Leontine Chantal Ahyi Taking care of someone in their home demands patience and attention. It’s not just going about a routine from day-to-day, but instead, taking the time to observe and listen. It is Chantal’s demonstration of commitment and attention to detail that impressed us. Here’s her story. Chantal was at her client’s house when she noticed one morning that…
Making Her Client Feel Special Hawah Mansray is one of our caregivers. She’s a jewel. While some people may think that taking care of a person who rarely leaves her home would be boring, Hawah makes it both interesting . . . and personal. Listening is a skill we probably all need to improve on. But Hawah seems to understand…
Our Caregiver Of The Year for 2017 is a real jewel! Jane has worked for the same client for more than two years. The client is now on hospice and rarely sleeps. Jane spends the night in the client’s room talking with her, rubbing her hands and generally working to ease her anxiety. There really are no words to describe…
When it’s time to care for an ailing parent, it’s important for siblings to communicate and agree on expectations for care. In this article from the Washington Post, there are 6 ways siblings can pull together for Mom and Dad. My friend Mary’s mother died in July, and last week over dinner I asked her how she was doing. “I’m…
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the all the jargon and paperwork when you visit the doctor? You’re not alone. Here’s a look at the difficulties surrounding health literacy in today’s world. It’s time for full disclosure. Answer the following questions honestly (don’t worry, you won’t be graded): Have you ever had trouble understanding something a doctor or nurse said to…
The job of primary caregiver for a loved one dealing with cancer is crucial. It can also be filled with stress and sadness or a feeling of enrichment and accomplishment. In this article from Cancer.org, they examine the many roles of a caregiver Caregiver is defined here as the person who most often helps the person with cancer and is…
Caregivers are an integral part of the stroke rehabilitation process. It’s a challenging job with a lot to keep in mind. In this guide from the American Stroke Association, the value caregivers provide is recognized as important to recovery. A stroke survivor’s family is often the most important source of long-term support during recovery and rehabilitation. Taking care of yourself…
Another blog we hope you will find helpful with some good tips and techniques to reduce your stress. Remember, it is National Stress Awareness Month! The 7 Deadly Emotions of Caregiving How to cope with the difficult feelings that come with caring for another By Paula Spencer Scott (This article appeared previously on Caring.com.) Nobody would ever choose a smiley…
Supporting caregiving spouses When we think of a typical family caregiver, most of us picture a middle-aged adult child—perhaps a member of the so-called Sandwich Generation, those taking care of both children and an elderly parent. Yet a recent study from the University of Washington revealed that today, many husbands and wives (the numbers of men and women are about…
