WESTFIELD-“You saved my life.”
For Toni Bryda, R.N., his years of nursing experience was a lifesaver for one city gentleman recently who didn’t feel well while visiting the Westfield Senior Center.
Bob Merriman of Westfield has his blood pressure checked weekly at the Westfield Senior Center by Mary Ellen Asher, R.N., of Mercy Home Care.
Bryda and Mary Ellen Asher, R.N., both employed by Mercy Home Care, a member of Trinity Health, staff the nursing office weekdays at the senior center. Mercy Home Care’s office is based in West Springfield with a satellite office at 192 East Main St.
Bryda spends Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the senior center office, as well as mingling with seniors from the stitchers group to the men playing pool.
Tina Gorman, director of the Westfield Council on Aging/Westfield Senior Center, discusses plans on Thursday morning for the upcoming Senior Options 2017 event with Mary Ellen Asher, R.N., of Mercy Home Care, in the nursing office.
“I enjoy interacting with people,” said Bryda, adding, “I wave to folks to remind them I’m here.”
Two weeks ago, Bryda said a gentleman stopped into the office and asked him if he could examine his friend who was feeling ill.
“The man was telling me he was dizzy and felt like passing out,” said Bryda, adding he immediately took his pulse and checked his blood sugar level.
Bryda said his intuition and health assessment told him that the man needed a medical intervention.
Marylyn Smith of Westfield has her blood pressure checked at the Westfield Senior Center by Mercy Home Care nurse Mary Ellen Asher.
“I found his wife in the center and told them to either call their PCP or cardiologist immediately to be seen or go straight to the ER,” said Bryda.
Bryda later learned that as the couple headed home and started to drive by Baystate Noble Hospital, they chose the ER where staff stabilized the man’s heart and inserted a pacemaker the next day.
“The next time I saw him he thanked me for saving his life and now he feels like a million bucks,” said Bryda.
Health Record Cards are available in the nursing office at the Westfield Senior Center.
Tina Gorman, director, Westfield Council on Aging, said she is “ecstatic” that Mercy Home Care recently formed a partnership with the Westfield Council on Aging and Westfield Senior Center, adding that between February and March, 212 office visits were conducted.
“Nursing services at the Westfield Senior Center once again are offered daily thanks to the generosity of Mercy Home Care,” said Gorman. “There is no charge for this service and no advance appointments are necessary.”
Sue Pickett, R.N., executive director, Mercy Home Care, echoed those sentiments.
“Mercy Home Care was eager to help the Westfield seniors in any way that we could,” said Pickett. “The timing was perfect when Tina asked us, and our staff has thoroughly enjoyed being there.”
Mercy Home Care nurses began offering office hours in December and has seen an increase each month in seniors stopping in for one-on-one health education, blood pressure checks, and blood glucose testing, as well as to have their oxygen level tested and weight checked. Additionally, seniors are encouraged to bring their own blood pressure cuff in so it can be checked for accuracy.
“We offer a Health Record Card which can be used at each visit which helps nurses and seniors keep track of their vital medical information,” said Asher. Asher is in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Asher said in her 30-plus years as a nurse, she always relishes the time spent educating someone on their health.
“I like teaching and education,” said Asher. “I knew I would enjoy the interaction with seniors here and helping them with any questions they have.”
Pickett concurred.
“The service is very important to help seniors to manage their health care, to appropriately see their doctors, and to prevent further problems,” said Pickett. “I am glad we are making a difference in lives at the Westfield Senior Center.”
Asher noted that she can also be instrumental between seniors and their physicians.
“If I think a senior needs to be seen by their doctor I can make the call and be specific about my findings,” said Asher.
For Gorman, having experienced nurses on-site during the day is an invaluable asset for the senior center.
“It’s comforting to know there is a nurse here each day in the event one of our seniors has a medical issue,” said Gorman.
In related news, 35 exhibitors including Mercy Home Care will be part of Senior Options 2017, slated April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westfield Senior Center. Representatives from a multitude of services will be featured, ranging from physical and emotional health, overall safety and wellness and housing options, to active lifestyle opportunities. In addition, local legislators will be available to discuss participants’ ideas and suggestions. A brown bag ‘grab and go’ lunch will be offered for $3 which includes a chicken salad sandwich, chips, fruit, dessert and a small bottled water. Highlights of the fair will also include a Chinese raffle and tickets will be on sale for a “Westfield Dining Gift Card Smorgasbord” grand prize featuring gift cards to six Westfield eateries, donated by Firtion Adams Funeral Home.
