My caregiving journey is challenging, but I do not journey alone, and my best is enough. Family Caregiver Holidays can be wonderful. And, holidays can be stressful – especially if you are a caregiver. Here are five quick tips to help you manage the season. 1. Plan any...
Planning for Transitions on the Caregiver Path
The path of caregiving is fraught with twists and turns and ups and downs and most often, unique in and of itself. That path can be challenging in its navigation. John Gormley of Salem officially stepped onto the path of caregiving for his wife Collette 5 plus years...
The Walsh Family – Standing Up to Alzheimer’s Together
The path of caregiving is fraught with twists and turns and ups and downs and most often, unique in and of itself. That path can be challenging in its navigation. Brendan and Kay Walsh of Salem are facing the uncertainty of their path ahead but they are facing it...
Working Women and Caregiving
Women, particularly those over 40, increasingly find themselves in the role of caregiver to an aging parent, often while raising their own children AND working outside the home. Many find themselves without much of a support system as they work to balance daily...
Let’s talk about End of Life and Advance Care Planning
Because it’s always too soon until it’s too late. Whether it is denial, avoidance or procrastination some of us just plain don't want to deal with an issue that is as intensely emotional as considering completing End of Life wishes documents. Unfortunately as the...
Personal Care and Alzheimer’s Disease: How to Avoid the Struggle
Bathing can be difficult for someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia and also then often becomes a daily struggle for their caregivers. Here are some suggestions that might help if you are providing bathing assistance for your loved one: Have all items ready for bathing...
This Magic Moment Memory Cafe – Enjoying the Holidays Together
The Family Caregiver Support Program at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley has collaborated with the Newburyport Council on Aging (COA) to present “This Magic Moment Memory Café, Enjoying the Holidays Together”. We would like to invite you and your loved one to...
Sunrises and Sunsets – My World in Between
It’s 3:30 pm and it’s about time for me to finish my work day, here at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Rushing home to pick up my children (10 year old and 12 year old), to drive them to their after school activities and while I have 45 minutes in between will...
Sharing the Caring
“The best long-term care insurance in our country is a conscientious daughter”, quoted a recent article in the New York Times, “The Daughter Care System”. While the article notes that more men have been stepping up as caregivers in the past few years, the truth is...
Let’s Talk about Falls – Matter of Balance
Why discuss falls in the first place? According to National Council on Aging 1 in 4 older adults aged 65 and older fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults. Falls can completely change a person’s quality of life and...