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.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s
If your spouse is younger than 65 and has received an Alzheimer's diagnosis, you may feel in a world all your own. You probably don't know anyone else in this situation and may sense a social stigma. It can be scary. Lonely. And feel just not fair! Look for a support...
Denture care
Dentures need the same level of care and attention as natural teeth do. Bacteria and fungi that grow on teeth can also infect a dental appliance. Pressure spots on the gums can lead to pain and potential infection. Also to problems eating and then weight loss. In...
Choosing a meal service
Perhaps your loved one has just gotten out of the hospital and needs some meals for a few weeks while recuperating. Or maybe Mom has dementia and it's become too much for Dad to have to cook on top of caring for her. Meals on Wheels America serves communities most...
Is it time for memory care?
If you care for a loved one with moderate to advanced dementia, it's likely the idea of placement in memory care has come up. Maybe a friend has nudged you. Or it's been suggested by your relative's doctor or care manager. Perhaps you know you are exhausted. Most...
If you are not the primary caregiver
If someone else in your family has primary responsibility for the care of your loved one, that doesn't mean you don't have anything to contribute. Far from it! Caring for an older adult is more than one person can do alone. There are many ways to lend a hand (even if...
Addressing fatigue in heart failure
People with heart failure (HF) often tire easily, especially if they exert themselves. In HF, the heart is swollen with fluids and cannot beat efficiently. The body's cells then become hungry for oxygen. If your loved one has HF, you witness this in his or her...
Home modifications for vision loss
If the person you care for has a low vision diagnosis, three types of modifications to the home can make life easier: Lighting, glare control, and the use of color contrast. Fortunately, these strategies are relatively inexpensive. Lighting. Sunlight is the best. It's...
Where are the paid caregivers?
Frustrated in your search for a paid caregiver? You are not alone. There is an extreme shortage of helpers right now. Even before COVID, the demand for aides was greater than the supply. The "Great Resignation" hit the caring professions hard. Caregivers close to...
Long-distance caregiving
Distance makes caregiving more challenging, from knowing what's needed, to getting tasks accomplished. Here are some tips: Stay in touch. This is a win–win. You stay current on issues, and your relative gets the emotional boost. Use the phone, email, and/or Web-based...
The yearly “Wellness Visit”
Catching things early is big with Medicare. Every year, all Medicare enrollees are eligible for a free "Wellness Visit" with their primary care doctor. This is NOT an annual physical, so don't use that term when making the appointment. Beyond basic vitals—height,...
Are you the primary caregiver?
In most families, there is one person who takes on the lion's share of caring for an aging loved one. Perhaps it's the oldest daughter. Or the emotionally closest child. Or maybe it's the geographically closest relative. And when there are no siblings, it's usually...
Dry eye syndrome
Our eyes show us the world. If something goes wrong with them, it can affect our total well-being. Dry eye syndrome makes eyes feel gritty, burning, itchy, and sensitive—discomforts that are hard to ignore! It typically manifests with age and affects as many as 30% of...