Minding Our Elders - A voice for caregivers | Blog on eldercare and aging

Minding Our Elders Blog

Family Caregivers Still Undervalued By Many

We live in a society that tends to value what we do over who we are. If what we do isn’t highly...

Image background is light purple. On top is a banner that says Memory Board in white with a heart next to it. Beneath that we see the image of a electronic tabliet. The words we see are to remind a loved one when the family will be over and to say, "love you."

Memoryboard: A Tool Designed by Caregivers to Bring Comfort and Connection

Sponsored We developed Memoryboard based on our family’s experience with loved ones with memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. We saw firsthand the...

This outdoor image shows two women sitting on a bench with a brick building behind them. The woman on the left has long brown hair and is wearing sunglasses, a blue short-sleeved shirt, and black shorts. Her head is turned toward a woman with dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a sleeveless black top and a tuquoise skirt. Her had is tippped back as she looks at her friend. They are both laughing.

Humor Shared Among Caregivers Is Therapeutic

I once visited a caregiver friend and her mother, who had moderate Alzheimer’s disease. At one point during the visit, the mother...

This indoor image shows a dark wall. An older man sits in a dark brown recliner. He's wearing a turquoise long sleeved henly style shirt. He has gray hair, no visible glasses, and is staring ahead with an unhappy expression.

Why Does My Elderly Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy...

An older bald man with glasses, wearing a gray button-up shirt hugs a younger woman to his side. He wears a slight smile. The younger woman is looking toward the camera and smiling, as well. Her blond hair is pulled back and she wears a light sage sweater.

Compassionate Dementia Care Means Avoiding Harsh, Literal Truth

Dear Carol: I understand that people with dementia who tell outrageous stories aren’t really lying. It’s got to be horrible to feel...

This indoor image shows an older man in the forground. He's sitting in a chair but looking up at a younger woman who is smiling at him. He wears a pastel plaid summer sport shirt and she wears a white professional jacket.

Convincing Older Adults There’s Something to Smile About

Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes...

With an autumn tree in the background, a younger woman stands with her arm slung around the neck of an older woman. The older woman has her head turned toward the younger woman as they smile at each other.

Spring Cleaning: How to Refresh Your Caregiving Routine

For many families, spring is a time to shake off the winter blues, deep clean their homes and focus on getting organized....

This outdoor image shows a brick wall with foliage behind it. In the foreground, we see an older woman with short gray hair, slightly windblowen. She wers a cream, V-necked cardigan and pearls. By her side and looking toward the older woman we see the prfoile slightly turned away of a younger woman with a light brown messybun. The two are looking directly at each other.

Tips for Helping Older Adults Downsize to Before Moving to Assisted Living

For most seniors, moving from a long-time home into an assisted living facility is difficult. For some, it’s nearly paralyzing. In addition...

This outdoor image shows the back o a truck bed being loaded with cardboard boxes. Four people are working. They appear to be young and agile. All wearing casual clothing.

Making an Assisted Living Apartment or Nursing Home Room Feel Like Home

While change is difficult for people of all ages, deviating from the status quo seems to become even more taxing as we...

Embracing Positive Caregiving Moments Makes Bad Times Tolerable

My nature is generally upbeat. I try to be grateful for my many blessings and not dwell on the negative. However, as...

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.

Resources for Helping Older Adults and Their Families Plan for Future Changes

Dear Carol: Sorry if this is a repeat question, but my parents are in denial about the fact that they’re aging. While they...