Family Caregiver Blog

At Solace Hospice, we understand the pressures you are under as a family caregiver. This blog is designed to support you in the incredibly important work that you do.

As the Maricopa County experts in family caregiving, we have resources, tips and information that can make your life much easier.

If you would like help, give us a call at: 602-888-7037.


Whose idea was this, anyway?

If the role of “chief caregiver” for Mom or Dad was not one you chose, you are not alone. According to a study by the American Association of Retired Persons and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 49% of family caregivers feel they really did not have a choice in the matter. There are several factors:…

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Is your relative dehydrated?

If a person doesn’t drink much water, is it a big deal? In a word, yes! Our bodies are 50%-60% water. The brain is more than 66% water. But we lose 2-3 quarts of fluid daily through normal body processes. We need to replace that by drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water or nonsugar, noncaffeine,…

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Making the transition to rehab

It’s good news if your loved one is sent to a rehab facility after a hospital stay. It means the doctor expects that, with therapy, your relative might resume usual activities or learn to adapt to new challenges following an injury or illness. The rehab experience frequently lasts several weeks and can be intense. It…

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If the cancer returns

A doctor almost never tells a cancer patient, “You are cured.” This is because many cancers have a pattern of remission (no obvious symptoms) and then recurrence. Nevertheless, one always hopes. So hearing that a loved one’s cancer has come back or has spread (metastasized) can be heartbreaking for everyone. Having gone through the war…

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Father’s Day without Dad

This Father’s Day you may be among the millions of Americans who face the bittersweet reality of celebrating a father who has passed away. Holidays of this sort are especially poignant the first year after a death. Whether your father was a protector, a fun buddy, or a stern judge, his passing has great symbolic…

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Changes in vision

Most people experience normal changes in vision starting at middle age. Focusing on close work, such as reading, becomes more difficult. Driving at night is challenging. Some changes in vision, however, are signs of a more serious condition. The most common eye diseases of aging include cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. There are also vision…

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Easing the disruption of travel

There is one thing for certain in the life of a long-distance family caregiver: You are going to travel. And often unexpectedly! You can ease the disruption by acknowledging that you have this “second life,” the one when you are periodically away. By treating it as a given, you can put systems in place to…

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Considering a remodel?

Do you want to ensure that Mom and Dad can live safely and comfortably in their home over the years to come? Many seniors want to “age in place.” Remodeling can remove safety hazards and prevent common accidents. It also can be less expensive than paying for assisted living. Plus, making the home “senior friendly”…

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When should you make an advance directive?

This document names a person to make decisions for you in case you are not able to do so yourself. It also gives instructions for care preferences at the end of life. That’s not morbid. It’s simply good medical communication. Recall the heartbreaking cases of young people in tragic accidents who lacked advance directives (Karen…

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After cancer treatment

Even if the doctor says your loved one has no more cancer, the joy of such news may be tempered by worries about the cancer coming back. Although the potential for a return of cancer is real, you can draw on skills learned during the diagnosis phase. When living with uncertainty, stay focused on what…

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