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Self-Compassion by K. Neff – A book review

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In Kristin Neff’s (Ph.D.) self-help book, “Self-Compassion“, she does a great job of explaining the benefits of a healthy level of self-compassion and self-appreciation. She is heavy on the Buddhist philosophy, recognizing that the human experience involves pain and we are all imperfect. Although she says self-esteem and self-compassion go well together, I appreciate how she makes comparisons and explains the differences between the two. She refers to loads of research, including her own, combined with her own personal stories and anecdotes to drive the messages home in a simple-to-understand way.

I appreciate her easy-to-read and personal style of writing. As a social worker, I can see applying these concepts to not only work I do with others, but also to myself. Her exercises provide practical and easy ways to explore self-compassion in a non-threatening way. The “self-compassion mantra” is especially helpful. “Taking care of the caregiver” exercise gives the caregiver many ideas of ways to meet his/her own needs and enhance quality of life (ex. get a massage, take a walk in nature, go dancing). Many other exercises provide tools and examples of how to explore the subject in a personal way.

Overall, this book makes me think about self-compassion, self-care and how we are not really “taught” how to take care of ourselves. It leaves me with more questions and has ignited my interest and curiosity in the subject.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
Author/Specialist in Aging
www.AngelaGGentile.com

Resident-to-Resident Deaths In Long-Term Care Homes

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Photo credit: “Old Woman” by Graur Razvan Ionut, Freedigitalphotos.net

Calling for Violence-Free Nursing Homes

I have spent a great deal of my career working in care facilities for older adults. Although the name of this type of institution changes, the purpose for these types of facilities is always the same.

Nursing Homes, Residential Care Facilities, Supportive Housing, Personal Care Homes are terms used to describe facilitates and housing environments where older adults with physical and/or cognitive impairments are housed together in a communal setting. This is the “last resort” for many, as we know most people would prefer to live in their own homes. These “Homes” provide 24-hour care and supervision, and usually includes skilled nursing care.

Many people who live in these facilities have Alzheimer’s or some other related form of dementia (or neurocognitive disorder -that’s the new term now). Behaviour problems can result and sometimes residents who have dementia can cause harm to others, and sometimes it results in death. I have taken a particular interest in this subject and have studied and written on it.

I was thrilled when I saw an editorial written for JAMDA, calling for more research, policy and prevention in this area. Eilon Caspi, BSW, MA, PhD, writes “Deaths as a Result of Resident-to-Resident Altercations in Dementia in Long-Term Care Homes: A Need for Research, Policy and Prevention” in the Journal of the Medical Directors Association (January 2016). I also saw that Dr. Caspi had referenced our work on the “Seeking Action for Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities” advocacy and information website I maintain along with my social work colleagues Eleanor Silverberg and Victoria Brewster.

I invite you to join us in our quest to end violence in long-term care facilities. Please contact me if you have any concerns, questions or ideas.

Regards,

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

http://www.AngelaGGentile.com

 

Aging Well Reading List by Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW (2015)

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Here is a collection of books I have found helpful regarding aging well and I would recommend:

Altoonian, Linda (2009). Living Agelessly: Creating a Lifestyle for Midlife and Beyond.

Campbell, Lori (2013). Awaken Your AgePotential: Exploring Chosen Paths of Thrivers.

Fonda, Jane (2011). Prime Time: Love, health, sex, fitness, friendship, spirit. Making the most of all of your life.

Hill, Robert D. (2008). Seven Strategies for Positive Aging.

Karpf, Anne (2014). How to Age.

LaRoche, Loretta (2007). Juicy Living, Juicy Aging: Kick Up Your Heels…Before You’re
Too Short to Wear Them.

Life Planning Network (2013). Live Smart After 50! The Experts’ Guide to Life Planning
for Uncertain Times.

Pfeiffer, Eric, M.D.(2013). Winning Strategies for Successful Aging.

Scarcello, Jaki (2010). Fifty and Fabulous! The Best Years of a Woman’s Life.

Snowdon, David, Ph. D. (2001). Aging with Grace: What the nun study teaches us
about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives.

513AjYwrTQL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_Townsend Winter, Cheryl, Dr. (2013). The Aging Gracefully Pathway: A Toolkit for the Journey.

Vaillant, George M.D. (2002). Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development.

Weil, Andrew M.D. (2007). Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being.

Whyte, John (2011). Is this Normal? The Essential Guide to Middle Age and Beyond.

Wilder, Barbara (2005). Embracing Your Power Woman: Coming of Age in the Second Half of Life.

For more information: www.AngelaGGentile.com
email: CaretoAge@gmail.com phone: (204) 298-1012

50 Plus Living Show – Winnipeg Review

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IMG_2442On Sunday October 18, 2015 I attended the 50 Plus Living Show in Winnipeg. It is “The Show Designed with Baby Boomers and Seniors in Mind.” It was held at the Assiniboia Downs Saturday 10-5pm, and Sunday 11-5pm. Parking for the event was $5.00, but when I presented my parking voucher at the front door, they took it and and that was my entry into the event. I was there for over three hours!

There were many tables on skin care (anti-aging), travel, financial/wealth management, and home health products. There were also a number of other different and interesting services and products such as realtors, health supplements, and jewelry. There were three rows with tables on each side, the length of the building. I estimate about 45 tables. There was also entertainment and speakers.

I picked up many brochures and received many free treats such as chocolate candies and Werther’s. I even got a bottle of water and an apple and some hand sanitizer. Many tables were giving out nice pens, too. I had my back scanned by a chiropractor, and tried samples of skin care products. I even got a sitting shoulder and back massage!

I entered many free draws, there was even a draw for an Apple Watch!

Here are some of the tables (and people) I visited and/or chatted with (in no particular order):

  • Canada One Travel (Evelyn Sinclair, MCC Cruise Specialist). http://canadaone.travel
  • Riverwood Square (Lindsay Girouard, Health and Wellness Director). www.riverwoodsquare.com
  • Edward Jones: Making Sense of Investing (Blake Abbott, Financial Advisor). www.edwardjones.com
  • Dignity Memorial (Robert “Bob” Hughes, Family Services Counselor). Ph: 204-222-3241
  • Rodan & Fields Skincare Solutions (Linda Russell). www.ltrussell.myrandf.com/ca
  • Liberty Athletic and Medical Supplies. www.libertymed.ca
  • We Care Home Health Services (Pam Fox, Regional Manager, Community Relations Manitoba). www.wecare.ca
  • Heat in a Click (Adam Sawyer).  www.heatinaclick.com/ca 
  • Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (I purchased two $5.00 tickets to St. Vital Centre’s Behind Closed Doors Sale on Sat. Nov. 14, 2015 from 7pm – 10:30pm).  www.cbcf.org
  • Nerium International Skincare (Jessica Heathcote). http://jheathcote.nerium.com
  • Dr. Kimberly Barton of Canteenwala Chiropractic (I had a free posture scan done). www.canteenwalachiropractic.com
  • PopRx – A Free Pharmacy/Medication Tool App. They were featured on Dragon’s Den. (I entered to win an Apple Watch!) www.poprx.ca
  • Young Living Essential Oils (Taralyn Eddy).  I entered to win a travel pack! www.essentiallygrowing.com
  • Heritage Massage Health Made by Hand. I had a free shoulder and back massage, sitting in a massage chair! 1297 Jefferson Ave. Ph: 204-632-4080
  • Synergy Elite Health (Ortho-Bionomy – Mary Thiessen). I had a free Wellness Test Report – but my fingers were too cold for it to work. It shows how much plaque is built up in your arteries. I tasted a sample of her Proargi-9+. It was good. www.marbensales.ca  and www.theNOeffect.com
  • Thrive by Le-Vel (Wilma Fuchs, Brand Promoter). http://wfuchs.Le-Vel.com
  • Timeshare Exit Team. timeshareexitteam.com (The representative said if I find someone who wants to sell their timeshare and I refer them, I get $150.00!)
  • Carolyn Menaar, Realty Executives First Choice. She has a Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation. Ph: 204-885-8999
  •      Carolyn gave me a brochure on Top 10 Aging in Place Design Tips from Two30Nine Living Space Solutions by Decor in Morden, Manitoba www.two30nine.com
  • Nucerity International Skincare (Tricia Soucy-Phillips).  www.triciarae.mynucerity.biz/nuca
  • Epicure. www.patmyron.myepicure.com
  • Clarity Over Clutter (Suan Macaulay).  www.clarityoverclutter.ca
  • National Bank Financial Wealth Management (Clinton Orr). www.nbfwm.ca
  • Cardio Screens Lifeline to Health (Rick Drury). www.scoopandsave.com
  • Sell Off Vacations Lowest Price Guaranteed. www.selloffvacations.com
  • Thirty-One Gifts Canada (Rachael MacDonald)
  • WestCare Health Supplies Ltd.; Abena Canadian Distributor. (Sharon Ponton-Ezako, Incontinence Specialist).  www.westcarehealthsupplies.com
  • CARP – A new vision of aging for Canada (Rene Lewis, Co-Chair Winnipeg West Chapter #47) www.carp.ca
  • Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (Connie Newman, Executive Director) www.manitobaseniorcentres.com
  • Kennedy Cognitive Services, Inc. www.kennedycognitive.com
  • Winnipeg Free Press (Julie Klym, Kiosk Manager)

There were a few other tables that I didn’t get to, such as Juenesse (http://www.agelessiq.com/) and Investor’s Group and some other skin care tables. There was also a group promoting a new housing community in Dugald.

I made some great business-to-business connections and learned a lot about what the 50+ crowd is looking forward to (I turn 50 in 5 months). Seems like travelling, financial management and avoiding wrinkles wins the prize. 🙂

I am looking forward to enjoying my new connections and learning more about the above-noted services and products. I will definitely attend and network again next year!

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

Don’t Let a Hearing Impairment Stop You From Getting Help

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This woman is wearing a Pocketalker and she can hear better!

Don’t let hearing impairment stop you from seeking help!

For counselling or consulting with those who are hearing impaired, I use a “Pocketalker” by Williams Sound with hygienic covers for the earphones (or you can use your own earbuds or earphones). This device can be used with existing hearing aids.

Pocketalker ULws_pkt_d1_ehTRA System

Improve your hearing – improve your life with the new Pocketalker Ultra from Williams Sound! The Pocketalker Ultra amplifies sounds closest to the listener while reducing background noise. The Pocketalker Ultra features a lightweight, ergonomic design for portability and ease of use. Finger tip adjustable volume control allows you to quickly adjust to your listening environment – whether your hearing loss is low frequency or high frequency sounds. The listening accessories jack accommodates for a variety of earphone and headphone options. Use the Pocketalker Ultra with an optional neckloop (NKL 001) to amplify a telecoil-equipped hearing aid.

To purchase a Pocketalker, check out the Williams Sound website.

If you or someone you know has special needs, please let me know and I will accommodate as best as I can.

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW
Specialist in Aging
http://www.AngelaGGentile.com

Image credits:

  • Lady in wheelchair: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81GgA8NyrcL._SL256_.jpg
  • Pocketalker: http://www.williamssound.com/catalog/pkt-d1-eh

Today’s Woman: Life Balance Secrets (Book Review)

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When you read “Today’s Woman: Life Balance Secrets” (2014) by Miriam Castilla, it is like having your own motivational life coach right by your side. Self-awareness, life strategies, and self-care are essential to achieving life balance, satisfaction and fulfilment. Castilla gives you a wide variety of tips on how to do it.

Castilla, an entrepreneur and finance advisor, gets you thinking positive starting at chapter one as she has you determine what your definition of success is. She gives you a step-by-step method to help you visualize what it would feel like to be very successful.  She explains her definition goes like this — “Success is doing all you love and loving all you do.” She helps you come up with your own.

Castilla, uses the “Pinwheel Principle” as an analogy to demonstrate your need for a balanced life in order to be efficient. She describes the ideal “life pinwheel” to be balanced in these four areas: Body, Mind, Self, Others. She states keeping these areas in balance helps you take a holistic approach to having a well-balanced, amazingly satisfied and fulfilling life.

Castilla also gets you thinking about your five core values and your three central ones. Momentum is gained as you define goals in chapter seven. Part three was most helpful to me, in that I was able to hone in on all those practical tips that help me focus on my goals.

Throughout the book, Castilla injects her personal stories to help us understand how the strategies apply. She helps you think about concepts in a different way. For example, in terms of a bucket list, she tells you that she “fills up her bucket” versus strokes things off the bucket list. As another example, she advises you to not be so hard on yourself for being efficient at what you do.

I particularly enjoyed the section called, “Run Away to the Circus” and the need to have a “crazy sh#t friend!” As part of the “Feed Your Soul” teachings, she tells you about all her adventures and it is very amusing and thought-provoking.

Any professional woman will find this book comforting and motivating. “Today’s Woman: Life Balance Secrets” is a delightful, inspiring read.

Buy Now on Amazon:

Today’s Woman – Life Balance Secrets: Practical Tips & Tricks for Overcoming Stress, Guilt and Overwhelm

Angela G. Gentile, MSW, RSW

http://www.AngelaGGentile.com

Read a Sample Chapter of “Caring for a Husband with Dementia”

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Getting a Diagnosis

“The process of figuring out what is causing dementia is often not that simple.” – Angela G. Gentile

In case you are interested, I am offering a sample chapter of my book, Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide. The sample I chose is Chapter 2, Getting a Diagnosis. It is six pages in the book (11-16) and it is a good representation of how most of the chapters are written. It ends with some questions to answer regarding what was covered in the chapter.

I hope this sample will give you a feel for the the way the book is written. I also hope it will give you some information on “Getting a Diagnosis.” (The photo shown here is mine, by the way.)

►Read the sample chapter.

Have a great day!

Angela G. Gentile

Events Page Added to Website

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Hello! I hope this message finds you well.  It’s an exciting time for me and I am starting to get booked up with events – book signings, presentations, etc.

I have started a new page on my website, called Events.

I would love to do an event of some sort for you. Please let me know if you’d like me to present to your group. I speak on caregiving for people with dementia, seniors’ housing and aging well.

I am a specialist in aging, so if you have another great idea related to aging, let me know and I am sure I can tailor the presentation to suit your needs.

Sincerely,

Angela G. Gentile

Where to Find “Caring for a Husband with Dementia”

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where2buyIn addition to being available worldwide online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Caring for a Husband with Dementia: The Ultimate Survival Guide is now available in select bookstores in Manitoba and Ontario.

Find Caring for a Husband with Dementia at these fine stores in Manitoba:

►McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue, at Grant Park Mall, Winnipeg

►Blaine’s, 11-1795 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg

►Chapters Polo Festival, 695 Empress Street, Winnipeg (Local Interest section)

►Coles City Place, 234 Donald Street, Winnipeg (Local Interest section)

►Chapters St. Vital, St. Vital Shopping Centre, 1225 St. Mary’s Street, Winnipeg

►H. P. Tergesen & Sons, 82 1st Avenue, Gimli

 

 

There are always other ways you can get a copy of the book.

(Kindle version also available.)

If you would like to contact Angela about how to get your copy, send her an email.

What is Alzheimer’s Anyways?

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As I was perusing through the Alzheimer’s Reading Room, I came across this video on YouTube. It is a well-done video called, “What is Alzheimer’s Disease?”. It comes from the AboutAlzOrg YouTube channel. Check out this three minute video and come away with a greater understanding of this incurable and fatal disease: What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The more we understand, the more we can help.

Warm regards,

Angela G. Gentile

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Angela G. Gentile, M.S.W., R.S.W. is a clinical social worker who specializes in aging. She has helped hundreds of people who are struggling with the challenges aging can bring. Angela is passionate about challenging ageist myths and stereotypes and exploring what it means to age well. She considers herself a realistic optimist but she still can’t tell her left from her right.