Supporting all who care for elders
During the winter of 2020, I thought I was going to die. Although pandemic hysteria ripped through every news broadcast and social media, I took all the precautions and didn’t think I would die of Covid. Loneliness was the virus that attacked my body, my emotions and my mental health and led me to despair, […]
The dangers of aching loneliness in elders and how to help Read More »
The first time I held one, it immediately slipped out of my hand. A tube filled with liquid, it slid down the middle of itself and gravity sent it flying to the ground. Afraid I’d broken the thing, I picked it up, only to have it slip out again. Long before fidget toys were invented,
Why Diagnosing Depression in Elders is Like Holding a Wiggly Fidget Toy Read More »
“Will you be my neighbour?” Fred Rogers’ winsome question prodded a generation to think beyond their cultural norms. Neighbours were the same age, colour and religion as me. They were adults, they didn’t have wheelchairs or (gasp!) mental health issues. When we did something for them, they gave back. Yeah, we could be neighbours with
Will You Be My (Elderly) Neighbour? How to Connect Read More »
Chances are, you’ve already found at least one area of your life which excites you, makes you forget to eat (I’m sorry, I’m passionate about many things but I seldom forget to eat…) and fills your cup. Life is full, worth the effort, even fun sometimes because of __________. Here are a few facts you
Authentic Ways to Boost Purpose in Your Elder’s Life Read More »
Sheryl slumped against the back of the couch. The world felt like such a scary place. New variants of the virus, thousands of deaths in India and now the U.K.’s numbers were escalating. Her own community faced a lockdown which the government had extended before the last one ended. Were the schools safe for her
Pandemic Mental Health–How to Focus on What You Can Control Read More »
“You are lazy.” I understand. When my mother spat those words at me, she felt frustrated. I’d been asked to clean my room, and I’d started with the bookcase–a grave mistake. She found my 14-year-old body sprawled across the bed, deeply engrossed in one of the familiar volumes, oblivious to the mess piled around me.
The Small Miracle of Rest–How to Embrace Rest as a Friend Read More »
In September, my life changed. In September, I became disabled. Arthritis has been my constant companion for about ten years. I always tried to give it as little attention as possible, only acknowledging it when its twinges and aches caused me to limp or grimace. A pill, a rub, perhaps some heat or cold and I
“But I Don’t Like This New Normal!” 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 »
It’s time to get specific! As I plan for a mentally healthy winter, I need to do some introspection. What I discover won’t be the same for you, but the process is similar. Look at what matters to you, large and small, and what you can and can’t control. Then fill your life with what
How to Keep From Emotionally Drowning This Pandemic Winter Read More »
It may be one of those weird 2020 things, but where I live and throughout Southern Ontario and some states in the northern U.S., we are experiencing the warmest November in history. Yesterday, I wore a sundress and sandals–clothes I had sadly put away for the season. It’s only supposed to last a few more
How to Plan for a Mentally Healthy Winter Read More »