I watched my mom care for Grandma in the final months of her life. We had a “baby monitor” set up by Grandma’s bed, and the other one stayed with mom at all times. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that every five minutes I heard my Grandma’s voice through the monitor. “Elizabeth? Elizabeth?” Then, with more urgency. “Elizabeth! Elizabeth!”

Being a caregiver means juggling a lot of responsibilities. From managing different kinds of medications, scheduling doctor appointments, answering phone calls from concerned loved ones, greeting the hospice nurse, cooking dinner for your care recipient, to keeping the house clean, and perhaps even working a job yourself, you’ve got a lot to keep track of.

Caregivers do a great deal for those in need, often going above and beyond in their duties to help those ailing and injured.  It is because of this selfless quality in caregivers that they tend to overwork themselves, often to the point of exhaustion or even requiring care themselves.

Like Clark Kent, caregivers have to change from mild-mannered career-person to superhero caregiver in the blink of an eye. According to the AARP, 25.5 million Americans are balancing caring for an aging loved one alongside a lifelong career.

Providing loving caregiving for a family member is a deeply meaningful experience. You love your aging parent, your injured partner, or your ill family member; and you ask yourself: Is 20 to 40 hours of unpaid work really even enough? Could I be doing more for them?

The Role a Father Plays Never underestimate a father’s influence and encouragement. When talking about his father, famous North Carolina basketball coach, ‘Jimmy V’ once said, “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me.” There’s a lot to be said about the special powers of parental encouragement.

Whether you plan on hosting dinner in your own home or visiting friends and family, the right planning can help you avoid sudden trips to the bathroom when gathered around the table. Check out these helpful hints and delicious recipes that are easy on your digestive tract and are sure to impress all the guests!

The holiday season is the perfect time to relax, catch up with family, and, of course, enjoy delicious food. However, any fun and exciting family occasion can be a little difficult, especially when having to spend several nights away from home. How do you discreetly dispose of incontinence products? Or, how do you avoid embarrassment in the event of an emergency?

As you age, it’s easy to forget that your parents are aging with you and there will come a time when your roles reverse. The people who have always cared for you - your mom, grandmother or another mother-like figure will, in turn, need you to care for her.