Two days after I finished writing and recording the final lessons and worksheets of the Caregiver School Program I left on my own journey. Walking 400 miles over 31 days through northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago or “The Way”. Even now several months later as my feet have healed and I have returned … Read more
Or how to be a happy caregiver when you just don’t feel like it! Winter is upon us and as the days getting shorter, it seems our mood, energy and patience get shorter too. During this time of year many struggle with feelings of sadness and irritability. Add the stress of being a family caregiver and … Read more
Happy New Year Sojourners! Now is time for resolutions and new beginnings. As you start another year on your caregiving journey I want you to make a resolution to make caring for yourself a higher priority. In Part One of Caregiver School I outlined the 6 essential steps to stress free caregiving. And for this … Read more
5 Strategies for Surviving the Holidays Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia can be quite a struggle on a daily basis. But add the busyness and activities of the holidays and many caregivers find themselves at their breaking point. The change in routine and added visitors can be … Read more
Six months ago today was the last time I spoke to my mother. She died peacefully in her sleep early the next morning. I didn’t write much about her in my previous blogs mostly because she was such a private person and her story was not mine to tell. But also because, from a family … Read more
Hello Sojourners Wondering where I’ve been? It has been quite an exciting year The past 10 months have been quite busy for me, filled with big changes and new beginnings. So much has changed over the past few months it is hard to believe it all was possible. It all started back in February when I … Read more
“My brother is visiting and he thinks Mom is just fine! And to make matters worse Mom seems to fool him that she is just fine! What do I do?” Peggy, North Carolina This is a common frustration shared by so many family caregivers. When the siblings or adult children who are at a distance … Read more
You may not be but the one you’re caring for probably is… Today I am writing at the request of a fellow blogger who has a message she wanted me to share with family caregivers. Becca lives with a chronic illness and in her blog Chronic Beauty (click here to read) she shares what life … Read more
In case you’ve been wondering where I’ve been… I’ve been driving MYSELF crazy! These past several weeks have been quite a blur – the view from my car window as I drove back and forth to North Carolina. Last I wrote I was trying to juggle all of the needs of those around me and … Read more
“How do I care for myself when everyone around me needs me to take care of them?” Pat from Virginia This question poses one of the most common caregiver dilemmas – the sandwiched caregiver. Those family caregivers who are taking care of their children, jobs, home as well as caring for an aging parent. Those … Read more