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Peace of Mind Post January 2026
CREATIVITY ISN’T JUST ART
It’s Resourcefulness, Heart, and a Little Humor
I don’t really think of myself as a creative person. Law school kind of beat it out of me, to be honest. Memorization, black-letter law, endless case studies … there wasn’t much room for imagination. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized creativity isn’t always about painting, crafting, or writing the next great novel. Sometimes, it involves problem-solving, improvising, and thinking outside the box, even in ways that just feel like the norm. For example, in my work helping families navigate long-term care, creativity shows up all the time. I work to find solutions where others see dead ends and may throw in the towel. Helping people pay for nursing home care or making sense of insurance regulations requires
a kind of creative thinking I didn’t expect to use after law school. It’s strategy, empathy, and resourcefulness all rolled into one, and seeing the difference it makes for families is the creative reward. But creativity doesn’t have to be that serious or high-stakes. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a stuck window and no WD-40. Most people would probably give up or wait for the right tool, but I grabbed some olive oil cooking spray instead, and it worked! That’s creativity in action: improvising, thinking outside the box, and finding solutions where you least expect them. I’ve also learned that creativity is about perspective. When caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, even small adjustments in how we present tasks can make a large difference. Framing routines in playful or approachable ways can turn resistance into engagement. Creativity, in these moments, is practical, compassionate, and profoundly human. There’s also my photography. I wouldn’t call myself an artist, but I take a lot of photos. Finding the right angle, capturing light in a particular way, and noticing moments others might miss are all creative, too! I enjoy getting out in nature, capturing the moment, and snapping away on my camera (usually my phone camera because that’s what’s handy). I usually end up with many photos of what may look like the same scene, but I promise each is a bit different. To me, that’s creative! What I’ve realized is this: Creativity isn’t one-size-fits-all. It isn’t only for “creative types.” It’s problem-solving, improvisation, perspective, and resourcefulness. It’s the little wins in everyday life, the unconventional solutions, and the ways we connect with others. So, this National Creativity Month (yes, there’s a month dedicated to it!) I’m choosing to notice and celebrate the creativity in my own life, even the small, silly, “I can’t believe that worked” moments. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what being creative is all about! You never know until you try!
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The Morning-to-Ev
Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter, but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.” Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE
PREVENTING RESTLES
Evening anxiety and confusion, often called sundowning, are incredibly common in people living with Alzheimer’s. Many caregivers notice that worry, restlessness, or disorientation ramp
up as the sun goes down. One key reason is that people with dementia often aren’t naturally tired at night. Out of a very understandable desire to keep them safe, caregivers often ensure their days quieter or more restricted. Less activity might prevent falls or wandering,
but it also means they haven’t used up enough physical or mental energy by the end of the day.
When someone still has a full tank at 6 or 7 p.m., that unused energy can easily turn into pacing, anxiety, or agitation. So, while evening behaviors show up later, the cause can often be something from the morning hours. Start calming the evening in the morning. One of the most effective ways to reduce nighttime
anxiety is to build a more active, engaging day from the moment they wake up. This doesn’t require strenuous exercise, just meaningful movement and stimulation. A short walk, helping fold
Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.” When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying. The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
Puzzle Time!
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vening Connection
Celebrate, Remember, Share
SSNESS IN ALZHEIMER’S
laundry, watering plants, listening to music, or joining a simple activity can create a natural rhythm that supports calmer evenings. Communities designed specifically for dementia care, like the dementia village I visited in the spring, emphasize an “active day” model. Residents are encouraged to walk, participate in clubs, explore safely, and connect with others. As a result, by bedtime, they’re pleasantly tired, not restless or confused. Create a predictable and soothing evening routine. Once the foundation of daytime engagement is in place, a gentle nighttime routine becomes even more effective. Aim for consistency and calm. Soft lighting, familiar music, a warm drink, or light stretching can help signal that the day is winding down. Reducing noise, avoiding overstimulation, and creating a peaceful physical environment all add to the sense of safety and comfort. What’s important is not to rely solely on evening strategies.
Good Memory Day Inspires Connection Across Generations Jan. 19 is Good Memory Day, a great reminder to celebrate the moments, people, and experiences that shape our lives. Memories are a way to carry our past forward, especially as we age and face challenges like dementia or Alzheimer’s. I love thinking about this because, for me, pictures and little reminders are a way to hold on to those memories. One of my favorite childhood memories comes to mind, and I’m not even sure why it stands out so much to me. One summer, my grandmother gave us a membership to a local pool, the Pen Valley Athletic Club. There was something magical about those long summer days, and there’s one thing I remember most: frozen Charleston Chews. If you’ve ever had one, you know they’re not exactly gourmet chocolate. They’re waxy and not too tasty and yet somehow, standing in the kiddie pool, biting into that frozen candy, felt like pure joy. What’s remarkable is how nostalgia transforms even the simplest things. Today, I might still eat a Charleston Chew, not for the flavor, but for the memory it brings back. That’s the beauty of good memories: They encourage us to revisit these moments, cherish them, and recognize their role in shaping who we are. Remembering loved ones we’ve lost is equally important. John O’Donohue, an Irish writer, put it beautifully: “Eternal memory is eternal life.” By keeping memories of those who have passed alive in our hearts, we continue to include them in our lives. Sharing stories with grandchildren or friends ensures their presence, lessons, and love live on, passed from one generation to the next. So, this Jan. 19, take a moment to honor your memories, the small, sweet ones like frozen candies in the sun, and the profound ones that keep loved ones alive in your heart.
They work best when paired with an active day that helps regulate the person’s internal rhythm.
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Ingredients
• 3 dried guajillo chiles • 2 dried ancho chiles • 1 medium onion, chopped • 4 garlic cloves • 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes • 3 lbs beef chuck roast • 2 cups beef broth • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp ground cumin • 2 bay leaves • 1 tsp salt • Pepper, to taste • Corn tortillas • Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
Directions
1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
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Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
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Inside 1
The Surprising Ways Creativity Sneaks Into Everyday Life
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Tiny Paws, Big Rescue: Kitten Helps Man Survive Mountain Ordeal The Hidden Cause of Evening Anxiety in Alzheimer’s Slow Cooker Birria Tacos Honoring the Past to Brighten the Present
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Health Care Has Gone Remote
No Commute, No Germs, No Hassle The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around
The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you
have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. Telehealth services can be a game-changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
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