At some point, the burdens of treatment may just become too much for your loved one: The nausea of chemo. The rigors of dialysis. Wearying trips to the ER. Perhaps the person you care for is already having these thoughts, to let nature take its course and stop...

The most common arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips, lower back, neck, and feet. It affects roughly half of those age 65 and over. With osteoarthritis, the smooth layer of cartilage between the bones in the joints...

Money matters are often intensely private. And no one wants to infringe on a family member's independence. Yet it is through (sometimes expensive) financial mishaps that you may learn of changes in your parent's memory and thinking. Signs of a problem Diseases that...

Dog training organizations are looking toward a new challenge: Training highly skilled "dementia dogs." These dogs are individually trained to meet the needs of persons with memory loss problems. They provide safety and companionship. They also relieve the anxiety of...

From sensors and cameras to remote alarm systems, today's marketplace offers a plethora of technology to help older adults safely age in place. Those devices with monitoring features are particularly useful if your loved one lives on their own, whether near to you or...

It's common for those newly diagnosed with a vision-loss condition to feel anxious and depressed. Understandably so! They worry about losing their independence. Also, that they will need help with many activities of life. This in turn suggests a loss of privacy. Many...

With National Healthcare Decisions Day coming up on April 16, it's good to review who your loved one has chosen as their healthcare power of attorney (sometimes called a "proxy" or "agent"). This is who will make decisions for them when they are no longer able to do...

Did you know that nearly half of adults taking prescription medications for a chronic condition make errors in taking their meds? The most common problem areas: Memory. Forgetting to take a medicationOrganization. Failing to order a refill in time and...

Before your loved one pays a medical bill, wait for the insurance's Explanation of Benefits (from Medicare, this is called a "Medicare Summary Notice"). This document indicates what services were billed by which providers for what days. It is an important summary to...

When we think of "resources," as family caregivers we might think of money. Or time. But there is another resource we're using every day that is often overlooked: Emotional energy. Our emotions and mood contribute mightily to our ability to deal with challenges. When...

If the person you care for has chronic or advanced kidney disease, dialysis will come up as a treatment option. This procedure mimics the cleansing function of the kidneys. It mechanically "rinses" the blood to take out toxins. Dialysis is not a cure for kidney...

Don't confuse a lack of symptoms with a lack of risk. A person with high blood pressure usually feels "just fine." And that makes it easy to also feel unconcerned. Your loved one may not be motivated to treat high blood pressure. Or may want to stop taking medications...