Regardless of your stage in your caregiving journey, the holidays are a great time to focus on your loved ones with your – and their – caregiving needs in mind. Here follows our list of 12 great gift ideas (one for each of the 12 days of Christmas), divided by caregiving stage.

When I was caregiving for my mom, we worked hard to make each day special by thinking through the ebb and flow of the week. We considered our regular daily caregiving routine. We factored in how to pace other “must do” activities (i.e., housecleaning, doctor’s appointments, a haircut, a manicure, a car repair, etc.) in…

When I was in my mid-40s, long before I became a caregiver officially, I went to a health spa for a one-week stay to focus on myself and try to address the weight that seemed to be piling on. It was a wonderful week in the mountains above Santa Barbara, California, in a magical place…

About this time 9 years ago, I was planning on driving my mom into the mountains to view the turning leaves in the foothills of the Carolinas – a truly beautiful sight. It was less than one month before my mom died, and we both knew it would be her last autumn leaf viewing. As…

No Doctor likes to see me coming. Just like my mom, I’m very opinionated and well informed when it comes to my own health and wellbeing. I know what works for me, and I have a strong preference for natural, non-prescription treatments for most ailments, if at all possible. I make it my personal business…

Just having a plan puts my family among the 5% of the US population that has actually thought things through, discussed them and taken action to make sure that all is in good order. Looking back on it – and considering all the caregiving scenarios I’ve seen and heard about – there is no doubt…

Making good choices for yourself is a foundational underpinning for getting through life with a modicum of grace. Certainly, planning for your caregiving journey is one of those good choices. When did I first become aware that I actually could make a choice in how things are, and how they turn out? It’s a simple…

If there’s one key to surviving and thriving during the time you’re caring for a loved one, it is without a doubt taking care of yourself first. Maybe it seems impossible at times, but think of it as an investment. Even as little as 5 minutes a day can help restore a sense of calm…

My immediate family’s story is, like so many good stories, integrally linked with its particular time in history – in our case, the 60s and 70s. My parents were divorced in 1970, and we were the first family to experience it among our friends. It was bruising to my fragile 16-year-old ego, and had long-lasting…

About this time last July, my world was turned upside down by a small misstep off the curb in the hot summer dusk. Forty-eight hours later, I was the not-so-proud owner of: A walker A cane Crutches A stabilizing boot (so-called “air cast,” removable for showers)