Many of the ideas for Parish Nurse activities come from members of this congregation. It is not unusual for someone to stop me at church with a suggestion for a program or presentation, and it has been fun and challenging to try to fulfill these requests. Sometimes I will look for an outside presenter if I feel someone else can deliver the information more fully (and knowledgeably) than I can, and I am fortunate to live in a community with a varied pool of resources to draw from.

For six weeks in January and February 2007, Cathy Maiden and I led a series of sessions on “Caring for Caregivers.” It was an opportunity to share concerns and experiences and give people support in their caregiving. As part of this series, but also open to anyone who was interested, Sister Margaret Turk from St. Mary’s Health System presented a workshop on Stress Reduction. Sister Turk shared techniques for Tai Chi and hand massage and showed us acupressure points for pain reduction. Other speakers included a representative from the East Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Life Enrichment Coordinator from Samaritan Place in Knoxville. The speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association provided excellent ideas and suggestions on dealing with this devastating disease and shared information about available community resources, while the speaker from Samaritan Place provided information on the services offered by their program, including Day Care and Respite Care.

Cathy Maiden and I were also excited to be able to participate in a “Health and Wellness” cruise in September. Attending Tai Chi workouts and plenary sessions each morning at 7 AM was quite a challenge. The speaker for the sessions was Parish Nurse and Diaconal Minister, Tammy Devine, who is the Wellness Coordinator for the ELCA Board of Pensions. She gave us some excellent ideas and written materials for health and wellness activities that we could take back to our congregation. We are pleased to report that even with all that good food on board, we didn’t gain a pound. Taking the stairs and walking everywhere was the key!

I have continued to do “Blood Pressure Sundays” the fourth Sunday of each month, taking blood pressures in the church office after services. Many of you have taken advantage of this. In addition, I have made home visits (24 in 2007) and phone contacts as needed. People often call me with health-related questions, and I am happy to help whenever possible.

Speaking of health and wellness, as we move into the New Year I will be presenting a series of sessions in January titled “Here I Step: Health and Wellness in 2008” that will include talks on nutrition. Cathy and I also plan to initiate a Grace walking club.

I continue to be blessed in my life and career and as a member of this church family. Let’s all strive for a healthy 2008!

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stephens, RN