Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

This indoor images shows a younger woman on the left with her arm around an older woman. the younger woman his medium length blone hair, glasses, and is wearing a green sweater. The older woman has gray hair combed back and is wearing a navy zip up top. Both are smiling.

7 Pitfalls to Avoid When Visiting Someone with Dementia

Whether you’re caring for someone with dementia or visiting them from time to time you’ll want to do your best to make...

An older couple looks out over a railing onto water. The gray atmosphere is somber, as the woman holds the man's arm. He wears a tan jacket and a cap and uses a walking stick on a strap. Her gray hair is uncovered, and she wears a black jacket and pants.

Caregiver’s Body Language and Voice Can Either Calm or Cause Anxiety

Dear Carol: It’s a common problem, I know, but I’m worried about how my dad cares for my mom, who lives with...

Respecting the Right to Age With Dignity

The impact of aging frequently makes the news. Sadly, the coverage is consistently negative, and all facets of this topic are portrayed...

The image shows a summery day outside. An older man sits on a park-like bench. He wears a blue baseball-style hat, and a blue long-sleeved shirt with sleeves pushed above the elbows., over shorts and brown shoes and socks. His arm is outstretch as he rests his hand on the curved end of a traditional cane.

How to Choose a Mobility Aid for an Older Adult

Most of us would love to live our lives without the need for mobility aids, but as we age, we begin to...

We see a very closeup image of harp-like stringed instrument

Music-Thanatology: Providing Harmony at the End of Life

The mission of hospice providers is to help people live their last months or weeks of life in the most comfortable, dignified...

Aphasia: Speech Problems Caused by Brain Injury

My uncle was an avid reader and loved playing word games. After a series of strokes, he had extreme difficulty communicating. 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...

This indoor shot shows an older woman with olive skin and very short, spikey white hair. She's wearing brown-rimmed glasses and a blue print top with a red apron over it. Her expression is one that could be read as accusatory.

Losing the Ability to Swallow: How to Help Someone With Dysphagia

Coping with an ill loved one’s difficulty swallowing can be frustrating and frightening for everyone involved. Caring for someone we love means...

We see two middle-aged adults sitting at a distance on a couch, clearing aging. The woman on the left had her head turned away. She has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a white shirt. Her arms are folded in defiance. The male on the right also has his head turned away and sits with arms folded. He has brown hair and is wearing a blue, long-sleeved shirt.

Siblings’ Focus is on Preserving their Inheritance Over Doing Right

Dear Carol: You’ve heard it all before. I’ve cared for both parents through years of their failing health. After Dad died, I...

Image of Carol Bradley Bursack as she's interviewed by The Retirement Navigator

The Conversation With Your Aging Parents You Keep Avoiding — And Why It Can’t Wait

I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Kwame Kwadey for The Retirement Navigator. It was fun for me because Kwame...