What is Happiness and Can You Buy It?

Dr. Tim Lau, geriatric psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health unit has been speaking all around the country on the topic of happiness…so much so that he now has the moniker ‘The Happiness Doctor’. He has looked in-depth at the whole idea of...

Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout is a serious problem. Individuals usually are thrown into the caregiving scenario with not a lot of warning. It’s not like when you are going to have a baby – you have nine months to wrap your head around that fact – make your plans – and prepare...

Will It Happen To Me?

I think each of us grapple with our own mortality when our parents start to struggle with their health. And when the disease has a genetic component to it one of the greatest fears that niggle at the back of your mind is ‘will it happen to me?’ That is a big ‘niggle’...

Alzheimer’s Disease and Coconut Oil

Recently at a presentation I was giving on cognitive interventions with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease I was asked if I’d heard about the use of coconut oil as a treatment regime. I have to admit that I didn’t really have an opinion on it as I...

Alzheimer’s – the Caregiving Crucible

I was spending some quiet time thinking about a recent talk I have to give at a conference in March. I was mulling over different ways to approach the topic on maintaining connections in relationships where Alzheimer’s is part of the equation. As I was thinking...

Walking the Fine Line

I recently read an advertorial aimed at the ‘dutiful daughter’. The writer asked two questions: Do your parents and siblings rely on you whenever problems arise? Are you currently caring for your elderly parents as their health declines? If so, you may be...