A neighbor’s heat stopped working yesterday. It had been raining since Friday and she arrived home from some errands to a cold house. She’s older, so she asked me to go down the steep basement steps to see what was going on. There was floating going on – lawn chairs, coolers, papers. And a furnace… Continue Reading
Category Archives: For Caregivers
Links You’ll Love
Here’s a round up of things I’ve been reading this week. All the links open in a new window, so feel free to read one and then come back, without fear of getting lost in the internet. Damomma, also known as Elizabeth Soutter and the woman who helped design my website, has a beautifully touching… Continue Reading
Trash Or Treasures?
I went to an antique appraisal event over the weekend. The fees went to charity, so I figured it would be a fun way to find out some more information about some family “heirlooms.” During the rather long wait, people were talking to each other and sharing information about their treasures. It got me thinking… Continue Reading
Their Decision, Not Yours – The Duty of a Health Care Proxy
The New York Times has a recent article called “An Ill Father, A Life and Death Decision.” It’s about a daughter who has been appointed as the health care proxy for her father. This means that when he is unable to make or communicate his health care decisions, she communicates his wishes to his health… Continue Reading
A Day in the Life of a Not-So-Secret Agent (Part 2)
The further adventures of a health care proxy and agent under a durable power of attorney. Read part 1 here. When we last left our not-so-secret agent, she had been to the post office and had visited her client at the rehab hospital and was just finishing up lunch at an Indian Restaurant in Harvard… Continue Reading
A Day in the Life of a Not-So-Secret Agent (Part 1)
I have a couple of clients for whom I serve as agent under their health care proxies and powers of attorney. A couple of days last week found me acting as agent for them. I thought I’d post a composite sketch as a example, both for those people who may be serving as agent (now… Continue Reading
What An Attorney Can and Cannot Do
Attorneys are not therapists. Or magicians. Or fortune tellers. Yet, often clients think we are. As a reminder, here are some things your attorney can and can’t do. 1. Your attorney cannot make your decisions for you. Your attorney can provide you with the information you need to help you make an informed decision. We… Continue Reading
Recording for How & Why to Avoid Guardianship and Conservatorship
I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara Friesner, of AgeWiseLiving, on her AgeWise Living Radio Show about Why and How to Avoid Guardianship and Conservatorship (click to listen to the recording.) You may want to turn the volume down on your computer before clicking the link to the show, since the audio starts right… Continue Reading
Caregiver’s Corner – Resources from Around the Web
All the links will open in a new window, so feel free to click as you read knowing you won't lose this page. Shambala Sun , the Buddhist magazine, focuses their recent issue on caregiving and illness. They have an audiodownload by Frank Ostaseki whose mission is to seed "our culture with innovative approaches to… Continue Reading
Finding the Right Living Situation for Your Aging Parents – It’s Not All or Nothing
Today's post is written by Generational Coach Barbara Friesner of AgeWise Living. Barbara works with the family members of the aging person, not the elder themselves. I typically work with the family and the elder, but I consider the elder to be my client. Barbara's post outlines the many different living situations open to a… Continue Reading