Caregiving

The Silver Agony Aunt responds to these question: “How do you make sure assisted living is the best possible option for a loved one, and how can you overcome feeling regret over some decisions, even though you did the best you could at the time?”

Caregivers are angels walking on earth. They are tireless in their devotion and committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure those they love are safe, protected and supported. Caregivers often set themselves up with unreachable goals…

Are you a caregiver for an aging parent? While seniors in their 70s, 80s and 90s are being encouraged more than ever to stay active, get out and enjoy life, the stark reality is that many experience stress and anxiety over health…

Being a family caregiver can be both a full-time job and life’s sole purpose during its duration. One thing is certain, though: The cycle of life continues, and loved ones die. What then? How do you cope with the void?

I did not get along with my mom. We both had strong personalities, different ways of looking at life, and personal issues that made it hard to be nice to each other. Once I became old enough to speak up, we were off and running, fighting for the last word and sometimes…

In the past months, I have been navigating the rough and turbulent waters of dementia, trying to cope with the changes I observe in my mother’s behavior. I was oblivious at first – or perhaps I overlooked the signs. I hoped the dementia…

I was recently thinking about the first conversation I had with my Mom about how I could pitch in and help her out more. At the time, I wasn’t sure what that meant – and I most certainly didn’t know how to have such an important and serious discussion…

Life has a way of presenting us with decisions that test our strength and resolve. Recently, I faced one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make: moving my 90-year-old mum into a care home. This was not a decision made lightly, nor one that has come without a significant emotional toll…

I was completely unprepared for my caregiving journey and set out on choppy waters because I was determined to care for my parents. Caregiving is a complex combination of challenging, frightening, rewarding and surprising…

In working with 1,100 people living with dementia, I’ve found working with them is the easy part! It’s their families who are much more challenging. Typically, the whole family is pulling together to figure out how to manage day-to-day life, the ins and outs of care, and trying to plan ahead. The whole family, except for that one family member…