Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

We see barebranches from a tree in the background. In fore foreground are weatherd gray boards and pumpkins as if on a deck or porch.

Happy Thanksgiving from Minding Our Elders!

Sending wishes to all of you for a fulfilling day. I’m thankful for the many things in my life, and that includes...

We see a brown, fall background with dead grass and cold looking water. An older man with a white beard weathing a gray watch cap sits on a bench staring off into the distance. He has darker skin and wears a gray hoodie zipped up over light khaki pants with no gloves. He rests his forearms on his knees.

Reducing Loneliness: How to Help Older Adults During the Holidays

There is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season is supposed to be merry and...

We see a dark wood, planked tabletop from the top view. Two hands are visible from a corner. On holds a fork, tines down, ready to spear a piece of pumpking pie. the pie has one slice missing. On the right, we see a dark veverage in a clear cup. Some decorative autumn leaves are scattered on teh table.

Celebrating Special Occasions When an Older Adult Has Dementia

When a senior has dementia, celebrating holidays, birthdays and other special occasions becomes increasingly complicated. As caregivers, should we help our loved...

Cover of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. The background is a sepia-toned room. In the foreground is a picture of the author's father, sitting in a contemplative pose with arms crossed. This image is also sepia-toned in browns of different shades. To the right is the book title.

Finding Caregiver Support Online

I started the habit of getting up at 4 a.m. during my most intensive caregiving days. It was the only way I...

The word THANKFUL is spelled in gold capital letters around which are brown and gold images of leaves, pumpkins and acorns. The background is dark wood, perhaps a diningroom table.

Cherish Holiday Gatherings with Aging Parents Leaving Serious Discussions for Later

Dear Carol: Though my family is large, we happily gather at our parents’ house each Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year should be like...

Balancing Elder Care With Other Relationships

Becoming a family caregiver is often something that either happens very suddenly or slowly sneaks up on a person. When a loved...

This outdoor image shows a space tree in the background. In the freground, we see an older woman with shorter gray hair, glasses, and a re sweater sitting next to a man wearing a black fedora with a red feather, darkrimmed glasses, and a bright blue sweater. They are looking at each other with love as he places his hand on her arm and she places her hand on top of his.

Alzheimer’s: Theft, Paranoia or Forgetfulness?

The truth, as they see it, is still the truth in their eyes. Delusions, hallucinations, agitation, aggression and depression are all part...

We see a parklike view with a large tree hanging overhead. And older couple sit on a weathered, backless wooden bench facing away from the camera. The man has gray hair and is wearing a dark sport coat. The woman has light brown/gray hair and wears a medium blue dressy jacket with a ruffle at the bottom. We see her beige clad legs from the side along with dark shoes.

Should You Convince Your Aging Parents to Move Closer to You?

As a columnist for a newspaper on the High Plains, I often have readers write me that they are begging their parents...

This outdoor image shows a green garden in the background with two men stting in the foreground on a eck. The younger man has short, dark blonde hair and is wearing a brown short-sleeved shirt. He has his arm resting casually on a railing. The older man is on the firght. He has white hair, dark rimmed glasses, a white, long-sleeved, button collared shirt with a blue and red small design and beighe paints. He's looking at the younger man and smiling as if listening.

How to Keep Older Adults Active and Engaged

As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctors’ appointments, and...

Egosan is having a major year-end sale!

Egosan is having a major year-end sale! Now through December 22, up to 50% off select items. Egosan: Incontinence experts. For over...