Total 374 Posts
Last week Ziggy and I resumed our visits with a couple of my clients who live in their own homes. As we all know Covid had restricted these visits and it was a welcome change after several months. Ziggy as you may recall is an ambassador dog with CNIB and when not on official duty he joins me in visiting my clients. We call Ziggy the ‘smile maker’ because he….
Enjoying Nature From An Armchair Continue Reading »
Elder CareWhile we are still learning how best to live under the threat of either spreading or catching Covid, our long term care facilities are starting to also figure this out. See: https://allaboutestates.ca/family-essential-visitors/ With 80% of all COVID deaths having occurred in LTC facilities, this is definitely too late for many families. In addition to all the concerns that have been previously highlighted, from a physical, structural, staffing and equipment perspective,….
Definition of (Essential) Family Caregiver Continue Reading »
Elder Care
We will all experience loss of a loved one and while my loss may be more recent than some, it can make these occurrences feel more vivid. Over the weekend I received the many boxes that I had packed up from my mother’s apartment. While I started to sort them through I was overcome by the scent of her favorite perfume. It was reassuring and familiar and yet quite emotional…..
Mementos and good memories Continue Reading »
Elder Care
We already know that loneliness is a major debilitating cause of health decline in seniors. Over the years I have blogged about the challenge of seniors living on their own, without a support network. During this pandemic, the isolation and separateness of everyone was very difficult on all us. However for seniors, I think it has been worst of all. We all need personal contact, connecting with someone, sharing a….
Living alone, being lonely and the perils of isolation. Continue Reading »
Elder CareThis weekend I enjoyed a wonderful homemade dinner at the home of some close friends and it felt ‘normal’ – a life we enjoyed and took for granted before Covid. I am fortunate in so many ways and one was not living with the angst of not being able to visit a loved one living in Long Term Care(LTC)/ nursing home. I am however aware and working with many families….
Family = >Essential Visitors Continue Reading »
Elder Care, In the NewsThere are so many stories that I would like to share as I continue on this journey of losing a last parent. This is actually quite a different experience than losing my father. I have always said that relationships are complicated and certainly one’s relationship with a parent is even more dramatic and life impacting than any other. I will however try to generalize some themes and experiences that many….
Orphanos, Yathom = Losing Your Guide Continue Reading »
Elder Care