Published: May 13, 2024
It happened years ago but I’ll never forget. The telephone call came in on a weekend just before Christmas from my immediate supervisor at work. I never got calls from work on a weekend so I could not imagine the reason for the call. My supervisor, never one to mince words, said that our Boss… Read More
Published: April 26, 2023
Studies show that maintaining a sense of autonomy is an important factor in keeping the older population living a satisfying life. “Autonomy is the ability of the individual to make and carry out decisions about how, with whom, when, and where to spend one’s time” (Bennett et al, 2015). It is imperative for health care… Read More
Published: January 15, 2022
Donna and her husband David live independently in their own home. Two years ago, Donna was diagnosed with dementia. David became her primary caregiver; however, as her condition progressed, he needed help. He was no longer able to assist his wife with bathing, as she would become agitated and downright angry when he tried to… Read More
Published: December 23, 2020
The cookies are long gone. The hugs are sadly a thing of the past too. A New Year is upon us and I, for one, am hopeful. First, the cookies. Long a tradition children and then grandchildren would take a day or two to come to Grandma’s house to make and bake holiday cookies. Recipes… Read More
Published: October 2, 2020
So here it is over 6 months since we have been living with COVID-19 – the pandemic. Lives have changed forever. But while I write this, life does go on in some fashion as before. Basic needs are met one way or another and we try to look forward to better days. In the meantime… Read More
Published: September 2, 2020
Caring for a child with special needs can be stressful even during “normal times” but we are now facing the added stress of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Sweeping changes in our routines and cancellation of our normal group therapies and schooling have created some challenges for our children with special needs and parents/caregivers caring for… Read More
Published: November 12, 2019
As I write this, it hasn’t rained appreciably for months. The fires of last week around California are being contained and there is no wind. Most of all we have power back on. I would suspect that many of us are holding our breath that the dominant utility company will not decide to withhold the… Read More
Published: August 10, 2019
Mrs. Hill lives in her own home and is fiercely independent. She is very active and enjoys attending bunco with her ladies group every week. However, last week on her way to the car, Mrs. Hill tripped over an extension cord in the garage and subsequently fell. She was transported to the emergency room with… Read More
Published: June 10, 2019
If you are considering a hip or knee replacement (or other major medical surgery), it’s quite probable that an opioid will be prescribed for pain. According to David L. Albright, Hill Crest Foundation endowed Chair in Mental Health, opioids bind the body’s natural opioid receptors to the reward center in the human brain, diminishing pain… Read More
Published: April 8, 2019
—Frankie Sherwood, CSUS Gerontology Intern with Elder Options Last December, my grandmother was evacuated from her assisted living facility during the Rye Fire in Saugus, CA. Residents and staff were forced to spend a total of 12 days away from the senior living community. Staff and volunteers from the community worked to safely evacuate a… Read More