Flourless Pecan Pie…so yummy!
The Holiday Season is Here – A Great Time to Consider Respite Care
Respite Care is Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul
With the mild fall season we’ve had I hope you’re not surprised when I tell you that the holiday season has arrived bringing along with it expanded to-do lists, cooking, parties and much more. For those of you who are caregivers – these can make for stressful times when juggling life’s every day priorities. As parents of young children, we look to a trusted sitter, friend or family member when we need to take a break. It’s great to know you have someone you can trust when you need it.
The same fact can hold true when we find ourselves caring for an aging parent, a spouse, or loved one that has become ill requiring care to remain safe at home. Being a caregiver can be a rewarding experience, which may allow us to deepen bonds with our loved one. For the individual being cared for it allows for personalized attention in the comfort of home. At the same time, caregiving can be a difficult task where we might find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and becoming impatient. That feeling can come when we’ve taken on too much without providing our own self with the care it needs. To be a successful caregiver it is essential that you maintain a healthy lifestyle, have a support network and take time for yourself. That is where respite care comes in. In short, respite care bridges the gap between caring for others and caring for our self. By definition, respite care is taking a break from something difficult; while caregiving isn’t always difficult it can have its challenging moments.
Respite care is something you as a caregiver decide how much you need. The great thing about respite care is that it doesn’t necessarily need to follow a schedule unless YOU want it to, though it does need to be planned for in advance. It can be as little as an hour or two during the day or as much as (up to) 24-hours a day. Do you have a family outing or event that just isn’t the right environment for your older loved one? Respite care can be arranged to ensure your loved one has a trained, compassionate caregiver with them providing the care they need while you enjoy some time away.
The holiday season is a great time to consider respite care when you’re a caregiver. Do you host a special family event in your home? ABC caregivers are available to help you at home by providing care while you prepare for your holiday celebration. Our caregivers are also available to help your loved one travel with you to family events. Respite care is for however you choose to use it. Consider how you can use yours.
“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted,
no solutions searched for.”
– Maya Angelou
While there is no guarantee of a full day without any problems to confront, a refreshed soul can better respond to the challenges life brings. Respite exists to allow us to thrive as caregivers. Consider putting your respite plans in place. For more information on respite care, contact ABC Home Healthcare at 978-281-1001 or online at abchhp.com.
Jeannette Sheehan, MS, RN, CS, CCM, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner is founder and owner of ABC Home Healthcare Professionals, located at 281R East Main Street in Gloucester serving all of Cape Ann, North Shore, Merrimack Valley, and Metro Boston.
Once a day is essential….
#GreatAmericanSmokeOut and #NationalTakeAHikeDay – Today
Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Want to Stop Smoking? Help is Available.
Do You Need Reasons to Stop Smoking? I know I did. Once there were more reasons to stop than to continue smoking, my choice became clear. Hiding from my nieces and nephews so I could smoke. Seeing my niece at the age of 4 mimic me smoking. Then, in my late 30’s I began to notice physical changes – changes in my skin, decreased circulation, decreased endurance, huffing and puffing walking up stairs. A chronic cough. Getting more colds and bronchitis, especially in the winter. The disgusting smell on my hair, my skin, my clothes, my breath. Nasty taste. The cost. Being outside a party, by myself and seeing everyone else inside having fun. I realized, I was missing out on life.
What are Your REASONS to STOP? “My health” is the #1 reason people tell me they want to stop smoking. Your HEALTH is an excellent reason to make positive lifestyle changes.
“The First Wealth is Health.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson. You have but one life to live. Choose to live it well.
Cigarette Smoking Causes:
LUNG CANCER – Cigarette smoking is the # Cause of Lung Cancer (80-90%)
- Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
- 1 out of 4 Cancer Deaths are from lung cancer.
- More people die each year from lung cancer than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined
- The rate of lung cancer in men has dropped 32% for men, but risen 94% for women
OTHER CANCERS. Smoking causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
INFLAMMATION and IMPAIRED IMMUNE FUNCTION – Making you more at risk of illness, including colds, cancers and heart disease.
HEART DISEASE – Cigarette smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease by itself. When it acts with other factors, it greatly increases risk. Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance and increases the tendency for blood to clot. (American Heart Association.)
Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Can Save Lives.
The most important thing you can do to lower your lung cancer risk is to quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. If you smoke, ask your doctor about your risks, screening and how to stop smoking.
It’s Your Life – Take Good Care of Your Lungs. Take Good Care of Your Health.
Decrease Risk Factors –
- Stop Smoking (Best thing you can do is ‘never start.’ )
- Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
- Avoid exposure to radon* and other chemicals
- Eat healthy, balanced meals with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly. (Ask your doctor for recommendations.)
*Have your home tested for radon – Contact your local public health department or the American Lung Society for information on radon testing. More information on Radon Here.
‘Stop Smoking’ Today. Help is Available – Tobacco use and nicotine addiction is complex. Stopping smoking may require a comprehensive, collaborative approach. Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers contain nicotine, the addictive component in cigarettes.
Stopping Smoking is the Single Most Important Step you can take to improve their longevity and quality of life.
- American Cancer Society – Quit for Life
- American Lung Association – Freedom From Smoking
- Lahey Healthcare Freedom From Smoking
- Massachusetts Make Smoking History
The GOOD News – The minute you stop smoking, your health begins to improve. Help and support are available for those that want to stop smoking.
Ask Your Physician – about your lung health, prevention of disease, screening, diagnosis, treatment and recommendations to stop smoking. If you have lung disease or have undergone lung surgery, ask your physician about Pulmonary Rehabilitation.**
Give the Gift of Health…Shop Small Business Saturday!
Full Moon Ghee = Auspicious Ghee
Do you Want to be the Best you Can be?
Then commit better habits. An hour of writing every day. A morning walk. Volunteering. 20 laps in a pool 3 nights a week. It doesn’t really matter what it is so long as it is something that positively enriches you and you can make a practice of.
Over 50 people from Cape Ann and some from much further away on the North Shore just committed to 40 Days to Personal Revolution.
It was certainly powerful and you should see if it’s something for you.
One of the biggest takeaways was how empowered people feel when they start their mornings on a yoga mat.
By doing yoga in the morning, you’re ensuring that whatever successes and failures you go on to have during the rest of the day, you’ve at least given yourself the opportunity to start the day with your best foot forward.
We want to be the best yoga studio we can be. The stronger our community members practices grow, the stronger we grow. Come and join us and spend time in a community that lifts people up. You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Who better to be around than people who wake up before the sun to better themselves.
Come improve your physical and mental clarity.
And if you’ve a veteran or active service-member you’ll be practicing for free for the rest of the month of November while you rack up more free classes on your account!
Thank You for Your Service – Special Offerings for Veteran’s Day
Photo © Jay Alpert. Reprinted with permission.
Thank You for Your Service – Promoting Security and Peace, Home and Abroad.
United States Military Offering Integrative Therapies as Adjunctive (Supportive) Therapies for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD.)
Reiki has been offered at U.S. Military Bases and Hospitals as far back as 2005 through Integrative Therapy programs including at:
- Fort Bliss
- Fort Hood
- Walter Reed Hospital
Use of Complementary Therapies and the Military – more information can be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Center for Integrative Health (NCCIH.) Integrative healthcare (IH) combine conventional therapies with supportive complementary therapies that have been studied and known to be safe and at least minimally effective and do no harm. The goal of IH is to provide ‘best outcomes’ and higher patient satisfactions. Studies have looked at safety and efficacy of a variety IH therapies for:
- Relief of pain (improved comfort)
- Relief of tension (emotional and physical)
- Relief of anxiety (increased calm)
- Improved sleep
- Adjunctive treatment of PTSD
- Adjunctive treatment of TBI
Note: A referral from your physician is recommended prior to seeking integrative therapies for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) Screening by a healthcare professional is recommended prior to referring to complementary therapies that may create deep relaxation (Eg. Hypnosis, Meditation, Reiki and Yoga.)
Professional Screening for Trauma – Recent study concludes that “clinical implications suggest that patients should be screened and treated for trauma-like symptoms including intrusive thoughts linked to anxiety and depression before referral to complementary programs that offer meditative or relaxation interventions.” Ask Your Doctor Before Seeking Complementary Therapies such as Hypnosis, Meditation, Reiki and Yoga.
Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Veterans, Thank You for Your Service!
We would like to ‘Give Back’ and offer you reiki for relaxation, stress and pain relief throughout the month of November with the following programs –
DISCOUNTED Reiki Sessions and Reiki Training for Relaxation – offered through Dreamtime Wellness™ throughout the month of November for Veterans, Police, Fire Men and Women. (*)
‘The Art of Living; Life Beyond Cancer’ 6th Annual Conference this Saturday
Friends of Mel 2016 Conference
Sponsored by Friends of Mel Foundation. www.http://friendsofmel.org
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 12th at the Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA.
For anyone ‘touched’ by cancer, this conference is affirming, informative, supportive and empowering. This conference is designed to help survivors and their caregivers navigate the road to healing with a full day of professionally led workshops and skill building seminars.
To REGISTER ON – LINE and for a List of Workshops and Seminars – http://friendsofmel.org/conference/
To Learn More About Melanie Simmons, the inspiration behind Friends of Mel and to order Mel’s Bracelets – http://friendsofmel.org
Read About “The Impact of STRESS While Living with Cancer” from Friends of Mel’s Founder, Pauline Alighieri – http://huff.to/1EagW7z
For More Details, to Donate, or to Register for the Conference – http://friendsofmel.org/conference/
SAMPLE SESSIONS OF MASSAGE and REIKI – OFFERED at the FRIENDS of Mels’ Conference. Join me, Jean Walsh, RN, RM, Karen Lohnes LCMT, RMT (Gloucester MA,) and Advanced Reiki Practitioner Nikki Fleenor (Gloucester) other providers and volunteers. We will be there offering information, education and sample sessions of Integrative Therapies.
Integrative Therapies include Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Massage, Meditation, Reiki, Yoga. These evidenced-based therapies have been shown to aid in symptom management, relieve stress, improve comfort, and promote wellness during cancer treatment and beyond treatment for self-care and empowerment. They assist you in taking an active role in your health care.
NOTE – Consult your oncologist physician or nurse prior to using Complementary, Alternative or Integrative Therapies. Some therapies and supplements may be contraindicated for your care. Discuss with your doctor.
For Information About Complementary Therapies – https://nccih.nih.gov
Join Us Over the Bridge this Saturday. November 12th
Wishing You the Best in Health, Karen
Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated.
