A promise (I hope) for the new year

Ahhh... a new year is upon us. One brimming with possibilities.

This one, at least for us in Pittsburgh, is starting off to be a cold one. Even my kitty, Vincent Van Gogh, is bundling up to stay warm.

2017 was a year of major changes for me, although my family came through it intact. No deaths. No births. No one added and, thank God, no one subtracted.

Unlike the previous year when we experienced 20 deaths (family and friends), this year the changes were good ones. Yes, my husband did suffer a major heart attack in October and I almost lost him, but the fantastic part is I didn't!! 

My changes were work-related. I just completed 13 months at my new job -- a job that takes me out of the comfort zone of my own home and into an office setting. I haven't worked full-time outside of my home since 1982. This was a huge change for me. And it came with a cost. As manager of Dignity Home Care Professionals in Pittsburgh, I no longer have the time to devote to the blog as I once had. I'm still operating my other business, Speechless, which specializes in writing, editing, and voice-over work, and while I'm not actively pursuing new clients, the old ones still keep me busy from time-to-time. 

I felt I needed to apologize to you, the faithful members of the Green Grandma community, who continue to drop by occasionally, perhaps in hopes of something new, only to find out I haven't posted in weeks. I am truly sorry. I even ended up dropping my monthly installments of Vinegar Fridays. 

The crux of the problem is that I don't like posting content that isn't well-researched and is useful to you, my readers. And I simply haven't had time to present you with that kind of content.

That said, I will add that I am not shutting down the blog. I will try to post something weekly throughout the new year. And, of course, I love featuring guest bloggers. So... if you have something you would like to share with the GG community, let me know. You can reach me at greengrandma@comcast.net. I look forward to hearing your ideas. Perhaps you have an Instant Pot recipe to share. Or an environmental cause to support. Or a car seat safety tip you've not seen elsewhere. Whatever it is, pitch the idea to me and we'll see what we can do. 

So keep coming back in search of some useful tidbits that help you navigate this thing called life. I strive to spread kindness while encouraging you to live greener and healthier lives. 

Thanks for sticking with me.

Serving Up Elder Care with a Side of Kindness

Watching our parents age is rough. And there always seems to be decisions that have to be made. As their physical and/or cognitive abilities start to fail, the questions arise: 


Should we sell the house? 
Should they go to a nursing home? 
Is assisted living the best option? 
Should they move in with us?

The questions swirl in your mind throughout the day and rob you of sleep at night. After all, Mom's taken care of you all of your life. Dad taught you how to drive. Grandpap told you stories. Grandma held you on her lap and made you feel safe. What happens when they need you? Who will make them feel safe?

Sometimes, the answers are clear. There simply isn't another option other than placing your loved one into a facility where they'll receive proper care. But for many, this is only one option, not the only one. Multi-generational living is common in many other countries, more so than in the United States, but it is gaining ground here. The "sandwich generation" is raising children and caring for their parents or grandparents under one roof. But, while the rewards are countless, it's still not easy. Sometimes you need a break. A bit of respite. Perhaps a date night with your spouse once a week. But what do you do with Grandma?

Often, our parents have trouble letting go of their homes. They've spent 50+ years there and they swear they're going to die there. That's their wish. And you don't want to break their hearts. At the same time, moving back home is not an option and you're fearful of something happening when they're all alone in an empty house. Burners are left on. Falls happen and no one knows. There's a mix-up with medications. These things happen. All.the.time.

Did you know there are non-medical in-home care companies that exist just for these reasons? In Pittsburgh, there is a company called Dignity Home Care Professionals. Their tagline is "Where kindness matters" because that's at the heart of the company. Treating their clients with kindness and dignity as they face this final chapter in their lives is what it's all about. 

Whether you need regular full-time or part-time care for your loved one or you need an occasional break or a night out, the fully trained caregivers at Dignity Home Care Professionals can make all the difference. Really. They can. 

What better gift can you give to those who gave you the gift of life than to offer them loving care through a company that strives to serve this greatest generation in a manner it deserves -- compassion, loyalty, understanding, patience, dignity, and kindness. And what better gift can you give yourself than the peace of mind it will bring?

Caring for you and the seniors in your life,