If you are a caregiver you know it.

A caregiver is someone who provides care and assistance to another person, usually a parent or a spouse, who is incapacitated either physically, mentally, or both. Currently, the largest group of caregivers in the country is daughters and/or wives who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

If you give care direct or indirect for a parent, spouse or elderly family member, you are certainly under a lot of pressure and stress. The fact is, most caregivers do so without enough physical, emotional, or financial support. Compound this with the problem that caregivers often lack enough knowledge and information about services, programs, and products that can help them, and you have caregivers that are frustrated, tired and depressed.

Whatever your specific circumstances, perhaps you feel guilty because you feel you aren't doing enough or feel frustrated that you can't do more. Can't remember the last time you slept through the night without a call from your parent? Can't bear to see what's happening to your spouse, whose health has been failing for some time? You are not alone. Most everyone who provides major care for parents and/or a spouse experiences tremendous stress and depression. Studies show that long-term stress is not just unpleasant – it can seriously affect your health, well-being, and eventually your ability to provide care.

When you are caring for others, taking care of yourself and your own needs is imperative. You have to stop sacrificing your own peace of mind and start taking care of yourself. Not only this, but managing your stress will improve your physical and mental health to benefit yourself, your elderly loved ones, and others who depend on you.

Sometimes the major part of stress reduction is answering the questions “What can I do” and “what are my options.” Wherever you are in the mire of caregiving, we are here to help. This website may contain information that is new to you. Come back as often you like and bookmark this site so you can find it quickly. All the information here is free. At some point you may need or want some of our paid services like geriatric care management, but we also provide emotional support and practical advice in a variety of other therapeutic modalities (pastoral counseling, life coaching, guided imagery). This is all a part of helping you to develop a plan of action that is specific to you and your unique situation.

Regardless of the relationship, gender, or even the illness, the personal stress and suffering of adult caregivers are remarkably similar to one another. But unfortunately while most caregivers are aware that they are under a lot of pressure, they don’t truly realize the precarious position that they are in because of it.

I am going to make a bold statement right now. Stress is arguably the number one killer in the country. I will prove that statement in moment, but right now let’s just address the seriousness of chronic, prolonged stress. Every study ever done on stress has concluded that prolonged stress can lead to dozens of serious health conditions. But it’s not only that stress raises your risk for catching a cold or the flu. It’s much more serious than that. Statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association report that half of all caregivers pass away before the person they are caring for.

That’s a frightening statistic. Think about it, what can account for such a large percentage? As a caregiver you may read this and feel you are between a rock and hard place. You have a dilemma. Even though no one can take care of your loved one as well as you can, you also need to take care of yourself. Because if you, as a caregiver become incapacitated or seriously ill who will step in and provide your loved one’s care as well as you do? If your answer is nobody, then you need help and support to improve the chances that you will always be there.

However, at this point in time you may not know how to juggle all your different responsibilities and get the support you need to provide the best care possible, and still have a life. That’s where we come in.

• To provide practical answers and guidance.
• To offer solutions in the face of seemingly desperate circumstances.
• To bring hope and relief to strained and frazzled caregivers.
• Please take the time now to browse our site. We hope you find the information useful.
• Please contact us if we may be of service.