Star-Studded Cast Brings Visibility to Family Caregiving, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s Disease By Chance Browning and Jodi Koehn-Pike Caregiver Action Network staff Netflix’s critically acclaimed drama Sirens is a haunting, emotionally layered series that explores trauma, caregiving, memory loss, and the enduring bonds—and burdens—of family. The series features an all-star cast, including Meghann Fahy (Drop, [...]

Caregivers who prepare meals for loved ones often have leftovers. To prevent food waste and—more importantly, foodborne illness—follow these food safety and leftovers storage tips. Remember the Two-Hour Rule: Refrigerate perishable items within two hours of coming out of the oven or refrigerator. After two hours, perishable food enters the "Danger Zone" (between 40 °F and 140 °F), [...]

Caregivers play a crucial role in safeguarding the health of their loved ones by ensuring food is safe from foodborne illness and allergens. A food allergy is a potentially serious response to consuming certain foods or food additives. For those who are sensitive, a reaction can occur within minutes or hours, and symptoms can range [...]

The Growing Need for Quality Hospice Care The aging Baby Boomer generation is rapidly increasing the population of Americans aged 65 and older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this demographic grew by 34% from 43.1 million in 2012 to 57.8 million in 2022. By 2040, this number is projected to reach 78.3 million, and [...]

Understanding PTSD Through the Lens of Caregiving Caring for a loved one with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an emotional and complex journey. PTSD doesn’t just affect the individual diagnosed with it—it impacts the entire family, especially those in caregiving roles. The Oscar-nominated animated short film In the Shadow of the Cypress offers a [...]

Understanding Addiction and Caregiving Through Maria Caring for a loved one struggling with addiction presents unique emotional, physical, and mental challenges. The film Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, provides a poignant look into the complexities of caregiving, substance dependency, and the importance of patient-centered care. At Caregiver Action Network (CAN), we recognize the significance of [...]

Ongoing Home Health Care: Eligibility vs. Availability Some of the most underutilized services in healthcare are Medicare-covered, medically necessary, ongoing home health services to maintain a patient’s condition or slow decline. In this webinar, we’ll dive deep into eligibility for this valuable benefit. We’ll also talk about the challenge of finding [...]

Exercise can be intimidating for individuals with heart failure or heart disease. Many fear that physical activity could worsen their condition or cause complications. However, with the guidance of a doctor, light to moderate exercise can improve heart function, slow the heart rate, and enhance overall well-being.  As a caregiver, understanding the importance of exercise [...]

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment is never easy, but when you’re providing care from a distance, the challenges grow exponentially. Long-distance caregiving often involves less "hands-on" care and more focus on coordinating services, gathering resources, and building a reliable support team.  In the United States, over 53 million people [...]

If you are a family caregiver, you may experience grief not only after losing a loved one but also in the time leading up to their passing. Caring for someone with a long-term or incurable illness often brings feelings of sadness, loss, and uncertainty. This is known as anticipatory grief, a natural response when [...]