Everyone needs social connections. For many of us, our social connections shrivel as we age. Our families grow up and sometimes move away. Maybe you’re living alone after the loss of a partner or are in poor health or have a disability. Whatever, when you are socially isolated, loneliness can creep up on you. Social isolation and loneliness can pose […]
The healthcare we receive in Australia is world class. But, unfortunately, sometimes things can go a little wrong. Many people don’t know quite where to turn when something has gone wrong with their medical care. Perhaps, their care was fine but they have been treated poorly or not listened to by health professionals. Giving feedback and sharing the experience of […]
Sometimes, it can cost a small fortune to find an original copy of a loved one’s will. If you are tracking down a lost will, start out by searching the home, their computer and by seeking information from relatives and close friends. Reflect on your loved one’s personality. What might be a likely place for them to securely store their […]
Most of us have experienced some form of trauma event in our lifetime. You might have witnessed a shocking event, suffered a series of losses or have been traumatised in childhood. Trauma has no boundaries. Irrespective of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, anyone can suffer trauma. Everyone responds to trauma differently. Some people can bounce back […]
It was a wake-up call for our friend’s parents, Deepak and Aarya, yesterday. Retired and keen for excitement, these two nomadic travelers had their first taste of being pickpocketed in Europe. They didn’t see it coming. They had been absorbed in the architectural flair of Madrid’s aristocratic Chamberi district when they stopped in a park to put their feet up […]
Did you know that 4 out of 5 Australians say that they are willing to become organ and/or tissue donors? Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 (36%) are registered to donate. At any time, there are around 1,800 people waiting for transplants. There are a further 14,000 Australians on dialysis who would benefit from a kidney transplant. Very few people die […]
If you are new to caring for one of 180,000 Australians who is in a wheelchair, you may benefit from these tips. As a carer or someone who is offering help in the moment, it is important to respect that the person in the wheelchair is ALWAYS in the driver’s seat. Ask permission first before you touch their chair. Understanding […]
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of expat life. If something happens to Mum or Dad you are a long way from home when it comes time to pitch in and take care of them. So aside from feeling guilty that you can’t be with them, what can you do to practically help and support them? Let’s […]
I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel just a little anxious about visiting a loved one with dementia. Maybe it sounds silly. I mull over what to talk about and how to say things so as not to spark memories that may upset them. I try to sit in silence but that doesn’t always work for me. I […]
Say you’ve had a virus that, no matter what, you can’t seem to shake. You start to feel lousy, then really lousy. Your heart rate becomes faster. You may experience, fever or chills, nausea and vomiting, fatigue or weakness and blotchy or discoloured skin. You may also have an impending feeling of doom, as if its all going to end. Think […]
