I know this may seem like a harsh message to hear but I think it’s very important as we think of ourselves as caregivers and our loved ones who require that care, so I wanted to write about how we all need each other, caregivers most of all! It’s haunting—the image of a confused Gene…
Hello supporters and friends 🤗 I once received a precious and unexpected present that so warmed my heart that it still resonates 15 years later. It happened during the 6-1/2 years that I cared for my late husband, Don, who had been paralyzed from the neck down after a stroke. A carpenter working on a…
The Kathi Koll foundation provides aid that is personal and unique to each client. That’s the point of it. The foundation steps in, just as a caregiver might, to provide help when no one else is there to give it. I thought I would share with you two stories of how the generous support of…
Dear Family and Friends, I would like to start my blog by sending my utmost condolences to all who have been affected by the fires in Southern California. I personally know many of you, and words cannot express the sorrow and helplessness I feel. I did not feel it was appropriate to send my monthly blog in…
Actress Jennifer Garner is reportedly a huge fan of the “movement is medicine” adage. When she’s feeling down or worn, she might take time to cry, but soon she starts moving to help herself feel better. This approach is wise, according to numerous studies. Just walking five minutes each hour can provide benefits to your…
A caregiver yearned to take a bird photography class with her local museum, but she needed help. There was no one to watch her loved one on class day, and she couldn’t afford to hire somebody. The Kathi Koll Foundation learned of her plight and surprised her with a substitute caregiver for the day. She was…
Over a year and a half ago, President Jimmy Carter announced that he was entering at-home hospice care, which is generally reserved for people whom doctors expect to live less than six months. His wife, Rosalynn, joined him last fall and died a few days later. While her experience is more typical of hospice patients—75…
Choosing an elder care facility or retirement home for an ailing loved one can be a decision fraught with confusion and torment. Family members may feel guilty for not being able to meet the needs of their relative, whose declining physical or mental health may require more than they can provide at home. For example,…
One of summer’s delights can be cozying up to a good book. By delving into a character’s adventures, readers not only find enjoyment, they step into an alternate mental universe that can be incredibly beneficial to their health. Reading may lessen depression, enhance recovery from surgeries, and aid in the cognition of people battling dementia.…
What if stress is a good thing? Stress stems from caring about the events and activities in our lives. If we have various work and family responsibilities, then we feel concerned about managing them as well as possible. That is a good thing. It means we care. Yet, caregivers can be inundated with messages about the…