Brain Health

This indoor image has a paned window in the background. One the lesft is an older man with gray hair and glasses. He's wearing a green cardigan and a navy and white checked shirt. His expression is happy and he's holding a peach. One the right is a younger woman who is also smiling and holding a peach. She has medium length dark blonde hair, glasses, and is wearing a tuquouise blouse.

4 Things to Consider Before Moving Aging Parents in With You

Decades ago, it was fairly common to have grandparents living with family and it often worked well. It did for my family. My parents...

This indoor iage shows brown blinds in the background that are tilted open. One the window ledge sits a small lit lamp. There is a dramatic feather and dried plant arrangement in the corner by the window. A brown, tufted couch is visible on the left with a matching love seat on the right. A coffee table between olds a glass ornament.

Making an Assisted Living Apartment Feel Like Home

While change is difficult for people of all ages, deviating from the status quo seems to become even more taxing as we get older...

This indoor image shows a Native American woman in a gray turtleneck sweater. She faces us with an exasperated expression, hands held in front with open palms facing upward. Her hair is salt and pepper with tails of hair pulled over each shoulder.

How to Survive Caring for Multiple Elders at the Same Time

When Caregivers Are Pulled in Too Many Directions: Every caregiver is familiar with the constant nagging feeling that something or someone in their life...

Confused About Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care? You Aren’t Alone

Dear Carol: My mom has advanced lung disease as well as late-stage Alzheimer’s. We know that there are no cures for either of her current...

Why Would Mom Choose to Smell Rather Than Use Incontinence Products?

Dear Carol: My mom is only 79 but she has a lot of health problems including lung disease requiring oxygen. She receives good health care through her...

An indoor background shows a gray wall with a dark wood table in the foreground. Laying on the table is a bouquet of yellow roses seen from the top of their blooms.

Celebrating Special Occasions When a Loved One Has Dementia

A Dementia Caregiver’s Experience Preserving Special Occasions Every family has their own favorite special occasions that they enjoy celebrating. Some may not be big...

This indoor image shows an older man on the left smiling as he looks at a younger man who sits with his arm around his shoulders. We only see the back of the younger mans head but he has short brown hair and wears a light mauve shirt open to reveal a white tee shirt. The older man has white hair and is wearing a light blue collared shirt with long sleeves under a gray sweater vest.

How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell When Incontinence Accidents Happen

Dear Carol: I feel like my home is becoming contaminated territory! My Dad is a sweetheart, but he’s got dementia and has developed incontinence....

This indoor image shows an older Arfrican American couple sitting on a couch with heads turned facing each other. The love they have shows in their faces. The man o the left has very short gray hair with a receding hairline. He wears wirerimmed glasses and a muted gray plaid shirt. The woman, on the right, has short gray hair and glasses and wears a muted ivory top.

Spouse Criticized for How He Cares for Wife with Dementia

Dear Carol: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago. While it hasn’t been easy keeping her home with me, it’s been her choice...

This indoor image shows a white paneled background. In front, two women sit on a counch. The older woman has gray hair and is searing a light blue, collared shirt. Next to her sits a younger woman with blonde hair who is wearing a blue, short-sleeved top. The younger woman has her arm around the older woman as they look at each other. 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 is worsening,...

This images shows an older man sitting in a beige recliner type chair with a lamp on a table slightly behind. He has white hair and is wearing dark-rimmed glasses, a navy blue striped short-sleeved shirt and white pants. A brown spaniel sits on his lap as he holds the dogs head up toward the camera. the man has his head down as if kissing the top of the dog's head.

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 prostate cancer...