Tag Archives: dying

CaregiverLife Radio – Coping with Loss, The Grief Journey

Posted on February 7, 2013 by

Grief is something we will all experience at some point in our life.  Whether the loss of a job, home, relationship or the death of a loved one, grief is part of the human experience. Please join me today at … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, caregiving and stress, dying, losing a loved one | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Coping with Loss – Twice

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

Having worked in geriatric health care for over 20 years and having facilitated hundreds of caregiver support groups, I have become aware of a somewhat universal phenomenon associated with Alzheimer’s caregivers which I have termed the “double death”.  (I tried … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Disgruntled grandchildren and Trouble – the millionaire pooch

Posted on June 10, 2011 by

A millionaire heiress died at age 12 in December, and we’re just now finding out about it? To me, this seems like a missed opportunity for a reality show. I’m talking of course about Trouble Helmsley, the dog known as … Continue reading →

Posted in dying, making a plan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

If you think I want to be kept alive, you don’t know Jack!

Posted on May 23, 2011 by

Over my life-time I have heard the term “euthanasia” connected with history and Nazi Germany, the news stories of Jack Kevorkian, and when my own mom talked to me about not doing this to her (as if I would). I … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, chronic conditions, dying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The warm blanket of empathy

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

It’s been said that “Someone doesn’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”. I had a friend call me a few nights ago; she lost her husband to cancer last year and the night she … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, encouragement | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

It’s just “stuff” – You can’t take it with you when you go!

Posted on April 20, 2011 by

Trying to decide what my Wednesday blog would be and contemplating my own demise at this present time I decided to share a couple of things. Here lately, I’ve been hearing the unfortunate stories of caregivers and their sibling squabbles … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The roadblock of regret

Posted on April 8, 2011 by

Nothing in life is more exciting and rewarding than the sudden flash of insight that leaves you a changed person – not only changed, but changed for the better. Such moments are rare, but they come to all of us. … Continue reading →

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7 Reasons why I’m glad I’m not Elizabeth Taylor

Posted on March 24, 2011 by

  So we said our good-byes to a Hollywood legend yesterday, Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away at 79 from congestive heart failure. In reading some of her life story it appeared to me that she was extremely high maintenance. Now … Continue reading →

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Nate Dogg passes; Death from stroke complications – Are you at risk?

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

According to the Associated Press, hip-hop star Nate Dogg (real name Nathaniel Hale), who worked with Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Eminem, has died at the age of 41. He died on March 15, 2011 in Long Beach California. Lawyer … Continue reading →

Posted in dying | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Caregiving and dealing with tragedy

Posted on January 28, 2011 by

For some reason I am reminded of my Grandfather, who actually was no relation to me other than through marriage. Yet even still, was my Grandfather. He was a simple man who was accepting, loving, kind and generous. He always … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, dying | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Lessons from Morrie: Learning to appreciate the little things

Posted on January 11, 2011 by

A moving tale of an old man’s last months of life and the old student who returns for his last lesson. Tuesdays with Morrie is the story of “an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson”. It is … Continue reading →

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The space between events: A caregiver’s story

Posted on January 7, 2011 by

“The very commonplaces of life are components of its eternal mystery” Gertrude Atherton. It was a very warm Colorado morning, bright with a vivid blue sky. I arrived at the hospice center, wondering if this was going to be the … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, dying | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How do I celebrate Christmas after my loss? Isn’t that selfish?

Posted on December 10, 2010 by

Celebrating Christmas after a death in the family can be the most difficult part of the year. This is even more true for those whom the lost loved one enjoyed the season because we link the season with them. Now … Continue reading →

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Our last Christmas together…..One caregivers story

Posted on December 7, 2010 by

We knew it would be our last Christmas together. After almost 2 years of 24/7 care giving, I was fatigued – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Raging waters spiraled just below the surface of my calm outer persona and threatened … Continue reading →

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