“The taste sense is one of the five human senses. It is essential to our survival because it enables the individual the choice of correct food, which, in turn, is crucial for one’s existence, maintenance and function.” [1] “Taste is a sensory modality involving the oral perception of food-derived chemicals that stimulate receptor cells within […]

“Our sense of smell is one of our richest and wide-ranging windows into the world around us, playing a vital role in what we taste, our social interactions and even helping us detect potential dangers.” [1] “Smell is an important sense as it can alert us to danger like gas leak, fire or rotten food […]

“Our sense of touch allows us to receive information about our internal and external environments, making it important for sensory perception. The first sense to develop in a human fetus is touch. At 8 weeks, a fetus responds to touch of the lips and cheeks, with other body parts responding by 14 weeks. Infants use […]

“All of our senses give us vital information about our surroundings, but the one we rely on most is vision.” [1] “Vision is the process of deriving meaning from what is seen. It is a complex, learned and developed set of functions that involve a multitude of skills. About 80% of what we learn from […]

“The importance of hearing to our health is fundamental. It is one of our most critical senses for connecting to people and interacting with the world. Because of this, it helps us socialize with our loved ones and friends. Hearing also plays an important role in meeting new people and pursuing healthy activities and hobbies […]

“National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event.” [1] “The first state to recognize May 6 as Nurses Day was New Jersey, which celebrated the day for the first time in […]

“Beethoven once said, “Music can change the world.” Considered one of the greatest composers of all time, Beethoven was able to create incredible masterpieces despite being completely deaf. Instead of giving up his love for music as his hearing loss accelerated, he persevered and continued to produce amazing works that are still enjoyed and admired […]

“An intellectual or developmental disability, also called IDD, includes many severe, chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. IDD can begin at any time, up to 22 years of age. It usually lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. People who have IDD have problems with major life activities such as: Language Mobility Learning […]

Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, is celebrated in April. “This Month, autism rights groups are asking schools and the media to focus on the inclusion and acceptance of those with different neurologies. This starts with the small, but significant, change from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance.”1 What is Autism? “Autism spectrum disorder […]

Supported Living is a care option that allows a significant level of independence, while also ensuring that the individual is suitably housed and has access to support when they need it. It can be an empowering yet safe alternative to traditional residential care, giving vulnerable individuals the opportunity to be more self-sufficient while still receiving […]