Supporting all who care for elders
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 »
The general consensus was that we were nuts. “You’re going camping? With elders?” We did. We called it a “camping experience,” in that we stayed in a totally accessible double cabin. We took a nurse, PSWs, and so much staff we were almost one-to-one. The average age of the elders with us was 90. One
Practical Ideas to Bring Your Elder to the Party (Or Bring the Party to Them!) Read More »
As a caregiver for my seriously ill husband, I worked a full day in the city and then, if he was in hospital as he was now, grabbed a sandwich or the like at the hospital, spent time with him and returned home in time to fall into bed. The next day I
Why Are Caregivers So Hard on Themselves? Read More »
I want to be an elder with a cape. You know the ones I mean? The man in his 90s who completed a marathon. The woman in her 80s with the hot, incredible body who moves with grace on the balance beam. She’s more flexible than I was at, well, ever. The nurse who works
Maybe We Don’t Understand Ageing. Are Elders Really Superheroes? Read More »
It was time to say good-bye. The activation students had been with us two days a week for several months and on their last day, we took them out to lunch. These two young men had grown, matured and learned so much over the weeks. As we chatted together, my supervisor asked them, “What was the
How Betty Showed a Young Man How To Care 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
Did You Know Your Elder Can Care For You? Read More »
Lizzie loved to help others. When she lived in her apartment, she would trundle up the hill to the local grocery store to get groceries for her neighbour. She ran a tea party in the long-term-care section on Saturdays, and assisted with meals for people who couldn’t feed themselves. She handed out hymn
How to Help Your Elder Find Meaningful Acts of Service Read More »
Have you heard of the 5 love languages? For over 30 years, Gary Chapman has been telling us how to relate to each other by understanding how we best understand giving and receiving love. He talks about “keeping the love tank full” and warns that “isolation is devastating to the human psyche.” 1. Published in
How the 5 Love Languages Can Impact Your Elder Read More »
Things aren’t always as they seem. Neither are people. You’d think by this point in my life I’d know that, and I do in theory, but I need to learn certain lessons over and over when they present themselves in a different context. Maybe you’ve found that, too. My job as an advocate mainly involved
What is the Most Important Aspect When Looking for a Caregiver? Read More »
Purpose in an elder’s life may be the most important aspect.
How to Bring Your Elder Purpose as Part of their Care Read More »