Happy New Year 2010!

As I write, it is four minutes until midnight 2010, Pacific Time! I am thankful for 2009 --my Mama lived through another year, she is comfortable and smiling, I have been blessed by a loving and supportive husband, and I have had the honor and privilege of working with many seniors who are going through physically challenging times as we help care for them from the hospital or skilled nursing facility to home.

May 2010 be your best year ever! I'm off to kiss my Mama Happy New Year!

Cheers and blessings, Jane Allison

P.S. She liked the kiss, but then she said, "There's a long white box on a table here somewhere that has chocolate inside. Could you bring me that please?" Sure, why not, it's New Year's Eve!

Santa Brought Mommy Chocolate-or Did He?

My Mother loves chocolate, but check out the photo of what Santa brought her this year. Not what you might expect! (Yes, he brought her the real stuff, too!) Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This is the day the Word became flesh and dwelt among us -- what a miracle -- God came down in human form to be among us -- to ultimately die for our salvation, so that God the Father would see Christ's atoning blood and reckon it to us as salvation to forgive us of our sins so that we who accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, repent of our sins, and accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross as atonement for our sins may be reconciled to the Father for all eternity! Blows me away every time I think of it, even shed tears as I write. I can never not cry when I think about it.

What King could we imagine here on earth, a human one, who would expect to be born, almost anonymously, in a stable of all places, as humble as could be, without the trappings we value so much on earth. Think of the beautiful cribs we buy for our babies, and the rooms we set up. And yet He was the perfect son of the God who created all. And He came to us as a humble baby, and spent the first 30 years of his life again almost anonymously and worked as a laborer. Not just a miracle -- the most beautiful of miracles! Fall on your knees and hear the angels' voices, O, Night Divine, O, Night When Christ was born. Hallelujah! And Praises to God in the Highest!

On an earthly level, as I write this early in the morning, my Mama is tucked away with visions of sugar plums dancing in her head. I woke her up at 6 a.m. and said Merry Christmas! It's Christmas, she said. Yep, what day is that, I asked. December 25--she got it right. Whose birthday is it? Jesus'. I'm listening to Celine Dion's beautiful rendition of O Holy Night -- Christ is the Lord, let ever ever praise we, Noel, Noel, O Night, O Night Divine.

May you and your loved ones have a beautiful, sacred, blessed Christmas. And may we forever be grateful for the greatest gift of all!

Home Health Agencies Not All the Same

What is a home health agency? Whether your Mom or Dad has been in the hospital or is coming home from a nursing facility after rehabilitation or a recuperative stay, they may qualify under Medicare or private insurance for follow-up care by a home health agency. Some people also look for extra help that is not covered by insurance, and home health agencies provide these services as well. However, not all home health agencies are created equally.

Medicare-certified home health agencies come under the strictest governmental regulations and provide many benefits and services. They allow an individual to go home after a hospital visit with skilled nursing and physical and occupational therapy care. There are many home health agencies that operate without government regulation. Whether you are choosing a home health agency for private duty, Medicare or other insurance-covered services, the best ones will typically be those that are Medicare-certified.

To search for ratings on the best Medicare-certified home health agencies in your area, click here.

Happy Halloween!

My Mother's favorite day, I think, after Christmas and Easter. Why? Candy, candy, candy. "What kind of candy do you like?" "Any kind!" My sweet trick-or-treater.

Thank you, San Diego Hospice!

Revocable Living Trust v. Will

You Need Will-Brenda's Question From New York!

What a Moment! Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington

We had the honor of lunching in the Senate Dining Room Wednesday -- this is a view that took my breath away as I snapped what we saw from a location at the Capitol where the public rarely gets to stand. Ask me about the experience going through the security gate! And parking next to the President of the Senate! What a day! Standing and gazing at this site brought tears to me eyes....thinking of what our country stands for and represents, the heritage, the ideals. My favorite city in the world. God Bless America, and may we in turn be a blessing to others.

Love Other People's Parents, Too!

Helen just celebrated her 95th birthday! Who could guess?

Get Your Parents to Read!

Here's Mama reading the great Book 212 degrees--the difference between success and failure via the boiling water metaphor is one degree. In her advanced state of dementia, if I asked her if she would like to read something, she'd say no. But if I put something to read in her hands, she starts reading. She read this book for two hours, and then I asked her, "What was the book about?" And she said, "About a man who had nothing and became something!"

Don't underestimate your Mom or Dad's ability to engage. Talk to them, if there eyes are good, put something with big letters in their hands, ask them about what they're reading. Keep those brain cells active! And have fun while your're doing it!

A Beautfiul, Timely Psalm -- 33-- New American Standard Bible

Sing for joy in the Lord, oh you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a heart of ten strings.
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
And all His work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The world is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the earth stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done.
He commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the people.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.

The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for his lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.

Amen.

Italics mine. Blessings, Jane Allison

Talk to Your Parents--Especially if they Have Dementia

Keep your parents' brain cells stimulated, even if your mother says you talk too much!

Kathy from Nebraska Says--My Aging Parents Are Driving Me Crazy!

Favorite Quote of the Day -- Service

Truly great leaders understand that leadership is all about the opportunity to serve people and add quality to their life. Unknown

Caregivers--Take Care of Yourself!

What a lovely still frame! My friend, Jeff Rivera, was visiting from New York City and took this as a PRACTICE -- like we were on a Hollywood set. But gotta love that real background!

Thanks for watching. If they're still here, call your Mom and Dad and tell them you love them! It will make their Sunday! Blessings, Jane Allison

Love Your Parents and They'll Love You Back!

Here is a quick tip -- no make-up or hair, all vanity aside, here we go! Blessings, Jane Allison

Fairy Tales and Dragons

"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
G. K. Chesterton

My Mom's a YouTube Star!

Okay, so I was supposed to use my FlipCam to record elder care tips, but since I was shy (I did them, they're upcoming) -- I thought I would start with one of my pretty Mama. So, here she is in her debut. The backstory is that every time I leave the room after talking with her, she turns to our caregiver and says, "She sure talks a lot!" Oh, well. Hope you enjoy! Love, Jane Allison

Ready for the big time!

Flipcam in hand -- ready to add those videos for #eldercare tips -- only problem is I have to be in them! I'll do my best! Hope you enjoy.

Dementia Cases Expected to Jump Significantly

A new study says dementia cases are expected to rise quickly over the next years. It is so important for individuals and families to prepare for elder care while there is still time!

Nightingale Home Healthcare

What an amazing week! I had the privilege of spending three days in Carmel, Indiana, visiting the beautiful new headquarters of the family-run company, Nightingale Home Healthcare.

Nightingale serves the Midwest -- Indiana, Illinois, Chicago, Minnesota -- and Las Vegas and Southern California -- caring for family elders in their homes and assisted nursing facilities.

I was delighted to visit hospitals and homes with the loving nurses, physical therapists, and patient advocates of Nightingale. The company was founded and is led by Dr. Dev Brar and his lovely wife, Piper Brar, who is also an RN.

Dr. Brar founded Nightingale with the purpose and vision to provide great service to care for elder parents and support us children through the difficult times of aging.

For more information on how Nightingale can help you and your loved ones, please visit homecareforyou.com

Thank you, Dr. Brar, Elizabeth, Pat, Jo Ann, Greg, Craig, Jason, Nurse Ryan, Physical Therapist Kelly, Patient Advocate Pam, Della, and Piper for a fabulous week!

If your loved one is facing coming home after hospitalization or needs extra care at home, please give these great folks a call! They will smooth your way and take great care of you and your Mom or Dad.

Advisor to ParentGiving.com Helps Mom Taking Care of Mom

Good article on a loving daughter caring for a mother with Alzheimer's in NY Times Fashion and Style section. Ultimate help came from a lady who is an expert adviser to the great online magazine parentgiving.com.

Published Today on California American Chronicle

I am delighted to share that my article on my Mom's hydrocephalus disorder and surgical treatment was just published by American Chronicle!

While you're here, please sign up for our free newsletter and two free reports on What you Need to Know if You're Caring for an Elderly Parent!

The Laugh's on Me!

This is great. I go in to give my Mom her evening pills, and she says, "I think I'm lucky." "Lucky for what?" I ask. "Lucky that I get my pills." So I think lucky that we have the pills, lucky she has a loving daughter to give her the pills. Then my friend Kathy says, "Well, at least tonight you remembered the pills." Suddenly my mother's statement took on a whole new meaning!