Awakening: Eldercare - Interviews with Compelling People by Connie Shaw

Jane Trainor is a long-time Fairbanks resident, who is a healer, colonic therapist and humanitarian. She moved her mother into her home from the East Coast after mother Marcia's short stay in a nursing home. Her mother was in very poor physical and mental condition when she arrived in Alaska. Jane set up a program of nutrition, physical, mental and social improvement for her mother. With the help of her family and community resources her mother came "back to life." Topics: Trapping and Fishing in the Alaskan Bush * Moving to Fairbanks * The Deal: Rehabilitating Marcia * Dependable Daily Schedule * Supplements for Strength and Clarity * Marcia Walks and Socializes in the Community * Foundation of Daily Spirituality * The Adult Day Care Center * Strict Routine is Essential * Keeping Jane’s Mood Up * The Private World of Dementia * Avoiding Care-giver Burn-out * Researching Financial Assistance * Getting Support * Marcia’s Eventful Early Life * Marcia’s Tears of Gratitude * Insights and Blessings * Reverence for Elders * Athabaskan Tribal Values * Marcia’s Newly-Restored Capacities * Creating a Quality Life * Importance of Support/Water/Diet/Exercise * Taking Marcia To Church * Reversal of Some Aspects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Suzanne Shaw of Danville, Indiana, is a gifted medical intuitive and intuitive life-coach who is a self-employed single woman, and an only child, who moved from Colorado to a small rural community to care for her eighty-seven-year-old widowed mother, Kathleen. Topics: Bathroom organization * Appliances * Safety bars and rails * Widen the doors or not * Raised toilet seat * Shower bench * Ramps * Chair lift * Battery-backed stair-lift * Lift-bed * Walker beside the bed * Three-wheel walker with seat and basket * Stand-up lift chair *Mobility scooters * Lifeline necklace * Cell-phone address book numbers or address book numbers to carry: doctors; insurance contacts; hospital; Senior Center * neighbors * pastor/ priest/rabbi; religious affiliations; chaplain; hotlines; ambulance; retirement center * family members * animal vet * kennel * best friends and support groups.

Suzanne Shaw of Danville, Indiana, is a gifted medical intuitive and intuitive life-coach who is a self-employed single woman, and an only child, who moved from Colorado to a small rural community to care for her eighty-seven-year-old widowed mother, Kathleen. Topics: Demands on the caregiver * Local senior centers * Federal and state agency resources * Free services * Respite care * Groceries * Cleaning * State Council on Aging * Military benefits through USAA * AARP help * Meals: Seattle Sutton; Meals on Wheels; Jenny Craig; Hospital Dietitian; Cook-ahead meals; Freeze extras; Soups; Health food store frozen dinners * Legal help: you MUST have a great lawyer * The Living Will * The Will * Power of Attorney * Medical Power of Attorney * Carry all medical papers to all appointments. * Use only bonded and insured services. * Have credit card info on file at the pharmacy. * Insurance * Six floods in five years (no backwater insurance). $30,000 damage bill vs. $40.00. * Earthquake insurance *

Rosemary Strauss, nurse and massage therapist, has performed wonders with her 97 year-old mother, Theresa Kulinski, who now reads a book a day, no longer uses a wheelchair, does chores and helps with the animals. Learn how Rosemary has rehabilitated Theresa and created a rich country life for them and their horses, dogs, pond fish and other well-cared-for animals in scenic Kentucky. Topics: How to interact as a parent-advocate with medical staff * Mom’s tasks and responsibilities * The importance of exercise, reading and socializing * Parents in nursing homes * What to look for * Identifying the three stages of bed sores * A caregiver's personal renewal * Gratitude List * 'Caring for Mother' story * Importance of touch * 'Poison for Mother-in-Law' Story * How to massage the hands * Self-renewal routines for caregivers * Consider your mood, words and attitudes.