by Julie Theado | Oct 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
By Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE president and CEO
Improving end-of-life care is the goal for our community which, of course, includes the honor of taking care of our beloved veterans. FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. believes in recognizing the services and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.
As part of that commitment, we participate in the We Honor Veterans program which recognizes the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families. The goal of the program is simple—to care for and honor those who have served when they reach the end of life.
We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), the nation’s largest membership organization for providers and professionals who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illnesses, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Through this pioneering program, veterans are served with respect, integrity, and dignity with veteran-specific care and services provided by a competent and highly skilled workforce. Community providers, in partnership with VA staff, focus on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment to guide veterans through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending. A vast majority of veterans are not enrolled in VA and may not be aware of the end-of-life services and benefits available to them, including the Medicare Hospice Benefit and VA-paid hospice care.
At FAIRHOPE, we often provide a military pinning ceremony for our veterans who so bravely served our country. This free public acknowledgment of the military service and sacrifices made by the veteran and his or her family is available to everyone in our community. The ceremony gives an opportunity for each veteran to share part of his or her story and gain a sense of meaning and purpose.
We are fortunate to have a team of volunteers who often facilitate the pinning ceremony. Fairhope is always looking for those who would like to join us in serving those who have served us. We will also be part of the opening ceremony of the Freedom’s Never Free event at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 3 at 4 p.m. The event runs through Saturday, November 5.
We thank all veterans for your service—your time, bravery, and sacrifice—to our country. We are indebted to you and your family for all that you have given.
by Julie Theado | Sep 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
By Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE president and CEO
September is Healthy Aging Month, which is an ideal time to focus on adopting a healthier lifestyle that includes staying active, improving physical and mental health, eating healthy food, and getting restorative sleep. Here are seven tips to help incorporate healthier habits into your lifestyle:
- Manage stress. Individuals who have higher levels of baseline stress are more prone to diabetes, depression, heart disease and obesity. Discover a creative outlet or take up activities to improve your flexibility and mobility with stretching, yoga, and mindfulness to help reduce stress.
- Focus on regular exercise. Physical activity improves overall health and well-being, and it is ideal to incorporate at least 30 minutes into your daily routine. Exercise builds strength, improves balance and coordination, and can help prevent disease and weight gain. A personal trainer or group fitness instructor can provide support when a customized experience is desired.
- Expand nutritional knowledge. Maintain a well-balanced diet by eating a healthy diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. Limit starchy, fried, and processed foods.
- Catch enough rest. Adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep every night to allow the body time to refresh and renew itself.
- Schedule healthcare appointments. Yearly annual checkups and other preventative screenings, including pap smears, colonoscopies, mammograms, and bone density scans (DEXA), can help detect diseases in their early stages. Hearing well is important to cognitive and overall health as well as maintaining a productive lifestyle, and assistive technologies can provide hearing help when needed. Additionally, telehealth options including virtual video visits with providers and specialists and remote monitoring provide additional health data from home.
- Stay socially active. Healthy aging includes finding new things you enjoy and learning to adapt to change. A sedentary and isolated lifestyle can lead to health issues and depression. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself; find a new hobby, pursue a new career, join a class, or sign up for volunteer opportunities.
- Maintain cognitive health. A rich, varied mix of learning, processing and problem solving will keep your brain alert. Mental stimulation preserves brain cells and can even generate new cells and connections. Exercise and challenge your brain by taking the opportunity to learn new skills like a language, instrument, or hobby.
by Julie Theado | Aug 31, 2022 | Uncategorized
By Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE president and CEO
A holistic approach to mental health and physical wellness can mean an improved quality of life for older adults. When practicing self-care that leads to positive aging, it is not only important to consider physical dimensions such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but it is also critical to consider the emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual aspects.
With that in mind, here are eight ways older adults can maintain good spirits and a healthy lifestyle for their minds and body.
- Be physically active. Staying active is important for the mental and physical well-being of older adults. The National Institute on Aging offers a variety of resources about the benefits of exercise and physical activity. There are emotional benefits as well, including boosting mood, confidence, and feelings of independence. Low-impact exercises such as stretching and strength training are necessary to reduce the risk of common age-related concerns like bone fractures and joint pain. Exercise can also help with stress management, anxiety, and depression. Fitness classes, swimming, yoga classes, dancing and walking are all ways to keep older adults engaged in activities that have wellness benefits.
- Be mentally active. Stimulating the brain helps minds stay engaged and avoid cognitive decline. Hobbies and games can help sharpen thinking skills like processing speed, decision-making, reaction time and memory. Activities such as reading, journaling, learning a new language, playing an instrument, puzzles, sewing, cooking, gardening, crafting, painting, and drawing offer significant long-term benefits to aging adults.
- Eat sensibly. Making healthy nutritional choices with meals that are prepared with fresh ingredients can help prevent chronic disease. Additionally, engaging the senses in a mindful way creates a pleasurable dining experience that allows individuals to appreciate a meal more fully by eating slowly and savoring each bite.
- Listen to music. There are numerous emotional, physical, and mental benefits to listening to music, including reduced anxiety, improved sleep and boosted mood. Favorite melodies can bring back a fond memory and stimulate the mind, or even inspire someone to sing and dance.
- Practice spiritual wellness. Spirituality and faith provide a sense of purpose and meaning as well as connection to others. Practices such as prayer, meditation and quiet reflection can promote well-being and help find peace in challenging times.
- Nurture relationships. Staying connected to friends and family can ease feelings of loneliness and social isolation that may lead to depression or mental and physical decline. When in-person interaction is not feasible, social media platforms offer alternative options, or keep it simple with a telephone call or by exchanging letters.
- Volunteer. Plenty of worthy organizations and causes need support, providing a way for older adults to get involved while feeling valued and needed. Volunteering is a rewarding experience that offers a sense of purpose while enhancing physical, emotional, and mental health.
- Celebrate life. Celebrate both the big and little moments life gives you every day. Some days that might be a walk or watching a favorite show. On other days it’s birthdays, graduations, new babies, weddings and anniversaries. Life is full of major and minor events – don’t just celebrate the major ones or you’ll miss that there’s so much to celebrate.
- Interact with animals. Bonds between humans and pets can lower stress and increase happiness, offering companionship and unconditional love. For those who do not want to own a pet, volunteering at an animal shelter or visiting a zoo or sanctuary can provide a connection with animals.
by Julie Theado | Aug 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
LANCASTER, Ohio (August 24, 2022) — FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. was awarded a grant of $895 from South Central Power Company Foundation to print an additional 530 copies of the book, “Not Working Like It Used To: A book answering questions about a special person’s terminal illness.” The book educates children and families with accurate information about the end-of-life process and guides adults in their discussions with children.
The book was written by Tracey Miller, M.S. CCC-SLP, GC-C, FAAGC and illustrated by Christopher A. Morgan, a FAIRHOPE volunteer, to enhance end-of-life conversations that were shifted to a virtual setting or telephone conversation during COVID-19. It is available to partners, families, and children free of charge through medical facilities, healthcare providers and counselors.
“Coming to terms with the death of a special person is extremely difficult for children and families,” said Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE President & CEO. “Children naturally fill in missing pieces of information, which is why being truthful is key to attaining trust and facilitating healthy reactions throughout the grieving process. This grant increases our ability to serve our community by allowing us to further print and distribute this beneficial book as part of our tool kit of support services for those in need of end-of-life education.”
by Julie Theado | Jul 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
By: Kristin Glasure, President & CEO, FAIRHOPE Hospice & Palliative Care
As I recently shared, it is important to ensure
older adults stay safe during the excessive heat of the summer months. Staying indoors or planning outdoor activities in the early morning or late evening can help avoid the heat of the day. Here are 10 ideas to plan on hot days.
- Splash or soak. Water-based activities, from floating to participating in a water aerobics class to swimming, offer older adults a wide range of options to enjoy while in the pool. When the temperatures are extremely high, an indoor pool is a perfect alternative to being outdoors.
- Read a book. Reading has numerous benefits including reducing stress, enhancing sleep, and sharpening decision-making. Churches and libraries may have an existing book club or family members and friends can arrange to read the same book. Look into alternatives like audio books or large print versions if eyesight is an issue.
- Play games. Board games and card games are fun ways to help older adults prevent boredom while also socializing. Putting puzzles together can help engage the mind, improve concentration skills, and provide a sense of purpose through the accomplishment. For more active older adults, games that can be played on an indoor court like Pickleball or even cornhole can provide hours of entertainment and physical exercise.
- Get artistic. Artistic activities provide creative opportunities to stimulate the senses. Crafts, working with clay, sewing, making a blanket, or creating a painting can help stimulate the senses and boost mood. Taking photographs indoors allows for connecting to the environment in a new way with the option to display favorite shots. Going through old photos can trigger reminiscing about the past, from days at an amusement park to trips across the country.
- Cook. Cooking can be a therapeutic activity that allows for a sense of purpose and a creative outlet. Eating healthy with fresh fruits and vegetables can provide valuable nutrition and result in delicious home-cooked meals. If able, older adults can enjoy helping with food preparation with a child or grandchild. Indoor picnics are a great option for families and friends to bond and connect over favorite summertime foods like watermelon, salads, and smoothies. Planting vegetables in pots can allow for indoor gardening. And when ready for a treat, plan an ice cream social with several different flavors of ice cream and set up a “build your own sundae” bar complete with toppings to indulge the sweet tooth.
- Be a tourist. If you live in a city, take an air-conditioned tour to see the local sights or drive around town to check out new construction, blooming flowers, or even find a cool place in a wooded area for bird watching. Public libraries, recreation centers, civic buildings, churches or other places of worship and senior centers often offer free opportunities inside a cool building. Museums and aquariums may offer free summer activities or provide senior citizen discounts on tickets. Take advantage of the cooler times of the day by watching the sunrise, visiting a farmers’ market in the early morning or view the sunset or take in a late evening concert.
- Binge watch. Television series and movies can provide an emotional escape for older adults, with a wide variety of genres available.
- Eat out. A favorite snack or restaurant can offer an immediate mood boost. Enjoy coffee and pastry from a favorite breakfast spot or a sandwich from the local diner. When dining out isn’t feasible, enjoying take-out at home is another fun option.
- Visit the mall. Shop for specific items, or just browse the window displays. Walking indoors can be great exercise as well. Loved ones can even just enjoy sitting and people-watching in an air-conditioned environment.
- Take a class. Many community centers and colleges offer classes during the summer that can help their creativity grow while connecting socially. Learn a foreign language, how to play an instrument, take an exercise class like yoga, or study literature or astronomy.
by Julie Theado | Jul 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
By Kristin Glasure, FAIRHOPE president and CEO
Prolonged exposure to excessive heat in summer months can be dangerous, especially for older adults. Age-related physical changes in the body, chronic health conditions such as diabetes and lung disease, as well as the effects of taking certain medications can put older adults at a higher risk of developing heat-related illnesses.
Here are five precautions to ensure older adults stay safe when the temperature rises above 80° Fahrenheit.
- Spend time indoors. Close the curtains and blinds and run air conditioning or fans to help keep older adults cool and safe. Plan outdoor activities early in the morning or at sunset. During the heat of the day, remain indoors to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
- Stay hydrated. It is important for older adults to drink more water than seems necessary. Cool water, clear juices, and other liquids that do not contain alcohol or caffeine can help avoid the risk of dehydration.
- Stay cool. Plan to take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath when feeling warm. Keep cool, wet washcloths or towels nearby to cool parts of the body including wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck.
- Wear loose, light-colored clothes. Dressing appropriately in hot weather can help you stay cool and avoid sunburn. Avoid dark-colored clothes that may absorb heat and wear a lightweight, broad-brimmed hat.
- Watch for symptoms. A pharmacist or doctor’s office can advise of any special heat-related factors that may need to be considered for certain health conditions. For example, medications for blood pressure, heart problems or other conditions can reduce the amount of sweat, impacting the body’s ability to cool down, and affect circulation. Heat can change how the body uses insulin and impact those with diabetes. Someone who feels faint, dizzy or nauseous, or has a headache, seems overly tired, has a rapid pulse or is experiencing muscle cramps may need medical attention.
