Well, I thought that, given the support of my two parents throughout my years of blog writing on As Our Parents Age, I would keep writing until the end of their lives. However, it was not to be. I found that I wanted to protect them and help them live their last years in private. … Continue reading
Filed under Caregiving …
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #27: Confusing Personal Freedom with Caring
So here we are in the middle of December 2020, nine months into the pandemic, with the United States still awash in CoVid-19. Those who care for others continue to stay home, social distance when not at home, plan trips outside the home carefully, wear masks, and probably pine away for the “olden days” when … Continue reading
The Photos and Paperwork That Document a Life
When the process of downsizing officially begins, attending to a life’s worth of possessions can take a long time. Decisions must be made about furniture, clothes, books, knick-nacks, household goods, vanity items, jewelry. Dealing with possessions, however, is the easy part. The most difficult time, at least from my perspective, comes near the end of … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #24: What 100,000 Deaths Look Like
Sometime during the 2020 Memorial Day weekend or immediately thereafter, the United States will reach a sorrowful milestone — 100,000 CoVid-19 deaths. The May 24, 2020, New York Times paper edition featured name ofter name of the dead, an image covering the entire front page. No headlines, no boxes, no articles, just names. The illustration … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #20: Not Wearing Masks Near a Caregiving Community??
It has been 80 days since I’ve seen my parents, and it’s frustrating. As an adult daughter, I want to offer support and help them remain in good spirits as they traverse the rough road of their fragile elderhood while simultaneously living through an international pandemic. Right now, though, just about the only things I … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #18: Arguing About What We Cannot Change
One of the great things to emerge from this time of social distancing and quarantine is the astonishing amount of online communication that is going on each day. In the course of the week, I get at least one email from my parents’ retirement/assisted living community (so far so good), dozens of messages from a … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #15: Exercising Etiquette
If you are trying to take care of yourself, the personal caregiving that is needed during this period of CoVid-19 social distancing, exercise is important. When this period of isolation began I did home aerobics, walked, and occasionally do slow walk-jog interval exercise at the local high school track. Now, however, the track is closed because … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #14: Elastic is the New Toilet Paper
You cannot purchase 1/4 inch wide elastic anywhere just now. It’s back-ordered everywhere because everyone has gone in for mask-making. I am not surprised now we are all supposed to wear a mask anytime we are nearby others and cannot maintain the six feet of distance. I am taking this seriously, wearing mine to the … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #13: It’s a Time of Melancholy If Parents Are in Long Term Care…
I’m so appreciative of the way the assisted living community where my parents now live went into action quickly. Right after the problems in the care community in Washington state, my parents’ little village closed to visitors and set up dining services that emphasize social distance. I know VMRC is doing everything possible to protect … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #11, FaceTiming With My Parents — Thanks, VMRC!
For twelve days I have walked around worrying about my parents, no matter what else I am doing. Oh, I am not worried about their assisted living community or how it is run. It’s as good as it gets when it comes to caring, respect, and attention to needs. And epidemiology wise, the staff is … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #10: Why Are We Still Doing This When It Doesn’t Seem to Change Anything?
So why are we still social distancing and staying home? I have heard people ask this question several times in the past few days as we have neared and then passed 10 days of remaining in our houses. And why is the case-count still going up after those 10 days? Also, how come we have … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #9: Missing My Parents
I miss my parents so much. It’s been almost two weeks — two long weeks since their assisted living community was closed to visitors. I’ve met half-a-dozen other adult children whose parents are in similar situations. I know they are well taken care of, and I know that the staff is doing everything possible to … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #8: Running Errands
Social distancing is hard enough, but so are the steps required to go out and do something and come home again. Each day I spend most of the time at home, with the exception of my daily walk and occasional errands to the grocery store. I have a pretty detailed routine that I go through … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #6: Accessing the Free Operas at the Met
If you are like me you were excited to learn that the Metropolitan Opera is posting past productions to live stream. during the early weeks of social distancing for CoVid-19. Many of the operatic productions were first shown at the Met’s Live in HD move theatre program. Now they are coming into our homes, and … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #5: My Grandmother & Church Caregiving During the 1918 Influenza
I was so grateful yesterday as I attended a remote worship service broadcast from my church, Rock Spring United Chruch of Christ. This was caregiving at its best, during bringing light and hope to our CoVid-19 social distancing days. Given the number of people who attended our service and the many others around the country, … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #4: So What Does Social Distancing Accomplish?
Note: Sharing the image below may help people make better decisions. “Why,” my mom asked, “do we need to do this?” She was asking why she cannot have visitors and why my husband and I are for the most part staying in our home and aiming to go to the grocery store no more than … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #3: Staying Connected With My Parents
My parents live about 100 miles away from my home, and their assisted living community is locked down and not permitting visitors. The goal is to keep the CoVid-19 away from the residents as much as possible. I feel nothing by gratitude for the kindness and dedication of the staff. Preventive care at its best.
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #2: We Are All Caregivers
In this time of the novel Coronavirus, caregiving takes on a new context. Now it’s not just our aging parents or our children. Instead, we are all becoming caregivers to one another. In the CoVid-19 crisis, we are discovering that what we do as individuals has an effect on everyone and everything else — though … Continue reading
Caregiving in the Time of CoVid-19, #1: When Assisted Living Closes to Visitors
If you have elderly parents in their 80s or 90s, you are most likely worried about how they will weather the pandemic. As an adult child, I am definitely worried. I am pleased to share that the assisted living community where my parents reside has decided to limit visitors, including family members. While it will … Continue reading
When You’re Tired & Overwhelmed — but Still Grateful
Gratitude really does make a difference. Some days are tough for this adult child, even though I am not a direct caregiver for my elderly parents. The amazing assisted living staff and an incredible caregiver, who visits two or three times each week, provide the bulk of the support. Yet, there is still so much … Continue reading
As Our Parents Age So Do We 