Supporting all who care for elders
“Should we celebrate mom’s birthday? I don’t even know if she understands what it’s all about. Why go to all the trouble if it doesn’t mean anything to her?” The answer to the first question is a resounding YES! Here’s why: She will benefit The “Happy Birthday” song, presents and cake go back to our […]
Who Benefits When You Celebrate? Read More »
Millie’s family had just been through some horrendous months with her care. She was in heart failure, and it led to so many problems. Her legs swelled and leaked, her mood was all over the map, and she was seeing things that weren’t there. Sometimes she was short of breath and needed oxygen. She wasn’t
Dealing With Change Read More »
This is it. From the time you became a care partner, you knew this day would come. You thought about it logically, had difficult conversations, and made impossible decisions leading up to it. You knew it was coming. You saw the signs. But your heart refused to see what your head knew. Until today. Today,
What Does “Keep Comfortable” Mean? Read More »
Your loved one lives in a long-term care home of some kind. They have been stable medically for a while, and you are thrilled to see them involved in the life of the home. Then one day, it happens. They develop pneumonia that doesn’t respond to treatment or a condition that requires intravenous antibiotics. Perhaps the
5 Reasons Not to Send Your Elder to Hospital Read More »
In the morning, Ruby got up with the help of her care partner at the facility where she lived. In the dining room, she ate toast and eggs, drank her prune juice and the imperative cup of coffee. Mid-morning, her son and daughter-in-law came to visit. They took her for a walk in her wheelchair,
How to Fight Pneumonia in Elders–Treat or Retreat? Read More »
“If your heart were to stop beating as a result of heart attack, stroke, accident etc., would you like it restarted by the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation?” It seems like a no-brainer. Duh–yes. Obviously, I need my heart to be beating to live. So, yes. It’s not that simple. There are facts about CPR you may
If My Heart Stops Beating Read More »
“I want some chocolate ice cream.” My co-worker, Melissa was startled to hear this. Paul was at the end of his life and had lost all interest in food. Although he could still swallow, he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for several days, and staff had been instructed not to offer anything. Melissa
Comfort Feeding Only Read More »
When Bill was dying of heart disease, I didn’t know he was dying. He was palliative and nearing end-of-life, but I didn’t understand those terms, and no one explained them to me. Perhaps because he was only 55, every medical person was full of hope until all hope was gone. One disturbing symptom was when
When Food Is No Longer Possible Read More »
Every care partner knows the end will come someday. Maybe they dread it. Maybe they welcome it. Maybe it depends on the day. Whatever your feelings, it’s likely that you have questions. Like the entire care partner journey, end-of-life is full of difficult decisions. There is no manual that helps you make the right one,
What Does End-of-Life Look Like? Read More »
There’s a rhythm to the day in my neighbourhood. Today, I was in at 6:30 to make a special breakfast. Even though my body isn’t a big fan of getting up at 4:00 a.m., there’s something magical about the hush of the dining room when the only sound is one care partner making breakfast. I
Sundowning–Why Life Gets Crazy in the Afternoon Read More »