Over the years as I worked in clinical and outpatient settings, I listened to people share their eating patterns, the timing of their meals, what they ate, how much they ate, the reasons they ate. The more I listened, the clearer it became that eating is a learned behavior we mirror based on family tradition, […]

Whether you’re traveling to see loved ones for the holidays or staying home, caregivers don’t get a “holiday break”.  Taking care of loved ones is inevitable for some of us and it can get tiring and exhausting during the holidays. To-do lists can get hectic during the holidays. It is important that family caregivers know […]

So, let’s be honest:  Most of us feel pressure around the holidays. Pressure to spend money we may not need to spend, pressure to spend time with people we don’t normally spend time with, pressure to appear jubilant when we may be exhausted. For caregivers, the burden can be even worse, as they may feel […]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused when the immune system (the body’s defense system) is not working properly– it is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis.  The body’s disordered immune response attacks the joints, and causes pronounced pain and swelling. RA affects joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, […]

What is the idyllic holiday family setting? One featuring grandparents presiding over a turkey feast with their children and grandchildren around the table saying prayers, laughing and spreading good cheer all around. The grandparents tell tales of their childhood and PG-rated stories from their children’s teen years. changes The Hollywood version of this scene reveals […]

A discharge from the hospital can be a scary event, not just for the person who was hospitalized, but also for his or her family. Families often have a hard time gathering all the information for a loved one that is necessary to ensure a smooth transition out of the hospital. Information can easily be missed […]

Life is full of transitions. From a child’s first day of school to the launching of a young adult’s career to an older adult’s retirement party, these planned transitions can be filled with anticipation and excitement. Life often delivers unexpected transitions, too.  A natural disaster, a medical emergency, the loss of a job; these situations […]

John just returned home from a visit with his doctor, and his wife, Jean, asked about the visit, “Well dear, how did your visit go today? Did the doctor change any of your medicines?” “I don’t think so, but I haven’t gone over the refills on my prescriptions yet,” John answered. “What did the doctor […]

Going to the doctor can be intimidating. If you’re not prepared, a doctor visit can leave you fishing for answers and not feeling like you’ve found a solution to your problem. How can you make visits to your physician more informative and valuable for you and your family? Have a look at the suggestions below […]

Feel like your parents are starting to get old and cranky? Maybe they struggle to make it through the day or are annoyed over minuscule things? You can restore your youthful spirit. Maybe it’s time you suggest to them to relax, go back to their roots, and have some fun! Just because people get old […]