Category Archives: health care

Guest Post: Recognizing Early Symptoms of Degenerative Eye Diseases

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

As we age our eyes tend to become less efficient and more prone to degenerative diseases. One in 6 adults over the age of 45 will experience some sort sight-threatening problem, the three most common degenerative eye diseases being Glaucoma, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, chronic conditions, eldercare, elders, health care | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Panic

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

It was 8:15am when the call came.  My Aunt’s caregiver was calling to tell me my Aunt had fallen and 911 was called.  I quickly got dressed and headed to the hospital.  Pulling out of the driveway while searching my … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, health care, sandwich generation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pro-Active Crisis Management

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

During a recent conversation with a friend he shared how frustrated he was that, during a medical crisis with his father-in-law that required emergency surgery; no-one asked any questions of the surgeon about potential future consequences or complications. I’ve often … Continue reading →

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To Serve and Protect

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

Just like becoming a member of the US military is a choice, so is it a choice to care for an elderly loved one.  Once that choice is made, you then have a duty serve and protect those you love, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, caregiving and stress, health care, healthy living, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

CaregiverLife Radio – The Importance of Long Term Care Planning

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

Click here to join me Thursday from 10-11am (CST) for CaregiverLife Radio Topic: The Importance of Long Term Care Planning Guest: Sandy Essex About Sandy:  Sandy Essex is an independent LTC planning specialist.  She owns a company called Best Coverage, … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, health care, healthcare | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

CaregiverLife Radio – Managing Stress

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

Click here to join me today for CaregiverLife Radio from 10-11am (CST) Topic: Stress Management Guest: Dave Balch Dave Balch has a unique, inspiring, and loving story to share, coupled with the experience, desire, and ability to share it. Dave Balch supported … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, chronic conditions, eldercare, health care, healthcare, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CaregiverLife Radio – Music Therapy

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

Join me today from 10-11am (CST) for CaregiverLife Radio My guest: MARY ELLEN HEELAN Mary Ellen Heelan, a native of Downers Grove,Illinois has had an eclectic career, starting out as a Social Studies teacher in Oklahoma and Virginia; then moving into … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, caregiving and stress, chronic conditions, encouragement, forgiveness, health care | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Chosen One

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

A friend called me the other day and shared her concerns about being chosen to be the health-care and financial power of attorney for her mother.  She had heard me speak about the topic and the challenges associated with the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, eldercare attorneys, health care, healthcare | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

FYI about POA

Posted on January 8, 2013 by

Medical Power of Attorney (POA) is something each of us, no matter our age, should have. Frequently, people grant power of attorney to their spouse, children or siblings. POA goes into effect only if you are not able to make … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, eldercare attorneys, health care, healthcare, making a plan | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Waiting Game

Posted on November 5, 2012 by

During the last year I’ve spent in more than my fair share of time in hospital waiting rooms.   As a result I’ve become somewhat of an expert in the waiting experience.   Instead of hording this new-found knowledge I figured it would be beneficial to share. Tips … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, health care, healthcare, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

One Word Can Change Your Life

Posted on October 4, 2012 by

“It’s Cancer”, my sister and I tried to compose ourselves and comprehend the significance of what we had just heard the doctor say. Did he just say that our mom has cancer? Having worked in hospice for many years, I knew … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, health care, healthcare, hospice and end of life care, making a plan, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Reconciliation and Your Well-Being

Posted on August 15, 2012 by

Family and Forgiveness Growing up my family was very close.  In typical Italian style, every Sunday was spent at my grandparent’s home in Chicago where random aunts, uncles and cousins (most of which lived on the same block) gathered for … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, boomers, caregiving and stress, encouragement, forgiveness, health care, healthy living, sandwich generation, saying I'm sorry, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Billion Dollar Employee Crisis

Posted on August 8, 2012 by

This week I had the distinction of speaking at the Illinois Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) conference on the effect of elder-care on the workplace.   As I finished my presentation an attendee approached and as she did the tears … Continue reading →

Posted in alzheimer's, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, employees and employers, health care, healthcare, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

You Can’t Handle the Truth

Posted on July 10, 2012 by

Recently, while facilitating a caregiver workshop, I asked the caregivers how they were REALLY doing.  Each shared with me how honored and privileged they were to care for their elderly parents.  However; when I shared the strain I had felt … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, health care, healthcare, work/life/flex | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments