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.
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.
Managing chronic pain
“Chronic pain” is pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more. The cause is usually nervous system misfiring, like a faulty car alarm system. Often there is no specific trigger, which makes treatment difficult.
God in Front
This verse is found in the Old Testament. It was given at the time that the Israelites were going to cross the Jordon river. They were on the precipice of conquering Jericho. You all remember that story about circling the walls daily for seven days?
Siblings
We have been taking a few days for Don to get re-acclimated to Eastern Standard Time since returning from a mission trip to Uganda. Since Don’s biological clock has been eight hours ahead of the rest of us, the down-time has been a great gift and actually came in handy as we got up at 3:30 am this morning to get to the airport.
The Love of Parents
Thinking this morning about missing my parents and days gone by. My two brothers and I were very fortunate to be born into a Christian, hardworking family. We kids and grandchildren meant the world to our parents. They were encouraging, pushing us to do our best and always setting a high bar for our lives. They taught us to see the good in others and to look for opportunities to bless those around us. They made mistakes and were not perfect parents but to me they were the best one could ever want.
Dementia: safety and independence
Everyone with a memory loss condition deserves the opportunity to stay engaged in life for as long as possible. Early in the disease, your loved one will continue to do many things quite well. Your challenge is to balance respect for your relative's independence with...
Smartwatches for seniors
The makers of smartwatches are now designing products for older adults. And they just may have come up with an acceptable alternative to the standard "I've fallen and I can't get up" pendant. Perhaps you've tried to get your loved one to wear a personal emergency...