ANNOUNCEMENTS

Looking for an opportunity to share your talents and your passion for making a difference in the lives of older adults in Maryland? Consider joining Winter Growth's nonprofit Board Directors. With over 45 years of experience, Winter Growth offers Adult Day, Memory Care, Assisted Living, and Respite Care programs that support local families in caring for aging loved ones. Inquiries regarding Board membership are now being accepted at: https://www.wintergrowthinc.org/board-interest-inquiry-winter-growth/

Join Winter Growth as we present: “Comfort Care: Understanding the Differences Between Hospice & Palliative Care."

Speaker: Alexis Baber, MHA - Gilchrist

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP: patty.hagen@wintergrowthinc.org / 410-964-9616

Join us at Residences at Vantage Point on Thursday, March 21st for a night of celebration and fun!

 RSVP HERE!

Are you a PT (or know one!) who is burned out on productivity standards, not feeling heard, and feeling underappreciated? Are you looking for a job that allows you to be flexible and have autonomy over your schedule, while working with a team that believes in work/life balance? If your answer is yes, I encourage you to apply to our PT position at Therapy In Motion. 

Therapy In Motion is built on passionately caring for our community. We have a family-like atmosphere and believe in the importance of ensuring that our clinicians feel appreciated and valued. If you’re a person of high integrity who has excellent communication and values time-management skills and commitment to a team environment, while also having fun, then I encourage you to apply today.

We understand that providing PT to seniors in the home is challenging and we provide mentorship and guidance along the way. We provide a competitive pay structure, bonus program, unlimited CEUs, and gas stipend. If you are ready to help Therapy In Motion grow in Howard County and Carroll County, please send your resume and cover letter to kate@therapyinmotionllc.org.

Thank you!

Join us for a day in Annapolis to meet with your Maryland's state legislators to ask for their support to end Alzheimer's. This is an opportunity to let your stories and voices be heard. Unite with other advocates in your area and move this legislation together.  Make an impact!

 Register today!

Continental Breakfast and lunch will be provided by the Association.

Please note: Please wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes! There will be close distance walking and within the legislative office buildings. (Wear purple to represent!) 

In the Event of Snow/Inclement Weather:
The event will be cancelled and rescheduled if Anne Arundel County Public Schools are delayed/closed for inclement weather.

If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Phan, lnphan@alz.org, or call 443-266-2248.

News You Need Today to Stay Healthy: Update on the 3 Main Viruses of 2024

By Colleen Matulaitis, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, Care Manager

Most of us know that the winter of 2023-2024 has been a challenge with the number of respiratory viruses affecting our population. COVID-19, the Flu, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are the three main viruses of concern. Individually, these can be challenging for compromised individuals, but in combination, it makes for severe illness. 

Knowing what is causing your symptoms is essential, so getting a proper diagnosis is very important. Many primary care offices and Urgent Care Centers can test for these viruses. In healthy individuals with mild cold symptoms, the most important thing to do is isolate and wear an N95 mask in public. You can use over-the-counter (OTC) medications with mild cold symptoms as needed. These medications help reduce fever, ease muscle aches, suppress cough and congestion, and boost the immune system. Always check with your doctor if you are taking prescription medication to avoid drug interactions. People with high blood pressure or heart disease need to avoid certain OTC medications. When in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.  

The CDC guidelines for COVID-19 can be found on their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html. These guidelines can be used for all three viruses and are generally good practice. If you are sick, i.e., running a fever, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, etc., stay home and monitor your symptoms. If you are at high risk due to other medical conditions, extremely young or elderly, call your doctor for advice. It is best to wait 24 to 48 hours before doing a home Covid test since there is a large false negative result if you test too soon. If a close contact or person in your household is positive and you have similar symptoms, assume you are positive regardless of a negative test.

For high-risk individuals, like people with diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and compromised immune systems, there are antiviral medications that can be prescribed for COVID-19 and the Flu. Some treatments and medications are available to treat more severe cases of RSV. Please remember that these medications are not without risks/side effects. It is always best to consult a healthcare provider who can consider your health concerns when prescribing treatments, someone who knows your current health and health history. Most of these vaccines are well tolerated, but there are side effects, and you should make an informed decision.

The most important takeaway for any illness is to use common sense. If you are sick, especially running a fever (101.4 or greater), stay home and monitor your symptoms. Avoid contact with others, wash your hands frequently, and cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. 

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and have mild symptoms that improve quickly, you may return to normal activities after five days. It is recommended that you wear a mask for another five days. If your symptoms are more severe and last longer than a few days, contact your doctor or urgent care for a proper diagnosis. For more severe symptoms, isolate for 10 to 14 days or longer if symptoms are not improving. 

Please check out the CDC's website for more in-depth instructions on the above viruses and use good common sense. Stay well. 

If you or someone you care about needs additional support to help cope, The Option Group is here to help. Don't hesitate to contact our professional care management team for assistance.

 

About The Option Group: Founded in 2010, The Option Group's compassionate team of experienced Certified Life Care Managers and Educational Advocates provides services for families, their loved ones, medical professionals, and professional family advisors in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The firm understands the challenges of caring for individuals who need assistance throughout their lifespan due to aging, dementia, disability, or serious illness. Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of resources. The Option Group helps families spend quality time with their loved ones, providing clear choices that lead to better care. For more information, visit www.theoptiongroup.net or call 410-667-0266 (MD) or 717-287-9900 / 610-885-8899/ 215-896-6756 (PA) / or 302-858-6449 (DE). For Minor & Young Adult Life Care Management or Educational Services, call Mary Jo Siebert at 410-967-0122 or 443-318-4244.

Unlocking Your Potential: The Benefits of Using a Life Coach Now

By Stacy Alcide RN, BSN, CCM, Certified Aging Life Care Manager

Introduction:

In life's journey, we often encounter external and internal obstacles that can hinder our personal and professional growth. A life coach can be a guiding light, helping individuals break through limiting beliefs, develop a plan of action, and find their purpose. This article will explore the numerous benefits of life coaching and the different types of life coaches available to cater to specific needs.

Benefits of Life Coaching

Self-Awareness: Hiring a life coach can help you better understand yourself, including your values and motivation, leading to better decision-making.

Finding Purpose: Many individuals struggle with a sense of purpose in life. Life coaches specialize in helping clients explore their passions, values, and interests. By discovering what truly matters, individuals can set meaningful goals aligned with their purpose, making their efforts more rewarding and motivating.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs:One of the primary roles of a life coach is to help clients identify and challenge their limiting beliefs. These self-imposed restrictions can hold individuals back from realizing their full potential. A life coach provides the necessary support and tools to overcome these barriers and build self-confidence.

Goal Achievement: Life coaches can help you set and clarify achievable goals by creating a roadmap for your personal development.

Creating a Plan of Action:Life coaching is all about setting clear objectives and creating a structured plan to achieve them. Whether personal or professional goals, a life coach assists in breaking down larger aspirations into manageable steps, making the path forward more achievable and less overwhelming.

 Accountability: They hold you accountable for your actions and progress, ensuring you stay committed to your goals and make consistent strides.

Types of Life Coaches

General Life Coaching: General life coaches support various aspects of life, from personal development and relationships to health and well-being. They assist clients in setting and achieving a broad range of goals, ultimately achieving a healthy work-life balance.

Career Coaching: Career coaches focus on guiding individuals in their professional pursuits. They help clients identify their strengths, career aspirations, and areas for growth. Career coaching can assist in making strategic career moves, improving job performance, and enhancing job satisfaction.

Health and Wellness Coaching: These coaches assist individuals in making lifestyle changes to improve their physical and mental well-being, including fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

Business Coaching: Business coaches work with entrepreneurs and owners to drive business growth and success. They offer guidance on strategy, leadership, marketing, and other vital aspects of business development. Business coaching helps individuals navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and take their ventures to new heights.

Financial Coach: Financial coaches help clients with budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and overall financial management to achieve financial goals and stability.

Conclusion

Life coaching works because it offers many benefits for those looking to enhance their personal and professional lives. By addressing limiting beliefs, creating a plan of action, and finding one's purpose, individuals can unlock their full potential and reach their goals. Different life coaches, such as career, business, and general life coaches, cater to specific needs, ensuring that clients receive targeted guidance. Through life coaching, individuals work to overcome obstacles and embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and success.

If you or someone you care about needs additional support to help cope, The Option Group is here to help. Don't hesitate to contact our professional care management team for assistance.

About The Option Group:Founded in 2010, The Option Group’s compassionate team of experienced Certified Life Care Managers and Educational Advocates provides services for families, their loved ones, medical professionals and professional family advisors in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The firm understands the challenges of caring for individuals who need assistance throughout their lifespan due to aging, dementia, disability, or severe illness. Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of resources. The Option Group helps families spend quality time with their loved ones, providing clear choices that lead to better care. For more information, visit theoptiongroup.net or call 410-667-0266 (MD) or 717-287-9900 / 610-885-8899/ 215-896-6756 (PA) / or 302-858-6449 (DE). For Minor & Young Adult Life Care Management or Educational Services, call Mary Jo Siebert at 410-967-0122 or 443-318-4244.