Caregiver Fatigue

Crossing the Eighty-Something Frontier

We all hope our aging parents will be robust and independent as they navigate their eighties. Some will, but the majority, nine out of ten, will not. They will become frail or suffer from dementia. They will wind up not…

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Exhausted Caregivers

Back in July of this year, I posted an article about exhausted caregivers due to decision fatigue. A reader asked me compress the article into a mind map. Here is the PDF version Here is the original article…

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No Easy Way Out

In working with our aging parents, we encounter predictable dilemmas with no easy way out. Here is a personal story that echoes a common theme I hear about from adult children. As my mother approached 90 and despite increasing frailty…

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Rethinking Solo Caregiving For A Spouse

Solo caregiving for a spouse takes a toll on both parties. What starts out as act of compassion and loyalty can deteriorate into a role that exceeds the best efforts of one person. Unfortunately, the stress of day to day…

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The Untenable Promise

Older adults fear nursing homes more than death itself. Those of us waiting to be old fear it right along with them. When asked to promise to never to put an aging parent in a nursing, we do not hesitate.…

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Losing Patience on All Sides

The tug of war between adult children and aging parents comes down to control. This article is based on an interview I gave the publication on my perspective regarding this generational power struggle… When Seniors Try the Patience of their…

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Exhausted Woman’s Syndrome

This article on the exhausted woman’s syndrome offers a sobering list of symptoms that female caregivers will recognize that comes with their heroic efforts to keep everything together. Recognizing Exhausted Woman’s Syndrome By Christine Hammond, MS, LMHC…

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Higher-Hour Caregiver

This article is an excellent overview of the unpaid caregiver zone in America. It highlights the challenges and demands of being a higher-hour caregiver (20hrs/week of caregiving). As important, it identifies why caregiver support groups, although a wonderful resource…

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Caregivers of Spouses with Dementia

The Psychological and Health Consequences of Caring for a Spouse With Dementia: A Critical Comparison of Husbands and Wives This study compares outcomes, based on gender, of caregivers of at home spouses with dementia. It also looks at how the…

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Caregiver Decision Fatigue

Caring for aging parents brings with it a new kind of exhaustion called decision fatigue. While its cause has a number of contributing factors, two in particular stand out as primary sources: • Sustained engagement with dilemmas • Decision volatility…

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