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Lori Ann Cobb, RN, FCN 

First United Methodist Church

123 N. Fayetteville St. PO Box 1354  

Liberty, NC  27298

E-Mail: FCN@firstumclib.com

Phone: 336-622-4682 

Hours: Tues   9-12:30, Thurs 9-12:30 

 

 

August 2010 Nurses Notes

  The Health Corner for August 2010

Alzheimer’s

     The Alzheimer’s Association has updated the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s. These 10 warning signs are important for early detection and diagnosis so that these people can get the best treatment, support and plan for their future. The 10 warning signs are as follows:
 

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks.

4. Confusion with time or place.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.

8. Decrease or poor judgment.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.

10. Changes in mood and personality.

 

 

The newest statistics for Alzheimer’s have been posted and they are as follows:
 

1. One in eight people over 65 has Alzheimer’s

2. Every 70 seconds another American develops Alzheimer’s

3. By 2030 every 35 seconds another American will develop Alzheimer’s

4. By 2030 an estimated 65.7 million people in the world will have Alzheimer’s

5. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the most feared

 

       Medic Alert and Alzheimer’s Association have teamed up to form Safe Return.

     These two organizations have found a way to assist in the safe return of those who wander off.  Safe Return is a 24 hour nationwide emergency service for families who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s (or another dementia) who is apt to wander off.  They especially assist those that have other medical issues that could lead to an emergency.

Medic Alert and Safe Return number is 1-888-572-8566.
The Cost is a $49.95 enrollment fee and annual renewal fee of $25.  The Kit includes:

1. ID bracelet or necklace
2. Personalized emergency wallet card
3. Personal health record (can be updated as needed)
4. 6 steps to a Safe Return magnet
5. Photos in a national data base with contact information
 

     Once you have enrolled if your loved one wanders away you call a 24 hour emergency response line and report your situation and they will activate a community support network, local Alzheimer’s Association Chapter, and law enforcement.  They will help find them, reunite them with their family and give medical information to the searchers.  If you’re a care-giver there is help and educational information for you at www.alz.org/northcarolina.

                                         Sun and Heat Safety:

v  The best way to beat the heat is to cover up.  Wear a hat with a three inch brim or bill facing forward.  Wear sunglasses and cotton clothing in a light weave.

v  Stay in the shade whenever possible.

v  Limit exposure to the sun during peak intensity (10 am to 4 pm)

v  Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater and reapply every two hours

v  Use extra caution around water and sand as they reflect UV rays and you sunburn faster

v  Intense activities that last 15 minutes or longer should be limited during high heat and/or humidity.

v  Drink plenty of water before starting outside activities and continue to drink every 20 minutes.

v  Wear one layer of light absorbent material to facilitate evaporation.

 

                                                Bug Safety:

v  Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair spray.

v  Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens.

v  Avoid dressing in bright colored clothes or flowery prints.

v  Do not use a combination sunscreen and insect repellent as the sunscreen will need to reapplied but the insect repellent should not be.

v  Repellents containing DEET are most affective against ticks.

v  For children over two months of age use a repellent with a maximum of 30% DEET.  Products containing DEET should not be used on children under 2 months.

 

                                                Pool Safety:

v  Install a fence of at least 4 feet high around the pool and make sure there are no openings large enough for a child to get through.

v  Never leave a child alone in or near a pool, not even for a “second”.

v  Keep rescue equipment near the pool.

v  Choose a shepherd’s hook that is made of fiberglass so it will not conduct electricity.

v  Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within an arms length of the child.

 

Have a great, fun and safe summer.

    Lori Ann Cobb RN, FCN

What Your Faith Community Nurse Does

“In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock.” Nehemiah 9: 15

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19: 14

Ř      Office Hours:  Clients come in for blood pressure checks, weight checks, medication assistance (help understanding how to take them), assistance finding ways to get prescriptions cheaper and advice on how to remember to take their medications. They also come in for diet advice, medical condition information ie: cardiac, diabetes, cancer or prevention of illness.  Clients can also get help understanding and signing up for Medicare Part D, Advantage Plans, Supplement (gap) plans, and assistance staying out of the donut hole longer or, once in it, getting their medications.  Plan health fairs, health screenings, workshops, educational programs and put together monthly newsletters.  Phone checks on clients and prayer for all who come and want it.  Yes, I do have some clients who come to my office or phone me so we can have prayer together.

Ř      Host health fair, health screening, workshops and educational programs:

1.  These can be on nutrition, heart health, diabetes, eating healthy on a budget, long term care or even end of life choices.

2.  They are for the community, Pre-K parents, Pre-K students, Early Childhood monthly group, senior center and LAC clients

Ř      Monthly blood pressure checks: Senior Center

Ř      Monthly Clergy Health Wellness: (This was the pilot program for Duke’s Caring Community) blood pressure and weight is checked, spiritual, health and community issues are discussed (This is where the idea for the Holy Week Services came from)

Ř      LAC: Clients can come to a nutrition class on how to eat healthy on a low budget.  I have educated people on the need for no salt and sugar free items in the food bank and helped them with prescription costs with either mail order or discount cards.  The FCN is not an LAC volunteer but she does work with the pastors and their clients.

Ř      Visits: Shut-ins, hospital, nursing home, not only for Liberty Grove and FUMC, but for other churches by request of the Pastor or a member.  I also assist our pastor with serving Communion to these members.

Ř      Back up to Pastor:  When our pastor is out of town or on vacation I am on call for everyone and will assist however I can and get the Pastor’s backup if needed.  I am also available as a backup to other Pastors as needed.

Ř      Monthly meeting: with Moses Cone Congregational Nurses.  We network, get resources and educational material along with continuing education notices.

Ř      Continuing Education: I attend continual education programs frequently so I can stay up to date with the latest programs and procedures to better serve this community.

Ř      Out dated Medication: I have another nurse whose church performs mission work in other countries with doctors and they use these donated medicines.

Ř      Prescription in date:  There is a pharmacy that provides good RX medication for low income clients.

Ř      Durable Medical Closet: An inventory of crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, commodes and a shower transfer seat are available for immediate use at no cost.

Ř      Research:  A lot of research is done to obtain information for anyone that needs it.

 

Lori Ann Cobb RN, FCN

 

Many people have asked just what is the Faith Community Nurse?  In addition to these monthly newsletters there are numerous others things that I do.  Two days each week I have office hours at First UMC.  The office is open to the community to come and see me.  I can monitor blood pressures, assist with medications, offer nutrition assistance, help with special diets, provide numerous handouts on different health issues and help with Medicare issues. I can provide educational classes (nutrition, diets, heart issues, diabetes, portion sizes, sun safety and eating right on a low budget).  I work with the pre-k parents and students on nutrition and I visit the Senior Center monthly to check blood pressure and give them handouts on heart health, blood pressure or other senior information.  All of the above services are free to those who need them.  We have been fortunate to have had funding from grant money to get this program started but in the near future we will need to find other sources of revenue to keep it running.

The Faith Community Nurse is not able to administer medications, draw blood, give shots or do dressing changes, but can help you either do yourself or find someone who can. 

 Look to this page monthly for Health-based newsletters on a variety of topics.