A Note From Carol
Dear Friends,
Well, I'm finally doing it. Those of you who read my
column and blogs know that I constantly nag at people
to get their will, power of attorney, and health directive
done. My attorney calls these the "big three."
I haven't put this off because I am afraid of making the
decisions, or I think it will "jinx me." It's just that it's one
more thing to do. I did so much legal stuff with my
elders, I was sick of the whole thing. One would think,
since I knew from experience the importance of having
this done right, that I would have done it for myself long
ago.
Darn, that phone was heavy. But I finally made the call.
That was the hardest part. I kept the appointment - the
second hardest part. Now, I'll be getting some forms in
the mail. I'll need to fill those out. Then, I'll get the
documents signed, give copies to the right people and
I can get on with the business of living.
An added benefit to caregivers who are proactive
with their own "big three" is that if you haven't found a
way to convince your elders do the legal work, just
doing it yourself, and talking to them about the
process, can work wonders.
It's hard to say, "Dad, I wish you'd get your affairs in
order." There's always the unspoken "it will be easier
when you die" left hanging in the air. But if you
say, "Dad, I'm doing my will and health directive. You
and Mom will need copies. Where should we put
them?" Well, that just might get you an answer like, "I
should do that, too. Who are your seeing?"
Anyway, I have to tell you, I feel like I'm traveling lighter
since I started the process. I'll feel even better when it
is all signed, sealed and delivered.
There's lots of information in the MOE Ezine, this
month, so let's get on with it.
Take care of yourself,
Carol
Quick Links...
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Hello!
Caregiving expert Carol Bradley Bursack, Author,
speaker and columnist, presents a collection of
articles, stories, news and research for you to
browse. Please check the blog and Web site links for
more information and feel free to email Carol at
carol@mindingourelders.com to chat or ask
questions. Thanks for reading.
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Caregiver Stress and Its Impact on Memory
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This piece, by Kathyrn Kilpatrick, M.A., Geriatric
Communication Consultant, Memory Fitness
Specialist is from the Senior Approved Services Ezine:
Stress will impact memory skills. When a caregiver is
on overload, multitasking, not eating or sleeping well,
worried, depressed, or grieving, the chances for loss of
information recall can be significantly impacted.
In times such as this, it is essential that modifications
are made in the way information is presented. Stress
reduces the ability to pay attention and focus but some
of the tips below are a place to start.
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Churches as Elder Care "First Responders"
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From the Parent Care Solution Blog:
Churches have and should play a dominant
influencing role in community services for Boomers
and their Parents. Whether it's a synagogue, parish,
congregation, or Mormon Temple, faith based
organizations cannot only protect their older members
as they age but can actually shape policy on how
communities deal with them.
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Minding Our Elders: How do we get Dad to participate?
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By Carol Bradley Bursack
What do you do with Dad when sits alone, at adult day
care, and sulks? How do you get Grandma to
participate in the activities the nursing home provides?
These scenarios often take us back to the days when
our children entered kindergarten and hid in the corner,
out of shyness.
But there is usually something quite different going on
with a senior who refuses to participate in appropriate
activities often welcomed by his or her peers.
Frequently, these same elders complain of boredom. A
friend's mother had been a very social person. She
had a phone in her room in the nursing home. She had
many visitors. The mother knew the staff well, as she'd
been there for several years. She would do her daily
puzzles, watch some TV and call her friends. But she
wouldn't do anything with others at the nursing home.
She, quite frankly, considered herself "better" than the
rest. Not in social status, but in mental and physical
health. She refused to join in with all those "old people."
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Featured Site: Our Alzheimers - An Interactive Site Ansswers Your Questions
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Ouralzheimers.
com is a growing community of
caregivers and experts that offers a ton of information
and support.
The site features many experts, including Eric
J. Hall, Founder and CEO of the Alzheimer's
Foundation of America (AFA), David Roeltgen, MD,
Neurologist and Professor, plus caregiving experts
Jacqueline Marcell, Dorian Martin and - me. Yep, this is
a bit self-serving, but I don't want you to miss this
terrific site.
You can set up your own homepage and your own
Sharepost. You can comment on posts and e-mail the
writers. Some of the Shareposts are by people who
are, themselves, in the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Many are from caregivers. I am sort of the "catch-all"
caregiving writer, though the other writers do
occasionally post about caregiving issues apart from
Alzheimer's. It's such a supportive environment, that I
hope you'll give OurAlzheimers a try.
While you are at it, browse the other HealthCentral
sites. Arthritis? They've got it. Osteoporosis?
They've got it. Depression? They've got it. The sites
offer a wealth of information. You'll likely want to
bookmark it, because it's too much to absorb at one
time.
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