Caring for an older loved one can become tedious, monotonous and dull. And the everyday mundane tasks can take a toll on a caregiver’s emotional, mental and physical health. Boredom can make you feel sad, tired, hopeless and irritable. These can be caused by a decrease in mental stimulation or a lack of control over your daily life. Boredom is a warning sign, telling us that something is wrong.

Graduating nurses from across the commonwealth and beyond took a major step towards becoming an RN within UK HealthCare. 

In what health care leaders called a “transformative milestone,” nearly 200 graduating students were given the opportunity to interview with hiring leaders from Chandler, KY Children’s, Good Samaritan, the Markey Cancer Center and Eastern State Hospital.  Interviews were scheduled based on student’s career interests as well as offering them an opportunity exploring areas they may not have yet considered. 

"Promise me I can stay in my own home until I die."

It’s a common request that caregivers hear, and it is hard to say no to that request. But it often is even harder to honor it.

Caregiving includes a series of transitions. As the physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of our loved one increase, so do our caregiving responsibilities. Just as life has changed for our loved one, it has also changed for us. 

We started out enthusiastically doing caregiving activities that were not previously our responsibility. Shopping, preparing meals or accompanying our loved one to medical appointments; this was all novel and easy to fit into our schedule.  

We either love them or hate them, but whatever your stance is on New Year’s resolutions, there is something to say about moving into a new year. It provides us with a clean slate and a chance to reflect on what went well, what didn’t and how we can improve next year. Resolutions can provide direction, clarity and optimism. They can be seen as a set of goals to help you plan for the upcoming year.

A popular holiday song starts “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but is it really? For many caregivers, the holidays are a time of increased stress and overwhelming challenge. Aside from our usual day-to-day responsibilities of work, family and caregiving, we now have the added demands of the merriest and brightest season. Many caregivers just want the whole thing to be done with.

Something’s gotta give! How can we have more joy and fewer upsets this season?

Here are six ideas to help you enjoy the holidays.

As a senior training specialist, I provide professional development training and assessment workshops to UK faculty and staff. I help develop leadership skills related to communication, teamwork, delegation, and personalities through facilitated training. My expertise is derived from several years of experience creating and implementing training for multi-generation use. 

As a senior training specialist, I provide professional development facilitation to UK staff and faculty members. I help to develop leadership skills related to teamwork, presentation skills, personalities and behaviors and managing staff conflict.  My experience in professional development workshops and workplace leadership throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and in the private sector allows me the opportunity to specialize in professional and personal growth.