Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

This indoor image shows an older Arfrican American couple sitting on a couch with heads turned facing each other. The love they have shows in their faces. The man o the left has very short gray hair with a receding hairline. He wears wirerimmed glasses and a muted gray plaid shirt. The woman, on the right, has short gray hair and glasses and wears a muted ivory top.

Coping when Both Parents Have Dementia

“My mom and dad both have dementia. I am all alone taking care of them since. I have no one to help...

Hanukkah Begins: Light and Love to All

Candles symbolize light and love for many faiths. For eight days and nights, people of the Jewish faith celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival...

This indoor image shows an older woman with short, curly, redish brown hair and dark rimmed glassed. hes got her fingers pressed against the sides of her forehead and is looking down, forehead creased, and sad. her clothing is dark but she's wearing a turqouoise necklace and a small bracelet on each bare arm.

Blood work and a Physical Might Explain Mother’s “Blah” Symptoms

Dear Carol: My 90-year-old mom seems to be declining significantly over the last few weeks. She recently told me she feels “blah”...

An older woman is sitting in an easy chair but leaning slightly forward and to her right side. She has short steel-gray hair with whispy bangs, grazing her forehead. Her expression is annoyed, as she holds her hands over her ears. has an annoyed expression

The Emotional Toll of Moving Your Elderly Parent to Senior Living

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home. For most of us, the feeling is less about how large or...

We see a closeup of a hand holding a gold Christmas tree bulb with the other hand poised to hang it on the tree. Blurred gold lights are visible, as are other hands. In the hands of another person. In the background, we see the blurred head of an older man who is on the far side of the tree.

How to Stay Sane During the Holidays as a Sandwich Generation Caregiver

If one can believe the old Westerns, frontier women were the ultimate multi-taskers. They could rock a cradle with their foot to...

This image shows an older couple, heads turned toward each other, gazing into each others eyes. The man on the left is bald with a mustache. He wears a medium blue V-necked top over a white tee shirt. The woman on the right has short, feathered gray hair, redish lipstick, and wears a tan long sleeved top. The are holding up their arms as if resing elbows on a table and their hands are touching.

Having “The Talk”: How to Discuss End-of-Life Issues with Parents

Sex and death: It’s odd that these two topics of conversation should bring so much anxiety to parents and children. One addresses...

We see a blurred indoor view with a window behind to people. In front of the window we see an older man with gray hair, glasses, a black and white checked shirt under an olive green sweater and tan pants with his arm around the back of a woman. The woman has a light brown bob, blasses, and wears a turquoise pullover blouse. Her arm is around the waist of the man as they touch heads to the side. Both are smiling.

Coping With Seniors Who Won’t Accept In-Home Caregivers

Hiring in-home care for my elderly neighbor, Joe, was quite an ordeal. The company we chose and their professional caregivers were great,...

Man and woman pointing fingers and yelling at each other. Look like adult siblings with brown hair and slightly Asian features

Siblings Who Feel Shut Out of Caregiving

There’s a great deal of anger in the world of family caregiving over siblings who don’t help care for their aging parents....

We see a cheerful room with gold walls, white painted classic widows and a green Christmas tree. The tree is being decorated in gold bulbs and white doves b an older man in a white pullover that has a green and red pattern. He has steel gray hair and a trimmed beard. He's laughing and chatting with a younger woman with long brown hair who is wearing a white top.

Caregiver Tips for Enjoying Holidays with Older Adults

Even though most of us have happy memories of holiday celebrations, this time of the year can be stressful. There are pervasive societal expectations...

An older man sits in a wheelchair. We view him from the back, and he's wearing a blue cap and red sweater. He's looking up at at younger person who has a hand placed on his back. We only see a younger hand and the arm of a brown suede jacket on the side. On the horizon, we see blurred hills and trees.

Support Can Improve Post-Stroke Grief and Depression

Dear Carol: My dad had a stroke a few months ago. He’s recovered enough to come home, which would be great news, except...