Caregiver tip: Take your 'energy temperature'
May 6, 2024
"Without ERS Parish Health Ministry, there would be no health ministry at Ascension and Holy Trinity. Parish Health Ministry's support allows congregations to develop their own interests based on the needs of their parish." - Angela Horne, PHM Supporter
What help can parish health nurses and ministers give to their fellow parishioners? These success stories explain the impact these people have on so many lives:
A parishioner, who regularly had his blood pressure checked at a monthly screening, was often told that his blood pressure was elevated. A nurse always advised that he see his primary care doctor. He always had an excuse and was afraid that he would lose his job if he was diagnosed with hypertension.
But the Nurse at that church did not give up. She continued to explain the possible complications of hypertension and encouraged him to see his physician.
After a few months her encouragement paid off. The parishioner went to his physician, who discovered a blockage in his artery and told him he needed angioplasty.
The procedure was successful. Afterward, the parishioner said to the nurse, “Thanks to your persistence and encouragement I went to my doctor, my procedure was successful and I am now on medication. I can’t thank you enough!”
Linda attended a free diabetic screening offered by the Parish Health Ministry program at her church. When the nurse told her that her blood sugar was elevated and she needed to see her doctor as soon as possible, she was shocked!
Her doctor advised her to “cut out sugar completely” and watch what she ate. In three months’ time, Linda couldn’t believe how great she felt. Her blood sugar was in a normal range, her headaches went away, and she no longer felt dizzy and shaky.
Linda told the nurse at her church, “Thank you for the diabetic screening. It probably saved my life!”
Family & Friends CPR Anytime® kits were offered to Parish Health Ministry (PHM) partners in 2019. The program features a kit that contains everything needed to learn the basic lifesaving skills of CPR in about 20 minutes. It is a self-directed, video-based program.
Rose Lindeman, who leads the Network of Care at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Reading, took advantage of this offer. Rose told the church staff about the kits, and the church secretary, Pat Panzeca, asked if she could have one. Her 16-year-old grandson, Joey, was in training to be a life guard, and she thought this would be helpful for him.
Joey was anxious to view the video; while watch-ing it, he learned both hands-only CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver.
A couple weeks later at the dinner table, Joey’s dad was choking on a piece of meat and couldn’t talk or breathe. Joey remembered what he learned from the video on how to save someone who is choking. He jumped up, went to his dad, and used the Heimlich Maneuver. The piece of meat popped out.
The whole family is thankful to ERS’ PHM for offering this lifesaving program.
For information about obtaining a kit in English or Spanish, contact Jeanne Palcic at 513-979-2238.
