Caregiver Support Tip
Conditions That Mimic Dementia and Why You Need to Watch For Them
Understanding conditions that mimic dementia can help you find answers and treatments you might not otherwise consider.
When someone you love begins showing symptoms like confusion, memory loss, or difficulty with everyday tasks, it’s natural to fear the worst. Dementia is often the first explanation that comes to mind. But what you might not realize is that there are conditions that mimic dementia, conditions that look almost identical at first glance but may actually be treatable. That means the changes you’re seeing may not be permanent, and the future may be far more hopeful than you think.
Balancing Work and Caregiving Without Losing Yourself in the Process
Balancing work and caregiving becomes easier when you have the right tools, support, and mindset.
Balancing work and caregiving can feel like a tug-of-war between two parts of your identity: your career, which you’ve spent years building, and your role as a son or daughter, which comes with deep love and responsibility. Most of us don’t realize how intertwined these roles are until a new reality begins to emerge: a parent who suddenly needs support, supervision, or hands-on help at home. The shift may be subtle at first – missed medications, difficulty getting around, small safety concerns – until one day it becomes clear that more consistent assistance is needed. And that’s when the real worry sets in: How am I supposed to manage all of this? Do I have to choose between the job I love and … Read More »
How to Involve Kids in Caregiving: An Age by Age Guide
Knowing how to involve kids in caregiving can make everyone involved feel more connected.
Kids have a way of transforming a room the moment they walk in. Their questions come out of nowhere, their laughter is contagious, and their energy fills the space with something light and refreshing. While caregiving is usually handled by adults, understanding how to involve kids in caregiving helps everyone involved.
Caregiving Conflict in Blended Families and How to Handle It
Caregiving conflict in blended families often improves when the focus shifts to shared goals.
Caring for someone you love comes with big emotions, even in families that have been connected for decades. When a second marriage, step-family relationships, or a blended household is part of your story, those emotions can multiply quickly. Each person brings different experiences, different communication styles, and sometimes different ideas of what “the right thing” looks like, which can lead to caregiving conflict in blended families.
And when care needs come up suddenly, all of those differences show up at once. Decisions need to be made quickly. Everyone wants to help, but not everyone agrees on how. It can feel messy, overwhelming, or even tense when the roles aren’t clear and the past starts influencing the present.
If you’re in this situation, the good … Read More »
Let’s Talk About Dementia – In a Healthy Way
Improv is one creative dementia care strategy that can be both effective and fun.
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia is never easy. It kicks off an emotional rollercoaster of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, grief, and more, all of which are heightened if the diagnosis is given starkly, without empathy or compassion. There are steps doctors can (and should) take when delivering a dementia diagnosis to ease the initial impact, empowering and equipping the individual and family with knowledge and support.
Are Your Parents Refusing Help? Try These Tips.
If you’re struggling with parents refusing help when you know it’s needed, try these tips.
It’s a challenging scenario many family caregivers face: your aging parents, who once cared for you, now resist the help they so desperately need. It’s a delicate balance between respecting their freedom and ensuring their safety and well-being. If you find yourself with parents refusing help at home, you’re not alone! We understand the range of emotions that go along with accepting the need for care, and have some tips to help you and your parents get on the same page.
Breaking Free From Caregiver Guilt Starts With One Small Step
Letting go of caregiver guilt opens the door to peace, balance, and renewed strength.
If you’ve ever said, “I’ll handle that once Mom’s settled,” or “There’s just no time for me right now,” you’re not alone. Nearly every family caregiver has been there — caught in the trap of self-sacrifice and caregiver guilt. It feels noble to put your needs last. After all, someone you love depends on you.
Supporting Family Caregivers Means Supporting the Entire Community
Supporting family caregivers builds stronger communities.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes a village.” But what happens when the villagers—the caregivers—are exhausted? Supporting family caregivers is vitally important for the caregivers themselves, but also for the community as a whole.
This Tactic to Improve Emotional Health in Seniors May Surprise You!
Try this one effective strategy to boost emotional health in seniors and see the difference it can make!
When caring for an older adult, it’s natural to focus on physical health: blood pressure, medications, diet, and mobility. But what about the unseen risks? Emotional health in seniors plays just as critical a role in overall well-being. Loneliness, stress, and depression can all silently chip away at health, making recovery slower and daily life more difficult.
Is It Anxiety, Depression, or PTSD in a Senior Loved One? Here’s How to Tell.
It’s important to recognize the signs of PTSD in a senior loved one and know where to turn for help.
A sudden crack of fireworks booms overhead, and the person next to you stiffens. A song drifts through the room, and you notice a shift in their expression. For someone who has lived through trauma, everyday sights, sounds, and smells can be powerful reminders of painful experiences. What might appear to be nerves, stress, or even age-related changes can actually be something much more complex: PTSD in a senior loved one.
