It is with profound gratitude flowing from my heart that I honour those people who work in health care for the love of caring for others. Specifically, men and women engaging in caring for the aging population.
One day last Spring I met a guy named Andy who owns his own office janitorial company and normally works at night. He explained to me that he likes to visit with seniors and so he has kept an on-call position at a nursing home so that he can still work with people who remind him of his grandparents.
The seniors facilities in my city are full of people with similar stories, the only difference is that they work full time and not just once in a while like Andy. The common link between janitor and care aid is the love for the residents. This was obvious last week when I brought my father back to the care home where he lives. Dad had been away for several weeks in hospital and when I returned him to the same room they had held for him since his emergency departure, he received a hero's welcome! From the lady who works in the laundry, to the cleaning staff, the care aids, the RNs, the activity workers, right up to the top brass, Dad was greeted with such love and genuine care that my heart sang. My father was a bit overwhelmed --but in a good way--and quickly felt at ease even though he could barely remember staying there prior to the hospital stay.
As one of my former clients stated "Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey knows no one". A very apt description when you think of a zoo with everyone peering in the primate house and getting super excited by what they see. That's kind of how Dad must have felt, but the good thing is, he's not in a cage and it doesn't matter that he couldn't remember the names of the employees. The main thing is that they remembered him and were happy to see him come "home".
My family and I are so fortunate to have our patriarch in a place where he is respected and encouraged to participate or not participate in the daily programs. If he wants to take a nap, they leave him to it. If he wants to join in and sing with the music therapist or ring the bells in the bell ringer group, he is welcomed. Bar none though, his favorite activity which he doesn't bow out of is the afternoon ice cream social which happens one afternoon a week.
I can sleep at night knowing my father is in good hands with people who really love their jobs. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. I bought a dozen roses and asked that they be placed in the staff room today and included a card that said how much they all are appreciated. Not really enough considering what they do, but a small gesture on my part will let them know that their spirit of service to others is what makes this world a better place.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Thursday, 12 July 2012
No more Alzheimer's by 2025!
What a great headline! Always refreshing to receive optimistic news for a change from the daily paper. It certainly caught my eye because the disease runs in my family. My father, my grandfather, my great grandmother, uncles, aunts, great uncles, were all plagued with some form of dementia. We call it "the family curse." As a child, I heard it referred to it as "senility".
The term senile refers to losing one's mind. However, there are more accurate terms which refer to the actual type of senility or dementia. Large strokes and smaller strokes referred to as TIA's (mini strokes), vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, Alzheimer's are a few causes of dementia.
Fortunately, great strides are being made with researchers honing in on certain genes and identifying those genes that are most likely to cause plaque on the brain. Recently, some scientists in Iceland took that gene research even farther and discovered a gene that fortunate folks ( 1 in 100,000) have, which deters Alzheimer's. These are the people who will almost certainly not come down with the mind wasting disease.
http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/263580/81/Genetic-mutation-may-protect-against-Alzheimers
Medications are being created and tested that will actually reverse brain plaque and put an end to Alzheimer's Disease. A medical breakthrough that will change people's lives forever so that families like mine will not have to dread the family curse.
I am not yet in the target range for participating in research at my local university but in a few years I will be of that 55 + demographic and will be sure to contact the Centre on Aging at the University of Victoria so they can track my predisposition to memory problems like those of my forefathers.
There are many studies currently being conducted and participants are needed. Some of the requirements are that you are in good health with no history of head injury or stroke in the last year. If you're interested in what the Centre on Aging is doing right now, go to http://www.coag.uvic.ca/ and click on the "opportunities" tab.
I love sharing positive news with you and being the news junkie that I am you can be sure that there will be more of it in the blogs to come. Please sign up to be a follower of my blog and you will be notified whenever I post a new entry. It's easy to do, just click on "subscribe by email" at the bottom of this installment (you should see it near the comments section) or "follow by email" at the side of this installment.
In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying your summer.
"In the garden of thy heart, plant naught but the rose of love"
~Baha'u'llah
The term senile refers to losing one's mind. However, there are more accurate terms which refer to the actual type of senility or dementia. Large strokes and smaller strokes referred to as TIA's (mini strokes), vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, Alzheimer's are a few causes of dementia.
Fortunately, great strides are being made with researchers honing in on certain genes and identifying those genes that are most likely to cause plaque on the brain. Recently, some scientists in Iceland took that gene research even farther and discovered a gene that fortunate folks ( 1 in 100,000) have, which deters Alzheimer's. These are the people who will almost certainly not come down with the mind wasting disease.
http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/263580/81/Genetic-mutation-may-protect-against-Alzheimers
Medications are being created and tested that will actually reverse brain plaque and put an end to Alzheimer's Disease. A medical breakthrough that will change people's lives forever so that families like mine will not have to dread the family curse.
I am not yet in the target range for participating in research at my local university but in a few years I will be of that 55 + demographic and will be sure to contact the Centre on Aging at the University of Victoria so they can track my predisposition to memory problems like those of my forefathers.
There are many studies currently being conducted and participants are needed. Some of the requirements are that you are in good health with no history of head injury or stroke in the last year. If you're interested in what the Centre on Aging is doing right now, go to http://www.coag.uvic.ca/ and click on the "opportunities" tab.
I love sharing positive news with you and being the news junkie that I am you can be sure that there will be more of it in the blogs to come. Please sign up to be a follower of my blog and you will be notified whenever I post a new entry. It's easy to do, just click on "subscribe by email" at the bottom of this installment (you should see it near the comments section) or "follow by email" at the side of this installment.
In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying your summer.
"In the garden of thy heart, plant naught but the rose of love"
~Baha'u'llah
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Grey Tsunami winners
If you read my previous blog, you'll know that I asked readers to tell me what they would put in a virtual Grey Tsunami Preparedness Kit. I offered prizes for writers who let me know what they would include in their old age grab and go.
There were many excellent responses. It was obvious that people put a lot of thought into what they would want to carry with them into their sunset years.
Some said I had done a good job with the list but they just wanted to add one or two things. I got a kick out of one of my peers (female) who said she would make sure that a "good sex life" was included!
Another wanted good eyesight, good books to read, and a cat to sit on her lap, as well as the most comfy chair in the world!
Darlene, who is a financial planner, wants you to visit her for your financial analysis and long term care insurance! Besides networking, she says she would bring her e-reader.
Sue wants to hang onto her memories for as long as she can.
Thank you to two of my biggest fans Dolores and Leslie who love the contents of MY basket and think that because I am so prepared that they will be coming to my place!
Kudos to Mary-Wynne who sent me a lovely story which I will share with you at a later date.
The first, second, and third place honours go to (drum roll please)
Martha (a.k.a. Lemonaide Life) for her list of things to pack which included "lots of time to spend with those I love, enjoying the simple things in life"...and "funky sunglasses". You can see her entire list in my comments section.
Bill~ who wants to take all of his marbles and adds "a sense of drama as I journey through Act 3". You can see his clever list which is also in my comments section.
Lynda~ wants a pen and paper and states poignantly "I would make a list of all the people I have loved and cared about, and do my best to put into words, how much I valued knowing them, and how they had enriched my life." She added "I do try to say these things as the years go by, but sometimes I am too tired, too rushed, too forgetful to say what needs to be said." She finished with she would hate to think that her life would end or her memory would fail her without those people knowing just how much they meant to her.
For their efforts they all get Rogers Chocolates made right here in Victoria, Canada. Martha, for her first place win, gets an artsy tin with a sampling of Victoria Creams. I will be mailing her prize to her in Edmonton later this week.
Bill and Lynda get large bars of chocolate and I will probably deliver them in person since they don't live too far away.
Thanks one and all. I appreciate that you took the time to write to me!
Remember that after each blog, there is a section for comments and you can post it as "anon" if you don't have a blog account.
There were many excellent responses. It was obvious that people put a lot of thought into what they would want to carry with them into their sunset years.
Some said I had done a good job with the list but they just wanted to add one or two things. I got a kick out of one of my peers (female) who said she would make sure that a "good sex life" was included!
Another wanted good eyesight, good books to read, and a cat to sit on her lap, as well as the most comfy chair in the world!
Darlene, who is a financial planner, wants you to visit her for your financial analysis and long term care insurance! Besides networking, she says she would bring her e-reader.
Sue wants to hang onto her memories for as long as she can.
Thank you to two of my biggest fans Dolores and Leslie who love the contents of MY basket and think that because I am so prepared that they will be coming to my place!
Kudos to Mary-Wynne who sent me a lovely story which I will share with you at a later date.
The first, second, and third place honours go to (drum roll please)
Martha (a.k.a. Lemonaide Life) for her list of things to pack which included "lots of time to spend with those I love, enjoying the simple things in life"...and "funky sunglasses". You can see her entire list in my comments section.
Bill~ who wants to take all of his marbles and adds "a sense of drama as I journey through Act 3". You can see his clever list which is also in my comments section.
Lynda~ wants a pen and paper and states poignantly "I would make a list of all the people I have loved and cared about, and do my best to put into words, how much I valued knowing them, and how they had enriched my life." She added "I do try to say these things as the years go by, but sometimes I am too tired, too rushed, too forgetful to say what needs to be said." She finished with she would hate to think that her life would end or her memory would fail her without those people knowing just how much they meant to her.
For their efforts they all get Rogers Chocolates made right here in Victoria, Canada. Martha, for her first place win, gets an artsy tin with a sampling of Victoria Creams. I will be mailing her prize to her in Edmonton later this week.
Bill and Lynda get large bars of chocolate and I will probably deliver them in person since they don't live too far away.
Thanks one and all. I appreciate that you took the time to write to me!
Remember that after each blog, there is a section for comments and you can post it as "anon" if you don't have a blog account.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Grey Tsunami
Baby Boomers are bracing for a huge tidal wave. It's all of us retiring and growing old together. Flotillas of us searching for availability at care homes. Thousands upon thousands heading to higher ground hoping perhaps our kids will build a suite for us in their place.
The headlines scream like Henny Penny that the sky is falling and that we'd better get prepared. We should run, not walk, to financial planners and get that nest egg bigger. Prudent saving. Do yoga. Stretch. Eat Fish Oil.
If you had a grab and go kit for when the big surge happens what would you include in it? You can pack material goods if you want to or you could stash some virtual goods.
Here's what I would want in a bag ready by the door:
-emotional It'd be great if I didn't sweat the small stuff-
-and some quirky thrown in
The headlines scream like Henny Penny that the sky is falling and that we'd better get prepared. We should run, not walk, to financial planners and get that nest egg bigger. Prudent saving. Do yoga. Stretch. Eat Fish Oil.
If you had a grab and go kit for when the big surge happens what would you include in it? You can pack material goods if you want to or you could stash some virtual goods.
Here's what I would want in a bag ready by the door:
- flexibility (two types)
-emotional It'd be great if I didn't sweat the small stuff-
- sense of humour
-and some quirky thrown in
- volunteerism/service
- strength
- extra virtues
- tons of memories
- the ability to remember names
- prayers and inspirational quotes
- and a few material items just to be on the safe side:
I would be interested in hearing what you would put in your Grey Tsunami Preparedness Kit.
If you don't have a gmail/blog account, you can just send it to me as "anon" in the comments section. I will pick a first, second, and third best and will award prizes.
-
If you don't have a gmail/blog account, you can just send it to me as "anon" in the comments section. I will pick a first, second, and third best and will award prizes.
-
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Energy, Enthusiasm, and Enlightenment, at Age 90!
Meet Alex. I am using his real name because he deserves recognition. Sometimes I use fake names to protect the innocent. He's actually 91 and an example for all of us. I met him for lunch to see what makes him tick and here's his story:
He began with these words "I have had an incredible life. I have gone from being very sensitive about what people thought of me to learning to be confident, and realizing that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people."
He was born in December of 1920 and says he had wonderful parents. He didn't get much in the way of a formal education but he sure went far in life. There are a number of things that he says benefited him greatly with elocution lessons being high on the list. Learning to speak clearly and confidently really gave him poise in any setting. As well, joining the drama club at school and acting in theatre productions after school increased his courage and really taught him how to read and memorize.
As well, joining the YMCA in his home town of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was one of the best things he ever did. He's been a life long member and was recently awarded a lifetime membership for his years and years of dedication to a healthy existence. I learned that on his 90th birthday, the "Y" said to him, "Alex, you don't need to pay anymore, just keep coming".
So he does! He works out three times a week, stretching to keep limber and using the rowing machine for at least 20 minutes each time he goes. He also uses the elliptical training machine. He doesn't have time to do much swimming now but he used to and as if that wasn't enough, he told me that at one time had been good at gymnastics and mentioned that for over 30 years he was a jogger!
In his professional life success was his, selling life insurance. In the beginning, "fear of poverty", kept him going but not long into his career, he realized the importance of keeping healthy so he could reap the rewards of living a long time. His friendliness and honesty brought him many clients and working for a good company kept the commissions coming. It appears that he was obviously financially savvy and is now enjoying a good life in retirement.
What else has he done? He's volunteered. He's given back. Through his church and through service organizations. He was in the Rotary Club for nearly 30 years and he was a member of the United Way. Something was missing though, if you can believe it! (His words, not mine) and he discovered through prayer and reflection, that it was a deep longing to assist people in a spiritual capacity. Alex's quest to make a difference in people's lives brought him to volunteering in the Spiritual Care Department at our local hospital filling the void that he had felt. As a result, he has become passionate about Spiritual Care. I met him as a fellow volunteer at least ten years ago. I have always been impressed by him as have others in the hospital. Here's one gem though that I hadn't heard from him until now. "Gail," he said, "I have sat and listened to people who are in real pain, and it's not just physical pain, and through this I have learned to listen and I have listened to learn."Alex then added, "my son told me that's what I needed to do and so I have put it into practice."
My friend Alex hasn't always had an easy life but he acknowledges that without hardship, there is no growth. He always kept his optimism and he's always known that he has to make the most of his life on this earth. He's been a good provider, a good father and a wonderful husband. Right now, he has made some choices that haven't been easy. He'll be making a major move to be closer to family. His lovely wife has some health challenges and it means that they will have to move in order to have some supports in place but he meets this challenge with practicality and wisdom.
I didn't doodle while I listened to Alex, but rather I made some notes on paper about his appearance: -Neatly cropped beard and -he's wearing Tilley (brand of shirt) and I jotted some of his words of wisdom like "Live today, this is the only life you have" and "enjoy every minute".
Always ready to learn something new, Alex bought himself a computer in his 80's and he emails, websurfs, and is a fan of my blog! A lover of books, he enthusiastically recommends his current favorite: "Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The path of insight and meditation" by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield.
Alex Ramsay is still learning and eagerly passing on wisdom, exemplifying the body, mind, and spirit of which we are made, nourishing all those dimensions and inspiring us to live happily to a ripe ol' age.
He began with these words "I have had an incredible life. I have gone from being very sensitive about what people thought of me to learning to be confident, and realizing that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people."
He was born in December of 1920 and says he had wonderful parents. He didn't get much in the way of a formal education but he sure went far in life. There are a number of things that he says benefited him greatly with elocution lessons being high on the list. Learning to speak clearly and confidently really gave him poise in any setting. As well, joining the drama club at school and acting in theatre productions after school increased his courage and really taught him how to read and memorize.
As well, joining the YMCA in his home town of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was one of the best things he ever did. He's been a life long member and was recently awarded a lifetime membership for his years and years of dedication to a healthy existence. I learned that on his 90th birthday, the "Y" said to him, "Alex, you don't need to pay anymore, just keep coming".
So he does! He works out three times a week, stretching to keep limber and using the rowing machine for at least 20 minutes each time he goes. He also uses the elliptical training machine. He doesn't have time to do much swimming now but he used to and as if that wasn't enough, he told me that at one time had been good at gymnastics and mentioned that for over 30 years he was a jogger!
In his professional life success was his, selling life insurance. In the beginning, "fear of poverty", kept him going but not long into his career, he realized the importance of keeping healthy so he could reap the rewards of living a long time. His friendliness and honesty brought him many clients and working for a good company kept the commissions coming. It appears that he was obviously financially savvy and is now enjoying a good life in retirement.
What else has he done? He's volunteered. He's given back. Through his church and through service organizations. He was in the Rotary Club for nearly 30 years and he was a member of the United Way. Something was missing though, if you can believe it! (His words, not mine) and he discovered through prayer and reflection, that it was a deep longing to assist people in a spiritual capacity. Alex's quest to make a difference in people's lives brought him to volunteering in the Spiritual Care Department at our local hospital filling the void that he had felt. As a result, he has become passionate about Spiritual Care. I met him as a fellow volunteer at least ten years ago. I have always been impressed by him as have others in the hospital. Here's one gem though that I hadn't heard from him until now. "Gail," he said, "I have sat and listened to people who are in real pain, and it's not just physical pain, and through this I have learned to listen and I have listened to learn."Alex then added, "my son told me that's what I needed to do and so I have put it into practice."
My friend Alex hasn't always had an easy life but he acknowledges that without hardship, there is no growth. He always kept his optimism and he's always known that he has to make the most of his life on this earth. He's been a good provider, a good father and a wonderful husband. Right now, he has made some choices that haven't been easy. He'll be making a major move to be closer to family. His lovely wife has some health challenges and it means that they will have to move in order to have some supports in place but he meets this challenge with practicality and wisdom.
I didn't doodle while I listened to Alex, but rather I made some notes on paper about his appearance: -Neatly cropped beard and -he's wearing Tilley (brand of shirt) and I jotted some of his words of wisdom like "Live today, this is the only life you have" and "enjoy every minute".
Always ready to learn something new, Alex bought himself a computer in his 80's and he emails, websurfs, and is a fan of my blog! A lover of books, he enthusiastically recommends his current favorite: "Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The path of insight and meditation" by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield.
Alex Ramsay is still learning and eagerly passing on wisdom, exemplifying the body, mind, and spirit of which we are made, nourishing all those dimensions and inspiring us to live happily to a ripe ol' age.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
Happy and Helpful
Every seniors care facility needs a Ron, a Terry, a Verna, or a Nora, but not all at once! They are the residents who have severe memory loss and are roaming around ready to help at a moment's notice. They are the people who are blissfully content and absolutely adorable.
Ron, a former search and rescue pilot, stands around the nursing station with his fingers sneaking under the glass grabbing at pencils, paper and binders. Sometimes, he gets the gate open and sneaks in to do some paper shuffling and filing. Occasionally, he just follows behind the employees and gets into the office with them and tries to pick up the telephone when it rings.
Terry, obviously a former organizer of some sort, I suspect perhaps a travel agent before retirement, is organizing tours to get out of the locked facility. "Come on ", she urges the other inmates, "you have to get through security, the plane will be leaving soon". Other times she has people convinced they are going on a bus tour or a cruise ship. "You must line up here folks, the bus will be coming soon." or "I think if you come with me, you will be very pleased with the room"
Verna, was originally in the emergency ward with my father, and is cute, huggable, and oh so crafty in her attempts to escape. She required a security guard to ensure she didn't break out of ER. It was for her own good, she would have got lost wearing nothing but hospital issued p.j.s. That would have been a real tragedy.
A few months later, Verna just happened to be discharged from hospital and was admitted into the same facility as my dad, and like him, seems to be more settled now. She is no longer in the hospital gown but is wearing a pant suit and carrying a purse. She is easily mistaken for a visitor and not a resident. This has led to people using the code on the key pad and letting her out because she insists she has to catch a bus. Fortunately this security breach was caught shortly afterwards and Verna was chased by frantic staff who got her back into safety before she did get on a bus!
My husband had been forewarned by me about Verna so he was prepared when he met her. What he wasn't expecting though was her willingness to rent the facility to him. She walked him around the seniors residence explaining that she owned it and that she could rent the dining hall to him and if needed she could shut or open areas for smaller or larger gatherings!
Although Verna is delusional about the part she plays at the home, the staff let her continue to be "in charge" and she maintains her cheerful optimism, her willingness to assist, and her incredible gift of music. She plays beautifully on the care home piano and entertains many of the staff members and visitors on a daily basis.
And last but not least, let me tell you about Nora, a lady of about 70, with dementia. She's really robust and ready to help anyone at anytime. She is often seen pushing patients in wheelchairs, folding laundry and escorting new visitors to see patients.
Unfortunately, I don't think we can choose how we are going to behave if and when we get dementia. We can only hope that we will be good natured and happy with our situation. It makes things go so much smoother. One of my demented clients stated it quite well, saying, "It's one thing to lose your mind and not know it, but to be losing your mind and know it, is a very sad thing". In her case she had been a doctor of psychiatry and found it troubling and overwhelming and she wallowed in despair.
One of my favorite prayers that I recite daily affirms to the Creator that "I will be a happy and joyful being". I hope I remember those words when I get older and perhaps I can add a request that I can be a helpful being under all circumstances.
Ron, a former search and rescue pilot, stands around the nursing station with his fingers sneaking under the glass grabbing at pencils, paper and binders. Sometimes, he gets the gate open and sneaks in to do some paper shuffling and filing. Occasionally, he just follows behind the employees and gets into the office with them and tries to pick up the telephone when it rings.
Terry, obviously a former organizer of some sort, I suspect perhaps a travel agent before retirement, is organizing tours to get out of the locked facility. "Come on ", she urges the other inmates, "you have to get through security, the plane will be leaving soon". Other times she has people convinced they are going on a bus tour or a cruise ship. "You must line up here folks, the bus will be coming soon." or "I think if you come with me, you will be very pleased with the room"
Verna, was originally in the emergency ward with my father, and is cute, huggable, and oh so crafty in her attempts to escape. She required a security guard to ensure she didn't break out of ER. It was for her own good, she would have got lost wearing nothing but hospital issued p.j.s. That would have been a real tragedy.
A few months later, Verna just happened to be discharged from hospital and was admitted into the same facility as my dad, and like him, seems to be more settled now. She is no longer in the hospital gown but is wearing a pant suit and carrying a purse. She is easily mistaken for a visitor and not a resident. This has led to people using the code on the key pad and letting her out because she insists she has to catch a bus. Fortunately this security breach was caught shortly afterwards and Verna was chased by frantic staff who got her back into safety before she did get on a bus!
My husband had been forewarned by me about Verna so he was prepared when he met her. What he wasn't expecting though was her willingness to rent the facility to him. She walked him around the seniors residence explaining that she owned it and that she could rent the dining hall to him and if needed she could shut or open areas for smaller or larger gatherings!
Although Verna is delusional about the part she plays at the home, the staff let her continue to be "in charge" and she maintains her cheerful optimism, her willingness to assist, and her incredible gift of music. She plays beautifully on the care home piano and entertains many of the staff members and visitors on a daily basis.
And last but not least, let me tell you about Nora, a lady of about 70, with dementia. She's really robust and ready to help anyone at anytime. She is often seen pushing patients in wheelchairs, folding laundry and escorting new visitors to see patients.
Unfortunately, I don't think we can choose how we are going to behave if and when we get dementia. We can only hope that we will be good natured and happy with our situation. It makes things go so much smoother. One of my demented clients stated it quite well, saying, "It's one thing to lose your mind and not know it, but to be losing your mind and know it, is a very sad thing". In her case she had been a doctor of psychiatry and found it troubling and overwhelming and she wallowed in despair.
One of my favorite prayers that I recite daily affirms to the Creator that "I will be a happy and joyful being". I hope I remember those words when I get older and perhaps I can add a request that I can be a helpful being under all circumstances.
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