Caregiver Story: Author of "Being My Mom's Mom"

An interactive discussion with Loretta Woodward Veney. Loretta shares insights from her personal 14 year journey since her Mom's dementia diagnosis and inspired her book, Being My Mom's Mom 

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Chat Transcript

12:10:50     From  angela white : Good Day Everyone 

12:10:58     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : From Heidi Garvis to All Panelists:  12:03 PM

Good day everyone!  Heidi Garvis, Aging Life Care Manager.  My company is www.caringconsiderations.com 571-437-9396  RN Care Management-Caregiver Coaching-Senior Housing Search and Aging Life Care Planning

12:11:18     From  Alison Lynch : Hi All, my name is Alison Lynch, LGPC.  Looking for part time remote counseling employment with persons with dementia and aging population in Maryland only.  Looking for inhouse supervision or can pay for myself.  Able to transition to full time as I get my feet wet.  Have been a caregiver for two relatives with dementia, I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association.  13 years' working in mental health prior to getting master's and license. email me please at alisonlynch@yahoo.com. thank you

12:14:16     From  Noel White  : Thank you Steve. Noel White at Ellen Platt's The Option Group. Certified Care Managers that help families navigate the complex and confusing healthcare maze.  www.theoptiongroup.net. 410-667-0266. We serve Maryland and South/Central Pennsylvania.

12:17:21     From  angela white : Great idea

12:17:26     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Here is the link to The Option Group event on 1/22 https://live.remo.co/e/virtual-open-house-and-networkin/register

12:17:54     From  Ada Horsfall (Lifematters-More Than Homecare)   to   All panelists : Awesome idea about the purse!!

12:18:10     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : Here is the link to all recordings and upcoming events https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/digital-discussions

12:21:02     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : https://www.lego.com/en-us/seriousplay

12:22:06     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Sourcebook : We will definitely have Loretta back to talk more about the Legos

12:24:40     From  angela white : You are definitely inspirational

12:27:06     From  Heidi Garvis   to   All panelists : That is the cutest story

12:27:56     From  Ada Horsfall (Lifematters-More Than Homecare)   to   All panelists : Listening to music & dancing!!!

12:28:03     From  Sandra Wilson : I pray and sang

12:28:04     From  Heidi Garvis   to   All panelists : walks, call a friend, watch a funny movie, plan a gathering

12:28:05     From  Mary Hamilton   to   All panelists : I like motivational quotes. I have a few different packs to choose from each new day.

12:28:10     From  Joe Sperling : Sing songs from favorite era

12:28:26     From  Joe Sperling : watch movies

12:28:27     From  Donna Fuller : Snuggle with my dog:)

12:28:27     From  Alison Lynch : qi gong class

12:28:27     From  Christopher Michaels : I play with a dog if there's one around

12:28:31     From  angela white : Sing or think about something funny so I can laugh

12:28:40     From  Cathy Harrison : Exercise, meditation, watercolor painting

12:29:04     From  Kathy Clemmer   to   All panelists : I get a relaxing pedicure

12:33:40     From  Nancy Piness   to   All panelists : Thank you, Loretta, for your inspirational presentation! I sing, do calligraphy and African beading.

12:33:51     From  jackie mccord : I call up my god friend angela we always have something during our day that we can laugh or joke about. laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh.. 

12:34:19     From  Kathy Clemmer   to   All panelists : play ball and listen to music.

12:34:34     From  Alison Lynch : showing her pictures of herself when she was younger on facetime calls and talking about her memories

12:35:28     From  Heidi Garvis   to   All panelists : these are wonderful media articles

12:36:20     From  angela white : I cant wait to meet you

12:39:01     From  Sandra Wilson : Please go back to how to order

12:39:03     From  Deb Merriner : Deb Merriner,  Buckley’s for Seniors, 703.390.0535. My mother in law loves country music so we play some of her favorite artists and while she is listening to the songs, we google the artist to get interesting info about their lives.  we have uncovered a lot of funny and interesting stories surrounding their lives. When we were able to meet in person, we would go onto google maps and get the street view of her old neighborhoods or places from her childhood to see how much they changed. we also looked up names of old friends/boyfriends to see what we could learn about where they now live and what they’ve been up to.

12:39:04     From  Diane Watson : What a special person you are!!!

12:40:43     From  Bobbie Burkhart : Hello from PA. I am Bobbie Burkhart, Home Organizer specializing in helping Seniors and their families with downsizing and unpacking, decluttering and simplifying to help Seniors age in place and give their families peace of mind. 

Also looking to serve families after a death in the family to process their loved one's possessions.

Working virtually or hands-on in suburban Philadelphia. 215-300-5543

www.homeorganizingsolutions4u. om

12:41:53     From  Bobbie Burkhart   to   All panelists : Loretta, you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your experience. God Bless, Bobbie

12:42:18     From  Sant Gupta   to   All panelists : Please put the previous slide again

12:42:53     From  Sant Gupta   to   All panelists : Thank You

12:43:03     From  Alison Lynch : was impressed that the things you do to lift your spirits you do "with" your mom.  My thinking was things I do to feel better when not with mom.  You truly show a spirit of love in your dedication to your mission to "be there" for her.  I really admire this about you!

12:49:28     From  Ada Horsfall (Lifematters-More Than Homecare)   to   All panelists : You are so amazing: Turning lemons to lemonade!!!

12:52:07     From  Olive Freeman : Olive Freeman, Senior Care Management Advocate

12:52:14     From  angela white : its great that you stay connected with your mom and spending time with any person with Dementia is a jewel in itself. They need that.

12:52:48     From  angela white : They need US

12:53:55     From  Mary Hamilton   to   All panelists : My mother is going to be 92 at the end of this month. She does not have memory issues (with the exception of her age and this darn isolating pandemic!!). Mom has been living with my partner and myself for the past six years. She is doing better now than before she moved in with us. This joiurney has been both the most difficult and the most rewarding experience I have dealt with this far!! I try to live with much gratitude and no regrets.

12:54:19     From  Sant Gupta   to   All panelists : Can you please remove the slide so that we can see Loretta and you on full screen.

12:55:24     From  Mary Hamilton   to   All panelists : My mother does not have memory issues but she lost her vision about 10 years ago due to MD. Her not having her vision has been difficult with things like puzzles or playing cards or looking at pictures, etc.

12:56:26     From  SUSAN I WRANIK : Outstanding presentation, Loretta! Great suggestions.  WIsh I had been the daughter you are.

12:58:15     From  Mary Hamilton   to   All panelists : Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and positivity. I do find it a thin balancing act of helping mom when she needs it and when she can do something herself.

12:59:42     From  Mary Hamilton   to   All panelists : We have a Google Home for her. We told her she needs to say "Okay (keyword)" and when she tried to ask Google something she would begin with "Okay Keyword"   D)…….    We had to tell her "No Mom, it is Okay Google!!"

12:59:55     From  Kathy Clemmer   to   All panelists : Amazon has great fidget products.

13:00:15     From  Christopher Michaels : thank you so much for this presentation. Very inspiring, affirming, and energizing

13:00:42     From  Joe Sperling : LOVED THIS PRESENTATION!!

13:01:21     From  Kathy Clemmer   to   All panelists : Wonderful presentation, blessed to have been able to participate.

13:01:30     From  Gelareh Bassiry   to   All panelists : Great presentation. Thank you both!