The Emotional Impact of Losing a Loved One to Dementia
“Carol!” The hospice nurse’s voice was quiet but urgent. I instinctively knew what was happening. She had been shifting Dad’s position so that he...
Caregiving
Tips for Accessing Resources Mentioned in the Minding Our Elders Column
Dear Readers: In September of 2022, I wrote a column providing brief answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Minding Our Elders column....
How Framing Your Caregiving Relationship as a Partnership Can Improve It
In healthy partnerships, a relationship is built on our ability to trust that the other person has our best interests in mind. We share...
Caregivers: Just Do Your Best and Then Let It Go
Like most adults, I’ve second-guessed many of my own decisions. While most were made with my own future in mind, that all changed when...
Bad Day as a Caregiver? Forgive Yourself for Being Human
Dear Carol: I’ve spent the last week feeling guilty because I yelled at my mom. She’s been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s and seems so...
Getting Over the Guilt of Placing a Loved One in a Care Home
If we could control events, most of us would never want our elders to be so sick that they need the care of a nursing...
Is Your Aging Parent on Too Many Meds?
By the time Janet Johnson’s father reached his mid-80s, he was on so many medications their names are now impossible to recall. There were pills...
Dealing With Embarrassment When Your Loved One Has Dementia
Dear Candid Caregiver (Carol): My dad enjoys going to the park and watching kids play. Since I try hard to give him the best life...
12 Tips to Help Spousal Caregivers Through Hard Times
WHILE FAMILY MEMBERS providing care for loved ones share many issues, there’s a different emotional dynamic for spousal caregivers than for adult children caring for...
‘Kick-Ass Kinda Girl:’ Caregiving During Middle Age Inspired Author to Help Caregivers in Need
When people think about caregiving spouses, they often think of older adults. We only have to look at a young mother diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...
