Portraits in Caregiving
Welcome to the Self Guided Tour of
“Portraits in Caregiving” is a photo-documentary series depicting varying emotions experienced by caregivers selflessly tending to their loved ones affected by chronic and disabling conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease. The series aims to honor the clients of Southern Caregiver Resource Center (SCRC) by capturing the essence of family and unconditional love through intimate and tender moments found in the everyday routine of caregiving.
Visit https://www.caregivercenter.org/ to learn more
INITIAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CAREGIVING
Initial Attitudes
Joe & Mary, 2024
“My role is to give [him] as much dignity as possible for the rest of his life.” -Mary, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
2/22
Initial Attitudes
Marlo & Sharon, 2025
“...having my mom live with me, watching her fight off this disease…it’s an inspiration.” -Marlo, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
3/22
FINDING BALANCE
Finding Balance
Lenny & Margot, 2025
“I take a lot of pictures of Lenny…[to cope with stress] I close my eyes and think about [those] special moments.” -Margot, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
4/22
Finding Balance
Rosa & Guadalupe, 2025
Rosa reading to her mother, Guadalupe, under the gazebo in their backyard.
Portraits in Caregiving
5/22
Finding Balance
Andres, Vicente, & Ignacia, 2025
“Mi experiencia es tener paciencia.” -Ignacia, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
6/22
Dissonance
Suzanne, 2025
Suzanne pensively reflects on her life as a caregiver.
Portraits in Caregiving
7/22
DISSONANCE
Dissonance
Wendy & Iris, 2025
“I’m too hard on Wendy. I expect too much and I try and step back but my problem is I have no one to talk to but her.” -Iris, care receiver
Portraits in Caregiving
8/22
DAILY ROUTINES
Daily Routines
Esperanza & Ernestina, 2025
Ernestina gives her mother a sensory toy to help her stay calm in overstimulating environments.
Portraits in Caregiving
9/22
Daily Routines
Tina, Natay, True, & Valerie, 2025
“It’s a job…people don’t really understand what it takes.” -Tina, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
10/22
Daily Routines
Sharon & Marlo, 2025
“I got connected with Southern Caregiver Resource Center because I was looking for respite care. I needed a break because it’s physically demanding helping my mom and son at the same time. It’s just a lot.” -Marlo, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
11/22
Daily Routines
Lenny, 2025
Lenny, 61 years old, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2024. His family writes daily to-do lists to prompt him.
Portraits in Caregiving
12/22
Daily Routines
Verónica, 2025
“It’s emotionally challenging to witness his decline, but caring for him is also one of the greatest blessings of my life…Every moment becomes a precious memory I hold close.”
Portraits in Caregiving
13/22
CATHARSIS –
THE MEANING OF CAREGIVING
Catharsis
Esperanza, 2025
Esperanza primarily communicates through eye contact after a stroke. Recently, Esperanza celebrated her 100th birthday at her granddaughter’s home.
Portraits in Caregiving
14/22
Catharsis
Barbara & Suzanne, 2025
“For a long time I wondered what was the plan for my career…now I have no doubt that this is where I’m supposed to be.” -Suzanne, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
15/22
Catharsis
Guadalupe & Rosa, 2025
“[La cosa que es más gratificante en cuidar a mi mama, son] los momentos cuando salimos las dos y con vivimos.” -Rosa, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving 16/22
LIFE AFTER
Life After
Barbara, 2025
“[My mom] tells me, ‘I hope you hold onto your memory forever.’” -Suzanne, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
17/22
Life After
Margot & Lenny, 2025
“I promised him we are going to see the last sunset together…even if he doesn’t remember.” -Margot, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
18/22
Life After
Sharon, 2025
“I want to share what I’m going through because when you start caregiving no one tells you what to expect, you kind of have to figure it out on your own.” -Marlo, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving 19/22
Life After
Mary & Joe, 2024
“I chose [caregiving] for these few years…I’m learning Mary is also a person that needs a life…when he’s gone, there should be a life I already blossomed for myself.” -Mary, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
20/22
LOVE ENDURING
Love Enduring
Tasman & Valerie, 2025
Tasman, 4 years old, gives his great grandmother a kiss during her final days in hospice care.
Portraits in Caregiving
21/22
Love Enduring
Suzanne & Barbara, 2025
“There were some days I honestly didn’t know if it was going to be her last.” -Suzanne, caregiver
Portraits in Caregiving
22/22