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

Minding Our Elders Blog

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

8 Ways to Mitigate Caregiver Stress

Many of us belong to the sandwich generation; we are caring for aging parents while raising our own children. Back in my...

A woman with short brown hair sits in a wheelchair with her head turned toward another woman with long brown hair who appears to be a caregiver. In the lower left corner is a circle that shows a turquoise SenecaSense pod.

Experiencing Incontinence? Restore Comfort and Confidence with SenecaSense Home

No more unnecessary brief checks. Get smart alerts when it’s the right time to replace the brief SenecaSense Home: Discreet Support That...

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...

This indoor image shows an older man with short white hair and a receding hairline. He wears a crips light blue collared shirt under a gray pullover sleeveless sweater. Sitting next to him is a younger man who has his arm around the older man's neck as he looks him in the face. We only sewe the back of the younger man's head. He has short brown curly hair and is wearhig a light pinkish colored long sleeved shirt.

How often should I Visit Once They Move to Assisted Living?

Dear Carol: How often should I visit Mom in the nursing home when she first moves in? I heard some facilities limit...

This outdoor image shows a woman with very blonde, poofy hair pulled back and we see a fall of hair behind her head. She's leaning her head sideways supporting it with her hand as she looks to the side. She is wearing a sliver pinky ring and pink nail polish, on her fingers and has on a blue plaid cotton type shirt.

The Sacrifices of Caregiving Stay with Us Long After Our Service Ends

One question that is often asked on the AgingCare.com Caregiver Forum is, “How do I deal with the reality of leaving behind...

The image is of a running showerhead viewd from the side before entering. The shower surround is blurred and dark.

Dementia Bathing: A Guide for Caregivers

Getting an aging or ill loved one to bathe can be a notorious battle that many family caregivers experience. When dementia is...

Minding Our Elders’ Mid-Year Caregiver and Elder-Friendly Technology Roundup

Dear Readers: It’s mid-year already, and that means it’s time for my semi-annual column featuring caregiver and elder-friendly products, services, and technology. These...

This very close image shows a woman who has her open hand over her eyes as she looks down as if leaning on something. She is wearing blue nailpolish and a beighe top

A Common Caregiver Confession: “I Secretly Wish the Ill Person I’m Caring for Would Die”

Every so often, someone on the AgingCare Caregiver Forum will admit that they secretly wish the person they’re caring for would pass...

A tall painter's ladder rests agaist a wall that's been torn open to show the backing. The viewer sees unfinished patched plaster or drywall on the side.

How Hiring a Handyman Can Help Your Aging Parents

Years ago I saw a van whose driver was letting teenagers off in front of the local high school, where I was...

This image shows the interior of a classic hospital room with bed covered in a sheet with a light green blanket. We see a black visitor's chair plus a board for instructions off to the side.

How to Get Over Feelings That Prevent You From Visiting Someone in a Care Home

People cite numerous reasons for why they hate visiting nursing homes. Some can’t stand funky smells, others find the sight of disengaged,...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

Affirming Phrases for Caregivers to Live By

Life isn’t easy for most people, and it’s not perfect for anybody. Sometimes, as we trudge through the days providing help for...

The image shows a cream knit background - maybe a swerater. On it are some votive candles, one small goard, and a wooden plaque that reads, "My brain has too many tabs open.

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...

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.

Family and Professional Caregivers Are More Alike Than Different

Most of us who are family caregivers know that, while we often experience a sense of fulfillment when we provide care for...