Tag Archives: aging

Surprise – Mom got old!

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

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Caregiving and Alzheimer’s: Asking the Right Questions

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

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Having a Heat Wave

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

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Strategic Caregiving

“I wish I had met you when…,” I hear some variation of this phrase weekly (sometimes daily) from people I meet through networking and personal events.  The statement derives from people who have experienced the chaos associated with caring for … Continue reading

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POA – The Chosen One

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

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

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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November is National Caregivers Month

According to a study by the National Alliance for Caregiving in 2015, an estimated 43.5 million adults in the United States, provide unpaid care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and … Continue reading

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The Grief Journey

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

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Snow Days and Caregiving

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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Keep Your Eyes Open this Holiday Season

Many elderly are able to mask declining health throughout the year because they are able to keep a fairly steady routine. During the holidays, when schedules are more erratic, family caregivers may be able to detect signs of physical and … Continue reading

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Be Prepared to Wait

During the last few years I’ve spent in more than my fair share of time waiting in a loved one’s hospital room.   As a result, I’ve become somewhat of an expert in the waiting experience.   Instead of hording this knowledge I figured it would … Continue reading

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Caregiving and Alzheimer’s: Asking the Right Questions

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

Eternally 12 Syndrome

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

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On the Edge: Part 1 Standing on the Sidelines

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

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Strategies for Communicating with Multiple Doctors

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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Let Go of the Guilt

What is Guilt? Unwarranted response to an imagined offense Unless you actually killed someone (which I’m assuming 99.9% of my readers have not) then you are imposing this idea of having “wronged” someone else.  Caregivers feel guilty for many reasons, … Continue reading

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Things I learned by watching YouTube

Things I learned by watching YouTube How to take out my old dishwasher & put in a new one How to take out an over-the-stove vent How to take down kitchen shelves How to feed someone through a feeding tube … Continue reading

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Choose your Attitude – You are in Control

I love this story.  I’m not sure who wrote it, but I do know it is always inspiring when I get in the way of my own joy. A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each … Continue reading

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A New You for the New Year!

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” ― Thomas Jefferson As a new year rolls in many will set “resolutions” for the upcoming year.  Some will involve weight loss; career … Continue reading

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