By Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County We need much less negativity and much more positivity in our lives. “How in the world do we do that?” you might ask. Well, buckle up for another wild, twisting post. So what does a rainbow, Kris Kristofferson, and the story of … More Here Comes That Rainbow Again: Generosity is Healthy!
Acid reflux, also called GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is something many people experience at some point in their lives. GERD is a condition in which the acid that typically stays in the stomach splashes out and damages the esophagus. This results in a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. People typically try to treat GERD … More Addressing Acid Reflux
By Kylie Spiro, Communications Coordinator, BAMSI The first Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. An estimated 20 million people nationwide took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to raise awareness about environmental issues. By 1990, Earth Day was being celebrated in more than 140 countries worldwide. With the climate crisis worsening each year, … More Seven Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
By Tayla Carter, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian II, Signature Healthcare In the age of social media and influencers, it feels like everywhere you look someone is promoting a new diet or nutrition product. It can get confusing and overwhelming and may leave you wondering, where does anyone find reliable information about health and nutrition … More Discerning Nutrition Fact from Fiction
The American Diabetes Association designates the fourth Tuesday in March annually as American Diabetes Association Alert Day®. This day serves as a powerful reminder, described by the organization as a “one-day wake-up call.” It is a call to action for individuals to proactively manage their health and evaluate their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. … More Diabetes Prevention with Old Colony Y
After more than a year of reconstruction and recovery following a devastating 10-alarm electrical fire, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital is poised to safely reopen in late Spring. “Every day since the fire, one of our three paramount goals has been to safely reopen as soon as possible,” explained Robert Haffey, Signature’s President and CEO. “Our … More Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Targets Late Spring to Reopen
By Nicole Long, CEO, Old Colony Elder Services March is Social Work Month, a time for celebrating the important profession of social work. This special month is dedicated to raising awareness about the valuable contributions of social workers. It’s an opportunity to educate the public, policymakers, legislators, and employers on the vital role social workers … More The Importance of Social Work Month
by Maria Almeida, Program Coordinator with Greater Brockton Healthy Families The Greater Brockton Healthy Families is part of a statewide program providing free, voluntary, and confidential home-visiting support to first-time moms and dads ages 24 and under. The services can begin during pregnancy and extend through their child’s third birthday. Our services include child development, family health … More Introducing Brockton Healthy Families
By Lindsay Schwartz, RD, LDN, Signature Healthcare Do you feel as if your weekly grocery bill just keeps going up? Here are some tips to save money at the grocery store, while still filling your cart with nutritious foods for you and your family. 1. Buy beansAs I mentioned in one of my previous blog … More Healthy Eating on a Budget
By Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County I am the son of an alcoholic. On one hand, this means that I was both witness to and victim of some traumatic times, including verbal and physical abuse from my father, Donald Parker Carman. On the other hand, at 12 years old … More Recovering
By Kevin Robinson, guest blogger, in honor of Black History Month Several years ago, while visiting Washington, D.C., my traveling companion and I took an African-American Heritage bus tour of the city, including Frederick Douglass’ home, Ben’s Chili Bowl, the Lincoln Memorial, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Only two other … More Confronting Healthcare’s Legacy of Racism
By Eoin Moriarty, Internal Medicine Physician Assistant at Signature Healthcare A very common complaint we see in Primary Care is pain with urination or “dysuria.” Although there are many types of dysuria, the most common cause is a urinary tract infection or UTI. A UTI is an infection of the bladder or any part of … More Understanding Urinary Tract Infections
By Kylie Spiro, Communications Coordinator, BAMSI Since 1976, the United States has designated February as Black History Month. The month-long commemoration celebrates the rich culture, triumphs, and adversities experienced within the Black community. February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two … More The Story Behind Black History Month
By: Tanvi Maharaja, PT, DPT, at Signature Healthcare As the temperatures plunge, it gets harder and harder to keep up with daily walks and/or outdoor activities that keep us active and agile. Although not all of us have the equipment to exercise at home, you can do some simple movements that work just fine to keep those … More Simple Winter Workouts
By: Tayla Carter, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian II, Signature Healthcare Snacks can be a great way to hold you over if you get hungry between meals. With so many snack options available, you may find yourself wondering which snacks are healthy choices. Many foods marketed as snacks, such as chips, cookies, candies, and other … More Fuel Up with Healthy Snacks
By Meaghan Avery, Senior Program Director-Healthy Living at Old Colony YMCA For older adults, the combination of physical activity and social connectedness is essential for maintaining an overall sense of well-being. Regular physical activity contributes significantly to overall health, aiding in the maintenance of mobility, balance, and strength crucial for daily independence. It plays a … More Actively Aging with Old Colony Y
By Nicole Long, CEO, Old Colony Elder Services When it comes to managing your funds, creating a budget is essential. This will show you where your money is spent each month and give you more control over it. It is important to know how much of your money goes toward rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, … More Tips For Managing Finances As We Age
By Eoin Moriarty, Internal Medicine Physician Assistant at Signature Healthcare I’d like to start this blog post with a common case that is often seen in the primary care setting. The patient presents with symptoms of low mood, irritability, short temper, feelings of hopelessness, and they are unclear as to why. They have a great … More Recognizing Burnout
By Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County These days, it is very common to hear that in the health and human services we should be concerned with “self-care.” The theory is that, if we are not taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, then we will likely be doing … More “Less of Me” is More!
By: Tanvi Maharaja, PT, DPT, at Signature Healthcare Here’s a question for you:If you were given the opportunity to re-write the entire social and judicial system, not knowing where and when you would be born, what would you do? Remember, everything about your identity would be random, every single thing that one identifies with currently could be … More Gratitude, Blessings, and a Random Stroke of Luck
By: Tayla Carter, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian II, Signature Healthcare Although autumn is drawing to a close, there’s still time to enjoy all that New England has to offer, including seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are many benefits to eating produce that is in season. Seasonal produce is usually more affordable, and if it … More Fall in Love with Seasonal Produce
By Kylie Spiro, Communications Coordinator, BAMSI November 20, 1999, marked the first Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), honoring the memory of transphobic violence victims. The first TDOR was held in honor of Rita Hester, a 34-year-old African American trans woman who was murdered in Boston in 1998. Hester was an openly trans woman for nearly … More The History of Transgender Day of Remembrance
By Kylie Spiro, Communications Coordinator, BAMSI In 2003, two friends were drinking a beer and joking about recurring fashion trends. They discussed the mustache and how it had been absent from recent trends. They joked about bringing it back and decided to talk their friends into growing one. Inspired by a friend’s mother who was … More November is Movember: Everything You Need to Know About Men’s Mental Health
By: Marsha Weiner, LICSW, Manager of Behavioral Health Services at Signature Healthcare The term “autumn anxiety” was coined by Welsh therapist, Gillian Scully. After noticing a trend in anticipation, overwhelm, and stress in clients at the end of summer and beginning of fall, she named the condition Autumn Anxiety. The main symptoms of Autumn anxiety are feelings … More AUTUMN Can Be Beautiful!
By: Kylie Spiro, Communications Coordinator, BAMSI In 1999, June officially became Pride Month in the United States. It has since grown into a massive celebration within the LGBTQ+ community. But October marks a perhaps lesser-known month-long celebration, LGBTQ+ History Month. LGBTQ+ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994, the month of … More The Importance of LGBTQ History Month
WELCOME TO A NEW ERA OF HEALTH IN EAST BRIDGEWATER.Signature Healthcare, a trusted leader in healthcare for over 125 years, is now expanding its services in East Bridgewater and surrounding communities — ready to meet the healthcare needs of you and your loved ones. Our convenient, state-of-the-art medical facility just off Route 18 offers a … More Open House and Exciting Developments for East Bridgewater and Surrounding Communities
By: Tanvi Maharaja, PT DPT at Signature Healthcare October is National PT Month, and what better time to celebrate, recognize, and acknowledge the awesome contribution of PT’s to a myriad of health conditions?!! Signature Healthcare leads the way in providing PT services to our local community at four different locations. Meet our outpatient physical therapy teams! 110 … More NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH
By: Tanvi Maharaja, PT DPT at Signature Healthcare WHERE THE BOOKS LIVE: I visit this neighborhood Where the books live All under one roof Portals into another world Charmed spells Magical Mystical The books live here. Some afternoons The kids gather Around the storyteller In the front yard By the quaint fountain He, in his … More A Poem Dedicated to Libraries :
By: Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Plymouth County. Let me start yet another of my offbeat blog posts by acknowledging that I know soda is unhealthy for you. In truth, as I’ve grown older, I’ve found it’s much better for my digestive system to avoid carbonated drinks of any … More “A Splash of Soda Pop & Sarees: An Affirmation of Diversity”
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja PT, DPT At Signature Healthcare Now that we know what constipation is (check out this article), let us discuss what we can do to optimize gut health and manage it. The following are key points in maintaining healthy bowels: 1. Consistency: Our bowels love consistency: with the timing and type of food intake, … More The Poop Talk: Awkward but Important Stuff – Part II, Constipation Management
By: Sarah Gonet, Vice President, Development at BAMSI Going back to school is stressful for parents and students across the board, with this stress often being amplified for students with learning disabilities. Characterized by neurological differences that affect how a person processes, store, and communicates information, common learning disabilities including dyslexia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD and … More Dealing with Back-to-School Stress
By Nicole Long, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) Do you feel unsteady on your feet? Have you ever passed up an opportunity to participate in an activity that you enjoy, because you were afraid of falling? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults … More Risks For Falls and Aging: What You Need To Know.
By: Lindsay Schwartz, RD, LDN at Signature Healthcare. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is not digested by the body. Fiber is found in plant foods, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Think of the edible seeds and skins on fruits and vegetables. Fiber has so many benefits, including lowering bad cholesterol … More What is fiber and are you eating enough of it?
By: Marsha Weiner, LICSW, Manager of Behavioral Health Services, Signature Healthcare Having spent many years in the field of mental health and social work, it has always been clear that some people are able to bounce back from trauma, stress, and difficult situations, while others really struggle to move forward. In other words, some are more resilient … More RESILIENCE!!
What are sugar substitutes? By: Tayla Carter, MS, LDN, Registered Dietitian (RD) at the Signature Healthcare Outpatient Nutrition Clinic Sugar substitutes, or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), are artificial or naturally occurring substances that are used to sweeten food and beverage products, without adding sugar, and contain little to no calories. These sweeteners are often found in … More Sugar Substitutes: Are They As Sweet As They Seem?
By: Emily Ann Richmond, Marketing Coordinator at BAMSI Harm reduction is an essential public health approach aimed at minimizing the negative consequences of risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, without necessarily demanding abstinence. The dedicated and caring individuals who work in the harm reduction field, such as the staff at BAMSI”s Community Outreach, Prevention, and … More Fostering a Supportive Environment in the Community for Harm Reduction Staff
By: Alyssa White RD, LDN, Clinical Nutrition Manager at Signature Healthcare Summer has officially started, and with it comes all of the delicious fruits and vegetables that we associate with it. When I think of summer and snacks, I usually think of fruit salad, a slice of watermelon, or an angel cake with whipped cream … More The Sweet Taste of Summer Produce!
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja PT, DPT at Signature Healthcare. We don’t appreciate the small things in life until we don’t have them anymore. Such as bowel movements. While some of us are blessed in this department, others are miserable: some more periodically so than others. We don’t really think much of it unless it becomes … More The Poop Talk: Awkward but Important Stuff: Part 1
By: Meaghan Avery, Senior Program Director-Healthy Living at Old Colony YMCA. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Old Colony YMCA worked to address the immediate need for emergency food support. In October 2020, we distributed 504 food boxes per weekend via our drive-thru to members of our community in under 30 minutes, three Saturdays … More Feeding our Community Through Love, Food & Support!
By: Eoin Moriarty, Internal Medicine Physician Assistant at Signature Healthcare As a primary care provider, I believe that a very important topic that needs to be understood with my patients is cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is in the blood. Studies show that those with elevated levels of certain cholesterols can lead to … More Clearing Up Cholesterol
By: Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Plymouth County It’s funny sometimes where you find inspiration. More than twenty years ago, I was asked by a colleague if I would be interested in teaching a class at Stonehill College on Group Counseling for Substance Abusers. In the very scholarly textbook … More “Feeding Each Other”
By Nicole Long, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) In July, we celebrate independence! There are many older adults who can maintain their independence by living in their own houses, and some of them live alone. As an older adult, it is important to maintain relationships with those in your life or individuals in … More Staying Connected While Celebrating Independence
By: Sarah Gonet: Vice President of Development At BAMSI At BAMSI, we are proud to support and empower individuals with disabilities and addiction. It’s what has driven our work for nearly 50 years. This pride month, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate and honor the LGBTQIA+ community we serve – and beyond. Pride … More Pride Month
By Nicole Long, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services Even though May has come to an end, we at OCES would like to extend the celebration into June! May was Older Americans Month, which recognizes and celebrates older adults’ contributions to our society. Have you heard? Massachusetts has more residents aged 60 or older than … More A Time to Celebrate Contributions and Legacies: Older Americans Month!
By: Erlynn St. Cyr, Marketing Specialist At Old Colony Elder Services No matter gender, identity, race, or sexual orientation, OCES supports everyone without exception and welcomes all. From our perspective, there is “no wrong door” when an older adult (age 60+), or individuals living with a disability, contacts any one of the Aging & Disability … More Supporting All Has “No Wrong Door”
Post written by: Marsha Weiner, LICSW, Manager of Behavioral Health Services, Signature Healthcare Self-esteem or self-worth are such broad concepts and can be overused. What do they really mean? The definition according to Meriam Webster Dictionary: A confidence and satisfaction in oneself: SELF-RESPECT. For those with positive self-esteem, having confidence in themselves and their decisions … More SELF-ESTEEM AND MENTAL HEALTH
Emily Ann Richmond, Marketing Coordinator at BAMSI During my pregnancy, I was told that having a boy would be easier than having a girl. However, as my son enters his mid-teens, I see him drowning in a sea of toxic masculinity. I constantly question if I’m doing enough to raise my son to be true … More Navigating the Challenges of Raising a Son in a World of Toxic Masculinity
This post is by Tina Cardoso, Executive Director, Cape Verdean Women United On Saturday, March 18th, Cape Verdean Women United hosted our first annual women’s conference in honor of Women’s history month. The event featured several panelists highlighting important issues that affect women in our community and interactive workshops. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell opened … More CVWU First Annual Women’s Conference
This post is by Dennis P. Carman, President & CEO of United Way of Brockton, MA. Whether we hum it, strum it, sing it, say it, whistle it, or play it, music can be a powerful force for good in our lives. There is research abounding that testifies to the healing and renewing properties of music. My point … More Surrounding Ourselves with “Signature Songs”
Community Voices for Health 