Posts Tagged ‘caregiving’

There’s an interesting global development in the world of aging and caregiving. It’s the trend of individuals taking a more creative and proactive stance about how and where they will age. Just like in the movie Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, people are exploring new and different ways to spend their retirement years, including what happens…

Let’s just get right to it; here are the top ten ways that caregiving and downhill skiing are similar: There are many variables that can affect your journey; anything can happen at any time Planning ahead and thinking through the various possibilities definitely helps you to prepare better so that you will be more comfortable…

There were so many things to do once my mom passed away, it was mind-boggling. Probate will registration. Closing of bank accounts. Cancellation of all utilities, car insurance, and other necessities of life. It’s impossible to imagine I had it easier than most people, yet I know now that I did because my mom was…

One of the best planning decisions my mom made for herself when she turned 64 (10 years before she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and given 18 months to live) was to purchase long-term healthcare (LTHC) insurance. Using her professional skills as a purchasing agent, she literally calculated “how much” she thought would…

Regardless of your stage in your caregiving journey, the holidays are a great time to focus on your loved ones with your – and their – caregiving needs in mind. Here follows our list of 12 great gift ideas (one for each of the 12 days of Christmas), divided by caregiving stage.

When I was caregiving for my mom, we worked hard to make each day special by thinking through the ebb and flow of the week. We considered our regular daily caregiving routine. We factored in how to pace other “must do” activities (i.e., housecleaning, doctor’s appointments, a haircut, a manicure, a car repair, etc.) in…

When I was in my mid-40s, long before I became a caregiver officially, I went to a health spa for a one-week stay to focus on myself and try to address the weight that seemed to be piling on. It was a wonderful week in the mountains above Santa Barbara, California, in a magical place…

About this time 9 years ago, I was planning on driving my mom into the mountains to view the turning leaves in the foothills of the Carolinas – a truly beautiful sight. It was less than one month before my mom died, and we both knew it would be her last autumn leaf viewing. As…

No Doctor likes to see me coming. Just like my mom, I’m very opinionated and well informed when it comes to my own health and wellbeing. I know what works for me, and I have a strong preference for natural, non-prescription treatments for most ailments, if at all possible. I make it my personal business…

Just having a plan puts my family among the 5% of the US population that has actually thought things through, discussed them and taken action to make sure that all is in good order. Looking back on it – and considering all the caregiving scenarios I’ve seen and heard about – there is no doubt…