Relationships

A couple sits near each other on a couch, heads turned and smiling at each other. They both have dark skin, gray hair and are casually dressed.

Spouse Criticized for How He Cares for Wife with Dementia

Dear Carol: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago. While it hasn’t been easy keeping her home with me, it’s...

A healthy aging couple embraces in a garden center as they shop.

Examine Your Motives Before Pushing Healthy Parents to Make Changes

Dear Carol: Last Christmas, my siblings and I discussed the need for our parents to downsize. We recognize that they are still...

An older woman smiles as she looks at a younger woman who has a hand on her shoulder.

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...

This indoor image shows a woman with long, intricately braided gray hair, some braided on top and some loose over her shoulders. She's wearing a gray turtleneck sweater. Her expression shows her explaining something to a person off camera and she holds her hands out, palm open upward.

New to Caregiving: How Do I Keep from Going Under?

Dear Carol: My parents are in their 70s, and had been mostly healthy. I don’t have to worry about financial and health...

A middle-aged woman with long, light brown hair kneels at an alter. There's a gold cross in the background. She's leaning on her elbows wiping at tears as she struggles.

Hindsight Can Be a Blessing or a Curse for Caregivers

They say hindsight is 20/20. But things from the past that may seem “clear” to you now can still be distorted by...

An older man looking slightly confused looks up at someone as he lifts a glass of water to his lips. He wears a brown button-up shirt.

How Can I Keep Husband with Dementia Hydrated in This Heat?

Dear Carol: My husband is in mid-stage Alzheimer’s. While there are many challenges, my most urgent question right now is how can...

An older man and woman are shown happily riding bicycles down a quiet city street.

Adult Incontinence Rash Happens: How to Prevent It and/or Treat It

Human skin is not meant to withstand close contact with urine-saturated briefs for extended periods of time. When bowel incontinence is also...

Is There a Link Between Diabetes and Incontinence?

While having diabetes doesn’t mean that you will experience incontinence, the disease does seem to increase your incontinence risk. There are several...

This indoor image shows a blurred background with an older mother-daughter in the foreground. The daughter is one the left. She has a blonde bob, wire rimmed glasses, and wears a green sweater. The mother is on the right. She has steel gray hair drawn back and is wearing a dark, collared top. The younger woman has her arm around the older woman's shoulders and they both wear soft smiiles.

New Caregivers: Tips on Caring for Elderly Parents

I have interacted with countless professional and informal caregivers over the years, and I’ve noticed two prominent patterns that characterized my own...