Happiness At Any AgeStart your journey to joy now in your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond with these simple and effective exercises, strategies, and positive insights.Living happily in any decade involves an open heart, open mind, and appreciation for the joy in the journey. While everyone is unique, heres a guide to enjoy life in your 20s, 40s, 60s, 80s, and beyond.In your 20s & 30s Embrace uncertainty. This is the time for trial and error. Try new things and take risks, even if they feel scary. Build connections. Your social network can be a source of support, advice, and shared experiences both now and as you get older. Learn how to learn. Develop a growth mindset. Teach yourself that its ok to feel silly as you learn new things. Itll set the stage for lifelong learning. Build healthy habits. Establish healthy habits early. Try to move your body, eat well, and sleep well. In your 40s & 50s Balance work and life. Prioritize time with your family and friends. Work hard in your professional life. But don't forget to find joy in the little things. Plan your finances. Establish good financial habits. Save and invest in your future. Spend less than you make. Financial stability contributes to your peace of mind. Practice gratitude. Take time to appreciate what you have. Thank those who help you and contribute to others in a positive way. Build a mindset that's all about gratitude. Be open to change. Life is always changing, so it's a good idea to be open to all the curves along the way. Being able to adapt to everyday life is a skill that will serve you well in the future. In your 60s & 70s Reassess your goals. That thing you always wanted to do one day? Do it now. Adjust and modify your goals to include the steps itll take to reach that dream. Start working on writing that book, taking that trip, or even reaching a health and wellness goal to keep a positive mental attitude going. Add in some adventure. Remember, theres no age limit to new adventures. Happy thoughts and actions can even make you more likely to try new things. Go for new activities, try new recipes, or make new friends as an adult. These ideas keep your sense of play alive and well. Nurture old and new relationships. Improve relationships by focusing less on long-held disagreements. You don't get any points for winning arguments. Letting go of the past paired with self-compassion exercises can help you move forward. Mentor others patiently. Share your experiences and wisdom with others. Remember to be kind and patient by listening without judgment and putting yourself in their shoes. Someone out may need you to guide them in a way that only you're capable of. In your 80s & 90sMake time for the small things. Love spending time with your family? Make an effort to engage in the small activities you enjoy every weekor even daily! This can lead to an overall positive mental attitude later in life.Keep learning. Nows the time to try that new hobby youve always wanted to or pick up an old one. Even making friends as an adult or participating at a senior center near you can lead to a sense of joy. Plus, learning new skills keeps your brain sharp.Be kind to yourself. Listen to your body and give it what it needs. Go for a quick walk outside. Eat healthy foods. Embrace each day as a chance to live the life you desire, regardless of your age.  This article is contributed by Devoted Health.  Contact your local Devoted Health Representative at 251-391-3788 to find out how you could save with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Understanding the Importance of Hospice Care: A Comprehensive GuideAs we navigate the complexities of life, one of the most challenging times is when a loved one faces a life-limiting illness. During such a period, ensuring the best possible care becomes paramount. This is where hospice care steps in, providing not only medical support but also emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance to both the patient and their families. Retreat Hospice exemplifies the essence of this compassionate care, ensuring dignity and quality of life in the final stages of illness.What is Hospice Care?Hospice care is a specialized type of care designed to support individuals with terminal illnesses. It focuses on palliative carerelieving symptoms and pain without attempting to cure the underlying disease. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for the patient and provide support for their families.The Retreat Hospice by Saad stands out by offering comprehensive services that address the multifaceted needs of patients and their families. This holistic approach includes medical care, emotional support, spiritual guidance, and assistance with practical matters.The Core Services of Hospice Care Medical Care: Hospice care involves a team of healthcare professionals.  They create a personalized care plan tailored to the patients needs, ensuring comfort and dignity. At Retreat Hospice, the medical team works diligently to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing, allowing patients to spend their remaining time as comfortably as possible. Emotional Support: Facing a terminal illness can be emotionally overwhelming for both the patient and their family. Hospice care includes counseling services to help manage the emotional stress and grief associated with end-of-life care. Retreat Hospice provides licensed counselors and social workers who offer a compassionate ear and practical advice, helping families navigate their feelings and cope with the impending loss. Spiritual Care: Spirituality can play a crucial role in the end-of-life journey. The Retreat Hospice by Saad offers a dedicated spiritual and support care navigator team to minister to you and provide resources and emotional support every step of the way. Practical Assistance: Hospice care also extends to practical support, such as helping with daily activities, managing medications, and providing respite care for family members. This assistance is vital in reducing the burden on caregivers and ensuring the patients needs are met efficiently. The Benefits of Hospice CareChoosing hospice care can be a difficult decision, but it comes with numerous benefits that can significantly improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Enhanced Quality of Life: By focusing on pain and symptom management, hospice care ensures that patients experience the highest possible quality of life in their remaining days. This comfort-centric approach allows patients to enjoy meaningful moments with their loved ones, free from the distress of unmanaged symptoms. Comprehensive Support: Hospice care provides a network of support for the patient and their family. From medical professionals to counselors and spiritual advisors, the comprehensive care team at The Retreat Hospice by Saad works collaboratively to address all aspects of end-of-life care. Family-Centered Care: Hospice care recognizes that a terminal illness affects the entire family. By offering emotional, spiritual, and practical support to family members, hospice care helps ease the burden and stress, allowing families to focus on being present with their loved one. Cost-Effective Care: Hospice care can be more cost-effective compared to hospital or other intensive care options. It often reduces the need for emergency room visits and hospitalizations by managing symptoms effectively at home or in a hospice facility. The Retreat Hospice and Saad Hospice Care works with various insurance providers to ensure that families receive the care they need without undue financial strain. How to Access Hospice CareAccessing hospice care typically begins with a referral from a healthcare provider. However, families can also reach out directly to hospice care providers like The Retreat Hospice by Saad to discuss their needs and explore care options. Here are the steps to initiate hospice care: Assessment: A hospice care team will conduct an initial assessment to determine the patients eligibility and specific needs. This involves a thorough review of the patients medical condition, current treatment plan, and personal preferences. Care Plan Development: Based on the assessment, a personalized care plan is developed. This plan outlines the medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical support services that will be provided. The care plan is designed to be flexible and can be adjusted as the patients needs change. Implementation: Once the care plan is in place, the hospice team begins providing services. This includes regular visits from healthcare professionals, counseling sessions, spiritual care, and practical assistance. The frequency and type of services can be tailored to the patients evolving needs. Ongoing Support: Hospice care continues as long as it is needed, with the care team available around the clock to provide support and address any concerns. Families can rely on the hospice team for guidance and assistance throughout the end-of-life journey. The Unique Approach of The Retreat Hospice by SaadThe Retreat Hospice by Saad is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to compassionate, individualized care. The team at Retreat Hospice understands that each patient and family is unique, and they strive to provide care that honors each persons values, wishes, and needs. Personalized Care: The Retreat Hospice places a strong emphasis on personalized care. They take the time to understand each patients preferences and work closely with families to create a care plan that aligns with their wishes. Community Engagement: The Retreat Hospice actively engages with the community to raise awareness about hospice care and provide education on end-of-life issues. Private, Family Owned: Committed to excellence, The Retreat Hospice is family owned company based in Mobile, Alabama and serving the Mobile and Baldwin Communities. They invest in ongoing training and development for their staff to ensure the highest standard of care.  The Retreat Hospice is only private freestanding hospice location that offers 24-hour resort-level care. ConclusionHospice care is a compassionate and holistic approach to end-of-life care that prioritizes the comfort and dignity of patients while providing essential support to families. The Retreat Hospice by Saad and Saad Healthcare exemplifies the best of hospice care, offering comprehensive services that address the medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of patients and their loved ones. By choosing hospice care, families can ensure that their loved ones receive the compassionate care they deserve during one of lifes most challenging times. This article is submitted by The Retreat Hospice by Saad.  Contact The Retreat team at 251-380-3810.

Anger, Resentment, and Guilt: The Inter-Connected Emotions of Family CaregivingBeing a family caregiver is an emotional roller coaster. On the one hand, it feels good to care for someone you love. On the other hand, it can be stressful, time-consuming, and draining. This can lead to a set of interconnected emotions namely anger, resentment, and guilt.AngerAnger often comes from a sense of obligation or being taken for granted. Caregivers can feel as though theyre stuck with the biggest workload because theyre the oldest sibling, theyre closest to the one receiving care, or they are the most responsible.From the outside looking in, its hard for someone else to understand the time and effort youre putting in, and that can trigger anger in a caregiver. Caregivers want to know, and hear, that they are appreciated and doing a good job.ResentmentFeeling resentment is similar to feeling anger, but not quite the same.Psychologists label the feeling as the re-experiencing of past wrongdoings, real or perceived, a feeling that youre stuck serving the person, indefinitely, and thats causing your anger and discontent with the caregiving responsibilities.This means resentment is often aimed at the person youre caring for. This can happen as your loved ones aging process or illness creates more responsibilities for you and makes you take on an additional role on top of your everyday life.GuiltGuilt is a particularly draining emotion. It typically comes after noticing feelings of anger and resentment. Once you reflect on your emotions and begin to feel bad that youve developed hostile feelings towards a loved one, guilt is the next logical response.It can also be a primary driver of caregiver stress and burnout, as many family caregivers feel guilty for needing a break or not being able to do more for a loved one.These feelings of guilt can be related to many things, such as:               Feeling you are not spending enough time caring for your parent(s)               Feeling like youre not spending enough time with your kids because you are caring for your parent(s)               Feeling that your spouse might be the last person you think about.               Not taking care of yourself, missing a workout or being unfocused at work.You can also feel guilty about not having your parents move in with you or leaving your parents in a house they can no longer manage. And sometimes, you might even feel guilt thinking that your life would be easier if your parent(s) died.  How to Manage These Emotions1. Better understand the disease process of your loved one. This can help you develop the appropriate engagement style and communication patterns to reduce the likelihood of getting angry or resentful.2. Assess your ability to provide the level of care your loved one needs:               Are you physically able to care for this person?               Are you emotionally able to care for this person?               Is there an appropriate environment in which to provide the level of care that is required?3. Make a plan to provide the appropriate level of care. This will reduce your stress level because you will feel more in control.Be sure to tap into a local care manager to understand the local services and support that can be incorporated into your care plan, such as medical transportation, prescription delivery, Meals on Wheels and respite care from a home care agency such as SYNERGY HomeCare.4. Make peace that this will be an emotional time for your entire family. Theres no shame in seeking professional counseling to support you through this life-changing process.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments.  Call Synergy HomeCare serving Mobile & Baldwin Counties in Alabama at 251-621-1900 to talk to a Home Care specialist.