Capacity

We view a laptop sitting open on a desk with a blank journal open in front. A pen lays on top and a cup of coffee or tea sits to the side. In the background, we see through a window to blurry greenry.

Caregiver Asks If It’s Wise for Parents to Change Medicare Plans

Dear Carol: My mother is incredibly healthy for an 83-year-old. She takes no medication other than occasional OTC pain relief or something for...

A tall painter's ladder rests agaist a wall that's been torn open to show the backing. The viewer sees unfinished patched plaster or drywall on the side.

A Caregiver’s Struggle: Balancing an Elder’s Sense of Purpose with Their Safety

As caregivers, we walk a thin line between keeping our loved ones safe and helping to preserve their independence. One of my...

Understanding the Difference Between Healthy Reflection and Memory Loss

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my grandma. She’s a healthy, active 74-year-old who reads, volunteers, and plays Scrabble. Mom says Grandma is the...

An older woman is sitting in an easy chair but leaning slightly forward and to her right side. She has short steel-gray hair with whispy bangs, grazing her forehead. Her expression is annoyed, as she holds her hands over her ears. has an annoyed expression

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...

An older man sites at the steering wheel of a classic green John Deere tractor. He's wearing overalls and a straw hat and is gazing off into the distance. Behind him, we see part of a classic old red barn.

Keep An Open Mind When Choosing Assisted Living for Lifelong Farmer

Dear Carol: My dad, now 83, inherited a small farm from his parents. Though he’s sold most of the land, he’s lived...

This indoor image shows an older man with short white hair and a receding hairline. He wears a crips light blue collared shirt under a gray pullover sleeveless sweater. Sitting next to him is a younger man who has his arm around the older man's neck as he looks him in the face. We only sewe the back of the younger man's head. He has short brown curly hair and is wearhig a light pinkish colored long sleeved shirt.

Caregiver or Care Partner? What Evolving Terminology Means

Decades ago, when I began my caregiving life, I just did what I did. I’m not sure I was referred to as...

This outdoor scene shows thick bushes in the background. In the foreground, we see an older man who is bald in fromt but has gray hair along the sides. He sits on teh broud with his arms wrapped around his knees as he looks off into the distance. He's wearing a black, gray, and white striped golf-style shirt.

Learning About Normal Aging and Capacity Can Prevent Future Family Division

Dear Carol: I’m 84 years old and as a past caregiver, I appreciate how you balance the legitimate concerns of caregivers with...