Dementia care

the image shows a closeup view of a man with dark skin and a bald head looking downward. His hands rest on top of his head. He's wearing a dark shirt or sweater that barely shows. The feeling is one of sadness.

Not Everyone Is Cut Out to Be a Caregiver

Each of us is unique, with our own talents and flaws. Often, our so-called faults are merely ways in which we differ from society’s...

A very close view of the back of a head with short, dark brown hair. We see enough of the face to view light skin and the back of an ear. The person wears a light blue shirt or sweater. Across from this person, we see someone in a white medical coat with only the chest visible. Light skinned hands hold bloodpressure equipment as the person appears to squeese the bulb while holdig down the cuff on the first person's arm.

Determining Type of Dementia Becomes Less Important in Advanced Years

Dear Carol: My mother is 96. She was quite sharp into her 90s, but since then, her condition has gradually deteriorated to where she...

This outdoor image shows an open field of grass backed by trees. A middle-aged woman is in the foreground. She's got shoulder length blonde hair that's flipping up on the ends. She has light skin and is wearing a black scooped neck top and a soft smile.

How Caregiving Can Change Your Personality

There’s no getting around it: being a family caregiver is bound to impact how you think and who you are as a person. Taking...

The scene for this image is a kitchen with large windows looking out onto trees. Two women sit next to each other at a table visiting and opening small gifts. One woman has light skin and long brown hair and she wears glasses. The other woma, on the right, has dark skin and dark hair pulled back. She wears a gray pullover sweater that lower down and over the arms has gray and white stripes.

Respecting Diverse Approaches to Caregiving

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to caregiving. Every family caregiver must be free to make choices that work best for their unique situation. Even...

This very closeup image shows no background. An woman with long brown hair falling over halve of her face is shown with a half cry/half scream expression - mouth wide and teeth showing. She is looking toward the camera but slightly downward.

Recognizing and Mitigating Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout isn’t something that happens all at once. We all have good days and bad days, which is normal. Eventually, though, we may...

This indoor image has a white textured wall behind a woman who appears exasperated. She has dark skin and curly dark hair frizzing out on the sides with a side part. Her hands are raised to her sides - palm open and she wears a ribbed blue funnal-necked swearter with long sleeves. Her mouth is open as if ready to screem.

Apologizing After Caregiver Stress Causes a Blowup

Caregiving is a stressful job even during the best of times. The sheer amount of responsibility is enough to make the most stoic person...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

Continuing Truths of Dementia Caregiving

As we travel our own unique journeys, most of us find that certain phrases or concepts take on the status of truth in our...

Why Does My Elderly Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy joints or...

The image shows an outside looking in view of a window with a cheer curtain in front. We see a woman's shadowy head with her hand upraised against the window. The feeling is one of grief or frustration.

In Caregiving Anxiety Can Be Contagious

We all live with a certain amount of worry, much of which is caused by fear of the unknown. Since health issues can change...

This indoor image shows a dark wall. An older man sits in a dark brown recliner. He's wearing a turquoise long sleeved henly style shirt. He has gray hair, no visible glasses, and is staring ahead with an unhappy expression.

Coaxing a Down-in-the-Dumps Older Adult to Smile

Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes in functioning,...