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.
Preparing for Cold and Flu Season
Did you know that 60% of people with flu symptoms leave the house during their illness? Furthermore, 70% of them go to the drugstore. A good reason to stay clear of the pharmacy during peak cold and flu season! Good preparation involves a lot more than a...
Making the home safer
Most hazards around the home are obvious once you are made aware of them. But they are easily overlooked in the course of day-to-day living. Don't let your loved one get injured because of a simple oversight! Here's a home safety audit you can do yourself. ...
Preparing for Hip or Knee Replacement
If your loved one is slated for joint surgery, don't underestimate the impact. Expect that he or she will have reduced energy and greater needs. Limited mobility will create surprising challenges. Things you take for granted will need extra care and attention. Plus,...
Life Can Change in a Moment
Job 8:9 “Our days on earth are like a shadow.” Last week, there was a long traffic jam on 81 North. When I heard it was an accident I called my son Tyler immediately to be sure he was not in it because he was not yet home. Relief flooded over me when I heard his...
Signature Strength: Wisdom
Each of us has strengths . . . and, well, areas that could use improvement. As a family caregiver, you may often feel inadequate. Or guilty. Or think that you aren't doing enough. Such negative self-assessments are common. A more balanced assessment would acknowledge...
Does Mom have a drinking problem?
Alcohol use is on the rise among older adults. And it's not easy to spot. Many of the signs resemble common problems of aging. And who wants to think that when Mom stumbles, for instance, it might be because of drink?! There's a lot of shame associated with drinking,...
Balance exercises to prevent falls
If remaining independent is a goal for your older relative, bringing some balance to his or her life is essential—balance exercise, that is. All it takes is short but consistent focus for Mom or Dad to significantly reduce the chance of a fall. In one study, two...
Update on preparation for Hurricane Florence
Gentle Shepherd is still following the progression of Hurricane Florence and continue to prepare to meet any patient needs that may arise in the next few days. While it appears that the threat may be diminishing, this hurricane has been quite unpredictable. We urge...
Plans Continue for Hurricane Florence
https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
Preparation Underway for Hurricane Florence
The National Hurricane Center is advising the mid-Atlantic region to monitor the progress of Florence. Gentle Shepherd Hospice leadership met this morning and activated our emergency preparedness plan. Now a category 4 hurricane, Florence is expected to make landfall...
Reducing the risk of falling
Has your mother fallen recently? She's not alone! One out of four adults 65 and over experiences a fall each year. That makes falls the leading cause of injury for older adults. Falls are serious business A few statistics: In the U.S. an older adult dies once every 20...
Opioid addiction and serious illness
Morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl . . . with the opioid crisis in our country, it can be scary to hear that a frail or seriously ill relative needs this type of medicine. What are the risks of addiction? Fortunately, addiction is rarely an issue for individuals dealing...