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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
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.
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.
Keeping Track of Things as a Caregiver
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.
Life Administration: What Caregivers Need to Know

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.

Caregiver Affirmations

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 Safety and Autonomy

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.

Hospitals Can Be Disorienting: How to Help a Loved One

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.

Taking a Step Back: Adjusting to the Caregiver Title

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.

When Your Loved One Is in the Hospital

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?