While there are people in need all over the world, we sometimes forget those in our own community who need help. Recognizing this, Monsignor Gervasio and the parish’s Social Justice Committee have brought Our Lenten Work of Mercy closer to home this year.
Mount Carmel Guild, a diocesan Social Service agency, serves Mercer County residents through its Emergency Assistance and Home Health Nursing programs. Almost a century old, Mount Carmel Guild has been “seeing Christ in others” since its founding in 1920 by Msgr Thomas J Walsh.
Since Our Lady of Sorrows – St. Anthony Parish donates food year-round to the Guild’s Emergency Assistance program,
our Lenten Work of Mercy will focus on Home Health Nursing. This is a service that is unique to “the Guild.”
There’s probably nothing more dignified than the ability to remain in your home as you age—to age gracefully; to keep your independence, your history, your world. But as medical needs increase this isn’t always possible.
Home Health Nursing program’s primary goal is to provide long-term home-based nursing care to the most medically needy and economically disadvantaged senior citizens of Mercer County—those whose Medicare insurance has been exhausted and who have no alternative care. Patients live with geriatric diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, lung and heart disease, stroke, cancer, neuromuscular disorders, and arthritis. Most are ambulatory with canes or walkers; some use wheelchairs. The program staff helps them to stay in the comfortable surroundings of their own homes, preventing premature placement in institutions.
The nurses also:
- Pre-fill insulin syringes
- Pre-pour medications
- Monitor vital signs and blood sugars
- Conduct pacemaker checks
- Give injections
- Provide wound care
- Monitor Coumadin levels
Staff nurses provide more to their patients than just skilled medical care. They provide comfort and companionship to those who are lonely and make referrals to other services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation to and from medical appointments, and full time home health assistance, if needed. They also provide emergency food packages from the Guild’s Emergency Assistance program for anyone who is short of food and on a fixed income.
The nursing staff makes hundreds of home visits each year, providing more than 2,000 hours of assistance. Most importantly, the Guild’s Home Health Nursing Staff serves older patients with the kindness and compassion that everyone deserves.
Give up anything you want for Lent—candy, smoking, movies, dining out—then each week, calculate how much money you saved and bring it to church to put in one of the Lenten Work of Mercy cans at the exits. And pray for the program staff and those they serve.
