Michelle Hernandez lost her Dad when she was 15. Michelle and her mom were left to cope alone. Fortunately, they found Mourning Star in Palm Desert, one of the nation’s top grief and bereavement centers specializing in helping children, teens (ages 3 to 18) and their families develop healthy coping skills after the death of… Read more »
Through the Generations
La Quinta High School Medical Health Academy (MHA) is showing great results in graduating seniors! Of our 2012 graduate class, 100% graduated, 98% have pursued college and the other 2% the military. Of that 100%, we had 44% of the students accepted into a four-year university. The remaining students are going to a Junior College… Read more »
Witnessing children striking yoga poses is more than just cute; it can be the catalyst to a lifelong practice. Parents and schools are becoming aware that yoga benefits children physically, mentally, and soulfully. The practice is orienting children to a discipline that is rejuvenating for the body and soul. Yoga is playful and allows children… Read more »
Millions of us suffer from seasonal allergies; at least one out of every 5 Americans experiences some type of allergic reaction1.The elderly are not exempt from typical allergy symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes. Additionally, seniors often have complicating factors–such as chronic diseases that make it difficult to deal with allergies and the… Read more »
I’d like to share a story about a woman with whom I recently worked who was struggling with severe back pain. We will call her Susan. Susan was diagnosed with herniated discs (disc bulges) as well as spondylolisthesis (vertebrae slipping on each other). She had excellent medical care with anti-inflammatories, pain management and injections. Yet… Read more »
According to the latest information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), 17% of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. This is a three-fold increase from just one generation ago. Recognizing the need to produce registered dietitians and nutrition professionals to deal with this issue, Indio High School has responded with a… Read more »
After watching Super-size Me and researching the link between sugary drinks, obesity and type 2 diabetes, 14 year old Carter Kostler had an idea – create a healthy, tasty and portable “fast drink” alternative that is good for the environment. “My mother is a huge fan of fruit infused water but would grab a soda… Read more »
Two and a half years ago, Kate Porter of the Critter Coalition picked up an abandoned puppy, filthy and starving, wandering the streets of Joshua Tree. It was a miracle that the pup was still alive, or that some automobile or wild predator hadn’t polished him off. As he lay panting and trembling in her… Read more »
Growing older is difficult and can be especially challenging for adult children of aging parents. These are the people who cared for you your entire life, and now you are caring for them. It’s no easy task. People are living longer and the age to which people live has increased dramatically in the past 20… Read more »
We’ve all experienced it – heart racing, muscle tension, irritability. Perhaps stomach pain or clenched jaw. Anxiety can cause sleepless nights and feeling tired all the time. It can lead to forgetting things, and feeling as if life is spiraling out of your control. These are just a few of the things people experience when… Read more »
As a student at College of The Desert, I notice a lack of healthy food on campus. It is a struggle to find healthy food that will support my mind and body throughout ten-hour school days. After speaking with students and administration, I realized that I was not alone in wanting healthier food choices on… Read more »
Senior students in Cathedral City High School’s HEAL program have been putting their academic and career-technical skills to good use this year, providing significant medical support for their school. As 11th graders, HEAL students completed ROP Medical Terminology and First Responder courses, as well as CPR/AED & First Aid certifications and had the privilege of… Read more »
Today has been a tough one, emotionally, for Ann, age 83. The earlier downsizing decisions involving baskets and plates have given way to a far more intense one – what to do with her grandmother’s cedar chest. Ann’s 57 year-old daughter, Wendy, patiently helps her navigate these murky emotional waters with as much care as… Read more »
Knowing that you will be taken care of in the event that you aren’t able to make daily decisions for yourself can help bring peace of mind as you grow older. While it is difficult to imagine being in that position, it is important to prepare by having a “power of attorney” document in place… Read more »
Are you one of the 65 million family caregivers in the United States? A recent study released by Elissa S. Epel, Dept of Psychiatry at the University of California reports that this often stressful situation can take up to 10 years off a caretaker’s life. Let me tell you about Jack, age 72. Jack and… Read more »
Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and the statistics are alarming. It can lead to many serious health issues, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Of greatest concern is that research shows one of every three children in the United States is now considered overweight. Health care professionals are working diligently to educate… Read more »
If sugar is your vice, this time of year is sure to gratify your sweet tooth. October kicks off the season with three little words (“trick or treat”) delivering delightful gobs of goodies. November perpetuates the trend with pumpkin pie and candied yams. And all of this leads up to the grand celebratory month of… Read more »
We know the value of common exercise like walking, running, swimming, tennis, golf, soccer, etc. But these simple activities are often out of reach for those living with Parkinson’s. However, there are other exercises, not as strenuous, which can be valuable tools to improve a Parkinson’s patient’s activities of daily living (or ADLs). With Parkinson’s,… Read more »
Our “Lessons in Longevity” column discovers and shares the secrets we seek from our elders on how to live a long and happy life. For this issue, I stopped by Palm Desert’s Joslyn Center. The Joslyn Center is always active and the energy positive and bright. There I met 91-year old Benedict who just finished… Read more »
About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) each year. Currently, an estimated 7 to 10 million people are living with PD worldwide. This devastating disease impacts many, negatively affecting quality of life for the patient, as well as the family. There is no cure for PD. Symptoms are standardly treated with medication to… Read more »