Medication was a serious subject I found no humor in caregiving until I pulled back the curtain and saw it for what it was. It was seriously hard and at times seriously funny. Language is also a funny thing. How did the word “seriously” come to mean “very”? This language confused my French students who […]
Laughter is the Best Medicine Read More »
In sickness and in health Wedding vows don’t include the sickness and health of a spouse’s parents. I suppose it’s implied, but it wasn’t something that we considered or discussed until we were confronted with choices. Joe and I were like a small business partnership. We had been collaborating on life’s twists and turns and
Caregiving as a Couple: Our Keys to Collaboration Read More »
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 »
