Category Archives: Elder Care

Cat Number Five

Posted on November 13, 2016 by

Meet Cat Number Five a/k/a Spotty a/k/a the Damn Cat. Spotty came to live with me late in the evening on September 15; the night my mother died. He has settled in quickly and well. I thought I would need … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Bald Eagle, Canada, Cats, Death and Grief, Dementia, Dying, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Grief, Grieving, Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Mom and Her (Damn) Cat

Posted on May 30, 2016 by

Last Sunday, May 22, mom fell again. This time, despite my attempts to avoid it, she was hospitalized. They ran the usual battery of tests. Not surprisingly, mom had another urinary tract infection. What was surprising is that it occurred … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Long Distance Caregiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

About My Mother

Posted on March 13, 2016 by

My mother turned 80 last Saturday. In the weeks and days leading up to her birthday, I held my breath, hoping she would stay healthy enough to attend her birthday party. Each time I spoke with one of her caregivers … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Dementia, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Feeding Tube, Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments

The In-Between

Posted on December 15, 2015 by

in-between : a state or position that is in the middle between two other things : a middle position Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015. Transitions are excruciating. Sitting. Waiting. Seemingly stuck in the current place and longing for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's, Dementia, Depression, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Long Distance Caregiving, Mid-Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Wanted: One Crystal Ball

Posted on June 21, 2015 by

I’ve spent father’s day weekend looking at assisted living facilities in Austin for my mother. Currently, she lives in Houston, 150 miles from me, and 3 miles from my sister. Last Friday, her AL called me to let me know … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcoholism, Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Dementia, Elder Care, Elderly Parents, Long Distance Caregiving, Sobriety | Tagged , , , , , , , | 42 Comments