Tag Archives: family

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

Reconciliation and Your Well-Being

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Sue Salach

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 against all odds, boomers, caregiving and stress, encouragement, family, forgiveness, Happy New Year, health care, healthy living, Healthy New Year, reconciliation, sandwich generation, saying I'm sorry, stress relief, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 6 Comments

Nothing Left Unsaid

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Sue Salach

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 9/11, against all odds, aging, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, dying, encouragement, family, forgiveness, healthy living, losing a loved one, neverforget, pride, relationships, remembering loved ones, september 11th | 8 Comments

Guest Post-Keep Your Elders Safe During the Holidays

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Sue Salach

When the holiday season arrives, it is a whirlwind of activity and then it seems to be over in a flash. As a caregiver to an elderly loved one, the holiday season can be a difficult time. For many caregivers, … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, eldercare | Tagged caregiver stress, caregiving, Christmas, eldercare, encouragement, family, support, taking care of yourself, the sandwich generation | Leave a comment

For Aunt Josie

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Sue Salach

On Thursday, September 26, 2013 my Aunt, whom I had been caring for over the past few years, passed away. I felt moved to share excerpts from the eulogy I gave at her funeral. The majority of my childhood memories … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, dying | Tagged Aunt Josie, caregiving, dying, eulogy, family, family caregiver, grieving the loss of a loved one | 7 Comments

Fall is Here…Let the Chaos Begin!

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Sue Salach

Summer is usually a slower time for most of us. Though it may seem like there is a lot going on, it is mostly fun focused activities. The weather is nice and the days are long. The summer is a … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, making a plan, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged against all odds, aging, alzheimers, boomers, caregiver, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, fall, family, just stuff, making a plan, work/life, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Leave a comment

Caution: May Explode Without Warning

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Sue Salach

A friend called the other day and had no idea what they were about to experience. Upon asking “how are you?”, I proceeded (for a good 10 minutes straight) to verbally vomit ALL my frustrations and shared with them that … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, eldercare, healthy living, working caregiver | Tagged aging, caregiving, eldercare, explosive personalities, family, healthy living, stress, working caregiver | Leave a comment

Permission to Fail

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Sue Salach

A few years ago I was part of an expert panel discussion on “How to care for yourself while caregiving” through WEGO Health and one of the other panelist, Ben Murphy (@athletdad) shared a great point. He said that one … Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, elders, encouragement, forgiveness, health care, making a plan, sandwich generation, taking care of yourself, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged against all odds, boomers, caregivers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, eldercare, elders, encouragement, failure, family, forgiveness, forgiving yourself, health care, Healthcare, just stuff, making a plan, sandwich generation, success, support, taking care of yourself, thomas edison, truth shall set you free, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 5 Comments

Playing an Old Game in a New Way (In loving Memory of Ed Cutler)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Sue Salach

I wrote this several years ago and thought it fitting to repost it in loving memory of my father-in-law Ed Cutler who passed away January 5th. Continue reading →

Posted in against all odds, aging, caregiving, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement | Tagged against all odds, aging, attitude, blind, bowling, caregiving, chronic conditions, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, family, hearing loss, independence, It's fun to laugh, life lessons, support, vision impaired | 1 Comment

Boundary Tip #6 – Take Care of Yourself First

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Sue Salach

This holiday season try to find ways to take care of yourself FIRST. By doing this you not only enjoy the season but you also teach others around you how to have a more meaning in their season. By modeling boundaries … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged caregiving, Christmas, family, holidays, New Years, self-care, stress | 11 Comments

Boundary Tip #2 – Ask for help!

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Sue Salach

This requires that when we do accept invitations to programs, parties or events, we actually ask other people to help us out with things like picking up mom, dad, Aunt Sally, any older adult in the family who may need a … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged boundaries, caregiving, Christmas, family, holidays, support, thanksgiving | 8 Comments

Turkey Talk Wednesday – Gobble Gobble

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Sue Salach

This Thanksgiving be thankful for the turkeys in your life. Continue reading →

Posted in boomers, caregiving, encouragement, forgiveness, healthy living | Tagged boomers, caregiving, crazy holidays, disfunctional family, encouragement, family, family dynamics, forgiveness, healthy living, holidays, thanksgiving, Turkey | Leave a comment

Boundary Tip #1 – Just Say No

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Sue Salach

This is the toughest one yet the best place to start. The good news is the tips should get easier from here. Many who find themselves saying “yes” before even being asked can feel an overwhelming sense of guilt when having to say no. … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged boundaries, caregiving, Christmas, family, holidays, support, thanksgiving | 2 Comments

Boundaries Make for Better Holidays

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Sue Salach

A certain sense of urgency comes over me as the holidays arrive. Holiday celebrations creates issues of: who to invite; what to serve; how to decorate…the list can go on and on. Also, this is the time of year that the … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving | Tagged caregiving, celebrations, Christmas, family, holidays, thanksgiving | 1 Comment

What I Really Want for Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Sue Salach

As it is every year, my Mom will call and ask what I want for Christmas. She is an amazing and generous person and having her for a Mom has spoiled me since childhood. Each year I would share certain … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, losing a loved one | Tagged cancer, caregiving, Christmas, family, gift giving, grief, holidays, losing a loved one | Leave a comment

$10 Worth of Empowerment

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Sue Salach

Over the last year I’ve helped my Aunt out as she faces multiple health issues, including driving her to doctor appointments, the grocery store and to some family events. On many of these junctures she has offered me money to … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, disabilities, eldercare, encouragement, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged aging, behavior managment, boomers, caregiving, caregiving and stress, disabilities, eldercare, empowerment, encouragement, family, health care, support, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 2 Comments

Family Vs. Stuff

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Sue Salach

Recently an acquaintance of mine, Joe, shared that he was “stuck” in his grief. Upon asking some probing questions I found out that shortly before her death his mother gave some jewelry, which Joe referred to as “family heirlooms”, to … Continue reading →

Posted in dying, eldercare, elders, forgiveness, making a plan, sandwich generation | Tagged dying, eldercare, elders, family, family dynamics, forgiveness, inheritance, just stuff, legal, making a plan, sandwich generation, will | 5 Comments

Guest Post: Caregiving for Senior Mesothelioma Patients

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Sue Salach

The words seem to come out of nowhere. “I have mesothelioma.” When those three words sputter across your loved one’s lips, life changes in ways you don’t know how to imagine. A mesothelioma diagnosis is often terminal. Some patients try … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, chronic conditions, encouragement, health care, hospice and end of life care, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged asbestos, cancer, caregiver, caregiving, caregiving and stress, chronic conditions, encouragement, family, health care, healthcare, hospice and end of life care, In Home Caregiving, lung, mesothelioma, support, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 5 Comments

Tips For The Sandwich Generation

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Sue Salach

People in the Sandwich Generation are struggling to meet the needs of their growing or adult children and the needs of their aging parents while usually managing a hectic work schedule as well. Anyone who is sandwiched between two generations … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, boomers, caregiving, eldercare, encouragement, health care, sandwich generation, work/life/flex, working caregiver | Tagged aging, baby boomers, boomers, caregivers, caregiving, eldercare, encouragement, family, health care, healthcare, sandwich generation, sandwiched between children and parents, work/life/flex, working caregiver | 3 Comments