caregiver health Archives - Aging, caregiving and the journey through the second half of life

Solo Spousal Care

January 20, 2020

Solo caregiving takes a toll on both parties. What starts out as an act of compassion and loyalty can deteriorate into a role that exceeds the best efforts of one person. Reframing the situation from a new vantage point helps…

Finding A New Primary Care Physician Mind Map

May 7, 2019

Sometimes you need to change doctors, but where to begin? The short answer is with yourself. You need a primary care physician who is qualified, has a “always ready to help” office staff and most important “gets you.” This is…

Middle Age + Caregiving: Three Mind Maps

March 21, 2019

Middle age is daunting for everyone, especially caregivers. There are so many moving and complicated parts that can quickly overwhelm the best intentions or the most efficient management skills. One of the biggest mistakes I see middle age caregivers make…

New PDF Booklet: Caregiver Decision Fatigue

July 27, 2018

This “must read” article for caregivers outlines the synergistic complexity and uncertainty that dilemmas and family systems interject into all aspects of a caring for aging parents. As important, the article offers practical strategies caregivers can readily adopt to better…

The Peace of Wild Things

February 27, 2018

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought or grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a…

Higher Levels of Depression in Married Caregivers

February 18, 2017

“We also found that caregivers who are married and caring for a family member with a diagnosis other than cancer, such as Alzheimer’s disease, had higher levels of depression,” says Debra Parker-Oliver, professor of family and community medicine at the…

Losing Your Way…

January 1, 2016

Caregivers are always beginning a new. It comes with the work. Time and again they are knocked off their balance point and scramble to find a way to get back up. The art of caregiver recovery is made easier with…

Rethinking Solo Caregiving For A Spouse

November 24, 2015

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…

Higher-Hour Caregiver

September 7, 2015

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…

Caregivers of Spouses with Dementia

August 31, 2015

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…