A Concept for Giving Back to Caregivers
There have been times around the holiday season of giving when I have thought, “I give to others every day. Will anyone give to me? If they do, what do…
Donna Thomson
Welcome to a Very Progressive Blog Party!
This week, I will be blogging here at the Caregivers’ Living Room for Caregiving.com‘s annual Progressive Blog Party. So, let’s put up the Christmas tree, break out the carols, light…
Power Politics: Professional Caregivers in the Family Home
Recently, I gave an interview with Nicole Scheidl, of Fit Minds, a program for enhanced communication between people with dementia and their caregivers. My topic for this interview was the…
6 Ways To Avoid Caregiver Burnout: Guest Post
Here’s a guest post from contributor Stephanie Lynch. If you feel you are close to burning out, read on! And if you are looking for ways to share the care,…
Let’s Have a Virtual Dinner Party! Re-imagining the Same Old
Last week, I visited my Mom for the day. Her seniors’ residence is a couple of hours away by car, so when I go, I stay for as long as…
When Normal Isn’t Normal: A Trip to the Dentist
My son Nicholas has been seen by a dentist many times, but he’s never really had his teeth examined. He’s never had a dental x-ray and he’s never had his…
Caring for a Patient in Pain Who Can’t Speak
What does pain look like in a person who cannot speak? Most often with Nicholas, it looks like this: When his smile suddenly turns to a ‘stricken’ look, we know…
MY GIVING MOMENT – A New Canadian Action Plan
It was several years ago in London when I first met Canada’s Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon. My husband Jim is retired now after 37 years in…
EVERYDAY CELEBRATIONS: An Antidote to Despair
For caregivers who are exhausted and lonely, the idea of creating a home celebration can be outlandish. Often, we think, “what is there to celebrate? I’m too tired to take…
The Many Roles of a Family Caregiver
From our friends at Caring.com, comes this great info-graphic about caregiving roles. What roles are you playing today? My day will be mostly helper, chef and companion. But I will…
Helping Families Connect With Their Loved One With Alzheimer’s Using the Fit Minds Program
Nicole Scheidl is the CEO and co-founder of Fit Minds, a ‘brain training’ program designed to assist caregivers communicate with their loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other forms…
Today I Remember My Dad
Today I remember my father, James Edward Thomson, who fought in Europe with the Royal Montreal Regiment and won an award for bravery from King George and was mentioned in…
Want to Help a Loved One Who is Sick? Buy This Book!
When our son Nicholas was small, he was in the hospital nearly all the time. He had surgery after surgery, all trying to stave off the effects of his severe…
Please Look At Me
When I am in any kind of pain, I want people around me to look me in the eye. Here’s what got me thinking about eye contact: a couple of…
Loneliness and Caregiving
This morning, I stumbled upon an article in the Guardian (UK) newspaper that started like this: The officials who broke down Joyce Carol Vincent’s door were meant to be serving…
You are Welcome to Come Into My Living Room
For all those interested in reading good caregiving articles of all sorts, please do visit and ‘like’ my facebook page, also called The Caregivers’ Living Room! The page is curated…
Caregivers Have the Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Recently, two articles caught my eye. One was a Johns Hopkins study showing that surprisingly, caregivers live longer than their non-caregiving counterparts. The other article reported on the happiest country…