Brain Health

An older man with white hair and a trim beard and mustache sits on a couch next to an older woman. They appear to be sharing a laugh. The woman has gray hair pinned up, and wears glasses and a blue sweater. The man is wearing a brown cardigan.

How Confabulation in Dementia Differs from Lying as We Understand It

Dear Carol: My husband of 43 years has been diagnosed with dementia. We were fortunate to have a good marriage based on...

We see a colorful display of produce such as carrots, red and yellow peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms.

8 Classic Tips from a Healthy Aging Expert

While diets come and go, common sense and balance both work for most people. This is an older article, but because it...

An older couple stand together, with the man holding the woman against him. They are both smiling as he draws her to his side. They both have gray hair. The oman wears a cranberry sweater tne the man wears a gray shirt.

Memory Cafés Can Be a Lifeline for Couples Adjusting to Life with Dementia

Dear Carol: I’m afraid my husband and I are a sad cliché of the times. We both earned decent incomes. We put...

How to Communicate with Someone Who Can No Longer Speak

Years ago, I stumbled upon a video that remains vivid in my mind. In it, an elderly couple who had spent a...

An older man straddles a paused bicycle and looks down at a child with a small bike and training wheels. The bike is pink, and the child is looking up and the man. They are both smiling and having fun. We see the greenery in the background of a bike trail.

Balancing an Elder’s Sense of Purpose with Their Safety

A recent question on the AgingCare Caregiver Forum brought back memories from my early days of caregiving. The member wrote, “My 81-year-old...

This indoor image shows an older woman with short, curly, redish brown hair and dark rimmed glassed. hes got her fingers pressed against the sides of her forehead and is looking down, forehead creased, and sad. her clothing is dark but she's wearing a turqouoise necklace and a small bracelet on each bare arm.

Blood work and a Physical Might Explain Mother’s “Blah” Symptoms

Dear Carol: My 90-year-old mom seems to be declining significantly over the last few weeks. She recently told me she feels “blah”...

We see a cheerful room with gold walls, white painted classic widows and a green Christmas tree. The tree is being decorated in gold bulbs and white doves b an older man in a white pullover that has a green and red pattern. He has steel gray hair and a trimmed beard. He's laughing and chatting with a younger woman with long brown hair who is wearing a white top.

Caregiver Tips for Enjoying Holidays with Older Adults

Even though most of us have happy memories of holiday celebrations, this time of the year can be stressful. There are pervasive societal expectations...

A wild array of junk, tools, scissors, and other items jumbled together.

How Do I Get Dad Out of His Cluttered, Unsafe Home?

People want to stay in their own homes. You hear it and read about it all the time. And there’s some merit...

We see a closeup view of a gold snowflake against a lit tree with blurred lights and red ornaments.

Caregiving During the Holidays: Have a Realistic, Positive Approach

There’s an image of holiday perfection that our culture encourages. Starting with Thanksgiving, we are inundated with images of families happily enjoying...