Who is doing work that matters?

Dr. Peter Lichtenberg is a rare find — a combination of a first-class leader at the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State, a respected researcher and author, a renowned thought leader in the field of dementia, and someone who deeply cares about older people.

For those of you that question the generosity of others, Dr. Lichtenberg will change your mind.

A quote from the great Italian renaissance artist Michelangelo…when in his 80′s.

My friends say I am addicted to learning. I consider that a compliment.

On June 11th, I defended my thesis at New York University. It is a great experience to go back and do graduate work purely to learn. We rarely have that luxury when we get our degrees in the beginning of our careers.

People often do not reach out for help during their eldercare journey, perhaps because caregivers are exhausted or they don’t want to burden others. You do not need to find one ideal person—instead consider a collection of people that you can call upon when you need help or reinforcement.

The words I hear most often from people who cared for an aging relative are: “I wish I understood then what I understand now.”

That is why my next series of blogs will highlight thought leaders, books, websites, and innovative concepts I wish I knew about BEFORE I cared for my parents.

May 6th is my mother’s birthday. Five years ago we had a birthday party for her with the theme—There’s No Place Like Home—The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps you have guessed by now that my mother’s name was Dorothy. And yes she was wearing ruby red slippers.

The single most important message I can share is: don’t do it alone. Although I am an only child without children, I did not travel the labyrinth of eldercare alone. I was so fortunate to have so many wonderful people help me in the journey.

I, like many others, felt unprepared for caring for my aging parents when they suddenly needed me. With all of our education and experience, why is that? Perhaps it is because there is a general feeling that caring for parents is an interruption to “real life” and a burden. Perhaps society is so youth oriented that we do not consider it a privilege to care for the older person that no longer is the same. Perhaps it is denial.