Patricia Grace's Page

I recently interviewed Ryan Malone, managing editor of Inside Assisted Living, on my radio program, Aging with Grace. I invited him to discuss his book By Families, For Families Guide to Assisted Living. During the course of the interview I couldn't help but be taken by his passion and commitment to make sure his mom received the best assisted living care that he could find and she could afford.

His primary goal was to move his mother closer to him after she had a devastating stroke. He researc… Continue

Recently I blogged on another site that listening to music was a wonderful activity for a person to share with a family member that is suffering with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Music like Alzheimer's takes us back to a memory that we associate with another time in our life.

As a child growing up (I'm now 59) I always loved the soulful sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Morgana King, Cleo Laine, Shirley Bassey, Etta James and Rae Marnie. Each of these great artist recorded a song that when… Continue

What’s a good response to the statement, “Call me if you need me?” Despite the fact that family caregivers are drowning in responsibility or may be confused about what to do next, they find it so hard to ask for help. Even when help is offered, often they respond “no thanks”.
Here are six steps to getting help…
Recognize that care giving, like any job, is made up of lots of individual tasks, not all of which are of the same importance.

Recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength and no… Continue

My husband went to pick up my 87yr old mother and bring her to our home for Sunday dinner as he does every week. As they came in the front door, I hugged my mom as I always do. As I stood there taking an extra long hug (I do this now all the time because...well, I don't know if I will get the chance again) I saw my husband in extreme animation pointing to his eyebrows and then pointing to mother. It certainly appeared to be code for, "holy crap your mom has to much makeup on."
As I broke, the em… Continue

Eldercare Issues: Beware of FREE referral, placement, and directory services: They are not really free
During these tough economic times, more and more stressed caregivers are gravitating to the web for help and guidance. With the plethora of "free" internet referral, placement, and on-line directory services for families in search of eldercare products and services such as homecare and assisted living, it is important to know exactly how these services make their money and how it might affect y… Continue