Life and Death | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

“Have you fallen?” and “Are you afraid of falling?” At a certain age, these questions start to be asked by healthcare providers as part of a routine office exam. It seems … more

By Bonnie Evans | 3/31/25

Socialization is tied to healthy aging

There is an increasing amount of attention being given to the positive effect that socialization appears to have on our physical and emotional wellness across the lifespan, but especially for older … more

By Bonnie Evans | 1/28/25

Coping with grief during the holidays

There is a commercial where a woman runs out to her snow-covered yard on Christmas morning to find a new car wrapped in a huge red bow and another one where the shaking box under the tree holds the … more

By Bonnie Evans | 11/21/24

Irises are symbolic of the connection between heaven and earth.

What exactly is an end-of-life doula?

In ancient Greece a “doula” was a female servant who supported women through childbirth. In the U.S., the modern birth doula movement took hold in the 1970’s to de-medicalize labor … more

By Bonnie Evans | 10/25/24

Choosing someone to be a healthcare proxy is an important decision, as is accepting the responsibility of being a healthcare proxy for a loved one or friend.

Let’s talk about: Choosing a healthcare proxy

T he Patient Self-Determination Act passed in 1991 mandates that health care organizations receiving federal funds inform all patients of their right to make decisions regarding their medical care … more

8/6/24

Instructor and student review the proper technique for chest compressions during a CPR training class.a

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – Facts versus TV fiction

C ardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, involves pressing down hard on the chest and forcing air into the lungs to maintain blood flow and is a procedure to revive someone if their heart stops … more

By Bonnie Evans | 6/25/24

Know the difference between delirium and dementia

What is delirium? Delirium is described as a “neurocognitive disorder,” which means that an individual who develops a delirium has increasing difficulty focusing their attention, becomes … more

By Bonnie Evans | 4/16/24

Coping with the love and loss of our pets

Two out of three American households have a cat or a dog, and pet ownership continues to increase. Our pets can also include fish, birds, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, and more. Companionship is … more

By Bonnie Evans | 3/13/24

When hope and health cross paths

W e have left the holidays behind and look to the New Year with all kinds of hope: hope that we will keep to our resolutions, hope that our loved ones will stay safe and healthy, hope for a winning … more

By Bonnie Evans | 2/13/24

An intimate look at HOPE in the face of grief

Three years after the death of her husband, David Parker Oliver, Debra was able to have enough perspective to write openly about her experience as his caregiver and to share her husband’s lasting legacies of love, hope, and travel. more

By Bonnie Evans | 9/6/23

Expensive, unique china sets that were once passed from generation to generation don’t carry the same meaning as they once did.

Instead of ‘stuff,’ consider leaving a legacy project

Baby boomers were gifted the silver, china, crystal, and linens that their parents saved for and treasured, but now many millennials are minimalists and less interested in family heirlooms. If the … more

By Bonnie Evans | 7/11/23

A mourner signs the outside of a coffin prior to burial at Prudence Memorial Park. “Natural” burial grounds like this use biodegradable coffins, no embalming, and allow the burial site to revegetate naturally. Memorial plantings of native species are welcomed.

Thinking outside the box: Eco-friendly burial options

Simply put, eco-friendly burials, also known as “green” burials, refer to burying a body in a biodegradable coffin without embalming or a vault. The Green Burial Council (GBC) describes … more

By Bonnie Evans & Robin Weber | 5/31/23

‘Death with Dignity’ being considered in Rhode Island

“Death with Dignity,” also known as Physician Assisted Death, Physician Assisted Suicide and Medical Aid in Dying, refers to the legal ability of a physician to provide a potentially … more

By Bonnie Evans | 2/1/23

Grief is personal (Part 1)

Although grief is a universal experience, how it impacts each of us is incredibly personal and unique. It has been described as “where love used to be.” It is the response and the impact … more

By Bonnie Evans | 8/14/22