Elder Care ABC

This is a story of joy and one of giving aging parents a gift they will cherish forever.   Last summer, my sister, Carol and I took our mother, Alba, to her home town of Lucca, Italy to visit her cousins. Mom and her cousins are in their eighties, and haven’t seen each other for over [...]

“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. ” –Garson Kanin Welcome to the October 14, 2009 edition of EldercareABC Carnival Edie Dykeman presents Five Caregiver Coping Strategies posted at Elder Care Cafe, saying, “Sooner or later all caregivers experience stress. This article provides coping strategies for caregivers so that [...]

by Joy Loverde What an incredible weekend! Over 300 of us former J. Walter Thompson advertising agency employees gathered together to mourn the closing of the Chicago JWT office. Working at JWT in the 70’s formed the foundation of everything I know today about sales and marketing. The experience of working with the best in [...]

From Mary Beth Sammons Recently, a friend sent me this lovely essay on how she is coping with her mom’s dementia. She invited me to share.  Part I was earlier this week, here is part II: By Ann Mehl I’m back to share a few tips I’ve learned that have helped my siblings and I [...]

Hospitalized Again? Keeping Your Older Parent From Returning to the Hospital According to studies by Medicare 18-20% of patients find themselves back in the hospital within 30 days of being released. Lack of follow up by patients is the main reason for a return trip. Discharge instructions almost always recommend that patients see their primary [...]

Holiday time is coming up, and for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be a very challenging time of the year. Here are some suggestions to help you and your loved one to have a safe and happy season together in spite of the obstacles. In the midst of putting up decorations, [...]

From Mary Beth Sammons Recently, a friend sent me this lovely essay on how she is coping with her mom’s dementia. She invited me to share. I hope it inspires you: By Ann Mehl My mom hides her purse behind her pillow at night. Inside her bag is a roll of pencils, a set of [...]

by Joy Loverde Think about it. Recall situations when others listened to you, remaining nonjudgmental and empathetic as you spoke. How did you feel? What did the listener do to make you feel heard? Most likely, your perception was that the listener demonstrated interest in you as you talked and in what you had to [...]