For many of us, December marks the start of holiday gatherings and festivities, making it feel like “the most wonderful time of the year.” Some family caregivers, however, may find themselves singing a different tune (think: “He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch”).

While holidays bring opportunities for joy, traditions and new experiences, they can also bring feelings of being overwhelmed with caregiving tasks. Stressed-out caregivers may view traditional holiday preparations as more of an energy drain than a joy. Some caregivers are not be able to participate as fully as they would like in activities they cherish.

If notions of the holiday season are zapping your merriment, read on. [Read more…]

In honour of International Day of Charity, we have partnered with Suffolk Family Carers. Here is a quick blog they wrote for us about what they are doing for Family Caregivers in England.

At Suffolk Family Carers, we believe in unpaid family carers Living Fuller Lives.

For over 30 years, we have provided information, advice and support to thousands of family carers throughout the English rural county of Suffolk. Through working with family carers, we campaign on issues that affect them directly and ensure their voices is heard – enabling them to have a life of their own alongside their caring role. [Read more…]

TRAVEL TIPS

My mom is getting ready to visit our family and, although the flight isn’t excessively long, it still works out to be about a 12-hour day including layovers, flight time and getting to and from airports. She doesn’t complain about her physical challenges: a sore knee aggravated by tight spaces; walking long distances; standing for lengthy periods and on uneven surfaces; edema in her leg due to previous radiation treatments for cancer; and a shoulder prone to dislocation. Travelling often exacerbates her symptoms, but she doesn’t always vocalize these challenges. [Read more…]

A friend in his mid-50s cared for his wife for over 10 years before she died from complications related to her chronic and often unpredictable disease. He juggled being a business owner, a husband and a caregiver. After the initial shock and grief of losing his wife, he found himself wondering what his life was going to look like if he was longer a husband or caregiver. [Read more…]