Best Possible Day
Atul Gwande’s article “Best Possible Day” is compassionate and articulate about asking the right questions, over and over again, in a world where time is running short…
Best Possible Day…
Caregiver Conflict and Poor Outcomes
This article about conflict with family and friends isn’t directed specifically at caregivers but it should be:
Common Form of Expression Doubles Risk of Death
Here is what they found:
“The researchers estimated that that a participant’s risk of death…
Beyond Loss: Grief vs Major Depression
With aging comes the loss of those who mean the most to us. There is no way to prepare for it. We are ambushed and swept away into grief and suffering. After some period of time, we slowly, unevenly crawl…
Caregiver Playlist
Below are the selections that make up the “Kind To Your Heart” playlist, a 40-minute mix of songs and instrumentals. The song’s lyrics give voice to the emotional challenges of caregiving. They also spell out the courage and profound love…
The Medical Journey of Aging Parents
We are not bystanders to the medical journey of our aging parents. No matter how daunting the language or specter of healthcare, we are obligated, to the best of our ability, to try and understand what we are being told…
The Social Fabric of Aging Parents
Preserving and nurturing social connections is vital to the well being of older adults.
Families need to understand the scope and depth of an aging parent’s social network so they can coordinate their efforts to protect and support it. That…
When Aging Parents Move In…
The desire to do the right thing begins with good intentions. Sometimes that is enough, but in most cases the burden of caregiving requires adjustments in perspective, language and behavior. While the predictable dilemmas of aging are unavoidable, understanding the…
Caregiver Support Lessons…
Last fall, I started a caregiver’s support group. The goal was to offer a non-judgmental setting for adult children to share their stories. While being the facilitator, my real job was arranging chairs and making sure everyone had a turn…
Dancing with Negative Feedback: Redirection and Resolution
I wrote this article for an assisted living magazine but the technique of “Redirection and Resolution” works in a wide range of situations where negative feedback needs to be managed in a calm, professional manner.
Asking the daughter of a…
The Car Front Mind Map
Driving is a “hot spot” issue for aging parents. Attempts by family members to modify, restrict, or take away driving privileges are in direct conflict with the older adult’s need for control even if it results in unsafe decisions about…