"Mom, don't you remember?" I have years of conditioning to my mother’s communication style. Mom thinks about things deeply, questions everything, and like all of us, makes assumptions. Her … [More...]
Safety
The Conversation Caregivers Dread the Most – Convincing an Elder to Stop Driving.
An objective third party can help. Giving up driving is a tangible loss of independence for your elder. It’s no wonder they resist the … [More...]
What Help is Available for Mom in a Disaster? Where Can I Find Up to the Minute Information in an Emergency?
What state and county services need to know about your seniors needs in a national emergency? Given the record number of floods, fires, … [More...]
Family Dynamics
I never promised mom… Then why do I feel so guilty?
When your head knows it’s the right decision, but your heart is breaking. One of my promises to myself when I became mom’s caregiver is that I would never promise her anything unless I was 100% sure I could … [More...]
Thank You. Two Words That Mean The World To A Caregiver.
“Caregiving is hard, even on the good days when it brings happiness. It requires commitment, dedication, determination and time.” First Lady Rosalynn Carter As someone who has been a family caregiver for seven … [More...]
Language Matters in Caregiving.
That includes what we tell ourselves. If you know my work, you know how much I object to the term “Parenting Your Parents.” I object because language carries intent and bias and we don’t even realize it. The words … [More...]