Minding Our Elders

This black and white image has a dark background. In the right foreground, we see an older man with short likely graying hair parted on the side, the front grazing his forehead. We see a wrinkled brow and frustrated expression on his face. He appears to be wearing a pull-over sweatshirt with a drawstring.

What Not to Say When Caring for Someone Living with Dementia

Providing care for someone who lives with any type of dementia, whether it’s Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy body, or any of the myriad...

This indoor image shows an older man with short white hair and a receding hairline. He wears a crips light blue collared shirt under a gray pullover sleeveless sweater. Sitting next to him is a younger man who has his arm around the older man's neck as he looks him in the face. We only sewe the back of the younger man's head. He has short brown curly hair and is wearhig a light pinkish colored long sleeved shirt.

Caregiver or Care Partner? What Evolving Terminology Means

Decades ago, when I began my caregiving life, I just did what I did. I’m not sure I was referred to as...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

The Emotional Impact of Losing a Loved One to Dementia

“Carol!” The hospice nurse’s voice was quiet but urgent. I instinctively knew what was happening. She had been shifting Dad’s position so...

This outdoor image shows a cloudy atmosphere. An older couple walks together on a sidewalk. The man is on the left in the photo. He has lots of gray hair,, is wearing a brown plaid sport coat, brown pants and uses a cane in his right hand. With his left hand, he holds an older woman by the hand. She,has iron gray hair and is wearing a cream knee-length coat. They are both looking down toward the ground.

When Older Adults Won’t Accept Outside Help Caring for Their Spouse

Dear Carol: I’m concerned about my parents, who are in their early 80s. My dad’s a large man, and my tiny mother is...

This indoor image shows an older man dressed in a white shirt, red tie and suit jacket. His arms are raised as if conducting an orchestra and he wears headphones for sound. His eyes are closed as if listening intently.

People with Dementia Find Renewed Confidence While Playing In Orchestra

Alzheimer’s is a global issue that is on track to bankrupt worldwide health systems if a cure is not found. Therefore, funding...

We view a laptop sitting open on a desk with a blank journal open in front. A pen lays on top and a cup of coffee or tea sits to the side. In the background, we see through a window to blurry greenry.

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15: Plans Changing, Premiums Increasing

Dear Readers: Medicare annual open enrollment begins Oct 15, 2025, for 2026 coverage. My usual advice stands. Ignore the calls, look over...

This indoor image has a window behind with white sheers. In the forground is an older woman with short gray hair and a gray sweater seated in a wheelchair. Her expression shows a content smile and the young woman behind the wheetchair leans on the handles and says something to the seated older woman. The young woman has long brown hair and her expression is also smiling and sweet.

Family Caregiver Asks for Training to Support Increasing Responsibility

Dear Carol: I’m a business professional who will soon face caring for my aging father. Due to an ever-increasing number of physical and...

This image is the cover of "Bringing Art to Life" by Daniel Potts. Close up on the left, we see a bright yellow sphere, with orage on top. Further down is more yellow with splotches of color on the left. The sphere could be a hat or a paint pallet. The cover art is slightly abstractt.

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...

An older woman with short gray hair and wearing a brown apron smiles down at a young grandson in light blue tee shirt. Hugging her from behind is a slightly older granddaughter, also in in light blue graphic tee. They are all smiling.

Daughter Hurt Because Mom Doesn’t Want to Live with Her

Dear Carol: My mother is in her 80s and is doing well except for arthritic pain and some blood pressure issues. I...

Image background is light purple. On top is a banner that says Memory Board in white with a heart next to it. Beneath that we see the image of a electronic tabliet. The words we see are to remind a loved one when the family will be over and to say, "love you."

Memoryboard: A Tool Designed by Caregivers to Bring Comfort and Connection

Sponsored We developed Memoryboard based on our family’s experience with loved ones with memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. We saw firsthand the...