caregiving

Startup Abby Care has raised $82 million to expand a model that pays family members to care for loved ones at home. The funding signals growing investor interest in home-based eldercare, as aging populations and caregiver shortages push families toward solutions that compensate relatives for care work already being done informally.

Health systems across the United States are directing significant funding toward supporting family caregivers, according to Modern Healthcare. The industry is increasingly treating informal caregivers as a critical part of care delivery, with investments aimed at training, respite services and financial support as populations age and care shortages widen.

Parents whose children experience mental health difficulties may themselves face stigma, rooted in cultural ideals of what 'good parenting' should look like. Researchers say society often blames parents for children's psychological struggles, adding guilt and social judgment on top of caregiving demands. Experts are calling for greater awareness of this parental stigma so families get support rather than blame.

Quebec comedian Louis-José Houde is speaking publicly about eight years as a caregiver for his mother, saying he had carried the experience inside him for years. In comments reported by TVA Nouvelles, he describes the long stretch of supporting a parent, a subject that resonates with many families and has put caregiver support back into public conversation in Quebec.

A first-of-its-kind EEG study found that toddlers' brains show more engagement when reading books or doing puzzles with their parents than when watching movies. The findings add to growing evidence that interactive activities with caregivers support early brain development far more than passive screen time, even when the content is aimed at young children.

A parent in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, noticed suspicious internet activity involving their child and reported it, prompting an investigation that ended in the arrest of a suspected child predator. Local outlet WAFB reported the arrest. The case is being highlighted as an example of parental vigilance playing a direct role in protecting children online and bringing a suspect to justice.

Registration is now open for a Grandparents 101 class, according to an announcement from the Daily Journal. The class is aimed at current and expectant grandparents, offering guidance on updated caregiving practices and how to support new parents. Details on dates, location and cost were not included in the announcement, and no community reaction has been recorded so far.

Guidance is circulating on how families and caregivers can help older adults dealing with mental health concerns. The advice covers recognising warning signs such as withdrawal or mood changes, starting supportive conversations, and connecting seniors with professional care. It reflects growing attention to loneliness, depression and anxiety among the elderly, especially as populations age worldwide.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Dr. Rosy Bagolie held a town hall focused on special education, inviting families to share their experiences directly with the lawmaker. The event is intended to gather input from parents and caregivers to inform new legislation she plans to pursue on special education policy.

A new children's song about animals, part of a nursery rhyme and kids' music collection, has drawn large audiences worldwide. Parents and caregivers are sharing the singalong track, which follows a familiar format of simple lyrics and catchy melodies designed for young children, contributing to its strong engagement figures.

An essay in Greater Good, the publication of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, explores what a fictional robot can reveal about human caregiving. The piece uses the robot character to examine empathy, attention and the everyday practice of caring for others, arguing that stories about machines can sharpen our understanding of what genuine care looks like between people.

An author has released a new book examining how post-traumatic stress disorder affects the families of those living with it, not just the sufferers themselves. The book is being highlighted on outlets serving military communities, where PTSD among veterans and service members remains a pressing concern for spouses, children and caregivers.

The Portland Press Herald examines how technology is enabling older adults to remain in their own homes as they age, and asks whether Maine can make the most of these tools. The state has one of the oldest populations in the United States, making aging-in-place support a pressing policy question for families and caregivers.

UNICEF has set up child-care centres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an Ebola outbreak now spans seven provinces, leaving many children separated from caregivers or under quarantine. Six news outlets have covered the story with differing framings, focusing on children's welfare, the widening geographic spread of the virus, and the strain on health and social services in affected areas.

Discussion around emotionally immature parents focuses on how growing up with such caregivers can leave adults doubting their own judgment and instincts. Commenters share experiences of second-guessing themselves, linking self-distrust to childhood environments where feelings were dismissed and validation was inconsistent.

A father of four says he was confident he could manage the household alone while his wife was away, until the simple task of packing lunches for the children left him completely overwhelmed. The story has struck a chord with parents who know firsthand how much invisible work goes into daily family routines.

Cayuga County's Senior Nutrition Program has released its meal menus for the week of October 19-23. The listing gives older residents and caregivers a look at what will be served at senior meal sites across the county during the coming week. The Auburn Citizen published the weekly menu as part of its regular community service coverage for local seniors.

A new report highlights that Chinese parents of children with autism face severe stress regardless of their income or education level. Even affluent, well-educated families struggle with limited support services, social stigma, and the daily demands of caregiving, suggesting that wealth and credentials alone cannot ease the burden of raising an autistic child in China.