What to talk about with an older person who is terminally ill

Sometimes it is hard to know what to say to a person who is going to die from an illness in a relatively short period of time – maybe 1 to 3 months. Every person is different as is the experience of dying.

After watching my grandmother, my mother-in-law, father-in-law and my father pass away I have become less afraid of the discussions and conversations. I do feel discomfort at times when I am with someone who is looking at the end of life, but now I feel it is more important to share time with the person and give the gift of companionship rather than to run from those feelings.

If the person is mentally aware, then I find it is best to give them a chance to laugh and enjoy time together.

The illness may prevent the person from speaking clearly or at all, but you can engage them by asking for affirmation. Keep the stories light and talk about things the person can relate to, maybe stories from old neighborhoods, work, childhood, travels, and good times. Spend time looking at old photos together.

The summer before my father passed, I took him for walks in a wheel chair along the bay. He enjoyed being outdoors and seeing people walk by pushing strollers, some on bikes and roller blades, others jogging, and some just strolling along. Seventy-five percent made eye contact, smiled, and said hello. Even that minimal human interaction was huge to my father.

If the person wants to talk about dying then listen, and don’t be afraid to laugh when the person cracks a joke about it. Try not to belabor the subject, but let the person talk freely. It is likely to make you uncomfortable, but just your listening may be the best thing you can do to help.

At Maine Warmers, we often receive phone calls from friends and relatives who are looking for gifts of warmth to for people who are terminally ill. When people are not active then circulation is poor and the hands and feet are hard to keep warm. Our Hand Warmers can also slip over the feet, or our extra large Back Warmer can be used to warm extremities as well. We are happy to talk with you about your needs and we try to ship orders within 24 hours for fast delivery.

Tips to help relieve the pain of Osteoarthritis

As you age you may find that you have to deal with the effects of osteoarthritis. Yoga may be just the thing to help you feel good and keep moving. Those who exercise, within a range of appropriate activities, tend to feel better according to Arthritis Today, May/June 2014. Brian Teacher tells how yoga has helped him deal with the effects of osteoarthritis. 

When joints aren’t moving, just like car parts, they get rusty and freeze up. Talk with your physician about exercises that might help you feel better, ask about yoga, and then proceed gradually to avoid muscle pulls.

I practice Yoga 2 to 3 times a week, lift light weights, and do other types of cardiovascular exercise. I respect the age of my body and don’t do every move the teachers do or what the younger set in the class does. After Yoga, I am amazed at how much better I feel.

According to another article in this issue, keeping a positive attitude, feeling genuinely grateful for the things and relationships you have, laughing, and helping others may reduce stress levels and help you feel better. Permission granted to go out and have fun with friends

 Try a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruit and veggies. I found that a gluten-free diet reduced inflammation in my body and allowed me to live without the pain of arthritis. Check out the gluten-free recipes on the Maine Warmers' blog. There is a new recipe every month.

When your joints are feeling stiff, try the heat from a Maine Warmers’ microwave hating pad. Comforting Creatures such as a Cozy Sheep or Dachshund Neck Warmers provide soothing relief and often times bring a smile. Back Warmers can be used for a variety of body parts, like hand, feet, elbows, and knees. 

Avoiding Sugar to Feel Better

According to Arthritis Today (Nov/Dec 2013) lots of sugar can increase inflammation in the body.  So, if you suffer from arthritis, a high blood sugar level may cause you some added pain. How can something that feels so good going down make you feel so bad after?

There are some indications that high blood sugar levels impact cartilage and may be responsible for the deterioration of this important body part. So, to help keep inflammation down and to feel better, a limited amount of sugar in the diet may be just the thing. This is much easier said than done.

This article talks about surviving holiday parties by not overdoing the sugar thing.  But when the party is over and there is an abundance of leftover cookies and chocolates, staying away from them may seem impossible.

If you need to reduce sugar in your diet, enlist the help of other family members. Let them know what you want to do and why, and ask them for gentle help – no ridicule or put-downs.

What can help you avoid giving in to cravings and unnecessary eating? Relaxation techniques recommended by the Mayo Clinic include yoga, meditation, massage, deep breathing, music, and art. Check out the full list and descriptions.

A Maine Warmer is a microwave heating pad that relaxes tense muscles and may help you relax too. Try a Neck Warmer in the shape of an alligator with a big smile on its face. It will warm you as well as help you relax, and during the cold months any extra warmth is welcome. Or give yourself the gift of comfort and relaxation without the calories with an extra large Back Warmer, a healthy indulgence that can help to get you past that feeling of needing something sweet. Have dessert once a week (not every day), and chances are you’ll be feeling better.

Are arthritis and diabetes related?

Scientists are finding a connection between arthritis and diabetes, as sited in the most recent issue of Arthritis Today Magazine, in an article by Linda Rath, Nov. – Dec. 2013. The article states that both arthritis and diabetes are autoimmune diseases that seem to have a genetic relationship.

The author points to concerns that high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels and causes inflammation which contributes to cartilage loss.  A direct connection between diabetes and osteoarthritis is still theoretical, but one thing seems certain, joint pain discourages physical activity, and being active is important in managing diabetes.

Maintaining appropriate weight and sugar levels is important in dealing with both arthritis and diabetes, whether or not there is a medical connection between the two.

Heating a sore joint with a microwave heating pad may help stimulate circulation and improve flexibility, making exercise less painful. At least thirty minutes of activity a day is recommended in the article and avoiding long periods of sitting also helps.

Maine Warmers has a variety of heating pads that can be used to warm hands, knees, hips, feet, and backs. Check out their Alligator heat wrap – a great gift for a child with juvenile arthritis or diabetes or their hand warmer selection for products that bring soothing warmth to painfully cold hands.Their neck and back warmers also bring comfort and could be used instead of turning to high sugar comfort foods.

Managing time as we age

Life has a way of pulling us up short when we try to do too much. My yoga teacher emphasized this frequently, and though I listened, I ignored the advice of slowing down. If there wasn’t a minute filled with something to do, I managed to wedge something in to reduce the gap. I defied the physical limitations brought on by age-related anatomical changes, until my body said, “ENOUGH!”

So, after an injury that I can attribute to doing too much too fast, it’s been a quieter summer here in Maine. Backing off from a jam-packed schedule allows time to prioritize and plan out a more satisfying lifestyle. Thankfully my life is no longer on a full-steam-ahead schedule. Driving is less hectic and more enjoyable; and walking allows time to think and see the flowers growing in the surrounding yards. A slower pace allows time to appreciate all that I have and think more directly how I can be of help to others, which in the end is the most satisfying of activities.

At Maine Warmers, we are committed to helping people with products and services that reach a high level of excellence. Only thoughtful, well-paced planning and communications will help us reach that goal. The products below are only a few of those we offer to help people relax and enjoy a well-paced lifestyle.

Wear & Tear Arthritis

When the smooth, slippery cartilage that protects ends of our bones breaks down and wears away, we may experience pain from the friction of bone on bone when we go to move those joints. There is no cure for this degenerative condition called osteoarthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic, but progression can be slowed. 

Jim Miller, Savvy Senior, in a recent article (April 2012), Exercise one of the best treatments for arthritis, in the Portland Press Herald, recommends keeping fit by stretching each day to maintain flexibility, do weight training and calisthenics to build strength, and aerobic exercises (low impact) to help with circulations and general overall health. He recommends talking with your physician and checking out a local gym, health club, or other exercise programs in your town or city.

Physical and occupational therapists may help us find ways to exercise and adjust our lifestyles to help reduce pain. I think meeting and talking with others who may be experiencing similar issues is a great way to share information that may help work through some difficulties with arthritis. I have found a gluten-free diet has made a huge difference in pain I had from arthritis.

The Mayo Clinic has several recommendations andr home remedies to deal with the condition and discomfort, including losing weight, exercising, some over-the-counter medications, using assistive devices, and using hot and cold therapies.

If you need a heating pad and an ice pack, Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads can do both. All of their products go from the freezer to the microwave and back again. A Knee Pack, Back Warmer, or Neck Warmer may be just the thing to help with flexibility and circulation in stiff joints.

Cars & Body Parts

Our body systems work something like those of a car to keep us traveling over the roads of life. The circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems are synced together to keep us humming along the highway. In our travels, we hit obstacles like detours, potholes, dead ends, wrong turns, and at times we have to stop and move over for emergencies.

Like cars, our bodies sometimes break down -- maybe needing a part replacement or a little additive to help us run more smoothly. Sometimes we may need a minor adjustment from a chiropractor. A fender bender can take us to the body shop, a.k.a. the physical therapist, for training on how to exercise properly and work through some physical set-back. More seriously, a computer glitch may send us to the neurologist to find where a wire or two might be crossed or pinched.

Sometimes the problems are easy to solve -- they hook you up to a diagnostic machine and voila! The body mechanics immediately discover what is wrong. Other times we have to rely on the experience of experts and other diagnostic tools.

Following the rules of the road, stopping to rest and stretch, refueling, keeping our parts moving so they don’t rust and freeze up or dry out are important for optimum health. But even the best cars need mechanical help at times. Having an excellent mechanic is important for body maintenance.

To help keep your body parts moving, exercising is important. Through exercise you may experience some tight muscles. A microwave heating pad from Maine Warmers can help stimulate circulation and increase flexibility in tight muscles. A Neck Warmer or Back Warmer may help keep you on the right road to an active healthy life.