Blog

Caring for Ourselves: Suggestions for Healthy Grieving

May 10, 2016 — By Jennilu King, Bereavement Counselor at Compassionate Care Hospice As professionals in human services, we often feel ambivalent about how to act when someone we have worked with over a significant time period dies. We are trained to maintain objectivity, but in our day-to-day connections with those we serve, authentic caring leads to a genuine... Read More

The Book That Sparked A Conversation

February 5, 2016 — By:  Melissa Wombwell-Twersky, LSW, CMC I first learned about the book The Age of Dignity after reading an article about its author, Ai-Jen Poo in the magazine Spirituality and Health. I was so inspired by her message that I immediately bought her book on Amazon and then I did what any curious person does-I googled her.... Read More

Validation Method

November 10, 2015 — Building Trust, Enhancing Relationships with the Validation Method By Steve Klotz, Certified Validation Master, Executive Director of Validation Education at Country Meadows Retirement Communities based in Hershey, PA. Steve is also an Adjunct Professor in Gerontology at York College of PA.   When a family has a loved one living with dementia, it can be... Read More

What is EFT or TAPPING? A tool for your Aging Life Care Management box

November 10, 2015 — What is EFT or TAPPING? Author: Bobbi Kolonay - President of Holistic Aging in Pittsburgh PA EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique (sometimes called tapping). The basic premise is that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system, which is the centerpiece of eastern medicine.  When the energy in our body is flowing normally, we feel great; when it becomes stagnant or obstructed, this causes disruptions along the energy meridians leading to negative or damaging emotions which can develop into physical symptoms.  Correcting these imbalances is done by tapping with your fingers on meridian points, while at the same time being tuned into the issue to be resolved. When done properly, the underlying emotional factors that contribute to the problem are typically released along with the energy blocks.

Ocean Sound Breathing Meditation – Tool for the Aging Life Care Manager Tool Box

November 10, 2015 — Holistic Aging Life Care Management in Pittsburgh PA  Ujjayi breathing is a breathing technique often used in meditation.  Because of the way the breath sounds as you inhale and exhale, it is commonly known as ocean sound breathing meditation.  This technique is both calming and balancing, and can make you feel more energized!  It’s a... Read More

The Science of Aromatherapy

August 7, 2015 — The Science of Aromatherapy – for the Healthcare Professional The Science of Aromatherapy By Barbara (Bobbi) Kolonay RN MS CCM   Aging Life Care Manager & Certified Clinical Aromatherapist in Pittsburgh PA What is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the use of therapeutic oils extracted from trees, bushes, flowers and shrubs from all over the world, recognizing each... Read More

The Therapeutic Benefits of an IPod

August 7, 2015 —  Author:  Barbara (Bobbi) Kolonay; Aging Life Care Manager Pittsburgh PA “Music is a part of being, and there is no human culture in which it is not highly developed and esteemed. Its very ubiquity may cause it to be trivialized in old songs going through our minds for hours on end,  and think nothing of it. But... Read More

HONORING MEMORIES WITH ART THERAPY

August 7, 2015 — “Can I keep this?” “This looks great!” “She drew that for you?” “I didn’t know he could still draw.” “I will treasure this forever.” “I never knew that about them.” These are just some of the reactions I hear when I use art therapy in my practice as an Advanced Aging Life Care Professional™ with Beck Care Managers LLC. A Safe Place to Heal Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process of art is both healing and life-enhancing. The benefits of art therapy begin when the individual picks out the art medium they want to use and ends when it is given to the family as a treasured keepsake. Art therapy, among