The Clenched Fist

On last Friday’s talk show, Ellen Rogin and I had an interesting discussion that involved a clenched fist. Ellen used the image of a fist closed to illustrate how we can keep abundance away. If we keep our fist closed, hanging on for dear life to what we have, we lose the opportunity to receive. When we keep our hands closed, how can we possibly receive? Ellen encouraged us to find a balance, closing our...

Unwinding and Refocusing

The last few days have given me a chance to unwind, refocus on my goals, and to get a little bit of bigger-picture insight into my mom caregiver role. Friday evening, I dined out with a high school-era friend and current education work colleage, whose family is going through this, too: his 92-year-old dad is still alive, but the mom has Alzheimer’s and needs 24/7 home care. We traded stories. I realiced that in...

Clean Shirt, Sunday, & Sunshine

Today I made my husband put on a different sweatshirt. He has worn the same sweatshirt for days on end at home. I gave him a choice between two different shirts. Naturally he picked the one that he thought was the less nice, because he had to “save” the other one. I don’t know what he is saving it for, as he doesn’t want to go away that much, and he has nicer shirts for going away. ...

Stimulus Payments to Seniors to be Sent in May

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for the one-time payment of $250 to individuals who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration anticipates payments to be received by late May 2009. Beneficiaries are not required to take action. For more information, visit:...

Commit to a Weekly Savings Plan

On last Friday’s edition of Your Caregiving Journey, we spoke with Ellen Rogin, our financial guru who joins us monthly. Our topic for our talk show was two-fold: “Keeping a Healthy Perspective in Today’s Economy” and “Saving for our Future.” You can listen to our show via our player at the end of this post. During our discussion on saving, I issued a challenge: Commit to saving...

How Do We Pay My Sister?

Dear Denise, Is there any information out there to give us an idea of how to compensate a sibling for caring for our father. My sister was laid off and not going back to work so she can stay home and care for our father who now lives with her and her family. He is 87 and has some early Alzheimer’s. He still showers, dresses, eats, etc. We want to help her with expenses, and her time as she and her...

Join Me for a Blog Party

A friend I met on Twitter has invited me to participate in a Blog Party. So, I thought I’d pass the invite on to you! The blog party, sponsored by 5MinutesforMom, will take place from March 20 until March 27. If you are caring for your kids and your aging relatives and have time to blog (like my friend, Kaye), then this a great opportunity to showcase your skills as a blogger! To learn more about...

End of Week Thoughts

I just returned from a beautiful walk. The sun is shining, and there was very little wind. It is only in the low 40s, but it felt great. What a spirit lifter it is to be able to be out walking on a nice day! This is WI after all! It makes me think of the promise of spring-not quite here yet but on its way! It also reminds me of the promise of eternal life after the winter of this life. I had a ...

Live Webcast, Medicare 101, On Monday

Alliance for Health Reform and The Kaiser Family Foundation will sponsor a live webcast called “Medicare 101″ on Monday, March 16, at 12:15 p.m. ET. A panel of experts will discuss Medicare including: Whom does Medicare serve and what services does it cover? What are Medicare Parts A, B, C and D? How is it structured and financed? What drives Medicare’s costs? How does Medicare reimburse providers and...

Last Chance to Change Medicare Health Plans Before Lock-In on April 1

People with Medicare have one last chance to change their Medicare health plan before they are locked into their plan for the rest of the calendar year. During the Open Enrollment Period, which began January 1 and lasts through March 31, people with Medicare are allowed to change their choice of Medicare health coverage once. For example, a person who is enrolled in a Medicare private health plan with drug coverage...

A Grandma Euro

I took a trip this weekend to Dublin with two friends. It was my first trip across the Big Pond and I was feeling a bit nervous. We arrived at our hotel on Friday morning about 10 a.m. I stepped out the cab, looked down and, there it was, a nice shiny one cent Euro. Pennies from heaven. This morning, I realized it was a penny from Grandma, who would have loved that I made a trip to Ireland. I wrote about my...

I Need My Own Support

Hi Denise, I stumbled onto your site while searching for a support group in the Santa Monica/Los Angeles area.  I am a 56-year old only child of a mother who has been depressed her whole life, possibly a result of having gone through the holocaust. I recently moved my mother from florida to california because she was very unhappy in Florida.  And now, after 5 months in L.A., guess what???  She says she is so...

What Can’t You Forgive?

In Tell, you tell us what you think and feel. Sometimes, you’ll tell us what you wouldn’t tell someone else–and that’s our purpose. Let it out–tell us. So… Tell us: What can’t you forgive? We know that forgiveness is the gift we give ourselves. But, sometimes, it can seem so hard to forgive–the disease that won’t relent, the family members who won’t help, the doctor who...

Upcoming Conference to Demonstrate the Use of Storytelling and Museum Programs with People with Dementia

National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) will present a conference on how to use storytelling and museum programs as a way to engage people with dementia. The “NCCA-MetLife Foundation Creativity Matters: Health, Wellness, and the Arts Symposium,” will be held in Washington, D.C. on March 30, 31 and April 1 and will feature Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Gay Hanna,...

Audio Books to Pass Time For My Husband

I decided to try audio books with my husband. His mobility and small motor capabilities are limited. Also his vision focusing ability is compromised because of his disease which makes reading difficult. He never was a big reader, but now it is much more difficult. Also being on the computer which he enjoyed in the past does not work that well any longer. So what is left? Basically just watching TV and...

How Do I Get Them To Help?

Hello Denise, I am a very exhausted care giver to my 81-year-old Mother. Currently she is living with me until she move into assisted living next month.  I am her power of attorney, and while there are two other siblings in town I do 95% of the work.  It was two months ago that her physician said it would be best if she didn’t live alone so she’s been with me while I complete applications, search for...

Storms and Blessings

The wind is blowing hard and the rain has been coming down most of the day here in WI. Now it has started to snow. It reminds me of the parable of the wise man and the foolish man in the Bible. In that parable the rain came down and the streams rose and the winds blew. There have been many “storms” in my life the last few years-going through my cancer treatments, my husband’s diagnosis of...

Friday Musings

Yesterday and today were beautiful days outside at least for WI. So I took advantage of the nice weather and took a walk both days. It is amazing how just taking a half hour walk can lift one’s spirits in this caregiving experience. I also went to midweek activities in church Wed. night, and I substitute taught in kindergarten today. It was a busy but enjoyable day today. Just getting away from the...

a better day

Last time I wrote I was saying I was going to brainstorm things I could do to minimize my mom’s discomfort during doctor’s appointments and bathtime. So–as a first step, I looked up information online about COPD. (Ok, I’ll admit, I was also curious about life expectancy!! Sheesh. I’m awful. My mom could easily have another 10 years. Rats.) I read about what it’s like to walk with...

Reality

It’s back to reality for me again after babysitting my grandkids last week when their mom was in the hospital after giving birth to our latest little grandchild. I enjoyed taking care of my grandkids and not being constantly in my environment at home with my husband and his disablity. But as I said, I am back to reality. The reality I daily face is seeing my husband continue to have to use his...

Let the Healing Begin

I am having a difficult time with my daughter. We used to be close, but now… We just seem to be close to a blow-up every time we see each other. She can’t forgive her father (my husband, who now has Parkinson’s) for what she says was a difficult childhood. I feel bad about that. I do. She’s in so much pain. But, she’s causing me so much pain. What do I do?–A Family Caregiver Caregiving can seem to...

Check with Your Employer about Help

Be sure to check with your employer to learn about eldercare benefits that may help you in your caregiving role. Employers may offer a Work/Life Benefit, typically a Information and Referral service that can save you time and money when looking for the right resources. A Dependent Care Assistance Plans allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for caregiving expenses. And, some employers offer a back-up care...