Total Health Page

Welcome to the Concord United Methodist TOTAL HEALTH page!

As Christians, we desire to be healthy not just spiritually, but also physically. When we are healthy and feel good, we are better equipped to serve God!

From Paula Hopper, Parish Nurse...

I have recently taken on the role of Parish Nurse at Concord UMC. This means that I went through some training as a Parish Nurse, and I am available to assist you if you have questions about your health. Parish Nurses are not legally able to provide hands-on care, but I can provide information and help answer questions. If you have questions about your health, or medications you are taking, or other health concerns, please feel free to give me a call or see me at church on Sunday. I may not always know the answer, but I usually have resources to help you find an answer. I will also be placing health information on the Health table in the hallway at intervals, and will continue to take blood pressures monthly. Hopefully soon we will have more nurses involved and be able to provide more services to keep us all healthy!

Paula Hopper MSN RN

Professor of Nursing

Jackson Community College

WALK THE PATH TO HEALTH! An exercise program sponsored by the Faith Community Nurses organization. All exercise counts, not just walking. It runs during May and June. This year, CUMC will be competing with the Catholic and Presbyterian churches for the most successful walkers. The LOSERS will do coffee hour for the WINNERS!! How fun is that?! For a $1 donation, you will also be placed in a drawing for gift cards to Jackson Crossing. Last year we didn't do very well, so we didn't win any prizes... sign up and WIN this year!! See Paula Hopper or check at the office to sign up. IT'S GOOD TO BE HEALTHY!

FLU SEASON! What should I watch for? Should I be vaccinated? To find answers, you can pick up fliers in the church lobby. The websites below also have helpful information.

General information from the Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

And from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144

Information about H1N1 vaccine safety:

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm182335.htm

Below is a link to a great website from the Presbyterian Church USA that has lots of great health information. Please check it out and browse around. There is information about staying healthy (check out the Healthy Aging link), and there are also links to many good websites about specific disease processes. So if you have questions about diabetes, or high blood pressure, or just about anything, simply click on Health Information, and then on Get Healthy from A to Z.

http://www.pcusa.org/healthylivi ng/

Here are a couple places on the website for people with high blood pressure:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html - Information about High Blood Pressure

and

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf Lowering Your Blood Pressure with the DASH Eating Plan

The Falling Waters Trail in Concord is a great place to exercise!

If you would like to walk the trail together, watch for announcements in the bulletin or via email.

Also, check out this web link for information on pedometers and the importance of getting your 10,000 steps!

http://www.shapeup.org/shape/steps.php