Family Caregiving

Any tips on balancing caregiving with personal life?

It feels like I haven't had a social life in forever. Between work and taking care of Mom, I barely have time to shower, let alone see friends. I'm starting to feel really isolated and lonely. How do you guys manage to have any kind of life outside of caregiving?

How to balance a loved one's wishes with my own judgment?

Balancing my loved one’s wishes with what I think is best can be really tough sometimes. There are moments I wonder if I’m doing the right thing by following their requests, or if I should trust my gut instead. It’s a delicate dance between supporting their desires while ensuring their safety and well-being. How have others navigated these tricky situations? How do you decide when to honor their wishes and when to step in with what you believe is best?

Am I Respecting My Elderly Loved One's Dignity and Independence?

I really want to make sure that while I’m helping out, I’m not overstepping or taking away my loved one's sense of dignity and independence. It's tricky because I want to be supportive, but I sometimes worry that I might be doing too much or making decisions without really hearing them out. How do you know if you’re striking the right balance between being helpful and being respectful of their independence? If anyone has tips or experiences on how to keep that balance, I’d love to hear them! It’s so important to me that they still feel in control and respected.

What's the best way to talk to my siblings about splitting up responsibilities caring for our parents?

Who will care for my loved one if something happens to me?

I'm the only one taking care of my husband right now, but I'm worried if I get sick or have an accident. We don't have kids and our families live far away. I feel like I need a backup plan but don't know where to start.