Caregiving for an aging parent is an emotional journey that requires balancing love, responsibility, and strategy. Navigating the role reversal—becoming a parent to your parent—presents challenges, especially in preserving their dignity while ensuring safety. This involves deciding when to step in, guided by factors like safety, understanding consequences, and long-term financial impact. Open-ended conversations and empathy are essential in fostering collaboration and mutual respect.

Caregiving for an abusive parent can be isolating and misunderstood – why maintain a relationship with someone who hurt you so much? I admit it is not always an easy choice but despite some resurfacing of painful emotions, I have found healing and deep love giving this care to my mother that she never gave me.

As my parents’ health declines and my siblings become more involved in their Caregiving, I realize I am struggling with fear and a loss of control mixed with a bit of spite. Despite the harmonious portrayals in movies, real-life caregiving is often messy with misunderstandings, unresolved issues, personality clashes, and anxiety. How can we soften these interactions without damaging our relationships?

In every neighborhood, there seems to be someone who lives alone and keeps to themselves. While we want to respect what our neighbors’ privacy, my story will show it’s important to be aware of any changes you might see.

Caring for your aging parents can open a “time machine” into your past. In this caregiving role, where childhood memories and family dynamics resurface, you might find yourself revisiting both fond and challenging moments from the past. It can be frustrating but it can also help you understand how you became the person you are today.

Showing my gratitude to the people in our lives who support us and lift us up through my handmade art is a huge honor! Handwritten notes are such valuable gifts. This passion began when my son, who has Fragile X syndrome and autism, was young and we had a specialist who would come to our house to work with him. Her support and dedication truly impacted me, reinforcing our values of grace and gratitude.

I never let my disability hold me back. I was also lucky to grow up with teachers who felt the same. Teachers who saw past my disability and encouraged and supported me. This has helped me achieve my dreams of writing and acting – fully expressing who I am.

I know Caregiving can be tough emotionally and requires a lot but I think there is a really wonderful, rewarding aspect of it that gets overlooked. And while not everyone can be a Caregiver, there are lots of ways to support those who are!

Alongside the recovery and daily physical challenges that come with a traumatic brain injury, I am a Caregiver for my aging parents. I struggled mightily in the beginning but have since learned to give myself grace and forgiveness and have learned some things that would help any Caregiver.

What is occupational therapy (OT)? And how is it different from physical therapy? The two are commonly confused but I will explain the differences including goals and outcomes, and how OT can shift with age.

The fall holiday season can be tough sometimes. Long before the event, we see all the decorations and ads. If your Loved One is in a facility, here are some ways you can still celebrate with them.