At the beginning of each new year, it is customary to not only look ahead to the things you’d like to change or start anew, but also look back at the things you’d like to take with you from the previous year. And what a year 2010 has been! As we ring in the New Year, we are also looking back at the best of 2010.

We recently published 2010′s top 10 blog articles, and now we’re back with our most-downloaded 10 ebooks, checklists and other resources of 2010. From homecare guides to caregiver ebooks, Web visitors have been downloading these valuable resources like hot cakes from our Resources section all year long. And now, you can too! (more…)

At the beginning of each new year, it is customary to not only look ahead to the things you’d like to change or start anew, but also look back at the things you’d like to take with you from the previous year. And what a year 2010 has been! As we ring in the New Year, we are also looking back at the best of 2010.

Today, we’re counting down the top 10 most-read blog posts of the year two thousand and ten, as driven by our loyal readers, new and old. The following articles were the most popular of the year and will hopefully continue to add value for years to come: (more…)

Caregiving, especially for a family member, can be very stressful, especially when you consider that family caregivers spend an average of 20 hours caring for their loved one. That’s already a full plate, but add the fact that more than 37% have children 18 or under still living with them and that’s a lot to juggle. We’ve developed a 20-question guide to help family caregivers to ensure that family caregivers are always keeping in perspective the condition of their loved one and providing the best care possible. (more…)

Caregivers often do so much more than provide care. They are companions, friends and, often times, become family, to those in their care. The stories we receive from families all over the country are often so touching, and for this very reason. Caregiver compatibility is so crucial to the experience and, when you find it, it can – and often does – change peoples’ lives. A recent caregiver story we received illustrates this very thing: (more…)

From children to seniors, “the most wonderful time of the year” also happens to be a time when many of us tend to veer from our sensible eating habits and indulge in traditional holiday cuisine. There is nothing wrong with indulging, but moderation is where many of us run into trouble. We’ve put together a presentation to arm you with what you need to get through the holiday season without having to sacrifice (or gain the “holiday 10″). (more…)

The holiday season is past us, but many of us continue to experience that “hustle and bustle” in anticipation of spring. With gatherings, appointments and spring cleaning, there is often a lot to keep track of and it can be overwhelming for even the most talented of multi-taskers. So how can you cut down on stress? We’ve come up with six stress busters that can help you each holiday season and beyond: (more…)

Family caregivers, like the rest of us, have a lot on their plates. And, when the holiday season comes around, they often have more at stake too. That’s why, for them and those in their care, it can be the littlest things that make a big difference. We had the opportunity to capture a wonderful story that truly embodies the joy and meaning of a seemingly “little thing” that had a great impact.

Click below to hear the moving story that family caregiver, Marilyn, and her mother, Carol, shared about their experience with a BrightStar “elf” that they will remember forever (and, likely, you won’t soon forget):

BrightStar, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency, announced the launch of its “Hire an Elf” program, designed to reduce the increased emotional and physical stress of caring for aging loved ones and children during the hectic holiday season.

Launching December 9, 2010 and lasting into the first two weeks of the New Year, BrightStar’s Hire an Elf™ program can provide the following services to help ease the additional burdens of families taking care of seniors at home. (more…)

To many, the holiday season is often filled with the imagery of warmth, family gatherings and celebration. But what about those who aren’t so lucky to have these positive associations with “the most wonderful time of the year?” For many, especially older adults, this can be an even more lonesome time of year. To better understand this phenomenon and its implications, AARP commissioned a recent survey to learn more about loneliness and social isolation among the 45+ population. (more…)

The healthcare reform bill, titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed and was signed into law on March 23, 2010, but we still have a few lingering questions about its implications – questions like: (more…)