Caregiving

The role of the Caregiver is complex in many ways. Sheryl Nancy-Nash explores some financial complexities for Caregivers that you may not have considered. “The biggest financial shock isn’t what caregivers spend—it’s what they stop earning,” said Linda Jensen, CEO and founder of Heart Financial Group.

Dr. Regina Koepp, in her article "Grieving Someone Who’s Still Alive: Understanding Ambiguous Loss," explores the unique grieving of losing someone who isn't gone. Caregivers for loved ones with dementia know this pain well. It is the grief of many small losses over time.  It is a mistake to ignore or diminish the reality of this experience. Ambiguous loss "is associated with depression, social isolation, and heightened risk for complicated bereavement after the person eventually dies (Liew et al., 2019)." There are many resources available to help.

Caregiving is hard and rewarding and meaningful and (can be) something that takes up a huge amount of time and attention. When that role comes to an end, the change can be a bit of a shock.

Caregiving is a physically demanding role. There are many tools and techniques that professional caregivers use to help them with the physical demands of their job that you may not be aware of. It's not uncommon for caregivers to suffer injuries when providing care.

When a family member takes on the role of caregiver there are many emotions that bubble up. The sense of love and loyalty that motivate the caregiver are often intermixed with guilt. How can you best support a caregiver who has difficulty accepting help?

We often talk about the importance of self-care for caregivers. This can be easier said than done. One option that has incredible value is seeking a therapist or counsilor. But how do you even start that process? Isn't it expensive? Do you really need it when the person that you caring for has so many needs? This article by Myrna Marofsky is a good starting place if you are even thinking about looking for a professional that you can talk to.

Only children caring for their aging parent(s) aren't able to share the responsibility with other siblings. They are, however, able to act more quickly and decisively without navigating competing opinions. The experience of an only child caregiver can vary based on many factors.

The importance of TRUST in caregiving cannot be overstated. Judith Graham tells an important story here about caring for loved ones who aren't ready to relinquish control.

The importance of TRUST in caregiving cannot be overstated. Judith Graham tells an important story here about caring for loved ones who aren't ready to relinquish control.

Many caregivers feel a sense of duty to the loved ones that they care for. Identifying clear boundaries is very important to a caregiver's mental health and the relationship between caregiver and care receiver over time.

Many caregivers find themselves taking care of their aging parents and their own children at the same time. As parents are living longer and children are living with and relying on the caregiver farther into adulthood, the sandwich generation is experiencing extended pressure caring for and supporting both groups for a longer time.

Children, spouses, and siblings are often the primary caregivers for aging adults. Aging without these relationships requires different considerations.

Are you prepared to be your parent's caregiver? "The best time to prepare is before your loved ones require assistance." This article provides great insight how you can begin this process and what you should be doing now.

Who cares for the caregiver? Caregivers take on huge responsibilities to care for their aging loved ones. At Sage Solutions we are honored to support you in this role. We are thrilled to see a national political movement recognizing the time and resources that caregivers, like you, are providing.

Husbands and sons are very often caregivers for their loved ones with dementia. Dr. Barry Jacobs, PsyD, talks about that relationship.

AARP has created a detailed report on caregivers who provide care for adults in the United States. Who are caregivers? What are their caregiving roles? What health and financial impacts do caregivers experience? The report states: "The support and complex care tasks the nation’s caregivers provide are largely unchanged since 2015,with today’s caregivers providing about 24 hours of care each week. As in 2015, nearly all of today’scaregivers help with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living."

The Purpose Checkup is a self-assessment to reflect on what gets you out of bed every day. It is an opportunity to be mindful of what your motivations are, what brings you joy, and what areas of your holistic self may deserve more attention. Never forget: part of caring for another is caring your yourself.

Highligted here is the importance of social connection as well as the fact that companionship can be found in non-traditional ways.