Aging

As Caregivers We Do the Best We Can Do With Poor Choices

…My aunt Marion, who had no children of her own, was in the hospital dying of cancer. While my parents visited her much of...

When Hiring In-Home Care Ask Questions to Determine a Good Fit

Dear Carol: I’m the sole caregiver for my mom who lives about 20 minutes away from me. I can’t quit working to be with...

Four of the Most Challenging Caregiver Situations

Caregiving throws many challenges our way, including establishing care routines for our elders that are not only challenging, but may be somewhat embarrassing. By...

10 Common Caregiver Confessions

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a family caregiver who never gets frustrated and is an eternal optimist? Maybe there are some like that...

Convincing Your Parent to Think About Assisted Living

Conventional wisdom says that we all want to stay in our own homes for as long as we can. That is likely how most...

How to Cope with an Older Adult’s Complaining and Negativity

You took your mom to the doctor, and she’s upset with you because the appointment took too long. You helped Dad with the yard...

Why Would Someone with Dementia Resist Changing Clothes?

Dear Carol: My 83-year-old mother was once obsessive about her hygiene and stylish wardrobe, but now she resists changing clothes. She has early dementia...

Did Your Mother Really Know Best?

Witnessing our parents’ aging process can be uncomfortable. Some people consider the pain so unbearable that they find reasons to be angry with their...