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.

Talking to your parents about money

Talking to your parents about money

In some families, money equals love. In others, it's a measure of success. It's often a sensitive subject, yet it should be discussed. Part of supporting your aging loved one involves understanding their thinking about money. After all, something could happen where...

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The powers and limits of HIPAA

The powers and limits of HIPAA

At the doctor or dentist, you have likely signed a HIPAA form "for your protection." The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act restricts access to personal health information. This includes your medical conditions, test results, payment details,...

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What is shingles?

What is shingles?

You might think of shingles as "just a rash." While that may be true for many younger people, the viral infection can have serious consequences for older adults. And given that the risk of developing shingles increases with age, it's something you want to help your...

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The long goodbye of anticipatory grief

The long goodbye of anticipatory grief

While caring for an older loved one, perhaps you've been surprised to feel waves of sadness, a tightness in your chest, or sudden tears. You are grieving. It's your heart's way of beginning to let go, even while your beloved is still here. And no, you're not jumping...

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How to discourage wandering

How to discourage wandering

It's natural to fear that a loved one with dementia may wander. In fact, 60% of people with Alzheimer's get restless and head out the door. As a family member, you can't be watchful every minute. But you can take steps to reduce the chance of wandering. The many...

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Savoring good experiences

Savoring good experiences

Have you noticed that even a small negative event can grab your attention repeatedly over the day? Positive events, by contrast, rarely come back to mind. That's human. Our brains are hard wired to pay attention to threats. But there are many benefits to savoring...

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Medicare help at home

Medicare help at home

If your loved one is homebound due to injury, illness, or recent hospital discharge, you might be surprised by how much Medicare can help. There are specific home health services that can happen right in the living room. Knowing what's covered—and how to ask for it—is...

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Living with essential tremor

Living with essential tremor

If your loved one has essential tremor (ET), you know that they live with ongoing shakiness, likely in the hands or head. Early on, they may spill some coffee or have occasional trouble with their buttons when getting dressed. Changes that are distressing but not life...

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What is an enrichment program?

What is an enrichment program?

Is your aging loved one navigating a big transition in life and you're not sure what might help? Maybe they just moved to memory care and feel lost in their new surroundings. Or they're recently widowed and struggling to find joy. Connecting them with an enrichment...

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When there is a cancer diagnosis

When there is a cancer diagnosis

If your loved one recently received a diagnosis of cancer, you both may be feeling stunned, anxious, and overwhelmed. Here are tips to help: Lay a foundation for the journey to come. Acknowledge emotions. Anger, sadness, and confusion are among the many normal...

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What is a prepaid debit card?

What is a prepaid debit card?

If your loved one has early dementia, you want to give them as much independence as possible, including with money management. This also means protecting them from pitfalls such as scams or overdrawn accounts. One option is to provide them with a "controlled spending"...

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Helping a parent navigate widowhood

Helping a parent navigate widowhood

If your parent is widowed, it's a new world for both of you. How do you care for them in their grief and their totally new life of singlehood? And take care of your own grief, too? Widowhood often affects men and women differently in social life and daily tasks, but...

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