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…
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…
Reduce stress with smart caregiver organization Having the right tools can make any job go more smoothly and easily and caregiving is no exception. Caregivers typically manage scheduling as well as important paperwork and information. Without a good organizational system, managing this part of caregiving can quickly add to the daily stress. Sometimes, spending an extra 20 minutes searching for insurance paperwork…
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…
The pandemic has made life more challenging for everyone, and especially for family caregivers. Dr. Aaron Blight discusses 4 reasons why caregiving has gotten more difficult during Covid-19. And at the end, we share some articles that help reduce caregiving stress. A recent survey by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving revealed that 83% of caregivers are experiencing an increased level…
With all the stress and responsibility of caregiving, it’s easy to forget to give ourselves credit for the wonderful things we do for others. Nurse Beckie from FirstLight Home Care shares 7 positive New Year’s resolutions for caregivers that help us acknowledge our contributions and find ways to reduce stress and increase well-being. New Year’s resolutions for caregivers can be opportunities…
The coronavirus outbreak adds stress to caregiving To say that the coronavirus outbreak is a challenging time is an understatement, especially for already stressed caregivers. Fear and anxiety, along with self-isolation, cause strong or overwhelming emotions and may even contribute to depression. On top of that, extra caregiving responsibilities can lead to fatigue, anger, or resentment. To protect your health and overall…
New Year’s resolutions that make caregiving easier and more meaningful Barry Jacobs has been caring for his aging mother for the past 6.5 years. For the new year, he wrote an article for the Huffington Post titled 7 New Year’s Resolutions for Hopeful Family Caregivers. We love the inspiration behind Barry’s resolutions. They’re intended to help make a very tough job a little…
