Supporting all who care for elders
Melanie shifted in the uncomfortable, straight-backed chair and glanced at her watch. It hadn’t moved since the last time she looked, and compulsively staring at it wasn’t doing a thing. Mom had mercifully fallen asleep in the chair beside her after almost an hour of meaningless chatter, pacing and protests loud enough that everyone in
Do your Doctor’s Manners Make You Angry? Read More »
Bill and I and the doctor were crowded into a tiny examination room, peering at the computer screen. A week ago he’d had a serious event which brought him to the emergency room. His cardiologist was there that evening, and did multiple tests. We stared at the screen where the results were displayed. “Idiopathic Cardiac
After A Frightening Diagnosis Ask These 5 Powerful Questions Read More »
Older people’s bodies aren’t the same as younger people’s. Duh. Am I a master of stating the obvious? But there’s more to it than you might realize. And the implications for you and your elder might be something you haven’t considered. What are the Differences? By no means a comprehensive list, here are a few
Do You Have The Right Doctor? Read More »
Offering choice to elders presents many problems. Is it worth it? You decide. Choice is expensive In our dining room at lunch there are two choices of soup, several options of main course, including one bland and one vegetarian and a whole cart full of desserts. Don’t like the soup options? We can make you
Three Practical Reasons Which Inspire Me To Deny Choice Read More »
Do you ever feel like life’s out of control? Situations are spiralling and you have no choice, or perhaps no good choice? One morning, I faced time pressure to get out the door and make the train. My inner clock ticked and I knew as I blew my hair dry that less than 10 minutes
Powerless Elders Devastated by Lack of Choice Read More »
The thought never occurred to me to sponsor a fundraiser. But God had other plans. In the two years since I’d last visited my niece, Jenn, she and her family had walked a perilous journey. She’d begun her course to take Early Childhood Educator, Level 2, but almost immediately experienced disturbing symptoms. While continuing her
The Amazing Small Miracle of Awe-Inspiring People Read More »
What I learned about me The day my car died, I learned an important lesson about myself. And about the elders I serve. In fact, about life in general. My car began to reach that unfortunate stage where it was costing me money. You’ve all been there. You pay for “one last repair” and make
The Agony and Inspiration of Elders Losing Independence Read More »
My wedding day. My parents lived an hour’s drive from the church, so the wedding party couldn’t dress at their house. Our small apartment on the third floor didn’t suit either. Enter Nancy Smail, who offered her attractive house, a sumptuous breakfast and the loving care this young bride needed. That nurturing act probably seemed
Hopeful Ideas to Energize Your New Life As A Care Partner Read More »
I’m writing to you because it’s so much more personal than a blog post, and the diagnosis your received last week is as personal as it gets. Alzheimer’s. I bet you’re still in a fog, trying to assimilate what this means for the rest of your life. Can I give you some advice? (You know
How to Begin Your Alzheimer’s Journey in 3 (Not So) Easy Steps Read More »
“You have dementia, probably Alzheimer’s type.” Time stops. None of the rest of the world exists. At this moment, only you, the doctor and this room matter. The walls seem to close in and there is a strange whistling in your ears. Alzheimer’s? It’s Alzheimer’s? You already strongly suspected, but the seed of hope still
How To Thrive After A Diagnosis of Dementia Read More »