And the importance of rehabilitation. Parkinson’s has not affected our family, but one of my favorite septuagenarians is battling this disease. I want to understand her struggle, so I was intrigued when I learned about a rehabilitation program called “Big and Loud.” Big and Loud is specifically designed for Parkinson’s patients and next week’s article will explain how it works. … [Read more...]
Caregivers: How to Invest in Self-Care
Welcome back! Have you given any thought to what your caregiver shield is made of? First, let's define self-care. Self-care is foremost an awareness of what sustains you and actively tapping into those resources. Sometimes, these resource may feel like indulgences, especially when your schedule is full of care-taking. Maybe you think the ultimate indulgence is massage, … [Read more...]
Caregivers Need to Invest in Self-Care
The physical and mental toll on caregivers. Back in 2003, my husband experienced cardiac arrest, and that turned my world upside down. Fortunately, he recovered fully, but the arc of rehabilitation took a toll on me, his caregiver. During the initial acute phase of hospitalization, I wasn’t directly responsible for taking care of Sean, but I still visited the hospital every … [Read more...]
Today I Am Her Daughter and Not Her Caregiver
There is healing in returning to our mother/daughter roles. Mom recently turned 85. I hesitated before suggesting that we have a little gathering for her birthday. After all, this is the woman who was mad when dad threw her a surprise party with invitations that read: “Help Doris celebrate the 6th anniversary of her 39th birthday”. When I mentioned I was glad she wanted to … [Read more...]
How Do You Determine Which Assisted Living Facility Is For You?
What questions should you ask? Monthly room and board is by far your largest assisted living expense. Private rooms (Studio's) come in different sizes, the larger the studio the higher the cost. Typically, all rooms have kitchenettes and handicap accessible bathrooms with shower benches. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Here are some examples of typical monthly room and board … [Read more...]