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…
When someone’s health declines, one or more loved ones may step forward to become caregivers. Yet quite often, even several caregivers may not be able to provide enough assistance. They may have other responsibilities, such as children or full-time jobs, so each one might only be able to give a few hours each week. Or…
Caregiving isn’t easy – in fact, it can be grueling. But sometimes, making seemingly minor lifestyle changes can uplift your mood. It may sound strange but standing up a little straighter can actually help you feel more capable and in control, even when you’re facing challenges. Does your posture really matter that much? Holding good…
When President Jimmy Carter shared the news that he had chosen hospice care, he also reminded Americans that death is a part of life and that dying at home is one way to experience that transition. The details of his home care were not released, but his health journey follows a similar trajectory of many…
Caregiving can be an ever-shifting challenge as a loved one’s health issues demand new treatments, new supports, and new routines. These changes can be hard to take in, especially when a loved one’s condition has ups and downs that sometimes provide hope for improvement. The new year can be a natural time to reassess and…
Caregiving can be a full-time job, but some caregivers have full-time jobs already. So how do they balance both? The answer for most people is—not easily. A significant percentage of caregivers end up reducing their work hours or even stopping their work altogether because the combination is difficult to maintain over the long haul, and…
My new life as a caregiver happened suddenly. My husband had a stroke, was paralyzed from the neck down, and struggled to speak. He obviously needed 24-hour care, but for many ailing loved ones, the need for extra care happens slowly. A beloved parent may begin to forget things or have an increasingly difficult time…
Caregivers often forget to prioritize their own care. An ill loved one’s needs may seem more urgent, but even in an emergency, it’s vital to care for ourselves first. For example, if you’re rushing your spouse to the hospital at 3 a.m., as I had to do with my husband due to complications from a…
When Anne’s father was dying, she couldn’t visit him. Pandemic restrictions at the nursing home meant that only her sister, who lived nearby, was welcome. Her sister also had permission to talk to the doctors, while Anne, who lived on the other side of the country, did not. Unfortunately, when Anne tried to help from afar,…
When the health of a beloved friend or family member falters, the responsibility for their care may fall on people in far flung cities, states or even countries. This situation—long-distance caregiving—causes particular stresses. Learning about a loved one’s medical care, financial issues, and daily needs are challenges that can be hard to address from a…