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Summer Presence

Ask the Experts by Jennifer Raybaud

Q: I love summer but feel I’m too distracted to make the most of it. Are there things I can do to enjoy the upcoming season even more?”

A: Yes! There are many wonderful things you can do to slow down and take advantage of the season fast approaching. One way is through learning more about how things like mindfulness – intentionally practicing how to better “zone in” at a time when so many of us are “zoned out” – can make even the most seemingly mundane things or experiences this season, come to life. In fact, I’m thrilled to share some great opportunities, right down the road.

Keeping Reading Skills Sharp

Ask the Experts by Nick Smith

Q: My child has worked so hard during the school year to become a stronger reader. How do I keep his reading skills sharp, during the summer months, especially when he does not enjoy reading?

A: A common concern among parents, especially those who have children that struggle with reading, is what to do over the summer months so that the skills attained during the school year do not regress. According to a report released by RAND Corporation, the average summer learning loss in reading for American students amounts to one month per year.

Eventually, year-round schools will be the norm, and there will be no need for concern. Indeed there are already year-round choices in many districts. Slowly but surely, the realization that children are no longer needed to tend to the crops during the summer months is resulting in reform. Until that time, reading routines that had been established during the school year should continue without interruption during the summer months.

Reduce Age-related Memory Loss

Ask the Experts by David Gilboe

Q: Sometimes I worry about my memory. I know that everyone says your memory gets worse as you get older, but is that true? If so, is there anything I can do?

A: We all have skips in our memory sometimes— misplacing our keys, forgetting an appointment. As we age, we wonder if these small lapses in our memory are signs of something more serious, like Alzheimer’s, or dementia.

While not everyone will develop dementia or Alzheimer’s, some memory loss is common as we age. That being said, we can reduce age-related memory loss and improve how our brain works. Here are 5 excellent tips from the Mayo Clinic and the American Psychological Association:

Oversharenting

Ask the Experts by Nicole Runyon, LMSW

Q: I often share photos and stories of my children on social media. The term, “oversharenting” was just brought to my attention, along with the thought that posting about my children may not be ok with them. I had never thought about it before, but I wonder if my posts are upsetting to my children. Can you shed some light on this?

A: Your social media posts about your children may be upsetting to them. Depending on their age they may see it as an invasion of privacy and may experience a range of feelings from embarrassment to anger at having their lives become public without their permission.

Furthermore, the Internet is permanent, once something is posted it does not go away, even if you delete it. It is important to be mindful about what you are posting. Ask yourself how your child will feel about your post in the future, 5 years from now, or 10 years from now. Read more: Oversharenting

Pediatrician to PCP

Ask the Experts by Anna Farhat, MD

Q: When is the right time to switch to a primary care physician from a pediatrician for my children?

A: This is a question many parents ask themselves as their kids grow into teenagers/young adults. Most pediatricians will see people up to 18-22 years old. At that point getting their input on recommendations for their next doctor is a great idea. Many work closely with either family or internal medicine physicians and can give firsthand advice.

It’s important to work with someone you feel comfortable with. Finding a new doctor can be a little like dating. Comfort level is extremely important to ensure communication and the best care. If your female child prefers to have a female physician to talk about when to start pap smears, or about contraceptives, that is perfectly OK.

Signs of Suicide & Out of the Darkness

Ask the Experts by Megan Gunnell, LMSW

Q: I’ve been hearing more and more about suicide recently, both in our community and nationwide. Is there a trend in the spring? What are the warning signs I should be looking out for and what can we do as a community?

A: A recent publication on health.com stated: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates spike in the spring and to a lesser extent in the fall – not around the holidays as everyone suspects. And suicides in general have increased 24% between 1999-2014, according to a CDC report last year.

The uptick begins in early April and late May. Why? Seasonal brightness may have something to do with it. In a 2016 op-ed in The Washington Post, Harvard professor Matthew Nock cited a study published in JAMA Psychiatry that found as hours of sunlight increased, so did the risk of suicide. “The authors speculate that sunlight could boost energy and motivation, thus giving people who are depressed the ability to take action and make a suicide attempt,” he wrote.

Making a plan for aging in place

Ask The Experts byMarianne Garascia and Cynthia Shields

Q: My father is hoping to remain in his home for as long as he can. What are some things I can do to help him prepare to stay there safely and mostly self-sufficiently?

A: The term for the future you and your father are planning for is Aging in Place. In order to accomplish this, you’ll need to plan ahead and consider all the factors.

His health (mental and physical), finances, transportation, care options, support systems, home design, etc. should all be taken into account when building a plan and making this choice. In addition, you’ll have to talk with your father about what his choices would be in the event of future financial decisions, illness, injury or housing transitions.)

Having these decisions made in advance helps deal with any issues you might encounter down the road to ease some of the burdens you and your family will experience.

Understanding Opiods and teen addiction

Ask The Experts by by DeLisa Glaspie

Q: My 16yr-old l son plays multiple high school sports and I often worry about injury primarily because of the prescription pain killers and the fear of addiction. What can I do, as a parent, to become more knowledgeable about this epidemic and to protect my own child in case he needs pain medication? How can I make sure others, within my community, are aware of this frightening epidemic?

A: Understanding what opioids are is a good start. Opioids are a class of drugs that includes heroin as well as the prescription pain relievers oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others. Four out of five new heroin users started out misusing prescription pain killers.

Adolescents (12-17) often become addicted because of shared unused pain relievers. Adolescents who misuse prescription pain relievers often obtain them from a friend or relative for free unaware of the dangers of nonmedical opioid use. In addition, prescribing rates for prescription opioids among adolescents nearly doubled from 1994-2007.

Why buy permanent insurance

Ask the Experts by Dan H. Tripp CLU

Q: I’m 35 and looking to buy my first life insurance policy. Why would I ever buy permanent insurance when term is so much cheaper?

A: My first thought is buy insurance that you can afford, in an amount that makes sense for your situation. And yes, term is much more affordable in terms of premium dollars. But in the words of a wise sage “price is only an issue in the absence of value.” What value would you get from each?

It helps to think about the difference between the two as the difference between renting and buying a home. Both provide shelter; require payment of utilities, maintenance, upkeep, etc. But here the similarities end. When renting, your rent may go up over time. Your landlord can refuse to renew your lease for any reason at the end of the term (notice that word?). Ownership comes with a mortgage payment that is fixed unless you change it. Ownership builds an equity position in your home, which could be leveraged at a future date. Unless you stop paying your mortgage, you can live

Educating others about autism

Ask The Experts by April Ceno and Frank Pinkham

Q: My child is diagnosed with autism. It’s challenging to take him out in public as often-times people will stare or say rude things. How can I help educate people about autism?

A: Unfortunately, this is a common question from parents, and this sort of stigma may even make it difficult to go out in public with your child for fear of judgment by others. These social stigmas often lead parents become discouraged which can lead them to staying home instead of going out. The best way to combat stigma is with knowledge.

In order to begin educating others, it is important that you as a parent are educated about autism. There are several ways you can do this; spending some time with google looking up facts about autism, attend or review online webinars about autism, even going to your local library to find books on the diagnosis would be helpful. One of the best ways to educate yourself is to attend trainings where you can connect to other parents and community members.