One of the most challenging aspects of caregiving is managing agitation or aggression from the person you are taking care of. These are two distinctly different behaviors. Agitation stems from anxiety, fear, or confusion. It is a restless state where it is difficult...
You’ve probably watched more than a fair share of TV shows or movies with the grumpy old senior acting as comedy relief. In real life, however, a sour senior isn’t so funny. If you have an aging parent or grandparent that is longing for the good old days, lonely or...
In the January 2017 issue of my Oprah magazine, I saw an article seeking applications to become an O, the Oprah Magazine Insider so I thought why not, I’ll give it a shot. Just this past week, I found out that I was selected to be one of just 50 chosen...
Since becoming a caregiver, you may have discovered you have a passionate dislike for the disease or condition that caused you to become a caregiver. No disease is “liked” but generally they aren’t on our radar until there is a reason for it to be there. I would make...
While my wife Rebecca lay in her hospital bed, the sterile feel of the hospital room and the alarms from her ventilator had become all too familiar. The shock had worn off from New Year’s Eve when they placed her in a chemically induced coma due to respiratory...
There may come a time when the ability to independently walk, dress, cook, or bathe becomes increasingly challenging for an aging loved one. How do you assess if it is safe for them to remain in their home without any assistance? There are some warning signs to watch...