Welcome to the I-CARE Weekly Post! We are excited to post regular updates about what is going on in our world and yours. We hope to bring news about events we've attended, ones we're going to and quick thoughts on tips and resources to help you.
According to www.womenshealth.gov, the week of May 13-19 has been set aside as a week long focus on ways for women to improve their health. The theme for 2012 is: It's Your Time. This effort has been coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. Per the site "it brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority."
Womenshealth.gove suggests the following steps for a woman to improve her physical and mental health:
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Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
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Get active.
- Eat healthy.
- Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.
So, Ladies, it is time to take care of YOU! Men, it is your time to let your lady know how much she means to you and encourage her to take care of herself.
Often times ladies are helping to give care for someone they love. So if you are a caregiver and you find that you need help with how to manage caregiver stress, please contact your local I-CARE coordinator.
To find your local coordinator's contact information go to http://www.mssohio.org/i-care-service-map.html?layout=item
To our Mothers.
This Sunday, May 13, we will be honoring and remembering our mothers.
Moms, whether you are here with us or with our Heavenly Father…we honor you!
God's Helpers
God could not be in every place
With loving hands to help erase
The teardrops from each baby's face,
And so He thought of mother.
He could not send us here alone
And leave us to a fate unknown;
Without providing for His own,
The outstretched arms of mother.
God could not watch us night and day
And kneel beside our crib to pray,
Or kiss our little aches away;
And so He sent us mother.
And when our childhood days began,
He simply could not take command.
That's why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother's.
The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life's sun rose higher in the sky.
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother.
And when life's span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again,
That ever-faithful mother.
--George W. Wiseman
Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!
A most important part of our job as I-CARE coordinators can be summed up in a word; connection.We work to connect our clients to services that may assist them, we work to strengthen the connection between lodges or Chapters and those we serve who have, for many different reasons, little contact with their fellow members.
Let me tell you about how important the web of connection was recently in serving one of my clients. I got a call from a caregiver who was finding it difficult to meet the increasing demands of that role. She talked to her loved one’s doctor about how they needed a lift chair but had limited resources. The doctor referred her to Cornerstone Helping Hands, Cornerstone referred her to I-CARE, I contacted Browning Masonic Community who stores some durable medical equipment that Scottish Rite offers, when available, for loan to Masons. Thanks to Jennifer, Laurel and Jay of Browning staff, my client was connected to a used lift chair available for loan, and assisted with arrangements to pick it up. She reports that the chair has already proved to be much help in the effort to continue to care for her loved one at home.
I am always inspired by how these Masonic connections make us all stronger and better able to serve senior members.
Sow a Seed. . . .
This week we honor all volunteers and especially our I-Care Committee volunteers. The best of these shall remain nameless but often their beginnings came at their own time of sorrow and need. How often this happens—where with our own strife comes our greatest successes. Truly, the time, energy, and happiness we give away always come back tenfold. So, this spring, perhaps in your time of need, sow a seed and have a great season of growing!
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and you are itching to get outside. Your garden is complete and your porch is ready for you to take a seat with your favorite beverage. How about before you start to relax you take a walk?
Walking is a great exercise for beginners. It is low impact, easily done almost anywhere and the only requirement is well fitting shoes.
Research shows that seniors who participate in an ongoing exercise program are healthier and more active than other senior citizens their age. Always get permission from your physician first before taking on this activity.
First find a flat area with no hills or detours to disrupt your walking. You will want to warm up your body. Start by stretching your arms, walking in place and pumping your hands to get your blood flowing. You can start off walking at 15 minute intervals and gradually add five minutes each walk. You can begin going three times a week and increase to daily if comfortable for you.
In times of bad weather when you don't have a treadmill at home, walking the mall is a great option. You are in a public area and there is a lot of visual stimulation. On the website www.walking.about.com/od/seniors there is a wealth of information about walking for beginners in regards to technique, posture and advice! So before you take that relaxing seat.....how about a walk?
Love and Gratitude-
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might". - Deuteronomy 6:5
Enjoy this time spiritual time of renewal and reflection with your family and with your friends.Show gratitude to God for all the good things He has given to us. For it is in loving yourself, your family and all of God’s creations that you are loving Him completely.
Happy Easter and Passover to everyone!
