November is National Family Caregivers Month. We want to express our gratitude to you, who are part of the 40 million people (one in six Americans) who care for an older adult friend or relative. So many family caregivers feel invisible, we thought we'd give you some...

Are frequent visits to the ER a significant part of the past six to twelve months? Does your loved one seem more fatigued? Less interested in eating? Perhaps a bit withdrawn? These symptoms may be hallmarks of a serious illness your relative will overcome. But it's...

Is your family member seriously ill or in frail condition? A veteran? If so, the VA has a special service that offers palliative care to keep your loved one comfortable. The cause of your loved one’s ill health is not important in requesting palliative care. The point...

Do you ever wish you could wave a magic wand for more joy? Patience? Optimism? Motivation? Maybe less irritability and stress? It's actually accessible now, no wizardry required. Just a shift in attention. Welcome to "anticipation." You may have noticed that half the...

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are many other conditions that also bring on memory problems. It is important to accurately identify the cause, even if there's no cure, because this will shape the best strategy for addressing...

It's unpleasant to imagine that your loved one might become the victim of crime, but it's worth considering. There are valuable preventive steps to take. Unless your relative lives in a high-crime neighborhood, their greatest risk is a property crime in or around...

If your loved one is discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), their care will be in the hands of a team of specialists. It's a good idea to understand the players' roles so you know whom to call upon for what. Director of nursing. This...

Depression is common in older adults. It's long been known that brisk exercise can help reduce depression. But it turns out that exercise doesn't have to be vigorous to make a difference. Even mild exercise can be effective. This is great news, especially since...

No one likes to dwell on the possibility of disaster. But we all need to prepare for one, just in case. Help your relatives gear up for safety. Whether you live across town or across the nation, the action items are the same. Prepare to stay in contact. In case of a...

If your loved one has balance problems, the culprit may be in the medicine. Many common medicines have side effects that can impair balance and lead to a fall. Over 40% of persons age 65 and older take five medications or more. This increases the chance that at least...

Has your parent remarried? If so, you may be sharing the caregiving with a person you don't know very well. Biological families often encounter tensions when it comes to eldercare. Add a stepparent and the challenges can grow exponentially. At its best. A stepparent...

Medicare pays for many screening exams, and even counseling sessions, to help nip common illnesses in the bud. Screening tests are designed to identify problems before symptoms emerge. They are usually for people who are considered to be "at risk" for getting a...