“Put a dot after those who leave, so that the names of those who come start with capitals.” Plato must have been a caregiver! Caregiving is lonely because friends and family often abandon ship when the waters get rough. You are so busy keeping the boat afloat that you don’t notice that you are alone […]
10 Ways the Family Caregiver Can Stay Afloat with Help Read More »
Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spend 41 hours or more per week providing care. Sustainable caregiving is possible when you are realistic, know your options, have a plan, repeat. When families get together over the holidays it may become obvious that mom or
Holiday PSA: Everyone is an Expectant Caregiver! Read More »
According to Family Caregiver Alliance, “Regardless of employment status, unpaid caregivers report that positive activities in their respective daily lives are reduced by 27.2% as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. This effect is three times greater in their personal lives than their professional lives.” Pre-caregiving, I spent hours at the Y and in the
Thrive or Survive: Self-Care and Caregiving Read More »
How do we know when it is no longer safe for Mom or Dad to live alone? That question ranks near the top of the worry list. It sits in the lap of, “When is it no longer safe for Mom or Dad to continue driving.” The two questions are similar in that both demonstrate
Burning Down the House (cue Talking Heads) Read More »
Family caregiving and weight management seemed mutually exclusive. Caregiving is stressful. Comfort food is comforting. It is also fast and filling, which is exactly what we reach for when we are overwhelmed and juggling our many tasks. My strategy was simply to stay alive. It was survival eating, but it was killing me. Blood pressure
Sustainability Super Powers: Routine and Protein Read More »
After Dad’s stroke, we started to look at everything in his home in a different light (pun intended). We had never noticed the sliding glass door threshold between the living room and Florida room and now it jumped out at us, just as we were sure it would jump out at Dad. It was a
Let There Be Light Read More »
When we go out of town, Dad goes a bit wild. He plays his big band music and Frank Sinatra at ear drum shattering levels. He takes his golf cart out on joy rides. He uses DART to go doctor hopping, forever in search of the magic pill. I know I should have more empathy.
Home Alone II – Dad’s List Read More »
We are able to get away for about four days at a time. An aide comes in every other day, the neighbors check in every day and I call Dad every day that we are away. His medicines are pre-sorted by the pharmacy. His food is well stocked on designated shelves in the refrigerator and
Home Alone – Safety Read More »
