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
Things I Wish I Knew By Barbara Casey With the elderly, their situation is always fluid. I never knew what I would find when I visited my dad each day at the assisted living residence. This past Sunday was no different. I received a call in the early afternoon from the facility saying “Your Dad Read more
Helicopter Daughter by Christina Fain After some initial testing, my dad found out that the suspicious spot on his neck was indeed cancerous and that the cancer had spread to his lungs. He was alone when he received this news. As upset as he was, he took the time to type out a family group Read more
When the Cavalry Doesn’t Arrive By Donna Scrafano A former supervisor once told me that if we don’t have expectations of an individual, we won’t be disappointed in them. Simple, right? Not really, especially when one is providing care to a loved one and there are others who could—and should—assist. I’ve written approximately nine articles Read more
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) ADLs, or activities of daily living, are the fundamental self-care skills we need to properly care for ourselves. ADLs are one of the most important measurements used to determine if people qualify for certain services or if they need an increased level of care. Essentially, these tasks help to determine Read more
THE CAREGIVER by Donna L. Scrafano The definition of “caretaker,” as referenced in the Webster II New Riverside Webster dictionary, reads: “one employed to look after goods, property or another person: CUSTODIAN.” Oh, if only the tasks of caretaking were so very precise, as is this definition. A few years ago, I was asked by Read more
I invited Mom over for dinner to see our new house. Mom has also recently moved to be closer to me. After spending her entire adult life in Upstate New York, she uprooted and moved to be near her beloved daughter. Well, actually, I think she moved so I could help take care of her, but that’s for another story... “What are you doing? It looks fine.” my husband comments seeming perplexed. “It’s my mother. She’s going to find everything wrong, so I want to minimalize her menu of items to choose from” I gently explain. Although, I’m fairly certain he already knows this. It wasn’t his first rodeo with Mom. Read more
Having a Voice As a Caregiver by Donna L. Scrafano It has always been important for me to be heard when I felt an injustice was occurring against myself or another. Most appreciated this quality of my personality. Some, of course, did not. For most of my life there has been someone attempting to prevent Read more
