Daughter by Donna Scrafano For those of us who lived the life of a true caregiver, regardless of the time invested, we know just how consuming the tasks involved are. Our purpose, our investment, far exceeds our professional commitment. At least it did for me. My caregiving journey led to early retirement. And to this Read more
International Caregiving Resources and References Guide Family Caregiving Services – U.S. Caregiving Resource Center – Tools, work sheets and tips on how to plan, prepare and succeed as a caregiver. (AARP) Family Caregiver Toolbox – Tips and information to help caregivers care for their loved ones and themselves. (Caregiver Action Network) Find Aging Resources in Read more
8 Lessons I Learned Caregiving by Dr. Santo D. Marabella The Baby Boomers have been long labeled the “sandwich generation” for their dual and often simultaneous roles of caring—both for their children and, later on, for their parents. While younger Silver Sagers may also find themselves in this situation, many Baby Boomers have had the Read more
MY MOTHER’S VOICE: Stolen by Alzheimer’s by Donna L. Scrafano Painting featured by Judith Carlin The medical consensus believes that Alzheimer’s disease has purely biological causes. I feel, however, that traumatic events can also trigger this dreadful disease. This belief is based on my personal experience watching my mother battle Alzheimer’s. The first trauma came Read more
Caregiving During Difficult Times by Donna L Scrafano Although my caregiving duties ended with my father’s death prior to the 2020 pandemic, I continued to facilitate a caregiver support group at the YWCA in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where my father once attended an adult program. During the pandemic, I’m continuing to facilitate the group via phone, Read more
Telehealth Catastrophe by Tracy E. Hill, Ph.D. According to physicians at Johns Hopkins University (Annals of Internal Medicine August 11, 2020), telehealth medicine may not be as productive for older adults. Although JHU states that loss of hearing is mostly to blame, I believe there is more to it than that. Many older adults did Read more
The Dreadful What-Ifs by Donna L. Scrafano Oh, what we do to ourselves by attempting to anticipate the future! During the years I worked as a Human Services professional, I often advised clients to relieve themselves of the “what-ifs”—those annoying, self-doubting questions of what may or may not happen, questions that cause us to worry Read more
Top 4 Ways to Show You Care for Caregivers Being a caregiver whether as a home care provider, in a community health care setting or as a family member can be stressful and difficult even in the best of times. COVID may put emotions in overdrive for many caregivers. It is always important to let Read more
Beautifully Mixed by Donna Scrafano As a young social worker, in the 1980s, I had the grand opportunity to work with a wonderful psychologist. She taught me many valuable lessons. One thing she said continues to resonate in my mind: “God made mixed children extra beautiful because he knew the special challenges they would face.” Read more
Senior Living Options by Tracy E. Hill, Ph.D. COVID-19 has changed the world forever. One of the things changed is the way we approach housing options for our loved ones. By now we know that several prominent politicians, WHO and CDC officials have opted for in-home care for their family members rather than community living Read more
