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Showing posts with label Emotional health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emotional health. Show all posts
Homebound
seniors who have home-delivered meals report significantly less
loneliness than those who do not, according to a study published in Journals of Gerontology, Series B.
There
was a significant reduction in self-reported feelings of loneliness
among homebound seniors who had home-delivered meals, compared with
those who did not. Image credit: Michael Cohea/Brown University
The
pressure to cut costs brings with it the possibility of overlooking the
less tangible benefits when seeking alternative models in the provision
of a public service.
Nutrition
service providers are no exception, and the new study - conducted as a
randomized, controlled trial - shows that home-delivered meals do more
than nourish physical well-being; they also have a positive emotional
effect in the lives of older people who are stuck at home.
It
appears that the regular knock on the door, with the opportunity to
exchange some friendly words with the person delivering the meal, goes a
long way to reducing feelings of loneliness in older people in need.
Lead
author Kali Thomas, assistant professor (research) of health services,
policy and practice at Brown University School of Public Health in
Providence, RI, says: "This continues to build the body of evidence that home-delivered meals provide more than nutrition and food security."
Prof.
Thomas, a former volunteer for Meals on Wheels, believes the study is
one of only a few that has rigorously examined the long-presumed
psychological benefits of home-delivered meal service. It is certainly
the first randomized, controlled trial to measure the effect on
loneliness, she notes.
Many participants socially isolated
The
trial participants were 626 older adults from eight American cities who
were on waiting lists to receive Meals on Wheels. They were randomly
assigned to three groups.
In one group, the participants received a
daily fresh meal, in another they received a weekly delivery of frozen
meals, and in the third group they remained on the waiting list - this
was the control group.
The trial ran for 15 weeks. All participants were interviewed at the start and end of the period.
"I
have cerebral palsy. I shake all the time," Maysoon Zayid announces at
the beginning of this exhilarating, hilarious talk. (Really, it's
hilarious.) "I'm like Shakira meets Muhammad Ali." With grace and wit,
the Arab-American comedian takes us on a whistle-stop tour of her
adventures as an actress, stand-up comic, philanthropist and advocate
for the disabled.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best
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leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes
(or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design --
plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.
Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate
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I’m so excited to say that I was just recently encouraged to
write a short story about my journey into motherhood for possible
publication in a pro-life project benefiting a women’s health clinic
with the Gabriel Network, in Baltimore, Maryland. The project was
created to encourage young women to choose life for their child,
regardless of their circumstances. I’m so flattered to be even a small
part of such a meaningful endeavor. What could be more important than
encouraging the preservation of life.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”Psalm 139:13
.....Excerpt.....
Treasures of the Heart
Treasures of the Heart
My
submission is presently being considered for publication with
CausePub.com in Jillian Amodio’s book “New Life Within”. I say
“considered” because the final stories chosen will be determined by
votes. The more votes I get the better my chances of being published. So
if you are willing, I’d love it if you would read my story
and if you like it, I’d be honored if you would vote for my story and
ask a few of your friends to do so as well. And perhaps they’ll tell
two friends…and they’ll tell two friends…and so on and so on.
My
husband and I were what everyone called “meant to be”. What started as
friendship developed into a beautiful love story and I married the love
of my life. That being said our life was far from perfect but it was
ours to go through together and here we are 17 years later. Two years
into our marriage we felt we were ready to start a family. Did I say
ready? Actually I was petrified but felt my clock ticking away.
I
was 32 when I got pregnant with my first child. I was excited and
nervous all at once realizing that I was standing at the threshold of
motherhood. Was I ready? I had my doubts because although I was in my
thirties I still had moments when I felt like a kid myself. I had heard
so many horror stories about pregnancy and painful deliveries that I was
fearful of the unknown. As my pregnancy progressed I was constantly
sick to the point that instead of gaining weight I had actually lost 15
pounds. Forget morning sickness, I had all day sickness. You would think
that I was miserable but the truth is that I felt the complete
opposite. Yes my body was changing and nausea did take over but the
moment I felt that life that was growing inside me moving, kicking all I
could focus on was how amazing I felt. I hadn’t met her yet but had
already fallen completely in love with her. Being pregnant was the most
amazing feeling I had ever had. There was nothing to compare it to
because it was so unique. I loved being pregnant so much so that on a
particular night I started having contractions and had a bit of a panic
attack because I wasn’t ready to stop being pregnant. I didn’t want to
give up that beautiful feeling. I think that somewhere in my mind I felt
like I was doing something SO important, something that would make a
difference. I had never felt that important before. It turned out to be
Braxton Hicks and I was so happy to know that I could be pregnant for a
little bit longer.
A few weeks later contractions came again this
time I was ready and so eager to meet my baby. On December 18th 1998 my
beautiful daughter was born and I was never the same. How can you
describe a heart so full that it overflows? I was now in that club, you
know that one where you get to say “you’ll understand when you’re a
mom”. It’s so true! The minute I held her for the first time I
experienced an overwhelming flood of emotions that I had never
experienced before. There she was with her red puffy cheeks and sweet
trusting eyes and she was mine. True I had to share her with my husband
but she was mine. I was in heaven. What was it like? Well, I was
determined to breastfeed and therefore did not sleep. This little 6 lb
baby girl always wanted to feed. I didn’t know what I was doing but
trudged through until one morning I was pumping breast milk and wondered
why the milk was pink. My inexperience with latching on the baby was
showing. I’ll spare you the gory details so let’s just say that I was
raw and in so much pain but could not, would not give up. I was
devastated to think that I wouldn’t be able to nurse her if I started
giving her formula while I healed. God knows our limits and He knows our
needs. A few weeks later I was ready to try again and she latched on
like a pro. God is good and I felt the blessing. She nursed until she
was almost 9 months old.
As she grew her father and I enjoyed
every moment. She has always been our tender hearted warrior loving
everyone and always willing to serve others. She truly has a beautiful
heart. What a blessing she has been.
Fast forward four years later
as we decide that it’s time for another baby or at least time to start
talking about it. I am a planner and need time to get used to changes so
when we had just barely started considering another child and I
suspected that I may already be pregnant I panicked. I bought a
pregnancy test in order to remove any doubt. I remember that day as if
it were yesterday. As I waited for the results I prayed and asked God
for a false alarm. I didn’t feel like I could love another child as much
as I loved my daughter. I couldn’t fathom that idea. When the results
were ready I was afraid to look but mustered up the courage anyway. When
I saw the blue negative sign I dropped to my knees, put my head down
and cried a deep painful cry as if I had lost a child. At that very
moment I knew I was so wrong. I knew then and there that I wanted
another child and that there was so much more love to be given.
This
time around it was just not happening. We tried for a little over a
year and nothing. I started feeling as though it was my fault because I
put it off for so long or because back then I wasn’t sure if I wanted to
do it at all. I was stressing myself out in a big way. Once I finally
let go and relaxed that’s when at long last it happened. We were elated!
The pregnancy this time around was almost identical I lost another 15
pounds before I ever gained an ounce. That quickly changed after the
first 6 months. I enjoyed it just the same. This one was a “live one” I
thought to myself. I remember being in church as they played the worship
music and feeling my belly move to the beat. He’s been dancing ever
since. I can’t seem to keep that boy still. He’s a character and just
the thought of him makes me smile. My gorgeous boy was born on January
22, 2003. Everything was great at the hospital and luckily this time
around nursing was a cinch for a pro like me.
- See more at: http://causepub.com/treasures-heart/#sthash.wavDb7cw.dpuf
My
husband and I were what everyone called “meant to be”. What started as
friendship developed into a beautiful love story and I married the love
of my life. That being said our life was far from perfect but it was
ours to go through together and here we are 17 years later. Two years
into our marriage we felt we were ready to start a family. Did I say
ready? Actually I was petrified but felt my clock ticking away.
I
was 32 when I got pregnant with my first child. I was excited and
nervous all at once realizing that I was standing at the threshold of
motherhood. Was I ready? I had my doubts because although I was in my
thirties I still had moments when I felt like a kid myself. I had heard
so many horror stories about pregnancy and painful deliveries that I was
fearful of the unknown. As my pregnancy progressed I was constantly
sick to the point that instead of gaining weight I had actually lost 15
pounds. Forget morning sickness, I had all day sickness. You would think
that I was miserable but the truth is that I felt the complete
opposite. Yes my body was changing and nausea did take over but the
moment I felt that life that was growing inside me moving, kicking all I
could focus on was how amazing I felt. I hadn’t met her yet but had
already fallen completely in love with her. Being pregnant was the most
amazing feeling I had ever had. There was nothing to compare it to
because it was so unique. I loved being pregnant so much so that on a
particular night I started having contractions and had a bit of a panic
attack because I wasn’t ready to stop being pregnant. I didn’t want to
give up that beautiful feeling. I think that somewhere in my mind I felt
like I was doing something SO important, something that would make a
difference. I had never felt that important before. It turned out to be
Braxton Hicks and I was so happy to know that I could be pregnant for a
little bit longer. Read More Here
My
husband and I were what everyone called “meant to be”. What started as
friendship developed into a beautiful love story and I married the love
of my life. That being said our life was far from perfect but it was
ours to go through together and here we are 17 years later. Two years
into our marriage we felt we were ready to start a family. Did I say
ready? Actually I was petrified but felt my clock ticking away.
I
was 32 when I got pregnant with my first child. I was excited and
nervous all at once realizing that I was standing at the threshold of
motherhood. Was I ready? I had my doubts because although I was in my
thirties I still had moments when I felt like a kid myself. I had heard
so many horror stories about pregnancy and painful deliveries that I was
fearful of the unknown. As my pregnancy progressed I was constantly
sick to the point that instead of gaining weight I had actually lost 15
pounds. Forget morning sickness, I had all day sickness. You would think
that I was miserable but the truth is that I felt the complete
opposite. Yes my body was changing and nausea did take over but the
moment I felt that life that was growing inside me moving, kicking all I
could focus on was how amazing I felt. I hadn’t met her yet but had
already fallen completely in love with her. Being pregnant was the most
amazing feeling I had ever had. There was nothing to compare it to
because it was so unique. I loved being pregnant so much so that on a
particular night I started having contractions and had a bit of a panic
attack because I wasn’t ready to stop being pregnant. I didn’t want to
give up that beautiful feeling. I think that somewhere in my mind I felt
like I was doing something SO important, something that would make a
difference. I had never felt that important before. It turned out to be
Braxton Hicks and I was so happy to know that I could be pregnant for a
little bit longer.
A few weeks later contractions came again this
time I was ready and so eager to meet my baby. On December 18th 1998 my
beautiful daughter was born and I was never the same. How can you
describe a heart so full that it overflows? I was now in that club, you
know that one where you get to say “you’ll understand when you’re a
mom”. It’s so true! The minute I held her for the first time I
experienced an overwhelming flood of emotions that I had never
experienced before. There she was with her red puffy cheeks and sweet
trusting eyes and she was mine. True I had to share her with my husband
but she was mine. I was in heaven. What was it like? Well, I was
determined to breastfeed and therefore did not sleep. This little 6 lb
baby girl always wanted to feed. I didn’t know what I was doing but
trudged through until one morning I was pumping breast milk and wondered
why the milk was pink. My inexperience with latching on the baby was
showing. I’ll spare you the gory details so let’s just say that I was
raw and in so much pain but could not, would not give up. I was
devastated to think that I wouldn’t be able to nurse her if I started
giving her formula while I healed. God knows our limits and He knows our
needs. A few weeks later I was ready to try again and she latched on
like a pro. God is good and I felt the blessing. She nursed until she
was almost 9 months old.
As she grew her father and I enjoyed
every moment. She has always been our tender hearted warrior loving
everyone and always willing to serve others. She truly has a beautiful
heart. What a blessing she has been.
- See more at: http://causepub.com/treasures-heart/#sthash.wavDb7cw.dpuf
Author/Illustrator of "Bedtime for Meaghan", wife & crafty mother of two great kids. Lover of drawing and creating beauty.
Website: http://time2refuel.wordpress.com/
- See more at: http://causepub.com/treasures-heart/#sthash.wavDb7cw.dpuf
