Arleen R. Stern, LCSW

Arleen Stern has been working with the elderly and their families for over twenty...read more

Advance Planning: Making Tough End of Life Decisions

Several months ago, I received a copy of a very thought-provoking book, The Best Way to Say Goodbye: A Legal Peaceful Choice at the End of Life, by Stanley A. Terman, PhD, MD. It is an exhaustive resource on a method that can be used to end one’s life through the voluntary refusal of food and fluids. It is difficult for most people to discuss end of life. It only gets more difficult when you consider when and under...Read entire article »

Choosing a Home Health Agency: A How-to Guide

During a hospital discharge, people who require additional skilled care in the home are usually referred to a home health agency by the hospital discharge planner. But many consumers are finding that they need to hire home health on their own. Finding the right agency to take care of a loved one can be daunting, and often comes at a crisis point. Take a deep breath—it is possible to find a good agency, and good people to help work...Read entire article »

Homecare: 7 Surefire Ways to Create a Symbiotic Relationship

Last week I received a call from a family in a crisis. Their elderly aunt, who is 96 years old, had recently become more ill and physically frail. The family caregivers were fighting over the fact that more help was needed and hours had been juggled. Accusations were flying. The relatives were at sea as to how to resolve the friction. I was brought in to help, and quickly. This led me to thinking: what makes these situations work from...Read entire article »

Coping Strategies for Caregivers: 4 Ways to Make it Through

Hi everyone, My last post addressed coping strategies for caregivers, a topic I believe can never be exhausted. So this post will continue the theme. This month I’m presenting several important strategies with a philosophical bent. To make the most of these strategies, take the time to think about what’s really important to you. 1. Open Your Hearts It is important to be “tuned in to” our loved ones when we are with them. This includes telephone conversations. During...Read entire article »

Life and Loss: Coping Strategies for Caregivers

Hi everyone, My dear friend Carol’s father died a month ago. Last Friday night at our synagogue, she stood up to say Kaddish, the communal prayer for the dead, and I was taken aback by my visceral reaction at seeing my friend stand and speak those ancient words. The reality of her loss and her vulnerability, as well as my own, struck me full force. In that moment, I realized anew that what had happened to her will happen to...Read entire article »