Family Relationships & Conflict

  Emotionally challenging caregiving situations are more common than caregivers might think. Family members are often embarrassed that family caregiver relationships are imperfect. If your family doesn't get along, you're in good company. Challenges are common in family caregiving situations b...

Do family care receivers experience gaps in the quality of care provided by family caregivers? A common belief is that family caregivers are the best caregivers. Perceptions exist that the relationship between the family caregiver and the family care receiver is of better quality than a relati...

  How many times do we hear adult children say “my parent is stubborn” or “my parent is difficult”?  How often is caring for stubborn elderly parents an  accurate assessment of the true situation? Does the definition of a “stubborn parent” arise because a parent may be starting t...

Many adults find themselves raising children and caregiving for aging parents or grandparents. When I was young, my mother was very good about taking me to visit my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members who were aging and already in need of care. In many families this activity d...

Managing caregiving and cancer brings up aspects of planning and learning to manage up and down emotions. In addition to these considerations is the increasing amount of time a caregiver will likely need to devote to the care of an aging parent, spouse, or other loved one. Caregiving is more of...

By Pamela D Wilson MS, BS/BA, CSA, NCG The holidays are a time when families come together and gifts are shared. How many of you have childhood memories of not getting what you wanted? Because of this memory you may have been a parent who gave your child everything he or she wanted—and you...

Imperfect family relationships impact caregiving relationships. When families come together in caregiving situations, at family or holiday reunions, or when family members interact in the general course of life, there are often past relationship glitches or hurts that remain an underlying curre...

Interview with Dr. Susan Heitler, Clinical Psychologist (podcast 10:29 playing time) Learn starters for difficult conversations around family caregiving conversations by listening to this interview with Dr. Susan Heitler. Click the Play button below to listen: ...

Tips to Manage Strained Family Relationships The responsibility of caregiving places significant strain on family relationships.  Being realistic and honest preserves relationships. ...

Navigating the family dynamics of caregiving can be challenging. Many family members, including aging parents disagree on how or where care should be provided. When these concerns were not previously discussed and a crises occurs, family disagreements are common due to the pressure of having to...

A woman I know is losing her mind; she has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  However, despite the frustration, anxiety and fear she faces on a daily basis, she remains thankful.  Thankful that her family survived the terrors of the concentration camps and was able to journey to the Unite...