Communication

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 current...

The background of this image includes palm trees and greenery in a tropical climate such as Hawaii. In the foreground, we see an older couple with brown skin and gray hair. The woman is wearing a white short sleeved top and the man is wearing a light gray long sleeved shirt. He has his arm around the woman's neck. Their hands are touching and they are both smiling.

Physical Changes Make Incontinence a Common Concern as People Age

Dear Carol: I’m writing because I want to help my husband, who had surgery for prostate cancer, understand that he’s not alone with his...

This indoor images shows a younger woman on the left. She has long, light brown hair and iw wearing a pink sweater. She's pointing to something on a smartphone that's held by an older woman with white hair. The older woman wears alight blue top with white trim. Both woman have slight smiles and are communicating about what they see with pleasure.

An Older Adult Skips Bathing? Maybe there’s a Good Reason

A common complaint about older people, especially those who have health challenges, is that they “smell” or have other signs that they don’t shower...

The background is a grayish wall. In the foreground is an older man with large headphones over his balk head. He's wearing a black suit, white chirt and red tie, and glasses on his face. His eyes are squeezed shut in concentration and he waves his arms as if directing an orchestra.

People with Dementia Find Renewed Confidence While Playing In Orchestra

With this goal in mind, Bournemouth University Dementia Institute (BUDI) in Dorset (UK) has found a unique method to help boost confidence and mood...

A clear blue sky with puffy clouds is on the horizon as an older woman is seen from the back. She's got frizzy gray hair and is sitting in a wheelchair. She looks shadowed by the bright sun.

How to Talk to the Doctor About Your Elderly Parent or Spouse

A frequent problem expressed among family caregivers is that their aging loved ones aren’t honest with their doctors. At home, they may gripe about...

Backgroud shows distant mountains under blue sky strewn with puffy clouds. Foreground shows a snow overed flat area with an older person in cross-country ski gear. Apparel is a red top and black snowpants.

Some Risky Behavior Might Be Necessary for Your Elder’s Mental Health

Dear Carol: My dad, 72, has been adventurous all his life and that spirit doesn’t seem to be dampened by aging or even some...

Older man with gray hair and glasses sits on a bench outside. He's wearing a brown coat and holding a folded umbrella with its red handle close to his chest. His expression is stubborn with a set frown.

When Someone with Dementia Says, ‘I Just Want to Go Home’

“I want to go home.” Nearly every dementia caregiver has heard this heartbreaking plea from their loved one. They may already be at home...

The outdoor image shows a large, white city building in the background. In the foreground, an old couple is shown from the back, walking away from the camera. They are helping each other along as they walk. The man has gray hair, is wearing a gray sweater and black pants, and is slightly bow-legged. The woman is wearing a beige print jacket and a teal and blue print skirt. Her hair is also gray and she has a purse slung over her shoulder.

Coping when Both Parents Have Dementia

“My mom and dad both have dementia. I am all alone taking care of them since. I have no one to help me. I...

This black and white image shows a close view of a woman with downturned head, hands covering her face in grief. She has dark hair and Hispanic looks.

How to Communicate with Someone Who Can No Longer Speak

Years ago, I stumbled upon a video that remains vivid in my mind. In it, an elderly couple who had spent a lifetime devoted...

Image is black and white. It shows a close up view of an older woman with curly white hair looking down. She's wiping tears from her eyes with a handkerchief by lowering her glasses. She wears a dark sweater. The impression is one of deep grief.

Minimizing Grief for a Surviving Spouse with Dementia

Deciding whether to tell someone who is cognitively impaired that their spouse has died is a serious and often recurring struggle. Dementia and death...