For Caregivers

March 13, 2018

Two older adults walk into a bar…

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, For Caregivers, Lifestyle, Words

March 13, 2018

4 Min Read

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13March

Haven’t heard that one, hmmm? Perhaps because so much of the already-existing humor involving older folks is a lot more entertaining than this run-of-the-mill joke opener. In fact, you can enjoy older adult humor in daily newspaper comic strips—Brian Crane’s PICKLES () is my all-time favorite! Think of the working comedians who are themselves older adults. Comedic elder characters are a staple inMORE...

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February 27, 2018

Reflections from a funeral, Part 2

By Bob Sitze

In Death/Dying, For Caregivers, Relationships

February 27, 2018

2 Min Read

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27February

  Recently I learned to appreciate the value that can come to those who attend a memorial service in a funeral home. My observations from the previous entry continue here. • Because those in attendance knew each other—and the person who died—this event felt like a final step in knowing more fully who she really was. A satisfying experience to complete all the years of positive andMORE...

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February 26, 2018

Reflections from a funeral, Part 1

By Bob Sitze

In Death/Dying, For Caregivers, Lifestyle

February 26, 2018

2 Min Read

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26February

  Recently I attended a memorial service that took place in a funeral home. Because this was something I’ve not experienced in decades, I was especially interested in seeing how this kind of service might compare with a memorial service in a church. I was favorably impressed at how spiritual matters maintained their strengths in the funeral home setting. In this and the following entry, IMORE...

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February 15, 2018

When it’s time to give up

By Bob Sitze

In Death/Dying, For Caregivers, Relationships, Soul Searchings, Time

February 15, 2018

2 Min Read

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15February

I’ve watched this feeling grow in some older adults who I have known well: They finally get tired of the work of staying alive, and just give up. What I have also seen: the difficulty of bringing up this matter with those around them. How do any of us tell those who love us that we’re ready to die? What words do we use? What will our loved ones be ready to hear? How do we broach the subjectMORE...

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January 12, 2018

Hands on! (for caregivers)

By Bob Sitze

In For Caregivers, Mind/Body, Personal Power, Pleasure/Pain, Soul Searchings

January 12, 2018

2 Min Read

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12January

  All of us—especially older folks—long to be touched. There’s a spiritual quality to touch. As Jesus performed miracles, he often touched the people he encountered. The biblical metaphor of God’s hand symbolizes more than God’s abundance, also revealing a God who’s close enough to touch you! A touch signals that a loving relationship is present. As a caregiver, you have an especiallyMORE...

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January 11, 2018

Resource recommendation (for caregivers)

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, For Caregivers, Lifestyle, Personal Power

January 11, 2018

2 Min Read

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11January

  If you’re a caregiver for an elderly family member or friend, you’ve probably looked for helpful resources for this work. As you may have discovered, helpful materials—on the Web and elsewhere—come from governmental sources, caregiving companies, medical providers, bloggers and not-for-profit enterprises. It’s not the lack of resources that you encounter. In fact, the opposite is true: TheMORE...

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January 9, 2018

The hard questions (for caregivers)

By Bob Sitze

In For Caregivers, Mind/Body, Personal Power, Relationships

January 9, 2018

2 Min Read

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09January

The hard questions (For caregivers) As we extend ourselves into the lives of elderly persons, we’re bound to come to the point of needing or wanting to ask hard questions—about car keys, end-of-life matters, ongoing well-being or submerged feelings. This entry includes some observations about how to frame and offer those questions effectively and lovingly. A framework What might make a questionMORE...

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January 8, 2018

Writing your family history (for caregivers)

By Bob Sitze

In For Caregivers, Lifework, Relationships, Time

January 8, 2018

2 Min Read

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08January

  Two of our family’s most-treasured possessions are family history books. Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always know the legacies of my mother and mother-in-law, both strong, determined women who—with the assistance of other family members—created these cherished volumes. If you are considering this possibility, let me encourage you with these few observations: • Begin theMORE...

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December 12, 2017

How (NOT) to patronize older adults

By Bob Sitze

In For Caregivers, Personal Power, Relationships

December 12, 2017

2 Min Read

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12December

  In my experience, patronizing anyone isn’t a good idea. In fact, it’s harmful—to others, to yourself and to your relationships. It might seem otherwise: the etymology of “patronize” leads back to the kindly father/patron who has in mind only the best interest of others. Personal experience tells us otherwise: Patronizing behaviors are rooted in arrogance masked as kindness; their netMORE...

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December 2, 2017

Words you can use

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, For Caregivers, Words

December 2, 2017

2 Min Read

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02December

  One anchor maxim in neurolinguistics goes something like this: No words, no thoughts; know words, know thoughts. The implication is intriguing: The stronger your vocabulary, the more likely the depth and breadth of your thinking. These ideas may also apply to the ways in which you express ideas and ideals about older adults. Today I include an aggregation of words and phrases you might useMORE...

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