Supporting all who care for elders
Everyone anticipated the staff Christmas party. Every year, staff gathered from all shifts in the auditorium. The event was catered so that kitchen staff could enjoy as well, and long tables were heaped with delicious goodies of all kinds. A Photo Booth, staff presentations, door prizes to drool over and lots […]
How “party moments” can make Christmas special Read More »
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” I’ve always thought, “that song must have been written by a man.” I looked it up. It was. Two men, in fact. Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963. It was first performed and made famous by another man, Andy Williams, the same year. I love Christmas,
How to Give Like Santa to Your Elder this Christmas Read More »
It’s almost here, and I’d better share quickly so you can use these ideas for the big event. Or pass them on. Or maybe next year. On the Ninth Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave to Me…Christmas Cards I can’t remember the last time I sent physical Christmas cards. Many years ago, I switched to a
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave to Me… Read More »
They had planned well for Annie’s 100th birthday. Her sister and nieces had flown in from the other end of the country. The table looked festive with balloons and a table centre resembling fireworks. They’d ordered a chocolate cake (her favourite) big enough to feed the entire dining room. Everyone was poised to sing. They
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave to Me… Read More »
The whole song leaves me wondering. Partridges are small for eating, pear trees are dormant in winter and as for the leaping lords and milking maids…forget it. (The five golden rings have possibilities, but I got a golden engagement ring in March and a golden wedding band in September, so I’m good for rings as
On the First Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave To Me… Read More »
The year after my husband died, I asked to make Christmas dinner. My sister-in-law and I went year-about with Christmas, and it was her turn. My coping mechanism, for the first few months, entailed keeping myself so busy, I didn’t have a lot of time to think. I worked full-time, made all the preparations for
The One Where Christmas Happened Without You And We Found A Way Read More »
Jenn hated The Little Drummer Boy. As a mother of four, she would indignantly declare, “What new mother in her right mind would welcome a kid with a drum?” She had a point. But it became a thing with us. I would send her every new version of the song I could find, every cartoon, ornament,
The One Where We’re Grieving, and We Laughed Read More »
The answer to today’s Wordle puzzle was “ninja.” Immediately, tears pricked my eyes and a thousand memories flooded my brain. I miss my favourite ninja. You may have read about the passing of my lovely niece, Jenn, this last August. https://smallmiracles.online/the-not-so-small-miracle-of-jenn-a-life-well-lived/ As a marathon runner, she would get up before sunrise during Manitoba winters to
The One Where We Lost Someone, And Christmas Came Anyway Read More »
Sarah wanted to do something special for her husband, who “walked with dementia.” He’d always been a sports fan, and she decided she would take him to see one of his favourite teams play. He’d always loved live games, and maybe there’d be a moment which would bring back happy memories. It was a lot
Should Grandma Stay Home From the Celebration? Read More »
The general consensus was that we were nuts. “You’re going camping? With elders?” We did. We called it a “camping experience,” in that we stayed in a totally accessible double cabin. We took a nurse, PSWs, and so much staff we were almost one-to-one. The average age of the elders with us was 90. One
Practical Ideas to Bring Your Elder to the Party (Or Bring the Party to Them!) Read More »