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I heard something on the radio today that disturbed me. The announcer was talking about a famous person who had recently died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease.) He said that ALS and and Alzheimer’s are alike in that they steal the person away. ALS steals the body and Alzheimer’s steals the mind. Like a sliver […]

There’s a lot of fear involved in aging. I hear the fear of Alzheimer’s every day.I searched the house for my reading glasses and found them on my head. I’ve lost my keys three times this week. I knew that person so well, but do you think I could remember her name?Then there is the classic, I

Today I celebrated the long awaited “princess party” with my granddaughter, Hannah, and although we both agreed it was a bit low key, the day was fabulous. The Superheroes and Princess Party was put on by our community in the centre of the village. I wasn’t sure, at nine, if Hannah would still enjoy something

If you know me at all, you know my heart still breaks when pictures of our dog, Bailey, come up on the memory feed in Facebook. This blog isn’t specifically about him, but he taught me many lessons, and this is about one of those lessons. Indulge me in allowing me to share a few

Some people are good at the boundaries thing. When you approach them about doing something, you know they will carefully consider it.They will look at their schedule, the demands of their family time and whether they are actually drawn to an activity. They may pray about it. When they come back to you with an

Isn’t talking about boundaries and care in the same breath an oxymoron? Like jumbo shrimp or original copy, it seems contradictory. If you think that is true, I’ve learned two things about you. You don’t understand care, and you’re not clear about boundaries, either. Caring for an elderly person involves their physical care, emotional support

“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46 10 I know that one by heart. I don’t have to look it up. But I am seldom still. Inside the house, chores scream at me to be completed. “I am dirty, clean me. I’ve been soaking all night, wash me. I am messy, tidy

“Good fences make good neighbours.” said the poet. Maybe his neighbour said it, too. I have no fence on my front yard, and my neighbour and I share the space. I walk across her side to get to the road. She walks across mine to get to the park.  We both make it work, and

Everyone has things they are famous for among their friends. If you need a card at the last minute, go to this friend–she always has the best cards. That co-worker is well-known for driving her kids and everyone else in her family–everywhere. Someone else will go shopping, anytime, anyplace. I am famous for carrying stuff

Georgina has can anxiety disorder. She doesn’t have dementia, but she perseverates (goes over and over the same issue) on many troubles. It doesn’t matter if all was well with this problem yesterday. Today is a new day, and you never know… I have a long history with Georgina. Sometimes, I need to reassure her,