Supporting all who care for elders
“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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Care partner stress is real, sometimes intense and wearing. When you are in the middle of the battle, you don’t want to hear “10 Ways to Beat Caregiver Stress” because most of them don’t speak to your situation, and you already know that stuff anyway. You want to hear how to get through today. I
Lobster, Lasagna and Memories Read More »
My friend, who I will call Jane, has been going through hell as a care partner. Her husband is suffering from a serious form of brain cancer, and their lives have been one crisis after another lately. Surgery after surgery, infection, seizures and multiple hospitalizations. Each day is a roller coaster of emotions, as she tries
Dear “Friends,” How Dare You? Read More »
Few people seek out the role of care partner. Of those who do, most of them are paid to fulfil the role, and only a small portion of those feel called to the position. For the most part, the role of care partner is thrust upon family members who embrace it more or less reluctantly.
The Reluctant Care Partner Read More »
A special person I know is moving her mom into care in the next month. What a frightening journey that can be! She wrote to me, asking for advice. This was my reply: I was so pleased to hear you and your family had made the difficult decision to find a place for your mom
Advice on the Big Move to Long-Term-Care Read More »