news articles

Pat recently appeared on CBC 1's The Current, her latest of several appearances. This time to topic was granny-nanny's and it was a lively discussion - click here to have a listen.

Family Matters by Pat Irwin
Help's Here

Elsie was born in interesting times. Growing up in a working-class family in England, she experience first hand the hardships of the Depression, then "did her bit" in the Women's land army during WW II. She was the embodiment of the ethics of that time, "make do and mend", "You mustn't grumble", "you've made your bed, now you must llie in it", and a firm believer in stoicism, making the best of things, and never, ever making a fuss. Read more...

No Training or experience? You're Hired by Siri Agril
The Globe and Mail - Saturday, July 3rd, 2007

The high profile lawyer that Pat Irwin was scheduled to meet at a Toronto Starbucks
arrived clutching a Louis Vuitton purse, and left her car idling in the parking lot.

Waiting in the back seat was a young woman who had just been picked up at Pearson International airport. Hired as a caregiver to look after the lawyer's mother, she spoke little english, and never lived in Canada and had no experience in geriatric care. Read more...

House Work - Aging boomer will make Canadian home-care boom
Canadian Business - June 19 - July 16, 2006

Getting old isn't what it used to be. While seniors in need of healthcare used to depend on more traditional options - relying either on provincially funded government agencies to provide limited home care or making the often difficult decision to enter a retirement residence - many are now choosing to stay at home. Read more...

Where there's a Will: Plan ahead to prevent estate problems by Pat Irwin
Solutions - For today's caregiver, Volume 8, Issue 2, Summer 2006

In my last article in the winter issue of Solutions, I introduced you to the Johnsons: Mr. Jack Johnson; his wife, Frieda; and his sons, Bob and Steve. After suspecting his son Bob was misusing their joint funds, Jack had replaced Bob as his power of attorney for property and for perosnal care with Steve, his older son who lived in Newfoundland. Both parents had stored their Wills with Bob who, despite the estrangement caused by the power of attorney change, kept the Wills - the only copies. Read more...

Now it's Your Turn by Wendy Cuthbert
Investment Executive's Money Planner - December 2006

Mississauga, On., resident and new mother Mariam Mesbah loves showing off her baby girl, Leila, to freinds and family. And she spent her summer vacation in Newfoundland, where she grew up, doing just that.

She and her husband, Eric Wilson, have discussed their wills with her parents and reviewed their wishes for Leila's future should they die. But Mesbah used her summer visit to St. John's to discuss a more sombre and delicate topic with her parents - their needs and desires for their final years. Read more...

10 Ways to Help a Suddenly - Single Parent by Pat Irwin
Solutions - For today's caregiver, Volume 8, Issue 4, Winter 2006

After a parent passes away, a surviving parent will need as much support as possible. Here are 10 areas in which you can help your parent. Read more...

A Long Journey Back: Improving Emily's Care by Pat Irwin
Solutions - Elder and family caregiving, Volume 7, issue 1, Spring 2005

Emily Woodruff did not have a good year. After her husband of 60 years died in January, she became lonely and increasingly confused, and in June, she had a stroke, leaving her with right-side paralysis and limited speech. Eating was so difficult that doctors inserted an abdominal feeding tube. In July, she was discharged from hospital to a complex continuing care unit. In September, her son asked me to check on her care. Read more...

Happy Families - by Pat Irwin
Solutions - For today's caregivers, Volume 7, Issue 4, Winter 2005

"You're such an alarmist. Mom can decide herself if she needs help"
"I'm always stuck doing things for mom. Why won't my brothers help?"
"I'm power of attorney, so I'll make the decisions!"
"The bank called. I'm no longer authorized to sign on mom's account!"

Sound familiar? Even the most functional families have conversations like this - aloud or under their breath - and they are significant, since they represent some of the most typical and most misunderstood eldercare dilemmas. Read more...

"I'm Fine Dear..." When Parents Won't Accept Help by Pat Irwin
Solutions - A boomer's guide to work and life balance, Summer, 2002

A week before her discharge date there was a family conference. Her children came up with excellent ideas, so her adult daughter was feeling quite pleased with herself as she arrived to outline their plans. These included a support worker for baths; a homemaker for meals, cleaning and laundry; friendly visiting; telephone monitoring; and an alarm necklace for emergencies - "You'll never be alone, Mom."

Doreen's response shocked her daughter. A broken hip obviously doesn't mean a broken tongue - and where did our gentle Doreen learn that kind of language. Read more...