We Stand Together in our Fight Against COVID and in Our Grief
June is the month for which I reflect on missing my mother, gone six years now. Words I never thought I would hear myself think, let alone say aloud; thank god both my parents are already deceased. I have shared that sentiment with other friends who have lost their parents and with my siblings. Everyone…
Is it OK for elderly mom to go to a restaurant?
Q: My elderly mother lives in another New England state. Restrictions are being lifted in her county allowing most businesses to resume operation as long as they follow safe guidelines for social distancing. My mother and her neighbor have missed their weekly outing for lunch and shopping. She called and asked me if I thought…
Finding Your Inspiration and Moving Forward
When you live in New England, spring is anticipated with bated breath. Well, what a spring it has been. Coronavirus came along and at the least, ruined many plans, and at its worst, left dizzying numbers of sick and precious lost souls and a trail of economic destruction. No one is immune from escaping the…
Options Counseling Program can help navigate health care system
Q: My grandmother fell and broke her hip and has been in a rehabilitation facility following surgery for a broken femur. She soon will max out on the days Medicare and her private insurance will cover which means she will need to pay for her remaining stay at the facility. The facility is recommending placement…
Celebrating Older Americans Who Are Making Their Mark
Brendan and Kay Walsh The first in our month-long series celebrating Older American’s Month and Making Their Mark are Brendan and Kay Walsh of Salem, MA. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018, Kay has been on a mission to talk about hers and Brendan’s experiences and help spread awareness. Together they’ve been “opening the doors,” as…
Finding a care agency to suit mother’s needs
Q: My mother isn’t a resident in Massachusetts but I am hoping you might have some suggestions on how to handle a problem with the care she is receiving at home. Originally we hired two private pay workers, they both have been more than satisfactory. Later additional help was needed so I contacted an agency…
Hoarding Disorder Awareness Week in Massachusetts
Between 2-6% of the population struggles with hoarding behavior making it a highly common mental health issue. Because this is such a common and often misunderstood mental health diagnosis, Governor Baker has proclaimed May 25 – May 29, 2020 Massachusetts’ second annual Hoarding Disorder Awareness Week. Eileen Dacey, Program Manager and Clinical Specialist for the…
Explaining the pandemic to someone with Alzheimer’s disease
Q: My elderly mother who has Alzheimer’s disease lives about 12 hours away from me. In the past I would travel down to visit her three to four times a year. Due to the pandemic I wasn’t able to be with her on Mother’s Day. Under normal conditions I would never have missed being celebrating…
Working with elders during the COVID-19 crisis
Q: I am aware your agency is considered an essential service. My late parents received help at home and I was very grateful. What has been your experience working with older adults and their caregivers during this pandemic? A: Thank you for your question. This is such a hard question to answer because everyone’s experience…
What Will We Choose to Remember About This Time?
In looking back, was it only a few months ago that we would describe life as being ‘normal’? How is it possible that we are experiencing nostalgia for things that happened only a few weeks ago – things that may not have even mattered that much. It seems embarrassingly trivial to recall what I was…
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