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 value of nostalgia
Nostalgia has historically gotten a bad rap, viewed as a precursor to feelings of sadness and longing. Emotional downers. Today we know that’s a faulty assumption. Research shows that nostalgia typically brightens mood. This is because nostalgia helps us in many ways.
Lightening Bugs at Sunset
Kim Eckenroth, MS, APRN, FNP-C, our co-founder and vice president overseeing patient care, often writes devotionals for our staff. We thought you might also appreciate them, so we created a special section on our blog to share them with you. We hope they touch your...
What is an occupational therapist?
Eating, dressing, getting in and out of a chair. In the course of daily life, we use many skills to accomplish even “simple” tasks. Walking or using a fork is surprisingly complex. Nerve signals and muscles have to coordinate in a very specific order. A healthy body is a marvel!
When language falls apart
Depending on which part of the brain has been damaged, the affected person may have trouble speaking or trouble understanding. Or may have difficulty with reading or writing.
Aging and the self-fulfilling prophecy
As a society we tend to hold aging in a negative light. But studies have found that advanced years do indeed bring many benefits. When compared to younger generations, for instance, older adults generally are more able to…
Fighting Parkinson’s with exercise
If your loved one has Parkinson’s disease, you have likely observed physical symptoms such as tremors, slowed movement, and poor balance. In addition to treatment with medication, evidence is mounting that exercise itself can reduce or delay progression of these symptoms. Even as little as 2.5 hours of physical activity a week.
Keeping your marbles: reducing dementia risk
While there is no cure as yet, there is increasing evidence that lifestyle changes in middle age may do a lot to delay the onset of memory loss. The plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s, for instance, appear to start accumulating in the brain decades before symptoms show up.
“Spiritual” advance directive
Every adult needs to complete an advance directive (and that means you, too!). It is the health care planning document that medical professionals follow if a patient becomes too ill to speak for him or herself. It gives your loved one the option to name someone as decision maker. And it is the place he or she can state preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment.
Release
If you are carrying a heavy burden today, or a worry or fear, this offers a great visual of releasing this trial to the Lord. In nature, we can find some of the best illustrations of God’s promises and tender watch care over our lives.
When the worrying won’t stop
Worry is useful when it calls us to action. But it’s a problem when it becomes an ongoing state of mind. It can become a habit, bringing tension and stress.
In Our Own Words… Another day in the life of Gentle Shepherd Hospice staff — Part 2
“Thank you for those heartfelt thoughts. We cannot tell you all enough what you mean to our lives. The work and responsibilities God has called Don and I to have been made even more fulfilling because of the partners he has brought to work alongside of us. You guys are part of us, an extension of our lives. Your family is our family.
In Our Own Words… A day in the hearts of Gentle Shepherd staff — Part 1
Hardly a day goes by here that one of our staff members sends an email thanking or appreciating or saying how blessed they are to work here. It usually begins a virtual lovefest as emails flow in with “amen” or similar sentiments until we get busy again or can’t think of anything to add to what’s already been said.