WHAT THE SOUL NEEDS
Yesterday I was reminded how good it feels to be human. I realized the great effort I have been making to be OK during this pandemic without much touch or…
The Caregivers' Living Room
National Caregivers Month in a Year Like No Other
This morning I looked at all my posts from early November since I began writing this blog (eleven years ago). At this time annually, to mark the beginning of National…
HOW CAREGIVING CHANGES US: WHAT DIES, WHAT GROWS
You may not accept the title of caregiver. Regardless, you have cared for another, enduring ongoing uncertainty and self-doubt, amid evolving and unwanted relationship changes, and changing networks. It has…
OUTSIDE IN THE COLD: Caregiving During Covid19
Caregiving during Covid19 has put a huge, extra strain on caregivers. It’s hard enough walking the journey of illness or disability with someone you care deeply about, but the pandemic…
CAREGIVING: THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE IN HOSPITALS
FROM THE PEN OF A CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR: THE DIFFERENCE THAT CAREGIVERS (ESSENTIAL PARTNERS IN CARE) MAKE IN THE HOSPITAL. “It was a tenet of my critical care training. Family…
THE MILLSTONE OF HAPPINESS
Yesterday, I was driving to visit Nicholas, listening to the radio as I always do in the car. On air was an episode of Krista Tippet’s podcast ON BEING. Krista…
FOR THE ONE WHO IS EXHAUSTED, A BLESSING
FOR THE ONE WHO IS EXHAUSTED, A BLESSING I’m not gonna lie to you – I am exhausted. Not just tired, but a ‘Covid’ kind of dispirited lethargic kind of…
And Still, The Road Stretches On…
Recently, my co-author and friend Dr. Zachary White and I have been chatting about caregiving with the distinguished Assistant Professor of nursing at Loyola University (New Orleans), Dr. Warren Hebert.…
"HOW I BECAME THE ULTIMATE CAREGIVER"
I’ve been an admirer of Tena L. Scallan’s advocacy work on behalf of caregivers for years. Tena is a natural born nurturer who combined her talent for entrepreneurship with her…
SAFE HIRING OF HOMECARE DURING COVID
JOIN ME AND CO-PRESENTER MIKE GEORGE FOR A VIRTUAL GROUP SESSION ON SAFELY HIRING HOME CARE DURING COVID! DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE – Thursday, June 25th at Noon, eastern time…
A FREE CAREGIVER WEBINAR SERIES JUST FOR YOU
If you are a regular or even occasional reader of my blog, you know that Dr. Zachary White and I co-wrote a book called The Unexpected Journey of Caring: The…
TOGETHER, A MOM AND A PATIENT INVENT WHAT’S HELPFUL
Brenda Agnew is a friend and colleague in the disability family/caregiving community in Canada. So when I saw her image in the National Post while scanning my newsfeed the other…
THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL
In the worst of times, the best we have is art. It transforms, heals, elevates us. We all need this simple message of hope. That, a walk in the woods…
DESIGNING AN AFFORDABLE, HAPPY & SECURE FUTURE
I’m always on the lookout for innovative housing models for older adults and recently, I came across one I really like. Jake Rothstein is a Florida-based entrepreneur on a mission…
CELEBRATING MOTHERS
At the moment of birth, there is suddenly stillness and a collective intake of breath. There is recognition by everyone that a momentous and transformative event has taken place –…
What I Learned From the Film ‘Crip Camp’
I just finished watching the fascinating, fun, exciting and yes, inspirational Netflix documentary film, Crip Camp. Crip Camp is the story of a summer camp for disabled teens that ran…
A SPECIAL GIFT FOR CANADIAN CAREGIVERS STARTING TODAY
It is my privilege to be a ‘Pro’ on Huddol.com, a virtual health and wellness support website for patients and caregivers in Canada. Being a Pro on Huddol is special…
FOR ALL WHO HELP WITHOUT BEING ASKED
What we need in these strange days of fear and anxiety is poetry. Poems reassure us we are doing the right thing. That the decisions we make are the right…
Reflections
Lately I’ve been thinking about fragility. About how we are all connected by caring and how very, very lucky I am to be alive. It feels almost accidental. The images…
Now is the time to – Reach Out Your Heart
Recently, my friend who is also a caregiver sent me this poem and it soothed my soul. I hope it soothes yours, too. Pandemic What if you thought of it…