Filtered tag: Aging Loved One

“Just as a puppy can be more of a challenge than a gift, so too can the holidays”. ~ John Clayton When I first read this quote, I laughed out loud. Our beloved puppy (who is now a year old), Buddy, was a Christmas gift to our daughter last year. I truly forgot how much… Read more…

It’s that time again – summer holidays – and for Carly and myself that means a pilgrimage to Toronto. Yes, this week’s column on caregivers taking holidays is a bit of a “re-run” from last summer. In my defence, I would argue some information is worth repeating annually! The timing for this column couldn’t be… Read more…

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 time when long distance family members make the trek up to the Island to spend time with their aging loved ones. In fact, 22 per cent of… Read more…

  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 help us understand these two important documents. Most people are familiar with the concept of a Power of Attorney. It’s a legal document you… Read more…

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 affairs in order.” In my last column, I spoke first-hand about my family’s personal experience with having to make difficult end-of-life decisions when my Dad was… Read more…

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 laughing out loud. Anyone who works with me will also have a smirk on their face. Theoretically, I fully understand the importance of filing and keeping… Read more…

  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 meetings were often coined the Johnstone judiciary proceedings. The most common crime in the Johnstone household: stealing food. In his own way, Judge Greg provided our family with a… Read more…

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 caregivers caring for a spouse or older parent, life is always busy juggling the many demands of caregiving and everyday life. Family members who are feeling overwhelmed… Read more…

  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 find it here. The seniors and family members I meet in my work all have unique circumstances leading up to a life transition. A common denominator is… Read more…

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 the year ahead. My biggest need and want is finding more time for me. Yes, it is very cliché not to mention a rather… Read more…