Bob O'Keefe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 4 years ago. He first reached out to the Alzheimer's Association as a client. He soon became one of its most ardent volunteers.
For the past three months I’ve been taking some courses at the University of Southern Maine. It has been a wonderful, wonderful experience and the beginning of a journey that I expect will take several years. The end goal is a degree in fine arts, but I’m much more interested in what I get to [...]
The Cancer Community Center is able to provide all of its services for free primarily because of donations and fundraising events and lots of volunteers.
Two strangers, both with cancer, met, became friends and wrote a book — Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen: The Girlfriend's Guide to Using Real Food to Fight Cancer.
In 2003, Cynthia Scott had some unresolved issues that she wanted to put to rest. She ended up seeing a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) whose primary counseling tool was something called TIR. TIR stands for Traumatic Incident Reduction. TIR therapy was developed by retired California psychiatrist Dr. Frank Gerbode in the 80s and is [...]
A naturopathic doctor in Maine can get a license to practice medicine. What does that mean and is naturopathy covered by insurance?
Your cholesterol is too high, putting you at risk for developing heart disease and having a heart attack. Your doctor suggested you change your diet. You're totally confused about what to do next.
People with Alzheimer's may lose their cognitive memories, but are able to hang on to emotional memories. A trip to the hairdresser can help build those memories.
Becky and and her dog Muffin It’s hard to believe that is was the beginning of the year when I first wrote about Becky Sawtelle’s decision to have weight loss surgery. We haven’t had an update on the blog since the middle of May, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made [...]
At 20 months, Eme Brown was diagnosed with classic autism. Now five, because of early intervention she is able to attend mainstream kindergarten.
Every year, Shalom House presents two Hope Awards to people who are making a difference in the lives of people living with mental illness. Shalom House, which is based in Portland, provides community support services and safe, affordable housing for people with serious mental illness. Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear, owners of Coffee By Design, will [...]
Shalom House in Maine presents its 2013 Hope Awards to people making a difference for individuals living with mental illness. Cheryl Ramsay is a 2013 recipient.
Den Morton It all began in Gorham, Maine Den Morton, from Gorham, Maine, knows all about cancer. “I still remember the phone call from my surgeon,” he shares. “It was election night in 2004, and he called to let me know the tumor on my neck contained atypical cells and [...]
While most visits to the doctor are routine checkups, some may be more serious. Choosing Wisely in Maine has tips on how to talk with your health care provider.
Christie Cantara posted her news on the Team Christie Facebook page in big bold letters: CANCER FREE!!!!!!!
Wondering what to do with all the blueberries you picked? Try these blueberry recipes — from muffins to soup — healthy and delicious.
As we hear more and more about mosquitos causing EEE and West Nile virus, it's easy to become confused about the two infections. What is the difference?
A few days ago, I received an email from Malcolm Henderson. He found the Catching Health blog on Google and thought I might be interested in a book he wrote called “Granddad in the Back: A Guide to Adventurous Senior Living.” He told me that he was ” … born in 1933 but feel [...]
Guest post by Jani Darak-Druck, Cancer Community Center Definition of a cancer survivor What is a cancer survivor? When do you become a survivor? Do you have to wait that magic five years before you can call yourself a survivor? Does it mean you are cured? Debbie Porter, a participant at the Cancer [...]
Ethan and Ralph Kimball It’s not every grandfather who can brag that he has played hockey with his grandson, but Ralph Kimball can! He sent me a photo of himself and his now 14-year old grandson Ethan. “He’s a terrific hockey player and will play prep school hockey at St. [...]
All of us have to take charge of our health. Doctors have to change the way they approach patients. Patients also have to become part of the health care team.
I first met Joyce White in the late 90s, when I interviewed her about her new business Weighty Issues. She’s a licensed professional counselor who helps people struggling with issues related to … weight. In addition to her private practice, for many years Joyce ran the Weighty Matters Support Group at Martin’s Point Health Care [...]
A lot of women in Maine are delighted to have reached the age of 50. That's because it means they can join a very special basketball team.
You have pints and pints of luscious freshly picked strawberries. In case you don't know what to do with them, Catching Health found a few recipes to share.
Congratulations to Claire Ganter, who won the Catching Health with Diane Atwood Facebook challenge! Question: What do you think is the germiest item in your household?
Did you know that every year more people develop asthma? Or that Maine is on the top ten list of number of adults with asthma? More than 100,000 adults in Maine have asthma and more than 22,000 children. Years ago, an allergist explained to me that trying to breathe during an asthma episode is like [...]
If someone offers you a vegan burger do you automatically turn up your nose? Try this recipe and you just might change your mind.
The 2013 KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Relay in Burlington in the rain. Vermont and Boston Strong.
Ken Capron is an intelligent man. I got that right away when we met recently. His gaze was strong and focused and he was quick and articulate when he answered my questions. I only knew he had dementia because he told me ahead of time. I had the same experience with Donna Beveridge. Since her diagnosis, [...]
I think today should be all about Becky Sawtelle. No wait, let’s give her the entire rest of the week. She deserves it! For most of Becky’s life she struggled with her weight and finally decided to have gastric by-pass surgery. Dr. Jamie Loggins, from the Central Maine Bariatric Surgery Center did the procedure the [...]
Breast cancer survivor Christie Cantara celebrated Mother's Day by being the honorary bat girl for the Red Sox. Read her story.