Tag Archives: caregiving

Caregiving and Alzheimer’s: Asking the Right Questions

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 against all odds, aging, alzheimers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, health care, Home Care, making a plan, sandwich generation, tips on eldercare, unintentional caregiving, working caregiver | 5 Comments

Advocate and Empower

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 caregiving, caregiving and stress, challenging the doctors, chronic conditions, eldercare, encouragement, health care, Healthcare, hospital, IV therapy, making a plan, medical | 1 Comment

Eternally 12 Syndrome

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, family, family dynamics, healthy living, making a plan, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 5 Comments

Me, Mom and Dancing with the Stars

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in boomers, caregiving | Tagged boomers, cancer, caregiving, dancing with the stars, DWTS, elder care, family, family caregiver, family connections, family fun, health, time together | Leave a comment

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

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged adapting, attitude, caregiving, change, George Bailey, It's a wonderful life, Jimmy Stewart, tragedy | 4 Comments

On the Edge: Part 1 Standing on the Sidelines

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 aging, boomers, caregiver, caregiving, caregiving and stress, Christmas, Donna Reed, eldercare, holidays, It's a wonderful life, Jimmy Stewart, meditation and self reflection, sandwich generation, speak up, support | 10 Comments

Strategies for Communicating with Multiple Doctors

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, chronic conditions, eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiving, doctors, eldercare, medical decisions, specialists | Leave a comment

Hang onto your Joy

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Sue Salach

I was listening to a Joel Osteen message about Joy and how nothing can take our joy from us. This means that no issues with a spouse, illness, loss of job or abilities or challenges associated with caring for an … Continue reading →

Posted in eldercare, healthy living | Tagged caregiving, enjoying life, healthy aging, Joel Osteen, joy, positive attitude | Leave a comment

Let Go of the Guilt

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiving, eldercare, elderly care, guilt, letting go of guilt | Leave a comment

Things I learned by watching YouTube

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiving, DIY, eldercare, support, youtube | Leave a comment

Snow Days

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in caregiving, eldercare, making a plan | Tagged caregiving, eldercare, making a plan, snow days, winter storms, winter weather | Leave a comment

Choose your Attitude – You are in Control

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Sue Salach

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 →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, elders, encouragement | Tagged aging, baby boomers, boomers, caregiving, choose your attitude, eldercare, elders, encouragement, joy, personal choice, support, you are in control | Leave a comment

Dealing with the “Negative Nancie’s” in our lives

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Sue Salach

I love the new terms this generation uses for certain things especially things like, “You’re such a Debbie Downer” or “Negative Nancy.” I just laugh every time I hear one of those comments. What’s not funny is having to live … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, elders | Tagged boomers, caregiving, eldercare, elders, negative, negative nancy, positive | 6 Comments

This Job Sucks (and other Important Caregiving Information)

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Sue Salach

While making visiting with a friend who just lost his sister, he shared how difficult it was for him especially as she had chosen him (above her parents, children and other siblings) to be her Power of Attorney (POA). His … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, dying, eldercare | Tagged bereavement, breast cancer, cancer, caregiver, caregiver grief, caregiving, dying, eldercare, family dynamics, medical decisions, Medical POA, national breast cancer awareness month, power of attorney, the chosen one | Leave a comment

A New You for the New Year!

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Sue Salach

“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 →

Posted in caregiving, encouragement, forgiveness, healthy living | Tagged aging, attitude, caregiving, change your attitude, encouragement, forgiveness, healthy living, New Years, reactions, Resolutions, self-care, stress, support | Leave a comment

It’s My Privilege

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Sue Salach

I was recently watching the show The Middle. In the show Frankie has to take care of her mother after a hospital stay. What ensues is a lot of humor and chaos (much like real life caregiving). After much frustration … Continue reading →

Posted in eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiving, circle of life, eldercare, privilege, the middle | Leave a comment

Shifting Priorities

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Sue Salach

Being a family caregiver is a 24/7 job. It’s probably one of the most difficult and thankless jobs one can do. The stress level is off the charts, the pay is non-existent and trying to make time for you is … Continue reading →

Posted in eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiver support, caregiving, elder care, eldercare, National Caregiver Month, self-care | Leave a comment

Lessons from a Caregiver – Guest Post

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Sue Salach

Often, we hear that the role of caretaker to the elderly is a stressful one, particularly in situations where one family member is asked to care for another. In cases where Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are present, this … Continue reading →

Posted in eldercare | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiver support, caregiving, elder care, eldercare, National Caregiver Month | Leave a comment

A Fundamental Rule in Caregiving (that no one seems to follow)

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Sue Salach

In honor of National Caregiver Month, I thought this was a great post to start off the month. Please read & share. An essential imperative of caregiving is: Take care of yourself. However; the majority of family caregivers are so … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged aging, caregiver, caregiving, elder care, eldercare, National Caregiver Month, self-care | Leave a comment

Rejoice in the Small Victories

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Sue Salach

Anyone who has had a loved one with cancer understands how stressful the ongoing 3-6 month marks are, waiting to hear if the blood work and bone-scans are clear. When those we love have had ongoing health issues and it … Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, chronic conditions, eldercare, encouragement, health care, healthy living | Tagged breast cancer, cancer support, caregiver, caregiving, family caregivers, living joyfully, national breast cancer awareness month | Leave a comment