Dignity

This image shows a gate to an outdoor garden. The wrought iron gate is turquoise. In for foreground, we see an older couple with the woman standing beside her seated husband who holds a decorative wood cane uplifted against his chest. Both of them have short white hair, medium toned skin, and sober expressions. The woman wears a black and white narrow striped dress with a back collar. Her arm rests outward against the chair back behind the man. The man wears a plaid flannel garment buttoned mid- hest with a barely visible gray tee shirt under it.

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the northern plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents to “come...

This indoor picture has a mottled gray background. IN the forground is a head and shourlders image of an older man with a receding hairline and gray hair. He's wearing a black sweater and his eyes are turned downward in a thoughtful expression.

How Dementia Affects Friendships (and What You Can About It)

Memory loss can be one of the first symptoms a person experiences with Alzheimer’s, and those living with Lewy body dementia may also become...

Respecting the Right to Age With Dignity

The impact of aging frequently makes the news. Sadly, the coverage is consistently negative, and all facets of this topic are portrayed as “problems”...

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...

An fit-looking older man sits in a comfortable chair. He's wearing a dark collared cardigan over a white golf style shirt, We shee his lighter brown pantsleg on whiche one had rests. He's golding a phone to his ear with the other hand, and by his expression, enjoying the conversation. This gentleman has light skin, are receding hairline with closely cut gray hoir on the sides, and he wears modern wire-rimmed glasses.

Maintaining a Sense of Purpose Relieves Loneliness and Lowers Dementia Risk

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my healthy, recently retired father. He had a high-energy, social personality so his successful sales career suited him. When...

This indoor image shows an open door in the background with a large plant barely in view. In the foreground is a young mane with dark hair and a beard and wearing a white short-sleeved shirt standing over an older man feeling his forehead. The older man is Black. He has gray hair and is lying in bed. We see his pajama-clad arm laying on top of the white sheet.

Breaking the News That a Loved One is Going on Hospice Care

When the paperwork was finally signed to get hospice care for my dad, I was grateful. There would now be a routine of care...

This indoor image shows an older Arfrican American couple sitting on a couch with heads turned facing each other. The love they have shows in their faces. The man o the left has very short gray hair with a receding hairline. He wears wirerimmed glasses and a muted gray plaid shirt. The woman, on the right, has short gray hair and glasses and wears a muted ivory top.

Spouse Criticized for How He Cares for Wife with Dementia

Dear Carol: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago. While it hasn’t been easy keeping her home with me, it’s been her choice...

This indoor image shows a white paneled background. In front, two women sit on a counch. The older woman has gray hair and is searing a light blue, collared shirt. Next to her sits a younger woman with blonde hair who is wearing a blue, short-sleeved top. The younger woman has her arm around the older woman as they look at each other. Both are smiling.

Cohabitation with Parent Working Except for Incontinence Battles

Dear Carol: My mom has lived with us for several years and it’s been going pretty well up to now. Her dementia is worsening,...

The background is black. In the foreground we see an older woman's face close up. She has salt and pepper hair that's been curled in front with bangs, and she wears dark rimmed glasses. Her expression is one with a soft smile, maybe slightly confused.

What People living with Dementia Would Like Their Caregivers to Understand

People living with dementia are the only ones who really understand what it’s like to live with their form of the disease, whether it’s...

The background of this image is rough gray wood siding or paneling. Int he foreground, we see an older man with a receding hairline, the remaining hair iron gray. He wears at brown and white plaid western style shirt. His expression is frowning and unhappy.

7 Pitfalls to Avoid When Visiting Someone with Dementia

Whether you’re caring for someone with dementia or visiting them from time to time you’ll want to do your best to make them feel...