Caregiving

Outdoor image of distant hills and trees. Foreground shows a couple with the man seated, possibly in a wheelchair. The man is bald with a beard and glasses. He wears a gray and white striped sweater. His head is turned sideways and he's smiling. The woman hugs him from the back as she stands. Her hair is in an Afro with golden tips and she's wearing a gray sweater.

Caring For Those in Chronic Pain: How Spouses Cope

Traditional marriage vows generally contain the words “through sickness and in health.” For some couples, chronic sickness in the form of a painful disease...

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Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help

Even when family caregivers have access to help, many still come up with excuses to turn down assistance. Learning to accept support and assistance...

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How to Be a True Friend to a Family Caregiver

Family caregivers often find that their social circles shrink over time. Casual friends are typically the first to drift away because a caregiver is...

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New to Caregiving: How Do I Keep from Going Under?

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 70s and had been mostly healthy. I don’t have to worry about financial and health legal documents...

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Home is All About Heart, Especially for Older Adults

For many of us, the word “home” signifies refuge, safety, caring and warmth –a sanctuary where we belong. It’s a place that we know...

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Strategies for Getting (and Staying) Organized While Caregiving

Caring for a vulnerable elder can be rewarding as well as frustrating. It can increase our self-esteem to know that we are helping someone...

Image background is a barely visible assisted living common room. Foreground shows two men. On the left is an older man, balding with a little gray hair. He's wearing a cream cardigan over a dark shirt. Next to him is his middle-aged son who has short, light brown hair. He's wearing a gray scarf around his neck over his dark jacket

Dementia Caregiver’s Experience Brought Premium Incontinence Protection To the US

Note: Egosan is one of my fine sponsors, so I’m proud to occasionally tell you about them. Here’s their story: As is the case...

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...

The image shows an older woman in bed. S he's got gray hair and is wearing a blue nightgown. She smiles at a younger woman who is sitting on the edge of the bed reading to her from a book. The younger woman wears a scooped necked yellow shirt jeans.

Confused About Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care? You Aren’t Alone

Dear Carol: My mom has advanced lung disease as well as late-stage Alzheimer’s. We know that there are no cures for either of her...