Tag Archives: caregiving and stress

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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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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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

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

Keys to Caring for Yourself

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

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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

Advocate and Empower

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, health care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

FYI about POA

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

Posted in boomers, caregiving, eldercare, health care, making a plan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Reconciliation and Your Well-Being

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, encouragement, forgiveness, health care, healthy living, sandwich generation, saying I'm sorry, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Forgiving Myself

I was talking with a friend about a falling-out he had years ago with a family member.  I shared with him my thoughts (and a couple of my blogs) about forgiveness and that forgiveness is about him and not about … Continue reading

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Nothing Left Unsaid

My mom recently visited New York and was showing me the pictures of the Ground Zero Memorial. One of my most unsettling thoughts regarding 9/11 was about what was left unsaid. My mind goes to a couple who possibly had … Continue reading

Posted in against all odds, aging, boomers, caregiving, dying, encouragement, forgiveness, healthy living, losing a loved one | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

I’m Fine!

Whenever someone asks me how I’m doing, I usually have the same response, “fabulous”.  I started using this response several years ago, because I recognize it not only adjusted my mind-set but the responses I received from the person asking … Continue reading

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Your Presence is Requested

A conversation with my niece prompted me to re-post this blog. A few years ago my husband, Paul, and I were ecstatic to be able to attend a preseason Chicago Bears game.  The sweltering heat could not deter us from arriving … Continue reading

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Dinner with Dory

Recently an acquaintance shared the story of going to dinner with some long-time friends and their elderly mother.  She said “It was like having dinner with Dory from Finding Nemo”.  The mother, you see, has some very prevalent memory issues.  Throughout … Continue reading

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Please Ignore the Woman Behind the Curtain

I’m often asked what I do for a living as well as in my spare time.  I puff out my chest and dramatically rattled off the following list: Author, Public Speaker, Blogger, Business Owner, Church Leader, Pastors Wife, Step-Mother, Caregiver, … Continue reading

Posted in aging, caregiving, eldercare, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Doing the Right Thing

Recently I’ve had some challenges with the negative behaviors and attitudes of a handful of other people. I usually like to refer to these challenges as “opportunities for making better choices”. This little twist of the phrase makes me feel … Continue reading

Posted in abusive relationships, against all odds, boomers, encouragement, forgiveness, sandwich generation, saying I'm sorry, taking care of yourself, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment