Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

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...

A wild array of junk, tools, scissors, and other items jumbled together.

How Do I Get Dad Out of His Cluttered, Unsafe Home?

People want to stay in their own homes. You hear it and read about it all the time. And there’s some merit...

We see a dark-haired woman from the top io her head. Her hands are in her hair as she holds her head forward, eyes closed and nose wrinkled, mouth open as if to scream. Her upheld arms show the wrists of a black tweed sweater or coat.

“I Promised My Parents I’d Never Put Them in a Care Home”

Caregiving is a job that is full of ups and downs. Many of us take on this role out of love and...

A wood table laden with cut-out Christmas sugar cookies. They are frosted in traditional red, green, or white with added sprinkles and candies.

10 Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

When store employees wish us “Merry Christmas!” we smile back and return the greeting. When acquaintances wave and shout “Happy Holidays!” across...

We see a wide shower head with gentle shower in action. The background is blurry and dark and could be indoor or outdoor.

What to Do When an Older Adult Refuses to Bathe and Change Their Clothes

When it comes to caring for the elderly, hygiene issues are surprisingly common. Determining why their bathing habits have changed is the...