Every summer for the past 15 years I have worked with girls and boys of all ages, from different ethnic backgrounds and locales, with varying physical builds. The one thing that stands out among a large portion of our youth is their inability to perform simple movement patterns, such as skipping, hopping, bounding, running and… Read more »
Through the Generations
A critical place to have a caregiver with you is during a hospital stay. People find this a surprising concept. You would think that having nurses, doctors and medical staff close by would make hospitals one of the safest places to be. Sadly, this isn’t the case. With one or two busy nurses, working 12-hour… Read more »
Life throws curve balls. How we handle those curve balls will determine if we come out on top or badly bruised; planning and preparing for potential curve balls of life will make a world of difference. One probability in the lives of adult children is their parents will age, become frail, have a significant health… Read more »
No home is complete without the pitter patter of dog feet. Baxter and Jasper came into our lives three months ago. It took three days to learn their personalities, three weeks to adjust, and three months to become part of the family. After tragically losing Kayla, our beloved Irish terrier, I initially resisted any adoption.… Read more »
Childhood anxiety is increasingly an issue that many parents have difficulty treating naturally and successfully. Anxiety in children may be caused by numerous issues including food choices and nutritional status. Children do not always need pharmaceutical meds to combat anxiety. There are many natural remedies, dietary recommendations, and behavior modification strategies to moderate anxiety prior… Read more »
The Hazelden Betty Ford Center is world renowned for the significant work they do with those dealing with addiction. But what about the many young children who struggle with an addictive parent or loved one in the family? There are thousands of these young victims for which Betty Ford Center Children’s Program also provides support,… Read more »
After playing 18 holes of golf requiring a forward bending position, you might be uncomfortable at the end of the round – especially if you start the round with tight muscles. Many trainers spend countless hours teaching their golf clients hamstring stretches when they complain of being tight. For many, the tightness will most likely… Read more »
We had never seen a Tesla automobile, but its sleek design, understated elegance and electric motor caught our attention. Taking the Tesla for a test drive was a memorable experience. The auto handles like a dream. The acceleration is powerful and smooth. The interior is luxurious yet practical, and the electronics are state-of-the-art. Then we… Read more »
Engaging an aging life care professional (previously known as geriatric care manager) is the first step many families take when seeking help for themselves or family members dealing with the challenges of aging. The aging life care profession is relatively new and grew out of the social service field. As the aging population began living… Read more »
Seasonal pollen, grass, and environmental allergies can spike in the desert during the fall, especially during the grass scalping and reseeding times. Children commonly suffer from seasonal allergies and it can affect their mood, concentration, and well-being. Seasonal allergies can be treated with dietary changes and nutritional supplements, which help avoid the grogginess and side… Read more »
Are you one of those who sometimes wishes you could curb hurtful and reactive responses and behaviors in the heat of the moment? Well, the fall season is upon us and cooler temperatures present an ideal opportunity for those with hot temperaments to consider a personal “cooling.” The good news is we can conquer this… Read more »
Posture is something we all need to consciously work on – especially when it comes to our golf game. Ideally, if we stand tall, our shoulders, hips, knees and ankles are all in one straight line from our ears. However, many of us spend most of our time sitting for hours which puts our spines… Read more »
It is a privilege of advancing years to reflect on the memories of experiences to harvest insights that slowly deepen wisdom. Some of the wisdoms I know to be true are that animals are a rich part of our human lives. The study of that connection creates a growing fascination with the wonders of the… Read more »
The word “worry” comes from the Greek word for a divided mind, and the holiday season epitomizes that divided mind. We think we deserve a relaxed and joyous holiday season, yet so much about November and December seems to produce worry…pressure to buy the perfect gifts, to have the perfect holiday dinner with no arguing… Read more »
The health benefits of exercise are extraordinarily well documented. Regular exercise lowers your risk of a stroke by 27%, reduces instances of both high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease by 40%, cuts your chance of developing diabetes by 50%, and lowers your risk of developing colon cancer by a whopping 60%. As well, it obviously… Read more »
Your ability to survive the all-consuming role of caregiver /partner for those with memory loss will depend on many things, but expanded knowledge and acceptance are paramount. Knowledge. Know thy enemy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that there are 85-90 different types of dementias. Alzheimer’s represents some 70% of the diagnoses followed by… Read more »
Pharmacological intervention has traditionally been the first-line treatment for individuals with neurocognitive disorders, but the benefits of medications currently on the market are generally minimal and/or temporary. In recent years, however, numerous scientific studies have shown that various types of behavioral and cognitive interventions may slow the progression of degenerative neurocognitive disorders. For one, the… Read more »
It’s the start of a new school year, and parents are faced with the same challenge: how to prepare healthy, easy, and nutritious school lunches every day. Healthy school lunches do not need to be time consuming, or expensive. The key to creating nutritious lunch options is staying well stocked and thinking ahead. Maintaining a… Read more »
Back to school butterflies are a natural phenomenon. The two most frequent words I am hearing in my practice about back to school are “excited” and “anxious.” They are both uttered simultaneously and related to unknowns. When I ask children what they mean by these words, they explain excited to mean seeing friends, discovering their… Read more »
La Quinta is most commonly known for its beautiful golf courses and annual La Quinta Arts Festival; however, it is much more than that. Over the years, it has transformed from a sleepy desert resort community into one that is full of life, action and activities for its residents and visitors. Dotted with walking trails… Read more »