What do family caregivers need? That’s a question family caregivers probably don’t get asked much. If you’ve ever felt invisible as a family caregiver, you’re not alone. Caring for someone you love takes center stage, and you may find that your own needs are put on the back burner. A recent listening session, however, allowed…
We have all been there: counting sheep, slowing down our breathing, listening to white noise, all in an attempt to force our brains to shut down to allow us the sleep we desperately need. As we grow older, it can be even more difficult to get enough sleep. Older adults may experience alterations in their…
There’s something so special about the kitchen. It is the first stop kids make once they arrive home from school, in search of a snack as well as the chance to share about their day. It’s the spot family members gather to prepare holiday meals together. It’s also a place to warm up a cup…
What do you wish for most this holiday season? Peace on earth? Good health for your family members? Financial security? What if you could have a stress-free holiday season? What a gift that would be! Caregiving can be overwhelming any time of year; however, the holiday season can send your stress level off the charts.…
No one wants to spend any more time than necessary in the hospital. The goal is to get the necessary treatment or procedure over with as soon as possible and move on to recovering. Unsurprisingly, the growing trend in receiving hospital care in the home is one being met with open arms. Imagine being able…
Salt and pepper. Macaroni and cheese. Peanut butter and jelly. Some things are just supposed to go together. One combination you want to avoid, however, is dementia and boredom. Studies have revealed that boredom’s effect on dementia can lead to an increase in: Hallucinations Aggression Wandering Delirium Depression Agitation Anxiety And more In addition to…
When we think about dementia, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the loss of memory. Cognitive decline is a hallmark effect of Alzheimer’s disease along with other forms of dementia, but there are so many other areas of life which are impacted as well. In fact, each of the five senses may…
Any time you dedicate so much time to caring for an older family member, it is natural for other relationships to take a back seat. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you can only spread yourself so thin. This may lead to additional stress, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. The key…
Think back on your teen years. Remember how important it was to locate a safe spot to be by yourself, to shut out the world, turn the music up, and record your most secret thoughts in your diary? The need for privacy that began then can become overshadowed when providing care for someone else. Yet…
Perhaps you recall having “the talk” with your parents about those cringeworthy pre-teen topics. If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for “the talk” with older parents about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care at home! Knowing how to talk about aging care with your parents isn’t easy, for a number of…