For safety, look to more than just the bathroom. I speak at senior centers, churches, and synagogues about what it takes to “age-in-place.” You know, the ability to live out your life at home, in familiar and comfortable surroundings? I use mom as an example, touching on what we did to make it work financially, what we learned in hiring caregiver help, and what we modified and … [Read more...]
Don’t let your senior self-isolate due to incontinence.
Three caregiver tips and tricks. #AD This is sponsored content written by me in partnership with Depend® brand. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Lookout for the special offer from Depend brand at the end of this post. Caregiving for a spouse or aging parent is a journey of love. Nothing prepares us for its challenges or the level of intimacy it can require, like … [Read more...]
“Art knows no barriers, no boundaries. Art doesn’t know or care if you are disabled or a person living with dementia.”
Art is the pure expression of who you are at this moment in time, free from any illness. This pure expression is why ARTZ Philadelphia exits. It’s why Sylvia, when asked about working on a piece in one of their programs, could say: “It feels like freedom: I can do whatever I want.” “It Feels Like Freedom…” When Creativity Transends a Diagnosis, is an art exhibit I had the … [Read more...]
How Would You Respond In An Emergency If You Knew Someone Had Dementia?
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...]
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...]