Why Does My Elderly Loved One Sleep All Day?
As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy joints or...
Health
5 Ways to Get an Older Adult to Smile
Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes in functioning...
5 Tips for Keeping Your Brain Healthy While Caregiving
Many of us cope with the stress of caring for someone who has dementia. We agonize over the increasing losses that our loved one...
How to Support a Friend Who Has a Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness, such as cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or an immune disorder, can be isolating and...
A New Year Calls for a New Attitude Toward Caregiving
How long has it been since you’ve distanced yourself from caregiving long enough to decide what is good for you? When was the last...
The Substantial Sacrifices of Caregiving
Most caregivers have some idea of how they intended to spend their lives. But thanks to medical advancements, aging parents are living longer than...
Dementia Bathing: A Guide for Caregivers
Note: Since this article was written, some newer options have appeared on the market. Rinseless bath cloths and other options are available on Amazon...
Should Your Parent Risk an Anesthesia Disaster or Forego Surgery?
Just last week a reader asked me whether she should try to sway her mother, who had colon cancer, toward surgery. Her mother, 87,...
Reminder: Don’t Judge Based on Physical Disabilities
Dear Carol: I’m 81 and healthy other than a hip replacement that didn’t turn out well, so I use a cane or walker, depending...
Incontinence After Menopause A Common Challenge
Menopause: The ceasing of menstruation. Sounds simple, but for each woman, the process of going through perimenopause and eventually arriving at menopause can be...
