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 [...]

Understanding Cognitive Impairment and Its Behavioral Symptoms When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of cognitive impairment, it can come as a surprise. They may have been hiding the signs, but looking back, you may recall symptoms like: Increased forgetfulness Becoming withdrawn or disorganized Sudden personality changes These symptoms [...]

Written by Julie B. Kennedy, CEO & Co-Founder, RubyWell The high cost of assisted living, professional in-home care, and nursing home care has put these services out of reach for many aging adults who need them. So they’re depending on unpaid family members to provide their care when they can no longer manage their own [...]

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements, primarily affecting the face, tongue, and limbs. This condition is most often a side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications, typically prescribed for mental health disorders like schizophrenia, but can also come from medications used to treat bipolar disorder and severe [...]

The roles of caretaker and caregiver are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings, responsibilities, and emotional dynamics. These differences are especially significant in the context of caregiving for loved ones with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or the elderly. In this article, we’ll explore what sets caregivers apart from caretakers, clarify the boundaries of [...]

The holiday season can be a joyful time filled with family gatherings, celebrations, and reflection. However, for caregivers, particularly BIPOC caregivers, this time of year can also bring additional stress. The responsibility of caring for a loved one, combined with cultural expectations and systemic challenges, can make the holidays a time of heightened anxiety [...]