Archive for December, 2011

Abundance in a Time of Grief

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
Abundance in a time of grief

Each summer, and into the early days of fall, there is a small farmer’s market that takes up residence just a block down the street from where our offices are located. Every Thursday around noon the street is closed down and the vendors begin to erect their stalls. From flowers and cheeses to fruits and vegetables, a weekly exploration of the market offers the opportunity of viewing and participating in the rich bounty of our community. With tables and stands piled high with produce, it is truly a time of abundance.

And yet when we are grieving, it is often hard to view the world from a perspective of abundance. The death of a loved one has the ability of moving us into a world of scarcity that looks empty at best and sometimes dark and bleak as well. The abundance spread before us, whatever form it may take, pales in comparison to the death and loss of the person we have loved so deeply…

Read the rest of the article here.

The Providence Hospice of Seattle Pathways newsletter has many grief support groups and resources available in your area.
Click here to read the Pathways newsletter and for more information.

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The Living Memorial Tree Planting Program

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
Living Memorial Program

Living Memorial Program

While nothing can take the place of a departed loved one, there is comfort in knowing that as one life ends, a new one is just beginning. More than just a majestic memorial, living Memorial trees shelter wildlife, reduce water and wind erosion and contribute to the purity of the air we breathe, helping to improve the environment for generations to come.

The Living Memorial” Program is a symbol of our commitment to help families honor the lives of those they love. Established in 1976, the Living Memorial has helped to reforest thousands of acres of national forests and woodlands, one seedling at a time. Today, more than 12 million trees stand as living legacies in forests throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Cascade Memorial is proud to participate in this special program. When your family selects a Batesville casket, urn or cremation container, Cascade Memorial will request a tree seedling be planted in a national forest or woodland as a living tribute and memorial to your loved one. It’s a way to honor your loved one with a lasting memorial while helping the environment. Managed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, The Canadian Forestry Association, The Grand River Conservation Foundation, and other international forestry and conservation groups, tree species and planting locations are based on areas of greatest need – typically areas that have been damaged by fire, floods or other natural disasters. Although individual trees bear no visible identification, families receive a letter and certificate acknowledging that a seedling is being planted in memoriam.

The Living Memorial program helps ensure that future generations will know the beauty of a green planet — a lasting legacy to a life well lived. We at Cascade Memorial can provide you with more information on how you can participate in this program.

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Holiday Decorating With Alzheimer’s in Mind

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

[Read the original article here on the Sunrise Senior Living website]

By Tim Watt on December 12, 2011

Some holiday decor may be confusing to people who have Alzheimer's.

Holiday tips for Memory Care

Decorating for the holidays is a cherished tradition for many people, but those who care for people who have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia should keep certain things in mind as they deck the halls this season, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The news source recommends that caregivers who providesenior care to loved ones who have Alzheimer’s should tone down their holiday decorations to better accommodate their loved ones. Blinking lights or large decorative displays can cause disorientation, and lighted candles can become a safety hazard. In addition, holiday decor should be free of decorations that the senior may confuse with edible treats, such as fake fruits in flower arrangements.

It may be difficult to forgo certain aspects of traditional holiday decor. The news outlet suggests that caregivers pick and choose which holiday activities are most important to them and focus on those traditions. The Alzheimer’s Association also recommends that caregivers take a moment to consider what type of holiday festivities will be the most meaningful, instead of being dragged down by trying to do “what you have always done.” This year may be the time to begin new traditions.

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The Holidays Can Be Hard

Monday, December 12th, 2011
Contact Cascade Memorial for Local Grief Support Groups and Resources

Having a hard time packing up those holiday lights? Are you feeling unhappy, unhealthy, stressed, or just plain low? Many people experience a sense of disappointment, concern, and emotional and physical exhaustion right after the holidays. It’s important to remember that there’s plenty you can do to get out of the post-holiday doldrums.

Make healthy choices. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and get back on the path to feeling energetic. You don’t have to commit to a gym membership—just start by taking a 30 minute walk after meals. You’ll feel better and be doing yourself a favor. Try tossing out all of the sweets and really unhealthy treats left over from the holidays. Eating better is treating you better. And don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep—there’s nothing better for you than being rested and ready to take on this coming year.

Seek advice. If you need an ear to be lent, a shoulder to be wept upon, call up a buddy, seek counsel from a therapist, or join a support group. If you prefer to keep it to yourself, start up a new journal, and compile memories and pictures, thoughts and feelings from this past holiday and the ones preceding it. Write down want you want to do for next year’s holiday, and what you hope to accomplish by then.

Take care of yourself. Spend some time alone to reflect and relax. Maybe buy yourself a present, listen to your favorite music, take a long bath, and watch your favorite movies. If you are not in the mood to be alone, find a way to help others. The season of giving is never over; if you can help your neighbor shovel their driveway, lend your friend a shoulder to cry on, a family member who hasn’t gone out to the movies in years, or if there’s a place you like to volunteer, do so!

Meditate on the past month or so, but don’t dwell on what expectations were not met. Be thankful, remember the good times which were had, and find peace in the enjoyment of those memories. Look forward to the coming year. Accept that the holidays have passed and it’s O.K.! Don’t feel pressured to take down those lights, leave them up until you’re feeling better. And remember: you will feel better, in time.

For a helpful article on Blowing Off the Post-Holiday Blues, visit WebMD.

For more information on post-holiday grief support groups and resources in your area, feel free to contact Cascade Memorial at 425-641-6100.

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Winter’s harvest: Veggies that stand out this season

Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Healthy Eating Habits this Winter Season

You may not think of December as the peak of produce season. But, some vegetables are actually abundant — and favorable — during the winter months.

Root vegetables
What these veggies lack in looks, they make up for in nutrients. They’re high in dietary fiber and vitamins — and low in calories and fat. Here are some ways to savor them:

  • Parsnips can be steamed with carrots — then tossed with a bit of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
  • Beets can add a tasty twist to salad. Or, roast them with a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh thyme.
  • Sweet potatoes creamed with orange juice is a fresh take on mashed potatoes. Or, add thin, cooked slices to a sandwich.

Winter squash
Zucchini is a favorite summer squash. But, winter has some star varieties, too — especially when it comes to nutrition. For example, a half-cup of baked butternut squash has more than twice the recommended daily amount of vitamin A. And, acorn squash has 5 grams of fiber for the same half-cup serving.

Winter squash goes well in pies, soups or mixed with grains and beans.

Cooking greens
Why not turn over a new leaf with a healthful crop of greens? They’re full of vitamins A and C — and are very low in calories, too.

Typically, greens are slowly simmered or boiled until they’re soft. But, there are other ways to make them part of a meal. For instance, you could use:

  • Mustard greens to give a fresh, peppery flavor to pasta
  • Kale to add body and texture to stews
  • Swiss chard to dress up a burrito

And, there’s good news if you find a veggie you especially enjoy. Many varieties are available year-round.

[An Excerpt from "Winter's harvest: Veggies that stand out this season," By Melanie Polk, M.M.Sc., R.D., F.A.D.A.]

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