Self-care

Dementia Losses Painful, but Focus on What’s Still Possible

Dear Carol: My brilliant wife was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 62. She faced this diagnosis with her trademark courage. I’ve been...

Tips for Balancing Caregiving Relationships between Generations

Caregiving can creep into your life or crash down with a bang, but either way, if we aren’t thinking ahead, we can find that...

Caregiving Is Not a Competitive Sport

Caregiving. What does it mean to you? While often rewarding and frequently exhausting, it’s one of many life events that can only be understood...

Is It Normal to Grieve Before Someone Dies?

Nearly everyone involved in caring for an ill or aging loved one is experiencing some degree of grief. However, we don’t usually identify the...

A Self-Help Approach to Coping with Caregiver Stress

Caregiving can bring forth an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions. These feelings are often bittersweet, but without the proper preparations and assistance, things can quickly...

Multigenerational Households: The Ins and Outs of In-law Suites

When I was a teenager, my parents had a new home specifically built with separate quarters so my grandmother could live with us and...

Grandma’s Constant Calls for Help Are Hurting Dad’s Health

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my 70-year-old dad who is constantly responding to his 93-year-old mother’s calls for help. I keep telling him that...

8 Tips from a Healthy Aging Expert

Note to readers: While this article dates back several years, the information is surprisingly (to me, anyway) current. It illustrates how little sound advice...

Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help

Even when family caregivers have access to help, many still come up with excuses to turn down assistance. Learning to accept support and assistance...