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 chance to share life stories, be it theirs or mine. Working with an aging population provides an appreciation to sit and think about life –… Read more…
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 of the seniors and we’ll be bringing a little extra good cheer in the form of singing. With the magical sprinkling of snow out there, there is no doubt… Read more…
“I read your columns all the time, Wendy, but why haven’t you written about someone in a similar situation to mine? Surely there are others like me that need the same type of help I receive.” Mrs. Emerson is a 92-year-old widow who lives in her own home. She’s had her share of hurdles… Read more…
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 “normal” as countless Canadians take on the role of caregiver. According to Statistics Canada (2007), approximately 2.7 million Canadians aged 45 and over provided some form of unpaid care to seniors… Read more…
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 columns on your iPad, I’m not reading this book because of you… A very common statement we hear from clients (be it the… Read more…
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 patterns — just to name a few. We tend to take our body’s ability to regulate itself during hot days for granted, and forget that as we age, we are at… Read more…
When my father had his first of three strokes, a defining moment in how he was cared for is forever etched in my memory. We were having a family dinner and, wanting to be helpful, I took the liberty to cut Dad’s meat in small pieces so that he wouldn’t have to struggle with one… Read more…
Last night, I was reading a book to my daughter about a little rabbit who insisted that the other rabbits could have a piece of her carrot cake only if they met certain criteria. Of course, the criterion established by the rabbit was ridiculous, i.e., be all brown with a white tail, be able to… Read more…
There is an undeniable excitement in the air at the Johnstone-Ram household. It starts first thing in the morning when my six-year-old, upon waking, flies to the living room with two things on her mind. One is the Lego Advent Calendar, which shamelessly I purchased primarily for my inner child. My daughter picked up… Read more…
A big thanks to BC Housing for responding to my column on falls and the elderly by providing details on a new program for low-income seniors to make home modifications for continued independence. Would a new ramp, handrails or walk-in shower help you maintain your independence at home? BC Housing’s new Home Adaptations for Independence… Read more…
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