Let’s start with Stress: Someone said, “It’s better to burn out than rust out!” I don’t believe we have to live at either end of the spectrum. Both extremes can be stressful. What are the warning signs of excessive stress in YOUR life? tension in your neck and shoulders drumming your fingers or pacing snapping at people when you’re irritable or depressed smoking more or the use of alcohol or drugs to cope sleeping and eating less OR sleeping and eating more loss of focus, apa

Take a few minutes in the morning to be quiet and meditate, sit or lie down and be with yourself…gaze out the window, listen to the sounds of nature or take a slow, quiet walk. While your car is warming up, take a minute to quietly pay attention to your breathing. While driving, become aware of body tension, e.g. hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel, shoulders raised, stomach tight, etc. Consciously work at releasing, dissolving that tension. Does being tense help

Self-Nurturing Activities Walk in the rain Exercise Keep a journal Play the piano or other instrument Sign up for a yoga class Take a warm bath Have breakfast in bed Take a sauna Get a massage Buy yourself a rose Take a bubble bath Go to a pet store and play with the animals Visit a zoo Have a manicure or pedicure…or both Stop and smell some flowers Watch the sunrise or the sunset Relax with a good book and/or soothing music Rent a funny movie Play your favorite music and dan

Distracted driving includes texting AND cell phone conversations while driving, regardless of hands-free technology. The National Safety Council discusses the myth of multitasking in this article: The Great Multitasking Infographic

SMSgt. Harold Eugene Boardman Honored was honored for his service on March 15. Harold’s daughter, Linda daughter shared these photos of the ceremony honoring her father. You folks honored him in this ceremony on March 15, the afternoon before he died so peacefully at Hospice Care of the Southwest in Childers Place. Thank you so much from our family. Linda Boardman Kramer Here’s a wonderful photo of you presenting the certificate in honor of Daddy’s military service to our mot

Hospice Care of the Southwest recently recognized one of our patients, a long-time resident of Borger, for his service to the Armed Forces. Mr. Newman was presented a framed certificate and an afghan made by one of our hospice volunteers. Roy Newman United States Army Mr. Newman is currently a resident at Borger Healthcare Center. Pictured L-R: Martha Johnson, CHPN, RN (Hospice Care of the Southwest Case Manager), Roy Newman, and Ira Purdy, LMSW (Social Worker, Hospice Care

Earnest E. “Red” McAlpine 1926 – 2012 Red was born in Olustee, Oklahoma. He graduated in 1942 from Springlake High School before his enlistment in the Army Air Corps in 1944. There he proudly served in the 8th Air Force 44th Bomb Group as a tail gunner in the B-24. In 1945, he was captured in Germany when they were shot down on their 16th bombing mission. Upon his discharge, Red married Vera McGowan. They moved to Dumas in 1948, where Red worked as a general contractor, build

Achieving universal coverage of palliative care: Dispelling the myths. MYTH: Having hospice and palliative care means you will die soon. FACT: Hospice and palliative care is not just for the end of life. It is a holistic approach that includes caregiver support, spiritual care, bereavement and much more. The truth is… Hospice and palliative care is about having the best quality of life for however long life remains. Palliative care patients have serious illnesses that eventua

Hospice is where you go when there is nothing more a doctor can do. Hospice is care designed for patients with a life-limiting illness. Hospice is not a place where you go to die, rather hospice professionals are trained to assist patients in living their lives fully, completely, and without pain until the end of their lives. To be eligible for hospice, I have to be in the final stages of dying. Hospice patients and families receive care for an unlimited amount of time, depen

Some people mistakenly think hospice care is just about dying…that hospice is the place you call when there’s nothing more that can be done. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hospice helps patients and families focus on living. Hospice care brings comfort, dignity, and peace to help people with a life-limiting illness live every moment of life to the fullest. It also reaches out to provide support for the family and friends who love and care for them. Last year, 1.45 m