Category Archives: eldercare

A Fundamental Rule of Caregiving (that No one can seem to Follow)

Posted on October 5, 2012 by

An essential imperative of caregiving is: Take care of yourself.  However; the majority of family caregivers are so busy taking care of others that they neglect to care for themselves.  The sad irony is that if caregivers made it a … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, disabilities, dying, eldercare, encouragement, healthcare, healthy living, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guest Blog: Jump to it – How Certain Exercises Help Prevent Falls in the Elderly

Posted on October 4, 2012 by

By Sarah Jennings When it comes to ailments that afflict our golden generation, accidental falls rank right up there with heart attacks and strokes in terms of both frequency and severity.  Falls amongst the elderly are a significant public health … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, encouragement, healthcare, healthy living | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Fall is Here…Let the Chaos Begin!

Posted on September 21, 2012 by

Summer is usually a slower time for most of us.  Though it may seem like there is a lot going on, it is mostly fun focused activities.  The weather is nice and the days are long. The summer is a … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, alzheimer's, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, just stuff, making a plan, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It Was Right in Front of Me in Black and White

Posted on September 17, 2012 by

As a national speaker I have presented to hundreds of family caregivers throughout the country.  In each presentation I highlight how, as caregivers, we can become task masters; focused on our to-do list more than the people around us.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, disabilities, eldercare, elders, encouragement, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Playing an Old Game in a New Way

Posted on August 31, 2012 by

During my husband Paul’s’ family reunion the group decided to go bowling.  Not being a pastime I particularly fancy, I dubbed myself “family paparazzi” and went along for photo ops.  As the group loaded into several cars, I noticed my … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, caregiving, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, It's fun to laugh | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Guest Blog: Safeguarding Your Loved One’s Home

Posted on August 23, 2012 by

By Julie Davis, Chief Content Officer, http://www.parentgiving.com Whether living at home, living with a family member or living in a senior residence, for seniors home safety is a top priority, both to increase independence and prevent a life-threatening fall and … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, eldercare, healthy living, Home Care, In Home Caregiving | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Your Presence is Requested

Posted on August 22, 2012 by

Last year my husband, Paul, and I were ecstatic to be able to attend a pre-season Chicago Bears game.  The sweltering heat could not deter us from arriving early for tailgating on the parking deck and then onto the excitement of … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Permission to Fail

Posted on August 20, 2012 by

The other day I was part of an expert panel discussion on “How to care for yourself while caregiving” through WEGO Health and one of the other panelist, Ben Murphy (@athletdad) shared a great point.  He said that one of … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, encouragement, forgiveness, health care, healthcare, just stuff, making a plan, sandwich generation, taking care of yourself, truth shall set you free, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Good Grief

Posted on August 17, 2012 by

Many people I’ve spoken with about grief think that there is a “time of mourning”. This would suggest a beginning as well as an end. I believe that grief is a journey that has no end date, it simply changes … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, dying, eldercare, losing a loved one, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , | 86 Comments

Creative Communication

Posted on August 1, 2012 by

A friend of mine shared his communication challenges with his wife who has undergone several surgeries, rounds of chemo and radiation for brain tumors.  Since the treatments she has been suffering from aphasia, causing her trouble finding words, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving and stress, chronic conditions, eldercare, elders, encouragement, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Family Vs. Stuff

Posted on July 16, 2012 by

Recently an acquaintance of mine, Joe, shared that he was “stuck” in his grief. Upon asking some probing questions I found out that shortly before her death his mother gave some jewelry, which Joe referred to as “family heirlooms”, to … Continue reading →

Posted in dying, eldercare, elders, forgiveness, just stuff, making a plan, sandwich generation | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

What if…?

Posted on July 6, 2012 by

“I wish I had met you a few months ago.”  I hear some variation of this phrase weekly from people I meet through both networking and personal events.  The comment comes from people who have experienced family caregiver in some … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, alzheimer's, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, encouragement, health care, sandwich generation, taking care of yourself, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Having a Heat Wave

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

Summertime tips for Caregivers Seniors are especially at risk in high heat situations. Large stretches of the USA are experiencing extreme temperatures. Here are some summer heat tips for helping elderly loved ones avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion Encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, health care, healthcare, taking care of yourself, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Managing Difficult Conversations

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Last year one of my family members, due to a prescription happy physician, was on several medications that had changed her personality from friendly to flat, as well as challenged her decision-making skills leading  to 2 car accidents (she had … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, encouragement, health care, healthcare, making a plan, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lessons from the Green Lantern

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

My husband and I rented the Green Lantern the other night and I wanted to impart some insights from the movie that I felt apply not only to caregivers but for the rest of us as well. In a cliché … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, encouragement, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments