Family

This closeup image shows a young woman with light blonde hair. fair skin, and blue eyes. Her hair is cut into a short bob with long front hair over one eye. She's looking to the side so what we see of her face if sad with a slightly reddened nose.

The Emotional Impact of Losing a Loved One to Dementia

“Carol!” The hospice nurse’s voice was quiet but urgent. I instinctively knew what was happening. She had been shifting Dad’s position so that he...

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 anything other...

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 weight control,...

A clear blue sky with puffy clouds is on the horizon as an older woman is seen from the back. She's got frizzy gray hair and is sitting in a wheelchair. She looks shadowed by the bright sun.

How to Talk to the Doctor About Your Elderly Parent or Spouse

A frequent problem expressed among family caregivers is that their aging loved ones aren’t honest with their doctors. At home, they may gripe about...

This indoor images shows an older woman with short gray hair, covering her ears as if she is blocking out bad news. Her expression is sad and bewildered.

When One Parent Dies the Other Often Needs Extra Help

Long-term marriages generally evolve into a support system so efficient that even adult children hardly notice changes in their parents. If Dad’s hearing is...

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Journaling for Caregivers: Rediscover Yourself

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

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Reconciling Grief & Relief When the Loved One You Cared for Dies

When my mother died in a local nursing home, my “career” of visiting this exceptional facility nearly every day for almost 15 years ended....

The image shows a hospital room with white blinds closed in the background. Int he foreground, a tech is olding an IV line up as another tech wheels a patient with a cast from let to hip back to their bed. The first tech wears a white coat, then second one wear blue scrubs. The man in the chair is wearing a beige gown or robe.

Hospital Delirium: Cognitive Decline After Hospitalization

Note: While more is known now about hospital delirium, there is still not enough done to prevent hospital delirium or quickly treat it, if...

Hindsight Can Be a Blessing or a Curse for Caregivers

They say hindsight is 20/20. But things from the past that may seem “clear” to you now can still be distorted by difficult emotions—especially...

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New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers

It’s human to want a fresh start. Even though I know that December 31 of one year is rarely that different from January 1...