Creativity is the way.

September 17, 2025

Hi!

I’m Erna, the author of Care Fully.

My caregiver journey started over 20 years ago, when I was 21 years old. As a newly minted college graduate, my life was just beginning. I had no idea how to deal with the ups, downs, and in-betweens of caregiving for my Mother.

Care Fully is a play on words. The questions I am asked and the questions I still have drive each issue of this newsletter. We “care fully” by balancing our needs as a caregivers with those we provide care for. My goal is to offer up experiences and information to support your caregiving needs.

If this edition was forwarded to you, please sign up for your own copy here.

Today, we discuss:

  • Caregiver needs

  • Links of note.

  • Rural hospital survival.

CAREGIVING

Let’s stop looking for “one-size fits” all solution for caregiving challenges.

What is the path forward for caregiver support? Options - as many as we can handle! Why? Our needs vary based on our circumstances and that of the person we support.

Respite comes up often as a temporary solution for caregivers.

Page 21 of the 2025 Caregiving in the US 2025 Report shares 39% of caregivers thought respite would be helpful. Yet, only 13% of caregivers have used it. If you want to learn more about what caregivers think of respite services, read this article.

My Take:

“Respite” for me meant a variety of options. It was a weekend away, courtesy of my friends Xue and Michelle. Also, it was my husband looking after my Mom when I was sick.

Needs and people shift. Respite, in the traditional sense of the term, may not be what caregivers want or need today.

Perhaps we need a flexible work schedule. Or, an understanding and thoughtful comment when we appear exhausted after spending the night in the ER. We could even want better technology for organizing logistics or other activities.

Open lines of communication between caregivers, physicians, employers, caregiving organizations, and others leads to creativity and ultimately change for the better.

Every voice is important. Please share yours.

LINKS OF NOTE

News for you.

HOSPITAL COLLABS

Rural hospitals are getting creative.

Numerous hospitals are closing across the country. This forces patients and caregivers to travel sometimes over an hour to the nearest hospital.

In the midst of these closings, a few hospitals have found a way to keep their doors open. Independently run rural hospitals are creating collaborative groups. In a cost constrained environment, pooled resources support the survival of smaller hospitals.

My Take:

It might be yet “another thing,” but these details are important for caregivers. The transformation of hospitals and networks reveal provider access and mobility.

Details and word of mouth help us identify where the best care is. Ideally, it is relatively close to our homes. If rural hospitals collaboratives are successful and they provide good care, everyone wins.

TILL NEXT TIME

Thanks for reading my newsletter. If you like it, please:

  1. Share this newsletter with a friend using this link.

  2. Pitch me as a speaker. Email [email protected] for more information.

And, if you’re interested in a newsletter platform, check out this one.

Take care,

Erna

What did you think of this week's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.