peachmanstewart

The thing about caregiving, is that even when the physical demands aren’t difficult (such as when someone else is doing the physical care) the emotional demands are huge. How do you deal with watching deterioration in someone you love? How do you keep up with a constantly changing situation? How do you do this without […]

A few days ago, I went to my local drug store, which contains a post office. I needed a stamp. I stood in a lineup of people waiting to mail parcels and pick up packages, and searched in vain for the express aisle. I just needed a stamp. After five minutes with little movement, I

Just like there are all kinds of caregivers, there are many forms of caregiver stress. You may be experiencing only some of the symptoms. Perhaps your stress is more emotional than physical. You worry about the future, you wonder how this is affecting your family. You want to scream when the same question is asked

The Alzheimer Society is a great resource for caregivers, even if you aren’t dealing with Alzheimer’s. Their information about caregiver stress is excellent and practical, and I am going to borrow their bullet points, but add my own commentary. * Denial Denial of the disease and denial of the stress are both common. “She isn’t

Barb couldn’t get a handle on her life. Her three children were growing, but seemed to need her more than when they were little. Her oldest was in university, and the next in her last year of high school. Barb couldn’t imagine paying for two in university. The youngest was into soccer and band and

It usually hits me in the fall. When the trees are robed in magnificent, brilliant colours, I try to fill my eyes and brain with the beauty. Each corner holds a surprise–an even more dazzling red, a deeper burgundy, and more intense yellow. I try to store all that colour and beauty for the stark

When I started working with the elderly, I knew nothing. I didn’t know much about older people. I am the youngest grandchild on both sides. With multiple siblings in both my parent’s families, there were many grandchildren, and by the time I came along, the grandparents were elderly and coping with their own issues. I

            Taken on our thirtieth anniversary, two months before Bill diedHave you ever looked at a beautiful clear sky, and noticed one wispy white cloud? The next day is a violent storm, and looking back, you realise it started with the innocent cloud. Have you ever had that happen in

I was horrified when I saw her. Sitting at the entrance to the subway, she was bundled in a coat, hat and mittens. She leaned against a post.  People streamed by her, and she looked at them with a hopeful expression. She probably hadn’t seen 20 yet. Propped against her legs was a sign. “Having

Not many sign up to be a caregiver. When I was a young mom with two little girls, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This was over thirty years ago, and I knew little about the disease. Neither did my dad, who was her primary caregiver. There were some supports available at the time,