Dignity

This image shows a blurred indoor background. In the foreground, we see a tall glad of amber liquid, presumably beer, sitting on a brown table. There is a small amound of foam on top and swirls indicating bubbles.

The Hazards of Alcoholism in the Elderly

Millions of people consume alcohol, but each person has their own unique relationship with this substance. While many are able to drink...

This image has a gray indoor backdrop. IN the foreground, a woman with long, light brown hair bends her had forward where she covers her face with her hands. She has light skin and red polished nails.

Coping with the Stigma of Dementia

People stare. Most are not unkind, they are just curious. But when someone “different” from the norm becomes part of their environment,...

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.

Seniority Authority presents: A Caregiver’s Toolbox with Carol Bradley Bursack, Minding Our Elders

Recently, I had the honor of being interviewed by Cathleen Toomey of Seniority Authority. Cathleen’s enthusiasm for the topic turned the experience...

Tis image sowns a weathered workbench with a board and wood shavings lyaing on top.

How Hiring a Handyman Can Help Your Elderly Parents

Years ago I saw a van whose driver was letting teenagers off in front of the local high school, where I was...

Thsi summery photo shows a garden and fence in the background. In the foreground, we see a blue and white picnic cloth over an outdoor table. Four people are enjoying a meal. Ther's an older coupld with gray hair and a younber couple with brown hair. They are obviously enjoying themselves.

Reframing How We View Conflicts with Older Parents Can Maintain Harmony

Dear Carol: My parents are entering their 80s. While they seem cognitively sound, they have physical challenges that will progress. I’ll help...

This indoor image shows and older couple, likely grandparents, holding small children. The man has graying hair, wire-reimmed glasses, and wears a pink shirt. He holds an infant about about a year old wearing a blue and red plaid garment and a white gow in the hair. The woman reaches her hand out to the infamt, but we see just part of the arm of an older child who sites on her hap. The child wears a light blue top with dark blue around the collar. The woman has gray hair and glasses, and she wears a burgundy long-sleeved sweater. All have light skin.

Is It Wise for Your Aging Parent to Move in with You?

Decades ago, it was fairly common to have grandparents living with family and it often worked well. It did for my family....

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.

Safety Vs. Autonomy in Aging

A recent question on the AgingCare Caregiver Forum brought back memories from my early days of caregiving. The member wrote, “My 81-year-old...

This indoor image shows large windows with a blurred view of a large white building. Inside, in the freground, we see an older man with dark skin and white cropped, curly hair. He wears a navy long sleeved shirt. He holds out one arm toward his helper who is a younger woman. She has dark skin, black surly, puffy hair, and is wwearing a light yellow cardigan over a white surplice top with jeans. She holes the man's arm as she tries to help him balance.

When Older Adults 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,...

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...

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...