How Emergency Medical Technicians Responded. I recently had the privilege of helping to put first responders from the Magnolia Ambulance Corps through the Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT®). The VDT® is a scientifically proven, experiential learning experience that uses patented sensory tools which alter your senses. You are then given instructions to complete common everyday … [Read more...]
Anticipatory Grief: It’s real.
Don’t let it steal your joy in today. I’m a big believer in lessons. Even from the most unexpected places. Last week my dog got sick. He has Cushing’s, but this was different. He was lethargic, wobbly, uninterested in walks, uninterested in barking at every leaf that flies by. I took him to the vet and the short-term prognosis is good, antibiotics for his bladder infection, … [Read more...]
IMPACT is my word for 2019. How can one word change me as a caregiver, friend, and professional?
It's more than a New Years resolution. The idea of finding a word that can be my touchstone through the year intrigues me. My goal is to use that word as a lens to filter out activities, commitments and people that don’t have a positive impact in my life. As a caregiver, I rarely get to pick and choose what happens with mom, but I can make thoughtful decisions on what to … [Read more...]
Music is My New Meditation. A List of Ten Tunes to Calm Your Nerves.
It really does help relieve caregiver stress. As I was leaving Brooklyn Friday afternoon at 4:30, Mom’s caregiver called. Her brother had emergency surgery and he was not doing well. One half of my brain was assuring her that I would come up and stay with mom for the weekend. The other half was calculating how long it would take me to get back to NJ in Friday afternoon … [Read more...]
Eight Low Tech Assistive Devices That Can Help You Stay In Your Home
“It is usually the little things that end up being the reason someone cannot live independently. Being able to shower, navigate steps and use kitchen utensils like a can opener” If you are headed home for the holidays, it is the perfect time to observe, assess, and ask your parents what it is they believe they will need to stay in their home. Often small, low tech gadgets and … [Read more...]