Happiness Part 2: 3 Systems to Sustain Happiness

Starting With Happiness Last month we started a series on happiness. We’ll do this at the beginning of each month for a while. Why? Hospice and Palliative care patients, understandably, often suffer from temporary or clinical depression. Families and friends often do not know how to help. So we’re starting each month spending time looking … Read more

5 Activities to Boost Your Happiness

What is happiness? Most of us have an idea. You might say feeling satisfied with your life. I might say feeling loved. Scientists describe it as a general sense of well-being. I think most of us would agree with that.   What doesn’t make us happy? Though it’s relatively easy to say what happiness is, … Read more

The Caregiver-Friendly Car

If you’re a caregiver for a family member or loved one, chances are your car is an important part of that role. And if your car is not well-suited, it can make your job a lot more difficult. What makes a caregiver-friendly car? If you’re making a change, ask these questions before choosing your next … Read more

5 Ways to Show Love to Your Loved One in Hospice Care

It’s impossible to go anywhere in February without being reminded of Valentine’s Day. If you have a loved one in hospice or palliative care, buying them a valentine card might be a great idea. But there are lots of other ways to show them how much they mean to you. During this “month of love,” here … Read more

President Trump Supports Veterans’ Mental Health

President Signs Transitional Mental Health Care Order. Last Month, President Trump showed his support for veterans by signing his “Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition from Uniformed Service to Civilian Life” executive order. This allows the 60% of recently separated vets who used to be ineligible, to now be eligible for the VA benefit. Beginning in March, … Read more

Only 1/3 of Adults Have Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning Many of us have imagined what we would do in the event that we could no longer care for ourselves. Maybe you’ve even begun to make preparations for that eventuality. But what if you can no longer speak for yourself? According to a recent study published by Healthaffairs.org, only 37 percent of adults … Read more

5 Ways to Avoid Falls for Seniors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number one cause of injury-related deaths among elderly Americans is falling. In winter, we often think of falling on snow and ice, and that’s very important to watch out for. However, most injury-causing falls happen to seniors inside their own homes, so here are 5 … Read more

5 More Hospice Myths Answered

Hospice is an often misunderstood branch of medical care, and as a result, many who may benefit from hospice or palliative care simply fail to seek it out. In our last entry, we answered 5 of the most common myths about hospice care. Below are 5 more all-too-common misunderstandings about hospice care answered. 1. Hospice … Read more

Symptoms, Not Stages, of Grief

Grief is a normal and natural response when we suffer a loss. While everyone will experience a loss at some point, the symptoms of grief are often misunderstood – both by the people going through it and the people around them. By raising grief awareness, individuals in mourning can better understand their own reactions and … Read more

6 Steps to Prevent Falls

Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people ages 65 and older. One in four older Americans fall every year. Falls can result in hip fractures, broken bones and head injuries. Even falls without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed, making it difficult for … Read more