INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS WORKING WITH INTERGENERATIONALISM

I developed an intergenerational mentoring program several years ago, called Live the Vision: A Career Development Mentoring ProgramTM where residents of retirement communities are paired up with employees of the same retirement community to help them with their careers.  The premise was that, if one has been successful enough to live in a Continuing Care Retirement Community in later years, then one has a lot to teach younger generations about…

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SAILING THE CAREGIVING SEAS: How Archetypes Help Chart the Course

We daughters and sons of elders sometimes find ourselves navigating rough, and even treacherous, seas. We might even experience a bit of seasickness when tacking from “family mediator” to “financial advisor.” And with the ever-changing winds, we might unexpectedly find ourselves sailing in the direction of “case manager” and “health advocate” one day, and the next, being called to take on the role of “legal advocate.” Each turn of the…

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A Painting and a Song for you this Season of Giving

Winter landscape always brings with it a time of inwardness, in stark contrast to the jubilance and joy of the festive season. Inwardly, I’ve been contemplating the meaning of the season at this difficult moment in humanity’s unfolding. And outwardly, as a gerontologist, I’m filled with inspiration through individuals, families, groups, and organizations I’ve had the honor of working with this year.  I bring sadness for the state of the…

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FAMILY STORYTELLING DURING VACATIONS

Having just spent a month in South Africa with all four generations of my family, I’ve been thinking a lot about family history, and that the lives that came before us are still beating in the hearts of future generations. And how some of us carry the names of our ancestors.   I was named after both grandmothers. Lyndall and Anne.  I was fortunate to know them both and spend…

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So… what is a Concierge Gerontologist?

I get this question a lot!  And I’m grateful for the question because it requires me to think anew about the answer each time I’m asked.  To begin with, here’s a description I use on my web page:   Concierge (n): caretaker, doorkeeper, porter. Concierge Gerontologist (n):  one who caters to those in the elder community and their caregivers by opening doors through which both understanding and resources are reached.    It’s easier…

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IMAGININGS OF A ROBIN HOOD GERONTOLOGIST

Its four years to the day since I started working with a client who is dear to my heart.  About 3 years ago I asked one of his friends who is his primary caregiver to write a testimonial about my services.  I’ve never used these kind words but re-read them on this 4th anniversary and think it’s time.  A great lead-in to the theme of this month’s blog. Thanks Eric….

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WOMEN AND DEMENTIA

I’ve been doing a bit of research lately on women and dementia.  Self-serving to some extent, I have to admit.  The curse of being a gerontologist is that as I get older, I start imagining I’m developing signs and symptoms of every mental and physical issue I see working with elders and their caregivers!   One big question that I’ve been talking to friends in my age-range about is that…

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