Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  - Pablo PicassoI know what you're thinking!  Isn't Art Appreciation what freshman college students take?  Why should we be considering this for young children?  Art can be fun!  There are two ways to enjoy...

Overwork and over scheduling take a toll on families and relationships as we find less time together, especially to just hang out.  Taking a break to spend some relaxed time together as a family can be a way to reconnect.  A family night in is doing something together at home that everyone in the...

First, let's start with a little history about the program. In doing some research I found that the word LIFE, in Vial of Life, stands for Lifesaving Information for Emergenci

  Lately, it seems like everyone I know is under a lot of stress. Loved ones to care for, events to plan, finances to balance, and paperwork to complete – these are just a few of the culprits behind their stress. No one can prevent stress, and a little bit can actually be good for you because it...

As the population in America ages, the number of people with dementia, including Alzheimer's, will continue to rise.  These increasing numbers will mean a burden to our health care system and to the family members called upon to provide care.  In an article posted at SharpBrains.com, Dr. Khalsa of...

Growing up, I struggled with math. Bringing math homework home became a dreaded task. My dad faithfully and dutifully helped me with my math assignments…..but, because it wasn't my strongest subject, and he excelled at it, our homework sessions often ended with both of us frustrated with...

Have you ever known someone who seemed to go through very difficult times and left you wondering "how can they handle so much?" Resiliency is the ability to recover from life's challenges and hardships without being overwhelmed and to bounce forward rather than back. Families and individuals face...

Fall is here, which may make you think of activities such as football games, field trips, or wiener roasts.  Instead of planning another event out, mark your calendars for a night for "family night in," where you stay home and do an activity as a family.  Some ideas for the beautiful month of...

  As the summer gears up, so do the temperatures, and it is vital that we not only take care of ourselves, but also be mindful of those more vulnerable to the intense heat of summer – children, older adults and those with chronic illnesses. Heatstroke is clinically defined as when a person's...

"Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!" Does anyone remember that little rhyme? My favorite season is Fall and I always look forward to Halloween each year. I love the decorations, the TV specials and scary movies, the costumes - and don't forget the candy!! My son decided...

What is a "family night in?"  It's doing something together at home that everyone in the family can enjoy.  Maybe your family already has some 4th of July traditions that you do together as a family.  Or maybe one of the activities below can become a new tradition!     Some ideas for July: ...

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness and National Family Caregiving Month Anyone who knows me, knows that I am very passionate about improving care for people with Alzheimer's as well as educating both professional and family caregivers about Alzheimer's Disease. This is where I...

Who will get Grandma's yellow pie plate? Have you ever thought about where your personal belongings would go after you are gone? Have you started downsizing your house? Almost everyone has personal belongings such as photographs, jewelry, tools or simple everyday household items that hold meaning...

Family Night In is doing something at home as a family.  It has only one rule - everyone gets to participate and have fun.  So turn off the electronics and give one or more of these ideas a try! Plan an outdoor campout.  Roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire or barbecue grill, sing...

As the end of summer draws near and schools supplies pop up in local stores, parents and kids alike start focusing on the new school year. While the new year brings a level of excitement and anticipation, parents wonder on how to make the new school year successful for their children. All parents...

We all know someone who is providing care for someone else. They may be caring for an older parent, a disabled adult child, or a spouse suffering from a traumatic injury or chronic illness. Even parents raising children are considered caregivers. Caregivers give of themselves without expecting...

Recently a woman in one of my programs asked me about a diagnosis that her husband had received - Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).  According to the Alzheimer's Association website, MCI "causes cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other...

The gifts, the wrapping, the parties…oh my! Seemingly endless holiday demands can put additional stress on our time and resources. For most people, the holiday season is the busiest time of year with extra of everything – social demands, work projects, family obligations, and holiday to-do lists. I...

How times have changed - when I was a kid there were no requirements about car seats.  (Yes, I know how old that makes me sound - maybe I am writing this from my rocking chair!).  Hopefully, I can give some tips on how to make it easier to get children to not fight their car seats.Make being in a...

Happy March Everyone!  This month the Family Life Team is going to focus our blogging efforts on brain health.  Brain health is one of my favorite topics to teach about or talk about. I like learning both about keeping our brains healthy as well as understanding more about Alzheimer's and the...