Dear WS: I appreciate your compassion and your willingness to help your grandma. While it can be frustrating when people have hearing aids yet won't wear them, your instincts are right in that the problem behind your grandma's refusal is what needs to be addressed. Read more →
“Incontinence affects millions of Americans and is very closely linked to diet, since what someone eats and drinks directly affects their bladder. With that said, people may think drinking less water will help them avoid incontinence, Read more →
Dear KT: It’s understandable that you’re worried about your parents. Covid-19 is an especially serious threat for older adults. As you’ve suggested, the usual discussions about moving older adults to a new environment are coming to a halt since assisted living facilities... Read more →
During the last few years of my caregiving, while my mother-in-law and my parents were still alive, my son was still having major health issues, and I was working full time, I read about the term “sandwich generation.” Read more →
Each time I walked into Dad’s room in the nursing home, he would be rigid in bed, propped up on one elbow and slamming his other fist against his upturned palm. Pow! Pow! Pow! Over and over, he pounded fist against hand. Read more →
Dear Sad but Tense: I’m so sorry about what’s happened, not only to your dad but to your whole family. Generally, when I hear about ruined retirement plans, the letter comes from a spouse, so you provide an observant perspective that we can all learn from. Read more →
Perhaps the most challenging of all is that many caregivers are now trying to care for a parent or spouse in their homes with limited supplies – sometimes limited food choices – and almost no outside contact. These caregivers alternate between fear for their loved ones’ lives and worry about how their parent or spouse will survive if they, the caregiver, becomes sick. Read more →
In an effort to assist residents, staff and leaders at Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care are requesting donations of used iPads to provide families and friends the opportunity to video chat. To be used exclusively for digitally connecting residents to their loved ones during these difficult times of required separation, donated iPads and tablets may be dropped off at Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care’s offices, where they will be sanitized thoroughly before use. Read more →
...He was struggling to breathe, yet pleaded with me to not insert the breathing tube and to let him die. The cardiologist was scared to do it. With a voice coming from above saying, “Let My People Go!” I honored the man’s wishes. I tremble every time I read this passage. Read more →
“We’d love it if you’d write a handwritten letter today to support what we do. Please note that we do not accept emailed or typed letters.” They go on to say that at this point, “Right now, our biggest need as an organization Read more →