Caregiver Feels Unappreciated for Upending Her Life
Dear Carol: Shortly after her 85th birthday, my mom had a stroke. She recovered, but she still has mobility deficits. We discussed assisted living,...
Relationships
Caring For Those in Chronic Pain: How Caregivers Cope
Traditional marriage vows generally contain the words “through sickness and in health.” For some couples, chronic sickness in the form of a painful disease...
Family and Professional Caregivers Are More Alike Than Different
Most of us who are family caregivers know that, while we often experience a sense of fulfillment when we provide care for our loved...
How to Pick a Pet for an Older Adult
Studies show that animals can be wonderful companions for older adults – their presence can calm agitation, alleviate loneliness and even lower blood pressure....
The Importance of Grandparents
The importance of grandparents in the lives of children cannot be denied. Before our society became so mobile, it was common for children to...
Creating a Bucket List: Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers
The Bucket List, a 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, helped contemporize the old expression “kick the bucket,” a common slang phrase...
Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help
Even when family caregivers have access to help, many still come up with excuses to turn down assistance. Learning to accept support and assistance...
How to Be a True Friend to a Family Caregiver
Family caregivers often find that their social circles shrink over time. Casual friends are typically the first to drift away because a caregiver is...
Is Using Validation for Dementia Calming or Condescending?
People with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia often come to live in an altered reality that doesn’t mesh with ours. As an...
Strategies for Getting (and Staying) Organized While Caregiving
There are now many apps available that can help with organizing, but that said, some of these older tips are still valid. Personally, I...
