Care Partners

How to Find Purpose and Fun With Your Elder this Hallowe’en

“They cancelled Hallowe’en? How can they cancel Hallowe’en?” That was the cry last year as we saw event after event cancelled. Because Hallowe’en occurred outside, we held faint hope that perhaps it could still happen, but eventually the word came from above that it, too, was cancelled. Little did we know how many other events […]

How to Find Purpose and Fun With Your Elder this Hallowe’en Read More »

Everything You Know About Food Changes at End-of-Life

An apple a day.. “Eat your vegetables!” Love at first bite. Life is uncertain, eat dessert first. You are what you eat. Ever think about how much of our life is obsessed with food? That’s not a bad thing, as obviously we need to eat to live, and proper nutrition is important. Beyond that, food

Everything You Know About Food Changes at End-of-Life Read More »

How to Navigate Agonizing End-of-Life Decisions

End-of-life decisions are gut-wrenching. That’s why it’s important to have current information and communicate. Knowing your elder’s wishes makes difficult choices possible. If you are in the position of making a decision for someone who isn’t able to tell you their wishes, having clear, up-to-date information gives you the best tools. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

How to Navigate Agonizing End-of-Life Decisions Read More »

Six Reasons To Say “No” To A Hospital Visit

“We can’t deal with this problem here. She needs to go to hospital.” They are all looking at you. The doctor, the nurses, the care staff, your family. As your mother’s care partner and power of attorney, the next decision is yours. Maybe she has pneumonia which isn’t responding to the antibiotics she’s been given,

Six Reasons To Say “No” To A Hospital Visit Read More »

How to face your elder’s last days with courage

We all have our own version of comfort food. For me it’s rich Greek yogurt almost anytime, or homemade soup with almond bread, toasted, on a cold night. Maybe an herbal tea, but only the fruity kind. None of the green stuff. Or comfort clothes. In this hot weather it’s shorts and a loose top

How to face your elder’s last days with courage Read More »

When the End is Near, What Does it Look Like?

One day, your task as a care partner will end. Of course, you know this. Perhaps, on a day full of appointments and crises and decisions, you long for that day. In a secret place in your heart, you might think, “My elder has suffered enough and I’m tired. I’m ready for the end.” Then

When the End is Near, What Does it Look Like? Read More »

Palliative Care: Quality of Life or End of Life?

“Everyone on this floor is palliative.” My jaw dropped open as I processed what the nurse said. I scanned the hall, and saw elderly residents living life. A few sat in the dining room enjoying afternoon tea from china tea cups and chatting. One rushed, with her walker, to get to her memoir-writing class.  A

Palliative Care: Quality of Life or End of Life? Read More »

Are We Getting Elderhood Wrong? How To Turn It Around

I want to be an elder with a cape. You know the ones I mean? The man in his 90s who completed a marathon. The woman in her 80s with the hot, incredible body who moves with grace on the balance beam. She’s more flexible than I was at, well, ever. The nurse who works

Are We Getting Elderhood Wrong? How To Turn It Around Read More »