I know I’m not alone in these emotions. When I talk to family caregivers, a common thread is the range and depth of the emotions we are feeling during this crisis. As caregivers, we always live with the fear that an underlying medical issue will worsen or a heart attack or stroke will force our loved one into the hospital. But today’s world heightens our fears and increases … [Read more...]
Tips For Caregivers On How To Stay Sane, Safe and Healthy During COVID-19
Practical ideas and suggestions that have worked for Mom and me. Wow, just wow. This is not where anyone thought we would be just a few weeks ago. Our world has changed drastically and it has added an additional level of complexity and need for problem solving when caregiving is already beyond stressful. Let’s address a couple of them. How to stay sane. Try to limit … [Read more...]
Social Distance Doesn’t Have To Mean Social Isolation For Your Elder.
Now more than ever, it is time to embrace technology. Who would have thought that social media and applications developed for the business world would help us get through a pandemic? Between Facetime, Skype and Google Hangouts, there are ways of connecting your loved one to family members multiple times a day. Zoom and Free Conference Call have been used by business for … [Read more...]
Is A Healthcare Safety Plan In Place? For You and Your Loved One?
Safety for your elder goes beyond falling. When we talk about keeping our elders safe, we usually focus on home safety and ways to mitigate falls. Maybe it’s all the news coverage of the coronavirus and the known risk to our frail loved ones, but healthcare safety is on my mind right now. Protecting your loved one’s physical and emotional health should not be a reaction … [Read more...]
Two Years After Caregiving Has Ended, What Is My Purpose?
"Finding a new purpose in life isn’t easy." Ingrid Ingrid and I have known each other for several years, we attend the same caregiver group. Not long after her beloved husband died, she allowed me to share one of her caregiver stories: A Dementia Caregivers’ Journey is Long. What if YOU need help from 911? This is Ingrid's story today, in her own words, two years after her … [Read more...]