Caregiver stress

Family Caregivers Still Undervalued By Many

We live in a society that tends to value what we do over who we are. If what we do isn’t highly paid or...

Older man with white hair in an outdoor setting looking angry

Caring for Aging Parents Who Didn’t Care for You

Years ago, a journalist (we’ll call her Nancy) requested an interview with me to discuss common caregiving issues for an article she was writing....

Older couple, Hispanic heritage, both with gray hair. Taller man has his arm around the woman's neck in a loving way. She is softly touching his arm and hand.

Shadowing with Dementia: When They Panic If You Are Out of Sight

Dear Carol: After my husband retired, he wanted to be involved in whatever I was doing, no matter how mundane. To me, that signified...

An image of hospice care where a younger man comforts and older adult lying in bed

Hospice Care: Help During End Stages of Life

Each time I walked into Dad’s room in the nursing home, he would be rigid in bed, propped up on one elbow and slamming...

Music-Thanatology: Providing Harmony at the End of Life

The mission of hospice providers is to help people live their last months or weeks of life in the most comfortable, dignified, and satisfying...

A Self-Help Approach to Coping with Caregiver Stress

Caregiving can bring forth an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions. These feelings are often bittersweet, but without the proper preparations and assistance, things can quickly...

An orange prescription bottle tipped over on a black surface with light orange pills spilling out

Grandfather with Dementia Refuses His Medications

Dear Carol: My mom’s having a terrible time with my grandpa who has Alzheimer’s disease. He’s supposed to take a pill to help his...

Losing the Ability to Swallow: How to Help Someone With Dysphagia

Coping with an ill loved one’s difficulty swallowing can be frustrating and frightening for everyone involved. Caring for someone we love means nurturing and...