Browse All Posts

When my mom became ill, we eventually learned she had normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that can mimic dementia. Once doctors inserted a shunt that drained the excess fluid in her brain, she made an amazing turnaround. But there were still times when her shunt clogged, and the dementia symptoms …

Guest post by Gretchen Huesmann “Mom can’t keep this up,” my sister informed me. My heart sank at her words. I lived three states away from my mom who was sole caregiver for my stepfather. While his health declined, my mom’s Meniere’s disease escalated. The mounting stress of his dementia …

Though I’d always hoped to keep my dad in his own home, moving him to assisted living looked more and more appealing. His house was paid off, but the cost of caregivers, utilities, upkeep on a fifty-year-old house, medications, doctor bills, and a hundred other expenses began to overshadow his …

Guest post by Katy Gloudemans In the quiet of the hospital room, my father’s voice resonated, leading our family through the rosary. He sat by my mother’s bedside, tightly gripping her hand along with his rosary—a lifeline to his unyielding faith. Suddenly, the prayers ceased. I gazed at dad, and …

No matter how elderly or how sick our loved ones are, God is not finished with them until they breathe their last. I learned that lesson well when caring for my mother-in-law. Shortly after Fairsee turned 100, she had a major heart attack. On hospice for the next three months, …

Nowadays, people tend to think that if you’re caregiving, your loved one must have Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s and other dementias are growing more common, especially as medicine advances and baby boomers age, many reasons may determine why you are caring for someone. Some caregiving involves short-term care for situations involving …

Guest post by J.J. LeVan Dear Road Warrior, A group of us curved our Harley-Davidsons through the hills of Tennessee on a driving adventure known as the “Tail of the Dragon.” Hot, tired, and hungry, we took a lunch break at the end of the trail. Amidst hundreds of other …

Guest post by Kristy Horine “I think there’s something I need to let you know about,” Momma said. “I got this letter from the VA.” My heart melted. My gut clenched. My mind scrambled for the right things to say. “Are you okay?” “I think I am,” she said. Then …

Guest post by Jennifer Dodrill Are you part of the sandwich generation? Dorothy Miller coined the term in 1981, realizing that middle-aged people were raising children and taking care of their parents. It’s a unique position. You might be a “traditional” sandwich—adults who care for aging parents while raising their …

Guest post by Brenda E. McDaniel I became a caregiver when my parents grew older. I was disabled myself from a spinal injury, and my parents were in their eighties. One day, I went into my mom’s bedroom, and she was lying on the floor in pain, unable to get …

My caregiving season began with my mother’s return home after brain surgery and three months in a skilled nursing facility. Though fine cognitively, my dad had serious health problems himself and could do little to help. I was not at all confident we could adequately take care of Mom by …

Guest post by Toni Cordell I was beyond uncomfortable realizing I was becoming so sneaky. It had become necessary to pre-think and/or out-think my husband, whose mind was being taken over by the horrors of Alzheimer’s. He had a doctorate in ministry and had successfully served several churches as pastor …

Rayna Neises wrote an excellent book entitled No Regrets about caring for her dad. But I wonder, is it possible to have no regrets? I cared for my mom for three years through her battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus, my dad for another three years dealing with multiple health issues, …

Guest post by Loretta Eidson I almost fussed at him. But I’m thankful those feelings of frustration didn’t spew from my mouth. Weariness, exhaustion, and lack of sleep had me wondering how much more my physical body could endure. The countless nights sitting by his dialysis machine to turn off …

The Bible says everything we do on this earth will one day be tried by fire. Deeds done for Jesus’ glory and the kingdom’s benefit are likened to gold, silver, and precious stones, and we will be rewarded for those works. All else will be burned up like wood, hay, …

Guest post by Janet Wertz I learned to make button bags after I had to put my father into a nursing home.  Sometimes he was left in the commons area with no way to bring something to do with him. Angry at being so helpless, he demanded I find a …

My friend Wanda has cared for her adult son for many years. Injured in a horrendous car accident, Donald barely survived and has severe disabilities. Yet he is the picture of joy in Jesus. I love to watch his face whenever the gospel is preached as he worships without restraint.* …

Guest post by Barbara Ragsdale Night didn’t settle softly that late January evening. It banged and clattered in a chaotic frenzy. It shuttered and shivered from the cold. It breathed exhaustive sighs from the hours it took to be discharged from the hospital. Hospice moved into our home. The journey …

On my Instagram reels, I’ve often made recommendations for books that might help caregivers. One day, a follower messaged me and asked if I could recommend a book for the one being cared for. “Not a long book…more devotional style…but reflects on finding peace amidst life’s many changes and health …

Guest post by Joan Borton My husband, who already had a disability, broke both his femurs in an accident. Surgery was required to implant rods. When we settled into his hospital room post-surgery, the nurse said he would stay three nights. When I arrived the next morning, the nurse said …

The first time my husband and I cleaned out my mother-in-law’s home in preparation for a move, we found books in the most unlikely places—stuffed into cabinets, the top of a closet, and under the kitchen sink. To say my MIL was passionate about reading would have been an understatement. …

Guest post by Stephanie Rodda Our seven children are all in their twenties. We have eight preschool grandchildren. Apparently, we are never going to experience the “empty-nest syndrome.” A decade ago, I focused on my lifelong dream to write. I scrambled for time since we still homeschooled our children. As …

My mom had been caring for my dad, who had multiple health issues, when she developed a brain condition that required surgery. After returning home, she needed constant care herself. With one sister disabled and another six hours away, I was the natural choice for primary caregiver.  A former ICU …

Guest post by Angie Clayton My dad has Alzheimer’s, and my mom is overwhelmed. The problem is she can’t see it yet and refuses all offers of help, for her or for Dad. He is slipping away from me, bit by bit, and she has adopted a defensive posture (in …

At a recent writers conference, I met a psychiatrist who often ministers to caregivers as well as their family members. “I have several resources I offer caregivers,” she said. “I’d be happy for you to share them with your readers.” Yes! If you were suddenly thrust into full-on caregiving mode …

Guest post by Kathryn Cox “Chaplains are non-denominational,” the speaker on hospice services informed us, “and they are trained to deal with people of all beliefs, not just Christians. I assure you, Jesus did not call my family!” Her sharp words made an awkward event even more unpleasant. I took …

Guest post by Cecil Taylor I had simply had enough. Sara’s depression was causing her to fall back into destructive patterns and habits, just like before. And before that. And before that. In frustration, I blurted out, “I’ve given up hope that you will ever get this right. You’re not …

My church recently lost one of our senior saints. Wanda was there one Sunday and gone the next. I mention her here because she had cared for her son for more than thirty-five years. Donald was thrown through a windshield in a catastrophic car accident and injured so badly that …

Guest post by Rhonda Dragomir “Please play it again.” My mother’s long battle with pulmonary fibrosis caused her life to simmer like broth on a stove burner. Her essence distilled down to two great loves—her family and her music. At her request, I tapped the proper button on the CD …

A close relative can’t remember what I just told her and has trouble finishing a sentence. A dear friend asks how my day was three times in five minutes even though I already answered. A neighbor frequently calls me to “get those guys out of my house” when there’s no …

Guest post by Felecia Marshall On March 14, 2017, I received a call that shattered my entire world. My daughter, Alexia—Lexi—had been murdered, gunned down during a drive-by shooting. One bullet from an AK-47 pierced her heart. No mother expects that call. I didn’t. And if you’re reading this, you …

So often we caregivers remain isolated in our own little caregiving world. When we do that, we not only cheat ourselves out of much-needed time away but also out of the encouragement we can receive from like-minded people. Ok, yes, I’m putting in a plug for caregiver support groups. More …

Guest post by Sherri Mercer When Dad was diagnosed with cancer, the fine print of his insurance policy turned my world upside down. In-home care was not covered. My parents shared a tender moment, then expressed their desire to move to an assisted living facility. They wanted to stay together …

A couple of years ago, a friend asked me to speak to a group of caregivers at her fitness center. They all had something in common: Their loved ones had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and participated in a Rock Steady Boxing program. Though I remembered a little about PD from my …

Guest post by Lakisha Mitchell-Buffington I know therapy can carry a negative connotation—and honestly, I’ve been dodging it for years. But I cannot begin to express the freeing feeling I experience after each session. There’s something powerful about getting things out of your head, weights off your shoulders, and heaviness …

Guest post by Cecil Taylor It was a spring day in May. Under hospice care in her senior living apartment, my mother Dorothy had been mostly unconscious over the previous few days. But on this day, with distant family visiting, she surprisingly perked up and chattered nonstop. Addled with dementia, …

Guest post by Mandy Grant A long time ago, I worked on an Alzheimer’s unit. Something that always amazed me was how many of the residents forgot their own names—but those who were saved still remembered the name of Jesus. I’ll never forget one afternoon in particular. I was at …

Guest post by Cecil Taylor My mother-in-law, Ruth, answered the phone to hear a quivering voice on the other end of the line. “Grandma?” he said. “Anthony?” she asked. “Is that you?” “Yes, Grandma, it’s Anthony. I’m in trouble, and I need your help. And please, don’t tell my parents!” …

Guest post by Angie Clayton In June, my parents took my grandson Lincoln (11) to Branson. This is a second-generation tradition that started when my kids were young, and now only Lincoln remains. What we also have now is Alzheimer’s. Dad’s unpredictable, and I was concerned about Mom keeping track …

Guest Post by Cecil Taylor As if my wife, Sara, didn’t have enough maladies already, her vision has been disrupted. Weakened eye muscles have caused distortions affecting her depth perception and balance. Foot problems give her poor balance to begin with, but her vision makes her even more wobbly. Fortunately, …

Guest post by Susan Fink When a caregiver or the person being cared for is feeling disheartened, it can be for a myriad of physical and emotional reasons, such as: Poor nutrition and/or dehydration Exhaustion/lack of sleep Mistreatment by others Misperceptions of others’ behavior, communication, actions Illness or age Adjustment …

Guest post by Cecil Taylor  At the age of 25, my son Austin stepped in as primary caregiver for his great aunt and great uncle. Their caregiver son had passed away, two other sons are estranged, and their daughter lives in Germany. It’s not like Austin lives close by. He …

Guest post by Lori Carol Maloy I remember when the signs of dementia in my mother-in-law could no longer be ignored. I was working full time, raising teenagers, and suddenly stepping into the role of caregiver, too. She’d tell me stories as if they were happening right now. I listened, …

Both my parents took tumbles at one time or another as they aged. Fortunately, they never sustained serious injuries, but that’s not always the case. Falling may be the greatest fear our loved ones face—and for good reason. More than 1 in 4 people ages 65 or older fall each …

Guest post by Judy Hollaway When my mother was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, an additional crisis would rock our world. Our oldest sister—her primary caretaker —was struck by a vehicle head on. Her injuries  required months of rehabilitation. Another sister and I lived out of town and  had to assume …

I worked in ICU for five years and witnessed many deaths. Often, patients would suddenly go into cardiac arrest, and despite all our efforts, we could not resuscitate them. But no one ever explained the process of dying that many of our loved ones go through. Not until a friend, …