Click here for resources and information on caring for aging parents and other senior/elderly family members.

SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) counselors are available to help with free, unbiased information about Medicare health insurance, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap Policies, and other retiree insurance plans. The 2022 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available by October 15th.  Print copies will be available in November.

Portland-based nonprofit Lines for Life and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support as well as resource referral to anyone who needs it — not just those who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Visit Safe + Strong Oregon for mental and emotional support information and resources as well as guidance for how to have conversations with loved ones who may be struggling.

We (the HT Health Ministry) felt that it would be important to provide information about advance health care planning in our current COVID-19 environment, as many of you might be thinking about how much medical treatment youmight want if you develop COVID-19 and are unable to make health care decisions yourselves.

Click here for information on the Oregon Advance Directive and POLST documents as well as additional resources you can access.

From the Oregon Attorney General's office:

• Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon has information on where to get food, as well as information on where your child can get daily meals within your school district. You can also contact our Food Closet at 503.641.1842, or call the Parish Office at 503.643.9528.

• If you have questions about your rights for sick time, call BOLI (Bureau of Labor & Industries) at 971.673.0761.

• If you're worried about quarantining in a home where you don't feel safe, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.

• If you have mental health conditions that could be triggered during this crisis, call your county OHA Crisis Line or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline, reachable at 1.800.985.5990.

• Feeling anxious and uncertain is normal while we are coping with the COVID-19 events. However, advice and help are readily available to us. The CDC has information on coping with the anxiety and stress of the pandemic, including information for parents to help them support and reassure their children.

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also offers useful resources. They are available Monday through Friday, 7:00-3:00pm at 1.800.950.6264.

• The Hospice and Grief Support Group at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (503.215.4622) can provide arrangements for individual support with a Bereavement Counselor. If you have an urgent need you can also phone 503.215.2273 during regular business hours and ask to speak with their Triage Social Worker.

• The Senior Loneliness Line (503.200.1633) is a wonderful resource. This "Warmline" offers 24/7 support, resources, and volunteers to listen to older adults experiencing loneliness, isolation, depression, and crisis support is also available.

• Oregon Senior Peer Outreach, a program of Community Counseling Solutions launches “Senior Connection”, a NEW program to keep Washington County older adults connected while they shelter in place (see flyer below). Call 1.833.736.4676 to sign-up for this free program.

• Parenting Support hotline — 1.800.422.4453

• Lines for Life — 800.273.8255 or text "273TALK" to 839863

• Crisis Text Line — text "HOME" to 741741

• Washington County Crisis Line — 503.291.9111

• Multnomah County Crisis Line — 503.988.4888 or 1.800.716.9769

• Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) — 1.855.673.2372

• Senior Loneliness Line — 503.200.1633

• Senior Connection Calls by the Oregon Senior Peer Outreach — 1.833.736.4676

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — 1.800.950.6264

• Hospice and Grief Support Group at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center — 503.215.4622

• National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1.800.799.7233 or text "LOVEIS" to 22522

Our Health Ministry helps with issues of health, healing, and wholeness. We work with other Holy Trinity ministries to encourage and foster healthy habits for the body, mind, and spirit. You do not need to be a healthcare professional to be a member of the Health Ministry!

There is a lot of information available online regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Health Ministry has compiled the following from a variety of sources in an effort to quickly lead you to the resources you need.

• Oregon Health Authority: COVID-19

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC): COVID-19

• World Health Organization (WHO): COVID-19

Use these websites to help find and sign-up for the COVID-19 vaccine:

• Beaverton Resource Center

• Positive Charge! PDX Volunteers

• Oregon Health Authority: COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon

• VaccineFinder.org

• The Madeleine Parish: Vaccine Outreach and Information

Getting your flu vaccination has never been more important! The CDC notes that getting the flu vaccine will reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19. While flu activity remains low at this time throughout the country, there is serious concern that this year's flu season will be more severe than last year.

If you haven't already, we strongly recommend that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. After you are vaccinated, your body takes about two weeks to develop antibodies that protect against the flu. The flu vaccination is always the best way to avoid developing the illness, and the CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get the vaccine each year. The flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time.

Getting vaccinated not only helps to protect you, but it also helps to protect the people around you — especially those who are more vulnerable like babies, young children, older people, and pregnant women. For some children aged six months through eight years, two doses of the flu vaccine are needed for adequate protection.

Visit the CDC's website to learn more about the flu and how to protect yourself and your loved ones this season.

As of August 27, 2021, masks are required in all indoor spaces regardless of a person's vaccination status. Masks are also required in public outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible (again, regardless of vaccination status). 

Everyone should continue practicing good hygiene habits as well:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly throughout the day for 20 seconds at a time. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a disposable tissue, then immediately wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer). If a tissue is not available, use a flexed elbow.

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