Supporting all who care for elders
Wanda had watched her father sink into the abyss of loneliness over the last few months, and she felt desperate to help. Nothing she did seemed to make a difference. When Dad’s best friend had died suddenly several months ago, it had seemed to knock him off his feet emotionally. Then it happened […]
Practical Ideas to Combat Loneliness in Elders Read More »
George stared out the window at the brilliant fall day. He should go out for a walk. Even a short one would help. He sat in his recliner and raised his feet. Exhaustion seeped into his every pore. He didn’t have the energy. He could hear Sheila’s voice. “You’ll feel better if you do. Come
How Isolation is a Physical, Emotional and Mental Killer Read More »
Is it ever right to challenge a person with dementia to do something they don’t want to do? It took days of cajoling to get Amy to join us on a picnic to the park. The weather was perfect, her daughter would join us and we would watch the children play. Amy loved children. We
How to manage caregiver guilt Read More »
Mary’s care partner came to me looking frustrated. “I don’t know what to do. Every drawer and cupboard and extra space is stuffed full, and today Tim came in with more presents for her. She was delighted, but I have no idea where to put them!” I smiled. Although it was a lovely problem to
How to Recognize Caregiver Guilt Read More »
Edith woke with a start. The children needed her. She had to get them dressed for school, and make sure Jeremy washed his face and brushed his teeth after breakfast. Alice didn’t usually need reminding, but Jeremy tried to sneak out without cleaning up. She needed to make their lunches, and after they left, she
Dealing with Behaviours: When All You Want Is Sleep Read More »
Gloria flounced into the dining room and announced loudly, “Someone stole my purse!” Like a tightening belt, the agitation among the others in the room increased. We had a thief among us? Was anyone’s belongings safe? Gloria’s care partner assured her she would help look, and they went arm in arm down to her room.
How to deal with a stolen purse Read More »
We sat on our swing on the deck. At mid-afternoon it looked like dusk. Our solar lights sprung to life and an eerie stillness descended. We wore our special glasses and watched with awe as the eclipse of 2024 slipped across the sky. As awed as I was by the whole event, something else struck
How Loneliness and Isolation Are Toxic for Elders Read More »
Barbara had a bad attitude her entire life, and it didn’t improve when she struggled with dementia. Snarky, sometimes mean, but also needy and wanting all the attention all the time, she’d always looked after herself. Now she couldn’t, and she wasn’t gracious about it. Even her dementia didn’t stop her from making snide remarks
How Creativity Opens New Worlds for Elders with Dementia Read More »
“Exercise and fun shouldn’t be used in the same sentence.” I said and believed that for years, and I sometimes feel skeptical even yet, but I’ve found ways to make even the most boring leg lifts more fun. (Okay, somewhat, a little fun. Endurable.) What is exercise? This feels like a “stating the obvious” question,
Can Exercise Be Fun? Here Are Some Tricks and Tips Read More »
Do you have a hot button? An event, a chance comment, something you hate doing because it pulls a negative trigger inside you? For me, it’s anything that makes me feel stupid. As a little girl, I often missed things. We would drive in the country and my parents would point out cows or horses
An Empathetic Peek Inside the Mind With Dementia Read More »