I was my dad’s caregiver through his fatal illness. I had no idea I’d be at risk for PTSD.

I was my dad’s caregiver through his fatal illness. I had no idea I’d be at risk for PTSD.

I was 32 and living in Los Angeles when I became my father’s caregiver, following his diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare degenerative brain disease that affects walking, swallowing and speech. Many people associate the term “caregiver” with a hired...
Caregiver Learning Curve

Caregiver Learning Curve

I’m segueing into the role of caregiver for my aging parent quicker than expected. I left my 30-year music education career and Florida home behind to move back with my mother in my Kentucky hometown. The plan was to set myself up to be her caregiver well ahead of...
Give That Young Lady a Gold Star

Give That Young Lady a Gold Star

On October 29, I received an email from Victoria Negri. She’s the writer, producer, director and star of a new feature film, “Gold Star,” which premiered here in New York City in early November. I was asked to be part of a panel discussion after the screening and was...
Maternal Bond: Stories about moms and their kids

Maternal Bond: Stories about moms and their kids

In the first story, Erica Silberman and her siblings struggle to figure out the best way to care for their mom after she’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As a young struggling actor, it’s decided Erica should be the primary caregiver. Her mom comes to live...
Not the future I imagined

Not the future I imagined

My parents are too young to be facing old age. They’ve reached that point of enjoying an empty nest. My brother and I are standing on our own feet, settled into lives of our own. Rather than have to parent (active verb) they can just be parents. My mom and I go...
Going home

Going home

I’ve always felt like an outsider. Growing up in the suburbs I always stuck out. I didn’t fit in. I didn’t belong there. My parents always described me as the black sheep. When I was little, they tried to get me to play nice, wear dresses, do the...
When caregiving begins

When caregiving begins

Caregivers come from all ages and walks of life. So many of our community members have been part-time, full-time, long-distance, and professional caregivers over the years. But as Cathy put it so perfectly: It isn’t a competition regarding when we started...