Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

This indoor image shows a bouquet of lilacs in the background. In the foreground, we see a younger woman with dark hair pulled back learning over an older woman to accept a hug. She wears a Beige sweater and looks pleased by the hug. The gray-haired older woman hugging her is seated. She wears a hospital gown. We see her thin, aging arm as she hugs the younger woman.

Women and Caregiving: The Hidden Health, Work, and Financial Effects of Unpaid Care in Midlife

While more men are caring for family members than in the past, women are still the first considered in most families when...

This idoor image shows an older woman on the left with died blonde hair and a pink wrap draped over she shoulders. She holds her glasses in one hand as she looks at an image on a smart phone that's held by a younger woman. The younger woman has very long brown hair pulled loosely over one shoulder. She wears a 3/4 sleeved white top. She is holding her smartphone out for the older soman to see. Both women look content.

Helping vs. Enabling: How to Strike a Balance While Caregiving

Most family caregivers want what is best for their loved ones, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Unfortunately,...

Family Caregivers Still Undervalued By Many

We live in a society that tends to value what we do over who we are. If what we do isn’t highly...

This outdoor image shows two women sitting on a bench with a brick building behind them. The woman on the left has long brown hair and is wearing sunglasses, a blue short-sleeved shirt, and black shorts. Her head is turned toward a woman with dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a sleeveless black top and a tuquoise skirt. Her had is tippped back as she looks at her friend. They are both laughing.

Humor Shared Among Caregivers Is Therapeutic

I once visited a caregiver friend and her mother, who had moderate Alzheimer’s disease. At one point during the visit, the mother...

This indoor image shows a dark wall. An older man sits in a dark brown recliner. He's wearing a turquoise long sleeved henly style shirt. He has gray hair, no visible glasses, and is staring ahead with an unhappy expression.

Why Does My Elderly Loved One Sleep All Day?

As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly than when they were younger. Waking up during the night due to achy...

An older bald man with glasses, wearing a gray button-up shirt hugs a younger woman to his side. He wears a slight smile. The younger woman is looking toward the camera and smiling, as well. Her blond hair is pulled back and she wears a light sage sweater.

Compassionate Dementia Care Means Avoiding Harsh, Literal Truth

Dear Carol: I understand that people with dementia who tell outrageous stories aren’t really lying. It’s got to be horrible to feel...

This indoor image shows an older man in the forground. He's sitting in a chair but looking up at a younger woman who is smiling at him. He wears a pastel plaid summer sport shirt and she wears a white professional jacket.

Convincing Older Adults There’s Something to Smile About

Despite increasing awareness of and sensitivity to ageism in our society, age-related stereotypes about stubborn, grumpy seniors persist. Chronic health conditions, changes...

With an autumn tree in the background, a younger woman stands with her arm slung around the neck of an older woman. The older woman has her head turned toward the younger woman as they smile at each other.

Spring Cleaning: How to Refresh Your Caregiving Routine

For many families, spring is a time to shake off the winter blues, deep clean their homes and focus on getting organized....

This outdoor image shows a brick wall with foliage behind it. In the foreground, we see an older woman with short gray hair, slightly windblowen. She wers a cream, V-necked cardigan and pearls. By her side and looking toward the older woman we see the prfoile slightly turned away of a younger woman with a light brown messybun. The two are looking directly at each other.

Tips for Helping Older Adults Downsize to Before Moving to Assisted Living

For most seniors, moving from a long-time home into an assisted living facility is difficult. For some, it’s nearly paralyzing. In addition...

This outdoor image shows the back o a truck bed being loaded with cardboard boxes. Four people are working. They appear to be young and agile. All wearing casual clothing.

Making an Assisted Living Apartment or Nursing Home Room Feel Like Home

While change is difficult for people of all ages, deviating from the status quo seems to become even more taxing as we...