Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic oils extracted from trees, bushes, flowers and shrubs from all over the world. In addition, aromatherapy recognizing each oil has its own unique chemical make-up. Recently, aromatherapy tended to be viewed as an art rather than a science. This article has been written by a holistic registered nurse, certified … Continued
Untreated hearing loss (i.e. not wearing hearing aids) has been linked to numerous health complications such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. However, an estimated 28 million people in the United States experience some type of treatable hearing loss. Yet, less than a quarter of those people seek help to enhance their … Continued
PITTSBURGH—For older adults, loneliness is a major risk factor for health problems — such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s — and death. Attempts to diminish loneliness with social networking programs like creating community centers to encourage new relationships have not been effective. However, a new study led by Carnegie Mellon University’s J. David Creswell offers the first … Continued
Thinking About Death Clarifies Your Life; Let’s Have THAT Conversation We are afraid to speak of death and dying in the USA, as if having this discussion will increase the likelihood of it happening. One commonality to the human race is we will all die -death is a natural part of life, and should … Continued
It’s surprising how much the diagnosis of depression can dictate our medical care today. The number of retirement-age Americans taking at least three psychiatric drugs more than doubled between 2004 and 2013. This is despite almost half of them having no mental health diagnosis on record, per a recent paper in the journal JAMA Internal … Continued
Making the move from home to an assisted living/personal care home is typically one of the most difficult decisions a family caring for aging parents will make. Frequently, adult children see what they want to see and have a hard time looking past the glamour of the environment. Every web site, marketing person of the … Continued
What is Insomnia? Insomnia is a relatively common sleeping disorder, affecting about one-third of the adult population worldwide. Insomnia is an inability to fall or stay asleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. About 10 to 15 percent of people suffer from chronic insomnia, failing to get enough shut-eye at least a few nights a week. Getting … Continued
“This year, I’m will lose 20 lbs.” “I will get out of debt.” “I am going to drink less.” “I’m finally going to quit smoking.” “I plan to travel more.” “I want to spend more time with my friends and family.” A new year is a milestone… A chance to change undesirable behaviors and … Continued
What life lessons have you forgotten this holiday season? All around us are images of families around dinner tables and Christmas trees happily exchanging gifts. As many people do, I anxiously anticipate the holidays: the shopping, the baking and decorating. As the holidays approach, worry sets in. We all start thinking “What family member is … Continued
In my 35 year career as a nurse, I have participated in many types of codes. One such code, “Code Blue,” is when a cardiopulmonary arrest is happening to a patient in a hospital or clinic. It requires a team of providers (“code team”) to rush to the specific location and begin immediate resuscitation efforts. … Continued