Gentle Shepherd Blog
Our team at Gentle Shepherd Hospice wants you to have the practical information you need to make the most of every day. Check out these helpful articles and devotionals written by Kim Eckenroth our co-founder and VP of patient care.
Home modifications for vision loss
If the person you care for has a low vision diagnosis, three types of modifications to the home can make life easier: Lighting, glare control, and the use of color contrast. Fortunately, these strategies are relatively inexpensive. Lighting. Sunlight is the best. It's...
Where are the paid caregivers?
Frustrated in your search for a paid caregiver? You are not alone. There is an extreme shortage of helpers right now. Even before COVID, the demand for aides was greater than the supply. The "Great Resignation" hit the caring professions hard. Caregivers close to...
Long-distance caregiving
Distance makes caregiving more challenging, from knowing what's needed, to getting tasks accomplished. Here are some tips: Stay in touch. This is a win–win. You stay current on issues, and your relative gets the emotional boost. Use the phone, email, and/or Web-based...
The yearly “Wellness Visit”
Catching things early is big with Medicare. Every year, all Medicare enrollees are eligible for a free "Wellness Visit" with their primary care doctor. This is NOT an annual physical, so don't use that term when making the appointment. Beyond basic vitals—height,...
Are you the primary caregiver?
In most families, there is one person who takes on the lion's share of caring for an aging loved one. Perhaps it's the oldest daughter. Or the emotionally closest child. Or maybe it's the geographically closest relative. And when there are no siblings, it's usually...
Dry eye syndrome
Our eyes show us the world. If something goes wrong with them, it can affect our total well-being. Dry eye syndrome makes eyes feel gritty, burning, itchy, and sensitive—discomforts that are hard to ignore! It typically manifests with age and affects as many as 30% of...
Cold weather safety tips for indoors
The dangers of cold weather are obvious outdoors. But there are dangers indoors, too, most often because the house thermostat is set too low. People can die from being too cold. Older adults are especially at risk. Signs of low body temperature (hypothermia)....
Healing torn relations
Take any roomful of people and likely two-thirds of them have relatives who aren't talking to each other. Families are messy. Hurts abound. Some people wait until a serious diagnosis to reconcile. They often regret the years of separation they can never retrieve....
Dementia and small children
The grandparent–grandchild relationship can be precious, like no other. But even young children notice if Grandma or Grandpa isn't acting the way they used to, or the same way others do. And they will have questions. "Why does he keep calling me by Dad's name?" "She...
Is your home safe for older guests?
If you expect older visitors this season, check your home for hazards. Older adults often have impaired balance and vision. This makes them prone to falling, especially in new surroundings. And fragile skin and bones can mean double trouble if someone does take a...
Not taking meds as directed?
Taking the right medicines at the right time is extremely important to health management. But 75%–96% of older adults admit that they frequently make mistakes with their medication. Is your loved one among them? There are many reasons why a person might not take...
Gifts for those with memory loss
Deciding what holiday gifts to give a person with memory loss can be challenging. Following are some tips to share with family members. The gift of time A special date to share cookies and send holiday cards to othersAttending seasonal music eventsCaroling together A...