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You never know when you will have to care for a family member. In some cases, becoming a caregiver catches people by surprise. It is a labor of love and can become a major priority. Despite the responsibility you feel, you are not alone.

We at AARP know sharing experiences can help caregivers feel less alone and isolated. A caregiver's story can connect and carry us through those hard days. They motivate us to keep going. Eddie Orum is one such individual. He has been caring for his aunt for many years.

In this edition of our Prepare to Care podcast, Orum joins host Marie Pierre. He discusses his journey and explains why caregiving is a tradition in his family. He also discusses the legal process that led to him becoming an official caregiver.

It should be no surprise to know that exercise has benefits for your brain and body. But if you are a caregiver with little spare time to yourself, the thought of exercise is not something that pops into your head. When you do get a break, you probably want to rest instead of working out.

Yet, of the two, exercise may be a far better choice. It may prevent you from getting sick, help you sleep better and give you more energy. All are important to you, the caregiver.

Stephanie Todd Wong with Asia Society of Texas Center joined host Marie Pierre to talk about the benefits of exercise, yoga and tai chi in particular. They also discuss mini-staycations to help recharge your batteries. Todd Wong is Director of Arts and Culture at Asia Society of Texas Center.

A lot of things have happened since our last recording and one of them is Rosalinda Martinez. Rosalinda is the new Associate State Director of Outreach and Advocacy in Houston. She is a native Houstonian who has experience with caring for a loved one.

In this edition of the AARP Prepare to Care Podcast, Rosalinda will discuss her experience caring for her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s.

Prepare to Care Podcast host, Marie-Piere, will find out how Rosalinda and her family worked together to help her grandmother; what she learned; what were the struggles; triumphs; and how that experience will help her in her new role here at AARP in Houston.

It's never easy to lose a loved one. If you're a planner, it sometimes helps to think abou twhat we can do to prepare for the future. You need to know who to call, what to do, and ask if there is a will.

In this edition of the Prepare to Care Podcast, Host Marie-Pierre talks to Michael Galligan. He is an attorney with a Houston lawfirm and works with people who are preparing for the future. He will talk about estate planning and probate law. He'll also take you through the basic definitions of the terms and other estate planning jargon. Gilligan will also offer up some tips for managing what can be a sad and difficult transition in the world of caregiving. He also offered us a look at the Texas Descent and Distribution Chart: https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.co.jefferson.tx.us%2FProbateCourt%2FDocuments%2F20150527_Texas_Descent_and_Distribution.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Cjsoto%40aarp.org%7C83fbf2fa270d4f06834608d6d32a2a17%7Ca395e38b4b754e4493499a37de460a33%7C0%7C0%7C636928575978475847&sdata=m8%2FuFEmh7MVzxkKp6qLmGlHXmfir1lYof4fwSWTu4o8%3D&reserved=0

We’ve heard a lot about assisted living facilities – both the good and bad – from TV shows and movies. But what does it actually look like to live in a senior housing facility? Or what’s the difference between senior apartments and assisted living?

Prepare to Care podcast host Marie-Pierre explores the differences with local resident Marion Johnson. She works at a local assisted living facility. During this podcast, she gives listeners some insider tips on what the day-to-day might look like for your loved one if they decide to transition their home.

Many people think the phrase “long-term care” refers to an insurance policy. Though that may be part of the of a plan, there’s a lot more than just that. It’s about preparing for your future and the future of your loved one.

In this latest edition of the AARP Prepare to Care Podcast, host Marie Pierre spoke with Gail Van Nest. Van Nest is a certified financial planner, and she offered up some insider tips on the costs of long-term care.

Providing care for your parents can be challenging emotionally, physically and mentally. When your family is also involved, caregiving can become even more complex with all of the emotions and responsibilities that arise. Family can also be enormously helpful because they can provide you with invaluable support.

In this latest installment of the AARP Prepare to Care Podcast, Marie-Pierre talks to Milli Burton, an AARP volunteer, and her sister Marion. They both cared for their mother, together. They are here to offer us tips that may be very helpful in your caregiving journey.

Just as with annual physical exams, it is equally important to have regular eye exams. An annual eye examination is appropriate for most people. If you have a family history of eye diseases or disorders, it's vital to monitor your eye health regularly. Prevention is an important component of eye care.

Caring for a loved one that may be or has already lost their vision can be overwhelming and challenging for the caregiver and their loved one.

To help you and your loved one, Prepare to Care Podcast host, Marie-Pierre, talks to Dr. Rebekah Montes, a practicing doctor of optometry and board member of Prevent Blindness Texas. They discuss tips, resources that may be helpful to the loved one you care for and yourself too.

Winter is upon us and so is the Holiday Season. No matter what holiday you celebrate, November and December are times of connecting with family, traveling, gift giving, cooking, festivals, services and much more. With so much to see and do, there is also more for family caregivers to do. Stress and depression become more prevalent during the holiday season, so what can we do proactively as caregivers to set ourselves up to have a successful and joyful holiday?

In this edition of the Prepare to Care Podcast, Host Marie-Pierre talks tips and best practices for givers this holiday season.

It is Medicare season in Texas. If you or your loved one receives Medicare, you probably already know that new Medicare cards are being sent out. These new cards do not have your Social Security number on them. This change will help to prevent identity theft and other scams, but what else is new with Medicare? What are some helpful tips for caregivers to keep in mind as they help navigate and manage Medicare claims and plans for their loved ones?

Andrew Hardwick is with the Public Affairs Department of the Social Security Administration. He joined Prepare to Care podcast host Marie-Pierre with more on Social Security, Medicare, and all available resources for caregivers.