Becoming a caregiver for a parent is a life changing event that often catches adult children off guard and leaves them scrambling to meet the needs of their loved one.

This, of course, can make an already stressful situation much more difficult for everyone involved.

Becoming a caregiver for an elderly relative can be a long and gradual process as that person slowly loses function and independence, or it can be a sudden change after an injury or medical event, such as a fall, stroke, heart attack, or illness.

However, if it is happening for you, chances are good that you have entered uncharted territory by taking on this new role in your loved one’s life.

To help you make this transition as smooth as possible, here are 4 tips for caregivers of elderly relatives to help you get a handle on the basics:

Every community requires support and the River Region United Way is just one local organization that provides resources for a five-county region in Alabama. This includes, Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery, and Macon.

If you are in the planning phases of an orthopedic procedure or are beginning recovery from surgery or injury, chances are that your healthcare team has suggested an orthopedic rehabilitation program to help ensure that you make your best recovery as quickly as possible. Orthopedic rehabilitation may also be suggested for you if you are living with arthritis, osteoporosis or other similar chronic orthopedic conditions. Whatever the underlying reason, if orthopedic rehab is something that you are considering, you are sure to have some questions about these programs. To help you along as you explore your rehabilitative options, here are 3 critical answers about orthopedic rehabilitation that can make it easier to make solid, well-informed decisions about your care.

If recovery from orthopedic surgery, such as joint replacement or fracture repair, is a challenge you are facing or will soon face, you will surely be striving to get through the experience and back to normal as quickly as possible. If you have expressed that desire to your healthcare team, chances are that orthopedic rehabilitation has been suggested to you as a means of hurrying the process along. So does it really help? Can orthopedic rehabilitation speed your recovery?

Caring for a family member or friend who has become disabled due to illness or injury is often a very rewarding experience. However, stepping into the role of caregiver for a loved one isn't easy. It takes a lot of time, hard work, and patience, and no matter how dedicated you are, it can become overwhelming at times. Caregiver depression often becomes an issue under these circumstances, so it is very important to be aware of this common form of depression and how to reduce your risk of suffering its symptoms.

If you or a loved one is spending time in the hospital due to a serious medical event, surgery, or illness, and discharge planning is underway, you may have heard the term "care planning meeting" used in reference to those preparations. So just what is the purpose a care planning meeting? Who is responsible for setting up these meetings? Who will be involved and what do they offer in terms of improving patient care?

Millions of Americans provide daily care for aging and chronically ill family members, friends and neighbors – care that can enable these individuals to remain in their own homes and communities and enrich the quality of their lives. If you are a caregiver, you know that it can be a very rewarding experience but can also be physically and emotionally draining. That's why it's very important for caregivers to have an occasional break. Respite care offers caregivers resources for meeting that need, providing the help they need to carve out a little time to recharge.

If you are in charge of the day-to-day care of a family member or friend, you should be aware of a common issue that often affects people who take on the many responsibilities that come with becoming a caregiver: caregiver depression. Caregiver depression can take a serious toll on you, so knowing its signs and how to avoid it is very important for both you and your loved one.

If you have a loved one who needs joint replacement, you should know that having a hip or knee replaced is a major surgery. Recovery and rehabilitation after these procedures takes time, and the process can be very intense. That means that your loved one will need help and care after surgery, particularly during the first two weeks when their mobility will be limited and pain levels will be high. To help both of you get through this trying time, we've put together some general information on caring for a loved one after joint replacement surgery.