Lifts and transfers: Thoughts for caregivers

When the person you care for is unable to easily move from the bed to the chair, or on to another surface, you may be asked to provide assistance. This can be a high-risk activity.

Read Lifts and transfers: Thoughts for caregivers

My silver-haired dad

My father was a bachelor until he met my mother, who was much younger than him, at quite a late age. They married and I was born a year later.

Read My silver-haired dad

Fries with that Will? Part Five

Advance directives require some specificity if they are to be enforced.

Read Fries with that Will? Part Five

Do you work out of town and worry about your aging parents?

When caring for a parent or aging loved one becomes more of a burden than a joy, what do you do?

Read Do you work out of town and worry about your aging parents?

TRAINLOAD JACKSON’S STORY: Gratitude

My grandfather passed away a few years ago after a brave battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In his prime, he was a tall, strong man who could move a washing machine or refrigerator without batting an eyelash.

Read TRAINLOAD JACKSON’S STORY: Gratitude

Fries with that Will? Part Four

Common instructions are of the “no heroic measures” or, “”don’t put me in a nursing home” variety.

Read Fries with that Will? Part Four

Aging gracefully: Oxymoron or reality?

“Joyous, happy and healthy” is the response I recently received from a friend when I conducted an informal survey on what it means to age gracefully.

Read Aging gracefully: Oxymoron or reality?

Faded memories

Mom was a lonely widow in her 70s when we asked her to write her childhood stories and stories from her ancestors.

Read Faded memories

Fries with that Will? Part Three

First and foremost, make sure the Attorney(s) will in fact be available to make treatment, admission and personal care decisions.

Read Fries with that Will? Part Three

Saying farewell: How today’s funerals are changing

What I’ve noticed between before 50 and now is that funerals have changed. Funerals are evolving to become more of a family celebration.

Read Saying farewell: How today’s funerals are changing