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Being a caregiver is never planned. Often, it is injury or illness that causes someone to step into that role. What happens when you have no idea how to care for your loved one? Do you just wing it? Well, do we have a tool for you. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a friend or relative. Types of classes Powerful Tools for Caregivers offers six weekly classes and teaches caregivers self-care tools to: Reduce Stress: increased exercise, relaxation, and medical check-ups Emotion Management: Reduce guilt, anger, and de ..read more

TRICK OR TREAT - That time of the year when kids get to dress up in fun costumes and go door to door seeking delicious treats. For most kids, it is so exciting! But for some, it can be overwhelming and scary. With special planning, you can help your child with sensory challenges enjoy Halloween too! We have some tips that will help your child feel safe and comfortable this Halloween. Costumes - It is often challenging to get your child to wear their Halloween costumes on the day of. For several days before Halloween, offer for your child to put it on and wear it around the house. This wi ..read more

We have all heard about caregiver burnout. That moment when you have not focused on your self-care enough and you just need a break (and that’s okay!). What happens when the caregiver continues to ignore their desire for a break? If they continue to push through these challenges they could end up with something called compassion fatigue. Compassion is defined as “feeling and acting with deep empathy and sorrow for those who suffer.” One of the reasons why caregivers have the role they do is because they have compassion and empathy for other people. Over time, when a caregiver is not refilli ..read more

Guest Author: Becca Casebolt This week is fall prevention week.   Fall prevention week is meant to increase awareness about falling and injury prevention in older adults.  Caregivers can play a large role in fall prevention for their older care recipients.  Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older. Idaho has a higher fall and injury rate than the national average.  The CDC reports that every year, 1 out of 3 older adults report a fall in Idaho, compared to the 1 out of 4 U.S. national average. Fall death rates have been ..read more

Mental illness is becoming more prominent in our communities. The National Alliance of Mental Illness reports nearly 50 million Americans experience a serious mental health condition every year. That’s 1 in 5 adults. Serious mental health conditions are: Eating Disorders Bipolar Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Major Depression Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Severe Anxiety Disorder Some of you may ask “Wait, I have sadness/depression and/or anxiety sometimes. Does that mean that I have a serious mental health condition?” The answer is often, No. Someone who is strugg ..read more

It’s that time of the year again! The first day of school. This time of year can be challenging for you and your kiddos. Especially, if it is the first time they are going to school. Children with special needs and developmental disabilities thrive on structure and keeping their schedule. Now that school is starting, their schedule will change and the disruption may cause some big emotions. Here are some tips to help caregiving parents get through the challenges of the first weeks of school. Get to know your teachers and their supporting staff Having a good relationship with your child’s ..read more

Home is where your heart lies. It’s a place where you feel most comfortable being yourself and living the life you want to live. As you age, it may be more challenging to stay in your home. However, the “aging in place” movement has been gaining traction over the past few years. The idea is that you will make changes to your home that will allow you to stay there until your last day. How do you know if aging in place is right for you? Aging in place may be right for you if: You have a strong connection to your current residence and neighborhood Your house has universal design features to ..read more

It’s time for your next doctor’s visit. You have an idea of what you are going to talk about but will see what the doctor says first. There are things you can do before your appointment to make the most of it. We have compiled a list of steps that you can take to make the most of your doctor’s visits. Make a list of your concerns: Surely there are things you want to discuss with your doctor. A new spot on your skin, feeling bloated, or even a new or worsening pain. Either way, take the time to sit down and come up with a list of things you want to discuss with your doctor. You are less li ..read more

Parenting. To some, it is the most challenging yet rewarding job they have ever had. They get to watch their children reach each milestone, discover the world around them, and enjoy all the ups and downs along the way. The dream is to provide a happy childhood with the best memories. The dream is to provide a happy childhood with the best memories. To this end, we all do our very best, but some face different challenges than others. As a parent of a child with disabilities, your world looks a little different. You can still have those beautiful moments when they smile at you and run into yo ..read more