Wellness Committee
What is Parish Nursing?
The St. Gabriel Parish Nurse Program is one of many such programs now in place in Lake County Churches. They all work in partnership with Breckenridge Senior Independence and are partially funded through a grant from the Cleveland Foundation. Breckenridge Senior Independence provides ongoing supervision and training in all aspects of the parish nurse's unique position. However, it is important to note that the parish nurse does not provide "hands-on" nursing care.
The Parish Nursing Program:
- is the practice of having a professional nurse work within a parish
- aims to meet people's needs that may not have been identified or met through other means
- believes that caring for body, mind and spirit as a whole promotes good health
- brings to life the healing ministry of the Church
- recognizes that prayer and an active spiritual life foster the healing process
- works within the Church to improve the level of healing and wellness
- promotes understanding of how lifestyles, attitudes, health and faith are interrelated
Duties of the Parish Nurse
- promote wellness through prevention, educational and screening services
- serve as a referral source, and counselor in health matters
- help parishioners connect with community health care providers and services as needed
- make nursing home, hospital and home visits to parishioners
- assist the Wellness Ministry to identify parishioners' health care needs
- work with other ministries to meet parishioners' needs without duplicating services
- develop support groups and provide individual health counseling as requested
For More Information Contact:
Pam Lewis, Parish Nurse
St. Gabriel Parish Office - 440-352-8282