl. Diet and exercise are effective in controlling cholesterol levels although sometimes they must be managed with a combination of diet and exercise. These drugs, like the anti-hypertensives, work if you take them as directed every day, even if you don’t feel sick! These conditions are not “cured” by medication but keeping them under control can be lifesaving!

(from WebMD and Daily Dose of Health calendar)

Louise Gaeddert, RN; Parish Nurse