Support

Honor Your Elders’ Need for Independence

Although we may not think about it in these terms very often, a person’s dignity and identity are often tied to their independence. As...

Why So Many Long-Married Couples Die Close Together

While death rarely brings pleasant feelings, from time to time we’ll see a story about death go viral on the Internet because it touches...

An extreme closeup of a the lower portion of a feminine face and black clad shoulder is all we see. We can see a portion of the ear and lower eye, half the nose, and half of the mouth that wears rose lipstick. Quiet tears stream down the cheek.

How to Engage in Self-Care While Grieving

Many caregivers watch their loved ones endure a long, slow decline that will eventually end in death. As they age, we grieve every mental...

This image has a black background. In the foreground we see an older woman on the left with long gray, flowing hair. She's wearing a black and white print sleeveless dress. With her eyes closed, she's holding her cheek out toward a younger woman who is kissing it. the younger woman has dark hair and is wearing a black and white striped open-collared shirt. both women have medium toned skin.

Caregiver Upset by Lack of Clarification Regarding Medical Terms

Dear Carol: I’m frustrated with medical people who think family caregivers should automatically understand their abbreviated terms. At appointments, my mom’s doctor asks about...

How to Support a Friend Who Has a Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness, such as cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or an immune disorder, can be isolating and...

This indoor image shows a window through which we see blurred trees. Close up, a woman with a dark blod, low ponytail and light skin leans her forehead head against her hand. She's wearing a dark blue short-seepver shirt and we see a drinking glass off to the side with a bottle barely visible.

Caring For Those in Chronic Pain: How Spouses Cope

Traditional marriage vows generally contain the words “through sickness and in health.” For some couples, chronic sickness in the form of a painful disease...

This image shows a close up of two hairy animals stubbornly nose to nose.

Why Some Family Caregivers Refuse Help Even When They Need It

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

This indoor closeup shows an older man in a cream-colored golf shrit. He's looking down at something interesting with an expressiona as though he's talking to someone. The viewer varely sees some grap hair on the far temple. He has a darker, thing mustache, and olive tonned skin. His downcast eyelids obscure his eyes.

Home is Where Our Heart Is, 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...

An indoor image of an older man with thinning gray hair. He appears to be thinking hard or asleep, with his head bent downward and his eyelids lowered. He's holding his hand against his chin with his thumb against his cheek as if supporting his head. He appears to be sitting and is wearing barely visible blue and white plaid pajamas under and brown and white robe.

4 Of the Toughest Challenges We Face As Caregivers

Caregiving throws many challenges our way, including establishing care routines for our elders that are not only challenging but may be somewhat embarrassing. By...