With the bounty of fresh summer fruits and vegetables overflowing our grocery aisles, I must first express gratitude. Having recently celebrated our 148th Canada Day, I might suggest this is a freedom many born here – as opposed to those who arrived from less-fortunate distant lands – could take for granted. Still, mine is not meant to be a political diatribe!
Rather, I’m thinking about my Dad’s chosen eating habits in the midst ofRead More
The United Nations has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WWEAD). The first WEAAD was observed in 2012.
The occasion aims to focus global attention on the physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population. Brought together are senior citizens, their caregivers, national and local government, academics, and the private sector. Ideas are exchanged about how to best reduce incidents of violence towards elders, increase reporting of same and develop elder friendly policies.
For today, allow meRead More
A friend and colleague recently sent through a lovely greeting: “May you feel the hope of new beginnings and happiness during this joyful Easter holiday.”
Another wrote: “At this seasonal time of year, I’m flooded with childhood memories of the new outfit for Easter Sunday, always eggs and gifts from the bunny and a special dinner – sometimes at home and sometimes at our Grammie’s house. Although we’ve all had challenges from our childhood, I like to focus on the positives that were present and feel the gratitude that comes with remembering…”
I agree with both sentiments.
Toward that end,Read More
Do you burn tons of energy “psyching up” to deal with your impossible aging parents but still feel like pulling out your hair at the roots within seconds?
Do you regularly clamp down on what you really want to say to the difficult duo?
Are you physically and emotionally exhausted for hours afterwards, even if you only spent minutes by phone or in-person?
As we stand before a brand new year, you get to determine how the next 365 days will go. Are you genuinely ready for those mindsets to be over? To get clear, you need to honestly answer 3 vital questions.Read More
As we come out the other side of the rushed holiday season, I’ve been recently reminded how stressful the elder marathon can be. For caregivers, I so appreciate December as one of their busiest times of year. May everyone have prevailed!
Last time, I touched the iceberg tip ofRead More
Want to hear the continuation of how we handled “taking away” the car keys from my 88-year-old father?
One clue is we never had to “go there”. And, I knew we would not have to, in the end.
Even though he gave no outward indication of inner knowing about hisRead More
Yes, it’s all coming back now.
Last August, I experienced both anticipated and unexpected reactions physically and emotionally at theRead More
Now that we have summarized the six focused ACTIONs of Advocate, Clarify, Trust, Initiate, Observe and Innovate, what do you think?
As with the LOVING attitudes, if you reflect back to meRead More
As we prepare to segue from “Observe” into the last focused ACTION called “iNnovate”, I just want to reference something I regularly express with my contemporaries.
My incredulous statements start with: “Surely our folks must recognize we see through their thinly-disguised veneer. Don’t they?” [Their heads move side to side in a “no”.] I go on to question: “They must be deluded that we’re not adults in our own right but still think of us as five years of age!” [Now, heads nod in a “yes”.Read More
Special thanks to Health, Wellness & Safety Magazine!
Three years ago, Carol-Ann Hamilton was at her wit’s end. Her mother, plagued by growing mental and other challenges, had passed away. Now, she was forced to deal withRead More
