What Is the Parish Health Ministry?

Parish Nursing and our Parish Health Ministry empower persons to reach and be responsible for their own optimum health and wellness through healthy lifestyles. It embodies a belief in the interconnection of the mind, body and spirit, and that true health always includes an integration of the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions - a holistic approach to health care.

Our Parish Health Nurse helps to clarify the close relationship between our faith and our health. The Parish Nurse role is multifaceted and includes health educator, personal health counselor, developer of needed support groups, teacher of volunteers, and liaison with community health organizations and services. You may reach the Parish Nurse, Mary Lou Grott, R.N., at 462-0810 ext 110, or via email at parishhealth@nhrc-church.org with any questions or concerns. Office hours are flexible based on changing needs but availability is usually Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You may leave a message on her voice mail anytime and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

The Health Ministry Team includes everyone who is called to work to promote health and wellness in the congregation. The Wellness Committee is made up of a spectrum of both professional and lay members to develop programs to meet the needs of our church. Some examples of our current health programs include: monthly health articles and bulletins; notes sent to the ill and grieving (3, 6, 9, and 12 months after their loss); Blood Pressure screenings; visitation to members in area hospitals, nursing home and assisted living facilities, and home visitation to church members and friends who are facing health challenges of any kind; transportation by volunteers to non-emergency appointments; several health and wellness programs offered, with speakers on varying topics (e.g. Stress, Advanced Directives, Coping with Caretaking of a Dependent Loved One, CPR, Safety Issues for the Elderly, Communicating with Compassion).

To learn more about the Parish Health Ministry's work in the church, click here to view the 2010 annual report.

Upcoming Events and Continuing Programs

FYI for Women: The Heart Center has developed a personalized comprehensive program just for women, entitled Heart Sense, to evaluate and treat women's cardiac health. Call Heart Sense at 845-790-2030 or visit Hudson Valley Heart Center for more information or to schedule an appointment.

PHM Lunch and Learn Program, (Tuesday, February 14th at 11:45 a.m.) with speakers from Hudson Valley Home Matters, a not-for-profit membership organization founded by area residents to give those 50 and older the practical means to continue living active, independent lives in their own homes.  They help provide referrals to their members for preferred home care agencies and service contractors, provide volunteers who help with transportation, running errands, light home repairs and yard maintenance tasks, assist with computer problems, and that's not all!  Come and learn more about this organization by signing up soon in the Gathering Area or by calling Mary Lou

Lunch will be delicious soups, salad, and wraps along with some special Valentine's Day treats and good fellowship to warm our hearts, bodies, and souls!  Hope you can join us!  A free-will offering will be collected, with recommended amount of $3-$5 to cover the cost of the wraps.
We hope you can join us!!

See our February newsletter to "Learn About Your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Numbers"
See our December newsletter for "Living With Loss During the Holidays"
See our November newsletter to learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Blood Pressure Screenings
Blood pressure screenings are held on the fourth Sunday of every month.

Medical Equipment Loan Closet

The church has a variety of medical supplies which can be borrowed on an as-needed basis. Most of the equipment is now stored in the closet by Room 7. For more information, or to get a form to check out equipment, contact Mary Lou Grott.

Transportation Assistance

For transportation assistance, call our Transportation Coordinator, Faith Schwenker.