When the Unthinkable Happens: Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults & Caregivers
My experience as the adult child of older parents in a natural disaster began with a text from a friend: “Are your parents OK?” I scanned the news and was horrified. There were countless images of their picturesque western North Carolina small town and others like it, seemingly wiped away by walls of rushing brown
Touch Matters
Good touch is something that benefits us all. But while it is hugely important to human growth and development, older adults are predominantly touch starved. This is not okay, because it leaves older adults more vulnerable and less healthy than they need to be.
It is understandable. Many older adults live alone, or they live with
Nutrition Notes: Nuts for Your Health
Fall and winter are the seasons for nuts! As squirrels stash away nuts to eat for the winter, and black bears gorge on them to build fat stores in preparation for hibernation, we should also consider nuts as a healthful part of our diet.
Most nuts are the seeds of fruit from trees, with the exception
A Season Full of Expectations and How Gratitude Can Help
This will be reaching you near the holiday season. While a time of joy, connection, and celebration for many, the holidays are not universally happy, and not even universally celebrated. This is a season full of expectations, some realistic, some less so. Expectations to feel a certain way, or to engage with certain people. Expectations
LifePath’s Community Engagement Center Open House Provides Information and Support
Information and support, along with free chair massages, were offered at the Community Engagement Center (CEC) Open House, which took place on Wednesday, November 13, at LifePath. Speakers included Meghan Lemay, from the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented on both “Communication Techniques for People with Dementia” and “Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors,” and Sue Tracy, from All
The Power Within Us to Make a Positive Difference
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I often take time to reflect on the year gone by and how my own choices have contributed to making a positive difference in the world around me. It could be decisions concerning my own family circle, the community in which I live and work in, or even within my
In Memoriam: Volunteer Marv Kelley
We are saddened to announce the passing of longtime LifePath volunteer, Marvin Kelley. Marv was an integral part of our innovative Rides for Health program and a longtime member and current president of the Citizens Advisory Board. We share our deepest condolences with Marv’s family and friends. He will be dearly missed.
A Grandparent’s Reflections on the Experience of Raising Grandchildren
A few years ago, local resident Rick Barree wrote a powerful and poignant article for The Good Life about the challenges of raising a grandchild. As part of Caregiver Month, we are sharing some of his comments in honor of all the older people caring for children in our community.
Rick’s journey as a grandparent
Feeling Overwhelmed? LifePath’s Family Caregiver Program Offers Respite Care and Assistance.
Are you an unpaid caregiver of an older adult and/or a person with a disability?
Are you 55 or older and caring for a child who is a relative?
If you answer “yes” to one of these, then you’re eligible for respite care and assistance through our Family Caregiver Program. Caregiving for those in need can be
Teamwork & Partnerships Make the Almost Impossible, Possible
In my recent perusing of our The Good Life blog and the numerous articles that it contains, it struck me that it was just like reading the Sunday edition of a major newspaper, covering many interesting subjects, and giving credit to the respective organizations for making them happen. The big difference, however, is that
Three Simple Steps to Peace of Mind Concerning Healthcare Decisions
Honoring Choices Massachusetts has created a Quick-Start Guide explaining the three simple steps to securing a Health Care Agent. A Health Care Agent is someone who can speak for your wishes, should you become incapacitated. Completing these steps is easy and can offer peace of mind to everyone. View the guide here.
If you
AFC Caregiver Andrea Callahan and Her Son, Max, Teach Each Other
November is National Family Caregivers month, a time to:
Recognize and honor caregivers Promote caregiver well-being Advocate for caregiver-friendly policies Raise awareness to challenges caregivers face Provide resources and supports to caregivers Encourage communities and organizations to get involvedWhen I recently asked one of our Adult Family Care (AFC) caregivers, Andrea Callahan, what it means to her to be a caregiver,