Minding Our Elders

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New Caregivers: Tips on Caring for Elderly Parents

I have interacted with countless professional and informal caregivers over the years, and I’ve noticed two prominent patterns that characterized my own experiences and...

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What to Do When Someone with Dementia Repeats the Same Things Over and Over

One sign of the aging brain is repeating things more often, especially stories and questions. There are reasons for this that are not related...

The image background shows an indoor room, probably a bedroom with decorative pillows. Foreground is a sitting older man looking dignified with his white hair and relaxed pose. He's wearing a maroon sweater with a front zipper. We see a blue and white shirt collar above the zip. His hands are folded in front of him and he leans on a chair arm with his right elbow.

Are People with Advanced Dementia Aware of Their Surroundings?

Even among medical experts, you will find differing opinions on how much someone with advanced dementia of any type understands. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in...

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Mostly Low-Tech Time Management Strategies for Caregivers

Don’t let the title scare you, folks. I’m not presenting a “system” here. Personally, I’ve never seen a chart or graph designed to help...

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Admitting Loved One to Hospice Is Emotional, but Understanding Process Helps

Dear Carol: I’m crushed and uncertain how to move forward. My wife, 74, has spent years battling cancer with some success and a reasonable...

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Confabulation: How the “Lies” That People Living with Dementia Tell Aren’t Really Lies

When a person develops any form of dementia, it is difficult for family and friends to witness their diminishing capacity and the unbearable frustration...

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When Someone You Love with Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Recognize You

Watching a loved one move through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be one of life’s toughest and most heartbreaking challenges. If we...

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4 Challenging Caregiver Situations Many Caregivers Face

Caregiving throws many challenges our way, including establishing care routines for our elders that are not only challenging but may be somewhat embarrassing. By...

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Common Thoughts That Embarrass Caregivers and Induce Guilt

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a family caregiver who never gets frustrated and is an eternal optimist? Maybe there are some like that...

Image shows indoor room with a widow and tree in the background. Foreground shows a younger woman with long blonde hair and wearing a beige sweater on a couch offering comfort to an older man sitting next to her. The man has gray hair and is holding his head in his upraised hands in grief or frustration. He's wearing a dark blue sweater over a lighter blue shirt.

Cognitive Decline Not Unusual after Hospitalization of Older Adults

Sometimes an older adult experiences a noticeable cognitive decline post-hospitalization. Families and caregivers are left wanting to know what happened and wondering if their...