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Eldercare Blog
Expert advice, caregiving tips, and insights to support you on your eldercare journey.
181 posts
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Unique book offers a refreshing look at early onset Alzheimer's Disease
A big thank you to Evelyn Gillespie from Laughing Oyster Bookshop for generously giving me a copy of the book, “Tangles: A Story about Alzheimer's, my...
Eldercare: Caregiving from a distance
It's hard to believe our family is a week away from a mini-holiday getaway. That's right, it's summertime in the Comox Valley. For my business, it's often a...
Why do we need an enduring power of attorney or a representation agreement?
A BC lawyer explains . . . Thank you to Sasha Nowicki, a lawyer with Swift Datoo Law Corporation, for taking the time to provide her expertise and knowledge to...
Questions to ask yourself when considering future eldercare planning
In my line of work as a private geriatric case manager, there are few days that go by where I'm not reminded of the consequences of “not having one's...
Giving yourself permission to grieve a loss
When I was 34 years old, my Nana Cumming died after very slow death from Alzheimer’s disease. I was 36 weeks pregnant at the time and was unable to travel back... Learn more in "Giving yourself permission to grieve a loss".
Get your affairs in order
It's highly plausible that some readers assume I'm extremely well organized and that every file in my house has a home. If my husband is reading this, he'll be...
Where there's a will there's a way: The importance of a written will and advance care planning
All of us know the expression, “Where there is a will, there is a way” and perhaps we've even used it when we want to motivate someone, (maybe...
The four Ps of productive adult family meetings
Growing up with three siblings made for unique and highly entertaining family meetings. Given my Dad, the late Greg Johnstone was a criminal lawyer, these...
Patient as Partners working group buzzing with excitement
The Patient as Partners – Working Dialogue Group held its two-day conference in Vancouver last week. The BC Ministry of Health recently identified...
The ins and outs of private home care
In the past month, I've had numerous calls from individuals asking about various private home-care agencies and the ins and outs of private care. It seems like...
Caregiving can take its toll - beware caregiver burnout
For most of us, February finally feels like life is back to normal and we are back into the swing of a more even-perhaps-less-busy routine. However, for family...
Recognize your priorities when caring for an aging relative
In my previous column, we met Mr. Tinsel and discussed the importance of goal-setting as it relates to continued independence. If you missed the column, you can...
Goal-setting for seniors and caregivers
Happy New Year to everyone! Although I'm not a huge fan of making resolutions, I do like to reflect on the past year and think about a few possible goals for...
'Listening for legacy'
Yesterday, I had the lovely opportunity to connect with one of my clients over lunch. One of the greatest gifts I receive in my line of work is having the...
3 easy ways for seniors to stay connected with family
As I write this column, I am getting ready to accompany my daughter's Grade 2/3 class to Stevenson Place. The children are conducting mini-interviews with some...
Transportation options for Comox Valley seniors
“I read your columns all the time, Valerie, but why haven't you written about someone in a similar situation to mine? Surely there are others like me that...
Eldercare is 'the new normal' in Canada
The question, “Who is going to care for our aging population?” isn't new in Canada. Anyone reading this column knows eldercare is the new...
What home supports do you need to 'age in place'?
Most of us, regardless of age, want to stay in our own homes for as long as possible. Did you know, according to Statistics Canada, that only five per cent of...
When you've got to move, you've got to move
There is a saying we like to throw around in the gerontological world, “Move by choice rather than by crisis.” In an ideal world, we would all live...
Coping with a difficult aging parent - a book review
I'm reading a book called Coping with Your Difficult Older Parent by Grace Lebow & Barbara Kane. First off, Mom, if you happen to have found a way to read my...
Holidays are important for caregivers!
I'm in the final preparation stage of taking time off for a much-needed summer vacation. I've noticed there seems to be an increase in the number of calls for...
Heat can cause issues for seniors
Summer is back, in all its glory. For some it also means an onslaught of heat-related issues, especially for seniors. Lethargy, dehydration, poorer sleeping... Learn more in "Heat can cause issues for seniors".
Recognize the signs of stroke - and know what to do!
When working with stroke survivors, it's not uncommon for me to hear, “I didn't even know I was having a stroke” until it was too late. I don't know...
A personal story - and some facts - about strokes to kick off Stroke Month
My Dad and I always got a kick out of seeing if people could figure out which of the following statements about us were fictitious: 1. We both celebrated the...
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