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I’m thrilled to introduce the Caregiver Support Tapping Meditations, a series created by The Tapping Solution professionals and me. Tapping is an easy, self-care tool to learn and use on a daily bas…

I’m thrilled to in…

I’m thrilled to introduce the Caregiver Support Tapping Meditations, a series created by The Tapping Solution professionals and me. Tapping is an easy, self-care tool to learn and use on a daily basis to ease Stress, guilt and the other negative emotions all caregivers feel. Tapping, also called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), is a combination of the principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. Specifically, it is a method of saying positive affirmations or meditations while tapping gently on nine places of the upper body. Click here to read my previous blog post about…

The one question I hear most frequently from Baby Boomers caring for their Aging parents is, “How do I know when it’s time to move them to assisted living?” I wish there was a “one size fits a…

The one question I h…

The one question I hear most frequently from baby boomers caring for their aging parents is, “How do I know when it’s time to move them to assisted living?” I wish there was a “one size fits all” answer. All of our aging parents and other relatives decline in various ways and at different rates, but here are some guidelines to help you decide if it’s time to take steps to move mom and dad out of their long-time home into an assisted living environment. Physical Safety First This is the most critical benchmark to apply.  It’s a simple question to ask yourself, “Are he/she/they …

I am a huge proponent of support groups because I’ve learned so much and received comfort by attending them during crises in my life.  For many years I was also a family caregivers support group le…

I am a huge proponen…

I am a huge proponent of support groups because I’ve learned so much and received comfort by attending them during crises in my life.  For many years I was also a family caregivers support group leader for my local Alzheimer’s Association chapter, and my life was enriched by listening to the people who attended my groups. My first support group experience was in 1996 when I became a member of a breast Cancer survivors’ support group. Shortly after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I started going to meetings, asking questions, and listening carefully to the survivors there. They gave …

Since November is National Family Caregivers Month, I’ve been busy collaborating on three new resources for family caregivers.  Yes, I know the famous Beatles’ song is spelled “Here, There and …

Since November is Na…

Since November is National Family Caregivers Month, I’ve been busy collaborating on three new resources for family caregivers.  Yes, I know the famous Beatles’ song is spelled “Here, There and Everywhere,” but my spelling is correct in this circumstance. Hear — Listen to this Podcast   I was interviewed for the “Asking for a Friend Podcast” by Michele Falon, its creator. She asks some deep questions I’m not normally asked on podcasts.  Our wide-ranging conversation includes:Techniques for mindful communication with the person in your care and your caregiving team Wh…

   I was pleased to contribute to the article published on OprahDaily.com called “Yes, You Can Care for Your Aging Parents from Afar.” It’s written by Amy Conway,  a journalist and family c…

   I was pleased…

   I was pleased to contribute to the article published on OprahDaily.com called “Yes, You Can Care for Your Aging Parents from Afar.” It’s written by Amy Conway,  a journalist and family caregiver who is currently the long-distance caregiver for her mother. The article is a mixture of tips from experts as well as things she and her brother learned through experience. Long-Distance Caregiving Tips   Conway goes into more depth about these issues:Doing some gentle “detective work” to figure out what your parents need to be safe and well. In-person visits are best for a true as…

  There is a story in People magazine about a young woman, Sarah Lewis (now Rasby),  who became a caregiver for her twin sister at age 35. Erin Lewis suffered a sudden cardiac event in 2018 and over…

  There is a story …

  There is a story in People magazine about a young woman, Sarah Lewis (now Rasby),  who became a caregiver for her twin sister at age 35. Erin Lewis suffered a sudden cardiac event in 2018 and overnight Sarah became her sister’s caregiver. It’s unusual for someone to become a family caregiver at this young age, but Sarah’s story is universal because she had to deal with many of the same issues baby boomer and older family caregivers face when caring for their aging parents and/or older relatives.She was thrust into the role of  caregiver suddenly due to a medical crisis.  This is …

The countdown to the holidays has begun, and for many of us that means holiday stress. Walk into any grocery store or big box retailer and the Halloween, Thanksgiving and yes, even Christmas or Chanuk…

The countdown to the…

The countdown to the holidays has begun, and for many of us that means holiday stress. Walk into any grocery store or big box retailer and the Halloween, Thanksgiving and yes, even Christmas or Chanuka decorations are on display. Personally, I think the retailers are rushing things, but in terms of planning for the holidays as a family caregiver, it’s wise to take time now to think about your options and plan ahead. For family caregivers the holiday season can be both blessing and a curse.  A blessing because it provides opportunities for wonderful family gatherings and a curse because it p…

   A friend wore a button like the one pictured above daily while caring for her dad. I think it was a Stroke of genius! In doing so, she sent the following messages:Wayne is not just another si…

   A friend wore…

   A friend wore a button like the one pictured above daily while caring for her dad. I think it was a stroke of genius! In doing so, she sent the following messages:Wayne is not just another sick old man. He is my father and important to me. This was a pointed reminder for the many medical professionals she and Wayne  encountered. It’s easy for them to see patients as appointments to get through rather than humans striving to live the best quality of life as long as they can. It was a reminder to herself to be compassionate during the hardest days of caregiving.Now that he is gone,…

 We’ve all been there. At some point we’ve reached the end of our rope with our care recipients. We’ve rolled our eyes, made a face,  slammed a door, or even yelled at them. In some way, we …

 We’ve all been…

 We’ve all been there. At some point we’ve reached the end of our rope with our care recipients. We’ve rolled our eyes, made a face,  slammed a door, or even yelled at them. In some way, we exploded from anger or frustration. Then we feel guilty after losing our cool with our care recipients, aging parents, and/or other family members in our caregiving circle of support.  Aside from feeling remorse, what can we do to make amends after we’ve blown up at our loved one? How Can We Repair the Relationship?   Making up may be hard to do, but it’s possible. Here are several action st…

A girlfriend recently remarked, “I was trying to tell my sons a story about my parents, and found I just couldn’t remember the exact details. I wasn’t sure if I was telling the story right.” I…

A girlfriend recentl…

A girlfriend recently remarked, “I was trying to tell my sons a story about my parents, and found I just couldn’t remember the exact details. I wasn’t sure if I was telling the story right.” I knew exactly what she meant because I’ve also had that feeling of “Am I relaying this family story accurately?” Let’s admit it. Many of us are baby boomers and our memories aren’t quite as sharp as they used to be. Now that our parents are likely gone from this earth, we can’t ask them to please repeat those interesting or funny stories again. Record Your Care Recipients’ Stories  …

Baby boomers are people born from 1946 to 1964, which includes me and probably many of you in our Tender Loving Eldercare community. According to a 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control & Prev…

Baby boomers are peo…

Baby boomers are people born from 1946 to 1964, which includes me and probably many of you in our Tender Loving Eldercare community. According to a 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), baby boomers make up more than a third (38.5%) of all caregivers in the United States. The study also showed:They are more likely to be women (61.7%). They are more likely to be White (74%), compared to Black/African Americans (11%), Hispanic (9%), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (1%). More than half have been providing care for at least 2 years. More than one-quarter provide more tha…

An opinion piece in USAToday shared the story from an adult daughter and primary care physician, Dr. Bobbie Storment, whose mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 adenocarcinoma, metastatic cancer. Overnig…

An opinion piece in …

An opinion piece in USAToday shared the story from an adult daughter and primary care physician, Dr. Bobbie Storment, whose mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 adenocarcinoma, metastatic cancer. Overnight she became a caregiver for her mother, who was also a retired family physician. Although they were both doctors, becoming a caregiver and care recipient was unchartered territory and provided them with important new perspectives. Her story sheds light on many issues family caregivers face today. At the time of diagnosis, her mother lived in Detroit, MI and Storment was a long-distance caregiver…

I was delighted and honored on June 28th, 2023, when Amy Dickinson, nationally-syndicated advice columnist, recommended my book, The Conscious Caregiver, to her readers in her “Ask Amy” column! A …

I was delighted and …

I was delighted and honored on June 28th, 2023, when Amy Dickinson, nationally-syndicated advice columnist, recommended my book, The Conscious Caregiver, to her readers in her “Ask Amy” column! A family caregiver wrote in because she was at the end of her rope with her mother and “her stress level is through the roof.” We’ve all been there with our care recipients, haven’t we? Amy replied with very good steps to take to lighten the caregiver’s load and then added, “You might benefit from reading The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without L…

   A reader recently sent me this question: “My elderly mother-in-law has gotten mean in the last few years. She’ll say mean things to people — mostly family members, but also others sometim…

   A reader rece…

   A reader recently sent me this question: “My elderly mother-in-law has gotten mean in the last few years. She’ll say mean things to people — mostly family members, but also others sometimes. I don’t think she even realizes how hurtful she’s being. Does this happen to elderly people often?” In my experience, not all older adults “get mean” as they age, but some do. I am not referring to pessimistic or difficult aging parents who have whined and complained all of their lives. I am talking about our normally sweet and kind care recipients (or older relatives) who come out w…

Summer begins next week in the U.S., and many areas are already experiencing heat waves. According to the American Red Cross, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events in rec…

Summer begins next w…

Summer begins next week in the U.S., and many areas are already experiencing heat waves. According to the American Red Cross, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events in recent years. Older Adults are More Vulnerable Older adults are more vulnerable to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Please check on them (in person if you live nearby) and review the steps below to keep them safe when temperatures rise.  You may think they already know and follow these practices, but you may be as surprised as Gary was. Gary had lunch with his 83-year-old mother last …

My friend, Bob Watson, mentioned in passing that his 85-year-old mother made a tandem parachute jump for the first time in her life.  I was fascinated and inspired by this brave act because, based on…

My friend, Bob Watso…

My friend, Bob Watson, mentioned in passing that his 85-year-old mother made a tandem parachute jump for the first time in her life.  I was fascinated and inspired by this brave act because, based on what I’ve observed, as people age they often become more cautious in their actions.   Geraldine Watson is a great example of someone who can inspire us all to live our lives to the fullest every day. Her tandem jump also made me wonder whether people are born daredevils, or do their life experiences lead them to a “devil-may-care” way of thinking. After reading my interview with Geraldine,…