Blog
Blog on the caregiver journey featuring my own story and tips for thriving during challenging times
20 Questions to Ask Your Aging Parents
Family trivia and game time can generate memories and historical context for future generations to recall and revisit. Keeping our loved one’s brains sharp is the more scientific reason for spending time asking questions.
Navigating Difficult Conversations with Family
September 2023 I delivered this webinar as part one of a three part series on caring for aging loved ones hosted by Forty W Advisors, a financial planning firm in Maryland. We talk about holding those #challengingconversations around awkward topics like ceasing driving, hiring help in the house, moving to a new residence where one might be safer, and so on. How you say it is more important than what you say and this webinar focuses on how to #createCollaboration rather than conflict when you begin these talks. Engaging a team to help and bringing more people into the collaboration for care is also included. Please reach out with any questions you might have. fern@illberightthere.com
Getting Organized for Caregivers
Staying one step ahead of need, crisis, challenge, can keep you feeling calm and in control when #caregiving responsibilties become part of your life. This webinar delivered January 11, 2024 to the clients and community of Forty W Financial Advisors in Bethesda, MD was offered by me, Fern Pessin, at the request of 40W to help. #Gettingorganized ahead of time, when you’re relaxed, can make life so much easier. Enjoy. Feel free to send me questions at fern@illberighththere.com and I’ll be happy to answer.
Escaping Is Not So Much Space, As It Is Time
Caregiving is intense and relentless sometimes. Other times it is like the earth has slowed down the rate at which it spins and things that used to happen quickly suddenly take fooooorrrrrreeeeeevvvvveeeerrrr. For the last few years, I have been dreaming of escapes. It is suddenly clear to me that my “escape” idea is not so much about space as it is about time. What challenges me the most is emotional and physical energy management. How do I get to a point where the place I’m in feels safe and I no longer want to run away, escape, retreat? I’m hoping that by the end of this winter retreat at the beach, I will have the answer. I hope by December of 2024 I will be writing about how successful I’ve been and how happy I am to remain in my own space and stop trying to “retreat”.
How Do I Convince My Husband to Travel?
Caregiving can be both physically and emotionally draining. Getting respite is critical to the well-being and even survival of the caregivers. Being the partner of a caregiver makes you a caregiver as well. Often a caregiver thinks they would never get over the feelings of guilt if it turns out the vacation causes them to not be there when a parent passes away. Starting with a brief, local mini vacay can offer the benefits of getting a break which might lead to long weekends and then perhaps even a week away, or a respite retreat near you. Giving voice to your own needs while caregiving and sharing revitalizing activities is critical to long term health of all involved.