Cher Cares

03/28/2026

Throwback Thursday: My mom was bedridden for the last 2 years of her life, and my sister Susie was her primary caregiver at this time.

Finding ways to keep mom engaged, entertained, and happy became even more of a challenge.

Here are some of the activities our family and visitors and care professionals did with my mom:

* Spa day facials, manicures, and pedicures with some aromatherapy

* Games like King's Corner, UNO, and Connect Four that didn't require much space

* Playdo or adult coloring

* Sharing stories

* Reading to Mom from the books she wrote after her eyesight worsened (the Waddodles of Hollow Lake series)

* Playing music and singing and 'dancing'

* Sharing coffee, a meal, or a snack together

* Watching family videos and photo slideshows

* Calling and face-timing her

Probably the most interesting thing that happened is my sister found a small band (I think from her church) to come to the house and play for my mom. This made my mom's face light up!

Caregivers are so creative!

What are some ways you help infuse a little joy in your caregiving life with your care recipient?

03/28/2026

03/28/2026

Your hippocampus is the part of your brain that helps you form and store memories.

It allows you to remember conversations, recognize faces and navigate your day. It’s also one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

As this area changes, memory can become less reliable.

While not all memory loss can be prevented, there are ways to support your brain:
• Stay physically active to support blood flow to the brain
• Keep learning—new skills help build brain connections
• Prioritize sleep so your brain can store memories
• Manage stress, which can affect memory over time
• Stay socially connected to keep your brain engaged

Your brain is always adapting. Supporting it daily can help protect your memory.

03/28/2026

Most families are not nearly as prepared as they think they are.

Only 24% of U.S. adults have a will, just 13% have a living trust, and 56% have no estate planning documents at all.

That means the majority of families are one emergency, hospitalization, or unexpected death away from having to make major financial and legal decisions without a clear roadmap.

That’s why this checklist matters.

It covers 15 essential items across 3 categories: legal documents, financial documents, and access and organization. And that last category is where a lot of families completely fall apart.

Because having documents is not the same as having a system.

A family may technically have the will. They may have the insurance.
They may have retirement accounts, tax returns, titles, and beneficiary forms.

But if nobody knows where they are, if passwords can’t be found, or if one trusted person hasn’t been told how to access everything, those documents are a lot less useful when the pressure is on.

And the pressure is real.

There are now 63 million family caregivers in the U.S., and caregivers spend an average of 26% of their personal income on caregiving expenses.

Nearly 80% take on out of pocket costs averaging about $7,200 per year.

So this is not some niche planning issue. This is a mainstream family finance issue.

The mistake most families make is assuming they have more time.

Then a crisis hits and now your spouse, kids, or loved ones are trying to grieve, make decisions, and play detective at the same time.

If your family had to find everything tonight, could they?

03/28/2026

A multitude of factors contribute to dementia risk, and scientists may have just found another one: severe infections, especially of the urinary tract and bladder.

03/28/2026

Everyday Foods With Religious And Spiritual Significance - And Why

03/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18PaF8DrPG/

01/10/2026

Affordable private home care for your loved ones, including pet care for your furbabies!!!
I pride myself in getting patients motivated. I love to take them to their favorite places, or just galavanting through the town.
716.228.8187

01/10/2026

Duke is just 14 weeks old — he’s not hiding. He’s bracing. 💔

This is an urgent call by the shelter.
He doesn’t know what that means —
he only knows he’s scared and alone.

Duke 💔 ID #256488
ALT ID #12-29-25 3
Intact male
14 weeks old · 37 pounds

Apple Valley Animal Shelter
22131 Powhatan
Apple Valley, CA
Adoption: animalservices@applevalley.org
Rescue: AVASrescues@applevalley.org
📞 760-240-7555

Please don’t scroll past the moment that could change his life.

12/17/2025

Good morning

Life is better with friends who make you smile… and make weird faces too. 😊

12/17/2025

No matter how old a dog gets, they will always be a puppy at heart. The next time you see an old dog, remember that their playful spirit and loving heart haven’t aged a bit. These older dogs may have graying fur and slower steps, but inside, they still have that same youthful energy and desire for attention and affection.

Just like puppies, older dogs need love, care, and attention. They may not be as energetic as they once were, but their hearts are as big as ever. Adopting an older dog means giving them a second chance at happiness, providing them with the comfort they deserve in their golden years.

Let’s give our older dogs the love and attention they need. They’ve spent their lives giving us their hearts — now it’s our turn to return the favor. 🐶❤️