Being a family caregiver is a rewarding but often stressful role. Balancing the needs of your loved one with your own can be challenging. That’s why caregivers must prioritize self-care. Here are seven practical ways to maintain your mental and physical health with serving as a caregiver. Carve out daily “me time.” Even if it’s ... Read More
Being a family caregiver is a noble and challenging role, often filled with love, dedication, and, unfortunately, legal complexities. People considering becoming a caregiver should know the legal implications. Here are 9 essential tips to help you avoid potential legal problems and understand when to seek professional assistance. Understand the healthcare power of attorney (POA) ... Read More
Researchers from the University of Southern California coined the term “carefluencers” to describe a new generation of family caregivers who are using social media to share the day-to-day realities of caring for an older loved one. Social media can be an excellent venue for caregivers to connect, empathize with each other, and share caregiving tips. ... Read More
A lot changes when someone receives a diagnosis of a serious health condition or disability. There may be changes to a person’s physical abilities, daily life, career, or long-term plans. There’s no wrong way to feel about a big change in one’s health, and complex emotions are expected. It’s important to acknowledge that people may ... Read More
As we journey through the various stages of life, our needs, concerns, and health considerations evolve. Aging can bring about unique challenges and require specialized care and support. However, most don’t know about these professionals until we need to interact with them. In the spirit of Sesame Street’s “The People in Your Neighborhood” segment, we ... Read More
When a loved one receives a diagnosis of dementia, it can be a welcome answer to years of questions. But it’s also the start of a new journey for families with lots of unknown variables. It’s a hard thing for adults to navigate—but what about kids? Maybe your teenager has noticed grandma’s symptoms, but how ... Read More
Music has been described by both scholars and artists as the universal language of humanity. Music is therapeutic, especially when it comes to healthy aging. As research continues to unveil the relationship between music and our minds, it becomes increasingly evident that embracing musical moments is good for our health. Music and brain health Studies ... Read More
Taking care of someone with dementia is a big job. Depending on the stage of dementia and a loved one’s abilities, dementia caregiving can involve a wide-ranging set of challenges for both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Thankfully, technology is catching up to the unique needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. ... Read More
End-of-life is one of the most vulnerable times for patients and their loved ones. The entire situation—including the decisions and emotions—can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there is a healthcare service dedicated to helping people in these very moments of crisis: hospice care. What is hospice care? Hospice care is specialty medical care for people who have ... Read More
You’ve probably heard about practicing mindfulness before but what exactly does it mean? In short, mindfulness means that you’re focusing on being rooted in the present moment. It sounds simple enough. But just like any skill, learning to be mindful takes practice and patience. Purpose of Mindfulness Overall, the idea behind mindfulness is being actively ... Read More
Ms. Cusumano,
Thank you for taking time from your schedule to speak with us. Your wealth of information regarding end-of-life care and the decisions associated with it are truly remarkable. Your encouragement to “break the ice and start talking about death” was a profound take away message. You helped us reimagine our approach with those who are chronically ill, realizing dying a good death doesn’t mean we are giving up on them. No one wants to suffer as their life comes to an end, which is why you teaching us about the importance of having an end-of-life plan is so critical. Thank you for helping to open our minds and our hearts.