Supporting all who care for elders
The general consensus was that we were nuts. “You’re going camping? With elders?” We did. We called it a “camping experience,” in that we stayed in a totally accessible double cabin. We took a nurse, PSWs, and so much staff we were almost one-to-one. The average age of the elders with us was 90. One […]
Practical Ideas to Bring Your Elder to the Party (Or Bring the Party to Them!) Read More »
I want to be an elder with a cape. You know the ones I mean? The man in his 90s who completed a marathon. The woman in her 80s with the hot, incredible body who moves with grace on the balance beam. She’s more flexible than I was at, well, ever. The nurse who works
Maybe We Don’t Understand Ageing. Are Elders Really Superheroes? Read More »
Lizzie loved to help others. When she lived in her apartment, she would trundle up the hill to the local grocery store to get groceries for her neighbour. She ran a tea party in the long-term-care section on Saturdays, and assisted with meals for people who couldn’t feed themselves. She handed out hymn
How to Help Your Elder Find Meaningful Acts of Service Read More »
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 »
Jean would come to lunch each day and order the same thing. Two pieces of egg salad sandwich, milk and tea. Vanilla ice cream for dessert. I had no problem with her order, except she would take one or two nibbles from each of her quarter sandwiches, drink half her milk and a few sips
A Unique Idea to Make Lunch a Fun Adventure Read More »
I stood at the top of the basement stairs, looking at what seemed to be an impossible descent. I’d recently had hip replacement surgery, and my friend washed, dried, folded and returned my laundry each week. So thankful, I knew I had to find a way to get down those stairs and become independent in
How To Find “Out-of-the-Box” Solutions Leading to Independence Read More »
Do you have a bucket list? In thinking about this, I knew I had something written in a file stored on the cloud. Probably 10 to 15 years old, curiosity sent me searching for it. What did I put on there? Some of the entries made me smile, some shake my head ruefully, and some
Do You Know the Secret Desire of Your Elder’s Heart? Read More »
I don’t consider myself an independent person. I once travelled to Disney with my sister and niece. They planned the whole excursion and I checked with them each day to find out which park or special event was on the roster. It didn’t matter to me. It was all fun, and I was happy to
How to Move Independence in Elders Beyond the Impossible Dream Read More »
Have you ever had your life change in a single night? We were coming home from a birthday celebration. The event, special in itself, had been more blessed by the presence of a beloved aunt. The ride home should have been a time to happily relive the event. The pain in my husband’s foot, of
How to Navigate Being A Sudden Care Partner Read More »