Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

Kitchen Safety Concerns for People with Dementia

Sharing a kitchen with another cook can be trying for some people. Sharing a kitchen with a person who has dementia can...

This indoor image shows an olde woman holding a brown poodle mix. She's looking lovingly at the dog while she pets it. She has gray hair and wears glasses, a beige bulky sweater, and a cream blouse. He background shows old fashioned curtains.

How to Pick a Pet for an Older Adult

Studies show that animals can be wonderful companions for older adults—their presence can calm agitation, alleviate loneliness, and even lower blood pressure....

An End-of-Life Doula Could Provide Welcome Comfort, Support, and Assistance

Dear Carol: Due to our mom being over 90 and having cancer, she is going on hospice care rather than prolonging her...

An older woman with short gray hair and wearing a brown apron smiles down at a young grandson in light blue tee shirt. Hugging her from behind is a slightly older granddaughter, also in in light blue graphic tee. They are all smiling.

The Importance of Grandparents Simply Increases

The importance of grandparents in the lives of children cannot be denied. Before our society became so mobile, it was common for...

Creating a Bucket List: Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers

The Bucket List, a 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, helped contemporize the old expression “kick the bucket,” a common...

A younger woman sits to besides an older amn as whe trieds to comoft him. She has one hand on his shoulder as she learns forward talking to him. She wears a tan cardigan and white slacks. The man has his face buried in his hands, but we see the top of his head which has gray hair. He's wearing a navy blue cardigan over a lighter blue shirt.

Coping With Seniors Who Won’t Accept In-Home Caregivers

Hiring in-home care for my elderly neighbor, Joe, was quite an ordeal. The company we chose and their professional caregivers were great,...

This indoor image shows a closeup of a man's face. He's middle aged with brown hair, whispy bangs, light skin and blue eyes which are widened with eyebrows raised in an exageraged look of surprise. Hes mouth shows bemusement or confusion. His clothing is plain so all we see is a beight tee shirt.

Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help

Even when family caregivers have access to help, many still come up with excuses to turn down assistance. Learning to accept support...

How to Be a True Friend to a Family Caregiver

Family caregivers often find that their social circles shrink over time. Casual friends are typically the first to drift away because a...

This indoor image shows an older man with receding white hair, wearing a gray shirt with an open collar. He holds a cell phone in one hand as he looks up at a young girl with long dark blonde hair. She wears a purple print top and appears to be explaining something to the man.

Home is About Heart and Safety, Especially for Older Adults

For many of us, the word “home” signifies refuge, safety, caring and warmth –a sanctuary where we belong. It’s a place that...

An bound but open daily calendar with plenty of space for notes.

Classic Strategies for Getting (and Staying) Organized While Caregiving

Caring for a vulnerable elder can be rewarding as well as frustrating. It can increase our self-esteem to know that we are...

Not Treating Hearing Loss Decreases Quality of Life, Increases Dementia Risk

Dear Carol: Why are older adults resistant to wearing hearing aids? My husband has gotten so hard of hearing that I must act...