Family care providers give so much of themselves to attend to their senior loved ones, frequently sacrificing their own individual desires and needs in the process. It may seem natural to presume then that caregivers would feel good about themselves, with high self-esteem and a sense of purpose. Yet the exact opposite is usually true […]
Let Go of Family Caregiver Guilt and Gain Freedom Read More »
When you are a family member providing care for an aging or chronically ill loved one, you experience a broad range of emotions, challenges and rewards on a regular basis. In fact, very few if any emotions don't come into play at one time or another during caregiving – and sometimes, the full spectrum of
Dealing with Guilt: 3 Ways Caregivers Can Begin to Let Go of it Read More »
If you think PTSD only happens to those who have experienced life-threatening danger, think again. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can arise after any traumatic experience or event. It might surprise you to learn that caring for a loved one is among the main causes of PTSD. However, the condition frequently goes undetected, and thus untreated.
Caregiver PTSD: Risks and Warning Signs Read More »
People around you might be resolving to lose ten pounds, eat healthier, and exercise more, but as a caregiver for someone with dementia, perhaps just getting through every day is challenging enough. The idea of aiming to improve upon any area of your life in this unsettling time might be overwhelming. Even thinking about New
Resolutions for Alzheimer’s Caregivers for the New Year Read More »
Who could imagine that spending so much time taking care of another person could also make you feel incredibly alone? The reality is that caregiver isolation is extremely common, for a number of reasons:
How to Overcome Caregiver Isolation Read More »
Exactly what are your very first thoughts when you wake up in the morning? Are you looking forward to what the day holds, or would you like to crawl back underneath the covers and remain there? If you’re experiencing more dread than delight as you consider your caregiving tasks for the day, you are not
Caregiving Tips for Overcoming Common Feelings of Caregiver Dread Read More »
If you’re feeling somewhat discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you are in good company. Providing home care for aging parents is probably one of the more complex roles we can hold: extremely gratifying on the one hand, while simultaneously discouraging and ever-evolving, often leading to feelings of doubt about whether we’re up
5 Tough (But Normal) Caregiver Emotions – and How to Manage Them Read More »
“It takes a village” was never a truer statement than when caring for an older loved one, and it’s important for that “village” to maintain effective, ongoing communication between each family caregiver in order to provide the best care, and to ensure that everyone involved in care is on the same page. It’s also crucial
Keys to a Successful Family Caregiver Meeting Read More »
We have all heard about helicopter parents, particularly when a son or daughter leaves for college. The fact is, we might be guilty of hovering too closely ourselves. Learning that perfect balance between caring and overstepping our boundaries is not always straightforward. And now, with the increase of family caregivers in the sandwich generation providing
Have You Become a Helicopter Family Caregiver? Read More »
We’re a do-it-yourself culture; one that clearly values self-reliance, and applauds men and women that pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and take care of just about everything independently. Even so, the reality is, there are some things we simply can’t manage without help; issues that could very well cause harm to ourselves and
Chicago Family Caregivers: You Are Not Alone! Read More »
