1Hfc OAK. V1LLH BbAV bR Wednesday May 10, 2000 S a le to n tin u e s to M a y 1 6 th ! Nurses backbone of home health care By M ary Buzzell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER May 8th marks the beginning of National Nursing Week, a time to say thank you to a special group of nurses who are the backbone of health care at home. They are Community Health or Visiting Nurses. VON nurse Wendy Merson has worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses, Halton Branch, for 15 years. She is teaching Elizabeth, one of the individuals in her care, how to give herself a medication during a recent visit. Elizabeth has a life-threatening illness and has great praise for all of the VON nurses caring for her at home. "They are terrific. I can call them anytime, night or day, whenever I have a concern or problem," she said. "Sometimes I am much sicker than at other times. They show genuine con cern." Merson is well qualified to provide quality nursing care. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree and a Certificate in Oncology (cancer care), and is also prepared as a Continence Advisor. This gives her expertise in helping people with bladder and bowel control problems. The scope o f practice of Community Health Nurses is exten sive. Individuals in their care range in age from the very young to the very old. Unlike the hospital setting where colleagues are available to provide immediate help, these nurses must use their knowledge and skills to make many instant care decisions indepen dently. Nurses help individuals with a variety of diagnoses such as cancer, diabetes, kidney and heart conditions, and stroke. The challenges are astounding; the variety of experiences unlimited. "I really enjoy my clients and find the work very rewarding" said Merson. 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OPEN SUNDAYS 12-5 140 Rebecca St. O A K V I L L E 844-7728 In fo lin e: 1 -8 8 8 -7 8 0 -0 3 3 3 W ebsite: w w w .fa b ric la n d .c a `inching, an-1 r is in g it Halton VON nurse Wendy Merson teaches Elizabeth, a client in her care, how to give herself medication. The main focus of com research studies in their munity nursing is helping work. They work closely individuals live life to the with the individualis physi fullest possible. To do this, cian and other health profes M erson needs to know sionals, such as case man Elizabeth as a person. Her agers o f the Community abilities, cultural beliefs, Care Access Centre, who co educational background, ordinate the range of infears, hopes, supports, val home services and have ues, and wishes all influence expert knowledge of com her care. She has performed munity resources. a skilled nursing assessment Illness may bring out ten and developed a plan of care sions, and at times, family with Elizabeth, which they conflict. Merson and other will evaluate and change as nurses can be of help using needed, together. facilitation skills to keep M erson's broad prepara lines o f communication tion means that she is able to open. help manage symptoms as Community Health they arise, such as nausea Nursing is provided by a and pain. Community nurs num ber of agencies in es are sensitive listeners and Halton. The Victorian Order encouragers - adept in the of Nurses is a national health care of individuals whose care organization and a reg conditions fluctuate from istered charity, established acute to stable to unstable. over 100 years ago. Their range of skills has Elizabeth feels the public know what widened to include such should complex procedures as intra Community Health Nurses venous therapy and pain do so that their many contri pump monitoring. butions to the health and Prevention of complica well being of individuals tions such as infection and like her may be applauded. the restoration and mainte To all Nurses in Halton, nance of health, where pos during National Nursing sible, are paramount practice Week, a very special thanks goals, which involve consid for the work they do. erable teaching. Mary Buzzell, a nurse Community Health em ployed by the Halton Nurses use findings from VON, is also a writer. ENNISCLARE INTERIORS Choose from selected oroif varieties reg. 14.99 it you Ic J tie b e s f c M upright jumpers O u t s t a n d i n g q u ^ fiw 1 ! ** *- * lawn. aas-tsrepair "reg. 14.95 q m c k -sta rtL * R m m rm Gordon Centre TODAY'S 1 s e le c te d h o m e s o n ly Upptft MKKM ONE-STOP GARDENING! All specials are w hile quantities last, unless otherw ise stated. AGRAM reserves the right to lim it quantities. Sale Ends Tuesday May 16,2000. EEK! dav 9-5 APPLEBY M ALL (Appleby Line & New St.) 6 3 9 -1 0 2 4