Supporting all who care for elders
They started today, all shiny and new. Twelve eager PSW students coming to learn among us. All of them completed their schooling, and now they learn the practical aspects of becoming a care partner. Each of our care partners functions as a preceptor and takes a student under their wing to mentor them. We invest […]
Becoming a Care Partner Read More »
Many times I’ve remarked that everyone who walks the journey with an elder can be called a care partner. I’ve talked about the roles of professional care partners, those who serve the meals, family members, those who visit occasionally and volunteers. What about the advocate? What’s an advocate? There’s not a question I get asked
Care Partner Wednesday–The Advocate as Care Partner Read More »
“The doctor diagnosed my mom’s dementia. I don’t know what form of the disease she has, but they seem the same to me. He put her on some medication he said might help.” Statements like this make me shudder. Would we say this about any other disease? “The doctor said my mom has cancer. The
Diagnosing Dementia Read More »
Picture an umbrella. It’s black and appears that it could provide shelter to a small village. This umbrella is called dementia. If you hear that someone has cancer, one of your first questions is going to be, “What kind?” We understand that there is a myriad of different kinds of cancer, and each one affects the
Under the Umbrella Read More »
The first care conference is often long. Held a few weeks after a resident moves into care, it’s the family’s chance to meet with the doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, chaplain, dietary department and advocate. Through questions and discussion, the team gets to know the resident better, and a plan of care is worked out. It’s fluid,
I Am Not My Disease Read More »
You face a new year, and perhaps some of the struggles of the last year or two enter into the new year with you. January brings a fresh, unblemished calendar, but you carry your load and who you are with you. Sometimes, the weight of it bites into your shoulder as you try to move
The Small Miracle of Strength Read More »
There’s a lot of counting happens at this season. Have you noticed that? Advent calendars countdown until Christmas, merchants count the days until Boxing Day and then extend it a week or longer, and we count down to New Year’s. All this counting can add a lot of pressure to our schedule as the deadline
How to Care for You at Christmas Read More »
On Thursday, we are making our annual trek to Christmas shop for the residents. Four of us commandeer two carts each and fill them with fuzzy socks, lap blankets, lotion, ladies’ scarves and whatever else we can think of. This particular store is down a set of stairs, so watching us haul multiple bags up
How to Find Your Inner Santa with Gift Giving Read More »
Have you ever thought about what gives you purpose? What makes it worth getting out of bed in the morning? What gives you satisfaction at the end of the day? Which moments in your day do you look back on and treasure, because of something significant? Purpose is key for all of us. There may
How to Find Purpose With Your Elder This Christmas Read More »
Friday is “decorating day” at work. In the Community Life office, where all things creative happen, red bags of Christmas trees line the walls and boxes and bins of glittering decorations are everywhere. At 9:00, staff who usually spend their day in front of a computer screen will join those of us who work on
How to Have Yourself a Flexible Little Christmas Read More »