Author: Karen Taylor

Part 2 of a 3-Part Series It’s easy to assume that deep sadness in older adults is just part of aging. After all, they’ve experienced significant loss—friends passing, changes in health, the shift from independence to dependence. Grief is expected. But when sadness becomes a constant companion, we need to ask: is it still grief, or could it be depression? Grief and depression can look similar—tearful, withdrawal, disrupted sleep or appetite. But their roots and rhythms are different. Grief comes in waves. There may be moments of deep sorrow, but also flickers of joy, connection, and meaning. The person grieving…

Part 1 of a 3-Part Series As our loved ones age, life naturally brings change—retirement, physical decline, the loss of independence or a partner. With change often comes grief. But sometimes, what looks like grief is something deeper: depression. Grief is a natural, expected response to loss. It can feel heavy, but it comes in waves—there are still glimpses of joy, moments of connection. Depression, however, is a fog that lingers. It saps energy, motivation, and hope. And in older adults, it often hides in plain sight. It’s easy to miss. We chalk it up to “just getting old” or…

In early 2017, I, Karen Taylor, had the opportunity to attend a Community Care Partnership traininghosted by the Alzheimer’s Association. It was in that training that our community was first introducedto a powerful national initiative: Dementia Friendly America, and the launch of Dementia FriendlyNevada. Midway through the training, one of my client’s daughters joined us after seeing the event advertised. Her entrance wasn’t quiet, or the apologetic kind—it was the kind of raw, an emotional breakdownthat so many adult children of parents with dementia know all too well. She was exhausted fromsleepless nights and overwhelmed by the frustrating lack of…

Part 5: Connection — Letting Others In Without Losing Yourself Self-care isn’t isolation—it’s preservation. And one of the greatest truths I’ve come to understand is this: we are not meant to do life alone. We’re wired for connection. We crave to be seen, heard, known. But for many of us—especially caregivers, givers, and leaders—connection has become complicated. It’s easy to confuse caring for others with giving ourselves away. We build relationships, show up, stay accessible, and often forget to check: Am I still in this too? In the past, I believed that connection meant availability. That being “there” for others…

A dear friend of mine beautifully demonstrates this next aspect of self-care: the pause. When I first met her, it was in a weekly group setting. As I observed her in conversation, I initially perceived her habit as a bit of a “glitch” and even wondered if it might come across as rude. When someone asked her a question, she didn’t respond right away. In my rushed lifestyle, I’m so used to answering before the other person has even finished speaking. So at first, her pause—her choice to reflect on what was asked, to consider the source and the context—felt like…

Part 3: Nourishment – Feeding the Body That Carries You Before you can show up for others, you must breathe. Let’s begin with presence.On the count of three—inhale through your nose… hold… exhale through your mouth. Feel that? That’s you choosing to pause and return to yourself. In Part 2, we explored boundaries as a form of self-respect. Now, we turn inward—to nourishment. Not the restrictive, rule-filled kind we’re often taught, but the daily act of loving the body that carries you. I’m learning that nourishment isn’t just calories or macros—it’s presence. It’s what sustains our energy and grounds us…

Part 2: Boundaries—The Power of Saying No After breath, the next essential act of self-care is creating boundaries. If breathing keeps us alive, boundaries keep us whole. They define where we end and where others begin. Boundaries are not walls meant to shut people out—they are fences designed to protect what matters most: our time, our energy, and our peace. As someone living with spatial disorientation—a condition where it’s difficult to physically orient my body in space—boundaries have taken on an even deeper meaning. While some people see walls as barriers, for me they can literally be life-saving supports. Sometimes,…

Part 1: Breathe First In today’s fast-paced world, self-care is more than just a luxury—it’s a necessity. With overflowing to-do lists, growing responsibilities, and constant connectivity, we often neglect the one person who keeps it all together: ourselves. You’ve likely heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s repeated often, yet we seldom pause long enough to consider what it really means. The image that brought it home for me was one I encountered midair—literally. I was on a flight with my children, half-listening to the usual pre-flight safety instructions when that familiar line came over the…

She goes home every night,but she can’t forget her clients—the men and women,the lives she’s touched,the lives that have touched her. She thinks:Could I have done better?Are they happy?Did Mrs. J eat dinner?Will Mr. J’s pain go away? She closes her eyes and sees their tears,but she smiles—because there’s beauty in sharing pain.There’s healing in the laughter they share,peace in the drive to and from their homes,and joy in fulfilling the tasks her clients need. There’s a beautiful quiet in her mindwhen a client says, “Thank you.”Because she knows—her job is more than a job. It’s a lifestyle. -Allyssa Taylor

Using a care agency instead of hiring a private caregiver offers key advantages in terms of reliability, safety, accountability, and convenience—especially as care needs become more complex. Here are some important reasons to consider: Background Checks & Vetting In Nevada, agencies are regulated by the State Department of Public Health—even for non-medical services like Personal Care and Companion Home Care. Agencies must conduct comprehensive background checks going back seven years, verify employment and personal references, and ensure caregivers meet training requirements. This vetting process offers peace of mind that caregivers are both qualified and trustworthy. Backup Care If your assigned…