As a serious and dedicated caregiver, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved one is laugh. I’m not joking. Laughter truly is one of the world’s best medicines. It boosts the immune system, reduces stress hormones, decreases pain, and relaxes muscles. Not only that, laughter also calms anxiety and…
Caregiving can be challenging, overwhelming, and exhausting. Yet, when caregiving ends, emotions are fraught too. Not only do caregivers feel grief over the loss of their loved one, that loss may be compounded by the loss of their caregiving work, which after years of focused effort had become central to their identity. Family drama may…
First, a note of thanks to you! 🙏 We have entered our 10th year helping to bring some sunshine to caregivers looking for a little light in their lives. We could not still be doing what we do without you and your support. Perhaps that is why I thought to write about the benefits sunlight…
Take a few seconds to consider the past month. How has your holiday season been? Joyful? Exhausting? Fun? Lonely? Or maybe a sprinkling of varied emotions? The holidays can be emotionally chaotic. They may offer moments of increased connection through holiday parties and family gatherings, but they also can be isolating, especially for caregivers and…
Some of the most precious years of my marriage happened after my husband, Don, had a stroke that left him paralyzed from the neck down. We both gained a deep appreciation for how committed we were to each other and how much love was present even in this extreme circumstance. Our roles had shifted. Instead…
🎃 Halloween is an odd holiday. Blend it with caregiving and you’ve got a spooky combination. 👻 Death and delight combine with fear, community, and creativity as celebrants transform for the day into superheroes 🦸♂️ or maybe local heroes like doctors 👩🏽⚕️ and nurses🧑🏻⚕️. Adults and children buy or build costumes, discuss them with friends and…
For many caregivers, the most stressful challenge to providing in-home care is the physical strain that caregiving puts on their bodies. In fact, regular physical strain is the most powerful predictor of whether caregivers will eventually transfer a loved one from their home to a nursing home, according to a U.S. Department of Health and…
As children, our parents can seem all-powerful. We go to them for advice, love, and acceptance. Yet, as they age and experience health difficulties, we encounter new versions of them. Eventually, they may struggle to talk, move, or care for their basic needs. This transition can be confusing and distressing not only for them but…
One of the easiest ways to get away from the world is by opening a book. This can be particularly true for caregivers who often live with long to-do lists and stressful realities. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, a novel can provide an instant escape and significant therapeutic benefits. According to…
One in five Americans is a caregiver, and about one fourth attend to more than one person, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. Because caregiving often occurs at home, this work is also not regularly witnessed by others, so caregivers can feel isolated, unnoticed, and unappreciated. The amount of effort and emotional intensity required…