Burnout is one of the greatest risks caregivers face. It builds slowly, showing up in small ways that are easy to overlook until the exhaustion becomes overwhelming. Recognizing the signs early can protect both the caregiver and the loved one they support. Five Signs of Caregiver Burnout Memory slips and forgetfulness Caregivers juggle appointments, medication
Caring for an older adult, especially someone living with dementia, can be overwhelming. Families often feel like they are carrying the weight alone, searching for answers late at night or piecing together support through trial and error. The truth is, there are resources that can lighten the load. Some of the resources we recommend here
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and caregivers deserve some extra kindness – especially to themselves! Juggling someone else’s needs can feel overwhelming, so here are a few down‑to‑earth ways to protect your own well‑being while you care for others. 1. Live Out Loud The Wine, Women & Dementia campaign reminds caregivers that sharing stories
Have you ever heard of a community end-of-life advocate? It’s a caregiver or coach who helps people facing death and their families with non-medical support surrounding saying goodbye, personal care, and the grieving process. During a challenging and tender time in the life of a family, a community end-of-life advocate or professional caregiver with end-of-life
While most of us have heard the terms palliative care and hospice care, we may not be familiar with what they are, how they are different, and what they have in common until we have a loved one who needs these specific types of care. Palliative care is patient and family-centered, optimizing quality of life
As the holiday season approaches, most people are focused on the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and family gatherings. It’s easy to forget that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, levels of stress and depression increase for many Americans, including seniors. According to the National Institute on Aging, risk factors for depression among elders
Have you ever noticed the striking resemblance between a tree’s limbs and our lungs? What a powerful –and apt image. No different from their human counterparts, trees “breathe” in the carbon dioxide we breathe out in a near-perfect cycle of breath. This connection through biology is Nature writ large and a simple example of how
Despite the elderly population’s increased risk for COVID-19 associated complications and mortality, less than four in 10 nursing home staff accepted immunization when offered, February data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed. “Residents and staff members in long-term care facilities, particularly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), are at increased risk for COVID-19–associated morbidity and
In August of 2020 – amid the height of senior care communities’ visitation restrictions – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its survey of COVID-19’s psychological and emotional impact. The findings discuss the challenges of balancing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey findings reported that anxiety disorder symptoms were about three times those
In times of trouble, it can be tremendously difficult to see the forest through that thick stand of trees – giant leafy Southern Oaks if you’re “down South” like us. Mix in a pandemic with the natural bumpy road called Life, and those happy feelings can get lost in the exhaust –and exhaustion. But maybe
