Family

The image background is a blurred shelf with decorative objects. In the foreground we see an older coule. the sit closely with the mans' arm around the womans shoulders and the woman's hand placed against the man's chest. The man has brown hair and is wearing a light blue, long-sleeved shirt. He smiles as he looks down slightly at the woman's face. She has graying blonde hair and is wearing a gray long-sleeved sweater. Both have light skin and are smiling softly.

Caregiver Distressed That Wife Living at Home Still Wants to ‘Go Home’

Dear Carol: My wife of over 40 years has Alzheimer’s disease and I care for her at home. While I’ve worked to become educated...

The image shows a cream knit background - maybe a swerater. On it are some votive candles, one small goard, and a wooden plaque that reads, "My brain has too many tabs open.

Universal Phrases for That Help Caregivers Find Serenity

Life isn’t easy for most people, and it’s not perfect for anybody. Sometimes, as we trudge through the days providing help for our care...

This indoor image shows a woman with long brown hair streaked with gray. She has she holds hands up cupping her face in grief. Her vace is completely hidden

Life As a Caregiver: How to Make Tough Care Decisions

Many of us feel honored to provide care for our aging parents or ill spouses, but this honor can also present serious challenges. Even...

This closeup image shows just the head of a woman with dark skin tightly curled hair. She is looking downward with her fingers covering her eyes where you can see one lip closed. She has nails polished in dark blue and a silver pinky ring. The mood is one of sadness or despair.

The Aftermath of Long-Term Caregiving: Is Stress the New Normal?

Often long-term caregivers wonder if their lives will ever return to normal. The short answer is no; at least for most of us. There...

the image shows a closeup view of a man with dark skin and a bald head looking downward. His hands rest on top of his head. He's wearing a dark shirt or sweater that barely shows. The feeling is one of sadness.

Not Everyone Is Cut Out to Be a Caregiver

Each of us is unique, with our own talents and flaws. Often, our so-called faults are merely ways in which we differ from society’s...

A smiling couple is shown in a blurred indoor setting. The couple in the foreground appears happy. Both are smiling as the taller man with dark skin and a receding hairline stands with arms folded in front. He smiles down at his partner. She has dark hair steaming back on her head that's shoulder length. She also smiles as she looks down at an object in her hands. It looks as if she's peeling a vergetable. The woman also has dark skin and is weraing a light purple, v-neced sweater.

Best Ways to Support a Caregiving Spouse

When people get married, they quickly learn that they’ve made a commitment to more than one person. Essentially, you marry your spouse’s whole family....

This outdoor image shows an open field of grass backed by trees. A middle-aged woman is in the foreground. She's got shoulder length blonde hair that's flipping up on the ends. She has light skin and is wearing a black scooped neck top and a soft smile.

How Caregiving Can Change Your Personality

There’s no getting around it: being a family caregiver is bound to impact how you think and who you are as a person. Taking...

This indoor image has a white textured wall behind a woman who appears exasperated. She has dark skin and curly dark hair frizzing out on the sides with a side part. Her hands are raised to her sides - palm open and she wears a ribbed blue funnal-necked swearter with long sleeves. Her mouth is open as if ready to screem.

Apologizing After Caregiver Stress Causes a Blowup

Caregiving is a stressful job even during the best of times. The sheer amount of responsibility is enough to make the most stoic person...

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...

We view an older couple from the back as they look over a black railing onto a foaming body of water. They are standing on a red brik sidewalk or road. The man has a walking stipe in his hand with a strap over his shoulder. He's balking and wears a light colored sport coat and dark slacks. The woman has short gray hair and is wearing a black sweater and black pants. She holds onto the man's arm.

How to Approach Parents Who Appear to Need Help but Resist Your Efforts

Dear Carol: My parents are in their mid-eighties and live in the same home where they raised the family. They were doing well until...