Hospice makes a lot of things easier from getting equipment, to paying for supplies, to preparing you for what to expect, but they don't come with a crystal ball, and they certainly do not come with complete solutions.
The Shocking Costs of Death
Category: Mental Health
What Schizophrenia looks like at age 72
By the end of August Mom was descending into manic behavior, roaming the halls of the facility at all hours of the night. Increasingly unsteady on her feet, Mom took a tumble and broke her good arm.
Navigating the imperfect systems of elder care with a parent suffering from alcoholism
For an elderly person with addiction, things are completely different.
Can we stop? And take a breath?
This is some scary stuff - no question. The Director of the Ohio Department of Health has announced there are over 100,000 Ohioans who have likely been infected (NBC4). There is no stopping or avoiding the Coronavirus, but rushing out to the grocery store and treating your anxiety with toilet paper isn't going to help … Continue reading Can we stop? And take a breath?
Hacks for Your Aging Parent
Here are some things you should consider for your aging parent: Grab Bars, Grab Bars, Grab Bars Did I mention grab bars? Bathrooms are a huge fall risk! Depending on the shower design (walk-in versus tub/shower combo), you'll need some outside the shower, insider the shower, and near the camode as well. The other place … Continue reading Hacks for Your Aging Parent
Life One Year Later – Moving a parent into a nursing home
Quick update - one year after moving mom into nursing home.
First Year of Assisted Living Costs – Columbus, Ohio
It is the beginning of 2020 and I'm looking over the financials. My household, the firm finances, and Mom's finances - I guess it is just that time of year. One of the biggest safeguards against self-dealing, or a fiduciary misappropriating funds, is the disclosure of information - particularly to beneficiaries. This is the reasoning … Continue reading First Year of Assisted Living Costs – Columbus, Ohio
The Joker – Powerful Depiction of Living with Mentally Ill Parent
I went and saw The Joker this weekend in theaters. I was aware of the reviews. It wasn't a film that I had planned to see, nor is it one I would watch again. It lacked a "feel good" moment. There is no hero, and frankly, it is sad. In spite of this, the movie … Continue reading The Joker – Powerful Depiction of Living with Mentally Ill Parent
Taking apart the dialogue of the gun debate.
In the wake of each of these tragedies, it has become a predictable play. It isn't even nuanced anymore, and it sure isn't interesting. Here is the recap - tell me I'm wrong. One side says, "WE NEED REFORM!" The other side says, "IT ISN'T THE GUNS' FAULT, IT IS THE CRAZY PEOPLE!" Then someone … Continue reading Taking apart the dialogue of the gun debate.
Meaningful Changes – Gun Control
Another weekend passes and our country has had two more mass shootings. After each of these, I sit down and write Senator Robert Portman, to say, hey, we have a problem, what are we doing? This time, one of the shootings was in Ohio. I think I have had a single response - and it … Continue reading Meaningful Changes – Gun Control
Working with Siblings
My sisters and I have undertaken the cleanup of my mom's house. Increasingly, it is clear that it is not a good environment for her. Regardless of if Mom stays in a facility with a nursing staff or we move Mom into a condominium or an apartment, keeping her in a three bedroom, two and … Continue reading Working with Siblings
Educational Resources – Mental Health
There is a lot of information out there on mental health, but so little of it seems to be talking to the person who is living the experience as the caregiver. I want to learn from someone who has situational empathy for what I'm experiencing, not a list of symptoms, but someone who knows what … Continue reading Educational Resources – Mental Health
If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder
My sisters have been in town helping me clean-out my mom's house. She never threw anything away, so she has three houses worth of stuff under her roof. It is ridiculous. During our time together, my sisters and I were kind of reminiscing over the journey with mom, childhood, and how we got to where … Continue reading If I Could Talk to Me, 15 years ago… Lessons Learned From Caring for a Mom with Bi-Polar Disorder
Coordination of Care – Create a Form
Last week I had to take Mom to one of her psychiatry appointments. Typically, the appointments should only take 10-15 minutes. Hers usually last the better part of 40-60 minutes. After the appointment I had to meet with the residential nursing staff at Mom's facility, update them on what the physician changed, the tests he … Continue reading Coordination of Care – Create a Form
Three Month Update – Caregiver
I moved mom into an elderly retirement community with nursing care about three months ago. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself, and for her. She was probably calling me 30-40 times per week, now she is averaging 2-3. She has gone from being clinical for three months, to now stay … Continue reading Three Month Update – Caregiver