Supporting all who care for elders
“I’ll never put my mother in a home.” I’ve heard these words many times over the years. My biggest challenge is always to keep silent, or to carefully ask a few gentle questions. Spoken with conviction and often a sanctimonious air, the words don’t usually invite dialogue. Those eight words hold hidden messages and although not all […]
Why I Think My Care Choices For My Elder Are Better Than Yours 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 »
“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 »
We all have our own version of comfort food. For me it’s rich Greek yogurt almost anytime, or homemade soup with almond bread, toasted, on a cold night. Maybe an herbal tea, but only the fruity kind. None of the green stuff. Or comfort clothes. In this hot weather it’s shorts and a loose top
How to face your elder’s last days with courage Read More »
“Everyone on this floor is palliative.” My jaw dropped open as I processed what the nurse said. I scanned the hall, and saw elderly residents living life. A few sat in the dining room enjoying afternoon tea from china tea cups and chatting. One rushed, with her walker, to get to her memoir-writing class. A
Palliative Care: Quality of Life or End of Life? Read More »