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.

Does Mom have a drinking problem?

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,...

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Balance exercises to prevent falls

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...

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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...

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Preparation Underway for Hurricane Florence

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...

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Reducing the risk of falling

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...

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Opioid addiction and serious illness

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...

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Is it Alzheimer’s?

Is it Alzheimer’s?

When your father struggles to remember a grandchild’s name, should you be concerned? Older adults typically have some memory loss. People with Alzheimer’s disease, however, experience very specific changes in their thinking that go beyond the normal forgetfulness of...

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Finding Root

Finding Root

by Kim C. Eckenroth MS, APRN, FNP-C Vice President for Patient Care Services   The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalms 18:2) In June...

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In Our Words — God Had Plans for Me

In Our Words — God Had Plans for Me

By Denise Smith, Gentle Shepherd Hospice Services Representative I came to Gentle Shepherd Hospice at a time in my nursing home marketing career when I felt like I seriously needed to make a change. There were many days I cried on the way to work. One such morning, I...

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Menagerie of Life

Menagerie of Life

by Kim Eckenroth Vice President of Patient Care Services, Gentle Shepherd Hospice   Meet Lillian and Lilly... the “Lucky Ducks” who have joined the Gentle Shepherd family. Earlier this spring during a Tractor Supply run, I came across a gentleman selling these...

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