Aging

Backgroud shows distant mountains under blue sky strewn with puffy clouds. Foreground shows a snow overed flat area with an older person in cross-country ski gear. Apparel is a red top and black snowpants.

Some Risky Behavior Might Be Necessary for Your Elder’s Mental Health

Dear Carol: My dad, 72, has been adventurous all his life and that spirit doesn’t seem to be dampened by aging or even some...

Supporting the Person with Dementia as They Are while Grieving What’s Lost

Dear Carol: My dad was my rock and was always there for his little daughter when I needed support, even more so after Mom...

An outdoor view with semi-cloudy sky, green grass, and a multi-storied, red brick building in the foreground. One sees cement walks and a crosswalk in front.

How to Get Over Feelings That Prevent You From Visiting the Nursing Home

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

A Christmas images showing blurred red and gold lights in the background. The foreground shows a closeup of a gold snowflake such as you would hang on a Christmas tree.

10 Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

When store employees wish us “Merry Christmas!” we smile back and return the greeting. When acquaintances wave and shout “Happy Holidays!” across a parking...

The indoor setting shows two women sitting on a beige couch with white alls in the background. One the left is an older woman with her head turned. She has short gray hair and is wearing a cream colored blouse. By her side is a young woman with long brown hair in a low ponytail. She is wearing medium blue scrubs and has stethoscope hanging around her neck.

Calling On Hospice Care Doesn’t Mean You Gave Up

A billboard in my city carries a simple message: “Most families say, ‘Why did we wait so long to call hospice?’ “ When I...

This indoor image has a window behind with white sheers. In the forground is an older woman with short gray hair and a gray sweater seated in a wheelchair. Her expression shows a content smile and the young woman behind the wheetchair leans on the handles and says something to the seated older woman. The young woman has long brown hair and her expression is also smiling and sweet.

Geriatric Care Managers (Aging Life Professionals) Can Help Arguing Families and Busy Caregivers

Geriatric care management is a rapidly growing field in the elder care industry. As most caregivers know, researching and coordinating all the care options...

This outdoor image shows a large, two-story white building in the background. The foreground shows the side view of the back of a white moving van. The gate is open and there is a pile of brown cardboard boxes sealed with red tape sitting on the lowered gate.

Specialized Moving Services Can be Boon When Downsizing or Moving to Senior Living

When an elderly parent transitions from their home to assisted living, independent living, a nursing home or a relative’s home, it can be a...

The image shows a dark wood background like a rought table. Stting against this background is a white oblong rock with rounded corners and little smiling faces drawn on in black. Int the center, someone printed in block letters: GRATITUDE.

Tweak Traditions to Make this Holiday Season Realistic and Rewarding

Dear Carol: I’ve spent decades caring for all the older adults connected to our families. Now, only my father-in-law and my mom remain. They...

The image shows late fall leaves hanging from a branch in the foreground with a blurred background.

How to Stay Sane During the Holidays as a Sandwich Generation Caregiver

If one can believe the old Westerns, frontier women were the ultimate multi-taskers. They could rock a cradle with their foot to quiet a...

The background is an indoor wall in muted cream. Foreground is a frustrated woman with an Afro that is parted on the side. She has brown skin and is wearing a light tourquoise ribbed turtleneck sweater with long sleeves. Her elbows are bent and hands are held up in the air in frustration or anger.

Handling Sibling Criticism During the Holidays

Family caregivers often put their lives on hold to care for their loved ones. In cases where adult children are caring for their parents,...