by Nicole Keefer – December 15, 2023 – Catholic Star Herald
The Talking Catholic podcast recently hosted two members of the VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden, Nicole Keefer and Christine Willard, to discuss their roles and how VITALity services the needs of those in South Jersey, particularly senior citizens and those helped via parish nursing programs.
Keefer, the director of parish nursing for VITALity, explained that parish nursing is an entirely volunteer organization. Parish nurses bring an alternative definition to care. Instead of filling prescriptions and looking at clinical data to provide care in the traditional sense, parish nurses help in care coordination and ask, “How are you really doing?” Keefer said. “We look at the mind, body and spirit of our parishioners.”
“They can help with scheduling doctor’s appointments, giving caregivers a break, but they cannot provide any hands-on care,” she continued. “Really, what we do is supplement. Clinicians are exhausted in our hospitals and our doctor’s offices,” she added. Parish nurses can bridge that gap and “take time to explain things in a way that is more understandable.”
A cornerstone of VITALity’s programs is participating in health fairs. At the parish level, health fairs typically occur at least once a year. They are a community event designed for parishioners to discover information about vital health education and other services provided by VITALity that they might not have known about. “They bring in a variety of resources,” Keefer said.
For many, health fairs and parish nursing at large play integral roles in parishioners’ health. Because of this, parish nurses will often schedule such events according to the convenience of attendees’ schedules. “Frequently, they will try to have events immediately after daily Masses. It allows [parishioners] to kill two birds with one stone,” Keefer said.
Events that Willard, VITALity’s manager of parish-based senior programs, coordinates are directed for the more seasoned population. These programs support “the parishioners and build a more robust infrastructure of awareness, knowledge and, ultimately, resiliency.”
Seniors can also join the “Life to the Fullest” membership program, Willard added. “It gives them an opportunity to receive information and resources based on their specific needs, as well as sign up for quarterly newsletters.”
Willard, also a health and wellness coach, remarked that one of the most gratifying parts of her role is asking and learning more about the people she serves. “When I am out, whether at a social day center, a health fair or parish ministry, I am thrilled to hear about the great things our parishioners are doing,” she said.
Willard, who formerly worked in Catholic education as an advancement director, added that despite the immediate differences in her roles, they are both “really about the passion and compassion people have to serve and connect with their parish community.”
Willard also praised the senior ministry social day centers that have popped-up in parishes around the Diocese. These centers are open to seniors two or three days a week and host programs where they can gather for a meal and presentations on various topics.
Many seniors struggle with isolation as time wears on, which is why the primary benefits of these centers is that they keep seniors active in their community and thus promote a more positive mindset.
Keefer recalled an example of this benefit: “A healthcare provider for an individual who attends one of VITALity’s senior day centers saw improved cognition after they began attending the center regularly.” She added, “Often it’s easy for some people to slip through the cracks and feel isolated; parish nurses are there to marry their faith and professional healthcare background to advocate on their behalf.”
For more information about VITALity’s services, visit vitality.camdendiocese.org/services. The resource and referral helpline is available 24/7 at 1-888-26-VITALity (1-888-268-4825) and provides information on programs and services within the parish or community to address pertinent issues related to aging and disability.
To listen to the Talking Catholic podcast, visit talking.catholicstarherald.org.
