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
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
Let’s pick up where we left off with the ACTION of Observe as it regards coping with Un-cope-able Parents.
As mentioned, you will need to draw upon your finely-honed powers of observation – listening, noticing and picking up on verbal or non-verbal cues.
Some days, it feels like your parents could pull the wool over your eyes if you let down your guard for even a moment. Rest assured! You’ll be able to spot their ruses from a mile away!Read More
Today’s connection begins with wondering whether you “saw” anything different from your 30,000 foot imaginary “ride” above the craziness of your parents’ household.
Whether you did or didn’t, I’m here with some unfortunate news… Oh great, you’re muttering. Isn’t there already enough to contend with regarding the impossible duo?
I know! Yet, no matter how abhorrent it feels to intervene in the best interests of one or both parents, I’m here to say you’ll regrettably need to. In a way, we’re back to Advocate but adding to the mix the next aspect of ACTION – namely, Initiate.Read More
To my previous posting, I could add this bit of “good” news. After my Mom passed away, the ACTION of Initiate became considerably easier Read More
I’d be curious. What arose from the inside as you contemplated my inquiry concerning how you could possibly view your eldercare challenges from a higher plane?
Was this difficult on some level, because you continue to refuse that you could’ve possibly chosen that pair! Or, did you locate some ease and grace in adopting a less attached opinion?
Either way, I don’t mind admitting mine was a bitter struggle within for a long period until I arrived at a different perspective.Read More
To resume where we left off, I needed to stand up to my father, no matter his blustering reaction to being called on the carpet for his self-centered attitudes. Gosh knows, I have the internal mettle.
Had I done so, Mommy’s final daysRead More
Are you ready for the first letter within the acronym ACTION? It stands for Advocate.
What definition comes to mind when you think of that term? As a verb, you likely summon the idea of defending. As a noun, you conjure a person who supports or pleads in favor of another.
True. Yet,Read More
