Confused About Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care? You Aren’t Alone
Dear Carol: My mom has advanced lung disease as well as late-stage Alzheimer’s. We know that there are no cures for either of her...
Aging-in-place
Clarify Expectations for Hired Care by Using Task List
Dear Carol: I’m married with teenage kids and work full-time. Until recently, I’ve felt I could also support my 83-year-old mom’s care, but her...
People Living with Dementia May Fight Bathing: Compassion, Education Can Help
Many older adults may not bathe as often as younger people think they should, but what about people living with dementia? Here lies a...
An Older Adult Skips Bathing? Maybe there’s a Reason
A common complaint about older people, especially those who have health challenges, is that they “smell” or have other signs that they don’t shower...
ADLs and IADLs Explained: What Are They and How Are They Used?
Dear Carol: My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While she’s pretty normal now other than some short-term memory loss and occasional confusion, I want...
Caregiving Is Not a Competitive Sport
Caregiving. What does it mean to you? While often rewarding and frequently exhausting, it’s one of many life events that can only be understood...
How to Keep Older Adults Active and Engaged
As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctor’s appointments, and keep schedules....
Kitchen Safety Concerns for People with Dementia
Sharing a kitchen with another cook can be trying for some people. Sharing a kitchen with a person who has dementia can be more...
How Involved Should Families Be When Elders Live in a Senior Living Facility?
Over the course of 15 years, five of my elderly loved ones lived, for various spans of time, in a nearby nursing home. I...
Tips for Accessing Resources Mentioned in the Minding Our Elders Column
Dear Readers: In September of 2022, I wrote a column providing brief answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Minding Our Elders column....
