Health Ministry

The St. Therese Health Ministry meets the first Tuesday of the month (except June, July, August and December) at 11:30 AM in the Resource Room. Any parishioner is welcome to join and share their talents!
 
Lead Parish Nurse:  Marilyn Cito RN  (Lead): 586-254-4433 Extension #320, M.Cito@StThereseParish.ws
                            
 
 
Health Teams:
 
Education: Health education classes/screenings are provided through the parish throughout the year. Educational lectures are offered most months immediately following the Rambling Roses meeting. Programs are   offered based on parish needs and requests. Parishioners are encouraged to communicate to the Health Ministry topics of interest.
 
We also provide one-on-one health education, and health education brochures are available on the Health Ministry Bulletin Board located in the Gathering Space. If you don’t find the information you need, please call or email Marilyn Cito at M.Cito@stthereseparish.ws and we will mail it to you, or provide a website, you can access.  Flyers with upcoming educational events are located at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Space.
 
Education on medical topics of interest are usually published in the St. Therese of Lisieux Church Bulletin each week.
 
Medication Wallet cards are available in the Gathering Space to record the medications and parishioners are encouraged to bring to them to their visits at their Healthcare Provider
 
Flu Shots: Offered once a year.
 
Blood Drives: We host a Red Cross Blood Drive two times per year. Blood Drives are advertised in the Church Bulletin.
 
Care Volunteer Team: Our Care Volunteers provide some of the services that the hospital and home visit team identify. Our Care Volunteers provide friendly visits, phone reassurance, some transportation, shopping, cooking, simple home repairs, yard work, light house cleaning, errands, respite for caregivers and prayer. Care Volunteers do not provide professional services; they are solely “neighbors lending a hand” to other neighbors. We always need people who are willing to assist with any of these services. You can help an hour once a year, or several hours, whatever your schedule allows. As our Health Ministry expands, this is one of our greatest needs. Contact Marilyn Cito at 586-254-4433, extension #320 or Sue Verellen at 586-822-6063, if interested in volunteering your time.
 
Home/Hospital Team: The Home/Hospital Team receives referrals from home care agencies, case managers, physicians, Henry Ford Macomb Faith Community Nursing Network, community agencies, and other parishioners. We conduct assessments, coordinate care volunteers, make referrals, and follow up, as needed. The number of parishioner visits depends on our personal and work schedules. We need Registered Nurses or Social Workers willing to make assessments, and if possible, follow up with necessary referrals, coordination and surveillance. Training is provided for those volunteers who wish to assist with this ministry.
 
Blood Pressure Screening Team: Blood Pressure are taken the second full weekend of the month after every Mass. No BP Screenings in August or December. You can volunteer once or twice a year as a substitute, or on a regular basis. Wallet cards are provided to parishioners and record cards are kept. Literature is available to parishioners, if counselling is needed. We provide blood pressure screenings to our Rambling Roses on the first Thursday of each month in the Social Hall and at our Diabetic support group. We encourage everyone to get their blood pressure checked at least once a year, and if you have hypertension, take advantage of our monthly screenings. It is very important for you to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. The parish nurse is also available to take blood pressures one on one when the parish nurse is on site.
 
 
Grief Ministry: The Grief Ministry provides emotional support to someone who has lost a loved one. Support is provided with phone calls, cards, and mailings, as well as accompanying someone to a support meeting and/or our annual Memorial Mass and Reception. We also provide a Bereavement Series twice a year for those suffering a loss. A program, “Hope for the Holidays” is offered yearly in mid-November to help people through that difficult time of the year. Support is also provided to the grieving family during Saturday funerals. It is a ministry that provides emotional support to grieving members of our parish. The Grief Ministry is looking for compassionate volunteers who are willing to send a card, or help with a Saturday Funeral Service.
 
The Grief Ministry meets on the 4^th Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM in the Resource Room. For more information, or if you have any questions, please call Marilyn White-Kylmala at 586-850-5925 or email her at Mwkylmala@gmail.com or Heidi Boccomino at 586-932-6392.
 
 
Medical Lending Closet: The Health Ministry maintains a medical lending closet available to all those in the community. We have wheelchairs, canes, walkers, bedside commodes, shower chairs, crutches, tub transfer chairs, toilet risers and other equipment. We also have disposable protective pads for the beds, disposable adult diapers, protein supplements, and other supplies. There is no charge for any of this equipment or supplies, and you can borrow the medical equipment for as long as you need it. Call Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse at 586-254-4433, extension #357, to make sure we have what you need before you stop by to pick it up. If we don’t have what you need, let us know and we can place an article in the Church Bulletin requesting the item.
 
 
Meals From the Heart: Parishioners who have recently had surgery, are experiencing a difficult pregnancy, or who have lost a spouse or significant other, may request assistance with meals during this transition. Parish volunteers will prepare and transport two meals per week for 2-3 weeks to the parishioner. For additional information about the program, contact Mickie Wilson at 586-873-2081. To register for the program, please call the Church at 586-254-4433 extension 378.
 
Intergenerational Project:
 
In the Spring and Fall, families of the parish visit our elderly, or those with disabilities to assist them with household tasks, such as cleaning in high places, washing windows, raking leaves, flipping mattresses, changing light bulbs in high places, taking out or bringing in patio furniture, etc. This is a very rewarding experience for a family and our parishioners, in need. A permission slip is required for this event for minors. Contact Kristin Cammarata at 586-819-6255 or email Kristin at KristinCammarata@yahoo.com  for information. The Parent Permission Form for the Field Trip is located on the Health Ministry Website.
 
 
 
Support Groups/Classes:
 
Diabetes Prevention Program: St. Therese of Lisieux usually hosts a year-long National Diabetes Prevention Program. The group meets with a trained Lifestyle Coach. This program is designed to help individuals learn how to change their lifestyle to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Eligibility requirements for the program are per CDC guidelines. Enrolled participants are subject to available space. To learn more about the Diabetes Prevention Program, or to register, contact Fenise Brown at 586-263-2993 or email at FBROWN1@hfhs.org
 
MS Support Group: Meets the second Thursday of each month (no December meeting) from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Education, speakers and discussion are provided during the session. Contact Renee Cannon at 586-303-7354 for more information.
 
AARP Driver Safety Program: Held two times per year. Class dates and times will be advertised in the Church Bulletin.
 
Matter of Balance (Managing Concerns About Falls) Program is presented by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. The This program is offered weekly for 8 weeks and is led by trained leaders in the community. The goal of the program is to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and increase activity levels among older adults. This series of classes is held at St. Therese of Lisieux at least twice yearly.
 
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: (A Class For The Family Caregiver) is presented by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. This program is held weekly for 6 weeks and is designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. This series of classes is held at least twice yearly at St. Therese of Lisieux.
 
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Classes): Family and Friends CPR classes and Healthcare Provider CPR Classes are held at St. Therese of Lisieux Church and are based on the needs of the parish and staff.
 
AED and First Aid classes are provided to the parishioners, ushers and staff at least two times per year and/or “as needed”. 
 
 
 
Health Ministry Sponsored Exercise Classes:
 
Christian Yoga Classes: Held every Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM
 
Chair Christian Yoga Classes: Held every Tuesday morning at 10:30 AM
 
Strength and Stretch Classes: Held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:15 AM