If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Will Always Be No

A post I wrote last month apparently hit a nerve in the caregiver community, so I thought I’d address the gist of these comments. It was about asking for help at holiday gatherings. As a caregiver who became used to doing it all, I stopped asking others for help. Why...

The Beginning

My introduction to caregiving was completely unexpected. My ten-year-old son and I were shopping when my phone rang. The words I heard changed everything, “Mom’s in the hospital. You have to get here right away.” Since my dad’s health had been questionable for years,...

If Cabin Pressure is Lost Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First

You’ve heard it every time you fly.  “In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you…..Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others”.  I know you probably...

Levels of Care(giving)

Looking back on my career as a caregiver, I marvel at the number of levels of care (and a subsequent level of stress) I had to maneuver through, remembering how at every level I’d say to myself, “I can’t take this stress much longer.” The first level was “The...

5 Essential Skills For A Caregiver of a Loved One With Dementia

5 Essential Skills For a Caregiver of a Loved One With Dementia   It can be a substantial challenge for both novice and experienced caregivers when it comes to providing specialist dementia care. Whether hiring a professional or cultivating the personal skills to...