A Caregiver’s Struggle: Balancing an Elder’s Sense of Purpose with Their Safety
A recent question brought back memories from my early days of caregiving. The member wrote, “My 81-year-old father still thinks he can do handyman...
Brain Health
Should Your Parent Risk an Anesthesia Disaster or Forego Surgery?
Note: This is an older article so the types of anesthesia have (in some cases) changed. That said, it’s clear that undergoing a procedure...
Caregiver Guilt: How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Elderly Parents
Get used to it – the guilt, I mean. The incessant phone call thing was just one of the many games I had to...
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 to that....
What to Do When Older Adults Refuse to Bathe and Change Their Clothes
When it comes to caring for the elderly, hygiene issues are surprisingly common. Determining why their bathing habits have changed is the best way...
Some Tips If You Suspect Abuse in Your Parent’s Retirement Home or Facility
I think most of us approach the idea of sharing the care of an elder with a lot of trepidation. We have cared for...
Alcoholism in the Elderly: How Can You Help?
Millions of people consume alcohol, but each person has their own unique relationship with this substance. While many can drink in moderation without it...
Cognitive Capacity Defined by Ability, not Age
Dear Carol: You’ve addressed this before, but I need help. I’m 73 and feel like I’m continually under scrutiny as my adult children watch...
Alzheimer’s: Theft, Paranoia or Forgetfulness?
The truth, as they see it, is still the truth in their eyes. Delusions, hallucinations, agitation, aggression and depression are all part of the...
Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?
As a columnist for a newspaper on the northern plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents to “come...
