Pandemic times
Monday, December 27, 2021
Since this pandemic started almost 2 years ago, we have been coaching remotely through telephone, Zoom and Facetime. The response has been overwhelming good. The family can choose a time ... Learn More >>
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Time of Life
Monday, December 27, 2021
I just perused previous blogs. I found one from 2015, saying I was ending my nursing career in a year or two. Well, it came this year on December 1st. ... Learn More >>
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Holiday Stress Busters
Monday, November 18, 2019
The holidays are coming up again. Have you learned to KISS? I mean to keep it super simple?
Caregiving is a full time job; adding stress to the daily routine by ... Learn More >>
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The Problem of Apathy
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
There is an under valued negative symptom of dementia; it is apathy. When a person becomes unable to think up something pleasurable to do and/or lacks ability to organize it, ... Learn More >>
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The Value of Coaching
Friday, September 8, 2017
When I first started this service in 2000 the concept of coach was more or less confined to sports. Today one can find a life coach, a business coach and ... Learn More >>
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Fall Season
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Summer is winding down with its abundance of early sunrise and late sunset, making room for lots of activity. My husband and I have fit in golf a few times ... Learn More >>
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Support Groups
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Support groups are a lifeline for dementia caregivers. People who attend the groups I facilitate consistently say, "This is the only place where everyone knows what I'm talking about." Participants ... Learn More >>
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My thoughts these days
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
I turned 75 this past May and started to think about the future of StilMee's service to caregivers. There are other agencies offering coaching through the ASAPs (state funded agencies) ... Learn More >>
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Back Coaching and Loving it!
Monday, February 29, 2016
It has been almost a year (shame on me) since my last blog. I thought I had said it all and sloughed off. I have resumed seeing many new families ... Learn More >>
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Time of Life
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
I've been going through a strange time in my life emotionally lately. My nursing career is coming to an end within a year or two, and I am grieving that ... Learn More >>
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A New Start
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
If you live in New England you are relieved to see spring come after an unprecedented winter of snow. Spring is always a time of renewal. My garden is already ... Learn More >>
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Being Noticed
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
I share ideas for caring for a person with dementia with someone in Wisconsin. He seems to get assignments with very challenging people. He is currently caring for a gentleman ... Learn More >>
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Couples
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Yesterday I went to two couples' homes to coach the caregiver. In both instances the person with dementia was invited to be present (one simply sat down intending to be ... Learn More >>
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What is enough information/education?
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
I was talking with Mark recently who remarked about the challenges of communicating with a person with dementia, especially if an accent or speech impediment added to the difficulty. I ... Learn More >>
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Team Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
This coming Saturday we are having a team meeting after a long hiatus (several months). I love these meetings; we exchange ideas on improvement of services we offer, we support ... Learn More >>
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All I want is loving you and MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Recently there have been many studies on the value of music as a treatment for dementia. No, it doesn't slow it or cure it, but instead brings joy to an ... Learn More >>
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Update
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
I was excited a few months back to be involved with the A4 study for a drug to be given to pre-symptomatic dementia. Unfortunately I was screened out. My husband ... Learn More >>
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Capture the joyous moments
Monday, September 1, 2014
Recently I was witness to a joyous several moments. Sue's dad Bill is indeed failing in physical strength and cognitive abilities. She grieves this loss, but is always able to ... Learn More >>
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Personalized Education
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
I was called to see a client in Bristol County a few years ago. The caregiver said "I don't think I need coaching. I have the internet and have studied ... Learn More >>
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Reminder
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Just a reminder to those living in the south shore of Boston; StilMee is honored to be at two Councils on Aging; Avon and Braintree, in the fall to present ... Learn More >>
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Get involved in Alzheimer research
Sunday, July 27, 2014
I was recently invited to be a subject in research for treatment of pre-symptomatic dementia of the Alzheimer's type. I read over the requirements of time (one day a month ... Learn More >>
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Forums
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Starting in the fall, StilMee will be offering what we call Dementia Family Forums at south shore area churches and councils on aging. The forum is a chance for families ... Learn More >>
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Always talk with Strangers
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Each time I come home my husband asks, "So who did you talk to today?". He has been known to call me Constant Comment or Chatty Cathy. One co-worker recently ... Learn More >>
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6 Emotional Needs of People with Dementia
Friday, May 23, 2014
I attended a conference for professionals this past week. The keynote speaker was Mary Sharp from the Edcon Group. She reiterated many of the ways we here at StilMee have ... Learn More >>
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A Day for the Caregiver
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Recently I spoke at a caregiver conference in Plymouth for the South Shore Alzheimer Partnership. It was a wonderful experience; I felt one with the audience of 400 as if ... Learn More >>
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Mark's success
Sunday, April 20, 2014
I recently talked by phone to a candidate for being a StilMee dementia coach from Minnesota. I was impressed by his compassion for his homecare clients and his eagerness for ... Learn More >>
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A Long Cold Winter
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
This winter has been tough on all of us, but I think of the many times homecare workers cannot get to your family member due to weather or illness, or ... Learn More >>
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The Couple with Alzheimer's
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
I am working with couples of whom one partner has a progressive dementia like Alzheimer's. A 60 year loving relationship is hard to give up and adjust to a new ... Learn More >>
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Managing Stress
Friday, January 24, 2014
As an Alzheimer caregiver you are called on to do many things you've never done before in the same way; manage doctors visits, learn new ways to relating to your ... Learn More >>
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My two books
Friday, January 3, 2014
I realize I haven't let it be known that I've written two books for caregivers, at least not on this blog. I get consistently positive feedback from readers about it ... Learn More >>
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Time flies!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
It has been just short of one month since my last inconsistent blog entry. I have little excuse; business has been slow as it often is during the winter holiday ... Learn More >>
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Resources To Remember
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Often families know little to nothing of the resources in their area (and beyond) when a family member is ill or develops a condition requiring specialized treatment. Alzheimer's is such ... Learn More >>
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What do you want to know?
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Probably the biggest problem for a writer is to come up with new material. I have spoken over the years to several columnists and they've all said the same. "I ... Learn More >>
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Season of peacefulness...
Monday, November 18, 2013
I cannot believe how long I neglect this blog! And now the holidays are fast approaching with so much to think about; shopping, cooking, baking, visiting. These are days when ... Learn More >>
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Hospitalization and delirium
Monday, November 18, 2013
I will be writing my column in the South Shore Senior News this month on hospitalization and delirium in the elder with dementia. It is an important subject as 50 ... Learn More >>
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Caregiver Burnout
Thursday, October 17, 2013
What is burnout? It feels like insanity sometimes; tired, disinterested, annoyed with work, blaming, disgust. All these feelings can be normal expressions of caregiver burnout. This happens when the caregiver ... Learn More >>
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Why Can't I Rememer?
Friday, October 4, 2013
Recently I gave a talk entitled Why can't I remember? There were about 25 seniors who came joking about 'old-timers disease' and memory problems as they streamed into the room. ... Learn More >>
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Beautiful Autumn
Friday, October 4, 2013
I heard of a woman with Alzheimer's who stares up into the sunlight and raises her hands in appreciation. I can do that too. Autumn is a glorious time of ... Learn More >>
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So long...
Sunday, September 8, 2013
I don't know why time gets away from me and I forget to blog. But, I do. I've been doing some trainings at the hospital on trauma informed care and ... Learn More >>
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Trauma Informed Care
Friday, August 16, 2013
I teach a course with the objective of understanding how trauma affects behavior, cognition, development, thinking, and brain function. It is usually geared for mental health workers but I believe ... Learn More >>
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Behavior means...
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Since as far back as I can remember I've been fascinated by people's behavior. As a kid in a fairly normal family I'd wonder why, for example, my sister was ... Learn More >>
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Your mission statement
Friday, July 19, 2013
When I decided to start a coaching business I had been laid off from a job I really enjoyed and felt in it I was making a difference in the ... Learn More >>
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Is it ever hot!!
Friday, July 19, 2013
How hot is it? 100 degrees here in Boston. My hubby and I were to go sailing today to Gloucester, Salem then home today through Sunday. With questionable winds and ... Learn More >>
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Resources To Remember
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Go to our NEWS page and enjoy the description of one of the members of our group Resources To Remember. I'll be featuring members' services. If you are reading from ... Learn More >>
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Digital Dementia
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Doctors are noticing enough evidence in people of all ages that they have labeled it Digital Dementia. Evidently when electronics are overused for instant communication (as we are all doing ... Learn More >>
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Caregiving Wonders
Monday, July 1, 2013
Someone once said caregiving is both mundane and mystical. I have learned that caregivers are too. Some just do what they need to do with no fanfare; they care because ... Learn More >>
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Team Meeting
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Today our team meets as usual to generate new ideas for coaching caregivers. Since re-entering the coaching field again (instead of just being the company's administrator) I am very aware ... Learn More >>
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The value of groups
Friday, June 7, 2013
Groups share the joy and halve the sorrow. I seek a group that shares like concerns as I do. I have joined a group locally of trusted professionals called Resources ... Learn More >>
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Virtual Dementia Tour
Friday, June 7, 2013
Our next Virtual Dementia Tour is at Care Well Adult Day Program in Norwell on June 12th. Call for information. We'll be there helping out as usual. ... Learn More >>
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The Orchestra
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Coach Francesca and I attended a wonderful seminar at Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology last Friday entitled' Cognitive and Emotional Aging'. One speaker likened the brain to an orchestra. "If ... Learn More >>
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More on caregivers
Saturday, May 4, 2013
I was invited to give a talk for an hour at a health fair. I decided on the title The Caregiving Journey and intended to make it general to any ... Learn More >>
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More on blessed caregivers
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Back at coaching, I'm meeting the most dedicated brave, patient people! And I find I have so much more to give in the way of information and support than I ... Learn More >>
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Boston Boston
Saturday, April 20, 2013
It is April 20 already. I have to digress today from speaking about dementia coaching to say how very proud I am of our city Boston. To apprehend the Marathon ... Learn More >>
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My business coach...
Saturday, April 20, 2013
I just got a call from Ken Cheo who helped me design how I wanted to conduct my fledgling busines back in 2008 when we incorporated. He sent me a ... Learn More >>
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Early Memory Loss Group
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Well, Francesca and I co-led our first support group for people concerned about their memory. A surprising turn of events was that most came to learn how to treat others ... Learn More >>
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Back Coaching
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
With the increase in referrals for Alzheimer coaching, I've resumed being a coach myself instead of doing just the administrative 'stuff' (ah, so boring!). I had forgotten the effort and ... Learn More >>
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Hurray for e-mail!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Imagine running a business with laryngitis! That was me this week past. If it had not been for email I would have been in deep water. Several referrals came in ... Learn More >>
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Virtual Dementia Tours
Thursday, March 21, 2013
You can see on our news page that we are partnering with several fine companies to offer Virtual Dementia Tours. The people who take this tour say they can never ... Learn More >>
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Hello to all
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hello. This is where our blog will be from now on. You won't have to leave our site and can catch up on all Stilmee's goings on.
There is a ... Learn More >>
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Who is left?
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Today at team we looked at how the Virtual Dementia Tour depicted the plight of the person with dementia and compared it to John Zeisel's Hopeful Aging view. Zeisel appears ... Learn More >>
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Blog Coming Soon
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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