Respect

How to Make Your Summer Celebrations Sparkle by Including Elders

   Everything in me, body and soul, yearns for this time of year. The green grass, the budding trees, the garden. Maybe you don’t love spring with quite the same fervour, but most people look forward to the many celebrations and get-togethers of summer. It’s time to shed the layers and have some fun.     […]

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Some Practical Ideas for Addressing Ageism

   Myperfectresume.com is a website dedicated to helping people looking for a job. They walk them through the process of perfecting their resume and putting their best selves forward in their search.      A few years ago, they conducted an “Attitudes in the Workplace” survey in the U.S. of over 1,000 workers regarding ageism.

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How to Recognize Ageism in Every Part of Your Life

Does ageism matter? A few jokes and memes. People poking fun at their own infirmities? Should I lighten up?      It matters because ageism is the last “acceptable” prejudice. It occupies our society, our workplaces, our government, and is so invasive that we don’t recognize it a lot of the time. It becomes an

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How to Understand Ageism and Why It Should Scare You

    The meme contained a scowling older man holding a remote and yelling, “What channel is Netflix?”      Ha ha.      The message is clear: older people can’t figure out technology.      I receive many such memes, jokes, cartoons in my inbox. I’m not about to start a war with my

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How to Help Your Elder With Dementia Negotiate Anxiety

   “I can’t stay for dinner. Daddy’s expecting me at home. Momma will miss me. I have to go.”      Laura’s agitation escalated as she squirmed in her wheelchair. A deep frown creased her face and she continued wringing her hands.       Laura lived in our TLC, an area of our home for

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9 Reasons Why Your Elder With Dementia Might Be Struggling

     “He’s coming again.” The care partner passing my desk said the words as if commenting on the weather, or telling me she was going for lunch. I knew exactly what she meant.      George loved to wander in his wheelchair, and if he made it past my desk, he would create havoc

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Old Dogs (and People) Can Learn New Tricks and Eat Healthier

     My dog had always had two dishes. One for food, and one for water. But after he battled pancreatitis, I began reading about the number of bacteria which lived in water dishes. Woah! My daughter had a water fountain for their cats, and I did some research. They looked like a much better

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How a Simple Christmas Can Be Special For Your Elder

    Sharon looked at the bins of Christmas decorations and already felt overwhelmed. “Christmas ornaments.” “Front Porch Decorations.” “Christmas Village.” She loved it all, but wished the Christmas fairies would come in the night and put it all up for her. Caring for her mother took a lot of her time and energy, and

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How to Maintain an Elder’s Routines While Adding Some Christmas Magic

In her caregiver journey, Sharon discovered that routine was king.       In the mornings, she brought her mom a cup of tea in bed after she woke. Then Mom got up, used the washroom, washed herself and brushed her teeth. Once dressed, she ate breakfast, and often had a nap in her chair. Later

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How to Follow Your Senses to a Meaningful Christmas

    Sharon looked through her recipes and sighed. She’s made Christmas cookies with her mom since she had stood on a stool to reach the counter and the apron she wore dusted her feet. They’d laughed and told stories and the kitchen had filled with the amazing smells of gingerbread and shortbread cookies. But

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