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.

Mailing address: 801 5th Ave NW Kasson MN 55944

General E-mail: pckumc@kmtel.com

Office phone: (507) 634-7823

Basic facts about H1N1 Flu virus:

January 3, 2010

Clean Air Acts

If you're plodding through the cold winter months without a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, it's time to clear the air. Carbon monoxide poisoning remains a far too common cause of illness and death, and most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur in the home. However, you can be easily alerted to potential problems with an inexpensive CO sensor. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. Exposure can lead to headaches, nausea, and even death. Approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. suffer from carbon monoxide exposure each year and roughly 480 people die annually from the toxic gas. Furnaces, gas heaters, generators, and cars are just some of the objects that emit carbon monoxide. A study reported that as much as 64 percent of nonfatal carbon monoxide exposures occur in the home. Keep safe by installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home and testing it regularly.

Taken from Yahoo Health provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services

January 10, 2010

Seek the Sunshine Vitamin

Cloudy winter days may leave you deficient in vitamin D, an important cancer-fighting nutrient that your body can manufacture using sunlight. Research shows that vitamin D may help reduce the risk of colon, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Seek out fortified cereal and dairy products or a supplement to help ensure you get the optimal amount. Vitamin D enhances immunity, helps the body utilize calcium, and may help reduce the risk of many cancers. Your skin manufactures vitamin D with help from the sun so you may be deficient in this vitamin during months when sunshine hours are fairly short and the weather brings more clouds. You're more likely to be deficient in vitamin D if you live in extreme northern locales or have darker skin. Make up for the lack of sunshine by including ample amounts of vitamin D in your diet. Food sources of vitamin D include Atlantic mackerel, eggs, and fortified cereal and dairy products. It's difficult for most people to get the daily optimum dose of vitamin D through diet alone, so seek out a supplement, especially during overcast months.
taken from Yahoo Health provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services

January 17, 2009

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when there is freezing of the affected area and it is the most serious of the cold weather-related injuries. Frostbite results from decreased blood flow and heat delivery to body tissues resulting in damaging ice crystal formation. The symptoms of frostbite may include pain/burning, numbness, and eventual complete loss of sensation. Depending on the extent and time of injury, the affected area may appear pale, red, bluish/gray or black with the presence of clear or purplish colored blisters. To avoid frostbite, dress warmly using multiple layers. Always keep your hands and feet dry and avoid wearing tight fitting clothing on these areas as it may decrease the circulation. Most importantly, however, move indoors to a warmer environment when you begin to feel cold.

taken from medicinenet.com provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services

January 24, 2010

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of that affects a person during the same season each year. If you get depressed in the winter but feel much better in spring and summer, you may have SAD. Experts are not sure what causes SAD, but they think it may be caused by a lack of sunlight. Lack of light may upset your sleep-wake cycle and other . And it may cause problems with a called serotonin that affects mood. For most people with SAD, symptoms start in September or October and end in April or May. If you have SAD, you may feel sad, grumpy, or anxious; lost interest in usual activities, eat and crave carbohydrates such as bread and pasta; gain weight; and sleep more and feel drowsy during the daytime. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Treatments for SAD may include light therapy from a light box, or antidepressants.

taken from webmd.com provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services

January 31, 2009

Is Wetter Water Better Water?

There’s a huge market for waters with additives: vitamins, minerals, herbs such as ginseng and ginko, flavorings, mint, aloe, fiber, green tea, caffeine, and more. On market shelves and in many vending machines, you’ll find products such as Vitmin-Water, Dasani Plus, Smart Water, Propel Fitness Water, SoBe Lifewater, and Snapple Antioxidant Water. These waters are usually not as sugary as regular soft drinks – although some, like most Vitamin Water products, do contain added sugar. The vitamins and minerals in them are certainly not going to make you healthy, boost immunity or energy, or relax you, despite the claims. One product even advertises itself as “wetter.” There’s probably no serious harm in any of these waters, but they are expensive, and some are sugary. If you want additives in your water, try a slice of lemon, lime, or strawberry.

taken from the Berkeley Wellness Letter provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services