Caregiving

How to reduce your risk of caregiving burnout

Stepping into the role of caregiver for your older parent can be very rewarding. It's heartfelt work—and it's also often stressful work. Over time, too much stress can wear anyone down. If the stress becomes overwhelming, you could begin to experience a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness that experts call caregiver burnout. And at that point, you can't properly take care of your own health, much less tend to your parent's health and needs. Am I burned out? The symptoms of caregiver burno...

Hospice Care: 5 questions answered

You've likely heard about hospice and know it may be an option for someone who is terminally ill. But how much do you know beyond that? Here are answers to some common questions about hospice. Q:What exactly is hospice care? A: It focuses on caring for—not curing—someone who is believed to have six months or less to live. It brings together a team of people with special skills to comfort and support people and their families near the end of life. That team may include doctors, nurses...

Caregivers: Take Time for You

Even though caregiving can be rewarding, it can also take a toll on your mental and physical health. In fact, the stress of caregiving is linked to high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, cancer and alcohol abuse. It’s important that you not ignore your own needs. Besides, when you’re good to yourself, you can perform better for the ones you love. Here are some tips you can use to maintain your own wellness while being a more effective caregiver to others: 1. Carve out some m...