In this issue1 Greetings from Wendell Oman1 Grace Notes2 A Doctorrsquos Goal A Patientrsquos Good

Fortune

2 Prolonging Life vs Prolonging Death

3 Hospice Corner3 Spirituality at the End of Life3 Our Eucharistic Ministry4 Clinical Pastoral Education4 In Upcoming Issues

Office for Mission ampSpiritual Care

The Office for Mission amp Spiritual Care provides spiritual care for patients their families and associates 24 hours a day every day of the year The office is open Monday through Friday from 830 am to 5 pm To contact us call 708-684-5175 Evenings and weekends ask for the paging operator and request 2296 for the house chaplain or 2299 for the emergency department chaplain

Faith in Difficult TimesThe window of Christ carrying the lamb reminds me of how faith sustains us in the most difficult times of our lives

Over the past weekend my five siblings and I discussed our motherrsquos wishes for her advance directives Shersquos 92 and making what we believe will be her final move to live with my sister in far away Seattle She is happy and safe We are resolved to abide by her wish to let her go when the time comes and not prolong her death

I have witnessed countless death events as family battlegrounds with one member or another standing at odds

with the rest Often that is because

the important conversation between parent and adult children about

end-of-life preferences never took place leaving different guesses of the parentrsquos unexpressed wish

With advancements in medicine providing hope to the previously

hopeless prayers for wisdom in making the right choice are critical So

much can be done but what should be done Staying close to the source of our faith can guide each of us to the wiser choice

May your faith sustain you always

Rev Wendell Oman Vice President Office for Mission amp Spiritual Care

Bridges to Our Faith Communities

Advocate Christ Medical CenterHope Childrenrsquos Hospital

Office for Mission and Spiritual Care

Connections

MarchApril 2011Volume 2 Issue 2

Bridges to Our Faith Communities

This issuersquos featured art is from the 3rd floor at the bridge between Units 3-S and 3EW at Advocate Christ Medical Center Created by artist Richard Cammerer this stained glass window depicts the 23rd Psalm ldquoThe Lord is my shepherd rdquo

Grace Notes are readings poems or quotes from a variety of faith traditions and writers Each reflection tries to touch on the heart of being human in this world To receive Grace Notes five

or seven days a week please click here or contact cmc‑gracenotesadvocatehealthcom

Grace Notes

Without doing anything things can sometimes go more smoothly just because of our peaceful presence In a small boat when a storm comes if one person remains solid and calm others will not panic and the boat is more likely to stay afloat

Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanhin Love in Action

Psalm 23 A Psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside still waters He restores my soul He

leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 2

For years Dr Deepak Mital had a goal It was so strong and so clear that he included it in his professional bio on the Advocate Health website

ldquoMy goal is to provide world class kidney transplant services at Advocate Christ Medical Centerrdquo

In the autumn of 2010 a Joliet mother of two became the first kidney transplant recipient at Advocate Christ Medical Center

That patientrsquos story is filled with good fortune She waited only three weeks for her surgery while the average is closer to five years ldquoHer new kidney started functioning right after the August 18 surgeryrdquo said Dr Mital ldquoand on the fifth day after the transplant she was able to go homerdquo He added that the

kidney continues to function normally and the patient is doing very well

Christ Medical Center launched its kidney transplant program one year ago following approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board One of the objectives was to provide area residents with improved access to transplant services Before the program was introduced at Christ Medical Center area residents had to commute to downtown Chicago or even travel to out-of-state locations for kidney transplant services and follow-up care

Good luck continues to be with this Joliet woman The medical center is opening a transplant clinic at its outpatient center in Lockport putting her follow-up kidney care practically in her backyard

Deepak Mital MD MBA FACS

A Doctorrsquos Goal A Patientrsquos Good Fortune

One of the objectives was to provide area residents with improved access to transplant services

ldquoFor everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven a time to be born and a time to die rdquo These are the words of the royal philosopher who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes They describe the familiar patterns of life ndash- the cycles each of us has witnessed and lived Planting reaping Laughing weeping Dancing mourning Living dying

In so many circumstances what we want is clear and our path is plain As my grandmother neared the end of her life she knew precisely what she wanted She wanted to stay out

of the hospital Her disease had progressed to the point where medicine could only address her symptoms She had lived a rich life her husband of more than 60

years was by her side and she was living with her daughter (my mom)

Gramma had reached a peace of sorts For her husband and my mom it was a different story They were not ready to stop trying to get her better So when Grammarsquos symptoms worsened we were at a crossroads Gramma wanted to go in one direction and Grampa and Mom wanted to go in the other She wanted to stop prolonging death they wanted to continue prolonging life While we each know that there is a time for both living and dying we each in our own way come to an understanding of which time it is

When I met Mikey and his family he was three years old and struggling with complications related to his congenital heart

defects His current hospitalization was not going well and the medical team was beginning to consider that they had reached the limits of their knowledge and care

As Mikey got sicker I had a conversation with his dad about his choices continue trying various interventions in the hopes that they would help or transition his care from curative and invasive to palliative ldquoSome families have decided to stoprdquo I said to him

ldquoIf there is even a chance that some test or procedure will give us more time with him why wouldnrsquot we try it I donrsquot understand the families that decide to stoprdquo he replied

We donrsquot all choose the same path ldquoFor everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heavenrdquo

Janet MacLean an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ completed her CPE residency at ACMC in 1999 and has served as staff chaplain since 2003 She studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School She has been an activist with Amnesty International for 25 years and is an avid knitter beginning quilter and enthusiastic singer She lives in Forest Park with her 15 year old son

Prolonging Life vs Prolonging Death

Chaplain Janet MacLean

Gramma wanted to go in one direction and Grampa and Mom wanted to go in the other

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 3

Health Care

Decisions Day Is

April 16

Spirituality at the End of Life

SeminarWed Apr 20 1 to 4 pm

Advocate Christ Medical Center Auditorium

Advocate Christ Medical Center is hosting the viewing of the DVD Spirituality at the End of Life developed by the Hospice Foundation of America as a resource for faith leaders parish nurses and others interested in end-of-life issues A discussion will follow the viewing Register online at advocatehealthcomseminars or call 800-323-8622Mon - Fri 8 am - 6 pm

Loss of a Parent ndash Grief Support GroupSix consecutive Wednesdays starting Mar 2630 ndash 8 pmAdvocate HospiceYoursquoll be guided through grief and loss and learn effective ways to deal with feelings of loss and loneliness For further information or to register contact Penelope at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Widow to Widow ndash Support GroupSat Mar 19 and the 3rd Saturday of every month10 am ndash 12 noonAdvocate HospiceWomen who have lost a partner are welcome to attend this monthly support group This monthrsquos focus is resiliency There is no charge but registration is required For further information and to register call Penelope Gabriele at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Hospice CornerAdvocate Hospice 1441 Branding Lane Suite 200

Downers Grove IL 60515 630-963-6800

At Advocate Christ Medical Center the work of the Eucharistic minister is extensive Seven days a week these volunteers serve Holy Communion to those patients who wish it Since the need is greatest on holidays and weekends more volunteers are needed at those times

Most of our three dozen Eucharistic Ministers work a few hours one or two days a week and serve thousands of patients over the course of a year Additional volunteers are always needed

If you are interested in learning more about this important ministry please contact Fran Genender at frangenenderadvocatehealthcom or 708-684-5175

Eucharistic ministers are invited to a Thanksgiving luncheon as a show of appreciation for the time and comfort they give Christ Medical Center patients As always this yearrsquos celebration was wonderful for all

Father Bill Father Eke and Father Pete work closely with the volunteer Eucharistic ministers of Advocate Christ Medical Center offering communion to thousands of patients each year

Our Eucharistic Ministry

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 2

For years Dr Deepak Mital had a goal It was so strong and so clear that he included it in his professional bio on the Advocate Health website

ldquoMy goal is to provide world class kidney transplant services at Advocate Christ Medical Centerrdquo

In the autumn of 2010 a Joliet mother of two became the first kidney transplant recipient at Advocate Christ Medical Center

That patientrsquos story is filled with good fortune She waited only three weeks for her surgery while the average is closer to five years ldquoHer new kidney started functioning right after the August 18 surgeryrdquo said Dr Mital ldquoand on the fifth day after the transplant she was able to go homerdquo He added that the

kidney continues to function normally and the patient is doing very well

Christ Medical Center launched its kidney transplant program one year ago following approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing and the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board One of the objectives was to provide area residents with improved access to transplant services Before the program was introduced at Christ Medical Center area residents had to commute to downtown Chicago or even travel to out-of-state locations for kidney transplant services and follow-up care

Good luck continues to be with this Joliet woman The medical center is opening a transplant clinic at its outpatient center in Lockport putting her follow-up kidney care practically in her backyard

Deepak Mital MD MBA FACS

A Doctorrsquos Goal A Patientrsquos Good Fortune

One of the objectives was to provide area residents with improved access to transplant services

ldquoFor everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven a time to be born and a time to die rdquo These are the words of the royal philosopher who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes They describe the familiar patterns of life ndash- the cycles each of us has witnessed and lived Planting reaping Laughing weeping Dancing mourning Living dying

In so many circumstances what we want is clear and our path is plain As my grandmother neared the end of her life she knew precisely what she wanted She wanted to stay out

of the hospital Her disease had progressed to the point where medicine could only address her symptoms She had lived a rich life her husband of more than 60

years was by her side and she was living with her daughter (my mom)

Gramma had reached a peace of sorts For her husband and my mom it was a different story They were not ready to stop trying to get her better So when Grammarsquos symptoms worsened we were at a crossroads Gramma wanted to go in one direction and Grampa and Mom wanted to go in the other She wanted to stop prolonging death they wanted to continue prolonging life While we each know that there is a time for both living and dying we each in our own way come to an understanding of which time it is

When I met Mikey and his family he was three years old and struggling with complications related to his congenital heart

defects His current hospitalization was not going well and the medical team was beginning to consider that they had reached the limits of their knowledge and care

As Mikey got sicker I had a conversation with his dad about his choices continue trying various interventions in the hopes that they would help or transition his care from curative and invasive to palliative ldquoSome families have decided to stoprdquo I said to him

ldquoIf there is even a chance that some test or procedure will give us more time with him why wouldnrsquot we try it I donrsquot understand the families that decide to stoprdquo he replied

We donrsquot all choose the same path ldquoFor everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heavenrdquo

Janet MacLean an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ completed her CPE residency at ACMC in 1999 and has served as staff chaplain since 2003 She studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School She has been an activist with Amnesty International for 25 years and is an avid knitter beginning quilter and enthusiastic singer She lives in Forest Park with her 15 year old son

Prolonging Life vs Prolonging Death

Chaplain Janet MacLean

Gramma wanted to go in one direction and Grampa and Mom wanted to go in the other

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 3

Health Care

Decisions Day Is

April 16

Spirituality at the End of Life

SeminarWed Apr 20 1 to 4 pm

Advocate Christ Medical Center Auditorium

Advocate Christ Medical Center is hosting the viewing of the DVD Spirituality at the End of Life developed by the Hospice Foundation of America as a resource for faith leaders parish nurses and others interested in end-of-life issues A discussion will follow the viewing Register online at advocatehealthcomseminars or call 800-323-8622Mon - Fri 8 am - 6 pm

Loss of a Parent ndash Grief Support GroupSix consecutive Wednesdays starting Mar 2630 ndash 8 pmAdvocate HospiceYoursquoll be guided through grief and loss and learn effective ways to deal with feelings of loss and loneliness For further information or to register contact Penelope at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Widow to Widow ndash Support GroupSat Mar 19 and the 3rd Saturday of every month10 am ndash 12 noonAdvocate HospiceWomen who have lost a partner are welcome to attend this monthly support group This monthrsquos focus is resiliency There is no charge but registration is required For further information and to register call Penelope Gabriele at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Hospice CornerAdvocate Hospice 1441 Branding Lane Suite 200

Downers Grove IL 60515 630-963-6800

At Advocate Christ Medical Center the work of the Eucharistic minister is extensive Seven days a week these volunteers serve Holy Communion to those patients who wish it Since the need is greatest on holidays and weekends more volunteers are needed at those times

Most of our three dozen Eucharistic Ministers work a few hours one or two days a week and serve thousands of patients over the course of a year Additional volunteers are always needed

If you are interested in learning more about this important ministry please contact Fran Genender at frangenenderadvocatehealthcom or 708-684-5175

Eucharistic ministers are invited to a Thanksgiving luncheon as a show of appreciation for the time and comfort they give Christ Medical Center patients As always this yearrsquos celebration was wonderful for all

Father Bill Father Eke and Father Pete work closely with the volunteer Eucharistic ministers of Advocate Christ Medical Center offering communion to thousands of patients each year

Our Eucharistic Ministry

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 3

Health Care

Decisions Day Is

April 16

Spirituality at the End of Life

SeminarWed Apr 20 1 to 4 pm

Advocate Christ Medical Center Auditorium

Advocate Christ Medical Center is hosting the viewing of the DVD Spirituality at the End of Life developed by the Hospice Foundation of America as a resource for faith leaders parish nurses and others interested in end-of-life issues A discussion will follow the viewing Register online at advocatehealthcomseminars or call 800-323-8622Mon - Fri 8 am - 6 pm

Loss of a Parent ndash Grief Support GroupSix consecutive Wednesdays starting Mar 2630 ndash 8 pmAdvocate HospiceYoursquoll be guided through grief and loss and learn effective ways to deal with feelings of loss and loneliness For further information or to register contact Penelope at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Widow to Widow ndash Support GroupSat Mar 19 and the 3rd Saturday of every month10 am ndash 12 noonAdvocate HospiceWomen who have lost a partner are welcome to attend this monthly support group This monthrsquos focus is resiliency There is no charge but registration is required For further information and to register call Penelope Gabriele at 630-829-1753 or penelopegabrieleadvocatehealthcom

Hospice CornerAdvocate Hospice 1441 Branding Lane Suite 200

Downers Grove IL 60515 630-963-6800

At Advocate Christ Medical Center the work of the Eucharistic minister is extensive Seven days a week these volunteers serve Holy Communion to those patients who wish it Since the need is greatest on holidays and weekends more volunteers are needed at those times

Most of our three dozen Eucharistic Ministers work a few hours one or two days a week and serve thousands of patients over the course of a year Additional volunteers are always needed

If you are interested in learning more about this important ministry please contact Fran Genender at frangenenderadvocatehealthcom or 708-684-5175

Eucharistic ministers are invited to a Thanksgiving luncheon as a show of appreciation for the time and comfort they give Christ Medical Center patients As always this yearrsquos celebration was wonderful for all

Father Bill Father Eke and Father Pete work closely with the volunteer Eucharistic ministers of Advocate Christ Medical Center offering communion to thousands of patients each year

Our Eucharistic Ministry

Connections - Advocate Christ Medical Center Office for Mission and Spiritual Care MarchApril 2011 - Page 4

Unique Partnerships of the CeaseFire MinistryChaplainrsquos Choice Summer Reading Suggestions

CPE provides a supportive environment to provide spiritual care ministry reflect on ones life and ministry practice and grow personally and professionally Participating in CPE at Christ Medical Center is a rich experience due to the diversity found in the students chaplains patients and associates as well as by the wide-ranging ministry encounters from infants and children to trauma ministry Corky DeBoer

I believe that supervising CPE students is about providing guidance direction insight and wisdom intermingled with compassion and love for people It is a gift to assist others through this process of self-evaluation and reflection In light of this it is also a gift to learn from others within the process Angie Keith

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote ldquoI need you in order to be me as you need me in order to be you We are caught up in a delicate network of interconnectednessrdquo I learned about who I am and how I minister through my relationships with the peers in my CPE group They could see me in a way that I could not see myself Thank God they were willing to share their perspectives Janet MacLean

To continue receiving Connections your email address must be current Please inform us of any changes of email address or other contact

information Email Christ-Mission-SpiritualCareadvocatehealthcom or call 708-684-5175

Advocate Christ Medical CenterAdvocate Hope Childrenrsquos Hospital

Staff ChaplainsRefat Abukhdeir Moslem MinistriesCathy Arsenault MennoniteFr Bill Browne Roman CatholicMary Anne Cannon Roman CatholicPV Chandy QuakerFr Casimir Eke Roman CatholicChristy Howard-Steele Christian Richard James Southern BaptistStacey Jutila Evangelical Lutheran ChurchMarjorie Kooy Christian ReformedSr Peggy Nau Roman CatholicDavid Safeblade United Church of ChristMcKinney Sawyer National Baptist

Clinical Pastoral Education SupervisorsAngie Keith Pentecostal

ACPE Supervisory CandidateChaplainJanet MacLean United Church of Christ

ACPE Supervisory CandidateChaplainPhyllis Toback Jewish

ACPE SupervisorChaplain

Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain ResidentsJaroslaw Dabrowski Roman CatholicDenise Duncan United Church of ChristMary Johnston Roman CatholicEliza Leatherberry United Church of Christ

Secretarial StaffKaren Darr 708-684-4189

CPE Ethics Committee Office of Vice PresidentFran Genender 708-684-5175

Eucharistic Ministers the Department Office of Manager of Spiritual Services

Administrative StaffCorky DeBoer Christian Reformed

Manager of Spiritual Services ACPE SupervisorWendell Oman Evangelical Free Church of America

Vice-President Mission amp Spiritual Care

Advocate Christ Medical CenterAdvocate Hope Childrenrsquos Hospital

4440 West 95th Street Oak Lawn Illinois 60453 708-684-8000

Other Advocate Health Care FacilitiesAdvocate BroMenn Medical Center NormalAdvocate Condell Medical Center LibertyvilleAdvocate Eureka Hospital EurekaAdvocate Good Samaritan Downers GroveAdvocate Good Shepherd Hospital BarringtonAdvocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center ChicagoAdvocate Lutheran General Hospital Park RidgeAdvocate Lutheran General Childrenrsquos Hospital Pk Ridge Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel CrestAdvocate Trinity Hospital Chicago

Share the news This publication may be copied for use by others if printed acknowledgment of source is included

Clinical Pastoral Education

Advocate Christ Medical Center offers three programs for those interested in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Summer Intensive June 6 to Aug 19 2011 Extended Unit Approx Sept 20 2011 to mid-May 2012 Residency Sept1 2011 to Aug 31 2012

The screening process for these programs has begun If you wish to apply contact Karen Darr at 708-684-4189 as soon as possible

Ch Janet McLean Ch Phyllis TobackCh Angie Keith

In Upcoming Issues

Corky DeBoer (Manager of

Spiritual Services)

ACPE Supervisors for Christ Medical Center

For those who seek to minister to patients and their families deepen their own spirituality and learn more

about end-of-life issues

Bra

in I

njur

ies

and

Old

er P

eopl

e

Pray

er

Dea

r G

od t

hank

you

for

the

gifts

of t

houg

ht a

nd

feel

ing

and

mem

ory

Hel

p m

e be

und

erst

andi

ng o

f and

pat

ient

w

ith th

ose

in w

hom

thes

e gi

fts a

re c

ompr

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ed A

men

Bra

in I

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ies

and

Youn

g Pe

ople

bullad

voca

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alth

com

bullsb

ssup

port

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ork

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sco

m (S

hake

n B

aby

Supp

ort N

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ork)

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e (M

otor

cycl

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Pro

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ague

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ASA

P)bull

nind

sni

hgo

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alth

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Inst

itute

of N

euro

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cal

Bet

wee

n 2

5 an

d 6

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illio

n A

mer

ican

s ha

ve h

ad a

trau

mat

ic

brai

n in

jury

(TB

I) A

lcoh

ol p

lays

a r

ole

in m

any

of th

ese

Hal

f of

all

TBIs

are

tran

spor

tatio

n ac

cide

nts

vio

lenc

e is

impl

icat

ed

in o

ver

10

and

spo

rts

inju

ries

acc

ount

for

3

Cer

tain

age

gro

ups

are

mor

e lik

ely

than

oth

ers

to h

ave

TBIs

Youn

g m

en a

ges

15 to

24

esp

ecia

lly th

ose

in lo

wer

so

cioe

cono

mic

leve

ls a

re m

ost l

ikel

y to

be

invo

lved

in r

isky

dr

ivin

g p

hysi

cal fi

ghts

and

cri

min

al a

ctiv

ity T

hese

incr

ease

th

e lik

elih

ood

of a

TB

I A

lway

s w

eari

ng a

sea

t bel

t and

nev

er

driv

ing

whi

le u

nder

the

influ

ence

of a

lcoh

ol o

r dr

ugs

grea

tly

redu

ce th

is r

isk

(Acc

iden

ts a

re th

e le

adin

g ca

use

of d

eath

or

disa

bilit

y in

men

und

er 3

5)

Chi

ldre

n un

der

age

five

are

at h

ighe

r ri

sk fo

r TB

Is th

an th

e ge

nera

l pop

ulat

ion

too

bec

ause

they

fall

ofte

n an

d ca

n be

th

e vi

ctim

s of

chi

ld a

buse

Shak

en b

aby

synd

rom

e th

e co

nseq

uenc

e of

a fo

rm o

f chi

ld

abus

e is

a s

erio

us b

rain

inju

ry B

abie

s ha

ve w

eak

neck

m

uscl

es a

nd s

trug

gle

to s

uppo

rt th

eir

heav

y he

ads

Whe

n an

in

fant

is s

hake

n th

e br

ain

mov

es b

ack

and

fort

h in

side

the

skul

l ca

usin

g br

uisi

ng s

wel

ling

and

blee

ding

Bra

in c

ells

are

de

stro

yed

and

the

brai

n st

ops

getti

ng e

noug

h ox

ygen

Onl

y a

few

sec

onds

of s

haki

ng is

nee

ded

to c

ause

irre

vers

ible

bra

in

dam

age

in a

n in

fant

Hal

f tho

se w

ith s

hake

n ba

by s

yndr

ome

die

and

sur

vivo

rs m

ay r

equi

re li

felo

ng m

edic

al c

are

Shak

en b

aby

synd

rom

e is

100

p

reve

ntab

le a

nd p

aren

ts c

an

educ

ate

one

anot

her

abou

t its

dan

gers

Like

you

ng m

en a

nd s

mal

l chi

ldre

n o

lder

adu

lts a

lso

are

at

grea

ter

risk

for

brai

n in

juri

es th

an th

e re

st o

f the

pop

ulat

ion

In

thos

e 75

and

old

er f

alls

are

res

pons

ible

for

mos

t of t

he

trau

mat

ic b

rain

inju

ries

(TB

Is)

Old

er a

dults

are

at g

reat

er r

isk

of fa

lling

due

to v

isio

n an

d ba

lanc

e pr

oble

ms

bri

ttle

bone

sin

flexi

bilit

y an

d m

edic

atio

ns

Thos

e w

ith A

lzhe

imer

rsquos di

seas

e ar

e ev

en m

ore

in d

ange

r C

hang

es in

abi

litie

s an

d co

ordi

natio

n co

uple

d w

ith p

oor

mem

ory

som

etim

es m

ake

it ch

alle

ngin

g si

mpl

y to

go

up

stai

rs H

avin

g ha

d a

TBI i

ncre

ases

the

risk

of A

lzhe

imer

rsquos an

d Pa

rkin

sonrsquo

s di

seas

es i

llnes

ses

that

res

ult i

n th

e de

gene

ratio

n of

bra

in fu

nctio

n S

o av

oidi

ng fa

lls is

ver

y de

sira

ble

Her

e ar

e tip

s fo

r av

oidi

ng fa

lls a

roun

d th

e ho

use

In

stal

l han

drai

ls in

bat

hroo

ms

and

both

sid

es o

f sta

irca

ses

U

se a

non

-slip

mat

in th

e ba

th o

r sh

ower

Rem

ove

all a

rea

rugs

Use

str

onge

r lig

ht b

ulbs

rep

lace

bur

nt o

ut li

ghts

and

turn

on

the

light

s

Keep

sta

irs

and

floor

s cl

ear

of c

lutte

r

Stay

cur

rent

with

eye

exa

ms

Ex

erci

se

Stro

nger

mus

cles

qui

cker

rea

ctio

n tim

e an

d be

tter

bala

nce

all a

dd u

p to

few

er fa

lls

With

spr

ing

just

aro

und

the

corn

er n

ow is

the

perf

ect t

ime

to

mak

e th

ese

hom

e im

prov

emen

ts fo

r yo

urse

lf or

som

eone

you

lo

ve H

avin

g a

bad

fall

can

chan

ge s

omeo

nersquos

life

fore

ver

Mar

ch I

s B

rain

Inj

ury

Aw

aren

ess

Mon

th

3-11

Now

Is

the

Tim

e to

Mak

e Li

fe C

hoic

es

Pray

er

Cre

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Apr

il 16

Is

Hea

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Car

e D

ecis

ions

Day

4-11