“When people set boundaries with you, it’s their attempt to continue the relationship with you. It is not an attempt to hurt you.” Elizabeth Earnshaw I often talk about the importance of setting boundaries and spell out strategies for an intentional conversation which help in these difficult discussions. I consider boundaries to be the foundation of self-care. So much so, … [Read more...]
Matt and Lindsay Fit the Definition of Sandwich Generation Caregivers to a T.
Lindsay was at home with their young children and Matt was working when within a span of six months, each became a caregiver to a parent with dementia; Lindsay to her father, Steve, and Matt to his mother, Rosemary. Life changed as they took on ever-increasing responsibility for the day-to-day life of their parents. For a period, Rosemary and Steve were able to live on their … [Read more...]
Slow Down To Your Senior’s Pace. They Need It And So Do You.
When Dealing with Aging Parents Patience is a Virtue. Start Practicing. Someone once told me, “Don’t ask God for patience, you’ll be put in situations that test you repeatedly.” I wish I had listened. Mom has slowed down considerably. Don’t get me wrong, she is still mentally sharp, but physically? At 87, being with her means doing things on “mom time” and it can try my … [Read more...]
Hospital Discharge – How Does It Work?
What does a hospital discharge planning team do? Every hospital has a discharge planning team made up of nurse care managers and social workers. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Registered Nurses and Pharmacists are brought in as needed. This team is responsible for the documentation that proves you require the care/treatments given by licensed nurses or … [Read more...]
Caregivers Need Access to Documents as Advocates for Your Parents
Are personal papers REALLY in order? For the entire 61 years of my parent’s marriage their copy of their marriage license, had the wrong date on it. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Proving that my mother had the right to anything in my father’s name: Social Security spousal benefits, retirement funds, even changing the electric and gas bill into her name required not only a copy of … [Read more...]