Are you caring for an aging parent or spouse? Perhaps you are the full-time caregiver of a special-needs child. How do you maintain your equilibrium under the constant demands? We often hear the words ‘self-care.’ You may be asking, “How can I care for myself when all my time and energy are spent on my…
“Your mother is dying.” My mind understood the doctor’s words, but my heart refused to believe them. Only a few days prior, my ninety-four-year old mother had taken a day trip to Reno with my husband. How could she be dying? Why now, God? This was supposed to be the weekend I would put the…
When Mike and I first talked about moving in with my mom after her stroke, my sister in law gave us some advice. “Talk to a counselor. You need to make sure all of you understand boundaries.” At the time, I thought she was making something out of nothing. I could handle Mom and her…
As a bank manager, I receive ongoing training in financial elder abuse. I am trained on how to detect abuse, and when to report it. The bank has protocol on how to separate the older person from the family member or friend who may be taking advantage of them. In addition, it seems there are…
The Fear Behind the Fear My friend Greg’s mom, Alene, and I discussed dying. It’s something she thinks about, now that she’s in her eighth decade. “I’m not so much afraid about eternity. I guess I’m scared about the actual event of dying. Will it hurt? Will I struggle to breathe or have pain?” She…
John 14:12 In my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “I’m afraid to die.” I’ve heard this comment from more than one older person. And all are professing Christians. What is going on? Christians have an abiding belief…
Perhaps she asked you to do something you didn’t want to do (this is especially pervasive in the teen years). Sometimes I pretend I can’t hear my husband when he asks me for the seventh time how to find a document on the computer. He admits to being a Neanderthal when it comes to electronic…
Aging and isolation, helping elders cope with seclusion when they start losing loved ones. I met Alene when she lived with her son, Greg and his wife. She is another elderly woman who struggled with loss and loneliness, but her story is different. When Alene became too frail for Greg and his wife to provide…
The friendship between Charleen and Phyllis began at a square dance competition when they literally bumped into each other on the dance floor. The fiery redhead and the hot-headed blond traded barbs over who was at fault. Their insults turned to laughter as they each tried to outdo the other. When they discovered they lived…
As we look to a brand new year, it brings to mind new beginnings. A fresh start. Maybe do things differently this year. Here are some resolutions I’ve made to make 2017 better than 2016 in my role as caregiver for my ninety-three-year-old mother: What things do you wish for in the new year as…
