Welcome to The Art of Caregiving! This newsletter aims to deliver thoughtfully selected insights to assist family caregivers in various facets of their lives. By providing practical daily caregiving tips and resources, along with guidance on self-care, we embrace a holistic perspective on the caregiving experience.

Q. Who were you caring for?
A. My mother

Q. How long did you care for her?
A. 5+ years

Q. What type of condition or illness did she have?
A. Vascular Dementia

Q. What did your caregiving experience teach you about yourself?
A. I learned that it was important to create a circle of support for my care, not just for my mother's care. I was fortunate to have people who would spend time with mom and often provide me with short breaks. I also have been fortunate to work with people who have experienced the journey of caring for someone with dementia. The need to build in time to do things for me was not always my priority, and that circle of support made sure that I took time and did things that contributed to me being able to care for the long term.

Q. If you had one piece of advice for those in the throes of caregiving, what would it be?
A. I would offer that if you are in the throes of caregiving, resist the tendency to isolate. It is easy to do, because you are exhausted, overwhelmed, and worried much of the time. Friends who are not on the same journey drop away, and finding your "circle" takes intention. Build time into your day or week to find a way to connect, just for you. You will be a better and healthier caregiver for it.

It Takes a Village

In the article "The Art of Not Burning Out," two caregivers share how their employer gave them room to build support networks within the organization. They also share lessons learned and "a roadmap for anyone trying to care for someone without losing themselves." From Katie Couric Media.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Seeing Your Role as a Caregiver of Someone with Vision Loss

Often called “The Silent Thief of Sight”, glaucoma affects millions of Americans. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology, nearly 4.22 million people in the US (1.62% of adults) had glaucoma and 1.49 million people (0.57% of adults) had vision-affecting glaucoma in 2022.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve and can cause vision loss or blindness if not treated. It mostly affects older adults, but anyone can get it.

For those caring for someone with glaucoma, here is some advice from the Glaucoma Center of Texas:

1. Educate Yourself About Glaucoma

Knowledge is empowering. Understanding the different types of glaucoma, treatment options, and the potential progression of the disease can help you provide better support.

2. Support Medication Management

Following glaucoma treatment, using prescribed eye drops or oral medicines is crucial. As a caregiver, set reminders, keep a simple medication schedule, and watch for side effects such as redness or burning. Use a pillbox or an eye-drop chart to make it easier.

3. Create a Safe and Accessible Living Space

Glaucoma often first impairs peripheral vision, making obstacles hard to see. Reduce trip risks: secure rugs, improve hallway and stair lighting, use motion-sensor nightlights. Mark step edges and use high-contrast labels to aid navigation.

5. Offer Emotional Support

Living with glaucoma can cause anxiety, fear of blindness, and frustration over lost independence. Listen compassionately, validate feelings, and encourage discussion. In-person or online support groups provide comfort and community.

6. Promote Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Promote an eye-healthy lifestyle: encourage leafy greens, fish, and antioxidants; exercise; avoid smoking; and control blood pressure and diabetes.

7. Stay Patient and Flexible

Offer help when needed but also encourage independence where possible. Patience, empathy, and flexibility go a long way in making your loved one feel respected and cared for.

Learn more about support groups and find other caregiver resources by visiting the Glaucoma Research Foundation’s website.

The Caregiving Calling

The Family Caregiver Alliance shares the story of a woman who set aside her career of 34 years to care for her dad and then her mom. "Before, I was a hard pressed business woman. But the calling to take care of my parents, my home, my hearth, was too great," she writes, in a first-person essay titled "My Mother, Myself and Our Doggie."

Four-part webinar series: Understanding Aging & Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) - Webinars designed to empower caregivers with essential insights and resources for their journey with loved ones who have IDD. These one-hour webinars are held in January, February, March, and April. Learn more and register

Webinar: Seeing Our Unseen Caregiving Youth - Youth caregivers under 18 often go unnoticed while caring for adults or younger siblings. In this session, a panel will explore how public and school libraries can better support this overlooked group. This webinar is supported by the Colorado Respite Coalition and the Colorado State Unit on Aging and hosted by the Colorado State Library on Tuesday, January 13 from 1:00 - 2:15 PM ET. Learn more and register 

Empowering Caregivers: A Guided Walkthrough of the Trualta Platform - Unpaid caregivers have access to a FREE caregiver support and education platform, and the New York State Adult Day Services Association (NYSADSA) will be holding a webinar to inform caregivers about the platform and how to use it. The Trualta platform – made possible through a partnership of the New York State Office for the Aging and the Association on Aging in New York – can empower those caring for older New Yorkers through accessible, high‑quality support resources. Friday, January 30 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET.
Learn more and register

FREE Caregiver Guides There is so much to know about caregiving no matter what stage of caregiving you are in. AARP has developed Family Caregiver Guides to meet the needs of different groups and in a few different languages. You can access them here, request a printed copy or call AARP directly.

The previous year might have presented many caregiving obstacles. As the new year unfolds, embrace the opportunity to prioritize your own well-being. A wonderful way to start is by dedicating just a few moments to meditate and nurture your inner self. The Family Caregiver Alliance offers these relaxation exercises and meditation to support caregiver health and wellbeing.

NY Connects links individuals to long-term services and supports regardless of payment source/health insurance, whether it be private pay, public or a combination of both. Through the provision of free, comprehensive, objective information and assistance about long-term services and supports, NY Connects empowers individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose what will best meet their needs at home, in the community, and as necessary, in residential or institutional settings.

To learn more, call: 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.nyconnects.ny.gov 

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,375,000 with 75 percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $458,330 and 25 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.