Supporting all who care for elders
She’s poised on the high bar, her toes pointed, She moves her body gracefully and slowly unfolds to stand on the narrow piece of wood. Walking its length, she bends, grabs the bar and swings her body to the ground. Her white hair glistens as she lands. Wait, what? That’s right, this gymnast is 82 […]
Have We Got Ageing Wrong? Read More »
Today, I had to write an end-of-life notice for someone who is dear to me. I struggled, deleted, started over and re-wrote. This notice is an email we send when a resident has been declared end-of-life by their doctor. The purpose is to let people know, so they can visit and say good-bye. We tell
Maybe it’s rare these days, but I grew up with “respect your elders.” I called everyone “Mrs. Smyth” and “Mrs. Ruse,” and even when I grew up and these ladies invited me to use their first names, I couldn’t. My mother, who passed away in my mid- twenties, seemed to sit on my shoulder and
What Does Respect Mean, Anyway? 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 »
“I just changed his diaper. You grab a bib for me, and I will feed him.” Is this a conversation between two parents holding their newborn infant? Or perhaps two Early Childhood educators in a daycare situation? No, it’s a conversation held between two care partners over the head of a non-verbal elder in a
How To Use the Right Words in Eldercare Read More »
My car has reached that unfortunate state where the repairs and anticipated repairs mean I need to replace it. Ugh. I am leaving for vacation in less than a week. I wasn’t planning on taking my car, but the multitude of decisions necessary to get a new one will have to wait until I get
Maintaining Independence When You Need More Help Read More »
As words go, it’s not one of my favourites. Deterioration. “The process of becoming progressively worse.” 1 Eww. Sounds like mouldy bread. The reality of life is, deterioration happens to all of us adults. I used to be able to walk farther and run up a set of stairs. At one point in my life, I
A New Look at Deterioration Read More »