Minding Our Elders

Middle aged man with dark skin and shaved head, has hands placed on top of bent head. Grief is written on his downturned face.

Breaking the News That a Loved One is Going on Hospice Care

When the paperwork was finally signed to get hospice care for my dad, I was grateful. There would now be a routine of care...

Mother and daughter sit on a park bench with trees and walkway i the background. The older woman weathers a tourqouise shirt with short sleeves. She sits with her hands in her lap. The younger woman with long black hair and glasses, wears a light orange sleeveless shirt and jeans. She has on hand placed on older woman's arm and they are both laughing.

Should You Quit Your Job To Care for Your Aging Parent?

As parents age and need more assistance, most adult children do what they can to help. For many, the first step is a weekly...

Older couple of Asian descent standing outside. Home featuring trees and flower pots. A short, gray haired woman in a light green dress smiles as her taller husband stands beside her, arm around her shoulders. He holds a a small bouquet of red and yellow freshly picked flowers in his other hand.

Surviving Providing Care for Multiple Older Adults at the Same Time

Each of our aging parents is unique. Some people age so well that they need little help until they are well into their eighties,...

Man and woman sit on a couch with expressions and gestures of those who are arguing. The woman has long brown hair and a light sweater. She's turned toward the man, with hands out in front as if explaining something. The many has arms crossed with one hand gesturing. He has dark brown hair and a beard and mustasch.

Hands-On Vs. Distance Caregivers Can Offer Different Perspectives

Dear Carol: I’m a husband and father living about 200 miles from my aging dad. Since my sister lives in his community, she checks...

Image shows woman with light brown hair drawn into a ponytail. Her head bends forward, showing forehead in her hand. Elbow is on the table, with a water glass nearby. She wears a blue, short-sleeved shirt. The image is one of profound sadness.

Coping With the Decision to Put Your Parent in a Care Facility

Guilt is one emotion that every family caregiver will experience at some point during their journey. When you take on responsibility for another person,...

An older woman with long gray hair is lying back with her eyes closed. She wears a loosely knit beight pullover. A younger woman with brown hair has her had against the older woman's shoulder in an embrace

A New Generation of Caregivers: Grandchildren Taking Care of Grandparents

A new generation of young people is stepping up to help their aging and ill family members. Although the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020...

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When One Parent Dies the Other Often Needs a Long-Term Care Plan

Long-term marriages generally evolve into a support system so efficient that even adult children hardly notice changes in their parents. If Dad’s hearing is...

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Journaling for Caregivers: Rediscover Yourself and Reclaim Your Life

At some point during your caregiving journey, you may find yourself in a rut. The awareness may come with a birthday, a change in...

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Mixed Emotions: Grief and Relief When the Loved One You Cared for Dies

When my mother died in a local nursing home, my “career” of visiting this exceptional facility nearly every day for almost 15 years ended....

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8 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 is that...