Caregiver Respite

Caregivers need respite, but the thought of spending time away from our care recipients is often anxiety-inducing. Based on the success of our latest experience, I came up with five tips for dementia caregivers who are planning a holiday.

The benefits of adult day care services are twofold. Your aging parent can enjoy social opportunities, activities and added safety, while you are free to work, run errands, attend appointments or savor some respite time.

Respite care comes in many different forms and allows family caregivers to take a hard-earned break from providing hands-on care.

The heavy burden of caregiving can gradually overwhelm even the most devoted and best prepared individuals. Take a caregiver burden assessment to determine your level of burnout and find resources to reduce the stress of caring for an aging loved one.

Although caregivers are often cautioned against the dangers of burnout, there is an even more serious phenomenon called compassion fatigue that can be detrimental to both care providers and recipients.

Family caregivers often feel guilty about hiring in-home care for their aging loved ones, but there are steps you can take to feel at peace with this care decision.

Members of the sandwich generation care for a combination of young kids, aging parents, adult children, grandparents and even grandchildren. Their situations may vary, but the one thing these caregivers have in common is their need for more support.

Adult day care is an often underused service by those taking care of elderly loved ones. For dementia caregivers, utilizing adult day care services may help significantly reduce caregiving stress.

Caregiver burnout doesn't happen all at once—it often sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Learn how to recognize the signs of increasing stress, understand your own limits and maintain honest self-awareness throughout the caregiving journey.

More than any other medical professionals, nurses spend the most time providing hands-on care for patients and interacting with family caregivers. Here’s a list of six elder care insights that nurses share with family members who are new to caregiving.

Finding time to sleep is one of the hardest things for a caregiver to do, but these six reasons demonstrate why caregiver respite should be a priority in any elder care plan.

Common criticisms of adult day care stem from misdirected comparisons to babysitting and institutional care. Most modern senior centers are working to dispel these myths by refining their services and encouraging seniors’ independence.

Short-term assisted living allows older adults to experience the benefits, services, and amenities of senior communities on a trial basis.

Father's Day is a great time to remember who your dad used to be before age-related changes set in. Sometimes you forget how vibrant and caring he was, but the truth is he’s still that person on the inside—and he always will be.

The Medicare hospice benefit provides comfort care for patients who are terminally ill and facing the end of life. Original Medicare does cover hospice services.

Whether you're providing hands-on care or managing care decisions, setting boundaries with difficult elderly parents enables family caregivers to provide care while safeguarding their own mental health.

When one sibling does all the caregiving for aging parents, it often breeds tension and resentment. Take an objective look at your siblings’ reasons for staying at arm’s length and learn how you can get everyone on the same page.

Becoming a caregiver causes a major life shift. Many caregivers not only struggle with tough care decisions, but they also grapple with how to handle resentment over being stuck in a situation that seems to leave them few choices.

The strain of caring for an aging parent (or in-law) takes a serious toll on a family caregiver’s relationship with their spouse. Use these tips to keep your marriage strong and prevent caregiver burnout from overwhelming both of you.

Caregivers struggle to maintain their own physical and mental health while providing care for loved ones who mistreat them. Learning to detach, set boundaries, seek respite care and respect your limits can help you cope with an elder’s abusive behavior.