Kristi Rendahl DPA

About

Kristi Rendahl, DPA, helped her parents live their best lives possible while navigating chronic and terminal illnesses from 2019 until they passed within seven months of one another in 2022. She is an associate professor and director of the nonprofit leadership program at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and prior to that spent 20 years of her career working with international nongovernmental organizations. She holds a doctorate in public administration, a master's in nonprofit management, and bachelor's degrees in music and communications.

Recent Posts

Questions from Caregivers

Dementia is a difficult diagnosis to hear and it presents unique challenges for caregivers. There are few approaches to consider when caring for a loved one with dementia.

Privilege in Caregiving

Personal Perspective: We like to believe that everyone has the same set of choices in life, but that is not true, as my dad's situation helped me realize.

Are We All Delusional About Our Independence?

Our language about elders living independently risks "othering" elders when really we all need communal care to "age in place" throughout the course of life.

“But Why Aren’t My Parents Making Better Decisions?”

Moving from a parent-child relationship to a caregiver-parent relationship can be an inelegant but necessary transition. Respecting autonomy must be balanced with responsibility.

Balancing Needs as a Caregiver

Caregiving is fundamentally about caring for someone, but it shouldn't be done at the expense of caregivers themselves. Caregiver wellness is also a top priority.

Questions for Emotionally Complicated Caregiving

Most people have experienced a challenging relationship at some point in their lifetime. When that person is also a loved one who requires caregiving, things can get even messier.

Making a Hospitalization More Comfortable for Everyone

It may seem impossible to make a hospitalization comfortable, but a little effort can create some peace in the midst of what feels like never-ending chaos.

Should I Even Be a Caregiver?

Caregiving is a huge honor, yet it is also highly demanding. Do an honest assessment of your situation and individual needs to preserve your health and overall wellness.

Caregiving Is Stressful Under Any Circumstance

Caregivers may feel a range of both negative and positive feelings, and all are normal.

A Caregiver's Resume

People juggling their professional lives and caregiving may find it helpful to consider the "caregiver resume" and the relevance of that experience in the workplace, too.