Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

An older man with white hair and a trim beard and mustache sits on a couch next to an older woman. They appear to be sharing a laugh. The woman has gray hair pinned up, and wears glasses and a blue sweater. The man is wearing a brown cardigan.

Minimizing Grief for a Surviving Spouse with Dementia

Deciding whether to tell someone who is cognitively impaired that their spouse has died is a serious and often recurring struggle. Dementia...

An indoor image of Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH. She stands against a gray background wearing a dark dress jacket open over a dark top with black beads and dainty earrings. She looks into the camera with a soft smile.

Free Caregiver Training with Support from a Geriatrician and More

Caregivers are often thrown into an unknown world of medication management and handling cognitive challenges. With little or no medical training, this...

An older couple sites side by side on a bench, looking out over a lake.

When Your Spouse or Parent with Alzheimer’s No Longer Recognizes You

Dear Carol: After decades together, my wife no longer recognizes me. She’s been living with Alzheimer’s for nearly ten years, so this is...

Thsi summery photo shows a garden and fence in the background. In the foreground, we see a blue and white picnic cloth over an outdoor table. Four people are enjoying a meal. Ther's an older coupld with gray hair and a younber couple with brown hair. They are obviously enjoying themselves.

Living with Elderly Parents: Do You Regret the Decision?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place...

Two younger adults facing each other arguing and pointing fingers. Both the man and woman are likely Asian descent. The man wears a dark gray tee shirt and the woman wear a dark gray elbow length top

Siblings Who Care More About Their Inheritance Than Mom and Dad’s Care

“We don’t want strangers taking care of Mom!” “We promised Dad he would never have to go to a nursing home!” “If...

This image has a gray indoor backdrop. IN the foreground, a woman with long, light brown hair bends her had forward where she covers her face with her hands. She has light skin and red polished nails.

Balancing Elder Care With Other Relationships

Becoming a family caregiver is often something that either happens very suddenly or slowly sneaks up on a person. When a loved...

This extremely closeup image shows an old woman's face with only a peek of her white hair showing. She has very light skin, intense blue eyes, and mutiple age spots.

Alzheimer’s: Theft, Paranoia, or Forgetfulness?

The truth, as they see it, is still the truth in their eyes. Delusions, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, and depression are all part...

An older woman lies contentedly on her back with her arms and hands supporting her head on the grass. She's got long gray hair and is wearing a beige fisherman's sweater. A younger woman has her had lying against the older woman's chest and shoulder. She has long brown hair and is wearing a barely visible cream top. Both women have their eyes closed and look content to be together.

Humor Can Protect Caregivers’ Hearts from Their Deepest Sorrows

One of the positive parts of being a family caregiver is the opportunity for emotional growth. We can develop increased compassion, patience,...

this is a very close image of an older woman with whispy white hair, medium framed plastic rimmed glasses and a serious expression. Her white top is barely visible.

Dementia and Inappropriate Behavior: How to Respond

Dementia can cause people to say and do some pretty odd things. Family caregivers may be caught off guard at first, but...

A younger woman strolls in a garden with an older woman who uses a rollator. They are enjoying each other's company.

Consider Palliative Care for Parent with Multiple Health Challenges

Dear Carol: I want so badly to help my mom have as good a life as possible during her last years, yet...

Image shows an older couple sitting near a window through which we see the trunk of a large tree. The man has a receding hairline with gray hair brushed back. He wears glasses and a pink plaid shirt as he holds an infant with a bow in her hair. The woman gently touches the infant's cheek as she holds a toddler boy in a blue jacket. She has short, iron-gray hair and wears glasses and a maroon sweater.

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the High Plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents...

An older man wearing a plaind shirt and glasses sits at an open laptop, coffee cup at hand. Behind him, an older woman wearing a pink sweater, turns her had to talk with him.

Ways to Help Older Adults Stay Active and Engaged

As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctors’ appointments, and...