Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

older, gray-haired man sitting at a table with younger man. The setting shows a room in a facility such as assisted living. Large windows appear in the background along with some foliage from a tree branch.

Do Parents Really Want to Live with Their Adult Children?

It’s difficult to pinpoint how many aging parents live with their adult children, but there is certainly a lot more interest in this type...

A very close shot of an older face. The person has blank looking blue eyes, the skin is white, sun damaged, and wrinkeled.

Repetitive Questions in Dementia Stems from Memory Loss and Confusion

Dear Carol: My mother, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, repeats the same question multiple times an hour. I know that’s typical behavior with...

Background of a light wood interior door in a large room. Foreground is a communal dining table set with flowers, cups and other white tablewear. Sitting at the table is an older couple. The white-haired woman is wearing a blue dress with a white collar. The white-haired man wis wearing a dark blue suit with military medals pinned to the jacket.

Encouraging Parents to Socialize After the Move to Senior Living

Moving to senior living is often a difficult transition for aging loved ones. Even elders who are on board with the decision to relocate...

Interior view of a large common room. A round, dark-wood table and two chairs are visible on the right. A large square coffee table is visible on the live. A large screened TV sits on a wall next to a fireplace. Windows cover one side.

What to Look for When Visiting Someone in a Care Facility

So, you and your loved one have taken the plunge. You’ve put in the time and effort to research senior housing options, take tours...

Cover image of the book "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories". Image showes older man looking pensive, with arms crossed over chest. Sepia tones show a light shirt. He's wearing dark rimmed glasses and has receding hair. Background is indoors, blurred and brownish tones.

Caregiving: A Legacy To Be Proud Of

Have you thought about what you’d want your obituary to say about you? I hadn’t until I was recently asked to write an article...

Middle aged man with dark skin and shaved head, has hands placed on top of bent head. Grief is written on his downturned face.

Breaking the News That a Loved One is Going on Hospice Care

When the paperwork was finally signed to get hospice care for my dad, I was grateful. There would now be a routine of care...

Mother and daughter sit on a park bench with trees and walkway i the background. The older woman weathers a tourqouise shirt with short sleeves. She sits with her hands in her lap. The younger woman with long black hair and glasses, wears a light orange sleeveless shirt and jeans. She has on hand placed on older woman's arm and they are both laughing.

Should You Quit Your Job To Care for Your Aging Parent?

As parents age and need more assistance, most adult children do what they can to help. For many, the first step is a weekly...

Older couple of Asian descent standing outside. Home featuring trees and flower pots. A short, gray haired woman in a light green dress smiles as her taller husband stands beside her, arm around her shoulders. He holds a a small bouquet of red and yellow freshly picked flowers in his other hand.

Surviving Providing Care for Multiple Older Adults at the Same Time

Each of our aging parents is unique. Some people age so well that they need little help until they are well into their eighties,...

Man and woman sit on a couch with expressions and gestures of those who are arguing. The woman has long brown hair and a light sweater. She's turned toward the man, with hands out in front as if explaining something. The many has arms crossed with one hand gesturing. He has dark brown hair and a beard and mustasch.

Hands-On Vs. Distance Caregivers Can Offer Different Perspectives

Dear Carol: I’m a husband and father living about 200 miles from my aging dad. Since my sister lives in his community, she checks...

Image shows woman with light brown hair drawn into a ponytail. Her head bends forward, showing forehead in her hand. Elbow is on the table, with a water glass nearby. She wears a blue, short-sleeved shirt. The image is one of profound sadness.

Coping With the Decision to Put Your Parent in a Care Facility

Guilt is one emotion that every family caregiver will experience at some point during their journey. When you take on responsibility for another person,...