The Art of Helping: Introduction

My father suffered from vascular dementia, an incremental brain deterioration caused by years of faulty circulation. I took care of him for the last three years of his life, as his dementia progressed from moderate to life-changing. For the most part, people were not much help, and that’s the truth of it. But there were instances of inspired, compassionate help that, even now, long after Dad’s death, I am still grateful for.

The following thoughts on the Art of Helping are derived from people of intuition, understanding and insight, all essential gifts for any artistic expression.

-- Maureen O’Hern

About Maureen:

Recently repatriated to Indiana from California, I am a long-time single parent of two sons, a grandma, a retired educator, a rusty musician, a botanical artist, a gardener and a lover of all things herbal. As a former daughter and niece, I am working to finish a book about caregiving.

Each day this week we will feature a new heartwarming and inspirational story:
#1 Being Present
#2 Discerning want and need
#3 Giving permission to vent
#4 Leaving the one-way message
#5 Saying “I know you are struggling”