I have written a few posts on parenting and feel the need to touch on those parents that raise children who may not be so healthy or may have disabilities. It is rarely a topic you read in a parenting book. It may not even be in the parenting section of your local bookstore but in a special section. There are few words that can truly describe how difficult it can be for many parents who are raising these children. I have worked with many families over the years and…

Parenting is not easy.

No one ever said it will be easy. And no one ever said things will just be the same as they were. If you or someone you know is having or has recently had an infant, they are often exuberant in this new role. It is a wonderful thing, but there are a few wise rules that make you see just how it will be in reality. Here are some popular points (I am sure there are many others!)  to ponder as you partake on the parenting…

Instead of focusing on wellness and maximizing functioning, seniors sometimes focus on illness and loss of functioning. One of our Center’s main goals is to focus on what is feeling well, and using that to help people function as highly as possible. We strive to help seniors and their caregivers feel positive about their level of functioning, skills and talents.

In our program for people with memory impairment, it is very important to help them strengthen their skills and “exercise” their memory as much as possible. Over the years, we’ve observed that the…

photo by Ian Britton

Earlier this week, the First Lady, Michelle Obama, announced her initiative to combat childhood obesity.  The program, called Let’s Move! focuses on children and their parents to make healthier choices.  The key components include:

• improving information to make better food choices, such as clearer labeling
• improving the quality of food in the schools
• improving access and affordability of healthy food
• increase physical education for kids

As Mrs. Obama states, “It’s not about weight…it’s about fitness and it’s about overall nutrition.”

Clinicians in home care know all too well what can happen to a person…

(Photo by Hey Paul)

I’m always impressed when I talk with some families who have a great system in place to organize all the important information they need to share with each other as caregivers, to home health aides assisting with care in the home, and to the professional VNSNY nurses and therapists for our patients.

For example, a daughter of an elderly man with cancer called to report that her father was in considerable pain. When I asked the daughter when her father last took his pain medication, she had a…

We love intergenerational activities at the center. It’s so great to see the joy on the seniors faces when the kids come! Many of our seniors don’t get a chance to spend time with children and it really lifts their spirits. It also exposes the kids to seniors and teaches them to be comfortable around a population with a variety of physical and cognitive impairments. Over the years, we’ve had many elementary and high school age children visit, and they’ve participated in wonderful art projects, discussions, games and talent shows.

For the past three years,…

(Photo by Jake Sutton)

Tonight, I spoke to a Type 2 diabetic patient who had many questions regarding her insulin. Her glucose was 179, she wasn’t experiencing any symptoms, but she wasn’t sure if she should take her medication. She forgot her normal glucose range. Luckily, I had access to her plan of care which indicated her normal glucose range (eg. 100–180) as ordered by the doctor, and I reviewed the medication regimen with her.

It is important for you, as a diabetic patient (as well as your caregiver), to know your normal glucose range. This range of numbers,…

Whether you’re caring for an elderly parent, a significant other with a new diagnosis, or an ill child, you may have already experienced the difficulties of maintaining your own physical and mental health while acting as primary caregiver.

Tips to avoid burnout
If you have the assistance of a regular home health aide or a friend or family member who can allow you to take breaks, take advantage of those moments. Get out of the home to take a walk, or go window shopping. Sit at a local coffee shop to sip…