A Call For Help We recently received a call from a gentleman who had been caring for his wife with dementia. He said that his wife had dementia and he had been his wife’s primary caregiver for many years. The gentleman was looking for someone that could come and spend time with his wife, so he could get out. He…
Balancing home and career is increasingly difficult as your family members become involved in more activities within their school or community. What do you do when you have an aging parent who needs more help while your children need to be transported to sports activities or encouraged with a difficult school project? When you are not able to be in…
Serving as a long-distance caregiver for a family member who lives more than an hour away can present many difficulties. Although many family home caregivers experience guilt and anxiety, those who are trying to offer and coordinate care from a distance may not only experience these more acutely but may also confront additional difficulties in trying to provide care. Taking…
Senior caregivers must balance other responsibilities and make significant sacrifices to provide care. It is therefore important to be proactive in combatting burnout. Senior caregivers can become isolated in carrying out their responsibilities. Consequently, their other relationships can suffer and other family members may become angry or resentful. They may face consequences professionally, losing job opportunities or even having to…
Aging adults often need more assistance as they grow older. Before you become your parent’s primary care provider, it’s important to understand if you are up to the job. Providing home care for elderly adults is just that – a job. You will be taking over daily tasks like bathing, dressing and toileting for them. Role reversal is not an…
Private home care services offer assistance with more than just required needs; they are an extension of the family and home. The best caregiver(s) you can provide your mother or father are those who understand their needs and provide compassionate support. While no caretaker is perfect, those who are truly dedicated get very close. A good care provider will engage…
You may think you know your parent but many adult children are out of touch with their elderly mother or father’s feelings and needs. It is important to get reacquainted so you can understand how to help them moving forward. When you once lived in your parent’s home, you may have known your mom or dad’s political likes and dislikes…
As parents age, many adult children find themselves having to balance their own career with providing sufficient home care to their parents. Set priorities, make choices, and establish clear communication, both in the workplace and at home. Working while providing care for an aging parent is not easy. Challenges of Family Caregivers More women have entered the workforce and established…
Caring for an aging loved one can be a daunting job. At first, one jumps at the chance to be the primary family caregiver. Showering the senior in your life with attention and compassion is extremely rewarding. However, as the months roll on and turn into years or even decades, the caregiving task gradually leads to exhaustion and feelings of…
Understanding Dementia Caring for someone with dementia can be daunting. If you do not understand the disease and are not compassionate toward the individual diagnosed, whether a relative or a client, you may not be dealing with dementia or the person correctly. Dementia is not just the loss of past memories. It is the loss of the individual. The disease…
