Finances

We view an older couple from the back as they look over a black railing onto a foaming body of water. They are standing on a red brik sidewalk or road. The man has a walking stipe in his hand with a strap over his shoulder. He's balking and wears a light colored sport coat and dark slacks. The woman has short gray hair and is wearing a black sweater and black pants. She holds onto the man's arm.

How to Approach Parents Who Appear to Need Help but Resist Your Efforts

Dear Carol: My parents are in their mid-eighties and live in the same home where they raised the family. They were doing well until...

This indoor office image shows gray walls and a widow in the background. A Black woman with curly hair has one hand on the wall by the window and with the other arm draped to her side. Shes' wearing a white buttoned up cartigan. We see two silver topped opened laptops on a table with arms of their users just visible. One has a hand, palm up, in front as if explaining something.

Should You Quit Your Job To Care for Your Elderly Parent?

As parents age and need more assistance, most adult children do what they can to help. For many, the first step is a weekly...

Having ‘The Talk’: How to Discuss End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses the beginning...

Woman in blue tee shirt standing by a table showing a book that looks like a picture album to a seated older man in a read flannel

Having “The Talk”: Discussing End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses the beginning...

Making an Assisted Living Apartment Feel Like Home

While change is difficult for people of all ages, deviating from the status quo seems to become even more taxing as we get older...

Aging Parents Refuse to Assign POA because They ‘Feel Fine’

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 70s and healthy for their age. I’m the only adult child who lives near them, so it’s...

Paying for Assisted Living: When Siblings Split Costs, What Is Fair?

There are many options for the care of our aging parents, but most of them are costly. There was a stretch of time during...

When You Witness Cognitive Decline, Step in with Respect

Dear Carol: My mom and I have always had a good relationship, and I’ve admired her sharp brain and great humor. She was a...

Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15: Time to Review Your Plans

Dear Readers: While we may be looking forward to (or dreading) cool weather, autumn leaves and Halloween, October also brings Medicare Open Enrollment. Medicare Open...

Responsible Planning Includes Sharing Digital Information

Dear Carol: My dad died from an aneurysm at only 65. Thankfully, he’d done his legal work so the family could theoretically step in...