Caring for Carmelite Kids at Easter

Franciscan Physicians Hospital has a tradition of helping the children who live at St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home and this Easter is no exception. But, what started as a hospital committee project turned into a project completely driven by Facebook groups wanting to help.

Office supervisor and Franciscan employee, Brandy Egnatz, is part of the Service Excellence Committee at Franciscan Physicians Hospital and helped formulate the idea for the Easter basket donation. To make the most out of the project, she decided to write a post requesting donated Easter items in two different Facebook groups she belongs to. One post went to went to a group of over 3,000 northwest Indiana moms and the other was for the town of Lowell.

Egnatz coordinated the project when she started getting an outpouring of Facebook members who wanted to help in the mission.

“I told them what I was doing and I asked for donations. Then I bought the baskets and the next thing you know, I had everything to fill them!” Egnatz said. “I met the women to collect the donations and with the help of my mom, Vickie Loeber (whom is also a Franciscan employee) and my babysitter Kris Holsti, we filled the baskets”.

Delivery of the gifts took place Thursday March 14th, during which time a basket with each child’s name was provided. Baskets contained stuffed animals, candy, toys and books that were all age appropriate for each child. Over 65 baskets were made and delivered.

Egnatz commented on why this project was so important to her. “I just wanted the children to have something to open on Easter. I have three kids and couldn’t imagine them not having a basket to wake up to. I just wanted to make them happy”.

For information on supporting the mission of the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home, visit www.carmelitehome.org or call (219)397-1085.

About the St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home

Since its establishment nearly 100 years ago, the Carmelite Home has been a refuge for neglected and abused children from birth to age 18. Known for having the highest outcomes in Indiana, children of the Carmelite Home are successfully integrated back into the community. The nonprofit organization for family and child services offers comprehensive care with a residential treatment center and emergency shelter so no child will be homeless.

Pediatric Sleep Services Now Offered

Pediatric sleep studies, entailing knowledge, screening, evaluation and treatment practices regarding sleep disorders in children, are often unspoken of.

According to Child Uplift, Inc., less than two percent of students with sleep disorders are identified, treated and corrected.

The Sleep Disorders Center of Franciscan Physicians Hospital, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is changing that silence for Northwest Indiana with a new location and pediatric evaluations introduced in February 2012.

Located in the second floor of what was previously Surgical Hospital of Munster, 7847 Calumet Ave., Munster, the Sleep Disorders Center provides a range of pediatric sleep disorders tests, along with their adult testing.

Sleep disturbances can represent highly common phenomena interfering with daily life and causing significant emotional, behavioral and cognitive dysfunction over time. Elevated occurrences of sleep problems in youth often coincide with medical conditions and psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Muhammad Najjar, medical director of the Sleep Disorders Center, states "approximately twenty five percent of all children experience some type of sleep problem at some point during childhood, ranging from short-term difficulties in falling asleep to more serious primary sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy."

Childhood sleep disorders, classified into the categories of dyssomnias, parasomnias and medical-psychiatric disorders, include sleep walking, bedwetting, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and others.

"Sleep is the only priority in our center," explains Najjar. "We have always aimed to be the best sleep disorders center in Northwest Indiana for adults and children by having a board certified physician and credentialed staff here full-time. We continue to be open seven days a week to address the sleep needs of Northwest Indiana in our new facility."

For more information, call the Sleep Disorders Center at (219) 836-7535.

Traveling With Children

Traveling with children presents special challenges. It disrupts familiar routines and imposes new demands. Planning ahead—and involving children in the planning—may lessen the stress of travel.

Before you leave, check with your physician. Children often have special medical concerns. The doctor can also advise you about medicines you might need if your child becomes ill.

Know your child’s dosage of common medicines for colds, allergic reactions, or flu. If your child has a chronic illness, consider bringing a copy of recent medical reports and a list of all medications your child is taking.

PLANES, TRAINS, BUSES
Bring snacks and familiar foods along. This helps when travel delays meals or when the available meals don’t suit the child’s needs. Small crackers, unsugared cereals, and string cheese make good snacks. Some children can eat fruit without problems. Cookies and sugared cereals make for sticky children.

When flying with babies and infants:

• If you’re not breast-feeding, bring powdered formula and buy water after you get through security. You cannot take premixed formula through airport security.
  
• Small jars of baby food travel well. They make little waste and you can dispose of them easily.

Air travel tends to dehydrate (dry out) people. Drink plenty of water. Women who are nursing need to drink more fluids.

FLYING AND YOUR CHILD’S EARS
Children often have trouble with pressure changes at takeoff and landing. The pain and pressure will almost always go away in a few minutes. If your child has a cold or ear infection, the discomfort may be greater.

Your doctor may suggest not flying if your child has an ear infection or a lot of fluid behind the eardrum.  Children who have had ear tubes placed should do fine.

Some tips to prevent or treat ear pain:

• Have your child chew sugar-free gum or suck on hard candy when taking off and landing. It helps with ear pressure. Most children can learn to do this at about age 3.
  
• Bottles (for infants), breast-feeding, or sucking on pacifiers can also help prevent ear pain.
  
• Give your child plenty of fluids during the flight to help unclog the ears.
  
• Avoid letting your child sleep during takeoff or landing. Children swallow more often when they are awake. Also, waking up with ear pain can be frightening for the child.
  
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing.
  
• Use nasal spray or drops before takeoff or landing.

Ask your doctor about using cold medicines that contain antihistamines or decongestants.

EATING OUT
Try to maintain your normal meal and sleep schedule. Ask that your child be served first (you can also bring something for your child to munch on). If you call ahead, some airlines may be able to prepare special kid’s meals.

• Encourage children to eat normally, but realize that a “poor” diet won’t hurt for a few days.
  
• Check food for safety.

ADDITIONAL HELP
Many travel clubs and agencies offer suggestions for traveling with children. Check with them. Remember to ask airlines, train, or bus companies and hotels for guidance and assistance.

For foreign travel, check with embassies or consulate offices. Many guide books list organizations that help travelers.

Source: A.D.A.M. Health Library. 

Back-to-School Safety Tip: "Lighten that Backpack Load"

It's back to school for most area kids. Did you know that children carrying overloaded and improperly worn backpacks are likely to experience neck, shoulder, and back pain?

Here are a few safety tips to help children "lighten the load":

• Backpacks should weigh no more than 15% of a child's body weight.
• Load heaviest items closest to the child's back.
• Wear both shoulder straps and waist belt for an evenly balanced load. Straps should be well-padded and adjusted properly.
• Check what your child carries to school and brings home to make sure the items are necessary for the day's activities.
• If the backpack is too heavy, consider using a book bag on wheels.

Have a safe, enjoyable school year!

For more health and wellness information, visit our Online Health Center for Parents and Kids.