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...
Grief
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...
Detaching With Love: Setting Boundaries With Difficult Elderly Parents
When the family member we are trying to care for is critical, impossible to please or emotionally abusive, long-standing family dynamics are often to...
Coping with the Stigma of Dementia
People stare. Most are not unkind; they are just curious. But when someone “different” from the norm becomes part of their environment, they often...
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...
Thanksgiving: Gratitude Is Possible Even During Tough Times
Dear Carol: As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m struggling because my husband of 53 years can no longer reliably recognize who I am. After several years...
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...
Dementia Losses Painful, but Focus on What’s Still Possible
Dear Carol: My brilliant wife was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 62. She faced this diagnosis with her trademark courage. I’ve been...
Hospice Care: Help During End Stages of Life
“No one needs to die in pain.”That is what the social worker told me as I signed the papers that would put my father...
A Self-Help Approach to Coping with Caregiver Stress
Caregiving can bring forth an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions. These feelings are often bittersweet, but without the proper preparations and assistance, things can quickly...
