Chec News

Reviewed by Sylvia Quigley, Community Health Education Center Volunteer

Parkinson's Disease, a progressive, degenerative disease, impacts not only the patient, but family and friends as well. From understanding "Basic Concepts for living with Parkinson's" to topics like communicating, mealtime managing, and "Empowering Yourself," this book provides information to help live with the disease.
Ms. Schwarz divides her chapters into three segments. The first is the basic issues to be handled in the chapter. In the first chapter, which discusses living with Parkinson's Disease, the first section presents ways to keep a positive attitude. The second section is called "Helping Hands," which discusses how others can help the patient; and the last section is "Resources." Great ideas are great only if they are accessible. This section of each chapter gives addresses, phone numbers and website information, so that if you want a speech amplifier, for example, you know where to get it.
While you may not have total control over your Parkinson's Disease, you do have control over how you allow it to affect your life. Keep a positive attitude, learn adaptive ways to accomplish everyday activities, learn how to speak to be understood, and stay active. Plan, be realistic and creative, and you should be able to do many of the activities you want to do.

Community Health Education Ctr RC382 .S3825 2006 Non-circulating

To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.

Posted by Dana L. Ladd at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Reviewed by Barbara Jones, Community Health Education Center Intern

The death of a loved one is an emotional crisis that adults grapple with. For children death is particularly perplexing. Julia Wilcox Rathkey, author of What Children Need When They Grieve, was suddenly thrown into the surreal world of death and grief when her husband and the father of her three children died in the 911 tragedy. As the surviving parent she became not only a grieving widow, but also the grief navigator and counselor for her three children. Rathkey found a limited amount of literature available written by parents who had been down this path of helping their children grieve for a loved one, thus the creation of this book. Personal observations and anecdotes make for engaging reading. The strength of this work is the fact that it is written from a mother's perspective; a mother who ached with her children, sought to assist them through the grieving process and to be able to smile and enjoy life again.

Community Health Education Ctr BF723.G75 R38 2004 Non-circulating

To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.

Posted by Dana L. Ladd at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Reviewed by Shannon Wortham, Community Health Education Center Intern

The Sears family has written a virtual parenting library with over thirty books covering the gamut of parenting topics from pregnancy nutrition to disciplining your toddler. This book is a fine addition to that library. In this book, William and Martha (as well as their sons James and Robert) discuss nutrition and how to eat right in a fast food world. The other topics covered in the book include tips to deal with problem food areas such as carb or fat to dealing with eating habits like grazing. The impetus for this book was William Sears' experience with colon cancer. He retells how this life threatening event caused him to re-evaluate his dietary habits and by extension, the habits that his pediatric patients were being taught. After combing through mountains of research, he arrived at a healthy approach to food.
This book argues that our modern food choices are strongly contributing to a rise in obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, fatigue, and even such conditions as attention deficit disorder. The cure is to become educated about the food we eat, make smarter choices, and teach our children early. The book includes information on the right kind of fats and carbohydrates, on the timing of certain foods (carbohydrates make you tired so don't eat them before any period when you need to be alert.) The Healthiest Kid talks about the types of vitamins, minerals, and essentials (amino acids, omega 3s, carbs and others).
Sears says it is okay not to be perfect. In fact, if your kids get the occasional yucky food feeling, it can remind them why your family eats healthy foods.

Community Health Education Ctr RJ206 .H34 2006 Non-circulating

To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.

Posted by Dana L. Ladd at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Reviewed by Sylvia Quigley, Community Health Education Center Volunteer

Gardening is fun and can be therapeutic. Gardening can be adapted for individual needs. Whether you are in a wheelcair or walk with a cane, etc, gardening can be a hobby for you. From container gardening to raised beds; from ground level gardens with appropriate paths between the individual beds to vertical gardens, gardens can be within the reach of almost anyone.
The author gives important information on the how of gardening for people with disabilities. A garden can be one arm length or two arms lengths wide, depending on whether or not it is accessible from one or two sides. Choosing the correct tools is important for any gardener, and in some instances, a homemade tool is the best choice. According to the author, the most important thing "to consider in choosing garden tools is, as always, your physical capabilities."
Common sense ideas are plentiful in this book; for example, don't work during the heat of the day and consult with your doctor or therapist before beginning a project. And, don't forget the sunscreen.
Once the decision to garden is made, other related topics like mulching, seed/plant selections, watering, fertilizing, cutting and pruning, and dealing with pests - both insects and four-footed are presented.
And finally, don't forget children: children love to garden. They love to reap the products of their work. Gardening truly gives children a sense of accomplishment: just watch them show off their plants, flowers or produce!

Community Health Education Ctr SB457.4.H36 A35 1994 Non-circulating

To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.

Posted by Dana L. Ladd at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)