Living with Dementia

Living with Dementia

Living with dementia is not a visualization we often think about, especially if we have never seen or experienced the ravages of what this debilitating disease can do to a mom or dad, an aunt, or dear friend.

Most people don’t know that dementia begins destroying the brain decades before any cognitive decline is ever noticed. But, the things we do in our life on a daily basis can S-L-O-W the disease progression- OR PREVENT it.

Today’s blog is my experience as I went through Dementia Live to feel what it might be like to live with dementia on a daily basis. While I could never really know how it feels- it is experiences like these that bring us greater awareness and empathy for those who live daily alongside this disease.

A Prayer for Nurses

A Prayer for Nurses

Happy Nurses Week 2019!
A reflection I wrote in 2013 for my fellow Nurse colleagues, and it still rings true today.

Trust that those you touch can sense the power and the beauty of your authentic desire to give them the truth of caring. Care that is expressed through pure passion. A selfless gift full of love, kindness, compassion and joy. A gift given with skilled and gentle hands, a kind smile, soothing words and peaceful silence. Your purpose is the power of your love, giving energy, tranquility and genuine light to others.

Optimal Healing Environments

Optimal Healing Environments

An Optimal Healing Environment (OHE) is a shared space where healing occurs by addressing all aspects of a person’s individuality.  Individuality includes; the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, economic, environmental, spiritual and behavioral components of humans (Zborowsky & Kreitzer, 2014).  When considering an OHE, it must focus on external factors like, light, fresh air, architecture, color of walls, furniture, art, activities, and music.  It also reflects internal aspects like, relaxation, meditation, prayer, and energy exchange.  An OHE accounts for interpersonal items like, relationships, communication, leadership and teamwork, as well as behavior like, collaborative healthcare, exercise and integrative practice (Dossey & Keegan, 2013). 

Eating to Win

Eating to Win

“The elimination diet was a big eye opener about how much our food really affects our bodies, it made me realize how dangerous our processed foods are.  It was so easy to follow and I really enjoyed learning and trying new foods and creating new recipes, and the kids loved to eat the new diet too! 

Nurse Coaches are Essential to Healing the Healthcare Industry

Nurse Coaches are Essential to Healing the Healthcare Industry

A Nurse Coach is a registered nurse who has chosen to advance their nursing education with additional extensive certification, supervised practice and mentorship to learn the tools, concepts and theories to actively coach clients, patients and families towards their best health, while preventing and mitigating disease.

One could say that a nurse coach is in fact, a health and wellness, well-being, and integrative coach all wrapped up in one. But they are so much more!

When You See Something, Say Something

When You See Something, Say Something

This is the story of a Registered Nurse (me) who stood up for herself and her patients, and what happened in the process. Nurses are one of the most dedicated professionals on the earth. Nurses vow to protect their patients from harm. Here is Nightingale’s Pledge from 1935, and it (or an updated version) continues to be said at nurse graduation ceremonies around the world.

I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping, and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavour to aid the physician in his work, and as a 'missioner of health' I will dedicate myself to devoted service to human welfare.

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Spring Cleaning Your Health and Wholeness

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Spring Cleaning Your Health and Wholeness

We can all use some quick tips to clean up our health, and spring time is the perfect opportunity for renewal and growth.

Check out some topics and tips to consider for your spring cleaning for health and wholeness for Your Thoughts, Your Stress, Your Sleep, Your Food, Your Work Space, and Your Habits.

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Food Labels. What About Ingredients?

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Food Labels. What About Ingredients?

While it’s great to use the big, white label to see how many carbohydrates, fats, protein etc. are in the foods you eat, all that information (while helpful) can be overwhelming! The deal is, when a thing seems overwhelming, we tend to ignore it; no matter how valuable it is.

So let’s make reading labels simple!

Tips for Better Sleep

Tips for Better Sleep

The lifestyle strategy of sleep- or rather- not getting enough sleep is often discussed in exasperation.  Many of us fantasize about getting enough zzz’s to keep us thriving in our lives, but we struggle to do it in real life. Let's discuss some tools to improve this important function, so we feel more vibrant and focused, while staying free from diseases of the brain and body.

The Day (and Night) I Almost Lost Moozie

The Day (and Night) I Almost Lost Moozie

I have a new pet. His name is Moozie (it was also once, Tom, Chili, and Moo-Moo). My awesome husband Patrick aka Yubbies picked him. He was the tiny kitty, sitting lifeless in his litter box at the local pound. As soon as he was in our arms, he snuggled in and knew he was ‘ours’. Best decision. Everrrr.

This is the story of the Day (and Night) I almost lost my Moozie.

Show Up, Listen Deep, and Impact One Person at a Time: Podcast

Show Up, Listen Deep, and Impact One Person at a Time: Podcast

I had the honor of being interviewed by Elizabeth Scala for her podcast, Your Next Shift: A Nursing Career Podcast for Nurses and Nursing Students

I shared some serious transparency and things I’ve learned in my Nursing career- the good, the bad and the ugly- and parts of what makes me human.

A special thank you to Elizabeth and her tireless work to support the Nursing profession through her visionary work. She da bomb!

The Business of Nurse Coaching

The Business of Nurse Coaching

Registered Nurses are highly skilled, educated, professional, trustworthy and adaptable. They can work in ANY environment effectively and efficiently- not just traditional roles like a hospital. Check out this blog from Amelia Roberts RN from Solutions by Amelia as she interviews Nurse Coach Nicole Vienneau RN, MSN, NC-BC on the Business of Nursing.

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De-Stress with Breathing Techniques

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De-Stress with Breathing Techniques

Today’s negative effects of chronic stress on our bodies, minds and spirits are well documented.

So, how do we reduce this over-stimulation and combat the constant burden of stress on our bodies, minds and spirits- especially because each of us is unique?  We try different things to calm our system and help us regenerate and repair. 

De-Stress breathing techniques are a simple way to begin your exposure to stress-reduction tools. 

Nurse Coaches are Essential to Healing Healthcare

Nurse Coaches are Essential to Healing Healthcare

Nurse Coaches do not treat diseases or body parts, instead they honor people as unique, individual beings, comprised of wisdom and strengths.  They engage patients and their families in all health-related decisions.  Nurse Coaches see the possibility for healing and connect with patients on a deep level, and why they are essential in the healthcare space.

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Stages of Change

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Stages of Change

Change does not happen lickity-split.  Ever watch a plant grow?  It takes determination, attention, education, fertilization and time.  Change is difficult. Change is complex, and while no one theory can explain all the nuances of behavior change, there are a few models that describe how many people cycle through stages of adaptation. Today's blog discusses the most common one and how you might feel to walk through each stage.

Setting Goals for Health, Wholeness & Behavior Change

Setting Goals for Health, Wholeness & Behavior Change

You are perfect the way you are, BUT, if deep down, you know something is off, or you don't feel your best, then crafting a goal to move you towards feeling better is something to consider!  Creating a SMART goal is easy, effective and fun and will have you living life with vitality and energy.