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

Where to Get Seasonal Flu Shots

1. CVS Pharmacy (Minute Clinics inside the Pharmacy), 3133 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22201 or 7505 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003
Monday-Friday 9 am – 8 pm (lunch break 2 pm – 3 pm)
Saturday: 9 am – 5:30 pm (lunch break 1 pm – 1:30 pm)
Sunday: 10 am – 5:30 pm (lunch break 1 pm – 1:30 pm)
Cost: $30.00 (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance)

2. Fairfax Health Department, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 (703- 534-8343)
Monday & Wednesday: 8 am – 3 pm
Tuesday: 10 am – 5: 30 pm (Walk-in, no appointment needed)
Friday: 7:30 am – 11:30 am (Walk-in, no appointment needed)
Cost: $30.00
3. Giant Food, 3480 S. Jefferson Street, Falls Church, VA 22041
Clinic scheduled: Oct. 8: from 12 noon – 6 pm
Nov. 14: from 12 noon – 6 pm
Cost: $20.00 with Giant Card (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance)
4. Harris Teeter, 6351 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 (703-256-6615)
October 15 – November 12: Walk-in, no appointment needed
Cost: $25.00 with VIC Card (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance)
5. Rite Aid Pharmacy, 6053 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 (703-845-3771)
Call for appointment.
Cost: $30.00 (free with Medicare Part B accepted/cost varies with private insurance)
Special diabetes health screening & seasonal flu shots available Oct. 8, 2009 2 pm – 6 pm

6. St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041
October 25, 2009: 10 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: $25.00 (free with Medicare Part B)

7. Safeway, 5821 Crossroads Center, Falls Church, VA 22041 (703-533-3802)
(Shopping Center on Leesburg Pike with Borders Bookstore)
Monday – Friday: 9 am – 9 pm (Walk-in, no appointment needed)
Saturday: 9 am – 7 pm and Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm (Walk-in, no appointment needed)
Cost: $30.00 (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance) + 10% off next shopping with Safeway Card
8. Shoppers Food Warehouse #48 (Seven Corners Shopping Center)
Appointments available any day; for appointment call 703-533-2278
Cost: $30.00 (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance)
9. Walgreen Pharmacy, 2825 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 (703-243-6906)
Appointments encouraged.
Tuesday, Oct. 13: 11 am – 3 pm Clinic (call for details)
Cost: $24.99 (free with Medicare Part B/cost varies with private insurance)

Guidance for the Flu Season

GENERAL GUIDANCE DURING THE FLU SEASON (BOTH SEASONAL AND H1N1)

How do you know if you are experiencing flu? Symptoms include fever with cough or sore throat, some people may have diarrhea as well.

• HANDWASHING!! Wash hands with clean warm running water and antibacterial liquid soap. Rub hands for 20 seconds or 2 verses of happy birthday. Dry hands using paper towels and discard. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your cough. Use Kleenex and discard in a waste receptacle or “catch your cough” in the upper part of you arm.

• Persons with chronic medical illness should avoid crowds. They should also contact their health care provider by phone if symptoms develop.

• Clean high touch work spaces at home, work or other environments in which you spend time with chlorox wipes daily.

• If ill with flu-like symptoms, call your care provider before going in to their office.

• If you have flu don’t leave home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without fever reducing medicines.

• If caring for a person with flu you may want to wear a paper mask.

• During flu season you may want to have light or clear soups on hand, juices, non-caffeinated sodas and over the counter medications like Tylenol and Pepto- Bismol. Your provider may order these or other medications.

VACCINATION
• It is important for to get your seasonal flu shot early this year.
Vaccine for H1N1 is initially in short supply. At present it is thought it will be available in early October. Target groups (based on experience with this strain of flu in Spring, are as follows: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of children under 6 months, health care workers and emergency services personnel with direct contact with patients and bodily fluids, children and young adults age 6 months to 24 years, people aged 25 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

• The rest of the population will be eligible when sufficient vaccine becomes available. Currently this is anticipated for early December.

• The H1N1 vaccine may require 2 shots, 3 weeks apart, although current trials indicate good immunity with one.

• PLEASE NOTE THAT INFORMATION ALMOST CHANGES DAILY, SO STAY TUNED! As new information is available it will be posted on the Parish Nurse blog

Welcome!!

Welcome to my first health blog. Posted below this entry you will find a summary of our Parish Health Survey with a link to the raw data. As you review the data, let me know your ideas for addressing findings that are troubling. Maybe you have expertise in an area and would like to volunteer to help. I am grateful to all those who completed a survey.

Last month at our Senior Luncheon we enjoyed a dynamic presentation on Making the most of your Doctor’s Visit by Kate Flewelling, a National Library of Medicine Fellow. She suggested asking the following 3 questions: 1.What is my main problem? 2. What do I need to do? 3. Why is it important for me to do this?

In addition, she had other suggestions for getting the most from the doctor’s visit like, bring a friend or family member (or your parish nurse), bring a list of health concerns, bring all medications to every visit, and educate yourself.

From St. Anthony of Padua Parish Nurse Ministry

This month we are celebrating Healthy Aging with a special presentation on humor before mass and our regular luncheon.

From St. Anthony of Padua Parish Nurse Ministry

I am pleased to welcome Pequitte Schwerin to our Parish Nurse Ministry team. Pequitte is an Ignatian Volunteer. She is a Wisconsin native and comes to us with 25 years of military experience. She has had a variety of nursing experiences in the military but her favorite was in the area of Public Health.

Jinny Mullin will resume blood pressure screening this month both at St. Anthony’s and at St. Paul’s Episcopal for the Ghana community. I will continue the Caregiver’s Support group on the third Wednesday of each month for our family caregivers and will be forming a new group for adults who suffer from the symptoms of chronic illness. This group is in response to the health survey data which shows that our parishioners suffer from a variety of chronic illnesses. May you have a blessed month!! Georgine Redmond, Parish Nurse Ministry

SUMMARY OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA 2009 HEALTH SURVEY

Number of Respondents:
English Masses:    897
Spanish Masses: 1060
Ghana Mass:          89
Total Responses: 2046

Responses:
Age Over 50:
English 57%  Spanish 22%  Ghana 53%
Uninsured Adults:
English 7%  Spanish 74%*  Ghana 35%

Uninsured Children:
English 9%  Spanish 59%*  Ghana 43%

Don’t Know Where to Get Health Care:
English 15%  Spanish 58%*  Ghana 51%*

Don’t Know Where to Get Dental Care:
English 17%  Spanish 63%*  Ghana 47%

Problems Paying for Medications:
English 23%  Spanish 52%*  Ghana 42%

Don’t Have an Advanced Directive:
English 36%  Spanish 52%*  Ghana 42%
28% of our whole community don’t know what an
Advanced Directive is.

Countries of Origin:
In rank order: U.S., El Salvador, Philippines, Bolivia, Guatamala, Mexico, Ghana, Peru, Honduras
In all, our faith community was born in 62 different countries

Never Had a Glucose Test:
English 44%  Spanish 70%*  Ghana 27%

Have Not Had a Physical Exam:
English 30%  Spanish 59%*  Ghana 17%

Never Had a Pap Smear (Women):
English 37% Spanish 45% Ghana 55%*
In Women Over 40, Who Never Had a Mammogram:
English 37%  Spanish 37%  Ghana 67%*

In Women Over 50, Who Never Had a Bone Density Test:
English 47%  Spanish 22%  Ghana 51%*

In Women Over 50, Who Never Had a Calcium/Vitamin D Test:
English 61%*  Spanish 22%  Ghana 57%*

IMMUNIZATIONS

Never Had a Pneumovax Injection (Pneumonia):
English 52%*  Spanish 23%  Ghana 47%

Never Had Tetanus Injection:
English 44%  Spanish 60%*  Ghana 52%*

DISEASE/CONDITIONS

In rank order the most frequently identified health problems in our faith community are: Eye Problems, Allergy, Dental Problems, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Arthritis, Weight Problems
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
In rank order the most frequently identified social problems are: Unemployment, Financial Problems, Immigration Problems

PARISHONERS RANKING OF THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH STATUS

Overall, the community ranked their personal health as an average of 3.34 (Good). However, the Spanish community ranked their health at 2.9, a lower level, which is statistically significant, despite the fact that this is the youngest of the 3 groups studied. Overall, lack of access to health care may be part of the explanation.


CLICK ON THE ITEM BELOW TO SEE DETAILED INFORMATION:

1.  Demographic and Health Data: Composite for All Masses

2.  Demographic and Health Data: English-language Masses

3.  Demographic and Health Data: Spanish-language Masses

4.  Demographic and Health Data:  Ghana Community

5.  Composite Parish Family Health Data

6.  Composite Country of Origin Data