Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center (Hospital)

At Saint Alphonsus, volunteers are a significant part of the healthcare team. We are proud of all our volunteers who freely give of their valuable time and talents to support our mission. Our volunteers have a very important role to play and help us build positive relationships with patients and family members. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, ranging from high school students to adults to seasonal visitors and retirees. Our volunteers work directly with people and provide behind the scenes support. Benefits of VolunteeringMake Someone's Day Better and Brighter!You have the power to help a Saint Al's patient have a better day by making them smile and providing a little sunshine with your words and actions. Finding ConnectionWhen we reach out to others, we make a connection, we find commonality and share a laugh. Often, it's as simple as asking how a patient's day is going; or finding out if they are native Idahoans or recently moved to the state; if they are Boise State fans; or the name of their favorite pet waiting for them at home. A Physical Feeling of FulfilmentSaint Alphonsus volunteers often boast of their higher-than-normal step count after a volunteer shift, but it's more than moving our bodies, it's feeling good about ourselves. Volunteers often experience a "helper's high," defined by psychologists as the brain releasing good chemicals after performing acts of kindness. In addition, people who volunteer have higher self-confidence and feelings of fulfillment. NetworkingWe have many high school and college students who volunteer to find out more about health care as a career. They work side-by-side with doctors and nursing. The backbone of our program, however, is retired adults. Our retirees enjoy working together and form friendships that bubble over into fun activities outside their volunteer careers. ThankfulnessWhen we help others, we have more empathy for others. And compassion often provides us with a frame of reference for our own situations. It may even help us be more appreciative of our own lives.                                                                                                                                                                                     Are you ready to benefit from volunteering?  Email us at bo-volunteers@sarmc.org  Faith Community Nursing Health MinistrySaint Alphonsus Health System partners with houses of worship of all faith traditions and community organizations, in building and sustaining a Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry.   This ministry helps to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of community members. The Saint Alphonsus Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry is a bridge between hospital, church and community.Faith Community NursingFaith Community Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit, promotion of whole-person health and the prevention or minimization of illness within the context of a faith community and the wider community.   A Faith Community Nurse is a registered nurse with an intentional focus on spiritual health, who primarily uses interventions of education, counseling, prayer, presence, active listening, advocacy, and referral. Guided by the Scope and Standards of Faith Community Nursing, these nurses serve in community settings that are diverse in denomination, size, race, and ethnicity. Areas that a faith community nurse may assist community members with are: Health Educator Facilitates understanding of integration of health   and spirituality. Facilitates group education presentations Leads wellness activities Offers individuals/families appropriate resources   regarding health concerns Provides resources for grief / mental health well-being support Advocate Helps clients to access the   appropriate healthcare and   community resources.Supports members in positive  lifestyle changes. Home visits and Pet therapy Health MinsterA health minister is a person who feels a calling to serve their community by promoting whole-person health and wellness.   Health Ministers are educated with a preparation program provided by Saint Alphonsus.  After training they are encouraged to contribute their services to a Health Ministry Program,often under the guidance of a Faith Community Nurse or Health Ministry Team Leader.  Health Ministers are lead by guidelines from the Health Ministries Association www.HMASSOC.org For more information contact:Cari Moodie, RN, Coordinator,Faith Community NursingPhone: (208) 367-6494                  E-mail: Cari.Moodie@SaintAlphonsus.org

Understanding and Caring for Memory Loss at Saint Alphonsus Memory Center The Saint Alphonsus Memory Center, located in the Treasure Valley, operates three outpatient multidisciplinary clinics dedicated to the prevention, early diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment of Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment. Our expert team includes geriatricians, a neurologist, advanced practice practitioners specializing in dementia, a geriatric psychiatrist, clinical pharmacists, social workers, a chaplain, and administrative assistants. Patients and caregivers can self-refer through our website, by phone at 208-302-5400, or via referral from their primary care providers. We welcome individuals at any stage of their journey with memory loss, offering support for prevention, early detection, and treatment, including for those with advanced dementia. For those in the early stages, our Brain Health Program focuses on optimizing cognitive function through lifestyle medicine. This program targets 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia, which account for around 45% of cases, including hypertension, obesity, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, low educational attainment, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, social isolation, diabetes, high LDL, vision loss and air pollution. Our team helps patients identify their strengths and risk factors, setting SMART goals to significantly reduce dementia risk and improve brain health. We provide resources and regular follow-ups to support patients in their brain health journey. All patients receive a comprehensive evaluation from our dementia experts, with additional team members involved as needed. Even for those with a well-established diagnosis, our team can assist by explaining disease progression, connecting patients and caregivers to resources, optimizing health, supporting emotional and spiritual needs, and planning for the future. Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Dr. Kara Kuntz, Medical Director for the Saint Alphonsus Memory Center, who can be reached at 208-302-5400.