Be honest does the fact that your child can maneuver on the computer with ease worry you or are you proud of their ability? Let’s face it children today do not know what it was like pre-computers and technology and never will. They need them for school and to get information that we typically would have received from the encyclopedia (yes, they still make encyclopedias).

While there are certain great things about computers and kids, there are other aspects that are worth worrying about. Mainly the Internet — where they are…

We have all seen the headlines and news stories on the devastation the earthquake caused in Japan and the pacific coast. It is scary to see how quickly everything can change — often in seconds. With that said having a preset plan is SO IMPORTANT! Disasters often strike with no warning and can lead to other problems as the hours pass. Contaminated water and air, disease, lack of food, and no transportation all have to be dealt with. It is scary to imagine what the disaster victims in Japan are…

Remember long ago when you were learning the alphabet? You had a word for every letter: “A” stands for Apple, “B” stands for Boy, “C” stands for Cat. That made it so easy. Well, today I propose a change to that mnemonic device, and it goes like this: “A” stands for Active (that’s right get up and move!); “B” stands for Bicycle; “C” stands for Cartwheel (bet it’s been a long time since you did one of those!!); “D” stands for Dodge ball (now that will get your heart pumping!). According to…

Photo by Carlos Porto

There was a recent article in the New York Times highlighting the novel way in which a nursing home in Phoenix, Arizona has been dealing with behavioral issues in those with Alzheimer’s. In a sense, the way a caregiver interacts and the techniques used can help to decrease anxiety and lessen some behavioral issues. It reminded me of a patient I met long ago…

A few years back, I worked at an area hospital on the night shift. Besides waking patients up for every little thing (smile), we would encourage our patients to…

qthomasbower's Flickr photostream

Whether be-ribboned with silk or cut out of red construction paper, you can’t help notice the prevalence of hearts this month. Just like all shades of pink have been used to brand breast cancer awareness, “Go Red!” is the mantra of February, American Heart Month.

And with good reason. Heart disease is the number-one cause of death of women 20 and older. In fact, 82 million Americans have at least one or more types of cardiovascular disease. There are certainly many reasons to maintain a healthy heart and many…

New York Methodist Hospital, my local medical center in Brooklyn, has created an in-patient hospice unit and a group of VNSNY Hospice Volunteers has been cross-trained to be NYM volunteers. Our mission is to be on call for patients in need, particularly to be present at the bedside of an actively dying person.

Around 4 p.m. last Thursday, the e-mail went out asking for volunteers to be with a patient that night. I signed up for the 10 p.m. to midnight shift. While it seems an odd time for volunteer work,…

When hospice volunteers are assigned patients, we are given guidance by members of the entire medical team: the nurse, the social worker, the volunteer manager, the spiritual care counselor and the bereavement counselor. We are all working together to help the patient say good bye in a way that offers peace.

Among the important milestones are helping the patient say: I’m sorry, I forgive you, thank you, I love you, goodbye. Not all statements are required for all situations, but we try to be mindful of the dynamics at play, which…

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a hospice volunteer is the commitment that VNSNY makes to our continuing education. We all want to improve our skills and be better practitioners, even if we are just practicing. We want to be ready, when the time comes, for anything.

For three consecutive Tuesdays I am participating in vigil training, which means I am learning how to be present when someone is actively dying. Hospice has a philosophy that no one should die alone, and when patients come to us who don’t…

What I question is my ability to provide support to my husband, John, as he struggles with father’s illness from 1,000 miles away. I would know what to do if I were with his father, Bob. I don’t…

When a patient is discharged from the hospital, rehab center or nursing and he or she returns home, it can be a stressful time for any caregiver. Take a look at this Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service video which provides valuable tips to assist both the patient and caregiver during this time of transition.

Afterwards, download and print out their helpful discharge checklist.

Based on my experience as a therapist in the hospital and home care setting, I have found these questions helpful to ask prior to your loved one’s discharge.

1) Do…