Aging parents

We view an older couple from the back as they look over a black railing onto a foaming body of water. They are standing on a red brik sidewalk or road. The man has a walking stipe in his hand with a strap over his shoulder. He's balking and wears a light colored sport coat and dark slacks. The woman has short gray hair and is wearing a black sweater and black pants. She holds onto the man's arm.

How to Approach Parents Who Appear to Need Help but Resist Your Efforts

Dear Carol: My parents are in their mid-eighties and live in the same home where they raised the family. They were doing well until...

This indoor image shows an older man being helped as he walks. We see white framed windows in the background with a hazy outdoor view of another white building. The man, who is on teh left, has curly white hair, dark skin and is wearing a blue pullover sweater. His arm is held by a women with medium length, curly dark hair and dark skin. She is wearing a yellow cardigan open in fron to show a white wrap top, plus jeans.

Helping vs. Enabling: How to Strike a Balance While Caregiving

Most family caregivers want what is best for their loved ones, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Unfortunately, discerning what’s...

This indoor image shows a woman with long brown hair, head forward and down with an expression that suggest she's yelling out of frustration. Her hands are raised upward, palm up, as though saying, "I give up."

Family Caregivers Still Undervalued By Many

We live in a society that values what we do over who we are. If what we do isn’t highly paid or well understood,...

This outdoor image shows two women sitting on a bench with a brick building behind them. The woman on the left has long brown hair and is wearing sunglasses, a blue short-sleeved shirt, and black shorts. Her head is turned toward a woman with dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a sleeveless black top and a tuquoise skirt. Her had is tippped back as she looks at her friend. They are both laughing.

Humor Shared Among Caregivers Is Therapeutic

I once visited a caregiver friend and her mother, who had moderate Alzheimer’s disease. At one point during the visit, the mother abruptly stood...

Why Does My Elderly Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy joints or...

The image shows an outside looking in view of a window with a cheer curtain in front. We see a woman's shadowy head with her hand upraised against the window. The feeling is one of grief or frustration.

In Caregiving Anxiety Can Be Contagious

We all live with a certain amount of worry, much of which is caused by fear of the unknown. Since health issues can change...

This indoor image shows a dark wall. An older man sits in a dark brown recliner. He's wearing a turquoise long sleeved henly style shirt. He has gray hair, no visible glasses, and is staring ahead with an unhappy expression.

Coaxing a Down-in-the-Dumps Older Adult to Smile

Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes in functioning,...

An fit-looking older man sits in a comfortable chair. He's wearing a dark collared cardigan over a white golf style shirt, We shee his lighter brown pantsleg on whiche one had rests. He's golding a phone to his ear with the other hand, and by his expression, enjoying the conversation. This gentleman has light skin, are receding hairline with closely cut gray hoir on the sides, and he wears modern wire-rimmed glasses.

Maintaining a Sense of Purpose Relieves Loneliness and Lowers Dementia Risk

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my healthy, recently retired father. He had a high-energy, social personality so his successful sales career suited him. When...

This indoor image shows two empty closets in the background. The walls are white. In the foreground we see piles of boxes taped with brown straping tape. Some boxes are white, others normal brown.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors Who Are Moving to Assisted Living

For most seniors, moving from a long-term home into an assisted living facility is difficult. For some, it’s nearly paralyzing. In addition to countless...