Blog – Page 5 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Legislative Update, July 16

DW Admin on July 16, 2020

In this issue:

Federal Updates

Pregnant Women May Have Increased Risk for Severe Covid-19 Illness
2020 Census Update & COVID-19 Complications
Broadband Emergency Expansion Much Needed During the Pandemic

State Updates

Repeal of Outdated Health Care Regulation Would Benefit All Texans
Texas Extends Deadline for Food Benefits for Families Affected by COVID-19 School Closures
Health TEKS Up for Review for the First Time Since the 1990s

View our 2019 Legislative Outcomes & Analyses

Advocacy

In the news

COVID-19 Dashboard

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Federal Updates

Pregnant Women May Have Increased Risk for Severe Covid-19 Illness

According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, pregnant women with COVID-19 may be more likely to experience a more severe level of illness than women who are not pregnant. The findings come from an analysis of data on 91,412 women of reproductive age who tested positive for COVID-19, of whom 9% were pregnant.

CDC used COVID-19 federal surveillance data from Jan. 22–June 7 to conduct a study that compared the risks and symptoms of COVID-19 among pregnant and non-pregnant women. After adjusting for age, presence of underlying conditions, and race/ethnicity, pregnant women were 5.4 times more likely to be hospitalized, 1.5 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU, and 1.7 times more likely to receive mechanical ventilation. These findings suggest that among women of reproductive age with COVID-19, pregnancy is associated with a greater likelihood of hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and mechanical ventilation. While evidence is limited, clinicians are encouraged to counsel pregnant women about the risks and how to protect themselves

Additionally, CDC’s report points out the need for more data to fully understand both the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 during pregnancy, as well as the effects of COVID-19 on maternal and paternal outcomes. Thus, CDC, in collaboration with health departments, has initiated COVID-19 pregnancy surveillance to report pregnancy-related information and outcomes among pregnant women.

2020 Census Update & COVID-19 Complications

Severe virus-related limitations on mobility and personal contact have completely upended a decade of census outreach planning, especially in hard to reach communities throughout our state. The U.S. Census Bureau and its countless partners are continually working to ensure everyone is counted and have been quick to implement and share strategies to protect people’s health while sustaining the focus and motivation of achieving an accurate count.

As many Americans have shifted their attention to seeking economic relief and taking all precautions to avoid contracting the coronavirus, it is critically important for us to share a friendly reminder to participate in the census as it helps determine how billions of dollars from the federal government are invested across the country especially throughout these unfortunate times. It is these types of instances that should motivate Texans to spend three minutes at home to complete the online survey. As of July 5, Texas has a 56.7% response rate to the census which poses a serious threat to receiving much needed aid.

Normally the finished census would have to be on the president’s desk by Dec. 31, but due to the coronavirus, lawmakers have asked for an extension that would require a change in federal law. The extra time would ensure organizations such as Texas Counts continue to have ample time to extend their efforts throughout the state.

This past spring, Methodist Healthcare Ministries gifted the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health a $210,000 grant to support four community partners that were selected for the Texas Communities Count Initiative. The primary focus of Texas Communities Count is to aid collaborative approaches that will reach traditionally hard-to-count (HTC) populations, communities and geographic areas throughout the state. An additional three South Texas organizations were directly funded $195,420, by Methodist Healthcare Ministries to conduct census outreach in over 37 counties.

Broadband Emergency Expansion Much Needed During the Pandemic

Due to COVID-19, private broadband companies have pledged to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not to disconnect service due to lack of payment during the crisis, as well as working to offer emergency broadband expansion to those in need.

Many residents are having to adjust to working from home especially in rural communities where there is a lack of internet service providers. For those living in the larger metropolitan areas of the state, the high cost of cable and internet services is often the barrier for low income families. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of broadband connectivity was more of an inconvenience, however once stay-at-home orders were enforced, internet access became a necessity for roughly 2 million Texas households who currently don’t have access. With individuals losing their jobs and needing to apply for unemployment benefits, students participating in e-learning with teachers, employees adjusting to working from home and healthcare professionals providing telehealth services for patients, the need is more substantial than ever before.

While the digital divide is not a new story for our state, it is newly pertinent now as real interactions among people are limited and virtual interactions are vital. Recent waivers and funding from the state and federal government have allowed telemedicine to become more accessible amid the pandemic. Some of these temporary changes could prove to be extremely useful in rural areas if communities are provided with fast, reliable access to broadband service.

In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1960 by Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo). The bill created the Governor’s Broadband Development Council and is charged with conducting research and identifying solutions that overcome barriers to broadband access, especially in underserved and rural areas. The council’s report is due to members of the legislature by Nov. 1, 2020.

State Updates

Repeal of Outdated Health Care Regulation Would Benefit All Texans

The Coalition for Healthcare Access, a group of 27 business, consumer and health organizations, is actively working to remove unnecessary red-tape and barriers and expand Texans’ access to care. In an op ed by Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ President & CEO Jaime Wesolowski, coalition members urge the Texas Legislature to take action this coming legislative session and adopt recommendations released in Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s Texans Back to Work Task Force Report, waiving current law requiring advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to obtain a contract with a physician before they can provide care. Read the full op ed here .

Texas Extends Deadline for Food Benefits for Families Affected by COVID-19 School Closures

Last week, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has extended the application deadline for the federal Pandemic- Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT) to July 31. Texas has already issued nearly $700 million to families through the P-EBT program, benefiting more than 2.5 million children.

In May, Texas received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide more than $1 billion in pandemic food benefits. The P-EBT program is intended for families with children who have temporarily lost access to free or discounted school meals due to COVID-19-related school closures. More than 3 million children in Texas were certified to receive free or reduced-price meals at school during the 2019-2020 school year. The program is a one-time benefit of $285 per eligible child and can be used in the same way as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits to pay for groceries. Extending the application deadline helps ensure that more Texas families will have access to nutritious food as the state continues to combat COVID-19.

Health TEKS Up for Review for the First Time Since the 1990s

For the first time since 1998, the State Board of Education (SBOE) will revise the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Health Education. TEKS, which outlines the minimal standards for what students are to learn in each course or grade, are periodically reviewed and revised for each subject area to ensure that Texas students attain the essential knowledge and skills for a bright future.

Since August, members of the SBOE, in collaboration with selected content advisors and review committees, have been working toward updating the state’s 22-year-old standards on health education. To guide this process, Texas education commissioner, Mike Morath, released a report that provided a framework for members to build on. In addition to developing recommendations based on Morath’s report, members from the review committees have proposed a new health education high school course. The new course would address topics such as navigating the health care system and accessing care in communities.

Currently, school districts must teach to the health TEKS within the overall curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 8. While high schools also have health TEKS to follow, Texas is one of 26 states that does not require health education for high school graduation. Even so, most school districts teach the class in high school, either as an elective or as a local graduation requirement. The final adoption of revisions to the TEKS for health education will take place in November.

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

Back to Top

Funded Partner Spotlight: Proyecto Desarrollo Humano

DW Admin on July 15, 2020

Miguel is a hard worker. Each morning, he gets up early to try and find some work for the day. He needs to earn enough money to support his wife, Martha, and their two children: Miguel Jr. and Magdalena. They live in a modest structure that can be generously described as a house, but they make it a home. Being together and seeing his family smile puts all the hardships of living in a colonia into perspective. Why does he travel down an unpaved, dirt road to find day work in a neighborhood that lacks potable water and other services and infrastructure people often take for granted? He does it for them. Luckily, he’s not alone. He has help in the form of friends and supportive organizations that exist to make his life, and that of his community better.

For over 25 years, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has dedicated its efforts to increasing access to care for people like Miguel—for the least served. With a service area covering 74 counties across South Texas, there is no shortage of places that need assistance, but none may be more in need than the coloniasalong the Texas-Mexico border. These unincorporated communities often lack the most basic living necessities such as potable water, drivable roads or sewage treatment. In the face of that glaring need, however, what you will find there in abundance is hope and communities filled with people that represent the best of our humanity.

To help Methodist Healthcare Ministries realize its vision in communities like these, it relies on an incredible network of partners who share our vision and commitment to caring for the least served. One such partner is Proyecto Desarrollo Humano (PDH), located in the Deep South Texas town of Pernitas.

In 2004, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) and their Mission Partners, founded Proyecto Desarrollo Humano (PDH) to help meet the unanswered needs of Hispanic immigrants in western Hidalgo County, Texas. Their mission statement calls them to: “Help develop human and spiritual potential, strengthen family bonds, build communities of peace, love, justice, and satisfy the needs of the community” through a holistic approach that focuses on health, education and social services. Miguel and his family are emblematic of the type of person who rely on PDH to survive and to access programs and services needed to better their lives.

In the area of health, PDH offers a number of programs and services to the community surrounding it. The Clinica Maria Luisa provides limited medical and dental services for those without access to affordable care or insurance. The clinic is staffed by volunteer physicians and medical professionals at little or no cost.

Additionally, PDH offers a Women’s Wellness program offering Zumba Exercise classes, nutritional education materials, diabetic counseling and education, and mental health services.

The education offerings PDH makes available include English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults offered in the mornings and evenings and after school tutoring for children of all ages, as well as summer programming for kids.

Lastly, to provide the community with needed social services, PDH operates a thrift store where the community can find needed essentials, leadership & community-development programming, parenting classes, sewing groups, social work assistance, home and community improvement projects and the Organic Community Garden.

The Organic Community Garden includes hands-on instruction from experts at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and provides participants with information that’s required to help them maintain, plan and cultivate the garden. Participants can grow their own fresh, organic food in a safe space provided by PDH. The program is inspirational and empowering for the participants, who can then profit off the fruit of their own labor.

Miguel and his family are composite characters emblematic of the hundreds of the real people served by PDH. They are primarily new immigrants to the United States. They live in the surrounding colonias and the conditions are often substandard. The people make do with what they have and make the best out of their situation. They are living well below the federal poverty level and their housing consists of small trailers or bare structures which they work on to improve with the help of PDH. The men are often day laborers supporting young families. 54% of the population is under the age of 18 and attending public school. Their parents are doing their best to navigate through a language barrier and an unfamiliar new reality, but they are gracious and grateful for all the assistance provided by PDH.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been proud to support Proyecto Desarrollo Humano since 2014 by awarding $190,000 in funding for a number of their programs and offerings, such as supplies for the community garden, parenting programs, family support activities, clinical supplies, transportation assistance and funding for staffing. In addition to the funding, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ community-based counselor, Diana Garza Martinez, provides counseling services twice a week at PDH and Wesley Nurse Veronica Lee is on site three days a week to provide diabetic education and support to patients in need.

Sister Fatima Santiago, executive director of Proyecto Desarrollo Humano, stated that “Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ support and collaboration continue to be invaluable to us. Their financial assistance enables us to expand our service ability to our materially poor people. They also put us in contact with the broader community, enlightening us to contacts and activities. We greatly benefit from the moral support and advice given by our grant officer on her periodic visits.”

It’s incredible to find partners like Proyecto Desarrollo Humano who are dedicated and embedded into the fabric of the communities Methodist Healthcare Ministries serves. By working together, we can address the needs of an area and population that is often overlooked and under-resourced. Being there to lend a helping hand to the Miguels, Marthas and Miguel Jrs. and Magdalenas of the world, helps these organizations build stronger, more resilient families and thriving communities full of opportunity and hope.

To learn more about Proyecto Desarrollo Humano and to find out how you can help, visit www.proyectodhumano.org

Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has provided over $1.06 billion to improve the wellness of the least served through our direct care services, strategic grantmaking and community partnerships. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to partnerwith organizations that share our mission and organizational objectives of increasing access to care to the least served across South Texas.

A Letter to Our Wesley Nurses

DW Admin on May 11, 2020

May 11, 2020

Dear Wesley Nurses:

This week, this month, this year—the spotlight is on you. 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale—pioneer of modern nursing—and has been designated the “Year of the Nurse” by the World Health Organization. More importantly, we are shining a light on you now because of the invaluable role you continue to play in providing compassionate care to the least served during the coronavirus pandemic.

As a young pastor, I served on staff at a church that received one of the very first Wesley Nurses. Since that time, I have observed and worked with Wesley Nurses from a variety of positions. I have seen lives saved through health assessments and prescription assistance. Pastors and other leaders have learned the wisdom of asset-based community assessment. I witnessed a whole congregation as it flipped from dying to thriving, through a nurse’s community connections. I have served alongside Wesley Nurses with gratitude and pride.

Now as a board member for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I rejoice to see the collective scope and impact of your work. Across the 74 counties within the Rio Texas Conference, your work is nimble, creative, and contextual. All the nurses I have known personally have relished the working environment that allows them to bring themselves fully to the work of healing bodies and spirits, fulfilling the MHM mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.” The following reflection, written by a friend of the program, is a rendering of that labor of love.

A Wesley Nurse offers:

healing in the face of hurting,
compassion in the midst of chaos,
faith that lifts others out of fear,
perseverance despite the presence of obstacles,
hope in the place of despair,
peace that allows for progress,
confidence to change circumstances,
and, most importantly, hands and feet that faithfully follow God’s leading.

We shine a light of celebration and honor on you, Wesley Nurses, because your light shines so brightly amidst our church and communities. Thank you for your faithfulness and your service, which I know at times only God fully sees, and which has blessed us immeasurably. May God inspire and strengthen you, shining the true light from which all goodness comes, reflecting through you always as beacons of divine mercy and love.

Grace and peace,

Laura Merrill

Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Clergy Excellence

“Thank You” to Nurses – National Nurses Week 2020

DW Admin on May 9, 2020

If you stop and think about it for a second, all of us have been touched by the caring hands of a nurse. From our earliest moments after birth, through our years in school, to any time we’ve had to visit a medical office, hospital or clinic to seek treatment for something that ails us—it’s in these moments a nurse is always there to care for us and lift our spirits.

This week is recognized as National Nurses Week, but 2020 is also the Year of the Nurse—apropos for a year defined by a pandemic—but also the year which marks 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale, who pioneered modern nursing. Now more than ever, it’s a time to recognize and give thanks to all the nurses who serve and work in our communities to care for us and provide us with healing comfort.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., we are blessed to have almost a quarter of our workforce comprised of nurses—100+ caring servants whose skillful hands and caring hearts deliver healing and hope to the most vulnerable among us.

At our four clinical locations in and around San Antonio, we have nearly 20 nurses treating patients who traditionally lack access to quality health care. When our patients and clients visit one of our clinics, it’s the face of one of our nurses who provide the most care and attention as they navigate through the programs and services we offer. Many of the patients we serve in those clinics often have complex healthcare needs on top of struggling with poverty, food scarcity and other issues that make prioritizing their health nearly impossible. Our clinical nurses have to be the shoulders for patients to lean on, hands to hold them steady when they are overwhelmed or scared, a confidant for life’s challenges and cheerleaders to encourage them in making sometimes hard choices to get healthy.

Moving outside our clinics and into our 74-county service area, we are fortunate to have 87 Wesley Nurses rooted in communities large and small across South Texas. The Wesley Nurse program was one of the first initiatives that Methodist Healthcare Ministries launched over 20 years ago and it is our largest geographic outreach program. Wesley Nurses are Registered Nurses who practice faith-based, community nursing and are located in churches and communities. Wesley Nurses are trained to treat the mind, body and spirit of patients they encounter and they are embedded into the fabric of the communities they serve.

Our nursing team embodies our mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God” on a daily basis by going above and beyond to provide quality, compassionate care – especially now. In these difficult times, they have become catalysts for creative care that reaches past the physical distance caused by this pandemic. From the onset of the coronavirus, our clinical nursing team quickly pivoted to HIPAA-compliant virtual care solutions to ensure our patients and clients didn’t miss the care they need to stay healthy. At a time when operations at most businesses and medical practices have been affected, our Wesley Nurses sprang into action to organize community relief efforts necessary for people to survive amid this COVID-19 reality. From volunteering with food banks and organizing food distributions to spending hours driving through their communities delivering needed supplies such as medicines or diapers to those with transportation challenges—they are working diligently to protect and improve the mental, physical and spiritual health of the uninsured across South Texas.

Across our city and around the world, you can find a nurse hard at work in hospitals, medical offices, urgent care centers, schools, nursing homes, behavioral health centers and more. Nurses are part of the engine that keep our health care system moving forward. They are smart, creative, resourceful, compassionate, caring and wise. We often encounter them when we are not feeling our best, yet they strive tirelessly to help us through every situation.

I had a job as a nursing assistant through college, which allowed me the chance to appreciate firsthand the work nurses give to their patients and I saw how much how much compassion the job requires. The scale of the impact they have on patients and families is incredible and I’ve been inspired by all the nurses I’ve worked with throughout my career in the health care industry and now, as President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

During National Nurses Week and throughout 2020, I’d like to ask you to reach out to the nurses in your life and say, “thank you!” Whether it’s someone in your family or someone you encounter while accessing the health care system, please let them know how much they are appreciated. It’s the nurses in the world who are truly leading the way toward our recovery with their care and compassion.

Coping Tips for Parents Staying at Home with Children

DW Admin on April 8, 2020

If you’re one of the millions of parents staying home with your children during this challenging season in our world, there are things you can do to help ease tension and stress, as you try juggling work and family.

Normally, working parents are used to waking up early, getting themselves and their children ready for the day which includes preparing breakfast, driving them to school, then heading to the office to tackle their work day.

But for the past few days, parents are having to switch gears by no longer having to drive kids to and from school – their homes have now been transformed into classrooms and workspaces. This new set-up can become overwhelming for parents who need to work and now are faced with serving as temporary educators for their school-aged kids.

Dayanara Santiago, a coordinator for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Parenting Program, said once she implemented a daily schedule for her children, it added structure to their day. She has four children, ages 18, 12, 13, and 8, at home. She said she and her husband work together to keep their children on track with school work.

Amanda Greer, supervisor for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Parenting Program, agrees. She said it’s important to have a game plan for each day. While her children are not school-age yet, they require plenty of attention throughout the day. She and her husband collaborate with each other so they can focus on work, while caring for their two little ones, ages three and 18-months.

The following is a list of tips, prepared by Amanda and Dayanara that can help others, as parents across our community and world learn how to adapt to a “new normal” way of life:

Implementing a daily or weekly schedule/routine and stick to it.
Preparing healthy meals and snacks. Try preparing meals the night before so you save time during the day.
Scheduling nap and/or quiet time.
Staying connected with other parents for support and ideas. Find out what’s working for them and share what’s working for you.
Staying connected with your child’s teachers and school districts for important school work updates.
Going outdoors for recreation time – basketball, volleyball, etc.
Coordinating weekly Bible studies for the family and allowing time for children to express their feelings about the current situation.
Creating movie nights, watching reruns of your favorite shows and letting children participate in selecting movies and shows.
Playing board games or trying new online games for the whole family.
Challenging children to read books and rewarding them for the number of books read each week – check with your local school for free online books available to students.
Engaging children with fun hobbies like painting, coloring, or creating a garden and planting seeds. There are a variety of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ideas and guides available online.
Set aside time during your day for a daily devotional.
Utilize YouTube videos for ideas on Bible topics for kids.
Encourage children to write letters or create greeting cards for sending to their grandparents, as well as seniors who are living in a nursing home.
Assign children to help with housecleaning, especially in their rooms (making their beds every day).
If you have pets, ask your children to help bathe and feed them.
Go for walks with your children or get your bikes out and go riding.
Communicating with your spouse or others helping you at home is key in staying on track with daily tasks. By communicating, you’ll be able to tackle your work projects and attend virtual meetings, as needed to get your work done.

“My husband and I find that it’s extremely important to keep the communication line open between us so that we are on the same page,” explained Amanda. “Talking with each other about what’s on our minds, whether its frustration or anything else, will help prevent miscommunication or arguments from occurring.”

Dayanara said it’s important to talk to your kids about what’s happening in our world. Being honest and open is best. “I take time to listen to my kids and their concerns. If they ask me about the virus and how it is impacting our world, I will try to explain as best I can. By doing this, it will help ease their fears and worries.”

She also said that if your child needs help with a school assignment, allow yourself to stop working and go help them. “If my child needs help, I’ll go and help them. If I see that it’s going to take longer, we will skip it and come back to it later.”

Amanda said, “You have to become strategic in how you manage your day. Do your best to stay on track but also be realistic. Don’t’ be hard on yourself.”

“It’s getting easier as the days pass. We are coming along as a family. On the positive side, I love that we are together and dedicating more time with each other and I’m saving gas since I don’t have to drive anywhere, except for necessary items. I know that God is with us through this time,” said Dayanara.

Managing Stress and Anxiety

DW Admin on April 2, 2020

News updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19) are happening all day and every day. All you need to do is turn on your TV or connect to your preferred social channel, and you’ll learn the latest on the situation impacting our world.

The news can become overwhelming – causing stress, fear, and anxiety in these uncertain times. These feelings can escalate quickly if not effectively managed, according to Celina Gonzalez, a behavioral health counselor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

She said as more individuals are also having to make home their new work sites – juggling work and family at the same time can lead to an increase in stress.

“It’s important to learn how to cope, especially if you’re working from home surrounded by family staying with you,” said Gonzalez. “People start to worry about the future and start to become fearful and anxious. There are things that we can all do to help us manage these emotions.”

Gonzalez has put together a list of tips that can help individuals and families manage stress and anxiety, while at home. The list includes the following:

Self-Care
- Go for daily walks and don’t forget to take deep breaths along the way (remember to practice social distancing during your walks). Take your furry friend with you, if you can.
- Get plenty of sleep (at least eight hours).
- Commit to praying/meditating at least 10 minutes during your day. Daily devotionals are always helpful.
- Listen to soothing music during short breaks throughout your day.
- Don’t skip meals – choose healthy options for meals and snacks.
- Keep a journal of your day-to-day tasks and/or prayers.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Protect your health and the health of your loved ones by staying home.
- Dance with your kids and other family members to help stay positive! Get out those fun tunes and start moving. This is also great exercise!
- Catch up on reading. If you have a book you’ve been trying to read, now is a good time to start.
- Start a new hobby. Watch stories on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube for fun tutorials and ideas.
- Create a movie night with your family. Make a list of the movies you’d like to watch together!
- Limit your time on social media. Also, try following only positive and encouraging social channels, as well as credible news sources.

Stay Connected with Others
- Use technology to stay connected with loved ones – FaceTime, email, a quick phone call, or consider brief chats through communication platforms with friends and family living away from you.
- Write notes or letters of encouragement to friends, family, neighbors or church family.
- Share fun online games or pull-out board games, if you have them around the house – practice social distancing.
- Create an online photo album
- Share tasty and fun recipes with each other. Maybe start videotaping some cooking demos of your favorite meals and share with others on social media.
- Do some spring cleaning around the house and save for donating later to those in need of clothing and/or household items.

Gonzalez said you can successfully manage your thoughts and actions by practicing a variety of healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety. She says you can be as creative as you want in making your surroundings positive and calming, as we work together as a community through this challenging season.

“Taking good care of yourself means you will be able to better care for those you love and cherish,” she added. “Make time for yourself, as we all take one day at a time.”

Celina Gonzalez serves as a behavioral health counselor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center in San Antonio.

Stay informed by visiting our COVID-19 Information Hub for important updates, resources, and support.

Funded Partner Spotlight: Family Service Association

DW Admin on February 18, 2020

Since 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. has provided over $1 billion in healthcare services through our clinics and programs, as well as through our partnerships. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission and organizational objectives of increasing access to care to the least served across South Texas.

There are few organizations in San Antonio with a history as storied or impactful as Family Service Association. The nonprofit organization was originally founded in 1903 as the Charity Association of San Antonio.

Over the years the name and programs have evolved, enabling Family Service Association to offer services that address adoptions, youth development, elder care, behavioral health, rural health, and much more. In recent years, Family Service has evolved to better meet the needs of the communities it serves. It has expanded to provide services in 13 counties and its focus has shifted organically towards addressing the social determinants of health. For example, understanding that many of its clients report having experienced a childhood trauma has led them to adopt the practice of trauma-informed care when treating new patients. Family Service has created a scorecard to chart where they want to be in 3-5 years and those decisions are passed down to employees through trainings, so everyone can understand what they are working towards.

Mary Garr, president & CEO of Family Service Association, stated that “If we want San Antonio to improve health, workforce, then it all ties to the social determinants and we've got to have a collective voice and a collective framework to be able to articulate so we can work as a city to be able to address these challenges. Organizations like Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and others, are helping in that framework as well.”

Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been proud to support Family Service Association since 2007 by awarding $ $6,348.810.00 in funding for a number of their programs and offerings. In 2020, Methodist Healthcare Ministries funded three projects by Family Service: a Rural Child Abuse Prevention Program, Early Childhood Wellbeing Program and a Financial Empowerment Program.

Through the Rural Child Abuse Prevention Program, Family Service offers community-based counseling services to individuals coping with difficult daily stressors living in Uvalde, Zavala, Dimmit, Maverick, and Val Verde counties. The services are often provided in a client’s home or at a local United Methodist Church, which often partners with Family Service to provide additional support. The program developed over the years and focuses on people 21 years old, dealing with behavioral health issues. The program serves a population that is very poor with 64% earn less than $10K a year. Their clients are often dealing with behavioral health issues, substance abuse and experience trouble finding work. However, Family Service employs a great staff in the region who have built trust and relationships over the years. Some staff members are even former clients, so they bring a perspective and experience that enables them to relate better with their clients.

The Early Childhood Wellness Program is an early childhood mental health program where Family Service trains teachers how to better manage behavior issues in preschool age children, up to 8 years old, through a positive behavior support models. Through parent-child interactions and the Parenting Wisely program, Family Service provides teachers with the opportunity to better engage and manage young students at a critical time in their development.

The Financial Empowerment Program is offered at six locations across San Antonio, including Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Wesley Health & Wellness Center on the Southwest side and the Dixon Health & Wellness Center on the Southeast side of San Antonio. The patients and families who walk through the door of our clinics often also seek assistance with their finances. The Financial Empowerment Program uses a coaching model to talk patients through their financial situation, help them identify where their money is going to and develop a plan to take care of debt, improve credit and build savings. The hands-on approach teaches the value of saving and building one’s financial health. The program has been very effective at helping people reduce debt and take control of their financial situation.

Since 1903, Family Services has been a tremendous asset to the San Antonio and South Texas communities where their services are offered. They are committed to addressing the social determinants of health in a manner that is early and enables families to live happier and healthier lives. Their innovative and wide-reaching programs are helping families in a myriad of ways and Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to continue supporting their efforts. They are a great partner as we strive to increase access to care for the least served and build resilient families in thriving communities.

To learn more, please visit family-service.org.

Philanthropy to Support Trauma-Informed Care: Harnessing resilience to overcome adverse childhood experiences

DW Admin on February 11, 2020

One of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ main focuses moving forward is to support resilient families. According to the Buncombe ACE Learning Collaborative, resilience is the ability to adapt well, or “bounce back” in response to difficult life events. When families experience hard things and stressors, says Buncombe, they need good experiences and resources to help balance the scale. That’s where trauma-informed care comes in.

First, some definitions:

What are ACEs? ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences, traumatic events that disrupt a child’s healthy development and change the way their brains and bodies respond to stress. ACEs may include abuse, neglect, exposure to mental illness and addiction, and witnessing violence at home or in the community. ACEs are common! Some 60 percent of adults report having at least one ACE in their history and 25 percent of adults report experiencing three or more ACEs.
What is Trauma-Informed Care? Trauma-Informed Care, or TIC, is an approach that understands and recognizes the role of trauma. TIC practitioners ask the client, “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?” TIC is focused on creating a safe, trusted environment that will not re-traumatize people. It is focused on helping ACE survivors build resilience and develop coping strategies.

Why does Methodist Healthcare Ministries care about ACEs? ACEs are an underlying cause of many painful, destructive and expensive health problems. They are associated with struggling, rather than thriving. Families cannot be resilient if caught in a cycle of trauma. Communities cannot thrive if families are suffering. If we could help people unpack their ACEs baggage and become more resilient, they could live happier, healthier lives.

Negative health outcomes associated with ACES can last throughout the life span. The more ACEs somebody experienced as a child, the higher their risk of various co-morbidities throughout their adult lives. Four or more ACEs are associated with: A twelvefold risk of suicide attempts; an eigthfold risk of alcoholism; a fivefold risk of chronic depression. But it’s not limited to behavioral health issues. There’s also a fivefold risk of perpetuating domestic violence, a fourfold risk of COPD, a twofold risk of any cancer, a twofold risk of heart attack or stroke and at least a twofold risk of obesity. ACEs are also tied to risk for general life dissatisfaction; approximately 67 percent of life dissatisfaction in the U.S. population is probably attributable to ACEs.

The link between ACEs and health problems was originally discovered by a physician in a weight-loss clinic, trying to figure out why patients who seemed to be doing well on BMI reduction suddenly started regaining their weight. His follow-up study found that emotional abuse was a strong predictor of obesity. Frequent verbal abuse increased the risk of having a BMI of 40+ by 88 percent. Frequent physical abuse increased that risk by 71 percent and sexual abuse increased it by 42 percent.

How is Methodist Healthcare Ministries philanthropically involved in trauma-informed care? Methodist Healthcare Ministries' community grants team has been involved in the ACEs/TIC approach since 2018, inspired by an internal screening of the film, Resilience. Our philanthropic involvement focuses on three initiatives:

1. South Texas Trauma-Informed Care Consortium and setting standards: The Consortium celebrated its one-year anniversary in September 2019.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is actively involved in the Consortium, and making a grant, to help set standards for TIC. The Consortium is a cross-sector collaboration, with 12 workgroups and over 100 organizations represented. Dr. Edward Dick (senior vp of integrated health services) and Anne Connor (director of community grants) both serve on the steering committee and are co-chairs of different workgroups. Chris Yanas (director of governmental affairs) serves on the workgroup focused on communication and advocacy.
The Philanthropy Workgroup created guiding principles for trauma-informed funding, which include “Don’t fund programs that will re-traumatize people.”
It became apparent to the entire consortium that standards and training are needed to transform TIC from a buzzword to a reality. In response, the Consortium is working to create a unique and powerful solution that addresses teh need in Texas.

2. Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) and Transforming FQHCs: Methodist Healthcare Ministries helped to facilitate funding for a huge opportunity for system change.

TACHC launched an initiative in 2019 to start converting all FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) in Texas to Trauma-Informed Care Centers. The program involves multiple, in-depth, ongoing activities such as training, podcasts linking ACES to current events, and peer meetings, to engage each cohort of community health centers. The program uses PDSA-like “decision points” to review and improve the program before starting each new cohort. The goal is to treat TIC as a “universal precaution,” assuming that every patient who walks in has probably experienced some level of ACEs. FQHCs will create an atmosphere of trust and caring, from front-desk staff to medical providers.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries is a voting member of the Texas Behavioral Health Funders’ Collaborative (TBHFC). TACHC received a $100,000 grant for 2019 and another $100,000 grant for 2020, from TBHFC, for this TIC transformation project. Both grants were initiated by requests from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, leveraging the organization’s membership dues in TBHFC 4:1.

3. Building Funder Awareness: The more funders who understand ACEs and TIC, the more support there will be for programs that build resilience.

Anne Connor serves as one of the co-chairs of the Philanthropy Workgroup of the South Texas Trauma-Informed Care Consortium, and is actively recruiting additional grantmakers to this workgroup.
She also serves on the planning committee of the San Antonio Area Funders’ Group. She was instrumental in bringing the 45-minute film about ACES, Resilience, to a screening for about 40 grant funders at the February 2019 meeting of the Funders’ Group.

Resilient Families: Methodist Healthcare Ministries aims to create the conditions in which families in our service area can be resilient, contributing to thriving communities and moving toward health equity. Trauma-Informed Care is a critical part of that effort.

Celebrating 25 Years of “Serving Humanity to Honor God“

DW Admin on January 11, 2020

On January 11, 1995, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. was founded and began its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”We are incredibly proud of where we’ve been and excited for what’s ahead. We look forward to the future, as we continue to support resilient families and thriving communities across South Texas.

A Love Letter to Dianne Dorsett

DW Admin on January 11, 2020

Dear Dianne,

You were the first team member employed by Methodist Healthcare Ministries — the same year this organization began its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God.” Your eyes have seen so much through the years. You were there when Methodist Hospital became the Methodist Healthcare System, organized through a new partnership with HCA Healthcare, in 1995. For the past 25 years, you have devoted your time, talents and treasures to fulfilling the mission and vision of this organization. Dianne, you have played a critical role in developing and implementing the processes and procedures that have enabled us to give back millions of dollars in healthcare services in 74 counties across South Texas.

From the beginning, you have served in a leadership role, helping shape the future of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. You first served as the Director of Administrative Services and even stepped-in as interim Director of Human Resources, then later became the Director of Board and Public Relations, and most currently, the Board Liaison.

In your role, as the leader in public relations and communications, you built the department from the ground up. You pioneered the department’s role in establishing effective strategic communications, inside and outside the walls of the organization. You were also the driving force in creating strong and lasting relationships with the news media. You are responsible for paving the way for future communicators whose careers have led them here to further the mission of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. You have crafted the first stories ever told on how people’s lives have changed for the better because of this organization’s dedication to humanity. You have planted seeds that will continue to grow, as we carry on in spreading the good news about this organization’s commitment to healthcare for the underserved. Because of you, our story has beautifully been told and will continue to be echoed in the airwaves of newscasts, digital and print publications, and social media feeds.

As the board liaison, you have been the person most directly responsible for connecting our board members to the senior leadership team. You have been an invaluable resource that keeps the board organized and have supported them as they carry out our mission. And, you take tremendous pride in making sure that our organization is recognized accurately and responsibly for the good work done for those we are passionately and dedicated to serving.

Your selfless commitment to being of service to others embodies a kind spirit and nurturing soul. Your passion for mentoring, leading, connecting, and faithfully answering the call to ministry by bringing the words of John Wesley to life in your daily walk: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can,” is evident in all you do. You have served as an extraordinary ambassador for Methodist Healthcare Ministries and have helped make this organization become a beacon of hope for those who need us the most.There’s no doubt that you will leave a legacy of integrity, commitment, and passion, for generations to come. You have definitely left your mark of excellence across this organization, and beyond.

God placed you here to bless others, as He has graciously blessed us with you. Thank you for faithfully serving and leading us into this new decade. You have helped build a strong foundation that will remain firm for years. Thank you for loving God so much and sharing His love in all you do for humanity. You are our champion, historian, connector, servant-leader, friend, and sister-in-Christ.

We will miss you. We love you!

—Your Methodist Healthcare Ministries family

Legislative Update, December 26

DW Admin on December 26, 2019

In this issue:

Federal Updates

Appeals Court Rules ACA Mandates Unconstitutional
House Passes Healthcare Provisions in Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act
House Passes Legislation to Lower Drug Pricing
House Energy & Commerce Committee Pushes to Extend Coverage for Moms

State Updates

Texas House and Senate Release Interim Charges
House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs
HHS Releases Blueprint for a Healthy Texas
New Report Shows High Poverty Rates for Children in Webb County
RGV Equal Voice Network Hosts Access to Specialty Care Summit

Upcoming Hearings

Upcoming Events

View our 2019 Legislative Outcomes & Analyses

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Federal Updates

Appeals Court Rules ACA Mandates Unconstitutional

Since its inception in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has sought to address gaps in the health coverage system by making it more accessible to low-income individuals and adding key provisions that keep children covered longer and guarantee coverage for those with preexisting conditions, just to name a few. On Dec. 18, a federal appeals court in New Orleans struck down a major part of the Affordable Care Act, a decision that could jeopardize health insurance for millions of Americans. The court, in a 2-to-1 decision, ruled that the ACA’s individual mandate provision is unconstitutional, but punted on deciding whether the rest of the landmark healthcare law should be tossed out. Rather than strike down the entire law, the appeals court sent the case back to district court for additional analysis on whether the individual mandate can be severed from the rest of the statute. For now, it’s important that consumers know they are not affected by the court’s ruling this past week.

The case is expected to progress to the Supreme Court, which previously upheld the ACA in a narrowly divided 2012 ruling. The requirement for coverage, often referred to as an individual mandate, was inserted into the law to provide insurers a wide pool of customers since they were now required to cover people with chronic medical conditions. The impact of this healthcare repeal lawsuit could be devastating to many Texans. If courts move to strike down the ACA, roughly 1.7 millionTexans would stand to lose their healthcare coverage.

House Passes Healthcare Provisions in Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act

On Dec. 17, House lawmakers voted 297-120 in favor of H.R.1865 “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020,” that appropriates $540.4 billion in discretionary funds to federal agencies and programs. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Senate must approve the legislation before the Dec. 20 funding deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

This governmentwide spending package is covered by eight appropriation bills for fiscal year 2020 and would include increasing funding for numerous programs and agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and medication-assisted treatment programs. The largest healthcare appropriation made under H.R. 1865 was $828.3 billion for CMS and $475.6 million for opioid overdose prevention and surveillance at the CDC. The bill continues to support critical research initiatives including Alzheimer’s disease research, suicide prevention, and increasing funding to improve maternal and child health.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries continues to demonstrate their commitment to advocate for public policy that ensures the longevity and ability for agencies and programs to provide access to healthcare services to Texans most in need.

House Passes Legislation to Lower Drug Pricing

The rising costs in prescription drugs, according to Health Affairs, can be blamed primarily on price increases, not from expensive improvements to existing drugs or new therapies as pharmaceutical companies often claim. On Dec. 12, House Democrats passed H.R. 3, the “Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Act,” that would restrain the cost of prescriptions by allowing the government for the first time to negotiate the price of drugs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, however, quickly declared the bill dead in the Senate saying the bill would result in dozens of fewer therapies coming to market. With a House version passed, it is now up to the Senate to pass its own drug pricing reform alternative.

The House vote on the bill passed 230 to 192, with two republicans breaking rank in support. H.R. 3 reinvests in improving Medicare for seniors and people with disabilities by placing out-of-pocket limits for prescription drugs, requiring manufacturers to adjust prices based on inflation, and allowing the government to negotiate prices for 50 to 250 drugs using an international price index. The price determined by the negotiation process would then be available to the commercial market, not just Medicare beneficiaries, ensuring out-of-pocket costs for all Americans are contained. In addition, the House bill would expand Medicare benefits to include dental, vision and hearing aid coverage. Projected cost savings would appropriate the additional funding to the National Institute of Health Innovation Projects, the FDA, and the Opioid Epidemic Response Fund. The bill would improve the overall health and well-being of millions of working families by removing the barrier of having to decide between lifesaving treatment and paying their bills.

House Energy & Commerce Committee Pushes to Extend Coverage for Moms

An estimated 700 women in the United States annually die from pregnancy-related complications within the first year after giving birth, despite 60 percent of these deaths being preventable with appropriate care. On Nov. 20, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation by voice vote, H.R. 4996 , “Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act” (Helping MOMS Act). In an effort to prevent maternal mortality, the bill incentivizes states to extend Medicaid or CHIP coverage for up to one year for low-income mothers by offering a 5 percent federal match in the first year.

Last year, Texas’ health department and the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee found that almost 400 Texas mothers died between 2012 and 2015. The committee created by the Governor and the Texas Legislature concluded that extending Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a full year would help more Texas mothers’ gain access to primary, specialty and behavioral care during a critical window of time following the birth of their baby. In support of the continuation of funding and strengthening of current programs to achieve healthy outcomes for women and children, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has co-signed a letter of support in collaboration with our funded partner, Texans Care for Children, advocating to increase coverage for low-income mothers and encouraging the House to include the Helping MOMS Act in its end of year bill package.

State Updates

Texas House and Senate Release Interim Charges

Following the conclusion of the 86^th legislative session earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen have published their respective Senate and House interim committee charges. Over the course of the next year, the Texas House of Representatives and Senate committees will meet to discuss and hear from stakeholders on key issues in preparation for the next legislative session. Their findings will affect actions taken during the 87^th Texas Legislative Session which begins Jan. 12, 2021.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted topics for consideration to the state delegation related to improving access to healthcare services for Texas families. To deliver care for our uninsured and underserved families, we will continue to monitor charges and legislation during the interim that affects our four priority areas: access to care, behavioral health, healthcare workforce and women in children. A key priority for Methodist Health Care Ministries is addressing the rising cost of healthcare. We will be monitoring charges related to increasing access to affordable and quality healthcare, access to mental health care services through telehealth and the progression of the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH) Phase II committee work, expanding Texas’ current and future workforce pipeline to closing skill gaps, as well as providing recommendations to developing a postpartum care package for new mothers to develop strategies to ensure continuity of care.

House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs

House Speaker Bonnen also moved to create and appoint Texas House members to the House Select Committee on Statewide Health Care Costs . The committee is comprised of 11 members that will examine the primary drivers of increased health care costs in Texas, study opportunities to better coordinate how public dollars are spent on healthcare, as well as identify emerging and proven delivery system improvements and sustainable financing models that could reduce the cost of healthcare. The committee is required to submit a final report on their findings before the start of the 2021 legislative session.

HHS Releases Blueprint for a Healthy Texas

The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled its inaugural business plan in November 2019, Blueprint of a Healthy Texas, which provides measurable initiatives to improve the lives of more than 7 million Texans who rely on the services provided by the agency. The business plan includes 12 initiatives and 72 goals focused on providing a transparent framework for how HHS will move forward and improve services to Texans.

It is estimated that one in five Texans have mental health needs, with more than 1 million suffering from a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Meeting the mental healthcare needs of Texans requires critical policy analyses to ensure coordinated systems of support and services are effective and appropriate. The HHS business plan hopes to address the gaps in behavioral health and meet a person’s need in the most integrated settings.

The inaugural business plan works to improve health outcomes for women, mothers, and children by enhancing access to long-acting reversible contraception, increasing prenatal and well-child visits, and addressing disparities in breastfeeding and breast cancer. Additionally, FY 2020 initiatives also focus on improving accountability and sustainability of supplemental and directed payment programs to achieve positive outcomes.

New Report Shows High Poverty Rates for Children in Webb County

In a new report commissioned by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and produced by the Center for Public Policy Priorities, data findings conclude children in Webb County are not faring as well as Texas children overall, lacking access to health care at greater rates and scoring poorer on many indicators of health, education and financial security.

The 2019 State of Texas Children in Webb County report highlights that although Webb County is a vibrant binational landscape and has one of the best employment rates across the state, nearly 70 percent of children live in high poverty neighborhoods (compared to 17 percent in Texas overall). As a result, children are less likely to have access to doctors, quality schools and groceries. Additionally, children living in Webb County were three times as likely to be undercounted in the census as in Texas overall. An undercount of children in the upcoming 2020 census could mean fewer federal dollars flowing into the county for education, Head Start, SNAP and Medicaid/CHIP programs.

The report noted Webb County can capitalize on its strengths and invest in child-well-being by ensuring workers receive family-sustaining wages, expanding access to comprehensive health insurance, improving access to family planning, and promoting an accurate 2020 census. Working with local officials and state lawmakers to support equity-focused policies will ensure all children have access to the basic building blocks to reach their full potential. On Nov. 21, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and CPPP shared the report's findings with the Laredo Health Coalition, City of Laredo Health Department, Webb County Commissioner Rosaura Tijerina and other elected officials.

RGV Equal Voice Network Hosts Access to Specialty Care Summit

Rio Grande Valley residents continue to face challenges in accessing health care due to serious economic barriers, a shortage of providers, and a lack of health insurance coverage. Many low-income working families rely on the local safety net clinics to receive low-cost primary care. However, when patients are referred to specialists for more serious ailments, such as cancer, surgery or dental care, nearly two out of five residents said they could not access the specialty care they needed.  On Dec. 12, the RGV Equal Voice Network Health Working Group held a summit in Weslaco, Texas, where they laid out 18 recommendations to help address the lack of access to specialty care in the RGV. Over 150 healthcare administrators, community organizers and regional leaders were in attendance, including State Representative Armando Martinez, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, and Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres.

Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez delivers keynote address at EVN’s Access to Specialty Care Summit.

During the summit, the EVN Health Working Group identified the economic and environmental barriers limiting access to specialty health care services. The data gathered from over 600 individual surveys and 12 focus groups found that most individuals needed referrals to obstetrics/gynecology, dental and optometry/ophthalmology. They also found that three-fourths of households stated cost as the primary barrier to seeing a specialist. Proposed solutions included increasing collaboration between safety net clinics and the UTRGV School of Medicine, increasing residency training slots, increasing transportation options for patients living in rural areas and studying the feasibility of establishing a public hospital district in the RGV. Details on these recommendations will be shared in a white paper scheduled to be released this coming spring.

This project, funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Marguerite Casey Foundation, will help elected officials and community organizations develop robust public health agendas with concrete goals and actions aimed at reducing inequities and increasing access to care for vulnerable individuals living in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley region.

Upcoming Hearings

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

Upcoming Events

Jan. 26-27: Texas Impact – United Methodist Women Legislative Event (Austin)

Jan. 29: The Texas Tribune – Future of Health Care: A Daylong Exploration of Health Care in Texas (Edinburg)

Feb. 3-6: San Antonio Chamber of Commerce – 2020 SA to DC (Washington, D.C.)

Feb. 13-14: Texas Hospital Association – Annual Conference and Expo (San Antonio)

Feb. 16-18: Texas Impact – Texas Interfaith Advocacy Day Conference (Austin)

Mar. 2: Texas Association of City & County Health Officials – 2020 Premier Public Health Conference (Houston)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

Back to Top

Grief in the Midst of the Holiday Season: Staying healthy while coping with loss

DW Admin on December 17, 2019

The holidays are a joyful time of the year for many, but it can be a difficult one for others, especially after experiencing loss. Grief can be overwhelming for some people, which not only impacts your emotional health, but it can also impact you physically, according to Dr. Parachur Nivedita, a physician with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Celina Gonzalez, behavioral health counselor and Dr. Parachur Nivedita, physician, of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Dr. Nivedita said it’s very important to pay close attention to your body during the grieving process. Grief can impact the immune system by weakening it, which can lead to illnesses and infections like colds and the flu, as well as angina (severe chest pain). Those going through grief who are managing chronic illnesses like diabetes or a heart condition, tend to sometimes neglect their health.

“People who are managing an ailment and then faced with a loss can become very ill when they stop taking their medications and seeing their doctor. A person can become so overwhelmed with grief that it can sometimes lead to serious complications, which can be life-threatening if not addressed,” said Dr. Nivedita.

Celina Gonzalez, a behavioral health counselor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center, said grief is often caused by a great loss, which can include the death of a loved-one, close friend, animal companion or losing a job, ending a close relationship, divorce and the health deterioration of a family member or your own.

“When depression kicks-in that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness happens. There’s a stress hormone called cortisol and it’s released by the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels go up, your energy decreases which causes tiredness, as well as changes in diet and sleep,” explained Gonzalez. “The reason folks get sick as they grieve, is because they stop taking care of themselves.”

Dr. Nivedita said some people experience body aches, pain or other symptoms that are linked to grief. “When I learn that a patient has lost a loved-one, I will let them know about our grief support group that is available to help to help them cope, as well as counselors who can help them as they face the loss. It’s so important to take care of yourself during a life-changing event like the death of a loved-one.”

Gonzalez said people who are grieving sometimes become isolated. Their lives come to a halt during their season of grief. “They stop socializing with family, friends and co-workers. They stop eating healthy foods — weight loss or weight gain can occur. They sleep too much or not enough. These behavioral changes can impact, not only their emotional health but also their physical well-being.”

Dr. Nivedita said staying on track with your health is vital. “It’s important to keep taking your all of your medications and, if you have scheduled doctors’ appointments, you should keep them and not skip any of them.”

Coping with the Holiday Blues

The holiday season can include plenty of parties and gatherings, but Gonzalez said that it’s perfectly fine to skip them. “You can skip the parties or the invite to drive with friends to see Christmas lights downtown, but don’t stop caring for yourself. Keep track of your health and stay in touch with your circle of friends and family members.”

She said, “Grief can be overwhelming for some, especially when many traditions were created with loved ones who are no longer here. Traditions like making tamales, baking cookies, going shopping, watching favorite Christmas movies, attending plays and musicals — the list goes on. These reminders can sometimes trigger specific memories, causing deeper sadness for those grieving.”

Gonzalez said that it’s important to try and honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away, as part of the grieving and healing process. And, you can also decide what traditions you’d like to keep or create new ones in honor of your loved one.

“When you honor a loved one, it helps bring comfort. You can do this in many ways. You can make an ornament that reflects their personality, plant a tree, visit the cemetery with flowers, or prepare their favorite dish,” she said. “It’s about celebrating them in your own way. Give yourself permission to grieve because what you’re feeling is real. Also, there’s no timeframe for grieving. Everyone is different and should grieve for as long as needed but the key is to not neglect your health.”

If you or someone you know has recently experienced a loss, Gonzalez shares a few things you can do to help get through the season.

Draw from your faith in God to help you work through the healing.
Go for a walk, it’ll help clear your thoughts. And, don’t forget to breathe.
If you are currently taking medications, keep taking them, as directed by your doctor.
If you have scheduled doctor’s appointments, be sure to keep them.
Be patient with yourself by giving yourself permission to grieve.
Talk with someone who understands your loss. Perhaps make an appointment to see a grief counselor.
Join a grief support group. It’ll help connect you with others experiencing similar losses.
Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Gonzalez said it’s important to reach out to family, friends or a professional counselor, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with grief. But most of all, give yourself the gift of allowing yourself to work through the pain and grief, and construct a new connection with the deceased. And, above all, don’t stop taking care of yourself. Listen to your body. Keep taking your medications and seeing your doctor. And, take one day at a time.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is dedicated to creating access to healthcare for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships, and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," the organization’s vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit mhmbridgeofblessings.org.