March 2010 Blog

March has been a very busy month in Parish Nurse Ministry.

We began with our Seniors’ getting together for the first time this year because of all the cancellations due to snow. We were able to celebrate winter birthdays and catch up on our health spots on Shingles and Heart Emergencies. Our time of prayer is always fruitful and we had much to catch up on with each other. Later on March 17th our Family Caregivers got together in our luncheon/support group and we welcomed a couple of new members. We also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.

Virginia Mullin conducted a Vision and Hearing Screening which was very successful as we screened 80 individuals. Several individuals were referred for follow-up for glaucoma and other hearing and vision problems. That same day we sponsored a fund raiser for our Dental Care for the poor program and raised $1200 to be added to the $1520 from the Rice Bowl Grant we received earlier. We will be able to cost share up to 4 appointments at the Northern Virginia Dental Clinic for 34 people.

This month we also sponsored a Women’s Health Program. Twenty five women received clinical breast exams and education on how to examine their breasts monthly. Twenty four women received mammograms and one received a chit for a mammogram in a month. Each woman had to have a medical home to receive the mammogram so that the event also resulted in 5 women having a medical home for future health needs.

As I write this we are entering Holy Week. May you and your family experience the Joy and the Peace of Christ’s Resurrection next Sunday. Georgine Redmond, RN, Ed.D, Parish Nurse

Ron Vincoli Memorial Healthy Heart Fair

On Sunday, February 21 the Parish Nurse Ministry held the Healthy Heart Fair in memory of a dedicated parishioner, Ron Vincoli, who not only was a great volunteer for the Parish Nurse Ministry, but also for many other parish activities. 

The Fair served almost 100 individuals by providing screenings, information, and referrals.  Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross dropped by to meet the organizers, Parish Nurses Virginia Mullin and Georgine Redmond, and to tour the event.

February is Heart Month

Dear Friends,

February is Heart month.  To celebrate this month Parish Nurse Ministry is sponsoring the Ron Vincoli Memorial Heart Healthy Fair on Valentine’s Day, February 14 from noon to 4pm in the school gymnasium.  (Due to the snow, we had to reschedule to Sunday, February 21.)  


The event is FREE and includes cardiac risk assessment, cholesterol and glucose screening, height, weight, body mass calculation, nutrition counseling, blood pressure screening and health education in hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, smoking cessation, exercise and stress management. 


Participants needing referral to medical care will be helped to enroll for appointments.  Participation prizes will be awarded every half hour.  I hope you will come and enjoy our fair.

I am including the following information on stroke and heart attack  and important guidelines for emergency treatment. 

Check our blog for pictures of our heart healthy fair.

                                                                     

Keep your heart healthy,
Georgine Redmond

HEART ATTACK AND STROKE SYMPTOMS

                                                       HEART ATTACK

·        Chest discomfort- including discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few moments or that comes and goes away and comes back.  It could feel like a squeezing pressure or pain.

·        Discomfort in other parts of the upper body.  Could occur in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

·        Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

·        Other signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea and lightheadedness. (Women are somewhat more likely to have the latter 2 symptoms along with chest discomfort).

Emergency Treatment- even if you are not sure it’s a heart attack don’t wait more than 5 minutes to call 9-1-1.  It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.  Carry 10 grains of aspirin 2 (5 grain tablets) in your wallet.  When you call 9-1-1 you are frequently told to take and chew 2 aspirins.

STROKE

·        Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

·        Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

·        Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

·        Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

·        Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Emergency Treatment- Immediately call 9-1-1.

Note the time symptoms began and record.   A clot busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can prevent long term disability for the most common cause of stroke which is a clot.  This drug must be given within 3 hours of stroke symptoms onset. Don’t take aspirin after a stroke as it could be caused by a brain bleed and aspirin would cause additional additional damage.  

January 2010 Blog: Have a Wonderful New Year!

Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!

In this blog I would like to update you on the current state of the H1N1 epidemic and immunization and talk about resolutions as we enter the New Year. Virginia is one of 4 states that is still experiencing widespread disease, although the cases reported are diminishing each week. The vaccine is now widely available for all ages and they are predicting that we may have another outbreak of the disease in the spring. You can get the immunization on a walk-in basis in all the Fairfax County District offices and it is free (this is per their WEB site). Our nearest office is in Falls Church , 6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500,Falls Church VA 22044. This is close to St. Anthony’s near the Sears store. I suggest you call, however,703-534-8343. Walgreen’s is offering the immunization for $18 and CVS Minute Clinics are advertising that their Minute Clinics are offering this immunization but I could not verify the cost or that this was happening in Virginia. . The INOVA System hospitals are holding clinics by appointment and the fee for the immunization is $23, check their WEB site for specific information.

You have probably heard a lot about resolutions in the last week. Perhaps you are not even interested in making them. Most of us have heard that the most popular resolutions are losing weight, exercise, stop smoking and drinking cessation, or spending more time with family, learning a new skill, get organized, get out of debt, and help others. Catholics often make more spiritual resolutions like, reading and meditating on Scripture daily or frequent reception of the Sacraments. I’d like to offer some practical suggestions for success (we know that only 10% of the people who make resolutions keep them).

1. If you choose to make a resolution, make a list.  Review your list. Take it to prayer .asking God for Wisdom and choose one change that you will implement in the New Year.

2. Start wherever you are and make a specific, achievable plan to accomplish your goal. Acknowledge how difficult change is and affirm your strengths. Get the support of others.

3. Don’t focus on perfection. If you have a set back, immediately begin again. Reward yourself and celebrate the small successes.

4. Most of all, don’t take yourself too seriously, keep your sense of humor and HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!!

Watch the bulletin for Parish Nurse Ministry activities this winter. Remember if our parish school is closed (they follow Fairfax County closures for inclement weather), our activities are cancelled as well.

Peace to you and your family,

Georgine Redmond

December Health Blog

Dear Friends,

November is National Family Care Givers Month.  At St. Anthony’s, we honored our care givers on November 18^th.   We  began with mass and a candle lighting ceremony which hi-lighted the service that family care givers provide for their family members.  A luncheon followed .  Fr. Tuck provided each of our caregiver’s with a daily scripture calendar. Everyone enjoyed the day and the brief respite from care-giving responsibilities.

The first Friday, Dec. 4th, we held our Christmas luncheon for Seniors.  We had 50 members in attendance, with 7 volunteers serving the seniors.  Our senior community gathered after the noon Mass and offered prayers for those friends and family members who are ill. We all thanked God for this time together. For a special treat, members of the Corpus Christi School children’s choir came and sang Christmas carols as our December entertainment. Several volunteers provided homemade luncheon food and Christmas cookies in abundance.  The health spot was on preparing for Christmas spiritually, physically and psychologically.

Lucky attendees won door prizes and all of us had time to share friendship before the holiday rush is upon us.

The number of cases of H1N1 flu have diminished for the time being.  It is expected that that H1N1 will re-appear as it did last spring.  There still is not enough vaccine to for everyone who wants it.  The latest priority group added to the eligibility list is people from 25-64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications to the flu.

A Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year,

from Parish Nurse Ministry

November Blog

Dear Friends,

As I am sure you know from the media the flu in Virginia has reached epidemic proportions.   According to the Virginia Department of Health It is still expected that the vaccine for H1N1 will be available for all groups in December.  I encourage you to track information on flu by using the following site, www.flu.gov.   For example, you can find local community, public health department and school sites and determine your current eligibility.  I am attaching a chart that Fr. Tuck sent to me which I think will be helpful to you in identifying the differences among  Cold, H1N1 and Seasonal Flu. It also has some helpful advice on how you can support your recovery from flu.  (Click on this link to see the chart:  http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Anr3y3Aa_SJkdHRvQ2R4b3hacWFXZDVZNE1xYmI2VkE&hl=en)

November is Family Caregiver’s month.  On November 18^th we will be honoring our Family Caregivers at the noon mass with a luncheon following.  The National Family Caregivers Association www.thefamilycaregiver.org ,   suggests that caregivers live by the following 4 messages:

1. Believe in Yourself.  They suggest that you follow your instincts in making decisions for your loved one.  Believing in yourself includes trying to have a positive attitude because this impacts on the actions you take. In addition, they suggest  knowing your own strengths and weaknesses gives you the confidence to say “no” and when to seek help.  In order to feel more in control they also suggest you plan in so far as you are able. For example, having the legal paperwork necessary for making important medical decisions. And finally it is suggested that you gather as much information as you can.  The internet may be helpful in gathering information on your loved ones condition.  Also, knowing the procedures in work environments that you may encounter like the doctor’s office or the ER will prove very helpful. 

2.  Protect your health.  Taking good care of yourself is a necessity.  If you’re not in good health, you won’t have the emotional or physical strength to help your loved one.  Family caregivers are at particular risk for stress and depression.  Studies show that chronic stress can accelerate aging.  Exercise, even if it’s around the living room or up and downstairs is good exercise.  Eating nutritious meals and taking a vitamin supplement every day will help.

3.  Reach out for help.  Family care giving is not a one person job.  Asking for help is a sign of strength.  The Family Caregivers Association publishes a brochure called, “Share the Caring” for caregivers and those that want to help.

4.  Speak up for your rights.  Speak up for your rights and more help for your self and your loved one. Adequate education and training for the skills you need for care giving, adequate health insurance if you are not getting it from your employer and financial support to protect your future.

You may know family caregivers in our faith community .  Decide how you can help them.  If you don’t know, ask.  Some might like nothing more than a friendly visit.   Care giving can be very isolating.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Georgine

Blog Notes for the Month of October

Dear friends,



This month in my blog I want to mention a couple of our events (past and future) but mostly talk about the flu as we see the numbers rise in those affected with the H1N1 virus in Virginia.

Our Healthy Aging celebrations went very well!! The presentation on Humor was attended by a large group of seniors and all that I heard was very positive. The luncheon, as always, was well attended with a lot of socialization and laughter. (Insert pictures) Please mark your calendars for a presentation by Father Tuck and myself on Advanced Care Planning on October 25 at 930 am between the English masses. Our health survey showed that this is most needed in our congregation. A similar presentation will occur for our Spanish language community in a few months.

Stay well,
Georgine