February 12, 2015

The Long Goodbye

Alzheimer's Disease. Anyone who has experienced a loved one having this disease knows how overwhelming and heartbreaking it can be. Nancy Reagan perfectly coined the phrase, "The Long Goodbye". With the average life expectancy of ten years from diagnosis, it's a phrase that perfectly captures the entire experience of incrementally grieving the loss of a person's personality, behaviors, memory and function.

On today's episode of The Silva Lining, I was joined by Rose M. Grant, author of "I Left My Memory on a Bus Somewhere" and John Rogers, Alzheimer's Programming Director at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, MA.

Rose's book is the conceptualization of her personal vow to "Turn grief into action"

Synopsis: Jack Grant was a witty, smart, talented art teacher and soccer coach when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 59. This book chronicles the journey of Jack, his care-giver wife Rose and their two teenagers through the next twelve years as they deal with the daily life of someone with dementia. Not only do we read of the trials and tribulations of a care-giver through Rose’s writing, we get to witness Jack’s decline through his journals and artwork. This memoir includes an appendix of coping techniques Rose developed during their journey.

John Rogers provided great insight from his vast experiences assisting and guiding families through the process of transitioning into a nursing home and facilitating support for family caregivers. When my grandfather made the difficult decision to transition to a nursing home after being the primary caregiver for his beloved wife as long as he possibly could, John gently and expertly made the experience as smooth as possible.

References from today's show:

To purchase "I Left My Memory on a Bus Somewhere", send an email to:

rgrant1229@comcast.net

Books can also be purchased at:

Partner's Village Store, 865 Main Rd., Westport, MA

Swansea Public Library, 69 Main St., Swansea, MA

Annie's Unique Boutique, 1049 County St., Somerset, MA

Rose's Upcoming Events:

Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 11:00 AM - Landmark Senior Living, 400 Columbia St., Fall River, MA * RSVP Katie Ledworth 508.324.7960

Thursday, March 19, 3:30 - 5:30 - Catholic Memorial Home (in conjunction with the flower show) 2446 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA

Tuesday, April 14 (time TBA) - The Olde White Church, 1113 GAR Highway (Route 6), Swansea, MA

The Southeastern Massachusetts Alzheimer's Partnership - free seminars for caregivers (click on image to enlarge)

Catholic Memorial Home's Community Support Groups - for caregivers of family members with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias (click on image to enlarge)

The Silva Lining is thankful for our wonderful sponsor, St. Anthony of Padua Credit Union. We are proud to be sponsored by such an incredible bank, that in an age of conglomerate banks treating people like numbers, maintains a relationship with its members based on trust, friendly service and loyalty. With competitive rates for savings accounts and various loans, St. Anthony of Padua can handle all of your financial needs. Convenient online banking and more information at www.stanthonyofpaduafcu.com

January 29, 2015

A FINE Education

by Amy L. Silva Rigtrup

Back in 1890, when my great great grandfather decided to enter the funeral business, all he had to do was place a sign that said "Undertaker" outside on his shingles.

Things have come a long way since then. Now, funeral directors and embalmers need to pass a national board exam and then get licensed from their state of employment. Massachusetts is a dual licensure state where the funeral directing and embalming licenses are combined into one.

Where can you find a school to help you learn the various skills that are needed to pass the board exam and enter the industry? In New England, you'll find a college that specializes in all aspects of the funeral business and will expertly prepare you for the board exam - FINE Mortuary College.

On today's episode of The Silva Lining, I was joined by Kevin Koch, President of FINE; Laurence Magner, Professor at FINE and Chrissy Quintal, a current FINE student. We had a great conversation about all that goes into obtaining and Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science, as well as the advantages that FINE has to offer.

Personally, I have FINE to thank for giving me an excellent foundation for my career by arming me with an education, confidence and a network of funeral professionals from Maine to Pennsylvania.

Visit www.fine-ne.com for more information about FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. The faculty is absolutely friendly and would be glad to answer any questions or even schedule a tour of their newly renovated facilities.

January 22, 2015

All Are Welcome

by Amy L. Silva Rigtrup

This week on The Silva Lining, our guest was the Reverend Holly Norwick from the First Christian Congregational Church, lovingly known as The Olde White Church in Swansea, MA.

A continuation of my mission to share the opportunity to learn about different religions, denominations and spiritual communities, we discussed Holly's church, which is part of the United Church of Christ family. What I found most impressive was the overall theme of "welcoming". The church's history is astounding. Dating back to 1680, it is believed to be the first church in New England to admit all christians to membership regardless of their theological beliefs or backgrounds. To this day, the church has held true to that mission, as stated on their website, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

Anyone can request funeral services at The First Christian Congregational Church and will receive a ceremony catered to the unique nuances of your loved one along with the gentle, loving and inspirational guidance of a pastor that will walk with you through it all.

For more information on The First Christian Congregational Church visit their website at www.theoldewhitechurch.org

Our show is proudly sponsored by:

FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. Some wonderful staff, professors and even a current student from FINE will be joining me for next week's show. Have you ever wondered what goes into becoming a funeral director or embalmer? Listen next week, January 29th at 2:00pm on WSAR 1480AM to find out. Call in and join the conversation at (508) 673-1480 - we'd love to hear from you! Visit www.fine-ne.com anytime for information on this amazing school.

St. Anthony of Padua Federal Credit Union - where I've held an account since I was born - is a top notch bank that will treat you like family. Now able to serve all of Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Dartmouth, Tiverton and Assonet, their friendly and loyal staff are eager to help their members with any and all financial needs, offering competitive rates for savings as well as loans. Convenient online banking and more information at www.stanthonyofpaduafcu.com

January 15, 2015

It's All About The Sacraments

by Amy L. Silva Rigtrup

One of the things I love most about being a funeral director is that I get to work with, observe and learn from many different religions, denominations and spiritual beliefs. As funeral directors, we have to be open to any spiritual backgrounds and requests possessed by the families we serve. Getting to know all of the various church communities and witness the many types of services and customs is an opportunity most don't get to experience.

On this show, I hope to provide that chance to all of my listeners and readers by highlighting and interviewing clergy, pastors, rabbis, gurus, ministers and celebrants from different religions and denominations.

This started today on The Silva Lining, with our guest, Rev. Mike Racine from St. Bernard Church in Assonet, MA. We discussed everything you need to know about a Catholic Funeral.

For more information about St. Bernard Church, visit www.stbernardassonet.org

On their website, you will find a guide for families wishing to plan a funeral by clicking "Services" and choosing "Funerals" in the drop down menu.

The Silva Lining would like to thank our wonderful sponsors,

FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. If you want gain a thorough education as you prepare for a career in the funeral industry and walk into the board exam highly prepared, FINE is the school for you. Visit www.fine-ne.com for more information

St. Anthony of Padua Credit Union - We are proud to be sponsored by such an incredible bank, that in an age of conglomerate banks treating people like numbers, maintains a relationship with its members based on trust, friendly service and loyalty. With competitive rates for savings accounts and various loans, St. Anthony of Padua can handle all of your financial needs. Convenient online banking and more information at www.stanthonyofpaduafcu.com