Couples in Action group treats seniors

BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor — special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, February 03, 2014    

The Hampton Court and Port Morant Circuit of Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Thomas have not only sought to meet the spiritual needs of its members, but also the physical, as was evident through a dinner reception held recently to honour several senior citizens.

Some 38 senior citizens were treated to fine dining courtesy of the Couples in Action group, which is a ministry of the Family Life Department — a first for many of these rural folks.

“We went all-out to ensure an elegant ambience and some persons have said it is the first they were treated to such fanfare and elegance,” Murlenia Whyte Stephenson, assistant president of Couples in Action, told the Jamaica Observer North East.

Whyte Stephenson explained that the idea to establish a couples group four years ago was the brainchild of Pastor Titmus Morgan and his wife Kerry-Ann.

Since then, the couples ministry has been engaging in various ventures to help others. They include distribution of grocery baskets to the less fortunate, being a tower of strength to persons who have lost loved ones, and bringing souls to God.

“As our motto states, ‘Fostering healthy, happy Christian homes’, we sought to spend time not only in church activities but also in social gathering where we are able to relax and enjoy nature,” she said.

The decision, Whyte Stephenson said, was however taken to host the three-course dinner for some of the senior citizens as this year’s major project.

Although 38 persons were feted, Whyte Stephenson said the next staging of the event will be bigger so as to include many more persons. This as they could only afford to invite a few representatives of the respective churches in Bath, Port Morant, Rowlands Fields, Arcadia, Wheelerfield and Hampton Court in the parish.

The senior citizens in attendance included two visually impaired persons who were delighted to have been a part of such an occasion.

“One sister was ill and was feeling left out but she said whenever she is alone at home feeling down, she will always remember that the church cares about her,” Whyte Stephenson said.

President of Couples in Action Lucan Turner said the occasion was also used to recognise the contribution made by some of these elderly members to the Adventist church over the years. Church stalwarts Lenard Sinclair, Enid Smith, Vivia Smith, Winifred Bromwell, Petrona Henry, Carmen Eccleston, Ella Brown, Hyacinth Melbourne, and Ronald Morgan were all presented with certificates of appreciation.

“Many of these persons were giving over the years and this was the first time they were getting anything in return, and so we made an impact on them that we didn’t even realise,” Turner said.

Guest speaker for the event was Verona O’Conner, who spoke on the topic “Ageing with Dignity.”

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Couples in Action group treats seniors

Seniors urged to limit salt consumption

SENIOR citizens are being urged to limit the consumption of salt in order to prevent and control hypertension or high blood pressure.

The advice came from consultant cardiologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Dr Victor Elliott, as he addressed the eighth staging of the Annual Men’s Health Day Seminar recently at the St Andrew Parish Church Hall.Hypertension, commonly known as the silent killer, is sustained or persistent elevation of the pressure required to maintain blood circulation adequately throughout the body. It often has no symptoms or warning signs, but can easily be detected with regular blood pressure checks.According to Dr Elliot one in every five Jamaicans has hypertension. The disease is the leading cause of death, stroke, heart and kidney failure, blindness, heart attacks and poor circulation among Jamaicans.Dr Elliot said that in most cases, the cause of hypertension is unknown, but it is often influenced by excessive consumption of salt in the diet, alcohol, and lack of exercise.“As adults we have to choose our food wisely, and in doing so, read food labels to know what is incorporated in the food items being purchased. Use fresh poultry, fish and lean meat, rather than canned or processed. Buy fresh vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, use herbs, spices and salt-free seasoning blends in cooking. Eliminate the use of table salt, and choose convenience foods that are low in sodium to control or prevent high blood pressure,” he advised.Dr Elliot also cited the importance of physical activity, noting that people who are inactive, are 50 per cent more likely to develop high blood pressure.He recommended that seniors who are hypertensive should continue taking the prescribed medications, eat healthy, and stay fit to combat the disease. Those who are non-hypertensive are urged to practise a healthy lifestyle to prevent high blood pressure.“Seniors, I am imploring you to take charge of your health, eat right, take care of your heart, get regular health check-ups, because hypertension kills, and destroys family life, so take good care of your inner health, and enjoy life to the fullest,” he urged.Oswald DaCosta, who attended the session, said the information presented on hypertension, among other areas, helped to widen his knowledge.“I am more health conscious in terms of eating the right food and I am eliminating salt from my diet totally. I also didn’t read food labels and exercise much, but now I am encouraged to, so I can stay fit as I grow older each day,” said the 85-year-old.Other presentations focused on proper nutrition, herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs that can assist in the treatment of hypertension.In addition, the seniors were given nail and foot care treatment, as well as hair grooming.The health seminar, hosted by the National Council for Senior Citizens, also included the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, HEART Trust/ NTA, Eyeland Eyewear, Coconut Industry Board, Seven Seas, and the National Health Fund.

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Seniors urged to limit salt consumption