We have withdrawn, retreated, and have lowered our expectations… drastically. When someone asks what “we’ve been up to,” who knows how to respond? The most popular answer by far is, “not much.” Yet here we are. The panic is fading. Can you feel it to
Often in my work with families facing serious and life-limiting illnesses, I have been privileged to witness and participate in profound moments shared with me. The old saying goes that we learn the most from adversity.
We’ve had the opportunity to have learned many things, aged many years, and traveled many theoretical miles this past year. Whatever the outcome, we are not the same as we were in March 2020.
We aren’t quite at the “go anywhere, do anything” point, but we aren’t captives. We walk the beach, go to the market, aren’t terrified to pump our gas, and (with confidence) use the ATM. We are in between. If Route 128 had three lanes, we would be in the middle one.
Appointments are opening up for COVID vaccines, and Massachusetts will soon have a call-in center to aid in the ease of scheduling. We let out a big sigh of relief as we take some tangible steps forward. And yet, writes Joanne Macinnis, we're not out of the woods yet.
Despite being “so done” with living our lives around the COVID-19 virus, the severity of the current rate of infection demands our attention…and consideration. We have many months of coping and learning under our belts. We’ve become informed about the scientific facts, transmission method, a…
It is almost like midnight at 4:00 pm these days. Even if the seconds of daylight increase after the solstice on December 21, the darkness is upon us, NOW. In the darkness, I’m looking for the light: the decorated houses with window lights that feel like Colonial Williamsburg, the Chevy Ch…
This will be a holiday season like no other, writes Joanne MacInnis, RN and president of Danvers-based Aberdeen Home Care, Inc. Here are her tips for getting through, safely.
We’ve been living under a weighted blanket of worry and anxiety for eight months.
There’s already a flurry of conversation about how we’ll handle our end-of-year Holidays.
Is your loved one's neighborhood still participating in Halloween, even if in a limited capacity? Consider putting a basket of candy outside in the driveway, not necessarily right next to the door. Although this may be a "light" trick or treat year, it's a good idea to have a family member…
“Head spinning off neck” is sometimes my response to the proverbial “how are you doing?” Although my issues may not be your challenge, you have your own, writes Joanne McInnis.
As Dorothy said in the “merry old land of OZ,” which was as different from Kansas as it could be, she was in a new world. We are in that new world too. School and Testing and Vaccines, OH MY.
It is indeed. Consider just these four big-ticket topics: COVID, Economy, School, Politics, and my head is spinning. I imagine yours is too. The heat setting on our cooktop of coping seems to be on “hard boil.”
Resiliency. The new buzz word. Every crisis has one; we've had many during COVID. The "R" word has many meanings, depending on your perspective.
Do we remember what a world not dominated by a pandemic feels like? I often find myself saying to colleagues in the healthcare field, "Remember when we thought healthcare was stressful before COVID?" And we either roll our eyes, let out a huge groan, or respond with a long pause of silence.
Our culture has brought immediate gratification to a new, perhaps unhealthy, level, but the pandemic screeched all of that to a halt, and we have no choice but to slow down. Use this time to consider who you are, what makes you tick, what you value, and how you cope. It might serve you well …
A question we are all thinking about, even if we are not putting it into words. Is a vaccine the COVID-19 "Holy Grail?" Will it bring safety and normalcy back to our lives? Who is working on it? How many are in trials? Is it safe? Will it give me the virus? Can everyone get vaccinated…
Our "normal" goal is usually to be in balance, and even then, without a pandemic or social and political unrest, it's a challenge. The whole work/family ratio, "on and off-time," and as we all have become so intimately acquainted with these past months, the blur of life's factions, blended …
There has been a prevailing sense of "powerlessness" these past months. We were all indoors, working from home, no school, no socialization, yet the numbers went up and up. As our communities "reopen:" remember the power we do have. Our intentional interventions are what is bringing cases an…
We've all had experiences of being "up to our eyeballs," "underwater," or "sick to death" of a number of things. Most of us have good endurance…for a time. We are New Englanders, after all. We know that the blizzards come, the power goes out, and we have no milk. School gets canceled. I…
The scientists and medical experts certainly have amassed a vast amount of knowledge of COVID-19, since January 11th, when the first Coronavirus patient in Wuhan China succumbed to the illness. That is just over three months ago. From an unknown to a household word, inside of 3 months. Staggering.
North Shore city and towns have implemented "masks in stores" policies, and some have asked for "masks in public places." We see a wide variety of medical, surgical, procedure, and cloth masks, bandanas, and sundry face coverings being used to protect both wearer and neighbor—gloves of green…
The trajectory of COVID-19 is clearly climbing toward the peak of infection, and when it gets there is unknown. By now, we are deeply engulfed in the daily numbers, the news, and the experts. We are hopefully doing our part by not “carrying the virus” or catching it, by staying at home, and …
In light of the recent outbreak and constant media coverage of Coronavirus (COVID-19), I want to inform you of some widely accepted practices and tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DP…
You may be worried that before you have had the "right moment" to discuss it with them, word will travel, letting the cat out of the bag. There are many downsides to that happening. One of which is "why didn't you tell me right away," and also the passage of misinformation. So instead of sha…
There’s a lot set to happen with the Council on Aging (COA) in the coming weeks. Check them out here, and for further information on any of these great trips or to reserve your seat on the van, please call the COA office at (978) 526-7500.
Gardening, knitting, and walking are back as meditative activities, as is snuggling with the dog or cat. Of course! Our elders knew how these activities were meaningful — simple pleasures, available 365 days a year, and without a steep price tag.
Our parents' ability to live independently, without help, is changing. It used to be that between the two of them, they had everything pretty well covered. However, Dad's vision has taken a turn.
On Wednesday, February 5, the Manchester Council on Aging was invited by Cape Ann Seniors on the Go to participate in their Winter Bowling Event at Cape Ann Lanes. The purpose was to bring seniors from Cape Ann together. Seniors from Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Essex came for some …
Despite being “so done” with living our lives around the COVID-19 virus, the severity of the current rate of infection demands our attention…and consideration. We have many months of coping and learning under our belts. We’ve become informed about the scientific facts, transmission method, and most importantly, the tools and lifestyle behaviors that can protect us and prevent infection.
It is almost like midnight at 4:00 pm these days. Even if the seconds of daylight increase after the solstice on December 21, the darkness is upon us, NOW. In the darkness, I’m looking for the light: the decorated houses with window lights that feel like Colonial Williamsburg, the Chevy Chase Christmas chaos, or a wreath on the door with a little light on it. It cheers me; it warms me; it makes the darkness more tolerable.
This will be a holiday season like no other, writes Joanne MacInnis, RN and president of Danvers-based Aberdeen Home Care, Inc. Here are her tips for getting through, safely.
We’ve been living under a weighted blanket of worry and anxiety for eight months.
There’s already a flurry of conversation about how we’ll handle our end-of-year Holidays.
Is your loved one's neighborhood still participating in Halloween, even if in a limited capacity? Consider putting a basket of candy outside in the driveway, not necessarily right next to the door. Although this may be a "light" trick or treat year, it's a good idea to have a family member visit with your elder on Halloween during the evening hours. If you can't be there in person, a telephone check-in is a must.
“Head spinning off neck” is sometimes my response to the proverbial “how are you doing?” Although my issues may not be your challenge, you have your own, writes Joanne McInnis.
As Dorothy said in the “merry old land of OZ,” which was as different from Kansas as it could be, she was in a new world. We are in that new world too. School and Testing and Vaccines, OH MY.
It is indeed. Consider just these four big-ticket topics: COVID, Economy, School, Politics, and my head is spinning. I imagine yours is too. The heat setting on our cooktop of coping seems to be on “hard boil.”
Resiliency. The new buzz word. Every crisis has one; we've had many during COVID. The "R" word has many meanings, depending on your perspective.
Do we remember what a world not dominated by a pandemic feels like? I often find myself saying to colleagues in the healthcare field, "Remember when we thought healthcare was stressful before COVID?" And we either roll our eyes, let out a huge groan, or respond with a long pause of silence.
Our culture has brought immediate gratification to a new, perhaps unhealthy, level, but the pandemic screeched all of that to a halt, and we have no choice but to slow down. Use this time to consider who you are, what makes you tick, what you value, and how you cope. It might serve you well in the future...whatever that brings.
A question we are all thinking about, even if we are not putting it into words. Is a vaccine the COVID-19 "Holy Grail?" Will it bring safety and normalcy back to our lives? Who is working on it? How many are in trials? Is it safe? Will it give me the virus? Can everyone get vaccinated, or will it be the most vulnerable among us first? How long will it take to provide immunity? These are the questions I have, and you must have them too.
Our "normal" goal is usually to be in balance, and even then, without a pandemic or social and political unrest, it's a challenge. The whole work/family ratio, "on and off-time," and as we all have become so intimately acquainted with these past months, the blur of life's factions, blended into one. Balance. The inner and outer world.
There has been a prevailing sense of "powerlessness" these past months. We were all indoors, working from home, no school, no socialization, yet the numbers went up and up. As our communities "reopen:" remember the power we do have. Our intentional interventions are what is bringing cases and deaths down. The principles of hygiene, distancing, and masks remain crucial. By continuing to use these, we are protecting ourselves and others.
We've all had experiences of being "up to our eyeballs," "underwater," or "sick to death" of a number of things. Most of us have good endurance…for a time. We are New Englanders, after all. We know that the blizzards come, the power goes out, and we have no milk. School gets canceled. It can even snow in May. But usually, the impact doesn't last months... Until now.
The scientists and medical experts certainly have amassed a vast amount of knowledge of COVID-19, since January 11th, when the first Coronavirus patient in Wuhan China succumbed to the illness. That is just over three months ago. From an unknown to a household word, inside of 3 months. Staggering.
North Shore city and towns have implemented "masks in stores" policies, and some have asked for "masks in public places." We see a wide variety of medical, surgical, procedure, and cloth masks, bandanas, and sundry face coverings being used to protect both wearer and neighbor—gloves of green and blue cover many hands at the gas station and grocery store. Information is coming at us from all sides.
The trajectory of COVID-19 is clearly climbing toward the peak of infection, and when it gets there is unknown. By now, we are deeply engulfed in the daily numbers, the news, and the experts. We are hopefully doing our part by not “carrying the virus” or catching it, by staying at home, and using all the extreme hygiene measures recommended.
In light of the recent outbreak and constant media coverage of Coronavirus (COVID-19), I want to inform you of some widely accepted practices and tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on how to best protect yourself and prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
