Caregiving for an older or ill family members can be very satisfying but ca also be physically and emotionally draining. It's important for caregivers to take a break occasionally to recharge. Caregivers are at an increased risk of health issues from chronic stress. Respite is the key to recharging to protect your health, strengthen family relationships, prevent burn out and allow your loved one to be able to stay at home longer. It is best to use respite for a break before you think you need…

Why Create a Road Map?

The first step to getting started is to create a road map for your loved ones to follow. Put your desires in writing by completing three important documents: a living will, a health-care power of attorney, and a letter of instruction. Having a road map prepared in advance keeps you in charge about important decisions about medical treatments - even when you're no longer capable. 

What do you need?

Each document for the road map serves a different purpose. The first two…

Are you a single parent raising your children on your own? Raising children in a two-parent home can be stressful. Raising children as a single parent can be overwhelming. Here are some helpful tips about raising children as a single parent. 

How Can I Make Parenting Easier?

Keeping yourself organized can make single parenting a bit easier. Here are some simple tips to help you stay on top of your own activities: 

Make lists. Don't try to remember everything. Instead write down your tasks…

Ah, the holidays are upon us once again. Not everybody shares in the celebration and joy associated with holidays though. Some people feel out-of-sync with the holiday crowd. Many report that the time between Halloween and Valentine's Day brings increased fatigue, stress, and the blues. The holiday blues can come from many reasons such as past events, grief, family and relationship issues, or many other concerns. If you have the holiday blues, the following tips may help lift your spirits.

• Re…

None of us are immune from change. We experience change every day - from navigating a construction detour to get to work, to the loss of a loved one. There are 3 types of change you might experience.

1. Relationship changes - marriage, separation, or the loss of spouse or family member.

2. Workplace changes - budget cuts, loss of employment, or a job promotion

3. Quality of life and lifestyle changes - new baby, relocation, elderly parents, or illness

Four Stages People Often Experience…

For working parents, September signifies a shift in the structure of life. Vacations are coming to end, summer routines and activities are dwindling and children are going back to school (or starting college). Both employees and their managers can take steps to ensure that the stress of "back-to-school" time is managed in a way that minimizes stress and promotes work performance.

"Back to school" time can breed higher levels of stress, as parents grapple with a number of realities:

1.…

One in three children in the United States is overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has tripled in Canada. Mexico leads the world in this health care epidemic. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Don't badger. Instead, start making healthy changes in your family to help your child. Habits come in fits and starts, so keep at it and you are more likely to develop values for positive health habits. Walk around…

Guide the Conversation

Think about what you want to say. It's OK to practice in your head, to a mirror or with another adult. Some advanced planning may make the discussion easier. You won't have to think about it off the top of your head.

Find a quiet moment. Perhaps this is after dinner or while making the next day's lunch. This is a time and place where your children can be center of your attention.

Find out what they know. For example, there was a shooting at school or a bomb set off in…