Family & Relationships Articles

• A Caregiver’s Guide to Caring for a Narcissist
  Narcissists can come in many forms--from the manipulative mother, to the swaggering spouse. It can be difficult for a caregiver to cope with caring for an elder who seems to think only about themself.
  Loving someone who doesn't love you »
• What It Feels Like to be Old
  Aging Sensitivity test lets “young people” experience first-hand what it feels like to be old.
  Find out what it feels like to be old »
• Social Media Provides Caregivers a Cyber Shoulder to Lean On
  Social media websites and online forums can be great resources for caregivers--helping them cope with stress, giving them community and companionship, and providing them with information so they can take better care of their elderly loved ones.
  Connect to others who care »
• Senior Gifts: It’s the Giving, Not the Gift That Matters Most
  Are you agonizing over what gift to give your mom or dad or elderly relative? Stop agonizing and enjoy the process of giving a gift to someone you love. What matters is the giving.
  Gifts for the senior who has everything »
• Reducing Loneliness in Elders around the Holidays
  Elders can have an especially hard time with loneliness during the holiday season. The holidays can bring isolation, loss, and a feeling of loneliness to a head.
  12 ways to make the holidays merrier »
• Making Holidays Special for Your Elders…No Matter Where They Live
  Whether your parent lives at home, with you, in an assisted living facility or a nursing home, there are small things you can do to make the holidays special for the whole family.
  Holidays can be celebrated anywhere »
• Keeping Relationships Strong While Caregiving: A True Story
  Double duty caregiving: How caring for an elderly mother and a chronically ill spouse changed one caregiver's life forever.
  Caregiving changes you forever »
• Memory Keepers: Preserve Family Memories
  Recording your elders stories, family recipes and photographs is a great way to honor your family, keep memories alive and create a family legacy for future generations.
  How to preserve family history »
• Conversation Starters: 20 Questions to Ask Your Parents
  Ask these questions to learn about your parent’s life and put your own life into context.
  How well do you know your parents? »
• What To Do When a Parent Repeats the Same Things Over and Over
  When an elder repeats the same things over and over, it's enough to drive you crazy! Understanding why they do it may help you cope with this annoying habit.
  When you've heard it a hundred times »
• Did Your Mother Really Know Best?
  Whether mom was right or wrong as you were growing up, reflecting on childhood memories can be cathartic as you face the fact that she's getting old. What helps is how you handle your memories and feelings.
  Understand decisions your parents made »
• Love is in the Air: Elderly People Who Find Love Later in Life
  These couples prove that you're never too old to fall in love! They met their mates in their 70s, while living in senior retirement communities.
  Finding love late in life »
• Dating and Caregiving: An Impossible Mix?
  If you're single and taking care of a parent who demands much of your time, you may have asked yourself if you could date while being a caregiver. Here are some tops for how to date and have a relationship while being a caregiver.
  Dating 101 for caregivers »
• Family Meetings: How to Have Peace and Avoid Arguments
  Holding a family meeting can be productive or a disaster depending on the family. Learn how to hold a peaceful family meeting with a great outcome.
  Keys to effective family meetings »
• How can I stop caregiving from putting a strain on my marriage?
  Caregiving can sometimes cause marriages to lead to divorce if you're not careful. Here is hw to prevent your marriage from ending in divorce from caregiving.
  Read More »
• Top 3 Excuses From Siblings Who Don't Help With Caregiving
  When siblings won't help out with caregiving, conflicts can arise. Here are some common excuses that siblings give, and responses that caregivers can use to avoid conflict.
  Why siblings won't help »
• Why Listening Is the Caregiver's Secret Weapon
  The simplicity of listening is often overlooked. Here is how you can understand the underlying messages of what someone is saying by listening, and avoid criticism or arguments.
  Listening means more than hearing »
• Family Won’t Help With Caregiving? How to Change Their Mind
  Caregivers often don't ask family members for the help they need, for fear of conflict. Here's how to get them to help and maintain the peace.
  How to Change Their Mind »
• Siblings in Denial About a Parent's Declining Health
  Why are some siblings in denial about a parent's decline? They might not want to face the fact their parent is getting old and going to die. They might not want to get involved in caregiving. They may have other problems in life that are taking precedent
  Giving siblings a reality check »
• How do I deal with a parent who likes to fight and always has to be right?
  When an elderly parent fights and always has to be right, the best way thing to do is not respond to their argumentative behavior and don't be defensive.
  Read More »