Being a caregiver means showing love, patience, and strength. But it doesn’t mean you have to say yes to everything. Many caregivers try to do it all — and end up feeling tired, frustrated or even sick. Saying “no” can feel scary, but it’s a powerful act of self-care. Setting healthy boundaries helps you stay…
Managing stress is a recurring theme in many online caregiver forums these days — and for good reason. Caring for a loved one can be a beautiful gift. But it also brings emotional, physical and mental strain. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Family caregiver stress is real, and acknowledging it is the first…
Support for Family Caregivers at the Breaking Point: Rachel’s Story Every morning before sunrise, Rachel brews a pot of coffee and gently wakes her father, Frank. At 78 years old, Frank is still charming, but slowly fading into the fog of dementia. Once a school principal who never forgot a name, Frank now struggles to…
An Especially Hurtful Moment: Mary’s Story Mary had always had a reputation for being mentally sharp. A retired schoolteacher with a love for crossword puzzles, she prided herself on remembering wedding anniversaries, Bible verses, and the names of every neighbor on her street. As she and her daughter were leaving their local grocery store one…
While perusing a Reddit caregiving forum recently, I searched for the word “resentment.” The volume of results from that search tells me that a lot of caregivers deal with feelings of resentment in their role. One antidote to resentment can be building our appreciation for those we care for. Think about it: It’s hard to…
Taking care of patients in my early 20s is what got me started on my own caregiving journey. The professional nurses at the clinic where I volunteered were great role models. They taught me important lessons that I still use today. This week, many of those lessons are coming back to me. Honoring National Nurses…
