How can one word change your world? Last year I did not set any New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I chose one word, impact, to use as a touchstone for the year. With intention, I measured the positive impact activities, people and commitments had on my life and, based on that, came to some decisions. I’d be lying if I said these decisions were easy, but I acted. I resigned … [Read more...]
Connect with Your Elder Through Family Stories. A Project for 2020.
Your elder had a full and rich life before becoming a parent and grandparent. Mom and I hosted Christmas Eve this year and it was lovely. Eleven cousins gathered around our table. We reminisced about my grandfather and their grandmother who were siblings. We vowed that this would be the year we got together and made homemade ravioli from the family recipe. The youngest are in … [Read more...]
Who will support me through a healthcare crisis? Who will pay my bills if I can’t?
Key questions for elder orphans In last week’s article I wrote about the difficulties people who are estranged from family or have no traditional support system will face as they age. Planning for professional help is one way we elder orphans can take and keep control. To that end, I asked two colleagues how they can help. Life Planning and Healthcare: Aging Life Care … [Read more...]
Caregivers, Help Your Aging Adult Fill Out the 2020 Census
Why? The census directly impacts funding for key programs that affect your loved one. The census is a headcount that occurs by law every 10 years, beginning in 1790. The census law is found in Article 1 Section 2 of the constitution. This law goes beyond any hidden agenda of any administration, despite what you may hear in the media. On December 31, 2020 the President of the … [Read more...]
Our Caregiving Youth: A Hidden Epidemic
Do you know a young caregiver? The only national survey of young caregivers conducted in the United States was completed in 2004. Conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, they found there were about 1.3 – 1.4 million young caregivers. Divided into age groups of 8-11, 12-15 and 16-18, we are talking about children in elementary school, … [Read more...]