Confused About Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care? You Aren’t Alone
Dear Carol: My mom has advanced lung disease as well as late-stage Alzheimer’s. We know that there are no cures for either...
Minding Our Elders Blog
Tips for Managing Incontinence with Dementia
Dear Carol: My dad has Alzheimer’s. Since I’ve received support and training from the Alzheimer’s Association on how to deal with his...
When One Parent Dies, the Other Often Needs a Long-Term Care Plan
Long-term marriages generally evolve into a support system so efficient that even adult children hardly notice changes in their parents. If Dad’s...
Journaling Helps Some Caregivers Stay on Track Emotionally
At some point during your caregiving journey, you may find yourself in a rut. The awareness may come with a birthday, a...
Hiring a Private Caregiver Presents an Administrative Burden, but There’s Help
Dear Carol: We’ve used caregivers through an agency for my mom who has dementia, but locally they are all short-staffed and unreliable....
How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell When Incontinence Accidents Happen
Dear Carol: I feel like my home is becoming contaminated territory! My Dad is a sweetheart, but he’s got dementia and has...
People Living with Dementia May Fight Bathing: Compassion, Education Can Help
Many older adults may not bathe as often as younger people think they should, but what about people living with dementia? Here...
An Older Adult Skips Bathing? Maybe there’s a Reason
A common complaint about older people, especially those who have health challenges, is that they “smell” or have other signs that they...
When Loved Ones Rally Before Death
Family members are often relieved and hopeful when a dying loved one suddenly becomes more aware of their surroundings or begins talking...
Reconciling Grief & Relief When the Loved One You Cared for Dies
When my mother died in a local nursing home, my “career” of visiting this exceptional facility nearly every day for almost 15...
