By: Ashwini C. Bapat, MD Have you noticed subtle shifts in your parents’ or loved one’s health? ? It’s those little things—like needing help to do the groceries or changing the light bulb – daily tasks they once breezed through. Or perhaps they’re forgetting to take their medications or struggling with everyday activities like taking […] The post From Anguish to Clarity: 5 Powerful Tips for Starting Conversations about Aging appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

If you read this title and have an adverse visceral reaction, I get it. Please read on before deciding that this is yet another example of toxic positivity. I am not suggesting that, as a caregiver, you have the time, energy, or motivation to embark on an entrepreneurial expedition. Actually, that is exactly what I […] The post Launching a Business While Caregiving appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

Within our caregiving ecosystem, opportunities to forgive frequently appear. There are likely people who let us down by not showing up. Then, some may have said things that felt insensitive, maybe said or done something hurtful without any idea of the slight. There may even be some folks who were more direct with an insult […] The post Release Caregiver Frustration with Forgiveness appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

A sign of caregiver stress is not being able to escape the worries. Worries flow through our caregiver river, creating unexpected waterfalls and intense rapids that sweep us away. Caregiving worries keep us up at night, disrupt our day, and wreak havoc with our well-being. The 12th Sustainable Caregiving Strategy that supports caregiver self-care is […] The post Caregiver Self-Care: How to Release Worries and Stress Less appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

Journaling is a way to process the complexities of caregiving, the turbulent emotions, the fear, and the confusion. Processing leads to a better understanding of what is going on behind the scenes. This insight can lead to a brighter outlook. Journaling thoughts and exploring them with curiosity and objectivity can be therapeutic. Our journal becomes […] The post Journaling the Caregiving Journey appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

Caring for a family member can be both rewarding and challenging, but it’s essential to recognize when we need help and not hesitate to ask for it. Caregivers face turbulent emotions such as guilt, grief, and feelings of inadequacy. We often find ourselves overwhelmed, trying to manage everything alone, and before we know it, we’re […] The post How to Accept Help as a Caregiver appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

Are you an employee who feels unsupported in the workplace as a caregiver? Are you an employer who would like to support the caregivers on your team? You may be wondering why caregiver empowerment is essential. Family caregiving responsibilities can be demanding and time-consuming. Supporting family caregivers in the workplace can positively impact their overall […] The post Family Caregiver Empowerment is Win-Win for Employers appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

When we feel like we are drowning from caregiving’s constant stressors, the overwhelm can cause us to sink into the depths of despair. Our situation can feel hopeless, and we can feel helpless. We may harbor an expectation that we should be happy, and the shock of immense, uncomfortable, negative emotions can catch us off […] The post Reframe Caregiver Stress appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

As the founder of Sustainable Caregiving, I care for family caregivers. My path to this role was rocky. I cared for my father for seven years. He passed at 99 in December 2020. I spent the first few years struggling with the emotional challenges, which also impacted my physical health. I became a shell of […] The post 3 Ways Healthcare Professionals Can Support Family Caregivers appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more

“By far the best way to prevent a tug-of-war is to not pick up your end of the rope.” Don Lancaster So much of our caregiving experience feels out of control, which is stressful. Caregiving conflicts can be unsettling. We have been plopped back into the nest, and our inner child has emerged to go […] The post Minimize Caregiving Conflict appeared first on Sustainable Caregiving ..read more