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.
February News
The month of February has a special day to celebrate the love between couples, family, and friends. We express our love by exchanging Valentine cards, gifts of chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. The symbol of a red heart is used to express your love for someone. February is also American Heart Month. In honor of Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, this is a great time to learn about the risks and steps you can take to protect your heart health.
Every day the heart pumps 2000 gallons of blood, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to cells and organs throughout the body. This is an incredible amount of work for a muscle about the size of your fist! The easier you can make the heart’s job, the longer it can keep you alive and allow you to continue to show your love to family and friends. One in 20 adults has coronary artery disease, a condition where blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked or narrowed. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths. The smallest lifestyle changes can make a difference over time. By understanding what changes can make a difference, you will have the knowledge to manage and improve your heart health. During American Heart Month, everyone is encouraged to make a lifestyle change to prevent heart disease.
Lifestyle changes that you can make are as follows:
1. Eat a heart healthy diet - limit saturated fats and processed foods, and increase fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
2. Physical Exercise - 150 minutes a week of aerobic exercise is recommended. Be as active as you are physically able! A sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for heart disease!
3. Quit smoking and limit contact to secondhand smoke.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. Drink alcohol in moderation.
6. Manage stress.
7. Get enough sleep - 7 to 9 hours per night is recommended for adults.
8. Schedule regular appointments with your primary care physician to evaluate your general and heart health—your primary care physician will monitor your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
These lifestyles changes can help prevent you from suffering a heart attack. A heart attack occurs every 39 seconds! Being able to recognize the signs of a heart attack can help save you or the life of someone you love!
The signs of a heart attack are as follows:
1. Chest pain or discomfort - an uncomfortable pressure or squeezing or pain in the center of the chest. The sensation may last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return.
2. Discomfort with the upper body - pain or discomfort can also occur in the neck, back, stomach or both arms.
3. Shortness of breath - this can occur with or without chest pain.
4. Other signs of a heart attack include nausea, feeling lightheaded, and breaking out into a cold sweat. In addition to chest pain, women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and back or neck pain.
If any of these symptoms occur, immediately call 911 to report the symptoms and call for EMS. The 911 operator will ask you general questions, give you any additional instructions and he or she will stay on the phone call with you until EMS arrives. If the person goes into cardiac arrest, start CPR immediately.
There will be a Hands on Only CPR class for the community offered to the members of Grace in 2025. The class will be taught by the Macungie Ambulance Corps. Date and time of the class will be available soon. Please consider signing up for this educational class- what you learn during this class could help you save a life!
Wishing you a Happy New 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
