Life is demanding. More so when you are caring for others.
The responsibilities of caring for someone who is older or has special needs or disabilities can be demanding on your physical, mental, financial, emotional, and social health.
Just as flight attendants advise at the beginning of every flight to “put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others,” the same advice applies to family caregivers. Putting your own oxygen mask on first is a metaphor for self-care.
We all need a break from the demands of daily life. This is especially true for family care partners. Respite is an important yet often overlooked aspect of every family care partner’s self-care. …
Aging brings change. Some of it is expected and manageable; some of it deserves closer attention. Have you noticed slower recall, needing more light to read, or taking a little longer to recover from exercise? These are common, normal parts of aging. What’s not normal? Changes such as getting lost in familiar places, poor balance, and difficulty managing everyday tasks. Knowing the difference is important. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
I work in an administrative role, part time, supporting the Leadership, Care Management, and Creative Engagement teams so they can focus on providing exceptional care and guidance to our clients and their families.
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This is the first article in a three-part series on Navigating Age with Confidence
As we age, planning ahead can make all the difference in maintaining independence, security, and peace of mind.
Organizing your documents and personal information is crucial in case of unexpected life events or changes in circumstances that require someone to step in and assist you. Having key information like financial records, medical details, and legal documents readily accessible ensures that your wishes are honored and decisions can be made quickly and effectively. …
Plan Today, Protect Tomorrow: Organizing documents and personal informationRead More »
After 20 years of volunteering and working with folks living with dementia, I started to recognize signs in my mom. I knew it was coming. My paternal grandmother and my maternal grandfather both lived with Alzheimer’s disease. It doesn’t make it any easier.
My sister and I rallied to help plan her care, organize her financials, and verify her wishes through her health directive and powers of attorney.
Eventually it was obvious she needed to move. She was missing meds, not eating regularly, and the house was falling into disrepair. …
From Professional to Personal Experience: Moving my MomRead More »
As many of us have discovered throughout our lives, spending time outdoors isn’t just “nice.” It often feels fundamentally healing, no matter our age.
Research supports this. Time spent in nature has been shown to decrease cortisol, a stress hormone, and boost the immune system. It can reduce depression and improve attention. It can lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality. The studies are so compelling that some doctors have even written prescriptions for a weekly outing. If you’re feeling stressed, consider a little nature therapy. …
Sarah never learned to downhill ski, but now that she’s retired, she felt it was time. Her grandkids are avid skiers, and they’ve been asking her for years to enjoy the sport with them. Of course, Sarah’s grands are hitting more advanced ski runs while she’s mastering the snowplow and other skills on the bunny hill. But eventually, with patience, planning, and practice, she knows she’ll be able to join them.
Sarah applied a similar approach to planning for her own aging. Having barely survived the “nightmare,” as she calls it, of trying to navigate her parents aging journey without the benefit of planning, she wanted to avoid a similar trajectory with her own family.
At the encouragement of a friend, Sarah engaged Aging Wisdom for a Proactive Planning consultation. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom? Director of Marketing and Communications
What made you want to work in the field of aging? …
Grief and loneliness following the death of his wife of over 50 years led one of my clients to engage in a lifelong interest in singing. He now regularly practices breathing and singing during our weekly Creative Engagement visits. Not only has he had great improvement in mood, self-confidence, hydration, and even his balance, but my client now regularly performs for fellow residents at his care community! His joy is shared.
We love exploring ways to enrich our clients’ lives through the arts
Creative activity through the arts has been shown to reduce isolation, loneliness, and depression. Arts engagement provides outlets for expressions of personhood and empowers participants to make choices and explore interests. …
An advance directive is one of the most important planning documents you can create to ensure your healthcare wishes are followed if you can’t speak for yourself. Don’t wait for illness or old age to make one! Putting your wishes in writing now means that if an accident or sudden health event occurs, your values guide your care. An advance directive serves not only end-of-life decisions. It provides clarity and control and eases the emotional burden on those who care about you. …