Supporting all who care for elders
“No.” All her life, Maggie had been in the middle of everything. A little raucous and “off the wall,” irreverent and fun, full of life. But life had almost drained from her, and as a widow, blind and in a wheelchair, she didn’t bubble as she used to. She barely simmered most days. So when […]
How to Find Variety in Community For Your Elder Read More »
It’s almost here, and I’d better share quickly so you can use these ideas for the big event. Or pass them on. Or maybe next year. On the Ninth Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave to Me…Christmas Cards I can’t remember the last time I sent physical Christmas cards. Many years ago, I switched to a
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Dementia Gave to Me… Read More »
Everyone in the family knew that Grandpa couldn’t hear well. The television roared when he listened to it, and the radio sounded at levels that rivalled his teenage grandchildren. In conversation, he growled about family members “muttering.” Why couldn’t anyone speak up these days? Conversations addressing the problem never went well. Grandpa would go off
How to Have Difficult Conversations With Your Elder Read More »
Something about this quiet, gentle man intrigued me. I saw unconventional in his grey pony tail, I saw intelligence in his perceptive questions, but my overwhelming impression was a penetrating sadness. His wife of many years had moved to our floor because her dementia meant it wasn’t safe for her to live alone with him.
Dementia Has a Name, But It’s Not Your Elder’s. Read More »
Do you have a hot button? An event, a chance comment, something you hate doing because it pulls a negative trigger inside you? For me, it’s anything that makes me feel stupid. As a little girl, I often missed things. We would drive in the country and my parents would point out cows or horses
An Empathetic Peek Inside the Mind With Dementia Read More »
Sarah wanted to do something special for her husband, who “walked with dementia.” He’d always been a sports fan, and she decided she would take him to see one of his favourite teams play. He’d always loved live games, and maybe there’d be a moment which would bring back happy memories. It was a lot
Should Grandma Stay Home From the Celebration? 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 »
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 »