Supporting all who care for elders
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 »
I remember on Christmas morning, my mother would go down to the basement in her nightclothes and light the fireplace. Our tree sparkled with lights and tinsel, and the nativity scene that my father build from orange crates sat on the television. In this cozy glow, after eating a full breakfast, we opened our presents.
Your Christmas Story Read More »
Dr. Alice Howland is a renowned linguistics professor, a mother of three grown children, a wife to a loving husband. She was living the dream when her life began to crumble. She forgot a word in a lecture, then got lost on a jog in her neighbourhood. In Still Alice, Julienne Moore passionately portrays the
When Alzheimer’s Comes Too Early Read More »
My new favorite poster is a picture of a goldfish wearing a shark costume. It says, “Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be.” So today, I will pretend to be brave and talk about Hallowe’en. When my kids were growing up, we did a modified version of Hallowe’en, but they never went trick-or-treating.
The Small Miracle of Shining Light in the Darkness Read More »
“Do you know Mr. Sully?” “Of course I do. I talk to him every day. He uses a cane and always wears a suit. He’s such a kind gentleman.” “But do you know him?” “I told you I do. His wife lived with us until she passed away. He was such a devoted husband. Spent
How to Really Know Your Elders Read More »
There are points in life when everything changes. Milestones where you can look back and say, “Here is when life was never the same again.” A diagnosis of dementia can be like that. Probably there were months and even years leading up to that moment when you wondered, suspected or even knew, but it wasn’t
After a Diagnosis of Dementia Read More »
“I just changed his diaper. You grab a bib for me, and I will feed him.” Is this a conversation between two parents holding their newborn infant? Or perhaps two Early Childhood educators in a daycare situation? No, it’s a conversation held between two care partners over the head of a non-verbal elder in a
How To Use the Right Words in Eldercare Read More »