Caregiver stress

The foreground of the image shows older female hands, one holding a white cup for tea or coffee. The person is wearing a print dress with a black background and lots of color in Green and red, much like Christmas. The blurred background could be a Christmas tree.

8 Ways to Ease Caregiver Stress

Most of us lead frantic lives. That’s the nature of the world today. When you add to that the job—for it is...

The image shows an assortment of Christmas-themed cut-out cookies frosted in designs featuring red, green, and white.

Caregiving During the Holidays: Have a Realistic, Positive Approach

There’s an image of holiday perfection that our culture encourages. Starting with Thanksgiving, we are inundated with images of families happily enjoying...

This indoor image has a white drapery in the background. In the foreground, a woman is viewed with her head tipped so we only see the top of her salt an dpepper hair that is drawn back, pus the top of her shoulders. Her arms around around an older man who faces the camera. He has short salt and pepper hair combed foreward, and is laughing gaily as she hugs him. He's wearing an olive shirt.

Stroke Damage Can Cause Crying with No Discernible Trigger

Dear Carol: My husband has had several strokes and is now in a nursing home where I spend much of each day...

Providing Care for Family Members Involves Sacrifice: Is It Worth It?

One question that is often asked on the AgingCare.com Caregiver Forum is, “How do I deal with the reality of leaving behind...

The background is a blurred outdoor view. In the foreground, we see a women's had and shoulders from the back with only a slight view of her ear and cheek. She has salt and pepper chin-length bobbed hair and is wearing a dark gray sweater. Her head is bowed forward in grief.

When a Caregiver Secretly Wishes It Would All End

Most caregivers are decent folks who care deeply about their elderly parents, spouses, and other loved ones who require their assistance. As...

The image shows an unfolded napkin holding four Christmas cutout ginger cookies with decorative frosting. The napkin sits on a light wood table and we can see the edges of holiday decorations.

Celebrating Special Occasions When a Loved One Has Dementia

Every family has their own favorite special occasions that they enjoy celebrating. Some may not be big into Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or...

Supporting the Person with Dementia as They Are while Grieving What’s Lost

Dear Carol: My dad was my rock and was always there for his little daughter when I needed support, even more so...

The indoor setting shows two women sitting on a beige couch with white alls in the background. One the left is an older woman with her head turned. She has short gray hair and is wearing a cream colored blouse. By her side is a young woman with long brown hair in a low ponytail. She is wearing medium blue scrubs and has stethoscope hanging around her neck.

Calling On Hospice Care Doesn’t Mean You Gave Up

A billboard in my city carries a simple message: “Most families say, ‘Why did we wait so long to call hospice?’ “...

The image shows a dark wood background like a rought table. Stting against this background is a white oblong rock with rounded corners and little smiling faces drawn on in black. Int the center, someone printed in block letters: GRATITUDE.

Tweak Traditions to Make this Holiday Season Realistic and Rewarding

Dear Carol: I’ve spent decades caring for all the older adults connected to our families. Now, only my father-in-law and my mom...

The image shows late fall leaves hanging from a branch in the foreground with a blurred background.

How to Stay Sane During the Holidays as a Sandwich Generation Caregiver

If one can believe the old Westerns, frontier women were the ultimate multi-taskers. They could rock a cradle with their foot to...