Holidays

The word THANKFUL is spelled in gold capital letters around which are brown and gold images of leaves, pumpkins and acorns. The background is dark wood, perhaps a diningroom table.

Cherish Holiday Gatherings with Aging Parents Leaving Serious Discussions for Later

Dear Carol: Though my family is large, we happily gather at our parents’ house each Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year should be like...

A weathered board with colorful red, yellow, orange, and green leaves across the top. Below is a chalkboard with the block letters Happy Labor Day!

Wishing You All a Meaningful Labor Day: Minding Our Elders

Wishing you well on this Labor Day as we celebrate our historical and current workers along with the official advent of fall....

This image shows a picnic table with read, white and blue desserts and flags on a white cloth. The overlay says Happy Independence Day! and below that it says Minding Our Elders

Happy Independence Day from Minding Our Elders!

Happy Independence Day! Many of you will be planning picnics, grilling out, or celebrating with your families in other ways. Enjoy! Some...

This image shows an older woman with dyed dark blonde hair. She is sitting in a bus seat holding a bag on her lap. She wears sun glasses, a short-sleeved shirt and a determined expression.

On July 4th and Beyond, Honor Your Elders’ Need for Independence

Although we may not think about it in these terms very often, a person’s dignity and identity are often tied to their...

We see a red and white gingham table cloth spread out with a read plate of donuts. The visible donuts have sprinkles and frosting, one peanut butter, one chocolate, and one strawberry.

Planning a July 4th Picnic for Someone in Senior Care? Some tips:

While most senior living communities offer an array of programs and events, activities directors often work with limited budgets and are challenged...

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.

Father’s Day as a Caregiver: Remembering Dad Before Dementia

As with every Father’s Day, this Father’s Day, I’ll have fond memories of my dad, as will many caregivers and adult children....

This image has a black background. IN the foreground, we see two women, one clearly the mother, the other the daughter. The older woman has very long whiteish hair hanging down her back. She wears a sleeveless dress that has a black background and white dots. She holds her cheek out to be kissed by the younger woman who is wearhing a black and white striped shirt. She has dark brown curly hair and both have eddium toned skin. They look content.

Did Your Mother Really Know Best?

Witnessing our parents’ aging process can be uncomfortable. Some people consider the pain so unbearable that they find reasons to be angry with...

Needing a Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift? How About One That’s Both Fun and Meaningful?

Gift giving for older adults can feel complicated, but it needn’t be. KOSMOS Gifts offers legacy time capsules that intrigue me. The...

An indoor background shows a gray wall with a dark wood table in the foreground. Laying on the table is a bouquet of yellow roses seen from the top of their blooms.

Celebrating Special Occasions When a Loved One Has Dementia

A Dementia Caregiver’s Experience Preserving Special Occasions Every family has their own favorite special occasions that they enjoy celebrating. Some may not...