Feeling like you’re carrying the entire weight of your aging parents’ care while your siblings watch from the sidelines? You’re not alone. The profound exhaustion and simmering resentment that come with being the “default” caregiver can strain even the strongest family bonds, often reigniting old rivalries and arguments. While you wish for a supportive team, navigating these conversations can feel like an…
Feeling a knot of resentment tighten in your chest as you perform yet another caregiving task? You are not a bad person, and you are certainly not alone. Caregiver resentment (a complex mix of anger, frustration, and exhaustion) is a natural, human response to the relentless demands and emotional toll of caring for a loved one. It often stems from feeling unsupported,…
If you’re a caregiver feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by your to-do list, or guilty for craving just five minutes of peace, you are not alone – and you are not failing. Caregiver stress is not a sign of weakness; it is a universal and exhausting part of the job. The constant demands can leave you feeling irritable, exhausted, and like you’ve lost…
Worrying Hurts Caregiver Health and Relationships One thing all caregivers do is worry. What if Dad doesn’t take his heart medication? What if mom falls and gets seriously injured? What if my spouse has another stroke? These concerns are legitimate and serious, but constant worry is stressful and will wear you down. Too much worry can create anxiety, paralyze problem-solving, and cause tension…
When family doesn’t believe seniors need help You might be frustrated by family members who are in denial about your older adult’s declining health and increasing care needs. Whether it’s about Alzheimer’s, dementia, fall risk, stroke recovery, or another health condition, their denial can make you feel angry, stressed, and frustrated. We explain why someone might be in denial and share 3…
Gratitude is a quick and easy way to reduce caregiver stress A quick, easy, and effective way to reduce caregiver stress is to practice gratitude. Gratitude is about noticing that there are some good things in your life, no matter how difficult things get. Calling attention to the positive things helps you shift perspective and see that things are not always completely…
Hear from caregivers just like you Real stories from caregivers are powerful and moving. Hearing these deeply personal experiences first hand helps us realize that we’re not alone. Many other people are on similarly challenging journeys. We share 3 personal stories from seasoned caregivers where they discuss the battle-tested coping tips that kept them going when things got really tough. 1. The…
Caregiver stress is unavoidable, but can be managed Stress is an unavoidable part of being a caregiver. But for long term health and well-being, it’s important to find ways to take care of ourselves and manage stress. In addition, when we’re feeling better, we can be even better caregivers. To help with that, put together a list of 14 practical stress relief…
Caregiving can strain sibling relationships For some families, working with siblings to care for aging parents can be almost as challenging as the caregiving itself. In an AARP article from Dr. Barry Jacobs, he talks about his experience working with his brother to care for their mother and the challenges and conflicts that come up for most siblings. We share his 5…
Caregiver guilt is common, and stressful Caregivers often have very high (and often unfair) expectations for themselves. That can add a significant amount of stress and guilt to an already tough job, reduce your quality of life, and make it harder to care for your older adult. Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, an AARP caregiving expert, has years of personal experience caring for…
