National Pet Month – The Positive Effects of Animals Especially Dogs with People

Here at St. Anne’s, we have two dogs for our residents. In honor of April’s “National Pet Month,” a well-qualified friend of ours wrote an article about the positive effect of our canine comrades:

dog — Our lab Gracie gives “kisses” to a resident.

Article by Judy Jacoby, RN, MSN, HAB, PHN

Dogs have been around for 15,000 years. Dogs were used to assist people with chores, to round up cattle and sheep, to monitor the surroundings of a home and to pull carts for the American Indians. 12,000 years ago, in Northern Israel, a human skeleton was found holding a puppy.

In the earlier years of civilization, dogs provided special duties. As early as the early 1800’s, dogs were used to assist police stations regarding high crimes. A dog was used to sniff out a criminal who could not be found a police search team. Due to the lack of police officers on a police force, dogs were used to do security rounds to ensure the security within towns.

During the last 55 years, we have seen benefits that affect the human body regarding the ownership or relationships with dogs. Paws for People, is an organization that explains the benefits of dogs in therapy. Physical benefits include how dogs assist with lowering the blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, releasing endorphins which cause a calming affect and diminishing physical pain. A dog can facilitate motivation in a person to recover faster in reducing loneliness. The act of petting a pet, produces an automatic relaxation response in humans and reduces the amount of medication that was previously required to relieve pain.

Studies indicated strong emotional benefits for people with depression when being around dogs. Interactions with dogs lifted spirits and lessen depression, decrease the feelings of isolation and alienation. In addition, dogs encouraged communication, provided comfort, increased socialization, reduces boredom and lowered anxiety. Studies done with children who have speech and emotional disorders showed that dogs helped resolve speech and emotional disorders. In children, dogs have been shown to help children focus better and improve literacy skills.

The dog provides an avenue for non-stress, non-judgmental and unconditional love. This produces self confidence and reduces self consciousness. Dogs in physical therapy with humans can assist with increased joint movement and improve the recovery time with walking. This maintains or increases motor skills and provides motivation to move more, stretch farther and exercise longer.

Studies conducted in the elderly, demonstrated that patients with chronic illness and cardiac issues have prolonged life due to owning a pet. Owner of dogs or those who are close to a dog find an avenue of physical health benefit with their companion. The presence of a dog in a room helped decrease blood pressure. Decreased depression and anxiety are also benefits that have been associated with having a dog close by.

As I pondered the benefits of walking my dogs, each morning and night I realized that I walk at least 2-3 miles a day. This daily routine with my dogs, has improved my health, increased my strength, made me realize how fortunate I am that I can smell the Spring air and watch the morning light wake up the mountains around me.

April 13, 2015

National Volunteer Week ~ April 12 – April 18

This week, Americans celebrate National Volunteer Week. I thought this was noteworthy for us at St. Anne’s since we are blessed by the kindness of volunteers throughout the year and on special occasions as well. This commemoration has been recognized by the government and is also honored by various organizations on the local level. Not that our volunteers do this for selfish reasons, but according to an article on this week, volunteers can have the added benefits of “increased satisfaction, improved sense of belonging, lower blood pressure, increased protection from Alzheimer’s, and decreased mortality.” Who hasn’t felt the gratification of having lent a hand and getting a job done?

At. St. Anne’s, we will be honoring our volunteers at a special gathering in May, but I’d like to take the opportunity now to thank all those who volunteer at St. Anne’s in various capacities. For more information on our volunteer program, please visit: https://stannesguesthome.org/Volunteers.html.

On a personal level, I am grateful to the ladies who fill in for me, doing reading hour and Bible Study for me when I am away at times.

There are so many ways that our volunteers help us and we appreciate it!

If you are a St. Anne’s Volunteer, I’d be happy to share your thoughts on volunteering; please let me know!

April 6, 2015

April—Fair Housing Month

At St. Anne’s, along with our Basic Care unit, we also offer low-rent housing in efficiency departments. (For more information on the distinctions between levels of care, see my article from last fall.)

I’d like to share an article which our former resident, Scott, wrote in our newsletter a couple years ago for the occasion of fair housing month:

Food, clothing and shelter are the absolute necessities of our life. All these are essential for all.

Beginning with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, which focused on fair, non-discriminating housing, the federal government passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This insured the opportunity for everyone to be able to get a fair deal on renting and buying homes. Generally, in addition to the anti-discrimination aspect of housing, affordable housing is available to many people. Usually, on housing assistance, 30% of one’s income goes into rent with the balance taken care of through this Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program. St. Anne’s is involved in the HUD program.

April is Fair Housing Month. Social organizations, religions and the government help in getting people housing. There is still a problem of homelessness but there is a great effort today to make homelessness only a temporary situation for individuals.

April 1, 2015

News from St. Anne’s…April Fools

We had some fun with our resident newsletter, The Broadcaster, this month; we claimed that April Elves got a hold of our computers so the front and back pages are full of fun, made up articles of news from St. Anne’s. If you haven’t seen it already, check it out! If you’d like to get our newsletter via email on a monthly basis, please let us know; it is normally not available online. Below is a preview of the first page.

March 31, 2015

Spring has sprung with spring cleaning fun!

Little did I know on Friday, when I decided to scrub the floors, that it was National Cleaning Week. Because many of the floors at our convent are waxed, I didn’t want to use my favorite vinegar-water, for fear of removing the polish. Instead I used warm water with a splash of dish soap. I’ve learned that there are lots of different products one can use for the same thing, and just as many theories about which is better. An article on Mother Nature Network provided an interesting, comprehensive breakdown of the various cleaning solutions. I’d encourage you to visit that site, as it offers the pros and cons in a clear and helpful manner.

One of our volunteers at St. Anne’s, Kathy Lieberg, has more information to share. She’s learned about home-made cleaning products, which she appreciates because you “can avoid harsh chemicals and save money.” She finds that “they work wonderfully!”

Kathy shared with me a sampling of just some of the many homemade cleaners that can be made using ingredients you probably have on hand; I’d like to pass this information on to you.

“OxyClean Cleaner”
1 part baking soda
1 part peroxide
2 parts water

CarpetCleaner
1 cup peroxide
a few drops of Dawn soap

Orange/Vinegar Cleaner
Fill a quart jar with orange peel. Add white vinegar to top – let stand 2 weeks and drain into sprayer. Save your orange peels in a bag in the freezer until you have enough to fill a quart jar.

March 17, 2015

Caffeine Awareness Month

Compiled by Retired Nurse, Kathy Neumann

St. Anne’s Guest Home serves de-caffeinated coffee for our residents, but maybe caffeine isn’t so bad after all! Coffee gets a bad rap, but studies show this habit can actually be good for you. People who drink a cup or two have a lower skin cancer risk, and coffee may also help fight cavities.

“Coffee is incredibly rich in antioxidants, which are responsible for many of its health benefits,” it may play a protective role in some health conditions, whether you go for decaf or regular.

You may be surprised to learn that coffee can also decrease your odds of developing a stroke by 25%. It also reduces the risk of diabetes because it is rich in minerals of magnesium and chromium, which may help control blood sugar levels. Stress can be reduced by coffee. People with a family history who drink coffee are less likely to develop the debilitating neurological disease. Coffee drinkers also have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Type II diabetes and many other diseases.

Also, in one study, women who drank a cup of coffee more than four times a day had a reduced risk of breast cancer. Also, mouth and throat cancers were found to be 40% less in people who drank four or more cups daily. An important point: unfiltered coffee contains up to 80 times as many coffee-specific fatty acids, which have been linked to slower growth of cancerous cells. Heart disease can be lowered also by this bad habit.

But, enough about coffee – here’s some more information about caffeine in general…

One can feel the effects of caffeine in as little as 10 minutes, and makes one most alert after 45 minutes and may last up to 3 to 5 hours.

Bees also love caffeine, and it helps their brains too!

However, people with certain health issues, such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar, are encouraged to limit their caffeine intake. Overdoing it with caffeine can lead to interrupted sleep or even insomnia, stomachaches, a racing heart, nervousness, irritability, and nausea. Cappuccinos add a lot of calories to your coffee and can actually raise your risk for diseases like stroke and diabetes.

Resources:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/0310/9-healthy-reasons-to-drink-coffee.aspx

http://mic.com/articles/84925/14-surprising-facts-about-caffeine-explained-by-science

March 10, 2015

Card party, anyone – Seniors benefit from ‘the shuffle’

On multiple levels, card playing can be very beneficial for seniors. Playing card game with others, along with having the value of brain stimulation, have the added bonus of social interaction. Our activities staff often play cards with residents. When I work the front desk here in the evenings, I also offer residents the opportunity to stop by for some games of cards. We used to have quite the crowd that would come, necessitating the use of a card table pulled up to the desk and chairs and a stool gathered from all parts of the office. More recently, less people have been coming, which is really too bad since card playing is very beneficial for mental and social stimulation.

Games which stimulate the mind, according to Boomers-with-elderly-parents.com, may slow various forms of dementia.

Furthermore, this same source shares that “games involving acuity, concentration and focus enhance the brain’s capability to utilize and stimulate brain cells, electrical connections and keep neural pathways open and functioning.”

Along with card games, board games, logic and crossword puzzles, etc. can help with mental and cognitive functions, to which helps with reasoning, problem solving, memory, processing and concentration.

According to an article by Stephanie Henkel, “decline in brain power…can be slowed by exercising our brains and challenging our new brain cells with a variety of stimulating activities.” Another interesting point she makes is that “just as our bodies need physical exercises and training to keep fit, so our brains need to be exercised…”

Actually, games that require more skill and strategy are better, such as pinochle, bridge or canasta, according to this same source. Making a periodic effort to learn new games is also suggested, however, I have learned that some people simply often don’t have the motivation or mental capacity for this. One of my favorites doesn’t do a ton for brain stimulation, but is good to keep you moving physically, and that is “spoons.”

Another article on the benefits of card playing adds some additional considerations:

“Cards are portable…” Also, along with the mental advantages, playing cards can help people “improve their fine and gross motor skills” and hand-eye coordination. Another point this article shared is that “shuffling and dealing may help quicken your reflexes.” For those who lack the dexterity, as they age, to hold all their cards easily, I’ve seen rack devices where they can place their cards and which can be very helpful.

March 7, 2015

Ideas Welcome

I’d love to hear from you about topics that you’d like to see covered on “The St. Anne’s Scoop.” If you have ideas to share, please send me an email at: stannesguesthome@gmail.com – or write a reply/comment here. Thanks for getting “The Scoop!”

March 7, 2015March 2, 2019

How much do you know about pretzels?

This article was originally published on March 3rd on my blog for our Religious Community, “Our Franciscan Fiat.”

Did you know that pretzels are a Lenten food? Their shape is meant to resemble arms crossed in prayer or penance. Catholicculture.org has some interesting information about them. They may be made using the simple ingredients of flour, yeast, water, and salt, not requiring eggs, milk or butter (which in times past had been forbidden during Lent).

This past week, along our St. Anne’s Activity Director, Shelly, I made soft pretzels for our residents’ afternoon snack after bingo. Before this, our residents’ favorite pastime, Shelly read to them about the spiritual history of these “little arms” (Latin: bracellae) We had fun throughout the games, joking about pretzels. I especially enjoyed picking on (in fun) one of our ladies who could live on pretzels. We even went so far as to have them call out “pretzel” instead of bingo.

In all seriousness, the sight of a pretzel can serve as a reminder to me and you of the call to prayer and penance, especially during Lent.

Sr. Christina M. Neumann, OSF

PS: I usually wear that goofy hat when I call bingo, but that’s a whole other story!

Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe

1 and 1/2 cups warm water
1 packet active instant yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
4 cups flour
coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Directions:

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix all ingredients except coarse salt. Knead dough well. Let rest and raise for ½ hour. Make long ropes and shape like pretzels.
Preheat oven to 375. Boil for 30 seconds or more in a bath of baking soda and water(about ½ c. soda to 8 c. water). Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake on cookie sheets at 375 for 25 min. or until nicely golden. You can serve them warm, and even add cinnamon and sugar.

March 3, 2015

March is International Listening Awareness Month – 15 tips for good listeners

As we observe this month, I have to share a humorous story from the med. line at St. Anne’s. We Sisters eat supper across from the nursing office and often hear the comments and conversations of residents who are in line. One evening, over a year ago, two ladies (both hard of hearing) really gave us cause to chuckle. After several minutes of unsuccessfully trying to get a message across to her comrade, the other lady finally shouted “Do you have trou-ble with your hear-ing?” I guess you kind of had to be there, but we still laugh about it to this day.

Having good hearing definitely has its advantages, but, regardless of one’s auditory acuteness, we can all try to be good listeners. Serving at St. Anne’s, this month is a good reminder to me of how important it is to truly listen to people, to take the time to be attentive. Sometimes, I find that I am busy, yet a person needs my attention. This Listening Awareness Month is another reminder to me to stop (when possible) and really listen to our residents, regardless of my other priorities. Whatever your situation may be, I’d like to encourage making the time and effort to listen to others.

15 key points for good listening:

http://www.sitepoint.com offers some excellent advice.

First, stop talking.
Stop everything you’re doing and listen.
Use “inviting body language” – tell them by your posture that you’re open and listening (uncross your arms, face the person who is speaking, nod, etc.)
Don’t be planning out what you will say next.
Be open-minded and avoid passing judgment on the speaker.
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Don’t interrupt.
Get clarification for a better understanding of what was said. An informative article from the Chicago Tribune offers other insights:
Focus on the other person, not on you’re thinking…Absorb the feedback…be sure you are really taking in the information the other person is giving you.

Another helpful sight on being a good listener further suggests that “active listening is blocked by your inward thinking, open out and look at the problems from the other person’s perspective.” Furthermore, “by being a good listener this can also help you become better friends with the person by getting to know more about them.” I think many of our people here can really use a good friend, one who listens. The article offers a cute, but poignant comment: “Remember that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason…you should be listening more than you are talking.” Some more helpful tips they offer are:

Use eye contact to show that you’re interested.
Avoid comparing the person’s experiences to your own.
Absorb what they’re telling you; try to remember what they’re saying.
Show them you were listening: the next time you see the person, follow up with a question about what they told you before.
“Put aside your own needs, and wait patiently for the other person to unfold their thoughts at their own pace and in their own way.”
Avoid saying “I” or “me” a lot. This is a good indicator that you’re focusing more on yourself than on the person’s situation.