caregiver Archives - Finishing Well In Life

A zookeeper is brushing the teeth of a hippo. openart-image_M_fcQQe2_1750797962591_raw

Unlocking Brain Health: The Surprising Benefits of Dental Hygiene

Posted on July 1, 2025July 29, 2025 by seniajean

Since ancient times, people have recognized the value of cleaning their teeth.
The ancient Egyptians even recorded practices of teeth cleaning. They created toothpaste using vinegar, crushed pumice stone, egg, and oyster shells. The Greeks and Romans continued the practice of using abrasive materials like crushed bones and shells as a way to clean their teeth. The Persians added gypsum, herbs, and honey to their mixtures. This was well before the toothbrush had even been invented. People used small twigs and bamboo to create their toothbrushes.

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

Respite Offers Welcome Relief for Caregivers

Posted on September 1, 2024September 1, 2024 by seniajean

While caring for our Mama when she had dementia, it didn’t take too long to realize that sleeping through the night was becoming a faint memory. It was perfectly normal for Mama to get up a few times each night to use the restroom, and my husband and I took turns getting up with her to make sure she didn’t get lost in the process.
A bell hung on her door jangled each time it was opened to alert us. It wasn’t too loud, but Mama’s room was close enough to ours so one of us could hear it.
After a while, the lack of sleep began to take its toll on us. We discovered a small care home that would take in temporary clients so we could get a night or two of uninterrupted sleep and be ready to welcome Mama back. Our experience with respite care made a world of difference.

Sunrise Photo by Frank McKenna on Unsplash

The Art of Rest – For Both Caregivers and Their Loved-Ones

Posted on July 1, 2023December 28, 2023 by seniajean

Whenever the topic of preventing dementia comes up, one item that seems to rise to the top of the list is rest – usually in the form of sleep. As in ‘get enough sleep each night’. While that is great advice, there are aspects of rest that need to happen in your waking hours as well. The secret is to somehow find the balance between all the responsibilities you have for your loved one, and your own well-being.

Capturing Your Caregiver Story

Posted on August 1, 2022August 1, 2022 by seniajean

Wayne and I recently met with a group of ladies who want to write a book. We were invited to attend the gathering by Venitra White-Dean, a lovely lady and founder of The Frankie Mae Foundation, a non-profit organization advocating for the caregiver as a whole person.
Each one attending realized they had a story to tell about their experience with caregiving. While everyone’s story shared similar elements, each was also unique. Their motto was, “We’re all singing the same song – just different verses.”

My Mama, Muriel Blankenship standing in front of her cedar tree.

The Journey of Helping a Loved One with Dementia …

Posted on May 1, 2022May 9, 2022 by seniajean

Finding Your Way
We had limited resources to help us when we first began our journey down the road of dementia with Mama. It was back in the early 2000s, and although the terms, dementia and Alzheimer’s were well known, the only books we could find at the time on the subject were medical journa

Senia Owensby preparing to make a video about finding joy.

Unexpected Blessings during the COVID-19 Quarantine

Posted on May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 by seniajean

Now that we’ve reached one of the milestones of sheltering in place, I know that some restrictions are beginning to be lifted, others are still under stay-at-home orders. None of this is easy, but I’d like to share some of the strategies we employed in the days that my Mama could not get out and about as much due to dementia.

Caregivers make a difference. Friends make a difference for caregivers.

Resources, Applause, and Help for Caregivers

Posted on November 29, 2018March 10, 2025 by seniajean

As we move closer to the end of the year, take a moment to consider and celebrate the contribution of friends and family members who care for loved-ones – not by a pat on the back, but in concrete ways. Family Caregivers are certainly heroes, but not ‘Superhero’s (meaning they can go on endlessly and never tire).

Find a sense of balance in your busy life

Posted on October 2, 2017October 13, 2022 by seniajean

In order to find a sense of balance in our busy lives, it is first important to define what balance actually is. One definition is a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.