When You Witness Cognitive Decline, Step in with Respect
Dear Carol: My mom and I have always had a good relationship, and I’ve admired her sharp brain and great humor. She was a...
Dementia care
Hospital Delirium: Cognitive Decline After Hospitalization
In the expected course of treatment, people are hospitalized because they are ill. Then, barring a terminal condition, they are released because they are...
Hindsight Can Be a Blessing or a Curse for Caregivers
They say hindsight is 20/20. But things from the past that may seem “clear” to you now can still be distorted by difficult emotions—especially...
New Caregivers: Tips on Caring for Elderly Parents
I have interacted with countless professional and informal caregivers over the years, and I’ve noticed two prominent patterns that characterized my own experiences and...
New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers
It’s human to want a fresh start. Even though I know that December 31 of one year is rarely that different from January 1...
Confabulation in Dementia Can Feel Like Hurtful Lies
When a person develops any form of dementia, it is difficult for family and friends to witness their diminishing capacity and the unbearable frustration...
Christmas Is Here: Our Best Is Good Enough
The decisions caregivers of older loved ones must make during the Christmas holidays are fraught with opportunities to make mistakes in judgment. Chief among...
Top 3 Excuses From Siblings Who Don’t Help With Caregiving
Unfair as it may seem, even in families with many adult children, one sibling usually becomes the primary caregiver for their aging parents. In...
How to Convince Your Parent to Move to Assisted Living
Conventional wisdom says that we all want to stay in our own homes for as long as we can. That is likely how most...
Dementia Bathing: A Guide for Caregivers
Note: Since this article was written, some newer options have appeared on the market. Rinseless bath cloths and other options are available on Amazon...
