Memory lane As I tripped down Dad’s memory lane, I found he and I, arm in arm, skipping to the beat of a familiar tune. As I read more of Dad’s journal entries, I was astonished and saddened at how unhappy he seemed. Caregiving has received due attention recently. It is not an easy path […]
Sustainable Families: Have the Talk Now Read More »
I take care of my Dad, who will be 99 this year. Being there for Dad in his 90s is the hardest thing I have ever done. What made it most difficult was when he was adamant that he didn’t need help, and it was obvious that he did. I was being held hostage, but
10 Unexpected Gifts I Received from My Caregiving Experience Read More »
Skydiving A few years ago, for his 94th birthday, Dad wanted to jump out of a plane. He brought it up every day with an insistence that triggered my angst. I discouraged, deflected, and resisted. Dad mentioned his objective to his Primary Care Physician, who said, “Why not?” It was one of those rhetorical questions that
The Art of Acquiescence Read More »
Mistakes are going to happen during a hospitalization. Misunderstandings are inevitable. Mishaps are sure to occur at home following a hospitalization. “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt. It would be wonderful if we could learn everything we needed to know from the
Hospital Stays: Mistakes, Mishaps and Misunderstandings Read More »
Caregiving is intense. We are not at our best because we are overwhelmed. This makes the experience ripe for regret. There are three strategies that, when combined, create a web of protection against remorse. Imagine reflecting back to this time. What would you do differently? Recognize the opportunity you have, at this moment, to make
Reduce Regret: Reflect, Forgive & Be Present Read More »
My support system repeatedly crumbled like a Jenga tower until it didn’t. Support “Support – A source of comfort or encouragement.” – Oxford English Dictionary I thought I might crack and was aware of the need to support my emotional, mental and physical state of being, but building a support system was a lot like
From Jenga Tower to Stable Structure: My Caregiving Support System Read More »
A travel journal for the caregiving journey Journaling has been a way to process the complexities of caregiving, the emotions, the fear, and the confusion. It has been a way to capture fun and funny moments. We will have a record of the experience and a travel journal that documents the caregiving journey. It will
Dad, Daughter and Déjà Vu: Two Journals, One Shared Theme Read More »
Discussing end-of-life is not comfortable, and our society does not prepare us well for conversations about death. It is a part of life, but like aging is often not faced until it is a forced confrontation. It is never too early to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your parents about their end-of-life wishes. In fact,
Heart to Heart Conversation: End-of-Life Wishes Read More »
Why is this so hard? Many adult children encountered resistance to their requests for the first time when they learned that parents were not heeding the advice to practice physical distancing. It offered a glimpse into the future and an opportunity to better understand the relationship dynamic, the competing motivations and develop skills to manage
Reduce Conflict with Aging Parents Read More »
Many are now living life similar in many ways to that of the isolated family caregiver. One challenge is to modify self-care to be isolation friendly. When we accept rather than resist our new “Stay at Home” reality, we will be able to identify the positive self-care activities that will reduce stress. We will be
Self-Care During COVID-19: Lessons from Family Caregivers Read More »
