Tips for Coaxing Someone with Dementia to Shower or Bathe
Dear Carol: How do people get a parent with dementia to take a shower or bath? I’ve argued with my mom. I’ve coaxed her....
Minding Our Elders
The Importance of Grandparents
The importance of grandparents in the lives of children cannot be denied. Before our society became so mobile, it was common for children to...
Creating a Bucket List: Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers
The Bucket List, a 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, helped contemporize the old expression “kick the bucket,” a common slang phrase...
Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help
Even when family caregivers have access to help, many still come up with excuses to turn down assistance. Learning to accept support and assistance...
Assisted Suicide and Elders: How Far Would a Loving Caregiver Go?
Laws have been changed in several states since this was written, but assisted suicide in still a highly controversial topic. Assisted suicide – illegal...
How to Be a True Friend to a Family Caregiver
Family caregivers often find that their social circles shrink over time. Casual friends are typically the first to drift away because a caregiver is...
Home is All About Heart, Especially for Older Adults
For many of us, the word “home” signifies refuge, safety, caring and warmth –a sanctuary where we belong. It’s a place that we know...
Memory Lapses Have Caregiver Concerned About Her Brain Health
Dear Carol: My husband recently moved to memory care. While I’m still an active caregiver with visits and decision-making, I finally have some time...
Is Using Validation for Dementia Calming or Condescending?
People with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia often come to live in an altered reality that doesn’t mesh with ours. As an...
Strategies for Getting (and Staying) Organized While Caregiving
There are now many apps available that can help with organizing, but that said, some of these older tips are still valid. Personally, I...
