Aging parents

the image shows a closeup view of a man with dark skin and a bald head looking downward. His hands rest on top of his head. He's wearing a dark shirt or sweater that barely shows. The feeling is one of sadness.

Mistakes to Avoid When Caregiving for Someone Living with Alzheimer’s

Most of us who have cared for someone living with dementia have tried our best to determine how best to provide that...

Tis wintery outdoor image shows an older man cross-country skiing with blue sky and snowy peaks in the background. The man is wearing ski pants and a red ski top and wears a backpack.

Some Mildly 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...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

The Advantages of Not Arguing with Someone Who Has Dementia

“Where’s my college ring?” This had become Dad’s mantra during some months of his early demented years. I knew he hadn’t gotten...

This black and white image shows an older man up close. We see his wrinkled brown, his busy eyebrows, and a side-eye expression . He holds reading glasses lense side down in front of his frowning mouth with one stem pointing upward.

What People Living with Dementia Would Like Their Caregivers to Understand

People living with dementia are the only ones who really understand what it’s like to live with their form of the disease,...

We see water behind as an older couple walks together holding hands. The woman appears to be on a higher elevation the the man. She wears a striped hsort sleepve top with lime green pants. She also has a white sun hat on. The man has gray hair and is wearing sun glasses perched on his head. He wears a white, short-sleeved button down and dark pants. The woman is looking ahead and the man is looiking out on the water at buildings across a bay area.

Fear Is Behind Adult Daughter’s Seemingly Selfish Behavior

Dear Carol: I’m a middle-aged, working mom. Life has been stressful, but manageable. My question is about my parents who are in...

This indoor image shows an open door in the background with a large plant barely in view. In the foreground is a young mane with dark hair and a beard and wearing a white short-sleeved shirt standing over an older man feeling his forehead. The older man is Black. He has gray hair and is lying in bed. We see his pajama-clad arm laying on top of the white sheet.

The Difference between Palliative Care and Hospice Explained

Many people have heard of hospice care but they mistakenly think that it’s just a way to help cancer patients be more...

This black and white image has a dark background. In the right foreground, we see an older man with short likely graying hair parted on the side, the front grazing his forehead. We see a wrinkled brow and frustrated expression on his face. He appears to be wearing a pull-over sweatshirt with a drawstring.

What Not to Say When Caring for Someone Living with Dementia

Providing care for someone who lives with any type of dementia, whether it’s Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, or any of the myriad...

The Emotional Impact of Losing a Loved One to Dementia

“Carol!” The hospice nurse’s voice was quiet but urgent. I instinctively knew what was happening. She had been shifting Dad’s position so...

This image has a gray indoor backdrop. IN the foreground, a woman with long, light brown hair bends her had forward where she covers her face with her hands. She has light skin and red polished nails.

Grief: The Way to Continue On Is to Work Through It

Dr. Gail Gross, Ph.D., doctor of education, is a nationally recognized family, child development, and human behavior expert, author, and educator. She...

Humor Can Provide Armor Against Deep Sorrows of Caregiving

One of the positive parts of being a family caregiver is the opportunity for emotional growth. We can develop increased compassion, patience,...