Kate Rauch

Caring.com senior editor

About

Catherine Anne Rauch, Senior Editor of the Daily Care channel, has spent more than two decades writing about health for websites and print media, including WebMD, Drugstore.com, the Washington Post Health Section, and Newsday as well as HMOs such as Kaiser Permanente (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Group Health (in Seattle). Catherine holds an M.S. in journalism from Columbia University and a B.S. in cultural geography from the University of California at Berkeley. Catherine's degree in geography led her to spend five years working as an archaeologist and anthropologist in Alaska. One of her main activities there was collecting oral histories from Eskimo elders, and she was very moved by the reverence Eskimos have for older people -- the keepers of essential wisdom and skills.

Catherine lives in Albany, California with her two children. She is the only sibling of three to live near her 80-something father, enjoying the still developing richness of their relationship as they both get older. Very much a member of the "sandwich generation," she often finds herself driving her son to Little League games one moment, and touching base with her dad about his new pacemaker the next.

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Tuesday February 15, 2011

    1. A Buyer's Guide to Personal Emergency Response Systems

      Buying Guide - Read our personal emergency response guide to learn about personal emergency response systems for 24-hour call center support

  2. Wednesday February 17, 2010

    1. Is there such a thing as a geriatric health manager?

      Answer - Geriatric health or care managers can help you assess and manage your parents' needs, even when you live far away. 1 Comment

  3. Wednesday January 27, 2010

    1. How to Place an Obituary

      Article - Learn about placing an obituary in a local newspaper and writing newspaper obituaries at Caring.com.

    2. Who to Call When a Patient Is Seriously Ill

      Article - Three key players who can be a huge help in planning a patient's care. 2 Comments

  4. Monday December 21, 2009

    1. Where can I find low cost dental treatment in Phoeniz, AZ?

      Answer - Boy, you're not alone. Finding low-cost dental care is tough anywhere. I'm going to suggest you do a quick internet search with the terms "low cost" and "dental care" and Phoenix. I just did this and came up with several sources. Here are a couple:

    2. About how much should caregivers be paid daily?

      Answer - Salaries for in-home caregivers vary greatly, but there are resources to help you narrow this down.

  5. Friday November 06, 2009

    1. 10 Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

      Checklist - It's a good idea to compare your options when choosing a personal emergency response system (PERS) for your parent. Use this checklist as a guide. When talking to salespeople, take notes on your findings, then narrow down the list of potential providers. Caution: Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics... 6 Comments

    2. 5 Ways to Ensure a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) Really Works

      2 Comments

  6. Thursday October 29, 2009

    1. How can I help my dad recover from neglect?

      Answer - Your situation sounds alarming, and I'm glad you're reaching out for help. It's not clear where your father is --- a nursing home? A hospice facility? Regardless, the situation sounds unacceptable. I'm going to suggest two places to look for help...

  7. Tuesday October 06, 2009

    1. 10 Things to Discuss with a New Caregiver

      Article - Be sure to cover these essentials before your parent's new caregiver starts on the job. 11 Comments

    2. 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Home Care Worker on Your Own

      Article - If you're hiring an in-home health care worker without going through an agency, these questions should help you find a reliable match for your loved one. Involve the person you're caring for in the interview process as much as possible. It's his interview, with you asking the questions for him (if he's able to ask them himself, even better)... 10 Comments

  8. Friday October 02, 2009

    1. Family Meeting Agenda: How to Manage Friends and Family

      Article - Use this agenda as a guide for a family meeting on how to help an aging love one. 3 Comments

    2. 6 Ways to Make Bathing Your Parent More Comfortable

      Article - There's no getting around the inherent awkwardness of giving your mom or dad a bath -- you feel it and so do they. Try these six ideas to up the comfort level:

    3. 8 Essentials for Bathing Your Parent

      Article - Having these items on hand will make bathtime safer and easier: 1 Comment

    4. 6 Essential Supplies for Caring for Your Parent's Hair

      Article - It's extremely helpful to have everything you need to care for your parent's hair in one portable place, so you can tote it as needed to the bathroom, bedroom, or a big comfy chair in front of the TV. Look for a plastic basket (which is waterproof and ideal for shampoo time) with a carry handle... 1 Comment

  9. Friday August 21, 2009

    1. In-Home Care: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

      Article - Common problems that may arise when you're caring for an older adult in your home or theirs, and tips for handling them. 7 Comments

  10. Tuesday August 18, 2009

    1. Providing Home Care for an Older Adult: A Good Fit?

      Article - When older adults need daily care, you can set up systems to assist them in their home. Daily home care isn't for everyone, though. 2 Comments

  11. Thursday August 13, 2009

    1. Moving an Older Adult in With You: A Good Family Fit?

      Article - Moving an older adult into your home isn't a simple decision. But home care could be a great solution if you decide your family is suited for it. 7 Comments

  12. Monday August 10, 2009

    1. Giving a Bed Bath: A Step-by-Step Guide

      Article - Giving a bed bath: a step-by-step guide. When getting to the shower or tub isn't possible, a bed bath is the only option. 4 Comments

    2. 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Home Care Worker on Your Own

      Checklist - If you're hiring an in-home health care worker without going through an agency, these questions should help you find a reliable match for your parent. Involve your parent in the interview process as much as possible. It's his interview, with you asking the questions for him (if he's able to ask them himself, even better)...

  13. Friday August 07, 2009

    1. Quick Guide to Death Notifications and Obituaries

      Article - This summary of the four main types of death announcements will help you decide how and where to notify others of your loved one's passing.

  14. Thursday August 06, 2009

    1. How to Write an Obituary

      Article - Find out how to write a meaningful obituary to notify others publicly of a recent death in the family, as well as commemorate that loved one. 1 Comment

  15. Friday July 24, 2009

    1. 8 Ways to Help Older Adults Stay Active and Engaged

      Article - A variety of reasonably priced programs and services can help older adults become more active and engaged. Making a good match for your family member depends largely on his condition and needs. 3 Comments

  16. Monday June 01, 2009

    1. 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Home Health Care Worker From an Agency

      Checklist - 15 questions for interviewing a home care worker from an agency. Help find the right home care worker for your aging parent. 13 Comments

    2. How to Hire Urgently Needed In-Home Care

      Article - When someone needs help at home, the ideal solution may be to hire an in-home caregiver. Follow these steps to find a good caregiver who can start right away. 6 Comments