Supporting all who care for elders
I watched my favourite show with a sinking heart. Rebecca, a widow and the mother of grown triplets, lost her phone and became unreasonably flustered. She mentioned that Miguel, her second husband, had just replaced this phone as she’d lost its predecessor. In the next scene, she goes shopping and can’t find her way home. […]
Why Is It So Hard To Think Of Receiving Care From My Loved One? Read More »
In the week after my husband died, several milestones occurred, each bringing its own white-hot pain. Meeting with the pastor and the funeral director to plan a service. Entering the casket room and picking out a plain, pine box. Writing out the words to say at the service. Saying those words. Greeting people afterwards. Talking
Learning How To Receive Care From Those You Care For Read More »
Think of these scenarios: George was a great husband and father. He took his boys to innumerable hockey practices and provided for his family. He and his wife went out dancing and the family enjoyed many vacations together. He was a great dad and husband. Now George is elderly. He describes the working of his mind
Finding A Sense of Purpose Read More »
I snuggled in my spot on the couch watching Midsomer Murders on Netflix. This episode involved a suspicious death at a retirement home. The main character’s daughter came to visit an elderly aunt, but yielded to the charm of another resident–a gentleman who might have presented as quite the rapscallion in his youth. As she
Don’t Let our Elders Disappear Read More »
Have you ever thought about what gives you purpose? What makes it worth getting out of bed in the morning? What gives you satisfaction at the end of the day? Which moments in your day do you look back on and treasure, because of something significant? Purpose is key for all of us. There may
How to Find Purpose With Your Elder This Christmas Read More »
Sometimes, it looks like a knitted square. My knitting group is small at the moment. Just three ladies contribute, but for each of them, it’s an important part of who they are. For Janice, it curbs anxiety. As each day wanes, she struggles with anxious demons who torture her with thoughts of the night. The
What Does Purpose Look Like? Read More »
When an elder reaches a certain age, and especially when they need care and move into a retirement home or long-term-care, a difficult conversation needs to happen. How do you want your story to end? For some people, this is unemotional writing of a living will, which expresses their wishes. Done, filed, don’t have to
Age is Just a Number Read More »
It was the end of a hectic day at work, and interruption after crisis after demand left me feeling like I had accomplished little. In the last hour, residents were beginning to gather for dinner, and I was taking the opportunity to achieve some of my “to do” list. I was focused and, I will
Isolation and the Power of Community Read More »