Patricia MarksJul 17, 20202 minAre We Killing Our Elderly?Five weeks into the lockdown I wrote a blog asking where do we find hope. I had read in the Chicago Tribune about Anthony Gay, who as a...
Patricia MarksJul 2, 20202 minThe Gift of PresenceA dear friend of mine lost her mom to vascular dementia in January of this year. I asked her to write out her experience because of the...
Patricia MarksJun 1, 20202 minSocial IsolationAARP published an article on May 20th: “Is it ok to visit older family members at home now?". According to a report from the National...
Patricia MarksMay 21, 20202 minA Little Too Close To HomeReceived word this last week that there are 2 cases of COVID-19 at my mom’s assisted living facility. Both are residents and both...
Patricia MarksMay 8, 20203 minFeeling EssentialThis blog is dedicated to my good friend Christine. I was given permission to use her, and her mother’s names. In my years working as a...
Patricia MarksApr 29, 20201 minWhere Do We Find Our Hope?As we enter another 5 weeks of sheltering-in-place (for some of us), and for our loved ones in facilities in lockdown, where do we find...
Patricia MarksApr 19, 20202 minDo Not Suffer AloneThe American Foundation for Suicide Prevention presented a webinar this last week on Mental Health and COVID-19. The speaker was Josh...
Patricia MarksApr 8, 20202 minIncreasing InteractionI viewed a webinar on YouTube called “Older Adults and Isolation During COVID-19.” It was presented by Mental Health America, a...
Patricia MarksMar 26, 20202 minSocial Distancing and its Effect on the ElderlyI’ve been giving much thought to what social distancing is doing to our loved ones who are now in lockdown in facilities. The lockdown is...
Patricia MarksMar 13, 20202 minCoronavirus and Your Loved OnesFears arise as we think how the Coronavirus could possibly affect our frail loved ones. Statistics show that the mortality rate for...
Patricia MarksFeb 24, 20201 minTheir RealityI studied a number of years ago under noted social worker Naomi Feil. Naomi developed Validation Therapy after working for years with...
Patricia MarksFeb 11, 20202 minWarm and Caring FacilitiesIn the book “The Soul of Care”, the author Arthur Kleinman MD talks about a nursing facility he had visited when thinking about placing...
Patricia MarksJan 28, 20201 minFailing to PlanI read in a magazine that more than half of caregivers say they had no plan in place when they took on the job of dealing with dementia....
Patricia MarksJan 23, 20201 minThe Benefits of CaregivingArthur Kleinman, author of a new book, “The Soul of Care”, says “Caregiving is perhaps the most ubiquitous activity of human beings, and...
Patricia MarksJan 19, 20201 minPriceless Gift“A good friend is like a rare shell washed upon a quiet beach. One who discovers such a friend finds a priceless gift from God.” - Quote...
Patricia MarksJan 13, 20201 minDon't Neglect Your Own Health!Have you ignored your own health since starting on this caregiving journey? When was the last time you saw your family doctor or...
Patricia MarksJan 7, 20201 minTired, anxious, and guilty?Do you dread that call from the hospital, assisted living facility, nursing home, or even the next room?