Brain health is a hot topic for older adults, their families, the professionals who support them – really, for all of us. The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging is offering a free webinar titled Let’s Be Optimistic About Brain Health to share strategies for maintaining a healthy brain and reducing the risk of dementia.
Dr. Carol Van Hulle, a researcher in the Department of Medicine at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, will provide an overview of the changes that come with normal aging and talk about the things people can do to improve brain health and function.
Older adults, family members, professionals – all are encouraged to attend. Please share this widely.
Part concert, part storytelling – Michael Massey will share his story of recovery.
Michael Massey is a singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, producer, and author, none of which would have happened if he hadn’t changed his life 30 years ago.
He wants to tell you about it.
Join us Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 pm, as Massey brings his inaugural multi-media presentation to the Mineral Point Opera House. Part concert, part storytelling, Mike will chronicle his journey with performance, video, and photos through coming of age, rock and roll debauchery, a downward spiral into the depths of substance abuse, and then like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, the joy, and accomplishments in his ongoing recovery.
It proves to be an entertaining, enlightening evening of song, humor, and redemption, though Michael insists it’s not a “motivational speaking” event. He prefers to “just be an example that it’s possible,” even when the world seems hopeless, to change your life for the better.
There is no admission cost for this event, but it is reserved seating.
Michael’s memoir, “MORE,” was recently published by Little Creek Press.
Learn more about depression from Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., clinical psychologist at Mayo Clinic.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.
More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.
Symptoms
Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:
Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.
In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
Depression symptoms in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
Memory difficulties or personality changes
Physical aches or pain
Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
When to see a doctor
If you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.
When to get emergency help
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.
Also consider these options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:
U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.
If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number 1-800-362-5717 immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Does your staff need training on recognizing addiction in the workplace? Are you turning a blind eye because you don’t know what to do or how to help?
At Unified Community Services, we believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where every member of our team can thrive. If your organization shares this commitment to your staff and have encountered addiction in the workplace as one of the barriers to your employees thriving, we can help!
Reach out today to schedule a presentation with your leadership or management team. You will:
Gain valuable insights into the signs of addiction that may manifest in the workplace.
Learn how to approach and support team members who might be facing addiction challenges.
Explore best practices for creating a supportive and stigma-free work environment.
Understand the importance of workplace policies and resources to help those in need.
We help people facing the challenges of addiction every day at Unified Community Services. We offer an expertise that will empower your staff to face these challenges in healthy ways, equipping you with the tools to make a positive impact on your team’s well-being.
We invite all business leaders, managers, and HR professionals with concerns about addiction in the workplace to request a presentation. Your presence and commitment to this important issue can make a significant difference in the lives of your staff and the overall success of your organization.
Unified Community Services took first place in the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce Business and & Residential Scarecrow Contest! Proud of our staff who created the display together and mobilized voters to cast 371 Likes! Amazing!
Phone: (608) 357-2262 Address: 37868 US Highway 18 Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821 + More Contact Info…
Provides a full range of supportive, calming services for terminally ill people who are in the final stages of their illnesses and for their families. Service may include medical care, pain and symptom management, home nurse visitation, case management, counseling, and bereavement services for the patient and members of the family….
Phone: (608) 930-7720 Address: 800 Compassion Way Dodgeville, WI 53533 + More Contact Info…
Provides a full range of supportive, calming services for terminally ill people who are in the final stages of their illnesses and for their families. Service may include medical care, pain and symptom management, home nurse visitation, case management, counseling, and bereavement services for the patient and members of the family….
We offer two groups for young adults, one for people 18-25 and one for people 26-35ish who have experienced the death of a relative, partner, or friend. Based on a peer support group model, the group is an opportunity to meet with other people who are dealing with the vast and, at times overwhelming range of reactions we can experience after a deat…
The Open to Hope mission is to help people find hope after loss. Open to Hope provides an online forum to support people who have experienced loss, to help them cope with their pain, heal their grief and invest in their future. OpentoHope.com is an online website where people can share inspirational stories of loss and love. We encourage our visit…
Phone: (608) 327-7110 Address: 2906 Marketplace Drive Fitchburg, WI 53719 + More Contact Info…
When someone you love dies, you may not know how to move ahead with your day-to-day life. And that’s OK, because there are people who understand—and know how to help. The Agrace Grief Support Center is a unique place where you can get help coping with grief when someone special to you has died….
The Dougy Center’s School & Community toolkit is an online resource designed specifically for teachers, administrators, school counselors and community organizations. Whether you have a student grieving the diagnosis or death of a family member, or someone in your school community has died, we can help you create a supportive and nurturing environm…
Offers grief support groups throughout our service area to anyone in the community who has experienced loss, regardless of whether your loved one was our patient or not….
Grief Out Loud is opening up the often-avoided conversation about grief because grief is hard enough without having to go through it alone. We bring you a mix of personal stories, tips for supporting children, teens, and yourself, and interviews with bereavement professionals. Platitude and cliché-free, we promise! Grief Out Loud is hosted by Jana …
Phone: (608) 375-5185 Address: 1105 North Bequette Street Dodgeville, WI 53533 + More Contact Info…
Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family….
Gain valuable insights into the signs of addiction that may manifest in the workplace.
Learn how to approach and support team members who might be facing addiction challenges.
Explore best practices for creating a supportive and stigma-free work environment.
Understand the importance of workplace policies and resources to help those in need.
