The Story for Caregivers
Dec
10
Written by:
12/10/2009 11:12 PM
Richard Peck, the former Editor-in-Chief of Long-Term Living, a monthly magazine covering every aspect of the long-term care system launches his blog about 'caregivers' and all that the title entails.
It’s finally happened—a loved one (mother, father, spouse) is aging and needs assistance to get through life safely and well. And you are the caregiver providing that assistance—a good bet, considering that you are visiting SNAPforSeniors.com in search of a facility or other service to help you. SNAPforSeniors.com gives you excellent and comprehensive guidance to a facility or agency near you, but what should you expect when you get there? What should you watch for—and watch out for?
I recently concluded 18 years as Editor-in-Chief of Long-Term Living, a monthly magazine covering every aspect of the long-term care system you have just entered. At every level of care, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly, and I know how difficult it is for people first encountering this system. We all know, or know of, someone who is going through this experience. Every story is unique but they share common factors: the surprises, the shocks, the occasional ordeals. Less well-known, because they haven’t been talked about as much, are the good things that happen—the hard and caring work of providers, the often surprisingly pleasant environments. I was the fortunate witness of much of this, as well, in my years at Long-Term Living.
But in any case it remains a difficult and challenging world for everyone involved in it—emotionally, financially, intellectually. In coming weeks and months I propose to do what I can to assist you in finding your way through this system, the geography of which has been so well laid out for you by SNAPforSeniors.com. I’ll try to make my offerings readable and short, offering you nuggets to think about and act upon. And I’ll look forward to hearing from you, in this wonderfully interactive medium. I’m still learning too from contacts with caregivers like you, just as I did from my own five-year experience with my Mom.
This could be the start of a beautiful friendship. Please let me and your fellow readers know what you make of it all.
1 comment(s) so far...
Richard, I am so glad you are providing this forum! You're right, most people get thrown into the world of long term care and senior housing virtually overnight, with little (if any) warning - and even less experience. When my dad needed care a few years back, I was at sea - even though I worked in the long term care arena! There was so much I didn't know. Unfortunately, for most people it's trial by fire. You helped me during this period with my dad - and I'm quite confident you'll be able to help many with your insights.
By CC on
12/21/2009 1:42 PM
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