The Art of Caregiving

Tips for Kinship Caregivers to help on their journey:

Reach out to your local foster agency for classes and skill-building opportunities.
Explore your state’s Kinship Navigator Program or Generations United’s Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network for nearby resources.
Contact your insurance for a list of in-network mental health resources and interview a few for the best fit—consider these appointments as self-care!
Think about therapy for the child and establish a reliable caregiver network.
Schedule regular babysitting and occasional overnight trips for your own respite.
Engage in supportive communities, and maintain an active lifestyle through exercise or dance to boost your mental health.
Connect with fellow kinship caregivers in your community. Meet for lunch or coffee monthly.
Prioritize regular self-care; just 15 minutes daily of an enjoyable activity can help restore your balance and mental calm.

Q. Who are you caring for?
A. One adult and three teens all with disabilities.

Q. How long have you been caring for them?
A. 32 years.

Q. What type of condition or illness do they have?
A. Autism and multiple other diagnoses and disabilities.

Q. What has your caregiving experience taught you about yourself?
A. I’ve learned that caregiving is not easy and it’s not for everybody, but sometimes we don't have a choice.

Q. If you had one piece of advice for those in the throes of caregiving, what would it be?
A. We (caregivers) are the cavalry. Rely on family and friends and community more instead of waiting for the state to come save us.

We Could All Use a “Care-y Godmother” and a Bit of Humor

Occasionally, individuals who have yet to experience caregiving make comments that are unhelpful or even damaging to those currently navigating this journey. "Things Not to Say to a Caregiver" is a humorous web series that addresses the clumsy and misinformed remarks made to caregivers, highlighting ways we can all improve our communication.

Check out: Things Not to Say to a Caregiver: Hot Diggity

Snapshots Create Joy in Our Hearts

Sometimes reminiscing about easier times takes us away mentally from our caregiving journey. Scrolling through the photos on your phone or tablet can be one way of looking back on gentler times. Many believe it offers an “emotional refresh,” where uplifting visual stimuli can swiftly transform your emotions, helping to reduce stress and soothe your nervous system.

Organizing your photos will make it easier to find the photos/memories you may be looking for. Consider taking this short class on organizing your photos on your Windows computer!

Join this virtual 20-minute class called How to Organize Your Photos (20-min class) available through NYS Office for the Aging GetSetUp and begin your yoga journey to improved health and wellbeing!
Simply create an account and see all there is to learn— it’s free!

Dolly Parton Shines a Light on the Struggles of Caregiving

Dolly Parton's remarks about prioritizing her husband's care over her own have resurfaced since her death. An recent article on CNN.COM illustrates what many already know: the system is broken and needs repair. Read the entire article here

Dear Doris,

My dad is 89 and has developed physical and cognitive limitations. I know he needs help with tasks around the house, but more importantly, I feel he could use some assistance with showering and managing his medications. I help as much as I am able and have also suggested hiring someone to spend a few hours a week helping in those areas. He refuses. What can I do to convince him to allow someone to help? 

Gloria R.

Read reply

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is the leading cause of death for people ages 10 and older. It was responsible for 48,824 death is the US in 2024. Additionally, in 2024, an estimated 14.3 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 4.6 million planned a suicide attempt, and 2.2 million attempted suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Data from the CDC and various global studies show that family caregivers face up to three times higher odds of serious suicidal ideation than non-caregivers.

According to Behavioral Health News, risk factors include heavy caregiving hours, financial strain, severe caregiver burden, social isolation, pre-existing mental health conditions.

The Family Caregiver Alliance suggests the following for self-care:

Although written around the time of the Covid 19 pandemic, this article from AARP shares one caregiver’s experiences, statistics, and resources for help.

An Unexpected Career Change for Grandma

In an instant, Tangie’s life transformed completely. In this video created by Kinship Caregivers Connect and presented by Ohio Kinship and Adoption Navigators program, Tangie shares her journey of raising her grandson, the swift shift in her life, and the custody process. With determination, she created a nurturing home filled with love and support, while also navigating the challenges of caring for a child with a disability, finding ways to care for both herself and her grandson.

Kinship Care: Tangie's Story

Caregiving Event Series: September 18 and 19, Rochester, NY Day 1 (September 18): Screening of Wine, Women, & Dementia and a discussion with filmmaker, speaker, & former caregiver Kitty Norton. Free, light refreshments served. Open to: professionals, family/friend caregivers caring for someone with memory loss, & the community.3:30 - 6:30 PM, The Strong National Museum of Play. Learn more and register

Day 2 (September 19): The Finger Lakes Caregiver Institute at Lifespan's Annual Caregiver Conference: A complimentary day dedicated to education, networking, and assistance for family and friend caregivers who support individuals experiencing memory loss. Learn more and register

Special Needs & Disabilities Expo: September 20 from
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Albany, NY This community event, offered at no cost, gathers individuals with disabilities, caregivers, families, educators, and professionals to link them with essential local resources and support services. Learn more and register

Long-Term Care Planning for Aging Parents: What Every Family Caregiver Should Know . October 1 at 2:00 PM Brought to you by the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) and CareScout, this free webinar touches upon important conversations and strategies that family caregivers need to know. Learn more and register

Resource: Caregiver Action Network (CAN) Community Facebook Group Family caregivers often harbor thoughts they rarely express aloud. One member of the CAN Community Facebook page kicked off their post with “I am not a horrible person.” They then went on to explain why they felt compelled to voice this sentiment first. Learn more and consider joining the community Facebook page for some support!

Harmonies to Relax the Body and Mind

Throughout time, people have turned to music for soothing respite. Slow, ambient, and classical music with a steady rhythm and a tempo around 50 beats per minute works best to relax anxiety, according to calm.com.

Top Relaxing Genres and Sounds According to Reddit

Ambient Music: Minimalist, atmospheric soundscapes by artists like Brian Eno or Max Richter lower cortisol and relax the mind.
Classical Music: Slow and peaceful orchestral pieces (such as Mozart or Bach) reduce heart rate and stress hormones.
Nature Sounds: Rain, ocean waves, and flowing streams help ground the nervous system.
Binaural Beats: Auditory tones played at slightly different frequencies in each ear encourage a calm brainwave state.

Have you tried using music as a relaxation tool? Check out this selection Together in Calm | 24-Minute Relaxation BGM for Seniors, Families & Caregivers

NY Connects links individuals to long-term services and supports regardless of payment source/health insurance, whether it be private pay, public or a combination of both. Through the provision of free, comprehensive, objective information and assistance about long-term services and supports, NY Connects empowers individuals and families to identify available services and supports and choose what will best meet their needs at home, in the community, and as necessary, in residential or institutional settings.

To learn more, call: 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.nyconnects.ny.gov

This publication is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,599,999 with 75 percentage funded by ACL/HHS of $1,200,000 and $399,999 and 25 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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