New Jersey - Essex, Hudson, Union Counties

As the year begins to draw to a close we are surrounded by Holidays. The stores are filled with Halloween candy in August, Thanksgiving decorations in September and October is already filled with Christmas.Whatever your familys religious beliefs are everyone has traditions such as gatherings and events which are unique and special. You may find yourself wondering how you will get through this time with one less sitting at the table. Here are strategies you can use to help you cope:1) Stay connected to your feelings - Give yourself time and permission to feel and express your emotions in the manner that works best for YOU (e.g., writing, sharing with someone close, meditating). Everyone has their own style.2) Focus on what is helpful for you and your family in the present - Old traditions may be too painful, especially in this first year. It may be easier to break with tradition and celebrate the holidays differently (e.g., if you always spend the holidays at your home, spend them at someone elses home).3) Create new traditions - By incorporating memories of your loved one into your holiday celebrations, you develop ways to honor their memory (e.g., have a poem or prayer read in your loved ones honor, create a memory quilt or light a candle).4) Do not feel guilty about how you feel - It is OKAY if you find some joy this holiday season. If you find no joy, this is also OK. Dont try to live up to others expectations of how you should feel. Grief is very individualized and can even vary with different losses. Instead of carrying expectations of how you SHOULD FEEL, accept the reality of how you DO FEEL. It is normal to have mixed emotions during the bereavement process and this is especially so during the holidays.5) Find ways of giving to others - When you are feeling sad and empty inside, it can be helpful to reach out to others. Some families volunteer in soup kitchens, create a memorial fund in memory of their loved one, or raise money that helps others etc.6) Avoid overindulgence with alcohol and food - There is an increased risk for eating and drinking too much during periods of bereavement and this is especially so during the holiday season. Eating and drinking too much are often ways of avoiding or masking underlying emotions so that they do not have to be felt. This is not a solution and only serves to prolong the intense feelings associated with your loss. 7) Explore the traditions of your faith concerning mourning and remembering - Even if you have not been involved in your faith, you may find comfort and support in these traditions.8) Be honest with yourself, don't be afraid to seek professional help - If you find yourself immobilized by your grief, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, or have other adverse experiences or behaviors, PLEASE seek professional help or call 1-866-821-1212 and ask to speak with a member of the Care Alternatives Bereavement Team.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Care Alternatives. They can be reached at 866-821-1212 or you can visit their website at www.carealt.com

As a leading provider of pilonidal treatments, the Pilonidal Treatment Center of New Jersey (PTCNJ) is a unique medical practice with pilonidal surgeons solely focused on the treatment and cure of pilonidal disease. Our pilonidal treatments include antibiotic management, emergency surgical drainage, surgical removal, laser ablation, and more. PTCNJ is the only center in the state dedicated to the treatment and cure of pilonidal disease. We treat our patients with an emphasis on compassion, competence, and professionalism. Contact us today to find out what a pilonidal cyst doctor can do for you.Our pilonidal surgeons are specialized in pilonidal cyst surgery, simple pilonidal cystectomy, antibiotic management for pilonidal disease, emergency surgical drainage and pit picking. Visit our website to learn more about pilonidal diseases, symptoms and treatments.More information!Business email: info@ptcnj.comPhone number: (862) 267-0388Hours operation:Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM ; Thursday - Friday 9:30 AM - 4:30 PMSocial media:Facebook | Blog

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT HOME CAREThere are two types of support you can have in your homehome health and home care. They sound similar, but are quite different. After a stay in the hospital, a doctor might require someone to have care at home on a short-term basis. This is home health. It could be to monitor a health problem or manage wound care, among other things a skilled nurse can do. Your doctor or hospital will arrange for home health, which is paid for by Medicare. If your doctor does not prescribe home health, and you pay for services out of your own pocket or through private insurance, you can receive home care. There are various categories of home care, such as companion/homemaker service, wheelchair escort service, nursing service, and home support aide service. When you look for home care, its important to ask the right questions. Ask about the organizations employees. Make sure the nurses are licensed and the aides are certified. The initials after a persons name designate their licensure or certification. For example, RN is for Registered Nurse; LPN is for a Licensed Nurse Practitioner; PT is for Physical Therapist; and CNA is for a Certified Nursing Assistant.Ask about the hiring practices. Does the organization conduct background checks and/or reference checks on all their employees? What about drug screening? Make sure the organization follows rigorous hiring practices.Ask about supervision of the employees. If there is a problem with an employee, what can the customer do? If an employee doesnt show up for work, what happens? You want an agency that supervises their people and provides problem solving.Ask about anything else that is important to you. If it is important to you to have the same caregiver over a period of time, ask that question.Above anything else, Make sure you choose home care carefully so you get the quality you deserve. Editors note: This information was provided by Cecile Sutherland, MS, BSN, R. She has extensive healthcare experiences gained through increasingly demanding and responsible leadership positions in nursing homes, hospitals and out patient surgery centers. Cecile can be reached at 973-746-0165

Downsizing is an important part of life that can help you simplify your lifestyle, save money, and reduce stress. In short, downsizing is key when it comes to improving everyday life!  Downsize before you move to eliminate unnecessary or unwanted items that would otherwise need to be packed and transported to your new location. Long-term savings on moving services can also be achieved thanks to downsizing. Since there will be fewer items for them to transport, companies may offer discounted rates if they are able to complete the job more efficiently.  Downsizing can even bring financial benefits by freeing up some of your resources if you decide to donate or sell any of the items that you no longer need or want. It can help reduce expenses related to storage or repairs due to damage caused by packing too many items into small spaces with inadequate protection.  Downsizing is a great way to improve your mental health and quality of life. Downsizing can help reduce stress by eliminating clutter and enabling us to focus on what truly matters in life.  For more information on how downsizing can benefit you, check out our blog here!  At WayForth, a moving solutions company, we can help you with almost every step of downsizing, and can assist in other moving needs like packing, unpacking, and storage services. We can get you started whenever you are ready. Give us a call at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to get started!