Supporting all who care for elders
From the day he moved in, everyone knew three things about Harry. He loved plants, he had a killer smile, and he never went anywhere without his harmonica. Dementia had stolen his huge repertoire but he still retained six or seven songs he played from memory. While passing in the hall you would hear them […]
Did You Know Effective Music Can Make Magic? Read More »
The world grinds to a standstill. Roads remain empty, transit systems echo, churches provide online services only. Stores which are still open display hand sanitizers at every corner and mask-wearing customers lurk and disappear. Our present reality. Confined to quarters, staying home, forcing this virus to die the death of having no host. Isolated, we
Social Isolation, Elders and the Joy of Technology Read More »
Try my fun quiz! Do you think winter should end December 26th? Do you live in a place where winter ends June 1 (maybe)? Do you start looking at seed packets and garden magazines when there’s still snow on the ground? Does growing things give you a rush like a whole cup of sugar? Do
4 Ways to Find Joy in the Garden With Your Elder Read More »
My name is Scrappy and I have a job. I make smiles. Now, I know that everyone doesn’t like dogs. To tell you the truth, there are some people I’m not too crazy about. If elders don’t want a visit or are afraid, I just pass them by. I wish the people I’m thinking about
This Brilliant Visitor is the Best! Read More »
Remember my friend from a few weeks ago? A short, gentle man with a soft voice, he’d admitted his wife to our care floor a few weeks ago, and now participated in his first care conference. This meeting, with all the staff who care for his wife giving input, gave him a chance to ask
How To Have Demetia and a Fulfilled Life Read More »
“She’s getting older. I guess some fuzzy thinking can be expected.” Did you use these or similar words to rationalize the changes you saw in your loved one? It’s common to believe that someone whose age is advancing would naturally experience cognitive changes. We call them “senior moments” and laugh them off until they become
How To Have Dementia Without Letting It Have You Read More »
A short, gentle man with a soft voice, he’d admitted his wife to our care floor a few weeks ago, and now participated in the first care conference. This meeting, with all the staff who care for his wife giving input, gave him a chance to ask questions. Many questions. An intelligent man, he had
How To Break Through the Agony of a Dementia Diagnosis Read More »
I’m not a doctor. Or a nurse. I come to the topic of the use of medications from a purely social standpoint. Even though I worked in a medical environment for over 20 years, I need to start with that disclaimer, and be careful that I don’t come across as an “expert opinion.” From a
The Truth About Interventions for Anxiety Read More »
Immediately after lunch finished, it began. “Who’s looking after me tonight?” I told her the name of her full-time, regular care partner who would arrive at 3:00 p.m. “What’s she going to do?” The same things she does every night. Get you ready for bed. “What if she won’t look after me?” It’s her job
Unlock the Mystery of Anxiety and Find Hope Read More »
“You had one job…” Did you know there are whole web sites of people’s blunders? We relish each other’s mistakes, although I’ll admit most are hilarious, or embarrassing. A bag labelled “ice” that’s full of popcorn a cup with its handle on the inside a sign which says OEPN a clock hung upside down (how
4 Smarter Ways to Conquer Care Partner Anxiety Read More »