Blog

Wednesday January 18th, 2012

Choosing healthy ways to cope

It's a new year. A natural time for personal review. Do you have a good self-care plan? It's common for family caregivers to fall in with not-so-great coping habits. Here's a look at two areas where family caregivers frequently shortchange themselves. Food. Stressed and on the go, fast food and easy sweets often seem like the only option. We all know that's a recipe for a health disaster! Consider these swift, healthy alternatives:
Thursday January 12th, 2012

Walk the Labyrinth!

Walk the Labyrinth!  ...an opportunity for release, reflection, and renewal as you enter a new year! The labyrinth is for everyone:those who are searchingthose who are grievingthose who want to quiet a busy mindthose who seek new beginningsThe labyrinth is for you.
Wednesday January 11th, 2012

Hope and serious illness

In the context of serious illness, one's greatest fear is that the condition will be fatal. Feelings of hopelessness are common-and a life without hope is grim indeed. The challenge of terminal illness is to learn to live with dying, to find purpose and meaning even in the face of a limited future. Without purpose, you risk the death of emotions while you are still alive. Even if a condition is incurable, it is possible to have hope. It's simply that your definition of hope must change.
Friday January 6th, 2012

Important Decisions: Financial and Health Care Planning

Death and dying are not topics we talk about easily in our culture. As a general rule, in fact, we avoid them, almost as if to talk about them would bring on a premature demise. As a result, many families are unaware of their loved one's wishes at the end of life and are faced with making difficult decisions. This can lead to family discord and can make a trying situation even harder than it already is.
Thursday December 29th, 2011

Listening: The other half of the conversation

Good communication requires both speaking and listening. Oddly enough, if you make a specific effort to listen, it can open doors. Once "heard," the other person may be more willing to hear your point of view. Deep listening is more difficult than it sounds. It's not passive. It requires concentration. It also takes humility and empathy. Here are some tips: Consider the setting
Tuesday December 13th, 2011

Talking with children about serious illness

Children are like sponges. They soak up whatever is around them. In a household dealing with serious illness, they'll pick up on others' sadness or anxiety. If no one has explained the situation, they'll make up their own ideas about what's going on. As a result, they may feel unnecessarily scared and alone. Instead of trying to "protect" a child from potentially upsetting news, experts recommend honest talk geared to the individual child. Such talk helps the child
Thursday December 1st, 2011

Urinary tract infections

It's healthy to have bacteria in your digestive tract and on your skin. But when bacteria enter the bladder and kidneys, there can be problems. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the reason for 8 million doctor visits every year. Who is at risk? UTIs affect mainly women, but they occur in older men, too. Seniors are especially vulnerable because of
Tuesday November 22nd, 2011

Is your home safe for older guests?

If you expect older visitors this season, check your home for hazards. Older adults often have impaired balance and vision. This makes them prone to falling, especially in new surroundings. And fragile skin and bones can mean double trouble if someone does take a spill. Here are some tips. Home entry Early darkness and wet walkways can add to risk of a fall. Turn on outdoor lighting and make sure stairs have a sturdy handrail. Living/dining areas
Wednesday November 16th, 2011

Get help changing Medicare plans

If you are dissatisfied with your relative's current Medicare coverage, it's time to get into action! Changes are possible only once a year. This year, the annual open enrollment period starts and ends EARLIER than before: October 15 to December 7. Here’s a quick review of the parts of Medicare: "Original Medicare"