When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010 at the age of 69, it was my first up-close experience with Alzheimer’s. My mom’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis impacted every part of our family life. She passed away in 2012, and as I reflect on her journey, I’m grateful for resources like Caregiver Action Network (CAN) that [...]

Understanding Syngap1: A Sibling's Perspective My name is Paulina Polanco, and I am a Syngap1 caregiver to my two extraordinary 20-year-old twin sisters, Esperanza and Libertad—Espy and Libby. Their journey with this neurodevelopmental disease has transformed our family's understanding of love, resilience, and unconditional support. The Turning Point: When Syngap1 Became Real In 2020, our [...]

Mi nombre es Paulina Polanco, soy hermana de dos Syngapians. Ellas tienen 20 años, son gemelas y se llaman Esperanza y Libertad, o Espy y Libby para abreviar. Les diagnosticaron Syngap1 en el 2020, pero no nos dimos cuenta de la importancia de ese diagnóstico hasta que Espy sufrió una convulsion tonicoclónica generalizada por primera [...]

FX/Hulu's "Feud: Capote vs. the Swans" offers more than just a glimpse into high society drama and literary feuds. Beyond its captivating portrayal of 1960s-1980s fashion and sharp-tongued exchanges, this Ryan Murphy series masterfully weaves profound themes of family caregiving that deeply resonate with today's caregiving challenges. The Paley Story: When Illness Transforms Family [...]

The Unexpected Journey of Alzheimer's No matter how much research you conduct about Alzheimer's disease, understanding its true impact remains impossible until it directly affects your family. My personal journey began in early 2017 when I first noticed unusual changes in my husband's behavior. By 2018, we received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment [...]

Over the past few weeks, the Caregiver Action Network team has been meeting with staff of the California Delegation to discuss new and groundbreaking empathy-based virtual reality (VR) training for Alzheimer's and dementia. Our partners at Embodied Labs provided this technology. Embodied Labs is a California-based immersive VR training platform. Their VR experiences help caregivers [...]

I’ve watched the Chevy holiday commercial numerous times over the past few weeks.  From the first moment I saw the opening interaction between the grandmother and granddaughter, I’ve been enamored with the thoughtfulness put into creating this commercial.  So much so that we shared and discussed the video with employed caregivers as a [...]

Managing finances can be overwhelming for family caregivers, especially when balancing their own financial responsibilities with those of their loved ones. Caregiver Action Network (CAN) understands these challenges and has developed resources aimed at providing financial help for caregivers. Through their #CaregiversConnect initiative, CAN is helping family caregivers better manage finances while continuing to provide [...]

During National Hispanic Heritage Month — September 15 to October 15 — the U.S. celebrates the contributions of more than 60 million Hispanic Americans, Latinos, Latinas, and Latinx-identifying people to our culture and society. This is the story of Deborah, a Latinx woman who cared for her mother, who immigrated from Brazil. Deborah's mother [...]

When caregiving ends, many caregivers face both emotional and practical challenges in their transition to life after caregiving. This significant change affects not only your daily routine but also your sense of identity and purpose. Understanding these challenges and finding support during this transition is crucial for your well-being. Grieving After Caregiving: A Personal [...]