Caregiving Non-Compliance
Senior care experts share insights on what to do when a care recipient refuses care Non-compliance among care recipients is a pervasive and serious challenge, whether they’re avoiding medication, skipping medical appointments, or refusing to eat. Caregivers, who are often already overstretched, may find themselves entrenched in battles as they try to persuade their loved […]
Caregivers on Screen
In a new PBS documentary, actor Bradley Cooper explores the troubled state of caregiving in America Actor Bradley Cooper produced the new documentary “Caregiving,” which tells the story of America’s ongoing struggle to meet its citizens’ health and caregiving needs. The film is now available on PBS.com and aired on PBS stations on June 24. […]
Op-Ed: Don’t Blow Out the Candles on the Older Americans Act
Caregiving is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this op-ed article are the author’s own. Speak up during a day of action to protect our future Imagine any of the following scenarios: Your aging parent lives alone but receives daily hot meals through a local senior nutrition program. Your neighbor, a […]
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Caregiving for someone is difficult — and so is alleviating the stress Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Taking care of an aging loved one is incredibly demanding — physically, emotionally, and mentally. In Illinois alone, 1.3 million family caregivers provide an estimated 1.21 billion hours of unpaid care annually. Prolonged stress from caregiving can […]
Caring for Abusive Parents
When abusive parents need caregiving, adult children often face a difficult decision. A contract often exists between parents and children, whether spoken or not: Parents protect and care for their child when the child is most vulnerable, and in return, the child as an adult cares for their parents in their old age. But what […]
Documenting Caregiver Experiences
A Q&A with anthropologist Rebecca Berman, PhD, who interviewed dozens of caregivers about what it’s like to care for a loved one For our recent cover story, “Once Upon a Caregiver”, we partnered with AgeGuide and AgeOptions, two Chicagoland Area Agencies on Aging, to share stories from caregivers — their challenges, triumphs, and daily insights. […]
Caregiving and Addiction
How caregivers can support their loved one through addiction. Celeste Kranick won’t forget the moment when a close relative, for whom she had acted as caregiver, opened up about why he couldn’t stop using drugs. During a car ride, he expressed frustration about his situation, and Kranick reminded him that he knew what to do. […]
Diverse Caregivers
The Care Plan prioritizes LGBTQ+ and racially diverse caregivers. After her wife was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2011, Marsha Wetzel spent the next two years taking care of Judy, her partner of 30 years, until Judy entered hospice care. Within weeks of Judy’s death, her family evicted Wetzel from the home they shared. Suddenly, […]
Travel Granted
Caregiver travel grants offer respite and adventure to those caring for others. Last May, Yolanda Sampan and her husband headed to Washington, D.C., courtesy of a Road Scholar Caregiver grant. They joined a group of about 20 travelers touring the city, seeing the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, National Cathedral, and other sites. “Aside […]
A Life with Meaning
Enhancing quality of life for people with dementia Chicagoan Kris McCabe’s Instagram and TikTok accounts are peppered with sweet moments with her grandmother, Mary Padovani. Videos show the two singing a Patsy Cline song and sharing a hug as they swap, “I love yous.” In others, Padovani brushes McCabe’s hair, as she’s done for years. […]