October 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

For many people, a headache is a passing nuisance. A glass of water, a Tylenol or two, or a short nap, and the ache fades into the background. But for someone living with COPD, a headache can feel heavier, more stubborn, and often tied to something deeper than a missed meal or a stressful day. (more…)
October 10, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

You’re enjoying a walk with Dad when, without warning, he yells at a passerby or insists on crossing the street at the wrong time. You’re either mortified, terrified, or a combination of both. (more…)
October 3, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

When life throws challenges our way, many of us instinctively reach for natural fixes. A squeeze of lemon in hot water can soothe a scratchy throat. A walk in the fresh air can clear a foggy mind. A warm bath can ease tired muscles better than most fancy treatments. (more…)
September 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

It started with a clear plan: Mom would go to rehab, get stronger, and come home. But then—progress slowed. The days blurred into weeks. A discharge date appeared, then disappeared. And suddenly, words like “long-term stay” or “nursing home” were on the table. Complications after rehab can turn a short recovery into an open-ended question. But here’s the part families often don’t hear: there’s still room to rewrite the ending. (more…)
September 10, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

It’s easy to overlook. After all, Dad’s just relaxing in the recliner, watching TV, maybe dozing off here and there. But when sitting becomes the main activity of the day, the risks start stacking up. (more…)
September 3, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

You’re doing your best. You show up every day, you try to stay calm, you remind yourself that it’s the disease, not the person. But sometimes, when the same question is asked for the 12th time in an hour, when you’re met with resistance while trying to help, when you haven’t had a full night’s sleep in weeks, something inside you snaps. And then comes the guilt. (more…)
August 19, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

You gave your time, your energy, and your heart. You rearranged your life to care for someone you love, and now that they’re gone, you expected to feel grief. What you probably didn’t expect was guilt. Guilt for the things you said. Or didn’t say. For not doing more. Or for feeling relieved that it’s over. Feelings of caregiver guilt after loss can come in waves. Knowing how to process and manage them in a healthy way is an important step toward healing. (more…)
August 12, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Mom likes to talk things through. Dad prefers quick facts. She wants reassurance that everything will be okay. He wants to know he’s still in control. And you? You’re learning that caring for aging parents with different needs often means learning two entirely different “languages.” It may feel like two jobs at once, but understanding what each parent needs emotionally and practically can make the journey more manageable and meaningful. (more…)
August 6, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Ask someone about their favorite sports memory, and chances are you’ll see their face light up. Maybe it was the thrill of being the star football player on the varsity team, the time they got to meet a legendary baseball hero, or their dad teaching them to shoot hoops in the driveway. If you’re using sports to connect with someone with dementia, these moments can feel surprisingly fresh—and can spark engagement in remarkable ways. (more…)
July 21, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Cancer often introduces itself in a thousand different ways. Sometimes it’s a dramatic entrance – an emergency room visit, a biopsy result, a word no one wanted to say out loud. Other times it’s a slow burn, a handful of symptoms that don’t quite add up until they suddenly do. But however it begins, one truth tends to follow closely behind: cancer doesn’t affect just one person. It affects everyone around them. And knowing what to expect as a cancer caregiver is paramount. (more…)