Christ Presbyterian Church
Ormond Beach, Florida

Many people of our congregation and community continue to ask the real purpose of a Parish Nurse. On March 6, 2002, a seminar at Duke University was held to explore the topic of whether America's ailing healthcare system could be rescued by a transfusion from the thousands of faith based organizations that currently labor in the background, providing social - including medical - services to America's needy. The motivation for the conference was the growing concern among health professionals that America's burdened health care system is on its way to being overwhelmed by the rapidly growing health needs of America's aging population.

According to Research News & Opportunities in science and theology, April 2001, there are currently 35 million Americans aged 65 and over; in the next few decades, this number will swell to 80 million, even while the number of younger Americans, whose payroll taxes provide much of the support for America's healthcare system, declines equally dramatically. There are limited options available - healthcare can be dramatically reduced, particularly for the elderly; payroll taxes can be dramatically increased for our workforce; or new sources for healthcare can be found.

The well credentialed speakers of this forum argued that traditional healthcare delivery must partner with religious institutions to provide a richer, fuller, more holistic healthcare that addresses both the spiritual and physical health of the patient. The importance of funding for the prevention of disease, rather than the cure was also stressed.

So what is my role as your Parish Nurse?
It is to function as a member of the ministerial team; to incorporate wholism of body, mind and spirit by:
1. Assessing health
2. Education
3. Development of support groups
4. Health counseling
5. Acting as a referral agent
6. Advocator in our community
7. Being a resource liaison
8. Integrating faith & health
9. Empowering others
10. Training volunteers
11. Visitation of sick and lonely

John 10:10
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness."
This is what the Parish Nurse Ministry is all about; helping people become stewards of their own bodies and using them to glorify and spread the Word of Jesus Christ.

Health Happenings from your Parish Nurse, Linda Bertolet - March 2002

The U.S. government food pyramid is undergoing battle from critics around the country. One of the most outspoken critic is Walter C. Willett, MD, DrPH, chair of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. He, along with other experts in the field warn that it was conceived as a tool to illustrate dietary pamphlets but instead has become almost a logo that companies like to use on packaging. If you check the USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center web site www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/etext/000023.html you will find over two dozen food pyramids.

The key to diet is finding the key that is the best one for you and above all, eating nutrition-rich foods and not overdoing the portion size. If there is any power to embracing a particular pyramid, it is embracing the idea of eating a wide variety of healthful foods and making exercise a priority.

That brings us to the future programs we will offer at our church. We will plan on a monthly speaker to discuss health topics. Some of the first topics include nutrition and depression.

I am also looking for feedback regarding a walking club that will meet at the church. I would like to have opportunities for people to walk Mon. through Sat. (and on the 7th day He rested and so shall we!). Please call me or catch me at church and let me know your interest.

Watch for new bulletin board outside classroom #2. I will post information and news on the board that you may enjoy. If there is a particular article that interests you, let me know and I will make you a copy.

I Corinthians 3:16
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple."

As a parish nurse for my church, I subscribe to a lot of the latest medical newsletters. One of the wellness newsletters from the Mayo Clinic had a special bulletin on herbal medicine. The seven most popular supplements and their cautions include:
1. GINKGO BILOBA: Used in the hopes of improving circulation and memory. Do not use if you take aspirin regularly or other blood thinning medications. It could also raise blood pressure if used with some medications.
2. GINSENG: may improve a sense of well-being, but it has not been shown to increase energy or sexual stamina. It may raise estrogen levels in women. Do not take if you have an estrogen related disease, such as breast cancer, or if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
3. GINGER: used a lot for nausea. It should not be used if you are pregnant or have gallstones. It may cause bleeding.
4. ECHINACEA: Typically used for colds and flu. It should not be taken for more than 8 weeks at a time and should not be used if you have lupus, MS, or HIV.
5. KAVA KAVA: is in treating anxiety. It is a depressant so should not be used if you are already being treated for depression. If you are not on other drugs, do not take it for more than 3 months without a doctor's supervision.
6. GARLIC: believed to lower cholesterol and reduce blood clot formation in narrow arteries. Avoid garlic supplements if you are taking blood thinners or aspirin.
7. ST. JOHN'S WORT: some studies show it may be effective in mild depression, but talk to your doctor before taking it. You may need to rule out other problems before beginning it.

Please do three things if you take any supplements:
I. Look for the U.S.P. mark which shows that the manufacturer abides by the standards sent by the US Pharmacopoeia.
II. Pay attention to the dosages recommended.
III. Tell your doctor what you are taking to make sure that you do not have toxic effect when mixed with other drugs.

Health Happenings from your Parish Nurse, Linda Bertolet - April 2002

FOOD POISONING
Please remember that our season for barbecues, picnics and gatherings outdoors all require the added caution related to food safety. Remember to:
1) Avoid cross-contamination of utensils. Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood. Do not use a fork to check meats and then cut bread.
2) Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. This is especially true if you have any foods with eggs or mayonnaise in them. (If you come to Worship in the Park, please insulate these foods carefully).
3) Cook to proper temperature and
4) Wash hands and surfaces often.