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Celebrate the Season of Rebirth

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Spring is an opportune time to clear away everything that is outmoded in your life to make room for what is new and fresh. For inspiration, look around you at nature’s eternal message of renewal: the trees, plants and flowers bursting forth from winter’s hibernation with joyful abandon. You don’t see nature holding itself back from blooming because it is programmed for change. Similarly, you are programmed to blossom. However, unlike trees, you are also programmed to fear the unknown, the chief barrier to growth.       

The "A-to-F" Guide To Self-Acceptance

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Aging gracefully is difficult when it comes to our changing bodies. It is almost like some alien force takes over and brings with it extra weight, a slower metabolism and “curves” where they never existed before. Here‘s my “A-to-F” guide to accepting your body, and your value, in life after 50.

Why I Now Believe in Love!

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Short answer? Because in the long-run love is all that really matters. Everything else I could provide for myself. Yep, all you need is love, but it can sure take some of us a long time to figure that out!  It took me approximately 49 years to totally embrace the importance of authentic love in my life and then take all the necessary risks to find it.

Spirituality, Health Care And Not Feeling Alone

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“You’re a what?” The patient raises an eyebrow and looks at me suspiciously. “I’m a chaplain. I’m part of the hospital team, to focus on your spiritual and emotional needs.” “But I’m not religious.” “That’s ok. Neither am I!” My retort brings relaxed laughter and then conversation flows.

The Littlest Word

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FOR - The three letters look simple, but sometimes they’re part of a painful question: What am I doing this for? My husband and I are going through an emotional and sad time with close family members. It has been ongoing, and we’ve tried to reach out a number of times by leaving phone messages. On our last attempt, we got a message that the number was disconnected. I asked my husband, what am I doing this for?  I quit!!! 

Bitter And Sweet: The Paradox Of Living With Dying

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The name of my book is “Bitter and Sweet, A Family’s Journey with Cancer.” Here is a brief summary. In April of 2010, my husband Tim began to have some strange sensations in his side. On May 7, we found ourselves facing stage IV gallbladder cancer rather than a simple gallbladder removal as planned. Five months and one week later, my husband died. Those five months were the most difficult and horrifying time of our lives. It was also an extremely beautiful time for us.

No News May Be Good News: Mindful Living

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Did you read the headlines today? Did you hear the “top stories”? Were they uplifting or did your mind go to worry, fear, concern? For many years, much to the chagrin of many, I never watched TV, never read a paper, and never listened to the news on radio. I was teaching mindfulness and meditation to those challenged with panic and anxiety disorders. News was, for me, disturbing. It still is. Good news doesn’t sell newspapers or get TV viewers. I always thought, if it’s something that will impact me now, today at this very minute, someone will tell me.

An Alzheimer's Toolkit For Caregivers

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If you’re caring for someone with dementia symptoms you’ll already be aware of the complex challenges it presents. People with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are affected by a range of symptoms, including memory loss, difficulty communicating, changes in mood, agitation, depression, physical issues and so much more. These symptoms are not difficult just for the person who is ill, but for their loved ones as well. In fact, they can be overwhelming.

How to Love an Angry Man Part 4: Understanding Male Shame, Depression, and Dependency

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For most of my life I haven’t understood my anger or why it was so often directed at the women in my life. I’ve been married three times. My first marriage lasted 10 years and ended in an acrimonious divorce. My second marriage began with extreme attraction and passion and luckily ended before one of us killed the other. I’m not talking metaphorically here.

Bring Me a Higher Love!

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Everywhere I go I meet so many interesting and COOL older singles who are losing hope in ever finding true love again. My words to you are: DON’T GIVE UP! By running a dating service for older singles, I learned that there are SO MANY COOL adults looking for love later in life. More than you would EVER possibly imagine. Your best proof that you could meet someone great TODAY is this simple fact: You are single and look how amazing you are!  There must be others just like you wondering what is the best way to connect with others.

Transitory

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The definition of transitory: existing or lasting a short time. We all say goodbye to loved ones each and every day and assume they will return in the evening just fine, and by the grace of God most days they do. We watch the news and read the newspapers and hear stories of tragedies, accidents, and storms but never think for a minute that could ever happen to us. 

The Power of Validation Techniques In Caring For Dementia Patients

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Editor’s Note: Last spring, Rita Altman, Sunrise Senior Living's Vice President of Memory Care and Programming, spoke with the Washington Post, discussing her experiences caring for Sunrise residents diagnosed with advanced dementia.  We thought the article that followed their conversation with Rita included some good tips on communication tactics with family members and friends who may be suffering from cognitive impairment, as did the blog shared by Sunrise.  We've posted both below.

Happy Spring! Welcome Back to Love

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For me, spring is the time of new love and fresh starts!  Are you ready for a fresh start in your love life? Here’s a love quiz that appeared in my book on believing in love again: What do you believe about love now?

It's Time To Forgive Already

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If we’re honest, we all have harbored resentments, collected injustices, and become angry over insults that aren’t that important. I meditate. I burn candles. I drink green tea. And I still want to smack someone who offends me. It is challenging and completely exasperating to forgive someone. It might even be harder to forgive yourself.

40 Steps to Making a Bed... And Other Lessons in Caregiving

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One recent morning, a clinical manager who helps train aides at the home care agency where I work, shared with me a lighthearted comment that she'd overheard from one of her newest trainees. "Who knew making a bed was so complex?" the aide had said. That got me thinking -- and counting.

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