One of the key ingredients to being a caregiver seems to be the ability to forget our own needs. While unselfishness is a generally a virtue, too much unselfishness can turn on us. Caregivers need to make it a point to learn to care about themselves, not just for themselves but for everyone. If you can't make changes for yourself, do it for your loved one. You want to stay around to continue being the fantastic caregiver you are.

In-home care is one of the most flexible types of care for the varying needs of our aging loved ones. As a family caregiver with multiple elders to care for, I used in-home care for both short-term and long-term situations. While getting used to "strangers" in the home was an adjustment for my elders, the advantages were worth the stress of change. How can an in-home care agency help you and your loved one?

As people age, many of them lose enthusiasm about celebrating holidays. In the past, holidays often centered around children. Now, with families scattered across the country, many elders are alone. Even minimal decorating for holidays, "just for yourself," can seem like a lot of extra work. Why bother if no one else can enjoy it? For these reasons, many elders let the holidays pass, often feeling depressed and forgotten during the bulk of the hoopla, even if the actual day of celebration is shared with them. Caregivers, whether family help or agency staff, can help.