Thought for the Day: When you think you have no Energy left to give...You need to Recharge your Batteries!

Also known as …”It’s all about your Energy”

Don’t you wish that these energy drinks could be given intravenously? (not really ?) There are so many things that drain us and zap our energy.  Stress, people, doctors, family, kids, the list goes on.

Here are a few suggestions to help your energy blahs:

• Evaluate your nutrition, and take an honest look at the fuel you are giving your body….it may need some improvement.

Are you taking whatever vitamins you need to be taking, if your nutrition is not all that it is cracked up to be?

• Are you exercising…at all? Even walking helps release endorphins to improve energy and encourages a sense of well-being, and that includes walking between the bedroom and kitchen too!
• Get a pedometer and actually see how much you are walking or running around each day.
• Start to chart your activity and see if you can incorporate some exercises for you, whether you are the patient or care partner.  No one lost points for exercising in a seated position!

Here is the reality:  your body cannot perform well, if it is running on empty.  Tell us what you need help with, associated with taking care of YOU!  If you are going to be “IN IT TO WIN IT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES”… unless everything is perfect, then you are doing a great job J!

What is preventing you from doing the right thing to maintain your health?  There are enough books out there to tell you what to do, and I’ll bet you all could tell stories about what you’ve tried and failed at, when working on a diet or your nutrition.  But this isn’t about what we did that didn’t work.  We have to develop a plan that WILL WORK for you and for so many others out there that need support from YOU, to believe that they have what it takes to be better.

Tell us your stories on our blog, or through Contact US.  We want to help you make the difference for you!

 “Now, let’s get going”  xo Sally

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Tom Derrough
Assistant Pastor-Englewood United Methodist Church
Englewood, FL

Tom was born in Gainesville, Florida and has lived in Florida throughout his life. He graduated from Melbourne High School, attended and graduated from the University of Florida and the Candler School of Theology. Tom was ordained an Elder in 1977.
Tom has been married to Ginny for 37 years. He enjoys pets (dogs and cats), long morning walks and wood working.
I met Tom in 1994, when I was attending Grace United Methodist Church in Venice, FL. He baptized my two daughters and became one of the main reasons we attended that church. He has a gift. Well, actually he has many gifts, but he has the ability to convey a spiritual message with sincerity and down to earth examples that make the listener stay right with him.
Tom has had some recent health challenges and was not sure which path he was going to take during his recovery. He accepted a part time position at a local church, and I was most grateful when a patient's wife told me that he was involved at the Englewood Methodist Church. I attended the service where this audio recording was made. Tom is covering a portion of the Ten Commandments: #5 -Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. #6 – You shall not murder. #7 – You shall not commit adultery.
Enjoy this message, and to the caregivers out there, this will have a special meaning. "Now, let's get going." xo Sally

This is a great Thought For The Day, especially with all of the web site changes we are trying to make.? When you know that change is needed, to sit back and think that you can wait until tomorrow, or if you try to talk yourself out of it, you lose.

You lose the chance to remind yourself how to create something new. When we feel that our confidence is shaky, when it comes to believing that we can be successful, we stay in a place that is not where we need to be. Change is never easy, but change is necessary if you want to achieve your next goal.

No one can change you, but you have to allow new thoughts and new ideas to believe that your next effort is worth it. You may be older, not able to get around as well as you used to, or feel that you have lost your interest. Depression is a lonely place, and if you are clinically depressed you need to see your doctor. Many people with neurological diseases are organically depressed, meaning that their serotonin level is reduced secondary to their disease process, so they feel lousy but don't want to discuss the problem with their doctor or medical professionals because they are embarrassed, that they cant push themselves forward on their own.

If that describes you,get with it! Talk to your doctor and get some guidance. Send us a message through Contact Us and let us know what you are dealing with.

Join Sallycares.com today, and start moving forward! ?Now let's get going! xo Sally

This article will start a new series of general information to answer different questions sent to us by you! Please submit your questions through the web site at Contact Us.
Always remember that the thoughts expressed at Sallycares.com are never intended to take the place of the advice of your treating medical professionals.

I often hear people say things like: "Why are there so many more people getting Parkinsons Disease now, than you ever heard about years ago? You never used to hear about Parkinsons Disease so much."

From my experience it does feel like the diagnosis is seen more often, but it is happening for at least three reasons.
• There is more awareness of the disease on the part of general practitioners and internal medicine professionals.
• We have an aging population that will start to demonstrate symptoms that look like Parkinsons Disease, by default – associated with changes in the brain.
• People are frequently misdiagnosed and told they have Parkinsons Disease, when they might have another condition that looks similar to it.

It is not really unusual for neurologists who specialize in Parkinsons Disease and the class of conditions called Movement Disorders, (which Parkinsons Disease is included in), to see patients that have been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and be on placed on medication to treat it, and actually have Essential or Familial Tremor or one of the imitators of Parkinsons Disease.

One of the reasons this happens is that there still isn't an objective test that's readily available that separates the diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease from other conditions that are similar. That makes it a challenge for the physician who is doing the diagnosing, and because the condition changes and new features develop that may or may not be consistent with Parkinsons Disease, what starts out looking like Parkinsons Disease may evolve into another condition.

Knowing that, it is very important for you and your family to pay attention to what is happening to you. It is critically important to start a journal where you objectively write down physical changes, changes in personality, changes in thinking skills, and anything else you see. Take that information to the medical appointments you have. It will help your treatment team monitor treatment and make adjustments in medications.

Stay on top of any physical condition you have. Learn how to be your own ADVOCATE whether you are a patient or caregiver. Start your JOURNAL today! Join Sallycares.com. Send us a message at Contact Us and let us know if this helps you, and what you are interested in learning about. You are important to us!

Know that we are here to help you! xo Sally

"I had my Will and Power of Attorney paperwork done a long time ago, why should I worry about it?"

Some people seem to avoid having their legal documents drawn up.  Things like a Living Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and even a Trust.  Let me say right now that I am not an attorney, nor do I profess to know the ins and outs of preparing those types of documents.

But this is what I do know:  people tend to avoid getting their affairs in order and keeping them updated.

I usually find that people will have their initial documents drawn up when they have reached their 40’s, mainly because they have children and there is a sense of responsibility to protect the family if an unexpected death or illness were to occur.  Those documents are usually put in a safe or filed somewhere, and forgotten.

Here is the message that you want to keep in mind; whenever there is a change in your financial or health status, you need to have those documents reviewed and determine if a change needs to be made.

As we get older, many people don’t even remember what their initial documents said.  Who did we say would be the Executor of our Will?  How was the power of attorney specified?  Did we actually do a Trust or did we just have a Will?

Years ago there was not as big of an emphasis on naming a Health Care Surrogate, or a person to make decisions for your healthcare if you are not able to state your choices for treatment, but there is now.  If you were involved in a bad car accident and were unable to talk due to loss of consciousness, and taken to a hospital, your Health Care Surrogate, Living Will and your Power of Attorney documents would be requested as soon as you arrived in the Emergency Room.  Where are those documents?

Find them.  Look them over.  We are going to discuss how important each one of these documents in this section, over the next few weeks. So find your important papers, and let’s see if your paperwork still says what you need it to say!  "Now, lets get going!"    xo Sally

 Link: AHCA Health Care Advance Directives Documents

This article is part of a new series of general information to answer different questions sent to us by you!  Please submit your questions through the web site at Contact Us.   Always remember that the thoughts expressed at Sallycares.com are never intended to take the place of the advice of your treating medical professionals.

What should I expect when I am admitted to a hospital for a procedure-when I have Parkinsons Disease?

I don’t think anyone of us wants to be admitted to a hospital.  There are times when hospitals are absolutely essential, and people are admitted due to an acute illness with a need for immediate attention.  Then there are elective admissions. 

Elective admissions are the ones you sign up for.  The most common elective admissions are for orthopedic procedures; like a total hip or knee replacement.

When you are admitted to a hospital in an emergency, there is no time to prepare.  It is always in your best interest to have the following documents in your glove compartment:

1. A list of your current medical conditions
2. A list of your medications (the mg. dose and how often they are taken)
3. Your emergency contacts
4. A copy of your living will

For an elective admission you have to have all of the above information and be prepared to have an advocate by your side if you have a condition like Parkinsons Disease, or any medical condition that requires you to take your medication at timed intervals.  Most Parkinsons patients take their medications three or four times a day.  The timing of those intervals is critical for them to function.

What you will find in the hospital setting is that your medication time schedule and the hospital’s ability to deliver your medications to you on your time schedule will most likely not happen. So what do you do?  How do you plan?

Talk to your treating physicians and have this discussion PRIOR to your hospitalization. If your orthopedic surgeon is preparing to replace your knee joint, he or she may not have a clear understanding of how critical the timing of your medications are, and how they influence your ability to get in and out of bed, go to the bathroom, shower, or do basically everything.  There are some situations where physicians can write the order for the patient and/or their family member to self-medicate those medications where timing is critical.  It requires permission and cutting some red tape, but it can happen.

Being prepared is the key.  Being proactive is critical.  Do not expect anyone to care about your medication timing schedule as much as you do.  If the nurses swear they can get your medications to you on time, let them try, with the condition that if they aren’t able to do it, they will let you or a family member take it over.

Stay on top of any physical condition you have.  Learn how to be your own ADVOCATE whether you are a patient or caregiver.   Keep a Journal of your condition and an accurate list of your medications!

Join Sallycares.com.  Send us a message at ContactUs and let us know if this helps you, and what you are interested in learning about.  You are important to us!  Know that we are here to help you! xo Sally

This article is part of a new series of general information to answer different questions sent to us by you!  Please submit your questions through the web site at Contact Us.   Always remember that the thoughts expressed at Sallycares.com are never intended to take the place of the advice of your treating medical professionals.

 Thought for the Day:  If you think you don’t have much to look forward to…start thinking of new things!             

 If you wake up each morning and think you have nothing to look forward to, then you don’t have anything to look forward to.  Our thoughts make us who we are. 

If you are not spiritual, it is more difficult.  If you are spiritual…sometimes it is still difficult, but you have hope. Hope of a better life. The belief that there is an opportunity to grow, somehow, from the challenges that you face comes from believing that there is a plan for your life.

Right now you are living one part of that plan.  There is more to come, and the learning that you can experience may be more than one type.  You may have already demonstrated more patience than you ever believed possible.  You may have decided that a little dust here and there is not the end of the world.

The question at hand is WHAT do you look forward to?  If your answer is a bit shaky, well, think of things that you can control.  Do you look forward to working in your garden?  Reading a good book? Working on a hobby? 

If you cannot remember the last time you did something that you enjoyed, then YOU need to change YOU.  The internet is an amazing tool that can allow you to communicate with people near and far.  You can communicate with people who are experiencing a circumstance like yours, or maybe their situation is more difficult than yours.  It is often said that if you put your problems up against three other people’s problems, you would take yours back.  There are many people out there who have challenges that are more difficult than yours, but somehow they seem to not be as affected.

Learn to look forward to each day.  Every morning presents a new opportunity for growth.  You can do this!  Send us your thoughts through Contact Us.  Let us know what gets you stuck. 

Let’s get you unstuck! 

Join the Sallycares.com Community.

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.” Wayne Dyer

Make a choice today that is a positive one. Pick one issue in your life that you want to see improve and take on a plan to build a positive change! Then make a plan for change.

Change will happen to you whether you design the plan or someone else does. If you are sitting on the sidelines of life, things still happen around you and to you.

Decide whether you want someone else’s plan for change affect you, or your plan for change affect you. It’s your choice.

If you are leaning towards making a plan for change, GOOD FOR YOU! Write down what you want to change. Then write down the outcome that you want to happen.

Since things don’t magically change, you have to play a part in the change. Write down one thing you are going to do to help the change occur.

For example if you know as a caregiver that you are getting tired and crabby, take the time to sit down and write down 3 things you can do when you feel yourself getting upset. Make the things you pick to do help you in another way. So, if you know you have some drawers that need to be organized, and if they were cleaned out you would feel better, work on one of them when you feel yourself reaching that point of frustration where you may “lose it.” Working on your project will make you feel like you are accomplishing something, and you will be blowing off steam simultaneously!

Being aware of what situations trigger us to be upset and frustrated can be helpful to know.

Start paying attention to what turns you into that person you would rather not be. Learn how to change your behavior by putting another behavior in its place on purpose. Make the Choice to be the better person.

You know that is the right thing to do, but you might need support to make that happen. Join Sallycares.com today and join the Sallycares.com Community. You can send us a message through "Contact Us" and let us know if you have a specific question or need. We may be able to give you some suggestions.

Let us help you! Join today!                  “Now, let’s get going!” xo Sally

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ” C. S. Lewis

Age has a funny way of making people feel like they either need to give up or give in. For some people, it seems that they are just too tired to put up with more stress. For others, doing something different or the idea of setting a new goal at a later time in life may be uncomfortable because they don’t “see the point.” They may even feel that it isn’t worth it.

For the “Seniors” out there who feel that there are no more goals to meet or dreams to dream, we need for you to stop thinking like that.

If we stop dreaming or think that our lives cannot change to experience a sense of having more meaning, we begin a journey that I call “circling the drain.”

You know what happens when things circle the drain. They leave and take everything in their path down the drain with them. The same feeling can happen when you stop believing that there still is more out there for you to do or participate in.

Age brings the gift of knowledge and experience. My Mother used to say she went to the “School of Hard Knocks.” There are a lot of people that have attended classes there and come out winners. Are you one of those students? What skills did you learn and continue to have? Can those skills be used to help someone else? Have you ever considered that YOU have something to offer? You do. Everyone does.

Think about a goal for yourself. Take your age out of the thinking process. Age is only a number. The skill you have to offer may change someone’s world. You don’t see it, because you aren’t looking. In fact you aren’t even thinking of anything you have to offer. You do.

One of the reasons that young people in today’s society don’t know many skills, outside of the electronic world, is because they haven’t been around anyone who can show them. Gardening, quilting, cooking, auto repairs, you name it. People today need to be subjected to skills they don’t have.

Reinvent yourself. Age doesn’t matter. Your purpose is what matters. Join Sallycares.com today and let us know what your purpose is and how you arrived at that conclusion. If you don’t have a purpose and need one, send us a message at “Contact Us,” and let’s figure out some ideas to think about. You have all the power! “Now, let’s get going!” xo Sally