Dignity

An older couple sit close on a park bench with trees in the background. The man wears a pink sport coat, khakis, and sneakers. He's bald, wears glasses, and has his arm around the woman who looks up into his face with a smile. The woman has graying brown hair and wars a light green cardigan and cream pants with sneakers.

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 indoor image has a window in the background where we see a blurred outdoor scene. In the foreground is a smiling older woman with short blonde hair. She has her head tilted with her chin down as she leans slightly forward in her chair gripping a cane. One hand is on top of the cane handle and the other grasps the stick of the cane.

Mom Won’t Use a Cane Because She Thinks It Makes Her Look Old

Dear Carol: My mom has always been a fashion slave. She’s looked young for her age from a distance due to rigorous...

The background image shows blurred fall trees. In the foreground, there are two brown needlework -appearing bells tied with beige velvet-type ribbon.

Caregiver Tips for Enjoying Holidays With Older Adults

Even though most of us have happy memories of holiday celebrations, this time of the year can be stressful. There are pervasive societal expectations...

Supporting the Person with Dementia as They Are while Grieving What’s Lost

Dear Carol: My dad was my rock and was always there for his little daughter when I needed support, even more so...

A medium-brown natural deck floor serves as a place to display a hammer, a pliers with orange handles, a black handled screwdriver. a black rolled measuring tape, and other tools.

Maintenance & Repair Services Let Older Adults Stay At Home

Whether the need is regular home maintenance or some small remodeling job, in the past it was hard to get many companies...

This outdoor image shows a large, two-story white building in the background. The foreground shows the side view of the back of a white moving van. The gate is open and there is a pile of brown cardboard boxes sealed with red tape sitting on the lowered gate.

Specialized Moving Services Can be Boon When Downsizing or Moving to Senior Living

When an elderly parent transitions from their home to assisted living, independent living, a nursing home or a relative’s home, it can...

The image shows a white brick wall in the background. The foreground shows a black man sitting with his head bowed in sadness. He's bald, and is wearing a light blue dress shirt and medium blue jeans. He has his arms resting on his knees, with one hand over the other.

Reducing Loneliness: How to Help Older Adults During the Holidays

There is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season is supposed to be merry and...

Having ‘The Talk’: How to Discuss End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses...

This outdoor image shows a body of water in the background, but land a city beyond. Int the foreground, an older coupld is enjyong the outdoors. The Woman, nearer the water, is weargin lime green pants and a green and white striped shirt, with a white sunhat. Her hair barely peaks out under the hat. She and the older man are holding hands as if he helping her balance since she's raised slightly above him. the man has gray hair with sunglasses perched on top of his head. He wears a white short-sleeved shirt and dark pants.

Potential Caregiver for Aging Parents Asks How to Plan

Dear Carol: My 83-year-old parents are still doing well for their age but declining as would be expected. Since I live nearby,...

Image is black and white. It shows a close up view of an older woman with curly white hair looking down. She's wiping tears from her eyes with a handkerchief by lowering her glasses. She wears a dark sweater. The impression is one of deep grief.

Minimizing Grief for a Surviving Spouse with Dementia

Deciding whether to tell someone who is cognitively impaired that their spouse has died is a serious and often recurring struggle. Dementia...