The Pacific Northwest Association of Church Libraries (PNACL) has invited Jane to present about her experience of caring and honoring aging parents (and other family members). As chronicled in The Caregiving Season, Jane has been through the physical, financial and emotional journey when she cared for her elderly mother who passed away at the age…
Caring for a loved one, whether a spouse, child, or aging parent, demands much from us. I know; I’ve been caring for my mother since my dad died eight years ago. At first, it involved taking her on errands and to the doctor. As her physical condition and eyesight worsened, I began walking her from…
Autumn colors, leaves falling, daylight savings; these are signs the season has changed from the lazy days of summer. There are signs of the changes in the caregiving season as well. • Your aging parent is becoming more forgetful • Your loved one is showing more fear of going out or falling down • He…
“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…
My mother gave me her ring. She can’t wear it anymore. Her once slender fingers have become swollen with arthritis. Four perfectly matched diamonds are mounted in a row on a gold band. I always thought it was her wedding ring because she’s worn it for as long as I can remember. She recently told…
Growing older comes with a lot of physical and mental changes that can be challenging. While those changes may be inevitable, you can at least chose to deal with them in the comfort of your own home. 90 percent of adults over 65 plan to live in their home for as long as possible. A…