What Does Wellness Look Like for Dementia Caregivers? Anyone providing care for a loved one with dementia knows how stressful it can be. Not only can the tasks involved be challenging and exhausting, but there is a very emotional level as well. But even with all the challenges , caregivers often neglect self-care, infrequently check in on their own health and either don’t know about or don’t use opportunities for respite. Read more
Taking on Caregiving Responsibilities: Balancing Expectations vs Reality As your loved one ages, you may find that the demands of caregiving are growing, and it can be too much to handle. Whether you’re helping with small tasks or assisting a loved one with bathing, no caregiving task truly feels all that small, but others can certainly feel too overwhelming. Your expectations may be that you can do it all – caregiving on top of managing your own household, job and other responsibilities. Or, it could be that others’ expectations for care are growing and you feel pressured to live up to it. Whichever the case may be, accepting the situation and learning to work with it may be the first step to making life easier down the road. Read more
Can You Actually Buy Happiness? Reflections on Emotional Spending Have you ever felt down and out – and then headed to the mall? Have you ever felt overwhelmed, angry, or isolated – and then cheered up with a purchase on eBay? Do you use shopping as a way to celebrate an accomplishment or recover from a disappointment? Have you ever subscribed to the idea that shopping is a stress-relieving therapy and even cheaper than a visit with a psychiatrist? If so, did shopping in those moments actually make you feel better in the long run? Read more
Reducing the Financial Fatigue of Caregiving There are many rewards of caring for a loved one, but caregiving can also come at a cost. According to several studies, the average female caregiver loses more than $324,000 during their lifetime in wages, pensions and Social Security benefits, due to their caregiving responsibilities. Read more
