“One should . . . be able to see things as hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.” F. Scott Fitzgerald Having hope is vital to our emotional well-being, but when caregiving becomes the predominant focus of your thoughts, it can feel like your purpose, your reason for being, along with your future, […]
Chained to Caregiving: Hope and the Hostage Read More »
The swirl of negative thoughts and emotions is a significant cause of caregiver anxiety and overwhelm. The worries take over our headspace during the day and keep us awake at night. Our thinking and decisions are as blurred as our eyes from lack of sleep. When overwhelmed, our self-confidence suffers. We feel powerless. Reframing our
Calm the Caregiver Overwhelm Read More »
During the time that I cared for Dad, I experienced the raging river of emotions that comes with caring for a family member. Overwhelmed and drowning, I navigated toward a more sustainable caregiving experience. When I learned to set boundaries, use mindfulness to enhance awareness, and identify when winning was losing, I began to manage
6 Sustainable Caregiving Strategies Read More »
by Ben GrahamThis article originally appeared in Joe & Bella on September 21, 2021. I wish we had always known about the benefits of what’s known as “adaptive wear” (clothes and shoes that are smartly designed for an easy-on, easy-off dressing experience as well as to function specifically for those with diverse physical and cognitive
Six Ways Adaptive Clothing Helps Older Adults Read More »
Would you like to up your self-care game? As a caregiver, you likely hear a lot about self-care. The idea of fitting self-care into your schedule might even add unwelcome stress. When you know the different types of self-care, you can identify the missing components and add activities that will enhance your well-being. Fun bonus:
6 Types of Caregiver Self-Care Read More »
“I don’t journal to ‘be productive.’ I don’t do it to find great ideas or to put down prose I can later publish. The pages aren’t intended for anyone but me. It’s the most cost-effective therapy I’ve ever found.” – Tim Ferriss Keeping a journal can help you process caregiving’s complexities – the emotions, the
Journaling: Release the Emotions Read More »
Imagine if, at this moment, you no longer had access to a vehicle or the ability to use a ride-share service. What would you feel, anger, fear, panic? It can be challenging to empathize when our fear is based on the potential dangers each time our family member gets behind the wheel. Our impression of
The appeal of the wild for me is its unpredictability. You have to develop an awareness, react fast, be resourceful and come up with a plan and act on it. Bear Grylls Caring for a parent can feel like we are navigating an unpredictable, wild river. How do we know when it is no longer
Timing Transitions: Reading the Caregiver River Read More »
