Have you heard about the “Tripledemic?"
That’s what media outlets have labeled the potential health challenge of an earlier-than-normal flu season, the surge in RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infections and the potential for a winter rise in COVID-19 cases. Communities all over the United States have already been hit hard, leading to strains on pediatric hospitals in several states.
Organizations can help by getting these messages out to their constituents:
Here are some resources you can use to spread the word:
Covid recovery program
The RECOVER Initiative brings together patients, caregivers, clinicians, community leaders, and scientists from across the nation to understand, prevent, and treat PASC, including Long COVID. This group is called the RECOVER Consortium.
Many of our parishioners and some parish nurses have had covid and now have symptoms that comprmise their lifestyle. Follow this link to read more about this new initiative. https://recovercovid.org/
The Consortium represents and supports more than 100 researchers who are leading studies on Long COVID at more than 200 places around the country. These studies have a diverse group of participants, including adults, pregnant people, and children.
Long COVID Is Real, and Many Real Questions RemainWe continue to hear much about the long term effects of Covid on the body. I read repeatedly of the impact it has on the brain, the heart, the clotting mechanism of the body, and other major organs. This link takes you to an excellent article by Damian McNamara, MA on long covid, what we still need to learn about it, and research being conducted to understand the phenomenon. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/967490?uac=324223CK&faf
Covid Vaccine Facts for Nurses Another GREAT Resource
https://covidvaccinefacts4nurses.org/
The American Nurses Association is proud to partner with the American Nurses Foundation and other leading nurse and healthcare organizations to bring critical and current COVID-19 vaccine information to nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Health Articles for your Congregation Focus on Body, Mind, and Spirit Are you looking for health articles to include in your congregation's newsletter? You don't have to re-invent the wheel! Advocate Health Care is kind enough to allow us to post their monthly health flyers on a variety of helpful topics. You can find more health articles and other helpful tools for ministry by clicking here: Parish Nurse Ministry Tools page under Resources.
More Health Flyers to use!!
These are free health tip sheets that you can download and are published in English or Spanish. There is a current month bulletin amd also an archive of hundreds of other topics to choose.
The link can be found in the Member's Only section under Parish Nurse Ministry Tools. Check it out now!!
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FREE Printable Resource:
Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events was developed in response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This booklet provides practical guidance for caregivers—including parents, family members, teachers, clergy, and volunteers—on how to help support children after a traumatic event. This booklet provides readers with an overview of common reactions to violent acts, including a breakdown of common signs and symptoms by age. Concrete steps for caring for children’s emotional and spiritual needs in the wake of a traumatic event are also provided. To access and print the book click here
ELPNA will post Position Openings for Parish Nurses/Faith Community Nurses on our website. They will be featured under the Parish Nurse index tab, on select regional pages, and on our Home Page! Each listing will be posted for 30 days. At that time, it may be reposted for 30 additional days. To submit an opening, please submit the information to elpna.national@gmail.com
Grants Available for Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse Ministries
We have an exciting opportunity for Lutheran congregations! Members of the ELPNA have long been supportive of new parish nurse ministry start-ups and are acutely aware of the challenging financial situations of congregations. In response to this need, the ELPNA will annually provide funds for start-up or development of a new focus in an existing parish nursing ministry, for a minimum of two (2) Lutheran congregations. Congregations can request up to $750.00 in grant funding. Click here for more information and for the application form. The next deadline will be published in early 2023.
Lutheran Services in America (LSA) 
It is an exciting time for ELPNA as we join Lutheran Services in America (LSA) as an Associate Member. You might ask, why are we joining this organization? Founded in 1997, LSA is a national network of non-profit Lutheran service organizations in 48 states, providing a variety of services. These organizations share a common heritage and have common goals. LSA brings these organizations together in collaboration through educational programs and conferences that share ideas on service goals and advocacy. The mission of LSA is to champion Lutheran social ministry by building valuable connections, applying our voices and empowering our members to answer God’s call to love and service our neighbors. LSA + 300 members care for 6 million Americans
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Many people think poinsettias and Christmas cacti are poisonous.
They aren’t. But here are some real dangers to watch out for in winter: - Antifreeze Poisoning
- Salt on Driveways and Sidewalks
- Mercury in Thermometers
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
For more detailed information and a flyer that con be used in your congregation, click here. Source: Human Resources and Services Administration / Poison Help
Adult RSV: Q&A With the CDC's Michael Melgar, MD
Over the past few years, COVID-19 has overshadowed seasonal respiratory diseases like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. But this year, early surges in RSV across the United States have spurred public attention. Though the infection is a common cause of respiratory disease, it is often overlooked in adults, said Michael Melgar, MD, a medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Medscape Medical News spoke with Melgar to answer questions about adult RSV, developing vaccines, and how to prepare for co-circulation of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza this winter. To read the entire article from Medscape, click here.
Suicide Prevention 
Supporting ELPNA with AmazonSmile
Step by step directions on how to benefit ELPNA while shopping at Amazon have been added to the Members Only page when you click on ELPNA Edge. There are several ways that you can support ELPNA with your financial gifts. One convenient way is to enroll in Amazon Smile which allows a donation to be made to ELPNA with each Amazon purchase, and happens at no additional cost to you. Amazon helps support over one million local and national charitable organizations.
Step by step instructions on how to benefit ELPNA while shopping at Amazon have been added to the Members Only page when you click on ELPNA Edge.
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ELPNA Board Member Contact Information
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It is our desire that members of ELPNA to have full access to contact information for our Board Officers and Directors. For security purposes we have added this information to the Member's Only page. The Board List with contact information is now available. Click on the Officer and Director Contact List link. |
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