Supporting all who care for elders
Things aren’t always as they seem. Neither are people. You’d think by this point in my life I’d know that, and I do in theory, but I need to learn certain lessons over and over when they present themselves in a different context. Maybe you’ve found that, too. My job as an advocate mainly involved […]
What is the Most Important Aspect When Looking for a Caregiver? Read More »
Doesn’t this dog have guilt written all over his face? I can be easily motivated by guilt. “Grandma, we haven’t come over in so long. I miss you.” Immediately, plans are changed or cancelled. How had I let time slip by without seeing my precious girls? “How long since you’ve had your ducts cleaned?” (Ummm,
Are There Practical Weapons to Attack Feelings of Loneliness in Elders? Read More »
The unused patio looked a little pathetic. A long, rectangular space, no one enjoyed it because the planters were full of weeds, needed to be repositioned and you could only sit if you had a wheelchair or carried a kitchen chair out. The door was narrow and the lip at the bottom made it a
With a Little Creativity, Dinner Can Be a Fun Experience Read More »
Did you ever participate in an old fashioned tug-of-war game? Participants line up on either side of a sturdy rope, and at the command, everyone pulls for all their worth! Those on the sidelines yell and cheer, and eventually the stronger side pulls the rope, and the people holding it, to their side. As a
How to Navigate an Emotional Tug-of-War for Care Partners Read More »
It probably started with niggling thoughts chasing themselves through your brain. Mom looks unkept. She’d never allow anyone to see her with her hair unsettled before. She seems frail, too. I wonder if she’s eating enough. From there, perhaps you made an off comment to a sibling or other family member. “How do you think
How to Navigate the Minefield of Choosing a Long-Term-Care Home Read More »
“I’ll never put my mother in a home.” I’ve heard these words many times over the years. My biggest challenge is always to keep silent, or to carefully ask a few gentle questions. Spoken with conviction and often a sanctimonious air, the words don’t usually invite dialogue. Those eight words hold hidden messages and although not all
Why I Think My Care Choices For My Elder Are Better Than Yours Read More »
“Will you be my neighbour?” Fred Rogers’ winsome question prodded a generation to think beyond their cultural norms. Neighbours were the same age, colour and religion as me. They were adults, they didn’t have wheelchairs or (gasp!) mental health issues. When we did something for them, they gave back. Yeah, we could be neighbours with
Will You Be My (Elderly) Neighbour? How to Connect Read More »
I am so thankful for the many elders who added to my life.
Three elders who helped complete the puzzle of my life Read More »
“Someone stole my purse!” Barbara pushed her walker into the dining room to make her announcement with as much volume as she could muster. Her eyebrows jumped and her eyes bugged to emphasize the seriousness of the accusation. Several residents peered down the hall, perhaps expecting to see the culprit racing away with the purse
What Happens When Your Purse is Stolen Read More »
I love to beat the system. By that, I often mean spending far less (or nothing) on something that’s supposed to cost me a fortune. Two of the world’s cutest baby overalls, one for each new grandchild, fall into this category. The fabric was given to me by someone downsizing, and its primary colours of
How to Beat the System This Christmas and Choose Joy Read More »