Topics Available
Listed below are my most commonly requested presentations. however I can effectively deliver lectures and workshops on a wide variety of topics related to my areas of expertise.
How to Get More Life out of Life: Straight talk about Aging and end of life. A common sense approach to aging and improving quality of life through conserving, prioritizing and re-directing the gradually diminishing energies inherent in the aging process. This can be accomplished by examining areas such as physical symptoms, the home environment, nutrition and exercise, and social habits. In addition, it is important to address worries about health issues, future living arrangements, spirituality as well as financial and legal concerns all of which can destroy your peace of mind and steal your energy.
Nutritional Challenges of Aging: Maintaining healthy nutrition can be difficult while navigating the physical, social, and life style changes inherent in the aging process. This presentation gives an overview of the basic physiology of the digestive process, discusses the changes that may present challenges in maintaining good nutrition, has a multitude of ideas and suggestions on how to overcome those challenges, and provides specific information about the nutritional needs of senior.
Making Sense of How We Die: Understanding the final journey. Almost every change that occurs as a person enters the final few months and weeks of life can be u8nderstood in the light of gradually diminishing energies, combined with the body’s natural tendency to conserve and prioritize those energies. When energy resources are limited, some things simply have to go. This is not a conscious decision on the part of a dying person, it just happens. Breathing becomes more important than digesting food. Understanding this can greatly reduce the anxiety inherent in facing the unknown.
Pain and pain management: What it does to you and what you can do about it. Suffering from uncontrolled pain is actually harmful to your health! 25-50% of independent seniors suffer from chronic pain. The numbers are even greater for nursing home residents. There are many ways to eliminate pain from your daily life: Things you can do and thing that require the help of your physician. The major barriers to living pain-free are misconceptions about pain, pride and stoicism, fear of pain medications, and fears and misconceptions about addiction. Don’t let pain steal your joy!
What to Say – How to Comfort: Communication in time of loss or crisis. Have you ever avoided someone you cared about because you felt awkward and did not know what to say? How do you reach out without offending? Explore and become aware of your own discomforts. Learn how to find your own words so you can overcome the fear of “saying the wrong thing”. Become a good listener and learn how to respond with compassion. Learn how to offer and provide support in ways that are helpful without being intrusive.
Learn how to be there!
What about the Kids?: How caring adults can help children who grieve. Learn how to include and support children in time of loss or crisis. Any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Grieving children need caring adults to help them express and direct their intense feelings. They need adults who are willing to share their own grief. This seminar will help you understand the ways children grieve and help you tune in to their special needs. You will learn techniques conducive to creating open communication and sharing. Respect the inner wisdom of your children.
Hospice Care: Facts and Fiction: Hospice care is a comprehensive health care delivery system focused on providing care and support for the terminally ill and their families. Hospice Care has been available in the U.S.A. for more than 30 years, yet few understand the scope, nature and limitations of hospice care, and many misconceptions still exist about what hospice does and does not do. Learn about the physical, emotional and spiritual support provided during and following hospice care. Get clarity about the role of hospice and the role of the family.