Dignity

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...

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“I Promised My Parents I’d Never Put Them in a Care Home”

Caregiving is a job that is full of ups and downs. Many of us take on this role out of love and concern, but...

Some Tips If You Suspect Abuse in Your Parent’s Retirement Home or Facility

I think most of us approach the idea of sharing the care of an elder with a lot of trepidation. We have cared for...

A grandma with short, stylish blonde hair, wearing a purple shirt holds an electronic tablet in front of her. She's showing two children something on the screen. One child is on each side and they sit on a couch.

Cognitive Capacity Defined by Ability, not Age

Dear Carol: You’ve addressed this before, but I need help. I’m 73 and feel like I’m continually under scrutiny as my adult children watch...

Family dinner table with library shelves in the background. Adult an with brown hair and blue green shirt heads the table. On one side is an older gray-haired man in a red sweater. On the other side is an older gray-haired woman in deep green sweater.

Do You Regret the Decision to Live with Aging Parents?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place them in...

In the foreground we see a jumble of clothing, mostly in brown tones with some rush and cream. Behind the mess is a woman in a bulky coat in the same colors. We see some brownish hair on top of her head but her face is buried behind the jumbled clothing.

Rummaging: When People with Dementia Dig Through Drawers or Trash

Dear Carol: I’m struggling. My husband was always super neat, but Alzheimer’s gradually took away his ability to organize even the basics of living....

Planning a “Picnic” for a Loved One in a Senior Living Community

While most senior living communities offer an array of programs and events, activities directors often work with limited budgets and are challenged to meet...