Gentiva’s Post

The holiday season can feel overwhelming for those navigating post-concussion symptoms. Bright lights, loud gatherings, and endless commitments often create the perfect storm for flares. The pressure to “keep up” or “be normal” can feel impossible. Take Sarah, for example. She wanted to host her family’s holiday dinner but worried it would drain her for days. Together, we created a plan that worked for her brain. Instead of hosting the whole evening, she brought a dish and stayed for just an hour. That small shift allowed her to celebrate without sacrificing her recovery. As clinicians, this is where we make the biggest difference. It’s not about avoiding life—it’s about helping clients navigate the season with strategies that honor their healing. Whether it’s setting boundaries, breaking tasks into smaller pieces, or simply giving permission to do less, your support empowers them to find joy in the little wins. What challenges do you or your clients face during the holidays? Let’s chat—I’d love to share ideas and support you as you help others thrive.

The holidays can bring out anxiety in clients, but how can their loved ones recognize this? Our latest blog shares the signs of anxiety that can help loved ones know when something is going on. https://lnkd.in/gjbQq7XT

COVID has changed all of our lives. There is before quarantine, and after. How we communicate, socialize, work, patronize, entertain - it all has changed. And I don't know about ya'll - but it became painfully obvious for me, that being alone TERRIFIED me. There were A LOT of lessons for me in those scary moments. Loneliness & Despair dance hand in hand with Isolation and Depression. I have even heard it said that Loneliness is an epidemic. When we talk about helping each other out, be it a friend, family member, neighbor, co worker, community member, we often go to the big things. But we all have BIG things happening in our lives, so that isn't always possible. That plus so many things happening in the world that we feel powerless to change or help, we often get defeated, and sit there. What about a reframe? Did you know the when a tree falls, and the stump is left, the other trees around it - in its "community" - send it energy to in essence lift it up. Stumps can live a very long time because of the energy of the community life around them. We can help the other plants in our garden, to show them they are not alone. We can do it in little plant care steps, that reflect our realistic capacity at that moment. Taking smaller, more tangible bites to being an aid or support to someone. It can look like: A text, a phone call, a funny gif or meme, special snack left on their doorstep, flower in passing, compliment or even just an unconditional smile. Start at the roots and go up from there. 🪴 https://lnkd.in/g-V_AT2N

For many, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and connection—but for those navigating eating disorder recovery, it can also be one of the most challenging days of the year. At The Emily Program, we recognize the unique pressures of this food-centric holiday. That's why we've created a comprehensive guide to help individuals in recovery, their loved ones, and professionals approach tomorrow’s celebrations with confidence and care. What's inside: 🍂 Grounding strategies for navigating the day 🍂 Tips to foster a recovery-focused environment 🍂 Prompts for redirecting diet and body talk 🍂 Ways to incorporate gratitude into recovery 🍂 Resources for extra support this season Whether you’re on the recovery journey yourself or supporting a loved one or patient, this guide provides actionable tools for resilience and hope this holiday season. Read it now: https://ow.ly/MyB250Uh4nr #EatingDisorders #Recovery #Thanksgiving2024 #MentalHealth

Last year, there were 31 cold weather triggers – a harsh reminder that many of us face the impossible choice between heating or eating. Cold weather can also be tough for those living with arthritis. The drop in temperature often triggers increased joint pain and stiffness, making everyday tasks even more challenging. As the colder months approach, it’s essential to take extra care of yourself or loved ones. With rising costs and colder months ahead, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we’re accessing all the support available. Make sure you check out Turn2us - Tackling Financial Insecurity Together to ensure you and your loved ones are claiming everything you’re entitled to. No one should have to choose between basic necessities. #CostOfLiving #HeatOrEat #Support Picture of our morning walk, with low clouds over the Galloway Hills.

Summer days mean fun in the sun, which comes with the potential for heat-related illness. If someone is showing signs of heat illness, get them to a shaded area and give them something cool to drink if possible. If symptoms do not improve, body temperature reaches 104 degrees Farenheit, or the person seems confused or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately. Learn more about heat-related illnesses at bit.ly/3IWOL72.

In a different way how do you assist yourself to get more information about your illness

Growing Older with Social Media: Facing Grief and Our Own Mortality in a Constantly Connected World One morning, I was scrolling through social media and saw a post that stopped me—a tribute to a friend from my twenties. We’d spent endless hours in coffee shops in Long Beach, dreaming about the future. The news of her passing pulled me back, not just to memories of her but to thoughts of my own life and mortality. I’ve noticed this happening more often—more posts, more people from the past gone, leaving behind only digital memories. Social media has changed how we grieve, bringing news of every passing directly to our screens, whether it’s an old friend, a teacher, or even acquaintances from long ago. With these constant reminders of loss come feelings I never expected, facing the reality of my own life’s timeline as I see others’ lives end. Platforms like Facebook now serve as memorials, where we can share memories and honor those who’ve passed. While these pages can bring comfort and a way to grieve together, the exposure to loss—so frequently and so publicly—is something I struggle with. For those of us aging with social media, this is a new, complex reality. Every notification, every tribute makes me pause and reflect on where I am in life. How do you all manage these feelings? Does it bring you comfort, or is it more difficult to process? Let’s talk about it. #GrowingOlderWithSocialMedia #DigitalGrief #RememberingTogether #MentalHealthAndMortality

Is loneliness just the tip of the iceberg? Sharing this report from Making Caring Common in our ongoing mission to learn more about the underlying causes of loneliness and how we can offer greater support this holiday season: https://lnkd.in/eYEARbrX #endlonelinessma @makingcaringcommon

If you’re worried about what would happen if you were to fall ill and couldn’t support your family, our critical illness cover offers peace of mind with a cash lump sum and flexible options tailored to your needs. Combine it with life cover for extra protection. Let Cherry Godfrey help ease the stress - because you shouldn’t have to worry about finances when facing illness. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eigYfmfe #CherryGodfrey #InsuranceThatValuesYou #CriticalIllnessCover #LifeCover