Homecare
Balancing Work and Caregiving Without Losing Yourself in the Process
Balancing work and caregiving becomes easier when you have the right tools, support, and mindset.
Balancing work and caregiving can feel like a tug-of-war between two parts of your identity: your career, which you’ve spent years building, and your role as a son or daughter, which comes with deep love and responsibility. Most of us don’t realize how intertwined these roles are until a new reality begins to emerge: a parent who suddenly needs support, supervision, or hands-on help at home. The shift may be subtle at first – missed medications, difficulty getting around, small safety concerns – until one day it becomes clear that more consistent assistance is needed. And that’s when the real worry sets in: How am I supposed to manage all of this? Do I have to choose between the job I love and … Read More »
How to Involve Kids in Caregiving: An Age by Age Guide
Knowing how to involve kids in caregiving can make everyone involved feel more connected.
Kids have a way of transforming a room the moment they walk in. Their questions come out of nowhere, their laughter is contagious, and their energy fills the space with something light and refreshing. While caregiving is usually handled by adults, understanding how to involve kids in caregiving helps everyone involved.
Caregiving Conflict in Blended Families and How to Handle It
Caregiving conflict in blended families often improves when the focus shifts to shared goals.
Caring for someone you love comes with big emotions, even in families that have been connected for decades. When a second marriage, step-family relationships, or a blended household is part of your story, those emotions can multiply quickly. Each person brings different experiences, different communication styles, and sometimes different ideas of what “the right thing” looks like, which can lead to caregiving conflict in blended families.
And when care needs come up suddenly, all of those differences show up at once. Decisions need to be made quickly. Everyone wants to help, but not everyone agrees on how. It can feel messy, overwhelming, or even tense when the roles aren’t clear and the past starts influencing the present.
If you’re in this situation, the good … Read More »
Life Lessons Learned by Having a Parent With Parkinson’s
Having a parent with Parkinson’s means learning to adapt and grow in ways you may have never expected.
Having a parent with Parkinson’s disease changes life in ways you never quite expect. The diagnosis changes routines, relationships, and even the way you think about time. At first, it may feel overwhelming. There are so many questions and fears about what the future will look like. Yet, alongside those challenges come unexpected lessons. People who have been there often find themselves developing greater strength, resilience, and compassion than they ever thought possible.
See you at the Fair!
We’re LIVE!
Join us today from 9 to 3 at the MARIN SENIOR FAIR! Meet tons of Community Partners, and learn about a myriad of services and products focused specifically on our Senior Community. The event is FREE, with lots of food, entertainment and prizes! And there’s also air conditioning! Stop by the Hired Hands Homecare booth to say HI – hope to see you there!
Get the details at https://2025.marinseniorfair.org/
Connection is Prevention!
Connection is Prevention!
Join us on Sept. 18th for a super and FREE event! The Sonoma Co. Behavioral Health department presents a half-day conference focused on senior wellness and mental health. Join a wealth of community partners for FREE Continental Breakfast & Lunch, with several speakers, sessions, vendors, prizes & more!
September 18, 2025, 9:30am – 2:15 pm
1455 Corporate Center Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA
Registration required by Sept. 10.
Contact Denise Johnson: 707-525-0143×119
or DJohnson@CouncilonAging.com
See you there!
Why Boredom in Dementia Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think and How to Beat It
Boredom in dementia can lead to agitation and anxiety, but the right activities spark joy and connection.
Some pairings just make sense: mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, cozy socks and chilly mornings. But boredom in dementia? That’s a combination no one wants. The effects can go far beyond a quiet moment of restlessness. Studies show that a lack of meaningful stimulation can lead to increased hallucinations, agitation, wandering, anxiety, depression, and even delirium. And it’s not just the person with dementia who suffers; boredom can also affect you as the caregiver, increasing the risk of burnout, sadness, and emotional fatigue.
The good news? Boredom isn’t inevitable. It’s preventable. And often, it takes just a few creative adjustments to turn a long, difficult day into one filled with connection and calm.
The Root of Restlessness
When someone … Read More »
Healthy Conversations With Your Parent Start Here
Learn how to have healthy conversations with your parent to restore peace to your relationship.
When you dedicate so much time and energy to caring for a senior parent, it’s natural for other relationships to take a back seat. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you can only spread yourself so thin. This can lead to additional stress, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings.
The key to overcoming this hurdle is communication. It means having healthy conversations with your parent that may be uncomfortable but allow the opportunity to air grievances, share feelings, and ultimately reinforce the love you have for each other.
Kicking Off a Courageous Conversation
First, know that a planned, formal meeting isn’t necessary for a conversation to be effective. It can be a quick chat while waiting for the coffee to … Read More »
Read This Before Welcoming a New Caregiver Into the Home!
Welcoming a new caregiver into the home is a much smoother process with these tips.
The big day is here—your dad’s first day with his new caregiver! If your family is feeling a mix of relief, uncertainty, and even a little anxiety, you’re not alone. Welcoming a new caregiver into the home is a big adjustment, not just for the person receiving care, but for the entire family. The good news is that with some preparation, you can help set the stage for a positive, comfortable transition.
Conversation Starters and Tips for Introducing the Idea of Home Care to Your Parents
If introducing the idea of home care to an older loved one feels uncomfortable, try these tips and conversation starters.
If you ever had to have “the talk” with your parents about those awkward pre-teen topics, you might remember how uncomfortable it was. Now, the roles have shifted, and it’s your turn to bring up an equally difficult subject: discussing concerns about their well-being and introducing the idea of home care.
