Monday October 12th, 2015
Celebrating World War II Veterans
Here at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, we are proud to honor our veterans and all they have done for our country.
Blog
Thursday October 8th, 2015
What does "prognosis" mean?
It's natural to wonder how bad a serious condition is. Will treatment be effective? The prediction of recovery, in medical terms, is called a "prognosis."
Many conditions are difficult to predict. Cancers, on the other hand, run a fairly expectable course. A cancer prognosis, for instance, depends on
Wednesday September 16th, 2015
The emotional side of cancer
Cancer doesn't equal a death sentence these days. But it is a life-changing diagnosis that brings up many emotions for both the patient and the family.
At any point from diagnosis to life posttreatment, your loved one might feel
Thursday August 27th, 2015
Osteoarthritis and physical activity
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It afflicts more than one-third of American adults over age 65.
This arthritis comes on slowly with age and is more common in women. If your loved one has complained of joint stiffness or achiness, make a doctor's appointment for a diagnosis. Although osteoarthritis has no cure, the pain can be managed.
Motion is lotion! Surprisingly, the key to living well with osteoarthritis is to keep moving. Research shows that regular physical, whole-body activity reduces arthritis pain over time.
Thursday August 20th, 2015
What to do after a death
If you know the end is near, anticipating the tasks that follow a death can make it easier when the time comes.
Get the word out. Ask one or two family members or friends to contact others. Use your relative's calendar and address book for names. Don't forget the dentist, beauty shop, and other service providers. Contact groups your relative belonged to (bingo, exercise, community service, etc.). Consider placing an obituary in the local newspaper.
Thursday August 13th, 2015
Living with purpose
"Meaning helps us see in the dark." Rachel Naomi Remen, MD
When life seems overwhelming, purpose helps us find meaning and stay true to our values.
And research indicates that leading a purposeful life pays all kinds of dividends. People who report living with a sense of meaning and purpose are found to have
Thursday July 30th, 2015
The "Sandwich Generation"
Parents are living longer. Children are often dependent for more years than expected. Add to this the ongoing responsibilities to spouse/partner and jobs, and there is little wiggle room for the millions of family caregivers who find themselves in today's "Sandwich Generation."
It's easy to feel guilty and lose sight of the joy in your life when you are pressed on all sides. To support your resilience and make sandwich caregiving more gratifying, dedicate some quality time on a daily or weekly basis to each of your key relationships.
Thursday July 23rd, 2015
Is your parent frail?
"Frailty" used to be a rather vague description, like "old age." Recently, however, it has been recognized as a cluster of conditions that deserve medical attention.
The signs of frailty are:
Thursday July 16th, 2015
When Dad resists a walker
For many older adults, use of a walker carries great stigma. It's a symbol of disability and often of isolation. In actual fact, a walker can be the key to staying safely and actively engaged with favorite activities.
A walker is superior to a cane because
Thursday July 9th, 2015
Is your parent frail?
"Frailty" used to be a rather vague description, like "old age." Recently, however, it has been recognized as a cluster of conditions that deserve medical attention.
The signs of frailty are: