Caregiving

The image shows a gray-haired woman, presumably the grandmother, interacting with a teenager. The teenager has long brown hair and is looking at the grandmother in a fun way as she holds a cookie between her teeth.

Living with Elderly Parents: Do You Regret the Decision?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place them in...

The image shows an gray-haired woman in a red sweater sitting with a man, presumably her husband. The man has his arm around the woman. He wears a fedora with a red feather, dark-rimmed glasses, and a blue sweater.

Alzheimer’s: Theft, Paranoia or Forgetfulness?

“She took my sweater!” Victoria says. “I saw her. She stole it! That woman took the sweater my mother made for me!” But did...

The image shows an interior background with an older man and younger woman sitting on a couch looking at an electronic device. The man is balding and has a whote beard. He wear a light blue shirt. The woman has dark blond hair, a cream shirt, and jeans. They appear to be having fun.

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents to “come back...

The view is from the top looking down on a desk. We see the arms in a person with a white medical coat. They have the bulb from a blood pressure cuff in their hand as they measure blood pressure of the patient. The patient is seen from the back. He has short dark hair and is wearing a light blue, casual long-sleeved shirt.

Caregiver Needs Help Preparing for New Doctor in Different Network

Dear Carol: Since my mother’s doctor is retiring, she’s going to try someone recommended by a friend. The challenge is not just changing doctors, which...

Image shows a younger man with dark hair and a trimmed beard. His eldows are resting on a table, with his hands folded in fron of his mouth. He's leaning into his hands with his eyes closed, as if thinking hard or praying.

Caregiver Guilt: How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Aging Parents

Get used to it – the guilt, I mean. The incessant phone call thing was just one of the many games I had to...

The cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Own Stories is done in brown and sepia tones. The background image is a room interior. Inthe foreground is a picture of the authors father, a man with a receding hairline, dark-rimmed glasses, and a light shirt. He sites with his arms crossed in front of him with a contemplative expression.

A Story from the Sandwich Generation: Caring for Kids and Parents

Watching out for elders has always come naturally for me. I grew up close to my grandparents, and during my teenage years, my paternal...

A dignified older woman with short gray hair and glasses sits in front of a home. She's wearing a dressy blouse that has a whtie backgroups with splashes of colorful flowers in glue and pink. Her expression shows a soft smile of contentment.

Should You Join Someone With Dementia in Their Reality?

It was not unlike any other day, but on this particular afternoon Dad was adamant. He was waiting for his medical degree from the...

A man or woman with a short mop of curly auburn hair, mostly covers their face with their hands. The viewer can see tears on the check and one eye that can be seen. They are wearing a black turtlenecked, long-sleeved sweater.

Is It Normal to Grieve long Before Someone Dies?

Nearly everyone involved in caring for an ill or aging loved one is experiencing some degree of grief. However, we don’t usually identify the...

Indoor image shows a white wall in eh background. An older man sits on the left. he's bald with gray wire-rimmed glasses, and wears an army green shirt. He's gazing at hi arm where is sleeve is roooled up and a woman is giving him a shot. The woman has short brown hair and is wearing a white medical coat.

Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15: Watch for Changes in Prescription Plans

Dear Readers: Get ready for the phone calls. I’m not referring to annoying political calls, but the Medicare Open Enrollment calls, mostly scams. Oh,...