Caregiver 101
Caring At Work
Are you one of the 65 million Americans who care for a family member? One of the 20-50% of employees who tend to a loved one before going to work, then return to care again after a long hard day on the job? Read more
6 Things to Remember as You Start to Care for Your Parents
Whether you are an adult child or a parent trying to communicate with your kids, here are six suggestions for overcoming some of the obstacles and frustrations we commonly experience during this time. Read more
The Caregiver’s Balancing Act
In the 1960s, TV celebrity Ed Sullivan featured a Chinese talent artist who demonstrated the careful balance and timing of spinning porcelain plates atop thin, wooden sticks. Read more
When Caregiving is Not Enough - Finding Good Homecare
Anyone who has ever looked for home-based care for a loved one comprehends what a daunting experience it can be. Read more
Tips for Organizing a Medical History
A trip to the emergency room made me realize why caregivers are advised to organize heath information. Read more
Positive Aspects of Caregiving
Caring for a person with a debilitating illness is often challenging. It becomes all the more difficult when the person is in the throes of Alzheimer’s disease Read more
Living With Your Home Health Care Aide
You’ve made the decision to let an aide come into your home to assist. That was hard enough. Now you’re getting apprehensive about what to expect when the aide arrives for work. Read more
Caring for the Caregiver
Being a caregiver is a stressful and demanding job. There is usually very little, if any opportunity to prepare for a new caregiving situation. Read more
Ten Ways to Maintain a Positive Attitude
1. Learn healthy ways to manage your stress Read more
Forty-Eight Mental Breaks for Caregivers
Caregiving takes a lot of time. Even if you had spare time to daydream in the first place, it’s probably gone now. However you must give yourself a mental break once in a while. Read more
After Caregiving: Picking Up The Pieces
As a caregiver, we totally commit ourselves to caring for another person who no longer functions as they once did in the normal scheme of life. We move in with them or move them to us. Read more
I'm Fine, Thanks
That is the life of a caregiver. You are always fine because the focus is always on the person that you care for. You are “just fine” because if you think of allowing yourself to be anything other than fine, your legs will come out from under you. Read more
Nip Depression in the Bud
Warning Signs to Look For Caregivers need to be especially aware of depression because of the great load they carry. Read more
Respite for Two
Adult day care centers provide a break (respite) to the caregiver while providing health services, therapeutic services and social activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, ... Read more
Fearless Caregiver Emotional First Aid Kit
You can find respite from your caregiving in the simplest things. Read more
Guilt Free Caregiving
I read a comment in a publication by Catholic Family Services in Michigan about caregiving: “As a caregiver, you are consumed by guilt, doom, fear, hopelessness and even helplessness.” Read more
Respite: Enjoy a Guilt-Free Summer
Why is it that the words “respite” and “guilt” seem to go hand in hand? Why do caregivers feel we are somehow failing our loved one by admitting that we need help, Read more
Caregiver Guilt and Finding Balance
How do you find the balance? Is there a balance? Am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing more? These are important questions for a caregiver. Read more
Five Simple Steps to Create a Safer Environment for Seniors
On behalf of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), I encourage caregivers to familiarize themselves with some basic tips to help maximize the safety of the seniors in their care while minimizing the risks associated with electricity. Read more