Supporting all who care for elders
How is this day unlike any other day? Those famous words were applicable to us as we celebrated Shrove Tuesday in our neighbourhood. The menu at lunch was, of course, pancakes, with sausage, bacon, peach and/or strawberry sauce and maple syrup. Resident’s eyes widened as this amazing plateful of goodies was brought to them. If […]
How to Offer Maximum Choice and Why Read More »
No, do more than hug. Give them the gift of your time. Today began with falling snow and baking muffins and joy. Somewhere around noon, it all fell apart. One of my residents was unresponsive and I worried that I was seeing stroke symptoms. Another with serious heart issues was unwell. We were trying to
Hug A Care Partner Today Read More »
“Nobody’s asked me how I’m doing.” The poignant words lingered in my mind long after the evening ended. I spoke to a group at church about self-care in ministry, but because I used examples from my life and work, the topic of elders in long-term care naturally rose to the surface. A lovely lady, an
“How Are You Doing?” Read More »
Words aren’t friends for George any more. He used to give lectures, make high-level phone calls, and joke with co-workers in his job as president of a company. Now words swirl in his head, and he can seldom catch the right one. His tongue stumbles and his brow furrows as he tries to tell me
Dementia: It’s Painful When Words Fail Me Read More »
Dementia. Memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease. Confusion. Cognitive impairment. Neurocognitive disorder. What does it all mean? Are these all words used to describe one condition, or are they different? Does everyone with dementia (or whatever term you use) act the same? What can I expect? When a person is diagnosed with dementia or any other term
Confessions About the Remarkable World of Dementia Read More »
“I should be able to do this.” What this well-dressed, beautiful senior lady was referring to was moving herself and her husband from the home they had lived in for most of their married years. The initial decision to move was one she had to make alone. He was no longer able to participate. All
Care Partners: The Magic of Not Trying to Do It All Read More »
Back in the mid-1950s, they were both in high school and she experienced heart palpitations whenever he passed her in the hall. He was three years older, and she doubted he even noticed her. But he did. One day he caught up with her and walked her home. She sat in the old swing out
When a Wife Becomes A Care Partner Read More »
When I get on the train, I choose the same car every day. I sit with the same people, who also chose that car. Some of them chat with each other and some sleep, but all on the same car. My car is at the far end of the platform, and sometimes if I’m running
The Small Miracle of Change Read More »
On Monday of this week, we started something completely new. We’ve been planning for weeks and months–years, really. Two smaller neighbourhoods joined and the new neighbourhood of Cedarvale Park was born. It’s happening in stages. On Monday, the new staffing model began. By next Monday, we should have a laundry room, and the following Monday
Culture Change is Hard Read More »
Have you ever been so afraid, your stomach dropped to your toes, your mouth dried to dust and the tears flowed non-stop? That’s how I felt the day I got the letter. Growing up, I was always the good kid. It’s not that I aspired to sainthood, but I had a horror of being accused
The Small Miracle of God With Me Read More »