by Denise
May 21 2013 in Denise's Blog by Denise
I suppose we all wish we were just talking about a singular caring conversation. One and done. The idea of talking about end-of-life, about living arrangements and money and dying and funeral arrangements seems so, well, uncomfortable. Which is why we hope one conversation takes care of it. The truth is we’re talking about caring [...]
by Denise
May 14 2013 in Weekly Comforts by Denise
We feel comfortable when we do what feels natural. When we’re good with numbers, it’s natural to balance the checkbook. When we’re good with words, we love the opportunity to put pen to paper. In caregiving, you’ll feel tested in what feels natural. Providing incontinence care to an adult won’t feel natural. Making a decision [...]
by MissAngie
Apr 29 2013 in Caring for Grandparents, Caring for Parents and Kids by MissAngie
As many of you know, I care for my 85-year-old mom, Grace. She suffers from dementia. Grace also cared for her mother, Ruth, who died thirteen years ago at the age of 94. My mom suffered a stroke while my grandmother was in hospice. The stress on me during that time was great. When I [...]
by Denise
Apr 25 2013 in Tell Us, Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
Last night, on Your Caregiving Journey, our panel of family caregivers gathered to share what they dread. You can listen to our show via the player below. Both @kreisler and @jbones1961 dread declines while @ejourneys dreads the aftermath of a miscommunication with her partner. Our conversation led to a discussion about dreading death; I asked [...]
by Denise
Mar 5 2013 in Denise's Blog by Denise
Several years ago, I visited Mirca Liberti, my mentor who co-founded Children of Aging Parents, at her retirement home she shared with her husband in Florida. It seemed like the life! Beautiful swimming pool, lots of activities, a leisurely pace. I envisioned my sister (and her husband) and I living in a similar community. Our [...]
by Denise
Mar 5 2013 in Denise's Blog by Denise
By now you’re probably heard the tape of the 911 call from Glenwood Gardens, an independent living facility in Bakersfield, Calif., for help after an 87-year-old resident collapses in a dining room. During the call, the 911 dispatcher directs the caller, a registered nurse, to begin CPR on the resident. The nurse refuses. The ambulance [...]
by Denise
Jan 31 2013 in Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
Last night, on Your Caregiving Journey, @Trish and I continued our conversations about end-of-life discussions. You can listen to our show via the player below. Trish shared more about her conversation with her caree, Robert, and his wishes (you can read her post about the conversation here) as well as conversations with her husband, Richard (@kreisler). [...]
by Trish
Jan 28 2013 in Caring for Siblings by Trish
by Jo
Jan 26 2013 in Caring for Parents and Kids by Jo
“A preliminary notice of an order or action which is to follow” A Warning Order usually does not involve the commitment of resources or forces. It is intended to gain your attention, to reorient you toward a potential future task. During my military career I received many Warning Orders, more than a few Prepare to [...]
by Denise
Jan 26 2013 in Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
This morning on Your Caregiving Journey, Chris (@thpurplejacket) and his partner, Richard, joined me to discuss Richard’s end-of-life decisions. You can listen to our show via the player below. Chris and Richard volunteered to join me to share what a discussion about end-of-life can sound like. During our discussion, Richard spoke about his desires when [...]
by Denise
Sep 28 2012 in Denise's Blog, Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
Yesterday, Kristin, who blogged about caring for Mary until Mary’s death on July 31, joined me on Your Caregiving Journey. I asked Kristin to join me to share about her life after caregiving. You can listen to our show via the player below. Kristin joined us in February 2011. She became our first CareGifters recipient [...]
by Jo
Sep 26 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
by Denise
Sep 25 2012 in Denise's Blog, Weekly Comforts by Denise
At the end of your caregiving experience, you’ll find yourself wishing for a rally, hoping your caree can turn another corner, regain that lost strength, recover to where she was. You’ve had so many rallies in the past, it can be hard to believe one more rally just won’t come. And, when that rally doesn’t [...]
by Jo
Sep 17 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
I tried briefly to explain to Mom what had happened, that her husband was dead but even standing in the room looking at Dad’s body, Mom could not comprehend what had happened. I tried another track. Mom frequently talks about her parents. Of course she always talk about them in the present tense, she’s going [...]
by Jo
Sep 17 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
My Dad died this morning. I will say more at a later time but I wanted to convey immediately my appreciation for the prayers, warm thoughts and support everyone has offered to my family and I on this journey. The journey hasn’t ended. It’s just a corner we’ve turned. Things new and exciting are still [...]
by Jo
Sep 16 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
“He is near the end.” That’s the expression I’ve used frequently this weekend in answer to inquires of how Dad is doing. I don’t like saying it but it’s true. The pace of nearly everything seems to be speeding up. I find myself racing around getting chores done, racing back and forth between the hospital, [...]
by Jo
Sep 13 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
by Jo
Aug 29 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
by Jo
Aug 26 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
Denise has a question posted, “What thought will you break from?”, basically asking what negative, unhelpful thoughts, ideas, self-beliefs about yourself or your situation are you holding on to, and what could you replace them with? Here’s mine: “My dad is going to die.” That’s my biggest challenge right now. To stop skipping several steps ahead, [...]
by Jo
Aug 25 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
by Jo
Aug 23 2012 in Blogs, Caring for Parents and Kids, Jo's Blog by Jo
by Denise
May 31 2012 in Denise's Blog, Your Caregiving Journey by Denise
Last night, we debuted our first Hot Topics talk show on Your Caregiving Journey. Bette, Jane, Richard and ejourneys joined me to share their thoughts about a recent article (A Life Worth Ending) featured in New York magazine. You can listen to our show via the player below. We spoke about end-of-life decisions, making those [...]
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