Filtered tag: Aging parent

  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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

  Being a caregiver and taking a vacation don’t always go hand in hand. In fact, it isn’t particularly easy for caregivers to book time off. When talking to our clients about taking a break or using respite, we are usually met with some resistance or legitimate concerns: “Who will look after my Dad overnight?”… Read more…

  Several of our clients have enjoyed travelling this summer, and we’ve had the privilege of assisting them with their planning. Along the way, we’ve learned a few new things about seniors travelling on their own and with a family member. It seems like a good time to share them. Whether you are taking a… Read more…

It’s 5:30 p.m. on a Monday and a colleague interrupts me from a board meeting to take an important phone call. It’s my brother from Toronto. The conversation is choppy. It’s Dad. He’s had a massive stroke. Don’t fly home. He was a candidate for surgery and is recovering in hospital. He should be fine.… Read more…

This, our third and final column on Work and Eldercare, will give you a summary of options to assist in balancing caregiving roles with your work. Many businesses have family-friendly options that can help balance the demands of family caregiving and work. The bulk of major Canadian collective agreements have options designed to increase flexibility… Read more…

If only balancing work and eldercare were as simple as a basic mathematical equation! But wait, maybe it is… Assessing work situation + assessing how eldercare activities affect your work = identifying a plan to achieve balance OK, OK, it’s a stretch but a good place to start. Our last column talked about the first… Read more…