Am I a Caregiver? Defining the Family Caregiver Role
Many individuals struggle to accept the label of “family caregiver,” but fully embracing this role increases our chances of succeeding in it. What Is...
Humor
Humor Shared Among Caregivers Is Therapeutic
I once visited a caregiver friend and her mother, who had moderate Alzheimer’s disease. At one point during the visit, the mother abruptly stood...
Caregiving Is Not a Competitive Sport: The Case for Supporting Caregivers’ Unique Decisions
Caregiving. What does it mean to you? While often rewarding and frequently exhausting, it’s one of many life events that can only be understood...
5 Ways to Get an Older Adult to Smile
Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes in functioning...
Spring Cleaning: How to Refresh Your Caregiving Routine
For many families, spring is a time to shake off the winter blues, deep clean their homes and focus on getting organized. De-cluttering your...
Embracing Positive Caregiving Moments Makes Bad Times Tolerable
My nature is generally upbeat. I try to be grateful for my many blessings and not dwell on the negative. However, as a family...
Dementia and Inappropriate Behavior: How to Respond
Dementia can cause people to say and do some pretty odd things. Family caregivers may be caught off guard at first, but as they...
Celebrating Valentine’s Day 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,...
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...
Tips to Beat Caregiver Holiday Blues
When store employees wish us Merry Christmas we smile back and return the greeting. When acquaintances wave and shout Happy Holidays across a parking...
