HealthyLife Articles

Tag: support

  • What Is Marriage Counseling?

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of a couple with a marriage counselor.

    Marriage and relationships take lots of work. When a couple has a problem, they may wonder whether marriage therapy or couples counseling could help.

    Counseling usually includes talk therapy. This means you talk to a professional counselor about your issues. But, therapy isn’t just about talking. Your counselor may help one or both partners address mental health problems that can interfere with the relationship. For example, issues such as depression or anxiety may need treatment. This can go hand-in-hand with the couples counseling.

    When a couple goes to counseling, they can get “tools” to use in daily life that help them with their communications. For instance, therapy can give you new ways to look at challenges or problems. This can help you address issues before they become too big to handle. You may also learn ways to talk to each other so you can work out arguments in positive and constructive ways.

    However, if the marriage involves physical or emotional abuse, couples counseling is not going to be the answer. Instead, the person who is abusing their partner should seek treatment for their problems. The victim of abuse should speak privately with their doctor about how they can get away from the abuse.

    Help for resolving arguments

    If you need to talk something out with your spouse, try these tips:

    *  Listen first. Rather than tell your side, calmly listen to what your partner has to say. When he or she is done, then take your turn to speak.

    *  Don’t interrupt, and don’t yell.

    *  Be honest, but don’t insult. Talk about the behavior or incident that upset you. For instance: “When you did X, I felt like you didn’t care about my feelings.” Avoid name-calling.

    Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, National Domestic Violence Hotline

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Injury And Disability

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 5

    Doctor helping elderly man with fitness.

    Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about exercises you can do at home, at a gym, or in a pool. While there may be activities you can’t do, there are probably many that you can do. Plus, there are many exercises that can be adapted to suit your individual needs and abilities.

    *  Focus on what you CAN do.

    *  Choose low-impact exercises that don’t make an injury worse.

    *  Find a supportive buddy to help motivate you or assist you with exercises.

    *  Use flotation devices in a pool for support.

    *  Try new things as you lose weight. You may find some activities easier when you are carrying less weight on your joints.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Helping A Depressed Family Member

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of man talking with a counselor.

    Depression is a medical condition that can be serious. The National Institutes of Mental Health say depression can affect how you feel, think and cope with daily life. Eating, sleeping, socializing and working can all be difficult for someone with depression.

    If a member of your family has depression, there are ways to support them.

    Tip #1:

    Don’t tell them to “just snap out of it.” Experts believe depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. This may be due to genetics or it may be triggered by a stressful event such as death of a family member, divorce or abuse. Sometimes, a cause cannot be found. It’s important to understand that the person’s everyday actions may be affected by this disease, and they can’t make it just go away.

    Tip #2:

    Take medical care seriously. Treatment for depression often involves medication  and/or therapy. It can take some time to find the treatment that works for your family member. Whenever possible, offer to go with them to doctor appointments. Support them in following their treatment plan. Do what you can to make sure they take medications as prescribed without forcing or arguing.

    Tip #3:

    Offer to take them out, but don’t push. Many people with depression struggle to get out of bed each day or leave the house. But, with treatment, it is possible to start enjoying life again. Ask the family member if they’d like to do something simple, such as go to the store or park. If they decline, wait a few days and offer again. Eventually, they may say yes.

    Tip #4:

    Listen when they want to talk. If your family member wishes to talk about his or her feelings, let them do so without judging or offering advice. Simply listen to their thoughts and feelings without trying to “fix” anything.

    Take loved ones’ comments about suicide or self-harm seriously. Many times a person will confide in a loved one prior to committing a harmful act.

    With help from a doctor, depression can be treated. Let your family member know you care, and ask them to get the medical help they need. Proper medical care can help them get on the path to a healthier, happier life.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • What Our Aging Parents Fear Most

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of eldery man in wheel chair cooking at his stove.

    Seniors fear moving into a nursing home and losing their independence more than death, according to a new research study, Aging in Place in America, commissioned by Clarity and  The EAR Foundation.

    The study looked at the attitudes and anxieties of the nation’s elderly. The children of seniors also fear for their parents, with particular concern about their emotional and physical well-being should they have to enter a nursing home.

    One of the most significant findings of the study is that, when asked what they fear most, seniors rated loss of independence (26%) and moving out of their homes into a nursing home (13%) as their greatest fears. These two possibilities are a much higher concern than death, which was the greatest fear for only 3% of seniors surveyed.

    Other key findings include these:

    *  Most seniors want to age in place. That means they want to grow older without having to move from their homes. More than half are concerned about their ability to do so.

    *  Seniors cited three primary concerns that could jeopardize their ability to live independently: health problems, memory problems and inability to drive or get around.

    *  Many seniors said they are open to or would like to use new technologies that enable independence. More than half would consider the use of technology in their homes-specifically, sensors-to monitor their health and safety.

    *  Most Baby Boomers fear their parents will be mistreated in a nursing home and fear they will be sad. Almost two-thirds of Boomers provide some kind of help or support for their aging parents.

    “These findings tell us that, above all else, older Americans value their ability to live independently,” said Peter Bell, president of National Aging in Place Council. “As a society, we must find ways to help our parents and grandparents live their latter years at home.”

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • It Takes A Village

    Healthylife® Weigh

    Part 4

    Three friends at the beach.

    Build support around you. Support from others can help:

    *  Motivate you and lift you up when you stumble.

    *  Hold you accountable.

    *  Give you new ideas and inspiration.

    *  Make activities more fun.

    Start With One Person

    Find someone you know and trust. This could be anybody-a family member, friend, or coworker. Perhaps this person already motivates you to make positive changes in your life.

    1. Let them know what you are trying to do.

    2. Ask them if they would be willing to support you.

    3. If “yes,” say “thank you!”

    4. Let them know how to help you. This may change over time.

    5. Thank this person often. Let them know the impact they are having on your lifestyle change.

    Let Others Know How to Help You

    Even when someone wants to help you, they may not know how. You have probably experienced this already, like when someone gives you cliché advice or gives you a sweet treat to cheer you up.

    Be specific when you tell others how to help you. Here are a few ideas.

    *  Remind you of your strengths and talents.

    *  Share healthy recipes for easy meals and snacks.

    *  Plan social times that don’t involve food. For example, go for a walk or go to the same exercise class.

    *  Give you non-food gifts only.

    *  Take care of your children so you can do your planned exercise. Or, plan an event where your families can be active together.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Be A Team Player At Work

    WORK LIFE

    Concept drawing on table to being a team palyer at work.

    You’re bound to run into many different personality types at the workplace. And when you’re working as a team, it can be challenging to adjust to different work styles.

    The American Management Association says teamwork leads to better problem solving and productivity. But it’s not as simple as just saying you’re part of a team. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best possible outcome with your group:

    *Use your strengths.People have different talents and skills that make them who they are. Offer to use your unique strengths to help get things done. Don’t wait to be asked; volunteer to help when you can.

    *Don’t place blame.When things don’t go well, it’s usually not helpful to blame someone else. Instead, look at the problem and work together to find ways to solve it.

    *Listen without talking.When others have ideas or opinions, listen to their side before jumping in with your thoughts. Listen with the goal of understanding their point, not adding your own.

    *Be aware of different work styles.You may be on a team with someone who does things differently than you. Instead of trying to correct them, see if you can learn something from their way of doing things.

    *Be dependable.The best team players are those who get things done on time. Missing deadlines could cause trouble for others on your team or jeopardize your project.

    *Communicate.If you’re running into problems or have too much on your plate, tell your team about it. Someone else may be able to help so you can keep the project running smoothly. People may have no idea you’re struggling – unless you speak up and tell them.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 4 Ways To Help Others With Diabetes

    MEDICAL NEWS

    Image of man holding a sign that says 'sugar free.'

    Diabetes affects millions of Americans. Although diabetes can be challenging, it can also be managed with proper health care.

    People with diabetes often need to change the way they eat and may need to exercise more and make other lifestyle changes. These changes can be hard for many people. But support from family and friends can make these things easier for them.

    If you have a loved one with diabetes, try supporting them with these tips.

    1.Learn about diabetes.If you understand the disease, you’ll be able to better understand what they’re going through. Use reputable sources like government health websites and the American Diabetes Association.

    2.Eat what they eat.Talk with your loved one about their diabetes eating plan, and buy foods they can eat. Avoid buying or eating foods that are “off limits” for them. This makes their diet easier and can also help improve your own health!

    3.Try exercising together.Walks, swimming, bike rides and trips to the gym can be more enjoyable with another person. Be sure the exercises you choose are safe for both of you, and ask your doctor first if you have any health conditions.

    4.Recognize signs of a problem.Get to know the signs and symptoms of blood sugar that is too high or too low (see sidebar on this page). You’ll be able to help your loved one get the help they need if this happens.

    Recognize blood sugar problems

    Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia):

    *  Sudden mood changes or anger

    *  Feeling very tired, yawning

    *  Sweating or twitching

    *  Loss of coordination

    *  Inability to talk or think clearly

    *  Seizures

    *  Feeling faint or passing out

    If you notice signs of low blood sugar, offer the person a piece of sugary candy and take them to the emergency room. Or call 911.

    Signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia):

    *  Feeling very thirsty

    *  Extreme fatigue

    *  Blurred vision

    *  Having to urinate more than normal

    If a person is having high blood sugar too often, they should call their doctor right away. It needs medical attention.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Choose A Quality Hospice

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of male nurse and elderly man on a laptop.

    When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness, the questions facing an individual or a family can be overwhelming. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization recommends that people learn more about hospice as an important option before they are faced with a medical crisis.

    Hospice is not a place but a kind of care for people who have a life-limiting illness and are making the choice to focus on quality and comfort if more conventional treatments have become burdensome.

    Hospices provide high-quality care that is tailored to your loved one’s needs and that supports family caregivers.

    Your doctor and other health care providers or your company’s EAP may recommend hospice providers in your area. You can also get a list of hospice providers and more information about hospice from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization atwww.nhpco.org.

    Important questions in choosing a quality hospice include:

    *  Is the hospice Medicare certified?

    *  What services should I expect from the hospice?

    *  How are services provided after hours?

    *  How and where does hospice provide short-term inpatient care?

    *  What services do volunteers offer?

    *  How long does it typically take the hospice to enroll someone once the request for services is made?

    When should hospice care begin?

    Every patient and family must decide that based upon their unique needs. Professionals encourage people to learn about care options long before they think they may need them.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine