Minding Our Elders

Background is white sheer curtain. Foreground is an older gray haired man seated in a chair. He's wearing a navy blue short sleeved shirt, His arm is raised to his face where his hand covers his mouth. He seems to be leaning slightly on his hand as he quietly dozes.

Why Does My Older 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 joints or...

Middle-aged woman sits with jean clad knee drawn up. She's wearing a dark green sweather. One arm is around knew and the other bent up with hand over mouth. Her expression is one of saddness or anxiety.

In Caregiving, Anxiety Can Be Contagious

We all live with a certain amount of worry, much of which is caused by fear of the unknown. Since health issues can change...

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The Emotional Toll of Moving Your Elderly Parent to Senior Living

Put yourself in your parent’s shoes. They’ve likely lived in the same home for many years, but they’re getting older and their needs are...

A frail looking older adults in a wheelchair, photographed from the side. Their gray hair is short, and more visible than the face which is turned in the other direction. They are wearing a dark brown sweater.

Worried Caregiver Feels Responsible for Frail Dad’s Nutrition

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my dad. He’s been diagnosed with vascular dementia, but he also has heart disease and recently had cancer treatment....

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Having “The Talk”: Discussing End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses the beginning...

The background shows a white, multilevel living facility. Foreground shows the back of a moving van with a dolly holding a pile of moviong boxes sealed with red tape.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors Who Are 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 to countless...

Image background shows a white wall with a window looking out. In front of the widow is a chair with decorator pillows. Froerond shows an older woman with short gray-blonde hair smiling softly, head tilted. She's wearing a soft, light brown pullover, and holding a cane with both hands visible.

Making an Assisted Living Apartment 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 get older...

Older woman with long gray hair lies back with a content smile on her face. She's covered by a light, cream colored blanket. Younger woman with brown hair lays her head on the older womans shoulder.

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 a family...

Closeup of a man's face. He has thinning brown hair mixed with gray and a graying beard and mustashe. He's looking at the camera with challenging eyes, seeming to question your reaction.

Dementia and Inappropriate Behavior: How to Respond

Dementia can cause people to say and do some pretty odd things. Family caregivers may be caught off guard at first, but as they...

When We Become Caregivers, Friends May Disappear

Most people have not personally provided care for a loved one and therefore cannot fully understand everything that goes into being a family caregiver....