Supporting all who care for elders
We’re working on a project. It’s a secret at the moment, but I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun. It involves a bucketload of creativity, the gifts of both my husband and myself, and some reaching outside several boxes to figure things out. Ideas for it wake me at night and encroach on […]
Finding Ways to Create with Joy with Your Elder Read More »
Do you remember the excitement when the Eaton’s catalogue used to arrive? I could ask for one present. I’d always receive more than that, and my stocking contained all kinds of small treasures, but the one I asked for would be the “desire of my heart” present. The thing I couldn’t live without (or so
The Value of Good Choices in Your Elder’s Journey Read More »
Everyone in the family knew that Grandpa couldn’t hear well. The television roared when he listened to it, and the radio sounded at levels that rivalled his teenage grandchildren. In conversation, he growled about family members “muttering.” Why couldn’t anyone speak up these days? Conversations addressing the problem never went well. Grandpa would go off
How to Have Difficult Conversations With Your Elder Read More »
My shoulder is killing me. Tylenol is starting to dull the ache and make it use-able, but my mind is going in 100 anxious directions. As someone with a hip and knee replacement (and the other hip probably pending) I wonder absently how many parts you can replace. Should I look into physio? What about
Important: After research comes action! Read More »
“We can’t deal with this problem here. She needs to go to hospital.” They are all looking at you. The doctor, the nurses, the care staff, your family. As your mother’s care partner and power of attorney, the next decision is yours. Maybe she has pneumonia which isn’t responding to the antibiotics she’s been given,
Six Reasons To Say “No” To A Hospital Visit Read More »
John was a “frequent flyer” in my work area. Able to propel his wheelchair down the hall from where he lived to our neighbourhood, his favourite activity was to create havoc in our dining room. He’d move from table to table, touching dishes and cutlery with hands which had been everywhere. John wasn’t popular–that’s an
How to Triumph Over Toxic Behaviour in Dementia Read More »
From the day he moved in, everyone knew three things about Harry. He loved plants, he had a killer smile, and he never went anywhere without his harmonica. Dementia had stolen his huge repertoire but he still retained six or seven songs he played from memory. While passing in the hall you would hear them
Did You Know Effective Music Can Make Magic? Read More »
The world grinds to a standstill. Roads remain empty, transit systems echo, churches provide online services only. Stores which are still open display hand sanitizers at every corner and mask-wearing customers lurk and disappear. Our present reality. Confined to quarters, staying home, forcing this virus to die the death of having no host. Isolated, we
Social Isolation, Elders and the Joy of Technology Read More »
Try my fun quiz! Do you think winter should end December 26th? Do you live in a place where winter ends June 1 (maybe)? Do you start looking at seed packets and garden magazines when there’s still snow on the ground? Does growing things give you a rush like a whole cup of sugar? Do
4 Ways to Find Joy in the Garden With Your Elder Read More »
My name is Scrappy and I have a job. I make smiles. Now, I know that everyone doesn’t like dogs. To tell you the truth, there are some people I’m not too crazy about. If elders don’t want a visit or are afraid, I just pass them by. I wish the people I’m thinking about
This Brilliant Visitor is the Best! Read More »