Dad moves to the Alzheimer floor

Planning ahead for the unexpected

A few weeks ago they moved my Father in law from the 6th floor to the 3rd floor, at first we thought it was just for a few days but soon found out that it was now permanent.  Today I went to pick Dad up to bring him out for a family dinner at our home.  I hadn't been to the third floor yet, which is the Alzheimer floor.  He was moved to this floor because he needed more care, since the Alzheimers is getting worse.  My husband had told me a little about this floor but you really don't understand until you see it for yourself. 

I arrive and it looks pretty much the same as the 6th floor just a different paint colour on the walls, but then you get to the main desk and there is a flurry of activity.  I scan the area and quickly pick Dad out amongest the crowd sitting in the television room.  He is ready to go, coat on waiting for me.  I had called ahead so that they knew not to get him set up for dinner.  Since I am a new face to these residents on this floor some start questioning who I am and where I am going.  I smile and continue to walk towards Dad. 

I couldn't put the book down

Still Alice - by Lisa Genova

 

I was told by a few people that I should read this book Still Alice by Lisa Genova, since I am in the field of promoting planning for the unexpected.  This book I must say was a very easy read, I borrowed it from my girlfriend on Friday and had it read by Sunday.  Lisa did a great job of bringing the reader into the world of a person suffering from Alzheimer's.  Most books are from the caregivers perspective.  This book was written in simple easy to read terms that allowed you to understand both sides, the person with the disease and how it affects the family, friends and colleagues.  

Being on the other side of the disease, a caregiver and family member affected by the disease it allowed me to understand what my father in law must be going through. 

This is why I am passionate about Long Term Care Insurance

Great article in the Toronto Star this weekend

You never know when you are going to need care, it can happen at any age at any time.  The problem we face as Canadians is we are not prepared for it, emotionally, financially or even care wise.  After reading this article I turned to my husband and I said "This is why I am so passionate about Long Term Care insurance, it isn't because I can make a living off of it, it's because we have a crisis happening in our own country and most people are unaware of it." 

Please read this article and tell me your thoughts, Dying palliative nurse leading push for 'good' deaths

Living in the Moment

 

Summer is a time for family, friends, relaxation and to recharge from the Canadian winter months.  As I sit on the beautiful peaceful dock in Muskoka I write this issue.  I wasn't sure what I was going to write about and then it came to me after I finished reading an article in the this month's readers digest.  The article was an interview with Michael J Fox and he spoke about living in the moment.  What exactly does this mean, living in the moment?

 

When and why should my child be insured?

Future Insurability, and a gift that will last their lifetime.

Insurance is not a fun topic and most people don't even think about it for themselves let alone their child.  In my opinion every child should have some form of insurance and I am not just saying that because I am in the insurance business.  I have seen and experienced too many children needing insurance in their childhood years or being denied insurance in their adult years.  Obesity and critical illnesses at a young age are

 

Alzheimer Society of Greater Simcoe County celebrates 25 years!

The Alzheimer Society of Greater Simcoe County celebrated 25 years at the South Shore Center, and I was proud to take part in their celebration. This chapter has been instrumental in supporting my family when my father in law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  They hold regular support meetings that my Mother in law and I attended in the early years of Dad's disease and they even went to my daughters classroom and explained Alzheimer's to her and her classmates.  This was not only extremely helpful in helping our daughter understand what her grandfather was going through but she also found out that she was not the only student in her classroom who had a grandfather or relative with the disease.

The Alzheimer Society kicked off the night with the airing of the documentary "Forgetful not Forgotten."  This is one documentary you

 

Celebrating 20 years of marriage

Long term relationships are hard to find today, and this month I am happy to say I am celebrating 20 years of marriage with my hubby.  We met 27 years ago at a dance, and yes I was just a child.  When I stop and hear those words 27 years, I sometimes can't believe we have been together for over half our life.  Wow, someone please give my husband a medal!  People have asked me, "what is your secret? "   

Losing my Mom to Cancer

I remember the call like it was yesterday.  I was working from my home office and the phone rang, the person on the other end of the phone told me that my Mom had 24hrs to live.  My heart sank and my world stopped.  My mind then went into panic mode as to what to do.  I packed my bag, called my husband and told him the news and I jumped in the car and headed down the 400.  Even though my Mom was only an hour away it felt like an eternity.  My mind was thinking of what I should say or do in this situation.  Mom was diagnosed in March with lung cancer and it was now June, we thought we had more time.  The guilt, the anger, the sadness consumed me all at once. A million questions went through my head as I drove down that highway.  There were so many unanswered questions, thoughts I wanted to say to my Mom, and now I might not get the chance.  She was only 57 years old, she has grandchildren that are just young, she won't see them grow up, they won't get to know her.  I was going to lose a big influence in my life.  It was overwhelming the thoughts.

Welcome to Cindy ODonnell's website!

This week has been a whirlwind of activity. Thank you to all my friends, colleagues, family and clients who have visited my site. Your feedback has been greatly appreciated. Many of you know that this website was one of my visions when I became an independent advisor. A big thank you to piggybank technology for helping make this vision come true.