I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the Canadian Caregiving Summit from November 6-8 in Ottawa, Canada. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilling it was to join with so many national and international caregivers, researchers, front line workers and policymakers. Together, we kickstarted a movement for public policy
Continue readingTag: Vickie Cammack
THE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: Natural Caring: A New Way to Think About What We Do Best Everyday
Today I listened in to a podcast called “Caring Counts: A Celebration of Natural Caring” featuring Canadian social innovators, Paul Born, Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack. Vickie and Al are champions of natural caring, which they define this way: Natural caring is love in action. It is freely given. It involves
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: A Couple of Things on My Mind
Happy Easter and Chag Sameach (Happy Passover) everyone! I’ve been writing quite a bit recently – here’s what’s been on my mind. 1) Can we still be caregivers if our loved ones move into assisted living or long-term care facilities? Can we still ‘be a family’ if our loved one lives
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?
My friend and colleague Vickie Cammack and I co-write a weekly column for Troy Media called Caring Connections. Vickie cares for her Mom and here, she tells a story that I think will resonate with everyone here in the Caregivers’ Living Room. Do You See What I See? One rarely uses
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: ADVOCATE WITH EMPATHY: A Chat About How It Works
Yesterday, my caregiving colleagues Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack hosted me in a fascinating chat about advocating with empathy. Have a listen to our discussion and let me know what you think. Have you been successful in advocating with empathy? What kinds of advocacy have worked for you as a
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: ADVOCATE WITH EMPATHY: A Chat About How It Works
Yesterday, my caregiving colleagues Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack hosted me in a fascinating chat about advocating with empathy. Have a listen to our discussion and let me know what you think. Have you been successful in advocating with empathy? What kinds of advocacy have worked for you as a
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: The Allure of Professional Cuddlers
Loving care is valuable and Evan Carp can prove it. He’s the ‘Emperor of Snuggles’, the founder and CEO of The Snuggle Buddies, a professional cuddling service.Paid cuddling services are popping up everywhere. They are clearly filling a voi…
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: HOME: The Making of a Sanctuary
Guest Post by Vickie Cammack (Originally published in Safe and Secure: Six Steps to Creating a Good Life for People with Disabilities by Al Etmanski)For one glorious summer in the ’70’s, an old tamarisk tree with wide sweeping branches down to the sand…
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: WHAT DO CAREGIVERS NEED FROM THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?
What do caregivers need from the health care system? This was the question I was asked at a recent online Town Hall event sponsored by The Caring Experience, a new project designed to collect the stories of Ontario family caregivers and develop p…
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: DOUBLE VISION in the ER – DO THEY SEE WHAT I SEE?
My friend and colleague Vickie Cammack and I are co-writing a book of reflections on caregiving. Vickie and I would love to know your thoughts about our work so far! This is the first instalment from a section we’re working on abo…
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: Some Big News and Some Little News
I haven’t been writing here quite as often as I normally do. That’s because I’m writing a new book! I am excited to tell you that I have the privilege of co-authoring this new project with my esteemed caregiving colleague and friend, Vickie Cammack. I’ve known Vickie for many years
Continue readingTHE CAREGIVERS' LIVING ROOM A Blog by Donna Thomson: Innovating for Caregivers at The SIX Vancouver Summer School
I’m on a plane now, reading over the notes I’ve made from the last four days. I’ve just come from a week of listening, sharing and thinking about how society can be shaped and shifted to support family caregivers. I was thinking too, about how care is at the heart
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