Challenges and Tribulations…Parenting 101

smcternan August 21st, 2010, 10:03 AM
Sandra McTernan, MSN, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Author Profile
Permalink

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…

Read More

Top Five Reasons Why…

smcternan August 13th, 2010, 3:28 PM
Sandra McTernan, MSN, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Author Profile
Permalink

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…

Read More

Focus on the Positive…Communication Tips for Caregivers

dstricoff March 15th, 2010, 2:28 PM
Debbie Stricoff, Dir., Adult Day Care Services
Author Profile
Permalink

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…

Read More

An Issue of Health

pwilson February 12th, 2010, 12:21 AM
Paula Wilson, RN, Registered Nurse, Clinical Coordinator
Author Profile
Permalink
photo by Ian Britton

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…

Read More

Just One Notebook

adrouin February 9th, 2010, 10:00 PM
Amy Drouin, RN, BSN, After Hours Supervisor, Customer Care Center
Author Profile
Permalink
(Photo by Hey Paul)

(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…

Read More

Kids and Seniors: A Win-Win For All!

dstricoff February 8th, 2010, 1:41 PM
Debbie Stricoff, Dir., Adult Day Care Services
Author Profile
Permalink

flowers2We 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,…

Read More

Target Practice in Diabetes

adrouin January 25th, 2010, 11:44 PM
Amy Drouin, RN, BSN, After Hours Supervisor, Customer Care Center
Author Profile
Permalink
(Photo by Jake Sutton)

(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,…

Read More

Avoid Caregiver Burnout!

adrouin December 22nd, 2009, 1:47 PM
Amy Drouin, RN, BSN, After Hours Supervisor, Customer Care Center
Author Profile
Permalink

caregiver

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…

Read More