The mention of Valentine’s Day evokes thoughts of love, candy, romantic love and friendship. Expressions of love and kindness are exchanged through gifts and cards. For some people, Valentine’s Day is a special, sentimental occasion. For persons who are caring for a loved one with dementia, Valentine’s Day might feel like another reminder of the challenges in loving a person with dementia.

Family educational programs that are fun and engaging could help ease frustrations and tensions LTC providers experience with family members.

Rosalyn Carter once noted that there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. Her quote is an accurate assessment of how being a caregiver is a part of our lives, in one way or another. There is a tipping point for becoming a caregiver, and each person can have a different experience with caregiving. Caregiving can be long-term or short-term, depending on the care recipient.