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Life Care Foundation was established in 1988 to advance knowledge about the disorders of communication and their treatment. LCF's mission originated from the research indicating
that loneliness was an unrecognized major cause of premature death. Our research also has shown that dysfunctional communication could be a significant source of heart disease. Research conducted by
James J. Lynch, Ph.D. and a number of his colleagues has evolved into studies of therapeutic procedures that could help people break-out of the pervasive loneliness of our times.
One therapeutic
offshoot is found in the work of Aaron H. Katcher, M.D. of University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Katcher has demonstrated that animal companionship could have a positive influence on human health and
that contact with nature could reduce the physiological stress of dialogue.
To date LCF has engaged in therapeutic research demonstrating that:
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Continuous monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate during therapy can reduce the pathological blood pressure surges associated with dysfunctional communication and can be used
to help patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, migraines, vasovagal syncope and dysautonomia. (See Example!)
¨ Heart patients in Phase II Cardiac rehabilitation can utilize physiological information derived
from continuous monitoring to titrate therapeutic dialogue in a way that does not overwhelm their cardiovascular system.
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Patients with coronary heart disease exhibit far greater peak blood diastolic blood pressures while talking during an interview than they do to maximal exercies on a treadmill! (See Example!)
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The presence of plants, gardens, natural spaces, companion animals, as well as people of all ages, creates "communities of inclusion" which have powerful stress reducing effects and improve
the quality of dialogue.
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School failure has disastrous pathological effects that lead to increased mortality from almost
all causes throughout the life span. It also increases the prevalence of all of the risk factors of heart
disease. Changing the school environment so that more children succeed is a major health priority of the Foundation.
Life Care Foundation pursues several social missions. We work to build inclusive communities that
bring people (of all ages), animals and nature back together. We work to acquaint educators with the
health consequences of school failure. Our efforts have been supported by research grants from The National Heart Institute and private contributions. The major activity of the center has been publishing
books, and research articles as well as conducting a series of educational seminars on cardiovascular monitoring in the treatment of disorders of communication, and health promotion through building more
inclusive patterns of relationships.
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