Brain Health

A very old woman sits on a brown leather couch. Her gray hair is pulled back, and she wears rimless glasses. Her dress is dark blue and she's wearing a cream-colored knit shawl. Her expression is pleasant.

People Living with Dementia May Fight Bathing: Compassion, Education Can Help

Many older adults may not bathe as often as younger people think they should, but what about people living with dementia? Here lies a much...

How To Communicate with Your Older Parents So They Hear You

“My mom is 81 and lives alone in her condo,” Judy Hanson writes. “Her arthritis is painful, but she gets around with a walker....

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Could a New Medication Be the Cause of Mom’s Increased Falls?

Dear Carol: My mom’s had a lot of health problems in her life, so her prescription list is long. Yet, sure enough, after her...

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Father’s Denial of Dementia Diagnosis Frustrates Daughter

Dear Carol: My dad’s been experiencing memory lapses and making sketchy decisions. I finally got him into a neurologist who diagnosed him with dementia,...

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Caregiver Burnout is Best Prevented Since Recovery Is Hard on Everyone

Dear Carol: My mom, age 79, has had steadily declining health for several years. Arthritis is a genetic problem in my family, so pain...

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8 Nearly Universal Truths of Dementia Caregiving

As we travel our own unique journeys, most of us find that certain phrases or concepts take on the status of truth in our...

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Tired, Cranky Caregiver Regrets There’s No Time to Just Be a Daughter

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 90s and live in their condo near me. Both have the expected memory problems, but neither has...

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Why Does My Older Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy joints or...

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The Emotional Toll of Moving Your Elderly Parent to Senior Living

Put yourself in your parent’s shoes. They’ve likely lived in the same home for many years, but they’re getting older and their needs are...

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Having “The Talk”: Discussing End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses the beginning...