Spring Bereavement Group

Spring Bereavement Group.

Binge Drinking: Women and Girls

Women and girls bingeing

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 01/22/2013 03:21 PM EST

Having trouble viewing? View it as a Web page.

HHS HealthBeat (January 22, 2013) Women and girls bingeing Take the Next Step Binge Drinking Binge drinking is not just a guy problem. A look at national survey data finds women also drink like this. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dafna Kanny: “Fourteen million U.S. ad ult women, or 1 in 8, report binge drinking. Women who binge drink tend to do so frequently – about three times a month – and in large amounts.” Listen to the full Podcast

Flu Shots Available

The Parmenter VNA & Hospice is providing flu shots. Call our public health nurse at 508-358-3000 for more information. Did you ever wonder where the flu comes from and how it spreads across the Globe? Just click on or press control key and click to watch this video and learn.

http://directorsblog.nih.gov/how-influenza-pandemics-occur/

Parmenter volunteers reveal their motivation

From left, Karen Back of Wayland, Larry Mariasis of Sudbury and Cathy Nicholson of Weston
Read more: Parmenter volunteers reveal their motivation

By Staff reports – GateHouse News Service
Taken from The Sudbury Town Crier

Posted Nov 27, 2012 @ 03:36 PM

Read more: Parmenter volunteers reveal their motivation – Sudbury, MA – The Sudbury Town Crier

What motivates people to donate their time to a neighborhood nonprofit organization?

Three longtime local residents recently discussed why they volunteer at Parmenter Community Health Care, a Wayland-based health agency offering visiting nurse and hospice services in Wayland, Weston, Sudbury and neighboring communities.

Cathy Nicholson of Weston

While Parmenter board members Cathy Nicholson, Larry Mariasis and Karen Back, MD, come from diverse backgrounds and play different roles, they share something in common – a strong commitment to giving back to the community and ensuring the longevity of a local health resource.

Nicholson, a Weston resident for 35 years, came to know about Parmenter through friends who received home care services or hospice care from the agency.

She serves on the agency’s hospice committee, assists with various fundraising events, and volunteers weekly at Parlin House, Parmenter’s hospice residence in Wayland.

“It’s the hospice piece that is most meaningful to me,” Nicholson explained. “The care, comfort and compassion I’ve seen from staff and volunteers has helped people through the most difficult times.

“The training for hospice volunteers is excellent, the agency offers a great deal of support to us, and I feel like the team approach to hospice care is terrific. I see how much good it can do for families and patients, and I want to be part of giving it to others.”

Of the many nonprofits in the greater Boston area, why choose to volunteer at Parmenter? For Nicholson, it’s not just about the care – it’s what goes with it.

“How lovely it is to respect people who are hurting or dying, and to provide comfort and care in whatever way your presence can manifest itself,” she said. “Hospice care attends to the whole person – physical, spiritual and emotional. The local aspect of Parmenter makes it easier to focus on all aspects of the patient and family, and it is a privilege to be involved.”

Larry Mariasis of Sudbury

Larry Mariasis of Sudbury, a former banking executive who retired several years ago, sits on the boards of several organizations.

“I don’t think that I can do better for the next chapter of my life,” he noted. “My wife has been active in the community since day one, and I watched her do all the things she did out of her generosity and talent to get things done – she was a go-to person. I couldn’t commit to anything outside of work because my business was 24/7. I felt like if you volunteer, it’s to make a difference. I didn’t want to commit to an organization without knowing that I could fulfill it.”

Mariasis leads Parmenter’s strategic planning committee, and cites the agency’s staff and volunteers as a powerful inspiration.

“They all have a common DNA – they want to be there, they want to make a difference, and they are passionate about what they’re doing,” he said. “It’s so rewarding to work with people who care, and it motivates you to do more and more.”

Karen Back of Wayland

Pediatrician Karen Back, MD, of Wayland, has been associated with Parmenter for over 20 years.

“I know that the agency does wonderful work and its services are essential for our community,” she said.

“Nobody can predict the changes to come in health care, but we know there will be cutbacks, and people sent home from hospitals sicker and needing more care. If we can hold on to something as precious as Parmenter Community Health Care, it will make our communities a better place to live in as we age.

“Services like Parmenter’s are at risk. Hospitals will survive, but the government will look at reducing support for home care and hospice care. For independent health agencies to exist, community residents have to be part of the process to keep them intact – that’s why we have to support organizations like this one, and that’s why I’m there.”

Experience counts

All three residents draw on their personal and professional experiences and interests in their volunteer roles. Now semi-retired, Back’s medical background is helpful in her work on the agency’s hospice committee. She is also very involved in the planning for Camp Erin, a children’s bereavement camp that Parmenter will hold next August.

Said Mariasis, “I have a great deal of professional experience in the corporate world – in finance, marketing, operations, strategic issues. Someone with a background in those disciplines can help a nonprofit organization.

“My role at Parmenter lets me continue to use my experience and knowledge to further the organization. But if they need me to stuff envelopes, I’ll do that, too. I’m ready and willing to do whatever needs to be done to help the organization continue.”

Nicholson’s hospice work inspired her to develop a program with local clergy to highlight how different faiths approach end-of-life issues.

“Parmenter inspired me to say, ‘What can I do?’” she explained. “I was able to create something that was very rewarding.”

“I’ve found Parmenter Community Health Care to be very flexible and supportive in terms of volunteering. You’re not forced into something. You do what you want to do and what you can do.”

Giving back to the community also provides immeasurable benefits to the volunteer, noted Mariasis.

“You can’t appreciate the personal, positive feeling you get until you do something. Put a toe in the water. Go to a meeting. Figure out what you want to do and give it a shot.”

Back echoed this sentiment. “Volunteering enriches your own life – you meet wonderful people in the community. It’s as much for you as for the agency, and you don’t have to commit huge amounts of time. There are many things to do and many ways to get involved, and they’re all important.”

For more information about Parmenter’s programs and how to volunteer, and to learn about Parmenter’s Community Board, call 508-358-3000 or go online (www.parmenter.org).

from: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sudbury/news/x1745965698/Parmenter-volunteers-reveal-their-motivation#ixzz2DkIxik8L

Community Board Extravaganza

LEARN ABOUT THE PARMENTER COMMUNITY BOARD AND HOW IT HELPS WAYLAND
Parmenter Board of Trustees invites both current Community Board members and the curious to join us at an interesting and fun evening at Sandy Burr on Nov. 13th, from 6:00pm until 7:30pm. Refreshments will be served.  This evening is an opportunity for local adult residents, who are interested in learning more about Parmenter Community Health Care and to discover more about local volunteerism through Parmenter,to meet Agency staff leadership, Trustees ,and Community Board Members.  To learn more and to RSVP, call Gail at 508-358-3000 x260. Hope to see you there.

Wayland Stand Tall Don t Fall

Falls are not inevitable.  They are not an inevitable result of aging.  Falls are preventable. Parmenter Community Health Care, the Wayland COA Council on Aging, the Wayland Fire Department, and the Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with Traditions of Wayland have joined forces to host a free Fall Prevention Forum for Wayland.  The “Stand Tall, Don t Fall” forum will include fall prevention strategies and demonstrations such as: medication and falls, proven benefits of Tai Chi, importance of balance including balance aids and equipment.
This program will be held at  Parmenter located at 266 Cochituate Road RT 27  from 8:30 am until noon. There is limited seating, so please call Parmenter and R.S.V.P. to Anne at 508-358-3000, extension 252.  Delicious morning refreshments will be served. Registration and materials will be available at 8:30 am. 
The program framework will begin with 8:30 registration and refreshments. The day will kick off with a discussion of Tai Chi and its role in fall prevention.  Attendees will be invited to participate in a mini  session. Next we will go more in depth on the role of exercise and why most falls are preventable. Then the Wayland Fire Department’s Deputy Chief will relay “Stories From the Front”, explaining what happens when you dial 911.  Next we’ll learn about the surprising relationship of medication and falls.  The day will close with a presentation about the types of equipment and aids that are available to help make your home safe and assist you in avoiding falls. Refreshments are provided by Traditions of Wayland.  Each workshop will be approximately 30 minutes with breaks for getting up and stretching, along with refreshments.
Transportation to the event will be available through the COA 508 358 2990. Please make van reservations on or before Thursday, Nov. 1.  Remember to R.S.V.P.  Hope to see you there.

Upcoming Bereavement Support Group

When a life ends, the living are left to grieve. Bereavement support is a key component of Hospice care at Parmenter and one of the ways we offer compassionate help is through support groups.
The adult bereavement support group is open to both Parmenter Hospice families and general members of the community who are grieving the loss of a close family member. It is led by a Bereavement Specialist and/or Licensed Mental Health Clinician. The next upcoming support group will begin Tuesday 9/18/12 and will run for 7 weeks, ending 10/30/12.  The time will be 7-8:30 PM and the group will be held at the Parmenter office at 266 Cochituate Road in Wayland. Upcoming support groups can be also be found on the Parmenter calendar at www.parmenter.org.  Of course, this group is free of charge. Parmenter is the local nonprofit, independent provider of visiting nurse, rehabilitation therapies, palliative care, hospice care at home and in our private Parlin House Hospice Residence.

PARMENTER PRESS RELEASE: A Bereavement Support Program For Children and Teens

The Parmenter HEART play sm program, is offering Summer and Fall Workshops for children and teens grieving the death of a relative or friend. HEART play sm, is a free support program of Parmenter, where participants can express feelings of grief in a nurturing environment and continue healing in their own unique ways.  With the guidance and support of an Expressive Arts Therapist/Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in bereavement, children and teens will use visual expression, music, movement, writing and story-telling to help give meaning to their experiences.  The opportunity to share with their peers in creative and sensitive ways will enable children and teens to build a deeper understanding about death and life. Several Summer and Fall Workshop dates are being offered.  They are the following-August 18, September 15, October 27, November 17, and  December 8.  On these dates Preschool-Kindergarten will meet from 9:00-9:45a.m., Grades 1-6 from 10:00-noon and Teens from 1:00-3:00p.m.  Early pre-registration is encouraged.  Acceptance into the group or wait-list status will be confirmed by phone the Monday prior to the Workshop. The HEART play SM  Workshops are held at the Parmenter Offices, located at 266 Cochituate Road (Route 27) in Wayland, MA.  These programs are offered FREE OF CHARGE by the generosity of financial support from grants and donations.  For information and to register, please call Jennifer Wiles, MA, LMHC, BC-DMT, HEART  playsm  Director at (508)358-3000, ext. 244 or email at jwiles@parmenter.org. This young people’s bereavement program, is offered as a community service of Parmenter Visiting Nurse & Hospice( Wayside Hospice).  Parmenter is your local, independent, nonprofit provider of quality care. Recognized as a HomeCare Elite AgencyTM  .

THE CHALLENGE OF SLEEP

THE CHALLENGE OF SLEEP: A DUAL APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING & PLANNING A STRATEGY TO ASSIST YOUR CLIENT Presented By Parmenter’s Ann Wissinc, N.P. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Suzanne Reitz, R.N. Certified in Healing Touch & Holistic Nursing Come be educated about sleep assessment, sleep hygiene and medications, as well as aromatherapy and other alternative therapies and their role in meeting the challenges of sleep.

When: Wednesday May 30th 8:00am Breakfast 8:30am Program                        Where: Traditions of Wayland 10 Green Way, Wayland, MA 01778                      RSVP To: Traditions at 508-358-0700 or Reception@traditionsofwayland.com

The Food Pantry is open Year Round!

Even though school will soon be out and many of us go away in the summer, there is still a tremendous need for food. Please, before you head off to the beach or the mountains, or just get caught up in your summer routine, put the Food Pantry on your to-do list. And, you can support the Food Pantry from a distance, too. Writing a check rather than shopping actually allows us to purchase fresh food and produce for our clients. Thank you very much for keeping us on your list!