Memory loss

Woman with long, graying hair in braids is wearing a gray sweater. Her hands are held palms open and up, out in front as if trying to explain something.

4 Challenging Caregiver Situations Many Caregivers Face

Caregiving throws many challenges our way, including establishing care routines for our elders that are not only challenging but may be somewhat embarrassing. By...

Two younger adults facing each other arguing and pointing fingers. Both the man and woman are likely Asian descent. The man wears a dark gray tee shirt and the woman wear a dark gray elbow length top

Adult Siblings Are Often in Denial About a Parent’s Declining Health

Whether it stems from a subconscious need to ignore the fact that a parent is declining, or they want to pretend that caring for...

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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...

A comfortable sitting room with a blue print wing chair in one corner. A round lamp table with a white reading lamp is near the chair. Visible is the end of a white couch with pillows and a glass coffee table.

Choosing Senior Housing and Care Based on Your Parent’s Needs

As our population ages and more of our national focus is on senior care, we can find ourselves in a muddle over confusing choices....

Image background shows an interior view end table with a plant. Foreground shows a back view of a woman with short salt and pepper hair and a gray sweater being pushed in a wheelchair. Only one arm and hand of the person pushing the chair shows. She's wearing a white blouse or sweater with full sleeves.

How Often Should You Visit After Someone Moves to Memory Care?

Dear Carol: My mom is on a waiting list for memory care and should be able to move in soon. I’m struggling to accept...

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Give Your Dad the Best Father’s Day Gift Ever: Your Attention

Our aging loved ones often repeat the same stories over and over again. As our patience wanes, we blame the repetition on memory issues,...

Older grandfatherly bald man in a dark suit, light blue shirt, and red tie with exagerated frown and stubborn look.

Coping With Older Adults Who Won’t Accept In-Home Caregivers

Hiring in-home care for my elderly neighbor, Joe was quite an ordeal. The company we chose and their professional caregivers were great, but the...

Darker skinned older woman with gray hair and vacant look in eyes

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...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories with the image of an older man - the author's father - on the cover sitting with his arms crossed.

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...

Woman in an outside setting crying into her hands

Is It Normal to Grieve 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...