Supporting all who care for elders
Margaret liked her stuff. She wasn’t the least bit materialistic. Not in the traditional sense. With her, it was all about the memories. Her sentimentality made it impossible to part with anything which had the slightest story attached to it. In her house, whole rooms were devoted to boxes of old pictures which she planned […]
How to Make Downsizing Your Friend Read More »
Freezing rain scares me. At work one day, freezing rain and wind swirled in the streets outside, and the bushes near the window became coated with ice. “Aren’t they pretty?” said a resident as she walked by. Yeah. Pretty. From the inside. When 4:00 o’clock came, I checked the window again, frowning. It
How to Navigate the Icy Ground of Change 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 »
An apple a day.. “Eat your vegetables!” Love at first bite. Life is uncertain, eat dessert first. You are what you eat. Ever think about how much of our life is obsessed with food? That’s not a bad thing, as obviously we need to eat to live, and proper nutrition is important. Beyond that, food
Everything You Know About Food Changes at End-of-Life Read More »
End-of-life decisions are gut-wrenching. That’s why it’s important to have current information and communicate. Knowing your elder’s wishes makes difficult choices possible. If you are in the position of making a decision for someone who isn’t able to tell you their wishes, having clear, up-to-date information gives you the best tools. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)
How to Navigate Agonizing End-of-Life Decisions Read More »
Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced “mommy guilt.” Every hand of every mother reading this should be raised. It’s that common. Some of us experienced it every day. Consider this scenerio: It’s your 5-year-old’s birthday, and although you were up several times in the night with a teething baby, you got up early to
How To Be An Amazing Care Partner–Even When You Fail Read More »
When the pandemic started, we panicked. Each day, the numbers of those getting sick–horribly, devastatingly sick, and dying, were climbing. Messages bombarded us from all sides about how to stay safe and we listened to them all. Wash your hands unceasingly, don’t touch your face, wash your groceries or leave them in the garage for
Newsflash! Loneliness More Deadly Than Pneumonia in the Elderly Read More »
Do you find life kind of creeps up on you at times? As we approach the one-year anniversary of the global pandemic, I thought about how I felt last year at this time. Newly retired, I was already dealing with the isolation of being at home alone after the stimulation of my workplace. Then came
Could social distancing be hazardous to your elder’s health? Read More »
“Someone stole my purse!” Barbara pushed her walker into the dining room to make her announcement with as much volume as she could muster. Her eyebrows jumped and her eyes bugged to emphasize the seriousness of the accusation. Several residents peered down the hall, perhaps expecting to see the culprit racing away with the purse
What Happens When Your Purse is Stolen Read More »
When moving someone into long-term-care, there’s so much to think about. From finding the right place to preparing your elder to making the move and getting them settled. So many details. Is it any wonder people forget about one of the most important resources until several weeks into the experience? It’s not too late, but
How to Find Your New Best Friends Among the Staff Read More »