Second Opinion Magazine November/December/January 2021

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November celebrates -National Caregiver Month -Diabetes Awareness -Veteran's Day

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Small Business Saturday November 27, 2021!

Plus our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Photo by Todd Trapani from Pexels

secondopinionmagazine.com | 1

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Dr. Emily Smith

Chiropractor, Pediatric Specialist (DICCP)

CONTENTS Thermography of Wisconsin - The Gift of Health Holiday Gift Guide

7

Happy Healthy Holidays

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12

TEC’s Forgotten Veterans Program for Incarcerated Veterans Help for the Holidays

16

Why Winter Should Be Your Favorite Season

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18 Avoiding Nursing Nightmares During the Holidays 20 The Hunt A Celebration of Life 21 Luminary Wellness 22 Top Five First Things To Do With Your New Puppy

Happy Holidays

Pages 23-40 Special Section

Arwen Rasmussen, 715.831.0325 editor@secondopinionmagazine.com Graphic Design: Brigit Olson | Editor: Becky Streeter

SECONDOPINIONMAGAZINE.COM

All articles are the sole property of the writers. Opinions expressed in Second Opinion are those of the writers or advertisers themselves, not the publication or its editors. Second Opinion is not liable for use of any artwork provided by advertisers. Please direct concerns to the advertisers. ©2006-2021

secondopinionmagazine.com | 3

ARE YOU AT RISK FOR DIABETES? DO YOU HAVE? A Sedentary Lifestyle A Family History of Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Excess Body Weight If yes, you may be at risk for diabetes. Take the prediabetes risk test and talk to your doctor.

PREVENT DIABETES Adopt Healthy Eating Be Physically Active Maintain Body Weight Quit Tobacco Use Limit Alcohol Manage Stress Get Sufficient Sleep Regular Health Checkups Talk to your friends and family about the prediabetes risk test and how to prevent type 2 diabetes at PreventDiabetesWI.org.

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Dr. Laughlin is passionate about Holistic Dentistry and is committed to continuing education.

THERMOGRAPHY OF WISCONSIN

THE GIFT OF HEALTH What comes to mind when you hear the word “gift”? Do you think of a surprise present? Something expensive? Or something practical like socks? Maybe you think of someone who is gifted with a remarkable talent or ability. What about the gift of a blessing? The online definition from Oxford Languages (among others) describes gift as, “a thing given willingly to someone without payment.” Other definition: “without the expectation of anything in return.”

What about the gift of health or wellness? Can we give a gift of health or a gift of wellness? I believe the opportunities of giving toward health and wellness are endless. Permit me to just scratch the surface of each of the seven dimensions of wellness in effort to stimulate your creative juices.

Physical: This would include physical health and access to healthcare—from surgical correction of cleft palate in children, to realignment of one’s energy meridians, to physical therapy to help a stroke victim to learn to use her hands, to personally training an elderly person on the proper technique of using the leg abduction machine. Volunteering your professional expertise to a charity or providing a gift certificate to a service may provide access to these services otherwise not affordable or even considered.

Emotional: Emotional health directly affects physical health.

Positive emotions trigger the brain to produce chemicals that increase our awareness, understanding, attention and memory. This is not the same as being happy, which is conditional, but is holding an intentional focus on joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love as written about in so many books. Conversely, worry and negativity robs us of peace and restorative rest, leading to greater susceptibility to disease and chronic dysfunction, including cancer, heart disease and addictive behavior. This may sound overly-simplistic, but the “gratitude rock” in my pocket has helped remind me to look for things for which I am grateful. Maybe the pet rock craze of the 70’s wasn’t so far fetched…

Spiritual: Studies have shown that belief in God, actively practicing one’s faith and engaging in prayer and meditation may all improve a person’s health and wellbeing. These activities reduce the effects of stress and provide social interaction and community which all redirect one’s focus away from self to others. Can you “gift” someone a ride to church or Bible study some day?

Intellectual: Education empowers us with better understanding, stimulates interest and expands our horizons. Learning has neither an age limit nor expiration date. Think about the daily wonderment experienced by babies and toddlers a they discover the world around them. This fascination of learning new things doesn’t need to belong to children or youth. To be a life-long learner keeps one’s mind active and a person engaged. Studies show that learning new information and skills may help to offset dementia and help keep the brain active well into later years. The wisdom of the elderly is highly regarded in some cultures, and many discoveries have been made by researchers and theorists in their advanced age. Consider the gift of a continuing education course or a cooking class or an online brain-teaser program.

Social: We live in a comparatively fast-paced culture during unpredictable times. Many of us live a great distance from family and do not know our neighbors. We miss out on the support of a close

community. Our schedules are packed with work hours, dance lessons and soccer practice which limit opportunities to just drop in on a friend to chat or host an impromptu playdate. Our device has become our mode of interaction. Social engagement and involvement helps a person identify as being a part of a community, encourages putting down roots and inspires support of others. Do you have a friend or neighbor who is recovering from an illness or tragedy and who could use a listening ear, someone to shovel the sidewalk or who would just like having you there? You could even gift your neighbors by organizing a block party or a progressive dinner party. What a great way to make friends and influence people!

Occupational: Having a profession helps to give a person a sense of purpose, whether the profession is keeping the home or manning the space station. The opportunity to use one’s abilities to contribute to a greater good is satisfying and rewarding. All types of abilities are valuable and useful in the right workplace or volunteer opportunity.

Do you know of someone whose abilities would be a good fit in a particular job or committee or for a specific task? Honor them with the gift of acknowledgement by providing a referral.

Environmental: Just looking at the physical environment, so many giving opportunities abound. Join a community beautification group who plants and maintains gardens or donate money to their cause. Help clean up empty lots and abandoned buildings. Paint a mural, plant trees, pick up trash along the roadside. Give the gift of cleanliness, beauty and organization.

‘Tis the season of giving. The thoughts I provided for each of the seven dimensions of wellness only hint of possibilities for giving the gift of health. The seven dimensions of wellness are not stand-alone but work together holistically, therefore your gift can touch many areas. Let’s extend the season and make the giving gift of health and wellness our lifelong practice.

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facebook.com/Hay-River-Pumpkin-Seed-Oil secondopinionmagazine.com | 11

Happy Healthy Holidays by Sandi Anderson

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he holiday season is coming soon—time to enjoy our new normal of family gatherings, delectable meals and home decorating at it’s best. Meanwhile, it is easy to get stressed out during the holiday chaos about things that really are meant to be joyful.

We will be mindful this year of COVID-19. New studies speak to the increased levels of stress in people, and sadness during the holidays.

To have a happy, healthy holiday, it is essential to find ways to lower stress and have a plan to avoid last minute stressors.

Not to worry, there are natural, healthy ways to handle holiday stress and tips to keep the "happy" and "healthy" in your holidays.

Make time for you: Do keep time for you. Exercise— going to the gym or for a walk are both known ways to decrease your stress, depression, and anxiety levels. Yes, good sleep does a body and mind good, too!

Don’t let your emotions run you: A meditation practice helps create peaceful head space, elevate your mood, and relaxes the body. Some find the energy therapies like Reiki or Healing Touch sessions very effective—it’s like deep meditation for body and mind. It promotes deep relaxation, reduces stress, assists the body’s natural healing abilities, and helps to improve overall well-being.

Taking self time increases your ability to hold the positive vibes of joy in times of stress.

Practice Healthy Holiday Eating: Stress can trigger mindless eating and cravings of unhealthier foods. For your self-care try out new healthy recipes. If you are cooking for others pick wholesome foods and nourishing ingredients. It’s OK to make one nice desert and offer a fruit plate. Eat a high fiber and protein rich snack before you head out to parties, it will help keep your blood sugar levels stables. Feeding the body well, increases you ability to create that loving positive energy to enjoy!

Embrace new traditions: Be willing to change dates or time to gather with loved ones and friends. Think about smaller gatherings—social distancing is as important as enough play space. Everyone’s budget needs a break, so set a dollar amount for gifts that fits and stick to it. Many people have iPads or smartphones, so make use of them to check up on those who may be having a hard time.

Plan a Zoom visit with family, friends or classmates to catch up, or an ugly sweater contest! Read the favorite Christmas story to your grandchildren or practice baking cookies on Zoom. Memories are made from what we create and share together.

Sandi Anderson CHTP., KT., RM., LUT - Life & Soul Coach, Psychic, Energy Healer Sandi lives in the Chippewa Valley. Owner of “Intentions”.

12 | secondopinionmagazine.com

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TEC’s Forgotten Veterans Program for Incarcerated Veterans

By Katy Hackworthy along with Toni Mattson, Trinity Equestrian Center

T

he Trinity Equestrian Center (TEC), whose mission is to provide hope and healing, has a rich history of serving and supporting veterans in the Chippewa Valley. In addition to their Rise Above program, a free Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EAP/L) for veterans and their families, they’re also developing additional programming in partnership with the Stanley Correctional Institution (SCI) for incarcerated veterans.

Program Director and co-owner Toni Mattson chatted with Second Opinion to tell us more about their new wellness programming, Forgotten Veterans.

What is the Forgotten Veterans program?

TEC will provide a 12-week EAP/L program for nine screened and approved veteran participants at SCI at no cost. Each therapy session lasts 50 minutes and will be conducted by one of TEC’s treatment teams: a WI licensed Therapist, a Certified Equine Specialist, and one of TEC’s therapy horses. The session format is an innovative blend of face-to-face, on prision grounds sessions and live streaming sessions with each participant’s horse and human team conducted from TEC’s location, and the cutting-edge use of equine behavior and perception tools.

Mr. Drost, the SCI’s Veteran Wing Manager and Toni have been developing the Forgotten Veterans program together since 2017. Many veteran inmates shared their goals for the program, with one stating, “I am tired of being angry and unhappy about what happened in the military. I still have 12 more years to serve, and I think working with the horses will help me gain confidence, tone down my temper, and maybe find some peace in my life.” Mr. Drost is a graduate of TEC’s Veteran Wellness Program himself, and everything he shared with Toni about the veteran inmates solidified her desire and commitment to provide them therapeutic programming.

What makes this program special?

It is one of the only therapy programs in the Midwest that

takes horses into a prison setting in order to work with veteran inmates struggling with PTSD and other service-related issues. The goal of this program remains to help restore hope and dignity to incarcerated veterans of SCI, specifically through managing service-related PTSD, depression/anxiety, anger and antisocial behavior, making their living environment safer and calmer. TEC also strives to help veterans prepare to rebuild/reconnect with a positive, supportive social and faith network in order to support a successful community reintegration post release. If an inmate’s sentence outlives their life, the program still helps them live a life of dignity, pride and purpose, even while incarcerated.

What makes you passionate about serving veterans and folks in prison?

We are passionate about veterans because of our family’s long military history, dating back to our great grandfather and as recent as my husband, another of our coowners of Trinity. I believe serving our country is an honor, privilege, and even our responsibility, but I also believe that the act of service can create a double-edged sword.

On one side you have the accolades and praise, and on the other, the demons and haunting memories. It’s the second side that causes the passion for us to help as many veterans as we possibly can.

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Help for the Holidays by Apple Pregnancy Care Center

I

shouldn’t be surprised but I always am. The Christmas decorations are in the stores really early aren’t they?

We’re encouraged to shop even earlier this year to make sure we get the items we want. I prefer waiting till much later and trying not to let the holiday become something I dread. It’s not supposed to be that way. It should be a special time in so many ways.

Personally it helps me to remember what Christmas is all about. I grew up with a father who was a pastor who always read the story of baby Jesus from the Bible each Christmas. The food and the decorations were important and traditional to our family. (We learned later that none of us really loved the Norwegian rice pudding – but that’s a different story!)

Those were the things we loved about the season.

What if we changed our expectations?

How can we make this season special without putting so much pressure on ourselves?

Things are difficult for many families right now. If you are a parent struggling with how to provide for your kiddos, we want you to know that the APPLE Pregnancy Care Center is here for you.

For 40 years, we have been in the Chippewa Valley, providing education, mentoring, and support for families. Our “Bright Course” Program enables you to learn from hundreds of topics, while earning points to purchase maternity and baby clothing, car seats, strollers, cribs, toys and much more. We are here to offer the support you need and the items that will help you as a parent.

We’re always so amazed at how the people in this community donate their new and used items to the Center to help the families we serve. Every day someone walks in our

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Center to donate items they no longer need. What a great way to bless others, while recycling the things your kids have outgrown.

The women and men we see each week are so thankful that APPLE is here. Being a parent is a fantastic experience, but we all need encouragement and help to do that well. If you or someone you know would like to learn more, please give us a call or stop by for a quick tour. We’re here to help and hope that your Holiday season is a wonderful and special one.

Why Winter Should Be Your Favorite Season

by Beaver Creek Reserve

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ere at Beaver Creek Reserve, we look forward to every season. Spring flowers, summer camps, fall festivities, but for many of us, we especially get excited for winter! From making your own snowshoes, to learning how to cross-country ski, riding a dogsled for the first time, or even snowshoeing the trails lit only by candlelight—winter offers endless opportunities for people to get outside. For others, they dread that first snowfall. Many people despise winter because of the colder temperatures, countless snowstorms, and longer nights. But what about the exciting things about winter? The ability to track wildlife in the snow, playing in the fresh powder, seeing the glistening trees after a snowfall, getting outside and trying a new winter activity, and so much more! Beaver Creek Reserve offers various opportunities for everyone to get outside and enjoy the chilly season. Here are some fun activities to help you get outside this winter:

1

Try snowshoeing – Whether that’s on Beaver Creek’s trails, at your family’s cabin, or a local park, an easy way to trudge through the snow is with snowshoes.

And the best part: no previous experience is needed!

At the Reserve, we don’t just snowshoe during the day, our favorite is getting out after dark as candles and moonlight illuminate the trails. Sign up for our Candlelight Snowshoe Hikes to experience the wonders of nature at night and finish with a warm campfire under the stars. We rent snowshoes everyday as long as there is enough snow.

2

Now you’ve tried snowshoeing, time to make your own snowshoes – Learn how to make your own pair of traditional, wooden snowshoes in our twoday workshop. Choose from one of three styles of snowshoes: Green Mountain bear paw, Alaskan trail or the all-purpose Ojibwa style. This course includes learning the history of snowshoes, how to lace them, and how to care for them after the course is over.

3

Cross-country ski – There are a variety of places in the Chippewa Valley that offer cross-country skiing, but at Beaver Creek Reserve, we have over 4 miles of trails for various skill levels. Never cross-country skied before but excited to learn? Look no further! We also offer Intro to Cross-Country Ski classes throughout the winter to teach folks some basic skills. From learning how to pick the right size of ski, to putting on and taking them off, to learning how to get back up after you fall— this course will teach every entry level skier the basics of the sport. We also rent skis and ski boots everyday as long as there is enough snow.

4

Ride a dogsled – The past few years, Beaver Creek Reserve has offered dogsledding rides to spotlight one of the less common winter activities we get to experience here in the Chippewa Valley. Register ahead of time to reserve yourself a ride!

5

Learn about winter phenology – Want to discover what is hiding in nature during the wintertime? Find different types of animal signs in and around the snow.

Learn about wildlife tracking and what other critters are up to this time of year. Or you can test your tree identification knowledge and learn how to identify our forest friends without their biggest indicator, their leaves!

Still haven’t won you over yet? Well studies show that spending time outdoors can help improve a person’s mental and physical health, too. Finding enjoyable ways to spend time outside in the cooler season, when many people find it hard to do, can be extremely beneficial to one’s well-being.

Alright, so now you’re starting to see what makes winter so wonderful, but there are still a few things to keep in mind if you plan on taking your love for the season to the next level. To be a winter professional, your biggest takeaway is to always dress for the weather! It is best to layer as much as possible because you can always take off layers when you get too warm. Drink plenty of water!

Just because it’s colder outside doesn’t mean you don’t need to be hydrated. Lastly, wear sunscreen. The sun’s rays are just as powerful when they are reflecting off the snow, so protect your skin during your winter adventures.

Just remember, one can never be “too” prepared.

Since here in Wisconsin there will always be winter… if you can’t beat it, join it! Take advantage of the colder temperatures and fresh snowfalls, and turn winter into your favorite season. Find something you enjoy so you can look forward to it every year. secondopinionmagazine.com | 17

Top Five First Things To Do With Your New Puppy

By Heather Mishefske, emBARK

1. Show them where the bathroom is. A LOT. Taking your puppy out every twenty minutes to an hour will ensure that they know where the bathroom is located and will allow them to relieve themselves in the correct location. Reward your puppy IN THE DESIRED location, not when you get back in the house.

2. Reward behaviors that you like and would like to see more of. When your puppy does something that you like, reward them with small pieces of their kibble. No need to give any verbal cues, just simply reward the things that they do that you would like to see them do more often. Catch them doing calm quiet behaviors, capture them making good choices, and reward these behaviors the moment they happen.

3. Let them smell around your space – the area they are going to sleep in, your yard/outside space, and the area that they will be living in. Smell is so crucial to their world, and we often do not allow them to gather this vital information. It’s not important for puppies to meet

How do you Winter?

Holiday Crafting for Kids

Candlelight Snowshoe Hike

Frosty Frolic DON’T HIBERNATE. CELEBRATE. All winter long! Learn more at: www.beavercreekreserve.org

18 | secondopinionmagazine.com

new people or dogs when they first come to their new homes those first several days. But it IS important for your new pup to explore their new home on their own time.

4. Management is going to be so important for your home.

Puppies put everything in their mouths, as they are basically the equivalent as a toddler. So, putting unsafe and undesirable things away to keep them safe is a smart move.

Puppies do not understand what is theirs and what is yours. To keep them successful, keep puppy appropriate toys/ chews available in their spaces.

5. Voluntary checking in with you when you are outside.

When outside, and your pup acknowledges you, and comes into your space, reward this behavior! Puppies comes naturally wired to do this, and we want to keep this behavior salient. No need for a verbal cue, simply just toss them a piece of kibble from your pocket. If you do not have a fenced in yard, having your pup on a long line (15-20 feet), or even their dragging leash, is a good way to practice this. All they need to do is to come into your space, and you are simply capturing this behavior.

Heather Mishefske, Owner of emBARK Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) Host of the podcast “A Dose Of Dog”

PETS & THE HOLIDAYS How Pet Owners Include Their Furry Friends in the Festivities

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secondopinionmagazine.com | 19

Avoiding Nursing Nightmares During the Holidays

By Jennifer Hafele, M.Ed., IBCLC

T

he holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year. Family and friends gather to celebrate and ooh and ahh over your baby. The food is fantastic, decorations lovely, and music delightful. However, without careful attention, your wonderful time can unintentionally spiral into a nightmare for you and your breastfeeding relationship.

Multiple holiday factors threaten nursing success. Travel can make stopping to nurse or pump a challenge. Where to stop? Is it private? Quiet? Warm? Clean? Where is an outlet? Look at the time, we’re going to be late!

Upon arrival, challenges continue. Strange noises, people, lights, and smells can distract baby and lead to less-thanoptimal feedings. Unsupportive family or friends can make nursing uncomfortable or prevent it altogether. Do you have that one relative who insists on feeding baby a bottle?

And then it’s time to travel home or to the next place.

The internal and external pressure of trying to please everyone and do “all the things” can leave you frustrated, tired, and anxious. The truth is that holiday stress and activities can threaten your health (with plugged ducts and mastitis), your milk supply, and your breastfeeding relationship.

The key word is “can.” With the right plan and preparation, the holidays can also be a wonderful time with your new family. Here are some tips to avoid nursing nightmares: 1. Recalibrate. Let’s be honest. This holiday season is going to be different. It must be given your growing family.

Give yourself permission to not be all things to all people during this season. Thus, you need to recalibrate your expectations. Don’t overcommit. Less is more!

2. Engage. Resist the urge to attempt the holidays alone. Strong communication with your partner and breastfeeding advocates is important. Discuss what you and your baby need. Engage your team to help you navigate holiday challenges. When you are on the same page, you can avoid many of the biggest stressors.

3. Sustain. For most, the holidays are a marathon, not a sprint. Sustain your sanity and your supply by eating plenty of nutritious calories (not just the chocolates!) and staying well-hydrated. Take breaks as needed to feed, rest, and find peace and restoration.

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4. Treasure. Set an intention to enjoy your baby and the holidays! Listen to your body and your baby so that you don’t miss cues that can bump you off track. Careful planning, preparation, support, and implementation will help ensure memories you will treasure.

Finally, should things ever get off track, don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. I once had a client who suffered through mastitis without contacting me for tips because she was afraid to be a bother during my holidays. I wish she would have called! Health professionals are here to help, so please reach out. Happy and healthy holidays to you and your family!

Jennifer Hafele is active in the Chippewa Valley birth and postpartum care community. She provides professional lactation support through her private practice, Mama Bear Lactation Care. Offering a free support group is a cornerstone of her practice. She also loves co-teaching “Confident Birth & Beyond,” an independent childbirth and postpartum education series. Connect with Jennifer on Facebook or at MamaBearLactationCare.com.

The Hunt

A Celebration of Life

By Tony Chavez

N

othing is as primitive or fascinating as the practice of a good old-fashioned Hunt. You can find evidence supporting that notion in countless cave paintings spanning the entirety of the globe and dating back to prehistoric times and even into a time when the Neanderthals roamed around. Man is captivated by the beauty in the beast. These paintings are often of animals, men, women, children, stars, handprints and of course, hunting. Confidently, we can assume man has been fascinated with hunting since his inception.

Despite the many controversies surrounding the consumption of animal products, there seems to be a common place and morality in the idea that if you choose to eat animals, it is best to do so in the most natural way possible. Cage-free, pasture raised, grass fed, hormone free, all-natural organic and local animals are prized as the “clean” option of eating (clean often alluding to being free of the pollutants/additives that come with big business and their “unsavory choices” in how they decide to cut corners to cheapen production and cut other costs with very little regard towards the life of the animal or the end consumer).

I have heard it said a million times in a million different ways, “There is a reason we refer to nature as Mother— she has everything you need.” Here in the North Woods, we find ourselves spoiled with an abundance of Wilderness to get lost in.

Hunting is cathartic at times and nerve wracking at others. It is a practice just as almost anything else you do; if you want to be successful you have to genuinely fully emerge yourself in the practice. Learn the patterns of the animal, their movements, eating habits, traveling patterns, their environment. With persistence and dedication, I promise the work will eventually pay off and the overwhelming sense of gratitude will be worth every moment spent in the trees.

In harvesting a deer, you are immediately met with a mountain of responsibilities (many of which are time sensitive, and for the sake of space in this article we will not be touching on) however once the carcass is cleaned and hanging, you have the entire animal to do with what you’d like. From venison roasts and steaks to stew meat, scraps for ground and sausage, right down to bones for

broth. You even have the pelt to tackle depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. Nothing goes to waste and you’re able to fill your freezer in preparation for the winter months ahead. We are able to honor the life of an animal by ensuring nothing goes to waste and is truly appreciated.

Quick Tips & Notes For Cooking With Venison: 1. Season and marinate • Because the meat is so lean, it takes on flavors well and truly shines in a robust rub or even in the again process.

• Don’t be afraid of a long marinade. Just don't over salt, I love using garlic and Herbs to complement the natural elements.

2. Know your cuts and cook them accordingly • Know your steaks and know your roasts. A good rule of thumb: High Heat - short cook time for steaks, and the exact opposite for roasts, low heat - long cook time.

3. Add pork fat to your grind if it's too lean for you • Ask any of your local butchers, I promise they’re more than happy to accommodate.

• I personally prefer to stay in a 10-15% fat to venison ratio, unless I’m making sausage, in which I'm somewhere between 25-32% fat to venison.

4. Don’t be intimidated. Let all preconceived notions go and give it a shot! secondopinionmagazine.com | 21

Luminary Wellness

By Katy Hackworthy along with Kari Jo Green, The Luminary Wellness Center

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uminary Wellness strives to provide a welcoming and safe respite from the stress and chaos of daily life, especially during the holidays. Constantly operating at high stress levels weakens your immune system and is detrimental to your mental health, so carving out time to rejuvenate your body may give you that boost you need to tackle those holiday shopping lists and feel better while doing it!

The Luminary offers services such as infrared sauna, floating therapy, and red light therapy. Infrared rays penetrate your body’s deepest tissues, increasing circulation and reducing inflammation. It’s great for those looking to detox after all the holiday celebrations as it increases metabolism, improves cellulite appearance, boosts immunity, and improves skin tone and complexion. Red light rejuvenates skin and promotes anti-aging by increasing production of collagen and elastin, which is great for anyone looking to enhance their skin's appearance or improve tired and sore muscles. Other benefits include decreased nervous system excitability, tissue regeneration, and reduction of chronic and acute pain. Additionally, floating therapy, which is essentially “the art of doing nothing,” triggers restorative processes for your body and mind, leaving you feeling grounded and refreshed.

The Luminary also understands it’s not always easy for folks to prioritize wellness during busier times, so they offer a salt booth express service (halotherapy), and empower their clients to simply take a few moments for themselves by incorporating breath-work and rest into

22 | secondopinionmagazine.com

their daily lives. The salt booth express service only takes about ten minutes for the treatment to be effective. This treatment not only provides your respiratory system with a major boost, but also gives you a break to lean into stillness, which is often a luxury during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Kari Jo, owner of The Luminary, graciously offered readers of Second Opinion a small breathing exercise to promote de-stressing: If you’d like to join us for a few moments of calm, I encourage you to close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for four counts, hold for six counts and then slowly exhale out your mouth for eight counts.

Repeat once more, and then note how you feel.

Taking even a few brief moments to ground and recenter yourself activates your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system, which facilitates a feeling of calmness.

Kari Jo also reminds us of the importance of keeping our cups full, even in times of increased stress. By doing so, you’ll create more energy and space to give back to others and yourself, as well as help strike some semblance of balance between the many obligations. By investing more of your time in yourself, whether it be through one of The Luminary’s many offerings, or simply remembering to take a few deep breaths when you’re feeling overwhelmed or worn down, you’re doing the important work of prioritizing your wellness.

INS ID E:

• The Power of a Smile • Veteran Memorials Throughout the Chippewa Valley • Funeral Services for Veterans • Benefits and Services Available to Veterans • Tips to Determine When It Is Time for Difficult Decisions • The Ripple Effect vs. Planning Ahead

secondopinionmagazine.com | 23

The Power of a Smile

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By Carl A. Trapani, MA, MS, LPC; Chippewa Manor Campus Chaplain

ave you ever just stopped and pondered the power of a smile? Most of us probably haven’t. But there is something transforming about a face that portrays joy, happiness and positivity.

The Proverbs tell us that emotional joy is like a good medicine. It makes you feel good. It’s good for what ails you. But how can we feel happy? How can you be happy or joyful with all the negative things going on?

The answer is simple – but so profound.

If you smile more, you will feel better.

I think we all agree – more smiles would do the whole world a lot of good. Mother Teresa said, ”Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

Most people think of a smile as the result of happiness, not the cause of it. In other words, we feel good, so we smile. But there’s growing evidence that putting on a smile can actually help you feel happier. Smiling gives you a boost of chemicals that help produce positive emotions even when you’re not initially feeling them.

A study performed by Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman, published in Psychological Science, revealed that smiling reduces the body’s heart rate during stressful situations. Kraft and Pressman discovered that smiling boosted levels of serotonin, even when the smile was forced. Serotonin is a natural stress reducer in the brain.

This suggests that even a forced smile can help you deal with difficulties better.

Neurologist Dr. Isha Gupta points to even more evidence of the power of a smile. Gupta sites the fact that smiling creates a chemical reaction in the brain that also produces dopamine (the “feel-good” hormone). This important neuro-chemical boosts mood, motivation, and attention, and helps regulate movement, learning, and emotional responses. Low dopamine levels are often associated with depression, while higher levels of dopamine produce a feeling of happiness. So what the research suggests is, if we want to feel better, learn better and even move better… we should smile!

The lingering effects of COVID-19 have affected our attitudes and emotions in unprecedented ways. So many are worn thin mentally and physically. We are facing an onslaught of depression like never before. Seems like there is little we can do to combat the negatives all around us. But there is something all of us can do. Each of us can fight back by smiling!

24 | secondopinionmagazine.com

Smiling by itself, may not cure the coronavirus, but it’s one treatment everyone can use. So, smile at everyone – as often as you can. You will be helping and blessing them – as well as yourself.

People doing good deeds send out ripples into the world. Those ripples are significant in creating positive changes!

Dr. William James, the "Father of American psychology," captures the core of this idea with this famous quote. “I don't sing because I'm happy. I'm happy because I sing.”

Think about that for a moment - then smile!

Carl Trapani, MA, MS, LPC serves as campus Chaplain at Chippewa Manor. He has more than 50 years of pastoral service and professional counseling experience. For more information please call (715) 723-4437 or email him at carl.trapani@chippewamanor.com.

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bronze "Fallen Soldier" rifle and helmet sculpture. Three curved-seat benches face the POW * MIA * KIA monument and more engraved benches can be found throughout the memorial. Additionally, over 1800 granite pavers cover the floor of this tribute.

Veteran Memorials Throughout the Chippewa Valley

By Johnson Monument

A

s Americans we owe a great debt to the men and women who have served our country. At Johnson Monument, we believe it is important to help local communities and individual families honor and memorialize our area veterans. Since 1917, Johnson Monument has completed dozens of civic projects to do just that, and several of these memorial parks can be found within just 60 minutes of Chippewa Falls.

Veteran Memorials Throughout the Chippewa Valley

As Americans we owe a great debt to the men and women who have served our country. At Johnson Monument, we believe it is important to help local communities and individual families honor and memorialize our area veterans. Since 1917, Johnson Monument has completed dozens of civic projects to do just that, and several of these memorial parks can be found within just 60 minutes of Chippewa Falls.

Ridgeland Veterans Memorial, located on the north side of Ridgeland along Hwy 25 and Cty Rd AA, was completed in 2020 with the help of the Ridgeland America Legion Auxiliary Unit. Three large, jet-black granite tablets respectively display bronze medallions for each branch of the military, a sandblasted American flag, and a sandblasted Purple Heart. Several granite benches line the memorial and two walls also stand to commemorate area individuals who served in the military.

sided structure with the names and conflicts of the veterans captured, missing, or killed in action. This is topped with the bronze "Fallen Soldier" rifle and helmet sculpture.

Three The Citizen Soldier Monument, along HWY 29 and HWY 27 in Cadott, is a great addition to the Cadott Veterans Tribute. This monument was created to honor the Citizen Soldierscurved-seat who showed courage and strength on 9/11, including all of the firefighters, EMT's, police officers, nurses, doctors, and anyone who benches came to the aid of those in need. Spanning over 14 feet long and 10 feet high, each side of this massive face the POW * MIA * KIA monument and more engraved benches can be found throughout the memorial. Additionally, over 1800 granite pavers cover the floor of this tribute. monument is hand-etched with scenes from some of 9/11's most poignant moments. Topping t

Ridgeland Veterans Memorial, located on the north side of Ridgeland along Hwy 25 and Cty Rd AA, monument is an eternal flame that burns 365 days a year. was completed The Citizen Soldier Monument, along HWY 29 and HWY 27 in Cadott, is a great addition to the isCadott monument hand-etched with scenes from some of 9/11's most poignant moments. Topping t monument is an and eternal flame that burns 365 days a year.

Veterans Tribute. This monument was created to honor the Citizen Soldiers who showed courage in 2020 with strength on 9/11, including all of the firefighters, EMT's, police officers, nurses, doctors, and anyone who the help of the The Citizen came to the aid of those in need. Spanning over 14 feet long and 10Soldier feet high, each side of this massive Ridgeland America Monument, along Legion Auxiliary Unit. Three HWY 29 and HWY large, jet-black granite 27 in Cadott, is tablets respectively display a great addition bronze medallions for each to the Cadott branch of the military, a Veterans Tribute. sandblasted American flag, This monument was and a sandblasted Purple created to honor Themultifaceted multifaceted Bloomer Veterans Memorial, HWY 40 on theside north side of Bloomer, was The Bloomer Veterans Memorial, alongalong HWY 40 on the north of Bloomer, was commissioned by the Bloomer Visitor Center and Veterans Committee and completed in 2006. jetHeart. Several granite the Citizen commissioned by the Bloomer Visitor Center and Veterans Committee and completed in 2006.

Five jet- FiveSoldiers black granite tablets, each eight feet long by five feet tall and set on matching granite bases, are black granite tablets, each eight feet long by five feet tall and set on matching granite bases, are benches line the memorial and two walls also stand who showed courage engraved veterans' names and and conflicts.

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Additionally, granite pavers cover the floor of this tribute. granite pavers cover the floor of this tribute. police officers, nurses, The multifaceted Bloomer doctors, and anyone Veterans Memorial, who came to the aid Johnson Monument takes pride in our communities and our neighbors. It is an honor to be able createover civic memorials--like those in Ridgeland, Cadott--in order to recognize the along HWY 40 on the of those in need. Spanning 14 feet longBloomer, andand10 our veterans. We have many ways we can work with individual families to commemorate a love service to our country. At monument Johnson Monument, we don't your story, we help future gener north side of Bloomer, feet high, each side of this massive iswritehandremember your takes story. pride in our communities and our neighbors. It is an honor to be able Johnson Monument was commissioned by etched with scenes from some of 9/11's most poignant create civic memorials--like those in Ridgeland, Bloomer, and Cadott--in order to recognize the our veterans. We have many ways we can work with individual families to commemorate a love the Bloomer moments. Topping the service monument is an eternal flame to our country. At Johnson Monument, we don't write your story, we help future genera remember your story.

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Funeral Services for Veterans

By Arnie Zimmerman & Randall Mundt; Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, and Cremation Society of Wisconsin

W

hen planning a loved one’s funeral or cremation, a number of questions need to be asked by the individual helping with the planning, which most likely is a Pre-Need Specialist at a funeral home if preplanning, or the Funeral Director themselves. All aspects of the planning phase are the same for everyone except in the case of a veteran, there are a few additional steps.

The funeral home will need a copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge papers (DD214) to move forward with organizing any veteran benefits. If the veteran or family do not have a copy of this, one can be obtained with the help of the Veteran Services Office in the county of residence.

The question is then asked where the burial of the veteran might take place. If it will be in a veterans’ cemetery, a veteran can pre-register themselves, or their family can do so after their passing. There is no cost for the burial to the veteran, which includes a grave marker or the inscription on a columbarium. The veteran’s spouse can also be buried in the veterans’ cemetery. However, there is a fee for the opening and closing of the grave or columbarium, but it does include a marker or inscription on the columbarium.

If the veteran is buried in a nonveterans’ cemetery, the cost of the opening and closing of the grave must be paid by the family. The veteran is entitled to a military plaque or grave marker which is free to the veteran, but does have a cost of mounting or placing the marker on the grave, along with other cemetery fees.

At the family’s request, all veterans may receive military honors at their funeral.

There is no fee to the family for this service. If burial takes place in a non-veterans’ cemetery, a flag staff and small US flag can be provided by the county Veteran Services Office to be placed on the veteran’s grave A US flag should be ordered by the funeral home assisting the family. In a tradition funeral service, the US flag is often placed on the casket in place of flowers.

The flag is removed by the military honor guards and is folded, and then given to the family. The folded flag is often on display at a memorial services.

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It is the responsibility of the funeral home to organize military honor guard services, which might be local or from one of the military branches that the veteran served in. The family also may request that honor guards be present during a visitation or service and stand in attention on either side of the casket or urn. The funeral home may also display a flag representing the branch of service they served in. There is also a Presidential Memorial Certificate available to the members of the family which is signed by the current President. More than one certificate can be requested for family members and other loved ones.

The family needs to be in touch with their local Veteran Services Office to see if there are any other benefits that they may be eligible for. For example, if the veteran had a service-related injury. The local veteran’s office quite often reaches out to a family member after the passing of their loved one to answer any questions. Military service requires a lot of sacrifice by veterans and their families. Some dedicated their entire lives to serving our country. Honoring a veteran at their funeral or memorial service not only shows respect to the veteran, but also to their families and can be part of the healing process.

Benefits and Services Available to Veterans

V

eterans Day is a special day set aside every November 11th to honor and thank our living veterans who served so bravely. According to Military.com, this Federal Holiday was once known as ‘Armistice Day’, commemorating the end of World War I in 1918, and honored all WWI veterans.

In 1954, legislation passed to rename it Veterans Day and honor all veterans of all eras.

During this month of November, we want to especially reach out and thank all veterans in our community. Thank you to the brave men and women who have served in defense of our state and nation. Thank you for our freedoms we have today.

Additionally, we want to ensure that all veterans know about benefits and services that are available to them because of their sacrifices. Spouses of veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and Gold Star Parents may also be eligible for benefits through the VA. Even if you haven’t applied for benefits or programs in the past, it may not be too late!

There are many different types of services and benefits too numerous to list fully here, but some of the benefits and services may include: • Service Connected Disability Compensation for injuries that occurred or were aggravated through military service that are still affecting you today

Veterans Home - Chippewa Falls

Proudly Serving Those Who Served

For more information, please reach out to your Chippewa County Veteran Service Office at 715.726.7990 to set up an appointment to learn about benefits for which you may be eligible. If you are interested in the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls, Please contact Katie Plendl, Admissions Director, at 715.720.6775 to inquire about eligibility requirements, waiting list, and application processes.

This Veterans Day, and every day,

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”

Alexander Hamilton

thank you veterans for your service.

• Healthcare through the Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Minneapolis or Tomah, and through the Outreach Clinics in La Crosse or Chippewa Falls • VA Pension for supplemental income for low-income wartime veterans or their families • WI Aid Grants for Dental, Vision and Hearing care • State Veterans Homes for qualified veterans, their spouses/surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents needing 24-hour skilled nursing care • Home health services for those needing more care in their homes • Adult Day Care for veterans in need of supervision/care while their caregiver is away • Hospice care provided in a VA contracted skilled nursing home • Veteran Housing and Recovery Program for homeless veterans • Assistance in obtaining military medals and ribbons • Assistance in retrieving military/personnel records and discharges • Information on the Honor Flights to see the National Memorials in Washington, DC • Information on Veteran Cemeteries and coordination of burial benefits and Military Funeral Honors

WisVets.com

2175 E. Park Avenue | Chippewa Falls | 715.720.6775 secondopinionmagazine.com | 27

Plan your memorial.

Preserve your legacy.

A lasting tribute to life

Planning your memorial in advance ensures you are remembered exactly the way you want.

Decisions you make today will reduce the emotional and financial strain your family experiences in their grief.

Plan ahead.

It’s what’s best for everybody.

2228 East Ridge Center, Eau Claire

715.830.5099 lifetimememorials-ec.com

28 | secondopinionmagazine.com

Tips to Determine When It Is Time for Difficult Decisions

By Shelley Krupa, Business Operations Coordinator at Lake Hallie Memory Care

A

year or more into the pandemic and we're still learning how to avoid the COVID-19 virus and how to protect the most vulnerable population. As a member of the Dementia Coalitions, I've witnessed first-hand people who are experiencing personal challenges dealing with illnesses on top of having to make tough decisions about what's safe and best for their loved ones.

If that describes you, those challenges are no doubt real and on your mind 24/7.

There are added concerns of having to go out into the public to do essential shopping and then potentially bringing back the virus to your loved one. Your mind is weighed down with thoughts of whether or not to seek assistance from a 24/7 assisted living setting to help protect them?

Those thoughts seem daunting with the added fear of restrictions facilities have on visitations based upon recommendations from the CDC. The thought of, "Will I ever get to see them again in person?" is a tough one to accept, isn't it?

Don't let your fears prevent you from reaching out to facilities to ask how they help loved ones stay connected during the pandemic. You may find comfort and be pleasantly surprised at what they are doing to keep your loved one safe and connected and how the restrictions have been modified since last year.

It's important to weigh options early on as you recognize warning signs of your loved one's decline. Carefully consider your health and well-being, too.

Especially if you are stressed and worried about them. Whether they are living alone or with you, it is best to plan, versus waiting for a crisis to happen.

Communication: • Conversations are hard to follow • A decrease in their reaching out to you • They no longer send cards or letters • They hurry to get off the phone Self-Care: • Inexplicable weight loss/gain • Unusual hair or clothing • Inappropriate dress for occasion/weather • Smell of urine in clothing • Staying up later, rising later • Wandering, getting lost • Sun-downing • Falls or accidents Social Life: • Not ready for appointments • Forgetting you'd be visiting; surprised to see you • No longer mentioning friends • Avoiding long-standing social engagements (church, clubs, etc.)

• Loss of interest in grandchildren Household: • Inappropriate temperatures in the house • Multiple items of the same kind of unusual items in cupboards • Fridge with spoiled food or nearly empty • Melted or burned cookware • Smell of urine • Unopened mail

Please know that you're not alone. Reach out for assistance with local ADRCs as they give excellent advice on options available. In the meantime, to get your thoughts organized, I'll leave you with a list of items to consider.

A move to a memory care facility is common when you notice increased caregiver stress or changes in a loved one's:

secondopinionmagazine.com | 29

Communicating with Persons with Dementia

H

by Christine Eggers, owner of Appeal to Heaven

ave you ever asked directions and been asked “Do you want to turn right or left,” in return? It would be confusing, right? What if a stranger walked up, took your hand, leading you off in a direction you didn’t want to go? How would you respond?

Would you get agitated?

Angry? Start shouting? Start hitting?

This is a common experience for people with dementia.

Being asked questions they don’t expect and being engaged in a task before they have consented. Fixing this begins with the message. Each word in a message and the task itself need to be processed. The larger the message; the more words or steps; the longer it takes for a response. If we behave as though they have responded before they have, we will meet resistance up to and including aggression.

“Do you need to go to the bathroom?” is too big. It’s a question. There are many words and steps. Organizing the process may cause anxiety. Modesty or embarrassment may jam their circuits. When training children, we ask questions to help them learn. Questions teach children to associate the sensation in their body with the task.

Questions build connections in the brain through problem solving. A person with dementia is moving in the opposite developmental direction. This supports the connections that still exist and compensates for the lost connections.

Identifying the key part of the message and discarding the rest takes thought.

Breaking tasks that we don’t even think about into steps is complicated. But quietly waiting for a response is the hardest of all. Waiting out long pauses for our message to be received and processed before a response even begins is excruciating. Just when we think they’ve forgotten and start to repeat the message, we interrupt the progress and can set the whole process back to the beginning, or worse set off an outburst. These skills take time and a lot of practice. There will be mistakes. But it can be done, and the reward is worth every minute of waiting.

Christine Eggers RN taught nursing assistant programs focusing on memory care and effective communication for 15 years.

Toll-free Helpline: 888-818-2611

Fax: 866-813-0974 | Email: smp-wi@gwaar.org

gwaar.org/senior-medicare-patrol WisconsinSeniorMedicarePatrol

Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

Our job is to supplement for the gaps in thinking. We break tasks into steps. Use hand gestures or other nonverbal cues to reinforce the message. If they balk, stop and remain quiet. Don’t start questioning, cajoling, or encouraging; this is overwhelming and will end badly. Do not carry on with the task until the person you are helping is ready to begin again. Be a quiet comforting presence.

Care providers often add words because they are uncomfortable being directive. Asking, “Will you do X for me?” makes the provider feel nicer. But it turns a direction back into a question. Eliminate extra words. Say, “Do X,” with a non-verbal cue. Then wait. When the message is received, provide assistance as needed.

The waiting is the hardest part. These are difficult skills to learn. It sounds easy but using fewer words is hard.

30 | secondopinionmagazine.com

SMPs are grant-funded projects of the federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Call us with questions about billing errors, scams and medical identify theft

www.gwaar.org

Call us or visit our website to sign-up for our quarterly newsletter, periodic fraud alerts, and to learn about volunteer opportunities

Independent Nurses Network

Appeal to Heaven, LLC Eau Claire, Wisconsin

appealtoheaven.net

Plan your memorial.

Preserve your legacy.

Simply Elegant, Simply Timeless, Simply Priced

Planning your memorial in advance ensures you are remembered exactly the way you want.

Decisions you make today will reduce the emotional and financial strain your family experiences in their grief.

Plan ahead. It’s what’s best for everybody.

Turn your memories into a lasting memorial LOCALLY CRAFTED SINCE 1917

MONUMENT

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HOW DO YOU WA N T T O B E REMEMBERED?

Honoring a veteran at their funeral or memorial service not only shows respect to the veteran, but also to their families and can be part of the healing process.

Our staff is here to guide and assist you with a high degree of respect and concern during your time of loss. We will provide the most fitting service for your individual needs, at the most affordable cost with the many options that we offer.

Two options to serve you, at one convenient location:

Stokes, Prock & Mundt

Do you need help paying for burial or cremation expenses for your loved one?

Even the smallest touch can make a big difference in personalizing your funeral services. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to celebrating your loved one and honoring their life, accomplishments, and individuality.

Helpful Hearts Foundation was created by the staff of Cremation Society of Wisconsin and Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, to help low-income families who have experienced the death of a loved one, to pay for funeral expenses. While the primary purpose is to help with the loss of a child, the application processs is open to anyone in financial need, for final expenses in Eau Claire and surrounding counties. We are reaching out to help our community, during their time of greatest need.

FUNERAL CHAPEL

715-832-3428 | stokesprockandmundt.com

Cremation Society of Wisconsin We offer a full range of cremation options. We have our own on-site crematory and a full staff to assist you with whatever your needs may be.

715-834-6411 | cremationsociety-wi.com

535 South Hillcrest Parkway - Altoona, WI We also service the entire state of Wisconsin.

For more information on the application process, or to make a monetary donation to this 501(c)3 non-profit organization, please visit www.helpfulheartswi.org.

Helpful Hearts Foundation secondopinionmagazine.com | 32