Tracy Daniel-Hardy, Ph.D, is the author of “The Adventures of Butch and Ruby: Chronicles of a Caregiver” and a retired public school district director of technology. She may be contacted at tracy@drtracydanielhardy.com.
For several months, I couldn’t share stories about my caregiving journey. I didn’t want to talk or write about being a caregiver. I didn’t even want to share the status of my parents, for whom I provide care. I was angry and frustrated. I was most “frangry” at dementia. Dementia barged into our lives and […]
Caregiving comes with many daily challenges, but certain items can make that journey more manageable. The resources and solutions our family uses have varied over the years, based on my parents’ needs and changing circumstances, but here are some essentials you should consider having on hand: DISINFECTING WIPES AND PAPER TOWELS Because my parents can’t […]
There are days I must force myself out of bed to go take care of my parents — not because I’m as exhausted as I was before I retired from working full time, but because the journey is overwhelming. Watching the mental and physical decline of the two strongest people I have ever known, and who […]
When I started my caregiving journey nearly eight years ago, I felt very sad. I was very sad for momma, but also for daddy and myself. I was frustrated, too. I felt like I was alone trying to navigate an unfamiliar place while maintaining everything else in my life — spouse, home, job and civic […]
My mother always has loved children; she told me that one of her greatest desires was to be a mother. She and my dad struggled to conceive at first, and after many medical visits and tests, they learned nothing was wrong; it just wasn’t their time yet. Their prayers were answered, and they had me […]
Preserving people’s dignity is an important element of human existence. Preserving the dignity of those who rely on others for their care can improve the outlook of their overall health and wellbeing, as it encourages purpose and independence. We all appreciate knowing we are worthy of respect and honor, and I deem it especially important […]
I don’t think anyone would argue about the extreme difficulty of being a family caregiver, whether it is caring for an aging loved one, perhaps with dementia, or someone with a disability. But imagine caring for someone who is verbally and/or physically abusive, or just plain mean. This makes an already arduous task even more […]
We have tried many things to make bathing easier for my parents. We now have a good process in place but struggle to get daddy’s cooperation. Although he has not articulated why he’s reluctant to bathe sometimes, I suspect it’s because he prefers to move as little as possible to reduce back and leg pain, […]
During the holidays, many caregivers focus on their inability to participate in the festivities and traditions. As a caregiver myself, I can’t help but notice that our holiday traditions have undergone many makeovers since my childhood — especially now that momma and daddy depend almost solely on us. Life events, including moving from primary to […]
In 1994, the Caregiver Action Network started encouraging the recognition and celebration of family caregivers. Three years later, President Bill Clinton (and every subsequent president), signed a proclamation to recognize November as National Family Caregivers Month. The yearly celebration offers a month full of support, recognition, celebration and community for 53 million-plus family caregivers who […]
