Lotsa Blog

Contributed by Michelle Hassler

“I’m bored.” How many times have those bright and adventurous little ones in your life uttered these two words? Finding activities that are engaging, yet promote learning and social growth are sometimes hard to find. Tapping into a child’s individual interests can help to keep kids on a positive track and create opportunities for learning and self-expression. If a child or adolescent is engaged in what they are doing, they will be invested in the task or project and ultimately put forth their best effort. Now, lending this effort towards the greater good can be a very powerful thing. Below are some creative activities for kids that benefit local communities.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Having a special needs child offers special blessings, along with special challenges. If you’ve been watching a friend struggle with a child with autism, Down’s Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy or any other condition, you may be unsure how to help.

Guess what? Most parents of special needs children could use the same kind of help as other parents:  a healthy meal delivered to lighten their weekday cooking load, daily housekeeping, weekly grocery delivery, or just an ear to listen when they need a friend.

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Contributed by Haley Burress

Nausea is the worst. Whether you are suffering from nausea due to pregnancy, a medication reaction, or chemotherapy regimen, it can feel overwhelming and disheartening to experience a sick feeling. Since eating is a source of comfort and a source of nutrition, nausea can leave patients feeling weak and depressed. Natural remedies for nausea can vary from person to person, based on factors ranging from preferences to situation; we can help get you on the right track to finding food and recipes that can leave you feeling a bit less nauseous and hopefully a bit better.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Dementia is a general term used to describe a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to impair a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. Common symptoms of dementia are problems with short-term memory and the ability to concentrate, with symptoms usually progressing rapidly over time.

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

Taking on the responsibility of a caregiver requires a great amount of time, energy, and patience. Unfortunately, hectic schedules and endless priorities often make it difficult for caregivers to create balance in their own lives. This often results in caregivers de-prioritizing their own needs which can be detrimental to their own health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the best thing you can do as a caregiver is to stay physically and emotionally strong. Finding positive ways to deal with caregiver stress is essential to help maintain a healthy, productive life.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Do you ever wonder why, in times of tragedy, some people seem to have an army of friends, loved ones and even strangers rushing to support them while others, sadly, struggle alone? No one should ever be alone in a time of crisis. Once you know the secret of how to motivate others, you’ll be able to get the help you and your loved ones may need.

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Contributed by Tiffany Silverberg

Helping a friend through illness is something many of us face numerous times throughout our lives. When our friends start to feel unwell or receive a diagnosis, our first instinct is to help. Many of us don’t qualify as medical professionals and thus feel at a loss as to how best to help. Here are a few ideas to get you started the next time you hear of a friend or loved one affected by an illness.

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Contributed by Haley Burress

If you have never had a family member or friend trudge through the chemotherapy process, you might be nervous or anxious about giving your friend a ride to his next chemo appointment. It can be daunting to walk in the room and sit next to those big recliners. You might feel scared or sad that your friend has to be there at all. However, all of those feelings aside, you are doing the best thing you can for your friend – you are showing up. When you show up, you are demonstrating that your friend isn’t in this cancer fight alone; you are showing that you are here for the long haul and that you will sit with them through the bad parts so that they are not sitting alone.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health problem that can occur after a traumatic event. It can be hard for people to know how to help someone with PTSD because it is impossible to relate to their experience.  If you have a friend or family member who is suffering from PTSD, you know how difficult it is to see your loved one’s behavior change. It’s important to remember that the person suffering from PTSD doesn’t always have control over their behavior, so you should not take their actions personally. While it is a hard journey for all involved, there are ways that you can help get life back to the way it was before the trauma. Here is a short guide on how to help someone with PTSD.

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Contributed by Tiffany Silverberg

It’s seems simple. Walking. You took your first steps as an infant – and it’s been a primary mode of movement for your whole life. It’s like breathing. Sometimes you don’t think much about walking – but it’s one of the best things you can do for your physical and emotional well-being. Walking could be the key to your health and your ability to juggle all the responsibilities. If you’ve been wondering, “What are the benefits of walking,” or just need a little motivation to get started, here are some reasons to step out!

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