“Nobody wants to be a dementia caregiver when they grow up,” says Kitty Norton in her new feature length documentary, Wine, Women, and Dementia, airing now on PBS. Many of us are thrust into the role of dementia caregiver, and similar to many things, there is no road map. The film sheds light on the […]
What to Do When You Can No Longer Care for an Elderly Parent
Dear Hayek, I am a caregiver for my mother, and I’m beginning to realize that I don’t think I can do it anymore and that she may need more help than I can provide. I feel guilty for having these thoughts and wanting to find alternatives, as she has been a great mother to me […]
November is National Family Caregivers Month
Dear Kiwi and Mango, I read that November is National Caregivers Month. I am a caregiver for my mother, who lives in our home and suffers from dementia. I am stressed and could use a support group of other caregivers in a similar situation. I was told that support groups can be very helpful. I […]
How Does the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model Help Dementia Patients and Caregivers?
Dear Kiwi and Mango, I heard somewhere that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the GUIDE Model for people with dementia and their caregivers? What is this all about? Thanks for your help! Cara Givva — Dear Cara, People living with dementia often experience multiple chronic conditions, as well as high rates […]
Can Caring for a Loved One Be Harmful?
I met with an adult child of a client earlier this week. When the family first came to me about a year ago, the wife had late-stage Parkinson’s and the husband had been her primary caregiver for many years. The husband was clearly experiencing the stress and fatigue of caregiver burnout. He realized he could […]
How Care Managers Work with Care Agencies
By ElderTree Care Management Services Care managers and home care agencies often collaborate closely to provide comprehensive support for individuals who need assistance with daily living activities, especially the elderly or those with chronic health conditions. Here’s how they typically work together: Assessment and Care Planning: Care Managers: Conduct a thorough assessment of the client’s needs, […]
Does an Adult Child Have a Legal and/or Moral Duty to Become a Parent’s Caregiver?
Jane had a good childhood growing up in Virginia. However, she kept both an emotional and geographic distance from her mother for most of her adult life. The rift began after her parents’ divorce, which Jane blamed on her mother. They had only spoken a handful of times over the years. Jane’s mother missed many […]
How Estate Planning Helps You and Your Caregiver
Dear Angel, I have Parkinson’s and need lots of care, and I know things are just going to get tougher. My sister is my caregiver who helps me full-time. I heard that getting my estate planning and long-term care planning in order will not only help me but will help her, as my caregiver. If […]
Unprecedented Caregiver Fatigue in America — Do You Suffer from Caregiver Burnout?
Q. This past year, my mother, who has dementia, moved into our house, and I became her caregiver. I also work full-time from home and have two children of my own. Recently, I am feeling very anxious and stressed out, like I’m going to crack. I’m thinking I could be on the verge of burnout, […]
Managing Stress and Anger as a Caregiver
Dear Angel, I’ve been a caregiver for my mother for a few years, and I experience feelings of anger inside sometimes. I feel guilty for having these emotions, but sometimes I just want to bury my head in a pillow and scream. What are some good ways to vent and manage my stress and inner […]
What Is the Financial Impact of Caregiving? New Report Offers Interesting Insights and Valuable Tips
November is National Caregiving Month, a time to acknowledge the family caregivers who provide assistance to older adults, Veterans, people with disabilities, and those with serious and/or chronic health conditions. These caregivers voluntarily assume this responsibility, often with little or no training or support and with little or no financial compensation. Anyone who is a […]
Emma Heming Willis Opens Up About Caregiving for a Loved One with Frontotemporal Dementia
Last year, Bruce Willis’ family announced that he would be stepping away from acting due to cognitive decline caused by aphasia, a condition affecting the ability to speak and understand. The actor’s symptoms progressed, and in February 2023, his wife of 14 years, Emma Heming Willis, announced that he had frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD is […]
How Caregiving Can Heal a Relationship
Lori Grinker, a photojournalist and professor at New York University’s Arthur L Carter Journalism Institute, was never close to her mother, Audrey. Their relationship had been strained when Lori’s parents got divorced and when her brother died from AIDS. It seemed like nothing would bring them together. That is, until Audrey was diagnosed with cancer […]
Veteran Caregiver Assistance Programs You Might Not Know About
Dear Raider, Welcome to the Critter Corner team! My father is a Vietnam Veteran, and my husband and I care for him in our home. I am wondering what caregiver assistance programs are available to help with caring for my dad and providing respite for us, and if there is someone who can help us […]
Introducing the Dementia Doula
If you’re familiar with the word “doula,” you probably think of it as referring to a person who provides guidance and support to a pregnant woman. From admission through delivery, a doula stays at her patient’s side providing comfort and support to the mother, her partner, and the newborn baby. But there are more doulas […]
Are You a ‘Helicopter Caregiver’? Learn How to Give Your Loved One the Space and Independence They Need
Q. With the recent loss of my father, my mother is now living alone about an hour away from me and my family. When dad died late last year, I grew increasingly worried about her and how she would handle things on her own. She depended on my dad for everything! My first instinct was […]
Study Shows That People Who Care for Others Live Longer
Dear Hayek, A friend told me that caregiving helps you live longer. If that’s the case, I will hopefully live a very long time. I raised five children, care for my grandchildren several times a week, and I am a caregiver for my husband with Parkinson’s. Can you provide any insight on this subject? Thanks […]
CaringBridge: Don’t Go Through Your Caregiving Journey Alone!
Rosalynn Carter, former first lady and prominent advocate for caregivers, famously stated that there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers; those who will be caregivers; and those who will need caregivers. For those of us who are caregivers, we’re very aware that […]
Cupcakes and Caregiving: A Successful Shark Tank Business Owner Balances Work Life with Caregiving
Tracey Noonan, CEO and co-founder of Wicked Good Cupcakes, started her business along with her daughter, Dani, in their Boston home kitchen. The company, which appeared on the TV show “Shark Tank” nine years ago, grew tremendously after an investment from Kevin O’Leary, one of the wealthy investors on “Shark Tank.” Following their successful “Shark […]
Is Your Loved One Ready for a Nursing Home?
Q. We have been caring for my mother in our home for the past five years. We think she needs more help than we can provide. How do you know when a loved one is ready for a nursing home? Thanks for your help! A. Caregivers and families often make a huge effort to keep […]
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