The Practical Caregiver Guides
Before my mother died, she made me promise her something.
What was that promise I made?
One day, while she was in hospice care, she told me she wanted me to use the experience I gained as her caregiver to do something meaningful with what I had learned. She wanted to know that I hadn't wasted years of my life caring for her. She wanted to know that she hadn't been a burden to me. That's why I started The Practical Caregiver Blog in 2010 and why I created this educational website for family caregivers.
There are three important rules for good family care:
1. Love is never enough.
You can love someone completely, but without the right tools and education, you can fail as a caregiver.
2. You have to take care of yourself. If you don’t, there will be two people who need a caregiver — you and your loved one!
3. What you don’t know or understand can hurt you AND your loved one. Learn about what ails your loved one to provide better care.
CAREGIVER ESSENTIALS
It's important to understand your loved one's need for a caregiver
BASIC
CAREGIVING
What should you know?
The types of tasks that a basic caregiver performs depend on the loved one’s need for care and his or her level of independence, but it’s important to respect the personal relationship you share.
CANCER CAREGIVING
What should you know?
Cancer caregiving has some unique challenges for loved ones and caregivers. Not every type of cancer patient goes through the same treatments or has the same experiences.
HOME HOSPICE CAREGIVING
What should you know?
Home hospice care is end-of-life care. It’s a time of sharing love and saying goodbye. How can you make a difference? Help your loved one to complete the final “to-do” list and do things that matter most to him or her.