Supporting all who care for elders
The visit had been a disaster. Grace had brought her grandchildren to see her mother after she moved to long-term-care. They were excited, and raced in the room calling, “Hi, Grandma! Remember me?” It was obvious that she didn’t. She looked confused and then covered her ears at their eager voices.
How to Make Me Feel Heard. Communicating With People With Dementia Read More »
When I started working in eldercare, my work experience included my father’s pharmacy, employment in a library, and 15 years of running a daycare in my home. I loved the elders, was a good listener and had creative ideas, but I didn’t know what I was doing. The timing of my hiring came at the
How to Listen to the Dreams of Elders and Say “What If…” Read More »
Does ageism matter? A few jokes and memes. People poking fun at their own infirmities? Should I lighten up? It matters because ageism is the last “acceptable” prejudice. It occupies our society, our workplaces, our government, and is so invasive that we don’t recognize it a lot of the time. It becomes an
How to Recognize Ageism in Every Part of Your Life Read More »
I recently saw the pilot of a TV show that made me want to stand up and cheer. A mostly non-verbal elderly man with dementia sits in his darkened room. An aid with a cart asks him if he wants some water. Without pausing for more than a beat, she says,
How To Change How the World Sees People With Dementia Read More »
What takes an elder from independent to needing care? It might be an event, such as a fall, a stroke or other medical crisis. It could be, like a slow leak on a tire, something that takes a while to notice. Bills aren’t being paid, conversations don’t make sense or a house isn’t clean because
What Really Matters in the Care of My Elder? 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 »
“Do you know Mr. Sully?” “Of course I do. I talk to him every day. He uses a cane and always wears a suit. He’s such a kind gentleman.” “But do you know him?” “I told you I do. His wife lived with us until she passed away. He was such a devoted husband. Spent
How to Really Know Your Elders Read More »