Community

5 Ways Technology Can Help the Other 10%

Gladys didn’t understand the appeal. Her friends had fancy phones which did all kinds of things besides make phone calls. They did their banking without leaving the building. Was that even safe? They got their groceries and other things delivered and talked to some weird guy called “Siri.” All these things scared and confused her, […]

5 Ways Technology Can Help the Other 10% Read More »

5 Ways Technology Can Enhance the Life of Your Elder

It wasn’t that long ago… “When my mother moves downstairs, will the right cables be in the room to connect her desktop?” In our facility, with independent living, assisted living and care, this elder had moved into care. Beginning to settle in, her family was in the process of moving her belongings out of her

5 Ways Technology Can Enhance the Life of Your Elder Read More »

How to Give Like Santa to Your Elder this Christmas

“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 »

Finding Practical Ways for Elders to Emerge From Depression

Roger had been taking the anti-depressant for two months now. The doctor had warned him that they were starting with a small dose and would raise it slowly as needed. He said he would monitor closely, and that it often took some time to find the correct drug and dosage for each person. “Covering his

Finding Practical Ways for Elders to Emerge From Depression Read More »

How to Prepare For End-of-life With Your Elder

Decisions. More decisions. Agonizing, frightening decisions. Besides the emotional tsunami of losing a love one, end-of-life contains so many difficult choices. I remember panic rolling through me as I thought, “What do I do? I don’t know what to do.” This week, we are going to look at these decisions and try to take the

How to Prepare For End-of-life With Your Elder Read More »

Creative Ways Your Elder Can Give to Others

    All their lives, many of our elders loved to give. They volunteered, cooked and baked for the grieving or those in need and supported their children and grandchildren in many ways. It mattered. It gave life purpose to be able to help.      When they are less able, and can’t see, hear,

Creative Ways Your Elder Can Give to Others Read More »

How to Improve Your Elder’s Life With This Radical Idea

Elders caring for others is a radical idea. I know, because I had difficulty researching the topic. No matter what words I put in the search engine, it took me to ways to care for elders. Elders contributing, caring, volunteering and giving is unheard of. Let’s change that. Elders already care for others in many

How to Improve Your Elder’s Life With This Radical Idea Read More »

Dealing with Behaviours: A Trip to New Brunswick, a Journey Down the Hall and a Fat Man.#wandering

Jean looked out her kitchen window to see her mother striding down the sidewalk. Although her mom had dementia, she remained physically strong and she was making tracks. She dropped her dish towel and raced out the door. “Mom!” she called. “Where are you going?” “To New Brunswick.” Her mother had grown up in that

Dealing with Behaviours: A Trip to New Brunswick, a Journey Down the Hall and a Fat Man.#wandering Read More »

7 Positive Ways for Elders to Attain A Connection

When my dad was in university taking his pharmacy degree, he took an elective in art. I remember years later finding a folder with pencil and charcoal drawings from that time. Astounded, I discovered he had remarkable talent. Talent he never once pursued in all the years of building a business and raising a family.

7 Positive Ways for Elders to Attain A Connection Read More »

How to Find Variety in Community For Your Elder

“No.” All her life, Maggie had been in the middle of everything. A little raucous and “off the wall,” irreverent and fun, full of life. But life had almost drained from her, and as a widow, blind and in a wheelchair, she didn’t bubble as she used to. She barely simmered most days.  So when

How to Find Variety in Community For Your Elder Read More »