Prioritizing Nutrition in Older Adults: A Key to Optimal Health & Well-being

March 20, 2023

As we age, the importance of good nutrition becomes increasingly crucial. Eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. Yet, older adults often face challenges that make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a significant health concern for older adults. Poor nutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Additionally, it can contribute to cognitive decline, depression, and other mental health problems.

“Good nutrition is vital for older adults because their bodies require fewer calories, but they need more nutrients to maintain their health,” says Danielle Paquette-Horne, RN, Executive Director with Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. “Unfortunately, many older adults struggle with eating a healthy diet due to a lack of appetite, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and other health issues.”

To help older adults stay healthy, it’s essential to prioritize good nutrition. Here are some tips for older adults:

Eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids.
Avoid empty calories from processed foods, sugary drinks, and snacks.
Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating.
Talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to develop an individualized nutrition plan.
Consider taking dietary supplements if recommended by a healthcare provider.

“Older adults need to be mindful of their nutrition and take steps to maintain a healthy diet,” says Paquette-Horne, RN. “By making small changes to their diet and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, they can live a healthy and fulfilling life.”

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is a trusted, nonprofit agency proudly serving 29 towns in central and northern NH since 1967. Expert services include at-home healthcare and physical therapies (VNA), hospice and palliative care, and community programs including: American Red Cross CPR/AED/FA, Caregiver and Bereavement Support Groups and Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse days at your local senior centers. Providing compassionate care with experienced staff who are trained, certified professionals and also your neighbors. In your time of need, we’re right where you need us.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Announcing Spring Auction Fundraiser and Seeking Business Sponsorships to Support Our Mission

March 7, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, your local, non-profit, visiting nurse association, is excited to announce their upcoming auction fundraiser to be held on line the month of May. The event runs from May 1^st– 30^th and all proceeds raised are for friends and neighbors who are under-insured as well as Pemi-Baker’s FREE community programs: ‘Ask A Pemi-Baker Nurse’, Grief and Caregiver Support Groups and Advance Directive workshops.

All proceeds from the auction fundraiser will directly benefit our programs and help us achieve our mission of supporting families with advanced illness at home. However, we cannot achieve this alone, and we are seeking the support of local businesses to help us achieve our fundraising goals.

We are inviting businesses in the community to sponsor the event through a donation of goods, services, or funds. As a sponsor, your business will be recognized on our event signage, website, and social media accounts, and you will have the opportunity to connect with potential customers and demonstrate your commitment to supporting our community.

With the support of our community and local businesses, we can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

The following is an example of the Auction ’22 home page with business sponsorships:

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Anna Swanson, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health at 603-536-2232 or info@pbhha.org. We appreciate your consideration and support.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Celebrating Palliative Care & Hospice Social Workers

February 27, 2023

March is National Social Worker Appreciation Month

As the nation’s baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and life expectancy increases, the need for support care for individuals with an advanced illness grows more urgent. March is National Social Worker Appreciation month and we want to explain the importance of our palliative and hospice social workers and thank them for their compassionate work.

As someone approaches their end-of-life, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s social workers address issues related to the patient, family, caregivers, and the team of health care professionals involved in providing the care.

Patients who require palliative and/or hospice care can experience extreme challenges, including depression, anger, and anxiety; intense physical pain or discomfort; financial strain; social isolation; and family conflict. This phase of life often carries the added emotional weight of grief and bereavement and frequently involves pain management.

For these reasons, the participation of palliative/hospice social workers is critically important to guide patients and families in navigating the many challenges and pitfalls as well as to identify opportunities to help them with the difficult process of end-of-life planning; manage the mental, emotional, familial, and monetary stressors of debilitating physical illness; understand patients’ treatment plans and voice their needs; overcome crisis situations; and connect to other support services in the area.

These specially trained professionals are advocates for patients and their families and bring depth of knowledge about available resources, whether the palliative/hospice services are delivered in a hospital setting or at home.

Palliative/hospice social workers must be flexible because every situation is unique; they must quickly adjust to each new environment. They play a key role in providing insight and preparing other members of the patient’s team of health care professionals. They’re also guides for advanced care planning (end of life wishes).

“Because it’s performed in a stressful time of life for everyone involved, palliative/hospice social work can be challenging, but the rewards include the opportunity to make a deep connection with individuals, to celebrate their life stories, and to have a significantly positive impact on patients and their families,” said Nancy Waugh, BSW for Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health.

Differences between Hospice and Palliative Care
The goal of end-of-life care is to improve the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual quality of life of people living with a serious illness and their families.

Palliative care is designed to prevent or relieve pain, whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual, and alleviate any symptoms of the illness. It can be provided at any point during the illness and be used alongside curative care.

In contrast, hospice is a form of palliative care that supports and provides physical comfort at the end of life—typically when life expectancy is six months or less.

While some people may use palliative care and subsequently enroll in hospice care, others begin hospice without prior use of palliative care or may choose palliative care at the end of life instead of hospice. For more information on Pemi-Baker’s Palliative and/or Hospice services please call or visit our website: www.pbhha.org

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

~Written by Anna Swanson

Celebrating the Caregivers in Our Lives

February 16, 2023

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers monthly support groups!

Though National Caregiver Day is February 17^th this year, we think every day is a good day to celebrate caregivers around the globe. We have a few ideas to inspire you as you take time to give back to the people who care for others all year long. We also want to invite any caregiver to our free Caregiver Support groups the first Wednesday of every month.

Who Are Family Caregivers?

Nearly 53 million people in the United States are providing some type of unpaid care for a family member or child. This means you probably have at least one person in your life who is an informal or family caregiver.

Challenges for Caregivers

All caregivers, whether informal or professional, face similar challenges. For example, caregivers are at high risk for caregiver fatigue or burnout. This is a condition that is rooted in stress and can result in serious health consequences ranging from high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, or increased physical illness.

Caregivers typically receive less help than they need to stay as healthy as possible, and they often put the needs of their loved ones ahead of their own. Unfortunately, this means that informal caregivers often skip their own annual doctor appointments or preventative care because they are overwhelmed coordinating care for their loved ones.

Gifts for Caregivers

There are many ways to celebrate a caregiver in your life. Even something small can go a long way and encourage them for days or months to come. For example:

An encouraging note or card telling them that you notice the hard work they do for others
A gift card to a local coffee shop so they can pick up their favorite treat
A subscription to a meal delivery service like Blue Apron or HelloFresh
A gift card to a local spa for a haircut, massage, or facial
A subscription to their favorite magazine so they can have one ready for when they have a quiet moment

Beyond traditional gifts, perhaps the most meaningful thing you can give a caregiver is the gift of time to themselves. You can offer to make life a bit easier and relieve some of their daily burdens by:

Making homemade meals they can freeze and then defrost when they are too exhausted to cook
Driving their loved one to a medical appointment
Grocery shopping for the week and dropping off the items at their home or at the home of their loved one
Taking their children to/from sporting or school events
Visiting with their loved one for a few hours so the caregiver can get out of the home and run errands, grab a coffee, or take a nap

Most caregivers feel quite alone, and your acknowledgment of their work, along with tangible help, can make them feel supported.

Here at Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, we honor every caregiver we have the chance to work with daily. From the professional and well-trained caregivers, to the family members and friends who tirelessly advocate for their loved ones, we celebrate you.

If you’re looking for support, we offer caregiver conversation, education and support at our free meetings the first Wednesday of every month. You will be able to connect with others, learn more about the ups and downs of at home caregiving, and discuss any issues related to the monthly topic. For more information about our meetings please email Guy Tillson: gtillson@pbhha.org or call 603-536-2232

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Getting Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy in Your Home

February 13, 2023

Therapeutic Services Provided by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health (PBH&HH) is well known for its Home Health nursing services but did you realize you can get home health therapy as well? Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy all help individuals regain their confidence and independence with daily activities as well as help you learn to cope with any new disabilities or challenges. While in the home, they also assist clients with outfitting their homes to create safer, more manageable environments that enhance the quality of life and support aging in place.

We can meet your needs in the comfort of home and eliminate burdensome traveling and scheduling. Our therapists also gain access to important information about your home setting and any challenges that you might face. By receiving care in your home, your family has the opportunity to participate, increasing the benefits to you as well.

I had a stroke and can speak fine, but my ability to swallow was impacted. Can therapy help me? Yes! Pemi-Baker’s licensed Speech Therapists work with patients every day helping them to cope with swallowing concerns and improve functioning. This allows many to regain their independence when it comes to eating and drinking.
After returning home from my knee replacement, I can no longer bend to tie my shoelaces or pick up objects. Can you help me to cope? Our Occupational Therapists can help you by improving the skills that you currently use to complete these tasks as well as teach you new methods for completing them. This would require a physician’s referral and is beneficial for improving your ability to complete many activities of daily living.
Will my Physical Therapist teach me activities that I can do on my own? Fitness and wellness are important parts of home health Physical Therapy. Your therapist will teach you many appropriate exercises that you can complete on your own or with assistance from your caregiver or a family member. These exercises often enhance your recovery and help to speed healing.

How Do You Get Home Health Therapy?

Most patients who receive home health therapy are referred to the service by their physician. Your doctor can make the referral to any local visiting nurse service that offers therapy, and he or she can attest that home services are medically necessary. This medical necessity report will likely also state that home health therapy is needed because you are unable to leave the house due to your condition or circumstances. Patients can choose who they go to for services, they just need to mention the organization to their physician. (Keep in mind if you have insurance you should always check to confirm what providers are included).

If you feel you may benefit from Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy at home, you can also call Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health. We can help you navigate the pathway to receiving home health therapy.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

~Written by Anna Swanson

Surviving a Heart Attack: Why Care in the First Hours is Critical

February 6, 2023

February is National Heart Health Month!

In the United States, about 805,000 people have a heart attack each year. With numbers like that, it’s likely that you, or someone close to you, will have a heart attack during your lifetime. Luckily, many people survive heart attacks and go on to live fulfilling lives. And the odds for this happy outcome are far higher among folks who recognize they’re having a heart attack and get the right care, right away. Protect yourself and your loved ones by understanding what causes this health crisis and how prompt treatment can save a life.

What is a Heart Attack?

Your heart has the tough job of pumping blood and oxygen through the coronary arteries all along your body. A heart attack happens when plaque builds up in your arteries over time and blocks the flow of blood. Without blood bringing oxygen to the heart muscle, the area of your heart supplied by that artery begins to die.

This is the moment when quick medical care is critical: A blockage that’s re-opened in two to three hours will cause far less damage than one left untreated for five or six hours.

What to Do If You Suspect a Heart Attack

If you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack, call 911, where you’ll be taken to your local Emergency Room to get expert help right away. People who get to the hospital quickly have the best chance for survival. They also have a better recovery, since opening the blocked artery as soon as possible means less heart muscle dies.

The key to getting the help you need, when you need it, is recognizing the signs of a heart attack. While the most classic symptom is sudden severe chest pain, not all heart attacks give such a clear signal. In fact, many heart attacks are silent, causing few or no symptoms at all.

Heart attack symptoms can begin gradually or suddenly, and may be mild or severe. You or your loved one may experience:

Cold Sweat
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Heartburn or indigestion, Nausea
Chest Pain, Pressure, Squeezing, Tightness or Aching
Pain Radiating From the Jaw, Neck Shoulders or Arms
Shortness of Breath
Unusual Fatigue

It’s especially important to know these symptoms if you or someone you love is at higher than average risk for a heart attack. In addition, women can have more subtle heart attack symptoms that are easily mistaken for other health conditions, such as anxiety. These include:

Dizziness
Heartburn or constant indigestion
Nausea
Pressure between your shoulder blades
Rapid heart beat
Trouble sleeping
Unexplained extreme fatigue that can last for days

Know Your Risk and Prepare for the Worst

As with most diseases, there are risk factors for heart disease you can influence with treatment or lifestyle change, and others you cannot. Some factors such as your age, gender and family history can’t be changed. However, others can be better managed to help reduce your risk for heart disease and heart attack, including:

Alcohol or Tobacco Use
Blood Pressure
Diabetes
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
Physical Inactivity
Stress Level
Weight

Both your family history and certain lifestyle choices should be reviewed with your doctor at each well visit — especially at your annual physical. These routine checkups are designed to provide an opportunity for you and your doctor to determine your risk for certain diseases and conditions, put a screening plan in place, discuss any health changes and create a plan for any needed lifestyle changes.

Every Moment Counts

It’s smart to work at lowering your heart attack risks, so you can avoid this frightening and dangerous health crisis. In the meantime, remember the symptoms of heart attack and call 911 if you think you or someone nearby is having one — even if you’re not sure. “If someone is unconscious and you think they’re having a heart attack, first call 911 then check if the person is breathing and has a pulse. If the person isn’t breathing or you don’t find a pulse, begin CPR and have someone get an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if you have access to one,” said Anna Swanson, American Red Cross CPR Instructor.

If you’re untrained in CPR, do hands-only CPR. That means push hard and fast on the person’s chest- about 100-120 compressions a minute.
If you’re trained in CPR, start with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths. Start using an AED as soon as it is available.

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health is an Authorized Provider of the American Red Cross and offers CPR/AED and First Aid classes monthly. Contact Anna Swanson by phone or email today and become better prepared to save a life!

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Top 5 Misconceptions Regarding Hospice Care

January 26, 2023

There are many misconceptions around hospice care that often keep patients and caregivers from seeking it out when it could be of benefit and provide much-needed comfort to loved ones in their last days. Here are some of the top misconceptions patients and caregivers have:

Misconception 1: Hospice care is a death sentence. Because it often comes at the end of life, it is a popular belief that hospice care means death is imminent. This can certainly be the case if hospice care is delayed until the very end, but waiting until the last minute is not an ideal situation for the patient or the hospice provider. The Medicare benefit has structured hospice benefits for the last six months of life. Patients may remain in hospice care longer if their illness continues to run its course and there is no cure.

Misconception 2: Hospice care means giving up. Hospice care does mean giving up active treatment for your disease. This choice is made because treatments no longer work or the side effects of treatment are worse than the disease itself. However, hospice never gives up hope for the patient; hope just takes a different form. It might not be hope for a long life but hope for another year, or to make it to an event or milestone. End-of-life care focuses on making the remainder of one’s life as fulfilling as possible. Patients can still travel, enjoy family reunions and celebrate life events.

Misconception 3: Hospice care is expensive. Medicare pays for hospice, and most insurances will have hospice benefits. Hospice covers medications, durable medical equipment and medical supplies related to terminal illnesses. This is a substantial help to families. For more information on what’s covered by Medicare, visit https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care

Misconception 4: Hospice care ends with the passing of the patient. Hospice continues to follow the bereaved family for 13 months beyond the life of the patient, understanding that those “left behind” continue to need support, people to confide in and sometimes just notes to say someone is there for them if they need to talk. Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers in-person and on line grief support groups and individual support with their chaplains, Guy Tillson and Salvatore Ippolito.

Misconception 5: Hospice care means 24-hour care. It is important to know that hospice care does not mean somebody is there with your loved one all hours of the day. Our nurse, chaplain or social worker will visit according to your needs and preferences; the visit times and days are flexible. The bulk of hands-on care is provided by family or private caregivers throughout a patient’s time in hospice. Our hospice team will teach caregivers how to give medications, address symptom management and deliver the correct care.

I have questions, when should I reach out to get them answered?

If you have questions about the stage of your loved one’s illness, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health will meet with you in-person or via a phone call to answer your questions. It’s never too early to start asking. It is best to reach out while your loved one is still undergoing treatment for their serious illness. Our Palliative care team helps those with Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, COPD, ALS, Emphysema, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Congestive Heart Failure, Liver or Kidney Disease, Dementia or other serious progressive illness.

“Being involved with the patient soon after prognosis allows our nurses to help manage the symptoms, pain and stress that comes with their illness. We work with their primary care physician and family to make them as comfortable as possible and improve their quality of life,” said Tori Clark, MMHC, Hospice & Palliative Care Supervisor.

If you have questions about Palliative or Hospice care, call today: 603-536-2232.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

~written by Anna Swanson

Winter Grief Support Group Series

January 12, 2023

Offered by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health and Plymouth Regional Senior Center.

Grief is the complex of feelings one experiences after loss- any kind of loss. Though we usually associate the idea of grief with the death of someone we have known and loved, grief is also experienced following termination of employment, destruction of one’s home after fire or natural disaster, divorce or the breakup of a relationship, relocation to an unfamiliar place where you know no one, loss of one’s finances through bad investments or crime, or the death of a pet. Many people choose to brush off grief or ignore it, but it really does not go away on its own. It can be helpful to be in the company of others who are also coming to terms with their grief.

PEMI-BAKER HOSPICE AND HOME HEALTH offers grief support groups at various times throughout the calendar year to assist persons in our area who would like help and companionship in processing their losses.

GRIEF 101: The Basics

The next group, “GRIEF 101: The Basics”, will begin on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. There will be an in-person morning session at 11:00am, held in the Exercise Room at the Plymouth Area Regional Senior Center. There will be a late afternoon session, accessible virtually only, beginning at 5:30pm. Virtual participation is also possible for the morning session. ALL virtual participants will need to download the app for TEAMS (It’s like ZOOM) on their devices. There is no cost to attend either session.

Each group will go for six weeks, ending on March 21, 2023. The group meetings will include presentations by the facilitator, worksheets, and sharing and discussion on such topics as:

“Types of Grief”
“What Is Grief Work?”
“Principles of Transformation”
“What About Me?”

You must pre-register by Wednesday, February 7, 2023, in order to attend so that we know how many to prepare for. The groups will be facilitated by Guy Tillson, Pemi-Baker’s Bereavement Coordinator. You may contact him by email: gtillson@pbhha.org or by leaving a message by phone at (603) 536-2232.

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Become a Hospice Volunteer!

January 12, 2023

Reap the rewards of volunteering and join Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s Team of Hospice Volunteers.

Hospice volunteers know that helping others at the end of their lives is tremendously rewarding. Being part of a hospice team gives you the profound privilege of bringing comfort, peace and care to patients, caregivers, and their families during their transitional journey. Volunteers feel a greater appreciation of life itself, a deeper understanding of what’s truly important, and an authentic sense of fulfillment.

Why volunteer?

As a hospice volunteer, you become part of a person’s life when you are needed most. That sense of fulfillment is priceless. Also, without caring volunteers like you, there would be no Medicare-certified hospice programs. Medicare law requires that 5% of hospice care hours are provided by volunteers.

Who volunteers?

People just like you. Adults, young adults, and in some cases mature teens from all backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. Effective hospice volunteers embrace the fact that their role is one of compassionate service.

What skills do I need?

Most agencies like Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health, will provide the training and orientation you need to feel confident and comfortable with whatever level of support you choose to give. Training can include things such as grief counseling, boundaries between the volunteer, the patient and the family, and emergency medical support.

Do you love music? Sharing stories? Playing cards? Whatever passions, talents, or interests you bring can also be valuable assets. The most precious asset, of course, is simply caring.

What does a hospice volunteer do?

Ultimately, hospice care is about providing patients, caregivers, and families with the most comfortable and compassionate end-of-life experience possible. Your responsibilities will vary. In many cases it’s as simple as companionship. Sitting and talking. Or just listening. Or playing a patient’s favorite music.

You may also assist patients with tasks they can no longer perform for themselves. It may include anything from light household chores to lending emotional support to the patient’s family during this difficult time.

If you prefer to work in a different capacity, some hospice providers have opportunities to help with administrative office tasks.

What is the time commitment?

As with most things around hospice volunteering, your commitment can vary. It depends a lot on the time you’re willing to commit and the needs of the patients you are matched with. Some volunteers work an hour a week, some 2 hours each month.

I’m interested; how do I pre-register?

The next FREE VIRTUAL Hospice Volunteer training will start Tuesday, February 7^th and run 5 weeks through March 7^th, 2023. Class time is 2pm-4pm. All the training is done via TEAMS meetings (like Zoom) in the comfort of your own home. Contact Karen Bownes, Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 603-536-2232 or email her at kbownes@pbhha.org. For more information visit Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health’s website: www.pbhha.org

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

New Year’s Challenges

December 27, 2022

A New Year is the perfect time to kick-start a new beginning and finally achieve the things you’ve always wanted to get around to. Whether you’re yearning to learn a new skill, improve on your existing skills, better yourself as a person, or even overcome some obstacles, what better way to push yourself than with a New Year’s challenge.

Why take a New Year’s Challenge?

New Year’s resolutions are great; they not only encourage us to reflect on the last year and see what progress we have made, they also inspire us to change and make better choices for the year ahead. But ask yourself this: how often do you achieve your New Year’s resolution?

Resolutions are too easy to break. No one is watching you or cheering you on, and there’s simply nothing on the line that drives you to accomplish them. If you really want to achieve something real, a New Year’s challenge is the way forward. A challenge has more urgency than a resolution and if you have a competitive side, challenges push you and make you rise to the occasion.

How to Prepare for a New Year’s Challenge

Preparing for a New Year’s challenge isn’t as simple as saying, “this is what I want to do” and then doing it. These are the things that will help you achieve success:

The reason people take a New Year’s challenge is to improve—either you want to save money, adopt a healthier lifestyle, etc. Whatever your reason, you need to remember that you have a reason. Your reason is your motivation. Write your reason down and stick it somewhere where you will see it every day such as the bathroom mirror.
You can also get a challenge buddy-If you want to train for a marathon or learn a new language-those are great challenges to do with friends. By working together, you can easily motivate each other.
If time is an issue, set an alarm on your phone every day and label it as ‘challenge time’, that way you will never forget to do what you set out to do.
Break your goal into smaller chunks (aka mini-goals). If your goal is a big task, such as writing a book, you should set daily limits (like how many words you will write each day) that eventually add up to achieve your overall goal.
Research says it take on average 66 days to change a habit, but there are some who manage to kick bad habits in as little as 18 days. So if you want to make a change, we recommend choosing a challenge that lasts between 30 and 100 days.

Now that you are mentally in the zone, let’s look at some popular challenge ideas for you to choose from!

30-Day Challenge Ideas

A 30-Day challenge is a great idea for those wanting to try something new, different, healthy, or enjoyable, just for the fun of it. Here are some popular ideas:

Give up buying coffee. Or give up coffee completely!
Go 30 days smoke/vape free
Make your own lunches for work
De-clutter your house. (Choose a room a week and throw out all those unused or expired items)
Take a social media detox for 30 days
Give up sugar
Give up meat-or try Veganuary!
Drink 2 liters of water a day
Take a photo a day-photography challenge
Learn a language using Duolingo or Babble
Go 30 days without snacking
Give up a bad habit such as biting your nails
Watch every sunset
Read 30 minutes a day
Try intermittent fasting
Sweat every day: 40-minute walks, 50 squats, 50 situps
Draw a doodle a day
Wake up at 6 am every day
Do 10-15 minutes of yoga or meditation a day
Write down one good thing that made you laugh or smile a day
Start a new craft or hobby
Do one act of kindness a day
Tell someone you love them every day
Sing a song or dance every day
Spend an hour a day in nature

Pemi-Baker is located at 101 Boulder Point Drive, Suite 3, Plymouth, NH. To contact us please call: 603-536-2232 or email: info@pbhha.org Like our Facebook Page: @pemibakerhospicehomehealth

Prioritizing Nutrition in Older Adults: A Key to Optimal Health & Well-being

Announcing Spring Auction Fundraiser and Seeking Business Sponsorships to Support Our Mission

Celebrating the Caregivers in Our Lives

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers monthly support groups!

Getting Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy in Your Home

Therapeutic Services Provided by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

Surviving a Heart Attack: Why Care in the First Hours is Critical

February is National Heart Health Month!

Top 5 Misconceptions Regarding Hospice Care

Winter Grief Support Group Series

Become a Hospice Volunteer!

New Year’s Challenges

The Rewards of Being a Hospice Volunteer

You give of yourselves day & night without end!

“My home physical therapy was fantastic.”

“Your generosity with your time and your loving care is appreciated more than you know.”

“Everyone is so understanding supportive and kind.”

“Pemi-Baker Hospice services provided kind, professional, competent services every step of the way-and even vaccinated us all for Covid/19!””

Your courage during Covid-19 does not go unnoticed

Hours & Contact

Sign Up For Our Monthly Newsletter

News & Blog

March is National Social Worker Appreciation Month

Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health offers monthly support groups!

Therapeutic Services Provided by Pemi-Baker Hospice & Home Health

February is National Heart Health Month!

The Rewards of Being a Hospice Volunteer

You give of yourselves day & night without end!

“My home physical therapy was fantastic.”

“Your generosity with your time and your loving care is appreciated more than you know.”

“Everyone is so understanding supportive and kind.”

“Pemi-Baker Hospice services provided kind, professional, competent services every step of the way-and even vaccinated us all for Covid/19!””

Your courage during Covid-19 does not go unnoticed

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