(page 11 0f vol.30-5)

June 1982

Soundings, Volume IV, Number 10

CSJ Health Survey Report

Diet, Wellness, Exercise, Relaxation

By Marylou Cassidy, CSJ

A total of 962 CSJ Health Surveys was received by the Health Care Office. This represents an incredible 79% response by the Congregation. Sister Mary Jane Knight did the initial sorting by age cohorts, after which each member of the Pulse Group (Sisters Winifred Kelly, Joan Coyne, Joan Fontana, Jacquelyn McCarthy, and I) tallied results from representative segments. The tallied results were then discussed in depth by the Pulse Group members, in an attempt to identify trends, unusual information, and directions which should be taken by the Health Care Office.

While more detailed results will be available at a later date, the following areas were focused on initially: self-perceived health, our use of medical resources, and observations about our current health status as a Congregation.

General Findings

Whatever the age, we describe ourselves to be well.

Breaking down our wellness into components that keep us well, we describe ourselves as a good weight (with a large segment – pardon the pun – identifying themselves as over weight), not deliberately getting regular exercise, more than getting it, having good dietary habits, experiencing normal stress, and (most surprising of all, perhaps) using relaxation techniques. If our perception of our general health is accurate, this should bode well for our future health. (And if we were to be more deliberate about the components of this good health, how much better!)

Regarding our use of medical resources, it appears that the vast majority of CSJ’s do have a regular physician, and have visited a physician within the relatively recent past. Ancillary services and those of specialists are widely used.

Comments about the general health of the Congregation were very helpful. They ranged from great appreciation for all that is provided for and available to us in terms of health care, to great concern as to how we can maintain such good care in times of greater need and spiraling inflation. They indicated fear about selecting appropriate health resources and a conscious desire to keep well by diet, exercise, and stress management. They indicated concern about how to help each other when abuse of alcohol or drugs is evident, and when psychological problems are local issues.

Health-related issues sisters would like to see further explored fell largely into the broad categories of how to keep well, how to deal with the health concerns of the various life stages, how to manage health costs while still getting proper care, and how to continue to care well for each other.

We feel that some concerns have begun to be addressed. Many need reinforcement, and some new areas of education will open up to us. With the concerted effort of the Health Care Office and Community Nurse, in collaboration with Area Councilors and CSJ health professionals, the upcoming year should help to flesh out more the questions and suggestions of the Health Survey. The input given makes it only more clear how important it is to hear from you. May we continue to count on that.