Caregiving can be a tough, lonely job. To be effective, you must take care of your aging parent, as well as yourself. Find information and motivation, including long-distance caregiving, work and family, getting organized, respite, stress relief and end of life care.
Featured Articles
13 Ways to Make Caregiving Easier
Simple concepts to help make your job caring for someone easier. Learn how to be a better caregiver to make things easier for you and your loved one.
How to deal with an elder who complains too much
Why people complain too much. How to deal with someone who is always complaining and what to do to stop the constant complaints.
30 Quotes and Inspirations for Caregivers
Quotes for caregivers to give you strength and inspiration. Caregiving and caring for family is a tough job and quotes can help you get through the day.
Why Listening Is the Caregiver's Secret Weapon
The simplicity of listening is often overlooked. Here is how you can understand the underlying messages of what someone is saying by listening, and avoid criticism or arguments.
Family won’t help with caregiving? How to change their mind
Caregivers often don't ask family members for the help they need, for fear of conflict. Here's how to get them to help and maintain the peace.
Siblings in denial about a parent's declining health and care needs
How to get your siblings that go into denial to recognize when an elderly parent's health is declining or their care needs have changed.
6 Reasons to Appreciate Your Job as a Caregiver
Caregiving is a thankless, unappreciated job. Don't forget to remember you are giving up your life to care for another, even when parents and family don't appreciate it.
Think, do, be positive!
Thinking positively and being positive when communicating can help you get a better outcome in situations. Here are some tips to help you think positive.
Handling criticism from your family
How we handle criticism from a parent, sibling or other family member will determine whether we develop a tough skin or let the criticism get to us.
Stop Self-Destructing Behavior: Binging, Abuse or Over-indulging
Stopping self-destructive behavior and dealing with the facts is not easy, especially for caregivers. But it can done, by learning these coping skills.
Expert Answers
My elderly grandfather has given up on life since my grandma passed away. What should we do?
Dr. Robert Bornstein, PhD answered:
Elderly sometimes want to give up on life after a they lose a spouse. He or she needs time to grieve before they can move on.
Full Answer...
My employer is pushing me to make a choice between working and caring for an elderly loved one. What should I do?
Cindy Laverty answered:
To deal with working while caring for an elderly family member, if an employer does not understand your caregiving situation, talk to them, but have a plan first.
Full Answer...
My elderly stepfather and mother both have dementia. They have become verbally abusive and paranoid. When Mom gets agitated, she bangs walls, clenches fists and screams. How should I deal with this behavior?
Carolyn Rosenblatt answered:
When both elderly parents have demenita it's a very difficult situation. Seek your doctor's advice to find out about new medication that might control their agitation and verbally abusive behavior.
Full Answer...
My normally loving but now slightly demented father is suddenly using the worst possible profanity. How should I handle it?
Jacqueline Marcell answered:
When I was taking care of my elderly parents (both with early Alzheimer’s not properly diagnosed for over a year), no one warned me that inhibitions gradually fade and that profanity can often occur.
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I live 1,000 miles away from my elderly father, who needs more day-to-day help than I, with three young children, can provide. What’s a geriatric care manager, and can they help my situation?
Dr. John Connolly answered:
Geriatric care managers, GCMs for short, act as a more knowledgeable you--informing you and your parent about what kind of care alternatives are available within the community and helping you assess all the medical, financial and legal issues involved with any given choice.
Click to read Dr. Connolly's full answer.
Full Answer...
What are some of the most common issues facing the elderly?
answered:
The most widespread condition affecting those 65 and older is coronary heart disease, followed by stroke, cancer, pneumonia and the flu. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also unfortunately common in the elderly.
Full Answer...