Published: 12/16/2017 10:15:17 PM
Modified: 12/21/2017 1:27:51 PM
Lyme — “Rewarding” is one of the first words that comes to mind when Ellen Thompson thinks of her work as the Lyme parish nurse.
“What I’ve learned is that I’m really lucky and blessed to be living in a community that cares so much about each other,” Thompson said. “It’s a privilege to be invited into people’s homes to help them when they need a little help and support.”
“I sort of knew that, but I’ve been able to live that for the last 5½ years, and that’s been really nice and rewarding.”
Thompson, along with nurse Sharon Morgan, spends 30 hours a week assisting residents in a variety of ways, including answering questions about upcoming medical procedures, monitoring blood pressure, coping with a new diagnosis, making sure medications are being taken correctly and advising them on nutrition and exercise.
“People are a little bit more isolated at times,” Thompson said. “It becomes harder to get out and so it’s nice to have somebody come to your house and see you, check in on you and provide some of that socialization.”
Their work is part of the health ministry program of the Lyme Congregational Church. Last year, the nurses dealt with 92 people in more than 640 encounters, including phone, email and in-person visits.