View the video blog: Guilt and Parent Caregiving Recently in talking with a caregiver who takes care of her mother, father and mother-in-law, the ever present “guilt work” came into the conversation. “Why”, said the daughter, “do I never feel like I do enough or do the right thing”? Well, it is more complicated Read More
Dementia and Appointments
A daughter I was working with called and asked how to get her mother to agree to go to a doctor appointment for a flu shot. Her mom has dementia of the Alzheimer’s variety and is starting to become paranoid. The daughter has spent the past 65 years reasoning with her mother, a retired attorney. Read More
Confusion in Seniors During Hospital Stay – It Can Be Confusing…
How often I have heard from a family member that their mother is in the hospital and seems so confused! Patients who were functioning fairly well at home often seem unaware, forgetful or anxious when in the hospital. Sometimes there are reports of combative or agitated behavior; or concerns that a patient can no longer Read More
“Slow Medicine” a New Approach for Seniors Over 80
Dr. Dennis McCullough has written a book on Embracing “Slow Medicine,” The Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Aging Loved Ones called “My Mother Your Mother”. Dr. McCullough’s approach is a gentle, kind common sense approach to extending medical care to the very frail elderly. He calls for a movement in “attending” to seniors changing Read More
Autonomy vs. Safety: A Dilemma for Families Caring for Seniors
Do you allow Mom to smoke, despite her dementia and living alone in a senior apartment complex? Do you respect your Dad’s right and autonomy despite his 90+ years of life? With poor vision and beginning forgetfulness, do you allow him to drive across the state to see an old friend who is ill? Adult Read More
Leaving Messages for Seniors
When you are leaving a telephone message for a senior, remember to speak “slowly and distinctly” (those are actually words from my 88 year old mother’s answering machine). Those who have trouble hearing might need you to say your name and phone number slowly at the beginning of the message and then, after you have Read More
