Author: Dr. Barbara Edwards | Princeton, NJ

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Volunteering with Babies in the Hospital

Volunteer “baby cuddlers” are starting to be recruited by hospitals all over America. In an effort to help calm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, volunteers are able to hold, cuddle, feed and change diapers of the hospital’s tiniest patients. When a baby is born premature, parents face one of the most difficult situations imaginable—having their baby stay in the hospital, sometimes for months on end. Often, parents cannot be there every moment of everyday to hold their newborn, which is where volunteer cuddlers come in.

Babies need human contact to help their brains develop. A 1998 study showed a program similar to volunteer cuddling helped babies form better sleep habits, focus, and coping mechanisms for anxiety later in life. Maternal contact has been studied as an important instinct throughout the mammalian class in the animal kingdom.

To volunteer with babies in the hospital, there is a lengthy application process, a background check, and required vaccinations. Every hospital is different, and you’ll need to follow their requirements in order to be considered. However, these programs are extremely rewarding and make an immense impact on the life of the newborn, as well as their family. To find baby cuddling programs in New Jersey, see a compiled list here.

If you are not able to volunteer with babies in the hospital, but still want to find ways you can help, you can always participate in hat making programs with a local knit or crochet club. Gifting hats to newborns in the hospital, especially when temperatures drop, is great way to offer a baby a warm welcome to the world. Softer “baby” yarns are available at many craft stores.

I compiled more information about this topic with more baby cuddling volunteer opportunities in the New Jersey area at my blog post entitled, “Benefits of Being a Baby Cuddler“.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area – practicing at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

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How to Volunteer to Help Animals in Your Community

Many communities rely on local shelters to help save the lives of many animals without a home. It’s important that shelters are available and have the essential resources they need. Here are a few ways you can share your support:

Become a Volunteer

While a good portion of volunteering for an animal shelter is cleaning up after the animals, (be prepared to get your hands dirty), a huge part is bonding and spending time with them. You will be helping the animals stay happy and active, while having fun taking care of them. Inevitably, you will become attached to one of them. Before you know it, someone else will be taking them to their new home. This can be the hardest part of volunteering for an animal shelter, but it is certainly worth it to see wonderful animals find great homes.

Become a Foster Parent

For various reasons, there are many animals out there that may need a little extra attention. It could be that they need medicine administered during hours the shelter isn’t open, or maybe they are too young to be left unattended. Whatever the reason may be, there are many shelters out there that are in need of foster parents. If this is something you are interested in, be sure to contact your local shelter!

Donate

If you do not have time to become a volunteer, that’s okay—there is still plenty you can do to help improve the animal’s lives. Shelters are constantly in need of cleaning supplies, animal food, grooming supplies, toys, etc. Some of the animals at the shelter may need medicine, and a monetary donation would go a long way. Old blankets and towels can be great donations too. Check with your local shelter to see what they are currently in need of.

Share Their Story

Do you have photography or video skills? Many shelters are looking for help to promote their animals. As animals come in and out of their facilities, they need to update pictures on their website and generate more video content to share on social media. Who doesn’t love a good cat video? You could be part of the reason these furry friends find a forever home.

Every little bit counts and benefits the animals of your community. Consider what you can do to make an impact.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area practicing at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Medical Center.

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5 Ways You Could Make This World a Better Place Starting Today

Whether or not you have social responsibility on your mind, there are many things that you could do today to improve your community. Every little bit of effort will make a difference. Though you may think there is too much out there that needs to be done to make any worthwhile change, the trick is to start small but think big.

Help a Neighbor

Chances are that somebody comes to mind. Whether it be cooking a meal for the young couple that just had a baby or shoveling the driveway for the newly single workaholic mother across the street, a little bit of effort can certainly make their day brighter.

Volunteer at School

Schools are always in need of some dedicated parents willing to donate their time. Maybe the theater department is in need of set-building; whether it’s using power tools to construct the set or simply help with painting, they could use the extra set of hands. If you’re into sports, talk to the athletics department about becoming a soccer coach or starting an afterschool dodgeball club. Maybe the library is looking for tutors in their afterschool programs. It’s likely that there is a department that could use your help tailored to your skills and interests.

Visit a Local Nursing Home

While the staff at nursing homes is often busy and overworked, you can both brighten their day and their patients’ by paying them a visit. Many patients are just looking for someone to talk to, share an old story with, and something to bring excitement to their day. Visiting for just one hour could really make a significant impact.

Volunteer at a Local Food Kitchen

Love to cook? Volunteering for a local shelter is a great way to connect with your community. Taking the time to help prepare a meal for someone else can be relaxing. You will gather with other volunteers who share this common interest in cooking. Helping hungry people in your community receive a good, healthy meal can fill your heart, and their bellies.

Join or Organize a Park Clean-Up

Sick of passing that run-down park everyday on your way to work? Grab some trash bags, rakes, gloves, and ask for some help from your neighbors. A few hours of hard work and a communal effort could make a big difference and help restore the area to what it used to be. Even if you can pick up just 10 water bottles, those are 10 plastic bottles that can be properly recycled instead of harming the environment.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area practicing at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Medical Center.

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How to Impactfully Volunteer with Seniors

One of the most enriching service experiences one can find right in their hometown is volunteering with the elderly. As baby boomers age, assisted living facilities are getting more full and having to spread resources thin to care for this aging population. Senior living facilities are home to an incredibly interesting group of people who have valuable knowledge and a lifetime of experiences to share. Here are some tips to create the best experience when volunteering with seniors:

Listen
One of the things senior citizens often cope with later in life is losing companions as they age. Friends and family that once surrounded them with may be distant or have passed away, and having a friend to listen to them can improve their happiness by leaps and bounds. They are full of stories to tell and wisdom to pass on, and being available to listen can be a great gift to the both of you.

Stay Local
You don’t have to travel far to find a senior citizen in need. Whether you volunteer at an assisted living facility, or spend time with an elderly neighbor who lives alone, there are ways to help your community right outside your door. Sometimes, they may even share interesting stories about how your town once was if they’ve been in the area for several decades.

The Golden Rule
Treating those the way you’d want to be treated is incredibly important when dealing with the elderly. As our elders, it is important to treat them with the utmost respect. Their needs are on a spectrum, so whether they need help with technology, or even eating, treat them the way you’d want to be treated at that stage in your life without judgement.

Be Playful
Try to be a source of sunshine for whom you’re volunteering. Maintaining a positive attitude can greatly affect how their day goes. Play board games, card games, and find things in common that make you both happy. Take an interest in what their passions are and incorporate them into activities you do together.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area practicing at Princeton Medicine and is affiliated with University Medical Center at Princeton.

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The Definition of High Blood Pressure Has Just Changed

New research has prompted the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to redefine the classification for high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This means that those who may not have been concerned about their blood pressure may now need to start making lifestyle changes to control it. In fact, these updated recommendations have increased the percentage of Americans with high blood pressure from 32% to a staggering 46% of the population.

The new classification for high blood pressure is anyone with a reading of 130 over 80, compared to the prior definition of 140 over 90. The rest of the new classifications are as follows:

  • Normal Blood Pressure: Under 120 over 80
  • Elevated Blood Pressure: Top number 120-129 and bottom number less than 80
  • High Blood Pressure / Stage 1: Top number of 130-139 or bottom number 80-89
  • High Blood Pressure / Stage 2: Top number at least 140 or bottom number at least 90
  • Hypertensive Crisis: Top number of at least 180 or bottom number at least 120 (consult a physician immediately)

These heart organizations decided to change these definitions in order to prompt early diagnoses that can be life saving. Hypertension is a known cause of heart disease and stroke.

It’s important to speak with your doctor about ways to handle high blood pressure, as medication isn’t always the only way to get you back in a healthy range. A low-sodium diet that is high in leafy greens, vegetables and fruit in combination with an active lifestyle can be effective in lowering blood pressure to the normal range.

Many diets plans, such as the DASH diet have been shown to help reduce blood pressure–and in my opinion, they’re also delicious! Heart disease is the deadliest disease worldwide, and it’s particularly dangerous because symptoms can be easy to ignore.

Make an appointment with your doctor today if you’re concerned about how high blood pressure could be affecting your health, and urge family members who also may be at risk to do the same.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area practicing at Princeton Medicine and is affiliated with University Medical Center at Princeton.