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…
Caregiver stress is a serious issue You’re probably well aware that caregiver stress can have a serious negative impact on your health and ability to care for your older adult. That’s why managing and reducing stress is so important. It helps you stay healthy so you can continue caregiving. But we often convince ourselves that we’re less stressed than we really are.…
Managing time is an essential caregiving skill Time is precious when you’re caring for an older adult. There’s so much to do, both for them and for you, and only 24 hours in a day. Amy Goyer, AARP’s family caregiving expert, has plenty of experience getting more done with less stress. She’s learned essential time management skills through real-life experience. Amy has…
Rely on calming tips when caregiving gets stressful Caring for an older adult is a stressful job. What often helps is using a variety of different ways to reduce and manage stress. That keeps daily frustrations from becoming overwhelming and causing caregiver burnout. We found 7 effective stress relief techniques in this infographic from Pounds to Pocket. It gives a quick overview of…
Sometimes caregivers need help to relax Taking short breaks is a great way to reduce caregiver stress, improve health and well-being, and help you stay calm and patient. The challenge is that when you get a few minutes to yourself, it can be difficult to truly relax and stop thinking and worrying about your older adult. We found something perfect for stress…
Regular reminders help caregivers reduce stress While caring for your older adult, you might run into stressful situations, annoyances, and arguments on a regular basis. One way to reduce caregiving stress and the physical damage it causes is to regularly remind yourself what’s important, to let go of negativity, or to take a brief time-out. But how can you remember to take…
This past year has intensified anxiety, stress, and isolation for seniors and family caregivers alike. We asked experts Dr. Robin Smith, from The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation President, to answer 7 top questions about managing anxiety, stress, isolation, and depression as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. 1. How can seniors and family caregivers manage anxiety…
