


Am I Happy?
During the course of my husband’s illness, I so longed to hear “How are you doing Adrienne?” Never happened. What I did hear was “So, how’s Steve?” or “How’s treatment going?” or “What’s the next thing they can try?” I got used to it. I was the caregiver, and by...
The Only Rule is “There Are No Rules”: Boundaries and Caregiving
I needed to summon the courage to risk disappointing others by setting healthy boundaries because it was the only way I could ever take care of and love myself.

3 things to do when you’re overwhelmed with feelings
As a caregiver, there’s a long list of things you can’t do; but one thing you are entitled to do is to feel. Here’s how to cope with the feelings that caregiving brings up.

Celebration, Impacted. Caregiving and the Holidays.
It was really upsetting to flip through this season’s magazines without finding a single helpful article on how to handle the holidays when you’re unable to celebrate the way you used to.
Mindful Communication Makes for a Happier Caregiver
While caregiving, using “loving speech” made it possible for my husband and my mother-in-law to *hear* me and “compassionate listening” helped me *hear* them.
Caregivers Fall Too: A Reminder on National Fall Prevention Awareness Day
Our loved ones and patients aren’t the only ones to look out for falls– caregivers fall too. And fall prevention is a crucial part of “self-care.”

What I did with what I learned from caregiving
Today, the work I do it is a real manifestation of the love and devotion that went into my caregiving experience.

Considering perspective in caregiving
Yesterday is gone and I can’t change it. Tomorrow isn’t real yet. Today is what I must focus on.

Caring for Someone You Know Isn’t Going to Get Better
Our gray cloud followed us everywhere, but we carried on bravely nevertheless.
Introducing Edward Jackowski: A Caregiver Fitness Guru (And a Good Friend)
Edward is genuinely committed to helping the caregiver community work fitness into their seemingly impossible lives. This is the kind of challenge that gets him going. It’s great to see him in action and I’m happy to say you’ll all have a chance to meet him soon.

Awareness: A caregiver’s blessing and curse
You’re aware of time passing and sadly, you can’t stop it.

Terminal caregiving: the blessings and lessons
A young friend of mine called the caregiving journey a “Blesson”—and it truly is.
Caregiving? It Takes A Village. For the Caregiver? Just One.
How many people does it take to care for a caregiver?

What We Learn from the Chaos of Caregiving
The miracle of it all is that you’ve learned to live with the unexpected.
My Oscars Manifesto: Acknowledging the Unsung Heroes
So this year, as I watch winner after winner called to the stage, and hear them making their acceptance speeches, I will take special notice of the acknowledgement and appreciation they show their own unsung heroes—their husbands, wives, children, partners and parents—those who have helped them on their way to be awarded for their excellence.
Share the Care: “Solo Seniors” and the Caregiving Crisis
In my generation there will be a larger number of “solo seniors” who will need to create our own Share the Care families in the future because we don’t have kids to count on to take care of us.

Valentine’s Day can be a hard day for caregivers
Valentine’s Day can be a hard day for caregivers, especially when the one you’re caring for is the one you love.
Hopefully it was the Alzheimer’s talking
I just read a very moving post and can so relate to being demeaned, belittled and insulted by the person we are caring for.
Share the Care: A Caregiver Puts Theory into Practice
“Share the Care” is a book and a website where you can learn to organize a group to care for someone who is seriously ill.

Feeling prepared: Security and confidence for the caregiver
Be prepared… I’m prepared for everything. That’s the Boy Scout’s marching song…

Who’s responsibility is caregiving?
I always do my best thinking in the shower. I never want anyone to interrupt me—even with the most critical news—while I’m in there.
The Dailies
There were no alarms set to wake us for work, so we slept until we felt the need to get out of bed. Not even get out of bed; just up, not out.
On Being a Credible Caregiver Advocate
I may have mentioned in other posts how difficult it is to find a topic to write about that isn’t an emotional powder keg for me. It’s just fifteen months since Steve died and visiting “the scene of the crime” is not always easy.

How do you spell relief?
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N-!

Male caregivers: Asking for help
Why is it that men have such a hard time asking for directions when they’re lost?

Adrienne gets honest about self-care
I don’t know about you, but I’m really tired of going to websites and reading that I have to “take care of myself” if I’m going to be able to take care of the patient.

The who, what and why of The Caregiver Space
My name is Adrienne Gruberg and The Caregiver’s Survival Network was born out of my own experience and the experiences of other caregivers I came to know, admire, learn from and share both good and bad times with.
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