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CaringToday Blogs

A Look Into the Future

Posted on: July 30th, 2008

Ever wonder what the future holds? I just did. It had nothing to do with my health and well-being, not even that of my mother or older brother. It had to do with my daughter.

Caregiver Quicksand

Posted on: April 9th, 2008

We've all seen those movies in which someone falls into quicksand, gets sucked down and drowns. Reality isn't quite like that, but quicksand—even the metaphorical variety—sure can make life a struggle before you can get on with things.

The Lifeguard

Posted on: April 3rd, 2008

What is it about we caregivers that makes us do what we do? Is it an innate sense of obligation? A perceived inability to escape or avoid the situation? Guilt over possibly placing the responsibility on another or not being there for a person in need? A highly developed sense of empathy? An acceptance of just having to do what has to be done in this life? A deeper understanding of what love is?

Archive

My So-Called (Caregiver) Life

Debbie and her dad

Alaskan Debbie Newsham is a first-prize winner of Caring Today's 2006 "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest. She was "called into action" when her mother developed end-stage liver failure and was no longer able to care for Debbie's father (who has Alzheimer's) and grandmother (who was in a nursing home). Now, with help from her husband and three children, Debbie cares for her dad while holding down a job and serving as an advocate for caregiver rights and services, including her work with AGENET (Alaska Geriatric Exchange Network), a coalition of providers of adult daycare, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and more. For Debbie's off-site blog, click here.