Lory Carriedo On Mother’s Day, caregiving can be especially meaningful and is a great opportunity to show your appreciation and make the...

By Melissa West-Kevan 🧊 Keeping Seniors Safe with Proper Hydration During Summer As temperatures climb, seniors face a higher risk of dehydration, which can lead to serious conditions like heat stroke, urinary tract infections, and kidney issues. With age, the body’s ability to conserve water weakens, and the sense of thirst diminishes, making it easy to become dehydrated without realizing it. 💧 Tips to Stay Hydrated: Encourage water throughout the day, not just when thirst

Julia Cruz-Moreno Dementia affects individuals differently; no two cases are alike. People with dementia may experience a range of emotional changes, including confusion, delusion, fear, anxiety, anger, and sadness, all due to alterations in brain function. It can be challenging for caregivers to understand the causes behind these behaviors. Caregivers often find themselves in the role of detectives, assessing and evaluating the behaviors of their loved ones, especially when

By Maria Quiroz Caregivers play a vital role in caring for those who can no longer care for themselves. Being a caregiver is both a...

Jessica Mattila, MSW, LCSW Since I started writing these articles in September 2024, I have been reflecting on my cancer diagnosis and treatment and the parallels it shares with the caregiving journey our clients (and countless millions across the world) have undertaken. The diagnosis – whether it be cancer, dementia, or an acute event like a stroke - carries weight and signifies a change from what a person was and the life they imagined onto a different trajectory. I am not

Cynthia Zavala William Bridges’ model of transition —comprising the phases of Ending, Neutral Zone, and New Beginning—offers valuable...

A few years ago, my dad—who happens to be a funeral director and one of my favorite people in the world—leaned in during one of our conversa

Jessica Mattila, MSW, LCSW This holiday season my husband, 12-year-old son and I traveled to Indiana to visit my in-laws. I looked...

Jessica Mattila, MSW, LCSW “It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” - Lena Horne Before starting to write...

Becoming an informal family caregiver to someone suffering from a degenerative condition can be an overwhelming experience for the spouse, children, and other relatives. It is normal to feel alone with your problems and try to tackle them all by yourself. We may turn to other family members, close friends, or colleagues for help. Sometimes this works, but many people close to you may struggle to relate or understand what you are going through. They might be too focused on tel

Have you ever experienced a mixture of feelings and emotions as a caregiver? I believe there are times when we all experience such feelings that are hard to express and our body reacts to them. These reactions could be a sign or signal to pay closer attention to ourselves. Cultural and personal backgrounds can sometimes lead people to suppress their emotions, causing feelings to build up over time. Understandably, not all caregivers feel comfortable discussing their experienc

You've probably heard of Lecanemab or its brand name, Leqembi, and you're curious about what it's all about. There’s been a promising breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment. For people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, Leqembi has shown the ability to clear amyloid proteins, which are toxic to brain cells. Amyloid buildup in the brain is one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s disease. On July 24, 2023, the FDA fully approved Lecanemab as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. Studies h

The aging process begins the moment we are born. Many may associate growing old with appearance, mental and physical decline and death. Aging is very different from what it was decades ago. Due to advances in science and health care and more active lifestyles in older adulthood, we are living longer. We have redefined what it means to age today. Three key components for aging well are exercise, nutrition and mental activity. According to a study on Healthy Diets, Regular Exer

Jessica Mattila, MSW, LCSW “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently...

Tasha Zigarelli Hannah Hall, RN Santa Cruz native Tasha Zigerelli knows grief all too well. At 21 years old, she lost her mother to a...

Randee Schwartz It’s easy to pontificate about wellness when the sun shines and our bodies feel omnipotent. We arise from our eight hours of uninterrupted slumber to meditation and a mug of green tea. Yet, when life strikes, our rituals often flee first. How can we salute the sun when all we can think of is grief? How do we maintain a positive outlook when uncertainty gnaws at our very being? There is discomfort in just being. In just being alone with our thoughts, memories,