Blog

hospice winston-salem
Wednesday March 19th, 2014

Insomnia in older adults

Sleep patterns change as we age. Older adults need just as much sleep as ever. But they often have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep at night. And even with a full night’s sleep, many elders don’t feel refreshed in the morning. That’s because they don’t get enough time in the deep sleep stage of the sleep cycle. Most elders find ways to cope with these normal changes. Cutting back on caffeine and taking a 30-minute midafternoon nap are recommended remedies. Sometimes problems sleeping are linked to temporary stress or a disturbing event. These go away over time.
hospice winston-salem
Tuesday March 11th, 2014

When family members disagree

The person who is ill may have very clear thoughts about what he or she wants in terms of care at the end of life, but family members may not agree. This situation can make things very difficult for the professionals involved. They are legally and ethically bound to follow the patient's wishes. If all the paperwork is complete and available, then there is no question about what will be done.
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday February 26th, 2014

Family grief in the face of dementia

Grief is the expected response to a loved one’s death. We expect to mourn, and we receive comfort from others. But in the context of a dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, the loss is not as clear cut. Your loved one is "here but not here." And you do not receive the same support or acknowledgment for the very real losses of
kate b. reynolds hospice home
Wednesday February 19th, 2014

Signs of a heart attack

We all know the classic heart attack portrayed over and over again in movies and on TV: someone writhing in sudden, severe chest pain. But many heart attacks aren’t like that at all. Instead, they start slowly, typically with some mild, on/off pain or tightness in the chest. These signs are so much less dramatic than what people expect, they too often are ignored. The result, sadly, is often fatal when in fact a prompt response could have saved a loved one's life. Symptoms to watch for in both men and women:
writing toward healing
Tuesday February 11th, 2014

Writing Toward Healing

Writing Toward Healing: 2014 Workshops for Adults Grieving the Death of a Loved One You don’t need to consider yourself a writer to attend. Join us for an opportunity to explore our deepest feelings in a safe environment. Through writing, we will gently probe, reflect, remember, and reconsider. We will honor our loved ones, reimagine our lives now, and discover inner resources we had no idea were within us. 
kate b reynolds
Wednesday February 5th, 2014

Dementia Dogs meet the needs of persons with memory loss problems

Dog training organizations across the country are now taking orders for highly skilled “dementia dogs.” These dogs are individually trained to meet the needs of persons with memory loss problems. They provide safety and companionship. They also relieve the anxiety of family caregivers. To support a person with dementia, dogs are trained to help with
kate b reynolds hospice home
Thursday January 30th, 2014

Researching health treatments online

For those facing an incurable condition, the Internet can seem to be the last refuge of hope. But how can you distinguish a trustworthy website from that of a huckster? "Follow the money" is an important key for deciding if a website is truly unbiased. Start by asking yourself who, what, and why. Who. Whose site is it? Websites cost money. Who is paying? Check the “About Us” page. If the source of money is not obvious, use “Contact Us” to ask, “Who are you and how do you get your funding?” Keep that funding in mind as a possible source of bias.
hospice winston-salem
Wednesday January 22nd, 2014

Researching health treatments online

For those facing an incurable condition, the Internet can seem to be the last refuge of hope. But how can you distinguish a trustworthy website from that of a huckster? "Follow the money" is an important key for deciding if a website is truly unbiased. Start by asking yourself who, what, and why. Who. Whose site is it? Websites cost money. Who is paying? Check the “About Us” page. If the source of money is not obvious, use “Contact Us” to ask, “Who are you and how do you get your funding?” Keep that funding in mind as a possible source of bias.