Top Caregiver Stories of 2009 We’ve compiled the most popular topics and issues that got caregivers talking on the AgingCare.com community discussion boards.
Caregivers and Multi-tasking: Holidays Can Push People Caring for Elderly Parents to the Max For the Sandwich Generation, holidays are stressful. Their elderly parents need help, the kids need help, the spouse needs help. Here's advice how to cope for caregivers.
Coping with Elderly Parent’s Distorted Sense of Time When caregivers meet with their elderly parents, it often feels like “The Early Bird Special.”
How Caregivers Can Reduce Stress The demands on a person who is taking care of elderly parents result in a great deal of stress. But if caregivers aren't careful, they jeopardize their own health and well-being.
Internet is the Number One Support Tool for Caregivers An AgingCare.com survey of family caregivers found that the Internet is the primary way caregivers get support and encouragement.
Forgiveness: Can Caregivers Move Past Elder’s Bad Behavior? How do caregivers who were neglected or abused find it in themselves to forgive the past, and care for their elderly family member?
Caregivers Find Support When They Have Time - Which Isn't Often Caring for an elderly parent is a 24-hour-a-day job. As one caregiver found, those who care for their senior parents often find solace and support in the wee hours.
“I Love My Mother, But I Don’t Like Her” It's tough: Caring for an elderly parent whom you love but don’t like.
Is Stress Causing Your Sleep Problems? Is the stress of taking care of your elderly mom or dad adversely affecting your sleep patterns? If so, you may want to consider making alternate care arrangements.
Caring for Caregivers: Learning to Listen to Your Body Psychologist Dr. Rick Wirtz describes the "red flags" caregivers should look for as they monitor their own health while taking care of their elderly relative.
"Elder Rage, or Take My Father...Please!: How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents" Jacqueline Marcell author and radio personality gives tips on dealing with the stress of being a caregiver for elderly parents.
Caring for Parents Who Didn't Care for You How to give emotional and physical care to your elderly parents, even when they didn't care for you as a child.
Caregiving and Guilt: The Wisdom of Hindsight Learn how to lose the guilt and forgive yourself for your imperfect caregiving.
The Importance of Counseling for Caregivers It is very easy for caregivers to get burnt out from feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for their elderly parent. Learn to recoginize the signs of burnout and get help when you need it.
How to Talk to Your Elderly Parents Tips on talking to your elderly parents to help you as the primary caregiver avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
Preventing Injuries Among Caregivers How caregivers can protect themselves from injuries while caring for an elderly parent.
AgingCare Member Wins $2000 Worth of Free Housecleaning Congratulations to David Axelson, of Redmond Oregon. He won $2,000 worth of free housecleaning for submitting his favorite caregiver moment to AgingCare.com.
Why “Role Reversal” and Other Catch Phrases Can Skew a Caregiver’s Thinking Are you now “parenting your parents?” Is this what they mean by “role reversal? Well, yes and no.
Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for Caregivers and Seniors Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the caregiver or the elderly person in your life? The staff of Agingcare.com has put together a gift guide to help spark some ideas and make holiday shopping a little easier.
How Caregivers Can Stay Positive During the Holidays: Drop the Fantasy, Lose the Guilt The holidays are hectic for everyone, but even more so for caregivers, whose "To Do" list quickly becomes overwhelming. Here are some tips to enjoy the season, guilt-free.
National Family Caregivers Month Is Here To Remind You to Celebrate What You Do National Family Caregivers Month isn’t just about honoring those who give care. It’s about reminding you to take better care of yourself.
Win $2,000 of Free Housecleaning In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, we want to make a deserving caregiver’s life a little easier. So we’re holding a contest. The prize? $2,000 of free housecleaning!
Support Groups Locate other caregivers who are experiencing the same illness-specific challenges.
The Power of Stories for Caregivers and Their Elders Reminiscence and life review are vital for healthy aging. Here’s how caregivers can use new research and technologies to benefit their families and elderly seniors.
I am caring for my 81-year-old mother who lives with me. She is very controlling, wants to rule my life, and treats me like I’m still a teenager. Pointing this out to her doesn’t seem to do any good. What can I do? Jacqueline Marcell answered: You need the "Jacqueline Marcell emotional shield." Put it on every day, and then don't let anything she says bother you; all negativity has to bounce right off.
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.
How do I handle friends who are not supportive of my caregiving journey? Jacqueline Marcell answered: They want to be supportive, but they just can't for long periods of time, because they realize what you are describing is all ahead of them. For now, they aren't there yet, don't want to be, prefer denial--and it is just too unpleasant to listen to horror stories they can't fix. Click to read Jaqueline's full answer.
by Carolyn Rosenblatt and Mikol Davis
Registered nurse and Attorney Carolyn Rosenblatt has over 40 years of combined experience in her two professions. She has compiled her nine-volume series into this Complete Guide.
by David Solie
A practical guide to bridging the generation gap. Geriatric psychology expert David Solie offers help in removing the typical communication blocks many experience with the elderly.
by Nell Casey
Casey, a mental health journalist and editor (Unholy Ghost: Writers on Depression) has collected a remarkable array of mostly original essays by talented writers on being cared for themselves and caring for parents, children and spouses with illnesses as varied as depression and brain injuries. The writers have faced age-old dilemmas: for instance, novelist Julia Glass grapples with her own mortality and tries to raise two young children while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Get help and support. Let our community of caregivers give you some tips and guidance.
Sheri Samotin brings more than 25 years of business and management experience to LifeBridge Solutions. Sheri is a graduate of Wesleyan University and holds an MBA from Dartmouth College. Sheri is a member of numerous professional organizations and serves on the steering committee of Collier County’s Leadership Council on Aging.
Answers and more about Sheri Samotin
The material of this web site is provided for informational purposes only. AgingCare.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; or legal, financial or any other professional services advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
© 2009 MediaBrains Inc. All rights reserved.
