Aging

Older couple, Hispanic heritage, both with gray hair. Taller man has his arm around the woman's neck in a loving way. She is softly touching his arm and hand.

Shadowing with Dementia: When They Panic If You Are Out of Sight

Dear Carol: After my husband retired, he wanted to be involved in whatever I was doing, no matter how mundane. To me, that signified...

Blurred background with rose colored tulips. The one in the foreground is just ready to open.

Mother’s Day: How Caregiving Can Help Us Rethink the Meaning of Motherhood

Many children face significant challenges as they grow up. Even so, when a child knows there is someone they can always count on during...

Older woman in orange and black ruffled dress looking annoyed as younger woman in white top and hoop earrings kisses her cheek

Caregivers Can Celebrate Mother’s Day With Forgiveness

Nearly any of us who are mothers have wanted to be a perfect example of motherhood. Yet, the reality is, that since we are...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories with the image of an older man - the author's father - on the cover sitting with his arms crossed.

Should You Join Someone with Dementia in Their Reality?

It was not unlike any other day, but on this particular afternoon Dad was adamant. He was waiting for his medical degree from the...

The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ways To Measure May Change, but the Disease Remains the Same

When I wrote this article, seven stages were considered the standard way to evaluate people living with Alzheimer’s. Now, it’s more common to have...

Woman in an outside setting crying into her hands

Is It Normal to Grieve Before Someone Dies?

Nearly everyone involved in caring for an ill or aging loved one is experiencing some degree of grief. However, we don’t usually identify the...

An image of hospice care where a younger man comforts and older adult lying in bed

Hospice Care: Help During End Stages of Life

Each time I walked into Dad’s room in the nursing home, he would be rigid in bed, propped up on one elbow and slamming...

Background of a wall of framed degrees and certifications. Professional in white shirt or coat sitting behind a desk talking with older man with balding head surrounded by gray hair. The older man, wearing a gray suit sits across the desk from the professional.

In-Office Dementia Test Just the First Step in Getting a Diagnosis

Dear Carol: My mom is showing signs of compromised decision-making ability as well as some short-term memory loss. I understand that there are quick,...

Respecting the Right to Age With Dignity

The impact of aging frequently makes the news. Sadly, the coverage is consistently negative, and all facets of this topic are portrayed as “problems”...