Brotherly Love Ministry - Parish Nursing
Parish Nurse Hours
I am available from 9:00 am to 10:15 am on Sunday mornings. If I can be of any assistance, please stop by my office in the Library in the Sunday School wing during this time, or call or text me anytime at 484-223-7324.
Kim Vaupel, RN
WHERE TO FIND...
The AED (defibrillator) is mounted on the wall by the AED sign. There is an emergency supply kit and a diabetic emergency supply kit on the table next to the pew in the Chapel. If you enter the Chapel from the doorway in the hallway by the sanctuary, the table with the emergency care kits will be on your right. This is a more central location than the previous one in the event of an emergency. When you are next at church, please take a minute to locate the emergency equipment.
First Aid kits are in all restrooms and the Sunday School classroom. There is also a first aid kit in the rear of the sanctuary on a table below the bulletin board, and in the kitchen on the counter in Fellowship Hall (downstairs). Feminine hygiene products are available in all restrooms except for the Men’s restroom in the Sunday School wing.
The Brotherly Love Ministry/Parish Nurse bulletin board is by the front ramp entrance.
November News
Influenza or “the flu” is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is easily transmitted through droplets from an infected person’s cough, sneeze or by touching contaminated hands or objects. The flu spreads quickly in crowded areas like schools and nursing homes.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, dry cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches in the back, arms, or legs, headache, and feeling tired. Nausea and diarrhea are more common flu symptoms in children than adults. Symptoms usually begin around two days after being infected by someone who has the virus. Most symptoms go away in four to seven days, but a cough and tired feeling may last for weeks.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms - difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe vomiting, or fever with a rash. Complications of the flu include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, cardiac infections, worsening of chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and multi organ failure. The best ways to treat the symptoms of the flu are as follows:
• Rest - Get enough sleep to help your immune system fight the infection.
• Hydrate - Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, and warm soups.
• Medication - Take Tylenol or ibuprofen to help with fever, headaches, or body aches. Take a decongestant or antihistamine to treat congestion, cough, and nasal discharge.
• Humidifier - A mist humidifier or vaporizer can help with congestion, cough by moistening the air in your home.
• Drink lemon tea - Lemon-based teas contain vitamin C and antioxidants which can help strengthen your immune system.
• Gargle with salt water - A warm saltwater gargle rinse can soothe a sore throat and help clear mucous.
• Stay home - Stay home from work, school, and other public places for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without using Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• Call your health care professional within 48 hours of your first symptoms for advice about what to do next. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication.
Prevention is the key to staying healthy during the flu season. Some ways to prevent the flu include washing your hands often to prevent the spread of the virus, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, like doorknobs, counter tops, light switches, faucets, toilets, and electronics. Avoid crowds during flu season. Limit contact with anyone who has the flu. Sneeze and cough into a tissue and avoid touching your face and eyes after coughing or sneezing. Exercise regularly, because exercise boosts your immune system and speeds recovery from illness. Eat a healthy balanced diet.
The BEST way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine works by helping our bodies produce antibodies that provide protection against the infection. The vaccine protects against multiple influenza viruses. It is available yearly, starting in the fall months. It takes up two weeks to build immunity after getting the flu vaccine. Most of the time the flu season peaks between December and February. Flu vaccines are available at your family doctor’s office, local pharmacies, and flu clinics.
Do the best you can to protect yourself this flu season! Please get a flu vaccine this year!
May peace and good health be with all of you!
Kim Vaupel, RN
History: In September 2023, a new ministry was started at Grace Lutheran Church. The goal of this ministry is to promote the health, wellness and safety of the members of Grace and the community. Brotherly Love Ministry was named in honor of my brother Leonard Sterner, Jr. who passed away unexpectedly in September 2019. Since my brother was proud that his sister was a nurse, I have decided to use the memorial donations given to Grace in his name to start this parish nursing ministry. This memorial fund was used to pay for the classes I needed to take in order to obtain a certification in faith community/parish nursing, and also to attend a lay eucharistic communion class. After this, I will be available to assist Pastor Samantha with visiting the homebound and ill of the congregation. I will also be a resource to the congregation to answer any medical questions and offer support to the congregation as needed.
Next I will be updating the church first aid kits, and will create a kit for use in case of a medical emergency which will include a blood pressure cuff, a glucometer to check blood sugars, snacks to treat low blood sugar, and a pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels. I am also asking for anyone certified in CPR to contact me at the number below, as I will be creating a list of those members certified in CPR. I plan to coordinate a one-hour class taught by the Macungie Ambulance team to teach “hands on CPR for the community” to anyone interested in learning this skill.
On a monthly basis, I will be speaking to the congregation about how to prepare in the event of medical emergencies, fire emergencies and gun violence emergencies. My goal is to raise awareness and prepare the congregation for these different emergency situations, and be available to the members of Grace as your parish nurse. I look forward to sharing information with all of you in my monthly newsletter column in the Grace Notes monthly newsletter, and here on this website.
Peace be with all of you!
Kim Vaupel, RN
