Text Box: A Message from the KUMC Parish Nurse Submitted by Lori Root RN, BSN 2008 marks the fifth year for the Parish Nurse Program at KUMC. I am the trained volunteer Parish Nurse for our church family. As your Parish Nurse, I have made home visits, ordered first aid supplies, delivered health teaching and guidance, offered prayer support, directed referrals to health care providers and attended several educational opportunities held in our area. I occasionally take time to write an article for our church newsletter. Put Your Health First is still a wonderful event offered on the first Sunday of each month. Our church has designated this time for BP Screening, Health Education and Consultation with the Parish Nurse. There have been 25 BP screenings recorded this year. Fellowship time consists of health-conscious foods on these Sundays. Much to my surprise, the congregation has adjusted to and welcomed this change. The long line of worshipers waiting to see our Parish Nurse is an encouragement to the healthiness of our congregation. The Kasson-Area Parish Nurses meet on the second Tuesday of each month. This networking group includes parish nurses from area churches, including Zumbro Lutheran, St. Johns Lutheran, The Presbyterian Church and we have also added a Parish Nurse from Holy Family Catholic Church in Kasson. In 2007 we have continued to join together to teach an Advanced Directives class, Living in the Middle because we know the end. The booklet we use to facilitate this class is Five Wishes from Aging with Dignity. Blessings to You and Stay Healthy Lori Root

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A PARISH NURSE

The Parish Nurse has four roles in the congregation.

EDUCATOR- the parish nurse provides training on health issues such as: pastoral care, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, nutrition, depression, dementias, strokes, heart disease , grief and bereavement, etc.

PERSONAL COUNSELOR- The parish nurse is available to all in the trusted surroundings of our church. The Parish Nurse will worship beside you and the relationship is confidential.

REFERRAL SOURCE - The parish nurse will help you navigate through the health care system. She will refer you to resources in the community to meet your spiritual and health needs.

FACILITATOR-

Parish Nurse will identify needs for self-help support groups and develop these Support groups and exercise groups are available to all. The Parish Nurse will train volunteers and lay health personnel to help serve the needs of our community.
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Copyright 2007 Kasson United Methodist Church All rights reserved

Mailing address: 801 5th Ave NW Kasson MN 55944

General E-mail: pckumc@kmtel.com

Office phone: (507) 634-7823

Note-worthy News from Lori Root

Talking About Hearing

On a routine visit to the doctor, you may get several tests and be asked about various aspects of your health. But one subject that is likely to go unmentioned is your hearing. Thanks to the high decibel level of modern life, people are experiencing hearing loss at ever younger ages. Jackhammers, boomboxes, headphones, jet planes, city noise, and rock concerts all take their toll. Some occupations; construction jobs or military service, for example, can also speed up hearing loss. Sooner or later age related hearing loss affects most people. The numbers begin to climb at age 50, and by age 65 one in three of us has measurable hearing loss. Hearing loss can be very limiting socially, professionally, emotionally. It can adversely affect your well being, safety, and health. You may not hear what people, including your doctor, are saying. You may become isolated or depressed. No one should just ignore it.

Food for Thought About Fussy Eaters

If you have failed to persuade your spouse or other dinner guest (your child or grandchild, for example) to eat brussel sprouts, carrots, or some other good for you vegetable, you might take heart from a recent study by British researchers. Avoidance of new foods, known as food neophobia, is widespread in the animal kingdom, from birds to humans, possibly because unfamiliar foods might be toxic. This is, of course, a useful evolutionary trait not just contrariness. The bad news is that it restricts food choices, and for humans, at least, can result in an unvaried and limited diet. The study, which looked at the eating habits of twin children, found that neophobia is certainly influenced by genetics. Nevertheless, preferences are not all in the genes. They can be developed with exposure to new foods, as well as by example. But it is best to refrain from coaxing children or resorting to systems of punishments and rewards (eat your salad and then you can watch TV). Nor is it productive to label a child (or adult) as picky or to get exasperated. Do not give up, though. If you serve and enjoy a variety of vegetables, your neophobic eaters may come around.

Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil may weaken bones because of its very high vitamin A content. A recent Norwegian study of middle aged women, in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that those who took cod liver oil as children are twice as likely to have low bone mass as women who did not. Many people take cod liver oil because it is rich in vitamin D. Several studies in the past seven years have linked high vitamin A intake to weaker bones. Fish oil supplements, and fish itself, do not have much vitamin A, which is concentrated in the liver (in beef and chicken liver as well).

Unraveling some Myths about Aspirin

The optimal dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attacks is one quarter of an adult aspirin (81 milligrams, the amount in a baby aspirin) a day, concluded a new review in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That is the standard dose, but many people take larger doses, half or even a whole aspirin a day. As many as 40% of doctors recommend higher doses. Taking more than a quarter aspirin does not protect more, the review found, but does increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

Is Beauty Skin Deep?

Forget about claims made for skin beautifying foods and beverages, now sold in many high end cosmetics shops and department stores. Like dietary supplements promoted to keep you looking young, fortified skin enhancing foods and drinks contain an array of herbs and antioxidants (such as green tea extract) and are virtually unregulated by the FDA. There is no solid evidence to back up ingestible skin care, except occasionally rodent or test tube studies, or small unpublished human studies. Antioxidants may help keep your skin healthy, but the way to get them is from fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods. The best anti wrinkle, anti aging program for your skin is prevention: Stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen, use a moisturizer, and do not smoke.