Recently there has been a lot of talk in the media about childhood obesity. A recent book entitled Maggie Goes on a Diet, tells the story of a 14 year old girl and her challenges with being overweight. This story has caused quite a stir surrounding societies idea of weight, diet and the stigma involved with being overweight. Programs such as the Let’s Move campaign give parents and health professionals tools and information about the dangers of obesity in childhood and the importance of establishing good eating habits at a young age to…

Working in health care means learning to work very closely with families of all sizes and varieties. Some small, some large. Some close-knit, some spread out across the country. As the world has changed in the last century, so has the dynamic of family life. Each relationship within a family plays a different role, and each family copes with illness in their own way.

Many years ago I worked with a child who had been diagnosed with a terminal leukemia. He was the oldest of four children, an incredibly bright and…

It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of innovation through technology. I, like many of my friends and some family members, use a smart phone for dozens of functions: communication, navigation, research via news apps/twitter links, games, music, personal health record, notebook, photography, phone book, gratitude journal, meditation and guided imagery apps, device to record and log stories, medical and nursing reference, etc. The list goes on. But most, not all, of those applications are self-serving. They help me organize MY life.

How can a smart phone be…

Welcome to my very first blog entry! I thought I would use it as a sneak peek as to some of what I will be discussing in the coming weeks and months. The title for today’s entry struck me as very pertinent as to what is happening currently in my personal life. I guess I am in what some people refer to as “the sandwich generation.” With aging sick parents (my father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer), a two-year-old daughter with pervasive developmental disorder-nos (a disorder on the autistic spectrum), a husband…

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…

Some years ago, through the public relations conduits of VNSNY, I was a guest consultant on MSNBC. The topic was the worldwide reaction to the death of Pope John Paul II. As a bereavement professional and member of the clergy, I was asked why there was such a strong public outpouring of grief over the death of one man. While I don’t recall my exact comments from that day, I’m sure my response focused on both his larger-than-life persona as a Pope, as well as the person himself. He had struggled…

I’ve been reading the stories submitted for the “Celebrate Caregivers” Contest and I’m finding it impossible to vote for just one entry. All of the caregivers demonstrate characteristics of winners.

There are many recurring themes in all of those stories. Each depict caregivers as selfless, compassionate, hard-working, resilient individuals who are truly inspiring to their friends and family around them.

Many have given up their weekend free time or even their jobs to care for someone. One husband gave up his dental practice to care for his wife. Another mother stood by her young…

I listed ten smart phone applications for caregiving use in Ten iPhone Apps for Creative Caregivers.  Here are five more apps that may be helpful for caregivers with iPhones.

1. Cleveland Clinic Stress Meditations (Cost: $1.99) You can choose from eight different meditations including a Body Scan Relaxation, a Mindfulness Meditation and a Calm Mind Meditation. Play the tracks for yourself to ease stress, or for your loved one, to promote comfort and healing.

2. Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipe Finder (Cost: FREE ) In A Caregiver’s Cookbook, I recommended using a slow cooker to create tasty meals with minimal…

(photo by Craig ONeal)

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a type of awareness meditation. The purpose is for you not to focus on anything but the thing you are doing at the moment.

That may sound simple in theory but we all know life is full of distractions. A walk in the park may be interrupted by a text from a spouse, a phone call from work, or even your own thoughts may be a distraction. Mindfulness encourages you to just take a walk. And that’s it.

Thich Nhat Hanh who wrote The Miracle of Mindfulness…

Health-care technology is beneficial! It allows doctors to visualize the workings of the heart and lungs, colon, bladder, bones and more. Nursing care is enhanced by infusion pumps which can support the immune system with antibiotics or provide fluid replacement when dehydrated. Sometimes you or a loved one may need to go to the hospital for expert monitoring by nurses and doctors who are trained in using the above technologies; however, in order to return home, a doctor may order ongoing use of an IV pump or a wound vac…