– a great time to remember how important it is to laugh for one’s health and well-being. Medical research has shown that laughter lowers people’s blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, improves the immune system and encourages and improves retention of information. The sound of laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle or sneeze! A wonderful resource for a daily laugh is: www.comedycures.org
Smiles from the Bible:
Q: The ark was built in three stories and the top story had a window to let light in, but how did they work it?
A: They used floodlights!
Q: Who was known as a Mathematician in the Bible?
A: Moses, he wrote the book of Numbers!
Upcoming events to nourish the body and the soul will include:
“Finding Ways to a Healthier Lifestyle: Chicken Soup for the Body and Soul” will be presented from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, in Kensington Room. Share conversation about tips for keeping your mind and spirit healthy and enjoy homemade chicken soup prepared by Klaus Bloecks.
“A Family Systems Perspective on Loss” will be presented by Mary Walshe, LSW, from St. Thomas Hospice at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 11. Reducing anxiety in children and parents during the grieving process will be the focus of this presentation. She will help parents find the language and confidence they need to reach young children and teens as they grieve. There will be a question and answer session and a handout listing community resources available to support grieving children.
“The Importance of Bone Density to your Health” will be presented by Dr. Rajeev Kumar at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, in the Great Lounge of the The King Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge.
“Health Care Choices” will be presented at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 16, by Parish Nurse Ann Gornik, advanced care planning facilitator. She will lead participants in understanding, reflecting and communicating their future medical treatment preferences, especially when they cannot speak for themselves.
National Health Care Decision Day – Friday, April 16 – is designed to help people focus on the choices they need to make about the kind of end-of-life health care they desire, including the treatments that they would (or would not) want in certain circumstances. The completion of Advance Care Planning is essential for people of all ages. A sudden accident or illness could put anyone in a position of being unable to make his or her health care decisions known.
Advanced Care Planning is a process of understanding, reflecting and discussing advanced directives and naming someone as one’s Healthcare Power of Attorney. The following websites are helpful:
www.caringinfo.org/statedownload (Advanced Directive forms)
www.talk-early-talk-often.com/advance-directives.html (What is an Advanced Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?).
Ann Gornik became certified as an Advanced Care Planner Facilitator in January 2009. To make an appointment with her to begin the process of completing an advanced care directive, call her at 352-0730.
“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
Laugh and be well,
Ann Gornik
RN, MSN, FCN, Parish Nurse in partnership with Advocate HealthCare
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