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.
The special needs of Vietnam-era vets
Almost 3.5 million members of the military served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. Was your relative one of them? This group of veterans continues to face physical and mental health problems. Agent Orange. This is an herbicide that was widely sprayed during the war....
Products for addressing incontinence
There are many undergarments designed to help with incontinence. They can't prevent it, but they can help your loved one feel more comfortable with outings and retain their dignity despite the embarrassment of accidents. Not all products are the same. Choose what's...
Is Medicare Advantage the best choice?
Once a year, Medicare offers the option to change plans. In 2021, the Open Enrollment period is October 15–December 7. Your loved one may be considering a switch to a "Medicare Advantage" plan. There are pros and cons. Medicare "Parts." People on "original...
Depression after a scary diagnosis
If the person you care for has a life-threatening illness, you might think it's only natural for them to feel down. Even hopeless from time to time. But weeks of sadness are not a side effect one simply has to tolerate. It is not uncommon for someone with cancer...
Too many pills: When less is more
More than half of older adults take five or more medications per day. That's "polypharmacy," and can be dangerous. Taking too many medicines can cause problems such as dizziness, mental confusion, and heart failure. It can create an increased risk of falls, which...
Managing emotional outbursts
If the person you care for has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, you may find their sudden emotional swings more difficult than their forgetfulness. Among many things, the disease has taken away their inhibitions. They can become quite irrational. And...
The “dignity of risk”
One of the most challenging dilemmas when caring for an aging parent is balancing their preference for independence with your concern for their safety. If you have noticed lapses in cleanliness, meals, bill payment, or other areas, you may be worried that your...
Not all socks are created equal
What do a marathon runner and your aging parent have in common? Both could benefit from compression socks! By applying pressure to the legs, compression socks help the valves in the veins do their work—so blood is pushed back to the heart and doesn't pool in the legs....
Dealing with anxiety
It's only natural for family caregivers to worry. Understandably, we spend a lot of time thinking about "what's next." But if you are in a pattern of persistent worry and are starting to feel the stress in your body too—perhaps headaches, loss of appetite, or trouble...
Services at home: Medicare
Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government. It covers adults 65 and older, as well as persons with disabilities. In terms of home care, Medicare pays for visits only by medically trained staff. In that light, there are two programs: Home health...
Coping with another person’s pain
When your family member is in pain, you are suffering, too. The "mirror neurons" in our brains are programmed to recognize pain in others. That's good news in that it arouses compassion and spurs us to action. But it can be bad news, too. When you are highly attuned...
What is a daily money manager?
A financial advisor manages investments. A daily money manager (DMM) is someone who comes to the home once or twice a month to handle the mundane aspects of personal finances: Paying monthly bills (but your loved one signs the checks). Balancing the checkbook....