Family caregivers often struggle with not knowing how to speak up and get their message across to key people involved with the person they are caring for. Being assertive with effective communication skills is all about knowing what you want to say at the right time to the right person. We’ve all had those days… Read more…
As part of my consulting work with non-profit organizations, I am currently working on a provincial program for family caregivers in BC. I was featured as a speaker for a Work & Care video as part of Carers Canada in April 2015. You can learn more about important tips and strategies for being a caregiver… Read more…
I have a client that absolutely keeps me on my toes. And I love it! Her favourite question is, “So now what, Wendy?” It usually happens after she confides in me about one of challenges she faces as an adult child caring for her father. Her most recent eldercare issue was the last conversation she… Read more…
I think it’s safe to say, “Death isn’t easy to deal with at any age.” So how do you explain it to your three-year-old? How do you comfort your eight-year-old when their grandparent dies? How comfortable are you with the whole concept of death? What are you beliefs regarding after-life, if any? How do you… Read more…
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit not one hospital but two! After rupturing my Achilles tendon in a squash tournament, I was taken to our local hospital where upon arrival, I discovered I didn’t have my CareCard on me. Which surprised me, as I was certain it was something I kept in my… Read more…
I have a wonderful brother. Mind you, he wasn’t always wonderful. In fact, I didn’t officially put him in that category until he was married and had a few kids under his belt. Up until that time and depending on the circumstances, he was either in the “awful,” “overprotective” or “suspiciously being kind for no… Read more…
“What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humour, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies.” ~Rudolph Giuliani I’ve just finished baking cookies. As I pull out the ooey-gooey tray of sinful delights, I can’t help but think of my grandmother and a… Read more…
“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…
Mr. Jones is an 83-year-old widower living in his own home. When asked, he’ll tell you he is doing “fair to middling.” He’ll go on to tell you his legs are tired and wobbly and he doesn’t get out as much as he’d used to. He has a scooter, which gets him to town and… 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…
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