Filtered tag: Aging Loved One

Love live the aging goddess – six ways to live a long and successful life

I am an aging goddess. Well, that’s according to the Victoria Goddess Race committee. In fact, I am one of 1,000 aging goddesses who partook in the inaugural Victoria Goddess 10K run last Sunday. I thought the term “aging goddess” was much more complimentary than the reality — “slightly overweight, seven minutes slower but wiser Read more…

Taking care of the caregiver: avoiding caregiver burnout

  One of the main reasons family members take on the role of caregiver is because they love their aging loved ones and they want to help them with a better life and prolonged independence. Sometimes though, the rewards of caregiving are outweighed by the stress, physical and emotional work, which invariably leads to burnout. Read more…

Resources for B.C. Caregivers

Each year around this time, I write about Family Caregiver Week in B.C. – May 5-11. It’s something I feel strongly about – acknowledging and recognizing the fact that in our province alone we have over one million incredibly giving and devoted unpaid caregivers who provide care and support for loved ones. The Canadian statistics Read more…

Caring for the caregiver: Chiropractic & Massage

Guest writers,  Dr. Rick Houlgrave, Chiropractor and registered massage therapist, Sean Murphy, provide easy-to-use strategies and tips to manage the stresses of caregiving, both physically and emotionally. Being a successful caregiver doesn’t just require conscientious care for the one you are looking after, but also requires looking after your own health. Caregiving often involves physically Read more…

Tips for discussing eldercare with aging parents

  My Mom’s birthday is coming up next month and I’ve realized she’s a year shy of turning 70 years old. It actually alarmed me for the very reason I cause alarm to my friends and clients when I spout off, “If your parents are 70 and over, you need to start talking about future Read more…

Loss and grief are part of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

  With trepidation, I enter the long-term care facility. Bounding up a flight a stairs, I pause before opening the door to the second floor. The pause is two-fold. I need to search my memory bank for the code to enter the special care unit and secondly, to take a deep breath as I prepare Read more…

Grief is a normal reaction to any loss

  Drawing on local expertise, the following column is written by Ruth Barry, a qualified psychotherapist. Ruth works with palliative and bereaved individuals and families referred to the Comox Valley Hospice Society in addition to her local private practice. Grief is our normal reaction to loss of any kind. Whatever you are feeling is normal Read more…

Support is available for caregivers dealing with Alzheimer’s and related dementia

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. We remind our clients that their feelings of frustration and anger are normal and valid emotional responses to caring for their loved ones. A certain degree of irritation is normal for anyone in a caregiving role Read more…

Resources for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease

I want to thank everyone for their feedback regarding column topics. I received a variety of suggestions including grief, respite and advocacy. Starting in October, the column will integrate readers’ suggestions. Any time you wish to submit a suggestion, please e-mail them to me at info@keystoneeldercare.com . Continuing with the education theme, September’s columns are Read more…

Caregiving can be like going back to school

I’m getting the Back to School Jitters. My little girl begins full day kindergarten next week and a week later, I go back to school for the first time in 10 years. I’m enrolled in a Case Management program through McMaster University. Despite the 35-year age gap, daughter and Mom are experiencing similar emotions. We’re Read more…

Helpful Videos

Caregiver Consultations: How We Help Frail Elderly Parents

Long Distance Caregiving

“You are amazing! What I tried to do in 2 months, you did in 1 week. You’ve helped us navigate the system, made sense of Mom’s disease, and gave back her independence and control. Thank you for making such a difference in Mom’s life and giving us, her family, complete peace of mind.”

– Mike G., Nanaimo, BC

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