Verified by Psychology Today

The Family Caregiver

Ready or not, you’re it.

Caregiving
Should I Even Be a Caregiver?

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 28, 2024

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 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
A Caregiver's Resume

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 19, 2024

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.

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.

Caregiving
Keeping Track of Things as a Caregiver

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 15, 2024

Appointments can be overwhelming for anyone receiving medical treatment. You can help your loved one track their appointments—and also prepare for them—for better outcomes.

Appointments can be overwhelming for anyone receiving medical treatment. You can help your loved one track their appointments—and also prepare for them—for better outcomes.

Caregiving
Life Administration: What Caregivers Need to Know

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 15, 2024

Any number of questions can arise for the caregiver. It helps to be aware of the nature and whereabouts of your loved one's key documents to clarify and honor wishes.

Any number of questions can arise for the caregiver. It helps to be aware of the nature and whereabouts of your loved one's key documents to clarify and honor wishes.

Caregiving
Caregiver Affirmations

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 12, 2024

Caregiving comes with emotions ranging from joy to confusion and resentment. It can be grounding to remind yourself that this role has chosen you because you are capable.

Caregiving comes with emotions ranging from joy to confusion and resentment. It can be grounding to remind yourself that this role has chosen you because you are capable.

Caregiving is a journey.
Caregiving
Caregiving Safety and Autonomy

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 11, 2024

It may not be possible to balance safety and autonomy with your loved one perfectly, but keeping an eye on promoting dignity should guide your decisions.

It may not be possible to balance safety and autonomy with your loved one perfectly, but keeping an eye on promoting dignity should guide your decisions.

Caregiving
Hospitals Can Be Disorienting: How to Help a Loved One

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 10, 2024

Hospitalizations are no one's idea of a good time, but you can help your loved one have a better experience by helping them track all the moving parts. Your involvement matters.

Hospitalizations are no one's idea of a good time, but you can help your loved one have a better experience by helping them track all the moving parts. Your involvement matters.

Caregiving
Taking a Step Back: Adjusting to the Caregiver Title

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 9, 2024

Many of us believe that healthcare is performed entirely by doctors and nurses. Still, most people would benefit from an advocate caregiver. This can be a big mental adjustment.

Many of us believe that healthcare is performed entirely by doctors and nurses. Still, most people would benefit from an advocate caregiver. This can be a big mental adjustment.

Caregiving
When Your Loved One Is in the Hospital

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 9, 2024

It can be overwhelming to see the number of people involved in a loved one's health care. Who are they, and is anyone in charge?

It can be overwhelming to see the number of people involved in a loved one's health care. Who are they, and is anyone in charge?

Caregiving
A Script for Calling the Hospital Emergency Department

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 8, 2024

It can be overwhelming when a loved one is suddenly taken to an emergency department. If you can't get there in person, start with a call to the hospital using this script.

It can be overwhelming when a loved one is suddenly taken to an emergency department. If you can't get there in person, start with a call to the hospital using this script.

Caregiving
Crash Course: Caregiving in the Emergency Department

Kristi Rendahl DPA on April 7, 2024

You didn't expect that your loved one would land in the hospital, but you've just received a call saying exactly that. It seems like you should do something, but what?

You didn't expect that your loved one would land in the hospital, but you've just received a call saying exactly that. It seems like you should do something, but what?