Category Archives: caregiving

Surprise – Mom got old!

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

It still amazes me how many people I have met over my 25+ year career that seemed genuinely surprised that their parent had gotten old.  Especially since the alternative to getting old would be death (not trying to be crass, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, eldercare, health care, hospice and end of life care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Caregiving and Alzheimer’s: Asking the Right Questions

Posted on June 30, 2020 by

A frustrated friend called me for help while visiting her mother. Her mother’s Alzheimer’s was progressing and she was exhibiting some, let’s say, wearisome behaviors (to my friend that is). It had been over a week and her mother refused … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, caregiving, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, health care, making a plan, sandwich generation, unintentional caregiving, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Having a Heat Wave

Posted on June 25, 2020 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, eldercare, elders, health care, taking care of yourself, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POA – The Chosen One

Posted on May 8, 2020 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 on the topic and the challenges associated with the … Continue reading →

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PUT YOUR DAMN PHONES DOWN and other Holiday Tips

Posted on December 10, 2019 by

I get irritated every time I see the commercial with the elderly couple reading their grandchildren’s social media posts that says “Entering the gates of hell, where there’s no Wi-Fi and no shows, aka Grandma’s house.” So, the elderly couple … Continue reading →

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Coping with Loss during the Holidays

Posted on December 3, 2019 by

The Hallmark movies always conclude with some type of Christmas miracle and joy for the characters in the story, however; in real life many people are experiencing unimaginable grief and loss during this holiday season. The journey of grief seems … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, dying, eldercare, making a plan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Keys to Caring for Yourself

Posted on October 10, 2019 by

It‘s one thing to gear up for a short-term crisis. But it takes different skills to provide care over a longer period of time. You’ll be more successful if you learn to take care of yourself, starting immediately. Some things … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, encouragement | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Growing Silent Crisis: Working Caregivers Crying Out For Help

Posted on September 10, 2019 by

At a time when private enterprises are trying to increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance the quality of their products or services there is a growing crisis in corporations today that is preventing them from achieving their corporate goals. Few … Continue reading →

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Recognizing Caregiver Burnout

Posted on August 14, 2019 by

You try to hide the feeling of being overwhelmed, however; caregiver burnout is serious and can lead significant physical and mental health issues.  It is critical to know the signs and take steps to take care of yourself. Here are … Continue reading →

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Grief, Loss and the Holidays

Posted on December 5, 2018 by

The Hallmark movies always conclude with some type of Christmas miracle and joy for the characters in the story, however; in real life many people are experiencing unimaginable grief and loss during this holiday season. The journey of grief seems … Continue reading →

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Summertime tips for Caregivers

Posted on July 16, 2018 by

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 fluid intake.* Water is … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, caregiving, eldercare | 1 Comment

Recognizing Caregiver Burnout

Posted on July 12, 2018 by

You try to hide the feeling of being overwhelmed, however; caregiver burnout is serious and can lead significant physical and mental health issues.  It is critical to know the signs and take steps to take care of yourself. Here are … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, encouragement, sandwich generation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Caregiving and Alzheimer’s: Asking the Right Questions

Posted on May 30, 2018 by

A frustrated friend called me for help while visiting her mother. Her mother’s Alzheimer’s was progressing and she was exhibiting some, let’s say, wearisome behaviors (to my friend that is). It had been over a week and her mother refused … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, caregiving, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, health care, making a plan, sandwich generation, unintentional caregiving, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Advocate and Empower

Posted on May 21, 2018 by

My sister and I have become the dynamic duo of caregiving, with her brains (she is the smartest person I know) and my health care background our family members have come to rely on us when it comes to making … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, chronic conditions, eldercare, encouragement, health care, making a plan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Eternally 12 Syndrome

Posted on May 16, 2018 by

My friend Colleen and I are both national speakers on issues related to caregiving and aging. While in Washington D.C. to speak at the Aging In America conference we shared a similar challenge in our family dynamics. Though both of … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, eldercare, elders, healthy living, making a plan, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Me, Mom and Dancing with the Stars

Posted on April 30, 2018 by

Today is a big day for me.  Nope, it’s not my birthday (that was yesterday)…tonight is the premiere of Dancing with the Stars. For many fans of the show this is exciting, however; for me and my Mom it’s an … Continue reading →

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On the Edge Part 2: When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Posted on April 24, 2018 by

Recap: I in my blog On the Edge Part 1, I shared my favorite scene from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, is where George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) & Mary Hatch – later Bailey (played by Donna Reed) … Continue reading →

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On the Edge: Part 1 Standing on the Sidelines

Posted on April 17, 2018 by

One of my favorite movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life”.   I love the scene where George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) & Mary Hatch – later Bailey (played by Donna Reed) are at the high school dance caught up in … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, sandwich generation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Strategies for Communicating with Multiple Doctors

Posted on April 13, 2018 by

Years ago I met a woman at a rehab facility while visiting a family member.  She was recovering from a stroke and looking forward to getting back home.  I acknowledged how well she was doing considering the circumstances.  She said … Continue reading →

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Snow Days

Posted on February 9, 2018 by

Remember the excitement you felt as a kid when you got a snow day?!  Your imagination went wild as you fantasized of the snow fort you would make next to your perfect snow man. Unfortunately as we age, snow days … Continue reading →

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