Tag: holidays
A mother gives roots, wings to an autistic son
The (Wilkes-Barre, Penn.) Times Leader
A Mother’s Day commentary by William C. Kashatus for The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre, Penn. Kashatus and his wife, Jackie, have three sons, including one with autism.
On Mother’s Day it is important to remember the women who have given us “roots” and “wings.” The “roots” come from the protective and loving environment a mother nurtures in the home so that her children will one day have the “wings” to set out on their own.
Of all the mothers we celebrate today, those with autistic children are among the most special because they are blessed with a remarkable reserve of selflessness. I know this from personal experience, since my wife, Jackie, is one of those special mothers. We are the parents of three sons: two teenagers and an autistic 9-year-old, named Ben.
Posted on May 10, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, children with Autism, holidays, Mother's Day, mothers
10 for 10: Feel-Good Dementia Caregiver New Year Resolutions
caring.com
New Year’s resolutions about how you ought to start another diet and ought to be nicer belong back in the Aughts ’00s. For this new decade, caregivers looking after someone with dementia are better off focusing on tasks that will help them power through another demanding year.The following resolutions may be unexpected, but they’re heartfelt and truly helpful:
via 10 for 10: Feel-Good Dementia Caregiver New Year Resolutions.
Posted on December 30, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Dementia | Tags: Caregiving, caregiving stress, Dementia, family caregiving, holidays
Keep the holidays happy for loved ones with dementia
tampabay.com
Gary Barg, editor of Today’s Caregiver magazine, offers these tips to help manage the holiday mayhem if you have somebody at home with Alzheimer’s disease. But we think they make good sense for any family with a loved one who has physical or emotional challenges.
1. Try to include your loved one in holiday preparations by giving him something to do that is within his abilities and that will make him feel useful.
2. Maintain a sense of familiarity. Changing familiar surroundings can lead to confusion, especially for someone with memory or physical challenges. Extra cords, fragile decorations and piles of gifts can be hazards to those with limited mobility.
via Keep the holidays happy for loved ones with dementia.
Posted on December 22, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia, Wandering | Tags: Caregiving, family caregiving, holidays, Wandering
How to Make the Holidays Better for Your Aging Loved Ones, Your Family, and You!
National Association of Baby Boomer Women
I’ve always loved the holidays – the gathering of family and friends, the traditions, the presents! But after my father died and my mother’s dementia made it necessary for her to move into an assisted living community and then a nursing home, my holidays changed dramatically. Though initially difficult and emotional, I found that by changing my mindset looking at it as creating new “traditions” rather than dwelling on how things “used to be” and some advanced planning, the “new” holidays have created some good memories, too. And I felt a lot less stressed and guilty!
via How to Make the Holidays Better for Your Aging Loved Ones, Your Family, and You!.
Posted on November 6, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: family caregiving, holidays
Caregiving and the Holidays
Tender Loving Eldercare
Now that it’s November, the countdown to the holidays has officially begun.
While most of the world seems to be living on a holiday “high,” caregivers often struggle through this time of year with great, and often hidden, sadness in their hearts.
For family caregivers the holiday season can be both blessing and a curse. A blessing because it provides opportunities for wonderful family gatherings and a curse because it provides opportunities for wonderful family gatherings.
Can you feel your stress level starting to rise already?
via Caregiving and the Holidays | Tender Loving Eldercare.
Posted on November 4, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Caregiving | Tags: family caregiving, holidays
Halloween for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Autisable
Halloween is scary enough even for children without development delays, physical limitations, neurological disorders or other issues that cause them to be in part of the more than 6 million children who are labeled “special needs.” It is this group of children who can have an especially hard time with Halloween so I have provided a few tips so you may have a easier time with your autistic child if you plan celebrate Halloween.
via Halloween for Children on the Autism Spectrum | autisable.
Posted on October 28, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: children with Autism, family caregiving, holidays
Toy ideas for Christmas for children with Autism
talkaboutautism.org
I know its a little early to be thinking about Christmas but I thought I could start a thread for any toys people have discovered that have been useful.
Whether its sensory toys or educational toys or something that isnt a typical idea for a toy that has worked.
I know that I am always struggling to think of things to buy and unlike my other children Alistair doesnt pester for toys.
via Toy ideas for Christmas | TreeHouse.org.uk.
Posted on October 20, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: children with Autism, holidays
Celebrating Halloween with Seniors
Associated Content
Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31st in the United States. Children look forward to costume parties, trick-or-treating, and visiting haunted houses. The elderly, however, can celebrate Halloween, as well. This article provides some ideas on how you can participate with elderly individuals, particularly in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, in celebrating Halloween.
via Celebrating Halloween with Seniors – Associated Content – associatedcontent.com.
Posted on October 16, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: holidays