Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

This indoor images shows a younger woman on the left with her arm around an older woman. the younger woman his medium length blone hair, glasses, and is wearing a green sweater. The older woman has gray hair combed back and is wearing a navy zip up top. Both are smiling.

The Classic Promise to Never Put a Parent in a Care Facility

Caregiving is a job that is full of ups and downs. Many of us take on this role out of love and...

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."

How Do I Communicate Reminders to a Parent With Dementia?

Sponsored “Mom, remember, your appointment is tomorrow at 10.” “I know. You already told me.” Then an hour later: “What time is...

The image shows and older coupld against a white background. They are gazing at each other lovingly with hands, held up near their faces, touching as the man clasps the woman's hand. The man is bald with a gray mustache and is wearing a white undershirt topped by a dark blue V-neck. The woman is wearing a beige blouse or sweater.

Why So Many Long-Married Couples Die Close Together

While death rarely brings pleasant feelings, from time to time, we’ll see a story about death go viral on the Internet because...

An older woman walks her dog on a nice fall day. She's wearing a red jacket and jeans. Further back, we see two people on bikes enjoying a ride.

It’s November! Let’s Celebrate Alzheimer’s, Palliative and Hospice Care, and Family Caregivers Awareness

November is a month of awareness with causes we love to celebrate. So, let’s begin by letting you know what’s up in...

An older man sits on the left, looking at a younger woman who is smiling at him as if explaining something. The man has gray hair and is wearing a beige shirt. The woman has long brown hair tied in a low ponytail. She's wearing blue scrubs and has a stethoscope around her neck.

Losing Hospice Services When Someone No Longer Meets the Criteria

Dear Carol: My wife was receiving support at home from hospice due to late-stage dementia and physical decline, but now it’s determined...

Cover of the book "Bringing Art to Life" by Daniel C. Potts. A stylized image on a woman wearing a large-brimmed yellow hat with a large brim looking downward. She also wears a matching yellow blazer with an organ shirt peaking through.

Dementia Can Open the Door to Artistic Expression

The treatment of people with dementia has changed dramatically since I first became personally involved with the disease. It’s now widely recognized...

Woman in blue tee shirt standing by a table showing a book that looks like a picture album to a seated older man in a read flannel

Multigenerational Households: The Ins and Outs of In-law Suites

When I was a teenager, my parents had a new home specifically built with separate quarters so my grandmother could live with...

An older woman in a red sweater sits on a couch close to the edge as she grasps the handles of a walker. A younger woman in pink scrubs leans toward her, arm extended behind the older woman's back. He other hand grasps the womans arm as she attempts to lift her to a standing position.

Caring For Those in Chronic Pain: How Spouses Cope

Traditional marriage vows generally contain the words “through sickness and in health.” For some couples, chronic sickness in the form of a...

A produce aisle full of brightly colored vegetables like red and green peppers, green lettuce, yellow onions

Classic Tips from a Healthy Aging Expert

Like many Alzheimer’s advocates, I support increased funding for Alzheimer’s research. The goal is to discover a cure. However, the current reality...

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....