When providing care for a friend, neighbor, or loved one, understanding the diverse and often unfamiliar terminology can be as essential as understanding the intricacies of the care journey itself. I’ll never forget the first time a Home Health Aide asked to see my Dad’s care plan. We were standing in my parents’ kitchen and I was bleary-eyed, still in shock, and blinked at her as if she had just spoken to me in Klingon. A care plan? “No one at the hospital said anything about that – I’ll need your help.” Thankfully, she was one of those gentle souls who patiently guided me as I came up with a rudimentary rough draft on a piece of peach-colored paper.

When I unexpectedly became a primary care partner to both of my parents as the pandemic was kicking into high gear (in an environment that seemed to willfully neglect older adults), reading for myself was all but abandoned. Now there were plenty of reading opportunities as I was invariably waiting for the next care-related appointment, but I lacked the mental energy. While our parents were still living at home and both enduring an endless string of emergencies, there was too much to do, too little help, and we were all just treading some deep waters.

It is well documented how the constant demands of caregiving can take a toll on one's well-being, particularly the body — a foundation of our strength and resilience. Several years ago a friend introduced me to somatic practices as I was caring for my aging parents simultaneously. By slowly integrating somatics into my caregiving routines, I learned that I could enhance my body awareness, manage stress more effectively, and improve my overall health and well-being. Small changes in body awareness led me to significant improvements in my overall wellness, enabling me to improve all aspects of my life, not just caring for my aging parents. But what exactly is somatics?

Traditional support groups have been a mainstay for caregivers, offering a space to share experiences and gain information. However, these groups may not fully address the emotional complexities and mental health challenges faced by caregivers. Recent research from Harvard highlights a promising alternative: Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT).

As family caregivers, we often find ourselves in the delicate position of broaching challenging and embarrasing discussions with our loved ones. Whether it's tackling health concerns, navigating financial matters, or delving into personal issues, these conversations can feel like tiptoeing through a minefield. Shifting family dynamics are rarely easy but with a thoughtful approach and some practical strategies, we can transform these talks from nerve-wracking to nurturing.

Becoming a family caregiver is a transformational journey marked by profound challenges and significant life adjustments. While it can be a role filled with love and compassion, it's essential to recognize that not everyone is suited for the role of primary caregiver, especially when faced with their own health conditions, demanding work schedules, frequent travel obligations, young children with higher needs, a strained relationship, or a history of abuse or violence in the family. This article aims to guide you through 8 essential considerations, offering practical advice, alternative solutions, and insights that can help you make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones.

Because of the lack of care I put into myself, along with the demands of the care I gave, my body became affected. As much as I allowed the wound to be where the light enters, I also had to acknowledge that my body has stored some of the trauma and stress, and I needed to learn how to clear it to regain my full vitality.

In today's world, where scam calls and deceptive door-to-door visits are increasingly common, our aging population is particularly vulnerable. Scammers often target older adults, capitalizing on their sometimes limited understanding of modern deceptive practices. As caregivers, it’s crucial that we empower our loved ones with the knowledge and tools to recognize and handle these potential threats. This guide aims to highlight common types of scams aimed at older adults and provide practical advice for verifying the legitimacy of suspicious contacts.

Research shows that regardless of age, nature can boost physical and mental health and well-being. For family caregivers and those needing care, time in nature is a critical stress-taming ally. A simple walk together in a park, a pause to look through a window, or a moment outside to look at the tree right in front of your home can be an act of caregiving and self-care all at once.

Community involvement is part of being human. From a sense of contribution to the success and happiness of others to knowing you also have support if ever needed, there is a reason humans are social by nature. Family caregivers live this. We can accomplish a lot when we work together so it's critical especially to remember that you can cultivate that sense of community in many areas of your life.

When faced with loss, our very human responses range from shock and anger to profound sadness and enduring despair. While mourning can plunge us into prolonged grief and hopelessness, the natural world offers a pathway towards finding peace and inner tranquility. Studies continue to reveal how time in nature can lower blood pressure, stress hormones levels and anxiety, while boosting self-esteem and mood.

Embarking on my journey to becoming a permaculturist and transforming our yard into an urban forest garden has opened my eyes to the profound ways in which nature can enhance health and wellness. While exercise and nutrition are two important aspects of a healthy lifestyle, my experience has shown me that spending time outdoors and engaging in gardening activities can greatly amplify their effects. Along the way, I've picked up many fun and easy ways to infuse the outdoors into daily life. As April marks National Garden Month, there's no better time to step outside to start reaping Nature’s rewards.

Caregiving, a journey filled with love, challenges, and profound responsibilities, offers unique opportunities to strengthen bonds while enhancing cognitive health. For caregivers and their loved ones, particularly those navigating the complexities of cognitive impairments or age-related changes, incorporating cognitive exercises into daily routines can be incredibly beneficial.

Caregiving, whether for a family member, friend, or neighbor, is a journey fraught with emotional complexities. Alongside feelings of love and duty, family caregivers often grapple with frustration, resentment, and even anger – directed at the situation, the system, and sometimes themselves. It’s the perfect storm to generate overwhelm. However, within these challenges lies an opportunity for personal growth, learning, and resilience. Let's explore how caregivers can navigate this journey while prioritizing their own wellness and discovering inner strength they never knew they had.

When doctors tell you that your loved one is going to die, and they go as far as to say they probably have 2-5 years left, your mind follows the words and calculates the numbers. I was in a constant state of panic and anticipatory grief in the early days of my husband's ALS diagnosis and my brain conjured a countdown timer. The doctor had inadvertently planted future thinking into my brain. Thankfully, something happened a few years into our journey that snapped me back into reality, and that reality was that he was still alive.

Our sleeping patterns significantly impact our mental and physical health. Understanding our chronotype and circadian rhythm – whether we're early risers (morning larks), late risers (night owls), or somewhere in between – is essential for making the most of our time and energy. As we age, the challenges of obtaining healthy sleep become more pronounced, especially when caregiving while experiencing shifting circadian rhythms.

Summer travel season is just around the corner and there’s nothing like taking a trip with loved ones. Traveling can be an enriching experience, offering new sights, cultures, and memories. However, when embarking on an overseas journey with someone you are caring for, it requires extra planning and consideration to ensure their comfort, safety, and enjoyment as well as yours. As a caregiver, transforming travel into a seamless experience is both an art and a science.

When you're caregiving at home, receiving effective support from others can make the difference between a bad day and an okay day. Whether you are already part of a support group, or looking to create one, social support comes in various forms with varying benefits. Let's explore four key types of social support and uncover how they can boost your resilience.

Sometimes, I need to laugh at dementia. To be clear: dementia and all forms of its relations are heartbreaking, silently snatching fragments of personality, identity, and lifelong anchors. Dementia robs an individual of so much, including their independence and agency; still, this does not mean that someone living with dementia is doomed to exist in a joyless, meaningless fog.

Moderate physical exercise stimulates physiological changes in the body and the brain. If you want to give yourself the best chance of aging well, the guideline is 150 minutes per week - or 20 minutes per day - of moderate aerobic activity. If even that seems daunting, it turns out that even 6-9 minutes per day can be better than nothing. Below are 3 ideas to bring fun physical fitness back into focus.