December 2024 CEO Article

As the holidays approach, some people are excited about holiday shopping, decorating, and festive get-togethers with family and friends. Yet others are silently struggling with their mental health. For these people they feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious about the month ahead. These people are facing the thought of attending or hosting holiday events, finding the perfect gift, and having to be “present” at this time of year. It could be the first holiday without their loved one, or the second holiday since the loss. There is no timeline for grief. Whether you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one or are dealing with mental health issues, the holiday season can worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mental health conditions affecting your physical and mental health.

If you find yourself feeling anxious about the holidays, take charge, you’re not alone, surround yourself with people who support you and understand what you’re going through. Family, friends, organizations, or even a therapist. It’s ok to feel happy one minute and sad the next. Allow yourself to feel and not feel guilty about how you feel. Don’t over commit yourself, limit the number of social engagements if the pressure to attend is causing you emotional distress. Never feel guilty for removing yourself from a stressful situation. Old traditions as well as new ones can bring back memories of a loved one and affect people differently. Grief does not come in one shape or size; it’s individualized for each person.

Some ways to help deal with the holidays is to maintain your daily routine. Do the things that help to keep your mental health in check and foster a healthy environment. Exercise along with maintaining a healthy diet. Getting adequate sleep is important in decreasing stress and anxiety. Take part in relaxation techniques that work for you or treat yourself to a day of self-care. Carry on traditions that help you cope and make you feel at peace. Make meaningful connections and make choices that align with your values.

Franklin VNA & Hospice offers Grief groups year-round. There are two drop-in holiday grief support groups in December scheduled for

1:30-3:30pm on Thursday, December 5^th and 10:00am-12:00pm on Tuesday, December 10^th. Our regularly scheduled monthly drop-in grief group is on Tuesday, December 17^th from 2:30-4:00pm.

The drop-in grief groups are designed to help people on their grief journey. Grieving is our response to sorrowful change, and grief takes as long as it takes. There is no magic length of time until you are better. But with support and the freedom to share what you are going through it can help you accept and learn to live with your new reality. Franklin VNA & Hospice is here to provide grief support, help you understand your grief, and give you the tools to navigate through your grief. 

Franklin VNA and Hospice is always here to help you and your loved one with any of your healthcare needs.

Franklin VNA and Hospice: You do have a choice. Choose Franklin VNA and Hospice

Germ of the Month

Salmonella

Salmonella is a gram-negative bacteria that is commonly transmitted via food-borne illness. Poultry, pigs, and cattle are the main food animals that lead to this illness. This bacteria trickles down the food chain from animals all the way down to but limited to eggs, meat, poultry, and milk. Person-to-person transmission can occur through the fecal-oral route.

It is 1 in 4 global causes of diarrheal diseases and can be life threatening. Each year almost 1 in 10 people fall ill from salmonella illness. This bacterium is particularly dangerous because it can survive in a dry environment for several weeks, and in water for several months.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms occur within 12-36 hours and can last up to 7 days. Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms, however children, elderly persons, or those who are immunocompromised can experience more severe cases.

Treatment is aimed at supportive measures to replace electrolytes and rehydrate. Antimicrobials are not recommended to treat this due to the risk of resistant bacterial strains.



Prevention of this bacteria includes all stages of the food chain from production all the way to food preparation. This holiday season, make sure you’re practicing good hand hygiene and ensuring food is properly cooked. Avoid raw milk and wash all fruits and vegetables. 

What's Happening in December?

Current Fundraisers

With a donation of $50 you receive a custom brick in the memory of a lost loved one. The brick will be honored in the Teuscher-Wilson Hospice Garden, which is pictured at the top left. Bricks are on sale all year round and dedicated in a ceremony once a year.

 Other opportunities are open for larger donations as Diamond, Opal, and Amethyst sponsors. Please click on the link below for more information.

Clinics and Free Support Groups

Our Drop-In Grief Support Group

no registration needed

Happy New Year!