caregiver stress Archives - Aging, caregiving and the journey through the second half of life

Home Rules: We’re Not Going Anywhere

May 21, 2020

Older adults see where they live as the Alamo and will make their last stand defending it. We advance with logic, manipulations, and threats, and they use any means at their disposal to repel us. Here’s why. 1. The place…

For Whatever Comes In Life…

April 8, 2020

To have the courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that…Saint Teresa of Avila (“Faith” by David Solie)…

Informed Control: The Art of Alignment

March 3, 2020

“I can’t believe I have to take a driving evaluation.” Nancy could hear how upset her father was at the idea of being retested to keep his driver’s license, “I have been a licensed driver for over 50 years, and…

And then an aging parent moves in…

February 17, 2020

When an aging parent moves in, no one can predict how it will work out. What looks good in the beginning can come undone in sudden and distressing ways. Adult children need to frame moving in as “one step” in…

The Real Work Of Families…

February 10, 2020

(As a writer, I always feel I’m best person to title my own articles, blogs and booklets. Of course, that’s just my willfulness not paying attention to better voices who have different take on what I have written. And so…

Sibling Rules

February 3, 2020

It’s a fact of family life: roles are cut in stone. Stop trying to change a sibling who for the most part resents your audacity to assume you have the right to “fix’ him or her. Accurately assess what a…

Reframe the Connection Between Choices and Preserving Control

January 27, 2020

Practice the art of offering choices for both big and small items. What seems to be a trivial choice to adult children may be significant to aging parents whose choices are dwindling. Reframe the…

Solo Spousal Care

January 20, 2020

Solo caregiving takes a toll on both parties. What starts out as an act of compassion and loyalty can deteriorate into a role that exceeds the best efforts of one person. Reframing the situation from a new vantage point helps…

Life Metaphor

January 16, 2020

This new painting, entitled Life Metaphor, depicts the polyphasic downpour of light and darkness on all our lives, a carpet bombing of lessons aimed at our spiritual growth whether we’re paying attention or not……

Right Sizing My Encore Career

November 14, 2019

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions…….Stephen Covey After 30 years of public speaking, I am leaving the main stage and focusing my encore career on working with small study groups. I…