Minding Our Elders - Page 11 of 78 - A voice for caregivers | Blog on eldercare and aging

Minding Our Elders Blog

A very old woman sits on a brown leather couch. Her gray hair is pulled back, and she wears rimless glasses. Her dress is dark blue and she's wearing a cream-colored knit shawl. Her expression is pleasant.

People Living with Dementia May Fight Bathing: Compassion, Education Can Help

Many older adults may not bathe as often as younger people think they should, but what about people living with dementia? Here lies a much...

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An Older Adult Skips Bathing? Maybe there’s a Reason

A common complaint about older people, especially those who have health challenges, is that they “smell” or have other signs that they don’t shower...

How To Communicate with Your Older Parents So They Hear You

“My mom is 81 and lives alone in her condo,” Judy Hanson writes. “Her arthritis is painful, but she gets around with a walker....

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Could a New Medication Be the Cause of Mom’s Increased Falls?

Dear Carol: My mom’s had a lot of health problems in her life, so her prescription list is long. Yet, sure enough, after her...

The image shows an older man, maybe Hispanic, wearing a straw hat and blue shirt with a white collar. His expression is contemplative and rather sad as he looks off into the distance.

Father’s Denial of Dementia Diagnosis Frustrates Daughter

Dear Carol: My dad’s been experiencing memory lapses and making sketchy decisions. I finally got him into a neurologist who diagnosed him with dementia,...

The image shows an older woman in bed. S he's got gray hair and is wearing a blue nightgown. She smiles at a younger woman who is sitting on the edge of the bed reading to her from a book. The younger woman wears a scooped necked yellow shirt jeans.

Confused About Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care? You Aren’t Alone

Dear Carol: My mom has advanced lung disease as well as late-stage Alzheimer’s. We know that there are no cures for either of her...

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Why Would Mom Choose to Smell Rather Than Use Incontinence Products?

Dear Carol: My mom is only 79 but she has a lot of health problems including lung disease requiring oxygen. She receives good health...

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Caregiver Burnout is Best Prevented Since Recovery Is Hard on Everyone

Dear Carol: My mom, age 79, has had steadily declining health for several years. Arthritis is a genetic problem in my family, so pain...

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Family and Professional Caregivers Are More Alike Than Different

Most of us who are family caregivers know that, while we often experience a sense of fulfillment when we provide care for our loved...

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The Aftermath of Long-Term Caregiving: Is Stress the New Normal?

Often long-term caregivers wonder if their lives will ever return to normal. The short answer is no; at least for most of us. There...