Respecting the Right to Age with Dignity
The impact of aging frequently makes the news. Sadly, the coverage is consistently negative, and all facets of this topic are portrayed as “problems” that...
Grief
When One Parent Dies the Other Often Needs a Long-Term Care Plan
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...
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...
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...
