Minding Our Elders

Exterior of one-story multiple dwelling, each apartment with its own exterior door. Roof has series of dormers. Grass in the forground.

The Process of Convincing Your Parent to Move to Indepent Living

Aging In Place vs. Assisted Living: Professional in-home care and a medical alert system are sufficient for some seniors to remain at home safely...

A picnic table set with cupcakes and a layer cake all decorated in red, white, and blue. Some toys flags are on the table along with a glass of red juice.

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Fourth of July! Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. Darlene Fuchs, Author of Get in the...

Old woman with glasses wearing a huge sombrero type straw hat colored with orange, yellow, and red circles. Her expression is bemused and slightly confused.

Far Too Many People Still Attach a Stigma to Illnesses That Cause Dementia

Anyone who has cared for a disabled child or has a visible disability of their own knows this. However, people who care for an...

The background is the exterior of an older brick building. Foreground is an old woman in a flowered hat and contrasting flowered shirt and beige pants slouching in a wheelchair. Her expression is unhappy

Some People Aren’t Happy Unless They Complain. How to Cope with an Older Adult’s Negativity

Some Seniors Are Prone to Chronic Complaining: If an aging loved one has always been abrasive, complaining may be the only way they know...

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

Adult Siblings Are Often in Denial About a Parent’s Declining Health

Whether it stems from a subconscious need to ignore the fact that a parent is declining, or they want to pretend that caring for...

Image of a bandage-wrapped forearm with a fist down dark hand peeking out of wrapping. on the right is an open-palmed hand holding a bunch of pills.

Potential Causes of Skin Picking with Dementia and How to Help

Dear Carol: My mom is in mid-stage Alzheimer’s, so she has fidgety hands. Even though I lotion her skin regularly, she’ll zero in on...

The Sacrifices of Caregiving: Yes They Are Real

The plain truth is that assuming the responsibility of caring for another person dramatically alters one’s life. This change can happen abruptly or it...

Background is a bright blue sky with clouds. An older woman with frizzy white hair is viewed from the back as she sits in a wheelchair looking up at the sky

You’re Not a Terrible Person If You’ve Secretly Wished Your Ill Loved One Could Die

Every so often, someone will admit that they secretly wish the person they’re caring for would pass away. Often, this person is sick, suffering,...

Large, brightly lit open concept room with a reception area containing two visible couches, one dark brown and one white. In the distance we see a brown dining room table and chairs.

How to Overcome Feelings That Prevent You From Visiting Someone in a Care Facility

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