Initiating in-home help for a loved one sets up a big change. You know support is needed, you've reached out for help, and now you wonder, Are we ready? That's a good question! It's wise to do some up-front preparation. When possible, involve your relative in the...

Eating, dressing, getting in and out of a chair. In the course of daily life, we use many skills to accomplish even "simple" tasks. Walking or using a fork is surprisingly complex. Nerve signals and muscles have to coordinate in a very specific order. A healthy body...

The effects of dementia include changes to the way foods taste and smell. A person with Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairment may become unable to recognize foods or to know if they are hungry or full. Even the seemingly simple mechanics of fork and spoon or...

Is your relative no longer paying bills on time? Perhaps you've noticed an overdue utility bill, a missed insurance notice, a stack of unopened mail. These can add up to a lot of stress and late fees. But you don't have to take over everything all at once. There are...

Some stress is inevitable when caring for a loved one. But unrelenting stress is bad for everyone. Think of a candle. If you leave it lit 24/7, it will quickly burn through. But if you let it rest between periods of use, it will last a long time. You are like that...

Suppose your loved one was unconscious in the midst of a health crisis. If you had to make treatment decisions for them, would you know what to say? Making the choices that are right for your relative requires knowing their preferences in advance. Have you had that...

It's good news when your loved one can switch to a lower dose of a drug or quit a medication altogether. But what should you do with the unwanted pills, patches, or inhalers? Children and pets need to be protected from potentially fatal exposure. Yet chucking...

If your loved one has embraced use of a cell phone, tablet, or other digital device, it has likely facilitated caregiving and communication. In fact, much of your relative's day-to-day life may happen online. It's convenient: bills get paid online. Subscriptions renew...

If you are a male caring for a family member, you may feel socially isolated in your role. In fact, men represent at least 38% of family caregivers across the nation. You aren't alone, but you are likely to have different challenges than women do. And, typically, you...

Ever wonder how well your local hospital performs in terms of patient care and safety? Online tools can help you find out. Look to the stars. Medicare gathers hospital data regularly. It posts the information on its Care Compare website. To make comparisons simple,...

If you are named as healthcare decision maker for your loved one, you may be called upon to make very important decisions on very short notice. At a time like this, it's easy, and very human, to get caught up in fear. Unfortunately, fear does not make for the best...

It's challenging to live far from a loved one with dementia. You need the eyes and ears of a local "boots-on-the-ground" team to support them. Once that team is in place, it's important to stay connected with everyone—your relative and the care team members. It's a...