Cascade Cares Blog

Caregiving for someone you love as they enter their last phase of life is often characterized by contrasts. Gratitude for the time you have together and grief for the time […]

Linda Bates first noticed a change in her husband Jim’s behavior in the summer of 2021. Forgetfulness. Lack of coordination. Confusion. She knew something was wrong, and her worst fears […]

The last thing Kermit Zerr expected was to find himself on another cross-country flight to Eugene. But, just ten months after making the journey to attend to his father’s end-of-life […]

National Nurses Week is May 6 – 12, and to kick it off, we’d like to express our deep appreciation for Cascade Health’s hard-working nursing staff and introduce you to […]

April is Occupational Therapy month. In this last week, we at Cascade Health would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our occupational therapists, whose incredible talent and […]

According to Caring.com, nearly 67 percent of Americans do not have plans in place to account for their assets or end of life decisions. Most of us live our lives […]

As health care providers, we are accustomed to talking about suicide from a clinical perspective. Yet while suicidal ideation may be a common topic in relation to our patients, many […]

August is “National Make a Will Month.” (And if “National Lost Sock Memorial Day” and “National Nothing Day” hadn’t already convinced you, surely this proves once and for all that […]

We often talk about life as a journey from birth to death; the experiences, relationships, and milestones in each phase become a series of trips forming the itinerary of our […]

Self-love. If you don’t hang out in behavioral health circles, you might not know exactly what we mean when we say “self-love.” Are we talking about treating yourself to a […]

Maybe it was because everyone was especially happy to be out with other people after a year in lockdown. Maybe it was the specter of rain that kept the group […]

We’re thankful for their enthusiasm, care, dedication and warm presence. We’re grateful to the musicians, companion animals and handlers, singers, LMTs, Vigil Companions, mentors and individuals who share their time […]

By Dr. Luci Mario Kovacevic, Cascade Health’s Medical Director of Occupational Medicine While the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations is ramping up quickly, there continues to be some lingering questions from […]

  Recently, Cascade Health’s Manager of Behavioral Health, Jodi DePaoli penned an article for Lane County Medical Society’s Magazine, Medical Matters, about the critical importance of using fun and joy […]

      Recently, Stephanie Evans-Wondra, L.P.C. of Cascade Health’s Behavioral Health & EAP team provided a seminar to the Eugene Young Professionals (YPs) about Building Resilience During Stress. The […]

Recently, Cascade Health’s CEO Eric Van Houten and Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Chelsie Wong sat down with Lane County Medical Society’s Medical Matters magazine to discuss the organization’s new Diversity, Equity […]

While more and more vaccines are being administered throughout Oregon, now is not the time to relax safety guidelines. As winter drives most of us indoors, the ability to socially […]

Colleen Tuman, Occupational Medicine employee, receives the vaccine from Adrienne Royer, Wellness Nurse. Last week, Cascade Health launched its campaign to vaccine employees against COVID-19.  Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on […]

By Kirsten Gram, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator For many of us, January can usher in the New Year’s resolution paradox. We set goals or resolutions to become healthier with […]

Recently, a Cascade Health certified trainer led a class on both basic CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators or AEDs. Often, our trainers will play the 1970’s disco […]

Remembering Those Who Brightened Our World Every year, Cascade Health is honored to host our Light Up a Life ceremony. This event celebrates and remembers family members and loved ones […]

In a year unlike any other, the Cascade Health team decided that a little spirit was just what the doctor ordered. All this week, employees at our main office and […]

Recently, Jodi DePaoli, LPC and the manager of our Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program provided an article for the Lane County Medical Society with counsel about how medical professionals […]

  Biometric screening can be a vital tool in detecting health problems. Cascade Health’s wellness nurses provide such services to employers and employees throughout Lane County. A biometric screening is […]

Cascade Health was again recognized as a 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine. 2020 marks the 11th year that Cascade Health was named to […]

Some of the busiest employees at Cascade Health this time of year are our Wellness team staff who provide flu shots, vaccine clinics, and biometric screening to hundreds of companies […]

  Our Occupational Health Team wants to make your pre-employment appointment as productive and convenient as possible. To help make that happen, we have a few procedures that we ask […]

    Physical therapy is invaluable in treating injury and helping patients return to work or activities they want to continue. While a professional physical therapist is there to provide […]

  As we head into fall, we enter into the beginning of the traditional flu season. Of course, the fall of 2020 is anything but traditional this year as seasonal […]

By Stephanie Evans-Wondra, L.P.C.           There is no way around it. Our kids are beginning a school year unlike any other this fall. For many of […]

For many people, the term “palliative care” is a bit misunderstood. General speaking, palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care […]

Slowly, if not steadily, workplaces are starting to return to production and output lost during lockdowns necessitated by the pandemic. For many, the environment is radically different with many new […]

When someone asks: How do you feel? – Your answer often depends on a lot more than whether or not you are sick. In fact, there are often dimensions or […]

  Parents are certainly facing a good amount of anxiety and fear regarding the unknown of what Back to School in 2020 is going to look like, and these same […]

Our Diabetes and Nutrition Team is filled with expert dietitians who help educate people on how to make great food choices every day.  Sure, they have advanced degrees and years […]

My husband hates going to the doctor. I’m pretty sure he would rather change diapers for a month straight before volunteering to get an annual exam.  As a wife, mother, […]

Do you feel uncomfortable when it comes to dealing with grief? You are not alone. While we know that grief and loss are unavoidable realities of life, there still exists […]

Teen suicide is unfortunately on the rise in Lane County, and here at Cascade Behavioral Health we care deeply for the youth in our community and are looking for even […]

The holidays can bring out the best and worst… it’s a lovely time of year, but it can be stressful or trigger overeating of those holiday treats and beverages. Having […]

Question: What is the best way to eat for optimal health? Answer: There is no single diet that is best. Does this surprise you? When we hear about so many […]

Who isn’t tempted by a little fun-sized trick-o-treating candy? From the tiny Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the Snickers bar you can wrap your hand around; there are Halloween candy […]

You have likely heard that we should eat less fat if we want to lose weight, improve our cholesterol levels or lower our risk for developing type 2 diabetes and […]

The cloud of smoke encompassing the state of Oregon is particularly difficult on sensitive populations.  No group knows this better than Hospice patients with respiratory issues. Most hospice patients receive […]

If you have ever had the pleasure of picking berries right from a garden, gathering wild berries in the woods, picking them at a local farm, or buying local berries […]

Riders from all over the Pacific Northwest and as far as Ontario, Canada took on the HHUMR’s scenic tour of the Willamette National Forest while raising funds for the Pete […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and here at Cascade Behavioral Health we are always focused on how to help our clients live the healthiest lives possible. A big part […]

This April is an extra special National OT Month as we celebrate 100 years of Occupational Therapy.  We think we have some of the best OTs around!  To celebrate we asked […]

The candles on her cake may have said, 84, but everyone knows that Marilyn is 39 and holding. This weekend at the Pete Moore Hospice House we celebrated the birthday […]

We are honored to share a short essay from Barb M, one of our amazing hospice volunteers. Barb gave us permission to share her story recapping her first shift at the new […]

Leslie is a most excellent diabetes educator and nurse with whom I have the privilege to work.  She teaches patients to eat more mindfully through a fun class activity where […]

For Veterans Day we asked some of our Hospice volunteers who are veterans to share about their service and their hospice volunteer work with Cascade Health.  We are so privileged […]

On April 20, 2016 Cascade Health Hospice held a special ceremony to honor Margaret Scott Thompson of Eugene, Oregon for her service as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War […]

If you’re a stepparent, you may think of “self care” as a foreign concept. One stepmom said, “I feel like a person whose appointment book is always facing out for […]

  The Summer, 2015 issue of Scientific American magazine has an engaging article called, “The Birth of the Modern Diet.”  In it, the author, Rachel Laudan, tells us how opinions […]

  As I participate in a training exercise related to securing and maintaining the trust of others, I am reminded of the high value of integrity.  Webster defines Integrity as […]

  Elderly people and individuals with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of developing heat related illness.  Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat related illness and […]

  J. Fogg, PhD, a Stanford expert in behavioral change, developed the “Tiny Habit” method of changing behavior.  He has dedicated two decades of research to helping people make changes […]

  Over the past five years, our membership-based Primary Care Clinic has been dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare to all of the members.  When we first opened the clinic, it […]

  There are two very distinct groups that contact Occupational Health about this topic, and surprisingly both ask the very same question.  Whether it is an employer or a prospective […]

  Change is not easy and is a challenge to us all. However, we cannot forget that change is a constant and the better we are able to embrace change […]

  What is Conflict? Conflict generally occurs when people find themselves in the midst of opposition.  This may begin with disagreements or when differences are emphasized.  Misunderstandings and stubbornness also […]

  Tips for Sprain and Strain Management What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? Some believe that it’s two terms describing the same thing, but that’s not […]

  With the recent purchase of property at 4010 County Farm Road in Eugene, CHS will move forward with plans to build the long-awaited hospice house. The property consists of […]

  Procrastination means putting off issues of importance or urgency for less important or even trivial activities.  20% of adults (85% of college students) report this as a significant problem. […]

To create an effective, action-based mindset, it’s often necessary to interrupt negative self talk.  But before we can substitute in a goal focus, we sometimes need to say STOP to paralyzing […]

  If you or your family’s greatest wish is to stay in your own home as long as possible as you age, then avoiding accidents is tantamount in keeping you […]

  The Festival of Trees is raising money to build Lane County’s first hospice facility. When the board decided to take this on as our project we had just lost […]

  Mark your calendars as Festival of Trees is almost here.  The Festival of Trees always runs Wednesday – Sunday, the week of Thanksgiving at the Valley River Inn.  This […]

  With all the challenges in our lives, one place we should be able to look for a supportive friend is within our own minds.  Despite this, many people are […]

  Festival of Trees began in 1993 and is now in its 22nd year.  It was created as a first class holiday event to keep our Foundation donors and volunteers […]

  We’re seeing more interest in on-site health clinics among employers. The benefits can include cost savings, more predictable costs, productivity gains, improved employee wellness, and more timely access to […]

  Authored by Tina Fredette “The two words information and communication are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” Sydney […]

  Keeping employees engaged in your safety culture can be a challenge. We all know that we are required to do annual classes to stay OSHA compliant, and one person […]

  Summer is always a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but when temperatures get in the 80’s or above, we need to take care to make sure we don’t […]

  The Eugene Pro Rodeo has selected Cascade Health Foundation as their charity of choice. The Cascade Health Foundation supports low cost screening and diagnostic breast imaging for both women […]

  We’ve all heard it said, “Keep popping your knuckles and you’ll get arthritis”, but is it true?  Before we get into the research, let’s look at what causes the […]

  According to Dr. Martin Seligman, psychologist, professor, author, and former head of the American Psychological Association, people’s sense of wellbeing is derived from three sources: About half of our […]

  A blog posted on October 11, 2013 focused on the many aspects of caring for the elderly in the home with the assistance of an Occupational Therapist (OT).  OT’s […]

  If you are like most human beings, at some point in your life, these four words will pass through your lips as you wince in pain….“Oh, my aching back!” […]

  In Part One we covered the most common causes of back pain and the three most frequent injuries that are the source of this pain. Now we move on […]

  The American Diabetes Association reports that the cost of diagnosed diabetes has increased 41% since 2007. In 2013 the cost rose to $245 billion per year, up from $174 […]

  Drug testing in the workplace is becoming as common as filling out a job application for more companies every day. There are many situations in which an employer could […]

  According to an article in the January-February, 2014 AARP Bulletin, there is research showing that compulsive gambling is linked to obesity and heart disease, as well as other chronic […]

  Now that we’ve covered posture, chairs, and work surfaces, we’ll turn to how the monitor, or visual display terminal (VDT) can further support a quality ergonomic setup. The monitor […]

  The ability to maintain a neutral posture is contingent on proper work surface height, depth, and accessibility. Here are a couple concepts to keep in mind when you are […]

  First things first, know what your doctor feels is safe for you at this time: It is important that you follow your doctor’s orders and put only the amount […]

  Did you know that the starting place for each office ergonomic evaluation begins with the chair? The reason for this is that the chair accounts for about 80% of […]

  Addressing and resolving job performance and conduct related problem behavior is often difficult and daunting. The risks and distress that comes from confronting an employee regarding problem behavior can […]

  Here come the Holidays! And here comes the challenge…how do you get through the Thanksgiving meal without overeating, and then regretting it? Here are some tips that may help: […]

  We’ve all read it: “He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family”. Certainly most of us have expressed it: “I want to go quietly, in my sleep, at […]

  Are there surprising good side effects of our medications? We know that blood pressure medications are great for blood pressure, but what if they also reduced the risk of […]

  We hear a lot about ergonomics these days, but did you know that in order to understand the best way to set up a computer workstation, you first need […]

  Did you know that Wednesday is a good day to shop for groceries? Stores are less crowded and some stores mark their prices down mid-week too.* Go to the […]

  Home Health speech therapy services cover a diverse set of challenges including those of swallowing, speech, language, voice, and cognition. People may need these services for a variety of […]

Workers today report significant levels of stress, citing low salaries, lack of opportunities for advancement, and heavy workloads as major contributing factors. According to a recent study by the American […]

  As the flu season approaches it is important that we keep in mind ways to help each other stay healthy. Here are some useful tips to think about when […]

  How do you support employees while asking them to increase productivity and efficiency? If an employee is underperforming, how can you motivate her? If you notice an employee’s work […]

  There are, of course, almost an infinite number of facets to consider regarding death and the dying process. Two tipping points are often the most difficult for caregivers to […]

  I remember being a new nurse just out of school. I took a job at a state mental hospital in a maximum security unit and worked there for two […]

  Today, I want to speak of the real work of hospice from the perspective of those doing the “real work.” This is the extremely hard work the families do […]

  We often get caught up in the whirlwind of the daily operations of our business. So while a First Aid Kit, and what is in it, may be low […]

  Yes you can! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to board airplanes with insulin, syringes, insulin pumps, liquids such as juice, and “all diabetes related medication, equipment, and […]

  I love my role on the home health team, because every day I get to help patients become empowered to be independent at home. The mission of Cascade Health […]

  As a dietitian, I feel like I should have a little variety in my fruit/vegetable consumption and some “know how” with regards to preparation of foods. My husband and […]

  Spring is a great time to set goals to reduce stress and find balance in your life. With work, family, social obligations, and many other demands, there seems to […]

  The Bloomberg Grant, if awarded, will enable access to primary care services for the community. The City of Springfield has partnered with Cascade Health Solutions to present an innovative […]

  The holiday season is filled with wonderful food, seasonal goodies, and lots of cheer. We also look forward to spending meaningful time with family and friends at social gatherings. […]

  When the Board decided to take this on as our project we had just lost one of the communities great men, in my opinion. Over a lifetime that spanned […]

  November is always a special month for the professionals that I work with in hospice because it is the national month dedicated to Hospice and Palliative Care. The designation […]

  How often might an employee begin to feel some aches and pains on the job and think, “I’m sure this will go away on its own?” New employees are […]

  Sudden cardiac arrest can occur with absolutely no warning. Often this sudden, unexpected event can startle and alarm bystanders. Did you know that you can play a very pivotal […]

  Step 1: Understand how you eat To eat healthier, you first need to know what constitutes a balanced diet. The food pyramid is a great guide to understanding nutritional […]

  How often might an employee begin to feel some aches and pains on the job and think, “I’m sure this will go away on its own?” New employees are […]

  Employee wellness programs are a key component for both large and small businesses. They can provide a tool for employee engagement and attract quality staff in addition to reducing […]

  Nationwide, volunteers serve as the heartbeat of hospice. In addition to being overseen by healthcare professionals, people on hospice are loved and partly cared for by trained volunteers who […]

  Before you dive into a new diet or weight-loss program, run through the following exercise to help you determine your likelihood of success. Step 1: Ask yourself: “Is this […]

  How to reduce workplace injuries and improve your bottom line Let’s say an employer has incorporated all reasonable ergonomic interventions, minimized the physical demands of a job, and effectively […]

  Hooray! Hooray! Summer has arrived! For me, summer officially begins when I get to cruise through the store and farmer markets and marvel at the vibrant colors and smell […]

  Cascade Health Solutions’ Home Health agency was recently awarded 2011 Home Care Elite status for being in the top 20th percentile of all agencies in the nation that are […]

  How to reduce workplace injuries and improve your bottom line We’ve all heard it: “Uhhh, Boss? I think I hurt myself.” These words are guaranteed to cause your stomach […]