APPROACHES FOR DIFFICULT EMOTIONAL ISSUES VARY ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS

January 4th, 2015 by Lee Yahnke

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First there was Freud and psychoanalysis.  Psychodynamic therapy or psychoanalysis is still available, but research has brought us more and in some situations better methods to treat emotional problems and mental illness.

Let's consider five common conditions and the research based approaches therapists use to treat them.

  1. MILD TO MODERATE DEPRESSION  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach to identify negative thought patterns and identify ways to reframe or rethink thoughts in a positive way. Establishing a good relationship with the therapist or counselor is another good indication of how successful the treatment will be.
  2. SEVERE DEPRESSION  Therapy or counseling in combination with an antidepressant has been shown to be most effective in multiple research studies.  Again, it can't be stressed enough that the relationship between the therapist and the client is critical in the success of therapy regardless of the approach used.
  3. SOCIAL ANXIETY  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been used successfully and validated in research studies to reduce social anxiety. Recognizing and reducing negative thinking is the foundation to this approach.
  4. PANIC ATTACKS  The research validated approach to effectively reduce disabling panic attacks is again Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  5. TRAUMA  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) are two effective approaches to reframe negative thoughts and, with the use of a side-to-side motor task such as tapping or eye movements to process traumatic memories in the brain, relieve problematic behaviors secondary to unresolved trauma memories.

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Posted in Anxiety, Depression, EMDR, Panic Attacks, Successful Treatments, Trauma Unresolved | No Comments »

I Can't Believe She (He) Said That to Me!

August 17th, 2014 by Lee Yahnke

Have you had this happen to you?

A woman was volunteering for an organization that provided housing to families who were temporarily homeless. The program was in flux, so some decisions needed to be made quickly. After talking to volunteers, one leader decided the program would work better  by opening opportunities to more people instead of limiting choices to current volunteers. She left a message for her co leader who wasn't available.

The next morning the woman who was attempting to make the program more efficient, had a phone call from her co leader. The co leader would not listen and pressured the woman by telling her she was disrespectful. Despite the woman's attempt to de-escalate the conversation, she hung up feeling as if she'd been attacked and was left feeling confused and anxious.

After a couple of days of processing what she heard and acknowledging how she felt, she made a decision.  It was time to give up some responsibilities and concentrate more on self, family, and friends. It's important to know that a program or business will not fail just because you are no longer involved. So, the final step in restoring this woman's self esteem and respect was to take action.

Freeing yourself from situations that drain you or make you anxious gives your life a new perspective and a brighter future. We have only one life. Love, Laugh, and do it again.

This all makes me tired.

This all makes me tired.

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Posted in Emotional Attacks, Relationships | No Comments »

A Simple Way to Enrich Your Marriage with a Little "Tweek"

April 1st, 2014 by Lee Yahnke

If you are like many couples who tire of the same routine of exercise in the morning, lunch with a friend, volunteering, and wondering what to have for dinner, here is an idea to think about. While you are taking care of yourself by being active and giving back to society by volunteering, your relationship could use a little "tweek". 

Opportunities abound. Just look at anything offered in the events section of the newspaper for something neither of you knows about or look through the travel section to pick out a place neither of you has ever been. Challenge yourself and each other to explore new concepts, activities, or places, but do it together. 

My husband and I took a yoga class together. We went hiking in Wales. While we will spend many hours enjoying our regular activities, we will also challenge each other to think and act outside our normal routines. Maybe we'll kayak to an iceberg in Alaska. Hmmm!

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Safe in the Storm by Jane Meier Hamilton

February 20th, 2014 by Lee Yahnke

 

Safe in the Storm

by JANE MEIER HAMILTON on FEBRUARY 19, 2014

winter scene

The storm blew in while we were sleeping. Ice-coated tree branches fell on power lines and blocked the roads. In the morning I was shocked by what had been quickly and unexpectedly taken from me: a warm house and hot cup of coffee, access to the Internet and the road to work, my creature comforts and regular routine.

Life was turned upside down and I was powerless to change the situation. Along with 715,000 other households, I’d lost power, light, and heat. What I had was an abundance of uncertainty, a small measure of discomfort, and no idea when power crews would fix the lines. Fortunately, I was spared physical harm and property damage. The storm was disruptive and draining, but at least I was safe.

Not so for Gail’s 85-year-old parents, whose home is 10 miles from hers. Gail’s dad is recovering from recent surgery; her mom is feeble and depends on a walker. Both have mild dementia and are fiercely independent. Also without power, they were trying to heat their home with candles! Gail was wild with anxiety, worrying they’d start a house fire, or one of them would fall and be unable to get help.

Caregiving Crises

The ice storm and talking with Gail got me thinking about crises in caregiving, brought on by things like:

  • Conditions: Broken hip, blindness, stroke, cancer, a rare disease, or chronic illness
  • Decisions: Take away car keys, move to assisted living, begin hospice, or remove a breathing tube
  • Conflicts: Doing enough, doing the right thing, or balancing work and caregiving responsibilities

Caregiving crises develop when health conditions change, difficult decisions must be made, or conflicts arise. Overwhelming as a major storm, they disrupt daily routines, demand a response, and can drastically change lives.

As with storms, you must find ways to live through caregiving crises. It’s impossible to predict exactly how or when they’ll end. But you can count on anxious moments and debates about what to do. Post-crisis, life is different. Sometimes the changes are minor, sometimes significant. Whatever the outcome, there is always relief when the storm has passed.

To stay safe in the storm, practice self-care:

  • Stay calm. Anxiety, fear, and panic block logical decision making. These emotions are contagious and can raise fears in those around you. Calm yourself by breathing slowly and deeply. Affirm your strength and capacity to handle adversity. Envision positive resolutions. Distract your mind from worry by focusing on topics or activities that aren’t related to the crisis. Do what works best to help you relax.
  • Create a plan. Don’t waste time and energy focusing on things you don’t control. Identify ways to improve your situation: what you can influence, improve, decrease, or eliminate. When making plans, be specific by defining who will do what. Set a time for each action. Make sure actions are achievable, and assignments are reasonable and within people’s abilities. Get agreement with others on the plan. Then take action and follow up to check progress.

 

  • Connect with others. It’s awful to feel alone in a storm or crisis; it’s always easier to bear with the support of others. Discuss the situation and how you feel about it. Ask for, and offer, a helping hand or words of encouragement. Seek advice from experts or from others who have had similar experiences. Even if you are totally cut off from other people, you can always turn to God.

winter branches

 

  • Look for the light. On the second day of no lights at my house, I took this picture of brilliant sun shining through ice-covered trees. It reminded me that in the darkest of times there are moments of light and love. In the midst of difficulties lie small islands of peace. Clarity eventually comes when struggling with uncertainty. Hold onto hope; it will help you through the storm.

Try these self-care strategies during caregiving crises. As you do so much for others, remember to take good care of yourself, too….Jane

About the Author

Jane Meier Hamilton MSN, RN, is CEO and founder of Partners on the Path LLC, a leader in providing corporate-sponsored caregiver support programs to businesses that employ, and nonprofits that support, caregivers. She has been a nurse for 40 years and family caregiver for 20. Learn about Jane’s research-based, resilience-building resources atwww.PartnersonthePath.com. Find her book, The Caregiver’s Guide to Self-Care (Infinity 2011) in print, one-hour audio, and e-book formats at your favorite online provider.

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Posted in Ageing, Aging, Care Providers, Caregiving Crisis, seniors | No Comments »

70 Candles, a Blog for Women Who Have Stories to Share

January 21st, 2014 by Lee Yahnke

Please go to 70candles.com to read  personal stories written by women  nearing their 70th birthdays. Story after story tells about how women have lived in ways they could not have imagined.   We make plans and life changes everything. We relate to each other on a personal level and find we have lived well or have regrets.

Share your life story or comment on other women's stories. What we do learn is that we have a Future and we need to live it to the Fullest! Here's to all women approaching 70 and those who have paved the way for us.

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Eldercare Resource Day - 2014

January 18th, 2014 by Lee Yahnke

Eldercare Resource Day - 2014

Join us for a day of learning. The information provided on this day will help you navigate the challenges of caring for a family elder.

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This annual day-long conference presents seminars specifically for family caregivers. If you are an adult child with an aging parent or a caregiver, this is one day you cannot afford to miss.



You can check out the details of our 2014 event here.


 


 


 


 


 












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 Posted in Aging, Care Providers, Caregiver Fatigue, Dementia, How to Talk to Someone with Short Term Memory Loss, Recipient of Care, seniors, Seniors with a Purpose, Sibling care |   No Comments »

			


		
			

				


  Eldercare Resource Day



March 29th, 2013 by Lee Yahnke


				

					
Join us on


Saturday April 6, 2013


8:00am-2 p.m.


Timberline Church 


2908 S Timberline Rd


Fort Collins, CO


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A Day of Learning for Family Caregivers


Sponsored by


Elder Care Network of Northern Colorado


$10 registration includes 3 sessions, handouts, lunch, and camaraderie

				


				
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  Mesothelioma Treatment And Life Expectancy



March 29th, 2013 by Lee Yahnke


				

					
Guest Host: Joseph Maresca


Take advantage of the facts if you, a friend, or relative have developed mesothelioma, you should take notice of all of the various styles of mesothelioma treatments that are available to you, in either natural organic, medicinal, or doctor prescribed.


Making reliable treatments should be the business of anyone at risk, or who is going to be immediately affected by the disease. There are a number of resources out there insofar as mesothelioma treatment go, depending on whichever suits your personal preference, in addition to stage, and particular elements of each case.


For instances in which the case is considered mild, depending on the health condition of the patient, doctors will typically reserve procedures that will match the aggressiveness of the disease. Popular procedures to circumvent further growth of the disease, or its tumors include chemotherapy exposure.


With respect to living with mesothelioma, and mesothelioma life expectancy, age has a significant factor in terms of estimating a particular length of time in actual days. The actual estimation for life expectancy from just barely over one year, just under six months, or 359 days, in patients 65, and younger, or 112 days, or less, in patients ranging from 75 years old, and older.


According to new age thinkers, medical organizations, institutions, and practitioners, there are several curing resources for mesothelioma in the form of food. It is argued by many, that there is an answer for most any disease with a healthy diet. Advocates for fighting disease with healthy nutrition based diets stand by the idea that by using herbs and avoiding traditional therapies like chemotherapy can be much more powerful, when it comes to making a significant impact against the growth of the disease.


The new age answer to mesothelioma is much less intrusive and a friendly way to fight the aggressive disease, and has proven to do damage against the disease. Essentially, the idea is to provide a super boost to the immune system, as opposed to shocking the system by blasting it with radiation, which undoubtedly has been proven to make the human body physically ill, despite the healing side effects. Nevertheless, despite whether using new age philosophy will provide a cure for ridding oneself of the disease completely, in documented cases, it has been proven to extend mesothelioma by up to 7 years.


Success stories of people who have actually beat the disease provide accounts of taking on new eating habits like incorporating a strict vegetarian diet, and eating routine into their lives. The regimen mostly included freshly squeezed juices, vegetables, and more that 100 vitamin supplements daily, with the addition of ozone therapy, a process by which cancer cells are supposed to diminish, as they do not thrive in oxygenated environments.

				


				
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  Community, Community, Community



February 26th, 2012 by Lee Yahnke


				

					




Modifying the realtor’s claim of “Location, Location, Location” gives us an objective for our senior and elder years.  If we’re honest with ourselves and our families, the time will come when we will need to adjust our living style. We no longer will have the energy to maintain the family home and the cost of hiring the work done makes little sense. I suggest that what we need to seriously consider is a community where we can contribute and receive attention from people who have common interests.


Aging in place is a concept most of us say we want; however, the problem of stairs, lawns, driveways, and adult children who live too far away or are too busy to help, make aging in place seem like a burden instead of peace and security. In addition, our suburban homes are often far from shopping and medical services. Our neighborhoods change during the decades, so our friends have likely moved away and strangers now live around us.


I propose that we consider community as an objective for our advancing senior and elder years. A community where we can pursue our common interests and continue to be contributing members of society that will bring purpose and peacefulness to our lives.


For some that might mean a retirement community. For others that might mean living near a university where other seniors pursue cultural and academic interests. We have many options today that previous generations didn’t have. Let’s consider what makes sense and let go of what no longer gives us what we really need-a community of individuals with similar interests where our minds and our hands remain active and we have a strong sense of purpose.

				


				
 Posted in Co-housing, fCommunity for Seniors, Intergeneratonal Communities, Relationships, Senior Housing, seniors, Seniors with a Purpose |   No Comments »

			


		
			

				


  Caregivers Provide Care; They Don’t Necessarily Seek It.



October 29th, 2011 by Lee Yahnke


				

					
We see a need and we feel responsible to react. Becoming a caregiver brings with it the fulfillment of knowing your loved one is well cared for.  It also means your life will change and the lives of those in your immediate circle will also experience change.


Caregivers, primarily women but not exclusively, will sacrifice family time, social time, and personal time to avoid feeling guilty. As time progresses and your loved one requires more care, you’ll have decisions to make that are heart wrenching, if not difficult at the least.


You’ll find a comprehensive list of private business and organizations who offer services to you as the caregiver and to your loved one in the Elder Care Network membership at www.eldercarenet.org.


Prepare yourself. Your work will be time consuming and unpredictable. You might have a good experience with supportive family members, or not. Hmmm. That is something the counselors at Elder Care Network can help you with. Be a “seeker” and not an overwhelmed person with more than you can possibly manage without help.


Good Times Together

				


				
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