Housing

This outdoor image shows a man and a woman in the sun with flower bushes behind. The man wears a black hat and dark tee shirt. He has a dark brown beard. The woman has short drak hair and is wearing a gray/blue shirt. The are both looking to the side at something beyond the camera.

What to Do When Siblings Can’t Agree on a Parent’s Care Needs

For some lucky families, having all adult siblings gather around and plan how to take care of Mom and Dad as their parents’ health...

How Do I Get Dad Out of His Cluttered, Unsafe Home?

People want to stay in their own homes. You hear it and read about it all the time. And there’s some merit to that....

The image shows a gray-haired woman, presumably the grandmother, interacting with a teenager. The teenager has long brown hair and is looking at the grandmother in a fun way as she holds a cookie between her teeth.

Living with Elderly Parents: Do You Regret the Decision?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place them in...

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...

Siblings Who Care More About Their Inheritance Than Mom and Dad’s Care

“We don’t want strangers taking care of Mom!” “We promised Dad he would never have to go to a nursing home!” “If you really...

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...

Image shows an outdoor gathering in the background, Foreground shows a an older man with gray hair dancing with a young, brown-haired woman wearing a red dress.

Adult Day Services Can Fill a Gap for Seniors and Their Caregivers

Most seniors are keen on staying in their homes as they age, but family caregivers often struggle to meet their loved ones’ needs and...

Honor Your Older Adult’s 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 independence. As...

Image shows the head of an older man, likely a grandfather. He's got gray hair and is balding some in the front. He's laughing as he beds down to touch the face of a pre-teen boy wearing a muted red cap. It appears that the child has been playing ball and his grandfather is congratulating the smiling child.

Multi-generational Households: The Ins and Outs of In-law Suites

When I was a teenager, my parents had a new home specifically built with separate quarters so my grandmother could live with us and...

Cover of the book Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.

Interview: Assisted living facilities vs. nursing homes: What to know about cost and care

I’m honored to be featured with Anthony Cirillo, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and president of The Aging Experience, in...