Family Caregiver Blog

It turns out our experience of happiness is a bit like a muscle, growing stronger with exercise. We can get used to a certain level of ability, but that may be unnecessarily low. Learn how small, intentional habits can help you build up to a higher level of happiness.

If your loved one struggles with symptoms of a slow heart rate, such as light-headedness and fatigue, a pacemaker can help regulate their heartbeat, leading to better energy and overall quality of life. However, pacemakers are not appropriate in every situation.

Have you noticed your relative struggling with everyday decisions? As a family caregiver, it’s important to understand what to do next, such as seeking a medical evaluation and making sure important legal documents are in place.

It’s essential to take breaks from your duties as a family caregiver. You need to recharge your own batteries if you’re going to manage for the long haul. Several options exist to ensure your loved one is well cared for, from adult day center programs to short-term stays at facilities.

When dementia affects an aging loved one’s sense of reality, trying to correct them often makes things harder. Practicing validation and gentle redirection can ease frustration and help you connect with compassion.

Taking care of an aging loved one can test your patience in ways you never expected. Feeling angry doesn’t make you a bad caregiver—it makes you human. What matters is how you respond to the emotion.

If you feel daunted by the thought of an aging loved one traveling by air, know that there are many practical steps you can take beforehand to make things go smoothly for them, such as confirming medical clearance and arranging airport assistance in advance.

Aspiration pneumonia is a serious risk for many older adults, but there are ways you can help prevent it as a family caregiver, from upright seating to distraction-free meals.

A loved one expressing their fear of living in a nursing home may pull on your heartstrings and draw upon your natural desire to promise them “never.” But who can predict the future? It’s wise to respond realistically while still honoring their concerns.

Parkinson’s disease can make communication difficult. A rigid face and monotone voice project nonverbal cues that may not line up with what the person with Parkinson’s is actually feeling. There are ways to offset these challenges and clarify emotional content and meaning.