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"Keeping Mom Out of a Nursing Home" by Rhonda Anderson at 11:39 04/27/2010 (updated 11:52 04/27/2010) Isn't wonderful how all things work together for good. I have been considering a post for several days. My first prompting was meeting Maxine. Jim ALther our new office coordinator, provided me a perfect coffee cup with her comic on it. I would love to adopt her for FIAMC, but I don't think Hallmark would enjoy sharing their copyright with us. If you are not familiar with her, you can view some of her comics at this site:Maxine I particularly like her words of wisdom regarding the Super Bowl: "My idea of a super bowl is one that cleans itself." Maxine is a crusty old lady, with humor. As we age, I believe we have to be able to laugh at ourselves, and Maxine is wonderful at it. Okay, so I had been considering aging and making light of it, and this morning on Moody, I listened to Doctor David Fisher. He has written a book titled, How to Keep Mom (and Yourself) Out of a Nursing Home. Like me, you can peruse the first chapter and judge for yourself. Dr. Fisher's book He is a geriatric physician practicing here in Chicagoland. The first chapter made perfect sense, was fun reading, and well, I ordered the book. You might want to do so as well. He states that aging is not the problem, it's lack of independence. He offers seven keys to help us maintain our independence. Hey, sounds like the Faith in Action tag line, "Preserving the Independence of McHenry County Seniors". We can work together meeting needs. That's what it is all about. I wonder if Dr. Fisher is available in April 2011 to speak to us at the Spring Luncheon? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spring Luncheon 2010 Thursday May 20, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Bethany Lutheran Church 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave. Crystal Lake Call for reservations: 815-455-3120 No Cost, sponsored by Converge Home Health Care ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 0 comments Alzheimer`s - Is there a good thing? by Rhonda Anderson at 12:37 04/05/2010 I like a good clean joke. A quip that has been around for a while and fits with today's topic: One good thing about Alzheimer's, you can hide your own Easter eggs. We all know that we would rather not have this gift! Alzheimer's is a dreaded disease that we would not wish on anyone. Fortunately, it only affects a small part of the population because it is devastating for those who contract it and their families. The National Institute on Aging recently provided a list of symptoms. Is your senior asking the same question over and over? It may help for you to examine other signs: http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/sevensigns.htm While you are perusing the Alzheimer's article you may also want to bookmark this site. The federal government is leading the effort for research with this disease and other elderly issues. 0 comments Are You Failing Retirement? by Rhonda Anderson at 06:48 03/15/2010 Changes are scary especially the life changers: getting married, having the first child, the empty nest, or retirement. How many supposedly retired people do you know that have failed retirement? I can name several! They have returned to work full or part-time, and not necessarily out of financial necessity, it's more likely due to mental necessity. Many retirees report that they are busier now than when employed. They are volunteering or helping in another capacity. In Genesis, we are told that God created man and put him in the garden to till it...I am convinced that we are not happy unless we have a sense of purpose. I just read data to back up my thoughts in the October issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology and Summarized in Scout News, 2009. "Using data from the national Health and Retirement Study, researchers analyzed six years of information on the health, finances and employment status of over 12,000 men and women between the ages of 51 and 61 in 1992. Compared to those who quit working altogether, those who described themselves as officially retired but who continued to work part-time or in temp jobs were less likely to be diagnosed with eight diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, psychiatric problems and arthritis. Those who worked at least part-time also were less likely to show signs of functional decline, or inability to perform the activities of daily living, including walking across a room, getting in and out of bed, dressing, eating and bathing." God told us a long time ago, but now man has come to confirm it. Whichever words you choose to believe, they all come to the same conclusion. If you are involved with your fellow man and have a purpose in life, volunteering, working, and/or worshiping, your health and your mental outlook is better than if you're not. In other words, structured activity improves our lives. Faith in Action of McHenry County, as always, stands ready to provide meaningful work. At our last two volunteer orientations, we have had several men who are looking for employment; meanwhile, they are assisting our seniors. We are utilizing two folks in the office who are unemployed. If you have a need for purpose, or if you know someone out of work...give us a call. 0 comments Overcoming Grief by Rhonda Anderson at 08:41 01/18/2010 I just finished viewing a recording of one of Oprah’s shows from this past week. I was touched by s story about Aaron, who lost his twin to a brain tumor. Aaron’s parents became concerned when his grief led him to say that he did not want to live anymore. His pediatrician listened to Aaron’s pain and explored his likes. He expressed an interest in cooking, his doctor told him to take her donated $20 and go cook for his brother, this unique prescription led to Aaron’s healing. Many doctors would have prescribed anti-depressants and told him to make an appointment for two weeks later. Thank the Lord for the wisdom that saved this boy. You can read the whole story at Oprah.com. Many of you seniors have lost a spouse; it takes a long time to recover from the grief associated with this loss, or any loss. The prescription for healing is the same for all of us. We need to get out of the routine, do something out of the ordinary. For some, volunteering is the answer. God has designed us to be giving people, and it is when we are giving that we can heal ourselves. Volunteering for Faith in Action is all about giving. During the last three months, James Alther, and I have visited with about 15 Faith in Action care receivers. I deeply understand how befriending our friends, can lead to healing. If you have never volunteered for Faith in Action, you can’t understand my words. You have to experience the healing power. It works for depression, it works for job loss, it works for retirees, it WORKS…and it only costs a little of your time. Our senior care receivers can also volunteer…there are many seniors who would enjoy a weekly telephone call…there are volunteer opportunities for many…episodic or routine. Begin the healing process today, give us a call. 0 comments Giving of Oneself by Rhonda Anderson at 09:44 12/18/2009 You share what you are every day, even without realizing it. "The only gift is a portion of yourself." Ralph Waldo Emerson You may give away a smile or a frown, laughter or anger, wit or sarcasm, compassion or coldness, a helping hand or a deaf ear. When you realize that you are sharing the wealth of yourself every day, you can start to observe the kinds of "gifts" that you are offering to those around you. "There is always a best way of doing everything, if it be to boil an egg. Manners are the happy way of doing things." Emerson When you make an effort to have a pleasant day by making the day pleasant for others, you reap the benefits, too. If you can smooth any ruffled feathers before the feathers fly, you will feel less frazzled at the end of the day. People usually respond to a positive attitude in like manner, which creates a more cooperative atmosphere. Reflecting on the true spirit of giving can add new meaning to your holiday season. Instead of feeling depressed because your budget won't allow you to give fancy presents to family and friends, why not wrap up a bit of yourself? On a festive card, write out your offer to spend an afternoon at the museum with a relative, to fix a favorite dinner for a friend you haven't seen in a long time, or to take your nephew to the zoo. The memory of a happy occasion will far outlast an expensive present. And in sharing of yourself, you also share in the fun. Merry Christmas! I don't know where Howard Engstrom found the above message, but I appreciate him sending it my way...and give due credit to the writer. The message rings true, I think of 1Cor 13...don't love as a child. Don't expect anything, give! Be Blessed, Rhonda 0 comments Show all posts from Today, Yesterday, this Week, this Month new 2010 2009 2008 Faith in Action of McHenry County is a grateful recipient of McHenry County Senior Services Grants. ©2007 - 2010 Faith in Action of McHenry County |
