Marlis describes herself as a “Gramma who loves technology and has a lot to say.” She blogs about whatever catches her interest: food, books, family and more. For AgingCare.com, she writes about the issues facing the elderly and her experiences caring for her husband, Charlie, who suffers from dementia.

Articles

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I'm Marlis Powers—caregiver, grandmother, cancer-survivor. I care for my husband, Charlie, who has dementia. I'll be sharing my perspectives as a spousal caregiver with the AgingCare community through an ongoing series of blog posts.

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My husband has dementia. I have mixed feelings every time I hear his cane hit the floor in the morning. I dread the day that I can no longer cope and he has to go into long-term care.

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The caregiver's path is unpredictable, but we somehow seem to keep moving forward for the sake of our loved ones--even when things seem impossible.

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One of the challenges in caring for my spouse became his "going" problem. He was emptying his bladder constantly – at least every hour. We evaluated his prostate, got medical attention, and most importantly adjusted his fluid intake.

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Statistics show that one out of three people over age 65 take a fall each year. Whether you are a caregiver or an aging adult living alone, take a good look around your home and eliminate trouble spots.

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Physical fitness is vitally important for both caregivers and their loved ones. Here's how Charlie and I manage to stay in shape.

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Different types of technology can be very helpful for caregivers of elders with dementia. What I really need is a "Charlie App."

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I'm having trouble trying to find respite care for Charlie while I undergo knee replacement surgery. He simply doesn't want to accept outside help.

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While caring for my husband with dementia I've learned that writing has helped Charlie and I express ourselves and cope with difficult emotions in a more productive way.

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Alcohol can affect the elderly in different, more profound ways than it effects younger people. Unfortunately, Charlie enjoys wine a little bit too much.

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I recently participated in a study to help researchers develop a "frailty index" for people over 65 and I'm not sure what to think of my results.

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My youngest sister died at the age of 63. The diagnosis - lung cancer. Sally did not get cancer from smoking; she got it from radon.

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A personal story about knee replacement surgery, the rehabilitation process, and the decision to have the other knee done.

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Maintaining good dental health is important for you and your loved one. Some studies even say that oral hygiene is linked to brain health.

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Handling Charlie's dementia-induced obsessions sometimes forces me to lie in order to keep him calm.

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There's no way to really know how long we'll live, but that doesn't stop us from wondering. I recently played one of those online games that's allegedly supposed to tell you how many years you've got left.

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What do you do when your loved one is suffering from depression? It's essential for us caregivers to know how to stave off depression in ourselves and those we care for.

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Charlie's latest dementia-fueled obsession: his dental health. He's always asking me to make appointments with the dentist, even though he doesn't need to go.

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I've seen several studies recently that point to the possibility that individuals who're more educated and keep their brains active throughout their lives may have a reduced risk of dementia.

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Family Caregiver Blog: The pros and cons of renting versus buying for aging adults, and how Charlie and I became comfortable with being renters.

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