For caregivers, taking a vacation seems like an unrealistic or futuristic dream. How can you leave your loved one? Who will care for them? How can you overcome the guilt of finding relief and fun on a vacation while you are worrying about your loved one? Is it...
senior care
April 15-21 National Volunteer Week
One of the hardest things for caregivers to do is ask for and accept help. But, if you don’t get a respite break and “time off” now and then, you may wind up more ill than the person for whom you are caring. What is interesting is that a national study found...
Let the Caregiver Movement Begin with the Caregiver Bill of Rights
As we celebrate American Independence Day, it brings to mind how dependent we are on our nation’s 65 million caregivers. Over the next 20+ years, the next civil rights issue we will face is a growing older population with more seniors needing care – whether diagnosed...
Difference in Caring for Moms versus Dads
The Sandwich Generation is our focus this week. According to Pew Research, 47 percent of Americans in their 40s and 50s are caring for both children as well as aging parents. While there are many books to help us understand the difference in raising a boy or a girl,...
April 30 – Pet Therapy Day
Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz famously wrote, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” On April 30 we celebrate National Pet Therapy Day where our furry friends deliver more than happiness – they offer comfort for pain, companionship for isolation and cuddles and kisses that...
Snoopy to the Rescue – Pet Therapy Can Help Caregivers
My favorite cartoonist the late Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame wrote that, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” As we celebrate National Pet Week May 4-10, I wonder if Schulz knew that happiness is just the start when it comes to enhancing the lives of older loved ones in...
National Health Literacy Month
October is National Health Literacy Month. For the nation's 65 million caregivers, you must be an educated, passionate advocate for your loved one. How health literate are you? Read Sherri Snelling's “Caregiving IQ” article for PBS Next Avenue to find out...
Caregiver Tipping Points
In every caregiving journey there is a point where things must change. Sometimes it is based on a loved one's increasing needs, other times it is to avoid the stress and burn-out that may be impacting a caregiver's own health. Every caregiver's tipping point is...
How to Avoid the Goldilocks Syndrome
Sherri Snelling's blog about how caregivers can help aging parents find the best alternative senior living arrangement on the first try appeared on Forbes and originally was published on Next Avenue. Read the full articles which include 5 Tips on how to best plan for...
July National Sandwich Generation Month
Read our blogs this month celebrating the 24 million Americans who are Sandwich Generation Caregivers. Squeezed between caring for two generations - children and older parents - 33% of boomers and 42% of Gen Xers are Sandwich Generation caregivers.