Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

Family dinner table with library shelves in the background. Adult an with brown hair and blue green shirt heads the table. On one side is an older gray-haired man in a red sweater. On the other side is an older gray-haired woman in deep green sweater.

Do You Regret the Decision to Live with Aging Parents?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place...

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

Adult Siblings Who Care More About Inheritance Than Parents’ Care

“We don’t want strangers taking care of Mom!” “We promised Dad he would never have to go to a nursing home!” “If...

Older man and woman, likely the grandparents, holding baby and toddler on their laps. Both grandparents have gray hair. Woman is wearing a purple sweater and man is wearing a pink shirt.

Balancing Caregiving 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...

Affectionate older gray-haired couple, man in blue sweater and woman in red sweater.

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...

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,...

In the foreground we see a jumble of clothing, mostly in brown tones with some rush and cream. Behind the mess is a woman in a bulky coat in the same colors. We see some brownish hair on top of her head but her face is buried behind the jumbled clothing.

Rummaging: When People with Dementia Dig Through Drawers or Trash

Dear Carol: I’m struggling. My husband was always super neat, but Alzheimer’s gradually took away his ability to organize even the basics...

Planning a “Picnic” for a Loved One in a Senior Living Community

While most senior living communities offer an array of programs and events, activities directors often work with limited budgets and are challenged...

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...

Livingroom with white fireplace full of brown packing boxes ready to fill for a move

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

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

Black and white image of tools on a bench: hammer plyers, screwdriver, needle nose

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 doctor’s appointments, and...