Aging-in-place

A medium-brown natural deck floor serves as a place to display a hammer, a pliers with orange handles, a black handled screwdriver. a black rolled measuring tape, and other tools.

Maintenance & Repair Services Let Older Adults Stay At Home

Whether the need is regular home maintenance or some small remodeling job, in the past it was hard to get many companies to even...

This image sows a ladder leaning up against a wall that is partially drywalled and partially torn apart.

A Caregiver’s Struggle: Balancing an Elder’s Sense of Purpose with Their Safety

Most seniors need to feel useful to enjoy a high quality of life. They maintain a sense of purpose by sticking to their everyday...

The image shows a white brick wall in the background. The foreground shows a black man sitting with his head bowed in sadness. He's bald, and is wearing a light blue dress shirt and medium blue jeans. He has his arms resting on his knees, with one hand over the other.

Reducing Loneliness: How to Help Older Adults During the Holidays

There is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season is supposed to be merry and bright, but...

This outdoor image shows a body of water in the background, but land a city beyond. Int the foreground, an older coupld is enjyong the outdoors. The Woman, nearer the water, is weargin lime green pants and a green and white striped shirt, with a white sunhat. Her hair barely peaks out under the hat. She and the older man are holding hands as if he helping her balance since she's raised slightly above him. the man has gray hair with sunglasses perched on top of his head. He wears a white short-sleeved shirt and dark pants.

Potential Caregiver for Aging Parents Asks How to Plan

Dear Carol: My 83-year-old parents are still doing well for their age but declining as would be expected. Since I live nearby, I’ll be...

This black and white image shows a very close view of an older man's face. He's scowling with his eyes turned toward the side looking at the camera. He holds his eyeglasses in his hand so all we see is one bow in front of his face.

Coping With Seniors Who Won’t Accept In-Home Caregivers

Hiring in-home care for my elderly neighbor Joe, was quite an ordeal. The company we chose and their professional caregivers were great, but the...

Concerned Caregiver Worried about Mom’s Repeated Falls

Dear Carol: My 82-year-old mother has been in relatively good health but lately she’s experienced several falls. I only know this because I see...

The image shows an interior background with an older man and younger woman sitting on a couch looking at an electronic device. The man is balding and has a whote beard. He wear a light blue shirt. The woman has dark blond hair, a cream shirt, and jeans. They appear to be having fun.

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents to “come back...

An older, gray-haired man wears an olive green cardigan over a blue and white checked shirt. He wears glasses and is holding an apple. The woman bside him has her head tilted against his. S he is much younger, with brown hair and is wearing a turquoise shirt. She's also holding fruit. Both are smiling.

The Importance of Grandparents

The importance of grandparents in the lives of children cannot be denied. Before our society became so mobile, it was common for children to...

Image shows an older couple from the back. They are sitting on a park bench looking out over a lake. Both wear blue sweaters and the feeling is one of contentment.

Tired, Cranky Caregiver Regrets There’s No Time to Just Be a Daughter

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 90s and live in their condo near me. Both have the expected memory problems, but neither has...

Older woman with gray hair wears a white, vee necked shirt. She's tugging on a lock of hair by her chin and smiling like she's telling someone what she wants.

Helping vs. Enabling: How to Strike a Balance While Caregiving

Most family caregivers want what is best for their loved ones, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Unfortunately, discerning what’s...