Why I should spend labor day weekend at a wellness fair

If you’re looking for a family-friendly event in Maryland that blends fun, health, and community, mark your calendar for Saturday, August 30, 2025. Our Back-to-School Wellness Jamboree at Westminster Elementary School is your family’s one-stop destination to get a head start on the school year — with free health screenings, school supply giveaways, live entertainment, and holistic wellness activities for all ages.

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Why This Back-to-School Event Is Different

Most school readiness events focus on supplies and schedules. Ours goes deeper.

We believe that starting the school year strong means being physically healthy, emotionally balanced, spiritually grounded, and holistically prepared. That’s why we’ve designed a day filled with resources, activities, and entertainment that nurture the whole family.

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What You’ll Find at the Wellness Jamboree

🩺 Physical Wellness – Free health screenings, fitness demos, and tips for healthy living.

🙏 Spiritual Wellness – Prayer Corner and uplifting sessions to refresh your faith and focus.

💬 Emotional Wellness – Mindfulness exercises, stress-relief activities, and community support resources.

🌿 Holistic Wellness – Nutrition education, alternative therapies, and family-friendly activities that promote balance in mind, body, and spirit.

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A Full Day of Fun and Connection

We’re turning wellness into a celebration with:

Live music, DJ performances, and family fitness challenges

Backpack & school supply giveaways for students in need

Free massages, arts & crafts, face painting, and kids’ activities

Food trucks & healthy cooking demos to inspire better eating habits

Local vendors offering services you can use year-round

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Why It’s Worth Attending

When you join us, you’ll:

Get free access to valuable health and wellness resources

Connect with local health providers and community organizations

Leave feeling energized, prepared, and supported for the school year ahead

Make memories at one of the most anticipated community events in Westminster, MD

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Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 Location: Westminster Elementary School, Westminster, MD

🎟 Admission: FREE & open to the public

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This is more than just a Maryland back-to-school fair — it’s a family wellness celebration that gives you the tools, resources, and encouragement to make this school year the best yet. Whether you come for the free health screenings, the school supply giveaways, or just the fun, you’ll leave with more than you expected.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and join us for a day of fun, connection, and wellness in Westminster!

Running on Fumes: When Caregiving Becomes Too Much—and What to Do About It”

Are you overwhelmed?

As a caregiver, I get it. Me too.

There are days when I’m running on fumes—balancing a full-time business, raising my children, helping with my grandson, checking on my mother, and carrying the responsibility of caring for my brother, who has long-term medical needs. It's more than a full plate—it’s a full life. And while love is the root of what I do, love alone doesn’t refill the tank when you’re running on empty.

I used to feel guilty for even admitting I was tired. For a while, I thought saying "I’m not okay" meant I wasn’t strong enough. But the truth is, caregiving—especially for multiple generations—is sacred, consuming, and at times, depleting. And we need to talk about that.

There came a moment when I had to ask myself the hard question: What will happen to my loved one if something happens to me? That’s when I realized that preparing for the future wasn’t giving up—it was giving my loved one the gift of stability, even if I couldn’t always be the one providing it.

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💡 Here’s What Helped Me—and What Might Help You:

1. Prayer First, Always

Before I did anything, I prayed. For clarity. For peace. For release from guilt. That spiritual grounding gave me the courage to move forward.

2. Let Go of the Guilt

You’re not failing them by seeking help. You’re honoring them—and yourself—by ensuring there’s a sustainable plan in place. Guilt clouds your judgment and keeps you in cycles that aren't healthy.

3. Explore Housing and Care Options

If your loved one needs ongoing care:

Look into supported housing, group homes, or medical day programs.

Check with your local Area Agency on Aging or Disability Services Office.

Consider homecare agencies that provide intermittent care under your supervision.

Research Medicaid waiver programs for respite services and long-term placement.

4. Start Legal and Financial Planning

A care plan isn't just emotional—it's also logistical.

Create or review your loved one's power of attorney, healthcare directive, and benefits eligibility.

Talk to an elder law or disability rights attorney.

Set up a circle of care—people who can step in when you need rest.

5. Reach Out to Others

You’re not alone. Whether it’s a support group, a pastor, or just a friend who “gets it,” talking through your burden can lift some of its weight. There is healing in being heard.

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🗓️ Join Us: Back-to-School Wellness Event – August 30th

Want more support, practical resources, and free wellness tips? Join us at our Back-to-School Wellness Event on Friday, August 30th, hosted by Goodwill Housing Strategies.

🎒 Free school supplies

💪 Health & wellness screenings

🧘‍♀️ Stress relief tools for caregivers

🤝 Community resources & vendor connections

📍 Location: Carroll County, MD

🔗 Sign Up: Register at gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair

Come fill your cup—because you deserve care too.

Diabetes : Pills may not be enough

As a Registered Nurse, I get asked for advice daily—especially from clients managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Just recently, a client called me in a panic. His blood sugar was in the 200s, and he was convinced his medication was to blame.

But when I asked what he’d eaten that day, his answers were vague. Fast food came up. No vegetables. No real nutrients. He didn’t want to talk about food—just pills.

Here’s the truth: food is medicine.

Your medication works with your body, not against it. When you consistently eat poorly, even the best prescription can only do so much.

As we spoke more, he mentioned chills and foul-smelling stool—signs of a possible bowel infection. Diabetics are more prone to infections, especially with poor diet and high blood sugar. I urged him to call his doctor, and thankfully, he did.

Https://gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair

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The Takeaway:

Food matters. What you eat directly affects your blood sugar and your body’s ability to fight infection.

Be honest. With your doctor, with yourself. Hiding symptoms only delays help.

Ask the right people. Nurses, doctors, dietitians—we’re here to guide you. Google and guesswork won’t cut it.

Act early. Don’t ignore warning signs or rely on meds alone.

If you have diabetes, remember: pills help, but your plate is just as powerful.

Learn more about how we help health and wellness in the community. 

https://gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair?

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Panic Attack… or Just Dehydrated?

It’s hot. You’ve been outside — maybe walking the dog, doing yard work, or just running around — and suddenly you feel jittery, shaky, dizzy, maybe even a little nauseous. Your heart’s racing. You’re thinking, “Am I having a panic attack?”

But hold up… you might just be dehydrated.

In the summer, we sweat more than we realize. A lot of that sweat dries up before we even notice it — and with it goes our electrolytes, which your body needs to function properly. When those drop too low, your body will start sending all kinds of warning signs.

And as we get older? It gets even easier to become dehydrated — even just sitting in the house. Yep, just being inside with the A/C on can dry you out over time if you’re not sipping something regularly.

So before you panic, try this:

Grab a bottle of water, Gatorade, or coconut water (I love the watermelon one from HomeGoods!)

Sit down, breathe, and cool off — cold compress on the back of the neck helps

Ginger tea or ginger candy is great if your stomach feels off

I keep a little summer stash at home: cool drinks, ginger chews, and an ice pack in the freezer just in case. And if I’m going out? I don’t leave without a cold drink.

Listen, your body will let you know when it needs something. Don’t wait until it’s hollering at you. Hydrate early and often.

Your body is a temple… but it will give you what for if you don’t treat it right.

But We Don’t Want Homecare...” — Why Asking for Help Matters!

I get calls like this all the time:

“We don’t want homecare, but we need help...”

Or: “My wife doesn’t want anyone in the home.”

Or: “I can do it myself — just tell me what to do over the phone.”

It’s more common than you think. People hesitate to bring help into the home — even when they are exhausted and stretched thin. And I always remind them:

It can’t be solely the loved one who needs care calling all the shots.

Why? Because caregivers burn out. Period.

When you’re the only one caring for someone 24/7, you slowly become a prisoner in your own home. Resentment builds — even when you love them dearly. And what happens if you, the caregiver, get sick or injured? Who will care for them then?

Ask yourself:

👉 How long can I keep this up without a break?

👉 What will happen to my health, my spirit, my relationships if I don’t get support?

👉 When was the last time I had downtime — a walk, lunch with a friend, church, rest?

I know the answer, because I’ve lived this journey myself. I know how it feels to become isolated, disconnected, overwhelmed. I spent years in that space — and I’m just now climbing out of it, ready to live my life again.

But here’s what I learned the hard way:

You cannot do this alone.

Finances? Yes, many families worry about that. But there are state programs, waivers, and support services that can help cover the cost — more than most people realize. You just have to ask.

I’m not writing this to advertise anything.

I’m writing this because I want you to know: you are not alone.

Homecare doesn’t have to mean someone is in your house all day. Sometimes just two hours a day can change everything. Two hours to:

✅ Rest or sleep in

✅ Go for a walk

✅ Run errands

✅ Go to church

✅ See a friend

✅ Simply breathe

These small breaks restore your health and help you show up as your best self — both for your loved one and for YOU.

So if you’re reading this and you’re feeling worn out, isolated, or afraid to ask for help — I’m here to tell you:

It’s OK to ask. It’s the first step. You deserve support.

And there are people and programs that can help.

❤️ You don’t have to walk this road alone.

Why you need care management for your diagnosis

As a nurse, few things are more disheartening than walking into a client’s home and witnessing conditions that could have been prevented—pressure injuries, lack of mobility support, unmanaged hygiene, and recurrent urinary tract infections. These aren’t just medical concerns—they are reflections of missed opportunities to provide compassionate, proactive care.

Many of these issues are preventable with the right support system in place. That’s why care coordination isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

At NurseLynx, we believe in treating the whole person. Our platform connects clients, families, and care professionals to ensure no one falls through the cracks. We help providers manage cases in real time, refer clients to additional services, and ensure every homecare visit contributes to better health outcomes.

Care coordination is more than a job—it’s how we protect dignity, prevent decline, and promote independence.

➡️ If you’re a healthcare provider or facility looking for a better way to support your clients, learn more at fe.nurselynx.com

#HomeCare #CareCoordination #NurseLife #HealthcareInnovation #WholePersonCare #PreventativeCare #NurseLynx

Homebound But Not Helpless: How to Get a Doctor When You Can’t Leave Home

Being homebound doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. If you’re struggling with health concerns but can’t physically get to a doctor’s office, there are still compassionate, professional services available to help you—right at your doorstep.

You’re Not Alone

Millions of people across the country are homebound due to illness, disability, aging, or limited transportation. If you’re one of them, don’t ignore symptoms or delay care. Help is closer than you think.

First Step: Contact Your Local Department of Health

Your county or city health department often has programs for home visits by doctors, nurse practitioners, or public health nurses. These services can include:

• Regular health assessments

• Chronic disease management

• Medication reviews

• Mental health support

In-Home Medical Providers

More and more practices now offer in-home medical visits, especially for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Some may even accept Medicare or Medicaid.

You can search online using terms like:

• “house call doctor near me”

• “in-home primary care”

• “visiting nurse services for seniors”

Platforms like Fe.NurseLynx.com are also helping connect patients with care teams who can coordinate in-home services, medical supplies, and ongoing support.

Don’t Let Your Health Suffer

Whether it’s untreated pain, a chronic illness, or a new concern, being stuck at home shouldn’t stop you from getting the help you need. Early intervention can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

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Need Help?

Start by calling your local department of health or visiting Fe.NurseLynx.com to learn more about home care coordination portal. or call Nurselynx at  301-241-7374  nurselynx.com

and speak with a counselor.