Q. Who are you caring for?
A. My Mother, Nancy.

Q. How long have you been caring for her?
A. 13 years.

Q. What type of condition or illness does she have?
A. Alzheimer's and Diabetes.

Q. What has your caregiving experience taught you about yourself?
A. I am learning that I needed to live more in the present and to appreciate the moments, not dwell in the past

Q. If you had one piece of advice for those in the throes of caregiving, what would it be?
A. Never dwell on regret, your best intentions are more than "good enough".

Doris Karpeh-Diaz celebrates her mother Nancy’s birthday.

Caregiver’s Social Media Posts Amplify Relatable Moments for Others

What started as the sharing of straightforward posts on TikTok has evolved into a community where caregivers find connection, joy, and the comforting realization that countless others share their experiences. Dan Salinger has emerged as a visual and vocal advocate for many who care for their loved ones as well.

Meet Dan and his dad, Ed.

Let Melodies Uplift Your Mood
Create your own playlist of your favorite songs to help reduce stress

Music serves as an easy and powerful stress reliever, reducing cortisol levels, calming the nervous system, and releasing dopamine and serotonin to uplift mood and promote relaxation, according the The National Institutes of Health. Research indicates that choosing your own music can be better at alleviating stress compared to random selections, mainly because it reestablishes a feeling of personal empowerment. Join a virtual class called Playlists 101: Make Your Own Music Mix (20-min class) available through NYS Office for the Aging GetSetUp.

Simply create an account and see all there is to learn— it’s free!

June is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month

Caring for Someone With PTSD

This initiative focuses on enhancing public awareness of PTSD, dismantling mental health stigmas, and showcasing effective treatment options.

According to the National Center for PTSD:

• About 6 to 8 out of every 100 adults will develop PTSD at some point in their lives.

• In any given year, an estimated 3.6% to 5% of U.S. adults live with PTSD.

• PTSD rates are heavily elevated in combat Veterans. Depending on the era of service (such as Gulf War, Vietnam, or post-9/11 conflicts), the annual prevalence ranges from 11% to 20%.

• Women are significantly more likely to develop PTSD, with roughly 8% to 10% of women affected in their lifetime compared to 4% of men.

Living and/or caring for someone with PTSD can be very challenging. Consider these tips from the article, “Helping Someone with PTSD” from HelpGuide.org:

• Provide Social Support

• Be a good listener

• Rebuild trust and safety

• Anticipate and manage triggers

• Deal with volatility and anger

• Support treatment

• Take care of yourself

Read the full article here.

A College Student’s Podcast Eases Sensitive Conversations
Colby McCaskill’s visits with his grandparents have changed. Watching them age and deal with chronic illnesses has been difficult. Colby, 21, a senior at Fordham University in New York City (at the time of this piece), is the grand prize winner of the National Public Radio (NPR) College Podcast Challenge. Last month, NPR shared the story behind his podcast that led to open conversations and a way to deal with a dementia diagnosis, and more.

Listen to the NPR story or read the transcript.

Grandfamilies and Kinship University (GKU): Apply by June 8, 2026
If you're nurturing a child for a family member or friend, you're already a leader! Join GKU, a program for kinship caregivers. Connect, grow, and strengthen your family and community. Learn more and apply here.

Beyond Family: Building a Village of Supporters: June 16 from 1:00-2:00 PM (ET) Caregiving can be lonely, yet valuable support is often found outside the immediate family. This free online presentation will provide ways to find resources, articulate needs, and create a supportive network. Offered by Family Caregivers Online, this webinar is for caregivers and professionals. Learn more and register.

Benchmarks of Care: Unique Challenges Caring for Your Loved One with Cognitive Issues: June 25 at 2:00 PM Offered by the Caregiver Action Network, this training covers the special journey of caring for those with cognitive challenges, empowering caregivers with confidence, communication tips, and strategies for meaningful connection as needs evolve.
Learn more and register.

Helping Families Take on the Difficult Conversations of Eldercare: July 22 from 1:00-2:00 PM This webinar offered by NYSCRC will discuss common family dynamics at play in caregiving, the value of engaging family members early, and the importance and challenge of establishing boundaries. It will touch on family mediation and conflict coaching as tools for consensus building and personal growth. The webinar is designed for family caregivers and those who support them and presented by Mary Berk, LCSW of Lifespan of Greater Rochester. Learn more and register.

Resources for LGBTQ+ Caregivers
Research suggests that older LGBTQ+ adults often lack traditional family and caregiver support. AARP's Dignity 2024 survey reveals 78% of LGBTQ+ individuals aged 45 and older worry about having sufficient family or social support as they age. AARP has compiled a list of these resources:

• The Family Caregiver Alliance provides services for caregivers of adults with chronic physical and cognitive conditions. Its website has fact sheets and FAQs on LGBTQ+ caregiving, and its CareNav platform offers information, support and resources tailored to registered users’ individual needs.

• SAGE’s National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging offers a wealth of health, policy and legal information including a library of caregiving resources, some produced in partnership with AARP. SAGE has myriad other initiatives serving LGBTQ+ people 50 and older.

• AARP’s LGBTQ+ Community Caregiving Guide offers practical guidance on developing and putting a caregiving plan in place for an LGBTQ loved one or friend. You'll find information on forming a team, accessing support, practicing self-care, navigating legal and financial issues, and more.

Care for Veterans
Caregiving for a veteran with bladder cancer can be a long road — with ongoing appointments, paperwork, and uncertainty. To help, the Caregiver Action Network has created a new resource: Supporting Caregivers of Veterans with Bladder Cancer.

When Caregiving Gets the Best of Us

Caring for others stirs up a variety of emotions, from sorrow and anger to profound love. Handling these emotions involves a combination of establishing clear boundaries, relieving physical stress, and practicing self-kindness. While a large majority of caregivers feel confident in their duties, many face severe emotional distress, heightened rates of depression, and burnout, according to The National Institutes of Health.

Acknowledging emotional responses to caregiving and learning to control them can be challenging. This guided meditation, Develop Self Awareness and Learn How to Control Your Emotions, may be helpful.

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 project 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 $1,375,000 with 75 percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $458,330 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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