Reduce Holiday Loneliness and Increase Cheer for Elderly Loved Ones

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by Leslie Farin (with Laurie Miller) While on a recent trip to visit relatives in New Jersey, I was reminded of how magical and wondrous the winter season can be No matter how dreary and cold the weather outside was that week, love, extended family and warm holiday celebrations filled the

“Boomerang Seniors” Face a Modern Caregiving Challenge

by Ellen Blake What is a boomerang senior? You may know the terms “sandwich generation” and “silver tsunami.”Now we have a new one, “boomerang seniors,” to describe older adults in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Boomerang seniors care for an even older relative, usually a parent, who is in their 90s or

Let’s Call it “Visitability”

by Ellen Blake What the heck is "visitability"? Many people refer to this housing trend as "accessibility", but that word seems to have a negative connotation for some, conjuring up visions of older adults with age related disabilities. The term,"visitability" is becoming the preferred, and actually a kinder and more welcoming, term

How Do Loved Ones Live On Forever? Tell Their Stories

by Harriet Gross Saying goodbye I’m home again after spending a few days in Pittsburgh, my home town, a place I always love to visit. But I don’t always love the reason for the visit: this time, it was to bury an uncle, the last of many, and acknowledge the ending of

A Letter to My Family

This beautiful poem was shared at a workshop I attended for The Conversation Project.. I have a copy with my will with instructions to give to my children when the time comes. I know they will do their best to care for me, but, like me, they tend to beat

Have You Had “The Conversation”?

by Leslie Farin, Publisher 50Plus-Today "It's too early until it's too late" I recently attended a workshop called The Conversation Project. This grass roots initiative, founded by Pulitzer prize winning author Ellen Goodman, encourages people to communicate their end-of life-wishes. Driving to the event, I wasn't sure what to expect; perhaps a

Planning to age in place? Consider universal design concepts

by Ellen Blake As a caregiver to elderly parents who are adamant about aging in place in the two story house where they've lived since 1976, I am well aware of the many challenges that can arise on a daily basis. Some of the issues can be addressed with a simple

It’s Not About You! What Not to Say When Someone is Grieving

by Leslie Farin An unfortunate side effect of aging is we lose people we love. There’s no getting around it. I had a big, noisy and really fun extended family for most of my life, but the numbers are dwindling every year. I try to remember how lucky I am to have

Not Just For Wheelchairs; The Beauty of Accessibility

by Leslie Farin RENT THIS HOME ON AIRBNB! Designing and building an accessible home is a journey, one which requires education, patience and compromise. Our goal was to build an affordable one-story lake house that was both beautiful and comfortable for visiting family or friends who are burdened in some way with

Tips for Family Caregivers

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by Ellen Blake Caring for aging parents is hard work. But it can also be rewarding! Taking care of an elderly loved one takes a great deal of time, effort and patience. They often need help with a wide range of tasks, from errands, to meals,to eventually even bathing. It's tough, emotionally

5 Ways Your Kids Might Mess Up Your Grandkids

From being over-involved to having high expectations, be mindful of these don'ts (This story was originally published on Grandparents.com .) It’s the most challenging job, one that requires a minimum of 18 years hard labor. “Parenting is front-loaded work,” said Michele Borba, parenting expert and author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, “because if parents

THE MOST IMPORTANT LETTER OF YOUR LIFE

By Leah Dobkin As our modern society places more emphasis on material things, it is easy to lose sight of what we think is important in our lives. Wealth is more than money and possessions. In fact, what you learn in life may be more valuable than what you earn. Consequently,

When Should I Consider Home Care for My Parents?

by Laurie Miller Owner, Apple Care and Companion When do my parents need home care? How do I know? What should I look for? Where do I begin? These are questions that I get asked all the time. This is a topic that is not black and white, but a wide array of shades of grey. There

The Triple Tragedy of Grandparent’s Grief: Enduring the Death of a Grandchild While Helping Your Adult Child

by Leah Dobkin His animalistic howl shredded my soul, and literally brought me to my knees when I told my father that his 19-year-old granddaughter, Hannah Rose, had died. It’s been six years since her death. Life for our family was initially like a perpetual roller coaster inside a tornado within