An unpaid caregiver is someone who assists a friend or family member with activities of daily living or medical tasks on a regular basis. There are about 34.2 million Americans who have provided unpaid care for adults 50 or older in the last 12 months. In 2013, the...

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is a person’s state of complete awareness of their feelings, surrounding environment, sensations, and thoughts. It is also the ability to accept said feelings and thoughts without judging them. Mindfulness includes feeling sensations...

When older adults begin needing help with everyday activities, our initial reaction is to provide as much assistance as we can. Our response is often that we want to provide safety; we believe it is our obligation; and we want to make things as easy as possible for...

To say that coronavirus is a challenge is an understatement for everyone, but if you are a caregiver--it is particularly difficult due to the stressors already one faces. The fear and anxiety about contracting a serious illness is very scary and self-isolation can...

Ocene Neglik came to the JFS Caregiver Support Group in January 2019 and has been a regular attendee since then. She agreed to share her story with us for this month’s Caregiver Spotlight which celebrates National Caregiver month. Since her husband Ray suffered a...

Caregiving is a difficult job. It is important to reward yourself with respite breaks often to avoid burnout. JFS offers respite to caregivers to allow them time to recharge themselves so they can be the best caregiver to their care recipient. It is important to watch...

You, the caregiver, desperately need regular breaks, but your older adult absolutely refuses an in-home caregiver. What can you do? Seniors often won’t admit they need help, even if they are struggling with everyday tasks. In-home care can be a sensitive topic which...

Many caregivers today are part of the sandwich generation- a group that is simultaneously raising children and caring for senior parents as well. Many adult children are also now living significant distances from their families of origin. Juggling multiple...

Whether we are young or old, the fear of the unknown affects us all. As we age, however, our world may shrink as physical abilities, cognitive abilities and independence diminish. This exacerbates the unknown. If days are unstructured and unpredictable, fear and...

If our parents are aging and need help to stay safe and healthy, it is often difficult to figure out what to do. It can feel overwhelming to identify needs, understand options and make decisions. Focusing on something concrete can help us feel more in control. Assess...