Most of us caregivers don’t even realize we’ve become isolated until we’ve been disconnected for a while. Caregiver isolation comes on gradually, starting with a single decision to skip a social activity. That becomes a habit and soon enough it’s difficult to get out of our routine even to run a small personal errand. As Read more >>
Caring for Seniors: Recognizing Signs of Elder Abuse It’s something we don’t want to think about: elder abuse and neglect. If we have aging parents, we can’t ignore it. About one in 10 people aged 60 and older experience physical or emotional abuse or neglect, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. The incidence Read more >>
Looking for the perfect gift for older parents, grandparents, or other special seniors in your life? Many of the latest gizmos and gadgets dominating holiday advertisements do not make most seniors’ wish lists. “Be mindful about what works for the seniors within their abilities – not whether or not it’s a cool idea from a Read more >>
As a caregiver, you have many responsibilities and challenges to juggle, and stress can be a common reaction to your lifestyle. No one can simply banish stress; the key is to manage stress, which may require tweaking your lifestyle and your schedule. Practical Tips for Managing Stress and Being Good to Yourself Top Cause of Caregiver Read more >>
Almost 30% of American adults care for a family member, according to the National Society on Aging. To bring awareness to the valuable work these citizens provide and the challenges they face doing it, the National Family Caregiver Association proclaimed November National Family Caregivers Month in 1994. Caregiver Challenges: Balancing Work and Caregiving Most family Read more >>
One of the biggest sources for family stress is conflict, especially when we’re caring for an aging parent. How do you manage this extra stress when being a family caregiver? Begin with communication. Jude Bijou, a licensed family therapist and author of Attitude Reconstruction: A Blueprint for Building a Better Life, has four rules for Read more >>
Being a caregiver puts both physical and emotional stress on the body. That stress can affect the immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight colds and other infections. In addition, a weakened immune system could mean increased recovery times — wounds might take longer to heal, flu symptoms might persist, and you may Read more >>
The U.S. Department of Justice Launches Elder Justice Seniors are often at the mercy of those who are supposed to care for them, which means they can be taken advantage of. Unfortunately, Elder abuse and financial frauds are rampant in the U.S.: • Data shows that 10% of Americans over 60 are victims of elder abuse Read more >>
Taking care of a loved one day in and day out can create enormous stress for caregivers, which is why it is so common to hear stories of caregiver frustration and burnout. Just as airlines advise parents to place oxygen masks on themselves before they help their children, caregivers must remember to attend to their Read more >>
Today’s caregivers can tap into a network of caregiver support resources to help them handle stress. From social media to blogs that feature current and former caregivers, there’s a wealth of options to choose from — there’s even a host of caregiver books and memoirs. But in the early ’90s, when I was just starting out in Read more >>