Family & Relationships

  • How “Role Reversal” and Other Caregiving Catchphrases Skew Your Thoughts

    “Parenting your parent” has become a popular phrase for describing the unique challenges family caregivers experience. The concept seems accurate at first but subscribing to it can affect your ability to infuse respect into the care you provide.

    14 Comments
  • Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Professional Caregivers

    There’s nothing more reassuring than finding a caregiver who goes above and beyond in their role. So, when the holidays roll around, what is the best way to thank these compassionate people for treating our loved ones like family?

    5 Comments
  • How can I show my appreciation to my sister who cares for Mom full time?

    Ohhh, how I wish I’d had a caring sister like you! First, realize that family caregivers often endure prolonged stress that can compromise their physical and mental health... Click to read Jacqueline's full answer.

    5 Comments
  • What can I do about friends who don't support my caregiving?

    They want to be supportive, but they just can't for long periods of time, because they realize what you are describing is all ahead of them. For now, they aren't there yet, don't want to be, prefer denial--and it is just too unpleasant to listen to horror stories they can't fix.

    27 Comments
  • How I Got My Passive Sibling to Help Me Care for Our Parents

    Getting uninvolved siblings to help you care for your aging parents can be one of the most frustrating aspects of caregiving. Instead of letting anger get the best of you, try to change your perspective and get creative with how you ask for assistance.

    13 Comments
  • The Power of Telling Family Stories

    Reminiscing is a vital part of healthy aging. Sharing stories and experiences is a powerful way to improve a senior’s self-esteem, reduce stress, and leave a legacy to younger generations.

    8 Comments
  • 10 Essential Podcasts for Family Caregivers

    Most people become caregivers with little to no knowledge of or firsthand experience with the complexities of this role. Books and articles are excellent sources of information, but there’s another valuable resource that is often overlooked: podcasts.

    4 Comments
  • Fighting the Physical Effects of Age and Dementia

    Both Mum’s memory and physical stamina seem to evade her these days. As a dementia caregiver, it’s my job to find something to help both her mood and mobility.

    4 Comments
  • Letting Go

    A loved one develops dementia and begins to have difficulty with memories and crowds, but they still want to be a part of family life and celebrations. How can caregivers balance a loved one's desires with their diminishing capabilities?

    3 Comments
  • Coming Clean with Mum

    After researching the “ethics” of blogging, I realized what had been bothering me. I hadn’t been honest with Mum and it was time to tell her the truth.

    5 Comments
  • Caregiving Top Tips: How to Start the New Year Off Right

    The AgingCare forum is filled with people coming together to share valuable information. We’ve compiled experienced caregivers’ best suggestions for staying active, relaxing and maintaining relationships in the new year.

    1 Comment
  • There Are No Excuses for Avoiding Nursing Home Visits

    There are many tired justifications for getting out of visiting a loved one in a hospital, nursing home or other long-term care facility. A dementia patient explains why he finds these selfish excuses to be simply unacceptable.

    18 Comments
  • A Wonderful Life Productions: Preserving Legacies with Film

    A company has set out to preserve seniors' legacies for future generations by using video interviews, family photos, old letters and other personal memorabilia to produce a unique theater-quality film.

    0 Comments
  • The Power of Human Touch

    It is becoming increasingly difficult for humans to establish personal, physical connections in this digital age. However, showing affection through touch is vital to expressing our feelings for those we love--especially the elderly, ill and disabled.

    7 Comments
  • The Unexpected Gifts of Grandmotherhood

    Forging relationships with little ones is exciting and rewarding. Grandchildren can spark a deeper connection with our own parents and grandparents—even those who may no longer be with us.

    3 Comments
  • 6 Things You Shouldn't Say to a Cancer Patient

    It can be difficult for friends and family to think of the right things to say to a loved one who has cancer. When in doubt, avoid using these phrases and simply listen to what the cancer patient has to say.

    3 Comments
  • Am I a Caregiver? Defining the Family Caregiver Role

    Many individuals struggle to accept the label of “family caregiver,” but fully embracing this role increases our chances of succeeding in it.

    5 Comments
  • This Man Lost $9 Million Saving His Grandmother from Elder Abuse

    Brooke Astor's grandson, Philip, was recently cut out of his father's will after he accused his father of elder abuse against his late grandmother who'd had Alzheimer's disease, costing him an estimated $9 million inheritance.

    0 Comments
  • This is What 16 Years of Caregiving Taught Me

    I have been my mother's caregiver for the past 16 years. Along the way, I and have learned many things about dementia. I have jotted them down here to share with you.

    8 Comments
  • Will I Forget You? Dementia and Marriage

    You hear couples tell one another this all the time. We will grow old together and will always be there for each other. But what happens when one partner gets dementia?

    5 Comments
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