Posted in Uncategorized on August 31, 2007 | No Comments »
Yesterday, I started posting the nine Caregiver Bill of Rights “amendments.” From the first time I read these, and every time since–as I share them with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and caregiving support groups–I feel their words impact me. At times, I just have to shut up and allow these words to sink in–for all of us in [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 30, 2007 | No Comments »
I first read the “Caregiver Bill of Rights” in the bathroom of the Hope Adult Day Care in Jax Beach, Florida.
I stood, dumbfounded at these freeing words. I wished I had read them when I cared for my mother all those years, and especially the last three years. Hell, I wish I had read them as [...]
Posted in aging, amazon, books, bookstores, caregiver stress, caregiving, dark humor, daughters, depression, eldercare, emotional, family, genetics, geriatrics, health, healthcare, inspirational, internet, mothering, mothers, spiritual, studio 10 tv on August 28, 2007 | 1 Comment »
I’m on the road right now, and in less than one week, I’ve spoken to four caregiving/Alzheimer’s groups.
I still see their faces.
They’re one tired looking bunch: ( I mean that facetiously, but the stress is noticeable). I see myself in them. I see the “no one can really help” looks. I see the “I’m too tired to [...]
Posted in aging, amazon, books, bookstores, caregiver stress, caregiving, daughters, elder rage, eldercare, family, genetics, geriatrics, health, healthcare, inspirational, internet, mothering, mothers, nbc nightly news, relationships, spiritual on August 24, 2007 | No Comments »
I talk to a lot of caregiving/Alzheimer’s, hospice, and Parkinson’s support groups. I read from my book, MOTHERING MOTHER. We laugh. We cry. We complain.
But there’s almost always someone in the back of the room–eyes downcast, their arms just seem to lay there. They don’t “get in the mix.” They’re not animated, angry or teary. [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 22, 2007 | No Comments »
I just posted a picture of myself–at age three–before I was adopted. I look at that little girl’s face and embrace her. She’s part of me. I remember her. I was four when I was taken from Florida to Georgia–to be adopted, to leave all I knew and begin again.
I had already experienced “too much” [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 22, 2007 | No Comments »
Posted in Uncategorized on August 22, 2007 | No Comments »
This week, I had the priviledge of speaking to a wonderful caregiver’s support group at the Nassau County Florida Council on Aging, and they reminded me of something I hadn’t thought about in a long while.
About ten years ago, my mother accused my then fourteen year-old middle daughter, Christine of “stealing” her crocheted doll from the back [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 20, 2007 | 1 Comment »
One of the hardest parts of caregiving is that it often times hits the caregiver at the peak of their life. The average caregiver is 46 years old (although that varies so much–from mid-twenties on up to a person’s eighties). I found myself caregiving full time at the age of 38. I sold the small [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 15, 2007 | 1 Comment »
What’s my Number ONE Caregiving Movie? It’s not what you might think. No lovey dovey let’s-make-up-with-mom-or-dad movie here.
You might think I’m crazy. I realize mine is certainly not your typical listing of caregiver movies.
Let me explain. I look at the “package” of the movie first (in this case, it’s a dark comedy). The package is like your tupperware bowl [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on August 6, 2007 | No Comments »
Number 2 on my list is PROOF, with Gweneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
PROOF was based on the 2001 Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Auburn, and does this fine play justice. It’s one of the best caregiving movies out there. Why? First, it shows that not all caregivers who are middle-agers/baby boomers who [...]
