"... and He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

~Luke 9:2

Blood Pressure Screening

The Parish Nurse Ministry will be doing blood pressure screenings in the Parish Office periodically during the year.

The dates for blood pressure screenings have not been decided as of yet. We do know that we will only being doing screenings before and after the 4 o’clock Saturday mass and after the Sunday 10 o’clock mass and before the 12 o’clock mass. We have had to implement these changes due to time constraints on the two Parish Nurses.

We encourage all parishioners to take part in the screening and find out their blood pressure numbers. Teens and the young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 are especially encouraged to stop by because this is the group of people who do not routinely know what their blood pressures are. High blood pressure or HYPERTENSION is a silent disease condition that presents no symptoms but is PREVENTABLE and TREATABLE.

The blood pressure screening takes less than 5 minutes, a completely painless and noninvasive procedure. Hope to see you next weekend.

For more information on blood pressure click here...

St. Blase Blood Drive

American Red Cross guidelines suggest you can donate every two months. Start now to prepare yourself to donate by eating healthy. Look for the sign-up sheets in the near future! Please consider donating blood at St. Blase. Our Tara Revyn uses 8 units of blood in a 6-month period. Please keep her in mind when considering a donation. For more information on donating blood click here...

Colds & Flu

For tips on prevention and dealing with the flu see our special cold & flu page by our parish nurses. For more information on colds and flu click here...

On A Healthy Note

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.” ~Matthew 7:7

Read the weekly Parish Nurse's Column "On A Healthy Note" in "The Flame."

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Do you need help on saving money on your prescription drugs if you do not have prescription coverage? There is a state website that could help you save money on prescriptions drugs. The www.michigandrugprices.com website allows you to compare prices on 30 most prescribed drugs in the state of Michigan.

The list of drugs are: Amoxil, Aspirin (low dose), Ativan, Celebrex, Claritin, Colace, Concerta, Desyrel, Feosol, Folic Acid, Keflex, Klonopin, Lexapro, Lipitor, Motrin, Nasonex, Neurontin, Nexium, Proventil, Prozac, Restoril, Risperdal, Seroquel, Toprol XL, Tylenol #3, Valium, Vicodin,
Xanax, Zocor, and Zoloft. The table shows a thirty day supply and a specific dosage for the drug.

This website allows users to select a drug and search for prices by Zip code within the state of Michigan. The results will display a table that shows how far a pharmacy is from the
Zip code selected and also the prices. The website is updated on a bi-weekly basis. You may want to call ahead to your pharmacy of choice to check the latest prescription price. Not
all pharmacies in your neighborhood may be listed because it will depend on when the pharmacies are surveyed and if they have dispensed that particular drug during the survey time. In most cases the prices reflect the cost for the generic form of the drug, in the event there is no generic drug then the brand name drug price is used.

The website will also provide other information such as information about the drugs and frequently asked questions and answers about the pricing program.

If you do not have internet access you can go to the public library and senior centers that have computer internet access. Also check with friends and family members who have internet access.

There are a couple of other factors other then just price in deciding which pharmacy to use. The pharmacy’s location, and the relationship you have with the pharmacist maybe a deciding factor. It is wise practice to get all your prescriptions from one pharmacy because they can keep track of the medications you are on and avoid potential harmful drug interactions.

Prescription Resource Network
Free prescriptions if you qualify (Low income criteria must be met)

• For Seniors 60 and over call: Macomb County Senior Services (586) 469-6316
  
  
• For those ages 19-59 call: St. Joseph’s Hospital East (586) 307-9180

In the Gathering Space in Church is the new 2006 edition booklets “Alternatives for Seniors”. It is a resource booklet on senior housing options and services in Southeastern Michigan.

American Wartime Veterans Pension
Parish Nurses also have information regarding pension benefit for American Wartime Veterans
which could help offset the cost of assisted living, nursing home or enhanced independent living facilities.

Stay well, Be Healthy, Be Informed,
Parish Nurse Ministry

The Parish Nurses of St. Blase belong to the St. Joseph's Parish Nursing Network

What is A Parish Nurse?

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." ~Isaiah 40:31

A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who is committed to the holistic health ministry of the church and surrounding community. The Parish Nurse:

• Discusses health problems and makes home, hospital and nursing home visits as requested.
• Seeks to educate and support persons of all ages through a variety of educational activities, programs and support groups.
• Acts as an advocate, resource person and liaison for members to other congregational resources and to community and hospital services.
• Serves as clinical resource and acts as a teacher and supporter to parish members and volunteers to broaden and extend sources within the Church.
• Assists people to integrate faith and health.
• Documents and keeps necessary records to enable the above to be done effectively.
• Participates in peer review and other means of evaluation quality practice of Parish Nurses.
• Stays informed of the theory and practice of Parish Nursing through independent reading, conferences, and networking.
• Works with St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb Parish Nursing Network.

What are the Qualifications of a Parish Nurse?
A Parish Nurse must be a registered nurse with three years experience and a member of the church in good standing. The Parish Nurse must be experienced in health education, incorporating Christian values with healing and must agree to complete the required education.

How can the Parish Nurse Help Me?
Parish Nurses may discuss health issues, provide counseling for you and your family, assist with health education and support and aid with referrals to community resources. This ministry seeks to increase access and usage of existing services and develop means of providing non-existing services.

What Services Does the Parish Nurse NOT Provide?
Any "invasive procedures" such as blood tests, injections, and wound care. Parish members needing these services would be referred to an appropriate health care agency.

How Do I Contact the Parish Nurse?
Contact the Parish Office for more details at (586) 268-2244. Leave a message for the Parish Nurse with Mary Dumm or the office staff.

Medical Assistance

In the recent past, we have had several incidents of parishioners becoming ill at mass and requiring medical help. If the medical condition appears serious 911 is called immediately. In the meantime the ushers need assistance with the situation.

The Ushers and the Parish Nurse Ministry are asking for Health Care Professionals (Physicians, Nurses, Physicians Assistants, Paramedics, EMTs) who are willing to offer assistance during weekend masses. We are asking for those with a medical background to please sign in on the Eucharistic Minister board in the gathering space at the information desk. There is a section on the board in the lower left hand corner labeled "Medical Assistance." There is space for 4 people to sign in. Please write your name and section where you will be sitting during mass and introduce yourself to one of the ushers. In the event that a parishioner would have a medical problem during the mass, the ushers would come and get you to assist them. Your professional experience is appreciated.

For the parishioner who may not be feeling well please let the ushers know that you need assistance and are not feeling well.

Also at this time we would like to take the opportunity to remind parishioners to carry Emergency Medical ID with them at all times and have it filled out with the current information. If you are in need of a medical ID card you can obtain one from the Parish Nurses during the blood pressure screenings held once a month.

Health Care for Children in Need

Recently, the State Children's Health Insurance Program known as SCHIP has been receiving a great deal of attention. Here in Michigan, this program is called MIChild. It is an income eligible health care program for children under the age of 19. MICHild provides health exams, dental care, hearing and vision coverage. The total cost is $10 per family per month.. There are no additional costs to those who qualify. To find out more about the MIChild health care program and whether or not your family members qualify, call (888) 988-6300.