Welcome to the United Church of Sun City 

Greetings from your Parish Nurse. You may be tired of me talking about this subject, but it is very important. We are getting to the hot weather again and drinking enough water can be a game changer.

Let me begin by saying that some studies report that 40% of older adults are somewhat to severely dehydrated. Dehydration is a common reason for hospitalization in our community. It is the primary diagnosis in up to 30% admissions, and a secondary diagnosis in many more hospitalizations. It contributes to dizziness, falls, poor kidney function and at times confused thinking.

So what do we do to prevent it? First of all, find a way to drink more water. There are many strategies that can be used to do this. You can flavor water so that it is more palatable by adding a small amount of fruit juice to a glass or bottle of water. There are also flavor packets for this purpose. I would suggest to begin by diluting it lightly to see what flavor is satisfying without adding a lot of calories or artificial
sweeteners.

You can also make a goal for the day and know how many glasses or bottles of water you need to drink during the day and spread that out with and between meals. You can also fill a pitcher or large water jug with water and work to consume the contents over the day.

Many people drink coffee and tea, and for years we have said that those ounces of fluid “don’t count” because they contain caffeine and we often add extras of sugar/sweeteners, and fat. Now, the recent studies say that drinking coffee and tea, though not as beneficial as water, still have some role in preventing dehydration. So, drink coffee or tea, limiting the additives and drink water, too.

Also after exertional activities like exercise, gardening or lawn work outside, be sure to drink extra water as we lose our body’s water through our skin, through our sweat and evaporation, as well as through our elimination system. Be sure to pay attention to how you feel and function. Are you feeling more tired and weak? Dizzy? These can be significant signs of dehydration.

Are you thinking clearly and able to complete your tasks easily? Or are you struggling more than usual? Is your urine light yellow to clear? Or dark yellow to gold? Our urine should normally be light colored. I know that there are a few vitamins or medications that may color it a bit, but when it becomes darker, there’s a good chance that we are not drinking enough water.

So find a way to “buddy up” and encourage those around you to join you in increasing your intake of water and other fluids. Stay safe and out of the hospital.

We do have some upcoming events. June 9 at 10:00 am in the Beehive, we are sponsoring a painting class led by Julie Larson. We will be painting a blossoming cactus. Be sure to sign up in the back of the sanctuary as our class size is limited to 12. (no painting experience or artistic talents are necessary).

On June 10 at 10:30 am, Sun Health Presents will have a speaker talking about Stem Cells Therapy being used to treat pain. It should be a very interesting presentation. Sign-up near the Welcome Table.

Lisa Dunbar, Parish Nurse

Dispelling Some of the Information About the COVID-19 Vaccine

As a Parish Nurse, the pandemic of COVID-19 has certainly brought many challenges in focusing on the health of our congregation. Currently, the challenge is to help our congregation members to understand, to make an educated decision, and to receive the vaccination.

I have found that the first hurdle is in educating our congregation. I have been able to put short articles in the church newsletter, and to send an all-church email that gave information about the vaccine. It focused on dispelling some of the misinformation being disseminated on the web. For instance:

Concerns have been expressed about the vaccine being developed so quickly. Is it safe?
Although we don’t have years of research, the companies developing the vaccines tested it on the usual number of people that they have tested before with any new drug or vaccine. The difference in the timing is because much of the governmental bureaucracy that slows down the process after the test is finished was mitigated. The testing itself was still completed in a manner similar to other vaccines. As with any new treatment, vaccine or drug, there are potential side effects, but for the vast majority of recipients, the benefit far outweighs the risk.

I have heard about people reacting to the vaccine and becoming very ill, or even dying. Is this true? 
As with anything that we put into our body, we run a risk of being allergic to a substance in the medication or vaccine. At times, this may be a severe reaction called anaphylactic shock. In this case, the allergy may cause the body to swell tissues especially of the neck and trachea that may result in shortness of breath, a racing heart, and at its worse, a cardiac arrest. This is the reason that any recipient of the vaccine is required to remain at the site for 30 minutes after the injection as this is the time period where an anaphylactic reaction would take place. Each site is equipped with medical personnel and supplies to deal with this type of allergic reaction.

This happens very, very rarely. The current numbers are 11 reactions like this in 1 million recipients. These reactions may also occur after an influenza vaccination injection at a slightly lower rate. Although very serious for the 11, the 999,989 other recipients had no serious problems. A recipient of the vaccine may commonly have minor symptoms – a sore arm, muscle or joint pain, a low grade fever – similar to symptoms following other vaccinations. These are from an inflammatory response our body produces after a foreign substance has been introduced and usually only lasts 24-48 hours.

I have heard this vaccine may change my DNA. Is that true?
There is nothing in the vaccine to change our DNA. This vaccine is a new technology. In the past, vaccinations have carried in them a weakened amount of virus, which immediately stimulated our bodies to make antibodies to fight off the infection, The new Covid 19 vaccine has no weakened virus in it. Instead, it carries a message to our RNA to watch for an identifying factor on the virus – in this case a “spike” on the virus body. When our body recognizes that factor, it then begins very rapidly producing antibodies to fight the virus.

So a recipient may in fact “have the virus” for a short time before the antibodies are produced. It fights the virus before serious symptoms develop so one does not become ill. But it does raise the question of whether someone who has been vaccinated may still “spread” the virus even though they may have no symptoms. Studies continue to focus on this question. This is why even after vaccination, we may be required to wear masks in public places where social distancing is not possible.

Are fetal cells used in the production of the vaccine?
Fetal cell lines from fetuses in the 1960s and 1970s continue to be used in much of the early testing of many of our vaccines and other drugs. These tissues are registered and reported as the testing takes place. But no recent fetal tissue has been used in developing the Moderna or Pfizer Vaccinations. Other vaccines, notably the one from Johnson and Johnson, do continue to use more recently harvested fetal tissue in their development. There may be other companies as well.

After educating our congregation, the next step has been to identify those who are most vulnerable and require help in registering for the vaccination.

I began to make phone calls on those over 75, and those with chronic illnesses. Many had family or friends who were working with them to register for an appointment and who were willing to transport them to the appointment.

However, some of our congregants did not have access to a computer or were not able to complete the process on their own. I was able to assist them over the phone, at times registering them as my “family members” (after all, we are a church family!). I also helped to arrange transportation for those needing assistance.

Finally, I have continued to follow up with those registering – reminding them to take their ID and insurance card, walking them through the process at the sites, and informing them of the possibility of minor discomfort after that could be treated with Tylenol. I also continue to remind everyone to continue their social distancing precautions, handwashing, and wearing a mask.

Some in our congregation have chosen to wait to receive the vaccine. Some because of concern of long-term effects of the vaccine, others wish to wait for the vaccines with only 1 injection. I continue to share information with them, and to support them as they continue to follow the social distancing precautions and choose to remain limited in their social activities.