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…
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!…
Parents of Kids With Disabilities Don’t Get Sick, Right?
This morning, there is a medical appointment in my diary. It’s not a specialist clinic for our son Nicholas; it’s for me. I’m going to review my spinal xrays with…
Your Parent Has Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s. Now What?
If you watched “Still Alice,” you will have a better idea of what a person with Alzheimer’s goes through. Especially if you have a parent with this disease, you will…
How to Help an Alzheimer’s Caregiver (Share This Post With Friends and Family!)
A Guest Post by Vee Cecil Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is an incredible challenge, both physically and emotionally. Often, primary caregivers are spouses who are also…
Taking a Risk For the Sake of Love and Family
Making dreams come true for people we love who can’t get out easily is tricky. Take my Mom – she’s a 93-year old contrarian full of youthful energy contained in…
Take The Pressure Off With Tech Aides at Home
Guest Post by Maria Ramos As life expectancies have grown over the years, many people are living longer than ever before. This is undoubtedly a good thing, but it places…
THIS WORKED TO QUIET MY MIND
Once, I tried relaxation exercises. I was hopeless. In an earlier life, I was an acting student and for actors, it’s important to relax your body and focus intently on…
CAREGIVER STRESS – How to Call It and Slay It
Right now I’m in Toronto at the annual conference of the Ontario Association of Children’s Treatment Services. I’m learning valuable lessons for ALL caregivers and of course I had to…
Can We Please Advocate For Caregiver Support Without Demeaning Our Loved Ones?
On the eve of the first day of National Family Caregivers Month, I’ve decided to plant a stake in the ground for the dignity of our stories in the media.…
An Early Caregiver Month Treat: A Chat With Amy Goyer, Caregiving Author and AARP Blogger
November is caregiving month and to kick off just a tiny bit early, here’s a special treat. This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Goyer about her new…
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…
What Does a Caregiver-Friendly Society Look Like?
My husband and I just got home from a trip abroad (in my last post, I talked about the benefits of respite!). We visited London, Wales and north eastern Spain.…
I’m A Caregiver and I’m on Holiday
My husband Jim and I are soaking our feet after a long walk through pine forests and seaside cliff sides in north-eastern Spain. We are on holiday. As I walked…
RESEARCH – AN UNRECOGNISED SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVING FAMILIES
Can scientific research offer practical help to caregivers and our loved ones? You bet it can. I have the privilege of sitting on the board of NeuroDevNet, or NDN –…
Dreams Can Come True
Nick has an official statement of life goals and dreams – it’s called his Person Directed Plan. For the last four years, that document has contained the following words: “My…
Caregivers Get Sick Too – Planning For Emergencies
This morning, I’m looking at a medical clinic appointment in my diary. It’s not a specialist appointment for our son Nicholas – it’s for me. My family and good friends…
12 Questions to Ask before Shopping for an Electric Mobility Scooter
Guest Post prepared by staff writers at Parentgiving Mobility scooters are designed for persons who have some mobility, but who are fatigued either by walking distances, or walking duration, or…
From The Treasure Chest: Making Peace With Age and Infirmity
On holiday in Cat Island, Bahamas recently, something happened. Regular readers of my blog might recall that I’ve blogged about Cat Island before – it’s a remarkable place in its…
How To Be A Resilient Caregiver – Especially When Change Hits Hard
Resilience is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days. Everyone needs it and everyone wants it, especially people giving or receiving care. And the truth is we all…