Kristen is a full time caregiver to her husband Jeff, a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Much of the hands-on care she provides for her husband is detailed, and she uses a headlamp to illuminate her work area. "I use my headlamp every…
The essential act of caregiving is to make sure another person’s physical and/or emotional needs are met. But, what happens when one gets so invested into caring for another, that they neglect their own personal needs? Peter Rosenberger has found…
Harriet, whose husband became a paraplegic in 2013, writes about a topic that many caregivers often experience: the lack of sleep - or more specifically - interrupted sleep. After her husband came home from the hospital, Harriet found herself up in…
"As a caregiver to my quadriplegic husband, I am always on the lookout for skin issues. When a red spot crops up, I apply a foam dressing to help protect the area." Kristen, a caregiver to her husband Jeff,…
Caring for another person often requires heavy lifting on the part of the caregiver. Overextended and strained muscles can cause both immediate and prolonged problems, and back muscles in particular are at risk for injury if proper precautions are not taken.…
Oftentimes, becoming a caregiver can be an abrupt experience. Suddenly your life is turned upside down, and you are overwhelmed by your new role of taking care of a loved one. That's what happened to Kristen when her husband Jeff…
A caregiver's job is stressful. No matter whether you're caring for someone part time or full time, stress is something that comes with the job. But there are ways of effectively dealing with the stress, and other caregivers have shared…
Donna Thompson is a caregiver to her son and an advocate for other caregivers. She knows all too well what caregivers face when it comes to the elusive topic of taking care of themselves. Phrases like “Make time for yourself!”…
Advocating, or speaking up for someone else’s needs in order to gain support, is a way of life for most caregivers. But oftentimes caregivers are so wrapped up in advocating for others that advocating for themselves gets lost - or…
If you’re a caregiver, no doubt you’ve heard a million times over the importance of getting some exercise to help maintain your overall health. Afterall, you can’t take care of someone else if you don’t take care of yourself, right?…