(photo by Marcus Bernales)

Humor heals. Research shows that laughter may boost the immune system and circulatory system, improve oxygenation, relax muscles, and stimulate the release of endorphins in the body which may help to relieve pain. (Source: Laughter Therapy Article)

1. Watch a You Tube clip of The Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges, “I Love Lucy” or any clip with physical comedy. Click on this link for my favorite clip.

2. Read your loved one a funny story. Try reading it in a silly voice.

3. Put on some music and host…

Photo by Simon Howden

One of the best ways to enjoy spring is to make walking outdoors a part of your routine. Often I advise my seniors to take regular walks, since it works out all the major muscles groups, can help prevent physical decline and does not require any expensive equipment.

After enduring a very harsh winter, warmer weather has finally arrived, so follow these easy steps before you head outdoors for some fresh air and exercise.

1) Dress your feet properly

Wearing comfortable sneakers or shoes that fit well and provide good traction will help reduce…

We all have plans for our kids. No matter how amazing those plans may be though, all plans are meant to change. Especially when kids begin articulating their own plans. As our children grow and their needs change, our long-term plans must accommodate those needs.

A lot of people have asked me what plans I have for my Autistic, teenage son. I have many plans. Some have had to change a great deal, while others have been revised based on my son’s own plans. He is lucky to be in a school that offers supervised vocational  job placement, and he is trying out different…

Continuing from last week’s post about valuing all cultures here at the center, today we’re celebrating Passover with members in our dementia program. One of our members lost his mother last year and he no longer has any relatives in the area. He’s been coming to the center for six years, and each year, he looks forward to our celebration of Passover. But this year, our celebration has taken on new meaning and importance for him – as he tells us, “you are my family now.” You can feel the emotion and appreciation from him, and…

Caregiving for a parent is never easy, especially when that parent does not live near you. This is a problem facing many people across the country, but unfortunately, it’s a problem for which there aren’t always easy solutions.

Every situation is different. But, for some caregivers, there is the added stress of worrying about the brother or sister who is caring for the parent. I have one girlfriend who is so concerned about how her sister is handling their mother’s affairs, it sometimes keeps her awake at night. She told me that although she is concerned about her mother’s health, she has come to…

We all agree that the actual cause of autism is unknown, but speak to any parent of an adult or child with Autism and they can probably tell you what makes it worse. For some, unfamiliar environments and changes in routine are JUST TOO MUCH and the child will regress and/or act out on the spot. For others, it is the sensory overload they experience in environments where lights, noise and limited freedom oppress them. And for many others, it is the food they put in their mouths — often some foods items they…

When working with people with dementia, you quickly realize that each person’s symptoms are quite unique. To reach each person in our program, we’re constantly trying new activities geared toward different cultures, levels of functioning and ways of understanding information. We strive to provide cognitive stimulation in a variety of ways in order to connect with our seniors and help them function to the best of their abilities.

This time of year lends itself to celebrating holidays in many creative ways. We often use things like  art, music and reminiscence therapy. In our dementia program,…

A recent comment on my last blog got me thinking a little further about “The Talk“. It’s true. The discussion with my mom about advanced directives went quite smoothly. I’ll be seeing her again in a few weeks with copies of forms for to fill out with her, but had been my father been on the other end of that conversation, I’m not sure if ”the talk” would have gone quite so well.

I know this because throughout our relationship, I frequently tried encouraging my father to initiate some healthy behaviors that he didn’t think were necessary in that…

Almost ten years ago, my wife’s grandmother died. At the time, we gathered as a family to be of support and comfort to one another, telling stories and sharing the legacy of this wonderful woman who lived well into her 90’s. Our daughter, who was three at the time, saw the family dynamics — crying, laughing, sharing stories — but due to her age, she wasn’t much of a verbal participant in the mourning period.

Fast-forward three years. Our family was sharing a moment at our dining table one evening, our daughter is now…

For the past three years, our center has been hosting a series of intergenerational activities with Girl Scout Troop 1986.  Not only have these activities had a positive effect on our seniors, but the girls too have grown and become more comfortable here over the years.

Below, one of our wonderful Girl Scouts shares some thoughts on what this program means to her. Her words provide an interesting insight into how the kids’ perceptions have changed as a result of the time they’ve spent here. ( Plus, I love what she calls our seniors!)  Enjoy.

“Hi my name is Nikki G! I am a student at a…