Holidays

The image shows a background of a kit table covering done in cream. four decorative objects, one in pumpkin orange, the other shades of cream sit with a small sign that says, My brain has too many tabs open.

A New Year Calls for a New Attitude Toward Caregiving

How long has it been since you’ve distanced yourself from caregiving long enough to decide what is good for you? When was the last...

The image shows a gray desktop with a window in the background. In front is a spiral bound calendar standing upright showing a front page that in read says: Life is short. Do stuff that matters.

New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers

It’s human to want a fresh start. Even though I know that December 31 of one year is rarely that different from January 1...

This festive indoor image shows a family table with windows in the background and holiday lighting. Four arms are show toasting with stemmed glasses containing red wine. On the left, an arm shows a dark red sweater sleeve and ext to that person, we see an arm clad in black. Two bear arms show on the right as if short sleeves are worn.

Communicating with Intentional Goodwill Key to New Year’s Caregiving Conversations

Dear Carol: Our parents are in their mid-80s and are comparatively healthy. While I live near them, I work and have kids, so my...

The image is a close up sot of a decorated Christmas tree. There is some blurring in the background, but the foreground shows a gold bell, and read and gold Christmas bulbs.

It’s Christmas Day: Are You Enjoying It?

It’s December 25th and Many people are celebrating Christmas Day. Caregivers might find the word celebrating a little over the top but try not...

This holiday image shows a cold, stary sky with snowy evergreens along a street lit with light. A tall building with lit windows and Christmas decorations on the main floor faces the street.

Christmas Is Here: Our Best Is Good Enough

The decisions caregivers must make during the Christmas holidays are fraught with opportunities to make mistakes in judgment. Chief among them is how much...

This indoor image shows an older woman with short, curly, redish brown hair and dark rimmed glassed. hes got her fingers pressed against the sides of her forehead and is looking down, forehead creased, and sad. her clothing is dark but she's wearing a turqouoise necklace and a small bracelet on each bare arm.

Making It Through Holidays with Grief and Loss in Our Hearts

Dear Carol: I’m a new widow dreading all the Christmas hoopla and yearly optimism of a New Year. Planning Christmas presents for my grandkids...

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 a high-stress...

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 each other’s...

The background image shows blurred fall trees. In the foreground, there are two brown needlework -appearing bells tied with beige velvet-type ribbon.

Caregiver Tips for Enjoying Holidays With Older Adults

Even though most of us have happy memories of holiday celebrations, this time of the year can be stressful. There are pervasive societal expectations that everything...

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 Independence Day,...