A caregiver yearned to take a bird photography class with her local museum, but she needed help. There was no one to watch her loved one on class day, and she couldn’t afford to hire somebody. The Kathi Koll Foundation learned of her plight and surprised her with a substitute caregiver for the day. She was…
Over a year and a half ago, President Jimmy Carter announced that he was entering at-home hospice care, which is generally reserved for people whom doctors expect to live less than six months. His wife, Rosalynn, joined him last fall and died a few days later. While her experience is more typical of hospice patients—75…
Choosing an elder care facility or retirement home for an ailing loved one can be a decision fraught with confusion and torment. Family members may feel guilty for not being able to meet the needs of their relative, whose declining physical or mental health may require more than they can provide at home. For example,…
One of summer’s delights can be cozying up to a good book. By delving into a character’s adventures, readers not only find enjoyment, they step into an alternate mental universe that can be incredibly beneficial to their health. Reading may lessen depression, enhance recovery from surgeries, and aid in the cognition of people battling dementia.…
What if stress is a good thing? Stress stems from caring about the events and activities in our lives. If we have various work and family responsibilities, then we feel concerned about managing them as well as possible. That is a good thing. It means we care. Yet, caregivers can be inundated with messages about the…
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…