Enjoyed presenting a workshop to the National Adult Protective Services Association this past week. I had a fantastic group of about thirty dedicated professionals who chose to spend time with me. Their questions helped me clarify one of the core ideas behind Restoring Lives, all great care giving is relationship based. Once they know they are protected, the daily routines of frail elders are the heart of their life.
Care givers, nurses, protective service workers, social workers and guardians are all part of the care giving world. This world can seem frightening and uncertain to frail elders, especially those who have been ripped off. Understanding and defending care giving boundaries is important. At times care givers take advantage of those they help. But equally important is helping people who need care form positive relationships with those helping them. This is the key to making the last phase of life a time of love and joy. To quote one of the characters in Restoring Lives, a man who lived bed bound in a loving and competent adult family home for two years after we helped him leave a meth house, "I'm the luckiest guy alive!"
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