The Conscious Caregiver

Linda Abbit, founder of Tender Loving Eldercare and a veteran of the caregiving industry, shares her advice on taking care of an older parent or loved one and how to handle everything that goes along with this dramatic life change.

Being a caregiver can be a difficult role. It requires patience, tenderness, selflessness, and hard work. Providing care for someone, whether it’s a parent, a loved one, or as a professional requires a high level of self-love and self-care. But while it may be a rewarding experience to care for a loved one, the emotional and physical stress of caregiving can lead to burnout and exhaustion—causing caregivers to put themselves and their own well-being in the background.

How can you fulfill your role as a caregiver without losing yourself? Conscious Caregiver teaches you how to navigate caring for your loved one, whether it’s full-time in-house caregiving or hiring support from outside services. With information on how to talk to your loved ones about the situation, handle the emotional stress, stay financially secure, and take the time to care for yourself, this guide can help you care for your loved one and yourself at the same time.

Linda Abbit is the Community Outreach Manager for the innovative Mind and Memory outpatient program at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA. A former caregiver with twenty-five-plus years’ experience, her blog, Tender Loving Eldercare, has grown into a Facebook community for caregivers. She is a prominent contributor to SeniorPlanet.org, where many of her stories remain in the top thirty articles read on the site. She holds a master’s in education, and has been vocal in the caregiving community for fifteen-plus years. In 2009, she received the Caregiver of the Year Award by Caregiving.com, and her website was nominated for excellence by Best Senior Living Awards in 2012, 2013, and 2014. She is the author of The Conscious Caregiver.