From the monthly archives:
You’re at work. The phone rings. Caller ID shows it’s your mom. You sigh. Shake your head and wish the call would just go away. You think, “I was just there. What does she need now? How am I possibly going to get my work done?” Most caregivers have other important and pressing responsibilities, so [...]
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Continue ReadingJust 15-20 minutes here and there each day when you can focus on yourself will make a world of difference in managing your caregiver stress. According to a new Home Instead Senior Care survey, 55 percent of the family caregivers that eventually employed their professional caregiving services appeared to have above average or significant levels [...]
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Continue Reading“I’m so scared I’m not going to be able to get everything done. I can’t believe no one will help me! It makes me so angry. I’ve never felt so alone and out of control before.” The emotional experiences involved with providing care can strain even the most capable person. The resulting feelings of anger, [...]
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Continue ReadingWhen you’re a caregiver it’s easy to forget about your own needs. After all, you’re a caregiver not a me-giver. Right? Well, yes and no. As difficult as it might seem, you need to pay attention to yourself too. Why? One study done by Elissa Epel from the University of California found that family [...]
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Continue ReadingThe care of a spouse surely has its rewards. One advantage is that the partner who is need of care or assistance is already comfortable with the caregiver. You know each other’s idiosyncrasies, habits and preferences. You also know each other intimately so it eases any embarrassment when dealing with private needs. You also know [...]
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Continue Reading“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four.” The Beatles, “When I’m 64” Times have certainly changed since Lennon and McCartney penned and sang those words in 1967. Medical and healthcare strides are allowing people to live well into their 70’s and 80’s. Despite those health advances, the fact remains [...]
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Continue ReadingDementia is the loss of cognitive functioning and intellectual reasoning due to changes in the brain caused by disease. Those with dementia tend to repeat questions, become disoriented in familiar places, neglect personal hygiene or nutrition, or get confused about people or time. It can be caused by many things, some of which are reversible [...]
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Continue ReadingMany family caregivers presently care for a parent or spouse who is suffering from some form of dementia. In fact, the frequency of dementia increases with rising age from less than 2% for 65-69-year-olds, to 5% for 75-79 year-olds and to more than 20% for 85-89 year-olds. Caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s disease is [...]
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Continue ReadingCaregiving responsibilities can occur without warning, so without proper planning, it can create a crisis situation, particularly if you live far away. Living far away from your senior in need is a problem for many caregivers. According to a Home Instead Senior Care survey, 45% of American adults who plan to care for an aging relative [...]
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Continue ReadingTwo of the most important issues for seniors are to remain independent and keep living in their own home. But health and cognitive issues can sometimes make normal day to day living a bit more challenging. While some seniors accept assistance with no problem, many others can be initially resistant to the thought of someone [...]
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