March 24, 2022 by Carefect Admin

The Challenges of Sandwich Generation Family Caregivers

The ‘sandwich generation’ references adults who are caring for their aging family members as well as raising young children or supporting grown offspring. This is increasingly likely as almost half of middle-aged adults have a parent or family member who is a senior citizen. This means that senior caregivers are likely to be adults with full-time jobs and children. These family caregivers are having to juggle many responsibilities including financial burdens, time constraints, and emotional burnout. This can feel impossible to manage - especially since they are responsible for the...

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September 30, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips on How to Handle Family Disputes Over Eldercare

Family disputes over the care of their elderly loved ones can be common and unavoidable. However, honest communication and some healthy boundaries can help mitigate ongoing resentment and build an appropriate support system. Siblings or adult caregivers can disagree when it comes to how to appropriately care for their elderly loved ones and the following are common challenges you may come across when building a care plan. Caregiving needs can seem subjective when discussing with many different people. Depending on how much time is spent with the elder, there may...

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May 3, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Elder Care: Family Caregiver vs. Professional Caregiver

When your elderly loved one begins to need caregiving, it is often the family that is the first in line to assist. Due to an increasingly aging global population, the role of caregivers has become a critical part of our national and communal healthcare. Eldercare has always been a valuable part of community living, but with the increase of elders and their life expectancy, it is becoming a ‘hot topic’ as to what strategies must be implemented. Culturally, it is expected for the adult children of ailing parents to take...

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April 26, 2021 by Carefect Admin

Tips to Help Navigate the Role of a Spousal Caregiver

Caregiving can be a gift to those who need it, and it can be a natural part of the progression of a person's life as they age. It can look like a lot of different things including caregiving from a professional or a spouse. Spousal caregiving is when a spouse acts as a caregiver for a dependent spouse. Acting as a caregiver can lead to a shift in the dynamics between the married partners. This shift can blur the lines between loving spouse and acting caregiver; therefore it is important...

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January 11, 2021 by Carefect Admin

What to do when an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Recognize You

When navigating a loved one through the stages of Alzheimer's disease you may find that it is your own feelings that are the most difficult challenge. People with Alzheimer's must change and adapt to their new circumstances and often these changes are out of their control. As people who love those with Alzheimer's we change and adapt to these new circumstances as well, but we have a choice in the way that we adapt to these challenges. Often as this change comes, it builds resistance. It is natural to feel...

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December 7, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Caring for an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic is putting many seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at risk, but because most know it to be a respiratory illness, it is not immediately obvious how. The reality is that dementia-related behaviors such as forgetting to wash their hands and other necessary precautions may increase the risk of contracting the disease. These behaviors, compounded with old age and common age-related health conditions may present a concerning combination for diseases like COVID-19. Whether your community is reopening services or taking more precautions, depending on the number of...

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November 16, 2020 by Carefect Admin

Ways to Convince an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s to Shower

Hygiene management and bathing is an important yet stressful daily aspect of living with someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Often, it can be a battle to create a care routine that keeps your elderly loved one physically safe from the damaging effects of poor hygiene, as bathing can be nerve wracking for someone with Alzheimer’s. Attempts to get them to bathe and shower can result in arguments, negotiations, screaming, crying, and hostility. This increases your stress level and creates a negative connotation to bathing for your elderly loved one. This can...

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March 26, 2015 by Carefect Admin

How Caregiving May Change Your Personality

Being a long-term caregiver for someone in your family is bound to change you and make a huge impact on your life. Most of the times, the changes that occur in your personality will be positive and beneficial. Caregivers tend to become more compassionate and caring people, and feel more empathetic to others who are going through health issues. However, caregivers may also experience negative personality changes as well. After working as a caregiver for many months to many years, you may experience the negative consequences of caregiver burnout. Stress,...

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March 23, 2015 by Carefect Admin

When an Elderly Loved One Resists Your Care

Caring for an elderly loved one may be a difficult task, especially if your loved one is resistant to care. As people age, their cognition begins to decline, and they may not be totally in their right mind whenever they need care. This, among other medical and emotional issues, may cause your loved one to be resistant to you or anyone caring for them. If this sounds familiar, then keep reading to learn why your loved one may be resistant, and how to care for them anyway. What Causes Resistance...

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February 5, 2015 by Carefect Admin

How to determine if a Caregiver is doing a Good Job

If you have finally taken the plunge and have decided to hire an in-home caregiver for your elderly loved one, then congratulations. Hiring an in-home caregiver is a big step for both you and your loved one. In-home caregivers allow your loved one to get the help they need in the setting of their own home. It allows your loved one to gain some of their independence back and to have someone to rely on throughout the day while you and other family members may be at work. Hiring an...

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