Connections In Healthcare

Tired of struggling to open jars? Me too. There are many techniques and gadgets out there that claim to help make opening jars easier. Some work better than others. Here is a method that doesn’t require buying any additional kitchen gadgets. First, let’s discuss why jars are hard to open. Jars are sealed by pressure. The contents of the jar are under a vacuum. The vacuum is maintained by a thin rubber layer between the lid and the rim of the jar. This acts against turning the lid as well. While we cannot remove the rubber, we can remove the vacuum to ease the effort needed to open the lid. To do this you will need either an ice pick, awl, or a knife with a sharp tip. You will use the sharp device to puncture a small hole in the top of the lid. Place the sharp tip near the center of the lid holding it so the end of the device is open and not covered by your hand. Use a heavy wooden spoon, rolling pin, or some other weighty object to hit the end of your sharp device. A firm tap is all th...

Many disabled and elderly people can no longer complete home cleaning tasks adequately. In our age of high transience, more and more people are left living alone with no family close by. Discharging home from the hospital with a new disability or mobility deficits can pose major barriers to a person's ability to keep up with house chores like dusting, moping, or vacuuming. They may not have a ready solution for this problem. Of course, one simple solution is to hire a cleaning service. Sadly, many live on a limited income and cannot afford such services. One barrier is that most of the companies offering such services have minimum requirements such as two hours per week. They charge anywhere from $25-$50 per hour which adds up quickly. In some large cities there are companies who offer discounts to senior citizens. So, it is always worth an internet search or calling a few companies to ask. Here are some other options to consider. Call a company directly and explain the situation...

Deep breathing exercises are widely recognized for their benefits in managing strong emotions like anxiety and depression. Here is a powerful exercise that combines deep breathing with visualization to help calm the mind. Begin by visualizing a small ember ignited by a match. It glows a dim yellow and appears ready to burn out. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, picture yourself gently blowing on the small ember. As you blow, it begins to glow brighter. Continue this process two more times, exhaling slowly each time. Now, take another deep breath and blow gently onto your ever-brightening ember. This time, as you blow, the ember bursts into a bright flame—a flash of heat and light that lasts for a moment. Then, the flame goes out, leaving only blackish-gray ash. Draw one last deep breath. As you blow strongly, imagine the ash being carried away into a gentle breeze. If you wish, envision that your worries are consumed along with the ember and carried away with the ash. Feel free t...

Is it ok to pray with patients as a medical professional? Generally speaking in the United States, it is legal to pray with patients. There are some ethical considerations to keep in mind. Also, it is important to check your facility’s policies to ensure you remain compliant. It is vital that we keep in mind the right of every person to be treated equally regardless of religion or worldview. Additionally, patients are a captive audience in a medical setting. It is not a public space where they can easily walk away if they choose. Thus, we must respect their right to access medical care without proselytization. Always ask a patient if they would like you to pray with them in a way that allows them to say no. "Would you like me to offer a prayer?" Instead of "Let's pray about it." Do not pray for a patient publicly if they are not alert and oriented enough to agree to it. You can always pray for them privately in your mind. Also, be wary of praying for a patient p...

Researchers have long sought to categorize human development across various dimensions. While there are numerous theories about human development, their accuracy varies significantly. No single tool can perfectly capture every stage of an individual's growth, as each person’s experiences are unique. Therefore, any list or chart presented is merely an approximation of "typical" development and cannot encompass all the nuances of human growth and change. Scholars have created such lists for every aspect of humanity—from psychology and physicality to sexuality and spirituality. However, some areas, like spiritual development, have received considerably less attention and funding in academic contexts. Many religious leaders have attempted to address this gap with various models of faith and religious commitment, often limited to specific traditions or sects. One notable model extensively researched in academic literature is James W. Fowler's Stages of Faith. This model ...

Here are nuggets of wisdom my patients have shared with me over the years. All quotes shared with permission. “Go with the flow in life.” -Dolores, 91 “Hard work is important.” -Richard 90 “Take it easy sometimes.” -Gladys 92 “Don’t ever stop.” -Ada 90 “Do right and you won’t go wrong.” -Carol 92 “Keep cooking for yourself as long as possible.” -Leona 89 “We need more people who are willing to help others. Be like that.” -Imogene 92 "Never stop reading." -Nancy 86 “Don’t ever quit.” -Ken 82 “Work hard and don’t retire early.” -Faye 97 “Be honest and help people.” -Patty 93 “Listen to your children.” -Mike 90 “Work in your yard until you can't anymore.” -Roxie 90 “Ive been married 72 years. The secret is L O V E.” -Boyd 91 “Live every day, don’t take any for granted.” -Doris 93 Honorary Comments: "Live one day at a time and trust God." -Ms. Clark 48 (survivor of cancer and wreck with 18-wheeler)

By David Garner MOT, OTR/L, AC As therapists (PT, OT, SLP) we wish the best life possible for our patients. Sometimes we see them making unhealthy decisions that may impede their recovery. How can we approach these topics with respect in a way that is educational without being judgemental? Topics I'm referring to including losing weight, quitting smoking or drinking, and other counterproductive lifestyle choices. For many people these behaviors may involve addiction or anxiety. They likely know they should change, but it's hard. Perhaps they have tried in the past and were met with poor results.  We are not generally experts in these areas, but we can educate our patients about healthy life choices as well as resources that may support their success. It can be awkward to bring up these topics with patients. So here is what I have found to help me approach the subject respectfully without any awkwardness.  Begin by ensuring the conversation takes place in a private setting. Som...