HealthyLife Articles

Tag: trust

  • Build A Strong Family Foundation

    FAMILY LIFE

    Family gardening together.

    Happy families have a strong foundation. This helps parents and children deal with changes and hard times. Every family faces challenges and stress. Here’s how to protect your family from whatever life throws at you.

    Show love through attention

    Connect with your kids or spouse each day. Take time to ask about their day or do an activity together. Have family meals when you can, play games or take walks together. Avoid being on screens too much, when no one is talking or noticing one another.

    Be open to learning

    Having a strong family takes knowledge and care. No one knows everything about families and relationships. Parents can take classes about child development. See a marriage counselor if your marriage is having trouble. You can also look into support groups. Ask your family’s doctor if you need help dealing with specific challenges.

    Care for yourself

    If you get burned out, you can’t help others in your family. Take quiet time to listen to music, take a bath or do whatever relaxes and calms you. Get regular exercise, such as walking, and include family members if you can. Talk to a trusted friend when you’re stressed or overwhelmed.

    Build your community

    Connect with others who understand and support you. Join a sports team, a group or a religious organization that supports family life. Community can make life fun and help you learn from others, too.

    Be open about problems

    If you’re stressed and need some time alone, tell your spouse or your kids. Explain that you need some time to calm down, rather than blowing up or feeling resentment toward them.

    Don’t overschedule

    Try to keep your activities and family calendar reasonable. When everyone is too busy, there’s not much time to connect.

    Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dating After Divorce

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple on a date.

    If you’re a divorced parent with kids, you may be wondering how to handle future relationships. Kids often need some time to adjust to their parents’ separation.

    If you’re ready to begin a new romantic relationship after a divorce, keep these tips in mind:

    *  Consider waiting at least six months to help kids adjust to the divorce.

    *  Your child doesn’t need to meet everyone you date. Introduce them only if your relationship is becoming serious.

    *  Prepare for the first meeting with your significant other and child. Don’t expect the first meeting to be perfect.

    *  Help your child deal with negative feelings. Children often hold out hope that their parents will get back together. Seeing a new significant other in your life can be difficult for them. Be sure to tell them that you and your ex-spouse are not getting back together, but that you still love them and will be their parents no matter what.

    *  Understand if your child simply doesn’t like your new partner as much as their other parent. This is normal. With time, your child may develop their own special relationship with this person.

    *  Don’t ask them to keep secrets from their other parent. If you are dating, you may need to tell your ex-spouse about the person in case your child brings it up with them. Your child should not feel uncomfortable when they talk about it with your ex-spouse.

    *  Remember that your child is always watching. Be cautious about your behavior in front of your child, whether it’s public affection or things you say.

    Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Helping Teens Stay Drug-Free

    FAMILY LIFE

    Father and teen son smiling.

    Most parents don’t want to think about their teen using drugs. They assume their teen is doing OK. They may also think it would be obvious if their teen was into drugs or alcohol.

    Unfortunately, even teens with great parents sometimes take risks and make dangerous choices.

    Why do teens take risks?

    A teen’s brain is very sensitive to emotions and doing things that feel good. Plus, their brains aren’t fully developed yet.

    This means they are not ready to make rational decisions all the time. They may also struggle with mental health issues like depression or anxiety. It can be all too easy to slip into using drugs or alcohol.

    What can parents do?

    A good relationship with your teen is important. This can help them feel they can talk to you about challenges they are facing. This also means they might come to you if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Here are some tips to help you stay connected:

    *Be a great listener.Talk with your teen about their daily life. Give them a chance to express their opinion. Don’t interrupt. If they tell you something upsetting, try to remain calm. Ask them how you can help.

    *Help them find activities.Teens do well if they have an outlet for fun and stress relief. This may be music, sports, religious activities or volunteering.

    *Know your teen’s friends.Encourage your teen and their friends to hang out at your house.

    *Don’t solve their problems for them.Parents want to help their teen when they need it. But it’s often more effective to teach them skills to help them solve their own problems. If they have a fight with a friend, talk with them about ways they could work it out themselves. Offer your support but try not to step in.

    *Talk about tough stuff.Help your teen figure out what to do if they are being pressured into something. Show them that they can turn to you. Do they feel comfortable calling you if they need a ride home from a party? Can they talk to you about peer pressure and drinking?

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Is Your Relationship Healthy?

    FAMILY LIFE

    Happy older couple.

    Sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re in a healthy relationship. This can include a romantic partner, friend or family member.

    Know the good

    Some signs of a healthy relationship include:

    *  You feel good about yourself when you’re around that person.

    *  You feel safe telling them how you feel about things.

    *  They listen to you, and you listen to them.

    *  You feel valued by them.

    *  You trust them, and don’t think they would do something to betray you.

    *  You can disagree or argue, but you don’t insult each other. Neither person uses personal attacks.

    Unsafe signs

    Ask yourself whether you see any of these signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationship:

    *  They say hurtful things to you. They make you feel bad about yourself.

    *  They stop showing love or care when they are mad.

    *  They blame you for feeling bad about something they did or said. They may say you’re “too sensitive,” or, “you made me do it.”

    *  They hurt you physically, such as pushing or hitting.

    *  They keep you from seeing family or friends.

    *  They threaten you or try to control you. They want you to fear them.

    If you’re not sure if you’re in an abusive relationship at home, reach out for help.

    Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go tothehotline.org.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Choosing Quality Child Care

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of Asian baby.

    Today, more children than ever live in households where both parents work. As a result, child care is a necessity for many families. You can make an informed choice with a little homework and preparation.

    First, think about the type of care you’d like.

    In general, your choices will include daycare centers, family child care homes and in-home care like a nanny, babysitter or au pair. There is no right or wrong answer, and no one option works for everyone. Consider your and your child’s personalities, as well as the cost of each choice.

    See it for yourself.

    If you’re considering a child care center or family home, ask about coming in for a visit. Seeing the environment yourself can often give you a better feel for the caregivers and the atmosphere. Do the children get constant supervision? Do they receive positive discipline?

    Look at group size.

    Each state has required caregiver/child ratios. See if you’re comfortable with the size of the group and ask about their typical ratios. Infants need one caregiver per four children at a minimum. The ratios get higher as the children get older.

    If you’re looking for a nanny or au pair, prepare for interviews.

    You should talk with each candidate to get a feel for their personality, child care philosophy and their training and education. You may wish to write a list of questions in advance, and take notes during each interview so you can refer to them later.

    Check health and safety guidelines.

    Caregivers should be up-to-date on CPR certifications. Ask about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and childproofing all areas for safety.

    Discuss illness prevention.

    Find out whether policies are in place to prevent the spread of illness. This may include requiring children to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to care, as well as other policies on specific symptoms and illnesses. Caregivers should thoroughly wash their hands after each diaper change  or using the bathroom, and before  preparing any food.

    The ultimate goal for any child care is to find one that keeps your child safe, healthy and happy.

    Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware

    © 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

  • How To Recognize And Report Abuse

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of the word "Help" spelled out on a green chalk board.

    Child and elder abuse is a serious problem that affects people from all walks of life. One of the most important ways to protect victims from abuse is by making sure they get the help they need and by reporting cases to the authorities. Here’s how to recognize the different types of abuse and what to do in case you know someone who is a victim. This advice is from the General Services Administration of the U.S. government (www.USA.gov).

    Child Abuse

    Children who are victims of physical or emotional abuse often display mental and social development problems. In most cases, the abuse comes from their own parents or caretakers. Here are some of the signs of abuse:

    *Physical abuse:A child who suffers from physical abuse might have bruises, burn marks, broken bones and scars. They are often fearful of adults or certain people.

    *Sexual abuse:Victims of sexual abuse are forced to have sexual relations or engage in inappropriate physical contact with adults. Signs include feeling uncomfortable when changing clothes.

    *Emotional abuse:Children who experience emotional abuse are often victims of private or public humiliation and neglect. A child might show sudden changes in behavior and act violently.

    *Neglect:Children who are physically neglected show signs of lack of personal hygiene and bad health due to malnutrition, among other things.

    If you know or suspect that a child is a victim of abuse and is in immediate danger, call 911. To report a case of child abuse, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

    Elder Abuse

    Elder abuse can occur in the victim’s home or at places such as assisted living facilities. People who abuse the elderly are usually people who know or take care of the victims. There are several types of abuse and all of them can have a profound negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health.

    *Physical abuse:As with child abuse, elders who suffer from physical abuse also might show bruises or other signs of injury on their bodies.

    *Sexual abuse:Elders who suffer from sexual abuse might become withdrawn.

    *Emotional abuse:This occurs when the victim is humiliated and treated with disrespect. The victim might feel useless or inferior and might suffer from depression.

    *Neglect:Elders show signs of physical neglect when caretakers fail to help them with their personal hygiene, food, clothing, and medications.

    *Financial abuse:Elders are often targets of financial fraud. This usually happens when people who take care of elders steal their retirement.

    If you know or suspect an elder is a victim of abuse and is in immediate danger, call 911. To report a case of elder abuse, call 1-800-677-1116 or visit the National Center on Elder Abuse atwww.ncea.aoa.gov.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stepping Into The Stepparent Role

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of husband and wife and two children.

    Stepfamilies face unique challenges and situations, especially when the family is newly blended. If you’re just getting to know your new stepfamily, it may take some time for everyone to feel comfortable with the new situation, says the National Stepfamily Resource Center. The organization offers this advice for new stepparents:

    *Understand that bonding takes time.Children of any age may need to get used to their new family. Try not to get discouraged if things don’t go smoothly right away.

    *Communication is key.All families need good communication. This means listening to each other and addressing problems and arguments calmly and directly.

    *Show interest in your stepchildren.Attend their activities, listen to their opinions, and ask them specific questions about their day. Try new family activities together such as walks in the park, bike rides, or something everyone will enjoy.

    *Use compromise to solve problems.Don’t use a “my way or the highway” approach, or the stepchild may become distant or show difficult behavior.

    *See a family counselor or therapistif you need extra help.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Talk To Your Child About Abuse

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of parents talking to their child.

    Parents generally teach their children about “stranger danger” from an early age. They are told not to talk to, walk with or take gifts or candy from strangers. But statistics show danger often lurks closer to home.

    According to the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, the vast majority of children who are sexually abused are abused by someone they know-most often a family member, an adult the family trusts or, in some instances, another child.

    Parents can help protect their children from sexual abuse by talking frankly to them about abuse, starting at a young age with age-appropriate information, advises Kay Knaff, clinical services program manager for Youth Villages.

    How to talk to your child (starting about age 3 or 4) about sexual abuse:

    *  Tell your child about good touch-a hug or a pat on the back-and bad touch, when someone is touching private areas.

    *  Tell your child nobody-no family member, teacher, other child or adult-is allowed to touch him or her in the areas covered by a bathing suit because these are private areas. Exceptions are a parent bathing a young child or helping the child with using the bathroom, as well as a doctor or nurse when examining the child.

    *  Tell your child he or she has permission to tell any adult who touches them in their private areas, “No!”

    Tell your child that if anyone ever touches him or her in any way in their private areas, he or she should tell mom, dad and or grandma/grandpa or another trusted person about it immediately.

    Get help immediately. If you suspect your child has been abused, act immediately. Either call your local police, your local rape crisis center, child protective services or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453), then push 1 to talk to a hotline counselor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine