ElderAuthority.com

CareZone: Eldercare Harbinger of Hope (Part 2)

Continued from CareZone: Eldercare Harbinger of Hope (Part 1)
World’s Oldest Social Network
Jonathan Schwartz, the former chief executive of Sun Microsystems and co-founder of CareZone, says, ”The world’s oldest social network is the one you were born into – your family.”  The New York Times calls Care-Zone the “Anti-Facebook”.  How refreshing–a social network that doesn’t blab your private business to… More

CareZone: Eldercare Harbinger of Hope (Part 1)

Seeking Better Ideas for Caregiving
In 2004 the increasing frailty of my parents dramatically changed my life.  After 28 years working in the New York metro area (first in the arts and later in bleeding edge software development), I moved to Dallas, Texas, where I grew into my role as primary family caregiver, a role I maintained for the succeeding seven years.  As I learned about caregiving, I changed my career trajectory to address problems I experienced, and committed myself… More

Respect Stress Symptoms

Chronic Stress Takes a Toll
Last Friday, was a double whammy of good news.  The repainting and renovations for my new home (Phase 1) ended and the sale of the property to fund the extreme move from Dallas to Ann Arbor  was actually completed.  I realized that months of chronic stress, even good stress, had taken its toll when I could not even summon the energy to yell, “Wahoo!”  I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a week.
When the responsibilities of daily… More

BABY BOOMER CARE GIVERS

The number of baby boomer care givers continues to grow. Many care givers are in their 50′s and 60′s.  28% home aids are 55 or older.  Some care givers choose the role, while others must learn to accept it with grace.
The following video gives two different perspectives.  The first perspective is from the viewpoint of a 57-year-old baby boomer who has found her calling as a Certified Nursing Assistant for the elderly.
The second perspective offers advice for baby… More

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS–BEFORE AND AFTER CAREGIVING

This Thanksgiving marks the third anniversary of extreme ups and downs.  I have so much to be thankful for.
TIMELINE
11/11/08: Return from a wonderful 9-day hiking and camping trip in Big Bend National Park.
11/18/08: Break my right ankle and 5th metatarsal by slipping on stairs.
11/18/08 – 2/14/09: Discover that my boyfriend will stand by me through thick and thin–without whining.
2/14/09: David proposes with traditional, gorgeous ring and bended knee. … More

FAMILY CAREGIVER: DON’T BUFFER SIBLINGS

Family caregivers have a hard enough job without buffering the family members who are not caregivers.  You have your hands full taking care of a dependent relative.
NO BACK-SEAT DRIVERS
Last week, I was talking to a girlfriend who, over the past year, has evolved into the primary caregiver for her elderly mother.  She has two brothers who are both married.  One brother and his wife actually work in a medical-related field.  Both siblings live about a five-hour drive away.… More

DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES

PHONE CALL WITH LEWY BODIES
Late hour phone calls usually raise concern, particularly when you are a primary caregiver for a parent.  Muting the TV, I could tell from my wife’s side of the conversation that her mother, Lida, was agitated, worried, and particularly paranoid about something that evening.  After several minutes of trying to calm her mother, Kathy handed me the phone.  My tone of voice and joking nature usually put my mother-in-law at ease.  Most times she… More

CAREGIVER STRESS

Someone needs to care for the caregiver.  Sometimes the only person around is you.  Here are some practical suggestions

 … More

RESPECTING HANDICAP PARKING

YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU REALLY NEED THE SPACE

I never realized why handicap parking was important until I needed it.  In fact I used to drive through parking lots ranting about all the unused handicap parking spaces.  I am generally a nice person, but I just didn’t get it about the parking.
A LIFE SAVER FOR CAREGIVERS
My awareness changed when I became the primary care partner for my parents.  I was also the sibling responsible for attending all doctors appointments. … More

JOBS FOR RETIREES: INVENT ONE

EMPLOYERS MIGHT INVENT A JOB FOR YOU

In my years working for Corporate America, I was never once hired for a job that was advertised.  I was presentable and educated, but non-traditional.  I never fit any corporate mold.   Headhunters wished out loud that I had some other, remotely related skill.  Employers who liked me in the interview nicely told me I wasn’t the right fit for the position; but some them came up with a different (unadvertised) position that was a better… More