Aging

Tips for Managing Incontinence with Dementia

Dear Carol: My dad has Alzheimer’s. Since I’ve received support and training from the Alzheimer’s Association for how to deal with his...

This indoor images shows a younger woman on the left with her arm around an older woman. the younger woman his medium length blone hair, glasses, and is wearing a green sweater. The older woman has gray hair combed back and is wearing a navy zip up top. Both are smiling.

People Living with Dementia May Fight Bathing: Compassion, Education Can Help

Many older adults may not bathe as often as younger people think they should, but what about people living with dementia? Here...

‘Virtual Dementia Tour’ Increases Caregivers’ Empathy – Part 2

Part one of Sensitivity Training for Caregivers tells about the first segment of my training experience at a local nursing home. Reading Part...

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.

Sensitivity Training for Caregivers of People with Dementia – Part 1

Please wipe this mess off my face. Please! Don’t go so fast, I can’t swallow! I’m not ready for a drink yet!...

This indoor image shows an olde woman holding a brown poodle mix. She's looking lovingly at the dog while she pets it. She has gray hair and wears glasses, a beige bulky sweater, and a cream blouse. He background shows old fashioned curtains.

Caregiver Requests Tips for Family Visiting Mother in Memory Care

Dear Carol: My family is having a reunion in August. I’m concerned because several members of my extended family want to visit...

An older woman with curly white hair and wearing a gray sweater over a yellow top looks at the smartphone she's holding up in front of her. ON her left side, a younger woman with long brown hair and wearing a pink top is seen pointing at something on the screen. Both are smiling.

An Older Adult Skips Bathing? Maybe there’s a Reason

A common complaint about older people, especially those who have health challenges, is that they “smell” or have other signs that they...

This indoor image shows a white paneled wall in the background. In the foreground, we see an older woman on the left. She has tighly curled gray hair, medium toned skin, and is wearing a light blue button shirt. on her right sits a younger woman witih long blonde hair wearing a medium blue short-sleeved top. She has one arm around the shoulder of the older woman and the opposing hand on the woman's other shoulder. Both are smiling.

Cohabitation with Parent Working Except for Incontinence Battles

Dear Carol: My mom has lived with us for several years and it’s been going pretty well up to now. Her dementia...

This image shows an older man sitting in a beige recliner with a table lap over his shoulder. He's cuddling a brown cocker spaniel in his arms with his head bent down as if kissing the dog's head. He wears dark rimmed glasses and has white hair with a side part. He's wearing a dark blue short sleeved shirt with faint white stripes along with white pants.

The Stigma of Incontinence Can Keep Older Adults Secluded, Adding to Potential for Decline

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my husband. We’re both in our 70s and in relatively good health but he’s had surgery for...

This indoor image shows a woman with Asian features, long, dark hair tied back lovingly hugging an older adult from behind. The older adult, also appearing Asian, has thin gray hair drawn ack and wears a red jacket. The younger woman has one hand on the olde adult's arm and with the oppsing arm slung around their shoulder. The older person is touching the younger person's hand on the shoulder.

Dad’s Personality Has Changed Overnight: Medications? A UTI?

Dear Carol: My dad, 86, lives with me. He has an academic’s personality, so we’ve often talked about different issues that spanned...

Minding Our Elders’ 2025 Mid-Year Elder-Friendly Products and Tech Roundup

Dear Readers: It’s mid-year, already! That means it’s time for my semi-annual column that features elder-friendly products, services, and technology. I mostly...