Brain Health

This vewry close image shows an older woman with white hair, a wrinkled forehead, and wire-rimmed glasses. She wears a white top with the shoulders barely visible. Her expression is stern with a tight mouth.

The Stages of Alzheimer’s and the Caregiver’s Role

When a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s only natural to worry about what comes next. While Alzheimer’s will progress differently...

This indoor image shows an olde fashions room with a patterned oil-cloth table cloth. There is equipemnt hooked up around the woman sitting at the table with lots of cords evident. The woman is older with gray hair peaking out from a gray wool watch cap. She wears a bulky light-blue cardigan and is studying a paper in her hands.

Why Older Adults Often Feel Cold and How Dementia Exacerbates the Problem

Dear Carol: I’m a menopausal caregiver who is trying to balance my mom’s comfort with mine. She lives with me and has mild dementia...

‘Virtual Dementia Tour’ Increases Caregivers’ Empathy

Goggled, Hobbled, Isolated by Headphones, I Am Guided Forward We finally reached the top step. The woman holding my elbow didn’t have much to...

Sensitivity Training for Caregivers of People with Dementia

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

The background is outdoors but fall-like and blurred. In the foreground, we see an older man wearing a dark purple tam. He has a salt-and-pepper, neatly trimmed, beard and a darker mustache. His coat is dark gray, and his expression is pleasant with a small smile.

9 Mistakes to Avoid When Caregiving for Someone Living with Alzheimer’s

Most of us who have cared for someone living with dementia have tried our best to determine how best to provide that care. We...

This indoor image has a window in the background where we see a blurred outdoor scene. In the foreground is a smiling older woman with short blonde hair. She has her head tilted with her chin down as she leans slightly forward in her chair gripping a cane. One hand is on top of the cane handle and the other grasps the stick of the cane.

Mom Won’t Use a Cane Because She Thinks It Makes Her Look Old

Dear Carol: My mom has always been a fashion slave. She’s looked young for her age from a distance due to rigorous weight control,...

A clear blue sky with puffy clouds is on the horizon as an older woman is seen from the back. She's got frizzy gray hair and is sitting in a wheelchair. She looks shadowed by the bright sun.

How to Talk to the Doctor About Your Elderly Parent or Spouse

A frequent problem expressed among family caregivers is that their aging loved ones aren’t honest with their doctors. At home, they may gripe about...

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Journaling for Caregivers: Rediscover Yourself

At some point during your caregiving journey, you may find yourself in a rut. The awareness may come with a birthday, a change in...

The indoor background shows a blurred gold cross. In the foreground, a woman with long brown hair is crying. Her arms are bent upward with her hands held as if in prayer but also wiping away tears.

Reconciling Grief & Relief When the Loved One You Cared for Dies

When my mother died in a local nursing home, my “career” of visiting this exceptional facility nearly every day for almost 15 years ended....

This image from Amazon shows QuiSi matching games for older adults, children, and people with dementia. The box cover showing a variety is top left. On a the right is a vertical group of dementia books, lower left shows a pile of rectangles with squares to match and lower right shows individual squares.

New Year’s 2025 Roundup of Caregiver and Elder-Friendly Products, Services, and Technology

Dear Readers: Happy New Year! It’s time for our semi-yearly roundup featuring elder-friendly products, services, and technology. As always, I’m including links and text...