We share stories, support and solutions to help you care for your family members and friends. Feel free to join our discussions on our blogs and in our community.
Your Caregiving Journey airs today (May 23) at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT, 8 a.m. PT). Anna Stookey joins Denise to discuss why it’s so hard to let go. You can listen to the show and join the chat room here.
(Image Credit: DarKobra at Deviantart)
It’s Survey Time!What’s caregiving like for you? We’d love to know! Please complete our 2012 Family Caregiver Survey. Start the survey by visiting here. (Please Note: Because we want to make sure we capture your experience, the survey may take as long as 30 minutes.)
Call for VideosWhat makes caregiving a meaningful experience for you? We’d love for you to show us. Our call for your videos asks you to share the difficulties of an experience that can be incredibly meaningful. Learn more here.
Read Our Latest Posts
Ebb and Flow: Or Life Is a “Slide Rule”
Sorry for the long absence. Since Paul started radiation last week things have been so much more fragile, frightening and lonely for me. He started radiation last Thursday, and we were then in mid-preparation overload for my son’s 30th birthday gathering. That went well, but was terribly stressful – since my son grew up with both his biological father and his “successor”,...
Friday Fun: Give Us the Guffaws
It’s Friday, so let’s share some funnies. What’s a humorous experience that’s happened to you in your caregiving role? It could be something that happened years ago or just yesterday, as long as today it makes you giggle. We’ll giggle with you. Please share in our comments section. And, I choose a random winner to receive an autographed copy of...
Seizures – How to Help
In my last post, I gave a brief overview of epilepsy (what it is and isn’t, how people get epilepsy and the types of seizures a person may have). Today is all about what you can do to help if you see someone having a seizure. I forget that seizures can be scary (probably because I’ve witnessed more seizures than...
Webinar Follow-Up: What’s Your New Answer?
In yesterday’s webinar, I shared a three-step process you can use to develop answers to those awful questions family members and friends may ask. Questions like, “Why don’t you put your caree in a nursing home?” and “Are you sure something’s wrong” and “Why don’t you get help?” If you missed yesterday’s webinar, you can listen to the recording here....
I’m Sorry…
I’m sorry for the post that I made yesterday. It was hard yesterday morning especially to find positivity. I hate going down the “why/what if” road. I did get confirmation that the EKG that Nicole had done at 7-years old where the technician said that he saw a problem was definitely abnormal but the hospital nor the doctor felt the...
Update on Mom
Mom was supposed to have an angiogram on Monday to determine the severity of the “heart attack” she had and to see what the next step would be. If the angiogram showed blockage, the doctors were going to put stents in to make sure the blood flowed properly and to prevent a bigger one. Now keep in mind when Mom...
New App Offers Ratings for Providers, Drug Info
The Sunlight Foundation today debuts a new mobile app for consumers called “Sunlight Health”. Sunlight Health helps medical patients and their families make informed decisions about healthcare services and prescription drug options. Using data from government and nonprofit institutions, the app covers three categories: healthcare facilities, medical suppliers and prescription drugs. From their iPhone or Android phone, users can search...
Waiting for Freedom
Mom is very close to the end. She quit eating and drinking a few days ago, which means no more antibiotics. Our focus has shifted to keeping her comfortable and surrounded by love. We are waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Now that we have no chance of recovery for her, I want it to be over. She hasn’t spoken for...
Connect with Other Family Caregivers Through Our Blogs and Groups
Dementia CareCaring for a family member with dementia, like Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body dementia or vascular dementia? Connect with others in our dementia care groups. We’ve got a group for the early stages (sometimes called mild), for the middle stages (sometimes called moderate) and for the end stages (often called severe).
Caring for ParentsRead the blogs of those who care for parents. And, join the group to connect with others here. The group’s community manager is Karen, who cared for her mother and brother.
Working and CaringDo you work and provide care? Connect with other working family caregivers here. The group’s community manager is Trish, who cares for her brother.
Caring for PartnersRead the blogs of those caring for their partners. And, join the group to connect with others here. The community manager for the group is ejourneys, who cares for her partner.
Christian CaregivingConnect with others who want to discuss their faith and their caregiving journey. Join our group, here, to connect with others. Jane, who cares for her daughter, is the group’s community manager.
Caring for ChildrenRead the blogs of those who care for their children. And, join the group to connect with others here. The group’s community manager is Jane, who cares for her daughter.
Caring for Adult ChildrenThis group helps those who care for adult children. Join the group here.
Long-Distance CaregivingThis group helps those who care from afar. Join the group here.
Denise’s BlogsRead Denise’s blogs, her Weekly Words of Comfort and her recaps of Your Caregiving Journey talk show.
Your National ResourcesWhat do you know about the national resources that can help family caregiver? Share what you know in our national group. Need to know about resources? Search for help in our national group to see what others have shared.
Caring for Kids and ParentsRead the blogs of those who care for parents while raising their children. And, join the group to connect with others here. The group’s community manager is Bette, who cares for her mom as she raises her three children.
Caring for Spouse and KidsRead the blogs of those who care for their spouse while raising their children. And, join the group to connect with them here.
Read the blogs of those who care for a spouse. You can connect with others in the group here.
Caring for SiblingsRead the blogs of those who care for a sibling. And, connect with others in the group here. The group’s community manager is Trish, who cares for her brother.
Caring for GrandparentsRead the blogs of those who care for grandparents. And, join the group to connect with others here.
Book ClubWe read great books with a slant toward caregiving. When possible, the book’s author joins our discussion on Your Caregiving Journey. Join the group here and view our current and previous book picks here.
Nursing Home SupportThis group helps those who care for a family or friend in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Join the group here.
Caregiving MenThis group is for men in a caregiving role who would like to connect with other men. Join the group here.
Your Community ResourcesWhat do you know about the resources in your community? Share which providers and services work in your community. Search for your state in our groups, then create a topic in the forum to share what you know about your city or town’s resources. Need to know about resources? Search for your state in our groups to see what others have shared.
Looking to help a family member with an inpatient drug rehab, we can be of assistance!
In Take Comfort and Take Comfort, Too, Denise takes a word, applies it to your caregiving situation, and then offers a reflection of hope. Buy here.
Now on CD: Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers. Bring Denise with you in your car, in the waiting room, during your difficult days. Buy here.
The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey, helps you answer the questions: Why me? Why now? What now? Buy here.
Help, A Collection of Stories by Those Who Care, the first in our CareGifters Book Series, is now available! Proceeds of our book sales go toward our CareGifters program. Buy here.
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