You’ve poured from an empty cup for so long, you’ve forgotten what it feels like to be refilled. The to-do list is endless, the needs are constant, and the idea of a “break” feels like a distant fantasy reserved for other people. But what if taking a moment for yourself wasn’t a reward for finishing everything – what if it was the…
Caregivers need to take care of themselves too The secret to surviving long term caregiving is to pace yourself and rest when you’re tired. Being constantly exhausted and severely stressed can lead to serious health issues and decrease your capacity to care for someone else. But some caregivers resist the advice to take regular breaks even when they have access to help. …
A major part of caregiver stress is caused by emotions Caring for an older adult is a stressful challenge that often takes a toll on your health. But only part of that stress comes from juggling day-to-day tasks. A big contributor is the strong emotions that naturally come up while caregiving. To reduce the stress from caregiver emotions, we asked experienced social…
Aromatherapy stress relief helps both seniors and caregivers Caring for an older adult is a tough job. It’s also difficult to be the person whose body or mind is declining. This chronic stress can decrease the quality of life for both seniors and caregivers. It also increases the chances of developing serious physical and mental health issues. A simple, but effective, non-drug…
Noticing what you’re grateful for reduces stress A quick and simple way to reduce caregiving stress is to keep a brief daily gratitude journal in a calendar format. Gratitude reduces caregiver stress because it reminds you to look for the positives in life, even when things are really tough. That simple act helps you get a different perspective and trains your brain…
These past years, veteran and military caregivers have taken on more responsibilities along with increased isolation, stress, and anxiety. Caregiver support systems are returning, but these hidden heroes are still dealing with the strain brought on by the extra challenges. Amy Goyer from AARP and Kathy Roth-Douquet from Blue Star Families share five free resources that support veteran caregivers in self-care, making…
Don’t let undeserved caregiver guilt add to your stress There are many common misconceptions about what caregivers should do or how they should feel that can cause guilt that isn’t deserved. Unfortunately, these misguided beliefs and unrealistic expectations about caregiving can also hurt you by causing burnout, compassion fatigue, or serious health conditions caused by chronic stress. Caregiver guilt might also influence…
Caring for an aging parent can be one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it can also place immense strain on family relationships. When siblings are involved, old dynamics can resurface, and disagreements about care can create painful rifts. You are not alone in this challenge. Learning how to navigate these complex family dynamics is crucial for your parents’ well-being and your…
Celebrating accomplishments reduces caregiver stress Caring for an older adult can be exhausting, overwhelming, frustrating, lonely, and often thankless. It’s no wonder so many caregivers struggle with stress-related health conditions. That’s why it’s important to find a variety of ways to reduce stress. It’s not realistic to eliminate all the worries and frustrations that come with caregiving. And it’s natural to focus…
Caregivers are too hard on themselves How can you be so stupid? Why didn’t you think that through? How could you not expect this to happen? Would you talk this way to a friend? Or even a stranger? Would you let a friend talk to you this way? Of course not! It’s rude, mean, and completely uncalled for. But how often do…
