I wonder what other lessons are on their way. Full disclosure here. I’ve been mom’s full-time caregiver since December 30th. That is ten days, seven hours and 14 seconds. I knew it would be hard. It’s one of the reasons I avoided it for as long as possible. I even know it is not forever since we will be getting hourly help during my working hours and eventually mom will be … [Read more...]
Embrace is my touchstone word for 2022.
Like many people I no longer commit to a New Year's resolution. Instead I pick a touchstone word for the year. Sometimes it is based on how I hope the year will go and sometimes it is based on anticipating what is coming. I’m in the anticipation mode this year and the word is ‘Embrace.’ The dictionary defines embrace as: ‘To accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) … [Read more...]
I never promised mom… Then why do I feel so guilty?
When your head knows it’s the right decision, but your heart is breaking. One of my promises to myself when I became mom’s caregiver is that I would never promise her anything unless I was 100% sure I could deliver. It is why I never promised her I could always keep her in our family home. My expectation was that at some point she would need to be in a wheelchair and, given … [Read more...]
Hospital at Home. What is it and how does it work?
For family caregivers, the devil is in the details. The Hospital at Home model has been around since 1995, but in the time of COVID, it is gaining traction. Hospital at Home gives acute care that would normally be given in a hospital to patients in their homes. Generally, it includes intravenous therapy (mainly antibiotics), anticoagulation, wound care and chemotherapy … [Read more...]
2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Caregivers and Care Recipients
Are you struggling to decide on what to buy your elder for the holidays? I am. Mom is almost 90 and let’s face it, doesn’t need much. Fortunately, Elizabeth Miller of the Happy Healthy Caregiver, spends hours each year compiling a gift guide with unique ideas for family caregivers and their care recipients. It’s a great place to start and it may spark a unique idea of your … [Read more...]