Whether you’re traveling to see loved ones for the holidays or staying home, caregivers don’t get a “holiday break”.  Taking care of loved ones is inevitable for some of us and it can get tiring and exhausting during the holidays. To-do lists can get hectic during the holidays. It is important that family caregivers know […]

So, let’s be honest:  Most of us feel pressure around the holidays. Pressure to spend money we may not need to spend, pressure to spend time with people we don’t normally spend time with, pressure to appear jubilant when we may be exhausted. For caregivers, the burden can be even worse, as they may feel […]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is caused when the immune system (the body’s defense system) is not working properly– it is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis.  The body’s disordered immune response attacks the joints, and causes pronounced pain and swelling. RA affects joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, […]

What is the idyllic holiday family setting? One featuring grandparents presiding over a turkey feast with their children and grandchildren around the table saying prayers, laughing and spreading good cheer all around. The grandparents tell tales of their childhood and PG-rated stories from their children’s teen years. changes The Hollywood version of this scene reveals […]

Finding the right doctor for you or your loved one comes with a lot of research and consideration. You want to make sure you and your family are getting the best care possible. Dealing with doctors can be a tough situation. Furthermore, finding the right doctor for you or your loved one can be a […]

In today’s busy world, it can be a challenge for most of us to find and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Trying to juggle all the demands on our time can be stressful, even when you aren’t a caregiver. Add in the caregiving factor and the question remains, how do you find and maintain a […]

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month and here at Cariloop we speak with everyday people who have a loved one with Rheumatoid Arthritis. While it varies in severity it can be challenging to deal with on a regular basis and can make even the simplest of tasks impossible. Defined by the Mayo Clinic as “inflammation […]

Does your loved one like to get outside in the summer and be active? That’s wonderful – just make sure they are being smart and safe. The heat can cause lots of problems for elderly folks and we want to help prevent that. Healthcare facilities, such as providing assisted living or residential care, frequently alter […]

Stress and Distress: Stress (the flight and fight reaction) is your response to an internal or external challenge—either physical or emotional, recognized or unrecognized. Your bodily response can affect multiple systems including: The endocrine system by increasing cortisol, which increases energy and fights inflammation. The autonomic nervous system increases adrenaline, which increases blood pressure and pulse. The […]

Polypharmacy is defined as the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient to treat multiple coexisting conditions. Typically, a polypharmacy patient is taking at least 5 or more different medications a day. This can be dangerous for all patients, but even more so in the elderly. As a caregiver, you can help your loved […]