End-of-life

Image shows a blurred background of an with a speeding ambulance in the foreground. Ambulance shows red and blue graphics on white.

Elder Care Needs Can Change in an Instant

During the years I cared for multiple elders, I grew to dread the ringing of the telephone. It seemed most calls meant emergencies. One...

older, gray-haired man sitting at a table with younger man. The setting shows a room in a facility such as assisted living. Large windows appear in the background along with some foliage from a tree branch.

Do Parents Really Want to Live with Their Adult Children?

It’s difficult to pinpoint how many aging parents live with their adult children, but there is certainly a lot more interest in this type...

Cover image of the book "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories". Image showes older man looking pensive, with arms crossed over chest. Sepia tones show a light shirt. He's wearing dark rimmed glasses and has receding hair. Background is indoors, blurred and brownish tones.

Caregiving: A Legacy To Be Proud Of

Have you thought about what you’d want your obituary to say about you? I hadn’t until I was recently asked to write an article...

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Journaling for Caregivers: Rediscover Yourself and Reclaim Your Life

At some point during your caregiving journey, you may find yourself in a rut. The awareness may come with a birthday, a change in...

Image shows a curtained background with a happy older couple in the foreground. T he man stands with his arm around the woman's shoulders. He has gray hair and a white beard and wears a blue and white plaid shirt. The smiling woman has short white hair and is wearing a scoop-necked blouse or gown in a small blue print on a white background.

Admitting Loved One to Hospice Is Emotional, but Understanding Process Helps

Dear Carol: I’m crushed and uncertain how to move forward. My wife, 74, has spent years battling cancer with some success and a reasonable...

Large, brightly lit open concept room with a reception area containing two visible couches, one dark brown and one white. In the distance we see a brown dining room table and chairs.

How to Overcome Feelings That Prevent You From Visiting Someone in a Care Facility

People cite numerous reasons for why they hate visiting care facilities. Some can’t stand funky smells, others find the sight of disengaged, listless seniors...

Background shows open patio door with grass beyond. Foreground shows younger woman with loing brown hair and whtie sweater sitting at a table with old woman in a green shirt and gray sweater. Their faces imply that they are having a pleasant talk

Why Caregivers Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Calling Hospice

A billboard in my city carries a simple message: “Most families say, ‘Why did we wait so long to call hospice?’ “ When I...

A Story from the Sandwich Generation: Caring for Kids and Parents

Watching out for elders has always come naturally for me. I grew up close to my grandparents, and during my teenage years, my paternal...

Person in dark clothing with hands clasped on top of head staring at a computer

“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...

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...