There can be positives and negatives for family caregivers who maintain their own separate living spaces. While it is a totally separate space to get away to, it can also mean more time spent on the road driving to see and care for the loved one, including late nights or early … [Read more...] about Living together, but making time for self-care
Caregiver Solutions
Learning to Grieve
My first act as a mother was to hold my newborn. The intense power of that moment solidified my emotional connection to my son. Then when I visited my grandmother in the hospital, my initial instinct was to take her hand in mine like I’d done countless times as a little girl. The … [Read more...] about Learning to Grieve
Hiring a Caregiver: Family Dynamics, Communication, and Caregiving
A family’s dynamics will be at play when and if a loved one develops a need that requires caregiving. As a primary caregiver to her husband for 25 years, a team caregiver to her mother and sister, and a caregiver support group facilitator, Joy Walters has both experienced and … [Read more...] about Hiring a Caregiver: Family Dynamics, Communication, and Caregiving
Hiring a Caregiver: A Need for Flexibility, Patience, and Preparedness
Janet McCarthy is an experienced caregiver who says being adaptable is a key part of effective communication. “We must all have the ability to shift when needed to accommodate all parties,” she says. Being mindful of other people’s needs and feelings is necessary. Of course, … [Read more...] about Hiring a Caregiver: A Need for Flexibility, Patience, and Preparedness
Hiring a Caregiver: Establishing Expectations
Whether families hire a caregiver privately or through an agency, Kayla Cook, owner and director of Caring Excellence at Home, says they need to let their expectations be known from the first. Do they want the caregiver to engage the client with games and conversation? Do they … [Read more...] about Hiring a Caregiver: Establishing Expectations