Dementia Can Open the Door to Artistic Expression
The treatment of people with dementia has changed dramatically since I first became personally involved with the disease. It’s now widely recognized that while...
Mental Health
Caregiver Feels Unappreciated for Upending Her Life
Dear Carol: Shortly after her 85th birthday, my mom had a stroke. She recovered, but she still has mobility deficits. We discussed assisted living,...
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...
Creating a Bucket List: Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers
The Bucket List, a 2007 movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, helped contemporize the old expression “kick the bucket,” a common slang phrase...
How to Be a True Friend to a Family Caregiver
Family caregivers often find that their social circles shrink over time. Casual friends are typically the first to drift away because a caregiver is...
Home is All About Heart, Especially for Older Adults
For many of us, the word “home” signifies refuge, safety, caring and warmth –a sanctuary where we belong. It’s a place that we know...
Is Using Validation for Dementia Calming or Condescending?
People with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia often come to live in an altered reality that doesn’t mesh with ours. As an...
14 Phrases for Caregivers to Cling To
Life isn’t easy for most people, and it’s not perfect for anybody. Sometimes, as we trudge through the days providing help for our care...
Life As a Caregiver: How to Make Tough Care Decisions
Many of us feel honored to provide care for our aging parents or ill spouses, but this honor can also present serious challenges. Even...
Caregiving Needs to Be a Team Effort
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “there’s no I in team,” meaning that every member on a successful team puts selfishness aside and works...
