Relationships

Background is a rising sun over hills. Foreground shows a back view of a siloouetted woman seated in a cross-legged yoga pose, arms in front. She's gazing toward the horizon.

10 Tips to Help You “Unplug” from Caregiving

Jen has been caring for her parents for almost two years and she is quickly approaching caregiver burnout. A close friend booked and prepaid...

Understanding the Difference Between Lying and Confabulation in Dementia

Dear Carol: My mom burned pans when she cooked, got overdue notices on bills, and has become incontinent. Since she wasn’t safe living alone,...

A middle-aged couple stands together enjoying each other's company. Both are African American. He has his arms folded across his chest, with his head bent down, a big smile on his face as he watches the woman holding an object in her hands. The woman is shorter and wearing a violet sweater. She, too, is smiling as if enjoying the object in her hand - maybe a gift.

The Best Ways to Support a Caregiving Spouse

When people get married, they quickly learn that they’ve made a commitment to more than one person. Essentially, you marry your spouse’s whole family....

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Respecting Diverse Approaches to Caregiving

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to caregiving. Every family caregiver must be free to make choices that work best for their unique situation. Even...

Balck and white image of a younger person with curly dark hair and wearing a white shirt bending over to kiss an older man on the cheek. The older man is smiling with please. He wears a white shirt and glasses, and is mostly bald.

8 Nearly Universal Truths of Dementia Caregiving

As we travel our own unique journeys, most of us find that certain phrases or concepts take on the status of truth in our...

Image shows an older couple from the back. They are sitting on a park bench looking out over a lake. Both wear blue sweaters and the feeling is one of contentment.

Tired, Cranky Caregiver Regrets There’s No Time to Just Be a Daughter

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 90s and live in their condo near me. Both have the expected memory problems, but neither has...

The background is a home with a large window. A caregiver knees on the floor. She is wearing a blue short sleeved shirt and white pants. She holds her hands out enocouragingly to an older soman who is using a walker and moving toward her. The older woman has gray hair and is wearing a long beige sweater.

Family Caregivers Still Undervalued By Many

We live in a society that tends to value what we do over who we are. If what we do isn’t highly paid or...

Two Hispanic women, brightly dressed, sitting on a wall. They are laughing and enjoying each others company. One wears a red top, the other a yellow top with red print slacks. Outdoor background is of a hill with green below.

Humor Shared Among Caregivers Is Therapeutic

I once visited a caregiver friend and her mother, who had moderate Alzheimer’s disease. At one point during the visit, the mother abruptly stood...

Background is white sheer curtain. Foreground is an older gray haired man seated in a chair. He's wearing a navy blue short sleeved shirt, His arm is raised to his face where his hand covers his mouth. He seems to be leaning slightly on his hand as he quietly dozes.

Why Does My Older Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy joints or...

Middle-aged woman sits with jean clad knee drawn up. She's wearing a dark green sweather. One arm is around knew and the other bent up with hand over mouth. Her expression is one of saddness or anxiety.

In Caregiving, Anxiety Can Be Contagious

We all live with a certain amount of worry, much of which is caused by fear of the unknown. Since health issues can change...