Most of us would say love, duty or obligation is what empowers family caregivers to provide care. All true, but more than what is most evident truly empowers and fuels us who are family caregivers . Knowledge of community services and benefits allows us to share the care – and then there is the acceptance of [...]
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Posted in Blog, Holidays, Relationships on Dec 17th, 2010
On Monday, December 13th, the day that Trevor Tonsing would have turned 17, 18 staff members at Eldercare Services worked hard to make as many blankets as they could to donate to Trevor’s foundation, Trevor’s Eagle Blanket Foundation. Trevor was born with a congenital heart defect that took his life last year shortly after his [...]
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I was quoted in the below article posted on December 7, 2010 in the New York Times in the New Old Age portion of the Health section. It is important information to have when deciding what is best for your aging loved one… This fall, my father sat down for a semi-annual assessment with staff [...]
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Watch the video blog here! Often an adult child will call and tell us that a parent needs to move to Assisted Living and they want some help on the choice. The first question from me is, “Is mom in agreement with this need?” The second question is always, “What have you done to try [...]
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As a Geriatric Care Manager, I have heard many stories regarding medication errors. Early on in my career I was amazed to learn how many errors happen in medical facilities where everyone is well trained in dispensing medications. Practically speaking, however, it is not hard to imagine how medication errors can occur. Bottles can be [...]
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Adult children of aging parents are often disregarded when they make successions about services, care choices or other support systems. This seems to be because the parent still sees that daughter, who might even be a physician, as a 12 year old. So, when the daughter’s husband makes a suggestion, they listen. When the in-law [...]
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Many of us have trouble with our spouse remembering what we just said let alone what we did yesterday! When this becomes problematic and starts to affect your relationship and your day-to-day life, it needs to be addressed differently. It could be a more serious illness and will need a comprehensive workup to find a [...]
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As a Geriatric Care Manager, I am constantly impressed with the many things family caregivers do to help themselves help someone else. One thing that really tops the list in terms of bang for your buck in my opinion is attending a support group. Please keep reading! Support groups are usually free and family caregivers [...]
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Watch the video blog! Dad’s vision is failing, we notice he has lost weight since Mom died last year and he just doesn’t have much interest in maintaining the family home. He doesn’t want to move because we all grew up in that house. The neighborhood has changed and all his old friends have died [...]
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A statement that I hear whenever I speak and a concern for families at a distance is, “I need to know she is getting good care”. For example, if you breeze into town ,set up a plan of care and put resources into place for your aging family member, then once you leave they cancel [...]
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