So, who’s feeling a little anxious right now? I am! I’m sure most of us are, and that’s okay. It’s a perfectly normal reaction to our current world situation, and it’s not shameful.
This is an unsettling time in our lives. Suddenly, we are confronted with phrases like "social distancing" and "self-isolation" and left to wonder if we're standing far enough away from other shoppers at the grocery store. If we have loved ones near or far, do we take the risk to ride the train, to drive, or to fly to see them? These are dilemmas I'm personally grappling with, and I know these questions resonate across the world right now.
True Care is fully committed to the safety of its clients and staff. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues True Care has been examining the protocols and precautions that are necessary to protect our clients and staff. Our Emergency Preparedness Team (EMT) is closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and other experts.
As a nurse, I love my visits with Esther. She is a sweet lady in her 90s, who lives alone in an apartment building complex. Her home health aide visits every day to help her out, but Esther is mostly independent.
Esther is full of energy and personality, and like a lot of mothers and grandmothers, she is always eager to feed me. Esther and I have long conversations about what she and the aide prepare for dinner and where the recipes originate. One of Esther’s favorite foods is herring. Herring is a common ingredient in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, served pickled or brined, which makes it high in sodium content. This is a big problem for Esther since she has heart disease.
According to Forbes Magazine, research reveals that laughter is “a potent drug[…] that conveys a slew of benefits to the mind and body”. That is, laughter affects our bodies at a cellular level. A hearty laugh releases endorphins, the chemical our bodies produce to make us feel good. The same article states that “laughter has an effect similar to antidepressants” and that it triggers the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that contributes to our feelings of wellbeing and happiness.
Diabetes is a scary word. If your doctor tells you that you have diabetes or that you are in danger of developing diabetes, try to take a deep breath, and remain calm. You may know someone who frequently tests their blood sugar levels or takes insulin shots. Or someone who has serious health complications from their diabetes, including amputations, heart problems, or vision impairments. This does not have to be you!
