Health Ministries
A Note from the Parish Nurse
Ears to hear and eyes to see--both are gifts from the Lord. -- Proverbs 20:12 (NLT)
We've all said it: "He hears when he wants to hear." Sometimes people seem to hear and understand without difficulty, and other times they seem not to hear anything. We often assume that it is selective listening, but it is usually more than just "not listening."
When hearing is lost, a great deal of energy and time goes into trying to understand what is being said. A person can be totally exhausted by the end of a day spent struggling to hear. Hearing aids help make conversation better--not perfect. Even with hearing aids, some things will be missed. Most people with good hearing miss things but fill in the blanks. To ensure that one who doesn't hear well will hear what you say:
*Face her so she can see your lips and your facial expression. Be sure the light is not behind you as your face will be in the shadows.
*Try to eliminate as much extraneous noise as possible.
*Don't shout. Use a normal voice.
*Try not to drop your voice at the end of a sentence.
*Enunciate your works without exaggerating them.
*Remember that speaking rapidly makes you more difficult to understand, so slow down.
*When you are not being understand, try re-phrasing what you are saying. It often gives more clues to meaning.
*Don't say, "Never mind; it wasn't important." The person might feel that he is not important enough for you to repeat your statement.
Hearing impairment is complex. Get a person's attention first and you have a better chance of being understood. Be patient and keep trying. If the hearing-impaired person appears aloof or disinterested, she may not be aware of your presence or be able to understand what you are saying. Don't assume that hearing aids will help, since adjusting them can be difficult. This especially impacts older people who have lived in a very quiet world for a long time and suddenly experience loud, painful, disruptive noise. Time and patience are needed to make the adjustment, as the person must gradually increase both the wearing time and noise level before being comfortable with the aids.
If you are having difficulty with your hearing, ask for help. God is good and has provided many advances to help the hearing-impaired. There may be no need to be isolated by hearing loss. Check with your doctor.
(Source: National Institutes of Health, www.nih.gov)
Hospital Visitation
In order to have visitation while you are in the hospital, please do the following: If you are asked if you want your clergy/designee informed of your admission, please answer "yes," and the hospital will notify us. You can also call the church office and let the staff know.
In Case of a Medical Emergency
The AED Unit (Automated External Defibrillator) is located on the wall across from the Reception Desk. The first aid kit is now located on the inside of the door directly across from the reception desk in the Christian Ed building.
Health Ministries
The Health Ministries Committee (HMC), along with our
Parish Nurse, Pat McGlade, seeks to support the health and wellness of our
congregation by caring for the whole person-body, mind, and spirit. Together
the HMC acts as the living witness of the healing activity of God in our local
congregation, promoting whole-person health through:
- integration of body, mind, and spirit
- increased self-knowledge
- personal responsibility, and
- interdependence among God's people.
Parish Nurse
Pat McGlade, ext. 35
The Parish Nurse focuses on the whole person, to
emphasize wellness, disease prevention, and health promotion through the span
of life. The Parish Nurse's care is based on the holistic model, which sees
health as related to everything a person does, thinks, and feels, rather than
merely the absence of disease. The Paris Nurse is available to individuals and
families for needs assessment, support, guidance, and evaluation of the ways
the church can respond to care requirements.
Care Team Ministry
The Care Teams respond to the real-life needs of
individuals and families. Volunteers work together to offer practical,
emotional, and spiritual support to those who are experiencing physical and/or
mental illness or disability, acute or long-term needs, or other
life-challenging events. Teams are made up of trained volunteers working from
an established, coordinated plan set up as a team effort. A care team provides
services that assist the recipient in activities of daily living at home or in
an institutional setting.
Support Groups
Support groups for bereavement and for those dealing with
mental illness in their families meet each month from September through June. A
support group for individuals with multiple sclerosis meets monthly in the home
of a member of the group. For information on any of these groups, contact Pat
McGlade at ext. 35.
Services for People with Disabilities
Our church was designed to be compatible with ADA guidelines. For information on accessibility, call the church office at 201-652-1966 or send an EMAIL.